Thank U | ATEEZ FF

Ch-9: Drunk Memories

You came back to your apartment around 9.30pm and proceeded to have dinner. San had already eaten because he was supposed to have timely meals. Seonghwa, Wooyoung and you were at the table. Wooyoung served the Fried Rice that he made.

"Both of you seem happy"

"I got a promotion."

"WOah, it's like you already have your life together."

"Pfft, I wish."

"How was school?"

"I made friends today!" Seonghwa's face lit up.

"Good to hear. It's been so long, I miss school." Wooyoung said balancing on his shoulder with his palm on his chin.

"Remember when you tripped in the basket ball court when you were watching the basket ball match?"

"Wooyoung, were you drinking?"

"What?! I'm completely sober!"

"That's what a drunk man would say."

"I want to drink too!" Seonghwa said.

We immediately nodded our heads and said a loud no. He pouted and asked why. We had to explain to him that it's an adult thing and he could do it if he was old enough. We also explained the negative impacts it had on the body.

"Then why do you drink?" he asked.

"There's nothing wrong if you drink within a limit." you answered.

"I'll wait then. I want to have a drink with all of you!"

"Sure cutie, we'll wait too" said San tossing the tv remote aside. "I can't drink for the next few weeks anyways."

"Is it for the baby?" Seonghwa asked.

"Yes" San smiled.

"Our lil' blob of flesh has been researching?" you asked him with mischief lingering in your voice.

"I was listening to Doctor that day. Doctor said uncle San's body would grow bigger too!!" he said surprise decorating his voice towards the end.

"Uncle San is pregnant. That means you're going to get a little one to play in a few weeks. Though he won't grow as fast as you."

"Seonghwa is gonna get a brother or sister?"

"Yes" San clapped his hands together. "I just know the kid's gonna grow up to be pretty and handsome." he said.

"Why?" Seonghwa asked.

"Well he has Wooyoung's genes and Wooyoung is the prettiest man I have ever laid my eyes on. As for handsome, I know he'll get that from me." he said cupping Wooyoung face.

"Ah-hmm" you cleared your throat. 

"Will the kid take away your looks? Then what will you have?"

Wooyoung gave a high pitched laugh and responded, "The just inherits it. The kid doesn't steal it from us Hwa."

"Oh" he slightly hit his head.

"You'll learn a lot of things from the baby. I just know." you patted his head.

"How can a baby teach me?"

"I don't mean like book knowledge. I mean like human reaction, feelings and other stuff. You know like things you wouldn't find in textbooks. You could get them on the internet though..."

"Like you just learnt that he doesn't steal our features." San chuckled.

"Ah! Hwa, say the thing San thought you when Joong went to class. You know the thing San taught when I was having breakfast."

"Oh yes! Seonghwa, how old are you?"

"I'm Foive!"

"Good boy" San pat his head.

The next few weeks were uneventful. Just daily routine nothing new. Seonghwa was learning things a bit faster now. He was slowly picking up English. San's bump was growing bigger. Christmas was coming.

"It's gonna be Christmas soon. Are you gonna be meeting your parents?" Asked Wooyoung.

"I'm not sure. I don't think I can take Seonghwa with me but he's barely a month old. I can't leave him alone either." You answered a little tipsy.

"I can take him to my place. Me and San were planning to go to my place anyways since mom wanted to make sure the kid grows well."

"That sounds like a good idea. He's comfortable around you guys as well."

"I'll come visit on Christmas-"
"You haven't told your parents yet have you?"

You looked down and nodded a no.

"I don't know how to tell them that I've be growing a child that too illegally. I don't know how you did it with San-"

Wooyoung gave you a tight hug. He did bring in San as an adult but never complained about anything. San even seemed like a normal human. Seonghwa was far from normal but very normal at the same time. He was allowed a childhood or whatever he was living through right now.

Before you knew it, you quietly sobbed on his sweatshirt.

"Please give him a Christmas he can remember. Please give him a memory he can cherish as his first. Please keep him happy. I'm sorry I'll be missing parts of it. I don't want to. I want him with me all the time."

"It's okay to feel that way. You're like his father right? I'm sure it's a very normal reaction. You won't be making his bed the few days, you won't be there to sing him lullabies but me and San won't let you down. He's a growing boy. He'll know how to adjust."

"He's just 5"
"Hongjoong, don't underestimate him. He was built for war. He won't break that easily but you? Look at you crying like Seonghwa when he swallowed a watermelon seed-"
"Oh my, that sure brings back memories."

"I heard you're meeting Mingi again tomorrow?"
"Ya, its Hwa's last check up this year. Also there were a few things I was curious about."
"Does he know?"
"Pretty sure I told him about the appointment."
"Not the appointment you dummy"
"Ah... I don't think I got to tell him that. It would break him to realise that he's gonna be avoided."

"Should I tag along? For tomorrow that is."
"Sure. Seonghwa loves company while travelling."
"Next time you should get his number. Always travelling for small stuff."
"Th-that's a good idea."
"Right? I knew I had it in me. There's no need to thank me Joong."
"Wasn't planning to anyways"
"Ouch, that hurt my feelings"
"Pfft, I'm sure you're liking that"
"Love you Joong"
"Love you too"