Chapter Text
The soft morning sunlight slowly spread across the apartment, slipping through the curtains and painting the living room in warm shades of gold. Outside, the city was only beginning to wake up, but inside their home everything still felt peaceful and quiet.
The only sounds that could be heard were the gentle sizzling from the kitchen and the occasional hum coming from Yeonjun as he cooked breakfast.
Yeonjun stood in front of the stove wearing one of Soobin’s oversized hoodies that nearly swallowed him whole. His hair was still messy from sleep, and despite how early it was, there was already a small smile resting on his lips while he carefully flipped another pancake.
Normally, Soobin was always the one who prepared breakfast before work. Yeonjun usually stayed curled up in bed for a little longer while Soobin moved around the kitchen half asleep, making coffee and cooking while quietly complaining about how early mornings should be illegal.
But today was different. Today was Yejun’s first day at daycare. Yeonjun had been thinking about it since the moment he woke up. Their little boy was growing up faster than he wanted to admit, and somehow that thought made his chest feel warm and emotional at the same time. It felt like only yesterday Yejun was small enough to fit against his chest while sleeping, and now he was already excited about making friends and going to school.
Yeonjun carefully placed another pancake onto the plate before grabbing some fruit to cut for Yejun. He wanted everything to look nice today. Maybe Yejun would not remember every little detail years from now, but Yeonjun still wanted his first day to feel special.
While he was focused arranging the strawberries into the shape of a heart, two familiar arms suddenly wrapped around his waist from behind.
Yeonjun immediately laughed softly.
"Soobin" he said, already knowing exactly who it was.
Soobin only let out a sleepy hum in response as he rested his chin on Yeonjun’s shoulder. His hair was messy in every direction, and his eyes were barely open from sleep. Without saying anything else, he buried his face into Yeonjun’s neck and pressed a slow kiss there.
Yeonjun tried not to laugh as another kiss followed after it.
"You’re tickling me" he complained while trying to focus on cooking.
Soobin ignored him completely.
Instead, he tightened his hold around Yeonjun’s waist and continued nuzzling against him like an oversized clingy puppy who did not want attention to end.
Yeonjun shook his head, smiling despite himself.
"Binnie" he warned "the pancakes are going to burn."
"I’ll make new ones" Soobin mumbled against his skin.
Soobin finally lifted his head slightly just enough to peek at the counter. His sleepy expression softened almost immediately when he saw the breakfast Yeonjun had prepared. The pancakes were shaped carefully, the fruits were neatly cut, and there were even tiny sausage octopuses sitting on Yejun’s plate.
A smile slowly spread across Soobin’s face.
"You did all this?" he asked quietly.
Yeonjun suddenly looked shy under his gaze.
"It’s Yejun’s first day" he explained softly while flipping another pancake.
"I just wanted him to feel excited this morning."
Soobin stared at him for a few seconds before his entire expression melted.
He honestly thought Yeonjun was the cutest person alive.
Without warning, Soobin buried his face back into Yeonjun’s shoulder dramatically.
"You’re too cute." he groaned.
Yeonjun laughed while lightly elbowing him. "You’re being dramatic this early in the morning."
"You married me knowing I’m dramatic." Soobin smiled while looking at Yeonjun.
"That’s true." Yeonjun smiled back.
Soobin smiled against his neck before placing one last kiss on Yeonjun’s cheek.
"Tell me what to do" he said finally.
Yeonjun nodded toward the dining table. "Set the table while I finish these."
"Yes, chef." Soobin lazily dragged himself away from Yeonjun, though not before stealing another quick kiss that made Yeonjun roll his eyes.
Even after years together, Soobin still acted like they were in the honeymoon stage every single day.
As Soobin prepared the table, Yeonjun quietly watched him from the kitchen with a small smile. There was something comforting about mornings like this. It was simple and domestic, but Yeonjun loved it more than anything.
Soobin looked half asleep while placing plates down, occasionally fixing his messy hair only for it to fall back again seconds later. At one point he even stood staring blankly at the fridge for several seconds because he forgot what he was supposed to grab.
Yeonjun laughed quietly to himself.
"You okay there?"
Soobin blinked slowly before turning toward him. "I forgot why I opened the fridge."
Yeonjun laughed louder this time. "Coffee’s on the table."
“Ah. That explains everything."
A few minutes later, breakfast was finally ready.
The dining table looked warm and inviting with plates neatly prepared, warm pancakes stacked on the center plate, fresh fruit on the side, and three cups waiting for them. The smell of coffee mixed with syrup and butter filled the apartment so comfortably that it almost made Yeonjun want to crawl back into bed after breakfast.
"Binnie." Yeonjun called while pouring milk into Yejun’s cup “can you wake Yejun up?”
Soobin smiled immediately.
"Of course."
The apartment remained quiet as Soobin walked down the hallway toward Yejun’s room.
He slowly opened the bedroom door, careful not to make too much noise. The sight waiting for him inside immediately made his heart soften.
Yejun was still fast asleep in the middle of the bed, completely tangled in his blankets. His cheeks were squished against the pillow while his tiny arms tightly hugged both of his favorite stuffed toys, a giant fox and an equally giant bunny that looks like a wolf but was a bunny inside.
The fox had been Yeonjun’s choice.
The bunny had been Soobin’s.
They still remembered bringing Yejun to the store months ago. Yeonjun insisted the fox looked more like Yejun because it was cute and mischievous while Soobin claimed the bunny suited him better because it looked soft and cuddly.
In the end, Yejun had looked at both stuffed toys before hugging them tightly and saying, “But they’re both like Papa and Dada.”
Soobin genuinely thought his heart stopped that day.
Now, watching Yejun sleep peacefully while hugging both stuffed toys made Soobin feel emotional all over again. He quietly walked toward the bed before sitting carefully beside his son. For a moment, he simply watched him sleep.
Yejun’s hair was sticking everywhere from moving around too much in his sleep, and his lips were slightly puffed out while hugging the bunny protectively. He looked so small and warm buried under the blankets that Soobin suddenly wanted to cancel daycare entirely and keep him home forever.
How was Yejun growing up this quickly already?
It felt unfair somehow.
One day Yejun would become taller, make more friends, and slowly stop needing them as much. One day he would probably get embarrassed when Soobin kissed his cheeks in public or when Yeonjun babied him too much.
Just imagining that made Soobin sad.
Carefully, he reached out and brushed Yejun’s messy bangs away from his forehead.
"Yejun-ah." he called softly.
Yejun only responded with a sleepy noise before hugging the bunny tighter.
Soobin chuckled quietly.
"Sweetie." he whispered "it’s time to wake up."
Slowly, Yejun blinked his eyes open.
The moment he saw Soobin, he immediately scooted closer and buried his face into his stomach.
"Still sleepy…" he mumbled.
Soobin nearly melted right there.
"You have daycare today." he reminded gently while stroking Yejun’s hair.
Yejun groaned dramatically before hiding deeper into the blankets. "I wanna sleep more…"
Soobin laughed softly. "But weren’t you excited yesterday?"
"I am…" Yejun mumbled. "But bed is comfy."
"That’s true." Soobin agreed seriously. "Your bed is very powerful."
Yejun nodded immediately like it was the most important conversation ever.
Soobin smiled warmly before leaning down slightly. "How about this?"
"Dada carries you to breakfast because Yejun is still sleepy." Soobin suggested.
Yejun immediately peeked up with sparkling eyes. "Yes, please."
Without hesitation, Yejun lifted both arms toward him.
Soobin laughed before carefully lifting him up into his arms. Yejun instantly wrapped himself around Soobin like a baby koala, resting his cheek against his shoulder comfortably.
"You’re getting heavier." Soobin teased while carrying him out of the room.
"I’m growing." Yejun replied proudly.
Yejun giggled sleepily while Soobin kissed his forehead. As they entered the kitchen, Yeonjun immediately looked up from the table. The sight in front of him made his heart ache softly in the best way possible.
Soobin was carrying Yejun carefully while the little boy clung onto him with sleepy eyes and messy hair. The morning sunlight hit them perfectly, making everything feel so warm that Yeonjun wished he could freeze this exact moment forever.
"Papa!" Yejun suddenly shouted the moment he spotted Yeonjun.
His sleepy mood instantly disappeared. Yejun immediately reached both arms toward Yeonjun while bouncing excitedly in Soobin’s hold.
Soobin crouched slightly so Yeonjun could take him easier. The moment Yeonjun carried him, Yejun wrapped himself around him tightly and buried his face into his neck.
"Good morning, my baby." Yeonjun whispered lovingly before kissing the top of his head.
"Morning, Papa." Yejun responeded.
"Did you sleep well?" Yeonjun asked.
Yejun nodded before suddenly gasping when he noticed the breakfast table.
"Pancakes!" Yejun shouted in joy.
Yeonjun laughed proudly. "Special pancakes for my special boy."
Yejun’s eyes widened even more when he noticed the smiley face pancakes and heart shaped strawberries.
"You made this for me?"
"Of course" Yeonjun replied while fixing his messy hair gently. "Today is important."
Yejun looked so happy that both fathers almost melted completely.
"Sit down first." Soobin said softly while pulling out Yejun’s chair.
Yejun climbed into his seat excitedly, kicking his tiny legs happily while staring at the food in front of him.
Before eating, however, Yejun suddenly grabbed both of their hands. Soobin and Yeonjun blinked in surprise.
"What is it, sweetie?" Yeonjun asked softly.
Yejun smiled brightly. "I love Papa and Dada."
The two of them froze immediately. Yeonjun honestly thought he might cry right there at the breakfast table.
Soobin dramatically grabbed his chest. "Ow" he complained. "My heart."
Yejun giggled loudly.
Yeonjun leaned over and kissed Yejun’s cheek repeatedly until the little boy started laughing harder and trying to escape.
"Papa!" he squealed between giggles.
"You’re too cute." Yeonjun said while hugging him tightly.
Soobin smiled warmly as he watched the two most important people in his life laughing together at the table. At moments like this, everything felt complete. The apartment was filled with laughter, warmth, and the comforting feeling of home.
Even something as simple as eating breakfast together felt special because they were together, sharing small moments that Soobin knew he would treasure forever.
Yeonjun chuckled quietly before running his fingers through Yejun’s messy hair, carefully fixing the strands sticking everywhere from sleep. Yejun naturally leaned closer into his touch, completely comfortable in his father’s arms.
Soobin watched the two of them fondly from beside the table, already feeling emotional this early in the morning.
Sometimes he still could not believe this was his life now.
The Yeonjun who used to stay up until three in the morning working in the living room was now softly carrying their sleepy son around the kitchen while making him smiley face pancakes for his first day at daycare. And honestly, Soobin thought it was the cutest thing he had ever seen.
"Sweetie" Yeonjun said softly while rubbing Yejun’s back, "let’s eat breakfast now so you can get ready for your first day."
The moment Yejun heard the words "first day" his entire face instantly brightened.
"My first day!" he repeated excitedly.
Yeonjun and Soobin both laughed at the sudden change in energy.
Just a few seconds ago Yejun could barely keep his eyes open, but now he looked fully awake.
"Are you excited?" Yeonjun asked with a smile as he carefully adjusted Yejun on his hip.
"Yes!" Yejun answered immediately.
"I’m gonna make lots and lots of friends!"
"That’s good" Soobin said warmly while pulling out Yejun’s chair for him.
Yejun gasped dramatically before continuing excitedly, "Friends like Yong Meong and Hwang Choon!"
The two fathers instantly laughed.
Of course Yejun was talking about his stuffed toys again.
Yeonjun gently placed Yejun onto his seat while smiling fondly. "Ah, so you want cute friends?"
"And soft friends!" Yejun added quickly.
"And funny too?" Soobin teased while sitting beside him.
"Yes!" Yejun nodded excitedly. "And friends who like pancakes!"
Yeonjun honestly thought his heart might burst from how adorable his son was being.
"He’s definitely your child." Soobin whispered teasingly toward Yeonjun.
Yeonjun scoffed dramatically. "Excuse me? Yejun got all this extra energy from you."
"No, no. He got the dramatic personality from you." Yejun looked between them in confusion before giggling loudly when both of them started bickering playfully.
"Okay, okay" Yeonjun laughed while placing Yejun’s plate in front of him.
"Our little social butterfly needs to eat first." Yejun’s eyes immediately widened at the sight of his breakfast.
The entire time, Yejun continued talking excitedly between bites about daycare, new friends, and how he was going to introduce Yong Meong and Hwang Choon to everyone.
Yeonjun and Soobin listened carefully to every single thing he said like it was the most important story in the world.
And honestly, to them, it was.
The morning slowly filled with soft laughter, playful teasing, and Yejun’s nonstop excited talking. Sunlight poured into the apartment while the smell of pancakes and coffee still lingered warmly around them, making the entire moment feel gentle and comforting.
It was such a simple morning, but somehow it became one of those moments both Yeonjun and Soobin knew they would remember for a very long time.
_________________________________
After breakfast, the quiet apartment slowly became livelier as the three of them started getting ready for Yejun’s first day at daycare and also for work at the same time.
The warm smell of pancakes, butter, and coffee still lingered around the apartment, wrapping the whole place in a comforting warmth that made it feel impossible to leave. Morning sunlight poured through the large living room windows, bathing the wooden floors in soft golden light.
The dining table was still slightly messy from breakfast. Syrup bottles remained open near Yejun’s empty plate, and tiny strawberry pieces were scattered around the table from where Yejun had excitedly eaten earlier. His little cup of milk was still half full because he had become too distracted talking about daycare and "new fluffy friends" to finish drinking it.
The apartment itself was not perfectly clean or organized the way magazines showed homes to be, but it felt lived in. Comfortable. Warm.
There were family photos stuck to the fridge with colorful magnets, tiny doodles Yejun had made taped proudly onto the walls, and one of Yejun’s tiny socks somehow abandoned near the television stand for reasons nobody understood.
It felt like home in the purest way possible.
Meanwhile, in the middle of the living room floor, Soobin was kneeling beside Yejun’s tiny yellow backpack while packing everything their son might need for daycare.
And perhaps a little more than necessary.
Soobin’s brows were furrowed seriously in concentration as he carefully checked the contents of the bag again for what was probably the tenth time already.
Extra clothes, extra socks, tiny tissues.
wet wipes, hand sanitizer, small towel, water bottle, Yejun’s favorite blanket for nap time, three different snacks, an extra juice box, another snack “just in case.”
Yeonjun could hear him mumbling worriedly to himself from the bathroom.
"What if he gets hungry again after snack time?"
A few seconds later
"Should I pack another shirt?" Then another pause.
"What if the classroom gets cold?"
Yeonjun could not stop himself from laughing softly. "You already packed enough things for him to survive for three days." he called out teasingly.
From the living room, Soobin immediately defended himself. "I’m being responsible!"
"You packed emergency crackers."
"What if he has an emotional crisis?"
Soobin frowned.
Yeonjun laughed harder at that. Honestly, Soobin was somehow more nervous than Yejun himself.
Meanwhile, inside the bathroom, the atmosphere was much softer and calmer compared to the slight chaos happening outside.
The mirror above the sink was still foggy from Yejun’s bath earlier, and the warm scent of baby shampoo lingered faintly in the air. Soft yellow light illuminated the small room while quiet morning sounds echoed gently from outside the door.
Yejun sat on top of the bathroom counter with his tiny legs swinging happily back and forth while Yeonjun brushed his hair carefully.
The little boy looked unbearably adorable.
Yeonjun had spent far too long choosing his outfit earlier because he wanted Yejun to look extra cute for his first day. In the end, he picked a soft yellow hoodie with tiny bunny ears attached to the hood, light blue jeans, and small white sneakers that lit up whenever he walked too hard.
His cheeks were still pink from his warm bath, and his soft freshly washed hair kept falling back over his forehead no matter how many times Yeonjun fixed it.
Honestly, Yejun looked more like a stuffed toy than an actual child.
"Stay still, sweetie" Yeonjun laughed quietly while trying to brush his bangs properly again.
"But I am staying still" Yejun argued immediately.
Yeonjun stared at him in disbelief as the little boy continued kicking his legs nonstop.
"Yejun" he said slowly, trying not to laugh "your legs are literally moving right now."
Yejun looked down at his legs thoughtfully for a second before looking back at Yeonjun seriously.
"Oh."
Yeonjun snorted softly before gently pinching his cheek. "You’re lucky Papa thinks you’re cute."
"I am cute." Yejun corrected confidently.
Yeonjun burst into laughter.
"That confidence definitely came from me."
Outside the bathroom, they could hear Soobin walking around the apartment while continuing to mutter worriedly to himself.
"Wait—did I pack his crayons?" There was a short silence.
"Oh no, what if the other kids already have crayons and Yejun feels left out?"
Yeonjun laughed so hard he had to pause brushing Yejun’s hair.
"Binnie" he called loudly "daycare already has crayons."
"Oh."
A few seconds later
"What if their crayons are bad quality?"
Yeonjun genuinely could not breathe from laughing anymore.
The apartment echoed softly with their voices and laughter, making the morning feel warm and alive in a way Yeonjun never wanted to forget.
He looked at Yejun through the mirror for a moment, and his smile slowly softened.
The little boy looked so small sitting there on the bathroom counter, swinging his tiny legs while wearing his bear-ear hoodie. His eyes still looked slightly sleepy, but there was excitement shining brightly in them every time daycare was mentioned.
Yejun looked completely unaware that today was such a big moment. To him, today simply meant new friends, new toys, and maybe more snacks.
But to Yeonjun and Soobin, it felt much bigger than that. It felt like another reminder that Yejun was growing up. Too quickly.
Sometimes Yeonjun still remembered the first night they brought Yejun home. He remembered how terrified both he and Soobin had been, afraid they would somehow do everything wrong.
Now suddenly, their little baby was old enough for daycare. The thought alone made Yeonjun emotional.
"Yejun-ah" he called softly.
"Hm?" Yejun hummed while staring at him curiously through the mirror.
Yeonjun glanced toward the bathroom door before leaning slightly closer.
"Papa has something to ask you."
"What is it?" Yejun asked loudly.
Yeonjun quickly placed his finger against his lips.
"Shhh" he whispered dramatically. "Dada might hear us."
Yejun immediately gasped before lowering his own voice too. "A secret?" Then, almost instantly, a tiny pout appeared on his lips.
"But I don’t like keeping secrets from Dada…"
The guilty look on his face made Yeonjun’s chest ache affectionately. Even something as small as a "secret" made Yejun worried about Soobin’s feelings.
Outside the bathroom, Soobin continued moving around the apartment while humming softly to himself, completely unaware of the serious conversation happening. The soft domestic sounds filling the apartment somehow made everything feel even more emotional to Yeonjun.
The sound of cabinets opening. Footsteps against wooden floors. The rustling of Yejun’s backpack. Soobin talking to himself dramatically.
It all felt so ordinary, yet Yeonjun knew these were the moments he would remember years later. Their little family. Their messy apartment.
"No, baby" Yeonjun reassured softly while taking Yejun’s tiny hands into his own. "It’s not a bad secret. Papa just wants to talk about something important first."
Yejun still looked uncertain for a second before slowly nodding.
The sunlight from the small bathroom window landed softly across Yejun’s face as he looked up at Yeonjun with complete trust in his eyes.
And suddenly, Yeonjun felt his chest tighten painfully. Because Yejun was still so innocent. To Yejun, the world was simple and kind.
Smiley face pancakes meant love. And having two dads was the most normal thing in the world. Yeonjun wished he could protect that innocence forever. But deep down, he knew the world would not always be as gentle as Yejun believed it to be.
Yejun still looked unsure for a few seconds after hearing Yeonjun’s words.
His small brows slightly furrowed together while he sat quietly on the bathroom counter, clearly trying his best to understand what Yeonjun meant. Even then, he still slowly nodded because Papa looked serious, and Yejun always tried his best to listen whenever Yeonjun talked to him like this.
Seeing the uncertainty on his son’s face made Yeonjun’s chest ache softly. He gently reached forward and held Yejun’s tiny hands in his own, rubbing his thumb comfortingly across the back of them.
"It’s okay, sweetie" Yeonjun whispered softly. "Papa will explain slowly, okay?"
Yejun nodded again, this time more carefully.
The bathroom suddenly felt much quieter compared to earlier.
Outside the door, Soobin could still be heard moving around the apartment while organizing Yejun’s things, occasionally mumbling worriedly to himself about snacks and extra tissues. The normal sounds of home continued in the background, but inside the bathroom, the atmosphere had softened into something gentler and more emotional.
Yeonjun took a small breath before speaking again.
"Okay" he started carefully, choosing his words slowly, "Papa needs to explain that not everyone is always nice like Yong Meong and Hwang Choon."
Yejun blinked immediately after hearing his stuffed toys mentioned. His attention seemed fully captured now.
"Not nice?" he repeated softly.
Yeonjun nodded gently. "Mmhm."
Yejun became quiet for a moment before asking the question that was apparently the most important thing in his mind.
"They’re not fluffy too?"
Yeonjun paused for a second before letting out a quiet laugh despite the heaviness in his chest.
Honestly, he loved how innocent Yejun still was.
To him, kindness was connected to softness, warmth, and fluffy stuffed toys.
Yeonjun wished the world could stay that simple for him forever.
"No, baby" Yeonjun said softly while brushing Yejun’s hair away from his forehead. "Not everyone is soft and fluffy like Yong Meong and Hwang Choon."
Yejun looked genuinely disappointed hearing that.
The tiny pout slowly returning to his lips almost made Yeonjun emotional again.
"But sometimes" Yeonjun continued carefully, "there are people who might say mean things or do things that make Yejun sad."
The playful mood from earlier slowly disappeared from the room. Yejun quietly looked down at their hands resting together while listening carefully.
Yeonjun’s heart tightened at the sight. He hated this. He hated that he even had to prepare Yejun for things like this when he was still so young.
Most parents worried during their child’s first day at daycare. They worried about whether their child would cry, make friends, eat properly, or miss home too much.
Yeonjun worried about those things too. But there was another fear sitting heavily in his chest. A fear that maybe some people would not understand their family because Yejun had two dads.
Yeonjun and Soobin had already gone through years of judgment, stares, whispers, and rude comments ever since they started dating. At some point, they stopped caring. They learned how to ignore strangers and protect their peace together but Yejun was different.
Yejun was still just a child. Too young to understand why some people could be cruel over something as simple as love. Too young to answer uncomfortable questions from adults or confused children who had never seen a family like theirs before.
And that terrified Yeonjun more than he wanted to admit. He was scared someone might make Yejun feel different. Scared someone might make him question why he had two fathers instead of a mother and a father like other children. Scared that one careless comment could hurt his son in ways Yejun was still too young to explain.
Yeonjun swallowed the tight feeling in his throat before gently squeezing Yejun’s hands again.
"So" he said softly, "if anyone is ever mean to you, or says something that makes you uncomfortable, I need you to tell Papa and Dada right away, okay?"
Yejun stayed quiet after hearing that. The silence lasted only a minute, but to Yeonjun it felt much longer.
His chest slowly tightened with worry as he searched Yejun’s face, afraid he had said something wrong or scared him too much.
Then finally, Yejun slowly nodded. "Okay" he answered softly.
The small response made Yeonjun smile weakly in relief.
"And sweetie" Yeonjun added quietly "there’s nothing wrong with our family, okay? Having Papa and Dada love you is never something bad."
Yejun blinked in confusion almost immediately. "But I like having Papa and Dada."
The simple honesty in his voice nearly broke Yeonjun completely.
Yejun said it so naturally, like there was never any reason to question it at all.
Because to him, there wasn’t, to Yejun, his family was normal. Papa made cute pancakes and kissed his forehead before bed. Dada carried him around the apartment and packed too many snacks whenever they went out. That was love to him.
That was home.
And hearing Yejun say it so innocently made Yeonjun’s eyes sting with tears. Without thinking, Yeonjun immediately pulled Yejun into a tight embrace.
The little boy let out a tiny surprised sound before hugging him back just as tightly, his small arms wrapping around Yeonjun’s neck comfortably.
"Papa?" Yejun asked softly, confused by the sudden hug.
Yeonjun buried his face against Yejun’s shoulder for a moment, trying hard to keep his emotions together.
Then, after a small pause, Yejun gently patted Yeonjun’s back the same way Soobin always comforted him whenever he was sad.
The tiny action almost made Yeonjun cry for real.
Before the moment could become even more emotional, Soobin’s voice suddenly echoed from the living room.
"Are my babies ready yet?" he called loudly. "We’re gonna be late!"
Yeonjun quickly laughed under his breath before pulling away and wiping the corner of his eyes before Soobin could see.
Beside him, Yejun immediately brightened again at the sound of Soobin’s voice.
"Dada!" he shouted excitedly.
"We need to go before I accidentally pack the entire kitchen into Yejun’s backpack" Soobin continued dramatically from outside.
Yeonjun could not help laughing softly.
"I think you already did" he called back teasingly.
He helped Yejun down from the counter before fixing the tiny bunny hoodie one last time. Yejun immediately grabbed Yeonjun’s hand happily, completely unaware that he had just comforted his father without even realizing it.
And as Yeonjun looked down at his son’s small hand holding onto his own so naturally and trustingly, he silently promised himself once again that no matter what happened, he and Soobin would always make sure Yejun grew up knowing he was loved more than anything in the world.
__________________________________
Soobin, Yeonjun, and Yejun had arrived at the daycare earlier than most of the other parents and children.
The building stood quietly in front of them, painted in soft pastel colors that made it look warm even from a distance. Small drawings of animals covered the walls near the entrance smiling cats, dogs, and monkeys holding balloons like they were welcoming every child personally.
Above the glass doors, a bright sign read "Welcome to Happy Steps Daycare" and it moved slightly whenever the morning wind passed through.
Through the glass, they could already see the inside clearly. Tiny chairs were arranged in neat rows, low tables were being wiped down by teachers, and shelves were filled with colorful toys, blocks, and picture books. The whole place looked busy but calm at the same time, like everything had a routine it followed every morning.
Beside the building, a small fenced playground waited quietly. The swings moved slowly even without children on them, pushed by the light wind. The slide reflected sunlight in soft flashes, and the rubber floor below had bright shapes and numbers painted on it. It felt cheerful, safe, and full of life, even before the children arrived.
Still, Yeonjun didn’t let go of Yejun’s hand.
His fingers stayed wrapped around his son’s small hand a little tighter than usual, like his body was not fully ready for this moment yet. Soobin, meanwhile, was fully focused on the backpack in his hands.
He was kneeling on the pavement, carefully checking everything again. The zipper opened and closed repeatedly as he made sure nothing was missing.
"Extra clothes…check" he muttered.
"Wet wipes…check."
"Water bottle…check."
"Snacks…check."
He paused, then added "More snacks…check."
Yeonjun sighed softly while crouching beside Yejun to fix his collar. “Binnie, he’s only staying a few hours. Not a whole trip."
Soobin finally looked up for a second, still serious. "That’s why everything needs to be perfect."
Around them, other parents were slowly arriving too. Some were holding their children’s hands, others were adjusting backpacks or saying quick goodbyes before heading to work. A few children were already pointing excitedly at the playground, while others stayed close to their parents, still a little sleepy.
Yejun, however, looked different. He was bouncing lightly on his feet, his small backpack moving with every step. The bunng ears on his hood wiggled each time he turned his head. His eyes kept looking around at everything, the building, the playground, the other kids with clear excitement instead of fear. It felt like he thought this was just another place to play.
While Soobin checked the bag again, Yeonjun crouched in front of Yejun and carefully fixed his hoodie strings. He brushed a few strands of hair away from Yejun’s forehead, taking his time, like he was memorizing the moment without meaning to.
The morning sunlight was soft and warm, falling over them in a gentle angle. It made everything look calmer than it probably felt inside their minds.
Just as Soobin reached for the zipper again—
A hand landed on his shoulder.
"Excuse me…Soobin hyung?..." The voice came from behind them, cutting through the morning noise.
Soobin froze for a second.
Around them, a few parents walked past toward the entrance, and a group of children near the playground suddenly ran toward a teacher calling them inside. The normal movement of the daycare continued, but this small moment made everything else feel slightly distant.
Soobin slowly turned around. Yeonjun also looked up at the same time, sensing the shift.
And the moment Soobin saw who it was, his expression changed immediately.
"Taehyun?!" His voice came out louder than expected, full of surprise and recognition. He stood up quickly, almost forgetting the backpack still in his hands.
The two of them shook hands immediately, then moved into a familiar shoulder tap, like people who hadn’t seen each other in a long time but still fit easily into conversation. Taehyun on the other hand was carrying a small boy.
The child looked about Yejun’s age. His small hands were gripping Taehyun’s shirt tightly, and his face was half hidden against his father’s shoulder. He only peeked out for a moment when he heard Soobin’s voice, then quickly hid again.
Soobin noticed him right away. "Oh wow" Soobin said, smiling as he leaned slightly forward. "Is this Jihoon?"
At the mention of his name, the boy hesitated again, then peeked out a little more. But when he saw Soobin’s friendly smile, he immediately turned away and buried his face again. That reaction made Taehyun laugh softly while patting his back.
"He’s still shy" Taehyun explained. "He’s gotten bigger, but he’s like this around new people."
Soobin smiled warmly. "That’s okay. He’s cute."
Near them, the daycare doors opened again as another group of parents started heading inside. The sound of small footsteps, teachers greeting children, and soft morning chatter filled the space around them.
Yeonjun stayed slightly to the side during the conversation, still holding Yejun’s hand. Yejun, on the other hand, was clearly interested in the shy boy and was quietly watching him.
Before the moment could continue, another voice joined in from the side.
"Tae, I brought Jihoon’s extra snacks." A man walked up holding a small lunch bag. He moved naturally, like he was already part of the routine.
Taehyun turned immediately. "Thank you, honey."
The word was casual, spoken like it belonged in everyday life.
The man Beomgyu, smiled and leaned in, first kissing Taehyun’s cheek, then gently pressing a kiss on Jihoon’s head.
Around them, other parents continued walking into the daycare, but this small group naturally formed a pause in the middle of the walkway. Then Beomgyu looked up.
His eyes moved across the group. Soobin first. Then Yeonjun.
And he stopped for a moment. It wasn’t a big reaction. The noise around them didn’t change, and the daycare entrance was still active with movement and voices. But Beomgyu himself seemed to pause, like something in his memory had been lightly touched.
His gaze stayed a little longer on Yeonjun.
Soobin noticed it immediately and tilted his head slightly.
Taehyun quickly stepped in, trying to keep things light as a few parents passed behind them into the building.
"Oh! Gyu, I forgot to introduce you properly," he said quickly. "This is Soobin, Yejun, and—"
"Yeonjun" Beomgyu said quietly. He said it like he already knew. Not loud enough to interrupt the surroundings, but certain enough to be noticeable.
For a moment, even the small sounds of the daycare felt slightly distant in contrast to the quiet tension between them.
Soobin glanced between them, confused.
Yeonjun stayed still. Then he spoke calmly. "I know him."
Taehyun blinked. "Oh? You two know each other?”
The walkway around them continued moving, parents stepping aside, children being guided inside, teachers greeting arrivals, but this small group stayed frozen in place for a few seconds longer.
Beomgyu and Yeonjun didn’t answer Taehyun immediately. They just looked at each other. Not openly emotional. Not openly anything.
Just quiet and steady, like there was a shared past sitting between them that didn’t belong in this present moment. Soobin felt it clearly now. And it made him uneasy, even if he didn’t understand why.
He forced a small smile as another parent passed behind them into the daycare doors.
"Well…that’s unexpected" he said lightly. XSmall world."
Taehyun nodded quickly, also noticing the need to move things forward. "Yeah, really small world. We should go inside now before it gets crowded."
Around them, more children were now entering the building, and the staff at the door were gently guiding families inside.
"Yeah" Soobin agreed.
The group slowly began to move again.
Jihoon was still clinging to Taehyun. Yejun was watching everything curiously. Beomgyu adjusted the lunch bag in his hand. Yeonjun remained calm but quiet.
Then, just before stepping inside, Beomgyu frowned at Yeonjun one more time. Only for a second.
Then he followed Taehyun and Jihoon through the glass doors.
The doors closed softly behind them, and the outside suddenly felt more open and quiet again. Soobin stayed still for a moment, watching the entrance.
Then he turned slowly toward Yeonjun. "…Jun" he said quietly.
Yeonjun didn’t look at him immediately. "Hm?"
Soobin’s voice lowered a little. "Are you okay?"
Yeonjun finally looked at him, expression controlled.
"Yeah, why?" Yeonjun raised an eyebrow
"Are yous sure?" Soobin said. Before Yeonjun could respond—
"Dada! Papa!" Yejun tugged on Yeonjun’s hand, pointing at the door.
"Everyone already went inside! Why are we still here?"
The daycare entrance behind them was now busier, with more families arriving and children being guided in. The moment shifted back into normal life.
Soobin exhaled and relaxed a little. Yeonjun looked down at Yejun and softened immediately.
"Alright, sweetie" he said gently. Soobin suddenly reached out and messed up Yejun’s hair again.
"Hey!” Yejun gasped. "My hair!"
Yeonjun turned sharply. "Choi Soobin."
Soobin smiled innocently. "It looks better messy."
"It took me so long to fix it!"
Yejun tried fixing it quickly, clearly offended. "Dada ruined my handsome!"
Soobin laughed and fixed it properly this time. "Okay, okay. Fixed."
Yeonjun sighed but a small smile stayed on his face. "Let’s go inside" he said softly.
Soobin picked up the backpack again.
"Yeah. Let’s go."
Yejun grabbed both their hands, excited again. "Inside!"
And the three of them finally walked into the daycare, joining the flow of parents and children entering the building.