tag me | jaehyungparkian

☆72☆

"Mummy! We're back!!"

A small child barrels through the door, her candy floss blue skirt flowing around her. She yells and jumps into Mrs. Park's arms- who spins her around while she giggles.

Kyungnam sets the little girl down, bending down to her level and ruffling her bright red hair, "How was school pumpkin?"

"It was good! In art we drew flowers, I wanted to bring mine home to give you but they weren't dry yet. But don't worry, I can give it to you tomorrow!" Her green eyes shine with happiness and she bounces up and down on the balls of her feet, smiling widely.

"That's lovely, I can't wait to see it! Now, where's papa?"

"He went shopping before he got me, he's getting everything in."

As Jae and Younghyun watch, the younger glances over at Jae to see him beaming- his eyes glittering as he looks at the little girl in adoration. Younghyun gently nudged him forward, edging him on. Jae looks back in surprise and uncertainty, only to see Younghyun's reassuring nod.

So Jae slowly stepped closer to his mother, who held her daughters hand and reached out with her other for her son.

Jae knelt down and faced his sister. The girl suddenly got very shy, hiding the left side of her face behind her brilliant hair, trying to cover up the red birthmark that painted part of her face. But then Mrs. Park smiled again, and it gave her a bit of confidence. The little 6 year old finally looked up, taking in this stranger's appearance bit by bit.

"Pumpkin, this is your older brother, Jae. Jae, this is Avery."

Jae smiled, "Hi Avery."

Avery did reply, but it was so quiet that it was barely audible. "Hello Jae," she whispered, her fingers fumbling together in front of her.

Suddenly, they heard a grunt from the front door, still blowing open from the breeze.

Jae felt his blood run cold and he hastily stood up again, moving back to Younghyun subconsciously for comfort. He felt the younger's arm wrap around his shoulders.

Jae's father heaved through the doorway, carrying multiple bags full to bursting. He glanced at his son, now several years older and much more grown up, wearing expensive clothes that he'd worn on TV interviews and staring firmly at his father.

Dongsik sighed and carried on, heading through to the kitchen.

"Oh! I know where I recognised you two from! I've watched you on telly! I was supposed to watch it with mum, but she always started crying part way through."

Younghyun bit his lips between his teeth to hold back from reacting and cast his gaze to the ground, while Jae raised his eyebrows to her. She looked back at him guiltily, and he laughed. Sighing, she took a step back, "I'll go help your father," and disappeared from the room.

Avery looked up at them again, more specifically at Jae, "Are you gonna be my new brother?" She asked hopefully. She skipped forwards and Jae picked her up, earning a yelp in return.

He grinned, "Yeah, I am," he nodded at Younghyun, "He can be your brother too. Younghyun's my boyfriend."

Avery frowned, "I thought only girls could have boyfriends?" She looked at Jae's face and started poking his cheeks, "You're not a girl."

Younghyun couldn't help but laugh then, whilst Jae internally rolled his eyes. Of course his father had taught her that.

"A boy can love a boy, a girl can love a girl, a girl can love a boy- it doesn't matter. It doesn't mean they're any less in love with each other, does it?"

Avery adamantly shook her head, thinking deeply.

"Then... there's a really nice girl in my class that's very pretty, and I get happy around her. When I get older, could I love her?"

Jae chuckled, "Of course you could."

Her eyes lit up like burning emeralds and she gasped, "I knew papa was wrong! I need to go tell him!" She tried to jump down, but Jae spoke to her before she could.

"Ave, I don't think telling dad would be a good idea. He doesn't really agree with love unless it's between a girl and a boy."

"Why not? That's stupid."

"It is, but I don't think he can change. Be patient, okay?" He smiled warmly at her and twirled her hair between his fingers.

She nodded, "Is that why you left? Because you were in love with—" she trailed off, pointing at Younghyun and pressing her lips together.

Jae burst out into laughter and Younghyun switched between multiple emotions, his eyebrows raised in disbelief, but his lips still cracked into a smile. He leant back against the mantel piece, watching Jae and Avery both laugh.

"I'm sorry! I can't say his name! You've got a weird name, Sir. It's like mummy and papa's. I can't say their names either," She giggles.

Jae recovers and buts in front of Younghyun before he can say anything.

"Don't worry, he has another name you can call him, it's easier to say." He pushes back against Younghyun, who had tried to step forward to protest but found a hand straining against him and forcing him back.

"Really? What is it?" Avery ignored the commotion and just asked a question.

Jae smiled, "His name's Brian!"

Avery grinned, "I like Brian! I can say that name!"

"My name isn't Brian... Jae!"

A muffled cough came from the doorway, halting their antics. Dongsik stood with his arms crossed, watching his only son with a hard gaze, devoid of obvious emotions.

Jae and Younghyun stood up straight, the elder still holding Avery in his arms, while the little girl beamed at her dad, oblivious to the tension.

Mrs. Park came in and took Avery from Jae, "Sweetheart, come help me make the cake, papa needs to talk to your brother."

The two disappear to the kitchen, leaving Dongsik, Jae and Younghyun alone in the living room, with the sun beating down on them through the open windows.