Chapter 116 (1/2)
Jeonghan looked at his shiny nails on his hands. He had gotten them polished today, a simple jewel was placed at the cuticle. He then remembered about why he's out once he saw a familiar but not yet met male enter his vision. When Jongho walked up to the table he just stopped and looked at Jeonghan. "But.." He pointed at Jeonghan in surprise. Jeonghan looked around. "Oopsies, is this Seungkwan's phone?" Jeonghan acted out, looking at the phone he had borrowed from his child. "I meant to text you on mine, my mistake." He said. Jongho looked at him, breathing in and out. He was just about to turn on his heels, but he heard the older stand up. "I've already ordered for us, so I'd like to eat with you." Jeonghan said. The boy submitted and sat down. "Yes, Sir." He sat across from the parent. Jeonghan smiled. "I'm Yoon Jeonghan, Seungkwan's father." He introduced himself. "Choi Jongho," Jongho bowed a touch. Jeonghan put his hands together on the table. "It's nice to meet you. It takes a lot to make Seungkwan happy, so I'm impressed you're able to." He commented. Jongho looked at the table and shrugged. "What did I do wrong?" He asked. "What do you mean?" Jeonghan asked. "Whenever a parent wants to meet me, it's because I did something wrong." Jongho looked at Jeonghan. "So just skip the front and tell me what's wrong." He request-demanded. Jeonghan narrowed his eyes. "Who says that there has to be something wrong? I meet all of my children's partners." He stated in a matter-of-fact tone. "Yeah right," Jongho folded his arms in a huff, "did I have Seungkwan out too late? Or did I say something that offended your family?" He asked the popular issues he's come across. Jeonghan accepted the food and drinks from the server with a bow. He waited a moment to continue talking. "I'd like to talk to you about your clinginess." He said, picking up his chopsticks and separating them.
Jongho did the same. "Clinginess?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. "At the salon today," Jeonghan started, "Seungkwan was getting a small shoulder massage. I saw bruises on his shoulders and his wrists." He explained. Jongho looked up at him while cooling his noodles. "Bruises? Are you accusing me of hitting him?" He asked. "Nope," Jeonghan wanted to stay neutral, "he told me that you're strong though. Do you lift?" He asked. Jongho hummed. "I do like to work out when I'm not at school.. My apartment complex has a gym." He answered before taking in some of those noodles. Jeonghan swallowed and patted his lips. "I think your grip on him is a little strong," Jeonghan said, "that's my only concern." He smiled at the boy. "That's it..?" Jongho asked in surprise. The parent nodded. "You seem to put a smile on my child's face otherwise, so I've been wanting to meet you for awhile." Jeonghan said. "But you've always been turning down coming over." He pouted. "No offense, but I don't really like meeting parents.." Jongho said. Jeonghan tilted his head. "No?" He looked at his food. "Well family is important in this family. You're going to have to learn to mingle with us." He said. "I don't think I need to." Jongho said. "I live away from my parents because they're a pain. I don't want to deal with more parents." He said, looking at Jeonghan seriously. Jeonghan put his hands in his lap. "I understand how horrible parents can be," He said in a soft voice, "but I promise that you won't be mistreated in my house. Not like that, anyway." He assured. "I thank you for the meal, but I would rather we not see each other again." Jongho said. "I only want Seungkwan-sunbae, no one else." He continued. "But-" "Next time he has a concern, I want him telling me." Jongho stood up. "Give him his phone back too." He said before leaving the table. Jeonghan sighed and looked down at his food. Jongho ate quickly. Am I that much of a pain..? He thought. He didn't waste time paying for the meal and walking home. When he entered the building, he heard laughter from the kitchen. He silently went into the kitchen to see Minghao's arm around a girl's shoulder and the table having fun talking to her. "Oh, Jeong-dad." Minghao stood up. "This is Tzuyu." He introduced. Jeonghan smiled at the girl. "Be good to him." He waved. "Cheol, can you come to our room?" He looked at the other parent. Seungcheol's smile went down as he saw Jeonghan's tired eyes. "Yes," he stood up, "Hoshi, you're in charge." He patted the boy's shoulder before walking out with Jeonghan. They entered their bedroom and Jeonghan sighed. "I don't think Jongho's going to be good for Seungkwan.." He said. "What makes you think that?" Seungcheol asked. "I understand not wanting to deal with parents, I get that." Jeonghan put his hands up. "It's just.. his vibe reminded me of Minhyuk for some reason." He sighed. "I shouldn't be paranoid, I shouldn't think the worst-" Seungcheol held the boy's hands. "You've been giving Jongho a lot of confidence and I'm proud that you've grown less scared for them." He said, interrupting the boy. "But if you have concerns, you can't just ignore them. I never ignored your concerns about the others." He stated. Jeonghan sighed and held his forehead. "I'm sure I'm worrying over nothing.. Seungkwan says it's not abuse, but the coldness Jongho gave me.." He closed his eyes. "I guess it was my fault for tricking him.." He muttered. Seungcheol nodded. "That would probably do it.." He agreed. "I think this one is best if Seungkwan figures out for himself." He said in a confident tone. "His bruises though.. The one time I'm not vigilant, my kid gets hurt." He sighed in defeat as he sat down on the bed. Seungcheol put his hand on Jeonghan's back. "Don't hurt yourself over this," He sort of begged, "Seungkwan is a strong and stubborn kid. You remember how he always nagged us for another bottle of formula and decided when he was done with it?" He asked, sitting down in the bed with a little smile. Jeonghan closed his eyes, remembering. "Yes.." Seungcheol's smile grew, seeing the little chuckle trying to keep itself inside Jeonghan's throat. "He wouldn't have it any other way, he demanded so much when he was little.." Jeonghan finally laughed. "He got upset that he couldn't wear his expensive shoes to stork school and stormed into the principal's office, remember?" Seungcheol brought up with laughs as they lay down together. Jeonghan pushed his body into Seungcheol's hold. "He gave his seven-point essay on why he should be able to wear them, and then the students were allowed to wear what they wanted." Jeonghan continued the memory. "He'll make the decisions he needs to in this," Seungcheol said softly, "if he doesn't want Jongho, he'll not have him. He won't have it any other way." He ended with a little laugh. Jeonghan nodded. "Right.. and if he can't personally get rid of Jongho, I know a certain crow that will help." He said with a slight smirk. Seungcheol kissed the boy's head, bringing him closer. "That's right.." he agreed. "Tzuyu.. Is she Minghao's comfort?" Jeonghan asked, remembering the name slightly. Seungcheol hummed as he looked up at the ceiling. "Not just his comfort, but his beloved." He included. "They're that serious?" Jeonghan asked in surprise. "Tzuyu proposed to Minghao today." Seungcheol stated with a little chuckle. Jeonghan laughed along, slapping the pillow called Seungcheol's chest. "Our shy Minghao.. Does she know that he's a stork kid?" He asked. "There might have been a chance that they saw each other at stork school." Seungcheol answered. Jeonghan raised his eyebrows. "She's a stork? No wonder she was so confident." Jeonghan chuckled. "I'll have to become more acquainted with her.. do they have a day thought of yet?" Jeonghan asked. "She wanted to talk to you about it tomorrow, if you're up to it." Seungcheol mentioned, playing with Jeonghan's newly dyed hair. "It'll have to be after work," Jeonghan yawned, "she can come for dinner tomorrow.." He muttered. Seungcheol nodded. "She's a really nice girl.. maybe not as fabulous as Jisoo, but she really cares for Minghao." He said, getting more comfortable in their position. He guesses they'll just fall asleep any minute now. "That's all that matters then. Minghao needs happiness.." he said. "My creative boy needs happiness.." He muttered as he snuggled his face into Seungcheol's chest. "Go to sleep, Jeonghan." Seungcheol said. Jeonghan didn't need to be told twice. The emotions he had felt today were showing their effects on his body. A few seconds passed before he was out, leaving Seungcheol to be wide awake. He looked at the ceiling with an inward sigh.
"Thank you for coming tonight," Minghao said, walking her to the door, "I'll drive you home. It's getting dark out." He said, taking the keys to the van from the entry table. Tzuyu smiled and looked down. "I hope that I can take more with Jeonghan tomorrow." She said, putting her sandals on. "He works at the store, but he should be here for dinner." Minghao predicted. "Will it be okay if you have dinner here again tomorrow?" He asked. Tzuyu smiled. "I'll see how school goes tomorrow." She chuckled. "You love birds need to go before it gets too dark." Joshua said. "Jeonghan will scold you if you're out too late, especially having a girl be out too late." He continued. Minghao grimaced. "Don't want to get on Jeonghan's bad side ever." He gave advice to the girl. "Got it." She saluted as they exited the house.
***
The next day, Seungkwan is looking at his script on the stage. He looked down at the panel on the stage, imagining Seonghwa’s funny smile as he creeps his hand around teasingly.
He blushed and looked back at the paper, knowing that the boy wasn't actually there. However, he felt a hand on his ankle. He looked down out of curiosity and saw Seonghwa looking up at him.
“Hey,” The older said with a smile, “Hyungwon said that we need to work on our first scene.” He said.
“When we’re in the subway?” Seungkwan asked.
Seonghwa nodded. “Yup, when you meet me for the first time.” He answered.
“Well what are you doing down there, get up here.” Seungkwan chuckled.
Seungkwan helped pull him out from the stage. Seonghwa looks down at him and smiles softly.
“Or.. perhaps we can actually work on our last scene..” Seungkwan said quietly.
Seonghwa’s eyes went wide and he felt a shiver down his back. “I..wouldn’t mind..” He said, looking into Seonghwa’s soft eyes.
Seonghwa tilted the boy’s chin up, but quickly furrowed his eyebrows. “This isn’t right, Seungkwan..” He said, letting his grip around Seungkwan’s waist go.
“What do you mean?” Seungkwan asked.
“You know fully well that it’s not just acting anymore,” Seonghwa said, “we’ve practiced the kiss five times today..” He sighed, looking away.