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Yongbok has been observing her parents her whole life, and today, one curiosity sparks her mind. It keeps on going for several days, especially when she sees how her mother acts around her father.
The first realization happens when she helps her father prepare breakfast as they let her mother sleep longer that morning. Then, she sees the sight upon her eyes. Minho walks towards them, half-awake, and straight away goes to back-hug Seungmin who is sitting at the dining table, cutting spring onion.
"Good morning" Seungmin wishes halfheartedly. Minho stays like that for a while, getting rid of the drowsiness, then she suddenly says to his left ear.
"I always knew you would die in my arms" and proceeded to lock Seungmin's head out of nowhere. Yongbok is surprised, for sure, but Seungmin is unfazed. He holds Minho's arm that is wrapped around his neck, but ever so delicately, obviously no attempt to push her away. He lets her 'choke' him as much as she wants, and when she lets him go, they look at each other and the little girl sees a soft smile on her father's lips. Minho giggles, of course, already feels so happy she gets to headlock Seungmin so she walks to her daughter next.
"Good morning, sweetheart" she gives Yongbok a kiss on her cheek.
It is somehow against the lesson they taught her, Yongbok thinks. Seungmin always reminds her that violence is not a solution or an entertainment, but he lets Minho do it to him just fine. So, does that mean violence is fun after all? The little girl keeps on trying to figure it out by herself, but the more she sees the similar situation, the more she gets confused.
There is one time when they are watching a horror movie and Yongbok is truly scared, but she still notices the mischievous act of her mother towards her father. When the jumpscare comes out, Minho intentionally screams at Seungmin's ear. The little girl watches as her father covers his ear, annoyance built up and he instantly goes for an attack to 'stab' Minho's ear with his finger but she avoids it right away. Seungmin looks mad when he does that, but then shortly after he stops, they look at each other and chuckle.
But other than that one moment, Seungmin rarely reacts to the rest. Most of the time when it happens, like when Minho pretends to spar him with punches or pretends to shoot him with an invisible sniper, he just looks at her fondly with no expression. Yongbok gets more curious the more she thinks about it, so today, she decides to ask her parents about it.
"I thought you said violence shouldn't be normalized, papa. So, why does Mama get an exception?" She asks when both of her parents tuck her to sleep. They look at each other when they hear the question, and then Seungmin tilts his head like he asks Minho to explain. The mother looks at the daughter right away.
"Because Mama learns how to not cross boundaries" she explains softly, and the new word attracts the little girl.
"Boundaries?" She repeats and her mother nods.
"Everyone has their limit when they interact. We call it boundaries. If you cross someone's boundaries, they will get uncomfortable and that is not good. You see, Mama does it with Papa and Auntie Iyen because it doesn't cross their boundaries. But Mama don't do it at Channie or Changbinnie because it will make them uncomfortable. Everyone has a different limit set for different people, and it takes time to learn someone's boundaries. As for you, sweetheart, you are still learning about everyone's limit towards you, that's why Mama and Papa don't allow you to do the same thing as Mama" Minho explains softly while holding Yongbok's tiny hand. The little girl doesn't get to reply when Seungmin adds to the explanation.
"Plus, what Mama does to Papa or to Auntie Iyen does not consider violence because Mama doesn't hurt or injure us. Mama just got a little aggressive with her physical touch, that's all. She still doesn't condone violence in any way, okay?" He says. It seems like Minho wants to argue about that last part but Seungmin spares her a short glare, so she keeps it to herself and chuckles instead. Yongbok lets that little interaction slide because she is trying to process the whole new thing she is learning right now. She takes a while to understand, but instead of ending the conversation, she has another question instead.
"So, when Mama bites Papa, it doesn't hurt?"
Seungmin and Minho freeze with big eyes, blushing all over their faces. Panic is an understatement. Seungmin tries to cover the red spot in between his shoulder and neck with his hand but it feels too late to do so. So, he quickly clears his throat and he gets off the chairs simultaneously with his wife.
"Uhm... You've learnt a lot already, princess. Have a sleep, and we'll talk about it later, okay?" He quickly ends the conversation.
Yongbok watches her parents in confusion as they try to quickly wish her good night and leave the bedroom. She even notices how Minho slaps Seungmin's shoulder when they walk out the door, who knows why. Yongbok blinks thrice. She is pretty sure at that one time, her mother was biting her father's arm when they played a zombie game. She got kisses by her parents instead, but for sure, they were playing the game together at that time. So, what was there to be so embarrassed about?
Yongbok tries to assume the embarrassing part but she fails. So, she just shrugs it off and goes to sleep.
- The End -
Bonus :
"Channie, do I ever cross your boundaries?" Yongbok asks when they are walking hand in hand towards the gate of their school after the school session ends. Chan looks at the little girl, confused with the sudden question.
"No?" He doesn't sound so confident to answer it. Yongbok looks at him.
"Even when I make scary jokes or I tell you a scary story?" She reconfirms. Only then, the boy seems to be a little more sure, so he nods.
"Channie is not uncomfortable with Bokkie. Channie is just uncomfortable with the visual that comes into Channie's head when Channie hear the joke or the story. It doesn't mean Bokkie cross Channie's boundaries" he explains, only to make Yongbok frowns in confusion. She tries to put the puzzle pieces together but she still doesn't understand, so she sighs.
"So confusing. Nevermind. I will just not do violence or be aggressive to anyone. That will be easier" she concludes and she walks faster, leaving Chan freezes at his spot when he hears the statement. He swallows the lump in his throat, then he chases after her to walk together again.
"Bo- Bokkie-ah, what does that supposed to mean...?"
The End <3