Chapter Text
It's one morning in June, when the ritual noise coming from unit C-3-5 on the third floor, waking up most resident of the block.
"It's a freaking Saturday!! Let me get some sleep!"
"Damn it. Not them again."
"Can anyone kick them out from here?!"
People are complaining from the comfort of their bed. This is not the first time — the C-3-5 residents have always been so loud ever since they started moving in a year ago. They have received a lot of complaints from other residents and even received a few of warning letters. They're also being treated indifferently, and sometimes being bullied; by the owner of the local grocery store as they're given much higher price than her other customers. Despite this, some residents still try to be understanding and take this family's side — considering the owner of unit C-3-5 is a young single father in his mid-twenties with a twin. Rumor said that the omega had divorced before he moved to this neighborhood along with his two kids.
"Mommyyyyyyy, Taegang stole my toothbrush. I saw it!"
"Taegang-!"
"I didn't steal it! I accidentally dropped it into the toilet bowl."
"Mommyyyy!!"
"Just pick it up and wash it. The germs won't kill you."
"Taegang, you can't do that to your lil bro!"
"You're a nuisance, Zero."
"YOU'RE THE NUISANCE!"
"DAMMIT! CAN YOU GUYS PLEASE HURYY UP?! YOU'RE GONNA BE LATE FOR SCHOOL AGAIN!!"
Cha Xiu, a twenty seven years old omega with a pair of six years old twin, Taegang and Zero. He divorced his partner a few years ago after he's being cheated on repeatedly. Then, he brought his kids to a new neighborhood and started a new life. However, living as a single parent isn't easy, especially when you have a very hyperactive and loud as hell twin. Xiu does multiple of part time jobs to support their lives; the groceries, the school fee, the apartment rental payment, and other expenses. Despite all the tough times, Xiu refuses to give up. He keeps telling himself that he can do everything by himself, he doesn't need to rely on anyone. He can raise his children by his own, and he'll play both role of mom and dad for them. They won't feel unloved despite having only one parent.
"Okay, hold tight! I'm gonna speed up!!" Xiu shouts, just as loud as his kids.
"YES, WE GOT IT!" The two minions at the back seats reply in unison, Taegang hugs Zero's waist from behind to make sure none of them fall down... or at least if they fall, they fall down together. All of them are wearing their respective helmet for safety purpose.
Then, Xiu starts riding the bicycle on full speed. They're about to be late for school again.
"Mom!!"
Not even five minutes on the ride, Zero suddenly calls out.
"OMG W-What? What is it?" Xiu startles and almost loses his balance, luckily he gets to have his foot on the ground for balance before they fall off the bicycle.
"I forgot to buy glue stick for my art class today. Teacher told us to bring our own."
"Can't you just borrow it from your classmate?"
"Uh... I don't know. They might not want to share." Zero pouts slightly, looking genuinely sad and worry. His twin is quick to hug him for consolation.
"Mom, I think the glue stick is important. We can just stop by any grocery store." Taegang speaks this time. Zero nods, agreeing.
Xiu internally sighs but coos anyway at how his kids always got each other's back despite all the banters. "Fine, fine. We'll stop by at the next store."
It's almost eight in the morning...
"Ah... the usual potato flavor is not here again." A very tall guy in his red Adidas jacket and black shorts is taking too long, standing in front of the onigiri section. Until his leisure time gets interrupted by two little boys running into his legs and they both stagger backwards from the impact.
"Ouffh!" They hold their tiny foreheads, looking silly. Glancing up at the tall stranger with a buzzcut hairstyle.
"Are you okay?" That man asks, showing concern. But then, a small looking adult approaches them in hurry.
"Kids, I told you not to run or else you would-" He stops mid-sentence, reading the situation in front of him. His children are holding their foreheads and the tall stranger is slightly bending down to check on them. "I told you not to run around! Did they hit you, sir?"
"Ah- I'm fine. I think it hurt them more."
"Gosh... Taegang, Zero, apologize now."
Both boys bow to the guy apologetically. "We're sorry, ahjussi."
"I'm sorry on their behalf." Xiu bows too, but looking a little rushing. They're so late for school now. "Guys, hurry up! Zero, I've found the glue stick. I'll pay for it first, you guys please just wait outside."
"Kyaaa! We're late, we're late!" The twins run and leave the store.
"I told you not to run-! Ughhh kids." Xiu groans and rushes to the counter for payment.
Meanwhile, the tall stranger is quietly watching the family scene, amused. He also noticed something in the process — the four packets of potato flavored onigiri inside the purple haired guy's basket. Those are probably the last ones for the day. "I missed it." He mumbles to himself. The potato flavored onigiri used to be the least popular one among the other flavors, but these days, it always becomes the first to sold out. It's good to know that he's not the only one liking the flavor though, but it's getting harder for him to get the onigiri now that it keeps running out.
"Helmet?!" Outside the store now, Xiu is about to sprint on the bicycle again.
"Checked!"
"Hold tight!"
"Checked!"
"Okay, let's go-!"
"H-Hold on!"
Xiu pauses, startled to see the tall guy they met earlier on suddenly walks out from the store and approaches them.
"Yes?"
"I saw you bought those rice balls."
"Uh??? Oh, yes. That would be our breakfast. What about it?"
"But four of them, aren't that too much? You only need three, right?"
Xiu crooks his eyebrows, looking a bit pissed. He's in hurry right now, and this person suddenly wants to discuss about rice ball???
"Can't you give me one of those?"
"I eat two." Xiu replies with a straight face. "I eat a lot."
"You're so small for someone who eats a lot."
"Doesn't matter. I eat a lot!"
"But I just need one!"
"I've paid for all four!"
"I can pay double of the price!"
"Ugh I don't have time for this. Move! We're in hurry!"
"No! I want my potato flavored onigiri! I need only one!"
"Don't block my way! I can really hit you, ya know!"
"Hit me! I dare you."
"Mommyyy, just hit him. We're getting late!"
"Duh, I can't just freely hit stranger, Taegang. I can be sued." Xiu mentally facepalmed.
"Only one." The tall male is still being stubborn. He hasn't eaten his favorite rice ball for a week now.
Xiu groans and takes one of the onigiri before throws it right at that guy's face. "Take that!! Now get out of my sight!"
And that's how their first meeting happened. The beginning of everything.
+++
"So, about the job I told you the other day, have you considered taking it?" A guy in his late twenties named Noah asks. He's one of Xiu's colleagues at the bookstore where he works.
"The barista?"
"Yup. They're kinda urgent."
"Yea, I can tell." Xiu isn't sure if he can afford another job. He's doing five in total now, it's quite tiring not gonna lie. He barely have free time for his kids even during weekend.
"Maybe you can quit your other job instead? The one that pay you the least." Noah suggests. The beta has been friends with Xiu for many years, they used to go to the same university too. He was so surprised to meet Xiu again after losing contact since they graduated and learned the omega had married with two sons and got into divorce too. A lot of things had happened to him in all those years they lost contact.
"Just take the barista job, Xiu. I heard that cafe pays high." Another one of his colleagues, Yull, joins the conversation.
"Really?" Now, thing is getting tempting for Xiu. He needs that job.
Noah and Yull nod in unison. Okay, let's just try applying for it then, Xiu decides.
On Monday to Wednesday, he works at a bookstore and a flower shop from Thursday to Friday. All those are morning shift. As for the night shift, he works at a convenience store from Monday to Friday. On Saturday, he runs a tuition class. On Sunday morning shift, he works at a car wash.
Well, maybe he can try fitting the barista job somewhere in his schedule after quitting one of the current jobs.
+++
"Oh dear, you don't have to-"
"It's fine. We're heading towards the same direction anyway." The tall male in his early thirties smiles, helping the granny with the groceries as they cross the four-way intersection.
"Thank you so much, young man." She gets flustered by the kindness and politeness. "What's your name?"
"Jeong Wooyeon." He replies. "Wooyeon, for short."
The old woman nods, smiling warmly. Today is her lucky day to be able to bump into someone as kind as this young man. "You use dialect. Are you perhaps not from here?"
"Ah, you noticed." He chuckles deeply. "Actually, I'm from Jeju, and I'm here in Seoul for work. I'll be here for only a few months."
"Oh I see. Nice to meet you, Wooyeon."
"Nice to meet you too,... uh..."
"You can just call me Grandma Yoon."
"I got it, Grandma Yoon."
They exchange smile before bidding goodbye and go their separate ways.
Wooyeon heads back to where he parks his car; a silver Kia EV9. Jeong Wooyeon, a thirty one years old alpha, married to a female omega and they were gifted with a son. However, his partner passed away in a car crash two years ago. Their son is now entering three, raised solely by a father love without a mother figure. But Wooyeon believes he can be both, a father and mother for his son, Kuta. He firmly tells himself that he doesn't need any love nor a second relationship. He doesn't want to fall in love again. Once is enough.
.....or so he thought.
The wet street is quite slippery for vehicles after the city is raining for almost the whole day. Wooyeon is now driving back home to the apartment he is renting for several months. He works as a project engineer and now moving to Seoul temporarily for the daily site visit. It's only been three weeks since he started living in the new apartment but he has never known peace ever since. Morning is always so loud, night is no different. Thanks to that resident living in unit C-3-5. He heard many stories about them from the other residents. It may be true but also can be just rumors. Wooyeon isn't really interested to take part in gossiping anyway. He just wishes they can quit the sound pollution and let others have some peace.
'Wooshh!!'
He's back to his sense again when he accidentally drove through a puddle and splashed a pedestrian. The road is a bit dark around here and it's almost seven in the evening.
"Oh crap!"
Wooyeon immediately pulls over on the roadside and leaves his car to check on the poor pedestrian. That latter's hair and shirt are soaked wet now.
"Omg I'm so sorry-"
"Are you freaking kidding me-" The said guy brings his gaze up and their eyes meet, now both of them are having a similar shocking expression.
"You?!!" They blurt out in unison before Xiu scoffs in annoyance. Not this bald stranger who caused ruckus over a rice ball again.
"What the hell did you do to me?! I'm on my way to my part time job and now you ruined my clothes!"
"I'm sorry-"
"Sorry is enough?? You think a sorry is enough?!! How am I supposed to work now?!"
"I didn't mean to- ugh, look. It wasn't my intention to splash you, okay?"
"Agh! So annoying. I'm running late for my work now. Why do I keep having a bad luck.... life is always so cruel to me." He groans dramatically while trying to wipe his face dry with his wet sleeves. There's no way he's going home to change clothes. He's running out of time.
Seeing him this way, Wooyeon feels bad and can't even argue back. He should have been more careful driving earlier. Sighing, he quickly goes to his car before coming back with a set of spare shirt and a face towel. Luckily, the pants aren't ruined by the water.
"Here, you may borrow my shirt."
"I don't need it!"
"You wanna go home and get changed?"
"I don't have time for that!!"
"Then?"
A brief silence, Xiu frowns angrily with a sulky pout. He desperately needs to hurry and get out of this wet shirt. It's so uncomfortable sticking to his skin.
"Whatever!!" He takes off his shirt, and Wooyeon immediately looks away to respect his privacy. The road is empty and dim, there are not many people around the area. It poses high security risks as it's a potential crime scene and dangerous especially for omegas. Wooyeon wonders if Xiu has to walk along this place by himself every day to go to work.
Xiu snatches the spare shirt from Wooyeon and puts it on, still huffing angrily. Wooyeon tries to help drying his hair with the face towel but Xiu is quick to swat his hand away. "I can do this myself. What an annoying bald guy." He snatches the towel next and rubs his hair with it. The white shirt is a bit too big and loose for his size but this will do for now. It's not like he has any other option. "You're so annoying! Let's not bump into each other again after this." Xiu throws the towel at the taller guy before taking his leave. He's clearly so annoyed... and exhausted. He seems so exhausted, maybe he should get more rest.
Wooyeon sighs and runs his fingers over his head. He really didn't mean to ruin someone else's day though. Shaking his head in disappointment, he heads back to his car. His own day is pretty ruined too now.
He's about to arrive at his apartment when he remembers something. "Sheesh! I forgot to pick up Kuta."
The son is sulking when he picks him up from the nursery. Wooyeon keeps apologizing to the caretakers for coming late. Kuta is the last one left there.
"No, no, it's okay, sir. But next time, please do let us know if you'll going to be late."
"S-Sure. I'm sorry again, and thank you so much."
"Daddy... late." Kuta is about to cry.
"I'm so sorryyy." Wooyeon carries his son up and hugs him apologetically. He keeps messing up and today is his worse day, so far. Things just won't go his way.
+++
Kuta is a lonely kid, he has no siblings and his dad is always so busy. So, meeting new friends at the nursery is actually quite fun for him. But it can be scary when his dad picking him up late and seeing all of his friends leave the place one by one.
Today, Wooyeon is early. He comes to the nursery right after he finished his work. Kuta seems in a good mood too, especially after his dad bought him an ice cream on their way back home. It's only take around five minutes by car from the nursery to their apartment.
"Are you guys stealing?!"
"No, we are not!!"
From the parking lot, Wooyeon can hear the loud noise coming from a grocery store nearby. It's located across the apartment building.
"Then, what are you hiding behind your back?! Show me!"
"We are not stealing!"
Failed to mind his own business, Wooyeon decides to check on the situation. He carries Kuta in his arms and heading to the said store.
"What's going on here?" He interrupts the store owner and those two kids, surprised to see the familiar faces.
"Ahjussi!" They seem to recognize Wooyeon at first glance too.
"These rascals, they tried to steal-"
"We are not stealing, I told you!!" One of the two boys gets defensive. It's Taegang.
"Then, show me what you've been hiding behind your back!"
Another boy shakes his head firmly, still refuses to show his hands. Wooyeon takes a peek and sees a jar of tulip shaped lights. Then, he realizes that the cylinder jar is cracked. That is probably the reason they are scared to show it to the owner.
"Okay, I'll pay for it." He says and takes out his wallet.
"Pardon?" The owner responds dumbfoundedly.
"They aren't trying to steal anything. I'll pay for this." Wooyeon reaches out his own hand, asking for the said light jar from Zero. The boy hesitantly gives it to the tall man, looking worried and sad.
After paying for the cracked light jar, they leave the store.
"Did you guys crack this?" Wooyeon asks.
"It fell down by accident when we were looking through it." Taegang pouts grumpily. "We weren't trying to steal."
Zero nods sadly, tears brim in his eyes. "Mommy always teaches us not to lie. Mommy never taught us to steal. We're good kids. Mommy is a good person. But everyone keeps bullying mommy. They call mommy names. Mommy never showed it to us but we know, those words must hurt mommy."
Taegang hugs his twin when he starts crying and sobbing.
"Mommy is working so hard, so we can afford to quickly leave this place and find a new house somewhere else. I wish I can grow up fast, so I can go to work and help mommy get some money." Taegang mumbles, quickly wipes his own tear when it's threatened to fall down.
Now that Wooyeon recalls back his second encounter with that omega, Xiu does work so hard. He went to work when everybody else was heading home to get some rest. 'And I just had to ruin his day.' Wooyeon still feels bad over that time.
"Where is your mom right now?" He asks the twins.
"Mommy is still at work. We just came back from our school and thought of buying something for mommy's birthday."
"Birthday?"
"Yes. It's tomorrow."
So, the light jar was supposed to be the birthday gift, but it was cracked now. Wooyeon hums before coming up with an idea.
"Shall we go buy something else for his birthday?"
The twins' faces lit up but then turn gloomy again in a span of seconds. "But we don't have enough money."
Wooyeon chuckles, "don't worry. It'll be on me. Come on, get in the car."
"Y-You won't try to kidnap us, right ahjussi?" Taegang is on his defensive mode again.
"No-"
"You won't sell us to loan shark, right?"
"No!"
"You won't leave us at highway and tell us to take bus home, right?"
"No, of course not!" Wooyeon just had to laugh at that. Xiu raises his sons well, they are so careful around strangers.
Taegang sits at the front passenger seat while Zero sits with Kuta at the back (Kuta in his baby car seat). The two seem awkward at first, Kuta keeps stealing glances at Zero before Zero glances at him back and offers a handshake. Kuta shyly takes the hand, looking confused.
"Hi, kid. I'm Zero. Call me Zero hyung since I'm older than you. Show some respect too."
"Zero hyun."
"Good."
"Where are we going, ahjussi?" Taegang asks the adult timidly.
"First, let's get chicken and pizza."
"Whoa!!"
"After that, let's find birthday gift."
"Okay!!"
"What's your name, ahjussi?"
"Wooyeon."
"Wooyeon ahjussi. I'm Zero. This is my twin brother, Taegang."
"I'm older than him by three minutes." Taegang grins smugly. Zero just rolls his eyes, he should had been quicker leaving the womb.
Wooyeon snickers at the random information. "That is Kuta, my son. He's three years old this year."
"Ah, he's cute." Taegang approves. Zero glances at Kuta next to him and flustered at the smile offered by the little boy. He awkwardly smiles back and immediately looks away. Smiling at a kid is very not cool, he thinks.
It's almost seven in the evening when Xiu receives a text from an unknown number.
<Hi. This is Wooyeon. I just wanna inform you about your sons. They are staying at my place (C-2-8) right now, I'll watch over them until you're home.>
Xiu lifts up an eyebrow questioningly. He replies the message so quickly.
<Who the hell are you? I've never asked anyone to watch over my kids.>
Wooyeon facepalms upon reading the text. He just realized that they haven't known each other's name yet.
<The guy you called bald.>
<Oh shit. What do you want from me?! Leave my kids alone!!>
<Hey, chill. It's a long story, but wait till you get home first.>
<Do not try to do anything funny, you hear me?! I never play when it comes to my children.>
<Sure.>
<Hey, I'm deadly serious! Don't try anything funny!!>
<I said, sure.>
Wooyeon huffs and tosses his phone aside. That omega is always so rude to him.
"Ahjussi, how do we decorate thissss?" The twins call from inside the kitchen. They are now decorating the cake Wooyeon baked earlier. All four of them had so much fun together, prepping for the birthday party. It's just a small one but hopefully Xiu is going to like it. Tomorrow is Saturday, the kids won't have school. It should be fine if they sleep a little late tonight, right?
"I still can't believe we are actually living at a same apartment building!" Taegang laughs.
"I know right. Ahjussi is so cool too, driving car, carrying all the pizza boxes in one hand, and baking cake." The introvert Zero seems more relax and getting more comfortable around Wooyeon now.
"Ah! Kuta, you can't eat the cake. It's not ready yet~ Here, you can have this pizza instead."
The twins are so caring towards Kuta too. They treat the younger like their own little sibling.
"Whoaa the cream spilled- hey, Zero, watch out!"
"Uh?? Who puts tomato on a fruit cake, Taegang?"
"Tomato is a fruit, dumbass."
"I don't think so??"
"Guys, the balloons are ready?" Wooyeon enters the kitchen to a whole huge mess. But instead of react to it with anger, he laughs it off. When was the last time his life got this lively and chaotic? Kuta seems enjoying the chaos too, strawberry cream over his small face.
No wonder that C-3-5 unit is always so loud and noisy. Wooyeon literally dropped his jaw earlier when he learned that the twins are from that apartment unit. So, they are the residents everyone have been complaining about. But the more time he spends with them, the more he realizes that things aren't as bad as what they told him. The twins are just children in their playful rebellious growing up phase.
An hour later, someone rings the doorbell. They freeze on their spot, surprised by the sudden visit. Were they too loud? Residents are here to scold them? Wooyeon takes a deep inhale, telling the three kids to relax and not to worry. "I'll get the door."
As he opens the door, he gets even more surprised by the familiar face. "Y-You- aren't you supposed to be at work?"
"I just quit my night shift job!" The omega in his dark purple hoodie and tight black jeans pushes Wooyeon aside by his chest and barges further into the apartment. "Now where are my sons?! Taegang! Zero! Hey, baldy! Where do you hide my kids?! Zero! Taegang!"
"Surprise!!!!" The twins jumps out from behind the couch while holding all the colorful balloons and the cake. Creams are still over their faces.
Xiu stands still in the middle of the living room, eyes widen in shock. What is this? They're preparing all of these for his birthday?
"Happy birthday, mommy!!!" Taegang and Zero shout in unison, giggling happily. This is the first time they ever celebrated Xiu's birthday with balloons and actual full sized cake. Normally, they would only buy a few slices of cake for birthday celebration. Xiu takes a quick glare over his shoulder, seeing the tall alpha is smiling at him.
"Their ideas. I just went along." Wooyeon says without being asked, shrugging his shoulders when Xiu shoots him a death glare.
"Mommy, happy birthday!" The twins run and hug the omega's legs, almost drops the cake in the process. "Thank you for raising us well. We love you so much. Let's be happy, don't get sick. Let's live for another hundred years together."
Xiu bites his trembling bottom lip in attempt to hold back his tears. His kids are just so sweet, sometimes he thinks he isn't good enough to be the parent they deserve. He always tries so hard to be the dad and the mom his children can proud of.
"You little rascals... when did you two grow up so maturely, hm?" Xiu drops to his knees and hugs the twins in his arms.
Kuta who silently watches them from the side manages to grab Xiu's attention too. The purple haired adult clears his throat awkwardly, letting go the hug momentarily to greet the little boy.
"H-Hey, what's your name?" Xiu extends his arm, offering the boy his hand.
Timidly, Kuta comes closer and takes the hand. "Kuta." He replies in his small voice, shyly.
Xiu hesitantly glances at Wooyeon who's still standing near the entrance to the living room.
As if knowing what Xiu wants to ask, Wooyeon speaks first. "He's my son."
'Oh, so he's a married man.' Xiu thinks, gloomily. 'Huh? Wait. Why am I disappointed? Am I disappointed? No, no, no. Why would I?'
He gently pulls Kuta closer to join him and his twins. "Hi, Kuta. Are you having a fun time with my kids?"
Kuta nods, shyly smiles. "Jelo hyun. Gaegang hyun."
"Mommyyyy, Kuta is so cute! He can't even pronounce our names right, but he calls us hyun." Taegang laughs fondly. Zero giggles and ruffles Kuta's hair.
"Mommy, can we adopt Kuta?"
"What-? We can't do that. Do you think he's a pet?" Xiu facepalms.
Zero pouts sadly while patting Kuta's head.
"B-But... uh, o-of course you can still come and play with Kuta. Or we can invite Kuta to our place next time."
"We can do that?!" The twins sound so happy. They're about to have a new friend.
"Of course, only if.... Kuta's dad won't mind letting him play at our place." Xiu glances back at the other adult.
Four pair of cute big eyes are focusing on him now, Wooyeon clears his throat nervously.
"W-Well, sure. I mean, sure why not. They're friends now."
"Yayy!! Kuta, let's come to our place next time." Taegang and Zero grin from ear to ear, holding Kuta's hands each. The youngest boy giggles too.
"Okay, it's cake time!" Wooyeon announces, he just had to interrupt the kids' moment. He bets, everyone is hungry now.
Xiu still seems awkward and stiff around Wooyeon. Of course, he never expected the person he found so annoying and irritating was prepping for his birthday party and even helped watching over his children for him. But his ego is higher than his whole height. There is no way he's going to say sorry for acting rude all this time. Maybe a thank you will do, but save it for later. He's too shy to even thank the alpha.
"Mommy, sit here! Let's try the cake. We made it together with ahjussi!"
"Yes! Ahjussi baked the cake and we- me, Taegang and Kuta decorated it."
Kuta is sitting at one end of the table, Taegang is sitting next to Wooyeon, Zero is sitting next to Xiu, and the adults are sitting opposite each other.
They sing birthday song together for Xiu and the omega blows out the candle. "T-Thank you, guys." He looks at everyone but Wooyeon, he's clearly trying to avoid making any eye contact with the said person. He eats in silence, glancing at the three kids from time to time, making sure they eat well. There are so many foods on the table, it's been so long since the last time him and his sons get to eat this well.
This is the first time, someone from the residents treat them this nice too. For the first time, Xiu feels accepted and welcomed warmly. His heart skips a beat. He's so moved by everything this evening; the birthday surprise, the welcoming gestures from Wooyeon and Kuta.
After the small party ends, the three kids are playing in the living room and watching tv. Meanwhile, the adults are doing the cleaning. Xiu is washing the dishes when Wooyeon enters the kitchen to help him out.
Wooyeon clears his throat and Xiu flinches slightly at the sudden sound, stiffens up by the tall appearance next to him.
"I... still don't know your name. It's... kinda unfair. I mean, you've known mine." Wooyeon starts but they fall into a rather long silence right after. He's being ignored by the omega, isn't he? Xiu is still focusing on washing the dishes.
Maybe Wooyeon should just give up or apologize again for ruining his day the other day. He's about to open his mouth again to say sorry but the shorter male speaks first this time, breaking the silence.
"Xiu."
Wooyeon brings his gaze up from the soapy cup in his hands to the cute face beside him.
"It's Cha Xiu." The omega looks at him back. "My name." Their gazes meet and Wooyeon's ears redden pretty quick.
"Xiu." The alpha whispers to himself, in a daze, before he clears his throat and looks away. Oh, his heart skipped a beat just now. That surprised him.
"I'm sorry... for the other day, when I drenched you wet. I swear, I didn't mean to."
Xiu quietly shakes his head. He should be the one apologizing for saying all those rude words to Wooyeon.
"Uh... if you don't mind me asking, ...why did you quit your job? Was it me? Ruining your clothes and you were late for-"
"No, it has nothing to do with you."
"Okay... but do you really have to do all those part time jobs? All by yourself?"
"What do you mean?"
"Your husband? Is he... not helping?"
"We're divorced and I don't want anything to do with that bastard."
"My bad. Sorry, I didn't know."
"Three years, and we've never contacted each other anymore."
Another awkward silence but this time, Wooyeon breaks it first.
"If you need any help, you can count on me. I can be by your side right away."
Xiu scoffs lightly, "being so nice to someone else like this, won't your partner get angry? As a married man with a son, you shouldn't go around treating everyone so overly kind, stealing their hearts and getting their hopes up. That is cheating." Xiu hates cheater. His ex-partner used to cheat on him with other omegas. He had forgiven him for many times but he repeated the same mistake again and again.
Wooyeon doesn't reply to that. He turns so quiet out of sudden that Xiu feels bad somehow.
'Did I say something wrong? Or my words are too hurtful for him to take? But I wasn't wrong though. If he's married, then act like one! He shouldn't pour all those sweet words to someone else other than his own partner.' Xiu internally huffs. He quickly finishing the dishes before excusing himself.
"Zero, Taegang, it's late now. We should go home."
"Aww isn't it too soon? Can we come to play here again next time?" Taegang asks.
"I don't think we should disturb Kuta and his dad too much."
"But mommm, ahjussi said we can come again anytime we want."
"Can you just please listen to me?" Xiu frowns, tries to hold himself back from shouting.
"Fine." Taegang mumbles sadly, he drags Zero with him.
"Ahjussi, bye bye. We're leaving. Invite us again next time, okay?" Zero waves his tiny hand at Wooyeon and Kuta.
After the three guests take their leave, Kuta comes to his dad. "Hyun... Gaegang hyun, Jelo hyun..."
"We'll invite them here again next time, dear. Don't be sad." He carries his son up. "Is it fun? To have older siblings?"
Kuta nods happily, Wooyeon coos at the cuteness.
"But their mom is a bit scary, don't you think so?"
This time, Kuta shakes his head, disagreeing.
"Oh, you don't think so? He kept glaring at me and scolding me though." Wooyeon murmurs the last sentence to himself, sighing sadly.
But it's understandable for Xiu to get mad at him. He thought he was cheating on his partner by treating someone else so nicely. Wooyeon just couldn't bring himself to explain the truth to Xiu. A sudden wave of emotions hit him when Xiu brought up his partner into their topic. He feels so bad and so sorry for unable to stay loyal. Of course, his spouse has passed away and he has all the rights to start a new life. But he has promised himself not to fall in love with anyone ever again. However, that promise feels shaken by the presence of this one omega he just met for only a few times. He feels worse. Is this counted as cheating? Cheating on his late spouse?
And Xiu is getting all the wrong ideas, thinking Wooyeon is still a married man. And that omega despises cheaters with every fiber of his being.
— to be continued.