go

6K 357 133
                                    

Kihyun really shouldn't have been surprised when the clock struck four o'clock and Hyunwoo still hadn't turned up. He couldn't hold it against the man, though, not after what Minhyuk had told him about his various jobs.

He felt sorry for Hyunwoo - knew the guy was a ten out of ten father - and knew he must be suffering at home. Granted, it really was none of Kihyun's business what was going at home with Hyunwoo and Minhyuk, unless (of course) it was putting Minhyuk at risk - which it obviously wasn't.

But still, Kihyun was a persistent guy, and he had often been told by many people (mostly Jooheon) that he was too nosy, which Kihyun tended to disagree with.

He was just caring, and often couldn't let things go until he'd had them confirmed. Although, Kihyun didn't really know what he needed confirmed. Minhyuk was showing no signs of suffering from abuse or neglect, but something about his behaviour made Kihyun want to explore further.

Over the years, Kihyun had definitely seen his fair share of devil children. Most of them were children of single mothers or fathers, and Kihyun could understand why they acted up. But, with Minhyuk, anyone would've suspected he was growing up in a home with two loving parents.

Maybe Hyunwoo showed Minhyuk just as much love as two parents could - maybe even more.

"Seonsaengnim, I'm hungry," Minhyuk whined from one end of the classroom, looking up from his toy cars and pouting at Kihyun.

"I think we still have some fruit left over from snack time if you want some, love," Kihyun suggested, and Minhyuk nodded happily. "Go wash your hands and sit at the table, then, Minhyuk."

Kihyun had often been told that his voice was very soothing to the ears. It wasn't too high pitched or too deep - perfect for communicating with children. He still definitely couldn't beat Jooheon's voice, and Kihyun was certain he was a baby disguised as a man.

Fetching the bowl of leftover fruit from the kitchen, Kihyun returned to help Minhyuk dry his hands, the two of them sitting down at the table. Minhyuk made no hesitation in grabbing a slice of apple from the bowl, and Kihyun decided to join him.

"What's your favourite fruit, Minhyuk?" He asked, taking a small bite out of his slice of pear.

"All of them!" Minhyuk exclaimed through  mouthful of apple. "Daddy makes me fruit salads for desert everyday!"

"Does he?" Kihyun asked and Minhyuk nodded. "That's very respectable of him."

Minhyuk cocked his head to the side in confusion. "What does that big word mean?"

"Respectable? It's when you look up at something someone does because it's very good. I think it's very good that Daddy gives you fruit everyday because you'll grow up to be healthy."

"Daddy says I'll live for a long time if I eat lots of fruit and vegetables!" Minhyuk replied, and Kihyun nodded.

"Daddy's very smart, then, isn't he?" The pink-haired male asked rhetorically. "How old is Daddy, Minhyuk?"

Kihyun's face flushed bright red at his own question, but Minhyuk didn't seem to notice. He had no idea why he was asking so many irrelevant questions, and if he hadn't crossed the line before, then he definitely had now.

"He's twenty-six! He's old!" Minhyuk giggled, and Kihyun smiled at that. "But I turn five next month so I'm almost as old as Daddy!"

Kihyun decided to play along as Minhyuk did look extremely confident in his statements. "You're almost as old as I am!"

"How old is Seonsaengnim?" Minhyuk asked.

"I'm twenty-four," Kihyun smiled and Minhyuk seemed in awe of his teacher, legs swinging back and forth on his chair.

"Seonsaengnim's young!" He exclaimed, and Kihyun pressed a hand to his heart.

"Why, thank you, Minhyuk," he smiled and Minhyuk giggled.

The two continued like that, talking about random childish things when there was a knock at the door about fifteen minutes later.

Kihyun had forgotten he'd closed the door, but remembered why when he saw Hyunwoo standing outside looking like he was freezing to death. It was October, and it was starting to get colder outside, and the radiator in Kihyun's classroom was broken - of course.

"Oh my goodness, I'm so sorry," Kihyun apologised as he opened the door to let Hyunwoo inside. "I'd completely forgotten I'd closed the door."

"No worries," Hyunwoo gave Kihyun a small smile. "I guess that's what I get for being late - again."

"Daddy's always late!" Minhyuk spoke up from the table and Hyunwoo walked over to him, kneeling down next to the tiny item of furniture and ruffling Minhyuk's hair.

"And you're always giving me shtick for it, you," he teased, and Minhyuk giggled.

Kihyun went off to fetch Minhyuk's belongings, watching as Hyunwoo helped his son put his coat on.

"Again, I'm really sorry," the older man (as Kihyun had just discovered) apologised, eyebrows furrowed and Kihyun reassured with him a smile.

"Seriously, it's no worries," the pink-haired male shook his head. "Minhyuk's always a pleasure to have in the classroom, anyway."

Hyunwoo was about to reply when he was cut off with a yawn, bringing his hand up to his mouth to shield it from Kihyun.

"Sorry," he chuckled nervously, and Kihyun's face fell in concern. "I guess we should be getting you home, shouldn't we?"

Minhyuk nodded, reaching up to hold onto Hyunwoo's hand, and that was when Kihyun spoke up.

"Did- did you want me to help you?" He asked, not meaning to sound as hesitant as he did.

"You mean, like...come home with us?" Hyunwoo clarified, and Kihyun's face flushed bright red again.

"Only if you want me to!" He reiterated. "I mean, I don't have anything left to do here and I practically have no responsibilities at home."

"Are you sure?" Hyunwoo raised an eyebrow, and Kihyun nodded. "I don't want to burden you or anything."

"No burden here at all," Kihyun reassured. "I am offering, after all."

Hyunwoo chuckled at that, and let out a content sigh.

"Alright, then. If you say so."

lean on me » showkiWhere stories live. Discover now