Chapter Text
Wooyoung was last out the door, like he always was, the little kid always took a little extra time and Seonghwa rarely complained. They usually didn't need to be on time when it was all of them because Seonghwa knew they would be late. And if they all needed to be on time they would arrive an hour early just to be sure. It sounded stupid sometimes but it had come in clutch more times than Seonghwa would like to admit.
So as he ushered Wooyoung down to the car where the rest of the kids were waiting, He locked the door and made his way down to the kids. They had all decided to take a day out. Now that Hongjoong had taken a small vacation and Seonghwa didn’t have anything coming up, it seemed to line up perfectly with the kids' spring break. And Yunho and Jongho had mentioned wanting to get a new game so why wouldn’t they take a day to go out to the mall together?
“Alright!” Seonghwa said sternly, watching the kids stand in a line. They had a little system. The kids would discuss among themselves who sat where and then they would stand in the order they wanted to go into the car. It worked wonders. San was always first, as the poor boy could get quite motion sick and need a window so he sat behind the passenger seat. Usually Wooyoung would squeeze in next to him but today it looked like he had decided to sit in the back. That made Jongho, who usually sat behind the driver's seat take Wooyoung's place instead. While Yunho took Jonghos. Mingi, still, forever in love with the back of the small minivan they had always sat all the way back and still did.
Seonghwa was already sighing at the shenanigans he knew would be going on all the way in the back where his prying eyes couldn’t always reach now that Wooyoung and Mingi were next to each other.
He came up to the front putting his hand on Hongjoong’s head, who was patiently waiting by the driver's seat, beginning to count… look it was easy to lose 5 rowdy kids he once found them on the roof! And Hongjoong wasn’t any better at times. Often easily distracted by his own passion. Once Seonghwa drove off without him when they all needed to go to a show they had booked and were late to get in the van. All because Seonghwa didn’t count his partner too. So now he was added to the list. Just to be a little extra sure.
“Okay Hongjoong, 1” Seonghwa said, an instant green light for the smaller to hop into his seat.
“San 2, Jongho 3, Yunho 4, Mingi 5, 6 Wooyoung and- wait” Seonghwa stopped, San peeking his head back outside the car door as he had just started getting in.
“Did you lose count? You were on 6” Yunho innocently said.
But Seonghwa was busy looking at the sixth kid standing in line to get into his car. He had soft eyes that looked way too innocent for the world, a small, shy smile presented on his lips.
He looked to be barely taller than Wooyoung, definitely shorter than Mingi but he was tall for his age. He was dressed in a shirt Seonghwa definitely knew was Wooyoungs after having washed it when the little gremlin spilled his entire bowl of soup on it once.
“He’s my friend! That’s Yeosang” Wooyoung said with a large grin. And Seonghwa looked at him in disbelief. What- he didn’t mention bringing any friends with them?
“You didn’t say you were bringing any friends with you today, you have to inform us about that, now we have to call his parents” Seonghwa said, keeping his voice calm because yelling was never the way to get Wooyoung to listen.
“Wasn’t it obvious we were bringing Yeosang?” Jongho questioned, he was already in his seat, looking back out to where Seonghwa was standing beside the car with Woo, Mingi and the mystery child. Yunho's head also seemed to be leaning over their youngest as he too inspected the situation.
“You knew? Why would it be obvious—“ Seonghwa asked and gosh if he only knew how dumb that question was.
“I mean he has been living with us for a while” San shrugged from his seat in the car— why couldn’t these kids get in normally…
WAIT LIVING WITH THEM?
“He’s been living with us— what- Where- how-“
“I found him on the streets! You didn’t say anything when I took him through the door so”, Wooyoung also shrugged, imitating his older brother. A lot of the time Seonghwa was surprised that Jongho was the youngest because Wooyoung did what now?!
But then the words really started to register in his brain… On the streets? He couldn’t help but look down at the kid. That was Wooyoung's shirt after all. Did Woo take on a struggling child?
That made every parental string tug on his heart. Because if there was one weakness Seonghwa had it was children. And especially does in a less than fortunate situation.
“When was this?” He said, voice a little softer now.
“A few weeks ago,” Yeosang said. He sounded… very small compared to the other kids in the house. Voice a steady low volume which was unusual for him. Usually Seonghwa only seemed to bring home children with horrible volume awareness.
“I… how haven’t I noticed”
“He’s quiet”
He was sold.
“…. Alright get in, you can stay”
Once they were all seated and finally ready in the car Seonghwa could feel his stomach growl angrily. They were supposed to get food first so that was good.
"How long did you guys know about this?" Seonghwa turned to the children in the back and Joong
"Well..." Starts Yunho “We've noticed that we had one more person to play with— so we didn't say anything, he was cute" Obviously Yunho has no complaints. He’s always been just the sweet golden boy, with a heart the size of the whole galaxy. To have another brother to express that friendly love to was probably one of the best things in the happy little sunshine’s mind.
"They like him and you didn't seem to mind so I didn't say anything either" Hoongjoong says. Which wasn’t the whole truth but.. His partner didn't need to know that.
"You knew?!” Seonghwa turned fully to Hongjoong, who wore a clever smirk as he started up the car to start driving. “How am I so blind–"
“Honestly I didn’t know he was here–“ Mingi confessed. For a moment Seonghwa was happy he wasn’t the only idiot in the house.
“You're lying, you gave him Fix-on to cuddle with?” Seonghwas mouth turns into a thin line. Still, it’s a surprise to hear Mingi lending his yellow chicken plush. Seonghwa smiles at the memory of the day Hongjoong had brought it home for the kid after custom designing it. They were both so happy about it, the dad for designing it and the kid for receiving it. Hongjoong was always happy doing it, that was his job after all. It was adorable to see Yunho and Mingi play with both of their custom plushies as both the parents watched intently from the living room couch, all of them with big smiles on their faces.
“Oh yeah I forgot about that!”
“Is that why it wasn’t in your bed last night?” Hongjoong questions, looking in the rear view mirror at the kids all piled in the back. He could see Seonghwa putting his head into his hands in disbelief outta the corner of his eye.
It was a little funny. Hongjoong had noticed Yeosang at some point. And then he was everywhere. When he was sitting with the others playing games on the tv or when there was another body curled up in Wooyoung's bed in the mornings when he went to wake them up. It was so cute. The both of them seemed weirdly close but it wasn’t like there wasn't a reason. Yeosang had been taken to them via Wooyoung. So they were bound to be a little closer. Just like how Mingi and Yunho sometimes looked to be far closer than the rest due to having been the first 2 kids to come into the family.
Still it hadn’t prepared Hongjoong for the first time he met Yeosang. Working from home one day and going down to get himself food (Or Seonghwa would murder him in the evening) and seeing a kid that he didn't know rummaging through the fridge.
They did have quite a nice conversation after that while munching on some chicken noodle soup, Yeosang quietly explaining how he got there and Hongjoong fell for him quickly. He had planned to tell Seonghwa about the fact that they had another child to take care of now. But it slipped his mind for several days as he got caught up in work– And seeing Yeosang everyday also didn’t seem to kick start the idea to tell Seonghwa… And when he did remember it had almost become a game among the kids. Wait and see how long it took their Eomma to notice the new kid. And to see how long for him to get attached, turns out not long. Hongjoong could already see that familiar sparkle of Motherly love in Seonghwa’s eyes. But to think he was the one who was aware of the new kid in their house before his partner was rare.
"Why are you guys like this?" Seonghwa whined, his face still in his palms "Like you would mind adopting another one... Especially with how calm he is..." Says Wooyoung, clearly mocking Seonghwa's motherly instinct.
“You should disown Wooyoung and adopt Yeosang instead” Jongho laughed, the others easily laughing with him.
“HEY!” Wooyoung's voice boomed throughout the car.
“…y’know that is not a bad idea” Seonghwa chuckled, finally lifting his head from his hands and looking back. And while everyone was laughing loudly (although not as loud as Wooyoung was screaming). Hwa heard the tiniest, most cutest giggle from their 6th kid… Annnnd that was it, he adopted another one.
"So. Yeosang right?"
"Yeth" says Yeosang with the smallest little smile imaginable. Hwa's mother's heart crumbled... He was definitely keeping this one "What do you like to eat?” He asked, looking through the rear view mirror at those innocent eyes.
“Chicken,” He mumbled. He was definitely quiet– even quieter than Jongho had been.
“We’re going to KFC.”
“I thought we were going to McDonald’s–“ Yunho said, tilting his head like a lost puppy before letting it rest on San’s shoulder. Which with their height difference had his neck craning to reach down.
“KFC it is,” Hongjoong said as he turned the car in the opposite direction of the golden M.
"Why do I feel like Woo isn't going to be the favourite child for much longer?" Said Jongho, laughing as Woo tried to swat at him from the far backseat.
"Finally" Woo was now screaming and kicking Yunho's seat while the other was laughing. Yeosang seemed to laugh without really knowing why…
—
A few weeks later Seonghwa was waiting outside Jongho’s singing class in the same minivan. This time he was in the driver's seat. The radio channel playing whatever song that was currently trending.
It didn’t take long for Jongho to come open the car door, climbing into the passenger seat with his school bag in his lap. A huge smile on his face as he buckled up.
“You look happy!” Seonghwa said, Jongho's eyes watching him as they crinkled with his smile. When they pulled out of the parking lot Jongho started explaining his singing class.
It had come as a little surprise that Jongho loved singing. The kid was one of their quietest but had an impressive voice when he fully let himself be heard. It took him little to no time at all to hit notes Seonghwa had worked years on trying to get. So to hear that he yet again had succeeded his last high note challenge assigned by his teacher, Seonghwa held out his hand, letting go of the wheel on one side to give their youngest a high five.
—
When they finally got home Jongho jumped out of the car and ran to the door. Seonghwa's lips pulled into a fond smile. He loved seeing his kids so happy. The images of them sad had been engraved in his mind but one day he hopes he can etch in happier ones. Technically it was already happening so Seonghwa smiled brightly. He hoped it always stayed that way.
When Seonghwa got through the door he could see Jongho running back towards him, not before stopping to hug Hongjoong who was sitting at the kitchen island. A place he often sat designing while Seonghwa cooked dinner for them all. It gave them that extra time together that solidified their relationship further. Even if they were both just working in silence. Yunho and Mingi came round the corner after that, Mingi practically bouncing off the walls as he ran to grab his shoes. Yunho took his time to give Seonghwa a proper welcome home with a hug before grabbing his shoes to also put them on.
“What's going on?” Hongjoong asked as San came into the kitchen with a large smile.
“Football tournament outside!” Jongho shouted before running out the door, Mingi right on his heel. Seonghwa chuckled at them as Yunho followed. San had half the mind to grab a water bottle before also going outside. The last to come to the front door were Woo and Sangie. Yeosang was grumbling while Woo dragged him through the kitchen.
“I have homework to do!” He whined.
Yeosang had recently started going to the same school as the other kids. After figuring out the legal situation and getting adopted, the sixth member of their family had grown on everyone. Seonghwa had immediately fallen for the kid, which he now knew was their second oldest. Hongjoong had teased him a bit about being so easily persuaded but not for long as he could easily remind the younger he had also fallen for him, as evident by the fact he hadn't kicked out the kid he randomly found in the kitchen one day.
Yeosang was also one of their best students. While Seonghwa and Hongjoong might praise Wooyoung for what most people would consider a mediocre score, Yeosang was an almost straight A student even if he hadn't been there to learn about the subject from the start. And Seonghwa was so happy he didn't have another kid to pester about doing their homework, like with Mingi and San.
“Stop whining, you were reading, not doing homework.” Wooyoung snickered as he pushed his hyung to the door. And Yeosang easily gave in, going out to play with the others.
Seonghwa couldn't help but laugh as he put his shoes aside neatly. Walking into the kitchen to start dinner. When he was looking through the fridge a pair of familiar hands came around his waist and rested his head against his shoulder.
“Did you have a good photo shoot today?” Hongjoong asked. Seonghwa smiled. Hongjoong knew him so well. They had been together for a few years now. When they had first started their relationship it had been a little rocky (omgad Ateez’s song rocky 😲) . But after some time they figured it out. And Hongjoong getting a nice job as a clothing designer for one of the hit companies in Korea helped them get away from their own families. Now Hongjoong owns his own company, under the name KQ. Seonghwa usually modelled for Hongjoong but other companies would often reach out to him, like now, and he’d shoot for them.
“It was good, they were very nice and wanted to organise another shoot someday soon.” Seonghwa said, finding everything he needed in the fridge and putting it on the counter. Before turning around in Hongjoongs arms to give him a quick kiss before they pulled apart to go back to their separate tasks.
The spring air had definitely heated up the house, and while cooking Seonghwa had to open a window. It was nice, maybe a little distracting for Hongjoong trying to focus as the kids were screaming outside. They were lucky their neighbours didn't care much for the noise of sixth chaotic children. And Seonghwa was used to it by now, zoning out their voices was nothing hard to do.
So there the two of them worked in mostly silence as the kids laughed and played outside. Seonghwa cooking thoughtlessly. It was a nice way to relax. Just let his mind stir and cut and fry. It reminded Seonghwa of how happy he was. Even while cooking he never let his smile drop. This was what he had always wanted. A nice family he could take care of and that took care of him.
The kids outside had also started to quiet down, their tournament probably done. That caught Seonghwa's attention as he went over to grab some water for the kids. When he heard Wooyoung's voice through the window.
“How did you guys even end up here?”
Seonghwa stopped to listen in. Because while he and Hongjoong knew why each and every kid was there. The kids… didn’t know. Hongjoong looked up at him with wide eyes, mouth slightly agape and Seonghwa looked back.
Should they really let the kids learn that about each other? The horrors of their past. No.. that would be too much for each of them to handle. They already had so much to carry with them they didn't need more.
Seonghwa rushed towards the back door, but Hongjoong was quicker, catching the older man before he could reach the back door. Seonghwa tried to push through the shorter man but Hongjoong grabbed his cheeks and made him look into the others eyes.
There was desperation in Seonghwa’s gaze. His heart ached with the thought of his little ones having to live with any more negativity. He had watched them all grow from their worst to something happier, he couldn't risk any of them going back to that. He loved them too much. But here Hongjoong was blocking him from getting to their kids. To his kids.
“Let them. They need to know” Hongjoong whispered. And Seonghwa wanted to protest, But a soft voice that had just recently joined all the other noises in their house started speaking before Seonghwa could go any further.