Three + Two = Love
Having the triplets was the best thing that had ever happened to Byun Baekhyun - a twenty six year old animal shelter worker.
His old life before the children, when Baekhyun gets time in his busy schedule to stop and think about it, appears really rather dull. Baekhyun did however get a lot more time to himself during that period. He can't say he regrets that he was working such long hours, or that the woman who conceived his babies ended up getting pregnant with triplets rather than just one child (what can he say? His sperm must just be of such quality that just one couldn't bear to make it alone, but three had to win. He's surprised she didn't end up with sextuplets).
He only wishes that he has more time to give his kids the love they deserve.
Baekhyun didn't have a partner at that time - still doesn't - and he didn't want to wait around until he got old just to be able to find one. As well as that, the small (or most troubling) problem with that thought was that even once he found himself a boyfriend, it would be exactly that...a boyfriend. No small bundle of joy with both of their genes would come from that kind of relationship, and Baekhyun was desperate for children. He is one of those people who lives for kids, and he was so desperate for a youngster of his own, his paternal instincts screaming out for what they wanted, that when his very good friend Soohyun - who he now feels he is forever indebted to - offered to be a surrogate mother, he snatched the opportunity up and ran away with it. Well, so to speak, he snatched up the pot and ejaculated into it but needless to say, that was the most satisfying masturbation of his entire life.
They chose to do it that way rather than actually have sex. Baekhyun, as much as he loves his friend, simply does not get turned on by women; they just don't do it for him. He would have felt wrong and as if he were exploiting her. Soohyun thought the same thing. Baekhyun is attractive, but the girl has no feelings for her long-time friend. Their relationship borders a sibling one, and as well as Soohyun feeling wrong about it too, she also would have felt like she was exploiting Baekhyun, just as he felt. Yes, she was offering to have his baby for him - an extremely weighty favour and commitment - but even if she might have enjoyed the sex, Baekhyun would not have. There was just no helping things.
When it happened, when she told him she would be a surrogate mother, Baekhyun cried.
"You're lying. Oh my God Soo, don't crush me like this. You can joke with me about anything, but please, don't joke with me about this." Between sniffles and sobs, Baekhyun had looked heartbroken; as if she'd told him that he would never be allowed a child, even an adopted one.
"Baek, Baekhyun. Listen to me." Soohyun had moved closer and taken his face in her hands, palms warm on his cheeks "I've thought long and hard about this. I'm your best friend, and I'm willing to do this for you. I know the gravity of this commitment. I know how you want a child - children, so please believe me. I know how you feel about this. I would never, ever lie to you about this Baekhyun. Not about this." And Baekhyun had cried harder, clinging to Soohyun like he was a little boy, seeking comfort from his mother.
All of a sudden, the plan became real. Soohyun came and went from the hospital, and teasing Baekhyun was pretty fun too.
"Just think about it Baek, I have your sperm inside me. Wriggling around, running the race of life. Who will win?" Baekhyun had pulled some of the most horrific and hilariously disgusted faces that Soohyun could not help but cackle.
Baekhyun had to continue working. In fact, he took extra shifts so he would be able to save up for the baby's arrival. Luckily, he worked so much that even before knowing he would be fathering triplets, he was able to afford to. He didn't mind too much. Baekhyun loves his job. Before the opportunity for children came along, and before he was old enough to be a responsible parent, Baekhyun made do with treating each and every animal at the shelter like his babies. Because of this, as well as something about his nature which makes all the animals seem to love him, his co-workers ended up calling him the Animal-Whisperer.
Even though Baekhyun spent a lot of time with the animals, he made sure that for two solid days a week - as well as all the mornings and evenings he was not at the shelter - he was with Soohyun. Baekhyun wanted to ensure that his child would know his voice, and he wanted to make sure that Soohyun was taking care of herself as she went through the pregnancy. He was her makeshift partner - her only partner - and he would damn well let her know that she wasn't alone - he was there for her, and he already felt as if he owed her his life. Luckily, Baekhyun wasn't pushy and annoying, and didn't take control of Soohyun's life and diet, which was a relief for her. It also let Soohyun know that he trusted her, and the whole situation helped strengthen their friendship.
The day the two finally found out that Soohyun was pregnant with not just one child, but three, Baekhyun once again burst into tears. The doctor had rubbed a soothing hand up and down his back, and Soohyun laughed and gave him the biggest hug she could muster over her now slightly protruding belly, her own eyes glistening just a little.
“Thank you thank you thank you.” Baekhyun repeated into the hug, then he broke away to clasp his fingers together and looked to the heavens.
“Thank you!” then grabbed the doctor’s hands between his own.
“Thank you!” and when a poor nurse pushed the door open to enter the room, Baekhyun rushed to her.
“I’M HAVING TRIPLETS PRAISE THE LORD ABOVE THANK YOU EVERYBODY !” Nobody else in the room could help but laugh at the nurse’s shocked, but amused and heart warmed expression. The rest of the day was spent with Baekhyun sitting by Soohyun’s stomach while she watched television, cooing and murmuring endearments at her belly, among other bits of nonsense. Baekhyun was in love, and he hadn’t even met them yet.
There had been the worry for both Baekhyun and Soohyun over the matter of her becoming attached to the triplets and not wanting to give them away. This was the biggest concern the two had with the whole thing, but Soohyun had been preparing herself for the day the babies were born. She cared for the children growing inside of her, and of course she would love them, no matter how much she knew they were not going to be hers, but it needed to be done. She had mentally detached herself from day one, convincing herself they were not her children, and they didn’t belong to her really, even though genetically, she was their mother. Either way, by talking to herself this way ever since it started, her brain had managed to convince itself that it really did not matter. Soohyun had never wanted children of her own anyway, this fact making it even easier to let go.
It was kind on everyone involved when finally, as the triplets were born, they all saw that each and every one of them resembled Baekhyun. Once again, Baekhyun cried. Big, fat, ugly sobs. When he held them in his arms for the first time, Baekhyun swore that he was the happiest man alive. What higher joy could one get that holding their very own child - children? He looked down upon them, sparkles in his eyes, and vowed to himself that they would also be the happiest children, and he would be the best father.
♫ ~ ♪ ~ ♫
Looking after one child is hard enough, but when you have three, the workload is more than just time consuming. Baekhyun enjoys raising the kids, and the jobs are only piling up higher now that the triplets are growing from babies into mischievous toddlers. Baekhyun gets two days off work a week, but those two days are almost completely spent doing more work. When Baekhyun is not cleaning up after Mi-hi, Myunghee and Hyuk, he is washing and ironing clothes, taking them to kindergarten, cooking meals and most recently, teaching the kids at the kindergarten how to play the piano. Baekhyun honestly doesn’t remember how he ended up being roped into the last job, but he is paid for it - he needs all the money he can get, and it’s during the time his kids are there too, meaning that he doesn’t have to get Soohyun to babysit for him - again, as she does while he works at the shelter while they are not at the school. He enjoys teaching the piano anyway. It reminds him of his high school and university days when he would partake in competitions and concerts. Baekhyun was the best in his school, and he didn’t hear the end of it for a long time after he began work at the shelter and decided to stick playing the piano on the back burner and keep it to being a hobby.
“Okay, now back to middle C. Good. Well done Jinseok ah. That’s great for today. Now you have a new song to go and show your Umma.” Baekhyun gives the six year old a warm smile and the kid grins back.
“Thank you teacher Baek!” then he runs off to play with the other children before home time. Baekhyun’s own children are scattered around the room, and he manages to spot Hyuk at the back playing with two other kids who look exceedingly alike. They are the twins, Bonghwa and Sowook, of whom Baekhyun is very fond. He teaches them both the piano and Sowook is his best student, he has fantastic musicality and it amazes Baekhyun every time. He is charmed by their adorable big ears and the way that they’re totally in sync nearly all of the time - something his own triplets are most certainly not, despite how they get on well with each other. Baekhyun has noticed how his children have been befriending the twins and honestly, he’s secretly pleased. As well as Sowook being something of a musical genius, Bonghwa shows advanced signs of intelligence from what the kindergarten teachers have been saying, despite his apparent clumsiness, and Baekhyun hopes this will rub off on Mi-hi, Myunghee and Hyuk.
“Hello Bonghwa, Sowook!”
“Teacher Teacher Teacher” The two three year olds shout in unison, making Baekhyun chuckle. He pats Hyuk’s head and says
“Hyukkie, it’s home time now. Say bye bye nicely.” His own two year old takes the twins’ hands and swings them both back and forth.
“Bye bye bye! Tomorrow, okay?” Baekhyun inwardly dies at the cuteness as the other two children nod and also say goodbye.
Once Baekhyun has managed to grab his other two kids and strap them all into the car, they set off for home. Until Baekhyun remembers that he needs to buy more milk and some spaghetti for their tea that night.
“Alright boys and girl, I’m just going to buy some ingredients, so can you stay in the car and be good? Appa will only be gone for five minutes okay?” This, unfortunately, is met with a chorus of complaints.
“Appa!”
“No! Come with you!”
“Appa I want to go!” Baekhyun mentally prepares himself, then nods his head.
“Alright, BUT! You have to be good, yes? Hold Appa’s and each other’s hands, and don’t get lost.” The triplets agree and they all get out of the car. Once inside the shop, Baekhyun heads straight for the things he needs, first the spaghetti:
“Appa, sea shells!”
“Beach! Let’s go to the beach, and see the crabs!” Mi-Hi begins singing her own tune while Hyuk and Myunghee dance around. The sight is so cute that Baekhyun pulls out his phone to video.
“Say hi to Auntie Soohyun!” The three run up to the camera and all pull kissy faces. An elderly woman taps Baekhyun on the shoulder to tell him how lovely his children are and his chest bursts with pride. They move on to go and get the milk.
This is where the chaos begins. While Baekhyun bends down to find the right type, Myunghee decides that it is far too cold in this section of the shop, and so he won’t spend another minute there.
“No no. Brrrrr. Hyukka, Mi-Hi, Appa, too cold.” Then he runs off around the isle. Baekhyun hears this and raises his head just as Hyuk’s back disappears round the corner too. Oh Lord.
“Mi-Hi, will you bring them back? Be a lovely sister hm?”
“Yes Appa!” When Baekhyun has sighed, found the right milk and stood up, he comes face to face with Kyungsoo, his colleague and friend from the shelter.
“Oh, hi Kyung.”
“Hey Baek. Nursery run? I’ve just seen the kids round the corner by the sweets section.” At this Baekhyun groans, a tired, but nonetheless amused smile pulling up the corners of his lips.
“Wow, how would I ever have guessed?” The sarcasm drips from his tongue, making Kyungsoo laugh.
“Don’t worry, they are playing nice. Be glad they haven’t grabbed a basket yet.” Kyungsoo mulls over his next words as Baekhyun nods along.
“Baek, have you considered going to a single Dad’s club?” Baekhyun opens his mouth to speak but Kyungsoo puts his hand on the other’s shoulder.
“No listen. I was thinking this when you left the other day. It’s just, you seem so busy all the time; when it’s not income work at the shelter, it’s washing and ironing work, picking up the kids and cooking work, piano teaching work - and yes, I know you enjoy doing that but it still takes up time and it still requires attention. I feel like…well, I feel tired for you these days.”
“Kyungsoo, I chose this life - this busy dad’s life. I love it. I know I don’t get much time to myself or just with the kids but I really do love it.”
“I know Baek. But those bags around your eyes look heavier than your shopping. I’m not forcing you; I just think it would be nice.” Baekhyun is silent for a moment before he answers.
“Thanks Kyung. Maybe. I might.” He heaves a sigh “Anyway I best go round up those children. I’ll see you around.” And with a pat on the back, Baekhyun is gone. Kyungsoo looks back for a moment in concern, then shakes it off with a small smile, continuing his own shopping after hearing,
“No Hyuk, you can’t eat that much chocolate, you guys are excitable enough!” and:
“Myunghee STOP, you have to buy it first!”
The next time Baekhyun sees Soohyun, he’s feeling more tired than ever, only having had four hours sleep the night before. She almost mirrors Kyungsoo’s words after a lull in the conversation. Mi-Hi and Hyuk are playing doctors while Myunghee sits on Baekhyun’s knee. He had always been a bit of a softie.
“Baek, why don’t you join that single Daddies club in the next village? It will give you time to chill out a bit.” Baekhyun narrows his eyes playfully at Soohyun, stroking his fingers through the two year old’s soft baby hair.
“Have you been conferring with Kyungsoo? He asked me the exact same thing two days ago. Honestly, I thought he was making the whole thing up. Since when has there been this kind of thing? And only in the next village?”
“Yeah well it only started up recently, the past two or three months I think. Someone else that I work with goes. And no, honestly I haven’t actually seen Kyungsoo for so long! How is he? Does he still- hang on; no I’m getting off the subject. Really though Baek, you should consider it. See,” She turns to Myunghee “Hey honey, would you like it if Appa played with you more? You can meet more friends. Hyuk and Mi-Hi can come with you too.” Baekhyun shakes his head, running his tongue over his top teeth before he mouths “Low blow my friend. Low. Blow.” And Myunghee replies
“Yeah! Appa! When can we go? When? When?” He starts bouncing and Baekhyun nearly spills the coffee he has just picked up from the table.
“Woah Myung-! Be careful kiddo.” Baekhyun glances up at Soohyun, defeated. “Alright then, when is this thing?”
♫ ~ ♪ ~ ♫
And that’s how Baekhyun finds himself walking into the village hall about four miles over from his house, one triplet tucked under his arm, the other two a chain connecting to his free hand.
The sounds of bustle and murmuring voices from blurred conversation soon greets Baekhyun as he stands looking awkward in the doorway, his children pulling at his arm having spotted the play area where most of the other kids are. He takes them over and lets them go with a small instruction to play nice, spotting Bonghwa and Sowook as he stands. Baekhyun’s apprehension eases a little - at least his babies will have someone else they know - then suddenly the thought occurs to him, the twins’ dad will be here.
Weirdly enough, Baekhyun has never come into contact with either of the twins’ parents. Truth be told, he turns rather excited at the prospect of meeting their father here, and begins to scan the room to see if he can recognize him. All of a sudden, someone taps Baekhyun on the shoulder and he spins around to see a very handsome man, almost a head taller than himself. The ears are the third thing Baekhyun notices after looks and height and somehow, he thinks this might just be the man he was after.
“Hi, Byun Baekhyun right? You’re the piano teacher at the kindergarten?” Baekhyun finds himself internally raising an eyebrow at the deep voice, a suggestive ‘Oh. Okay then.’ echoing through his mind.
“Hi, yeah I am. Are you by any chance Bonghwa and Sowook’s father?” A small smile appears on Mr Park’s face.
“That’s me. So, we finally meet Baekhyun - oh, if I can call you that.”
“Oh yeah yeah, Baekhyun’s fine, uh…Mr Park.”
“Oh no need for that. Chanyeol.” Chanyeol sticks his hand out for Baekhyun to shake. It’s big and rough and warm and very manly. Baekhyun doesn’t know what’s coming over him. He thought only women had hot flushes.
“Lovely to meet you Chanyeol. I have to say, I did wonder if I’d ever meet either of the twin’s parents. They’re lovely kids, very gifted! I’m hoping actually that it will rub off on my children haha, they seem to have befriended each other recently.” Chanyeol gives a polite chuckle when Baekhyun laughs, but seems to hesitate before he replies.
“Well, uh, it’s just me actually. I mean, I wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t single.” Baekhyun looks slightly blank.
“Pardon?”
“I mean, uh, the twins’ mother…she died just after they were born.” Baekhyun’s mind freezes. Oh my god, oh shit. And what am I, stupid? This is a single dad’s club. Duuuuh!
“Oh, God, I’m so sorry, I-“
“No no no. No, it’s okay. I’m-I…well it doesn’t matter.” The two are silent for a while, Baekhyun slightly mortified that he caused this atmosphere.
“They are very bright. My kids I mean.” Baekhyun, glad of the change of subject, hastily latches on to the safety net of the new conversation.
“Yeah, it surprised me the first time Sowook sat down at the piano and played what I showed him almost straight away!” After that the two sit and talk for a while, chatting while enjoying the tea and biscuits offered, and all the way through the activities set up to help father and sons bond together. It is also proven to Baekhyun that Chanyeol most certainly is where his kids get their clumsiness from, tripping over trying to avoid stepping on someone else’s’ child and accidentally knocking Bonghwa’s juice over and Baekhyun consoling the child while Chanyeol goes to bring him some more.
By the end of the first club meeting, Baekhyun and Chanyeol have become something of friends, or at least Baekhyun thinks they’re definitely getting there. He really likes Chanyeol, and it certainly helps that he is so easy on the eyes. Baekhyun really hopes this weird immediate attraction isn’t serious; otherwise there could be some problems, but it really feels as if they’ve know each other for a long time. As soon as they’ve bid each other goodbye and gone their separate ways, Baekhyun is already looking forward to next week.
“So, how was it? Judging by that smile, totally not as bad as you thought right?” A sly grin slinks onto Jongin’s face (Jeez, nothing gets past any of the workers here) as he and Baekhyun attempt to wash the huge fluffy Chow Chow whose owner, unfortunately, named the male dog Trixabell without realising he was a male. How tragic. It did give them something to laugh about though.
“It…was better than I thought it would be.” Baekhyun smiles to himself again and Jongin catches on.
“Aaaaand?”
“And what?” Baekhyun tries to play innocent. It doesn’t work.
“Come on, the look on your face is for something else.”
“I finally got to meet the twins’ dad. My kids have befriended these twins and they’re really super kids who are mega smart. And yeah, I finally met their dad.” Jongin smirks again but says nothing and Baekhyun splashes water over him while he rubs shampoo into Trixabell’s coat.
“Oh shut up. I hate to say it but you’re right. He’s pretty darn cute. And oh, his voice.”
“Okay now Baek, no fantasising at work, there’s a big smelly dog in front of you.”
“Yeah, thanks. Wow, but really Jongin. I-I think I have a crush. Damn, for the first time since high school or something. I need to find out if this guy’s gay. Oh, what if I’ve already lost before I’ve started?” Jongin simply laughs at how flustered Baekhyun seems to be getting.
“You’d better give me full reports on how this thing goes. I’m intrigued. And I’ll be needing a picture of this guy. I have to make sure he’s not some creepy old man.” Baekhyun laughs.
“Sure. Okay but I don’t wanna look like some stalker-ish paparazzi.” Then looks at his watch. “Jeez it’s five already? Well, I have your number; I have to go pick up the kids from Soohyun’s. See ya!”
“Bye! I’ll be expecting a text Byun Baekhyun!”
Once the time comes around again for the single daddies club, Baekhyun belts the kids up in the car and is whistling as he goes round to get in the drivers seat. He is excited once again to be able to have some time to himself with his babies and admittedly, he really wants to see Chanyeol again too. Baekhyun doesn’t even know if the guy will want anything to do with him in that way, but the excitement and hope he feels inside won’t die down and so with that, they’re off.
“Appa! Mi-Hi was a policeman!”
“No! I am a GIRL!”
“Hyuk and me saw the car outside too!”
“The nee-naw nee-naw one.”
“Nee-naw!”
“NEE-NAW NEE-NAW.”
“NEE-NAW NEE-NAW.”
“FIRE, CATCH THE ENGINE SO THE HOUSE IS SAFE!”
“THE KITTY IS IN THE TREE. KITTY!”
“KITTY THE FIRE IS SOON OUT. YOU WILL BE RESCUED KITTY!” Baekhyun smiles to himself. His kids are so cute; sometimes he really wants to squeal.
“Appa, I want to play with Sowook!”
“BONGHWA!”
“Appa. Appa! Hey Appa! Where are we going Appa?”
“Hyuk we’re going to play with Sowook now. Mi-Hi you can see Bonghwa too okay? Just wait a bit longer.”
“YAAY”
“Bonghwa can be the fireman!”
“No, I’m the fireman!”
“Ah look children, we’re here now. Be good, don’t run off when I get you out of the car okay?”
The four of them walk inside the hall once again and this time as they traipse over to where the other kids are playing, Baekhyun sees Chanyeol crouched down next to his twins. One of them is gripping onto his knee with a scrunched up and tear stained face, the other pulling on Chanyeol’s sleeve.
“I know baby. They’ll be here soon.”
“Appa I want to play with Mi-Hi.”
“I know Bonghwa. She’s coming really really soon okay?
“A-appa *hic* where is Hyuk and Myunghee and Mi-Hi? Will they play with us today?”
“Aw Sowook, come here baby.” Hearing him approach, Chanyeol looks up at Baekhyun from where he is hugging Sowook, face buried in his Dad’s jumper. Bonghwa spots the triplets first as they tear their hands out of Baekhyun’s own.
“Mi-Hi! Let’s build a castle!” At this, Sowook wrestles his way out of the embrace but hesitates, too shy to run over to the other two boys after crying, still clutching a death grip on Chanyeol. The tears have stopped, but his face is splotchy and red.
“Sowook, boys can’t cry. That’s for girls. Let’s save the house from a fire.”
“We saw a nee-naw! NEE-NAW!” Hyuk buts in and runs off into the throng of other kids, Myunghee following behind along with Sowook after a small push and a whisper of encouragement from his dad. Chanyeol smiles happily and pushes himself to stand while Baekhyun admires just how handsome his side profile looks, and that adoring expression on his face makes Baekhyun’s heart flutter.
“So, those are your kids. They’re adorable. I think that Bonghwa has a cute little crush on your Mi-Hi.” ‘And I have a cute little crush on you’
“Ah yeah, Mi-Hi couldn’t wait to see him on the way here.” Both men chuckle.
“So, shall we go get some coffee?”
“After you.”
As time passes, the two men become closer and closer. At the next meeting they exchange phone numbers and agree to visit each other’s houses. Baekhyun couldn’t be more pleased. Secretly, every new time he has the chance to see Chanyeol, he will try to comb his hair a little straighter, brush his teeth before he sets off, wear clothing which he knows show off his assets. He has also been working out. Not completely for Chanyeol, but the image of the taller man certainly works as motivation while he’s on the treadmill. When Baekhyun catches himself in the act of doing these things, he realises that he should probably be even just a little ashamed of himself. This man is a father of two, and because Baekhyun still hasn’t had the confidence to bring up the topic of Chanyeol’s previous wife - he believes that it is a sensitive topic for the other - he doesn’t know if Chanyeol is over her, or indeed if he wants to be over her. There is no proof this man will even be inclined to like Baekhyun anyway, being a man himself. Despite this however, Baekhyun does not want to give up until he knows for certain. His growing affection for the twin’s father is a rising problem, and not just emotionally. Baekhyun has found himself growing in other places, remembering the way Chanyeol’s forearms flexed lifting up Bonghwa that time Hyuk had accidentally thrown a lego brick at his face.
“Appa I wanted to hit the box. I’m sorry. Sorry.” And then Hyuk had broken down in tears too. There was also the time Chanyeol had been laying on the floor, the kids jumping all over him, as if he were a gigantic climbing frame. They had been pulling their tops up and showing their tummies to each other all morning, a very silly game, but one which the five children seemed to find endless mirth in. One of them had gone for the hem of Chanyeol’s shirt.
“You too!” And underneath, a very toned stomach was revealed. Even then, as Baekhyun stood back and laughed along, the faint traces of a six pack forming, and that skin, even just a small section, had him flushing - he pretended it was the laughter.
Now, remembering these incidents as he reaches the kitchen after putting the triplets to bed - a very eventful task,
“Appa, say goodnight to me.”
“A STORY!” Appa story story.”
“Goodnight goodnight danshing in da muunlight, danshing, muuun light.”
“ STORY Appa, a STORY!”
- Baekhyun begins to heat up, his body coming alive as his mind runs away with him, beginning with the memories and embellishing, recreating, until…
The kids have been put to bed, and Baekhyun comes out of the kitchen with two hot chocolates full with cream and marshmallows.
“They look good.” Chanyeol speaks from the sofa. ‘And so do you’ Baekhyun thinks to himself. He gives Chanyeol’s mug to him then sits, taking a sip of his own and getting cream around his lips.
“Uh uh, I saved a place for you.” Baekhyun turns to see Chanyeol patting his lap and he blushes, rising once again to place himself over the other, legs bent on either side of Chanyeol’s hips, still clutching the drink to his chest.
“Look at this mess.” Then Chanyeol’s voice lowers, turning husky “Good job I’m here to clean you up.” He leans in, very carefully licking the cream from Baekhyun’s top lip, barely touching the skin, then he continues to lick, then sucks it into his mouth. Baekhyun can feel himself growing and mewls, joining their lips in a proper kiss. It is slow and sensual, tongues exploring, and Baekhyun begins to rock his hips subconsciously.
Chanyeol groans and meets him half way, and it’s not long before both of them are panting. Chanyeol pulls away to take a sip of his drink, sucking in a marshmallow as he does.
“Say ‘ah’ Baekhyunnie.” And Baekhyun manages to moan it out before Chanyeol is connecting their lips once again. He holds out his tongue, and Baekhyun takes the sweet from him, sucking on his tongue before swallowing. Baekhyun’s mug, somehow safely behind him on the table now, is forgotten as he brings both palms to lie flat on Chanyeol’s chest, of whom is busy kissing at his neck, licking, making hickies. Baekhyun’s hands slowly travel down a smooth chest, eventually reaching the hem of his t-shirt, which he sneaks his fingers under, touching a firm stomach. Baekhyun then glides them back up, bringing the shirt up with him and dethatching from Chanyeol long enough to pull it off. He almost rips his own out of the way before pressing their bare chests together. The feeling of skin on skin is almost too much for Chanyeol, who grabs onto Baekhyun’s curvy hips before running his hands lower to the band of his jeans.
“These will have to come off.”
In the next moment, they’re back on the sofa, both only in boxers and noticeable arousals rubbing against each other. Chanyeol is on his back, Baekhyun on top of him, repeatedly dipping down to brush, or kiss, or just touch something, because the feeling is unbearable. The underwear comes off after that, Baekhyun now underneath as Chanyeol slides into him.
“Baekhyunnie” It sounds so hot coming from Chanyeol’s mouth like that and Baekhyun keens, running his hands across the other’s back as the pleasure mounts, both of them lost to it.
“Baekhyun, I love you.”
♫ ~ ♪ ~ ♫
If only. Baekhyun gives himself a last tug, then comes over his stomach, his fingers stay in his ass, stroking until he calms down a little. He pulls them out and lays on his bed (where he has somehow along the way, ended up) for a moment, letting his breathing return to normal. Holy shit. Something needs to be done about this. Baekhyun thinks it’s time he started to think of ways to break his feelings to Chanyeol - or at the very least investigate where he stands in terms of how much of a chance he has. This has got to be unhealthy. He turns over, wishing he has a body to hold close, and falls asleep.
The first time Baekhyun and the triplets visit Chanyeol’s house, Baekhyun is way more jittery than is necessary.
“Come on, I said we’d be there soon. N-NO MYU-“ Baekhyun feels like an Olympic runner as he races to stop Myunghee from squatting in the puddle he has just found and dirtying his lovely clean clothes. Upon turning around after picking up said child, Baekhyun has to dash back to prevent another messy accident happening, possibly involving bloody knees and lots of tears. Oh heavens! Why couldn’t they just get in the car and be little angels, today of all days?
Almost there, Baekhyun can only be glad that Chanyeol himself is a father; otherwise he doesn’t think the man would ever be sympathetic, and - hang on, is he really in the right place? Glancing in his mirror to check the road sign, Baekhyun internally sobs. Oh hell, what more could possibly go wrong today? And just as he thinks that thought, pulling over to check the directions on his phone, Mi-Hi begins to cry. Note to self - do not speak too soon.
“Honey, what’s wrong?”
“A bug. I don’t like it! Get it ouTTT AAHA THERE APPA!” This causes the other two kids to start screaming, and by the time Baekhyun has deduced that it is not a man eating spider who especially likes the taste of children and simply just a small fly; opened the windows and used up all his energy shooing it out, and then made a huge show of checking everywhere to reassure the triplets that the fly had in fact buzzed its way out of the car and wasn’t hiding in a nook or cranny, another fifteen minutes has passed. Once the family finally reach Chanyeol’s apartment, they are decidedly late, and Baekhyun feels like he’s completed an achievement comparable to climbing Everest.
“So to you it probably sounds laughable, but honestly, what a nightmare. No jokes yet, please, it’s too soon.” Chanyeol is laughing at Baekhyun’s theatrical recount of ‘the journey from hell’ as he so nicely put it. They are on their second cups of tea, the children playing in the toy room, and Baekhyun is feeling a hundred times more relaxed than when they had first arrived. Chanyeol is looking superb, and Baekhyun admires him over the rim of his mug while the former chatters on about the time he took the twins swimming and they had managed to clamber on top of a middle aged lady and told her to ‘giddy-up’. He is wearing a cream sweater which looks ever so cosy, and compliments his skin tone (bloody hell, he’s beginning to sound like Soohyun), his jeans are black and show off his extremely long legs, which are mostly hidden under the table. Unfortunately, Baekhyun doesn’t think any type of pants could ever give Chanyeol a decent sized bum, (he’d had a good look as Chanyeol led him through to the kitchen) but that isn’t too much of a problem - the guy certainly makes up for it in other areas. Like his-
“Earth to Baekhyun…” there is a quirk at the corner of Chanyeol’s lips and Baekhyun’s face turns crimson.
“Hm? Yes. I’m here. I mean obviously I’m here, but I mean, ugh never mind. Sorry, what were you saying?”
“It doesn’t matter. Oh hey, I was actually going to ask for your expertise since I remember you mentioned about working at a shelter.” Inside, Baekhyun warms at the pathetic idea that Chanyeol has retained this piece of information about him.
“Yes?”
“Well I was thinking of getting a pet, perhaps a puppy, I think the kids would like that more.”
“Ah great! Of course I’ll help.” Without thinking Baekhyun finds himself leaning over to clap Chanyeol’s shoulder. Weirdly though, he finds that he can’t seem to pull it back. Chanyeol’s sweater is as warm as it looks. Baekhyun gets a big beam in return for his offered help.
“Thank you so much. We’ll probably be able to get the perfect pet with your help Baekhyun, thank you. I mean, it won’t be too…” Baekhyun admittedly doesn’t hear the ramblings of Chanyeol’s ‘perfect dog’, too focused on the way the man had said his name, it had never sounded so appealing. His hand has slipped down to rest just above Chanyeol’s hand - the two are sitting close enough that it doesn’t look awkward.
“So, Thursday?” Oh damn, what did he say? Answer him!
“Uuh, yeah. Thursday. Sounds great!”
“Great! I’ll meet you at the shelter and we can have a look at pets then. You know, I’m really glad we met Baek. We really fit well. I feel like I’ve known you forever.” Baekhyun dies a little on the inside, especially when Chanyeol grabs the hand close to him in both of his enthusiastically.
“Me too. I mean, you’re just so ho-…honourable. Yeah, looking after your kids the way you do. They’re such lovely children, so well behaved too.” Holy crap crap crap crap! I totally nearly let ‘hot’ slip then. Shit! Has he noticed? Chanyeol internally laughs at Baekhyun’s save. Honourable? Who calls someone honourable? He definitely nearly said hot. Now all he needs to do is find a time to tell Baekhyun that he quite likes him too - if what he said just now wasn’t obvious enough. But maybe he should tease him a little first…yeah. That could be fun. Starting on Thursday.
♫ ~ ♪ ~ ♫
On Thursday, an hour before Chanyeol is due to arrive, Baekhyun is in despair. Knowing it’s his own fault for daydreaming about Chanyeol and not listening to him, he knows that he should just take this awful punishment but-
“Oh come on Baekhyun, you’re really being overdramatic about this. If the guy really likes you, then he won’t care if your hair is stuck up all over the place and you’re covered in dirt and you smell like wet dog and-“
“OKAY Jongin. That’s enough. Thank you. No need to rub it in.”
“It’s okay Baek, the dog will rub it in, or on you, not me.” Baekhyun rolls his eyes at his friend, who is being a total shit right now and not making things any easier for him.
“Right. Lets just get this thing washed, then maybe we can finish before my crush arrives.”
“Oh my god, you’re so far in you’re not even blushing and trying to hide it. Alright! For Baekhyun’s crush!”
The dog they have to wash is, once again, Trixabell. Five minutes in and already Baekhyun and Jongin are filthy. Before they even managed to get the dog into the bath, he had shaken all over them, then run off and led them on a wild goose chase (or dog chase in this instance) around the shelter, much to the amusement of the rest of the staff. Kyungsoo looked a little less amused when Trixabell ran straight into him and knocked him down, dirtying his clothes too just as he was about to leave for the day.
Thirty minutes later, Jongin and Baekhyun have finally caught the dog and are giving him a good spray. He yelps and spins around to try and bite the water as it rains down, causing the two men to chuckle as they reach into his fur to clean all the muck off. They are just rinsing the conditioner out of Trixabell’s coat when Baekhyun speaks his worries.
“What if he’s repulsed by me like this?” Jongin scoffs.
“Did you not hear what I said before? Love is blind and um, has no smell. Because you stink.” Baekhyun gives him a hard look before continuing to whine.
“But he’s not in love with me Jongin! I need to make a good impression. I still haven’t dared to ask him about his ex-wife. What if he’s still in love with her? He’s probably not gay. Oh God.”
“Hey, hey, come on now. Let’s finish washing Trixabell okay? Then maybe you’ll have time to shower - Ooh, it’ll be like in a drama, you’ll come out with sexy wet hair and-“
“Who’s sexy?” Chanyeol walks in to a very flushed Baekhyun and a very amused Jongin.
“Baekhyun. Don’t you think? The wet dog look is the new fashion trend didn’t you know? I can see you haven’t caught on yet.” Chanyeol laughs, deciding he likes this guy already as Jongin goes around the washing station to greet the man.
“Hi, I’m Baek’s friend and work partner Jongin. You must be Chanyeol - tall and handsome, I’ve heard good things. I won’t shake your hand - for your own benefit.” Baekhyun continues washing the conditioner out of Trixabell’s fur in utter embarrassment, trying not to catch Chanyeol’s eye. Baekhyun also decides that this will be Jongin’s last day on earth.
“Nice to meet you Jongin. Can I borrow Baek for a bit? I’m looking for a puppy for my children, and for myself.” Jongin notices Chanyeol look right at Baekhyun as he says this, and his eyebrows shoot up. Ah, this is interesting. Time for some match making.
“No problem. Come on Baek, I can finish this. Go go, don’t keep this dashing gentleman waiting.”
“Jongin!” Baekhyun pulls a pained expression at Chanyeol. “Sorry Chanyeol, I’ll just go wash up a little bit.” When he’s out of the room, Jongin leans closer to Chanyeol to whisper.
“Don’t worry bro, I’ll wingman - you seem cool, and I barely know you, but if you like Baekhyun, he likes you too man. Go for it.” Chanyeol has to admit, the wink Jongin gives him is kinda creepy, but he decides that he’s gonna have to keep this kid. He hopes that Baekhyun will stop being so shy soon; otherwise he may end up doing something rash.
The hall where the dog kennels are kept is long and unlike Chanyeol had expected. Often looking like prisons with gray concrete walls and numerous cells, this shelter has been painted a bright sunny yellow, no barred cages in sight. Baekhyun explains as they walk.
“All the dogs we keep here are tame and trained, ready to go home with any willing owner. The dogs which we rescue who need to be calmed down or treated are in a different room - we want them to get used to us and a better life and the public don’t often like it when they bark loudly, especially the children.” Chanyeol watches Baekhyun’s face as he talks. The passion in his voice and the softness of his expression are so endearing, and when he turns to look at Chanyeol and smiles at him, the taller man’s heart melts; his fingers itch to reach out and stroke Baekhyun’s face.
“Uh, Chan, what are you doing?” Oops, that itch couldn’t wait to be scratched. Quick, think of something.
“You had an eyelash. It’s gone now.” Chanyeol rubs his thumb across the other’s cheek before dropping his hand. Baekhyun’s skin is as soft as it looks and has become a very attractive shade of pink.
“Do you see any that you like?” Chanyeol almost, almost says ‘you’ but manages to stop himself just before his mouth runs away with him. Although deciding to tease a little, he continues to look straight into the shorter man’s eyes.
“Yeah. I do.” Then, tearing his eyes off Baekhyun’s own widened ones, he looks around once again. The dogs are in pens against each other, but the walls facing the corridor only reach to about waist height - or well, Baekhyun’s waist height - and are made of clear Perspex so that even the children can see through. There are dogs of all shapes and sizes and as Baekhyun had promised, all seem exceedingly well behaved, if not very excitable that there are humans walking through, all competing for the attention to be pet. They’re all cute, but Chanyeol thinks maybe a puppy would be better. It will live for longer for the kids, and will get to know them.
Recovering, Baekhyun once again leads the way.
“The puppies are right through here - this is like the maternity ward.” Baekhyun laughs as they push through the door at the end of the corridor into another bright room. Decorated in a combination of baby pink and blue, one side of the room has more pens similar to the previous room, though with much lower walls and litters of puppies in each. The other side houses the pregnant bitches as well as the new mothers whose puppies are too young yet to leave them, suckling or just nuzzling up to their mums. The room has that newborn puppy smell that Chanyeol can’t describe, but it makes him want to coo and squeal - his inner manliness shrivels up and dies.
“Okay, so what sort of dog would you like? We separated the pens into breeds more or less, so you can go along and pick out your favourite. Chanyeol walks past Dalmatians, fluffy sheep dogs, Pugs, until he gets to the corgis. There are about ten of them, and one catches his eye.
“Can I hold one?” Baekhyun smiles at him, eyes forming crescents, making Chanyeol want to hold him too.
“Sure! Of course, just pick one up. You know how to hold them right?” Baekhyun picks a puppy up himself, one all brown with just a big white ring round one of its eyes and two white socks, one on its front left paw and the other on the back right.
“I named this little boy Mongryeong. His colouring is strange but I think he’s the cutest. Here.” Baekhyun hands Mongryeong over to Chanyeol, who takes the puppy and almost cries in delight. His hands dwarf the little thing, which sits in his palms and begins licking his thumb.
“Oh my goodness he’s so adorable.” Baekhyun moves closer to stroke the puppy with a finger, heart beating really fast at the close proximity of him and Chanyeol. If he could just lean up to kiss him… Chanyeol looks down at Baekhyun’s fond expression to ask:
“Why haven’t you adopted him, if he’s your favourite?” Baekhyun looks a little sad.
“I just haven’t had the time. Looking after three children is hard enough, I think adding a pet would just give me more to do. Also, well…I don’t think I could afford to.” He looks down, ashamed “I used up the money I’d saved for when the triplets were born and now this job is only just giving me enough to keep everything going. Days off from what I normally work are kind of not really an option.” Chanyeol’s heart breaks a little for Baekhyun, not realising before now quite how much he seems to do for his kids. Baekhyun had told him previously that he had needed to sell his bike and he couldn’t afford to let the triplets have swimming lessons, taking to teaching them himself, but he didn’t think too much of it. Now, he quickly makes a decision.
“I’ll adopt Mongryeong. You and the kids can come and see him any time you like.” Watching Baekhyun’s eyes light up is definitely worth it.
“Really? You-you’d do that?”
“Really Baek. Seriously, come around whenever.”
“Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou” Baekhyun throws himself at Chanyeol, hugging him around the middle while the taller tries to do the best he can with Mongryeong still in his hands. The hug is perhaps the most comfortable either of them have had in a long long time.
In the following weeks, Baekhyun and Chanyeol meet up at the Single Daddies club and at least once a week, Baekhyun and the kids also go round to Chanyeol’s house to see the puppy. Of course Baekhyun milks this excuse a little bit, and Chanyeol sees right through him, but all five children are happy playing with Mongryeong, who is growing up fast and chewing on Chanyeol’s slippers as expected. Their relationship grows too, and more than once, Baekhyun has arrived home full of thoughts and urges. Chanyeol has become bolder, meaning that Baekhyun discovered a very touchy side to the man. Passing things, he would brush their fingers and Baekhyun always received a hug before they would part ways, these becoming longer and more intimate as time goes on. Chanyeol’s hands had been low on the small of his back at the end of the last visit and Baekhyun isn’t sure how much more he can take.
“Here again Baek? Come in come in. Mi-Hi, Myunghee, Hyuk! Hi guys.”
“Uncle Chanyeol!!!” The triplets chorus and run through the house to find the twins and the puppy.
“Hi Yeol.” Baekhyun looks a little bashful, but moves through to the kitchen nevertheless. The evening sun is shining through the window, bathing the room in a pink orange hue. The light shows on Baekhyun’s face as he sits on a stool up to the island counter and Chanyeol is struck for a moment at the beauty of the picture. He wishes he could capture this memory forever.
The two talk about their week, a comedy programme Chanyeol watched last night and how Mongryeong is doing and if he needs any shots, before Baekhyun finally pulls himself together and asks the fatal question. There is a pause as they drink their hot chocolates before he goes for it.
“So, what happened to your wife?” Chanyeol’s head snaps up, their eyes meet as Baekhyun’s widen in horror. “Oh shit, that sounded horribly insensitive, oh God I’m sorry, I-I meant…I mean, uh, you live alone…and you go to the single Da-“
“Baek. Baekhyun, stop. It’s okay. I know what you mean.” Chanyeol manages a small smile, which immediately puts Baekhyun at ease, although his face still flames with embarrassment. He hides behind his mug while Chanyeol explains, sipping the drink to calm himself down. His heart is pounding at an almost painful speed.
“We didn’t exactly marry under the best circumstances. There was this other girl I liked before, in college. We just started going out but her family were moving to Europe and she didn’t want to put that pressure or commitment on either of us. My parents’ best friend had a daughter, and she and her best friend always used to come to our house for dinner and games nights and such with our parents. Well, the girl who was the friend, Marae, we went out for a bit and I liked her, but it wasn’t love. I didn’t fully know what love was then and I was scared that I wouldn’t ever even find someone else that I liked, so with pressure from my parents and pretty much everyone around us, I proposed to her in the end.” Baekhyun looks troubled.
“So you would rather have been with someone you didn’t love than to wait for someone who you cared for more?” He is flummoxed. How can anyone marry someone they don’t love?
“I didn’t want to be alone. I was really scared of that. I also really wanted children and I didn’t want to wait - what if I never found anyone? Besides, I don’t regret all of it because I wouldn’t have the twins if I never married Marae.”
“But…what about now?” Chanyeol smiles properly for the first time since the conversation started.
“I don’t feel alone. I have my babies, and even you, you’re here often enough.” Baekhyun protests, receiving a jab in the ribs.
“No, seriously! So anyway, I married her and she got pregnant with Bonghwa and Sowook. About 6 months before they were born, her mum passed away. She was really close to her parents so it hit her pretty hard, and then to make it worse, her Dad committed suicide out of grief.” Tears spring to Baekhyun’s eyes and Chanyeol leans over, wiping one away with a gentle finger. Without even knowing the girl, the tragic story hits him.
“Marae became depressed after that. I tried to keep her cheered up, she was still carrying the children and I didn’t want her to stop eating or anything like that. I thought that after they were born she would have something to smile about or certainly something to keep her busy, but that’s not really how it went. I thought all mothers lit up at the sight of their children but her eyes were just…dead. I can’t even describe it, she was definitely not herself. I never managed to fall in love with her, and I’m not actually sure if she ever loved me either, but the depression just pulled whatever relationship we did have apart. I became really busy looking after the kids, and checking up on Marae because she hid herself away, and then…” Chanyeol looks down at his hands. He doesn’t show much emotion, but Baekhyun thinks maybe he has already done his grieving. He waits patiently for Chanyeol to continue.
“I got a call from my mum one day when I was coming home from the doctors with the babies - the twins were about two months old - and she said her friend’s daughter, you know, Marae’s friend, had found her trying to OD. She went to the hospital, and I rushed there and gave the kids to my parents, but she died before they could help her.”
“Oh, Chanyeol.”
“Baekhyun, there’s no need to cry. I was sad, obviously. More shocked than anything. It’s something you hear about happening to other people. You never expect it to happen to you. I mourned for the loss of the twins’ mother and a friend. I was almost glad I didn’t love her. It certainly would have made things more painful if I did.” The two sit in silence for a while before Baekhyun gathers his courage and goes over to give Chanyeol a hug. It shouldn’t feel like Chanyeol is the one comforting him, but somehow it does and he sniffles in an attempt to stop crying.
“I’m so sorry to hear that. I’m sorry for bringing it up.” Baekhyun tilts his face up, still in the taller’s embrace.
“Don’t be. It’s over now, I have the twins. Everything is how it should be.” They look at each other, breathing softly and Chanyeol’s eyes flicker to Baekhyun’s lips. His breathing picks up when he finds his eyes again.
“Besides,” Chanyeol all but whispers, a ghost of breath across Baekhyun’s face. His eyelids flutter. “I think I’ve found someone else I’m interested in.” Then he leans in ever so softly to press their lips together. The emotion in Baekhyun’s chest is indescribable. He feels as if he’s going to burst. They pull away and Chanyeol brushes Baekhyun’s cheek with his thumb.
“I’m going to assume you feel the same way…you’re not running for the hills…” Baekhyun chuckles and quickly pecks Chanyeol’s lips once more.
“You’re right. The first time I saw you, wow. That’s what I thought.”
“APPA!” The two spring apart and sit back down, smiling at each other. They’ll take it slow in front of the kids. Mi-Hi and Bonghwa walk through holding hands and Hyuk follows with Mongryeong in his arms, a big blanket wrapped round the dog.
“Appa Mi-Hi and Bonghwa are going to get married and Mongryeongie is the vicar, look at his dress. It’s a vicar’s dress.” The two men burst out laughing and Mi-Hi kisses Bonghwa on the cheek.
“I will go to work and you have to do the ironing. Mongryeong is the baby okay?” Then they wander away, a happy couple and their dog child.
“I really think the children have been ahead of us all this time.” A glint appears in Chanyeol’s eye.
“Well then we’d better catch up don’t you think?” And leans back in for Baekhyun’s lips.
♫ ~ ♪ ~ ♫
After four years of dating, Baekhyun and Chanyeol still aren’t sick of each other. In fact, they’re as inseparable as ever. A year ago, Chanyeol had asked if Baekhyun wanted to move in with him - the Byuns were there almost every day anyway - and Baekhyun looked horrified. Luckily, it wasn’t because he objected, but because:
“This house is way too small for seven of us!” And so they had all moved to a bigger house, one more in the countryside. The house has a garden which the kids and a growing Mongryeong can play in and plenty of space for all of them with four bedrooms. (Hyuk and Sowook share. “It’s like a sleepover!”) Chanyeol, Baekhyun eventually found out, has a tonne of money stashed away, inheritance from his rich grandparents, so even with him working as an accountant and Baekhyun at the shelter, neither of them need to worry about running short.
The children are six and seven now, and come home every day with enthusiastic tales of how school was and what they have learnt that day.
“Dad! Dinosaurs were REAL! They were real! Isn’t that so COOL? But dragons aren’t real.”
“Ask me what five times ten is! Dad I can do that sum now, Mrs Choi taught it to us today!” Most of all, they feel like a family. The children have got used to the idea that their dads are together like a mummy and daddy and they take great delight in calling them both the same name.
“Hey Daddy! Not you Daddy the other Daddy!”
Soohyun comes around once a week to look after the children and to babysit while Baekhyun and Chanyeol go on date nights. She took a great liking to Chanyeol straight away and had joked.
“Hey Baek, you’ve stolen a good one here, where will I find a husband now huh?” Now, the doorbell rings as she arrives to relieve the two men.
“How do I look? Apparently I had to dress smart. I don’t know where the heck he’s taking me!” Soohyun is greeted by Baekhyun’s nervous face.
“You look dashing my fine man.” Putting on a mock posh tone, she pats him on the shoulder and pushes him aside so she can come in. Chanyeol walks down the stairs at that moment and takes Baekhyun’s hand.
“Ready?” Baekhyun worries at his lip.
“As long as I look okay.” Chanyeol and Soohyun both roll their eyes.
“You look like the love of my life. Let’s go.” They have confessed their love to each other more times than either of them can count within the past four years, but it still gets Baekhyun’s heart racing. He knows it’s a big deal for Chanyeol, since he had never properly been in love, which sets him off swooning all the more. He walks up to his boyfriend and gives him a kiss.
“I love you too. Ready.” Soohyun pipes up
“Please don’t start any of that until you’re out the door, as lovely as it is to see, it’s also something I’d rather not. Have a nice date!” And then they’re off out the door, Soohyun and Chanyeol giving each other knowing winks before they’re out of sight. She sighs, believing that it will be the perfect date.
Sure enough, once the kids are finally in bed and Soohyun is exhausted, she hears the phone ring and a humongous grin slides onto her face as, tired as she is, the girl leaps up and skips over to the kitchen to answer it.
“Hello?” She pretends to be ever so curious.
“SOOHYUN HOLY…OH MY GOD YOU’LL NEVER GUESS WHAT?” A giggle almost escapes, but she holds it together just long enough to say:
“What?”
“CHANYEOL PROPOSED. EEEEEP. I’M GETTING MARRIED!”
The EndThanks for reading and don't hesitate to comment and tell me what you thought :3
This was written for the EXO as Parents fic exchange so go check out the other fics from that too, they were cute ^^
http://exoparents.livejournal.com/1671.html