Hoya left to do some grocery shopping for Sungyeol - it wasn't like the pantry didn't have any food in it but with one more person living with him and Sungjong promising to drop by frequently the food was indeed going to end faster – so he missed when Myungsoo stopped by with his brother and son to get the boy ready to arrive late at school.

After putting everything into place Hoya sat on Sungyeol couch and turned his computer on to work but didn't turn on any music and kept his ears as open he could so he would notice when Myungsoo arrived home, they had to talk. He knew all about Sungyeol intentions but as much as he wanted to support and cheer up his cousin, he knew nothing about Myungsoo feelings, and that could not only be a problem for Sungyeol but for himself as well.

As soon as he heard Myungsoo's door open and close, we jumped from his seat and ran to knock on the door because as soon as he had the answer he wanted at least he could work with some piece of mind, but Myungsoo didn't seem like he wanted to see him when he opened the door.

“What you're doing here?” He asked with heavy suspicions in his tired eyes.

“I think we need to talk.”

“I don't wanna talk about Sungyeol hyung, I don't even want to talk to him, so if you excuse me...” He was about to close the door but Hoya interrupted any door movement with his hand.

“If you don't want to talk about what is happening it's ok, but I still think we should talk if what you feel can affect our partnership.”

Myungsoo sighed and opened the door so Hoya was able to enter his apartment but Myungsoo sort of stayed in place without saying anything so Hoya took the hint that he should start the talking.

“Myungsoo, I don't want to be caught in this, but I know that with what happened, is happening, can make you feel uncomfortable working with me so I came here to know what you think and feel about that.”

“Sorry, but I didn't think much about it.” Myungsoo confessed and Hoya thought he could work with that.

“Then you can think about it now?” He asked hopefully. “I know I am putting some pressure on you here, but you're the best assistant I ever had and I wish to keep you as long as I can or at least this current webtoon is over. But if you decide that you don't want to continue working with me, I wish you could say it to my face and don't simply abandon me like my past assistant did, despite I trusted her like a friend too.”

Myungsoo sighed and walked past Hoya to sit on his couch and the other followed him. He could understand Hoya's concerns and it would only be nice of him to be truthful to a person that offered him an opportunity when he was needing it. He rubbed his hands on his face before talking.

“Truthfully, hyung, I don't know. You're sort of my friend now and I want to keep helping you, I also like the money I can make doing this because it helps me to raise my son, but you'll probably take Sungyeol hyung side and I don't want to hear anything about him this moment... and...”

“You don't have to.” Hoya said with a hopeful smile. “You can work from home, remember? We can keep our talks to business only if it makes you comfortable.”

“Yeah but...”

“Besides, I don't think there are sides to take when you both feel the same way.” Hoya promptly added and Myungsoo wanted to laugh. Same way? Definitely not.

“We clearly don't feel the same way.”

“Don't say that because you do. What is happening is that you two have different opinions, views and perhaps solutions to what is happening, but don't say that. If you didn't you wouldn't be so upset to the point to run away to Incheon and avoid him and if he didn't he wouldn't....” Hoya said and Myungsoo face grew serious.

“You said you wouldn't talk about him.” The younger said dryly.

“I'm not talking about him, I was stating a fact.” Hoya smartly replied. “Besides, Sungyeol probably screwed a lot with you in ways he doesn't even know so you have the right to be angry too.”

“You bet I am.” Myungsoo said as dryly as before.

“And it's ok.” Hoya said with frustration. “You're entitled to have the emotions you have and you can take your decisions regarding this, that, liking or not, he will have to learn how to respect.” The older then changed his tone to a more incisive one. “What I think is unfair for you to do is disregard the efforts he is making to solve this because this was a sacrifice so everyone could get what they want and need the most.” He said and Myungsoo raised a brow and Hoya wanted to flip tables. “And please remember that he entered this relationship knowing he would never be your priority so it isn't ok for you to think you'll be his solely, remember he has two to take care of.”

Myungsoo promptly looked away so Hoya took a deep breath to calm himself because he was almost losing control and that wouldn't be good if he still wanted Myungsoo to keep assisting him.

“I guess you're already taking sides.” Myungsoo mumbled but Hoya heard everything.

“That wasn't taking sides.” Hoya said with some frustration but still trying to contain his demeanor, he wanted to slap some sense in his assistant handsome face, literally. “You know what? I will not in in your affairs and you won't hear about Sungyeol form me anymore - though I think it's childish of you to try to avoid him when you two live across each other and your kids are best friends.” He then got up and dusted his pants. “I'll see myself out, I'll stay with Sungyeol for a while if you make a decision you can call me and I'll come here.”

Hoya was halfway towards the door when Myungsoo turned to him and said something that surprised him. “I'm not avoiding him, we had a meeting this morning.”

Hoya stopped at that in a bit of surprise and then he turned to ask Myungsoo a question. “Have you two talked about the kids?”

“It is not wise to discuss my private life with my adviser, hyung.” Myungsoo replied. “I want to graduate without problems.”

Hoya made a disappointed expression. “You should tho, your son will be disappointed in you if he can't stay around his best friend anymore.” As Myungsoo avoided Hoya gaze the elder decided to open the door to leave. “I should have studied psychology, I could be earning lots of money with these two alone.” He said grumpily before closing the door.

_________________________________________________________

Woohyun opened his lunchbox and immediately pouted, a bunch of bananas? Really? What his father was thinking? It wasn't enough that his father made him wake up super early and still dropped him in school super late? He missed math class, not he had a lot of homework of something he didn't know of, urrrgh.

He breathed in and out to see if he would subside his anger and slowly grabbed one banana and started to peel it but the pout he was making stayed on his lips. He liked bananas but like a dessert, or in breakfast, or even as an afternoon snack, he definitely didn't like bananas as the only thing he would eat as lunch. He was thinking he would ask Sungyeol hyung to scold his father after he was sure the tall friend was ok, so his father put some real food in his lunch when Sunggyu and some kids approached him.

“Woohyunnie, have you finished your lunch?” The girl with piggy nose asked him and Woohyun glared hard at the banana he was holding but still took another bite. The poor innocent girl thought Woohyun was already eating dessert and was completely unaware of his current predicament hunger and anger. “Let's play after you finish it, we still have a lot of free time.” Another boy invited as Sunggyu observed his younger friend.

“Woohyunnie?” He called when the boy didn't reply and kept glaring at the poor fruit.

“I don't want to eat bananas!” Woohyun snapped and begrudgingly took another bite.

The boy and girl accompanying Sunggyu looked at each other then back at Woohyun. “Then don't eat it.” He suggested and Woohyun moved his glare from the fruit to them and that's when Sunggyu decided to intervene and properly talk with his friend, they hadn't time to talk since Woohyun arrived late.

“I don't think we will play today.” Sunggyu said in a way that didn't leave space for arguments. “I'll keep Woohyunnie company, now go.” Sunggyu watched the pair of friends scurry off then looked at Woohyun that looked angrily at his banana again.

“I don't want to eat bananas!”

“Woohyunnie, you don't need to eat them, Sungyeol hyung made me bring lunch for you too.”

Woohyun head snapped up to Sunggyu and he looked at Sunggyu as if he was his hero. “Really?”

“Yes, just a minute.” Sunggyu ran to pick up his lunchbox, a moment that Woohyun took to put the bananas (included his half-eaten one) inside his lunchbox, and the next second Sunggyu was already sitting by his side, placing the box on his lap and offering chopsticks to his friend. “Here.”

“Wow, it is my favorite.” Woohyun clapped his hand briefly in joy then started putting his chopsticks to work.

“Woohyunnie, why you came late?” Sunggyu asked after a couple of seconds then placed a bit of his food.

“Nhai nhon nhow.” The boy said with his mouth full but Sunggyu tilted his head to the side as if he hadn't understood so the boy gulped his food and talked properly. “ I don't know.” He said helplessly and Sunggyu furrowed his brows at him as he passed Woohyun some juice that the boy took a bit before he continued. “When Uncle and I arrived home daddy was weird and wanted to talk to uncle alone so I went to sleep. When I woke up I was in Incheon but my grandparents weren't there, and we didn't visit mommy, and it was no fun, and...” He took a pause to take a deep breathe then continued. “He woke me up super early to come back and we stopped home to get my uniform and bag and he put bananas for me to eat! Bananas, only!” The boy complained but Sunggyu raised his chopsticks in front of his mouth so Woohyun took the food in it.

“What's wrong with Myungsoo hyung?” Sunggyu used a tone as if putting bananas only in Woohyun lunchbox was a big sin.

“I don't know, I asked but he doesn't tell me.” The boy pouted once he gulped his food. “I was this close to calling grandpa but daddy caught me in the landline and disconnected it.”

Sunggyu eyes grew big in surprise and he gasped. “Really?”

“Really, hyung, I'm telling you!” Woohyun said as he passed the juice back to Sunggyu then used a frustrated tone. “Hyung, what is happening? I don't understand anything, they were super fine until we arrived from school and... Hoya hyung said they needed to talk about school stuff and then Sungyeol hyung cried and daddy was mad... Is-is Sungyeol hyung ok?”

Sunggyu shook his head sadly. “Yes, I mean, he stopped crying, but he is sad. He wanted to talk to Myungsoo hyung again so we went to your apartment but you weren't there, hyung tried to call too but Myungsoo hyung didn't pick up.”

“He turned off his phone and hid it, he even hid uncle phone too!” Woohyun said upset.

“Woohyunnie, I'm scared.” Sunggyu confessed and Woohyun raised a brow to him. “I'm scared that we can't play outside school again.”

“What? Nooooo! Hyung, what Sungyeol hyung said?” The boy placed his chopsticks on Sunggyu lunch box then threw himself around Sunggyu to hug him, causing half of the food to spill in Sunggyu uniform. “They can't do that, they can't!”

Sunggyu took the messy lunchbox from his lap and placed on the ground then hugged his friend back. “He didn't say anything, but he said Myungsoo hyung might be so upset that he might not allow it.”

Woohyun pulled back and looked straight into Sunggyu sad eyes and that made his own eyes water because he remembered that he had never seen his daddy like this. Yes, he thought that his daddy had been angry with the dragon before (and Woohyun definitely thought his father was right), and even when he fought in school and ended up losing a tooth but he could see his dad wasn't only angry, there was more into it, maybe he was upset with Sungyeol too so maybe it could happen that his father was the one prohibiting it.

He hugged Sunggyu again. “Nooo! This can't be. No! No! No! Why can't they just apologize?” he sniffed then continued.

“Woohyunnie...” Sunggyu called as he patted his friend back then pulled back to hold his friend's hands tightly on his. “I want to help, do you want to make a plan? We can call Sungjong hyung to help.”

Woohyun promptly nodded. “I will talk to daddy, Sungyeol hyung apologized once so he has to be the one to apologize this time, I'll make sure he will listen and... and... if I give you my grandpa phone number, do you think you can call him? Maybe you can call grandma too and...”

Sunggyu heard his friend rant with a sad expression, he knew how desperate his friend was and if he were to say the truth he was too, but the boy wasn't aware that it wasn't a matter of only apologizing, what happened was a break up and that could complicate things way more, who was exactly wrong here?

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dongwoo tried to send messages to inform Sungyeol about things, but it wasn't like he had that much time when he was in school supervising and teaching kids. He tried sending one during lunch to inform Sungyeol that Myungsoo was in Seoul at least but then again Sungyeol replied that they already bumped to each other and didn't say anything more.

He sent a second one to say that Myungsoo was the first parent to pick up his kid today and Sungyeol could only sigh as he read it and ask if Dongwoo wanted to drop by his apartment later to hear the news with Hoya.

Once the teacher agreed, Sungyeol took some time to pick Sunggyu up so he could give Dongwoo a ride. As much as Dongwoo wanted to know things he could recognize that both brothers noticed each others mood weren't that good and just kept to themselves so the ride was almost silent aside from the sound of the radio. Dongwoo hated that, he preferred the sound of bickering than this solemn silence.

“I hope Hoya hyung gets heads up with the dinner because I'm so not cooking tonight.” Sungyeol said as he came out of the elevator.

“I don't know about you, but I can't hang on an hour for some food to arrive if you only have bread I will have the entire package.” Dongwoo said with a tone that said he wasn't kidding.

“I have my lunch leftovers.” Sunggyu offered as they came close to their door and Sungyeol promptly looked at him.

“Was it too much food?” Sungyeol asked tiredly but Sunggyu shook his head.

“No, but Woohyunnie and I lost our appetite halfway through it.” Sunggyu said avoiding their gaze as Dongwoo leaned on the wall to wait for Sungyeol open the door.

“It wasn't tasty? Have I lost my hand?” He wondered.

“It was tasty, it's just...” Sunggyu sighed and looked up to his elder brother as he and Dongwoo followed him inside the apartment. “You know why...”

Sungyeol looked from Sunggyu to Dongwoo as he closed the door. “They might have cried.” Dongwoo whispered and Sungyeol sighed tiredly once more.

“Go take a bath while we figure out dinner and then we have a meeting with everyone ok?” Sungyeol pleaded and Sunggyu just nodded and left directly for the bathroom only to bump with Hoya in the way.

“Hey Sunggyu...” The boy passed Hoya without a sound and the webtoon artist actually stopped to observe the boy until the bathroom door was closed. “What's with him?”

Dongwoo shrugged. “But he cried. And Woohyun too.” He then got close to his lover and gave him a little peck that Sungyeol avoided looking. “Hi.”

“Hi.” Hoya briefly smiled at his boyfriend. “What are you doing here?”

“I came to see you, and check things up, of course.” He said then looked from one cousin to the other. “Is one of you gonna tell me you managed to talk to Myungsoo and I was the only one that didn't get to talk to him because he was late like an entire math lesson?”

“I've seen him.” Both of them said at the same time which made them look at each other in surprise. “Did you?” They asked a second time.

“Why don't we try one at time?” Dongwoo opened a sheepish smile and encouraged.

“Yes, we talked twice actually. Wait, let me take our dinner out.” Hoya said and moved to the kitchen so the other two dropped their stuff on the couch and followed only to see Hoya opening up the oven and taking a big lasagne from it. “Here it is, it is not auntie's but it will have to do.”

“You made it yourself?” Sungyeol asked sort of impressed at his cousin.

Hoya snorted. “I know a thing or two.”

“It smells so good!!! Did you make the sauce with wine?” Dongwoo asked, already salivating.

“Guess there won't be leftovers tomorrow.” Hoya said as he looked intently at his boyfriend. “Hyung, people say that after thirties your metabolism changes, slow down the amount of food you eat.” He scolded as Dongwoo looked for plates and a knife in Sungyeol cabinets already.

“Nah, we can exercise that out later. You know I love this.” Dongwoo rebuked already cutting him a piece for him.

“Hyung, Sunggyu can't eat it.” Sungyeol complained, baffled with the other two.

“Chill, I bought him something.” Hoya said as he opened the fridge and showed a lot of unhealthy food that they knew Sunggyu liked but Sungyeol despised.

“One day doesn't kill, right?” Sungyeol said to himself then moved to the fridge to pick things up for Sunggyu.

Hoya was about to agree when he noticed Dongwoo was cutting the second piece twice the size of the first one.“Yeah-yah hyung! Can't you wait till I get this to the table?”

Dongwoo laughed his characteristic laugh and scurried off to the living room with his plate, leaving Hoya with a melted heart and half of the lasagne behind.

“Divide the rest 30/70, I'm not that hungry.” Sungyeol lazily said and Hoya cut the rest put in two plates and moved to the living room.

“For someone that barely moves your routine is intense, you have to eat more.” Hoya said as dropped a plate in front of Sungyeol with a quarter of the total lasagne he made.

“Yeah, because you do know how it is sitting on your computer all day.” Sungyeol said sarcastically though he didn't complain about the amount of food in his plate. “At least I stand on my feet when I teach.”

“And I exercise every day.” Hoya said smugly as he sat and Sungyeol grimaced. “But seriously, I got a glimpse of your life today an I have to say it, dealing with people that refuse to understand things is hard. If I were you I'd lose my patience too.”

Dongwoo giggled as he imagined that but continued eating as the taller cousin stopped playing with the poor lasagne to look at his elder cousin. “What do you mean?”

Hoya sighed but clasped his hands and looked directly at Sungyeol. “I'm talking about Myungsoo, of course.”

“You said you talked to him twice today right?” Dongwoo stopped eating to ask then grabbed the cola that was already at the table to serve himself. “Had better luck than I did? He disappeared so fast...”

“More or less. He said he will still work with me but from home and if I don't mention Sungyeol, so it is a good thing for me but…” Hoya sighed, frowned and started cutting a piece of lasagna in his mouth. “Hum. It came out good again, I'm mastering this.”

“You are!” Dongwoo agreed, completely losing his focus.

“But…” Sungyeol urged, clearly not liking suspense.

“Sungyeol, I like him, I really like him, but he got on my nerves and I had to literally hold myself to not beat some sense into him, literally.” Hoya explained after he gulped his bite

“But, Hoya, you're not like that.” Dongwoo said worried as he now gave his full attention to his boyfriend.

“Eeey quit lying.” Sungyeol doubted.

“I wish I was but I'm not lying, he got on my nerves quite easily and I am an extremely patient person.” Hoya said with a serious tone.

“Why?” Both Dongwoo and Sungyeol asked at the same time.

“He is not upset guys, he is like… do you know when you hate something with a passion but you pretend not to show? He was like that most of the time when he talked to me the first time.”

“And the second time?” Dongwoo asked.

“He did through texts so it was kinda difficult to discover his mood.” Hoya answered flatly.

“And?” Sungyeol pressed.

“He doesn't want to see you, he doesn't even want to hear your name, I got the feeling you became the spawn of Satan in his head.” Hoya explained with an angry tone, only thinking his cousin ex-lover made him lose his patience.

“Yeah, you're not on your normal behavior.” Dongwoo said as he tried to pat his lover back to normality as Hoya continued.

“I just don't understand...”Hoya sighed then looked at Sungyeol. “I know that with the people skills you have you definitely hurt him in ways you don't know, but he told me that you guys don't feel the same way...” He moved to look at his boyfriend then. “How can I stay calm as I hear that? If he is super mad, it is because he was against breaking up, and Sungyeol only proposed to break up because it was the only way, so why doubt each other love?”

“Sometimes when people are hurt it's a little more difficult to see things?” Dongwoo offered but he didn’t seem much sure about that.

“Because he thinks it was easy for me.” Sungyeol interrupted both of them. “I once told him that I was selfish and I wanted everything that I could have and yes, I was, am, often like that, but once I said that breaking up was the best option he said I was willing to protect what we had and, if my interpretations on his behavior are accurate, he thinks I didn't enjoy our relationship as much so it was easy for me to let go but I...” Sungyeol stopped because speaking those words again hurt him and made his eyes tear.

“This is exactly what I understood, he is not taking this as a need to sacrifice.” Hoya pointed to his cousin while he talked to his boyfriend.

“Didn’t you explain to him why that should be the option? Did he had another suggestion?” Dongwoo asked, more to understand the situation better, since Hoya hadn't updated him much on Saturday than to properly help, he rather not enter in that kind of situation than to find a way out.

“I did but he wanted to keep our relationship and just pretend...” Dongwoo furrowed his brows as Hoya rolled his eyes, knowing this was a stupid move.

“But that's too risky. I hide my uality at my workplace because my boss is homophobic and the parents would freak if they knew but I don't think I'd be able to hide if Hoya were to work with me.” Dongwoo said in an understanding tone. “In your case, if you slip and someone sees... that would be a catastrophe.”

Sungyeol forced a smile as simultaneously tried not to let his tears fall and played with his food. “I can barely hide to Woohyun nowadays, I definitely wouldn't know how to pretend that we weren't in a relationship and I'm impartial...”

“At the end, you'll be advising him or not? Because if you are I doubt that you can be totally impartial.” Dongwoo said.

“Good question, he didn't mention anything aside from that you two had seen each other today.” Hoya said interested.

“Yes, I'll be advising him, and yes, I know I won't be totally impartial, but this way I have more chances for this strategy to work right?” Sungyeol finally put his played lasagna away to look hopelessly to his hyung.

“Maybe, but if he behaves angrily at you all the time this plan can also backfire, you know this right?” Hoya asked and Sungyeol closed his eyes and nodded painfully slow.

“This is one of the reasons I need to talk to him urgently, properly talk.”

“Didn't you say that you two met today?” Dongwoo asked.

“Yes, but we were not alone. He met with my adviser without me, and the moment I discovered about this I almost had a heart attack and ran towards her office because I was afraid Myungsoo would tell her all the truth and things up for us individually but luckily Chanyeol butted in to save our and sent me a message.” Sungyeol sighed deeply. “When I finally got there he pretended to be cordial, we came up with some excuses apologies and Professor Song made everything official, but as soon I asked him to talk alone to him 'explain the project', he was so cold...”

“From what I could sense you can expect him to be like that from now on.” Hoya made a displeased face then asked worriedly. “Are you sure you want to keep the part of the plan that you go back together after this is over? Myungsoo might not want it.”

“You intend to get back together?” Dongwoo asked and Sungyeol finally opened a small smile even though his eyes were still glassy.

“If I didn't this wouldn't be a sacrifice.” Sungyeol explained. “I know that he might say no, but intend to convince him. That will only happen if I can, at least once, talk to him alone so I can explain myself better, but I'm confident that I'll have some opportunities.”

“Careful Sungyeol, it wouldn't be wise to press much because now that you advise him that can be seen as harassment.” Dongwoo offered.

Hoya thought a bit then started working with his fork again. “I don't think it will be harassment if they bump by chance in school or in their hall.” He said before tasting a bit of the lasagna. “It got cold!” He pouted and then pulled Dongwoo plate. “I'm gonna reheat that.”

“Maybe Hoya is right, but this is a very delicate situation, be careful Sungyeol.” Dongwoo advised and the taller nodded as he pulled his plate away.

“I don't think I have the appetite, you can have my plate hyung, I'll go call Sunggyu now, he has been in the bathroom for too long, maybe something happened.”

“You'll have to eat some other time ok?” Dongwoo said and grabbed Sungyeol plate to join his boyfriend in the kitchen while the taller wiped his eyes a bit and moved to look for his brother.

Sunggyu wasn't in the bathroom, no, the door was open and there was no steam on the mirror so the boy probably had finished his bath already. He then moved to Sunggyu room but despite the boy uniform being thrown over his bed, Sunggyu wasn't there either. Strange. Sungyeol was sure Sunggyu didn't come to the living room or kitchen, he also didn't attempt to come out of their apartment without eating too, where he could... Sungyeol furrowed his brows, he could only be in his room right?

The older Lee brother walked towards his own room, that had his door closed, only to hear what it seemed to be his younger brother whispers so he opened the door slowly to see what he was doing it.

“ … we don't know what to do. Yes, yes, and Woohyunnie is upset... I don't think we will....” Sunggyu was whispering hurriedly in the phone, a phone that definitely didn't belong to him.

“Kim Sunggyu, who are you talking to?” Sungyeol demanded.

“Kyaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Sunggyu screamed and the phone flew up from his hands with the shock and fell on Sungyeol bed the next second.

“Is this Hoya's hyung phone? How do you even know his password?” To tell the truth, Sungyeol was really surprised with his brother audacity and sneakiness.

Sunggyu got nervous but picked up the phone to talk to the person on the other side. “Sungyeol hyung caught me, I'll probably be grounded now, but please don't say anything and come soon.”

“Sunggyu!” Sungyeol groaned and approached his brother to repeat his question. “Who were you talking to? And is this Hoya's hyung phone?” He furthered asked as he placed his hand in front of the boy so he would give the phone back. Sunggyu smiled sheepishly and passed the phone back so Sungyeol sighed and asked something again. “Did you want to call Sungjong?”

“I already talked to him.” Sunggyu confessed.

“You were calling someone else then? Kim Sunggyu, who did you call?”

“Promise you won't be mad if I tell you!” The boy pleaded with eyes as round as he could make it.

“I don't have the energy to be mad, but I'm disappointed that you're using Hoya's hyung phone without his authorization.”

“Sorry! It was for a good cause, I swear.” the boy put his hands together, pleading to be believed but Sungyeol grabbed him by one of his wrists. “You are going to apologize to Hoya hyung right now!” He half dragged him to the living room where Dongwoo was already working on his plate again. “Start apologizing.”

Both Dongwoo and Hoya furrowed their brows and looked from one brother to another confused.

“Hoya hyung, I'm sorry I used your phone without your permission.” He said and Hoya blinked quickly.

“Here it is.” Sungyeol promptly put the phone, that had some stickers from Hoya's characters in front of him. “It seems that he made two calls.”

“But it was for a good cause, I swear.” The boy insisted.

Hoya promptly got his phone and checked his log. “He called Sungjong, relax Sungyeol.” He said until he saw an unknown number. “Who did you call?”

“Grandma Park.” Sunggyu said and that surprised everyone.

“Who?” Dongwoo asked.

“Myungsoo's mother?” Hoya asked surprised. “How did you get her number?”

“Woohyunnie gave me, he asked me to call her.”

Sungyeol inhaled deeply and tried to stay calm to access the situation if Myungsoo knew about the call he could be pissed. “Why? Why did he ask you to do that? And what you said to her?”

“Because Woohyunnie told me that Myungsoo hyung disconnected his landline and hid his phone and that Myungsoo hyung is acting weird and...” The boy took a breath to continue his nervous rant. “We are afraid we can't play anymore.”

“Sunggyu has legit reasons, he is, therefore, forgiven.” Hoya smiled at Sunggyu then patted a chair for him. “Come here eat something now, look at what I bought for you, yummy no?”

Sunggyu side eyed his brother that sighed and climbed the chair to look at the delicious pastries/cakes Hoya had brought him.

“But I told you a couple of times already that you can play with Woohyun.” Sungyeol said tiredly as he moved to the only free chair and let himself fall there. “My current situation with his father might demand a certain distance from us now, but I don't want that to interfere in your friendship, besides I don't know if Myungsoo will like if he knows you two want to meddle in things between us.”

“But we weren't meddling, I was just passing a message from Woohyunnie.” Sunggyu said feeling completely misunderstood as he grabbed a small cheesecake and nibbled at it.

“What message? Did anything happen?” Hoya asked.

“I told you both that they might have cried today, isn't that true Sunggyu?” Dongwoo asked and Sungyeol made an expectant expression.

“No.” Sunggyu said cutely then stopped a second to think before talking again. “ Just Woohyunnie, he is very upset.”

“Is it my fault?” Sungyeol asked slumping his shoulders then asked helplessly. “Did you discover anything else?”

“No! Yes!” Sunggyu said then he confused himself with his own answer so he tried to self-correct. “It wasn't your fault, it was Myungsoo hyung fault alone.”

“What did he do?” Dongwoo encouraged and Sunggyu hesitated a bit but, it was his brother there right? Maybe what he knew could help somehow.

“First Woohyunnie said that he and uncle Moonsoo...” The three of them furrowed their brows at Sunggyu because of the way he addressed Myungsoo brother but at the end decided not to interrupt the kid. “ went back to their apartment on Friday only for Myungsoo hyung send Woohyunnie early to bed and lock himself with uncle Moonsoo in his room and then when Woohyunnie woke up he was in Incheon.” The three adults looked amongst themselves. “Woohyunnie said that our grandparents weren't there, that it wasn't fun, his daddy was mad looking all weekend, and they didn't play at all, and that it wasn't fun, and that he was tired of Netflix, and he only ate fruits in the weekend. And on Monday Myungsoo hyung woke him up extra early and still have brought him super late to school with bananas only for lunch. He is very upset.”

“I understand why Woohyun would be upset but why it seems he is hating fruits with passion?” Hoya asked.

“Myungsoo mom is a food critic, hyung, they always had tasty food in their house before moving here so when Woohyun goes to Incheon he expects to eat good food.” Sungyeol explained. “And contrary of Sunggyu, Woohyun is not a picky eater at all, he loves vegetables, he loves fruits, but they are complimentary for him, he asks for it as a dessert or a snack. If he eats a banana he will definitely ask for consistent food later, and I don't know where all this food goes because the boy is tiny.”

Sunggyu smiled brightly and explained to the adults. “But Sungyeol hyung made me take more lunch to school so I shared with Woohyunnie and he was very happy.” After a second thought, the boy continued in a sadder tone. “Until he became scared his daddy wouldn't let us play and hugged me but half of the food we had left fell on my uniform.”

“I tried helping him to clean but...” Dongwoo smiled sheepishly.

“It's ok, I'm already used. These little disasters follow Sunggyu everywhere.” Sungyeol sighed.

“Hey, it was Woohyunnie this time.” Sunggyu complained and angrily bit his cheesecake again.

“When you finish eating bring your uniform to me to wash it.” Sungyeol said and got up to drag himself to the couch and get his things to maybe set up on his bedroom to start working again when Sunggyu turned in his chair to ask him something.

“Hyung, did I played spies well?”

“Yes, Sunggyu, you did very well, you can continue playing spies if you want but don't do anything else.” Sungyeol got his bag while mumbling for himself. “Gosh, Myungsoo is an entire mess, he better get together, he can't neglect his king or checkmate.”

“But what about our plan?” Sunggyu asked.

“You have a plan?” Hoya rubbed his hands together in excitement.

Dongwoo crossed his arms and looked at Sungyeol as if telling him to beware. “I hope you remember how insistent Sunggyu can be, he even managed to win the principal and...”

“Hyung! That's a surprise.” Sunggyu complained and Dongwoo promptly shut up leaving Sungyeol a bit confused.

“Tell us, buddy.” Hoya begged, nudging Sunggyu, and the boy got shy.

“It's nothing big, Woohyunnie will ask his daddy to come here so we can discover if we can still play together, but if that happens hyung can ask him more things right?”

“Well, that's not too bad, at least you'll know where you stand.” Dongwoo said with a smile but Sungyeol sighed sadly.

“I already know where I stand.” He informed his hyung then looked at the maknae. “But if you want to wait for Woohyun or want to go there to ask yourself if you two can play, it's ok, just inform us ok? I'll read Myungsoo project now.” He then sighed again and started dragging his feet towards his room.

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“Woohyun how was school today?” Myungsoo asked trying to be soft to his son as he served some kimchi jiggae that Woohyun had overdosed years before, and if one took in consideration the boy was seven that said a lot, besides, his daddy kimchi jiggae wasn't as good as Sungyeol's and he was still upset about the bananas.

“Awful.” The boy replied angrily.

“Why?” Myungsoo asked without a clue and Woohyun pouted and crossed his arms and didn't reply. “Is Mingyu bothering you again?” Again no answer. “Did you fight Sunggyu then?”

“Nooo, never!” The boy finally replied.

“That's a good thing then.” Myungsoo forced a smile but couldn't maintain eye contact with his son so he started to play with his food. “What was awful today then?” He asked and Woohyun looked at him.

“Arriving late? Missing my math lesson and not knowing how to do today's homework? A super-crowded bus? My legs hurt!” The boy asked sassily and Myungsoo eyes twitched.

“Nam Woohyun!” Myungsoo scolded and the boy squirmed in his seat.

“You asked me a question and I answered.” The boy feigned some innocence then after a second, he decided to put his and Sunggyu's first part of the plan into action. “Now Sunggyu hyung will spend more time to teach me.” He added a pout at the end so his father got the message he was trying to pass.

“I'm sorry about the tardiness ok? We came unprepared from Incheon, but don't worry, I can teach you today.” Myungsoo assured and Woohyun got surprised. Not that Myungsoo had never sat to teach him but this couldn't happen today or it would mean... No, he wouldn't go down without a fight, Sunggyu would never forgive him if he did.

“Ok, then when Gyu hyung comes, we...” He started talking but he was interrupted by his daddy.

“He can come another day, I think we need to spend more time together.” Myungsoo said and he didn't seem to be kidding but Woohyun wasn't either when he was upset.

“I don't want to spend time with you today.” Woohyun blurted and Myungsoo almost choked on his food.

“What?”

“I don't want to spend time with you today.” The boy promptly repeated with a serious gaze.

“Why?” Myungsoo tried to be patient but he couldn't avoid being surprised, Woohyun never refused time together. NEVER.

“Because we spent the entire weekend together and it was no fun. You took me to Incheon during the night and I woke up with my neck hurting, you didn't take me to play soccer, there wasn't even food in grandma's house and I had to eat fruits all weekend, and then you didn't let me play with uncle Moonsoo either, you didn't even let me play in the pool, I think I've never wanted to watch Netflix again because I watched two entire dramas there and I couldn't even do my homework so Dongwoo hyung scolded me and...”

“I get it, I get it!” Myungsoo interrupted. “I get this weekend was not the best, but I wasn't... I'm not in the best moment too.”

Woohyun crossed his little arms and snorted, yes, he could see that. “And why is that?” The boy dared to ask and Myungsoo was momentarily at loss of words, how he could explain things?

“I'm having problems at school and I needed help from uncle Moonsoo.” He said and expected that Woohyun wouldn't ask for more explanation but things didn't go as he planned.

“What problems?” The boy asked with interest.

“Just some problems on things you can't understand.” Myungsoo replied nervously and then got up and decided to take his plate to the kitchen.

“What? What I can't understand? Are there kids picking on you? Were you scolded because you didn't do your homework? Tell me!” The boy asked his father as he climbed down the chair and followed him.

“Nooo~. Woohyun, I'm explaining it is something complex and you're too young to understand.” Myungsoo replied as he placed the plate on the sink and the boy snorted as he didn't believe that. “ I just had to take time to talk about my problem with Moonsoo before making a decision.” He continued but Woohyun wouldn’t take that answer like that.

“Why?” The boy asked.

“Because sometimes even adults need another person opinion and this time I needed his.” He said hastily.

“But why uncle Moonsoo? Wasn't Sungyeol hyung able to help you?” The boy furthered asked and Myungsoo had to stop everything he was doing to clash his teeth with force.

“Sungyeol hyung can't help me with everything.” He finally said trying to contain his emotions.

“Of course he can, Sungyeol hyung knows everything, even piano.” Woohyun said as it was obvious and Myungsoo wondered how Sungyeol managed to win his son's heart. He thought the other way around was easy because Woohyun was very lovable, but he didn't think that if something ever happened his son would betray him and stay on Sungyeol side. Myungsoo shook his head to stop these kinds of thoughts, he knew Sungyeol put some effort to be liked and accepted by his son even before they both got together but there was no side to take, this wasn't a dispute for Woohyun, this was something between him and Sungyeol only.

“No, not everything.” He said with contained anger but Woohyun was able to notice. He doesn't know what he did to me.

“Daddy, have you fought with Sungyeol hyung?” Woohyun asked and Myungsoo didn't answer but that made the answer even more obvious for the boy and he became sad and confused. “Why? Why did you fight this time?”

“Adult's stuff.” Myungsoo gave a vague answer and started to wash things again.

“But he is your best friend and he apologized once so it is your turn to apologize this time.” Woohyun said with frustration and Myungsoo snorted and turned slowly to Woohyun.

“I never said he was my best friend.” Now that surprised Woohyun for sure which made the boy gasp. There was someone Myungsoo liked more than Sungyeol yet his dad didn't love it as he loved him his mom and their family?

“But you said you needed friends that could understand you and that Sungyeol hyung would be what Sunggyu hyung is for me, and that's best friends...” Woohyun said as his eyes watered and Myungsoo already regretted what he said back then because you tell a kid a few things then they think they know everything.

“I also said that not everyone that spend time with you is your real friends. And I won't apologize for something I don't have any fault in it.” Myungsoo said coldly and that was the last drop of water in a cup that was too full already.

“NO! NO! NO!” Woohyun shook his head furiously in denial. “Sungyeol hyung is your friend, our friend!” Woohyun eyes wandered a bit as he thought and then he looked at his father again. “I'm gonna ask him to apologize to you then and why he can't help when best friends need to help each other.”

Woohyun promptly turned around and ran for the door but Myungsoo had big legs and was used to running faster than his opponents so he ran past Woohyun and stood in front of the door.

“Daddy, let me pass.” Woohyun tried to push his father to the side and go to the door but his father grabbed him by the waist and dragged him to his room.

“The only thing you're doing now is your homework and that's it.” He said as he placed the boy on his chair and then got the boy's bag and placed at the table in front him.

“Why? I could help you talk to Sungyeol hyung...” The boy asked in frustration

“NO!” Myungsoo couldn't help but scream and as Woohyun became startled he instantly felt guilty. “Woohyun, our family is just you and I, we are a team of two and we have to learn how to take care of ourselves on our own, we are becoming too lazy and we need a break from our neighbors...” The elder tried to coax

“Friends, they are our friends.” Woohyun insisted but Myungsoo didn't change his expression one bit.

“It doesn't matter.” Myungsoo said with anger. “You're grounded for misbehaving...”

“When did I...?” Woohyunt tried to ask but Myungsoo continued.

“... talking back, and questioning my orders. You're a child and I am your father, you have to do what I say.” Myungsoo said firmly gritted his teeth, he didn't agree with his father at all and he knew he wasn't going to win any fight today or as long as his father was mad, and if he insisted he would only worsen his punishment. “You can't play outside nor have visits until I say so, now start with your homework, I'll get back in a second to teach you.”

“That's so unfair.” Woohyun mumbled to himself as he turned to his backpack and start taking his notebook from it.

Seeing that Woohyun would obey, Myungsoo turned around to go back to the kitchen and try to calm himself a little. Usually, he was not that rigid with Woohyun but the boy needed to be reminded that he was the one with the authority that the boy should respect, besides he needed distance from Sungyeol and but Woohyun might need some too.

The neighbors had appeared into their lives, made themselves essential like one day his own parents were but they could not be dependent, not emotionally, not in any other way. They had to be auto-sufficient or moving out of Incheon would be for nothing because, now that Myungsoo thought better, it seemed like he exchanged the help from his parents (not financial help though) to Sungyeol and Sunggyu. They both needed some neighbors detox, they needed, it was for the best.

He was halfway to the kitchen, trying to assure himself that this was a good decision and was totally not taken out of anger when he heard the door of his son being close. That was a clearly sigh that Woohyun didn't want to be bothered and the only rebellion he could demonstrate at the moment, so Myungsoo only sighed and went back to the table to take his barely eaten son’s plate from the table and wash it.

Once he was done with all the dishes he decided to clean the boy lunch box. He didn't think there was too much to clean because he only put enough bananas to make Woohyun full since he didn't have the time to cook anything properly, but he was surprised there was three and a half eaten, and this one was quite kneaded too, bananas. So he didn't eat? Myungsoo was confused at first if his son didn't eat those bananas, why he barely touched dinner? Unfortunately, he couldn't dwell much on it because he heard knocks on his door.

He thought quickly and decided that, if it was Sungyeol, he would be sure to tell him he could get a feedback next Wednesday, so he went to get the door sort of fuming but he was instantly disarmed when he saw Sunggyu smiling at him.

“Hyung, your door was locked!” The boy dutifully informed as if that was a big absurd then tried to pass Myungsoo and enter his apartment like he always did. “Where is Woohyunnie?”

Myungsoo promptly stood in front of the boy to not let him pass. “He is doing his homework.”

“Then I'll help him finish quickly so we can play.” Sunggyu smiled and tried to pass again but Myungsoo stood still.

“Does your brother knows you're here?”

“Of course.” Sunggyu replied happily. “Sungyeol hyung gave me permission to come.” The boy tried a third time and Myungsoo didn't move he looked impatiently to the adult.

“But Sunggyu, I think Woohyunnie and I need some time to ourselves so I don't think you should be meeting outside the school for the...” He tried to inform softly but halted his words when he noticed the expression of betrayal Sunggyu made.

“But Sungyeol hyung let us!” Myungsoo opened his mouth but Sunggyu wasn't finished. “He said your fight had nothing to do with us so we could play together, so why are you the one being mean?”

Myungsoo sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose to alleviate some stress. “I'm not being mean... He is grounded.”

“What?” The boy gasped but then became angry. “Why? Why are you taking on us?”

“I'm not taking on you, as soon as Woohyun fixes his behavior he will be able to play again and...” Myungsoo tried to defend himself but Sunggyu shook his head at him in anger, he definitely didn't want to listen.

“You said you'd take care of my hyung and you said I was important too but you're hurting us, and Woohyunnie too!” Myungsoo avoided the boy's gaze but that made Sunggyu madder. “THIS IS UNFAIR!” He ended up yelling before going back to his own apartment crying. “Hyungs...” Myungsoo heard Sunggyu whining/calling before the door slammed in his face.

The young dad sighed tiredly and slowly closed his own door. He looked guiltily to his son's door only to see that it was open and Woohyun had been observing him. “Woohyunnie, I...” He couldn't finish whatever he wanted to say because his son closed his door with force too.

“IT'S NOT FAIR!”

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AN: Myungsooo, what are you doing? The kids won't go down without a fight and they have their eyes on you.