Chapter Text
The chilly breeze brushed against his skin as he stepped out of the plane.
It has been 5 years, almost 6, since his departure, and stepping on the grounds of his homeland had made Hongjoong sense some unexplained relief. He took a deep breath and walked down the steps, careful not to trip and fall down.
From his movements alone, it wasn't hard to assume he was of a high class man.
Many journalists and cameramen were there, photographing him from every possible angles. This was no surprise, though, since he was the CEO of a now very prominent company. Anyone could and would follow him.
Like always, he smiled slightly and shuffling away from them, into the car that was waiting for him.
He let the driver take him to where he was ordered to him by his second-in-command. He sat in silence, watching the scenery pass by with the wind.
After reaching the building of KQ Entertainment, he took another deep breath and walked inside. Everyone, even the staffs, janitors and the idols were waiting, applauding for him and paying tribute.
Hongjoong had achieved one of the most impressive feats, negotiating and signing a 10-year contract with one of the most popular and powerful music industry in the world. That was why he was in America for half a decade, working and negotiating with them.
This was no surprise a big news in k-media. This was truly a big improvement in making k-culture even more popular internationally.
A celebratory dinner was held at the rooftop of their building at 5 pm. The sun was glistening in the distance, and the apartments of Hangnam-Dong were glistening in the sunlight.
Hongjoong rested his elbows on the thick railing, staring into space.
"Is something bothering you boss??"
"It's just... The sunset is very beautiful.."
Yunho chuckled and gazed at the scenery, not bothering to leave sentimental Hongjoong by himself.
Then all of a sudden Hongjoong exploded.
"Fuck it Yunho, everything reminds me of him!" He whined, finally looking at Yunho. The other locked eyes with him, smiling softly.
Hongjoong was now blushing, looking away and at the scenery.
"I knew that... And he'd probably miss you to—"
"That's the thing, Yunho, he won't," Hongjoong massaged his temples, "And it was purely my fault... I shouldn't have left and I– I can't figure out how am I supposed to win him back..."
"So you do want him back in your life??"
"Of course I do, can't you fucking see!?"
Yunho let out another dry chuckle.
"I can look for him if you want.."
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.
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Seonghwa was fucked. After all those years, he has returned. It was all over the internet, which meant that one of these days, he'd come face to face with him.
And he did not want that.
He certainly did not want that.
It was almost 11 PM, and there were a few more papers to check. The crappy drawings of cows put his mind into an unexpected peace.
Jongho was lying next to him, fast asleep. He had initially waited for his parent to go to bed, but wound up falling asleep on the couch.
If it weren't for his job, he'd move to a place where he wasn't so close to the KQ building.
Raising a child as a single parent was hard, not to mention the early trimester and the labour.
The countless nights he'd spent trying to calm down a sick Jongho, cradling and carrying him around until he fell asleep... He admired his mother for putting up with him, after hearing her say that Jongho was a lot like him in his early childhood.
Yes, San and Wooyoung would help him a lot, and his mother visits when she has time, now unable to do so due to some health issues.
Other than that, he was alone.
Maybe his resentment grew form there, maybe his hatred for Hongjoong brought him here. Or maybe he hated how much he missed–
Seonghwa shook his head and slapped himself lightly. He glanced at Jongho, curled up like a banana under the cardigan that he had covered the 5-year-old boy with. He lifted him up and carried him to their bedroom.
As he laid him down on the bed, Jongho clenched on Seonghwa's shirt, and slowly opens his eyes.
"Eomma,.. come to sleep.."
Seonghwa smiled softly and laid down next to him, cuddling him close. "I thought you were asleep Jongbear.."
Jongho giggled and rubbed his eyes, "I was pretending."
Seonghwa laughed softly. Jongho held on to him and buried his face in his chest. Pretty soon the two fell asleep, Seonghwa completely forgetting about the remaining work piled up on the table.
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.
.
The morning went by in a frenzy.
Seonghwa hurriedly prepared breakfast and packed their lunch. He dressed Jongho in his uniform, ate breakfast, stuffed the papers in his bag and left their apartment.
They were almost late, reaching the school just 2 minutes left before the bell rang. Jongho waved at Seonghwa before going inside his classroom. Seonghwa waved back and rushed to his class.
The kids were crowding him at the thigh level, wishing him 'good morning'. Being a teacher at the lower classes was sometimes overwhelming, but he could never get tired of the adorable little kids entering schools for their first time.
What has always surprised Seonghwa was how little Jongho talked to him at school; He talked rarely overall, and it concerned Seonghwa that he might not be interacting enough in class. But all he could do was watching from a distance and hope for the best.
Seonghwa rubbed his neck frequently throughout the day. Some kids would scratch it for him (they thought it was itchy-itchy). He taught them the alphabet and he was proud of them catching on so quickly.
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The day was done, for the small kids. Jongho was waiting for Hwa with his teacher. Seonghwa picked him up form his class and walked over to their car, driving home in the usual silence. That is, until Jongho broke it.
"Eomma.."
"Yes love??"
"Are you going to get heat sick again??"
Seonghwa paused, slowing the car down a bit.
"Where did you learn that Jongie? Did uncle Sannie tell you?"
"Youngie..."
Seonghwa clicked his tongue. Of course it was Wooyoung. It wasn't a surprise, since Jongho had always stayed with Wooyoung and San when his heat kicks in. Maybe Wooyoung thinks he was old enough to know.
"Maybe honey... I'll always get heat sick every now and then..."
He parked the car, walking to the elevator hand in hand to their apartment. They softly sang together and skipping lightly, lost in their world.
Something, someone.... Hwa caught someone in the corner of his eye.
He didn't dare look. Oh fuck, he was approaching them. He lifted up Jongho and carried him, basically running to the elevator.
'That was no doubt... Kim FUCKING Hongjoong', Seonghwa cursed internally, panicking.