Work Text:
"Appa, where's dad?" Chan broke the silence as he took a seat at the dining table.
"He already left early morning just now Chan-ah. He has a meeting to attend to." Jeonghan gave Chan his breakfast and took a glass of milk for him.
Chan only nodded and slumped in his seat as he took a bite of his toast. Jeonghan who is finally sitting with Chan on the dining table noticed the change in Chan's mood.
"Are you okay Chan?" Jeonghan asked softly.
"Am okay. Is dad okay?" Chan replied and took a sip of his milk without looking at Jeonghan.
Jeonghan was confused. Why is Chan suddenly asking about Seungcheol?
"Daddy is fine baby, he's a little busy these days due to the upcoming projects."
Chan only nodded and continue finishing up his breakfast before he slowly took his things and left for school. He gave Jeonghan a tight hug before he left the house. As Jeonghan watched Chan make his way to the bus stop, he finally let out a sigh.
Chan has been acting weird, well not weird. But his little baby who is always full of energy has been down recently and it doesn't help that Seungcheol has been out of house since morning and is only home late night which makes the house extra quiet.
Jeonghan figured he will have to speak to Chan and check up on him again later.
Later during the day, Chan is back home and is currently washing up. Jeonghan told him to come down to the dining table once he's done as they'll be having dinner with just them as Seungcheol has informed Jeonghan that he'll be home late today too.
Chan came into the kitchen and assisted jeonghan to prepare the plates and cutlery. Jeonghan smiled and patted Chan's back as they walked to the dining table together.
"How was your day Chan-ah?"
"It was okay, there's not much to do since we're all just waiting for our results for the last test." replied Chan who was just focused on scraping his rice in the bowl.
"Chan-ah, look at me. Is everything okay? You know you can talk to Appa right?" Chan then looked up to Jeonghan when the older held his hand.
Chan gave a little sigh and pouted without him realising. "I just miss daddy. When was the last time we had a proper meal together? I dont think i even had a proper conversation with him these days."
"oh baby... i am so sorry, i miss daddy too but i promise we shall have our time together once daddy is free alright." Jeonghan cooed as he held Chan's cheek in his hand.
"okay appa, but please dont tell daddy. I know and understand that he's busy with work. I will wait for him when he's done with work." Chan don't wanna worry his dad and make him take a day off when he's already so busy just to spend some time with him.
"alright Chan-ah, Appa will tell daddy that you miss him okay." Jeonghan smiled at chan as he ruffled his hair.
It was almost 1130pm and Seungcheol is just only reaching home. Chan is fast asleep in his room when Seungcheol went to check on him. Seungcheol was close to tiptoe-ing his way in to Chan as he does not wish to wake his son up. He looked at the sleeping boy and adjusted the dinosaur prints blanket on Chan's body. He petted Chan's hair and gave a kiss to his head, feeling all the tiredness gone from just seeing his boy. He heads back to his room after making sure that he has closed the door to Chan's room.
"hey, you're still awake." Jeonghan looked up to the voice at the door.
"of course Cheol, you know i can't fall asleep without you." Jeonghan kept his eyes on Seungcheol and he took his towel and walked to the bathroom.
"sorry Hannie, i promise we're reaching the end of this project soon."
"it's okay cheol. Go on and wash up first. Do you want me to heat up some food for you?"
"nope, we ordered food at the office just now. You just rest up in bed. I'll be there soon." Seungcheol gave Jeonghan a tired smile before he head in to the bathroom to clean himself up.
Jeonghan wanted to talk to Seungcheol but he decided not to as his husband was gone with the wind the moment he was in bed cuddling Jeonghan.
The next morning, Chan asked jeonghan the same question as the previous morning and jeonghan gave Chan an apologetic smile before answering the same thing as yesterday but promising Chan that its gonna be over soon. Chan nodded and finished up his breakfast and left for school.
Jeonghan decided that he definitely need some time to talk to Seungcheol. He texted Seungcheol asking if he has time to have lunch with him and that Jeonghan will go somewhere near his workplace instead so as to not waste anymore of Cheol's time. Luckily, Cheol replied that he will always make time for Jeonghan even if he's busy.
Working remotely from home made it easier for Jeonghan. He managed to finish up all his pending task before going out so as to not worry about it later on.
"Hey Hannie."
"Hi Cheol, come on the food's gonna be here soon". Jeonghan made cheol sit beside him and just a minute later their food has arrived. Jeonghan had asked for Seungcheol's order beforehand so that they wouldn't have to waste more time waiting for the food.
Both of them had some small chat as they ate their lunch.
"Han, we might be done with the project soon now. We're just finishing up the little bits. I was planning if you and Chan would like to travel out for a short trip this weekend?"
"Cheol... are you serious? I would love to! But is this confirmed? I hope that there wouldn't have any last minute meetings" Han pouted as he recalled something that has happened in the past.
"i promise Hannie, I've done my part and my job is done. They wouldn't be needing me. For this weekend at least and I would inform them I'll be unreachable." Seungcheol took Han's hand in his.
"you know.. Chan has been missing you alot. Me too, i miss you but it seems like Chan is having a hard time these days, he misses you." Jeonghan said carefully as he looked at Seungcheol.
Seungcheol pouted as he listened to what Jeonghan told him. "I miss you and Channie so much too. I can only see Chan when he's asleep before i leave for work and once im back."
Seungcheol felt a pang of guilty and promised Jeonghan that he will definitely make the trip happen. They both planned and decided to keep it as surprise for Chan.
Chan was planning to sleep in that Saturday morning but he was woken up by someone playing with his hair and he hear someone digging through his closet too. He finally opened his eyes and saw his dad sitting by his side and combing his hair through.
"Dad..? you dont have work?"
"morning baby, and nope I do not have work today. I miss you channie"
"daddy.. i missed you" chan quickly moved and hugged his dad tight upon hearing that. "Appa? what are you looking for in my closet? and what's that bag for?"
"Well daddy will explain to you." Jeonghan only chuckled as he replied Chan who was just resting his head on Cheol's chest.
"Chan-ah, Sorry that Daddy has been busy for the past weeks. So Daddy decided that we could go out for some family trip this weekend. Appa is packing some of your clothes, we're gonna go camping. Would you like that Chan-ah?" Seungcheol leaned back abit from the hug to look at Chan's face.
"Dad? are you kidding? I love it!!" Both jeonghan and Seungcheol laughed at the sudden energy their son had and how he started to take over jeonghan and packed his bag on his own while excitedly talking about how happy he is today.
The drive to the camping site was full of laughter and singing. Be it new songs or old, the three of them still managed to sing the hearts out, making the journey seems shorter than it is.
Jeonghan and Seungcheol had a wide smile on the face as they watch how Chan was excitedly helping out to pitch the tent and setting up the sleeping place. Slowly all their preparations are done and theyre finally sitting down around the table, Jeonghan starting to grill some meat for their dinner. Chan was being obviously clingy to his dad, talking nonstop to Cheol, telling him about whatever interesting that happened for the last few weeks.
"Dad.. thank you for bringing me out here." Dino suddenly said as he looked up to Seungcheol.
"youre welcome baby, daddy is sorry that ive been so busy.. i shouldn't be this busy anymore for the coming months so don't worry okay." Seungcheol smiled at Chan.
"i understand that youre busy working dad. Youre doing this for me, for us family and im thankful for that. Im thankful to Appa too for working and taking care of me at home too. I really miss spending time with you both, even if it's just at home and us watching some old movies." Chan smiled sheepishly to both his parents as they cooed over him.
That night, while Chan is already asleep in his sleeping bag all zipped up in the tent, Jeonghan and Seungcheol was still outside stargazing at the night sky. Jeonghan rested his head on Seungcheol shoulder while their hands are interlocking. Seungcheol rubbed their hands together keeping Jeonghan warm.
"Im sorry Hannie." Seungcheol broke the comfortable silence. Jeonghan hummed in confusion. "What are you sorry for Cheol-ah?"
"I got caught up in wanting the best and being able to provide you and Chan with the things you need and want but i failed to realize that I need to be there physically for you guys too." Jeonghan could feel Seungcheol let out the breath he was holding.
"Cheol-ah, nobody is at wrong here. Don't worry okay. You are doing well and I'm thankful that you're working hard to provide for us.Yes, Chan is upset that he's not able to see you as much these days but he doesn't know that you spend at least 5 minutes staring at him sleeping before you leave for work or even after work when you're already so tired and looking forward to crash. He knows we love him as much as he love us. We just need to manage our time properly again. Chan is growing too, that's why we need to see how we can spend our time accordingly to him now." Jeonghan assured and lifted up his head slightly to look at Seungcheol.
"I'll try my best as always. Thank you Hannie, for being the island where i can take a break and rest."
The both of them leaned their heads together and enjoyed watch the night sky together for a bit more before deciding to rest for the night. Packing up would be a dread but as long as Chan is happy, they would do this again in a heartbeat.