Sempiternal ♢ Jicheol

이십 일 • of bus rides and children

Cute and fluffy one shot to make up for my absence. I didn't like this one that much but I hope you do!

"Chan-chan, quiet down. People are trying to sleep."  Jihoon tried to shush his 5-year-old nephew who was very hyper at the moment. 

They were on their way back to Seoul after a three-day vacation in Busan. As the world slides by the window, there are small movements from among the passengers inside the bus. 

Jihoon gritted his teeth as Chan yelled and cried. It was frustrating for Jihoon to take care of his nephew day and night. What makes it worse is that he isn't good with handling children. There wasn't a single hour in twenty four that wasn't marred by his cries.

"Lee Chan, I told you to shu- quiet down. You're gaining so much attention." He tried cooing the baby, biting his tongue from spitting a nasty comment. The kid only looked at Jihoon with large eyes before he started crying once again.

It was hard to believe it came from such a tiny creature. He wanted to go back to sleep and ignore it but it was impossible. It sounded like the screeching of an angry cat, only growing harsher and louder. 

Jihoon didn't know what to do. He was gripping his hair out of frustration, and it looks as if he's close to crying too. His fist were balled up and his eyes were squinting very hard. He was startled when he felt someone tap his shoulder. 

"Uhm, I saw that you're having a hard time dealing with him," The stranger pointed at the weeping child, before looking back at Jihoon, "and I want to help you. Is that okay?"

Jihoon gave him a confused look, but he really wanted to make Chan stop crying, so he nodded. 

The man started to play with Chan, and to Jihoon's surprise, his nephew stopped crying. They played and laughed along with each other; the stranger making faces and Chan's cries was replaced with laughter filled with joy.

After a few more minutes, Chan yawned and slowly started to drift off to sleep. The child was now resting his head against the stranger's shoulder, his chest rising and falling peacefully. 

Jihoon observed the stranger. He's got that fair complexion look going on, dark eyes that could make you fall anytime. His soft, plump lips which looks very kissable and the way he smiles is just-

"Hello? Earth to uh.." 

He was snapped out of his thoughts when he felt the stranger snap his fingers in front of his face. Jihoon introduced himself and so did the stranger.

"I'm Seungcheol. It's nice to meet you, Jihoon." He smiled widely. Jihoon felt as if someone let the butterflies out and let them play inside of his stomach. 

"How come you're so good with children?" Jihoon asked as he eyed his sleeping nephew. 

"I work at a daycare." 

The younger boy's feature softened. How can such a wonderful person exist in this cruel world? Seungcheol was staring deep into Jihoon's soul,  and he couldn't help but blush. His smile etched its way back into his face.

Jihoon admired everything about him, from the way the breeze blew his hair to his soft voice. But what really made him fall head over heals for Seungcheol was the way he dealt with his nephew. He put them at ease better than anyone.

He thinks he just fell in love at first sight.