Hoya woke up early, with his hair all over the place, and the only thing he wanted to do was to pee and come back to Dongwoo comfortable arms then sleep for another century. But, as soon as he opened the door of Myungsoo's room, he saw something weird: Moonsoo and Sungjong were moving two sleepy and uncooperative kids towards the room they were using. He frowned but thought he was probably sort of dreaming awake so he just went on with his business and really came back to Dongwoo's arms.

Next time Hoya woke up Sungjong and Moonsoo were shaking them awake or trying to because that had no effect whatsoever in Dongwoo. Hoya had been ready to order his cousin back to bed but when he managed to open his eyes he saw the kids loitering at the door, whispering to each other and looking dubiously at them. He groaned then laid down to hug Dongwoo, much for Sungjong momentary desperation. The younger was ready to shake him even harder when Hoya directed his words at his sleeping boyfriend.

He pleaded for Dongwoo to wake him and to everyone's surprise, the pink haired teacher lifted a hand and shook him gently for about two times before he got up. At that moment Woohyun became marveled with Dongwoo ability to speak and move without awakening and Sunggyu told him the teacher actually could have conversations too so they started talking to him as Sungjong and Moonsoo took that time to inform Hoya they would run an errand and buy breakfast.

An hour later Sungyeol heard some music and some loud voices so he tried to turn in bed and place his blanket over his head to muffle the sounds but soon he noticed he couldn't because there was half body over his. The taller was in such shock, afraid that the boys would see them, that he pushed Myungsoo away and ended up falling from the bed and that woke Myungsoo up.

After checking if Sungyeol was alright, the two finally did some math and understood that the boys were in the living room probably playing with the TV and that the two of them were completely alone. After hearing Hoya shush the boys, they figured out the kids were accompanied and that they could spend at least some good five minutes making out alone.

When they finally decided to leave the room they saw Hoya and Dongwoo seriously engaging in a dancing battle on their video game as the boys cheered them and upon seeing his father, Woohyun promptly skipped to greet him and then sheepishly informed that he was hungry. Once they moved to the kitchen Sungyeol was asking about the other two when they finally entered the house again with breakfast.

They spend the morning taking turns playing video games until Moonsoo announced he was getting hungry. With that Sungyeol and Myungsoo moved to the kitchen to heat some food, a time that the kids became tired from playing the dancing game and sat the other adults down so they could demonstrate their singing abilities.

Deep down Dongwoo dreaded their performance but he was actually surprised by what he heard, those two really knew how to sing and it was just endearing hear them singing the Toy Story OST in English. He suddenly pitied those two a bit, they had side roles on the play with a line or two each so definitely they wouldn't be able to display their talents fully and if it was really on him... But at the end it wasn't his decision, it was the principal orders and Dongwoo really hated that guy and... suddenly he came up with a plan and that guy would be hit with aegyo full force on Monday. He could only imagine how many days the principal could take before he cracked.

After lunch, they decided to stroll around town and Woohyun pointed everywhere and rambled about the good places his father and grandparents often took him and the memories he made there until they ended up on an ice cream parlor where Woohyun received some extra portion because Myungsoo and Moonsoo often visited that place when they ere kids.

They decided to go back to Myungsoo house and pack up so they could arrive in Seoul before dinner, but once there they met Myungsoo's parents and then the boys glued themselves to them so they decided to leave after dinner.

At some point Bumsoo pulled his sons to the kitchen to figure dinner out, but, as they cooked, he explained the situation of Woohyun other grandfather and how they could take advantage of that. Meanwhile, as Dongwoo and Hoya distracted the kids, Sonmi pulled Sungyeol to the side and asked if he already read the letters.

Sungyeol winced when he was asked that. As much as he felt uncomfortable and knew he hadn't the courage to read them yet he recognized the fact that he was holding onto her belongings so he promised her he would return the letters by next week. Something told Sonmi that Sungyeol hadn't read yet and she assured him that he could keep the letters for longer but Sungyeol was irreducible. She sighed and followed him as Sungyeol got back to Sunggyu and Woohyun, it was not like the needed her letters back ASAP, she was just worried about their content and wanted to offer some explanations if he needed.

On Monday their routine was back to normal if you didn't count on the two young mafia bosses pestering the principal - they were on a mission to be superstars and Dongwoo found that endearing in a way, the boys knew what they wanted and they fought for it. Hoya and Myungsoo worked at the final chapters of Hoya's webtoon and they had been doing that from the same place because the younger felt a little bit closer to Hoya after the weekend.

Sungyeol also was back to his proofreading/editing routine that was mixed with his duties in college, It was not like any of that was particularly too difficult for him but he hated to do that in a combined way because it left him exhausted. The trip to Incheon was good and all but it didn't recharge him completely, he still felt suffocated by everything of his professional life and it wasn't like Sunggyu and Myungsoo didn't deserve some attention too.

While thinking about what he could do to reorganize himself, he asked the Song couple if they had some news on the admission exams for the professor position in their department. The couple that had been helping him all semester, said that this time they couldn't tell him, but said he needed to hurry.

Hurry. Actually, that was the only clue that he needed, and that meant taking some drastic measures. He knew that some of his duties would only be over when the semester ended but he could try to speed up his presentation and gather a few documents, so to not be completely overwhelmed he decided to take a break - from work, at least – as soon as he finished his next project, and thank god that his work allowed him to do this.

Sungyeol was set to explain his strategy to Myungsoo on Tuesday but before he knew one thing led to another and they ended up having . What to say? Sungyeol wasn't tired for that and Myungsoo wanted to explore so... yes. YES!

Sungyeol wasn't very comfortable to be touching people, doing skinship or cuddling, but he had to agree that Myungsoo had as much of threatening vibe as a newborn kitten. The younger made him relaxed and so at ease, in an effortless way, that Sungyeol was the one that initiated skinship with the younger. How much Myungsoo enjoyed that, it was clear in the way Myungsoo hugged Sungyeol waist and laid his head over his boyfriend's chest, so he could hear the older heart beating as he leisured caressed the older waist and felt Sungyeol playing with his hair.

“So, what do you think?” Sungyeol asked as he moved his fingers on Myungsoo nape and after he managed to explain his short-term plans.

“I don't know.” Myungsoo said idly but Sungyeol could feel the stretch of a smile against his skin.

“What are you smiling for?”He asked in amusement.

“Nothing.” Myungsoo said but moved to look at his boyfriend in the eyes. “I'm happy that you're asking my opinion because it is usually the other way around.”

Sungyeol rolled his eyes but there was a fond gummy smile on his lips. He poked Myungsoo shoulder and insisted. “What you don't know?”

“I didn't know people could reschedule their presentation. Don't you still have to help with your professors and all to get the credits you need?” Myungsoo asked curiously if he hadn't basketball he would probably have tried to graduate in a shorter time as well. He shrugged internally, he only had one subject and the project now and that left room to have a job so it was not like it was bad.

“Well, it is, and everything is ready for a while now so I don't see the point of delaying anything.” Sungyeol explained then sighed. “Yeah, there is that. I don't think I can ditch them at this point but those credits are extra. Once I present my work I can start the diploma paperwork earlier, of course, it takes some time to get it but once the semester is over I can get a paper saying that I complete all the requisites and that's enough to do what I want.”

“Hum..” Myungsoo stopped to think. “When the selective process will start?”

“I don't know, but I think I'll have to apply soon. I don't know why but I think the selective process will start as soon as the exams end and I have to be prepared, this is why I thought about taking a break from work.”

“Won't that complicate things for you financially?” Myungsoo asked raising one of his brows.

“No.” Sungyeol chuckled. “I probably won't get that much of payment from Woollim but Sunggyu has some money in the bank, I can cash some out in order to support him, mom and his dad left some money for that.” He stopped a second to think then added. “I think he needs some new clothes too.”

“Then you should go for it but...” Myungsoo was about to voice his opinion but held back in the last second.

“What?” Sungyeol asked with a smile and Myungsoo bit his lips but balanced his weight on an elbow before speaking.

“This is an idea ok? You don't have to do it if you don't want to but...” Myungsoo said almost apologetic. “What if you read your mom letters first thing when you take this break? That way you would have time to process everything.” He offered.

“Your mom is in a rush, isn't? I told her I would return them the next time you or Moonsoo made a trip to Incheon, but if she needs it before I can drive there tomorrow and return it.” Sungyeol started moving to get out of bed but Myungsoo placed a hand in one of his legs effectively keeping him in place.

“This is not a matter of her rushing anything, it is a matter of you mustering some courage to read.” Myungsoo said and Sungyeol inhaled deeply to retort but the younger didn't let him speak. “If the contents turn out to be too painful, you'd have something else to focus on and forget about it. And I think it goes without saying I'll be there for you to help with anything you might need.”

Sungyeol slightly glared at his boyfriend. “You just said.”

Myungsoo smiled softly and squeezed Sungyeol tight just a bit, not bothered by his boyfriend glare. “Good, because you know that I want to help you just like you've been helping me. I want to be your strength the same way you have been mine.” Sungyeol crossed his arms and let his breath out because he didn't have a retort right now. “What are you afraid of? Hum? Tell me.”

Sungyeol bit the inside of his cheeks and seemed nervous for a few seconds before dismissing his boyfriend. “It's not like that.” Myungsoo didn't seem convinced by that statement so Sungyeol sighed and sat straight and arranged the sheet on his waist so he could talk about this seriously. “At first I was curious to know, then I had so many things to do that I forgot for a moment I had the letters with me. But when I remembered them... I started to wonder if whatever is in there wouldn't hurt me more.” Myungsoo squeezed his tight again and the next time Sungyeol spoke he seemed to be angry but Myungsoo could only see that as insecurity. “And I'm done hurting.”

As the elder avoided Myungsoo gaze, the young dad thought about what to say without offending him. “There is a possibility.” He conceded and Sungyeol relaxed.

“Of course there is.” Sungyeol said as if it was something obvious.

“But, hyung, aren't you curious? Won't all your questions, or at least a good amount of them, be answered if you read? Maybe it is what you need to move on.” Myungsoo offered gently and again Sungyeol was about to retort when Myungsoo interrupted him.” Sungyeol gave him a displeased look so Myungsoo continued. “I felt like that when I talked to Ji mom, it was painful and I dreaded it but at the end, I was able to tell her some stuff I have always wanted to say and we even reached a deal. I feel very light about that now.”

Sungyeol snorted. “Not wanting to push your buttons but already doing it. What about Woohyun father?”

“I'm his father.” Myungsoo said seriously and his face darkened a bit.

“I did not mean like that.” Sungyeol said softly, pulling Myungsoo to rest against him.

The younger sighed and then replied a bit annoyed but still moved to sit beside his boyfriend. “We'll get there.” He leaned his head on Sungyeol shoulder. “I still dread explaining the truth to Woohyun but, at the same time, I have never been so eager to come clean. This consumes me hyung, it's been seven years.” He added tiredly.

Sungyeol turned his head and placed a small kiss on the younger forehead as he thought about it. “That will obviously be hard.” He agreed then thought it was better to go back to the previous topic or else he would end up pressuring Myungsoo to tell Woohyun about them. “I just can't shake the thought I will open a Pandora box though and new problems will come out of it.”

Myungsoo pulled away and looked at his boyfriend's eyes. “What new problem could possibly arise?”

“I don't know... I mean, look at Sungjong, I always thought he was basking in our parents love while I was trapped in my boarding school - and back then when I thought about that I would feel jealous - but then I discover now that he was having it rough to meet expectations and was pressured to be like me all the time...” Sungyeol sighed deeply.

“How does that makes you feel?” Myungsoo asked gently as he placed a hand on Sungyeol knee.

“Angry!” Sungyeol said as if it was obvious then continued rambling. “Though now a few things make sense. Sungjong never ever acted spoiled, he never fought for our parent's attention when I was around. But on the other hand, he could have hated me, he even told me so....”

“And does he?” The younger asked. “If he does he hides extremely well because even when you were at your worst behavior this year I don't think I ever have seen him acting like he hated you.”

“He says he doesn't though if I were him I would hate me, though I think he was being sincere when he said he doesn't.” He inhaled deeply as he thought about it. “We fought a lot in this past year but, before that, whenever I was around we spent time together, he knew I didn't like to play so he often asked me to teach him something. Now that I think about it maybe our parents messed him so much that maybe he thought that without me he couldn't learn or he wouldn't please our mother enough... I don't know.”

“Why don't you ask him how that experience was for him? He already read your mom letters, maybe by talking to him you'll know what to expect, maybe you'll also know if reading helped him with anything.” Sungyeol turned to his boyfriend with furrowed brows, truly considering what the younger was saying and Myungsoo shrugged. “Who knows? The least it can happen through this conversation is getting to know your brother more.”

Sungyeol ended up blinking at him then opening an amused smile. “You have a lot in you that people don't take notice.”

Myungsoo showed his dimples in a small smile before asking. “In a good way?”

“In many, many good ways.” Sungyeol said before diving to thank his boyfriend with a kiss, and maybe more, but before things could heat it up again the alarm of his phone alarm started to ring so begrudgingly he pulled back to whine. “Noo~~.”

Myungsoo laughed and pushed the other from him. “Come on, we have kids to pick up at school and I need a break, if I start walking weirdly Woohyun will notice.”

Sungyeol turned off the alarm and slid to the edge of his bed. “I don't know how he didn't notice about us already.” He said as he picked up clothes scattered on the floor.

“Last time I told him Hoya hyung and I hit the gym after work.” Myungsoo explained as Sungyeol threw his clothes at him.

“Well, that lie can cover the part of physical exhaustion you'll be feeling in a bit, he will associate to the way he is already used to see you when you play a game or train, you do get a bit lethargic in these situations.” Sungyeol said idly as he started rummaging through the clothes in his closet.

Myungsoo got up and wore his boxers. “What do you mean?” He asked while he tried to put his pants back on and Sungyeol turned around to look at him with a confused frown.

“Myungsoo, you're a basketball player, no? You do exercise in a way or other like six times a week, wouldn't Woohyun take your tiredness as if you exercised a bit more than usual?”

“Yes.” Myungsoo said as he passed his head through the hole of his shirt before he spoke again.

“So?” Sungyeol turned around and pulled shirt and pants out.

“It's just the way you talked seemed like we are just covering one aspect of our relationship.”

Sungyeol sighed and pulled out clean underwear before he looked at Myungsoo again. “I didn't think you would read too much between the lines but that's exactly what I meant.”

“Hyung...” Myungsoo practically gasped in terror and Sungyeol forced a smile then looked at the floor.

“It's getting hard for me.” He confessed.

Myungsoo approached his lover and placed his hands on the elder shoulders before talking softly. “Why are you saying this, hm? You said yourself that we should be discreet and that you're not too much into skinship, though I appreciate that you initiate it when we are alone because I like it.”

“We have to be discreet because in Korea it is almost a necessity, but at home...” Sungyeol raised his eyes to his boyfriend, feeling more than he literally was. “I love you, but the intensity of my feelings is something completely new so I can't exactly control myself all the time and we managed to trick Woohyun in the few times I slipped but what if he notices something on my part and asks about it just like Sunggyu did?”

Myungsoo hugged him tightly. “I love you too, deeply.” He then pulled back and looked at his lover with apologetic eyes. “But I'm sorry, to avoid a bigger mess I think I have to follow a certain path so I can't exactly tell him about us first.”

“I know.” Sungyeol forced a sad smile then shrugged.

“But if he notices and asks you about it, maybe you should be sincere, maybe you should tell him how you feel about me.” Myungsoo suggested.

Sungyeol furrowed his brows in confusion. “For the first time in my life I am not following, you said to keep a secret but at the same time you're telling me to tell him.”

“If he asks.” Myungsoo conditioned. “That way you'll be able to demonstrate affection when you want it and we can keep him thinking it's one-sided until I tell him about his origins.”

Sungyeol pulled away from Myungsoo hold only to pinch the bridge of his nose. “Another lie? That doesn't seem right Myungsoo, he can hate me, and if he doesn't he can become awkward around me.”

“Sorry, that's the only thing I can think of to do some damage control before his problem is solved.” Myungsoo said but he could see in Sungyeol eyes that the older hadn't liked this suggestion that much. “Can you hang on just a bit more?”

“Of course I can wait for you to tell him, I don't want to do something hasty because of me.” Sungyeol assured with a tired sigh. “I don't want to lie to him, but if I could choose I wouldn't talk about my feelings alone.” Myungsoo opened his mouth to say something but next second Sungyeol was already saying he was cold and that he should hurry to pick up the kids in school.

Later that night their dinner was weird, both adults seemed distracted and that made the boys look from one to the other and wonder what happened. They even asked but Myungsoo said that both of them were a bit worried about stuff from college so the boys couldn't do anything about it.

But a day later and the mood through dinner was completely different. Woohyun and Sunggyu were talking excitingly about how they managed to convince the principal to let them sing at the end of the festival (even though they still had to participate in the play) while Sungyeol was in a good mood because he requested two weeks leave from Woollim and also had submitted all the paperwork he needed to request the anticipation of his presentation.

You couldn't say that Myungsoo was having things going his way the way the other three were but he was also happy. Happy that his son was excited to participate in the festival and happy because Sungyeol was in a good mood again and happy because Sungyeol was hinting all night he wanted to take advantage of this good mood.

If Myungsoo could he would pull Sungyeol to one of their rooms and have a night of good but tomorrow was Saturday and he had a game and important game where people would be watching him, he couldn't make mistakes, so Sungyeol wasn't referring to that, was he?

It was only when they were washing dishes that Myungsoo understood what the elder was up to. It turned out Sungyeol wanted to take advantage of that mood to talk a bit to Sungjong about the experience of reading their mother letters. He also explained he wasn't in a mood to go out and drink with Sungjong so they both agreed to Skype after the younger came back from a date, and with that asked Myungsoo if Sunggyu could sleep over.

Myungsoo was happy that Sungyeol was taking his advice so he was more than glad to help, and it was not like the kids would ever be against a sleepover on a Friday night. Once Sungyeol left his apartment, Myungsoo played with the kids until it was time to go to bed, but the kids weren't sleepy at all.

“Woohyunnie?” Sunggyu whispered as soon as Myungsoo left Woohyun room after ten minutes of silence that made him think that the kids fell asleep.

“Hyung, you're awake too!” Woohyun gasped as silently as he could and turned in bed to be able to try to look at his friend in the dark. “I'm not sleepy today.” The younger confessed.

“Me neither, but why aren't you?” Sunggyu asked as he ran a hand on Woohyun hair to take his fringe out of his eyes.

“I think I'm too excited because of the festival.” Woohyun giggled happily to himself then he stopped to think for a second and then added. “Do you think we can convince daddy and Sungyeol hyung to take us to eat ice cream after the festival?”

“I don't know, maybe Sungyeol hyung will let me if your dad convinces him.” Sunggyu concluded after a thought.

“I'll ask daddy then.” Woohyun said resolute but hesitated before confessing something to his friend. “Hyung, what do you think of singing something for daddy and Sungyeol hyung?”

“Hum?” Sunggyu asked curiously.

“When I was born daddy was really young and mom went to heaven...” He paused a bit. “ He was all alone and still had to study and play but... I know grandpa, grandma and Moonsoo uncle helped him a lot, but sometimes I feel like I should thank him... because he always does his best for me.” He hesitated a bit before he asked. “Don't you feel like that towards Sungyeol hyung?”

“I only got to talk to him last year.” He said and Woohyun gasped.

“How is that possible?” Woohyun asked as he sat on his bed and tried to look down at his friend.

“I don't know, Sungyeol hyung didn't live with me and he fought mom so he didn't visit often, and when he did he never paid attention to me.” Sunggyu explained as he also sat up in bed. “I have always heard mom and Jongie hyung talking about him, he seemed so amazing.” Sunggyu sighed as he remembered. “But when I finally met him it was the worst, I thought he hated me and he was so scary, I always thought he was going to take me to an orphanage any day.”

“But he isn't scary anymore.” Woohyun pointed as he tried to pat his hyung knee.

“No, he isn't.” Sunggyu agreed as he laid back down. “Not since he met Myungsoo hyung. Myungsoo hyung makes him happy so he isn't scary anymore, now he even plays with us and it's even better than I thought he would be.” He said with a smile Woohyun couldn't really see in the dark.

“Yeah, and daddy...” Woohyun suddenly stopped talking to furrow his brows in thinking mode - not that Sunggyu noticed or anything, it was dark after all.

It was not like his father was a sad person. No, he wasn't. He had sad moments like when they had to part, or when he had to go to work, or when he had a bad grade or lost a match (that barely happened for as long as Woohyun could remember). But now that he thought about it, aside the day his dad being scolded by his grandfather – and the day he was angry at his grandma Nam – his father had been really happy. Even when he was tired from exercising he was always happy lately. Why?

“Woohyunnie?” Sunggyu called, finding strange that his friend stopped talking so abruptly.

“Eh?” The boy asked as he came back from his reverie.

“Is everything ok?”

“Yes, of course.” Woohyun replied quietly laying down on his bed again.

“Ok, then I think I want to sing something to my hyungs too, what song you want to sing?”

“Something that shows our love.” Woohyun replied in a robotic way because in the last couple of minutes his mind wandered off to somewhere else, he was intrigued by his father recent state of full-time happiness and he didn't know what to think of it.

“Then what about we sing 'Proud'?” Sunggyu suggested. “Have you ever heard that song?”

“No.” Woohyun replied quietly as he still kept thinking about something else but it wasn't like Sunggyu noticed anything different with his friend.

The older boy started making suggestions about songs they could use and Woohyun kept replying and even engaging on that kind of discussion even though he couldn't shake things from his head. He needed to know why his father had been so happy, why his father didn't share the reason with him? He always shared everything, even when he got a job with Hoya hyung, so why he was keeping things to himself now?

Eventually, Sunggyu fell asleep and Woohyun thought and thought about it without coming up with a good answer until his eyes got big as he thought about something. Had his father met a girl? Was his father in love? He couldn't be, that was wrong, his father was his mom's, he shouldn't love any other girl in the world (aside from his grandma, of course). Suddenly Woohyun felt the need to confront his father.

He turned in bed to see Sunggyu sleeping soundly so he moved his covers as carefully as he could, not to wake his friend up, and walked towards his door without making any sound. He opened the door quietly and to his surprise, and if the lights coming from his room were any indication, his dad was still up - which would make things easier though he was sure Myungsoo would scold him - so he directed himself to his father room.

Myungsoo had his door half open so Woohyun made sure to poke his head from behind it just a bit to see what his father was doing. It seemed that his father was working (?), doing some homework (?) on his laptop at his desk, but after a few clicks, he was able to see a bit of picture of them together.

That made Woohyun soft for a second, he knew his father loved him very much and he was probably selecting the best pictures they took together during the year to make a photo book for them. He then frowned, it seemed a little early in the year for that, besides, he wouldn't be soft now, he had to know if his father wasn't betraying his mom.

He was ready to push the door open and confront his father when he heard Myungsoo phone ring. Myungsoo furrowed his brows confusedly and looked at his phone to check the caller Id before taking the call and Woohyun hid behind the door again to eavesdrop.

“Dad?” Myungsoo answered the phone quickly. “I wasn't expecting a call this hour, did something happen?” He asked worriedly and for a minute Woohyun was nervous. “What?” Myungsoo asked surprised and then he became silent so Woohyun decided to peek from behind the door again.

He saw Myungsoo still holding his phone against his ear but he roamed his free hand on his face a couple of times then pinched up the bridge of his nose, well it seemed something was wrong. Woohyun wasn't understanding any of this, mainly when his father breath intensified his breath and he started to produce sounds and movements that seemed... No, scratch that, Woohyun was surely his dad started to cry because he had seen that a couple of times when things were very hard for him.

Woohyun quickly forgot about his dad lately happy state, he probably didn't notice right or it ended right here because Myungsoo received news from his own father that left him sad and now the boy wanted to know why. He wanted to be there to his father as they always did to each other and he was ready to push the door open and show himself but he heard Myungsoo talk again in a sad tone.

“No, it is good news, it really is.” He tried to wipe his tears and Woohyun was left confused. If his dad received good news, why his father was crying and why his voice was so sad? “No, don't do anything, please?” He begged on the phone and now Woohyun could see Myungsoo reaching up to his face on the computer and caress it softly, though he looked really sad doing it, was the bad news related to him? “I know, I know I have to solve this...” Myungsoo added tiredly. “I know, I'll talk to him, to them both, but I need time, I...” He stopped talking probably because Woohyun grandfather said something and then he resumed his speech.

“I know ok? It will be easier this time but I just need my entire focus to deal with that, so maybe I should finish my graduation project before having this conversation and... just please don't do anything before that, ok?” Myungsoo begged on the phone and Woohyun was at loss, he never saw his father talking like that even when he really, really needed something. “Please, daddy.” He added with his voice cracking sadly and new tears, that he tried to wipe, coming out.

Woohyun eyes watered, he never saw his dad that way, so broken. He also never called his own father daddy too, he only called Woohyun grandpa that way if he was too happy, like when he entered college or when he was extremely sad like that one time Woohyun had to be hospitalized because of a strong cold and Myungsoo went crazy, but this... this was worse than that.

“It's ok, I'll be fine, Sungyeol hyung is a huge help. Yeah, it's ok, I think he is finally gathering the courage to read his mother letters too. Yeah, I know, I have a lot on my plate, isn't that right?” The young dad stopped a moment then continued. “I love you, I'll talk to you later, tell mom to appear soon. Ok, bye.”

Myungsoo hung up and placed his phone beside his laptop while letting out a long sigh. He was in the middle of running his hands on his face, in a rather defeated way, when Woohyun made himself know by placing his mall hand on Myungsoo shoulder and poking his head in front of him.

“Daddy?” The boy called softly and Myungsoo, that hadn't noticed his son appearing, half jumped half slid his chair back in a fright.

“Woohyun!” He gasped and quickly and placed on hand on his heart to try to calm it down and the other was immediately brought to his face to clean whatever tears vestiges he still had. “Why are you still up? It's waaaay~ past your bedtime.” Myungsoo made sure to emphasize, but tried to use the most serious tone.

“I... I couldn't sleep.” The boy muttered as he hesitantly looked at his father a few feet away.

“It's ok, come here.” Myungsoo slipped his chair closer to Woohyun and patted his lap. “Is there anything upsetting you? Worrying you?” Myungsoo asked once the boy was finally and comfortably sitting in his lap and Woohyun shook his head, but he looked like was holding himself and had fidgeting eyes so Myungsoo asked again. “Are you sure? You know daddy is here for you, right?”

Woohyun looked at down at his hands. “I'm fine. Hyung and I were too excited about the festival but he fell asleep and I couldn't so I came here...”

“Do you want a glass of milk?” Myungsoo offered and smiled in a way that didn't reach his eyes, it barely showed his dimples and Woohyun didn't like that, he preferred his father happy even if he didn't know why.

The boy decided to ignore his father offer and looked at him in the eyes. “Daddy, how about you?”

Myungsoo frowned. “Me?”

“I didn't mean to but I heard your conversation with grandpa.” The boy finally confessed. “He told you something that made you cry, didn't he?” Woohyun added carefully and Myungsoo kinda froze for a bit. “I know I can't help much but you can share your burdens with me too, daddy.” The boy grabbed one of his father hand with both of his. “Was it about me?

“Woohyun... your grandpa...” Myungsoo spoke slowly as he tried to think of an excuse to explain the phone call, but Woohyun beat him to it while making round eyes.

“Grandpa and grandma can't make it to the festival and they asked you to tell hyung and I, is that it? Is that why you have to a talk with us both? Did they ask you to ask Sungyeol hyung to help you tell us this?”

Myungsoo blinked a couple times in conflict. Yes, he was happy that Woohyun didn't think of anything else but thinking his grandparents wouldn't come to watch him was also a sad thing. The young dad ended up just sighing, momentarily at loss, but Woohyun kept waiting for an answer with that pair of round eyes so he had to break it somehow so he patted the boy so he could get up.

Woohyun was the one sighing sadly now. He knew it wasn't like he could understand most of his father problems (or could help solve it), but his comforting powers had never failed before, why his father couldn't at least trust and use them now? His eyes started to water and Woohyun sat on the chair again as he watched his father move.

Myungsoo reached for his phone and sent a message before he put the device to charge then closed down the screen of his laptop. He briefly looked at Woohyun that had tears almost falling then offered a hand for him.

“Do you want to sleep with me today?” Myungsoo asked softly and Woohyun briefly thanked his mother in heaven that his healing powers were still intact and that his father still needed them despite whatever this was.

The boy grabbed his hand and Myungsoo took him to bed. The elder fluffed the pillows as Woohyun crawled on it and after he laid on the mattress Myungsoo threw a blanket over him. The elder retreated for a second to turn the lights off and came back to lay beside his son and the boy promptly nested himself in his father arms and rested his head on his chest, he likes to hear Myungsoo heartbeat, it calmed him in certain occasions and he knew if his comforting powers were helping.

They stayed in this position for some minutes while Myungsoo caressed the boy hair gently before the elder finally found his voice. “It's nothing related to your festival, rest assured they will come to watch you perform with Sunggyu, though uncle Moonsoo will only be able to come if he doesn't have any exams.”

“I hate exams.” Woohyun ruffed against Myungsoo body and the elder would laugh if he wasn't deeply scared about what could happen that night.

“I hate them too, but I'm this close from finishing college.” The elder agreed, hoping he could lead the conversation to something unrelated to the phone call and that that was enough for Woohyun to forget whatever he heard. Unfortunately, that was not what happened because the boy wriggled his body and addressed his father.

“Then why you cried?” The boy asked in a small voice. “What grandpa said that made you sad?”

Myungsoo breathed in and out and Woohyun head moved with his chest, he couldn't be truly honest about the phone call without talking about the biggest problem of their lives so he decided to talk about something else for the second time. It certainly wasn't what Bumsoo told him on the phone but with a little imagination he at least could talk about something that wasn't exactly a problem now, but it would be as soon as he graduated.

“Dad found me a job.” He said and as soon as he did Woohyun head shot up and he tried to look at Myungsoo's eyes in the dark.

“Daddy, you can't have another job, you-you'll spend less time with me.” The boy said with a worried tone and Myungsoo pushed his son's head down on his chest.

“Woohyun, it is a good thing, grandpa meant well. But a job in Incheon...”

Woohyun head shot up again. “NOOOOOO, it is in Incheon and we'd have to move back, NO, just noooo!” The boy was against it.

“You don't want to go back?” Myungsoo asked and Woohyun shook his head and although it was dark Myungsoo could notice the movement.

“No, I like here best!” The boy said aloud just in case his dad hadn't seen him say with body movements. “Here I have my own room and space for my things, and there aren't places I can't enter, and my school is here and I like it there, and Sunggyu hyung is there and here and I even like Sungyeol hyung!” The boy strongly argued (more like blabbered), hoping his father would understand. “And you already have a job here with Hoya hyung that is a nice hyung too.” He added.

“Yeah, now we have a few things that we hadn't before so I don't want to go back either.” Myungsoo admitted and the boy almost sighed with relief but his father continued. “But my work with Hoya hyung is part-time, therefore, I don't earn enough money to live here for longer, I'll need to find another job soon if I still want to keep offering everything that you need and want.”

“But I don't want much... you don't need to give me new toys, or clothes, I have enough and.. and... Sunggyu hyung is older, he can give me his old clothes and... what if I take the test to skip a grade together with Sunggyu hyung? Would that help?” Woohyun desperately wanted to find

“Woohyun-ah, things do not work like that.” Myungsoo said with a heavy sigh.

“Daddy, no, please, no! I don't want to leave, I like it here!” Woohyun begged and tried to shake his dad.

“Woohyun-ah...” Myungsoo called as he managed to grab the boys hands and somehow stop him. “ I... I get sad only to think about that and I cried because having to go back would mean that I failed to provide for you like a normal parent is supposed to do.” And while that feeling wasn't a lie, of course, that wasn't what Myungsoo talked about with his father on the phone, but a job in Incheon wasn't entirely a lie either, after the past break his father friend offered a position for when he finished college that was very useful now.

“But you shouldn't worry about that, because daddy will try very hard to find a new job in Seoul so we can stay here, in this apartment, near your school and our friends.” Myungsoo tried to promise as he hugged the boy against his chest. “Do you trust me?”

Myungsoo always talked about having their own place and how sad he was whenever he had to depend on Woohyun grandparents to give something to the boy so it made sense in Woohyun's head that his father was happy because they were able to live alone for some time already. It made even more sense that his dad would get very sad, and even cry, if he had to move back to Incheon.

“Yes.” The ended up saying quietly and nodding against Myungsoo's body, and the young dad was about to sigh in relief that he was able to trick his son with something likely when the boy continued. “But don't you dare hide anything from me again. I can't help but I can make you feel better.” The boy scolded and Myungsoo tensed again.

“Sorry, I did that because I didn't want to make you upset. You're still too small to understand the adults world and what every problem can imply.” Myungsoo said inconspicuously as he tried to kiss the top of his son's head. “Sometimes I want to explain my biggest concerns to you but I think you'll not understand.”

“But dad, you can trust me.” Woohyun reasoned.

“It is not a matter of trust.” Myungsoo sighed. “You're the person I love the most in this world so I need to take care of you and that means I need to protect you, even more, when I know that sometimes things can hurt you.”

“But daddy, I'm strong like you. I can understand anything, I even understood that uncle Moonsoo likes Sungjong hyung.” Woohyun argued again and Myungsoo sighed sadly, he was sure Woohyun wouldn't react the same way if he were to tell the boy he was dating Sungyeol.

“Are you sure, buddy?”

“Yeah.” Woohyun said in a tone that could be translated as 'of course, duuuuuuuuuuuuuuh'.

“Ok then, after classes end for you and me, and before I get another job, we will have more conversations so I can explain some things to you.” Myungsoo assured although he dreaded those conversations (and Woohyun)

“Daddy, do you have more problems?” The boy moved again in his chest to try to look at him and then the boy yawned right after.

“Woohyun-ah, the adult world is complicated and I promised your mom I would teach you about it. If there is a problem or not I will only know after we talk.” Myungsoo said while he patted Woohyun back in circle motions, he knew that now Woohyun was getting sleepy and he was going to free from this conversation soon.

“Daddy, sorry I can't help you a lot but we are together and I love you.” The boy said as he found a comfortable position to sleep clinging to his dad. “Are you feeling better?”

Myungsoo ran a hand on the boy's hair affectionately. “Of course Namu, every time I'm with you I feel better, I love you too.”

“Then fighting.” Woohyun cheered lazily because he was already falling asleep and Myungsoo could only sigh to himself. He escaped this time but just barely.

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The next day started early, mainly when Myungsoo thought it was too early for a person that had slept past his usual bedtime like Woohyun. But the boy woke up full of energy and shook him awake for breakfast then ran to wake Sunggyu up by jumping on top of him, and the poor kid woke up startled. The kids ran around the tiny apartment trying to get ready for school while Myungsoo made breakfast and Sunggyu might have crossed the hall with dripping hair and covered by a towel with the mission to get his uniform and his hyung for breakfast.

Sungyeol entered Myungsoo apartment sort of ready for the day and trying to dry Sunggyu hair, even though the boy tried to dodge his hyung and bring Myungsoo a bottle full of orange juice, but he let his brother go – and Sunggyu took that opportunity to run away from his hyung – once the adults looked at each other.

“You didn't sleep either?” Sungyeol was the one that asked as he went directly to the cabinets to take some plates to set the table.

“I did but I clearly didn't rest.” Myungsoo sighed tiredly as he followed Sungyeol to the table and placed a plate with pancakes on it. “How did it go with Sungjong?”

“Gosh, don't get me started.” Sungyeol sighed himself. “Boys, hurry up! Sunggyu dry your hair properly!” He yelled as they both made another trip to the kitchen.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Myungsoo asked as he grabbed the jar of orange juice Sunggyu brought and looked for a jar of jam in the fridge.

“Yes, but we don't have time now, I have to leave with the kids in a bit.” Sungyeol said as he piled some plastic cups for them. “What crisis happened yesterday that you asked me not to come? Woohyun had some nightmare with his grandma again?”

Myungsoo closed the door of the fridge and turned around but looked at the ground as he shook his head. “He heard my father and I talking on the phone.”

Sungyeol furrowed his brows in confusion and encouraged. “And the crisis is...”

Myungsoo's shoulder slumped and he looked at Sungyeol helpless. “Hyung, we found Woohyun biological father.”

Sungyeol eyes instantly became wide and the four cups instantly fell from his hands, making some noise as they hit the ground. “.”

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AN: I'm finally back with a chapter. I know I took more than what I imagined but I'm so stressed about the wedding that it was really hard for me to have the mood to write. I've been fighting the same person for 3 to 4 months already and I can't find things I want to buy (or it doesn't ship to Brazil) and I'm just so tired to the point my fiance is choosing my heels. After Tangled I wanted to write about Myungyeol falling in love in that context but I'll probably go back to Dywtkas and write a sequel I need a break from wedding stuff.