Unconventional Family (3/x)
Title: Sorry, Baby!
Pairing: Kaisoo
Rating: G
Word Count: 5,587
Summary: Kids made their mommy cry!
“Arf! Arf! Arf!”
Another day, it is, and the three kids are merrily barking and biting on the ends of their parents’ duvet, pulling altogether to reveal two tangled bodies on the mattress. Jjanggu, being the most hyper among the three, successfully throws himself up the bed to run and stomp over his parents who, by now, are dazedly stirring awake.
Kyungsoo, still on his side facing the younger, was first to open his eyes fully, feeling the middle child’s soft paws all over his sides, sharp claws scratching over the thin cloth of his shirt. He looks up to the sleeping man beside him, pulling away his arm that was draped comfortably over the younger’s tan chest.
Jongin stirs and grumbles, unwelcoming to the sudden interruption of his good night sleep after a long night with Kyungsoo. “Mmh.. Five more minutes..” He whispers, throwing himself groggily over Kyungsoo, nestling his head at the hollow of the older’s neck.
“Arf!” Jjangah starts to yelp, this time, her turn to jump up to the bed to help his oppa. She quickly stomps her cute little paws all over her appa’s torso, Kyungsoo sleepily watching, but still amused.
“Argh!” Jongin suddenly sits up, surprising the two, making them halt completely, tails straight up, a sign that they were alert and watchful. “Jjangah~” He suddenly sings, taking his princess with his hands and lifts her up as he lies back down again. Jjangah’s tail starts wagging in circles, not able to contain her excitement, as she was lifted up in the air, with Jongin’s fingers discreetly rubbing on her curls. Jjanggu also continues on running over Kyungsoo.
Somehow between Jongin’s soft giggles, Kyungsoo realizes that the eldest kid was not playing with them. He sits up gently, and leans down to the bed side, reaching for the brown poodle that was quietly sitting on his hind legs, watching the four. Kyungsoo lifts him up and to the bed, settling the eldest between him and Jongin. Monggu immediately lays himself down to the soft sheets, rolling over, finding a comfortable position as he squeezes himself further up where he can nestle his muzzle on Kyungsoo’s arm.
It was like that almost every morning since Kyungsoo came to live with them. Jongin was quite persistent in sharing his room with Kyungsoo, and the room Baekhyun emptied was used as storage room, also the three kids’ make-shift bedroom.
Kyungsoo have gone full-time on babysitting, when actually it was Jongin asking him to live with him, and not let the older work at all. He’d rather have Kyungsoo stay at home with the kids than settle for another time arrangement if the older gets a job of his own. Jongin promised his boyfriend he won’t leave him starving, and that the money he makes is enough for them.
“Just take care of the kids, Soo. I can provide for our family.” Jongin said one night, making Kyungsoo laugh his heart out because of the cheesy line, realizing that yes, unconventional as it is, they’re a family of five, and though he knows by heart that their three kids are just annoyingly cute poodles, he is now considered a mom.
“Are you mocking me?” Jongin hesitantly asked when Kyungsoo’s laughter died down, in which the older furiously shakes his head trying to hide the smile on his face.
“No way! It just that it’s really shocking how you treat the three. They’re like real actual children, you know, when you talk about them. I’m getting past the stage of considering them as mine, but not to the point like yours where it’s like you actually bore them and gave birth to them.” Kyungsoo explains.
“That’s how much I love them, Soo. You know that. That’s why I want you here and focused on taking care of them. Don’t worry about anything else.” The younger insisted, and Kyungsoo can’t help but give in. Taking care of the three has been something he really grew loving, add to that, there’s no need for him to work since he got himself a well-off boyfriend, the father of his kids.
The unusual set-up of a family that Jongin built became a norm to Kyungsoo, and no matter how much he denies it, he loves the life Jongin opened for him.
Kyungsoo starts to prepare breakfast in the kitchen as Jongin gives the three kids their much needed bath, as the house suddenly smells too musky and salty, compliments of Jjangah who just finished her cycle and left blood stains on the carpet, and Jjanggu with his constant running and jumping, his curls shedding and falling all over the floor, making Kyungsoo sneeze every now and then.
As soon as Kyungsoo was setting up the table for breakfast, Jjanggu was running towards him and then behind him, followed by Jongin whose shirt was wet, towel and hairdryer in his hands. Panting, he points the appliance to the poodle behind Soo, “Get that kid!” he screams, running again to catch the very active Jjanggu.
After the whole ordeal of chasing after Jjangu, the two flops down their couch, full from breakfast and tired from the three’s playfulness.
“I swear these kids are hyper lately.” Kyungsoo murmurs as he stretches himself over the cushion, resting his head on Jongin’s thighs.
“I told you they like you very much.” Jongin chuckles. “I’ve never seen them as active as this. Jjanggu listens to you very well. You even trained Jjangah. It makes sense that they’re happy that you’re here.”
It was quiet for a few moments; the two watching the three kids play in the corner of the living room. Jongin, contemplating on what to do for the day, suddenly thought of a bright idea. “Soo, why don’t we go out today?” He suggests. Kyungsoo quickly sits up, excited with the idea, remembering that Jongin has never had taken him out for a date since he and Jongin became official.
“Yeah, you should take me out sometime. I’m your boyfriend.” Kyungsoo murmurs, teasing.
“Okay, I’ll ready the kids, okay? We’ll take them for a walk.”
Wait, what? Kyungsoo thought. A frown forms on his lips, realizing that he’s not going to have his eye candy of a boyfriend strolling with him hand-in-hand though the cold breeze of the city. It’s still for the kids, after all, like always.
Kyungsoo, hesitant and disappointed for Jongin’s unfair priorities, drags himself to their room to change into a much more comfortable and acceptable walking clothes. He pulls out his sneakers, and a set of new clothes, changing into them as he waits for Jongin.
Suddenly, his phone rings, breaking the silence in the room. Kyungsoo hurriedly answers the call, hearing the sassy voice of his friend from the other line.
“Hi, Soo~” Baekhyun greets. “You busy today? Chanyeol left for work and I’m alone right now. Can we meet up?”
“Jongin and I are actually going out.” Kyungsoo replies.
“I know you’re going out, duh. Who doesn’t want to be boy-
“I mean leaving the house, stupid.” Kyungsoo mutters, realizing that his friend understood his sentence in a different context.
“Ahhhh! You mean heading out? Oh~ Going on a date, that’s new. Where are you guys leaving the kids?” Baekhyun asks. Kyungsoo grunts at this, confirming how it is normal to think that Jongin was actually wanting to have an actual date with him, not taking the kids for a walk, like what just happened.
“Actually, we’re taking the kids for a walk.” He explains. Baekhyun suddenly bursts into laughter, confusing Kyungsoo.
“Oh my God, Jongin’s gonna break up with you.” Baekhyun screams from the other line, loud enough for Kyungsoo to momentarily pull away the phone from his ear.
“What the hell, Baek?” He murmurs, ear ringing from the volume. “What do you mean breaking up? Who’s breaking up with who?”
“I swear Kyungsoo, abort that date. Today will be the last day you get to see Jongin ever again!” Baekhyun screams again, further annoying the younger. “The three kids turn into little devils when they get out the house. You might want to kill them, but don’t tell Jongin because he’s so gonna defend the three. You’re going to break up after, oh my God!”
Kyungsoo found it funny how Baekhyun knows a lot about the kids, living with them for years, but then he somehow thinks that it’s only by experience that he can actually learn of how his now own kids behave. He can’t help but get worried because of Baekhyun’s sudden episode, but then only if he tries will he confirm if the older actually tells the truth.
“Soo, I have something.” Jongin interrupts, making his way inside. Kyungsoo looks at him, all the while listening to Baekhyun in the other line rambling about his onetime experience of walking the kids.
“What is it?” Kyungsoo asks, covering his phone’s receiver.
“I need to go to the University for a quick panel for the recitals. Sorry, just take the kids with you and I’ll meet you by the Han River, okay?” He was jumping as he puts on his skinny jeans over his boxers, moving too fast. In no time he was out the house, the door closing loudly waking Kyungsoo up from his shock.
“Ya Kyungsoo-yaaaaa!” Baekhyun screams again from the other line when he realized that Kyungsoo wasn’t responding to him.
“Baekhyun, Jongin left!” Kyungsoo panics.
“Don’t leave the house, I tell you. Leaving with the three little devils will ruin you.” Baekhyun suggests.
“I’ll just call him and tell him I’ll wait for him. Now you’re scaring me.” Kyungsoo mumbles.
“Tsh. If Jongin woo you to leave with the three, I’ll just meet you somewhere along Han River so you have someone to cry on when your boyfriend breaks up with you. Bye, Soo! Good luck!”
The line was dead after and the call was dropped, and all that ran in Kyungsoo’s mind was how he will get through Jongin’s plans for that day.
Walking three kids in the park will not be too hard, right? Kyungsoo thinks. You can do it, Soo. The kids love you, and they’re going to behave.
That was what he thought until the nightmare began.
He called to Jongin’s phone but he was directed to voicemail, meaning he might have turned it off when he left. Left with no choice, Kyungsoo steps out to the living room, collecting all the leashes and other stuff that Jongin prepared for the three. Monggu, Jjanggu and Jjangah were sitting by the couch, silent and behaved, as if seeing the leashes on the top actually means torture for them.
“Just get on with it.” Kyungsoo mumbles to himself. He flops down to the couch, taking the leashes one by one, guessing which one is for whom. It was a pretty easy task, since the leash corresponds to the poodles’ corresponding color. The dark brown is for Monggu, the lighter is for Jjanggu. There was also a white leash for Jjangah, but it was tied securely around a belt of a bag, a baby carrier to be exact.
Sighing, Kyungsoo starts to fix the carrier to his body, like a backpack, setting it in front of his body. Once he was satisfied, he calls in the two male poodles to come to him. Jjangu, as usual, is very excited, running in circles as his omma tries to fasten the leash’s lock to his collar. When Jjangu was already secured, Kyungsoo turns to Monggu who was lazily slumped down on the carpet, making it easier to fix the leash onto his collar. With one last check around the house, Kyungsoo made way to the foyer to fix his shoes, before carrying Jjangah up and place her into the carrier, and grabbing a leash with both his hands.
“Let’s go kids. Behave, alright?”
The cold wind welcomed the family of four, as they step out the apartment. The weather was perfect for a stroll in the park, and luckily, traffic isn’t that packed in their area. It was a rather quiet neighborhood, and is considered safe for the kids to run and play around.
He takes a deep breath and feels the cold wind enter his lungs, releasing it one go as he takes the first step.
The Han River is about four blocks from their apartment, and Kyungsoo makes his way to their meeting place along with Jongin’s children. With a leash on each hand and a well-behaved Jjangah against his chest, Kyungsoo ventures out the dreadful pits of hell, not that he’s actually aware of it.
The first few minutes were quite enjoyable for Soo, somehow relieved and believing that his friend was just making fun of him and was making him worry for nothing. Silently cursing the unaware friend for making him worry, his strides become more energetic. He even skips sometimes, watching closely the two male poodles that are walking side by side on his right.
But then, like Baekhyun has warned him, the three little angels started to become devils one by one.
First block.
“Arf! Arf! Arf!”
Jjangu suddenly barks, tail wagging furiously behind him. He stood still as he stares at the direction by the corner of the street where a line of cars were parked. Kyungsoo, totally surprised, was dragged by Jjanggu to the cars.
“Ya. Jjangu!” Kyungsoo screams, trying to stop the over-excited poodle that was almost jumping and hanging from his leash because of Kyungsoo’s constant pulling.
“Arf!” JJanggu continues to bark, getting louder and louder, attracting the attention of bypassers that totally had Kyungsoo embarrassed.
“Jjanggu! Stop!” Kyungsoo commands, calm than the first time. Jjanggu then starts dragging Kyungsoo again, pulling unto his leash until he was finally followed by his omma.
“Where are we going?” He asks, baffled. Kyungsoo followed the poodle to wherever he was dragging him and finally, Jjanggu stops in front a wheel of the nearest car. “What are you-
Jjanggu, striding with unexplainable swag, sniffs the wheel, and suddenly lifts his hind leg. “Gee.” Kyungsoo can only sigh. It didn’t stop there, though. After a few seconds of relieving himself against the wheel of the blue mini cooper, he then runs to the next car, and starts the process all over again. “You got unlimited pee outside?” Kyungsoo murmurs, worried that the car owners are watching.
“Arf! Arf!” A louder bark was heard from behind, making the two poodles and their mom turn around. There was an even bigger dog, a Labrador, to be exact, standing by the corner of the street. Kyungsoo, shocked by the size of dog, hurriedly takes the two poodles up to his arms, afraid that the dog would bite on them or something. Do Labradors this big eat little dogs? Jjangah, the brave princess barks back.
“Don’t worry about the Lab. He’s just telling your little tinker this ain’t his territory.” One of the ladies who passed by tells Kyungsoo. Realizing the deal, Kyungsoo runs across the street, far away from the Labrador who was silently staring at him and the three kids in his arms.
Attracting enemies and peeing on wheels. Not so nice, Jjanggu.
Second block.
Kyungsoo settles the two back on the pavement when the coast was clear of the Labrador, and continues to walk south, to the Han River. Jjanggu kept on jumping every now and then with a sight of something strange, like a cat sign of a local store, or barking at the kids playing skateboards across the street. Kyungsoo starts to get frustrated and tired of the endless pulling, but continues anyway, just two more blocks and he’ll be safe with Jongin.
It was all okay, then, Kyungsoo thought, except for Jjanggu’s sudden pulling, but all in all, the walk was going smooth… until an even heavier force stops him completely from walking. Looking behind him, Kyungsoo finds the brown eldest poodle, legs stretched on the pavement, unmoving.
“Monggu, let’s go.” He murmurs. Monggu, obedient, stands up and walks again beside Kyungsoo, only to lower his body down again. Kyungsoo nudged his leash up slightly, but Monggu won’t stand up. “Monggu, let’s go!” Kyungsoo murmurs again. The dog, although lazy, stands up again and walks to Kyungsoo side. The stopping and pulling went for about fifteen more minutes, making Kyungsoo frustrated, until he had no choice but to literally drag Monggu, who was pulling his leash with his body, his body firmly lowered to the ground. The brown poodle looked like a mop, and though Kyungsoo found it funny to watch, he swore not to tell Jongin what he did to their eldest. Realizing that Jongin might see the dirt on Monggu’s lower body later, he half-heartedly picks Monggu up, settling him on his arm, enduring the weight of the heaviest kid.
“Kids, can’t you at least just walk properly? Why is everyone so relaxed when they walk their dogs and here I am running like a mom chasing her four-year olds? I’m growing tired!” Kyungsoo mumbles, squeezing his fingers on Monggu’s body, who in return yelps when the man squeezed a little too hard.
“Sorry.” Kyungsoo whispers.
Lazy at home, lazy outside, Monggu.
Third block.
“Just two more blocks, okay? Behave now.” Kyungsoo mutters as he crosses the third street. Monggu, well rested from being carried, was settled back down by Kyungsoo, whose arms are starting to ache from the weight.
The three of them starts to walk and there were no problems so far.
Since he was getting closer to a main highway, the number of people he was meeting during the walk became frequent. The people can’t help but look at the three adorable kids, the two walking diligently on each of Kyungsoo’s side.
The family reached the next crossing, stopping at the edge of the lane since the traffic light is still green and the cars are passing by. The two poodles sit patiently beside their mom, and Jjangah, who was quiet all through the walk, starts to tilt her head left and right, checking out the people beside Kyungsoo who were also waiting to cross the street.
“Oh, they’re adorable!” One lady squeals beside Kyungsoo, obviously taking notice of his three kids. Feeling a little pride in his chest, Kyungsoo smiles back at the lady, “You think so?” he replies.
Suddenly, Jjangah starts yelping, moving uncontrollably against Kyungsoo’s chest. She starts barking and barking, until Kyungsoo realized why. She was barking at the lady.
“Sorry, she’s not used to meeting strangers.” He murmurs apologetically.
“It’s okay. They’re really cute.” The lady smiles, looking back again to her front.
“Omma, look!” Another kid notices the family. The boy was pulling on his mother’s dress, pointing his little fingers on the two poodles who are sitting on the pavement, head swinging left and right as they watch the cars that pass by in front them. Kyungsoo bows his head to greet the mother, and the kid successfully convinced his mom to move a little closer to them.
“Hi, doggie~” The kid sings, extending a hand to Monggu who was on his side. Monggu, being the well-behaved, greets the kid back with a quick lick on the little boy’s hand.
“Oh, he kissed my hand!” The boy exclaims looking up to Kyungsoo. “Hyung, are they yours?”
“Yup!”
“Oh, they’re cute! Can you introduce me to them?” the kid jumps up and down.
“Well, this is Monggu,” Kyungsoo says, pulling on Monggu’s leash, and then lifting his other hand, “this one is Jjanggu.. And this little girl in front me is-
“Arf! Arf! Arf-ar-arf!” Jjangah starts barking again, this time furious, trying to climb up from her carrier.
The little boy takes a step back, gripping on his mom’s dress again tightly.
“Sorry, this is Jjangah.”
“Omma, she’s scary.” The kid frowns.
Just then, the traffic light turns red, signaling the pedestrian to cross the street. Nudging on the two again, Kyungsoo starts to walk, head low, embarrassed of his little girl for being too aggressive. No matter how cute she is, she seems anti-social.
Yup, bitch indeed.
Fourth block.
The river can be almost seen where Kyungsoo stood. Just a few more steps and he and the kids will be by the river where they can patiently wait for Jongin.
His moment of relief was suddenly interrupted by a loud ring from his jeans, hoping that it would be Jongin telling him he’s waiting already somewhere. Looping the Jjanggu’s leash around his hand, he fishes out his phone, but was utterly disappointed to read Baekhyun’s name on the caller ID.
“How’s your little walk, Soo? You still alive?” Baekhyun snorts.
“Yeah, yeah, still alive.” Kyungsoo murmurs, continuing to walk forward.
“I’ll meet you by the main road okay, before you cross the street to the park. Let’s go to Han River together!”
Kyungsoo was about to respond a quick okay when was stopped dead in his tracks, something warm and wet covering the front of his chest. He wanted to cry, really.
“Jjangah just peed on me.” Kyungsoo mumbles, tears forming on his eyes. He hears Baekhyun hysterically laughing on the other line.
“I told you they’re little devils. What’d the two do?” Baekhyun asks.
Kyungsoo recollecting what happened during the walk, told Baekhyun about his series of embarrassing events from Jjanggu’s tinkling spree and Monggu’s lazy ass episode, to Jjangah’s anti-social attitude.
“Told ya. If I were you, I’d leave that three wondering around Seoul on their own, I swear. No matter how cute they are, they’re uncontrollable outside the house.”
“yeah, yeah. Good thing I wasn’t as evil as you, and I’m actually holding up and almost at my finish line.”
Baekhyun mockingly laughs again, “Yeah, onwards to hell! I’ll see you.”
The line went dead after, and Kyungsoo starts walking faster. Checking the corner of the furthest street where Baekhyun would probably meet him. Walking and walking, he’s starting to feel relieved that his walk will be done soon. Somehow, along his walk, a little caramel colored poodle run past him. Surprised of the familiarity, he exclaims, “Oh, look Jjanggu! He looks like you!”
Monggu and Jjangah yelps, and there Kyungsoo realized, it wasn’t some poodle who looked like his Jjanggu. His other hand seemed too light, so his eyes trailed down, finally seeing an empty collar, and back to Jjangu who was running happily.
“Oh my God, Jjanggu!” Kyungsoo screams, running after the dog. He quickly picks up Monggu so he can run faster. He picked up his pace and start to sprint towards Jjanggu who was still aimlessly running forward.
Kyungsoo, a little short legged for the run, stops by the corner when the traffic light turns green, and Jjanggu was already on the other side.
“Kyungsoo-yaaaa~” Baekhyun exclaims, running out from a shop at the end of the street. Kyungsoo, worried and panicking, shoves Monggu to the his friend’s arms, embracing Jjangah as he runs quick to cross the street as soon as the traffic lights turned red.
“Jjanggu! Jjanggu!” He shouts as he entered the park, where he last saw Jjanggu.
Fear envelops his whole body, and the bypassers are already watching him as he continues to call onto the poodle. Soo was already screaming inside, fear and adrenaline pumping through his veins.
He quickly runs to the nearest bench where a young couple was sitting, “Have you seen a little brown poodle running around here??”
The guy nods his head and points further to the park, nearer to the viewing dock of the Han River. What if Jjanggu does something stupid and jumps to the water? Oh my God, Jongin’s going to kill me.
He continues to run further, asking strangers along the way if they saw little Jjanggu. Some of them did, and some of them didn’t.
“Ya Kyungsoo!” Baekhyun screams as he runs to the younger, Monggu bouncing on his arms as he runs.
Kyungsoo eyes around the area, since it was an open park, hoping to a least catch a glimpse of the lost poodle. With hands on his waist, he screams “JJanggu!!!” again, silently wishing the poodle would just come running to him like a miracle.
When Baekhyun reached him, Kyungsoo flops down onto the ground, head thumping and knees weak. “Baek, I lost him.” He murmurs. Baekhyun, knowing of the poodle’s antics, chose to further tease the new mother of the kids he used to take care of. He has seen it all, anyway.
“I told you Jongin’s gonna break up if you take these guys for a walk.” He teases, taking Kyungsoo by his shoulder to pull him up and lead him to the nearest bench. He takes Jjangah from the other’s chest and places her on his lap, while Monggu sits in front the two male, his attention to the other people who were walking around.
As soon as they sat down, Kyungsoo starts sobbing, tears generously spilling from his eyes, wailing rather loudly that Baekhyun was quick to hide his face from onlookers.
“Oh? You’re here?” A familiar voice suddenly shouts, and Kyungsoo can’t help but look up to his approaching boyfriend, soon to be ex-boyfriend, he thinks. He starts another round of wailing, afraid of how Jongin would react when he notice that his middle kid is not with his mom.
Jongin jogs to the two, with Monggu wagging his tail upon hearing his appa’s voice. Jongin, still unaware of the current problem, lowers down to floor to greet Monggu.
“Hello, Monggu.” He sings, patting the poodle’s head, ruffling his curls after. “Soo, why are you crying like a kid? You look funny.” Jongin mutters, still playing with Monggu.
Kyungsoo, not knowing what to do, throws himself at Jongin, hugging him around his neck, almost falling down to the pavement. “JONGIN!!!” Kyungsoo mumbles in between his hiccups, “JJ-Jang-Janggu….” He stutters.
”Oh, what happened? Where is that little kid anyway?” Jongin replies, rubbing Kyungsoo’s back while looking behind his boyfriend to look for the said poodle.
“Baby, I lost Jjanggu!! He r-ran away.. and.. and I lost him.. I lost him, Jongin!!” Kyungsoo wails again, this time squeezing his boyfriend.
“Oh.” It was the only word that came out of Jongin, before he stands up straight, pushing Kyungsoo away.
“Jongin, I’m so sorry!!” Kyungsoo screams harder, rubbing his hands together.
“Don’t be too hard on him, Jong.” Baekhyun mutters. “You know what? I’ll leave you two alone.” He stands up, an obvious smile on his face, though Kyungsoo didn’t notice it as he continues to cry on the ground. “Here.” Baekhyun says, shoving Jjangah on her appa’s arm.
Jjangah yelps suddenly, surprising his appa.
“Do Kyungsoo.” Jongin mumbles, “You left the house with Jjangah not wearing anything! Now she’s cold!” He complains.
“I’m so-sorry, Jongin! I swear I didn’t mean to!” He cries again.
“How can you let my little princess leave the house naked? Oh my God, Soo, I thought you knew better! And why is Jjangah all wet??” He exclaims, shaking his hand to his side, smelling it eventually. “And you didn’t put a diaper on her.”
“JJanggu… I lost our Jjanggu!” Kyungsoo kept on wailing. “I’m really sorry, Jongin… Just kill me now! I know you hate me now, I’m really sorry!” Kyungsoo continues, burying his face to his hands.
Jongin can’t help but sigh. “Come on, stop crying and let’s go home.”
“B-but..” Kyungsoo stutters, “Jjanggu..”
“Come on, let’s go!” Jongin mutters, obviously irritated.
“I’m really sorry, Jongin.. You go home first. I’ll.. I’ll look for Jjanggu..” He stands up, walking towards to the somewhere, not really knowing where to start. Jongin grips on his elbow, stopping Kyungsoo from going anywhere.
“Just stop crying, Soo, please.” Jongin mumbles softly. Kyungsoo looks at him through the nonstop tears that are pooling and spilling down his cheeks.
“But you love them so much, Jongin.. I can’t just cry here and let him go like that..” Kyungsoo mutters under his breath. “I promise you won’t see me again after I find Jjanggu. I’m really sorry, Jongin, It’s my fault..”
“Wow, where is that coming from, Soo?” Jongin clicks his tongue against his cheek, finding his boyfriend’s worry overbearing and too much.
“Baekhyun said I shouldn’t head out with the kids, because they become too much too handle. I should’ve followed him. He was right. You’ll break up with me if I went out with them.” Kyungsoo tries to calm himself as he spoke but ended up wailing again.
Monggu suddenly whines, walking slowly to Kyungsoo, sitting by his feet. Kyungsoo looks down to him, sorry and regretful for being irresponsible. He had to find Jjanggu, and staying here with Jongin isn’t helping.
“Let’s go home, Soo.” Jongin murmurs again.
“But Jjangu…”
“I love you more than him, okay? Let’s go. Don’t worry about it.” Jongin says, gripping on Kyungsoo wrist with his free hand, the other carrying Jjangah, Monggu’s leash tightly around his wrist.
“But Jjangu..”
“Let’s go home and we’ll look for him after. Jjangah is stinking with her pee and Monggu is tired already. Let’s go.. and no, I’m not breaking up with you, silly. Of all people, you choose to believe Baekhyun.”
Kyungsoo silent and pliant, head down low walks along the streets back to the apartment, with Jongin holding his hand. He was silently crying, murmuring his apology as he grips on Jjanggu’s collar and leash tightly.
Both of them walk silently, reaching their apartment without a single word between them. Kyungsoo, dull and unfocused just let the younger lead him back their home, eyes cast down to his feet, kicking imaginary stones.
“Sorry, baby.” Jongin suddenly murmurs as he stops in his tracks, turning around to face his boyfriend. Kyungsoo looks up to him, confused as to why the sudden remark. Brows furrowing in uncertainty, Kyungsoo stares back at Jongin, observant and waiting.
Suddenly, Jongin breaks into a sweet smile, leaning down to the elder’s face to plant a kiss on his forehead. “You did well today, Soo.”
“Arf! Arf!”
Kyungsoo’s heart skips a beat as he recognized the voice of the dog barking, quickly looking past Jongin in shock.
“Sorry, baby.” Jongin mutters again.
Kyungsoo can’t help but scream in joy as he runs to the excited Jjanggu, who was sitting by the front door of the apartment, tail wagging in circles. “JJanggu!” He exclaims, tears running down again down his cheeks, relieved and frustrated at the same time. He sweeps the poodle up his arms, hugging his kid tightly.
“Sorry about worrying you, Soo. Jjanggu always runs back home when he feels like it.” Jongin explains.
“As long as he’s home, Jongin, as long as he’s home.” Kyungsoo murmurs.
Jongin runs to the two, and hugging them as much as he can, “JJanggu, you worried your omma.” The poodle whines at this, licking Kyungsoo’s cheek as an apology.
“Ya. You worried me.” Kyungsoo murmurs between his tears.
“Stop crying, Soo.”
“It’s your fault, anyway!” Kyungsoo screams, pushing the younger. “You should’ve told me that Monggu basically acts like a mop, not wanting to walk! Even Jjanggu was trespassing, tinkling on a bigger dog’s territory! And oh my God, I smell like pee!”
“Sorry, baby.”
XX
“I swear to God, fcking Byun Baekhyun, I’m gonna kill you when I see you!” Kyungsoo screams against his phone, as Baekhyun answered his call that night. The elder was laughing as soon as he picked up the call, knowing what Kyungsoo just went through.
“Language, Mr. Do. Your kids might hear it and copy you.” Baekhyun teases.
“Language, my ass. You should’ve told me Jjanggu does that always! You made me look stupid in public! For all I know you were laughing at me as I was balling my eyes out in the park!”
“Maybe?”
“I’ll kill you and your boyfriend, Baekhyun, I swear.”
“Chill, Soo, it’s my fault, anyway.” Jongin interrupts as he exits the bathroom after taking a quick shower.
Kyungsoo hangs up and ends the call, heart raging because of what his friend has done. “I’m so pissed!”
“I know, baby, I know.” Jongin murmurs as he takes his side of the bed, beside Kyungsoo. “Everything’s fine. You should take a rest, okay? We’re going out later.”
The elder’s mind starts to spin again, recalling the happenings earlier, plotting a different approach now that he has experienced walking the three kids. He’ll have to make Jjangah wear a dress to keep her warm, and a diaper to avoid having pee on his shirt, a keen eye on Jjanggu, and water for Monggu.
“Hey,” Jongin nudges him, “you planning ahead?” he chuckles. “Don’t worry; it’ll be us two alone.”
“Are you serious?” Kyungsoo responds.
Jongin nods his head, “I’m taking you out on a date, so yeah, just us.”
Kyungsoo smiles at this, throwing himself to the younger. “But, what about the kids?”
“They can manage on their own, Soo. We’ll just have to leave food and water for them, and be ready to clean up after their litters when we get back.” Jongin explains.
“You mean you can leave them alone in the house?! So why did you hire a babysitter if they can be left alone?!”
“What? Are you complaining now? If I didn’t hire one, you wouldn’t have met me.”
“Point take-
Jongin shuts his boyfriend with a kiss, relieving the other of his stress from the morning.
“Arf! Arf! Arf!” loud barks were heard from outside the bedroom doors.
“OH, shut up kids!”
(4/x)
Pairing: Kaisoo
Rating: G
Word Count: 5,587
Summary: Kids made their mommy cry!
“Arf! Arf! Arf!”
Another day, it is, and the three kids are merrily barking and biting on the ends of their parents’ duvet, pulling altogether to reveal two tangled bodies on the mattress. Jjanggu, being the most hyper among the three, successfully throws himself up the bed to run and stomp over his parents who, by now, are dazedly stirring awake.
Kyungsoo, still on his side facing the younger, was first to open his eyes fully, feeling the middle child’s soft paws all over his sides, sharp claws scratching over the thin cloth of his shirt. He looks up to the sleeping man beside him, pulling away his arm that was draped comfortably over the younger’s tan chest.
Jongin stirs and grumbles, unwelcoming to the sudden interruption of his good night sleep after a long night with Kyungsoo. “Mmh.. Five more minutes..” He whispers, throwing himself groggily over Kyungsoo, nestling his head at the hollow of the older’s neck.
“Arf!” Jjangah starts to yelp, this time, her turn to jump up to the bed to help his oppa. She quickly stomps her cute little paws all over her appa’s torso, Kyungsoo sleepily watching, but still amused.
“Argh!” Jongin suddenly sits up, surprising the two, making them halt completely, tails straight up, a sign that they were alert and watchful. “Jjangah~” He suddenly sings, taking his princess with his hands and lifts her up as he lies back down again. Jjangah’s tail starts wagging in circles, not able to contain her excitement, as she was lifted up in the air, with Jongin’s fingers discreetly rubbing on her curls. Jjanggu also continues on running over Kyungsoo.
Somehow between Jongin’s soft giggles, Kyungsoo realizes that the eldest kid was not playing with them. He sits up gently, and leans down to the bed side, reaching for the brown poodle that was quietly sitting on his hind legs, watching the four. Kyungsoo lifts him up and to the bed, settling the eldest between him and Jongin. Monggu immediately lays himself down to the soft sheets, rolling over, finding a comfortable position as he squeezes himself further up where he can nestle his muzzle on Kyungsoo’s arm.
It was like that almost every morning since Kyungsoo came to live with them. Jongin was quite persistent in sharing his room with Kyungsoo, and the room Baekhyun emptied was used as storage room, also the three kids’ make-shift bedroom.
Kyungsoo have gone full-time on babysitting, when actually it was Jongin asking him to live with him, and not let the older work at all. He’d rather have Kyungsoo stay at home with the kids than settle for another time arrangement if the older gets a job of his own. Jongin promised his boyfriend he won’t leave him starving, and that the money he makes is enough for them.
“Just take care of the kids, Soo. I can provide for our family.” Jongin said one night, making Kyungsoo laugh his heart out because of the cheesy line, realizing that yes, unconventional as it is, they’re a family of five, and though he knows by heart that their three kids are just annoyingly cute poodles, he is now considered a mom.
“Are you mocking me?” Jongin hesitantly asked when Kyungsoo’s laughter died down, in which the older furiously shakes his head trying to hide the smile on his face.
“No way! It just that it’s really shocking how you treat the three. They’re like real actual children, you know, when you talk about them. I’m getting past the stage of considering them as mine, but not to the point like yours where it’s like you actually bore them and gave birth to them.” Kyungsoo explains.
“That’s how much I love them, Soo. You know that. That’s why I want you here and focused on taking care of them. Don’t worry about anything else.” The younger insisted, and Kyungsoo can’t help but give in. Taking care of the three has been something he really grew loving, add to that, there’s no need for him to work since he got himself a well-off boyfriend, the father of his kids.
The unusual set-up of a family that Jongin built became a norm to Kyungsoo, and no matter how much he denies it, he loves the life Jongin opened for him.
Kyungsoo starts to prepare breakfast in the kitchen as Jongin gives the three kids their much needed bath, as the house suddenly smells too musky and salty, compliments of Jjangah who just finished her cycle and left blood stains on the carpet, and Jjanggu with his constant running and jumping, his curls shedding and falling all over the floor, making Kyungsoo sneeze every now and then.
As soon as Kyungsoo was setting up the table for breakfast, Jjanggu was running towards him and then behind him, followed by Jongin whose shirt was wet, towel and hairdryer in his hands. Panting, he points the appliance to the poodle behind Soo, “Get that kid!” he screams, running again to catch the very active Jjanggu.
After the whole ordeal of chasing after Jjangu, the two flops down their couch, full from breakfast and tired from the three’s playfulness.
“I swear these kids are hyper lately.” Kyungsoo murmurs as he stretches himself over the cushion, resting his head on Jongin’s thighs.
“I told you they like you very much.” Jongin chuckles. “I’ve never seen them as active as this. Jjanggu listens to you very well. You even trained Jjangah. It makes sense that they’re happy that you’re here.”
It was quiet for a few moments; the two watching the three kids play in the corner of the living room. Jongin, contemplating on what to do for the day, suddenly thought of a bright idea. “Soo, why don’t we go out today?” He suggests. Kyungsoo quickly sits up, excited with the idea, remembering that Jongin has never had taken him out for a date since he and Jongin became official.
“Yeah, you should take me out sometime. I’m your boyfriend.” Kyungsoo murmurs, teasing.
“Okay, I’ll ready the kids, okay? We’ll take them for a walk.”
Wait, what? Kyungsoo thought. A frown forms on his lips, realizing that he’s not going to have his eye candy of a boyfriend strolling with him hand-in-hand though the cold breeze of the city. It’s still for the kids, after all, like always.
Kyungsoo, hesitant and disappointed for Jongin’s unfair priorities, drags himself to their room to change into a much more comfortable and acceptable walking clothes. He pulls out his sneakers, and a set of new clothes, changing into them as he waits for Jongin.
Suddenly, his phone rings, breaking the silence in the room. Kyungsoo hurriedly answers the call, hearing the sassy voice of his friend from the other line.
“Hi, Soo~” Baekhyun greets. “You busy today? Chanyeol left for work and I’m alone right now. Can we meet up?”
“Jongin and I are actually going out.” Kyungsoo replies.
“I know you’re going out, duh. Who doesn’t want to be boy-
“I mean leaving the house, stupid.” Kyungsoo mutters, realizing that his friend understood his sentence in a different context.
“Ahhhh! You mean heading out? Oh~ Going on a date, that’s new. Where are you guys leaving the kids?” Baekhyun asks. Kyungsoo grunts at this, confirming how it is normal to think that Jongin was actually wanting to have an actual date with him, not taking the kids for a walk, like what just happened.
“Actually, we’re taking the kids for a walk.” He explains. Baekhyun suddenly bursts into laughter, confusing Kyungsoo.
“Oh my God, Jongin’s gonna break up with you.” Baekhyun screams from the other line, loud enough for Kyungsoo to momentarily pull away the phone from his ear.
“What the hell, Baek?” He murmurs, ear ringing from the volume. “What do you mean breaking up? Who’s breaking up with who?”
“I swear Kyungsoo, abort that date. Today will be the last day you get to see Jongin ever again!” Baekhyun screams again, further annoying the younger. “The three kids turn into little devils when they get out the house. You might want to kill them, but don’t tell Jongin because he’s so gonna defend the three. You’re going to break up after, oh my God!”
Kyungsoo found it funny how Baekhyun knows a lot about the kids, living with them for years, but then he somehow thinks that it’s only by experience that he can actually learn of how his now own kids behave. He can’t help but get worried because of Baekhyun’s sudden episode, but then only if he tries will he confirm if the older actually tells the truth.
“Soo, I have something.” Jongin interrupts, making his way inside. Kyungsoo looks at him, all the while listening to Baekhyun in the other line rambling about his onetime experience of walking the kids.
“What is it?” Kyungsoo asks, covering his phone’s receiver.
“I need to go to the University for a quick panel for the recitals. Sorry, just take the kids with you and I’ll meet you by the Han River, okay?” He was jumping as he puts on his skinny jeans over his boxers, moving too fast. In no time he was out the house, the door closing loudly waking Kyungsoo up from his shock.
“Ya Kyungsoo-yaaaaa!” Baekhyun screams again from the other line when he realized that Kyungsoo wasn’t responding to him.
“Baekhyun, Jongin left!” Kyungsoo panics.
“Don’t leave the house, I tell you. Leaving with the three little devils will ruin you.” Baekhyun suggests.
“I’ll just call him and tell him I’ll wait for him. Now you’re scaring me.” Kyungsoo mumbles.
“Tsh. If Jongin woo you to leave with the three, I’ll just meet you somewhere along Han River so you have someone to cry on when your boyfriend breaks up with you. Bye, Soo! Good luck!”
The line was dead after and the call was dropped, and all that ran in Kyungsoo’s mind was how he will get through Jongin’s plans for that day.
Walking three kids in the park will not be too hard, right? Kyungsoo thinks. You can do it, Soo. The kids love you, and they’re going to behave.
That was what he thought until the nightmare began.
He called to Jongin’s phone but he was directed to voicemail, meaning he might have turned it off when he left. Left with no choice, Kyungsoo steps out to the living room, collecting all the leashes and other stuff that Jongin prepared for the three. Monggu, Jjanggu and Jjangah were sitting by the couch, silent and behaved, as if seeing the leashes on the top actually means torture for them.
“Just get on with it.” Kyungsoo mumbles to himself. He flops down to the couch, taking the leashes one by one, guessing which one is for whom. It was a pretty easy task, since the leash corresponds to the poodles’ corresponding color. The dark brown is for Monggu, the lighter is for Jjanggu. There was also a white leash for Jjangah, but it was tied securely around a belt of a bag, a baby carrier to be exact.
Sighing, Kyungsoo starts to fix the carrier to his body, like a backpack, setting it in front of his body. Once he was satisfied, he calls in the two male poodles to come to him. Jjangu, as usual, is very excited, running in circles as his omma tries to fasten the leash’s lock to his collar. When Jjangu was already secured, Kyungsoo turns to Monggu who was lazily slumped down on the carpet, making it easier to fix the leash onto his collar. With one last check around the house, Kyungsoo made way to the foyer to fix his shoes, before carrying Jjangah up and place her into the carrier, and grabbing a leash with both his hands.
“Let’s go kids. Behave, alright?”
The cold wind welcomed the family of four, as they step out the apartment. The weather was perfect for a stroll in the park, and luckily, traffic isn’t that packed in their area. It was a rather quiet neighborhood, and is considered safe for the kids to run and play around.
He takes a deep breath and feels the cold wind enter his lungs, releasing it one go as he takes the first step.
The Han River is about four blocks from their apartment, and Kyungsoo makes his way to their meeting place along with Jongin’s children. With a leash on each hand and a well-behaved Jjangah against his chest, Kyungsoo ventures out the dreadful pits of hell, not that he’s actually aware of it.
The first few minutes were quite enjoyable for Soo, somehow relieved and believing that his friend was just making fun of him and was making him worry for nothing. Silently cursing the unaware friend for making him worry, his strides become more energetic. He even skips sometimes, watching closely the two male poodles that are walking side by side on his right.
But then, like Baekhyun has warned him, the three little angels started to become devils one by one.
First block.
“Arf! Arf! Arf!”
Jjangu suddenly barks, tail wagging furiously behind him. He stood still as he stares at the direction by the corner of the street where a line of cars were parked. Kyungsoo, totally surprised, was dragged by Jjanggu to the cars.
“Ya. Jjangu!” Kyungsoo screams, trying to stop the over-excited poodle that was almost jumping and hanging from his leash because of Kyungsoo’s constant pulling.
“Arf!” JJanggu continues to bark, getting louder and louder, attracting the attention of bypassers that totally had Kyungsoo embarrassed.
“Jjanggu! Stop!” Kyungsoo commands, calm than the first time. Jjanggu then starts dragging Kyungsoo again, pulling unto his leash until he was finally followed by his omma.
“Where are we going?” He asks, baffled. Kyungsoo followed the poodle to wherever he was dragging him and finally, Jjanggu stops in front a wheel of the nearest car. “What are you-
Jjanggu, striding with unexplainable swag, sniffs the wheel, and suddenly lifts his hind leg. “Gee.” Kyungsoo can only sigh. It didn’t stop there, though. After a few seconds of relieving himself against the wheel of the blue mini cooper, he then runs to the next car, and starts the process all over again. “You got unlimited pee outside?” Kyungsoo murmurs, worried that the car owners are watching.
“Arf! Arf!” A louder bark was heard from behind, making the two poodles and their mom turn around. There was an even bigger dog, a Labrador, to be exact, standing by the corner of the street. Kyungsoo, shocked by the size of dog, hurriedly takes the two poodles up to his arms, afraid that the dog would bite on them or something. Do Labradors this big eat little dogs? Jjangah, the brave princess barks back.
“Don’t worry about the Lab. He’s just telling your little tinker this ain’t his territory.” One of the ladies who passed by tells Kyungsoo. Realizing the deal, Kyungsoo runs across the street, far away from the Labrador who was silently staring at him and the three kids in his arms.
Attracting enemies and peeing on wheels. Not so nice, Jjanggu.
Second block.
Kyungsoo settles the two back on the pavement when the coast was clear of the Labrador, and continues to walk south, to the Han River. Jjanggu kept on jumping every now and then with a sight of something strange, like a cat sign of a local store, or barking at the kids playing skateboards across the street. Kyungsoo starts to get frustrated and tired of the endless pulling, but continues anyway, just two more blocks and he’ll be safe with Jongin.
It was all okay, then, Kyungsoo thought, except for Jjanggu’s sudden pulling, but all in all, the walk was going smooth… until an even heavier force stops him completely from walking. Looking behind him, Kyungsoo finds the brown eldest poodle, legs stretched on the pavement, unmoving.
“Monggu, let’s go.” He murmurs. Monggu, obedient, stands up and walks again beside Kyungsoo, only to lower his body down again. Kyungsoo nudged his leash up slightly, but Monggu won’t stand up. “Monggu, let’s go!” Kyungsoo murmurs again. The dog, although lazy, stands up again and walks to Kyungsoo side. The stopping and pulling went for about fifteen more minutes, making Kyungsoo frustrated, until he had no choice but to literally drag Monggu, who was pulling his leash with his body, his body firmly lowered to the ground. The brown poodle looked like a mop, and though Kyungsoo found it funny to watch, he swore not to tell Jongin what he did to their eldest. Realizing that Jongin might see the dirt on Monggu’s lower body later, he half-heartedly picks Monggu up, settling him on his arm, enduring the weight of the heaviest kid.
“Kids, can’t you at least just walk properly? Why is everyone so relaxed when they walk their dogs and here I am running like a mom chasing her four-year olds? I’m growing tired!” Kyungsoo mumbles, squeezing his fingers on Monggu’s body, who in return yelps when the man squeezed a little too hard.
“Sorry.” Kyungsoo whispers.
Lazy at home, lazy outside, Monggu.
Third block.
“Just two more blocks, okay? Behave now.” Kyungsoo mutters as he crosses the third street. Monggu, well rested from being carried, was settled back down by Kyungsoo, whose arms are starting to ache from the weight.
The three of them starts to walk and there were no problems so far.
Since he was getting closer to a main highway, the number of people he was meeting during the walk became frequent. The people can’t help but look at the three adorable kids, the two walking diligently on each of Kyungsoo’s side.
The family reached the next crossing, stopping at the edge of the lane since the traffic light is still green and the cars are passing by. The two poodles sit patiently beside their mom, and Jjangah, who was quiet all through the walk, starts to tilt her head left and right, checking out the people beside Kyungsoo who were also waiting to cross the street.
“Oh, they’re adorable!” One lady squeals beside Kyungsoo, obviously taking notice of his three kids. Feeling a little pride in his chest, Kyungsoo smiles back at the lady, “You think so?” he replies.
Suddenly, Jjangah starts yelping, moving uncontrollably against Kyungsoo’s chest. She starts barking and barking, until Kyungsoo realized why. She was barking at the lady.
“Sorry, she’s not used to meeting strangers.” He murmurs apologetically.
“It’s okay. They’re really cute.” The lady smiles, looking back again to her front.
“Omma, look!” Another kid notices the family. The boy was pulling on his mother’s dress, pointing his little fingers on the two poodles who are sitting on the pavement, head swinging left and right as they watch the cars that pass by in front them. Kyungsoo bows his head to greet the mother, and the kid successfully convinced his mom to move a little closer to them.
“Hi, doggie~” The kid sings, extending a hand to Monggu who was on his side. Monggu, being the well-behaved, greets the kid back with a quick lick on the little boy’s hand.
“Oh, he kissed my hand!” The boy exclaims looking up to Kyungsoo. “Hyung, are they yours?”
“Yup!”
“Oh, they’re cute! Can you introduce me to them?” the kid jumps up and down.
“Well, this is Monggu,” Kyungsoo says, pulling on Monggu’s leash, and then lifting his other hand, “this one is Jjanggu.. And this little girl in front me is-
“Arf! Arf! Arf-ar-arf!” Jjangah starts barking again, this time furious, trying to climb up from her carrier.
The little boy takes a step back, gripping on his mom’s dress again tightly.
“Sorry, this is Jjangah.”
“Omma, she’s scary.” The kid frowns.
Just then, the traffic light turns red, signaling the pedestrian to cross the street. Nudging on the two again, Kyungsoo starts to walk, head low, embarrassed of his little girl for being too aggressive. No matter how cute she is, she seems anti-social.
Yup, bitch indeed.
Fourth block.
The river can be almost seen where Kyungsoo stood. Just a few more steps and he and the kids will be by the river where they can patiently wait for Jongin.
His moment of relief was suddenly interrupted by a loud ring from his jeans, hoping that it would be Jongin telling him he’s waiting already somewhere. Looping the Jjanggu’s leash around his hand, he fishes out his phone, but was utterly disappointed to read Baekhyun’s name on the caller ID.
“How’s your little walk, Soo? You still alive?” Baekhyun snorts.
“Yeah, yeah, still alive.” Kyungsoo murmurs, continuing to walk forward.
“I’ll meet you by the main road okay, before you cross the street to the park. Let’s go to Han River together!”
Kyungsoo was about to respond a quick okay when was stopped dead in his tracks, something warm and wet covering the front of his chest. He wanted to cry, really.
“Jjangah just peed on me.” Kyungsoo mumbles, tears forming on his eyes. He hears Baekhyun hysterically laughing on the other line.
“I told you they’re little devils. What’d the two do?” Baekhyun asks.
Kyungsoo recollecting what happened during the walk, told Baekhyun about his series of embarrassing events from Jjanggu’s tinkling spree and Monggu’s lazy ass episode, to Jjangah’s anti-social attitude.
“Told ya. If I were you, I’d leave that three wondering around Seoul on their own, I swear. No matter how cute they are, they’re uncontrollable outside the house.”
“yeah, yeah. Good thing I wasn’t as evil as you, and I’m actually holding up and almost at my finish line.”
Baekhyun mockingly laughs again, “Yeah, onwards to hell! I’ll see you.”
The line went dead after, and Kyungsoo starts walking faster. Checking the corner of the furthest street where Baekhyun would probably meet him. Walking and walking, he’s starting to feel relieved that his walk will be done soon. Somehow, along his walk, a little caramel colored poodle run past him. Surprised of the familiarity, he exclaims, “Oh, look Jjanggu! He looks like you!”
Monggu and Jjangah yelps, and there Kyungsoo realized, it wasn’t some poodle who looked like his Jjanggu. His other hand seemed too light, so his eyes trailed down, finally seeing an empty collar, and back to Jjangu who was running happily.
“Oh my God, Jjanggu!” Kyungsoo screams, running after the dog. He quickly picks up Monggu so he can run faster. He picked up his pace and start to sprint towards Jjanggu who was still aimlessly running forward.
Kyungsoo, a little short legged for the run, stops by the corner when the traffic light turns green, and Jjanggu was already on the other side.
“Kyungsoo-yaaaa~” Baekhyun exclaims, running out from a shop at the end of the street. Kyungsoo, worried and panicking, shoves Monggu to the his friend’s arms, embracing Jjangah as he runs quick to cross the street as soon as the traffic lights turned red.
“Jjanggu! Jjanggu!” He shouts as he entered the park, where he last saw Jjanggu.
Fear envelops his whole body, and the bypassers are already watching him as he continues to call onto the poodle. Soo was already screaming inside, fear and adrenaline pumping through his veins.
He quickly runs to the nearest bench where a young couple was sitting, “Have you seen a little brown poodle running around here??”
The guy nods his head and points further to the park, nearer to the viewing dock of the Han River. What if Jjanggu does something stupid and jumps to the water? Oh my God, Jongin’s going to kill me.
He continues to run further, asking strangers along the way if they saw little Jjanggu. Some of them did, and some of them didn’t.
“Ya Kyungsoo!” Baekhyun screams as he runs to the younger, Monggu bouncing on his arms as he runs.
Kyungsoo eyes around the area, since it was an open park, hoping to a least catch a glimpse of the lost poodle. With hands on his waist, he screams “JJanggu!!!” again, silently wishing the poodle would just come running to him like a miracle.
When Baekhyun reached him, Kyungsoo flops down onto the ground, head thumping and knees weak. “Baek, I lost him.” He murmurs. Baekhyun, knowing of the poodle’s antics, chose to further tease the new mother of the kids he used to take care of. He has seen it all, anyway.
“I told you Jongin’s gonna break up if you take these guys for a walk.” He teases, taking Kyungsoo by his shoulder to pull him up and lead him to the nearest bench. He takes Jjangah from the other’s chest and places her on his lap, while Monggu sits in front the two male, his attention to the other people who were walking around.
As soon as they sat down, Kyungsoo starts sobbing, tears generously spilling from his eyes, wailing rather loudly that Baekhyun was quick to hide his face from onlookers.
“Oh? You’re here?” A familiar voice suddenly shouts, and Kyungsoo can’t help but look up to his approaching boyfriend, soon to be ex-boyfriend, he thinks. He starts another round of wailing, afraid of how Jongin would react when he notice that his middle kid is not with his mom.
Jongin jogs to the two, with Monggu wagging his tail upon hearing his appa’s voice. Jongin, still unaware of the current problem, lowers down to floor to greet Monggu.
“Hello, Monggu.” He sings, patting the poodle’s head, ruffling his curls after. “Soo, why are you crying like a kid? You look funny.” Jongin mutters, still playing with Monggu.
Kyungsoo, not knowing what to do, throws himself at Jongin, hugging him around his neck, almost falling down to the pavement. “JONGIN!!!” Kyungsoo mumbles in between his hiccups, “JJ-Jang-Janggu….” He stutters.
”Oh, what happened? Where is that little kid anyway?” Jongin replies, rubbing Kyungsoo’s back while looking behind his boyfriend to look for the said poodle.
“Baby, I lost Jjanggu!! He r-ran away.. and.. and I lost him.. I lost him, Jongin!!” Kyungsoo wails again, this time squeezing his boyfriend.
“Oh.” It was the only word that came out of Jongin, before he stands up straight, pushing Kyungsoo away.
“Jongin, I’m so sorry!!” Kyungsoo screams harder, rubbing his hands together.
“Don’t be too hard on him, Jong.” Baekhyun mutters. “You know what? I’ll leave you two alone.” He stands up, an obvious smile on his face, though Kyungsoo didn’t notice it as he continues to cry on the ground. “Here.” Baekhyun says, shoving Jjangah on her appa’s arm.
Jjangah yelps suddenly, surprising his appa.
“Do Kyungsoo.” Jongin mumbles, “You left the house with Jjangah not wearing anything! Now she’s cold!” He complains.
“I’m so-sorry, Jongin! I swear I didn’t mean to!” He cries again.
“How can you let my little princess leave the house naked? Oh my God, Soo, I thought you knew better! And why is Jjangah all wet??” He exclaims, shaking his hand to his side, smelling it eventually. “And you didn’t put a diaper on her.”
“JJanggu… I lost our Jjanggu!” Kyungsoo kept on wailing. “I’m really sorry, Jongin… Just kill me now! I know you hate me now, I’m really sorry!” Kyungsoo continues, burying his face to his hands.
Jongin can’t help but sigh. “Come on, stop crying and let’s go home.”
“B-but..” Kyungsoo stutters, “Jjanggu..”
“Come on, let’s go!” Jongin mutters, obviously irritated.
“I’m really sorry, Jongin.. You go home first. I’ll.. I’ll look for Jjanggu..” He stands up, walking towards to the somewhere, not really knowing where to start. Jongin grips on his elbow, stopping Kyungsoo from going anywhere.
“Just stop crying, Soo, please.” Jongin mumbles softly. Kyungsoo looks at him through the nonstop tears that are pooling and spilling down his cheeks.
“But you love them so much, Jongin.. I can’t just cry here and let him go like that..” Kyungsoo mutters under his breath. “I promise you won’t see me again after I find Jjanggu. I’m really sorry, Jongin, It’s my fault..”
“Wow, where is that coming from, Soo?” Jongin clicks his tongue against his cheek, finding his boyfriend’s worry overbearing and too much.
“Baekhyun said I shouldn’t head out with the kids, because they become too much too handle. I should’ve followed him. He was right. You’ll break up with me if I went out with them.” Kyungsoo tries to calm himself as he spoke but ended up wailing again.
Monggu suddenly whines, walking slowly to Kyungsoo, sitting by his feet. Kyungsoo looks down to him, sorry and regretful for being irresponsible. He had to find Jjanggu, and staying here with Jongin isn’t helping.
“Let’s go home, Soo.” Jongin murmurs again.
“But Jjangu…”
“I love you more than him, okay? Let’s go. Don’t worry about it.” Jongin says, gripping on Kyungsoo wrist with his free hand, the other carrying Jjangah, Monggu’s leash tightly around his wrist.
“But Jjangu..”
“Let’s go home and we’ll look for him after. Jjangah is stinking with her pee and Monggu is tired already. Let’s go.. and no, I’m not breaking up with you, silly. Of all people, you choose to believe Baekhyun.”
Kyungsoo silent and pliant, head down low walks along the streets back to the apartment, with Jongin holding his hand. He was silently crying, murmuring his apology as he grips on Jjanggu’s collar and leash tightly.
Both of them walk silently, reaching their apartment without a single word between them. Kyungsoo, dull and unfocused just let the younger lead him back their home, eyes cast down to his feet, kicking imaginary stones.
“Sorry, baby.” Jongin suddenly murmurs as he stops in his tracks, turning around to face his boyfriend. Kyungsoo looks up to him, confused as to why the sudden remark. Brows furrowing in uncertainty, Kyungsoo stares back at Jongin, observant and waiting.
Suddenly, Jongin breaks into a sweet smile, leaning down to the elder’s face to plant a kiss on his forehead. “You did well today, Soo.”
“Arf! Arf!”
Kyungsoo’s heart skips a beat as he recognized the voice of the dog barking, quickly looking past Jongin in shock.
“Sorry, baby.” Jongin mutters again.
Kyungsoo can’t help but scream in joy as he runs to the excited Jjanggu, who was sitting by the front door of the apartment, tail wagging in circles. “JJanggu!” He exclaims, tears running down again down his cheeks, relieved and frustrated at the same time. He sweeps the poodle up his arms, hugging his kid tightly.
“Sorry about worrying you, Soo. Jjanggu always runs back home when he feels like it.” Jongin explains.
“As long as he’s home, Jongin, as long as he’s home.” Kyungsoo murmurs.
Jongin runs to the two, and hugging them as much as he can, “JJanggu, you worried your omma.” The poodle whines at this, licking Kyungsoo’s cheek as an apology.
“Ya. You worried me.” Kyungsoo murmurs between his tears.
“Stop crying, Soo.”
“It’s your fault, anyway!” Kyungsoo screams, pushing the younger. “You should’ve told me that Monggu basically acts like a mop, not wanting to walk! Even Jjanggu was trespassing, tinkling on a bigger dog’s territory! And oh my God, I smell like pee!”
“Sorry, baby.”
XX
“I swear to God, fcking Byun Baekhyun, I’m gonna kill you when I see you!” Kyungsoo screams against his phone, as Baekhyun answered his call that night. The elder was laughing as soon as he picked up the call, knowing what Kyungsoo just went through.
“Language, Mr. Do. Your kids might hear it and copy you.” Baekhyun teases.
“Language, my ass. You should’ve told me Jjanggu does that always! You made me look stupid in public! For all I know you were laughing at me as I was balling my eyes out in the park!”
“Maybe?”
“I’ll kill you and your boyfriend, Baekhyun, I swear.”
“Chill, Soo, it’s my fault, anyway.” Jongin interrupts as he exits the bathroom after taking a quick shower.
Kyungsoo hangs up and ends the call, heart raging because of what his friend has done. “I’m so pissed!”
“I know, baby, I know.” Jongin murmurs as he takes his side of the bed, beside Kyungsoo. “Everything’s fine. You should take a rest, okay? We’re going out later.”
The elder’s mind starts to spin again, recalling the happenings earlier, plotting a different approach now that he has experienced walking the three kids. He’ll have to make Jjangah wear a dress to keep her warm, and a diaper to avoid having pee on his shirt, a keen eye on Jjanggu, and water for Monggu.
“Hey,” Jongin nudges him, “you planning ahead?” he chuckles. “Don’t worry; it’ll be us two alone.”
“Are you serious?” Kyungsoo responds.
Jongin nods his head, “I’m taking you out on a date, so yeah, just us.”
Kyungsoo smiles at this, throwing himself to the younger. “But, what about the kids?”
“They can manage on their own, Soo. We’ll just have to leave food and water for them, and be ready to clean up after their litters when we get back.” Jongin explains.
“You mean you can leave them alone in the house?! So why did you hire a babysitter if they can be left alone?!”
“What? Are you complaining now? If I didn’t hire one, you wouldn’t have met me.”
“Point take-
Jongin shuts his boyfriend with a kiss, relieving the other of his stress from the morning.
“Arf! Arf! Arf!” loud barks were heard from outside the bedroom doors.
“OH, shut up kids!”
(4/x)