Work Text:
Mother Knows Best
FULL FIC HERE
Seungwan was two, Seunghee five when she came back from a quick juice run from a nearby convenience store and found the two of them wrestling on the floor. More precisely: Seunghee pulling on Seungwan’s legs and Seungwan holding onto a foot of the coffee table. She dropped her grocery plastic bag and ran to separate them.
What are you two doing?
Seungwan wants to be taller, Seunghee said, letting go of her sister, who teared up but did not cry. I help make her be taller.
She hurried to gather her youngest into her arms and checked for any damage. She’s relatively unhurt, only her ankles showing some red marks from Seunghee’s hold. Breathe in. Breathe out. Don’t get mad. Don’t yell. They don’t know better, okay. You’re their mom. Breathe. Seunghee, you are hurting your sister.
Oh, I hurt Seungwan, Seunghee repeated, brows curving and mouth pulling down in an unhappy frown. I’m sorry, Seungwan.
No! Her youngest waved her chubby hands as if sensing her elder sister’s distress. No hurt!
She hugged Seungwan tighter. Why do you want to grow taller now? Eonnie is taller because Eonnie is older. You will get taller when you grow older, too.
One of Seungwan’s hands landed on her cheek in a half-hearted smack. School! Eonnie go school!
You want to go to school with Eonnie? she asked Seungwan.
Yes!
Seunghee took a step to hug Seungwan from behind, sandwiching Seungwan between them. Eonnie will bring you to school, Seungwan. Promise.
School!
Yes, one day. You’ll go to school, too, she told her youngest.
Yes!
And you, she turned to Seunghee. You’re a big sister. Seungwan can’t be in your class because she’s younger, but promise me you’ll keep an eye on her.
Keep an eye?
Yes. Make sure she’s not hurt.
Okay, I promise. I’ll hit people who hurt her.
She had to smile at that. Yes. Good girl. My good girls.
Seungwan’s hands reached out to pat her sister’s hair and her mother’s cheek, as if in gratitude.