Baby Steps | hyunsung

12 | A STARK FLEW DOWN

CHAPTER TWELVE;

A STARK FLEW DOWN;

Jisung remembers the first time Esme has ever clung onto him with such incredible strength. It was when she was first learning how to walk—her tiny fingers wrapped securely around his a lot bigger hands, desperately trying to hold on as her chubby thighs wobbled. Her bare feet were placed on the hardwood floor, not moving an inch as she kept her gaze on a toy held out for her to grab by her grandmother. Her small lips that were coated with saliva babbled unrecognizable words, showing her growing frustration. Occasionally she would release one of her hands to try and reach for the toy that played a childish nursery rhyme, but then she would begin to shake even more and immediately try to find her father's hand again.

It was funny; watching his daughter incoherently rant about wanting something, but refusing to walk in order to get it. It was also comforting; to witness his daughter try and take the required steps, but needing the help of his hold. To have that sense of security. It always put a smile to his face, feeling her tighten her puny fingers when she felt as though she was going to collapse. She would even turn her head to see if he was still the one behind her—the one making sure she never fell. He always was. And he wants to assume the encouraging grasp he always had on her finally raised her confidence, because before anyone even noticed, she was raising one foot and placing it in front of the other.

And even while sitting on the park bench, tears streaming down her cheeks because of the wound on her knee, she held onto her father's hand. Her smaller fingers didn't hesitate to grip his and give them a tight squeeze. Jisung let her. Just like all those years ago, just like he does now whenever she clings to him. He held Esme close to his chest, her face practically buried in his shirt (staining the fabric with those salty droplets). His lips were grazing her left ear, letting out whispered words of comfort. He doesn't know if it was to distract her from the pain from her wound, or to distract him from the way Hyunjin kept glancing in his direction. No, not glancing, staring. Obviously they needed to have that one discussion that Jisung has been dreading. He wasn't ready yet. But just like dating, he doesn't think he'll ever be ready. What's he to say? Oh yeah, by the way Hyunjin you have a daughter I never told you about. That's absolutely insincere and selfish.

"I might have a few bandages in my bag" Jeongin spoke while reaching to dig through his own children's baby bag. "Mark's always hurting himself so..." His rummaging came to a halt when Jisung shook his head while standing to his feet. With Esme still in his arms, he grabbed his belongings with a tight grin.

"No need, it's just a scratch. I think it's best if we just go home anyway" Here he goes running away from his problems. Running away from Hyunjin. "I'll help her there" The couple on the bench nodded in understanding, crooked smiles also being given. Could they see how uncomfortable he was? He caught eyes with his ex-lover. A disappointed and confused gleam was seen. Hyunjin wanted to say something; he had the right to say something. To question who Esme was and why he was calling Jisung her dad.

"Uh, go say bye to Jisung and Esme," Jeongin says. He gently pushes his twin children forward. They stumbled a little at the unexpected force, but eventually began to move on their own. Melody was more than happy to give a farewell to her newest friend, maybe even apologize once more before promising that they could play again in the future. Mark on the other hand was more on the bashful side. He walked closer with caution. He was fearful that Jiusng really believed his evil sister, and that he would be scolded. Only as they approached the blonde father and his in distress daughter (who was slowly coming to terms with the scratch on her knee wasn't all that bad), Jisung squatted down to their level with his best attempt at a smile.

"Don't worry guys, she'll be fine" Jisung smiled at the siblings. "And when she's all better, how about you guys come over and have a little playdate?" He wasn't surprised to see bright toothy smiles widen on their faces. Their heads bobbed in eagerness. He didn't hear anything from Esme though. He and the toddlers looked down to see why the little girl was so quiet. She'd fallen asleep. She was tucked in on herself within her father's arms, face still firmly squashed against the blonde's chest. When she had drifted off was a mystery to them, but Jisung wasn't going to complain. It's best she take a nap then continue to be restless over her hurting knee.

After giving farewells, Mark and Melody ran back to their parents. Jisung returned to his standing position. His eyes went from the lovely family, to the other couple who awkwardly stood by. Or maybe that was just Hyunjin? Tzuyu was all smiles and rainbows as she licked at the ice cream in her hand. She even openly gushed about the toddlers to Chan, explaining about how cute they looked and who they possibly reassembled the most. Jiusng didn't know what to say. Was he to ask Hyunjin if he wanted to talk? Does he just blurt the fact that Esme was his daughter? His mind spun as he tried to think clearly. It was hard though—the older man wasn't breaking the intense stare that he had on him. It was making him nervous. So freaking out, Jisung gave one last goodbye to Jeongin and his small family before turning on his heels to leave.

He counted how many steps it took before his name was called out. He reached thirty. A much lower number than he had hoped for. But that didn't stop him from walking away. He didn't turn around like the main character did in the movies; giving dramatic expressions as he knew that right now was going to be the point where a confrontation happened. No, he continued to put one foot in front of the other, his hold on his resting daughter only getting tighter. He thought that if he acted like he couldn't hear the taller, then he would take the hint and stop. He was so hopeful that Hyunjin would just quit shouting out for him, his jogging would suddenly cease, and he would forget about everything that had just happened.

He hoped for too much.

Because not too long after, a cold palm had been planted on his shoulder, putting him at a standstill. His breathing hitched and his legs began to get weak from anxiety.

"Jisung," There was his voice. Low and demanding. At one point that tone would have made the shorter go weak in the knees. But now it only made him want to cry. He was scared. "We need to talk" And there was his face. He stood in front of Jisung, looking as if he towered above from how serious his form had gotten. He swept strands of wavy black hair from his face to show his piercing brown irises. They bore into Jisung's before his gaze settled on the sleeping child.

"I don't think we do" He said it while stepping to the side. He was going to keep walking. He could already see the parking lot where Jungkook's car was placed. But before he got too far, his arm was being grabbed, forcing him to keep his feet planted on the concrete sidewalk.

"Yes, we do" Hyunjin was in front of him again. He looked more desperate than before. "It doesn't have to be here, but please..." Jisung kept his focus on the taller. His own eyes dashed across his face, looking for any sign of possible danger. For something, anything to say that Hyunjin didn't deserve a chance. But unfortunately there was nothing. He was genuinely curious about what the truth could be. So with a sigh the blonde nodded.

"Fine."