The Flowers We Saw

Monsters

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Sehun watched Namjoo's back retreating around the corner again. A faint part of him saddened. Knowing he would always be watching her walk away.

Backing up he closed the door. Kihoon was still occupied with his toys. Today there had been no excuse to get Namjoo to stay. He couldn't lie about not eating breakfast again and asking her to eat with him.

Sitting down on the couch he watched Kihoon never mind him. Absorbed in his imaginary world where trucks could fly, the ground was the sea, there was no expiration dates, no feeble humans existed, necessities were free, no one and nothing ever experienced pain. If Sehun could join that illusionary world he would never hesitate.

Appearing carefree Kihoon never once glanced his way, as if he had never missed his father at all. The exact way Namjoo never let her emotions become visible. Suppose he was the same. Afraid expressing too much only made him vulnerable.

Afraid of rejection. Didn't want to be turned away. So many fears chasing his tail every day all the time.

Actually, he knew. Some day Namjoo's mother would want her to meet with a nice man. Whose family adored her. Respected her. Treated her the way she should always be valued. Only that way could she live a full life of prosperity. Kihoon would grow up witnessing his mother's blooming life and learn to treat his wife the same.

Namjoo would never have to walk around with eyes glaring at the back of her head. With disdain weighing her shoulders. Fully aware there was someone in the family that would always reject her.

Someone would give Namjoo the life she always deserved.

"Broken," Kihoon ran over to him. Showing him a battery-operated car that would no longer turn on. "Fix for me."

Some nice man would fix Namjoo's misaligned pieces so she could shine wholly.

Sehun glanced at Kihoon standing close by. His child. Possessing similar features. Reminiscing the first time he met Namjoo at the night club. The first night they just sat together in his bedroom. When Namjoo gave birth and he met his son finally. A little thing that just wanted to be held. Recalling the moment he hugged Kihoon skin to skin. To the moment they brought him home becoming a family of three.

Their child.

Oh Kihoon gave him everything he ever needed. A family. Love.

For every day of his life he made a vow to always try harder. To give his son a prosperous childhood, so he could grow up like other children. Happily without regard to the dark side of life. Kihoon would have everything and not lack anything. He would never have to be jealous of the next kid.

But...Sehun couldn't fight against Namjoo's beloved mother. Giving up halfway because he understood a parent's love for his child. It would kill him if Kihoon was ever mistreated. Because how difficult it must have been for Namjoo's mother to see her living that kind of life with him?

"Give daddy a hug." Sehun said.

"My car," Kihoon pouted.

He nodded with arms held open for Kihoon first. Giving in Kihoon took a small step toward him. Enveloping his arms tightly around his son Sehun held him close.

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The flowers died a little more each day. The green stems turning a sickly shade between yellow and brown. She searched through the internet for tips to keep the flowers alive longer, but anything she tried did not work. Several days later the lilies started drooping hopelessly. Still she didn't toss the flowers out. Letting them rot on her counter.