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Jin Cheonhee in his baby form was always, always adorable, and Jaegal Lin didn't want to be separated from his baby ever. Sometimes, in the dark of the night, he would imagine what it would be like if Cheonhee stayed as a baby and grew up under his care.
Jaegal Lin would practically adopt him as his son, of course. Even now, although Cheonhee was his disciple in name, Jaegal knew that his love for Cheonhee was already that of a father for his child.
If Cheonhee grew up… Jaegal wondered what that would feel like, seeing the baby in his arms grow into an excellent young man….
Right now, Jaegal Lin was rocking baby Cheonhee to sleep, his movements slow and deliberate. Cheonhee had been rather neglected today, and Jaegal felt incredibly guilty.
Several important guests from the Murim had arrived seeking emergency treatment, and since Jaegal didn't want them to know what happened to his disciple, he had left Cheonhee in the care of Gakyeon and her father.
The treatment had, unfortunately, taken longer than expected, and Jaegal had been incredibly irritated because he missed Cheonhee so much. He missed his baby. He missed the familiar warmth and weight of Cheonhee in his arms.
After several hours of gruelling surgery and other tasks, Jaegal had finally finished his work and quickly went to Cheonhee.
When Cheonhee spotted him, his baby's reaction had been immediate, almost jumping out of Gakyeon's arms and leaping towards him. Jaegal had been melting at the sight.
Unfortunately, it was late at night, so Jaegal couldn't play with baby Cheonhee. Instead, he was holding his baby and coaxing Cheonhee to sleep. Cheonhee's head rested on his shoulder, and Cheonhee's tiny arms wrapped around Jaegal's neck in a warm embrace.
As he moved from side to side, Jaegal took a deep breath. Cheonhee's breathing was steady now, which meant he was asleep. Jaegal smiled — he could always play with his baby tomorrow.
Moving noiselessly, Jaegal made his way to Cheonhee's cot and shifted, wanting to put the baby down.
Cheonhee, though, who was usually motionless when Jaegal set him down on the cot, wriggled and clung to Jaegal, whimpering a little.
Jaegal Lin was stunned and he froze reflexively, wondering if his posture was wrong or was hurting Cheonhee.
When he checked, though, nothing was wrong, but as he bent down to put Cheonhee, his baby began to stir, clinging to him even harder and letting out a small, pitiful whine.
Jaegal felt his heart leaping at his throat and immediately straightened his body, rocking his baby again and cooing at Cheonhee to sleep.
When Cheonhee lay in his arms, quiet and peaceful, Jaegal tried to put his baby down again.
Just like before, Cheonhee tightened his hold on Jaegal Lin, hugging him as if his life depended on it and letting out a mournful cry.
Jaegal Lin felt his heart melt with cuteness coupled with anxiety, and then he heard Cheonhee whimper.
“Mas,ter. No, leave,” Cheonhee’s voice was almost too soft to be heard, but Jaegal Lin heard it loud and clear.
Feeling a rush of emotions, Jaegal nodded and hugged Cheonhee tighter.
“Okay baby, sorry about that, it's Master's fault… I won't leave you, okay? So don't worry,” Jaegal reassured.
Baby Cheonhee hummed and buried his head in Jaegal Lin's shoulder, but the small arms that clung to Jaegal Lin's neck did not loosen at all.
Jaegal Lin was feeling guilty already, but now? He wished he had just ignored those guests from the Murim.
He shouldn't have left his baby at all…. Look how frightened his baby was, going so far as to cling to him like this….
Jaegal Lin did not dislike it, of course, but he didn't want his baby to ever think that he would abandon him.
Jaegal Lin moved away from the cot and settled down on his bed, using one hand to pull the blankets and lay down, settling Cheonhee comfortably in his embrace.
Perhaps this was an awkward position.
Perhaps he would wake up tomorrow with a crick in his neck.
But it didn't matter.
Jaegal Lin's heart was filled with sweetness as he hugged baby Cheonhee to sleep.
“Goodnight, Hee.”