Thank U | ATEEZ FF

Ch-7: Watermelon Seeds

Word count: 1212

You had to attend your Monday classes and despite promising Seonghwa a day at kindergarten you couldn't take him because it was a Monday. You didn't have duties on Monday. Today you had just assignments and had to plan the week ahead for the end of your winter semester. Tomorrow was Tuesday and you did have duties on Tuesday. You could take him out tomorrow.

As for today, both you and Wooyoung had classes today so Seonghwa was left in the hands of San. Before you left you looked at the peaceful state Seonghwa was in. You planted a kiss on his forehead and proceeded open the door when San entered.

"Good morning lil' Hwa" said San as Seonghwa stretched his arms trying to wake himself up.

"Where is Papa?"
"Papa is at college. He'll be back by 4, don't worry."
"Ok" he nodded.

He peeled off the sheets and went to the bathroom. Moved the stool and did the routine he was taught. He came out looking for a towel as he had forgotten to take it.

"What is cutie pie searching for?"
"Papa said I said dry myself with a towel."

San opened a drawer and handed a towel at first. Seeing Seonghwa struggle to give force while drying, San took control. He gently rubbed the towel across his body drying him.

"Our cutie pie needs to eat more protein to get strength to do activities like this" he said.

"Tofu has protein right?"
"Hmm, does our cutie want to

"Protein is for muscle right?" Seonghwa asked with this eyes brightened up.

"Yes, our cutie pie is a smart boy. Let's get you changed then we can have breakfast together!"

"Breakfast together!" he clapped.

San grabbed your pink top and pinned the fabric to make it look like a frock. He picked a pair of socks that he had bought along with the baby supplies.

"Why am I wearing socks today?" he asked.

You saw all this from outside the door and Seonghwa didn't seem to mind. He probably didn't realise that you were still in the apartment in the first place. 

It was 3.30pm and you got a call from San. He sounded a little panicked.

"H-Hongjoong, th-there's a problem-"

"San, calm down" you said not wanting to get yourself to panic.

"S-Seonghwa-"
"What happened to Hwa?"
"He-he-"
"He what?"

You just heard San rack some shelves and some more commotion.

"Is Seonghwa crying?" you asked hearing slight whimpers .

"Y-yes"
"And you?"
"J-joong, I'm not crying but a little scared."
"Is Wooyoung there?"
"N-no"
"I'm on my way and don't call Wooyoung."
"Oh-ok"

You reached your apartment in less than 20 minutes and saw Seonghwa sitting scared with his face moist by the tears he shed.

"What's wrong? WHat happened?" you asked

"Seonghwa ate a watermelon seed" San answered.

Your stance completely changed. You had your left foot slightly behind in line with your right but they had shoulder distance. You put your weight on your left side and let your left hand rest on your left hip and right hand busy face-palming.

"San, watermelon seeds don't grow into trees inside the body."

"They don't?"

"NO, they don't. Is this what you were worried about?"

"Y-yes" he gulped out a reply.

You turned to Seonghwa and gave him a tight hug.

"There's no reason to cry, ok? Papa is there. Watermelon seeds don't grow as trees in your bodies. They will come out as poop tomorrow. There's nothing to be afraid of, ok?"

Seonghwa cried louder as he grabbed the back of your shirt refusing to let you go.

"Seonghwa's not a big boy. H-he wants Papa."

"Even if you grow bigger than me I will always take care of you lil' blob of flesh."

You couldn't hear his laugh but you could see his cheeks move upward as he heard the familiar nickname. You picked him up and took him to your bedroom. He let you take the weight of his head as he now placed his hands around your neck.

"Thanks San"

"But it was a false alarm, I-"

"It's okay San. You did it out of concern. It's okay to be a little dumb." you held his hand while you comforted him making circles on the back of his palm to calm him down. You put Seonghwa on the bed and then gave San a hug.

"You did well" you patted his back. "You do need to read something on Human biolo-"

"Hey! If Woo's teasing wasn't enough, you don't need to do it too."

"Imagine if Wooyoung came instead of me"

"I don't think he'd let me tease him without bringing it up."

"Well, do you plan on telling Wooyoung about this?"

"No, not really unless Seonghwa wants to. He seemed very scared that a tree would grow out of his mouth."

"Where did you even get info that from?"

"Woo told me" he said looking down as if your feet were the most interesting thing in the world.

"Oh Woo and his jokes. Next time he tells you something weird try Google-ing it before acting upon it."

"Hmm, I will."

"Wooyoung is a fun company isn't he?"

"He's a lot better with kids than I him. He matched their energies better anyways."

"San, you're also pretty good with kids."

"You saw what happened today-"

"You didn't know. I won't talking about this further. You are good with kids and you shall accept it." you said before putting all your attention on Seonghwa.

"Does Seonghwa want to sleep?"

"No, hwa wants to tell you about his day!" he mood lightened as your attention was all his.

"Papa is all ears"

"But you have hands, legs... and face too!"

You gave a light chuckle then proceeded to explain, "Seonghwa. I'm all ears means that I'll be paying attention to what you're saying."

"Oh"

"So how did your day go?"

"I had fun but I also got scared. San uncle said that the seed would grow into a tree. He started crying when he saw me eat watermelon with the seeds and called you after telling me that so I started crying because I thought my ears would get all leaf-y and itchy. I don't want to attract insects!"

"Papa understands, plants are nice but they bring a lot of problems too."

"I had tofu for breakfast! We went to the mar then"

"Mar?"

"You know, the place with the food shops and clothes shops and hair cut shops?"

"The mall?"

"YES, the mall! I wasn't getting the word right."

"So what did you do at the mall?"

"We had fast food first. We ordered fries and milkshake. Uncle San bought a coke too but he I was too young to drink it."
"So you got 2 milkshakes and 1 soda?"
"No, 1 milkshakes and 1 soda."
"OH"

He giggled at your over exaggeration. He seemed so happy right now totally concealing the fact that he was crying buckets a few minutes ago. You were glad to know that he forgot about the watermelon seeds. You still the evening and night to make his day better. You would definitely take him to work tomorrow.