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The bed shifted.
It was slow at first—just a faint dip in the mattress near his legs, a rustle of the covers sliding back into place. Jungwon stirred slightly, a sigh caught in his throat. He’d learned not to react too quickly in the mornings. Most days, it was just one of the kids climbing into bed—Haerin, quiet and sweet with her cold toes, or Haru, aggressive and loud, usually landing directly on Jungwon’s chest without warning.
More weight pressed into the bed. Then a warm body. Then—
“Wonnie.”
That was not a toddler voice.
A soft breath tickled his ear.
He stirred with a faint groan, eyes still closed. His hair stuck out in ten directions and his cheek was half-glued to the pillow, a thin line of dried drool catching cool air as he shifted. The curtains glowed faintly gold, the morning light just beginning to seep into the room.
He blinked once, slowly. Then again. His vision was hazy, but the presence beside him was larger than either of the kids—and much heavier. He rolled onto his side with a quiet grunt, still thick in sleep, bleary-eyed and slack-jawed.
“You’re not the kids,” Jungwon mumbled, voice rough like gravel.
A soft chuckle vibrated against the back of his neck, low and amused.
“Wow. I’m offended.”
He squinted, finally turning his head. The familiar slope of Jay’s face came into view—eyes sleepy but smiling, hair a little tousled like he’d rolled straight out of bed. And not for work.
“Jay?” he blinked, still not entirely convinced he wasn’t dreaming.
“Mhm,” came the reply, paired with a lazy smile that tugged at the corner of Jay’s lips.
Jungwon shifted sluggishly, rolling onto his back, arms heavy at his sides. His brow creased.
“Aren’t you… at work?”
Jay propped himself up on one elbow, grinning down at him like a teenager skipping school. “Nope. Cancelled. Surprise.”
Jungwon stared at him, uncomprehending, still half-adrift in sleep.
“You’re not real,” he muttered.
“I am,” Jay laughed.
Jungwon groaned like someone being robbed of a nap, dragging the blanket higher over his face.
“Nooo. I just got to the good part of sleeping.”
But Jay was warm—too warm. Like a clingy, overly affectionate space heater with limbs. He looped an arm around Jungwon’s middle and pulled himself closer, humming softly like he’d done a hundred times before when he wanted attention. His nose nudged into the crook of Jungwon’s neck, his breath warm and ticklish.
Jungwon squirmed and muttered into the pillow.
“You’re scratchy.”
Jay laughed again, breath puffing against his skin.
“I haven’t shaved yet. You like it. It’s rugged.”
Jungwon grimaced, wincing as the bristle of Jay’s jaw scraped against the tender spot beneath his ear.
“It’s stabbing my cheek.”
“I’m leaving my mark,” Jay whispered shamelessly. “Let me love you.”
“No.”
“Yes.”
“Go away.”
“You love me.”
Jungwon groaned louder this time, trying to roll away—but Jay was already halfway on top of him, both arms and one leg wrapped around him like a weighted blanket from hell. His face was inches away now, eyes bright and annoyingly awake, that smug smile barely hidden beneath the stubble.
Jungwon shoved a palm against Jay’s face and pushed.
“You’re literally bristling. Back off.”
Jay only purred louder, nestling in with catlike satisfaction, completely unbothered.
“I missed you,” he said into Jungwon’s cheek, ignoring the hand trying to push him away.
“You’re the worst." A moment passes, and Jungwon gives up.
“I need to get the kids up soon,” Jungwon muttered, hoping that maybe that would guilt Jay into giving him a few more minutes of peace.
But instead, Jay whispered softly, lips brushing his skin:
“Let’s pretend we don’t have kids right now.”
Jungwon cracked an eye open and glared at him. Jay just grinned.
He was still warm. Still tired. The smell of Jay’s skin and the soft buzz of his voice made his thoughts grow slow again. It was just too early for whatever energy Jay had. If he was dreaming, it was a strangely persistent one—but somehow not annoying enough to shake him fully awake. And if he wasn't dreaming... well, he'd deal with that in five more minutes.
Before long, his breathing evened out again, and the heavy fog of sleep pulled him back under.
Jay stayed still for a moment longer, grinning to himself.
Then, slowly and carefully, he untangled his limbs from around Jungwon’s body, lifting himself off the bed with exaggerated stealth like he was trying not to wake a wild animal. He paused when Jungwon shifted faintly in protest, hand half-reaching toward the warmth that had just left—but when his husband didn’t stir again, Jay smiled and crept quietly out of the bedroom.
The hallway creaked under his feet. The kids’ bedroom door was cracked open, stuffed animals peeking out from beneath it like little sentries. Jay rapped on it twice with his knuckles and poked his head in.
“Morning, my babies,” he whispered gently, his voice warm.
Haerin stirred under her unicorn blanket, eyes fluttering open. “Daddy…?”
Jay gave her a wink and brought a finger to his lips. “Shhh. Guess what? I’m not at work today.”
Haerin blinked a few times, slow and groggy. “Really?”
“Really really,” he whispered, padding into the room.
Haru shifted with a grumble, sitting up with his usual puff of disheveled hair and a sleepy pout. “No work?”
Jay smiled, crouching beside the bed. “Nope. Just you two, Appa, and me this morning.”
Instead of exploding into excitement, both kids simply nodded—half-asleep and entirely content—and leaned into Jay’s arms when he reached out to scoop them up. Haerin tucked her head into his shoulder while Haru clung to his other side, legs swinging as Jay carried them both out of the room like bundled laundry.
“Let’s go get dressed, huh?” he murmured, kissing each of their heads.
Haerin stood still, arms raised as Jay gently pulled her crisp white shirt over her head, smoothing the collar and buttoning it with care. Her navy pleated skirt swished softly as she stepped into it, leaning against his shoulder with a sleepy hum.
Across the room, Haru wriggled out of his pajamas and into his uniform shorts with minimal help, proudly yanking them up to his belly button before Jay knelt to straighten the hem of his little polo shirt.
“Alright, handsome,” Jay whispered, brushing imaginary lint from Haru’s shoulder. “You’re ready for the runway.”
“I’m a dinosaur on the runway,” Haru mumbled with a sleepy grin, half-collapsing into Jay’s lap.
Jay laughed softly, catching him and pressing a kiss to the crown of his tousled hair. “Of course you are.”
Once both kids were dressed and upright, Jay grabbed Haerin’s cardigan from the back of her chair and gently helped her into it. Then, taking one of their hands in each of his, he led them out of the room on quiet socked feet.
The hallway was dim, lit only by the soft morning light filtering through the blinds. They tiptoed past the master bedroom where Jungwon still slept, undisturbed.
Down in the kitchen, Jay flicked on a single light and guided the kids to their usual seats at the table.
“Sit tight, my babies,” he whispered as he turned toward the stove, already pulling out the pan. “Let’s make breakfast before Appa wakes up.”
Haerin leaned on the table, resting her cheek on her arm. Haru climbed onto his chair like a mountain goat. The kitchen filled with the gentle sounds of sizzling eggs, the clink of utensils, and soft, contented murmuring—calm and quiet, the house still holding its breath in the early light.
Back upstairs, Jungwon stirred.
He sat up with a jolt, eyes wide and unfocused, chest tight.
Shit.
He fumbled for his phone. No alarm. No movement. The sun had shifted in the room—too high for this early. What time is it? Are the kids late? Did Jay—
He froze.
From downstairs came the familiar lull of voices. Haru’s voice, energetic and chaotic, overlapping with Haerin’s calmer tone. And Jay. Talking to them.
And then—the soft clatter of a spatula against a pan.
Jungwon blinked, breath catching, and sat very still.
He sniffed the air.
Eggs. Toast. Something a little sweet. Coffee?
Slowly, like someone surfacing from a dream, Jungwon swung his legs over the side of the bed. His eyes were still bleary, one sock was halfway on, and his hair was pointing in no fewer than six directions. He ran a hand through it once, failing to tame the fluff, and trudged out of the bedroom.
His foot caught slightly on the edge of the hallway rug.
The voices downstairs got clearer with every step.
“Daddy, look, I put the spoon upside down and it makes my face look like a potato!” Haru was giggling.
“Technically,” Jay said, with mock seriousness, “you already looked like a potato, so now it’s just a shiny one.”
“Rude,” Haerin muttered.
Jungwon appeared in the doorway, rubbing his eyes with the back of his hand.
He blinked.
Jay stood at the stove, barefoot and clean-shaven now, a spatula in one hand and a mug in the other. Haru was showing Jay how high he could stack blueberries on one finger.
Jungwon blinked again.
Jay looked up, noticed him, and lit up.
“Well, good morning, Sleeping Beauty.”
Jungwon stared. “You’re… still here.”
Jay smirked. “Still think I was a dream?”
Jungwon hesitated. Then, slowly, his shoulders slumped as he rubbed his face. “A very annoying dream.”
Jay only laughed and walked over to hand him a steaming mug of coffee—exactly how he liked it, down to the half teaspoon of sugar.
Jungwon took it without a word, eyes narrowing as he took a cautious sip. Then sighed.
Fine. He’d let himself believe this was real.
Jungwon continued sipping his coffee, the mug warming his fingers as he guided himself toward the stove. Jay stood with his back to him, focused on the pan of softly scrambled eggs, gently folding them just the way the kids liked—light, fluffy, not too dry.
Jungwon stopped right behind him, pressing his forehead lightly against Jay’s back. His eyes slipped shut. Jay was warm. Solid. Familiar in the way a favorite hoodie was. He breathed in, letting himself settle there, tucked into the calm rhythm of his husband's presence.
Jay’s hand didn’t pause in its motion, but his mouth curved into a smile. “I left detangling Haerin’s hair to you,” he murmured over his shoulder. “And Haru said, ‘Appa combs my hair just the way I want it,’ so I had to leave that one too.”
Jungwon chuckled under his breath, still resting his weight gently against Jay’s back. “Of course he did.”
Jay slid the eggs onto two colorful plates, adding toast—one with jam for Haerin, one with just butter for Haru—and carried them over to the table. Haerin clapped softly while Haru did a little excited wiggle in his seat. Their quiet joy made the morning feel even more golden.
Returning to the counter, Jay plated a final serving and set it down near where Jungwon had leaned against the island. “Here,” he said, nudging it closer. “Figured we’d share.”
Jungwon shifted in, sliding into his space easily like always. He tucked himself against Jay’s side, one arm wrapping around his lower back and the other cupping his coffee close to his chest. His cheek came to rest against Jay’s shoulder as they stood there together in the kitchen haze—toast-scented air, children’s quiet eating, the dull hum of the fridge.
Jay leaned his head on top of Jungwon’s, their hair brushing. A slow silence wrapped around them like a warm blanket.
Then Jay reached down, picked up a still-warm piece of toast, and held it out in front of Jungwon’s mouth. “Eat,” he said softly.
Jungwon huffed a laugh against his shoulder, but took the bite anyway. Chewed. Swallowed. Let the quiet stretch.
“You really don’t have work today?” he asked again, eyes still closed, voice low.
Jay kissed the top of his head. “I really don’t.”
Jungwon let the toast settle in his mouth, warm and buttery, before finally shifting his head from Jay’s shoulder and glancing up at him with softened eyes.
“Thanks, by the way,” he murmured. “For getting them dressed. And letting me sleep in.” He rubbed his thumb along the curve of Jay’s spine through his shirt, affectionate. “I don’t get mornings like that often. Trying to wrangle those two alone… it’s a lot.”
Jay turned to him with a teasing glint in his eyes, stepping just a little closer, their hips brushing. “Oh, I know,” he said dramatically, eyes sparkling. “And I handled it all with grace. Like a pro. I think I deserve a reward, actually.”
Jungwon raised a brow at him. “A reward?”
Jay grinned, tilting his head as he leaned in just a bit. “Mm-hmm. Some sort of compensation. For my hard work. Especially now that I have the time for it today.” His voice dipped suggestively, just enough to make his meaning clear.
Jungwon gave him a look, biting back a smile. “You’re impossible,” he muttered, shaking his head and stepping away before he was tempted to melt again.
Jay only laughed as Jungwon crossed the kitchen and crouched beside Haerin’s chair, inspecting the tangled mess of her hair with a low hum.
“Sweetheart, you said you brushed it.”
“I tried,” Haerin replied sweetly, not looking up from her toast. “The brush kept disappearing.”
Jungwon chuckled, fingers gently parting a particularly knotted section. “Mm, sounds suspicious.”
Behind them, Jay opened the fridge and pulled out the lunchbox containers. “You want me to pack their lunches for them, baby?” he asked casually, glancing over his shoulder. “While you finish up?”
Jungwon nodded, still focused on taming the back of Haerin’s hair. “Yeah. That’d help.”
“You got it.” Jay winked, already reaching for the strawberries. “Chef and chauffeur, at your service.”
Jungwon worked through the tangles slowly, using his fingers first before switching to the wide-tooth comb. “You’re doing so good, baby,” he murmured as Haerin sat still, legs swinging under the chair.
No tears this time. No wincing or squirming. Just the quiet rhythm of the comb moving through her hair and the occasional sleepy hum from Haerin as she watched her tablet on the table.
“See?” Jungwon said softly, smoothing the last section flat. “We tamed the wild nest.”
Haerin grinned, proud. “Told you it wasn’t that bad.”
“Mhm,” Jungwon teased. “You’ll be saying that again tomorrow when it looks like a bird moved in.”
He parted her hair down the middle and began braiding with gentle hands, his fingers quick and practiced. One neat pigtail. Then the other. He tied them off with the pink hair ties she’d insisted on last night—“the glittery ones, Appa, not the boring ones.”
“There,” Jungwon said, brushing a few stray wisps from her cheeks. “Two very official pigtails.”
Haerin turned toward him, eyes bright. “Can you do sparkly clips too?”
Jungwon smiled. “Only if you promise to eat all your toast.”
“Deal.”
Jungwon secured the last sparkly clip in Haerin’s hair with a quiet snap and pressed a kiss to the crown of her head. “Go show Appa,” he murmured.
Haerin slid off her chair and skipped over to Jay, who was already rinsing a pan in the sink. She tilted her head like a model. “Ta-da!”
Jay turned, gave her a slow, exaggerated once-over, then placed a hand on his chest. “I am absolutely blinded by beauty.”
Haerin giggled, pleased, and wandered back to the table.
Jungwon stood with a soft groan, stretching his back before wrapping both hands around his still-warm coffee cup and taking a grateful sip. “I can’t believe her hair got that tangled. We brushed it last night.”
Jay leaned back against the counter, arms crossed loosely over his chest. “Might’ve been the blanket acrobatics. I think she tried to roll herself into a burrito while sleeping.”
Jungwon chuckled. “That checks out.”
Jay nodded toward the lunchboxes on the counter. “So, what do you think—sandwiches or the rice ball bento thing?”
Jungwon rubbed his temple with the hand not holding his mug. “Sandwiches are faster. But they had that yesterday.”
Jay opened the fridge and peered in. “Okay, we’ve got leftover rice, some roasted seaweed, baby cucumbers, and those chicken bites they actually like. I can whip up mini rice balls in like ten minutes.”
Jungwon raised a brow, half-amused, half-impressed. “Well, look at you—gourmet Appa.”
Jay’s smirk deepened as he set the pan down. “I’m a man of many talents. Some you’ve already tested thoroughly.”
Jungwon paused mid-sip of his coffee, eyes narrowing in mock warning, but the corner of his mouth betrayed him. “Careful, or I’ll make you prove it right here—by packing lunches every morning.”
Jay’s gaze swept over him slowly, voice dipping just enough to make Jungwon’s ears warm. “I’m not scared, baby. I’ve got time today. Let me take care of it while you go wrestle Haru’s dragon mane.”
Jungwon started toward the couch, deliberately turning his back so Jay wouldn’t see his faint grin. “Deal,” he said, feigning nonchalance. “But if you drown it in sesame oil again, they’ll revolt.”
Jay pointed a spoon at him, leaning his hip against the counter. “It was a drizzle, and you know it.”
“And it was the end of the world for them,” Jungwon countered, already crouching to coax Haru upright.
“Kids have no taste,” Jay muttered.
Jungwon glanced over his shoulder, eyes catching Jay’s for a lingering beat. “Guess that’s why I married you.”
Jay chuckled, shaking his head. “You’re lucky I find you cute when you’re mean.”
Jay got to work at the counter, sleeves pushed up, hands moving with practiced speed as he scooped rice into his palms. From his spot in the living room, Jungwon sipped his coffee and watched with a little smirk.
“Look at you,” Jungwon said softly, “rolling rice balls like you’re auditioning for a cooking show.”
Jay grinned without looking up. “You’d vote for me, right?”
“Mm… depends,” Jungwon replied, leaning his hip against the counter beside him. “What’s in it for me?”
Jay glanced up, eyes glinting. “Thought I already mentioned… compensation.”
Before Jungwon could fire back, Haerin’s small voice piped up from the table. “Appa, are you threatening Daddy again?”
Jungwon blinked at her, caught mid-sip. “What? No—” He shot Jay a look when he saw his husband struggling not to laugh.
“Appa just means,” Jay cut in smoothly, “that if Daddy does a really good job, Appa has to give him a prize.”
Haerin tilted her head. “Like stickers?”
“Exactly,” Jay said, winking at Jungwon over her head. “Special grown-up stickers.”
Jungwon fought a laugh and turned back towards the couch. “You are impossible.”
“And you,” Jay said out loud, “like it.”
Jungwon shook his head with a faint smile, setting his coffee down before motioning for Haru to come closer. The little boy was already dressed in his neatly pressed school uniform and stood obediently while Jungwon ran his fingers gently through his bed-mussed hair. Haru’s head tipped slightly forward, eyes fluttering shut as Jungwon carefully worked out the small tangles, smoothing the strands before running the comb through in even strokes.
“There we go,” Jungwon murmured, brushing the fringe out of Haru’s eyes and patting his cheek softly. “Handsome as ever.”
Haru grinned, cheeks puffing. “I know.”
“Mm-hm,” Jungwon said, giving his shoulders a gentle turn toward the hallway. “Alright, my babies—upstairs. Go brush your teeth before we’re late.”
Haerin groaned good-naturedly, sliding off her chair, while Haru grabbed her hand and tugged her along toward the bathroom. Their voices drifted back in a jumble of chatter and laughter.
Jay set the last lunchbox on the counter and tucked it neatly into the kids’ backpacks. “They’re in a good mood today,” he said, watching Jungwon rinse out his coffee mug.
“Mm, because you’re home,” Jungwon replied, glancing at him with a small smile. “They know they get the full VIP drop-off and pick-up service.”
Jay stepped in close, his hand brushing lightly over Jungwon’s hip before settling there, thumb rubbing slow circles. “And you’re acting like you’re not secretly happy about it.”
Jungwon huffed softly, aiming for nonchalance, but his eyes betrayed him. “Maybe I am.”
Jay leaned in, his voice dropping just enough to make Jungwon’s pulse tick. “Maybe I like that look on you—like you’ve got plans for me once the kids are out of the house.”
Jungwon’s lips parted, heat creeping into his cheeks before he could stop it. “You—” He cut himself off, shaking his head with a quiet laugh, but Jay was already grinning like he’d won something.
“See? You’re blushing,” Jay teased, dipping in to press a slow kiss to Jungwon’s mouth—soft, lingering, just enough to make him feel warm all over.
When Jay finally pulled back, Jungwon swallowed, setting the mug down before his hands could fidget. “You’re lucky we don’t have time for you to finish that thought.”
“Oh, we’ll make time,” Jay murmured with a wink, brushing his thumb over Jungwon’s hip once more before stepping back to grab his coffee.
Jungwon could still feel the heat in his face as he cleared his throat and called toward the hallway, “Teeth brushed? Let’s go!”
By the time the kids came bounding back into the kitchen, shoes in hand and voices overlapping with excited chatter, Jungwon had already grabbed his keys. Jay was waiting by the door, backpacks ready, his free hand brushing over Jungwon’s hip as he leaned in to murmur, “Still thinking about that ‘compensation’ we talked about earlier.”
Jungwon’s ears warmed, but he just shook his head, ushering Haerin and Haru toward the entryway. “The only thing you’re getting right now is a seat in the car. Let’s go, my babies—shoes on.”
They bundled out to the driveway—Haerin climbing into her booster, Haru clicking in beside her—while Jay slid into the passenger seat. His knee brushed Jungwon’s as he buckled in, that familiar, smug little smile tugging at his mouth.
On the drive, Haerin kicked her feet lightly. “Daddy, are you coming to pick us up too?”
Jay twisted in his seat to look at her. “Of course. Can’t let Appa have all the fun.”
Haru grinned. “Then we can get ice cream?”
Jungwon kept his eyes on the road, snorting. “You two are quick to negotiate when Daddy’s home.”
Jay leaned back, smirking. “I’ll think about it.”
“Think fast,” Haerin shot back just as they pulled into the school’s drop-off lane.
Jungwon parked and unbuckled his seatbelt, leaning back to help them with theirs. The kids hopped out, giving each parent a quick hug before heading for the school doors, pausing to wave one last time before disappearing inside.
As Jungwon settled back into his seat, Jay’s hand found his thigh, thumb brushing lazily.
“So…” Jungwon said, starting the engine, “I can drop you off at home now. You can actually have a relaxing day off for once.”
Jay shook his head instantly. “Or… I follow you around all day.”
Jungwon arched a brow. “You want to run errands with me?”
“I want to be with you,” Jay corrected simply, his tone light but his smile soft.
Jungwon didn’t answer right away, just let the corner of his mouth curl as he pulled back into traffic. “Fine. But no complaining.”
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” Jay murmured, leaning back in his seat, still tracing his thumb along Jungwon’s thigh. “Though I can’t promise I won’t find ways to make errands… interesting.”
Jungwon gave him a pointed look, but the faint flush on his cheeks betrayed him. “Behave.”
Jay only grinned. “No promises.”
They didn’t go home. Instead, Jungwon’s first stop was the post office, where Jay trailed a half-step behind him, leaning just close enough that his hand occasionally brushed Jungwon’s lower back.
“You know,” Jay murmured as they stood in line, “if this is the kind of thrill you’ve been having without me, I’ve been missing out.”
Jungwon glanced over his shoulder, expression flat but lips twitching. “Filing returns? Yeah, real adrenaline rush.”
“Hey, I’m here for the experience,” Jay said, voice dipping so only Jungwon could hear, “and the company.”
The clerk called them forward, breaking the moment, but Jay was still smiling when they stepped back into the sunshine.
From there it was the car wash—Jay insisting on getting out to scrub one stubborn streak the machines missed while Jungwon stayed in the driver’s seat, shaking his head.
“Perfectionist,” Jungwon called through the cracked window.
“Just for you,” Jay shot back with a grin.
Next came the library. Jungwon scanned the returns slot while Jay wandered the aisles, picking out two cookbooks and, suspiciously, one travel guide for a city Jungwon had mentioned wanting to visit once.
“You planning something?” Jungwon asked, eyebrow raised as they checked out.
“Maybe,” Jay replied, eyes glinting. “But you’ll have to behave if you want to find out.”
The grocery store was last, and it was the most dangerous—Jay pushed the cart but kept slipping his hand into Jungwon’s whenever they slowed. He made shameless commentary in the produce aisle, holding up a cucumber with a mock-serious expression until Jungwon swatted him away.
By the time they reached the checkout, the cart was full of ingredients for the week and snacks for the kids.
As they loaded the bags into the trunk, Jay leaned on the open hatch and gave Jungwon that soft, almost shy smile that always caught him off guard. “This is nice. Just… being with you.”
Jungwon closed the last bag into place and turned to face him fully, hands sliding into Jay’s back pockets in a rare public moment of affection. “It is,” he admitted quietly, lips curving in that small, warm way he reserved for Jay alone. “But if you keep this up, I’m going to start expecting you to tag along every time.”
By the time the final errand was done and the groceries were dropped off at home, it was nearly pickup time. Jay didn’t even give Jungwon the chance to suggest he stay behind—he was already sliding into the passenger seat with his seatbelt on.
“You’re eager,” Jungwon remarked, pulling out of the driveway.
“I told them I’d be here,” Jay replied simply, as if that explained everything.
When they pulled into the school lot, both kids were already scanning the crowd. Haerin spotted them first, her whole face lighting up, and Haru took off at a run before Jungwon could even wave.
“Daddy!” Haru barreled into Jay’s legs as soon as he stepped out of the car.
Jay crouched to scoop him up, ruffling his hair. “Missed you too, buddy.”
Haerin arrived a moment later, hugging Jungwon before slipping over to cling to Jay’s arm. “You’re really here for pickup.”
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Jay said, straightening up with Haru still clinging to his hip. “And I might have a surprise.”
Haru’s eyes lit up. “Ice cream?”
Jungwon shot Jay a sideways look as he helped Haerin into the back seat. “So much for surprises.”
Jay just smirked, buckling Haru in. “Guess they know me too well.”
The ice cream shop wasn’t far, and by the time they were seated at a small corner table, Haru had vanilla smeared across his cheeks and Haerin was guarding her strawberry scoop like it was treasure.
Jungwon leaned back, watching them with an expression that was part amusement, part fond disbelief. “This is going to be a sugar-high disaster later.”
Jay licked his own spoon slowly, eyes glinting in that way that made Jungwon’s ears warm. “I can think of worse ways to spend my evening.”
Jungwon kicked him lightly under the table, but the smile on his face didn’t fade.
When the kids were done—Haerin meticulously scraping the bottom of her cup and Haru leaning against Jay with heavy-lidded contentment—they headed back to the car, both kids chattering about school and the “best ice cream day ever.”
Jay glanced at Jungwon as they buckled in, his smile soft and almost shy again. “See? Worth tagging along.”
Jungwon met his eyes for a beat, starting the engine. “Yeah,” he admitted quietly. “It was.”
Back home, the kids bounded inside ahead of them, their laughter echoing through the hallway. Haru tossed his shoes into the basket with questionable aim, and Haerin immediately disappeared toward the living room to dig through her backpack.
Jay set the kids’ bags by the stairs while Jungwon hung up his keys. “Homework first,” Jay called, earning a pair of dramatic groans—one from the living room, one from the hallway.
“They’ll thank us when they’re older,” Jungwon murmured, stepping past him toward the kitchen.
Jay followed, closing the small distance to slip his arms around Jungwon’s waist from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder. “Or… we’ll still be the bad guys,” he said against his ear, voice low and warm.
Jungwon didn’t turn around, but his lips curved faintly. “Mm, probably. You okay with that?”
“If it’s with you? Absolutely.”
For a moment, they stayed like that—Jungwon leaning into the counter, Jay holding him steady and close. In the next room, the sound of paper rustling and the zip of pencil cases carried through, along with little murmurs that made Jay’s smile deepen.
“You’re clingy today,” Jungwon finally teased, tilting his head slightly toward him.
“Maybe I’m storing up before I have to go back to work,” Jay murmured, pressing a slow kiss just behind his ear.
Jungwon exhaled softly, letting his eyes fall shut for a second. “Maybe I like it.”
Jay grinned against his skin. “Maybe?”
Before Jungwon could reply, Haru’s voice rang out from the dining table: “Daddy, can you help me with my homework?”
Jungwon glanced at Jay, who was already looking smug.
“You go,” Jungwon said, shooing him toward the table. “I’ll start dinner.”
Jay took a few steps, then doubled back to kiss Jungwon on the cheek. “Don’t start without me,” he murmured, before heading over to Haru, pulling up a chair beside him.
Jungwon just shook his head, a quiet smile tugging at his mouth as the sound of pencils scratching and their soft conversation filled the house—warm and content, the kind of ordinary day that felt quietly perfect.