MC slowly awoke to the absolutely thrilling sound...not...of a woodpecker drilling on the house. Drowsily, she sat up. "Gosh dang it. I'm about ready to strangle that bird. That's the fourth time this week." Looking at the clock, she saw it was 7:17. Meh, it's time for me to get up anyway. I'll let the bird live for now.

Getting up, she realized she was still in her clothes from yesterday and Saeyoung's old coat. Going to her closet, she picked out a pair of black jeans and a light yellow t-shirt with a red bird on it. She took the coat and hung it up, stroking it lightly for a moment. Then she went about her business, freshening up for the day.

All the while, she wondered what Saeran wanted. Hasn't he taken away enough? What more does he want? And what was with that weird question, "Don't you hate me?" Why would he ask that?

She went to peek at her son. Smiling at his peaceful little face, she smoothed one of his unruly locks. I'll let him sleep, little angel. While I'm waiting I'll go and clean the house up a little.

MC kept on pondering as she worked. She vacuumed the living room, cleaned the kitchen, tended the garden. None of it really needed it, but it helped MC think. After she was done with the garden she went inside and looked at the time. 10:34. Seyong isn't up yet? Sleepyhead. Then MC decided. I'll let Zen take him today. I need to figure out what Saeran wants. Going into the chatroom on her phone, she waited patiently for a few moments to see if Zen would show up. Sure enough, she heard the familiar ping as he logged on.

Zen has entered the chatroom

Zen: Hey MC! Good morning!

MC: Good morning, Zen. How are you?

Zen: Just got done with my morning run. Just about to go
take a shower. ;)

MC: Heh, don't tire yourself out too much, lol.

Zen: Don't worry, I won't. But I have to keep myself in shape for my favorite girl.

MC: ...you never change, Zen.

Zen: Nope!

MC: Anyway, I needed to ask a favor of you.

Zen: Yes? What did you need?

MC: Can you watch Seyong for me? I need to work on something, and I'm not going to be able to watch him for a few days. Is there any way you could do that for me?

Zen: Of course! I have been wanting to visit anyway. This will be great! Me and my little sidekick, off on adventures!

MC: ...please don't make me regret this.

Zen: I won't! I promise.

MC: We'll see. I still have to talk with you about something you did the last time you came over.

Zen: ...what? What did I do?

MC: Think, Zen. Think reeeaaalll hard. I'm sure you'll remember.

Zen: I don't remember! Just tell me!!!

MC: Meh, I'll leave you in suspense. Come pick up Seyong whenever you're ready.

Zen: Ok, I'll be there in about an hour.

MC: Thank you so much! See you then. ^^

MC has left the chatroom

After logging off, she headed over to Seyong's room. Going to him, she gently shook him awake.

"Wake up, little one. We have to get you ready."

Drowsily, he opened his eyes and stretched. Then sitting up, he blinked at MC.

"Whut'm I gettin' ready for?" he sleepily asked.

"Uncle Zen is taking you today, little one."

And of course, he instantly woke all the way up after hearing that.

"UNCLE ZENNY!!! YAAAY!!!"

Jumping out of bed, he ran to the bathroom and vigorously started brushing his teeth. Watching him, MC smirked.

"Ah, so now you are brushing your teeth without me telling you. Well, I better enjoy it while I can."

Seyong continued brushing his teeth, MC's sarcasm going completely over his head.

"'Kay, I'm done! Where's my clo'es?"

"I put your clothes on your bed, little one. I'll go get breakfast ready while you change out of your pajamas."

She watched him excitedly patter into his room, and winced when he slammed his door behind him. I really need to tell him to stop doing that.

She made a bowl of oatmeal for him, topping it with whipped cream and strawberries, his favorite. Might as well. Who knows when I'll see him again, she thought with a momentary lapse of sadness. Shaking that thought off, she placed the bowl on the table. "Seyong! Your breakfast is ready!"

BAM!

There goes the door again.

Bam bam bam BAM!!!

Aaand he's running down the stairs, jumping the last step.

He ran out the hallway, jumped into the chair that was in front of his oatmeal, and started eating at a rapid rate.

"Honey, slow down. You'll get a stomach ache."

He slowed his eating for two bites, then promptly started eating just as fast as before.
Sighing, MC let it go. You can't win them all.

Looking at the clock, she saw it was almost time for Zen to show up. She put away the dishes, and went outside to open the gate. Upon coming back inside, she saw that in the space of five minutes Seyong had managed to smear oatmeal all over his face.

"...How...how do you do that!?"

Saeyoung looked up. "Do what?"

"Just...nothing. Lemme clean your face, ok?" She grabbed a paper towel and wiped his face. "Alright, got the bulk of it off. Now come and wash your face and hands, you still have oatmeal all over them."

"Do I really have to, Mama?"

"Yes. You are not getting out of this one."

"Ok..."

As he ran off, MC looked out the window for Zen. And sure enough, there he was, right on time. Unlike me, I'm always late.

"Hurry up, Seyong! Uncle Zen is here!"

"Yaaay!!!" she heard him yell.

Going outside, she smiled and waved. "Hey Zen!"

Zen waved back. "Hi! Where's my little buddy at?"

Before MC could answer, a tiny red-headed hurricane rushed out the door and slammed into Zen.

"UNCLE ZENNY!!!!"

Laughing, Zen staggered slightly. Then recovering his balance, he swept the little terror into the air and swung him around.

"Have you been getting your mom into trouble, my rough lil' matey? Huh?"

Seyong giggled. "No, of course not!"

MC smirked. "Oh, of course not. It was someone else getting me in trouble."

Zen looked up. "Who? I'll give them a good talking to."

She looked at Zen pointedly. "Hm, well...some little bird showed me a hut in the back of my yard with certain...materials in it."

"...oh."

"Yes, 'oh'. Who said you could let Seyong have those?"

"I'm sorry, MC. He saw them at the store last time, and he looked at me so cutely I couldn't help it. I apologize for not letting you know, I was definitely out of line there," he said sincerely.

MC sighed. She never could deny a true apology. "Fine. Just at least let me know next time, ok?"

Zen gave her a stunning smile. "Of course!"

"Ok, about Seyong. I am not going to be in contact for the next few days. I'll call when I can, but I don't know how often that will be. If anything happens to Seyong, you know which hospital to take him to. And Jaehee is to make any critical decisions if you cannot get a hold of me."

Zen stopped smiling. "Ok, got it. But what are you doing that is so serious?"

He saw MC hesitate for a second. "Well, I...it's related to Saeyoung. I don't really have anything definite."

"MC, you are supposed to let Jumin know about anything that is related to Saeyoung."

She nodded. "I know. But this is something I have to do myself."

He stared at her for a moment. "...Ok. I trust you. But whatever it is, be careful...alright? Seyong still needs his mother."

MC smiled the tiniest bit. "Thank you, Zen. I promise to be careful."

"Alright, awesome. Now, come on Seyong. Wanna go to Arby's?"

"YAAASSS!!! Arby's, Arby's, Arby's!" he chanted.

MC laughed. "Haha, don't eat too much, little one. Now, gimme a hug before you go."

Seyong ran to her and jumped at MC to hug her, almost knocking her to the ground. Smiling, she squeezed him tight, keeping the tears back knowing that she might not see him for awhile.

"Ok, off you go, little one. Be good."

She watched as they drove off, the tears leaking out a little now that no one was looking. She wiped them off, looked out towards her son one last time, and turned toward the house.

Time to figure out what you want, Saeran.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

...wow. It's been a month and a half. I'm so sorry, everyone. Nothing like having a job to unmotivate you. And I also apologize for this being just a filler chapter. Still trying to get the hang of how a story should go.

ALSO! I changed MC's son's name from "Saeyoung" to "Seyong". It's just a variation of his father's name. It was getting too confusing having them both be "Saeyoung".

Anyway, hope you enjoyed it! I'll try to get some more chapters out.
...key word, try. XD

'Firball'