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jang iseul was fast, despite her being short, she was able to keep up with the kids her age and some would argue that she was a little too intense. she seemed to have her father’s spark and it was evident in the way she would do just about anything. her older cousins could keep up when it counted but even they would give up, falling to the ground dramatically.
“yah! you’re embarrassing me, stand up” park danggu complained, clinging to his wife and pointing towards his sons, lying on their backs in the starfish position.
“how are you already tired!” the little iseul, now aged 7 complained, “stand up”
jang uk laughed behind his wife’s fan, not wanting to embarrass the children but evidently proud of his daughter. he knew she was a fire cracker, much like her mother, but if she kept this up, the poor boys would really pass out. he supposed he had himself to blame, always training with iseul around. she loved to watch him use his sword, promising she’d be just as good when she was older. he had no doubt his daughter would be a powerful mage, as strong as naksu.
“we’re 10, old age catches up to us a lot faster” park dan, one of the twins frowned, “give us a break”
the sound of park danggu’s embarrassed wails could be heard as his wife dragged him away from the courtyard. the children had been playing before the twins declared a war. they were adamant that they were faster and stronger than the 7 year old little girl but even they knew they were in over their heads.
“my daddy says i’m just too strong” she sighs dramatically, smirking up at her father who gave her a thumbs up.
cho yeong laughed, carrying their 3 year old son,jang seo-jun, on her back. their son was a lot more clingy and quiet, always observing and whispering to his parents. it was obvious to everyone that his favourite person was his big sister, park jin coming in a close second.
“don’t tease them too much iseul” cho yeong called after her child, “you’re just too strong”
jang iseul giggled, pleased by her victory yet again. in the beginning, it had seemed like the twins would lose on purpose, just to make her happy but they had underestimated her.
she was the daughter of jang uk and jin buyeon after all.
“will i be as tall as you are?” she asked, giggling as jang uk lifted her up and onto his shoulders, “i think you can see the whole world from up here daddy”
cho yeong smiled. she understood what that felt like, happy that her own children wouldn’t have to feel scared or alone.
“like mommy’s favourite tree!” seo-jun said excitedly, “up mommy!”
cho yeong fought back her tears as she lifted him up onto her shoulders. she was grateful to be strong enough to protect and life up her kids even as they grew older and stronger.
“you can be as tall as me if you want to be” jang uk chuckled, “but then you’ll have to carry me on your shoulders okay?”
“impossible” jang iseul said
“impossible!” her little brother parroted, causing them to laugh.
“please stay this innocent forever, jang seo-jun” jang uk smiled
“okay” the little boy agreed easily, smiling at his father. he looked exactly like him, with cho yeong’s beautiful eyes.