Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Are you even listening to me?” Chenle sighed and raised his head from where it was rested on his arms to look at Renjun who just looked tired.

“I am, yet all I hear is you complaining.” Chenle grumbled.

Renjun reached out and pulled on his ear that made him yelp.

“You need help with Areum and you know it.” Renjun said.

Chenle did know that.

He whined.

“But you and Donghyuck hyung are here, why do I need anyone else?” Chenle knew he was acting like a child at the grand age of 25 but he just didn’t like new people.

Renjun’s eyes softened. “You know Hyuck and I would die for her but we all have full time jobs Lele, and now that Kun ge has moved, you need to hire a babysitter.”

Chenle sighed, Renjun was right.

Kun, Chenle’s older brother used to work from home which meant Areum was always with him when Chenle was at work but courtesy of Kun and Ten moving across the country, that option just wasn’t there anymore.

“Doesn’t Kun ge have any remorse, leaving his little angel behind?” Chenle complained.

Renjun scoffed. “You big baby, Areum took his move much better than you did, I almost thought you’d hang on to the sleeve of Kun ge’s shirt and beg him to stay.”

Chenle let out an indignant sound at that. He was a full functioning adult, not a toddler, thank you very much.

“Areum’s weird around strangers.” Chenle tried, his last hope.

Renjun narrowed his eyes at him. “You are weird around strangers.”

Chenle laid his head on the table with a thump.

“Look Le, I get it. It’s always been you and Areum vs. the world and you don’t trust her with strangers, this is normal but she’ll eventually have to go to school and meet a lot of new people, you can’t be this hesitant.”

Chenle nodded. He knew Renjun was right.

“She’s my baby, you know. I just want what’s best for her.” Chenle mumbled.

Renjun reached out and patted the top of Chenle’s head.

“I know, and getting a babysitter is what’s best for her right now.”

They were interrupted by a loud squeal and a giggle following right after when Donghyuck’s voice boomed in their ears.

“Flight incoming!” Donghyuck was yelling, holding Areum up high in his arms as she giggled.

Chenle felt a smile appear on his lips at the sight of the both of them.

Renjun and Donghyuck were easily two of Areum’s favourite people on this planet.

Though, Chenle had a creeping suspicion that she liked Donghyuck a bit more than Renjun but Renjun didn’t have to know that.

Areum’s giggling form was deposited into Renjun’s lap, Donghyuck flopping down beside him.

She immediately cuddled into Renjun.

Renjun cooed.

Donghyuck smiled at them and looked at Chenle. “Solved the babysitter problem yet?”

Chenle groaned. “Yeah, your husband is really convincing.”

Donghyuck chuckled. “Yeah, that is partly why we are married.”

“Hey! Don’t act like you weren’t crying outside my door wanting to get married to me!” Renjun said.

“I do not remember any such event.” Donghyuck said, voice serious. “Moving on! So, you hiring a babysitter?”

Chenle shook his head at the other couple’s antics.

“Yeah, I guess I’ll start looking.”

Areum got off from Renjun’s lap and padded over to Chenle, raising her hands high so Chenle would get the memo and pick her up.

Chenle did, and settled her on his lap. “What’s up angel?”

She looked up at him with her sparkling eyes, “What is a baby-whi-” She trailed off, the word too hard for her as her eyebrows scrunched up cutely.

Chenle laughed, pressing a kiss on her head. “A babysitter.”

“Yes!”

“Well, baby, Dad has to go to work everyday right?” He started. Areum nodded. “And because Uncle Kun has moved now, we need to find someone who will take care of you and play with you when dad is not at home.” Chenle said, slowly so as to she would understand every word.

She seemed to think for a bit before turning to Renjun and Donghyuck.

“Why can’t you play with me?” She asked, bottom lip jutted out.

Donghyuck reached out and squished her cheek. “We have work too princess, but we will play with you whenever you want us to.” He smiled at her.

Chenle sighed. He cuddle her closer.

“You’ll have someone new to play with, are you excited?”

Areum nodded. “I can show them all my dolls! And watch Frozen and-” She babbled on.

Chenle looked up at Renjun sporting a shit-eating grin on his face.

“Areum is not good with new people?” He said, grin still in place.

Chenle rolled his eyes.

Donghyuck laughed.

“Hey, I do have a person who was in need of a job and had previous experience of babysitting.” Donghyuck said.

Chenle looked at him, one eyebrow raised. “Really? Who is it?”

“It’s Jaemin’s cousin, he just moved here and he needs quick cash and what better than babysitting for that. Jaemin can vouch for him, he’s a good kid, I’ve met him myself. I think Areum would like him.” Donghyuck said.

Chenle nodded. Well, someone Jaemin and Donghyuck knew was already a hundred times better than a complete stranger.

“Fine, I’ll just ask Jaemin hyung about him myself then.” Chenle said.

Donghyuck nodded. “Yeah, you do that.”

“Uncle Jaemin never comes anymore.” Areum spoke up, voice sad.

Chenle chuckled. “Uncle Jaemin was here a week ago Areum, lying is bad manners.”

Areum giggled and hid her face in Chenle’s chest.

Chenle’s heart soared. He loved his little girl so much.

“Jisung may seem a bit hazardous at first but he really is good with kids so give him a chance, okay?” Renjun said.

Chenle nodded. “Yeah, I will. Thanks guys.”

--

That was two days ago and he still hadn’t messaged Jaemin about Jisung.

He got under his covers, Areum had finally decided to fall asleep half an hour ago and Chenle normally didn’t go to sleep this early-it was only eight pm-but he was tired and wanted to retire to bed early today.

He scrolled through his phone, mostly work emails that he skimmed past, they could wait till morning, when he got Renjun’s text.

Jun ge

Text him Lele or else I swear to god

Chenle couldn’t help but chuckle at the message.

Yes I am, mom

He quickly texted back before opening up his chat thread with Jaemin.

Hyuuuuuuungggggggg

The reply was almost instantaneous.

Minnie Hyung

Oh my god Lele!

Is everything okay? Areum is fine right?

Chenle rolled his eyes but smiled anyway. Leave it up to Jaemin to be worried about Areum first thing.

She’s fine

Though I am a bit hurt that you don’t care about me anymore

Have I been replaced by my own daughter?

Minnie Hyung

Duh

She’s adorable

And also doesn’t steal my food

….. wow

I am unwanted

Minnie Hyung

Yes.

Now tell me

What’s up

Uhm so

Kun ge moved

Minnie Hyung

Yeah I heard

Jun told me

Long story short

I need a babysitter

And Hyuck hyung said you have a cousin who might be up for the job

Minnie Hyung

Oh yeah!!

Sungie!

He does need a job and he’s good with kids

Bit like a kid himself but I guess that’s the charm

He’d be good for Areum right?

Minnie Hyung

Yeah

They’d get along really well

He’s a good kid

I can send you his number if you want

Shoot him a text?

Yeah that’d be great, thanks hyung

Minnie hyung

Anything for you and little princess

*contact attached*

Chenle sighed as he opened up a new chat thread with Jisung.

He shot a simple,

Hey

I am Jaemin Hyung’s friend, Chenle

I actually needed a babysitter for my daughter and he said you might be up for it

He kept his phone aside, going to brush his teeth and getting ready for bed.

When he came back, there were texts waiting for him.

Jisung

Oh hi!

Yeah, I’d be interested in the job

That’s cool then!

Uh

Come by tomorrow if that’s fine by you?

To see Areum and discuss your hours and pay and stuff?

We can reschedule to another day if you aren’t free tomorrow

Jisung

No no!

I am totally free, send me your address and I’ll come by in the afternoon if that’s fine?

Yeah sure

Chenle sent him the address and that was that.

One obstacle crossed.

He just hoped he and Areum liked Jisung enough to keep him.

--

“When will he get here?” Chenle turned around from the stew he was cooking to see Areum frowning.

He had told her this morning that Jisung would be coming over so that she wouldn’t be startled when he actually arrived but now she was just impatient.

Chenle huffed out a laugh, turning the stove up and kneeling down to boop her nose. “He’ll be here any time now princess.”

Areum visibly brightened up at that.

And as if on cue, the doorbell rang.

Areum gasped and ran towards the door, Chenle followed right after her.

“Wait here baby, let me open the door.” Chenle said, stopping Areum on the doorway as he walked forward and opened the door.

Okay, first impression.

The guy was tall.

And very nervous, if the fidgeting was anything to go by.

Chenle smiled. “Hey, come on in.”

Jisung smiled back at him. “Hi.”

He entered, toeing off his shoes, almost tripping over his own feet in the process.

Chenle resisted the urge to smile, that was the hazard part Renjun was talking about then.

If Jisung was a nervous wreck when he entered, his entire body language changed when he saw Areum standing in the doorway.

His face brightened up as he walked up to her and kneeled down to her level, slowly, so as to not startle her.

Areum had gone quiet, a stark contrast to how she’d been all morning.

Chenle couldn’t see Jisung’s face from where he was standing but he could hear the tone he used to talk to her.

“Hey, it’s so nice to meet you. You’re such a pretty girl.” Jisung said and Chenle could almost hear the inviting smile he must have on his face right now.

Areum’s eyes sparkled too as she took his outstretched hand and shook it.

“I’m Areum. Who are you?” She asked, childish bluntness at its best.

Jisung chuckled. “My name’s Jisung. How old are you Areum?”

Areum proudly took out three fingers to show Jisung.

Jisung mock-gasped. “Wow, you’re a big girl, aren’t you?”

Areum smiled, eyes crinkling up.

Chenle could feel a smile creeping on his face too.

Jisung was a natural, he could tell that Areum would want to keep Jisung around.

Chenle walked up to them finally.

“Areum, go play for a bit while I talk to Jisung here okay?” Chenle said.

Areum nodded before smiling widely at Jisung again before running off.

Jisung stood up and faced Chenle.

And immediately, the nervousness was back.

It was cute, actually.

Chenle smiled a small smile, leading them to the living room and motioning for Jisung to sit on the couch.

“You want anything to drink? Tea? Coffee?” Chenle offered.

Jisung just shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”

Chenle felt a little amused that Jisung looked as nervous as he did.

“Jisung, I really won’t bite.” He said, amused, resisting the urge to smile yet again.

Jisung seemed to loosen up a bit at that, a sheepish sort of smile taking over his features.

“I’m sorry, I’m really bad with strangers. Jaemin hyung keeps calling me out for it.” He said.

Chenle nodded. “I get that, it’s okay.”

“Your daughter is lovely.” Jisung said, a smile coming on his face automatically when he said that.

And Chenle knew.

That Areum would be in really safe hands.

“Yeah, she’s perfect. And she already likes you, you must be a natural with kids.”

Jisung seemed to flush a bit at the compliment. “I just babysat for a lot of my mother’s friends back in middle school and high school, I’m just used to kids.”

“Well, that works out in my favour.” Chenle said, with a smile. “Should we discuss hours?”

Jisung looked up at him, a bit in surprise. “I’m hired?”

Chenle shrugged. “Yeah, the only qualification needed for this job was for Areum to like you and you fulfilled that so the job is yours. I work all weekdays from 9 to 5, it can go over that sometimes, and the only other times I might need you is if I have to go somewhere and I can’t take Areum with me, does that work for you?”

Jisung seemed to ponder for a minute before nodding. “Yeah, that works for me.”

Chenle smiled and stretched his hand out. “Welcome to the madness, Jisung.”

Jisung smiled back and shook his hand. “Look forward to it.”

“Dad!” Areum’s voice interrupted them.

“What’s up baby?”

“Can Ji-” She stopped in the middle, her nose scrunching up in the way it did when a word was too hard for her to say.

Jisung laughed. “You can call me Ji, if that’s easier for you Areum.”

Areum relaxed at that.

“Can Ji play with me, Dad?”

Chenle hesitated. “Baby, Jisung might have places to go right now, you’ll get plenty of time to play with him later.”

Areum’s face fell at that, she must’ve been excited at that prospect of showing someone new her toys and play.

Chenle could just ask Jisung to stay but he didn’t think he should.

But Jisung beat him to it.

“I can play with her, if you don’t mind. I’m free for the entire evening actually.” He said.

Areum yelped and ran to Jisung to hug his legs before he laughed and picked her up.

“You don’t have to do that, Jisung.” Chenle said, a bit apologetic because of his daughter’s tantrums.

When did Areum get this attached to strangers anyway?

“It isn’t a bother at all, see it as a trial.” Jisung said, smiling. “I know you must be a little hesitant letting your daughter be with a stranger when you’re at work so maybe seeing her with me today will give you a peace of mind?”

Chenle hadn’t even thought of that.

But Jisung was so right.

Seeing how Jisung was with Areum when he was present would definitely make him feel at peace when he had to be absent.

“That actually makes sense.”

Jisung laughed. “Shall we go play then, Areum?”

She nodded as Jisung stood up, Areum in his arms.

And Chenle watched her babble all the way to her playroom.

Chenle smiled to himself, Areum was in good hands.

--

It had been approximately three hours since Jisung had entered this house and he fell more in love with Areum every single second.

She was such a good kid, her parenting had been really good, Jisung could tell that much and he couldn’t help but distantly respect Chenle’s parenting skills a lot.

She was as inquisitive and hyper as any other normal child but she was just so happy and positive, almost like a permanent sun was shining right above her head.

And Jisung adored her, her smile could light up the entire room.

He loved all kids, but Areum was starting to leave a really distinct impact on him.

Jisung stared at her current sleeping form on his lap, she’d fallen asleep in the middle of telling him a story about her favourite Disney movie, no wonder tired from all the playing that she’d done.

Jisung got up, carefully so as to not jostle her in his arms as he walked out the room, to wherever Chenle was.

He reached the living room where Chenle was on the couch, presumably working if the glasses perched on his nose and the laptop on his lap were anything to go by.

And Jisung was suddenly hit by the revelation again.

Chenle was really attractive.

Jisung had tried to not even think in this direction because of how unprofessional it was but he wasn’t blind.

And he couldn’t deny the fact that Chenle really was one of the most attractive people he’d seen in a while.

Or maybe he was just repressed.

Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, he walked towards Chenle who looked up from his laptop once he spotted him from his peripheral vision.

Realisation dawned on him as he saw Areum’s sleeping form in Jisung’s arms.

He immediately stood up, taking Areum into his own arms.

“I’ll just go tuck her in bed.” Chenle whispered.

Jiusng nodded.

“Make yourself at home.” He added, before leaving.

Jisung clenched and unclenched his fists a few times before deciding that just awkwardly standing in the middle of the living room was worse than sitting down on the couch like a human being so he sat down.

He looked around, and wondered again that just how could Chenle afford such a luxurious place. He couldn’t be that old, he was curious to know just how successful one had to be in this age to be able to afford this place.

He even had a kid to take care of, for god’s sake.

He couldn’t think further because Chenle came back in that moment, flopping down on the couch and closing his eyes for a second.

Jisung couldn’t help but feel a little sorry for him in that moment, it must get hard sometimes.

But Chenle seemed to have snapped out of whatever he was going through as he looked at Jisung and smiled, taking off his glasses and running a hand through his hair.

And, ugh.

Why was that so attractive?!

“Thanks a lot for today Jisung, you really didn’t have to do what you did.”

“It really isn’t a bother, I love spending time with Areum, she’s a delight.” Jisung answered, truthfully.

“Well, for your sake and my own, I’ll hope she keeps being a delight.” Chenle said, amusement clear in his voice.

And Jisung let out a chuckle.

“If you don’t mind me asking, you just moved here right?” Chenle asked.

Jisung nodded. “Yeah, I finished my masters this year, but Seoul obviously has better job opportunities so it was just ideal.”

“Why not look for a corporate job then?”

“I just didn’t want to jump into the corporate world right away, a few months off felt right.”

Chenle nodded. “Makes sense.”

Jisung wanted to ask about Chenle’s job too but he was afraid he’d cross some lines if he did so he just kept his mouth shut.

“I should get going, it’s getting late.” Jisung said.

Chenle looked at the clock, almost looking surprised as if he hadn’t realized just how late it had gotten.

“Oh my god, we kept you for so long, yeah you should get going. Thanks a lot for today.” Chenle said, getting up and following Jisung out to the doorway.

“You’ve seriously gotta stop thanking me for something like this.” Jisung said, smiling.

Chenle let out a chuckle. “Okay then, I’ll see you Monday?”

Jisung nodded. “Yeah, I’ll be here by 8:15?”

“Yeah, that works.”

Jisung was almost out the door when Chenle called his name again.

He turned around.

Chenle shot him a smile. “You’re amazing with Areum.”

Jisung felt a flush in his neck at the compliment. “Well, she makes it really easy.”

And then he bid Chenle a final goodbye, out the door at last.

He stood by the door for a second and took a deep breath.

He felt as if he was crossing all lines of professionalism with how affected he already was by this family.

Damn attractive single fathers with adorable children.

--

Jaemin and Jeno were still looking at him like the cats that got the cream and Jisung made a dying sort of noise in the back of his throat as he flopped his head down on the table again.

“You guys are the worst.”

Both of them laughed, which did nothing to alleviate Jisung’s crisis, not like he expected them to help in anyway.

Jaemin and Jeno were amazing hyungs to him, but that didn’t mean that they weren’t a fair share of just pure menace.

“Jisungie has a crush.” Jaemin sing-songed.

“Hyung, I swear to god, shut up.” Jisung said, face flaming.

Jeno just chuckled, easily the nicer one amongst the two. “Oh come on Sung, I don’t see why you’re having this much trouble.”

Jisung sighed.

He didn’t know either.

He was sure that he could easily talk himself out of finding Chenle hot if he tried hard enough but Chenle and Areum were already messing with his head.

“I just want to be professional and not have a middle school crush on someone, who’s technically my boss here.” Jisung whined.

Jaemin shrugged. “I don’t see why having a crush on Lele is a problem, in fact I’d be lying if the idea of setting you guys up didn’t pop up in my head once or twice.”

Jeno rolled his eyes. “Babe, that’s because you’re always thinking about setting people up.”

Jaemin just glared at him, obviously not expecting this betrayal from his own boyfriend.

But Jeno turned to Jisung, shooting him a kind smile.

Yeah, definitely the nicer one here.

“But that being said, I really don’t see the harm in you and Chenle hitting it off, I mean obviously I’d hate for you to fall for him and him not reciprocating but if it’s mutual then-”

Jisung made a dying sort of noise again.

“Hyung, I just found him hot, please chill for a second.”

Jaemin laughed. “So what, you just want to fuck him? I think it’s an amazing idea personally, you’re way too repressed.”

Jisung made a disgusted face. “Okay first of all, never talk about my sex life ever again and second, no I don’t want to fuck him. I just think he is hot and attractive and there’s nothing I am going to do about it except maybe suffer in silence.”

Both Jaemin and Jeno looked disappointed.

“Is this how I raised you?” Jaemin said.

“Yes, actually. I learned all my emotional repression tactics from you.”

Jeno patted Jaemin’s hand. “He’s not wrong.”

“Sometimes I think only Areum loves me.” Jaemin lamented dramatically.

“No, I’m pretty sure she loves Hyuck more than you.” Jeno said.

Jisung chuckled at the scandalized face Jaemin made before curiosity took over him.

“So, Areum’s mother…” He trailed off, not exactly sure how much the other two were allowed to tell him.

Jeno and Jaemin exchanged a glance before turning to him with small, sad smiles.

“She’s not around.” Jaemin finally said.

Jisung didn’t know the story but he had a feeling that the other two wouldn’t tell him anyway so he changed the topic.

“What the fuck does Chenle even do? Like if my math is correct, he must be a year older than me and he’s so rich???? Is he a mafia boss or something?” Jisung ranted.

Jaemin and Jeno burst out laughing.

“God, don’t let Chenle hear you say that, he’d have a field day.” Jeno said.

Jaemin calmed down enough to say. “He runs his family business, he’s old money you know, passed down through generations. His brother runs the company is China and Chenle liked Korea anyway when he came to study here in college so he runs the Korea branch of the business.”

Jisung eyes widened. “So he’s rich rich?”

Jaemin grinned. “Yeah, pretty much.”

“Okay hit me, tell me one flaw about this man.” Jisung said, desperate.

Jeno laughed. “Well, he nags a lot.”

Jaemin nodded. “And he steals our food even though he can afford to buy the whole city.”

Jisung looked at them in incredulity. “I don’t know man, none of those sound like flaws to me.”

They smiled at him.

“Jokes aside Sungie, I’m glad you’re working with that family, Chenle and Areum are downright sweethearts.” Jaemin said, eyes turning fond.

And this.

This is why Jaemin was closer to Jisung than Jisung’s older brother was.

Jisung being happy and surrounded by positivity was enough to keep Jaemin happy too.

Jisung smiled at him. “Yeah, I’m glad too. They seem amazing.”

--

Chenle hadn’t felt this frazzled in a while.

In a rare unfortunate event, Areum had woken up cranky in the morning, crying at almost everything.

And she refused to eat.

Chenle normally fed her breakfast before he left for office but she was just not cooperating today.

Chenle sighed and kept the spoon down again, reaching his hand out to wipe away the tears that had fallen from Areum’s eyes.

“Princess, what’s up with you today? Dad can’t help you unless you tell him sweetheart.” He tried again.

Areum just looked at the ground and refused to talk.

Chenle loosened his tie and ran his fingers through his hair he was already dressed for work, but Areum’s behavior was really worrying him.

“Areum, baby, please talk to me.” He said, pleaded.

The doorbell rang at that moment.

Chenle sighed again, looking at Areum once more before walking away to open the door.

He must look as messed up as he felt because Jisung’s smile died on his lips as his expression turned into one of concern.

“Is Areum okay?” He asked, immediately.

Chenle shook his head, ushering Jisung inside and leading him to the dining table.

“She just won’t listen, she keeps crying, doesn’t want to eat her food, she won’t even look at me Jisung.” Chenle said, exasperated.

Jisung nodded. “Okay, that is fairly common in kids, let me see if she’ll talk to me.”

Chenle nodded.

Jisung went ahead, and kneeled in front of Areum’s chair, gently putting his hand on her knee in an effort to calm her.

Chenle noted with amusement how big his hand looked on her knee.

“Hi Areum, what’s wrong?” He asked, a kind smile on his face.

Areum at least looked up at him which was better than staring at the floor in indignation.

But she just sniffed.

Jisung patted her knee. “I’ll be playing with you all day today while your dad goes to work, is that okay?”

Like clockwork, her face fell again.

Realization dawned upon Jisung’s face before he looked up at Chenle. “How have you been going to work the past few days when you didn’t have anyone to babysit her?”

“I took the first few days off after Kun ge left and if I had an important meeting or something, I just took her with me to the office and let her play there.”

Jisung looked back at Areum before getting up and walking towards Chenle.

“She’s sad that you’re going to work.” Jisung said, simply.

Chenle made a confused face. “But she’s never…”

He trailed off.

“She got used to having you around all the time in the past few days and now she’s sad that you’re going away again.” Jisung said, eyes sympathetic.

That just made Chenle sad.

He didn’t want to leave Areum behind, ever.

If he could, he’d be a stay at home dad, but he had a company to run.

As if sensing how sad the whole prospect was making him, Jisung spoke up.

“Tell you what, why don’t you promise her an outing on the weekend or something, she’d feel better knowing that she’ll still get time with you.” Jisung suggested.

Chenle snapped his head up in surprise.

How the fuck was Jisung so good at this?

That spurred Chenle into action, he just wanted Areum to feel better.

He went up to her, sitting on the chair in front of her and leaning forward. “Hey baby.”

Areum didn’t look at him.

“Do you want to go to the beach with me on Saturday? We can play in the water and build sand castles.” He said, voice a little hopeful.

And it seemed to be working because Areum looked up, but she still wasn’t saying anything so Chenle tried harder.

“We can even get ice cream and visit Uncle Jaemin if you want.” He said, she’d been complaining about how much she missed Jaemin.

Areum seemed to be hesitating for a second, not sure if she should finally talk to Chenle or not but then she extended her pinky finger.

She was asking for a pinky promise.

Chenle smiled before intertwining their pinkies together.

“Now you can’t break the promise.” She said, voice small.

“I won’t baby. And I’ll be back from work before you know it.” Chenle said, finally pulling her onto his lap and pressing a kiss on her temple.

She hugged him back and that was all Chenle needed to go through the day.

“Ji will play with me?” She asked.

“Yes, he will. But don’t trouble him alright, only bad kids trouble other people and Areum is the best-est girl, right?” He said, caressing her hair.

Areum beamed. “Yes!”

Chenle chuckled. “Good girl. But you didn’t eat your breakfast and I have to leave now.” He said.

Jisung perked up, “I can feed her, it’s not a problem.”

Chenle looked at him with gratitude. “You’re such a lifesaver.”

Jisung just smiled and ducked his head.

Cute.

Chenle looked away.

“Be good baby, I’ll see you in the evening okay?”

Areum nodded and kissed his cheek when Chenle extended his cheek in her direction.

He smiled and picked her up from his lap, depositing her to her play mat in the living room before fixing his hair and clothes and turning to Jisung. “I’ll be back by 5:30 unless something comes up and in that case, I’ll text you. I’ve already made Areum’s food, it’s in the fridge, just heat it up for her during lunch and you’re free to indulge yourself in anything you might want to eat as well, feel as if you’re at home Jisung.” Chenle said, smiling. He wanted Jisung to feel at home. “I really can’t thank you enough for doing this.”

Jisung laughed, his eyes crinkling.

CUTE.

Chenle’s brain needed to shut up.

“I’m getting paid Chenle, don’t feel pressured.” Jisung said, a bit joking but kind.

Chenle smiled back. “I’ll get going then, text or call me if you need help with anything.”

“Will do, boss.” Jisung said.

Chenle left then, closing the door behind him.

He always felt restless whenever he’d left Areum with any other babysitter before whenever Kun had been busy, but leaving Areum with Jisung just made him feel relieved.

Jisung was amazing with her, Chenle had nothing to worry about.

And he’s very cute.

His brain supplied unhelpfully.

Chenle shut that part of his brain off, starting the engine of his car and leaving for work.

--

Jisung didn’t believe in angels.

But he was starting to think that Areum could just be one.

Except the minor setback at the start of the day, she’d been perfect.

She’d shown him all the toys that she loved playing with and they had even drawn together.

How Jisung could manage to be worse than a three year old at coloring, he will never know.

But it was all good.

She had eaten all her food, continuously babbling about anything she could think of.

And Jisung couldn’t help but smile at how excited she sounded whenever she talked about Chenle.

It was adorable.

“Ji!” Areum exclaimed, running and crashing against his legs and hugging them.

Jisung laughed, ruffling her hair as she looked up at him.

“What’s up angel?”

“Can we watch Tangled?” She asked, eyes shining.

And Jisung had no reason to say no.

There was still about an hour before Chenle came home.

“Yeah sure baby.” He said, settling her down on the couch and turning on the TV.

He settled down beside her as she cuddled up to him.

“Do you like Disney movies Areum?”

Areum nodded. “I do, Frozen is my favourite!”

Jisung smiled. “Mine too!”

Areum gasped. “Dad loves it too! We should watch it together next time!”

Jisung kept the smile intact while his brain ran a mile a minute.

The prospect of watching a movie with Chenle and his daughter seemed a bit too domestic and dangerous.

“Let’s ask your dad if he wants to, okay?” He said, in hoped that she might forget or Chenle might say no.

Areum nodded as she went back to the movie.

Jisung caressed her hair.

She spoke up ten minutes later. “Will you leave too?” her voice was small.

Jisung’s heart broke. A kid this young should not have to worry about her loved ones leaving her.

But he was really here as temporary babysitter and he didn’t want to lie to her.

“I might leave Areum, but I promise you, if you ever need me, I’ll be here in a blink.” He said, truthfully.

It had been just a day of staying with this girl and Jisung could already imagine dropping everything and running if Chenle ever called him to tell him that Areum needed him.

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

They watched the movie for another fifteen minutes before Jisung got an idea.

He smirked, taking out his phone and opening the video recorder.

“Areum baby.”

She turned to him.

“Do you like Uncle Jaemin more or Uncle Donghyuck more?”

Areum seemed to really think hard for about ten seconds before answering, “Uncle Donghyuck! Because Uncle Jaemin always forgets about me.” She said, pouting.

Perfect.

Jisung stopped recording, laughing as he kissed Areum’s head.

“Can I send this to Jaemin hyung?” He asked.

Areum nodded.

He sent the video to the group chat that Jeno and Jaemin had with him.

*video attached*

The judge has spoken

I am sorry Jaemin hyung

RIP

Jaemin hyung

AAAAAAAAAAAAA

I AM DEAD
I WILL NEVER KNOW PEACE
why does Areum think I forget about her whatttt

I love herrrrr

Jeno hyung

RIP Jaem

Jaemin Hyung

Babe no

Jisungieeee why does Areum not like meeee

Jisung resisted the urge to chuckle.

He could see the heart broken face Jaemin must be making right now.

Maybe try visiting her more often dude

Jaemin hyung

Do not ‘dude’ me

I am your hyung

And noted, I will VISIT HER SO OFTEN
THAT SHE WILL FORGET DONGHYUCK EXISTS

Jeno hyung

I am calling Hyuck and telling him you said that

Jaemin hyung

Do it.

Never been scared of that bitch.

Jisung closed his phone, shaking his head.

Areum was looking at him curiously.

“Are you friends with Uncle Nana?”

“I am his cousin, do you know what cousins are?”

Areum frowned and shook her head.

“Well, he is my brother.” Jisung said.

Areum finally nodded, making an ‘o’ face. “He’s nice, you’re also nice, is that why you’re brothers?” She asked.

Jisung laughed, helplessly fond as he cuddled her closer. “Something like that.”

They watched the rest of the movie till Chenle came back.

Areum ran to the door as soon as the doorbell rang.

“Dad!”

Chenle beamed as soon as he saw Areum, kneeling down and embracing her.

Jisung could see the tired lines on his face but he looked so happy to just be hugging Areum.

She finally let go of him.

“How was your day princess? Had fun with Jisung?”

“Yes! So much fun! I love him!” She said.

Jisung felt his heart stutter.

He knew that Areum had started to grow attached to him but to hear her say it like that.

Jisung felt the urge to coo and cry at the same time.

Chenle looked at Jisung, a silent ‘thank you’ in his gaze.

Jisung shrugged it off shyly.

“Dad, how was your day?” Areum asked.

Chenle smiled. “It was good baby, I had a lot of meetings today, you know what those are?”

Areum clearly didn’t. But she nodded with pride anyway.

Chenle chuckled. “My big girl, obviously you do.”

Chenle stood up then, loosening his tie and rolling up his sleeves.

Jisung malfunctioned.

Stop being fucking embarrassing. It’s just forearms.

He was so busy with his internal monologue that he didn’t realize that Chenle was speaking to him.

“I’m sorry what?”

Chenle smiled, a bit knowingly.

“I asked, do you want to stay for dinner?”

“Oh no no, I couldn’t impose like that! And besides, you and Areum should be alone now, she really missed you today.”

Chenle’s eyes flickered down to where Areum was clinging onto Jisung’s legs.

“I have a feeling she will miss you the moment you walk out that door. This is still so whiplash inducing to me, she’s atleast a little shy around new people usually.” Chenle said, chuckling as he ran his fingers through his hair. “You’re magic.”

Jisung really needed Chenle to stop saying things like that.

Jeno always told him that he was shit at receiving compliments and that was coming back to bite Jisung in his ass.

His cheeks got flushed.

Chenle seemed to have caught onto his shyness because he just chuckled. “You sure you don’t want to stay for dinner, Jisung?”

Jisung nodded. “I’ll be here tomorrow, same time?”

Chenle nodded, smiling.

Jisung finally picked Areum up. “I’ll get going on, okay baby?”

Areum looked a bit sad but she nodded. “Tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow.”

--

“Ji, I am tired.” Areum said, pouting.

Jisung smiled. “You were the one who wanted to come to the park and now you’re tired?” He said, laughing as he tickled Areum.

Areum giggled, leaning away from Jisung. “Ji!”

Jisung stopped finally, pulling Areum on his lap. “You’re done playing on the swings?”

She nodded.

“You want to go back home? Your dad will be home soon.”

Jisung had been babysitting Areum for almost three weeks now and the tension between him and Chenle kind of always made Jisung want to die.

He hadn’t talked to Chenle at all ever since he had started working, Jisung made sure to leave in a hurry the moment Chenle came back home.

Areum brought him back from his thoughts by pulling on his shirt.

“Can we get flowers for Dad? He likes flowers.” Areum said.

Jisung smiled. Areum was too endearing.

“Sure angel, what flowers does he like?”

“Yellow!”

Jisung laughed, standing up and reaching his hand out for Areum to take.

“Let’s go get him flowers then.”

They got a bouquet of sunflowers for Chenle and started their way back home.

When they got back, it was obvious that Areum had ran out of almost all of her energy.

“Are you sleepy, baby?” Jisung asked as he helped her take her shoes off.

Areum nodded, sleepily.

“But I want to give Dad the flowers.” She mumbled. And then she looked at Jisung. “Can you give them to him?”

Jisung felt his cheeks color.

Be in your senses Jisung, this is an innocent request from a child for fuck’s sake.

“Yes, I will give them to him for you, you want to go to sleep now?”

Areum nodded and Jisung took her to her room and tucked her in.

She dozed off to sleep almost immediately.

It was her sleep time anyway, Chenle was very late today.

Jisung closed the door to her room softly and padded over to the living room, sitting on the couch awkwardly.

He picked up the book that was lying on the coffee table, flipping through the pages absent mindedly.

The main door opened then, Jisung hastily kept the book down on the table and stood up.

Chenle laughed when he saw him. “How many times do I have to tell you Jisung, please feel at home.”

Jisung smiled sheepishly. “Areum went to sleep.”

Chenle nodded, walking in. “Yeah, I am very late today and I even forgot to text you because of the back to back meetings I had. I am so sorry.”

“No no, it’s no issue at all. I took her to the park for a while and she was really tired when we came back so I tucked her to bed.”

“Thanks a lot, did she eat?”

“Yeah, she did.” Jisung just stood there for a while before Chenle spoke up again.

“Did you eat?”

Jisung shook his head. “Not yet, but I’ll eat at home, I should get going.”

“You’re always so fast to leave.” Chenle chuckled, walking closer to Jisung.

Jisung shuffled his feet in nervousness. “It’s not like that.”

“Eat with me? If that’s okay with you? Both of us haven’t eaten and there’s still food left that I can just heat up quickly.” Chenle asked, voice kind and inviting.

And Jisung was weak.

Almost everyone around kept asking him to not repress whatever he felt towards Chenle but he always suppressed it anyway.

But Chenle was offering to eat together and Jisung was already hungry so he assumed one dinner couldn’t hurt.

“Okay, I can stay.”

Chenle gave him a blinding smile. “Great then! I’ll just go change and be back.”

Jisung nodded. “I’ll start heating the food up?”

Chenle looked at him in mild surprise. “You’d do that?”

Jisung shrugged, cheeks heating up. “Yeah, I don’t mind.”

“That’s be a great help, I’ll be back.” Chenle said, turning in the direction of his room.

Jisung exhaled, taking out his phone.

Having dinner with Chenle tonight

RIP

He shot the message to Jaemin and locked his phone as he started taking out the dishes to heat up.

Chenle joined him within the next ten minutes.

“Hey, thanks again for this.”

Jisung chuckled. “You thank me too much Chenle.”

Chenle just smiled. “Sorry.”

Jisung just gave him an exasperated look and Chenle laughed.

He has such a happy laugh what the fuck.

Jisung was suddenly hit by the realization. “Oh! Wait.”

He rushed to the living room again, bringing the bouquet to where Chenle was standing.

Chenle raised an eyebrow at the flowers, eyes turning mischievous. “Oh, Jisung, you didn’t have to.”

Jisung turned red at the insinuation, hitting Chenle lightly with the bouquet. “Areum got them for you!”

Chenle laughed loudly. “You’re so red wow, this is so funny.”

Jisung was still flustered when Chenle took the flowers from him. “Areum got these for me?”

Jisung nodded. “She said you liked yellow flowers so we went with sunflowers.” And then because he couldn’t help it, he added, “Do you like them?”

Chenle looked at him, a soft smile taking over his face. “I love them Jisung.”

Jisung smiled back, taking the food out of the microwave when it started beeping.

“I’ll go put them in a vase.” Chenle said.

“I’ll set the food on the table.” Jisung added.

They worked in silence for a while before Chenle sat down on the table in front of him, both of them digging in.

“You must’ve paid for the flowers Jisung, I should pay you back for them since Areum wanted to get them.” Chenle started.

Jisung scoffed. “Chenle, first of all, you pay me enough for me to rent two houses and still have enough left, which by the way, is a lot of money I still don’t get why you pay me that much and second of all, I can buy Areum things if she wants too, don’t worry about paying me back each time.” Jisung said, smiling.

Chenle chuckled. “I don’t pay you enough for what you do for Areum.”

“What? Babysit her?” Jisung laughed.

Chenle shook his head. “I’ve never seen Areum be this happy and comfortable with anyone except probably Kun ge and Donghyuck hyung. You make her comfortable and that’s honestly a lot more than I could ever pay you for.” Chenle said.

Jisung lightly patted Chenle’s wrist. “Well, I love her so spending time with her is honestly become more self-indulgent than a job.”

Chenle chuckled. “What if you replace me?”

“I doubt, she loves you more than anything in this world.”

Chenle’s eyes softened. “Let’s eat.”

Jisung nodded.

His eyes widened slightly when he ate the kimchi jiggae. “Did you make this?”

Chenle smiled. “Yeah.”

“This is so good what the fuck.” Jisung said and then covered his mouth when he realized he swore.

Chenle laughed. “I’m not Areum, you can swear in front of me.”

Jisung’s cheeks became flushed. “Sorry, force of habit. But this is so good Chenle, really.”

Chenle bit his lower lip at the praise and smiled. “Thank you.”

Everything this guy does is just borderline heart attack inducing.

Jisung internally cursed himself for the train of thought.

“Do you know how to cook?” Chenle asked.

Jisung just straight up snorted. “I’d probably set a kitchen on fire if I try to cook anything except ramen.”

“What do you eat, then? At home?”

Jisung shrugged. “Mostly ramen, sometimes I get takeout or bother Jaemin hyung and Jeno hyung to buy food for me.”

It was not a very ideal arrangement but it was one that worked for Jisung.

“Why don’t you just eat with me?” Chenle asked and then promptly realized that he’s sounded too forward and back tracked. “I mean, that much ramen and takeout isn’t good for your health and I cook every day for myself and Areum anyway, it wouldn’t be a bother to cook for one more person too.”

Jisung’s immediate reaction was to say no.

“I couldn’t possibly do that, I already eat my lunch here when I’m with Areum.”

“Exactly, so it’s just dinner, it isn’t a big deal.” Chenle added, smiling.

“But…” Jisung trailed off, in his mind he had a big banner saying ‘no’ in red capital letters but he couldn’t find a valid enough excuse to give to Chenle.

“If you don’t feel comfortable, you don’t have to, Jisung. I just thought I’d offer.” Chenle said.

“I’ll think about it?”

Chenle nodded. “Good enough.”

They finished up dinner, making small talk about Jisung’s plans and Chenle’s work, most of which went over Jisung’s head but he heard Chenle’s every word anyway because he was whipped like that.

After cleaning up, Jisung was about to leave when he suddenly had an urge to see Areum again.

“Can I see Areum before I go?” Jisung asked Chenle, who smiled and nodded.

Jisung walked over to her room, entering quietly and padding over to her bed.

She looked like an angel.

Jisung couldn’t help but let a smile come on his face when he took in her sleeping form.

He leaned down, pressing a kid to her forehead and caressing the loose strands of her hair.

The hold this kid had on him in such a short span of time was honestly weird to Jisung but he completely understood why that was the case.

He leaned back up, turning around to leave when he came face to face with Chenle.

A short gasp fell from his lips at the proximity.

Chenle was standing right behind him which left them face to face with only a hair’s width worth of space between their faces.

Chenle’s eyes were widened in shock as well, clearly taken aback at the proximity.

Jisung gulped, he couldn’t even move behind because the wall was right behind him which meant Chenle would have to move back to create some space between them but he made no move to do so.

And Jisung wasn’t sure he wanted him to.

This close, he could almost count Chenle’s eyelashes if he tried and he let his eyes wander over Chenle’s face.

The other was beautiful, there was no denying that.

Jisung felt his entire body flush when he saw Chenle’s eyes fall to his lips for a split second before Jisung managed to clear his throat, causing both of them to come of the trance and split apart.

Jisung felt flustered but he counted a victory in the fact that even Chenle had a steady blush working up his neck to his cheeks.

It looked pretty.

Shut up, Jisung.

“Uhm, I should get going.” Jisung said.

Chenle just nodded, not really looking him in the eye.

“Thank you for today, again.” Chenle said.

“As I said Chenle, stop saying thank you.” Jisung managed to let out with a smile before walking to the front door, Chenle right behind him.

“I’ll leave then, goodnight Chenle.”

“Goodnight Jisung, sleep well.” Chenle said, biting his lower lip.

Jisung hated how that made him look down at his lips and lament over the fact that they had been that close to kissing but hadn’t ended up doing that.

Shut up Jisung, it’s better this way!

But when Jisung left that house that night, feeling more confused than ever before, he realized that maybe one dinner could do a lot of harm.

--

“So, um.”

“Jisung, if you say something and then don’t complete it one more time.” Jaemin said, pointing at Jisung with a spatula.

“Every day you become more and more like an Asian mom.” Jeno said, laughing at Jaemin but kissing Jaemin’s temple anyway.

Jisung scrunched up his nose. “No PDA in front of the baby.”

“Who baby?” Jeno asked, ruffling up Jisung’s hair.

“Me.” Jisung said.

“Sungie, I don’t think lusting over your boss is baby enough, we can’t defend you anymore.” Jeno sighed.

“I’m not lusti- actually I am, nevermind.” Jisung said.

“Acceptance is the first step.” Jaemin said, nodding.

“I also wanted to ask something.” Jisung said.

“What’s up?” Jaemin said.

“Chenle says thank you a lot, like, I get that he’s thankful that I’m taking care of his daughter while he’s away but it’s my job? It’s not normal to thank someone so much for a job you’re paying for, right?” Jisung said.

It had been on his mind for a few days.

Jaemin hummed in consideration and Jeno smiled softly. “I think I know why.”

Jaemin nodded. “Yeah, me too now that I think about it.”

Jisung just looked at them questioningly.

 “Chenle has a lot of trust issues especially with the people Areum is surrounded with, and because he is a single father, he’s very scared that Areum might not be getting enough care when he’s away at the office. When he hired you, he was nervous and scared that you might not be cut out for the job you know? That what if you didn’t care for Areum at all and Areum was left in incapable hands when he was away? But he sees the way you are with her, sees the way you dote on her and she loves you and it must be immensely relieving to him to know that she’s happy and with someone who cares about her and not only the money that comes with the job.” Jaemin explained.

“It might take him some time to get used to the fact that he doesn’t have to keep thanking you, but till then, humor him. He is just grateful Jisung.” Jeno added.

“He’s grateful that I love Areum? But how could I not?! She’s an angel.” Jisung said.

“You once told me that you were starting to feel almost guilty that Chenle was paying you for babysitting Areum because it had started to feel like you were with her for more self-indulgent reasons than doing it as a job. That is why Chenle is grateful.” Jaemin said, serving up the food in a bowl and offering it to Jisung.

Jisung nodded. That did make sense.

It must be relieving to have someone care for your daughter like their own.

“How’s your crush coming about though?” Jeno asked.

Jisung groaned and covered his face. “I am so embarrassing, I almost stared at his lips that day when we almost bumped against each other and I am surprised he still hasn’t fired me-”

“Hold up, that escalated quickly. You guys were together alone?” Jaemin asked.

Jisung nodded, sighing. “I texted you that we had dinner together, when Areum was asleep and he even offered to have all my dinners with me when I told him my unhealthy eating habits.”

Jeno whistled, impressed. “Seems like your crush isn’t that one-sided after all.”

Jisung felt himself flush. “Shut up hyung, he was just being nice.”

“Why don’t you take that offer?” Jaemin asked.

“Because it is weird and intruding on his privacy.”

“It is not intruding if he’s offering.” Jeno said.

“I don’t know hyung, I don’t know if I’d be able to stop my feelings at all if I spend that much time with him.”

“That makes senses Sung and obviously you do whatever you think you should do, but I just think that you should atleast give it a try. If not for anything else, do it for your stomach because god knows your stomach will give up with the amount of fast food you eat.” Jeno said.

“Fine fine, don’t come for me. I’ll think about it.” Jisung grumbled.

“Good, now eat up!”

--

Chenle entered his house, late again because of a last moment meeting but he’d remembered to text Jisung this time around.

He saw Jisung sitting on the couch, flipping through a magazine.

Chenle smiled. “Hey.”

Jisung looked up, mirroring his smile. “Your princess is asleep again.”

Chenle chuckled. “She gets so grumpy in the mornings when she didn’t bid me goodnight the previous night. I’ll just have to manage something and come back home a little earlier.”

Jisung nodded. “Yeah, you work a lot.”

Chenle’s head snapped up.

That sounded awfully like…. concern.

Jisung’s ears were turning red again as struggled to keep his expression neutral.

Chenle bit his cheek to stop himself from smiling.

Jisung was honestly so fucking cute, Chenle couldn’t deal.

And this was right about the time that Jisung would start saying that he has to leave but Jisung made no attempt to move.

Chenle raised an eyebrow at him.

Jisung took a deep breath as if steeling himself for what he was about to say next.

“Does the offer for dinner still stand?” Jisung said, voice a bit meek but certain.

Chenle stood there is shock for a moment.

He’d wanted Jisung to say yes to the idea but had never actually expected him to.

He let a grin take over his face.

“Yes, of course it still stands.”

Jisung smiled at him, a wide smile that Chenle hadn’t seen on his face before.

And he found himself wishing to see it more often.

--

“Why are the uncles not here?” Areum grumbled from her high chair.

Jisung just smiled. “They’ll get here faster if you eat your food quickly.”

Chenle scoffed from the other end of the kitchen. “Don’t lie to my kid, Renjun and Donghyuck will be late anyway.”

“You have any better way of getting her to eat her veggies Mr. Zhong?” Jisung asked, eyebrows raised.

Chenle just grinned, raising hands in mock surrender. “Hey, you’re the boss here.”

Jisung shook his head, smiling. “Thought so.”

It had been almost a month and a half since Jisung had started this job and somewhere in between that, Chenle and him had established a good bond with each other too.

Jisung was definitely a lot more calm and much less a nervous wreck around Chenle courtesy of the almost daily dinners that they had together.

And Chenle had also started showing his true, fun, and playful personality in front of Jisung.

On the surface level, Jisung was having a lot of fun getting to know this side of Chenle’s but deep down, his heart was suffering.

Jaemin and Jeno had stopped even trying to sympathize with him, instead just opting to laugh at his face every time Jisung looked like he was on the verge of having a meltdown over how perfect Chenle was.

Jisung and Chenle were now friends, almost.

That’s what Jisung believed they were anyway.

Nowadays Chenle even called Jisung over to his house to spend a day with him and Areum even when Chenle wasn’t working.

“She likes having you around.” He had said, shrugging.

“He means he likes having you around, both of you are dumbasses I can’t do this anymore.”  Was Jaemin’s reply when Jisung had told him about it.

In short, here Jisung was, on a Saturday morning, with Chenle and Areum, waiting for Renjun and Donghyuck to arrive.

The bell rang the instant Areum finished her food.

Jisung grinned as he looked at Chenle. “What did I say? The quicker she finishes her food, the faster they’ll arrive.”

Chenle just rolled his eyes. “Whatever.” As he walked over to the door to open it.

Jisung smiled as Areum left after Chenle. He kept the bowls in the sink.

He could hear the loud sounds of Renjun and Donghyuck cooing over Areum and undoubtedly hugging her almost to death.

He walked out to the living room.

Renjun beamed when his eyes fell on Jisung. “Sungie! Didn’t think you’d be here today.”

And he wrapped Jisung into a hug as Jisung laughed. “Hi hyung, haven’t seen you in a while.”

Donghyuck looked between Jisung and Chenle with a mischievious glint in his eyes but decided not to say anything, thankfully.

They greeted each other too, finally settling down on the couch with Areum in Donghyuck’s lap.

“I’ll go get you guys something to drink.” Chenle said.

Jisung stood up too. “I’ll help.”

Chenle smiled at him gratefully.

They walked over to the kitchen.

The kitchen was an open kitchen so they could still talk to Renjun and Donghyuck and see them.

“How have you guys been? Areum’s been missing you a lot you know.” Chenle said, opening a cupboard to take out glasses but opening the wrong one again.

Areum made a loud noise of agreement at that.

Jisung smiled, amused as he pointed at the right cupboard. “How do you always get the cupboards wrong?”

Chenle smiled sheepishly. “Wouldn’t go a day without you Sung.” He shot him an exaggerated wink that Jisung just rolled his eyes at.

Renjun and Donghyuck had gone quiet.

“So, what’s up with you guys these days?”

Renjun just smiled a secretive smile. “We’re fine, a bit busy these days which is why we couldn’t visit a lot but yeah, we’ve been fine.”

Chenle nodded.

“How has Chenle been treating you Sung? All’s well right?” Renjun asked.

“Doesn’t it all look well to you Jun?” Donghyuck remarked, smirking.

Jisung felt his ears flush as he handed them both their drinks.

Areum reached out to him so Jisung out her on his lap next. “Comfortable, baby?”

“Yes!”

Chenle flopped down on the couch beside them.

“Now what is that supposed to mean Hyuck hyung?” Chenle asked.

“You guys look close, that’s all.”

Renjun elbowed him in the stomach.

“We are close.” Chenle said, shrugging. “Right Sung?”

That damn nickname.

Everybody in the damn world called him Sung or some variation of that but only Chenle calling him that had this effect on him.

“Yeah we are.” He said, quiet.

The conversation flew very naturally after that, Jisung was thankful that Renjun and Donghyuck didn’t ask him why he was here when Chenle obviously didn’t need a babysitter today because Jisung wasn’t sure if he had an answer to that either.

--

Chenle looked up confusedly when the doorbell rang again.

He wasn’t expecting anyone else today. But he got up and walked to the door.

Opening it up to see Jeno and Jaemin’s faces smiling back at him.

Chenle chuckled. “This is a surprise.”

They shook their heads. “We have a real surprise.”

Chenle’s eyebrows furrowed.

“Wha-?”

Jeno and Jaemin slid apart to reveal Mark standing there.

“Yo!”

Chenle’s face changed expressions so quick that he almost had a stroke.

The rest of the house had come out to the hallway to see what the commotion was about and he heard all of them gasp in unison.

“Mark hyung?!” Donghyuck screeched.

“What the-” Renjun caught himself just in time.

Areum finally broke out of her trance, running up to Mark who bent down to pick her up.

“Hi princess!”

“Uncle Mark!!!!” Areum almost yelled, hugging Mark’s neck and grinning ear to ear.

Mark chuckled. “Did you miss me?”

“Yes! A lot!”

“Really? How much?” Mark asked.

Areum stretched both her arms as far as they could go. “This much!!!!!”

Mark laughed and kissed her forehead. “I missed you too angel.”

Chenle was still in shock. “You were in Canada just last night when I called you.”

“No actually, I was at the connecting airport when you called me.” Mark grinned.

Donghyuck and Renjun ran up to hug Mark too.

Chenle almost felt like tearing up.

He knew he was being dramatic but he’d missed Mark ever since he’d gone away to Vancouver for work.

He was Areum’s favourite uncle too, and Chenle’s favourite hyung.

“Give me hug Lele, what kind of a welcome is this.” Mark said.

Chenle finally launched himself at Mark, hugging him tightly.

“All these years of only us taking care of him and his favorite is still Mark hyung.” Jaemin lamented.

“I know right?” Donghyuck said.

Chenle finally broke apart, rolling his eyes and inviting all of them in.

He then noticed Jisung standing at the corner of the hallway, feet shuffling awkwardly.

“Oh!” Chenle exclaimed, pulling Jisung a bit closer.

“Mark hyung! This is Jisung.” He said.

Mark looked at him, eyes shining in familiarity. “Oh! Jaemin’s cousin right?” He came forward and shook Jisung’s hand, smiling.

Jisung nodded, shy.

“I’ve heard a lot about you.” Mark said then, tone turning amused. “From Chenle, he kind of never shuts up ab-”

“Okay that’s enough! Let’s go!” Chenle said.

Chenle could see the smile on Jisung’s face from his peripheral vision.

The living room was crowded now that all of them were together and Areum was absolutely ecstatic.

All her favorite people were here after all.

But she stayed put on Mark’s lap.

“Don’t you want to freshen up hyung?” Chenle asked.

Mark shook his head. “Jaemin and Jeno took me to their place first so I got freshened up there.”

“How long are you staying for?” Renjun asked.

“A week, give or take.”

Areum made a sad noise and clutched onto Mark’s shirt. “So soon?”

Mark looked at her apologetically. “I’m sorry baby, Uncle has to work too.”

Areum sadly nodded and rested her head on Mark’s chest.

“She’s gotten so big in just a few months, it’s like I keep missing out on her growing up.” Mark said, pouting.

Chenle snorted. “Your fault for leaving.”

“Also, were you guys really hanging out without me and Jeno?” Jaemin asked. “Even you Sungie?”

Jisung rolled his eyes.

Donghyuck cackled. “Nobody here likes you Jaem, you can go. Jeno is nice so he can stay.”

Jaemin made an offended noise. “I am the most amazing friend you guys have, where’s the gratitude?”

“But I like Uncle Nana!” Areum said.

Jaemin looked very close to tears as he ran up to her and hugged her close.

“My angel!”

Chenle smiled at their antics.

Mark chuckled. “Nothing really changes around here, huh? Still the same idiots from uni.”

Renjun and Donghyuck grinned at him as Jeno laughed. “Trust me hyung, you could go away for ten years and you’d still come back to see these idiots constantly fighting.” He said.

Mark sighed. “It’s good to be back.”

It’s good to have you back. Chenle wanted to say but he stayed quiet because he had a feeling that between Areum clutching onto him and Donghyuck and Jaemin scooting closer to him every second, Mark already knew that.

“Jisung.” Mark suddenly spoke up, startling the other.

Mark smiled. “Welcome to the madness.”

Jisung seemed shocked for a second but then smiled.

Chenle realized that this meant that Jisung was officially a part of them.

Chenle smiled to himself.

--

Jisung sighed as he almost flopped down on the floor, tired.

Areum had finally fallen asleep, refusing to do so for the past hour because she wanted to spend more time with her Uncle Mark and Jisung was very tired after running around after her trying to tuck her into bed.

He slowly closed the door of her room, padding out to the kitchen to get himself a glass of water.

He really had grown really accustomed to the house and Chenle and Areum.

He thought back to the narrowed eyes Jaemin and Jeno were shooting him.

“You know all of this looks awfully domestic right?” Jaemin said, eyeing the dishes that Jisung was carrying to help Chenle set the table for dinner.

Jisung shrugged. “It’s not that deep.”

Jaemin looked about one second away from fainting when Jeno piped in. “This goes beyond your duties as a babysitter.”

“Chenle and I are friends now too.”

It was Jeno’s turn to shrug. “We’re his friends too Sung, you don’t see him turning for us to help.”

Jisung hadn’t had the time to think of the implications of what Jeno had said back then but now he was stuck thinking about it.

He’s have to be an idiot if he said that things hadn’t changed between him and Chenle, they were more friendly that earlier sure, but Chenle was also very flirty, and very clingy.

He wasn’t that clingy to Jisung, partly because Jisung always froze when Chenle even stood too close to him but he did rest his head on Jisung’s shoulder on the rare nights they both watched something on Netflix together before Jisung headed out to his own apartment.

Jisung normally never dwelled on things like this, just going with the flow but the way Chenle’s behavior had changed suddenly made him wonder.

Was there any chance that Jaemin and Jeno had been right? Did Chenle like-

Jisung shook his head. No.

That was too far-fetched.

“You’re going to get a headache if you think that much Sung.” Jisung startled as a voice spoke up from behind him.

He turned around quickly, losing his balance and almost falling and he closed his eyes waiting for the impact.

But it never came.

Instead a warm arm wrapped around his waist, holding him steady.

He cracked his eyes open to stare right into Chenle’s dark brown orbs looking exasperated but also fond.

“You’re so clumsy.” Chenle said, his breath hitting Jisung’s lips with how close they were.

They kept having moments like this too often, it’s like the universe wanted him to suffer.

Jisung somehow managed to let out a scoff. “Are we in a badly written drama?”

Chenle smiled and it was even more breathtaking upfront, Jisung could swear his breath just hitched.

“So now that I have saved you from falling and we’ve had the cliché moment, if we follow the script, we’re supposed to fall in love, get married and live happily ever after. Pretty sure that’s how it goes.” Chenle was whispering at this point, Jisung almost missed what Chenle said in lieu of staring at his lips as they formed the words, too mesmerized to look away.

Chenle seemed to have caught onto it, his hand on Jisung’s waist tightened. “Can I k-”

“Hey Chenle-” Mark was walking into the kitchen and Jisung and Chenle sprung apart.

Mark blinked owlishly at them. “Did I interrupt something?”

“No!” Jisung said at the same time Chenle grumbled out a “yes.”

“….Okay.” Mark said.

“Actually, it’s time for me to leave.” Jisung said, “have a good night, I’ll see you on Monday!”

With that and before Chenle could say anything, he stormed off.

Running away from difficult situations wasn’t something that he took pride in but that’s how he’d faced every difficult situation in his life and old habits die hard.

He took a moment to just catch his breath outside Chenle’s house.

Was Chenle going to ask him what he thought he was going to ask him?

Because if Jisung’s mind wasn’t playing tricks, he was pretty sure that Chenle was going to ask him if he could kiss Jisung.

And Jisung would’ve said yes, a thousand times.

He was pretty sure that he hadn’t imagined the look in Chenle’s eyes or the way he was holding onto him.

But again, what were the chances that Chenle actually liked him back?

--

“So, you are an idiot.” Mark said.

Chenle glared at him. “Am not.”

“You so are. The other guys did brief me about how pathetic the two of you were being but wow its bad.” Mark said.

“We’re not pathetic.”

“Does Jisung know that you like him?”

“No, what if he doesn’t like me back?”

Mark sighed. “See, pathetic.”

Chenle whined.

“I’ve been around you both for a few hours and even I can see how whipped the kid is for you Lele, the fuck.”

Chenle blushed, Mark was over exaggerating.

“And not to mention, he’s so good with Areum.”

Chenle whined louder. “God I know right! He’s so good with her and she loves him and he loves her, I am going crazy.”

Mark laughed. “Wasn’t that what you said to us? You wouldn’t date because the chances of someone loving Areum as much as they loved you would be slim?”

Chenle nodded.

“But Jisung might just love Areum more than you, how’s that for you to finally get your head out of your ass and ask him out?”

Chenle sighed. “Jisung is perfect. Mark hyung, relationships scare me so much but if Jisung doesn’t make me want to try.”

Mark smiled and ruffled Chenle’s hair. “I know, I say go for it.”

--

Jisung had no clue why he was in Chenle’s car on a Sunday morning or where the hell Chenle was driving them to.

Jisung fiddled with his fingers.

“Uhm? Where are we going?” He asked, to which Chenle just smiled at him.

“You’ll see.”

The car stopped a few minutes later.

At a…. cemetery?

Chenle looked at him as he unlocked the car door and got out. “Come with me?”

Jisung was confused but he nodded, getting out as well.

They walked into the cemetery and Chenle stopped in front of a grave, Jisung standing right beside him.

There was a loaded silence for a few minutes before Chenle sighed and spoke up.

“Areum’s mom died at childbirth.”

Jisung snapped his head up.

He had no idea, he had thought that she may not be in their lives anymore for a variety of reasons but he hadn’t thought that she’d be dead.

“Oh my god, I’m so sorry.” Jisung said.

Chenle gave him a sad smile.

“It was a hard time, we both had Areum when we were really young, and we hadn’t even been together that long, the pregnancy got really complicated by the end of everything, it was too late to do anything to save her. She was amazing, she would’ve been a great mother.”

Jisung felt his heart clench, his hand reaching out to squeeze Chenle’s. Chenle squeezed his hand back and smiled at him.

“It’s okay, we’ll feel her void forever but we’re healing a bit more every day.”

Jisung intertwined their fingers together, hoping that it was at least a bit comforting for Chenle.

Chenle bent down to put the bouquet of flowers on top of her grave, smiling ruefully.

“I miss her.”

And Jisung felt tears well up in his eyes, Chenle and Areum must have had it so hard.

He kneeled down too, closing his eyes, praying for her peace.

I’ll take care of them.

He promised her.

He stood up then, following Chenle as the other walked back to the car.

Chenle leaned against the car, looking at Jisung with a soft smile that looked part sad, part hesitant.

“I haven’t been in a relationship since then.”

Jisung froze.

“Just a couple hook-ups here and there but never a relationship, it isn’t easy you know, especially now I have to ensure that the person I have around loves Areum as much as well.”

Jisung nodded, though his heart was almost beating out of his chest.

Chenle chuckled then. “But then you came along Jisung, and I almost didn’t want to believe you were real.”

Jisung looked at him questioningly.

“You charmed Areum right away, gave her so much love and care, much more that what any babysitter would give her, and you even took care of me in subtle ways, it felt like a puzzle piece fitting and suddenly I had no reason to keep up my ‘no relationships’ rule anymore.”

Chenle came a bit closer to Jisung, the other was still frozen.

“I come with a lot of baggage and I am little rusty when it comes to dating and stuff but Jisung, I like you so much that I don’t care about any of those things, I just want you here, with me and Areum, preferably as my boyfriend.”

Jisung almost couldn’t believe what he was hearing but he cupped Chenle’s cheeks anyway.

He wasn’t sure he could form coherent sentences right now, and this was the best alternative to let Chenle know what he felt towards him.

“Can I kiss you?”

Chenle bit his lower lip as he smiled and nodded.

Jisung leaned in, molding their lips together.

The kiss was soft, their lips moving languidly against each other. Jisung couldn’t control the emotions coursing through his body.

Jisung broke apart, resting his forehead on Chenle’s as dopey smiles came over both of their faces.

“The boyfriend thing sounds good.” Jisung said.

Chenle reached forward to peck Jisung’s lips once. “Yeah? You’ll be my boyfriend?”

“Only if you’ll be mine.”

Chenle smiled and connected their lips again.

--

Chenle woke up, groggy.

He reached his hand out to the other side of the bed to find it empty.

He frowned, where had Jisung gone off to so early in the morning?

But a quick look at the clock let him know that it wasn’t that early after all, but 9 am was still early for Jisung.

Chenle went outside, watching Jisung take out a coffee mug and pouring himself coffee.

Chenle smiled, walking up to him and hugging him from behind.

Jisung startled but then relaxed in his hold.

“One of these days I’m going to spill my hot coffee on you if you keep startling me like this.” Jisung said, fond.

Chenle just hummed, kissing up Jisung’s neck. “Sleep well, baby?”

Jisung shuddered against him, letting out a small gasp when Chenle nibbled at a particular sensitive spot.

“The thousand hickeys you left on me last night weren’t enough?” Jisung said, voice trembling.

Chenle left a wet kiss on the new mark. “You know I love seeing your pretty skin marked up.”

Jisung turned around in Chenle’s hold, his hands resting on Chenle’s bare chest. He pressed a kiss to Chenle’s lips, sweet.

“Good morning.” Jisung said.

Chenle felt himself smile. “Good morning Sung.”

“Dad! Ji!” They laughed and looked at the entrance of the kitchen where Areum was standing.

They both kneeled down, accepting her running form into their arms.

“Good morning princess.” Chenle said.

She looked at him and gave both him and Jisung their customary morning kisses on their cheeks.

“Good morning!”

She was growing so fast, Chenle had whined to Jisung just last night that he couldn’t believe that Areum was five years old now, why did kids grow up so fast?

Jisung had just laughed and patted Chenle’s head.

“What do you want for breakfast Areum?” Jisung asked.

“Waffles!”

“You should eat something with more vegetables though.” Chenle said.

Areum made a face.

Chenle scoffed. “She’s picked this up from you, Mr. Picky Eater.”

Jisung made an indignant sound. “Every time something like this happens, she’s my kid but every time she does something good, she’s your daughter?”

“Yes.”

“Dad, Ji, no fighting in the morning.” Areum scolded.

Both of them looked at her sheepishly.

Jisung picked her up then, trying to talk her into having vegetable soup for breakfast.

Chenle looked at them and felt his heart swell.

Jisung had been in their lives for two years now, and he’d fit with them like he was meant to be with them all along and every time he thought about Jisung, Chenle couldn’t believe how lucky he was.

He loved Areum and Jisung to bits, Chenle’s idea of family had been him and Areum for the longest time but Jisung had creeped into the image so effortlessly that Chenle almost had trouble remembering how it had been before him.

He took out his phone from his pocket at the incessant chiming from the group chat he had with all of the hyungs.

Kun hyung

Asked him yet?

Nope J

Minnie Hyung

WHY IS EVERYONE A COWARD

You hid the ring for three years before working up the courage to ask Jeno hyung

Jeno Hyung

He’s right

Minnie hyung

WOULD IT KILL PEOPLE TO BE NICE TO ME

Hyuck hyung

Renjun and I are the only normal ones here

Mark hyung

You mean Abnormal

But seriously Chenle, ask him already

What’s the worst that could happen?

Uhm

He could say no?

Renjun hyung

Oh PLEASE

Jisung would die before he says no to marrying you dumbass

Ten hyung

I’ve met the kid like thrice but I agree

Mark hyung

I have classified information

And I can tell you that he won’t say no

WHAT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Minnie hyung

WHAT CLASSIFIED INFORMATION

Mark Hyung

:)

Kun hyung

Kids

I have a headache

Chenle, please propose

You guys have zero consideration and support for me

See if I invite you to the wedding

Chenle sighed at the dramatics of the group and kept the phone inside his pocket.

All of them had worked up a fuss when Chenle had told them that he wanted to propose.

Jiusng and him had talked about it before and they’d agreed to take the step when they felt ready.

Chenle felt like they were ready to atleast be engaged, marriage could come later whenever they wanted it to happen.

He went to the bedroom to open the drawer where he’d kept the ring only to have Jisung follow him.

As soon as Chenle opened the drawer, Jisung’s hands snaked from behind him, hugging him.

Chenle froze, Jisung couldn’t see the ring, not yet.

Jisung smiled against his neck. “Would it kill you to hide it in a better place? Like come on babe, you hid in our shared sock drawer.”

Chenle was shocked but he was more amused. He chuckled.

“How long have you known?”

“Approximately a day after you bought it.”

“Why didn’t you say anything?”

Jisung pressed a kiss to Chenle’s jaw. “It was fun watching you jump five feet in the air everytime I opened the cupboard.”

Chenle laughed. “Wow, can’t believe you ruined my proposal like that.”

Jisung chuckled into Chenle’s neck, reaching his hand out to open another drawer a little further high to reveal an identical box to Chenle’s.

“Now, both of our proposals are ruined, happy?”

Chenle was shocked. “You bought a ring?”

Jisung nodded. “A few days before you got yours by the way.”

Chenle turned around and kissed Jisung square on the mouth.

“I swear if you pop the question right now, I’ll say no.” Jisung said.

Chenle laughed. “Just because you know that I have the ring doesn’t mean I won’t propose to you properly Sung.”

“What if I propose before you?’ Jisung said, eyes twinkling.

“Are we fighting over this? Seriously?” Chenle said, smiling.

Jisung laughed and leaned in to kiss Chenle again, wrapping his hands around Chenle in a hug.

“We’re a mess.” Jisung mumbled.

“Wouldn’t have it any other way.” Chenle said.

Areum ran inside at that moment, hugging both of their legs too. “No hugs without me!”

They both laughed, picking her up and squishing her between them.

Chenle knew at that moment, that it really didn’t get any better than this.

Fairytale endings were overrated and unrealistic, real life scarcely ever turned out like that.

But as Areum giggled between them and Jisung looked at him, eyes full of fondness as he mouthed ‘I love you’ to Chenle, Chenle knew.

This was his fairytale ending.

--