Chapter Text
The next few months passed rather quickly for Jaekyung and Dan. The athlete gradually adjusted to his injury and got used to spending his days at home. However, he kept busy doing work at home, doing interviews, spending his time on social media, and attending to his fans and the press. It wasn't something he enjoyed, but it kept him entertained and sane.
At the same time, he was doing photo shoots and advertising campaigns. Now that he had enough free time, Namwook and his publicist thought it was a good idea for him to take that time to become more popular than he already was. Jaekyung was reluctant to accept it at first; the idea of posing for photos and smiling was simply a horror to him. But the idea of keeping busy got the better of him, so he ended up spending his hours in the recording studio with a camera on him while modeling for different magazines.
And so the months went by—long months of recovery. And now, after so long, Jaekyung has had his visit with the doctor. It was an interim checkup to determine how his shoulder was doing and when he could return. Dan accompanied him, of course. The physical therapist had been there by his side every step of the way.
“Does it hurt if I do this?” the doctor asked as he gently moved Jaekyung's arm.
For the next few minutes, he was moving the arm slowly and gently, up and down, side to side, always attentive to Jaekyung's movements.
“No,” Jaekyung answered truthfully. With Dan's therapies, his shoulder has healed and no longer hurts; the nagging pain he used to live with has gradually subsided, becoming a fleeting memory.
The doctor lets out a low murmur as he moves Jaekyung's arm some more. When he finally considers that all is well, he releases Jaekyung's arm and steps back.
“Well, how do it look?” the athlete asks desperately as he puts on his shirt.
The doctor walks to his desk, puts on his glasses, and then picks up some papers with Jaekyung's medical history, then returns to stand in front of the couple. “Your shoulder has healed faster than I thought it would. Dan's rehab and therapies have worked wonders; his treatment is certainly one of the best."
Dan smiles slightly upon hearing that, then stands up and walks over to Jaekyung; he had kept his distance to let the doctor do his job. Grabbing his bag and gray sweater, he stands next to the gurney.
“I'm glad to hear that the treatment has worked; does that mean Jaekyung can go back to training now?” Dan asks what Jaekyung was so desperate to ask. Jaekyung looks at the doctor and anxiously awaits his answer.
“I'd like to give it a couple more weeks.”
“What, why?” exclaims Jaekyung indignantly while abruptly getting up from the stretcher.
“Jaekyung, let the doctor finish talking,” Dan tells him in a soft voice as he grabs the athlete's arm before he throws himself on top of the doctor. From his scowl, Dan knows he is starting to get angry, but luckily, Dan has already learned how to tame the lion.
The doctor lets out a sigh, already prepared for Jaekyung's tantrum. He looks at the athlete calmly, and despite his scowl, he is undeterred. “I know I said you're fine, and that's why I want to give you another month's rest. I know you, and I know that if I give you permission to start training, you will do so the moment you leave my office. I don't want to mess up Dan's whole process; it's better to go slow.”
Jaekyung lets out a snort and sits on the stretcher with a pedantic attitude. His shoulder is fine, no pain or discomfort; why stop him from returning to the ring? “This is ridiculous.” Let's express the athlete in a low murmur.
“You know, I have a three-year-old, and you throw more tantrums than he does,” expresses the doctor, shaking his head.
“I have a six-year-old myself, and I can say the same thing,” Dan comments, following the doctor's laughter.
Jaekyung looks at them with annoyance and says, “Ha ha ha ha, yeah, how fun to tease Jaekyung.”
Dan and the doctor stop their little giggles and then focus on Jaekyung, who is about to explode in anger. The doctor sighs a little as he walks to his desk.
“Listen, I'm not going to change my decision, but...” and when he says that, he pauses. He knows he has Jaekyung's attention and that whatever he says, he won't be able to take it back later. “But I think it would be good if you started with some light training, maybe running and warm-ups, but nothing more.”
Jaekyung is satisfied with that answer and leaves the office with a big smile. Dan is relieved to see him happy; at last, he got what he wanted. After the doctor gives Dan a few directions, and they schedule their next visit, the couple leaves the office. They walk to the elevator, and when they stop to wait for the elevator doors to open, Dan decides to talk.
“Jaekyung, can I ask you a question?”
“Yes, whats up?”
“I was wondering… well, I don't know if you've noticed, but it's December already, and well, Christmas is coming, and I was wondering if we could decorate the house, you know, put up a Christmas tree and stuff.” Dan expresses himself somewhat sheepishly, and he's not even looking at Jaekyung as he speaks; his eyes are riveted to the floor, and his hands tightly clench the strap of his bag. He doesn't know why he's so nervous, but he guesses that there are things he still has to get used to.
Jaekyung, on the other hand, keeps thinking about the things Dan has told him. December and Christmas are two things that Jaekyung hasn't seen as special for a long time. And he hadn't realized that it was already that time until he looked around and noticed all the Christmas decorations, the lights, and the decorated tree that brightened up the place. He was so focused on his shoulder that everything else fell by the wayside. Damn, it's already December, and it's going to be Christmas. No, forget about it; Dan's birthday is coming up, and he doesn't have anything prepared.
“Jae?”
Dan's soft voice brings him out of his thoughts. He looks at Dan and comes back to reality. The brown-haired man is already inside the elevator and holds his hand, inviting him in. Jaekyung had been standing so lost in his head that he didn't notice Dan grabbing his hand, and now he looks at him with a confused expression.
Jaekyung shakes his head to get his thoughts away and enters the elevator. He takes advantage of the fact that they are alone to intertwine his hand with Dan's and stick a little closer to him. He knows he still has to answer, and with a small smile, he starts to speak.
“Okay, but we have to stop by the store; I don't have Christmas decorations at home.
***
The next weekend morning, the two adults and little Kenji go to the store to buy Christmas decorations. They pick out all kinds of things to decorate the house, lots of lights and garlands. And, of course, we can't forget the Christmas tree. Jaekyung, eccentric as only he was, chose the biggest tree he could find, while Dan was looking for various ornaments he could put on the tree. They left the store with lots of bags and boxes and with a little boy overly excited about the Christmas decorations.
At home, they took all day to decorate. Dan wanted to decorate the whole house, and since it was so big, they had to start very early in the morning. Dan put some decorations in the hallways, on the doors, and on the staircase banister. The sofa cushions had been replaced with red, green, and white cushions, and around them were several stuffed animals of Santa and his reindeer. Christmas tablecloths dressed the coffee table and the dining room. In every corner of the living room, there was a Christmas decoration. Jaekyung's house had never looked so cheerful and full of life.
The athlete was even surprised to see how much his house had changed. He was not a fan of Christmas or Christmas decorations, so he had never cared about putting up a tree or decorating his house. But now he lives with a child who still believes in Santa Claus and a father who loves Christmas so much that he lets out his excitement by humming traditional Christmas carols under his breath.
The Christmas tree is undoubtedly the most difficult part to decorate. It is so tall that it can almost touch the ceiling, and because of that, there are thousands of plastic pieces and branches scattered all over the place. Jaekyung had barely finished assembling the first level of the tree and was already tired. With a sigh, he lies down on the ground. In front of him is the half-assembled tree. He is exhausted and doesn't think he can continue.
“It's your fault for insisting on buying the biggest tree.”
Dan appears in his field of vision; the physiotherapist is standing next to him, holding two cups of hot chocolate. He looks at him with a smile, but deep down, Jaekyung knows he is teasing him. The athlete lets out a snort and then sits down, accepting the cup of hot chocolate.
A couple of hours later, the tree is finally assembled, and they can start decorating it. Jaekyung climbs up on a stool to decorate the higher places, while Kenji and Dan decorate the lower part closer to the ground, avoiding accidents. With Christmas music playing in the background, the three decorate the Christmas tree.
Jaekyung lets out a sigh as he places the last ornament. He carefully steps off the stool and walks away to look at his work. It's not lit yet, but Jaekyung is proud of how good it looks.
“Wait, the most important thing is missing!”Kenji shouts as he runs off towards the stairs.
Jaekyung grimaces at the outrage and brings a hand to his ear. “That kid is going to make me deaf,” he mutters, but it's enough for Dan to hear him and chuckle under his breath.
Kenji returns a few seconds later with a small box. Jaekyung approaches him to see what he has; he quickly realizes that it is the star that goes on the top of the tree.
“This is the star of the Kim family.” The boy begins to relate, and Jaekyung listens carefully. “It was my grandmother's, and then she gave it to dad, and then dad gave it to me. And now I want to give it to you and share it with you because, now, we are a family, right?" Kenji looks between his father and Jaekyung, waiting for an answer.
Jaekyung feels a lump in his throat, and his heart compresses a little, but it's not because of something bad; it's the emotions he feels every time Kenji says things like this. Family was something he hadn't had for a long time, something he hadn't wanted for a long time, and something he didn't care about. Family is something insignificant to him, but now it is important because this boy with beautiful green eyes wants him in his life and in his family. Jaekyung can only smile; what he feels in his heart is a happiness impossible to explain.
“Yeah, buddy, we're a family now,” he says, leaving a gentle caress on the boy's chubby cheek. Kenji smiles some more and excitedly hugs Jaekyung.
“So now you are part of the Kim family, and you have to put the star on the top of the tree,” expresses the boy as he stands back and extends the star towards Jaekyung, as if it were a great treasure. And Jaekyung knows that that simple object—that simple plastic star glowing inside—is a treasure for Kenji.
“Of course, it will be my honor.” Jaekyung takes the star and then stands up and asks, “Would you like to put it with me?”
And now, it is a treasure for Jaekyung, and he wants to share it with the boy. Part of the Kim family. Being part of something, is a strange but beautiful feeling, the kind that Jaekyung wants to experience more than once. Kenji nods enthusiastically and then stretches out his arms for Jaekyung to lift him up. Dan, who had only been silent, watched the moment with a big smile and his moist eyes filled with happiness. This is his family now, the one he dreamed of and longed for, finally in front of him.
The tree is finally decorated, and the family sits down to contemplate it. The lights illuminate their eyes in conjunction with the decorations. The three of them are sitting on the carpeted floor, admiring the Christmas tree, the first of many they decorate as a family.
“Dad” Kenji speaks after a long time in silence. He is sitting between his father and Jaekyung “Santa doesn't know we moved; how is he going to bring the presents this year?”
Dan looks at his son sweetly; it's so tender the way he asks, as if it's too serious a subject. Dan loves that innocence and doesn't want him to grow up and get off so quickly. With a somewhat wistful smile, Dan answers the question. “Santa knows everything, honey; he knows we live here now, so you don't have to worry. Remember to do the letter to Santa, though; tell him we're moving.”
Kenji nods with determination and with a serious expression on his face. “I will, and I will put you too, Hyung, so Santa’s will know that we now live together and bring you a present.” Now the little boy is looking at Jaekyung with a smile.
“That's very kind of you, buddy. Thank you." Jaekyung smiles back and leaves a gentle caress on the little boy's hair.
Kenji spends the next hour drawing and writing the letter to Santa. He draws a picture where he points to Jaekyung, his father, and himself, and then in cursive and poorly understood letters writes what he wants for Christmas. He starts with a “Dear Santa” and then ends with an emotional farewell and a reminder that he now lives with Jaekyung.
Dan smiles as he tries to read the letter his son has given him, and he tries not to laugh when he sees the drawings. He doesn't want his son to think he is making fun, but he can't help but feel tenderness when he sees his son's drawings, especially the way he drew Jaekyung.
“Ah, is this how Kenji sees me?” asks Jaekyung as he looks at himself in the drawing, with big breasts and squares where his abdomen should be, in conjunction with long legs and fat, round arms. And a small, overly round head that looks like a tennis ball.
Dan can no longer help himself and laughs out loud, shakes his head, and then puts the letter in a white envelope that he leaves on one of the tree branches.
***
The Christmas celebrations don't stop after decorating the house; in the following days, the Christmas spirit drowns them, even when the day is a couple more weeks away. Kenji fidgets in front of his father, anxious as he adjusts his Santa suit. The little boy is talking non-stop, telling Jaekyung the reason for his suit. And even though the athlete already knows (Dan told him days ago), he acts as if he doesn't know and listens to Kenji attentively.
“And I'm going to sing a Christmas carol with all my friends,” comments the little boy, using a much higher tone of voice than usual.
“Are you going to teach me what song you will sing?”
Kenji shakes his head in denial. “It's a surprise!”
A laugh comes from Jaekyung lips, but it's a soft and tender one. Dan also smiles as he finishes arranging his son's suit. He is sitting, while Kenji is standing in front of him.
“All right, you still have your suit left.”
Kenji celebrates and runs to the full-length mirror in the room. He looks at himself with a smile and then runs again, this time to where Jaekyung is sitting next to his father. The little boy hugs him around the waist, placing his head in his lap.
“Hyung, you will come to see me, won't you?”
Jaekyung smiles as those green eyes look up at him, hoping he'll say yes. They sparkle with little stars around them. “Of course I'll be there.” he says, then combs her hair tenderly.
***
The day of the school performance arrived, and the little family left home early to get to school. Kenji already had his suit on and was in the car, humming the song he had been rehearsing all week. Outside the school, there were many children dressed just like Kenji and many parents trailing behind their children.
Jaekyung just looked around curiously, trying to familiarize himself with the place, while Dan and Kenji were holding hands. Jaekyung had forgotten what it felt like to be in a school; all the excitement and screaming children were just a non-existent memory. It had been years since he finished school and never went to college. Seeing all these parents dropping off their children in their respective classrooms and seeing all the children's Christmas decorations made Jaekyung feel out of place, but at the same time, a pleasant feeling permeated his heart.
Jaekyung waited for Dan to leave Kenji with his teacher and then returned with him. Now they were to go to the school auditorium and wait for showtime to begin. Jaekyung took Dan's hand and entwined it with his own as he walked down the colorful hallway. However, he stops when he feels Dan tense up around him; he turns a little to see Dan, and the physical therapist is looking at their intertwined hands.
“Is it okay for us to hold hands in a public place like this?” asks Dan. He had kept discretion around Jaekyung because they were in public, and he didn't want people to talk behind his back, so he was surprised when he felt Jaekyung take his hand.
Jaekyung looked at him and gave him a smile. “I want to hold your hand,” and to further emphasize that he is comfortable with this, he leaves a couple of strokes on the back of Dan's hand. The physical therapist blushes at that and bites his lip. If Jaekyung is comfortable with that, then he is too.
However, the fact that they had their hands together was drawing the attention of others, and soon Dan was being called out by a group of mothers. The chestnut stopped his walk and waved with a soft smile and a flutter of his hands.
“Wait here; I'm going to greet the other parents.” Dan lets go of Jaekyung's hand and walks towards the group of parents.
Quickly, he is greeted with a lot of questions; everyone is curious to know who the person he came with is. Of course, no one recognizes who it is, as Jaekyung made sure to bring his cap well down, so it's hard to notice his face from afar.
Jaekyung simply watches him from afar, admiring the way Dan wraps himself around other people and other parents. He laughs and talks with characteristic friendliness, sometimes glancing sideways at him and giving him a quick smile back. Jaekyung softens his expression and smiles too. Suddenly, the whole place was forgotten, and the only thing Jaekyung could concentrate on was Dan.
That is, until one of the parents approached him with curiosity to make a conversation, Jaekyung only answered the basics: “I'm here for Kenji” and “I come with Dan,” avoiding at all costs to answer when asked what kind of relationship he had with Dan. Luckily, Dan arrived to save him and quickly took him away from the place.
Now they were in the auditorium, sitting on the different benches while waiting for the children. There were different levels, from 4 to 10 years old. Soon, the auditorium was filled with many people, all parents anxiously waiting for their children. Jaekyung was trying to catch that, but he was more irritated by being surrounded by so many strange people.
But he tried to relax when the show started, and several children came out along with their teachers. Jaekyung was not interested in those kids; honestly, kids irritated him a lot, and he found them a huge nuisance. Kenji was just his exception. But he tried not to let it show and behaved decently, clapping when one act ended and another began.
Dan, on the other hand, looked at the children with gentleness and tenderness, even pride, as if each of them were his children, and he was happy to see them sing. A father's instinct, Jaekyung surmised as he glanced sideways at his boyfriend, who was clapping a little too euphorically.
“Oh, it's Kenji's group's turn,” Dan commented excitedly as he pulled out his phone to start recording. Jaekyung chuckled under his breath; Dan was already acting like the other parents before him, shifting in his seat to get a better angle of the stage.
And this time, Jaekyung felt and understood the excitement that everyone was showing, and when the stage curtain opened, Jaekyung smiled and clapped his hands with joy when he saw Kenji. The little boy seemed to be looking for them in the audience, and when he saw them, he smiled full of happiness. Dan and Jaekyung waved to let the little boy know that they had seen him. Then it was time to sing.
"Silent Night" the children began to sing angelically and softly. The Christmas carol that Jaekyung heard so much when walking the streets of Seoul on Christmas had never been heard so beautifully. As he listened to the song, he was thankful that Kenji had not sung it to him before, because now he could hear it in all its glory. They were 6-year-olds, but they sang so well and so in tune that it was almost like listening to a choir of angels, leaving Jaekyung captivated. When the song ended, Jaekyung stood up and applauded, looking at Kenji proudly. Now he understands the parents, who were almost in tears, he is also in tears after watching Kenji's performance.
And when the event ends and Kenji runs to him, Jaekyung bends down to meet him and then lifts him up to hug him.
“Hyung, did you see me? Did you see me?"
“Of course I saw you, buddy. That was beautiful,” he said, then left a kiss on the boy's cheek. Kenji smiled and then looked at his father with the same excitement.
“Dad, did you see me?” He asks, expecting the same answer Jaekyung gave.
Dan smiles, still looking lovingly at his son and his boyfriend. “Yes, I saw you, honey. I'm so proud of you,”and then leaves a kiss on his other cheek.
There is a small moment of congratulations before Kenji asks to be put down, and then he takes Jaekyung hand. “Hyung, I want my friends to meet you; come on.” Kenji pulls Jaekyung hand to prompt him to move.
Jaekyung does so because he can't say no to the boy, and soon he is surrounded by other unruly children who look at him curiously. He had to crouch down, as he is too tall for these children. Kenji stands next to him and proudly introduces him to his group of friends.
“He's my Hyung” “he's a boxer,” “he's my dad's boyfriend.” Each one of those things is mentioned by Kenji while talking about Jaekyung.
The athlete can only laugh and look sideways at Dan. It seems that the discretion that the adults were trying to maintain has been forgotten since the little boy has just given them away in front of everyone. But rather than bothering the adults, it makes them smile and look at Kenji with tenderness, irradiated by the child's innocence.