Thank U | ATEEZ FF

Ch-14: Good To Me

"I'm bigger now!" Seonghwa stated the obvious.

"Damn Joong, what did you feed him? Those arms sure are toned!"

"San!"

"Did I lie?"

"I... I'm not sure if I'm used to this body.."

"Hwa, is something wrong?"

"Everything suddenly looks smaller."

"Well, you've grown taller, lil blob of flesh," you replied.

"Well, he's not lil anymore, is he?"

Puberty is a hard time for anyone. 17 year old Park Seonghwa was no exception. He was getting used to his sudden body expansion, deepening of voice and sudden body hair growth.

"Do you think I'm fit for the outside world?"

"What do you think?"

"I don't understand why calculus is taught. The tax system and share investment stuff I read from San's book made more sense."

"You read about taxes and share market in San's book? I didn't he had that in the syllabus."

"I don't. I actually bought it with other law related books. "

"Law?"

"I changed courses." San entered the room.

"The tiger comes when you mention it"* said Seonghwa flaunting the newfound proverb.

"What?? Why?" you asked San.

"It's only the first year, after all. I'm sure I'll be fine. I'm studying to be a lawyer now, "

"When did this happen?"

"After I met Wooyoung's parents,"

"And you never told me? I thought you were doing -"

"Plus the job pays better. I want Umbrella to have a good life"

"Of course! You're career is something only you're capable of choosing"

"Joong you're sounding sarcastic"

"No seriously! I'm glad you had a choice and you took it, that is if you're happy with it! You'd do great wherever you'd go"

"Thanks"

Seonghwa was a pretty decent swimmer. Given his new found height, it made it all the more attractive. His stamina had increased as well. He started playing more sports. Seonghwa had practically mastered the rope by now jumping however he wished, with no fear of tripping. After a few months of him adjusting to his bigger body and you getting used to the height difference he had a talk.

Sure you still had been meeting Mingi. He suggested that since there was sudden growth spurt he had to meet Seonghwa once in two weeks. This time Seonghwa seemed to take the appointments less frequently. When he was younger, he loved going out, even if it was to the clinic. Now he seemed a bit more reluctant. Of course it was nothing to be scared. As you get older, life gets harder. Seonghwa didn't have any hardships as of now... or that's what you thought. Maybe as a parent you misread him? Maybe there was something bothering him? Everyone gets confused and irritates during puberty right? Maybe this was Seonghwa's emo phase.

What you weren't ready for... was the conversation. Seonghwa was accusing Mingi of not being trustworthy and you couldn't stand it.

"Why are you accusing Mingi something horrendous like that? He is a good man!" you said, defending the older.

"He is not like what you think. I think he is using you for something. I don't like that man." Seonghwa said.

"You're wrong! Why are you doing this?" 

"Because you- you're my everything Hongjoong. You've practically raised me - I can't let it slide if someone is doing you harm!"

You processed his words. He wasn't wrong. You did practically raise him. You taught him to read, write, speak, dress, and most importantly, manners. He was trying to get his point across, but he kept his voice soft. He did not raise his voice against you.

"I'm sorry." you said, looking down. "Come here," you motioned him to come and gave him a tight hug. You generally avoided skin ships, but you couldn't hold yourself back with him. He was like your child.

"If you really love me, please listen to me Hongjoong." he said, looking into your eyes.

"Okay" you brushed his hair. "I'll talk to Mingi about it. If you feel worse I'll try breaki-"

"No! Don't do that for my sake. If he has your trust let it be. You've told me to do what I love. I love sports. I wanna do something in sports. If you love Mingi you should love him but I'm just letting you know that if something happens, I've warned you. You can think of him however you want but I'm going to keep my distance"

"Did... did something happen in the check up? Did he t-"

"No, none of what you're thinking happened but I think he doesn't like me"

"What makes you think that way?"

"I'm not saying he doesn't like me in the way that he doesn't wanna talk around me. I feel like I'm a mere pawn in his game of chess. I don't know what he's planning to do because today he took more blood samples than he usually does"

"So the problem is the excess blood sample"

"Well.... something like that. I think he might be exporting my blood for illegal activites"

"Seonghwa, raising you was.. no is.. no I don't know but that's illegal. Just because it's illegal doesn't mean it's morally wrong?"

"Are you trying to lead me astray?"

"Seonghwa, you're not getting my point-"

"You don't even use my nickname anymore. You're mostly not home and come a lot later these days. You didn't even come home yesterday" he pouted.

It was true. You didn't come home yesterday. You spent the night at Mingi's and came back home after work. You felt like you were in a happy relationship. Was there a red flag Seonghwa noticed but you didn't? No.... he just became a teen, he's probably in his rebellious phase.

"You want me to spend more time with you?" you asked him.

"It's not about that. I don't mind being alone. Plus Uncle San is at home these days and Umbrella needs attention.... way more than what I needed as a child anyways. I mean I've never been the age Umbrella is right now and-"

"I get your point. You've kept yourself occupied."

"Yes, but I still miss you"

"Seonghwa I see you ev-"

"I miss the 'you' before you both made it official. Before valentine's"

"Hwa, I'm sorry"

"You said the same during Christmas as well. Are you avoiding me because I've grown up?"

"Seonghwa, what are your intentions behind these questions?"

"Can I be completely honest and selfish?"

"I'm like your father, I deserve to know your opinion"

"How much of a father have you been to me? The only time you hurried was when I had watermelon seeds-"

"Seonghwa what about the time- never mind it's no use arguing. What is it that you seek?" you said sounding a little dramatic.

"I want you to break up with him"

*The tiger comes when you mention it is the Korean equivalent of speak of the devil. I just wanted teen Hwa to flaunt some vocab.