Chapter Text
Cover image : http://vey-kun.deviantart.com/art/A-Decisive-Act-of-Love-1-597729271
"Dad! Stop doing videos. You promised we're going to watch movies!"
His 7 years old son, Mark, whines while keep pulling his father's shirt. Jack was in the middle of editing videos and he couldn't leave it away. He needs to prepare bunch of videos before he left for a convention next week.
"Sorry, Mark.. It's just, this is urgent and daddy had to finish it. We'll go tomorrow, 'kay?" Jack smiled while patting Mark's hair, ruffling it a bit.
Mark looked down, not saying anything other than a short nod. But he didn't smile, he walked out of the room, dejected. Once he closed the door quietly, he quickly run off to his bedroom. Slamming the door close and jumps to his bed, crying.
Dad never kept his promise, he said the same thing few days ago..
He hugged the pillow tightly to his chest and buried his face on it, almost forgot to take off his glasses. His eyes isn't near-sighted or anything, he just wanted to wear one because he sees that his dad are even cooler when he wore glasses. He kept crying and shutting himself in the door for hours, he knew that it will be useless to keep insisted on his dad to spend his time for him.
He’s been keep wondering if his dad is love him, he thought he would have happiness when he knew he’s adopted for the first time.
The green hair is really sticking out when Jack first came to the orphanage.
“We’re very glad to have you here, Mr.. Mcloughlin?”
“No problem..” The Irishman smiled back while watching the children playing in the backyard.
“Here you can choose who you wanted to adopt, but first we have to confirm that you’re responsible with your decision, also lots of procedure, interviews and papers to sign. It says here that you’re single?”
“My wife..she, got in a car crash…”
“Deepest condolences, Mr. Mcloughlin.. Moving on, have you thought on who is the lucky kid?”
Jack looking out at the bunch of kids who play around, he spotted one little kid who sat near the bushes by himself. He had black hair, red flannel shirt with black short and shoes, lonely expression on his face. Jack asking about that kid to the staff next to him.
The Irishman yawned and glad that he finished his work, he quickly back-up all the files before turning off the computer. He’s now can go to take a break, taking a look at the clock, 2 a.m.? Time flies when you so immersed in work, getting off from the chair, he’s going to the kitchen to make a coffee. Once he done, he put it on the table to cool it down, it’s still too hot. Jack sighed and rubs his eyes, while walking to Mark’s bedroom. Opening the door quietly, he saw the a little figure sleeping.
Smiling at Mark, but also felt bad because he’s not able to spend time more with his son. He pulled the pillow away and put it neatly near the bed post, the pillow was damp.
Forgive daddy, okay? We will go together for sure.
Jack shifted Mark’s position a bit, so now his head is laid on the other pillow, then he pull the blanket to his neck. He gave a good night kiss, before leaving the room and back to his coffee. He passes the calendar on the wall, and saw a circled mark on the next two days later. It’s Mark’s birthday, he have free time until then. Jack pauses and decided to come back for his coffee, it’s not long after he finished his cup and went back to his room to get some nap. He stares at the ceiling, waiting for the sleepiness comes, coffee is not working for keeping him staying up, so he supposed able to sleep.
A moment later, the Irishman was fall asleep and dreaming.
“Ah, he’s Mark.. He just arrived here last year. He’s a good kid, but he’s still shocked. His parents already passed away.”
“Can I…talk to him?” Jack still fixated on the small boy, the boy is also notices his presence, he could see the eyes examines him from afar. Jack just chuckled and thought to himself, ‘must be the grass hair, huh?’
“I’m sorry, but you can’t. Adopters not allowed to talk to the children here except you make an arrangement for one session.”
“Set me for one.”
Jack heard a muffled voice from somewhere, his mind is still asleep, he tried to shrug it off but the familiar voice become clear. It was his son trying to wake him up, telling him that it’s already 7 a.m. in the morning and he needs to go to school because he almost late. Jack finally wakes up, putting on his black hoodie and walk with Mark to school.
The school is not far, but Jack don’t want Mark to go there by himself just yet. They were live on quiet neighbourhood, where cars are rarely pass, he was afraid that Mark got abducted. Plus, Mark is actually very happy walking with his dad. His small hand cling on his hand, sometimes he skips on the ground, jumping as he was on an adventure.
Jack couldn’t help but smile at him.
Arriving at the school gate, Jack glad that the school hasn’t started yet. He knelt down, so he could speak to his son.
“So, I’ll see you after school as usual? Remember, don’t go out from the gate and don’t follow a stranger.”
“I know, dad.” Mark nodded and smiled.
“And about yesterday, I was being a jerk, not keeping up with the promise..” Jack notices, Mark’s eyes darted to the ground, feeling sad and then back at staring Jack again. Still forcing a smile.
“Daaad! Language!”
“Oops, yeah! Sorry, it’s still come out naturally in me.”
“It’s okay..”
“After school, how about we eat ice cream and watch movies?”
“…” Mark just look towards his shoes.
“Hey, Mark. Look at me, look at me. I promise you this time, okay? You can punch me in the face if I broke my promise.”
“My teacher said punching people is bad.”
“Yeah, but there are exception if they’re doing something really bad.” Jack ruffles Mark’s hair, the bell suddenly rings.
“Oh! See you later, dad!” Mark give a kiss on Jack’s cheek, and then hurriedly running towards the building. Jack just watched his lovely son go inside the entrance door, he take a long deep breath and go back home. Before that, he needs to buy some groceries and perhaps buy more stuff to prepare for Mark’s birthday.