A Cliché Family FIFTYSIX B “Dad,” Taemin says. Kibum looks up from his newspaper. “There’s this festival in July and … uhm … Jongin and I thought about going. Can we?”

There's silence between them while Kibum thinks.

“You're 15, Taemin…” he says and Taemin shrugs a little.

“I turn 16?”

Kibum shakes his head.

“There’ll be alcohol at this festival so no, I don’t feel responsible sending you two to a festival on your own.”

Taemin automatically frowns.

“Jongin’s parents are fine with it,” he says and hopes he can convince his father that way. Kibum isn’t easily convinced, however.

“That’s good, Jongin can go then. You’re not going Taemin,” Kibum says and ends the conversation there. He doesn't want to send his youngest son to a festival that will definitely be a majority of drunk people. There’s no way Taemin is going and he doubts Jongin has been allowed as well. Kibum knows Jongin’s parents and they’re not that irresponsible.



When Jinki returns from work, Taemin finds him in the living room and hugs him from behind.

“Hey dad,” he says and presses a kiss to Jinki’s cheek. Jinki raises an eyebrow.

“What do you want Taemin?” Jinki asks and Taemin pouts cutely in an attempt to look innocent.

“Can't I just greet my dad?” he asks and Jinki shakes his head. “Okay, well. There’s this festival that I really want to go to and Jongin is coming too and we’re going to be super responsible. Can I go?”

Jinki blinks a little and Taemin releases his grip on Jinki’s shoulder and widens his eyes to beg.

“I need to talk to your father,” Jinki says and Taemin tries hard not to visibly deflate.

“Okay. But please, I really really want this, dad! It would be the best birthday gift ever!”

Jinki just pats his shoulder a little to indicate he has heard him before he walks into the kitchen and finds Kibum typing away at his la