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Marrying a top celebrity must've been the most insane thing Jaeyun has ever done—besides having the said celebrity falling head over heels and deadly in love with him of course (really, Jaeyun has no idea how bad of a simp his husband is for him). And of course, Jaeyun loves him as much if not deeper.
The relationship is not easy from the start with so many eyes on the star. In fact, Jaeyun almost gave up because he used to believe that they were impossible.
"This isn't right."
"What isn't?"
"You and me... we can't..."
"And why is that?"
"Because you're the brightest star, Lee Heeseung. And I'm just... me"
Jaeyun remembers it, clear as day. In the recording room where Heeseung found his own world, he let Jaeyun in to be the centre of his world. And his eyes, they were sincere and desperate as he uttered the words Jaeyun was hoping to hear yet terrified of; I love you .
Terrified he was because Heeseung shined so brilliantly. And if Jaeyun was to approach that shine, he might be hurt, he might get blind, or worse, he might kill the dazzle.
"Then, why did you let me be Lee Heeseung when I'm with you? Just me.... A human who feels and lives like anyone else, not just a star that can't be reached. Those are your words, aren't they? Why are you going back on your words now?"
"No! That's not what I mean!"
"Then, tell me!"
"I love you too! I love you as everything and anything that makes you... you."
"You want us to be honest with ourselves. You want to know if I feel the same and that's it. You have your answer now. I love you! But, we can't be together... because I am never gonna have you let go of your dreams and hard work for me! I can't let you get hurt by all the consequences. I just can't...."
But, Heeseung was adamant about how much he hated that idea.
"When did I ever ask you to protect me? Fuck that, Sim Jaeyun! I'm not a defenceless child. I don't need you to turn your back on me just to be some fucking shield!"
"If it isn't clear yet to you, I love you because you're more than just this feeling."
"I love you because I want to spend my whole life in your presence. I want to hug you no matter if the days are rough or beautiful. I want to listen to your stories and tell you "you did great today" at the end of every day. I want to be there for you no matter what. Healing you, making you laugh, or just doing anything trivial and simple that could remind you that you're home. Just like you always do for me."
"So, please, Jaeyun-ah..."
"Can't you let me continue breathing and living as a mere Lee Heeseung in your arms?"
"Please?..."
Jaeyun couldn't fight further. The moment he accepted it, they had stolen kisses, secret dates and wild nights away from the blinding spotlights and suffocating shoves of microphones. But, the flash of a camera was bound to happen. And when it did occur, they fought hard for themselves. They stood up for their love. They healed each other from judging eyes and hateful comments until it ceased to be nothing.
And, just like that, Heeseung had taken Jaeyun by his hand to stand in the spotlight with him and showed him that he was and still is the brightest star in his world. Of course, now, Heeseung has to share with others because that's just how captivating and loveable Jaeyun is.
Years later, they were happily married and blessed with their first child, the princess of their hearts, Lee Yunah. Yunah grew up well despite some complications while Jaeyun was pregnant with her. And they couldn't be more thankful, especially Heeseung.
Heeseung could never forget the days when he could do nothing but stare and hold Jaeyun's hands, whispering sweet nothings when the pregnancy was tough and Jaeyun was frequently in and out of pain. Heeseung vowed to love and cherish Jaeyun and Yunah always and forever and he proved it well. Because of that, he never asked for more children. He was afraid and he couldn't bear seeing Jaeyun in pain again.
But, when Jaeyun smartly planned out a wild night, looking like sin itself in human form the moment Heeseung reached home after 3 months of tour and packed schedules overseas, perhaps he went out of control (it was Jaeyun's fault he swears!). Especially, when Jaeyun whispered those words that made his libido go wild; I'm all alone and ready for you, Mr. Lee.
And that's how they finally welcomed their second child, Lee Yujin, last year.
Even though Heeseung wanted to stay with them longer, and spend all of his time with Jaeyun and his little ones, Jaeyun once again encouraged him to chase his passion.
"We can still talk and you can still see them on the phone, you dramatic Bambi" Jaeyun assured his husband with a little pinch on Heeseung's sharp nose
"How is that the same? Video calls with suckass quality and too much lagging especially if the connection is bad. And having you guys right beside me where I can cuddle you and sing lullabies to the kids. See how different they are?!"
"But-"
"What if I missed Yujin's first word? Or his first tooth? Or his first step??" Heeseung gasped dramatically, horror flashing through his sparkly eyes, "Oh my god! What if some cheeky boy hit on Yunah at daycare? What if my princess gets a boyfriend then abandons me at the folk house and Yujin lets her because both of them couldn't recognize me!"
"Lee Heeseung, Yunah is two! And Yujin hasn't even started on solid food!"
"Exactly my point!"
"Exactly,.. why you're just being dramatic. Your babies are gonna be fine."
"What about my baby momma? What if one of those new trainees try to get your attention by pretending to faint during their lesson??"
"Okay, I panicked and fell for it because you were on a really strict diet back then! How would I know you actually sneaked out to eat ramen right before your dance lesson and acted all sick just to hit on me. And for the record, you made it very clear to everyone in the building that I am yours and not to be messed with. So, I'll be just fine, Bambi."
"How are you so chill about this? I'm going around the globe looking THIS hot for a quarter of the year, just so you know."
"What, you want me to give you a hard time because you wink and flirt with the whole stadium?"
"Maybe. That way, I can quickly come back and beg you for mercy then cuddle my kids. Solid plan!"
"You're impossible, Mr. Lee."
"Don't call me THAT with that voice and smile of yours. You know damn well what they do to me."
"Oh, yeah? What'd they do to you?"
"Don't start now, Sim Jaeyun. In your words, our baby hasn't even started on solid food yet."
Well, that was three months ago. The tour ended in Tokyo two days ago and Heeseung will be back today to spend a little time that he has before the final encore concert next week. Of course, Jaeyun will be watching the live performance next week with the kids at the stadium along with thousands of fans there.
But, today, to celebrate Heeseung's arrival home, Jaeyun is busy finishing and plating the special dinner he's been preparing for his husband. The kids are in the living room where Jaeyun makes sure they're occupied with the cartoon series playing on the TV while he finishes up in the kitchen.
Yunah is busy colouring the last 'y' on the "Welcome Home, Daddy!" A4-sized poster that Jaeyun had given her earlier when she said she wants to help with her dad's surprise party. Her 8 month-old baby brother is right beside her, babbling and jamming to the part where the cartoon characters are now singing and jumping around to a lively children's song.
"Mommy, look! Aga singing taktak"
Yunah shouts in glee as she adores and dotes on her little brother, poster and colouring tools now forgotten. Jaeyun gasps dramatically in reaction. His smile blooms as he suppresses his cuteness aggression. Yunah really likes her baby brother a lot.
"Wow! Yujin is singing the Baby Shark song for noona?"
"Uh-huh. Mommy! Jjakak jjakak!"
"Hmm? You want mommy to video you both singing?"
"Uh-huh. Wanna show daddy. Daddy jelly!"
Jaeyun giggles at Yunah's antics.
"You wanna show daddy so daddy will be jealous?"Jaeyun asks teasingly and Yunah nods excitedly.
"But, daddy will be home very soon. If you wait just a little bit, you can show daddy your singing and your poster."
"Oh! Otay mommy!"
Jaeyun goes back into the kitchen with a warm smile. Yunah never fails to make him feel all fuzzy. Of course, there are times when Jaeyun can only breathe in and breathe out as he facepalms himself over Yunah's antics. Like the incident at the daycare from a month ago, for example.
Heeseung could see his daughter pouting on the screen. Earlier that day, Jaeyun had ranted to him in their chatroom about how Yunah was so... him. "I'm blaming you!" one of the bubbles read and Heeseung panicked. So, that night, he called Jaeyun via video call, hoping and praying that the interrogation would end well. But, before he could even open his mouth to quickly speak his lines of apology the moment Jaeyun answered the call, he was greeted with the sound of Yujin whining and moving around uncomfortably in Jaeyun's hold while the screen was focusing on his daughter who was pouting and sulking.
"You're gonna tell daddy all about what happened today. Be honest. Mommy is gonna walk around for a bit because Yujin is cranky and he wants a walk with mommy to go to sleep. Mommy can still hear you, got it?"
Heeseung could see Yunah nodding while looking at Jaeyun with her sad-puppy eyes. The eyes follow Jaeyun's movement as the mommy exited the frame.
"Hey, what's the matter, princess?" Heeseung asked the moment Jaeyun stepped out of the frame.
There was at least a minute of silence from Yunah before she finally spoke in a yapping manner. You see, Yunah was an early talker. By the time she's one, she could already understand instructions and respond with words that she learnt daily. It wasn't perfect, of course. Which sometimes left Heeseung's brain fumbling to translate Yunah's language into normal ones.
"Taesan nom Aga. Yunah play Minju. Aga yuyu. Chi Chi say, Yunah no play Aga, Taesan nom Aga yuyu. Yunah bad boy Taesan. Yunah-"
"Whoa, okay, slow down, princess. I don't understand."
Yunah was visibly annoyed as she 'tcih' and rolled her eyes cutely.
"Mommy, help! Daddy dunno."
Moments later, Jaeyun came into view, sitting beside Yunah. He adjusted his position so he could comfortably hold Yujin (who was already calmed by that time thankfully but still refusing to sleep for some reason. Babies are complicated sometimes. If you're sleepy then just go to sleep??? why bother fighting the urge???). Once done, he glared at the camera, sending shivers down Heeseung's whole being.
"I was called in today because your daughter made a boy cry."
"WHAT??"
Now, that was unexpected. Heeseung was relieved to know that it wasn't exactly one of his wrongdoings (which he couldn't remember practicing) that would have Yunah imitating. But, still, it was shocking, to say the least, to actually learn that your daughter had become a badass when you're on the other side of the globe.
"When I got there, the boy was already taken away by his parents. But, one of his parents actually approached me and apologized to me first because he felt bad for Yujin's red cheek."
"Huh? What's with Yujin? What kind of drama happened there actually?"
"Apparently, when they were gathering for play time with everyone today, a kid named Taesan from Yunah's class bit Yujin's cheek because he had a cuteness aggression towards him. It leaves a mark actually," Jaeyun turned Yujin around to show the visibly red bite mark on his left cheek.
"Yunah was playing with a new friend, Minju, because it's Minju's first day there. So, initially, she didn't know what the boy did. Your daughter didn't even hear her brother crying. She only knew of it when a teacher teased her saying that because she didn't play with her brother, Yujin got bitten by Taesan."
"Hold on. Why'd the teacher-"
"I don't know either. But, your daughter got mad that someone dared to question her love for her brother and took matters into her own hands."
"Oh, you don't say..."
"Exactly. Your daughter hunted that Taesan kiddo and hit that kid-"
"Mommy, No! Yunah no hit!"
"What do you mean? You didn't hit Taesan?"
"No! Yunah no hit Taesan."
"Wait. You're being serious right now?! You didn't hit the poor boy?!"
"No, Mommy!"
"Oh my god, baby. Why didn't you say so? I'm s-... Wait... If you didn't hit him, then, why did Taesan cry?"
"Yunah no hit Taesan, Mommy. Yunah "bad boy Taesan!" Yunah nom back. Taesan yuyu."
"You didn't hit..." Jaeyun closed his eyes, composing himself off the roller coaster of emotions he just experienced.
"You didn't hit him. But, you... you actually... bit him... until he cried too... Oh my god..." Jaeyun sighed, definitely not a relief.
He really had a moment of guilt for getting mad at his child for something she was accused of doing, only to know that his child did worse because said child nonchalantly fessed up to her wrongdoing like she's just correcting Jaeyun over a well-known fact. And Heeseung had to use every single energy left in his being after a two-hour concert to hold back his laugh.
And it took another loud cry from his eight-month-old to take himself back to the current time where he was just spacing out in front of the oven while waiting for the dessert to bake into perfection. Jaeyun rushes to the source of the loud wail, worried, in case Yujin gets hurt because that scream sounds painful. But, when he reaches the living room, he's dumbfounded to say the least.
Because at one side of the room, Yunah is all snuggled up in her dad's firm hold. Jaeyun can tell that Heeseung had just arrived a few moments ago, judging by how his luggage is still against his long legs. On the other side, Heeseung is just as dumbfounded as he is, staring guiltily at Yujin, while trying to steady his hold on Yunah. His Bambi eyes are anxious.
And on the floor, Yujin is in an awful state. His face is all red and wet with tears and snot as he wails as if he had just encountered the biggest betrayal in his eight months of life. When he notices Jaeyun, the baby raises up his arms, as if pathetically asking to be carried and protected right at the moment with no microsecond wasted.
Jaeyun quickly picks up the poor little man and begins to shush him with gentle pats and a warm hug, ensuring the baby that he's now safe in his mommy's arms. While doing so, his eyes quickly search for Heeseung, totally and purely out of curiosity. Or at least that's what Jaeyun thinks he looks like. Yet, his husband's reaction perhaps is an indicator that his look may hold another meaning.
"I didn't do anything! I swear! I just got in, surprised and picked Yunah up and swung her around. And when I tried to take him, he burst out."
There's a hint of panic in his teary eyes and voice along with some kind of sadness and unfairness lingering around. Oh, Heeseung definitely sees Jaeyun's curious look as a murderous glare.
"Why are you so scared? I haven't even said anything yet." Jaeyun teases with a chuckle.
"I mean, you always thought I pulled a prank on them whenever they cried around me. Not that you're wrong but,.."
"Oh, so you know?"
"But, I swear it wasn't me this time! Why would I pull a prank, first thing when I just got home and am seeing them for the first time in three long months?!"
"Maybe he's jealous because you picked up Yunah first? Yujinnie, wanna go to daddy?"
Heeseung quickly holds out an arm, ready to take the eight-month-old who has calmed down now from Jaeyun. However, his dream crushes away. Because the moment Yujin faces him, the baby is wailing again.
"Yujin, it's daddy. Daddy's here now. Come here, gimme a hug, please?" Heeseung pleas pitifully.
"Mommy look! Daddy strawberry hair!" Yunah suddenly points out, playing with her father's red hair.
And that's when Jaeyun finally notices the new look. Heeseung has dyed his hair red. He's sure that the social media community is having a frenzy and trending his husband's name thanks to the new, striking colour which makes Heeseung look a thousand times hotter. He'd have known earlier if he checked his X account but, how can he when he's busy with the kids and dinner? Turns out, the new look is also a surprise for him.
"Oh, you're right, baby. Daddy has strawberry hair. What colour is daddy's hair?"
"Red! Like strawberry. And apple. And uncle Jjong Jjong fayvet cherry!"
Heeseung gasps dramatically, ready to shower his princess with compliments.
"Whoa! You already know colours and fruits? That's so cool, princess!"
"Daddy careful. Uncle Jjong Jjong nom daddy's hair coz cherry colour."
Jaeyun and Heeseung burst out laughing at the remark that comes out of nowhere from the two-year-old. But, suddenly, a small, chubby hand lands on Jaeyun's mouth, stopping him. Jaeyun shifts his gaze to the little guy.
"Are you okay? Wanna go to daddy now? See? That's daddy. Daddy came home! Yayy!" Jaeyun still hasn't given up.
He turns the baby around to face Heeseung's waiting arm again. And this time too, the baby starts to whine and move around uncomfortably, wanting to go back into his hiding on mommy's chest.
"Yujin-ah. Have you forgotten what daddy looks like? You don't know daddy anymore? Wow, I'm really sad now. I'm gonna cry too." Heeseung pouts. His eyes are already brimming with tears, proof of how hurt he is. Seeing this, Yunah quickly assures, "Daddy, no yuyu. Agaaa look s' daddy. Seee?? Daddy!" She points enthusiastically, trying to get her baby brother to recognize their daddy.
Jaeyun giggles at the two's antics until realisation hits him. "Oh, wait. I think it's your hair." Jaeyun assumes after a few moments of eyeing his husband up and down, looking for the cause of crying.
"He doesn't like my hair?"
"He's kinda scared of red on humans after watching some Halloween vampire series. He was crying a lot after watching bats with red eyes flying and scattered around on TV that time too."
"Aga, s' daddy. Daddy not bat. Not scary. See?" Yunah coaxes once again.
"I've only been gone for three months and he thinks I'm a bat now???"
"You do have the vampire as your latest concept."
"And I look nothing like a bat or some stereotypically animated vampire, baby."
"I think he'll be okay if he gets your smell. He likes sleeping while snuggling your shirts. His doctor says he recognizes your scent. Just try and take him." Jaeyun suggests.
Heeseung is wary of the suggestion. Nonetheless, with an assuring nod from Jaeyun, he still goes for it because he misses his son a lot. The baby wriggles in protest and sobs as Heeseung gets nearer. He bursts into tears and whines again as Heeseung wraps one arm around him.
"Hush now. It's okay, baby. You don't have to look. Daddy's here." Heeseung shushes as he pushes the baby's head gently to hide on his nape.
For a moment, the whining and wriggling continue. However, it doesn't even take three seconds for the protests to stop. As the baby lays his face on Heeseung's nape, the familiar scent calms him naturally. "It's daddy!" maybe that's what his little mind tells him as he snuggles up in his daddy's nape.
"See?" Jaeyun points, eyes sparkling with joy and endearment.
"Oh, thank god, you haven't forgotten me yet. You scared me little man!"
Heeseung's voice intrigues the eight-month-old. He looks up to see Heeseung's face and whines again before hiding in his safe place again. Then, he looks up again and repeats the same reaction, gaining laughter from his mommy, daddy and sister.
"Looks like you'll have to wear your beanie hat while having dinner, Bambi."
"Oh, I miss that name coming from you."
"You're ridiculous." Jaeyun giggles at his husband's dramatic reaction.
"You know what's more ridiculous?"
"What?"
"The fact that we haven't kissed yet when it's been minutes since i got home." Heeseung pouts ready for a kiss only to get a playful eye roll from Jaeyun.
"That'll have to wait, Mr Lee."
"Mm-hmm. I'll be sure to get you for it, baby."
"Mommy, group hug, quick!" Yunah cuts off the tension between the two adults and Jaeyun happily goes for the shared warmth. Oh, how he misses this.
"Daddy, wanna go down," the two-year-old says once Jaeyun breaks the hug. Heeseung complied and carefully put her down. As soon as her feet touch the floor, Yunah quickly drags Heeseung by his fingers in one hand, and Jaeyun's in her other hand.
"Let's eat! Mommy cook yummy yummy! Yunah wanna show daddy, Yunah and aga sing next!"
And the night goes on with Yunah excited yapping and laughter from all of them. The family is finally reunited with even greater love and warmth.