~Minseok~

It's like slow motion as i watch Jongdae smiling down at the tiny human in his arms, presenting it as his own. The child has Jongdae's eyes, small and catlike, yet wide and curious about the world. She looks around my cafe, head swiveling in every direction as if she can't seem to focus on one thing at a time. Clearly she got that from Jongdae too. She can't possibly be more than two to three years old, but still old enough to wiggle around in her father's arms like she wants to be set free.

Father. Gods, Jongdae is a father. I'm just so shell shocked. Never in my wildest dream would i have ever pictured Jongdae holding a tiny child and looking oddly natural. How did this happen? Hells, when did this happen? I feel like this is something i should have been told about a long time ago. Kids are a big deal and take a lot of effort. So many things could change for us. Even though i told Jongdae that I'm happy just living the rest of my life and seeing where that takes us, it doesn't mean that i didn't want things; plan things. A child could change so much of that, if not all of it. Where will my place be in their life when she grows up or we move forward in our relationship? Did i ever want kids, anyways? 

My head swirls and i feel slightly dizzy. Questions raise and branch off at such a rapid speed that it hard to even grasp what is happening in front of me, that is until that voice breaks through all of my worry, doubt, and questions. Jongdae's voice is like a beacon, guiding me home until I'm focusing on a pair of eyes that are filled with so much curiosity and wonder, that my chest pulls. It's almost as if this little thing who looks so much like the person who has become so much of my world is daring me not to love her.

Jongdae gives me a hesitant and slightly concerned look as he readjusts the little girl in his arms. "Minseok, this is Minsun. My daughter."

My eyebrows raise and i quickly swallow the knot in my throat, before the last of my questions and concerns are pushed to the back of my mind. I have an adorable little mini Jongdae right in front of me staring at me and begging for attention. Oddly just like her father.

"Hello, Minsun. It's nice to meet you." I say in a voice i use with Chanyeol when he's having a bad anxiety day. "I love your dress. You look so pretty."

Minsun, the cutest little bean I've ever seen smiles brightly at me and my heart tightens a bit. She's just so much like Dae. How could i not instantly fall for the kid? Just because i'm a little upset with her father currently, doesn't mean that it's her fault. She's a princess, and should be addressed as such.

Even before i realize what's happening, i'm getting an armful of small child and fluffy tulle, and i have to struggle to keep a hold of her. "Sun-ah." Jongdae chastises, looking flabbergasted at his child.

I chuckle and fix her in my arms, so she's balancing on my hip. "She's fine, Dae." I say calmly, and he looks really relived for a second, until.. "But you're not." falls from my lips.

Jongdae suddenly looks terrified and chews nervously at his lips. "Minseok, i'm sorry i didn't tell you sooner, there just never really seemed like a proper time and i wasn't sure how serious you were about us, so i wasn't sure it was a good idea yet."

I huff out a laugh and tickle at Minsun's tummy, before grinning at the melodic giggles falling from her lips. "I'm aware of your reasons. I understand them very well. But you still kept a huge thing from me, Dae. You could have let me know without bringing her into it. You could have let the fact that you're a father drop sooner, and let me figure things out, instead of just bombarding me with this."

Jongdae's face pinches into regret and he looks a bit sheepish. "Well, i was worried that you'd run if you knew the truth. This is kind of a lot to commit to. A kid isn't exactly a selling point for someone who's already far from a catch."

I sigh and turn back to Minsun who stares up at me curiously, as if she's waiting for my rebuttal too. "Do you have that little of faith in me? I told you i'm not going anywhere and i meant it. Especially now." i says, making a silly face at the girl who giggles and grabs my cheeks.

Suddenly i feel a larger hand wrap around the back of my head and just as i turn to look at Jongdae, his lips are pressing to mine. Two squeals, one from the child in my arms and the other from the grown up child currently cleaning up a mess of broken dishes, sounds through the cafe.

Minsun is pulled from my arms almost instantly by none other than Park Chanyeol, who's miraculously cleaned up the huge mess in record time. My head snaps over to the giant- my lips pulling from Jongdae's only momentarily- and he gives me a wide eyed, lip pressed, excited face. It's almost adorable, but also really annoying.

Chanyeol's smart to look away and whisks the small bean to the back. "Would a certain special girl like to go back to the kitchen with me and bother uncle Kyungsoo? hmm?" A giggly reply. "Yeah, let's go annoy uncle Soo. While daddy and Minseok have adult time." Minsun squeals and clings to Chanyeol, clearly well acquainted.

Jongdae beams at me when i look back to him and leans forward for another kiss, but i stop him with a hand to his chest. "Hold on, mister. You're still not off the hook. This is still a really important piece of information that you should have told me about."

The other nods and his eyes drop momentarily. "I know. It's just the whole trust thing doesn't come easy to me, Min. I'm sorry, but Minsun is the most important thing in my life and always will be. She's my number one. I promised her that the day she was born and i intend to protect her no matter what. I wanted to tell you so many times, but you were on the fence for so long. I can't bring you into her life if you're not planning on staying there."

I sigh out a small breath and a short smile finds its way to my lips. I know i should be a little bit more upset, maybe i should need to take a step back and think some more about what i'm getting into. A kid is a big responsibility. But honestly, somehow Jongdae with a kid just makes sense. I don't feel scared going forward at all. I don't expect it to be easy, but it's Jongdae. I know him. I love him.

My heart swells with that sudden realization and i lean forward, wrapping my arms around the back of his neck. He smiles at me and his hands find their way to my hips. I don't know if it's one of those moments where i realize that i've always loved him, or if it's a new love formed over our recent rekindling, but it doesn't really matter. Jongdae is my person. My heart knew back then and it knows now.

"I'm not going to pretend that i'm not shocked, or a little nervous about what this means for us, but i'm still in this, Dae. I'm still here for you. For us." I say gently, nudging our noses together.

Jongdae breaths a short, relived sounding sigh against my lips, before his are pressing into mine, gently and filled with every emotion left unsaid. The tension in my shoulder, i hadn't known was there, bleeds away.

"Though this is touching and all, where's Minsun?" A high, melodic voice asks over Jongdae shoulder.

I pull away, glancing behind Jongdae to find a very striking young woman. She has a strictness and a sort of tiredness to her eyes, but a sort of sparkle that dare i say looks like hope. She meets my eyes and smiles kindly, which i return easily. The woman just seems like one of those people who is kind and genuine. You don't see that a lot these days and it's refreshing.

The woman glances at Jongdae as he turns around and it clicks for me. Her cheeks, her petite form, and her full lips, mirroring much of the child that was just in my arms. This is Minsun's other part... her mother.

"Yongsun, hey. Sunnie is in the back with the boys." Jongdae says sounding a little sheepish, as if he has something to be guilty about.

Yongsun seems to process this and takes a deep breath and nods. "She's safe back there?"

I nod and answer for Dae who seems a little caught up in his clear unease around this woman. "I'd trust Kyungsoo with my life and Chanyeol is exceptionally protective of children. She's safer than she would be anywhere else."

Yongsun's intense, yet soft eyes find me and the small smile fills back out. It seems that her cold, no nonsense attitude is saved for Jongdae alone. A small nerve tingles in the back of my skull and i'm filled with a wave of protectiveness over Jongdae. I may not know the story, but i know that Jongdae is a good person and deserves to be treated better. It's obvious even in the few minutes i got to spend within the two's space that Jongdae loves his daughter very much, so it's almost alarming that this woman could look at the father of her child with such scrutiny and indifference.

She takes my words and her shoulders relax a little. Still, it must be terrifying to be a mother. Constantly worried about your child and trying to keep them safe from everything this world throws at them. I may not know why Jongdae and Yongsun have this air between them, but i can understand her mama bear instincts. I too felt protective over Minsun the second that small bean climbed into my arms, so I can't imagine how she feels without her child in her own.

"Who is this?" Yongsun asks, not in snarky way, more so in a curious sense.

Jongdae jumps and gasps as if he completly forgot about the situation we are currently in. "This is Minseok, my..." he turns to me and blinks steadily as if he hadn't really thought this far. "Boyfriend? Is that okay? To call you my boyfriend?" Jongdae asks as if he's suddenly really scared i'm going kick him to the streets.

I smile brightly at my hopeless love and nod. "Yes, i think that's the perfect title. About time too."

"I second that." We hear from the kitchen door and i glance back to see Kyungsoo smirking at me with an adorable child sitting atop his over laced arms, her legs dangling in front of her like shes sitting in a swing. It's adorable and i can't help the small coo that falls from my lips, much to the child's delight.

Jongdae beams when i focus back on him and reaches out to take my hand. "Okay, well this is my boyfriend, Minseok. Minseok this is Yongsun, my ex and Minsun's mother."

The woman approaches me slowly as if she's walking up to a dead body, disbelief and hesitance in her eyes. "It's nice to meet you, Minseok."

I take her surprisingly soft offered hand and shake it. "It's lovely to meet you too."

Yongsun appraises me once again and breathes in deeply, "Sorry, i just never thought i'd see this day. Can't blame me for being a little curious."

I chuckle and shake my head. "It's alright, really. I knew Jongdae back in college, so i can understand the shock."

"Hey." Jongdae protests with a pout and i snicker at him then place a placating kiss to his lips.

"Wow, you've known Jongdae for that long?" She asks, something calculating in her eyes.

"Yes, we were in the same fraternity, but lost touch after we graduated. Recently we reconciled and found that we didn't want to lose each other this time." I feel the need to explain.

The gears turn in her head and she swallows a bit roughly. "Well, i'm glad. I've been waiting for Jongdae to settle down for a while."

Something in her voice tells me that she didn't expect it to be with me, though.

"Okay, well you have an hour before i have to get her to my mom's. Could i possibly get a hazelnut latte while you and Minsun have a few?" She asks Jongdae, seeming to want to distance herself from whatever is on her mind.

"Oh, of course." I say, jumping into motion and heading behind the counter.

The surprise on her face is almost comical. "You work here?"

Jongdae's answering chuckle makes my heart flutter. "He owns this place."

My heart tugs at the defeated look on her face and a part of me wants to know what really went down between them. I wonder if Jongdae would tell me if i asked. Yongsun seems to shake it off and starts having a small conversation with her ex while Minsun runs to and begs for her father's attention. It's almost cute to see them all together. I would have thought they make a beautiful family if i had just seen them casually on the street.

I sigh and push it out of my mind while making Yongsun her latte. At least she has good taste in coffee.

>>>>

~Jongdae~

"You can ask. I know you're dying to know." I say as Minseok's head is pillowed on my stomach and a book is perched in his hands. He's read the same page he's been reading for the past forty-five minutes.

Minseok jolts like he's been caught doing something he shouldn't have and sighs heavily. "I don't want to interfere with things that aren't my business."

I sit up a little better and Minseok lifts his head before laying it back down on my thighs. He's been quiet since he got home from his shift. Over the past week or so, he's made it a habit of coming down to my room to sit with me and talk about his day till it's time to go back to his room for bed. Normally he talks my ear off, but tonight after his shower he came into my room, laid down on the bed and pulled out a book. Eventually he migrated to laying on my shoulder, then my chest, my stomach, and now my thighs. It's actually kind of cute, but it's almost a worrying silence. Like i can actually hear his mind overthinking things. I know i threw a lot at him today, but he seemed to take it well.

Even to take up a few conversations with Yongsun and playing with Minsun for the time they were there. After they left though, Minseok got incredibly stoic and kind of reverted into his head. I almost didn't want to leave him, but the evening rush came in and i didn't feel right sticking around. A part of me is worried that Minseok isn't taking this as well as he says he is.

"You're not interfering. You are my boyfriend. I'm serious about this relationship and that means Minsun is going to be a part of your life too. It's natural to have questions." I say carding my hand through his soft fluffy hair.

Minseok hums and closes his eyes. "How old is Sunnie?"

I smile not expecting that but glad to answer nonetheless. "She'll be 3 in September."

Minseok's eyes open and he seems surprised by this. "How long have you and Yongsun been broken up?"

My answering wince makes Minseok's lips crinkle in apology, but i place a hand over his lips before he can take any of it back. "No, it's okay to be blunt. You deserve answers. Yongsun and i broke up for the final time shortly before Minsun's 2nd birthday."

"Wow, that's... less than six months ago." Minseok mumbles.

I sigh and run my thumb over the wrinkle across his forehead, smoothing it out. "We broke up because we agreed that it wasn't working. We weren't happy. We fought all the time when we were together, but then we just stopped fighting. I think the biggest reason we were even still together to begin with was for Minsun's sake. So we agreed to go our separate ways. I found the job as house-dad for the boys and moved out... the only part i regret is leaving Sunnie."

Minseok frowns and turns onto his side, facing me. "How often do you get to see her? I know she had to work this evening, but why couldn't she leave her with you?"

My lips tugs between my teeth as a hallowed pain thumps in my chest. "That's the hardest part of all of this. Yongsun doesn't trust me. I guess I've never really given her a reason to, but she won't even let me be alone with Sunnie for longer than a few minutes. I only get to see her about once ever two weeks."

Surprise filters across Minseok's features before confusion. "Why? You're great with Minsun."

"Now i am, but i made some mistakes when she was younger. Yongsun and my relationship is a complicated one. We met when i was still an avid alcoholic. She wasn't much better herself, actually. At first our relationship was strictly physical, then it became complicated when we came to find comfort in each other. We got close and started forming something outside of the drinking and the sex, but it never lasted longer than a couple days before we'd start screaming at each other and in our own fucked up mindsets we became toxic for one another." I explain, hating to relive the rock bottom parts of my life. It was miserable. I'm ashamed of the person i was back then.

"When she found out she was pregnant, she instantly sobered up. Quit cold turkey and hasn't gone back once. I was actually super proud and in awe of her. I went sober... fell of... Went sober again... fell off again. We tried to form a relationship so many times and get stable just for me to fuck it up every time. It wasn't until Minsun was born that i took being sober seriously. I shaped the fuck up and got my stuff together, but there was a lot to work through in my head. After Minsun was born... i fell off once, but it was the last time. I came home completly blackout and i don't remember what happened, but i woke up on the street. Yongsun kicked me out and when i tried to go back, she refused. Told me if i ever wanted to see my child again, then i had to get my shit together. So i did and i haven't looked back since. I earned my spot back in our family and we did okay, but we realized that we didn't want it anymore. I had a lot in my life to still work out and she just didn't feel that i could ever love her the way she needed. We decided it was the best thing for all of us."

When i look down i see Minseok staring up at me with shiny eyes. "You went through so much. It must have been hard."

That... that hits me like a ton of bricks. I blink away the sudden onslaught of emotions and advert my eyes. Everyone always talks about how hard it is, but rarely do you see this level of sympathy. When people see those of us who are suffering though addiction, they tend to have the "you put yourself in this situation" mentality, and though they are right they also forget that we are people. We make mistakes and struggle everyday just trying to do our best.

"It was hell." i say, my voice wavering.

No sooner are the words out of my mouth do i have a lap full of Minseok, who wraps himself around me, holding me tight. Holding me together.

"That's not right. Yongsun should see how far you've come and how hard you've worked for this. You shouldn't be treated like a ticking bomb." Minseok says, holding my face in his hands like i'm the most precious thing to him.

I shake my head. "I don't blame her. She has every right not to let me see Sunnie. I've made some bad choices and because of them, she has to put our daughter first. I've broken Yongsun's trust many times and i'm willing to work for it back. Minsun is always our first priority and though i love and miss her, i know that Yongsun is doing what she feels is right."

Minseok smiles softly at me and leans forward placing a lingering kiss on my lips. "You're kind of amazing. You're so different from who you used to be. Its like you've grown up into the Jongdae i always knew you could be."

My chest tightens again and i don't know how it's possible to feel this much affection for one single person that you didn't create. "I think you're the reason i could never fully love Yongsun. I think she saw that today too."

The man straddling my lap blinks wide eyed at me. "What?"

I smile fondly at him and reach up, cradling his cheek in my palm. "A part of me has always been searching for you, Min. Since college i think i kept trying to find my way back to you, back to your comfort, your warmth, to the way that you always managed to look right through me. It was always you. After every one night stand. After every brief, failed relationship. I always came back to you, because i think a part of me knew i belonged to you."

It's Minseok's turn to choke up and he swallows thickly. "Dae..."

"I love you, Kim Minseok." I say without an ounce of hesitance.

Minseok releases a relieved sob and buries his head in my neck, mumbling a soft. "Finally." as i hold him tightly against me, repeating the word over and over in my head.

>>>>>>>

~Minseok~

The delicate wooden frame makes a light tapping sound as i place it on the corner of my desk. I never attested much to having pictures in my office at work. I guess i wasn't exactly fond of having any sort of comfort mixed in with this dungeon. My office in the cafe is the thing that locks me away from where i really want to be, which is in my shop. Serving customers, making coffee, embracing the feeling of my home pulsing through me with every jingle of the bells on the front door or squeal of the espresso machine. This office has never been my happy place, so I've always made an effort to escape it as fast as possible and therefore don't see the need to personalize it.

The only things i have in here are a few photographs of the boys and odd little trinkets and object that mostly have come from Chanyeol. He's like a dog. He likes to bring me random things he's found on the street or across campus, like they are some enchanted mythical items that will bring me luck or protection. It probably says more about me than it does him that I've kept all of them.

But now, there's something a little more comforting about my office. As i stare at the newly added picture of Jongdae and his daughter, i feel a tug of fondness. Not only for the man i still can't believe has made his way so seamlessly into my life, but also for the precious little bean who is so much like her father. I've only known about MinSun for a short time now, but i already feel a sort of parental love for her and i know i'd do anything; be anything she needed. She's a part of Jongdae. I can't not love her too.

Luckily Yongsun seemed okay with Jongdae making an impromptu date with Minsun so i could get better acquainted with her. We went to the park and played in the cherry blossoms. It was so wonderful, and Minsun's laugh is one of my new favorite sounds, almost as beautiful as Jongdae's musical one. Which i also got to hear a lot of that day.

My desk is now adorned with a picture of Jongdae holding his daughter's hand, while she twirls around in the falling petals. It was too perfect of a moment not to capture it. I know I'll never be able to look at it without smiling like an idiot. That day was amazing and it has to be one of my happiest days, right under the day i first opened the coffee shop.

The only downside was spending the day under the prying eyes of a certain mama bear who sat at a bench nearby. Even after my talk with Jongdae, i still feel bitter about her lack of trust in her ex. I understand her reason, and i know the type of person Jongdae used to be, so i get it, but i still feel that it doesn't overshadow how far Jongdae has come. How hard he's worked to get himself to a good place.

Jongdae is so strong and brave for what he's done, for how hard he's fought. I love the man he's become even more than i loved the man he was and i never thought I'd say that. Back then all i knew was stolen glances, indirect stories, and versions of Jongdae interpreted by my own mind. I couldn't even get close enough to seriously love Jongdae properly. I never really knew Jongdae, not truly. There were so many layers that i couldn't find in the hidden maze he used to be. Even now, I'm sure there's going to be so many things I'll still learn about him over the years to come, but I'm so happy to have that chance. I'm so excited to see the person he becomes, the Jongdae he matures into. Who Jongdae has showed me he is and who he's working every day to be, is someone i can't help but love.

He's brilliant, funny, captivating, strong, kind, and above all, he's so loving. I've seen him with the boys, with his daughter, hell, with myself. Jongdae gives love to everyone so easily that you just want to wrap your arms around him till you feel whole again. Jongdae just wants everyone to feel loved because he knows what it feels like to be hated by everyone, even himself. To me, that's something spectacular. After everything he's been through, he just wants to show the world the kindness and love he went so long without.

I see him so clearly now. Jongdae has opened my heart back up and if feels a lot less colder with him in it.

"Oh my gods, that is the cutest fucking... i just... i can't." Comes the teenage girl quality ramblings of my son as he once again barges into my office without knocking. "Do you have a copy of that? Because i need it... like now."

I sigh and regret the day i hired this bumbling, tall, pet of a human. "What do you want, Chanyeol?"

Chanyeol lets out a none human type screech and takes a deep breath. "Okay, I'm good. I had to release all of my built up "aww" or i was going to overload."

I turn around in my chair and stare up at this being and just shake my head. "Yeol... have you ever had a Cat scan?"

The tall idiot blinks at me and nods. "Many times. Why?"

My lips press into a thin line before responding with. "That explains a lot actually."

Chanyeol narrows his eyes like he does when he's trying to figure out if he's just been insulted, but i hold up a hand and shake my head. "Before those two brain cells that are left over try to have some type of epiphany and end up short circuiting, I'm going to stop you. I'm very busy with the backlog of paperwork I've been neglecting and you know how that makes me testy... so please, if you have a valid reason for coming into my office unannounced, state it... if not, fuck off."

I swear i watch so many emotions flash across the kids eyes over the course of my words that he might end up with whiplash. It's amusing in the very least.

"I just came to tell you that Jongdae's baby mamma is here to see you." Chanyeol says with a pout.

I release a sigh and stand up, grabbing the adult babies ear. "Maybe that was something to lead with, Yeol. You know, the mother of Jongdae's daughter coming in to see me and has now been made to wait."

Chanyeol winces and bends down whining and yelping at the rough treatment. "Yes, sorry. You're right. Sorry, boss. Ow. Please. Ow. Minnie Hyung."

Finding pity on the kid, i release him and pet his ear in apology for getting testy with him. "Sorry, Yeol."

He pouts and me a bit, but his eyes soften and i know I'm instantly forgiven. "It's okay. Soo is my best friend. I'm durable."

I chuckle and pat his head watching his metaphorical tail go crazy. "That woman just sets me on edge."

His mouth rounds into an "o" of understanding and he leans in crushing me in a Chanyeol hug. "When you're done talking to her, I'll be waiting with another one of these and a mocha bun."

A fond smile touches my lips, one i reserve mainly for Chanyeol and absorb as much courage i can from his hug before pulling back and heading out to see what Yongsun could possibly want to see me about.

Yongsun sits at a table towards the back of my cafe, hidden away by the usual Thursday crowd, and pressed up against a window looking onto the street. She seems lost in her own world. Her beautiful, wide eyes shining with years of wisdom and understanding. I truly admire her. She had to grow up very quickly and she's handling the cards she's been dealt with expertise type composure. I can understand why Jongdae cared for her. She's the type of strong and intelligent you can't help but gravitate towards.

I take a stabilizing breath and cross the cafe. She looks up when i near and gives me a short smile, like a boss would to its subordinate. Formal, yet polite.

I'm reminded that we aren't friends, hell, we're barely acquaintances. I got the sense that she didn't particularly care for me the first time we met. Maybe it' the ex thing. Maybe it's her caution because of Sunnie. Either way i know not to cross this woman. If i make an enemy out of her, i make things difficult for Dae and that's the last thing i want.

"Hello, Yongsun. What can i do for you?" I ask politely and thank the heavens Yeol has enough sense to have supplied her with a coffee already.

"Hello, Minseok. I was actually hoping we could have a chat, if you have time?" Her melodic voice requests.

Breathing out a sigh, i offer her a short smile remembering all of the abandoned paperwork piled high on my desk. "I can spare a few minutes."

She nods and gives me a calculating look before motioning to the seat across from her. "Please."

I sit and feel my hands ring into my apron. I don't think I've felt this nervous since i sat before my father to tell him i wanted to open a cafe instead of following his footsteps and getting my law degree.

"I'm not going to bite, Minseok. There is no need to look at me like that." She says, a softer tone taking on the set of her features.

I nod and let my shoulders relax. "Sorry, i just don't really know how to act around you. I mean, we technically have no relationship, nor have we even been introduced before we were suddenly thrown into a situation in which we're forced to remain somewhat familiar with each other. What's the proper conduct for something like this?"

A genuine smile tugs at her lips and i blink in surprise. "I know. I guess being a bit standoffish to you hasn't helped."

My lip is tugged into my mouth and i hum. "I get it. You have to put Minsun first. I'm not going to easily come into her life just because i'm dating her father. It makes sense to be cautious over someone you hardly know."

"Jongdae seems to know you though, if he trusts you around her already." She points out. "i admit that i don't trust Jongdae as much as he deserves, but i can tell how much he cares for you and that means something. Jongdae isn't the type for careless relationships. If he's making a commitment to you, that's a big deal for him. Even after Minsun was born, it took him forever to even admit that we were more than friends living together and raising a baby."

My lips form an "o" and i nod. "I see. Jongdae has always been sort of closed off from people. He used to have a vast hesitance for opening himself up. It's the whole monster complex thing; he believed that he'd destroy and ruin everything he touched."

"So he was always like that?" Yongsun asks, sighing deeply. "I was hoping that maybe... i was hoping that maybe he'd grow out of it... that maybe..."

It clicks then and i sit back in my chair. "That he'd get over it, grow up, and come back home to you and Minsun."

She looks up, her eyes wide, but in no way shielding her true feelings from me. I'm right and there's no hiding it. "Please don't think i'm in any way going to try and break you two up. Though a part of me hoped that one day he'd come back to me, i get it now. The first day i met you, i saw the way Jongdae looked at you. Like the way i had always hoped he'd look at me. I saw that lost look he's had since the day i met him finally disappear, and i realized that he's always loved you. When he said you knew each other since college, it made sense. He chose you from the beginning. It's always been you, only you, in his heart. I never had a chance."

I look down, though elated by her words, somehow the look in her eyes cuts me. She's not a woman who is trying to destroy her ex or mistreat him; she's just a woman who's been hurt. She's heartbroken at the knowledge that the man she's been waiting for will never come back to her and that's hard to take. I wish i could give her what she wanted. I wish i could help her make her family whole, but i couldn't give Jongdae up even if i tried.

"Why are you telling me this?" I ask.

"Definitely not so you can pity me." Her sharp voice makes me look up, but her smile makes me relax a little. "I just wanted to tell you, from someone who tried to love him too... I've never seen him like this. He's almost like a completly different person. You, luckily, didn't see him at his worst, but trust me, it was bad. I don't want him to go back to that place, Minseok. I don't want him to lose everything he's accomplished for you."

I blink at her once again, understanding where she's coming from, but... "You're wrong about me being the reason for that, Yongsun. I know Jongdae has made some bounds for me and has worked hard to win back my favor, but he didn't get this far in his recovery and hasn't bettered his life for me. Jongdae was already on this track before we ran into each other again. He's got himself right and has become someone to look up to, for your daughter, not me. He's fought so hard to be the person she'd be proud to call her dad and also to win your trust back. Jongdae didn't do this for me, he did it for himself and all of his work shouldn't be overlooked. It was all Jongdae. I had nothing to do with it."

She sits back in her chair and appraises me for a second. "Are you sure? It's awfully convenient that he moved to the city you worked in, works at the university that your coffee shop resides on, and oversees the house in which the kids you employ as well as coach, live at."

Clearly someone has done their homework. I smirk and shake my head. To anyone on the outside, it might look that way, but it says more about how much Jongdae and i think alike. "This university is the same one we went to together. The fraternity is the same one we were in together. I stayed on campus and hired some of the boys from the frat... maybe because... I was searching for him to." Understanding shines across her face and i huff out a small chuckle. "We're deeply integrated into each others past, and now present, and i hope future. Jongdae has worked hard, but him coming home to me was natural. Like it was always supposed to happen. Him getting himself together was all him, and you shouldn't take that from him and give it to me. Jongdae deserves a little recognition as well as a little trust."

Yongsun seems to digest this and nods gently. "I guess i was fighting a losing battle all along. I mean, look at you. I could never compete even if Jongdae hasn't already declared a winner."

I raise my eyebrows at her words and feel my cheeks pink. "I'm... I'm not anything special. I'm just an ordinary person, Yongsun."

She gives me a soft look and shakes her head. "And of course you'd be humble too." Yongsun chuckles and huffs out a short amused breath. "Anyways, i just came here to make sure you're serious about this and to see if you're going to be a permanent fixture in his life. I know you think he's doing well by his own devices, but I've seen Dae fall from smaller inconveniences... I don't want to imagine what would happen if..."

My chest clenches and It's clear finally clear why she came here. She wants to make sure i stick around so Jongdae doesn't relapse. I'm slightly offended for Jongdae, even if i can understand where her head is. And I really do understand where she's coming from. In the end, all she wants is for Jongdae to be happy and see him do well. It may look like I'm a bit responsible for his turn around, but I don't feel that i should take that credit. It makes sense that she'd be worried for someone she cares about loosing all of his progress and in turn, once again being let down.

I'm still mildly irritated in her lack of compassion and trust for the man I love, though. "Jongdae loves Minsun enough to change everything about his life and to fight every day to be the best version of himself. Though i have no reason to ever want to walk away from him, i think Jongdae deserves a little more credit. I'm sure we can all understand how hard it is to fight our inner demons and he's doing exceptionally well. It doesn't make sense to continue punishing someone for mistakes they've made in their past, especially when we've made a fair share of our own."

Yongsun bites at her lip and looks away from me, seeming to think hard about something, before nodding and releasing a settled sigh. "I think you've got a point there."

I smile softly at her and think that maybe there may be a place for an level of friendship in our future. If i had met Yongsun in another way or in another universe, we might have been close. She has a seemingly kind heart that i usually gravitate towards and possibly we could hold a special understanding one day.

The door bells chime signaling another customer and my heart flutters as the familiar face of the man i love comes into focus. Jongdae will never fail to make my stomach tingle and my nerves buzz with excitement, even back when i was so deep in my own denial, my body sung for him.

His eyes find my own easily and light up, dipping into crescents as his lips stretch into a beaming smile. Gods, I'll never get tired of that.

When he notices Yongsun sitting in front of me, his expression pulls into worry and cautiously hurries over to us. "Hey, baby." He says, placing a subdued kiss on my cheek in front of my company. "Is everything okay?"

His eyes shift to his ex and she smiles softly, looking almost touched by our exchange. I'd probably look the same if i saw the man i cared about looking so happy. "I was just having a chat with Minseok. I figured it best to get to know one another since he's clearly not going anywhere."

Jongdae's shoulders relax and he chuckles. "Nope, I'm definitely not letting him go now."

She smiles and nods. "Good. I'll leave you two, then. Maybe we can get together and have another chat sometimes soon, Minseok."

I give her my own smile and nod, then stand with her as she throws her jacket and purse on. She gives us a wave, and heads for the door, but stopes and turns back to us.

"Oh, Jongdae. I have to work this Sunday and my mom is busy with some weekend thing with her friends. Would you mind watching Sunnie for a few hours?" She asks casually.

Jongdae blanches, the surprise clear on his face. "Really?"

She nods, and chuckles at his excitement. "Only if you want to, that is."

Jongdae hops up and down like a kid who just got their favorite candy. "Yes. Yes, of course. I'd be happy to."

Yongsun grins and i notice that she has the same eye crinkling trait Dae and Minsun do. It's kind of cute to think about. "Great, I'll uh... where should i drop her off?"

I step back to the counter and let them exchange details. Glad to see Jongdae so happy just by a few private hours with his daughter. If months ago someone had come to me and told me all of this was going to happen, I'd have laughed at them and kicked them out of my coffee shop.

In the few short months it took Jongdae and me to gravitate back toward each other, other couples would have just started dating and still been in that awkward stage. But when i look at Jongdae and tell him i love him, i can say so with absolute certainty, because honestly, i never really stopped.

Maybe this was the plan of the universe all along, to push Jongdae. See if he could handle being stretched just sort of breaking and then reform him. Jongdae needed to heal and find himself before he could come back to me, and though it took a while, i know my heart was waiting. It wasn't walled up and locked away, it was placed securely in a box for the person who held the key.

"You're happy, aren't you?" Chanyeol asks, grinning down at a mug he's drying.

I can't help mirroring his expression and bumping my hip into his. "I'd be happier with a Chanyeol hug and a mocha bun."

Chanyeol chuckles and produces a plate from nowhere with a delicious looking mocha bun sitting on it and places it on the counter. I beam and before i can grab it, i receive an armful of giant puppy. He squeezes me and rocks us back and forth, while patting my back. I swear Chanyeol gives the best hugs.

"Hey, hey. Mine." I hear Jongdae's whiny voice urgently pushing into the air around us, and pulls on my sweater from where he stands across the counter.

Chanyeol pulls away and shakes his head. "He was mine first."

"Child, unhand my boyfriend." Jongdae says and i swear i can see the steam coming out of the man's ears.

Chanyeol smirks and pulls me tighter to his chest. He kisses my forehead and it would almost be sweet if he wasn't doing it out of spite. "He'll always choose me, Hyung. Remember that."

He laughs at Jongdae's face being pinched into distaste and frustration before ambling off towards the kitchen singing "Leave your lover." loudly.

I snort at his teasing ways and shake my head. That kid gets himself into trouble way too much by pushing people's buttons.

Soon, another set of arms wraps around me and i laugh at the other man child I'm now responsible for. He sits his head on my shoulder and sighs. "Thank you."

My eyebrows raise and i glance over at him. "For?"

"I don't know what you said to Yongsun, but i know it was you. I know you convinced her somehow to trust me a bit more and for that i don't even know how to express how grateful i am." Jongdae says, holding my waist tightly.

There's no sense in hiding it, Jongdae would see right though me anyways. I turn around in his arms and look deep into his eyes. "I just told her what i see. The person i see whenever i look at you. Someone who's worked hard and has come so far. Someone who deserves to be trusted and loved."

His eyes stare at me slightly wide and glossy. "Mi-Minseok..."

I smile and place my hand on his cheek. "I've always seen you that way, Jongdae. Even when the rest of the world couldn't, I saw you. Your daughter deserves to see you too."

To that Jongdae just stares at me in awe and his hands grip steadily at my hips. His expression shines with a sort of expression as if he had a sudden realization or maybe seeing something he didn't see before. "Minseok... will you marry me?"

>>>>>>>>

Chickens!!

Hey, guys! How's it going? It's been a hot minute. It took longer to get settled in Busan than i thought, so sorry for waiting on this for a while. This part of the winter is always hard on me.

Anyways, here you guys go, the XiuChen. Let me know what you think. I wasn't so sure about this part with adding in Jongdae's daughter to Minseok's life so quickly, but i just see Minseok as being the type of person who can't half ass something. If he dives into Jongdae's life then, he goes all out.

Also, i didn't want too much of a rift between Yongsun (solar from mamamoo) and Minseok. There's so many stories about the whole "evil" ex/baby mama thing and i didn't want to make her like that. There's many civil relationships like this and i kind of wanted to show how a family works when there's step parent and patchwork families. So I'm pleased with that.

Well, there's not much else to say, so I'll leave you here. I'll see you guys next time. Taoris is up next.

Kisses.

살랑해💕

~M~