Chapter Text
“What do you mean I’m fired?!”
The blonde beta in front of him smiles, a bit apologetically. “I’m sorry, Mr. Sim, but it’s the news I was asked to give to you. Please, just-”
“You seriously can’t expect me to just accept it like that without any explanation.” The omega narrows his eyes at her.
The blonde sighs. “I understand where you’re coming from, but-”
“This is…bullcrap!” Jaeyun says, almost snapping at her. “I want to talk to Mr. Park.”
“Um, he’s actually in a meeting right now-”
“I wasn’t asking.” Jaeyun glares at her before storming off in the direction of their boss’s office. He hears her rushed footsteps behind him, but he doesn’t dare slow his pace, too angry to even think straight. He arrives outside the door to Mr. Park’s office seconds later, and without even knocking—again, not thinking straight—he basically slams open the door.
Just like he thought, Mr. Park is indeed in no meeting. In fact, he’s on his computer, but Jaeyun knows he’s not doing anything important. There’s a higher chance he’s looking through his own social media page, because he’s just narcissistic like that, than him actually doing anything important.
The second he hears his office door almost breaking a hole into the wall behind it, he’s startled, and jumps a little. He looks up, only to let out a small sigh when his eyes land on Jaeyun. Nevertheless, he plasters a fake smile on his stupid face and sits up a bit straighter as he looks at the brunette, who doesn’t look exactly happy to see him.
“Mr. Sim,” he says, glancing at his assistant scurrying in behind him, and panting a little as she tries to catch her breath. “Yes, please do come on in.”
“I-I’m so sorry, sir,” she says, before Jaeyun can even speak a word. “I tried to stop him-”
“It’s alright, Mrs. Choi.” Mr. Park holds a hand up to her, and the beta nods, taking a small step back to let him handle the situation. He looks back at Jaeyun, whose eyes are still narrowed at him. Angry and distressed pheromones of an omega are wafting in the air, and mixed with how sour Jaeyun’s lychee and white peony scent is getting, it isn’t a pleasant smell. “Is there a reason as to why you came barging into my office like that, Mr. Sim?”
“Yes,” he snaps. “I’m fired?”
“Yes,” Mr. Park confirms, as if he sees no problem with that at all.
Jaeyun looks at him as if he doesn’t know whether to set him on fire or the whole building. “Why?”
Mr. Park shrugs, leaning back in his chair. “We’ve decided that you aren’t the best fit for our team anymore.”
“What?”
“We want to keep our image as a company the best image possible. And you interfered with that.”
Jaeyun’s eyebrows furrow. As far as he knows, he’s probably one of the best employees in the company. He tries his best to be so because he quite literally can’t afford not to have a job.
“H-how?” he asks, still in disbelief.
“You brought a child to work before,” is Mr. Park’s simple reply, and yet, it’s enough to make Jaeyun scoff and have his pheromones turn more sour.
“You mean my five-year-old that I brought to the company last week? Which was the only time I ever brought him?”
“Yes.”
Jaeyun scoffs in disbelief. “I only brought him because my babysitter canceled-”
“That seems like a problem you should’ve handled beforehand.” Mr. Park looks at him, unamused. “It reflected poorly on your department, especially, and even your coworkers expressed disinterest. Hence, I decided to make it easier for everyone, and why it’s best if you don’t work with us anymore, Mr. Sim.”
The omega’s anger is now turning into almost something like desperation. He worked hard to get this job, and he’s dedicated so much hard work to it. It doesn’t even matter if he doesn’t like working here—he needs this job, especially for Riki.
“P-please, Mr. Park, I-”
“And the way you barged into my office just a few seconds ago proves my point even more,” he continues. “You’ll have until the end of the day to return your employee badge and pack up your things.”
“This isn’t fair,” Jaeyun says, his anger returning. “Y-you can’t just fire me because I brought my son. He didn’t even disturb anyone!”
“I’ve made my point pretty clear, Mr. Sim.”
“I-I can sue you for this-”
“Can you?” Mr. Park chuckles, crossing his arms. He looks so relaxed and unbothered in his seat, which makes Jaeyun’s anger rise. He’s over here, almost losing his mind that he’s losing his job, and Mr. Park is acting as if he’s just talking about what he wants for lunch. “Feel free to ‘sue me’ then, Mr. Sim. I’d like to see you try to afford a lawyer. Now, please, stop arguing with me, and get to packing your things, or you’ll be making me call security.”
“You are seriously-” Jaeyun is about to go on a rampage, but that’s when Mr. Park presses a button on his landline phone set. He calls for security, and Jaeyun knows he better leave before he’s carried out of here. He should at least have some dignity left and not let his (soon-to-be ex) coworkers see him like that.
“I hope you rot in hell,” he scowls, before turning around and leaving Mr. Park’s office. His scent is undoubtedly super sour right now, and he doesn’t fail to notice the way it makes the few people he walks past recoil a little. But how sour his scent is is the last thing on his mind.
Now, all he can—and needs to—focus on is indeed packing his things and returning to his employee badge. He does not need to have security throw him out like trash themselves, although he’s already been treated like that by their boss.
For the next couple of minutes it takes him to pack up his things, he wishes death on Mr. Park. Jaeyun is by no means a violent person, especially not as a mother, but he can’t help it. The rage he feels for that asshole is inexplicable, and he feels like lashing out. But that won’t help anyone, especially not himself.
Given what Mr. Park said about how his coworkers felt about Riki coming with him that one time, Jaeyun doesn’t bother saying goodbye to anyone. He simply grabs the singular box he packed his belongings in and walks over to the front desk of the floor. He hands the receptionist his badge, and without giving her another glance, he continues walking toward the elevator.
As he presses the down button, multiple emotions are swirling inside him right now. Anger is the most palpable one, and his hands even shake a little as they carry the box with his items. But he forces himself to remain calm—or at least, as calm as he can look right now. He’s not going to give Mr. Park the satisfaction of hearing about his breakdown, as the asshole is probably hoping to hear about.
The elevator dings as its doors open, and Jaeyun steps inside. He somehow manages to press the first-floor button, and the elevator doors soon close, before it begins descending. He leans against the wall, feeling his eyes beginning to burn. He knows that feeling all too well, but he won’t let himself cry right now. That is the last thing he wants to do, especially when he’s still in this stupid company and building.
Even once he’s outside of the building, he doesn’t let his demeanor falter. Not until he walks far enough away from the company, around a street over, and finally collapses down onto an empty bench. He doesn’t pay attention to any of the people passing him and places the box next to him before putting his face in his hands.
Despite not wanting to, he finally lets the tears fall from his eyes. He cries silently as he sits there on the bench, wondering what the hell he’s going to do now. Without a job, he won’t be earning money, and without money, how is he going to afford to take proper care of his child? His little boy is only five, too, for god’s sake—he shouldn’t have to worry about whether they’ll have a roof over their head.
Suddenly, breaking him out of his minor (for now) breakdown, his phone begins ringing in his pocket. It’s a busted-up thing, the oldest iPhone model (since that’s all he can afford), so his ringtone glitches here and there. But it’s enough to make him uncover his face, and let everyone see just how red and puffy his eyes and nose are. But that’s the least of his worries, and he reaches into his pocket to take his phone out, hoping it isn’t Riki’s school calling him, or anything of the sort.
Much to his relief, he sees that it’s one of his best friends calling instead.
“H-hello?” Jaeyun says as he answers the call, pressing the phone against his ear. He notices how hoarse his voice sounds, which only makes him want to cry again.
“Hi, hyung. Where are you? You sound sick. Are you sick?”
“No,” Jaeyun replies, his eyes welling up with tears again. “W-why’d you call, Won?”
“Oh god, you’re crying.” Even over the line, Jaeyun can hear the frown in Jungwon’s voice. “Why are you crying, hyung? Are you okay? Where are you?”
Jaeyun opens his mouth to reply (or try to), but nothing comes out. Instead, he can only shake his head and choke back a sob.
“Stay where you are,” Jungwon says, since it doesn’t take him long to realize Jaeyun is having a breakdown. “I’m coming for you. You’re going to be okay, hyung. Don’t move.” With that, he hangs up, and Jaeyun tries to hold back his sobs for the next few minutes. He figures crying in public in front of strangers passing by him for the past couple of minutes has been embarrassing enough.
Somehow, Jungwon makes it to him in only five minutes, despite living at least ten from here. Jaeyun hears a car parking near the curb, and without even having to look up, he knows it’s Jungwon. He lets the brunette pull him up once he’s close enough and lead him to his car. Jungwon helps him sit in the passenger’s seat, and a bit shakily, Jaeyun buckles himself in as Jungwon rounds the car to get into the driver’s side.
“Are you okay, hyung?” he asks as he begins driving, most likely to his place. “You’re not injured or anything, are you?”
Jaeyun shakes his head, not trusting his voice enough to speak.
“Okay.” Jungwon keeps one hand on the steering wheel, and with the other, he reaches over to grab Jaeyun’s hand in his to give it a small squeeze. “We’re almost at my place, okay? Just hang on for a bit longer, hyung.”
Jaeyun can just give a small nod. He looks down at his and Jungwon’s hands, and lets Jungwon’s touch and the comforting pheromones of his green tea and pear scent comfort him.
When they arrive at Jungwon’s apartment building moments later, and Jungwon parks his car and turns it off, Jaeyun gets out of the car, feeling a bit numb. He feels grateful for Jungwon, who smiles at him gently and links their arms together as they begin heading inside the building. During the elevator ride, Jungwon lets out soothing pheromones, keeping his arm linked with Jaeyun’s. Both help, but the older one still feels shaken up after everything that just happened.
It isn’t until Jungwon has chamomile tea boiling on the stove that Jaeyun finally lets himself crumble again. Tears well up in his eyes, and it doesn’t even matter to him that he’s in the comfort of Jungwon’s apartment now. Nothing can make him feel better about the fact that he doesn’t have a job now, that he was wrongly fired from it, and has to spend who knows how long searching for another one.
The second Jungwon sees his tears, he knows the tea won’t do anything to help right now. Either way, he quickly serves it into two mugs and quickly joins Jaeyun in the living room. He places their mugs down on the coffee table in front of them before he turns to Jaeyun and pulls him into his arms. The omega lets himself be held in his best friend’s comforting embrace and grips his shirt as he sobs, finally letting himself break now that he’s not in public anymore.
After a long while, Jaeyun’s sobs eventually come down to cries, before coming down to sniffles. When they do, Jungwon takes that as a cue to pull away a little, and he looks down at him in concern, brushing his bangs out of his eyes.
“Hyung,” Jungwon calls out softly. “Can you explain to me now what happened?”
Even though the mere thought of it alone is almost enough to send him into another sobbing mess, Jaeyun somehow finds himself replying, “I-I…I got…fired.”
Jungwon’s eyes widen. “You got fired?”
Jaeyun nods, trying to blink back the tears burning in his eyes.
“W-what do you mean you got fired?” Jungwon scoffs in disbelief, just like he was. “Like, from your job? There’s no way you got fired. You’ve got to just be messing with me, right?”
“I wish I were,” he mutters quietly.
“W-why?” Jungwon asks. “You’ve literally never done anything wrong. In fact, they should’ve promoted you instead of firing you. They better have got a damn good reason for letting go of their best employee.”
Jaeyun almost wants to cry again as he remembers why Mr. Park claimed they fired him. “Th-they fired me for that one time I brought Riki with me.”
Jungwon’s brows furrow. “What?”
“There was this day last week that I had to bring Riki with me,” Jaeyun continues, looking down at his and Jungwon’s interlocked hands. “H-his babysitter had canceled, and I didn’t have anyone else who could look after him. So, I decided I could bring him with me to work, because I was almost out, anyway. H-he didn’t even disturb anyone. He was the perfect child, and just stood close to my side the entire time. B-but according to the complete asshole of my ex-boss, that…wasn’t acceptable, and ‘ruined’ the company’s ‘perfect image’ they’re trying to maintain. So…they fired me.”
Jungwon is still in disbelief; he doesn’t know what to say.
“I-I don’t know what I’m going to do, Won.” Jaeyun’s bottom lip quivers a little as it finally begins to hit him for real that he’s jobless now. “What am I going to tell Riki? H-he’s depending on me to give him everything he needs. I should give him everything he needs. W-what type of mother would I be if I didn’t? But god, how am I going to do that with no job? I-I don’t even have that much saved in my savings anymore, and the rent’s coming up, and Riki’s going to need a new uniform, because the one he has right now has a few small rips, and then the other bills are going to start piling up, a-and-”
“Okay, hyung, breathe.” Jungwon finally snaps out of his shock to grab him by the shoulders and make him face him. Jaeyun still has tears down his face, and his eyes are glistening with tears. He looks seconds away from breaking down into sobs again, but Jungwon won’t let that happen. “Take a few deep breaths for me, okay? In.” He inhales, waiting until Jaeyun copies him. “Out.” He exhales, and Jaeyun shakily does the same.
It takes them a few long moments of breathing in and out for Jaeyun to calm down. When he’s calmed down enough, his hands are still a bit shaky, and his eyes are still wet, but Jungwon figures that’s better than nothing.
“You’re going to be okay,” he says. “I know that’s easier said than done, and probably not what you want to hear right now, but it’s the truth. Yes, you’re out of a job, because you were stupidly and wrongly fired—your boss actually told you you’re fired because of the one time you brought Riki with you?”
Jaeyun nods, sniffling. “I tried telling him he was being unfair, but…he didn’t want to listen.”
“You could sue him. You should sue him.”
Jaeyun shakes his head, his eyes filling with tears again. “Th-that’s what I tried, too, but he knows I can’t afford that. He shoved it right in my face when I brought it up.”
“Wow, he really is a complete asshole,” Jungwon scowls. He then softens and brushes Jaeyun’s bangs out of his eyes. “Still, though. Don’t lose hope, hyung. You’ll survive through this. You’ll be okay.”
“H-how?” he chuckles humorlessly. “I’m out of a job, if you haven’t heard. I-I barely have any savings now, and who knows how many bills I have to pay right now. Not to mention Riki. W-what am I going to tell him if he asks for new shoes? New anything? He doesn’t need to know that I’m struggling to make ends meet as is, and now I don’t even know if I can because I don’t even have a job. Th-that’s the last thing a five-year-old should worry about.”
“Good, because he won’t,” Jungwon says, grabbing his hand in his again to give it a small squeeze. “You’re going to get right back up on your feet again, hyung. And before you start saying you won’t, and being all pessimistic, you’re not alone in this, remember? You have Sunoo-hyung and me. Who, speaking of, should be waking up soon.”
Jaeyun shakes his head, knowing what Jungwon is trying to say. “No. I-I’m not going to let you two try to give me money. Or even lend me some. Th-that’s not something you two need to worry about.”
“I mean this in the nicest way possible, hyung, but what other choice do you have?” he says, a bit sternly. “At least let us help you just this once. And hyung and I aren’t only doing this because you’re our best friend—we’re also doing it for our favorite nephew and godson.”
“I still can’t accept any money from you two. I-I wouldn’t feel at peace until I returned it. And don’t say I don’t have to, because I do. I-I’m not accepting your guys’ money for free.”
“You and your dignity,” Jungwon sighs with a playful eyeroll. “What time does Riki get out of school?”
“At twelve.”
Jungwon looks at the clock. “Okay, that means we have three hours left ‘til we need to go pick him up. How about this: I call Sunoo-hyung to come over, and he and I help you figure out what to do for the time being? We’ll help you look for more jobs, apply to them, and with hyung, I’m pretty sure you’ll feel better in no time. Now here, drink your tea before it gets too cold, whilst I call him.”
Not letting Jaeyun say anything, Jungwon grabs his mug and hands it to him. Jaeyun has no other choice but to grab it, and Jungwon smiles at him, a bit triumphantly. He then gets up and grabs his phone. Seconds later, he’s pressing the phone against his ear as he waits for their best friend to answer the call.
Whilst Jungwon talks to Sunoo, Jaeyun lets himself get lost in his thoughts. He takes a small sip of the tea Jungwon prepared for him, but that’s it. He only continues holding the mug to let the warmth comfort him a little, and so he can have something to hold. He stares at Jungwon’s coffee table, almost as if it owes him money, and for the first time that morning, doesn’t cry as he mulls over his options now that he has no job.
“Okay, hyung’s going to be here in fifteen minutes with packets of that sour gummy candy you like, coffee, and more tight hugs for you.” Jungwon’s voice breaks him out of his thoughts moments later. “Whilst we wait, why don’t we clean you up, hm? You’re still in your professional clothes, and I know you must be dying to wear something comfy.”
Jaeyun just mutely nods, albeit he releases a small smile, since Jungwon knows him so well. Jungwon helps him up from the couch and makes small talk with him as he leads him to his bedroom. Since Jungwon lives in a slightly luxurious apartment, his bedroom is connected to a bathroom half its size, which still amazes Jaeyun, despite how many times he’s been in here before.
For the next fifteen minutes, Jungwon helps Jaeyun take off his makeup. Not that he had on a lot to begin with. All he had was concealer, lip balm, and mascara to not make himself look so dead. But with all his crying, the cheap concealer he applied in the morning looks all splotchy, and he has streaks of mascara down his cheeks. Jungwon helps clean that up with his makeup remover wipes that efficiently do the job. Once his face is all clean and makeup-free, Jungwon gives him a hoodie and a pair of wide-leg joggers to change into.
Just as they’re walking out of his bedroom, they hear the doorbell ring. They can smell Sunoo’s cherry blossom and marshmallow scent from here, which makes them perk up a little. Jungwon leaves his side to open the front door, and they indeed see their blond best friend on the other side, smiling as he holds a plastic bag in one hand, and a cup holder full of three coffees in the other. He and Jungwon greet each other enthusiastically, and Sunoo steps into the youngest’s apartment.
“My Jake-hyung and Jungwon senses were on, so I was already on my way to the coffee shop when you called, Won,” Sunoo says as the three of them walk to the living room. “I got us all our favorite coffees.”
“You’re a lifesaver, hyung,” Jungwon says, grateful, as he grabs his coffee.
Sunoo smiles at him before he turns to Jaeyun, who looks almost expressionless as he joins them in the living room. Sunoo softens at the sight of him, and wordlessly, he makes his way over to him and brings him into a hug. Jaeyun melts into his embrace and tries not to break down again as he hugs him back.
“How are you holding up, hyung?” he asks as he pulls away.
“I-I still feel like shit,” Jaeyun replies, a bit quietly. “But…a bit better now that you’re here, too.”
Sunoo’s smile softens. “Good, because I came to make you feel better. But first things first: do you want me to burn down your old workplace?”
Despite himself, Jaeyun can’t help but let out a small laugh, unsurprised that Sunoo offered that. “As tempting as that sounds…no, Sun, it’s okay. Thank you, though.”
“Are you sure?” he questions, letting out a small scowl. “They wrongly fired you, from what Won tells me. Why did they fire you, hyung?”
“F-for that one time I brought Riki with me. They claimed I ‘ruined’ the ‘perfect image’ they’re trying to maintain.”
“And you’re still saying I shouldn’t burn the building down?”
“Violence isn’t the answer, Sun,” Jaeyun says softly.
“You and your morals,” Sunoo sighs, sharing a look with Jungwon. He then turns back to Jaeyun, looking determined. “Okay, so what’s the plan then, hyung? Are we looking for a new job for you? Do you just want to cry? Do you want some other distraction? The offer of burning down that stupid building is still there, too.”
Jaeyun lets out a small smile. “I-I think all I want to do is look for a new job. It took me a long time to find the one I had, and I don’t want to waste time looking for another one. Who knows how long it’ll take me this time.”
“Well, there’s gonna be three of us looking,” Jungwon says. “So it’ll be faster this time, hyung.”
“Hopefully, Won.”
“Okay, but first, drink some coffee.” Sunoo grabs Jaeyun’s coffee from the cup holder and hands it to him. “You need to look more alive than you do right now. You’re creeping me out a little.”
“Very funny,” he mutters, a bit sarcastically, making Sunoo grin.
“What time does our little boy come out?” he asks as he remembers.
“At noon.”
“So we have almost three hours to look,” Sunoo muses. “We got this.”
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
For the next two and a half hours, the three omegas spend them searching for a new job for the oldest. If they find any worthy enough, they apply to them. Jaeyun even applies to a few that don’t look that good, because he technically can’t afford to be picky. He’ll take what he can get, and apply to wherever he can find in order to have a job again.
“Okay, I’ve applied to fifteen jobs,” Jungwon announces moments later.
“Me too,” Sunoo agrees. He and Jungwon look at Jaeyun. “You, hyung?”
“Twenty,” he replies, much to the younger two’s surprise.
“That’s good,” Jungwon says, Sunoo nodding in agreement. “Okay, I don’t know about you guys, but I could definitely take a break right now.”
“Ugh, me too,” he concurs as he gets up, stretching. “My back is killing me.”
“Ooh, it’s almost time for Riki to come out,” Jungwon says as he looks at the clock. “You want us all to go pick him up, hyung?”
“C-can one of you do it?” Jaeyun asks with a small smile. “I…I’m still a bit shaken up from this whole…thing, and I don’t want him to see me like that.”
“Do you want to be alone?” Sunoo says.
Jaeyun hesitates before shaking his head. He knows being alone will do more harm than good.
“Okay, then I’ll go pick up Riki,” Jungwon offers, before he looks at Sunoo. “Unless you want to go, hyung?”
“I do, actually,” he answers. “I haven’t picked him up in a while. Plus, that lets you and hyung start making some lunch for him. I’m pretty sure he’s going to come back hungry.”
“Oh, that’s right, fuck, I completely forgot,” Jaeyun curses. He then groans as he remembers something else, taking out his phone. “Shit, I also forgot to tell his babysitter that she doesn’t need to come today.”
“It’s okay, hyung,” Jungwon assures. “She’ll understand. She’ll probably even enjoy having the day off. And it’s no biggie about making Riki lunch. With you and me working together, we’ll probably be done before he and hyung return.”
“Yeah, don’t stress yourself out, hyung,” Sunoo says. “You’ve got everything handled and have our help. I’ll be back, okay?” He walks to the door, grabbing his keys. “Call me if anything pops up.”
Jungwon nods to him with a small smile, whilst Jaeyun smiles at him in thanks. Sunoo smiles back at them both before stepping out of Jungwon’s apartment, closing the door behind him. That leaves Jungwon and Jaeyun alone in the younger brunette’s apartment, and Jungwon begins walking toward the kitchen.
“Okay, so what do you think we should make, hyung?” he asks, opening the fridge. “I think I have enough ingredients to make some cold noodles. That sound good?”
“Yeah.” Jaeyun nods and finishes typing the text to Riki’s babysitter. He then pockets his phone and joins Jungwon in the kitchen. He rolls up the sleeve of the hoodie he’s wearing to wash his hands before he begins helping Jungwon make their lunch.
Jaeyun forces himself to only focus on cooking, so he won’t focus on anything else, especially not what happened just a few hours ago. Talking and cooking with Jungwon also helps, since Jungwon keeps him distracted enough.
Just as they’re finishing up the noodles, they hear the doorbell ring. Sunoo’s cherry blossom and marshmallow scent, as well as a certain little boy’s unscented one, fill their noses, and Jungwon is the first one to react. He wipes his hands clean with a towel before leaving the kitchen to open the door.
The second he does, it warms Jaeyun’s heart to hear his son’s bright, little voice squealing Jungwon’s name. Jungwon squeals his name back, and Jaeyun smiles fondly as he watches the two engulf each other in a tight hug. Just as they pull away, his scent seems to finally hit Riki’s nose, and his eyes light up as he asks Jungwon where his mama is. The moment Jungwon points to the kitchen, Riki is quick to kick off his shoes and run in the direction of the kitchen.
“Mama!” he squeals, barreling right into Jaeyun’s legs as he hugs them tightly.
“Hi, my sweet boy,” Jaeyun greets, his smile softening at the sight of his five-year-old.
“Mama, Uncle Sunnie picked me up from school today!” he informs excitedly as he pulls away, looking up at his mom as if it’s the best news he’s ever heard.
“I know, baby,” Jaeyun chuckles. “I was there when he offered to.”
“Aw, but why didn’t you pick me up, mama?” Riki asks with a small pout, which pulls at Jaeyun’s heartstrings.
“Aw, I’m sorry, baby.” Jaeyun gives him a small frown as he crouches down to meet his height. “I would’ve, but I was too busy making your lunch with Uncle Wonnie’s help. Look, we made cold noodles, one of your favorites.”
“How’d you know I was hungry?” Riki looks at his mom with wide eyes, as if finding it crazy that Jaeyun knows he can get hungry.
“I just know you that well.” Jaeyun grins, poking his cheek. “Now go to Uncle Sunnie, so he can help you wash up. Do you have any homework today?”
“I did, but then I finished it all at school,” he replies proudly.
“That’s my smart boy.” Jaeyun holds his hand up for a high five, which Riki gladly high-fives. “Now go wash up, please.”
“Yes, mommy!” Riki is then quick to run toward Sunoo, latching onto his hand, as he lets the older lead him to the bathroom.
“And you worried he’d notice you looked off,” Jungwon says as he takes out the plates. “I’m sure you could dye your hair neon pink, and that boy would still be too excited to tell you about his school day to even notice.”
“True,” Jaeyun agrees with a small chuckle. “But that just makes him cuter.”
Jungwon nods in agreement, before hesitantly asking, “So, you’re not going to tell him anything, then?”
Jaeyun’s smile falters, and he shakes his head. “No. H-he doesn’t need to worry about it. It’s not his problem to bear.”
Jungwon just nods and doesn’t ask anymore questions.
By the time Sunoo and Riki come back from washing up, the food is already served. Riki has always liked eating at the kitchen island Jungwon has in his kitchen, so that’s where they eat. Jungwon and Jaeyun sit next to each other, with Sunoo and Riki sitting across from them. Riki is sitting directly in front of his mom, who chides him gently when he begins eating too messily, or frets him over a little when his chopsticks slip from his hands, or he slurps too many noodles in his mouth. But Riki is barely fazed by his fussing, simply too happy that he’s with his three favorite people in the world, and eating delicious food to let anything bother him.
When they finish eating, Sunoo has Riki’s help in cleaning up the table, whilst Jungwon and Jaeyun bring the dishes to the sink. Jaeyun then switches places with Sunoo, so the younger can help Jungwon wash and put the dishes away, whilst he helps Riki change out of his school uniform into comfier clothes.
“Mama?” he calls out as he lets the omega take off his uniform blazer.
“Yes, baby?” Jaeyun replies, more focused on what he’s doing.
“Why are we at Uncle Wonnie’s house?” Riki asks, tilting his head a little. “Why didn’t noona come pick me up?”
“I-I, um…got out of work early,” Jaeyun says, the best lie he can come up with, faking a smile. He takes out the clothes Riki has in his backpack to help him change into them. “And I was already hanging out with your uncles, so I decided to let Uncle Sunnie pick you up for once. Why? You didn’t like him picking you up?”
“I did a whole bunch!” he assures, smiling brightly. “I just wish you picked me up instead, Mama.”
“I’ll try to next time.” Jaeyun gives him a small smile. He might end up being able to, anyway. It’s not like he has a job to go to anymore.
“Really?” Riki’s eyes light up. When his mom nods with a small chuckle, he squeals. “Yay!”
Jaeyun can just laugh, finding his son completely and utterly adorable.
⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪
Later that day, the three omegas are eventually the only ones awake. It’s 7:45, and Jaeyun put Riki to bed not too long ago. He doesn’t even know for sure if he and Riki are sleeping over yet, but he has a feeling they are. Besides, he doesn't want to return to their small apartment and basically be all alone, since he’d be the only one awake.
“Have you received any emails regarding the applications we sent, hyung?” Jungwon asks, the three of them lounging on the couch.
Jaeyun is pretty sure he knows the answer, but he still checks his phone. “Nope.”
“That’s okay,” Sunoo says, trying to be hopeful. “They probably don’t send out the emails the same day people send in their applications.”
“Or maybe they’re just trying to make us wait for nothing, because they know we’re desperate,” Jaeyun mutters, making Sunoo give him a small look.
“You know what, we should continue looking,” Jungwon suggests as he gets up to grab his MacBook.
“Won, what would even be the point?” Jaeyun says, a bit exasperated. “The three of us literally spent so long searching and applying to whatever we could find. There’s no use doing the same again.”
“You know, I just remembered something,” Sunoo says as it hits him. “One of my friends from work said something about how this relative of hers found their dream job when they applied to this one company. And apparently, they’re still looking for new applicants. And hiring urgently, too.”
“Every company says that, but they’re actually not ‘urgent’ to hire anyone.” Jaeyun rolls his eyes.
Sunoo ignores him and takes out his phone. “She even sent me the link to the application on the company’s website.”
Jungwon’s brows furrow a bit. “Why would she send you the application when you literally work together?”
“I don’t know, she’s a bit weird.” Sunoo then shrugs, and his eyes light up when he finds the link. He presses on it, and the link takes him to the aforementioned website. He hands his phone to Jaeyun, who looks basically uninterested. “Here, hyung. Apply.”
“I’m really not looking to continue wasting my time, Sun,” he says, albeit he still grabs the blond’s phone.
“It still won’t hurt to try,” Jungwon says pointedly.
“‘Lee Industries’?” Jaeyun reads aloud as he looks at the top of the website. “I’ve never heard of that company.”
“Really?” Sunoo’s eyebrows raise. “That’s a surprise. They’re the most successful company in Korea right now. And have been for the past decade or so.”
“Yeah, there’s really no way they’re going to even look at my application,” Jaeyun mutters, although he continues filling out the application.
Jungwon nudges his shin with his foot. “Stop being so pessimistic, hyung.”
“Yeah, that’s what my friend’s relative thought, too, but look, they ended up getting the job,” Sunoo says. “Don’t be so negative, hyung.”
“I’d rather be negative than foolishly get my hopes up.”
“Look, you’re going to find a job, okay?” Jungwon says, a bit sternly. “Not all hope is lost, hyung. Even this successful company, Lee Industries, might be calling you for an interview soon.”
Jaeyun seriously doubts that, but this time, he keeps that thought to himself as he continues filling out the application.