Chapter Text
When Sunghoon is awakened by soft hands tugging at his arm and not his meticulously set alarm, he instantly panics.
Wide-eyed, he sits up and finds Sooyoung pouting by his side.
“Sweetie, what happened?” Sunghoon asks, grabbing her hand.
“I’m hungry,” she replies, wearing an irritated expression. It’s strange, so Sunghoon glances at the clock. Once, twice. He overslept.
“Oh, no,” he swiftly gets out of bed and reaches for his glasses. “Do you want to get dressed by yourself, honey?”
“Yes!” Excitedly, she exclaims.
“Try to dress warmly, okay? It’s cold,” Sunghoon warns her while blindly picking clothes from his closet. Sooyoung leaves the room before he finishes the sentence, though.
His own stomach rumbles, then, and he realizes they’ll have to grab something to eat on their way to Sooyoung’s school because there’s no time to actually make breakfast. Sunghoon loves taking a moment with his daughter in the morning just to enjoy food and have spontaneous conversations, but today doesn’t seem possible. Even if he wants to cook and have his protein fruit shake, Sunghoon will have to settle for a muddy takeaway coffee.
A beige sweater and his brown coat will fight the weather for him. Sunghoon hurries to the living room and takes his laptop, putting it inside his briefcase, and as he walks by the mirror, he briskly fixes his ruffled hair.
Entering Sooyoung’s bedroom to help speed up the dressing-up process, he finds her in a pink dress and a flower crown. It melts his heart.
“Hey, baby, you know you can’t wear that,” Sunghoon tells her, kneeling down.
“Why, Dad?” She spins around, “I look like a princess!”
“You can’t take the crown to school, and it’s too cold to wear a dress—”
“Please,” Sooyoung begs, pouting. “Can I at least wear the dress? Look! I’ll put on this pink jacket so I won’t be cold!”
Sunghoon sighs and nods. “Okay, but we need to leave now.”
“Yay!”
He can’t resist Sooyoung’s enthusiasm when it comes to clothes. She loves matching outfits and creating a mainly pink attire for situations like simply attending school, and Sunghoon gives in because he knows he can be very strict regarding other matters. Parenting alone is hard at first, but he has learnt how to balance his beliefs and what he should be teaching Sooyoung.
They go out and a freezing breeze tousles Sooyoung’s hair. Sunghoon holds her close to him, acting as a human shield, and begins walking towards their destination, following the usual route. Sunghoon has taken the habit of walking her to school because it’s just a few blocks away and it’s healthier than using his car. Now, though, as they turn around the corner, Sunghoon finds the entire street is closed due to public works.
Taking a detour, Sooyoung pulls at his hand.
“Dad, I’m hungry,” she complains again. Sunghoon is hungry, too. It’s understandable.
Sunghoon looks around, slowing down, and discerns a coffee shop in the distance. Maybe he can buy a coffee for himself and something sweet, just this once, for Sooyoung.
The shop is bigger than he had expected, as it continues to the back with plenty of tables, and the front is packed with glass cabinets filled with a variety of pastries, cakes and desserts. Sooyoung’s eyes sparkle as she takes in the amount of sweets to choose from. Sunghoon lets go of her hand for a moment, adjusting his glasses to look at the menu.
“Dad! Look!” She exclaims, hands on the glass. “There are cookies with chips.”
“Sweetie, don’t touch the glass, be careful,” reprimanding her softly, Sunghoon approaches the counter.
Then a pink-haired guy appears behind it, immediately looking down at Sooyoung and smiling brightly.
“Hello, welcome,” he says. “What can I get you two?”
Sunghoon is speechless. The man is beautifully breathtaking, in a way not many people are, and his eyes crinkle like paper when his lips twist. Sooyoung appears amazed too, mouth opening in shock, for a completely different reason.
“He has pink hair, Dad!” Sooyoung points out, voice lower than before because she’s shy now.
He softly smiles at her and then looks back up, eyes finally meeting with the beauty, which sends a shot of adrenaline down Sunghoon’s spine. Hazel and gentle, his gaze is unwavering, so sure yet curious. Sunghoon gulps and pauses, blinking rapidly, staring at the menu again.
“I’ll have an Americano, please,” as Sunghoon eventually picks, Sooyoung tugs at his arm.
“I want the cookie with the chips, Dad, please,” she pouts, and no matter how strongly Sunghoon is against sugar, he surrenders.
“Which one?”
Sooyoung points at the red velvet cookies, hands dangerously close to the glass, yet she doesn’t touch it.
“You want the red one?” The guy asks her, then, and Sunghoon glances at his nametag.
Sunoo, it reads.
Simply watching it all unfold, Sunghoon allows a small smile to pull his lips as Sooyoung nods enthusiastically and Sunoo takes out a cookie from the display.
“For here or to go?” He inquires, now staring at Sunghoon. It takes him a few seconds to react, lost in the interaction.
“To go, please,” Sunghoon replies.
Once Sunoo turns around to prepare his coffee and puts Sooyoung’s cookie in a paper bag, Sunghoon’s shoulders drop, and he shakes his head slightly, as if to snap out of it. The mere presence of beautiful people is enough to leave Sunghoon trembling, nervous and awkward. He’s not the best at social exchanges.
Taking out his credit card, Sunghoon advances closer to the counter where the cash register is, and waits for Sunoo to finish making his drink.
“All done,” Sunoo announces and hands Sunghoon the coffee. Their hands don’t brush as time stops like in the movies, but instead, he almost spills the hot contents all over Sunoo because Sunghoon’s clumsiness doesn’t allow him to live.
It prompts a soft chuckle from the pink-haired angel, and Sunghoon glances at Sooyoung, making sure she doesn’t notice her dad being pathetic.
“Card, right?” Signaling at Sunghoon’s card in his hand, Sunoo asks. Sunghoon nods, and once the device beeps, he places it back inside his wallet.
“Thank you so much,” he smiles, taking the scorching cup and Sooyoung’s hand at the same time.
Already facing the door, Sunghoon hears Sunoo’s voice again.
“Sir,” loud and clear, Sunoo calls out, “you forgot the cookie.”
Sooyoung lets go of Sunghoon’s hold and excitedly walks towards the counter, now taking the bag from Sunoo’s hands with a broad grin.
“Thank you!” She exclaims and retreats to Sunghoon’s side.
So Sunghoon beams. Because Sunoo’s eyes meet his and there’s genuine joy, from having a wholesome interaction with a child and being reciprocated. Even if Sooyoung is always sweet and well-mannered, some people don’t instantly connect with her this way.
He sips on his coffee and, involuntarily, peeks at his watch. Obviously, time was a factor from the beginning, the reason why he’s having the coffee at all, yet Sunghoon didn’t realize it earlier. Too busy panicking and smiling at a barista. Now it’s late, incredibly so, and Sunghoon freaks out for an entirely different reason.
“Why are you so fast, Dad?” Sooyoung questions, attempting to keep up with his pace.
“We’re late, sweetie.”
“Can I eat the cookie?”
Emitting a long and deep breath, Sunghoon nods and slows down. They’re late already, a few minutes more won’t hurt.
And Sooyoung seems so happy biting down on that cookie, Sunghoon forgets.
-
His alarm blares around the room.
This time, Sunghoon made sure to set two alarms in case the first one didn’t go off. Now he takes some time to stretch and gain consciousness, becoming aware of his surroundings without the stress of being late.
It’s cold, he notes, stepping out of bed. Sunghoon pads to Sooyoung’s room and carefully, gently, wakes her up.
“Honey, wake up,” he prods her in the side, “I’ll get dressed and come get you, okay? Don’t fall asleep again!”
Sunghoon puts on his everlasting brown coat along with a turtleneck shirt and grabs his laptop from his desk, taking it into the living room and leaving it beside his briefcase. It’s still dark, so he turns on the lights and heads to Sooyoung’s bedroom again, just to check. She’s daintily making her bed, fluffing her pillows and all. Sunghoon smiles and stays there, peeking behind her door, watching as Sooyoung finishes arranging the sheets. It fills him with pride.
He knocks, even if it’s open, and waits for her assent.
“You can come in, Dad,” she says and turns around. Her hair is tousled and probably tangled, so Sunghoon walks in and pats her head.
“You slept well?” Sunghoon asks, reaching for the brush on her small dresser.
“Yes…” There’s hesitation, which worries him.
“Tell me, sleepy head, your hair is all tangled up. Were you tossing and turning all night?” He caresses her cheeks and slowly straightens out the strands, starting from the ends of the hair and working his way up so it doesn’t hurt.
“Well… I had a nightmare,” she confesses.
“What? Really? Do you wanna tell me about it, honey?” Offering a listening ear is the best Sunghoon can do.
“Uhm, I was at the park… At the playground, and you were there too…” Sooyoung tells him while he finishes sorting out her hair, “I just remember I turned around, and you weren’t there anymore, so I started crying. I was alone and no one helped me!”
“Don’t worry, that was only a bad dream, okay? Dad will never leave,” stroking Sooyoung’s back, Sunghoon reassures her.
There has been enough abandonment in her life. And Sunghoon won’t ever step aside.
“I love you, Dad,” she mutters. Sunghoon automatically becomes mere putty, liquified by her words.
“I love you too, angel.”
Once he makes sure Sooyoung gets dressed and neatly styled, they move to the kitchen, and Sunghoon begins making breakfast. It’s almost a routine by now to cook some Gyeran-mari for both of them, since it’s Sooyoung’s favorite dish and Sunghoon knows the recipe by heart. As easy as it might appear, preparing two portions isn’t done effortlessly.
Sunghoon watches the eggs cook, lowering the heat, and finishes chopping the vegetables. While that browns, he takes the frozen bananas and berries out of the fridge and puts them in the blender. He doesn’t realize the kind of workout it is until Sooyoung points it out.
“Are you tired, Dad?” She questions, attentively staring at his cooking.
“I’m fine,” he replies, a bit out of breath. If the omelette burns, Sunghoon won’t forgive himself.
“Can I help?”
“It’s dangerous, honey, and it’s almost ready,” fumbling with the pan and his fruit shake, Sunghoon still manages to present the Gyeran-mari on a plate for Sooyoung.
They eat peacefully without the pressure of time or being in a hurry, having to meet a specific timetable. Sunghoon continues cheering Sooyoung up as it seems that the nightmare really affected her, and once they finish the food and clean up, they set off.
Again, the street is closed, the path so deeply etched in Sunghoon’s brain being unavailable, so they deviate and take the previous route.
In the distance, the coffee shop materializes, and Sunghoon can’t help but twist his neck to sneak a look. Effectively, Sunoo’s pink head is discernible from across the street. And Sooyoung notices, too, as she tugs Sunghoon’s hand to get his attention.
“Dad, is the pink-haired man there? I can’t see!” She asks, jumping a bit to catch a glimpse inside.
“He is,” he replies and focuses on Sooyoung. “Why?”
“Can we ask his name? I wanna say hi!” Excited and inquisitive, Sooyoung stops walking and lets go of Sunghoon’s hold.
Sunghoon tilts his head to one side. “Sweetie, you know you can’t eat more sweets.”
“I just wanna see him!” When she pouts, Sunghoon shakes his head, surrendered.
“We can’t just go in if we’re not buying anything,” he still tries to talk some sense into her.
It doesn’t work, her brow furrows, and she remains in place, not willing to continue walking. Sunghoon wants to avoid the situation at all costs, but now that they’re actually on time, he can’t simply drop Sooyoung off and ignore her request.
“Honey—”
“You can buy a coffee, Dad!” She exclaims, as if the sudden idea enlightened her.
Obviously, Sunghoon gives up. It’s fine, as long as Sooyoung doesn’t ask for a cookie. He nods and grabs her hand again, guiding her to cross the street. She looks thrilled and joyful, and Sunghoon gets it because, as a child, seeing a pink-haired person is exciting, something new and unknown. Sooyoung loves pink in every single form, and Sunghoon likes to pamper her, no matter the situation. Only to a certain point, though. Because growing up spoiled isn’t good.
They enter the shop with Sooyoung leading, she pushes the door open first with Sunghoon’s help, and makes a beeline for the front counter.
Sunoo appears behind it, and before opening his mouth, he beams as he glances down at Sooyoung.
“Hello!” He greets them. It blinds Sunghoon, his bright smile.
“Hi!” Sooyoung says, shyness in her voice.
“What can I get this cute little lady?” Sunoo asks with his eyes fixed on Sooyoung, who smiles broadly at the nickname.
“Dad wants a coffee!” She exclaims. Sunghoon actually blushes.
With a polite nod, Sunoo looks at him. “Which kind, sir?”
“Uhm, an Americano, please,” Sunghoon sort of stammers, and he’s so embarrassed and under the spotlight that his gaze shifts, focusing on the displayed pastries by Sunoo’s side.
Sooyoung’s the only one who dares to speak, then.
“Oppa, what’s your name?” She asks him, a bit more confident now.
Sunoo grins and points at his nametag. “I’m Sunoo.”
“Oh! My name’s Sooyoung,” the whole exchange makes Sunghoon soften, watching with adoration as the interaction continues.
“Lovely name,” he tells Sooyoung and glances at Sunghoon briefly, joy radiating from him. “I’ll make your dad’s coffee now!”
Sunghoon can see and sense the excitement overflowing in Sooyoung. She appears genuinely content and fulfilled, and when she looks up at him with a smile, her eyes sparkle as if the entire universe, galaxy, and stars are inside. It’s difficult to resist, her charm is powerful.
They wait in silence while Sunoo finishes making the drink and then turns around, placing a cup sleeve around it. He hopes Sunoo doesn’t remember Sunghoon burning his hand last time.
“Here it is,” Sunoo hands him the coffee. “Would you like anything else?”
It’s unintentional, the way his eyes drift towards the cookies and back to Sooyoung patiently waiting. Sunghoon knows he shouldn’t enable the need for sweets in her, yet he clears his throat and requests one.
“One chocolate cookie, please.”
Sooyoung straightens her position and stands on her toes to get a better look. “Is it for me, Dad?”
“Yes, sweetheart,” he nods while Sunoo grabs one cookie from the glass display and puts it inside a paper bag. “But you need to promise you won’t eat it now, okay?”
“I promise!” She jumps slightly, animated.
“You’re paying by card, right, sir?” Sunoo asks, giving Sooyoung her cookie and approaching the cash register. Sunghoon just nods and takes out his credit card, placing it near the device and waiting for it to beep.
“Thank you,” Sunghoon says, a hopeful smile dancing on his lips. He doesn’t understand exactly what happens inside his brain, how the chemicals work, but his stomach churns when Sunoo blinks and smiles timidly.
“See you, oppa!” Sooyung exclaims, waving at Sunoo.
“Have a nice day,” his eyes crinkle as he waves back at Sooyoung.
So they leave, and Sunghoon drops Sooyoung off at school, heading to work after. At the place he teaches, his hands remain warm despite the harsh winter outside.
The cup of coffee becomes essential, then, not because of its contents, but as a pleasant memory.
-
It’s inevitable.
Even if he always makes sure to cut down on caffeine, drink coffee no more than two times a week, Sunghoon finds himself at the coffee shop once again.
And this time, he can’t blame Sooyoung. Because it’s not her idea, they simply take the now-usual route, as the other street remains closed, and once Sunghoon can make out the shop and that pink-haired creature, his feet carry him there.
“Dad, are we seeing Sunoo-oppa?” She questions, curiously staring at him as their pace slows down.
“I think he’s there, so… Yes,” Sunghoon replies. It’s a bit comical, how he doesn’t want to seem desperate or pathetic to his own daughter.
“Yay!”
Sunghoon pushes the door and holds it open for Sooyung. Inside, he looks around and waits for Sunoo to appear before making a beeline for the front counter. It’s crowded, strangely, as Sunghoon is used to the place being almost empty, given that they always visit early in the morning.
Once Sunoo serves the customers before him, Sunghoon approaches him, ready to order. And he’s had breakfast, they both did, still Sunghoon notices Sooyoung craving those classic chewy cookies. She has a sweet tooth, undeniably, and Sunghoon is a weak man.
“Hello, oppa!” Sooyoung addresses him. Every day, she becomes bolder.
Sunghoon chuckles lightly and sends a small smile Sunoo’s way, which is reciprocated instantly. He prepares mentally to speak, but Sunoo’s quicker, well-trained.
“Hi, Sooyoungie!” Sunoo greets her. “The usual, sir?”
“Uhm, yes, please,” Sunghoon responds, lips into a thin line. His heart beats erratically, and he doesn’t want to think about the implications.
Reaching the point where he becomes the usual at a coffee shop was never in his plans. In fact, Sunghoon would’ve never crossed paths with Sunoo, this place, or the cookies, if it weren’t for the construction going on in their original circuit or his alarm failing to wake him up. Somehow, it feels like fate.
Or maybe Sunghoon’s already hallucinating.
He doesn’t register how long he spaced out for until Sooyoung pulls at his arm. Sunghoon comes back down to earth and gratefully grabs the cup of coffee that Sunoo hands him, along with a cookie that Sooyoung quickly takes.
That would be the third one in a week, Sunghoon realizes.
“Honey, you can’t eat that,” he warns her. Sooyoung looks puzzled.
“Why?” Confused, she questions.
“Because you’ve been eating too many sweets, so…”
“But you bought it!” She exclaims and pouts, knowing it’s Sunghoon’s weakness.
“Still, we’ll save it for later, okay?” Sunghoon attempts to convince her.
While they discuss the damage of sugar, Sunoo stays in place, wearing an amused expression. He doesn’t intervene, but his presence is felt in the back of Sunghoon’s head.
“Can I have it after dinner, then?” Insistent on eating it today, Sooyoung suggests, and Sunghoon gives up.
“Yes, you can, now let’s pay and head to school,” he sighs and turns to face Sunoo, who beams at them.
The device is ready for Sunghoon to place his credit card close, so he does and waits for it to make the usual sound. Sunoo puts it away and gives him the receipt, which Sunghoon only keeps in case there are problems with his bank. And also, as a souvenir.
“Thank you,” Sunghoon utters, grabbing Sooyoung’s hand.
“See you!” Says Sunoo, then. He doesn’t think consciously about the meaning of that statement, but it certainly leaves a subtle aftertaste.
Whether Sunghoon likes it or not, they’ll see each other again.
-
At work, some days are easy while others are insufferable.
Sunghoon teaches English to kids just a year older than Sooyoung, and it’s not an effortless task. Their behaviour is erratic, and their mood depends on the weather, the day, the homework. He tries his best to be understanding, undemanding. Though, at times, Sunghoon feels so exhausted he even considers quitting.
It’s a luxury he can’t afford, to leave his job.
His parents have been supportive throughout Sunghoon’s entire life, becoming more involved and concerned once his ex-girlfriend, Yunhee, was found to be pregnant with Sooyoung. Always wanting to put money over any inconvenience, they attempted to fix it, giving Sunghoon funds. He’s aware he could ask them for finance and exempt himself from working a demanding job. It’s not what Sunghoon wants, at all.
Staying at a considerable distance, Sunghoon takes Sooyoung to see her grandparents, but he doesn’t accept any of their favors. He prides himself on being self-sufficient.
Now, after a meeting with the other teachers, they show appreciation and happily praise Sunghoon’s work, yet the legal representatives wish to reduce his working hours. And, obviously, Sunghoon panics.
He leaves the school with a minimal weekly workload, just a few hours a week that won’t suffice, because after all, Sunghoon is a single father, and money is essential.
Sunghoon
Guess who just got his workload reduced
Hahaha
I’m going crazy
Jake
Omg fr?
Why tho?
Sunghoon
They are making budget cuts basically
So English classes are the least of their worries
Jake
Wow
I’m sorry bro
Do you want me to ask Heeseung-hyung?
Maybe you can get more workload at his uni
Sunghoon
That’d be great
I don’t wanna tell my parents
So if possible, I’d like to find something else soon
Jake
No worries man
How’s Sooyoungie???
Sunghoon
Happy
Very spoiled lately
But we’re good, I’m heading back home now
Jake
Great
I’ll text you as soon as I know something
Sunghoon
Thank you
Pocketing his phone, Sunghoon finally looks up and comes face to face with the coffee shop. He stops and considers it, perhaps having a coffee alone, sitting and slowing down, won’t hurt.
It’s when he opens the door and Sunoo receives him with a warm smile, that Sunghoon realizes Sooyoung isn’t by his side, and there aren’t any excuses he can come up with to avoid thinking about the real motive behind visiting this place. Purely because of Sunoo and his pink hair, his remarkable charisma, and soft voice.
All alone, Sunghoon walks in.
“Hey,” he utters. The shop is deserted, and Sunoo is completely on his own.
“Hello, sir,” Sunoo says, “same as always?”
“Uhm, yes—no, wait, just an Americano,” Sunghoon struggles with his words but manages to get the message across. And he can feel the heat rising to his cheeks as Sunoo nods and grins.
“Great! Just a minute.”
This time, Sunghoon allows his gaze to fixate on Sunoo’s back, his shoulders moving as he prepares the coffee, the apron hugging his waist perfectly. He’s pretty, dainty movements and a gentle aura. Of course, Sunghoon can’t deny true beauty when he sees one.
When Sunoo turns around, he instantly looks away, as if meeting his eyes would hurt, burn.
“Here,” he hands Sunghoon the scorching coffee with a cup sleeve.
“Thanks,” with a soft smile, Sunghoon grabs the cup and takes out his credit card.
Once the device beeps and Sunoo gives him the receipt, which he will keep, Sunghoon advances towards the tables and picks one close to the window.
The sun hits his side just right, a warm embrace on a cold morning, and Sunghoon sips on his coffee unhurriedly, attempting to clear his head for a few minutes. It works, he spaces out, staring out the window, as the people walking the street he’s so used to now become a comfortable background. Sunghoon doesn’t perceive time properly, because he finishes his coffee and casually looks at his watch, alarmed because in less than fifteen minutes he has to pick Sooyoung up.
Getting up, he throws the cup away and heads to the door. A firm hand grabs his arm, then.
“Sir, sorry,” it’s Sunoo, holding him, and that’s when Sunghoon truly gauges the height difference. “I just wanted to apologize.”
“Oh,” Sunghoon utters, “why?”
“Well, I didn’t ask if the coffee was to be drunk here or to go… And you stayed here, I could’ve made it differently,” he explains, letting go of Sunghoon and gesturing with his hands.
“No worries, it’s completely fine—”
“And I wanted to give you this,” retrieving from the counter a paper bag, Sunoo hands it to him, “it’s a cookie for your daughter. On the house, of course.”
“What?” That’s simply all Sunghoon can let out.
“Well, I just wanted to give you something, and I think your daughter will enjoy it. She’s really nice!”
Sunghoon gulps. “Thank you, Sunoo-ssi.”
At his name being said, Sunoo looks taken aback. He still grins, a bright smile tugs at his lips.
“No need to thank me,” he says, “I’ll see you around.”
“For sure.”
Now, Sunghoon leaves the coffee shop with a cookie with chips and a satisfied broad smile.