Chapter Eighty-four (1/2)
During the night, Jeonghan broke free from Seungcheol's comforting hug. The older groaned and turned in his sleep. He saw the boy's silhouette and held Jeonghan's hand. "I'm going to talk with Dokyeom.. Thank you, Cheol." He leaned down and kissed the male. "Get some sleep." He whispered. Seungcheol watched the figure disappear out of the room. Jeonghan walked down the hallway and saw that Jun had already done his routine sleep-walking. He opened the door to Seokmin's room, knowing for sure that Seokmin would be in there. He never bunks with Woozi when Yeosang stays over. Which the younger stays over often. He closed the door silently and walks up to the bed. His little sun night light illuminated the room just enough that he saw the boy was in his blanket. He gently lifted the blanket and laid down in front of Seokmin, putting the blanket to their chins. "Hm..?" Seokmin woke up a bit. "It's me, Dokyeom-ah." Jeonghan whispered. "I came to talk to you better.. Words didn't come out the way I wanted them to at the table." He spoke as he brought Seokmin into a cuddle.
Seokmin got closer and put his chin on the parent's shoulder. "It's just not fair, Dad.." He whispered. "Josh gets to be so close to Jae.. You're even giving Jae advice on how to raise kids, and they're not even thinking about having them yet." He muttered. "I know.. With every person you guys bring home to me, I want to give them time and chances to get to know them." Jeonghan said, playing with Seokmin's hair. "I want to be best friends with them and make memories with them, because they're going to be my family too. "I'm really trying to get past Sungjae's questioning. He said he didn't want some stranger invading my space, so he took the case." Jeonghan said. "He sacrificed his relationship with you to make me a little more comfortable. It just needs to take time." He continued as he closed his eyes. "I went to his house the other day with Woozi to slap him.." He admitted and Seokmin furrowed his eyebrows. "I remembered that I went to his apartment and I thought he hurt me or you, but it was a misunderstanding. But with that misunderstanding, I learned a lot about him. How he comforted you and how he sacrifices his happiness for other people's happiness. "I want to slowly get closer to him, Dokyeom." Jeonghan stated. "But just like the others, it needs to take time. You know how explosive I was with Jae.." He chuckled. Seokmin laughed a bit too. "Thanks, Dad.." He muttered. "I love you, Dokyeom. Don't ever forget that." He whispered before kissing Seokmin's head.
Seokmin then fell asleep. *** Jeonghan clapped his hands and stretched his back. Vernon tied his shoes as he watched the kids do headcount. Minghao then left with the college kids, Yeosang included. He then saw Jeonghan combing his hair. His hair this time around is a light pink. He bleached his locks first and then put a little pink inside, creating a light strawberry blonde. A look that had Seungcheol blushing from the cuteness. "What's on today's agenda?" Vernon asked. "Nana said she wants violets planted in her garden," Jeonghan answered, "so we're going out to the garden store." He said as they walked across the way to the front gate. "We're going to start growing them next month, when the construction begins, so that they're ready to plant by the time the construction is finished." Jeonghan Vernon nods as he walks alongside the parent. He looked around the small store front, but was amazed at how the inside is large. "What exactly are we looking for?" He asked. "Since this store doesn't have a website, we have to look around until we find pots, soil, and seeds." Jeoghan replied.
"Or ask the store's number one employee." They heard a familiar voice behind them. Jeonghan held his heart as he looked at the boy. "You're going to give someone a heart attack, Renjun." He said. "I'm shocked." Vernon said. The Chinese boy just smiled a bit and put his hands together. "What can I help you with?" He asked. "Violets.. I want to plant violets." Jeonghan said. The boy nodded and walked them away from the entrance. "Violets are easy to grow, and grow in most environments." He said as he picked up a pack of seeds. "Even in my closet?" Vernon asked. Renjun looked up at him with a raised eyebrow, keeping a welcoming smile. "I don't know why you would want to, and it's none of my business.. but as long as you give them a light watering and proper sunlight every day, sure." He answered. "I'll have your soil and pots ready at the register. Come by when you're ready to check out." He bowed and left the two. Jeonghan looked at Vernon. "Well I'm in no rush. Go ahead and look around." He gave permission as he walked off. Meanwhile, two boys are in the study room. However, Seokmin notices that Yeosang is the one missing this time. He nonchalantly looks at the clock, seeing that the big is twenty minutes late. He turned the page and thought of where he could be.
"Isn't it strange?" Seokmin said.
Woozi looked up from his music sheet. "What?" He asked.
"Yeosang's not here." He answered, putting his book down. Woozi put the sheet down and raised an eyebrow. "Why do you care? It's not like you like Yeosang." He commented.
"Just because I don't particularly like him doesn't mean I shouldn't be concerned when he's missing." Seokmin replied. "He's usually here by now, isn't he? He stays close to you." He stated.
The shorter hummed. "He's probably taking some time to beat Mingi up." He said.
"Who's Mingi?" Seokmin asked with a raised eyebrow.
"The guy who threw Yeosang through the wall.. and the window." Woozi replied.
Seokmin made an oh face. "But since you're concerned, let's go see him. I like seeing Yeosang in his uniform." Woozi said, standing up. The younger follows Woozi and looks around the dojo. Class is out and some students are practicing a bit more. One boy with bold blue hair came up to them. "What are you guys doing here? Are you looking for a training match?" The guy said.
"Fuck off, Mingi." Woozi said angrily
Mingi huffed and looked at Seokmin. "Has Yeosang left already?" Seokmin asked.
"Pft yeah. Why are you looking for him? You're too cute to be looking for someone like Yeosang." Mingi said with a smirk, showing off his thick lips.
Woozi scowled at him. Meanwhile, Seokmin held his chin. "I'm interested. What makes you think you're better than Yeosang?" He asked.
Mingi chuckled. "One, I'm single. Two, I'm hella sexy. Three, I'm stronger than Yeosang. You look like you're the type of boy who would like to watch my gi tear in battle." He winked.