Broken

60

Chris was in the kitchen, talking to papa Chou while both did their best to make breakfast for everyone. The boy had woken up early, and decided to go for a walk with the dogs, he had to wait for the others to wake up anyways, and getting some fresh air is never a bad idea. When Chris got back with Gucci and Ahri, the two pups rushed to the living room as soon as they were out of their leashes, Gucci half dragged his, and the boy rushed after to find papa Chou sitting and reading his morning paper.

Both decided to do something useful, well, something else useful for Chris, and agreed to make breakfast, papa Chou was a disastrous cook, it's not that he didn't know what to do, things just never really worked the way he wanted them to, and Chris was great at the basics, he knew how to make some eggs, bacon, pancakes and, if he was really inspired, he would try for some muffins. Maybe some of those things required some skill, but he would never think of it beyond basics.

And that's where both were now, trying to make breakfast happen, when they hear heavy steps running, upstairs, then a door bursting open, a squeal, a very loud thud and very annoyed, groaned, complaints. Not much later there is running again, a door being violently shut, and somebody jumping down the stairs, it wasn't long for both men to find it was Tzuyu, panting, with disheveled hair and laughing maniacally.

"Did you jump on your sister while she was sleeping again?" Papa Chou asked, amused at his daughter's looks.

"I jumped Jihyo too. Would have jumped in the three of them but this one got away" She answers, pointing at Chris on the last part.

"Well, someone had to walk the dogs, and none of you three looked like you were still alive." Chris jokes, and papa Chou laughs heartily.

"Wait, you mean to say I could have stayed sleeping and never thought to tell me?" Tzuyu protests.

"In my defense, you were asleep, how was I supposed to do that without waking you up?" The boy throws his hands up in surrender. "Also, Yucchin, tell me it wasn't worth it to go jump on those two."

A mischievous laughter bubbles up from both kids, and mr Chou can't help but join in, they move to finish cooking, with Tzuyu, things got faster, she managed to get her father to go get the plates and cutlery while they finished everything. When they start setting the table, Jihyo and Dahyun come downstairs, the older one limping a little, and the smaller one with a very aggressive red patch coming from the side of her neck and up her left cheek, both looking pissed but very silent. They greet the men good morning and give Tzuyu the stink eye, before sitting down.

"Mom isn't up yet?" Dahyun asks her father once they all sit down.

"Your aunt is in the hospital again." The man answers, sighing.

"What did she break this time?" Tzuyu joins the conversation, looking unphased as ever.

"Are we missing something?" Jihyo asks, very puzzled about how they are all so calm. "Shouldn't we all be a bit more worried?"

The Chous laugh, loud and relaxed, which makes the other two all the more confused.

"My wife's little sister does this all the time, don't worry too much. She loves going on adventures, not necessarily doing things she is skilled in. Like hiking, mountain climbing, wrestling, well, you name it, she does it. Today she was horseback riding in the early morning, something about watching the sunrise in the fields? Whatever hippie reasoning she had this time." Mr Chou explains, eating his breakfast and not minding at all.

"Five that she broke her arm again." Dahyun shoots to Tzuyu.

"You got yourself a bet, but it's her ankle." The youngest takes the bet.

"Just don't let your mother catch you betting on your aunt's accidents again." The man asks, before continuing. "My wife got a call really early this morning, the hospital was calling her to manage her sister's papers, as the emergency contact. She should be back before lunch."

"Oh, I'm taking it happened too much to be surprising by now." Chris concludes.

"You have no idea. I remember on our tenth birthday, she already had a broken leg, and managed to break her wrist playing shuttlecock." Dahyun remembers. "Don't ask." She adds, seeing her lovers were about to ask something.

They finish their breakfast, talking about their plans for the day, where each one was going and if Jihyo and Chris would be sleeping over again, or Dahyun would join them over, if Tzuyu was staying at the Myouis or the Sons. Mr Chou ended up telling them he wanted a date night with his wife, and the kids not staying home would be great, so Tzuyu would see with Chaeyoung and Mina where she should head to, and Dahyun was staying at the Ims. Breakfast finished, dishes done, the four headed out for the day.

Chris had his date with Nayeon and Momo, Dahyun had promised Chaeyoung she would help with some new art interest that involved music or whatever (nobody really bothered too much with the details) and Jihyo thought it would be a good idea to talk to Jeongyeon and Sana, at least hear them out. So, the Ims was their first stop, Tzuyu just went with them, she would have to get Dahyun to the Sons after anyways, so why trouble herself with two trips.

"Unnie, can I talk to you for a bit?" Jihyo asks Nayeon, once they settle a little.

"Sure, what's up?"

"Can you message Sana or Jeongyeon and ask them to meet me?" It surprises the eldest.

"Sure I can, but are you alright with that?"

"It's about time I talk to them. "I'm not saying I'll tell them much, but I should try, at least." Jihyo looks very certain. "And they are friends with you guys, I don't think it's that good to keep avoiding them. Can you ask them to meet me somewhere?"

"Alright, but just because you are cute." Nayeon pinches Jihyo's cheek. "Now, where do you want to meet them?"

"Doesn't really matter much, as long as it isn't any of their houses or here, I'm fine."

"Sure, I'll message her." Nayeon gives a small smile and fishes her phone out.

"Thanks, I really don't want to let them know my number yet."

"No problem, kiddo. Momo and I will take Chris out, but do call us if you need anything. We'll come right away."

"Will do, unnie. And take care of that kid for me."

"No promises, Momo is coming with us." Nayeon mocks. "They will meet you at the park in front of Jeongyeon's house. I'll send you the address."

"Thanks, I'll get going, then."

Jihyo says goodbye to her sister, then gets to the living room, kissing Chris and Dahyun, for Tzuyu's displeasure. And everyone headed out, Nayeon and Chris had gone get Momo for their date, Dahyun and Tzuyu, who had messaged Mina and learned she wasn't at the Sons yet, headed the opposite way, to the Myouis, and Jihyo was doing her best to figure out how the GPS worked so she could get to her meet up.