Sungyeol was taken by the arm as soon as he came out of the first round of evaluation, Dara and Chanyeol had just returned and were waiting for him to come out because they wanted to know everything about the exam. Sungyeol only remembered a lot of questions thrown at him as they moved him to a restaurant near the campus, he did his best to answer but the only thing that kept replaying in his head was the fact that Myungsoo didn’t have classes today and knew they couldn’t meet but he made sure to appear to cheer him up. Unfortunately for Sungyeol, Myungsoo didn’t stick around to talk to him, not that Sungyeol was expecting anything, it would be suspicious and the younger probably knew that.

Sungyeol knew that nothing was certain but by the phone call he received on monday and the cheering he received today made him sure that Myungsoo understood things a bit better and that left him positive although Myungsoo still kinda wanted to die.

Woohyun arrived early with his homework for the second night in a row so by now Sungyeol already thought it was a good thing. He inspected homework time because sometimes Sunggyu lost his patience and just wanted to finish Woohyun homework himself so they could play sooner and the same thing that happened before, happened again: he would caught woohyun looking at him fixedly. He didn’t know what to think of this and figured he would try to ask Myungsoo on Friday. The boys spent the night rehearsing after that although they made sure to ask Sungyeol to use headphones to not to hear because they wanted to make a surprise.

Thursday was a day spent working and some rehearsing Sungyeol pretended he didn’t hear on his apartment, but once Friday came… Sungyeol was kind of beaming with positivity. The day to face Myungsoo had finally came and he felt thrilled about it.

Sungyeol arrived early in his office only to find his adviser waiting for him. She was beaming because she heard whispers that Sungyeol did good in the written tests. “Prepare yourself, the results are coming out on Monday and from Wednesday on topics for lectures will be drawn. Then they will schedule day and time for your lecture.” She said happily.

Lecture, Sungyeol couldn't care less about that at this moment, he could only worry because he wanted to talk about things he shouldn't with Myungsoo and his adviser didn't seem like she would be leaving the office to give them some privacy. He worked a bit and talked to a couple of students about the classes he was assisting before Myungsoo arrived. Thankfully it was near lunch so Sungyeol had an excuse to go out of the office.

“Hey, I thought you would come after lunch.” Sungyeol greeted and Myungsoo thought it was better to focus in an imaginary for between the elder eyebrows, if he were to look at anywhere else he would probably get his cheeks red.

“Do I have bad timing?”Myungsoo asked and lowered his tone to add and explanation. “I had to speed up on my work because I have a meeting with Hoya hyung around 2PM.” He made sure to say that for Sungyeol to know he didn't had any intention to stick around for long, he didn't want to be asked about this week happenings.

Sungyeol looked at his watch then at the door to his adviser office a little worried. “Would you mind if we grabbed some lunch while I look at your project?”

Myungsoo didn't know if Sungyeol caught on his plan or if he just wanted to get out of the office for whatever reason. “Are we allowed to do that?” He asked with some confusion.

Sungyeol took that as an yes and got up to collect a pen, marker, his wallet and phone. “We can say we have time constraints and that wouldn't be a lie, would it?” Sungyeol asked as he tried looking into Myungsoo's eyes although the younger avoided. “I guess it wouldn't.”

“Ok, then let's go to the cafeteria.” Sungyeol declared as he moved towards the door. “Professor Song, Myungsoo has time constraints so I'll advise him over lunch, if you need anything I'm at the cafeteria.” He made sure to say out loud so the woman could hear but didn't really wait for an answer.

Myungsoo sighed deeply because he knew he wouldn't escape Sungyeol today. He wanted the elder to look at his project and tell him if he was progressing, but if Sungyeol needed to talk about this week  he just hoped it was quick and he didn't need to dig a tunnel to another continent to escape or something.

“Have you managed to write anything since the last time we talked?” Sungyeol asked right after he closed the door behind him.

“I don't think I progressed that much but yes, I wrote a few things down.”  Myungsoo said as he tried not to look at the elder eyes.

“Have you printed another version?” The elder asked he started to lead the way to the cafeteria.

“Just the last page from the first chapter and what I wrote up till now for chapter two.” Myungsoo said as he accompanied the elder, thankful that Sungyeol was focusing on his project.

“Give me.” Sungyeol said, not bothering to look at him but placing the palm of his hand up.

Myungsoo continued walking trying to search for the printed pages inside his backpack while keeping an eye on the way and, once he found it, handed to Sungyeol.

The elder continued his way on autopilot but tried to read carefully what Myungsoo wrote despite the current circumstances. He remembered Myungsoo first chapter so it was easy to find out the parts where the young dad altered things, true to what Sungyeol believed, Myungsoo was able to write a better ending to that specific chapter and that meant they would probably not talk about that again.

“This is really good…” Sungyeol was about to make a compliment but he kept his eyes on the paper and that meant he was gonna bump a kid that hurried upstairs without looking up.

To avoid an accident, since they were about to go down the stairs, Myungsoo gently held Sungyeol elbow and practically pulled Sungyeol just close enough to him so he wouldn't bump with kid.

Sungyeol felt a bit confused but, as soon the kid brushed past him, he was able to understand what happened.

“Thank you.” He said and Myungsoo promptly gave a diagonal step to keep moving while stepping away from the elder.

“Look where you're going, I can wait till we sit down.” The younger softly scolded and that filled with Sungyeol with hopes, people often said that the third time was a charm so Myungsoo still cared about him right?

Sungyeol moved to follow his student/love interest and decided to finish his comments as they continued their way towards the cafeteria.

“As I was saying, this is really good, the transition to the next chapter became really smooth, so you can consider it officially finished in terms of content. Just make sure to scan for spelling mistakes when you review your project as a whole.”

“That's good.” Myungsoo replied with a tone that made evident he was pleased.

They kept in silence for a few seconds while they walked side by side. Sungyeol kept the younger project in his hands but didn't dare to look at it again so he wouldn't make the same mistake again,he looked around a bit and once he seemed safe enough opened his mouth again.

“Can I ask you a question?”He knew that was a bit redundant because he just asked one but he didn't think Myungsoo would mind it. Except Myungsoo did mind because he thought he could guess the question the elder was about to make. He stopped and placed his hands over his face completely embarrassed.

“Can we not talk about what I think you're gonna talk about? Please.” Myungsoo pleaded.

Sungyeol also stopped and turned to look at the younger in slight amusement, he knew what Myungsoo was talking about but he didn't think it would be wise to talk about that there, he had something else in mind.

“It's about Woohyun.” The elder said and Myungsoo took the hands out of his face and resumed walking, hoping to hide the slight blush on his face with a bit of his speed. “So, can I ask you a question?” Sungyeol repeated as he followed the younger.

“I had a talk with him, he is fine, at least enough for the time being.” Myungsoo replied, hoping to make Sungyeol give up asking him things.

“That’s good to hear although I already guessed that.” Sungyeol said as he followed Myungsoo into the cafeteria.

Now that they entered where they were headed to and there was a lot of people busily talking, eating or simply moving, it would easier to talk without raising suspicions so Myungsoo felt nervous about that. “Then what do you want to know?” The younger couldn't help but ask, eager to get rid of the awkwardness he was feeling already.

As they moved toward the line to chose their food, Sungyeol got just close enough so he could talk and still don't raise suspicions.

“How is he reacting? Is he uncomfortable with something?” Sungyeol finally asked and Myungsoo knew exactly what he was talking about but it wasn't like the boy was hating anything so he didn't know why the elder decided to ask him that?

“What do you mean?” Myungsoo turned briefly to look at Sungyeol while frowning. “He is not uncomfortable with you or else he wouldn't go to your apartment.” He lowered his voice the max he could.

“Still...” Sungyeol hesitated a bit but decided that, good or bad, it was better to inform Myungsoo. “...why do I feel like he is observing me like an animal in a zoo?”

Myungsoo frown deepened. “What? He is doing what?”

“Observing me.” Sungyeol said firmly then decided to use an adjective to illustrate better. “Closely? Attentively? Carefully? Mindfully?”

Myungsoo squinted his eyes at Sungyeol, clearly scolding the elder. “I know synonyms.” He then added a question. “But why would he do that?”

Sungyeol shrugged. “I don't know, perhaps he is expecting that I behave in a certain way? I'm treating him how I usually do so I'm pretty lost on this one.”

“Not that I know of, but is it bothering you? Do you want me to talk to him?” Myungsoo asked.

“No, you don't need to. Besides, it isn't really bothering me, it is just different, it feels like he studying me somehow.” Sungyeol said as he raised his hands in the air to try to dismiss it.

“Are you sure? I talked to him last weekend and I think I made a few things clear.” Myungsoo asked again and if Sungyeol were to be honest he was curious over that conversation, but at the same time he didn't think it would be ok to talk about that right now. Both of them needed to focus.

“I'm just telling you this because I didn't know if a new problem could appear, but he is really not bothering me and if he is fine at home, you don't need to do anything. Just focus on your project so we can finish it.” Sungyeol gave him a firm look that it didn't leave space for anything other than a nod and then proceeded walking. “I'm kinda anxious to read what you wrote so let's get food and find a table already.”

They moved to the line and both of them placed food on their plates. Sungyeol couldn't help but notice that Myungsoo put food he usually did not eat because it weighted less and would probably make his stomach feel full faster and that could only mean one thing: the younger started to save money since the November was around the corner and, if Sungyeol remembered correctly, Myungsoo's money would only last till then.

Sungyeol wanted to exchange plates or pay for the younger lunch and insist that he ate like a healthy man his age and not as a picky three year old Sunggyu, but they were in public, he definitely couldn't do that. It made his heart ache but he pretended not to see or not to mind.

Aside his high IQ, there was one thing that Sungyeol prided himself in because of his work: reading fast, and if Sungyeol could give a compliment right off the bat was that Myungsoo text seemed more fluid this time. Yes, there were things Sungyeol desperately needed Myungsoo to change but the younger seemed to know which direction Sungyeol wanted to push him in.

After he ate he made suggestions and advised Myungsoo the best he could. They discussed the next steps and Sungyeol told Myungsoo it was time for him to read the last books of the pile he had suggested previously. The elder thought Myungsoo would whine about those books again but this time the younger agreed right away, so Sungyeol took that as if the younger understood his concerns better after the conversation they had.

This time both of them parted ways in a good mood and quite pleased with how the meeting proceeded but while Sungyeol spent the rest of the day smiling out of nowhere, Myungsoo couldn't help but be intrigued about what Sungyeol told him about Woohyun.

He started reading the remaining books and looked over Hoya's instructions and then he was off to pick up his son. During the way back home Myungsoo thought that either nothing was wrong with his son or he was pretending too well but over dinner Myungsoo discovered exactly Sungyeol was talking about.

“Do you want to ask me anything?” Myungsoo asked once he felt Woohyun intense gaze on him while they were eating.

“No.” The boy replied as innocently as he could.

“Are you sure?” He insisted.

Woohyun blinked twice. “I'm sure.”

Myungsoo squinted his eyes at his son then slowly got back to his food only to snap his head back up and caught Woohyun observing him intently. The boy promptly tried to avoid his father gaze and Myungsoo could only sigh and rest his chopstick on the bowl.

“Woohyun, I know you're upset with something  so tell daddy what is bothering you.” He pleaded.

“Nothing.” The boy insisted but as he spoke through gritted teeth he made his anger evident.

“Is this still about our conversation last Sunday?”

“No.” The boy denied though he started to unconsciously glare at his dad.

Myungsoo glared back for a few second then pretended to give up and returned his attention to his food. “I guess you don't want to rehearse with Sunggyu today.”

“Nooo~~” Woohyun whined as he pushed his bowl away and wriggled his body on his chair.

“Then tell me what it is.” Myungsoo said firmly.

Woohyun finally wriggled his body timidly. “I'm trying to understand you.” He said and his dad squinted eyes at him again, clearly doubting him.

“You don't need to be weird about it, it is not like I will change because of it, I'll still behave the same way I do now.” Myungsoo tried to assure him although that didn't explain why Woohyun seemed to be treating Sungyeol in a similar way.

“That is not true, I'll have to share you with the girl and you'll spend less time with me.”

Myungsoo sighed and rubbed his forehead worriedly. “As I told you before you don't need to worry about that now, besides, I'm sure you'll charm her, after all you managed to charm our neighbors didn't you?” The young dad tried to be positive.

“Maybe.” Woohyun conceded and Myungsoo though that was an improvement until the boy opened his mouth again. “But I liked better before.”

“Before how Woohyun?” Myungsoo asked with a serious tone. “Now you know that Sungyeol hung likes me, even if college wasn't prohibiting me to be friends with him it would be difficult to be like we were before.” He said and he wasn't lying, even if decided to get back together with the older he figured it would take some time for things to really fall into place.

“I know.” Woohyun said sadly because he pitied the hung that would never have his feelings returned, still he was sure of one thing. “But I rather play with him instead of meeting your evil girlfriend.”

Myungsoo sighed again and rubbed his forehead not knowing how to retort to this, he wasn't quite understanding his son or this unexpected deep love the boy developed.

“There is no girlfriend yet, much less an evil one.” Myungsoo tried once more to assure his son, this time with some exasperation then asked hurt. “Why are you saying that? Hm? I know you like him but aren't you being too much to me? He knows how things are and sooner or later...“

The boy soon interrupted his dad because he couldn't hear his dad explanations anymore. “I didn't need to share you with him, we all spent time together and it was awesome.” The boy said firmly.

“So time we spend together is also a problem.” Myungsoo concluded slightly annoyed. “But we can still spend time together with my future lover too..”  Myungsoo was ready to start explain things but Woohyun got up from his chair and took a step on his dad direction.

“I don't want to.” The boy whined. “I rather play with Sungyeol hyung instead.”

Myungsoo sighed deeply and glared at his son. “I know you like him and I admit Sungyeol hyung changed a lot, but do you realize that you're choosing him over me?”

Woohyun got even close of his dad, blinked confusedly a couple times as he pursed his lips and thought about that question. After he came to a conclusion he frowned. “I would never do that. It's just when you're doing something boring and has to drag me I'd prefer to stay back and play with the hyungs…”Myungsoo was about to open his mouth when his son continued. “Like your practices… I like your matches but I hate to go to your practices after school, I prefer to play with the hyungs. Besides, once your project is over and Sungyeol hyung get over his feelings we can go back to be like we were before.”

Myungsoo blinked in disbelief as he heard that from his son. “He said he already tried and couldn't get over his feelings. And he might be fine now but one day it will not be enough and he will still be hurt.” Myungsoo said with conviction because he was sure he wouldn't be able to keep a friendship if he decided not to go back to Sungyeol but Woohyun faith in the elder remained unshaken.

“Maybe, but you'll hurt him even more if you get a girlfriend right now.” The boy pointed then gasped as he registered how long he had been talking to his dad. “Daddy, you have your project, and the hyungs must have been waiting for me so we can rehearse, we need to focus.”

Myungsoo was speechless for a few minutes so Woohyun took advantage of that to grab his backpack. He was about to go to the door when Myungsoo finally found some words.

“Real life is not like your dramas Woohyun, sometimes people don't get over.” Myungsoo ended up saying as he watched the boy halt his steps. The boy turned around then smiled at his dad.

“Then don't get over mom.” Myungsoo was shocked again and the boy took the opportunity to speed his way out before his father grounded him.

“YAH! NAM WOOHYUN!” Myungsoo yelled angrily but at that point Woohyun already had closed his father door and entered his neighbor's apartment without ceremonies.

“Woohyunnie!” Sunggyu was the first to greet as he perked up from where he was doing his homework.

Sungyeol squinted his eyes at the boy. “Woohyun, what did you do?”

“Nothing.” The boy pouted as he walked directly to where Sunggyu was.

“Your dad sounded angry though.” Sunggyu shared his opinion, that mirrored Sungyeol's.

“So what?” The boy replied with a bit of sass as he sat beside his friend and started taking his homework out of his backpack so he could work on it.

“You shouldn't make him angry, he has to focus and if he is angry he might tell you can't come anymore. If that happens it will be on you this time, I won't be able to help you guys.” Sungyeol reasoned from his corner and Woohyun ended up pushing his things out of the coffee table in frustration, he knew Sungyeol was right.

Sunggyu turned his head and shared a look with his elder brother that practically screamed for help, he didn't have a clue what to do. Sungyeol sighed then got up from the dinner table to approach both boys.

“What is going on hm? Don't think I didn't notice you have been weird this entire week.”

“I haven't!” Woohyun disagreed.

“Woohyunnie, you have.” Sunggyu said softly. “You keep looking at hyung weirdly, Dongwoo hyung is scolding you because you're distracted in class and you're not putting effort to rehearse.” The elder boy counted on his little fingers and Sungyeol pointed as his brother, practically saying ‘see?’.”

Woohyun pouted at them and Sungyeol tried patting his hair. “Come on, tell us, we are on your side.”

“You're gonna get hurt, I don't want to see you hurt.” Woohyun begrudgingly said.

Sungyeol promptly recoiled his hand and sites. “So you're upset that I love your father afterall.”

“I'm not upset with you.” Woohyun said with conviction and kinda annoyed because he already time that hyung he wasn't mad at him.

“Then?” Sunggyu asked.

Woohyun bit his lips while he hesitated and but decided to open up. “Daddy told me he wants to date.”

Sungyeol was surprised with that declaration. It seemed like Myungsoo took the first step with Woohyun so it was understandable why the boy had been upset. It seemed to him that he should praise Myungsoo for having this kind of conversation and still be able to survive his son's anger with the same focus of the previous week, but he didn't know how he should act right now. Should he pretend he was surprised? Should he pretend to be sad? Should he be honest and say that he knew?

“I don't want him to.” The boy confessed with a pout on his lips as Sungyeol held his breath.

Sunggyu looked at his hyung with a bit of pity then shook his head and returned his attention to his homework again. “ I don't want to fight because of this anymore.”

“Why?” Sungyeol ended up asking and the youngest boy looked at him as if asking if he heard correctly but once the elder didn't say anything more he got the hint he had to explain.

“At first I thought daddy should love mommy's forever but Sunggyu hyung was right and it seems like people can love someone else once the marriage ends. Daddy told me that and he also said he told her he feels lonely so he that isn't cheating mommy.”

“I told you.” Sunggyu said because he couldn't resist, although he didn't lift his eyes from his homework.

Sungyeol forced a tense smile out of his lips. “And you're upset because he told you this?”

The boy hesitated a little but confessed. “I am.” He looked Sungyeol's face up and down then added. “A bit.” He said with a pout still in his lips.

“Woohyun-ah, your father….” Sungyeol was about to try to help Myungsoo out since it seemed that Woohyun would listen to him but the boy continued speaking.

“It's ok, I don't want to see daddy sad.”The boy begrudgingly said and that revealed to the pair of brothers that Woohyun was trying to accept that.

“Why he was screaming at you then?” Sunggyu lifted his head to ask curiously.

Woohyun briefly looked at Sungyeol with some pity then turned to explain at his friend. “Sungyeol hyung can't get rid of his feelings, if daddy starts dating he will be even more sad.”

Sunggyu scratched his head as he thought. “Hyung would cry.”

In a way Sungyeol felt that he should be grateful the boy was being considerate of his feelings although he felt that the boy would harm his father on the long run. Still it seemed that this wasn't the only thing that was bothering the boy and Sungyeol was right so he decided to ignore his brother remark as Woohyun resumed talking, this time plainly sad.

“He is busy so he said he wouldn't date someone now, but one day he will and when that happens…” The boy took a deep breath. “He will spend less time with me.”

“I don't think he will…” Sungyeol was ready to defend Myungsoo because he knew the young dad wouldn't do that, not only out of experience but because Myungsoo wasn't the kind of guy that would consciously do that and hurt the person that was his whole world. His lovers would have to adapt, he wouldn't probably do the other way around.

“He will, because the girls that like daddy never wants to meet me, they want him all for themselves.” The boy said and if Sungjong birthday was any indication, Sungyeol had to agree that was true although that wasn't something that could be blamed on gender. Most people his age usually ran away from people that had kids, in a love context or not. “I don't want to befriend a evil girl that will not like me no matter what and will steal time that daddy has to spend with me.” The boy continued sadly. “So I said if he wanted to date I rather stay behind and play with you two, that's why he got mad.”

Sungyeol held his breath, had he heard correctly? Woohyun was choosing him over anyone else? Not that Sungyeol could keep Woohyun with him but Dongwoo was right, this seemed like a divorce. Sunggyu also perked up and looked at his brother practically screaming with his eyes that he had a chance so Sungyeol gulped hard and decided to ask just to be sure.

“Woohyun what are you saying exactly? Would you be ok if your dad miraculously decided to return my feelings?”Sungyeol asked as carefully and softly as he could.

Now Woohyun sighed showing his confusion. “Daddy won't return your feelings so I don't know. But I didn't have to share daddy with you before and I liked that. It was nice when we all spent time together, I miss that.”

“I miss that too.” Sunggyu said and patted his friend for comfort and now that Sungyeol was more soft he would probably behave the same way if he wasn't so shocked.

“I'm … I'm bewildered.” Sungyeol stuttered, he didn't want to know if that was too good or too bad, for him or Myungsoo, he was just shocked.

Woohyun furrowed his brows. “What is bewil- bewil-?” He stuttered as he couldn't pronounce the word correctly.

“Bewildered.” Sunggyu completed for him.

“Yeah, what's that?” Woohyun asked and Sunggyu shrugged, he also didn't know and Sungyeol thought this was perfect to change the subject so he clapped his hand in front of the boys to get their attention.

“You know what? Dictionary time, the first one that finds the meaning will win a cupcake in the weekend.” He said.

Sunggyu immediately squinted his at his friend and Woohyun competitive side also perked up. After a blink of Sungyeol eyes the boys were already getting up and running to Sungyeol bookshelves to search for dictionaries. Only then Sungyeol felt he could breath, of all the planets aligned, he and Myungsoo had a chance with Woohyun.

__________________________________

The boys ended up not rehearsing that night and just did their homework before they watched a movie and Sungyeol spent most of his night with jaw hanging low and just not focusing in anything else. Myungsoo also decided not stress himself with Woohyun that night because it would put him in a foul mood so he just took advantage the boy was at the neighbor's and focused on looking at some photos to get some inspiration until the boy came back home.

In the morning Myungsoo decided to take Woohyun to play in the park and the boy invited Sunggyu to go with him. It was a funny morning and they met Sungjong and Moonsoo briefly before they came back home and then the boys separated to take a bath and eat.

Myungsoo could tell Woohyun thought he would get away from the previous night conversation but he was set to have a more assertive conversation during lunch. Unfortunately he received a call from his parents and that hindered his plans a bit.

“Hey mom!” He greeted first as he took the call.

“Hey son, how things are going?” She asked cheerfully though Myungsoo thought there was something kinda off on her tone.

“I feel overwhelmed but things are progressing.” Myungsoo replied in a positive way. He looked at Woohyun direction from the kitchen but the boy was paying attention in a drama so Myungsoo felt comfortable enough to update his mom a little more. “I talked with Sungyeol hyung, we explained our point of views to each other.”

“Hummmm.. how did that go?” She asked.

“It was weird and ….” Myungsoo was ready to spill things in a simplified way but halted his words once he noticed that she didn't seemed pleased or proud that he took that initiative as he thought she would be, instead she seemed kind of stiff. “Mom? Is everything ok?”

“I'm sorry Myungsoo, I really am. I would be delighted to hear you and get to know everything about your conversation with him but…” She said apologetic and stopped to think how to word what she had to say.

“But?” Myungsoo urged as he threw another glance to Woohyun from the kitchen, the kid didn't show any sign that he would stop paying attention on his drama so he was safe.

“I'm gonna be direct because there is no other way I can say this.” She said and Myungsoo got worried. “We finally found Woohyun biological dad.” She said and Myungsoo let his phone fall from his hand  out of shock, he wasn't expecting that at all, actually he had totally forgot that his parents were still searching for the guy somehow.

The phone hit the ground making some noise and Woohyun turned his head in the direction of the kitchen. He got up to take a look on his dad and saw the phone on the ground and his dad pale.

“Daddy? Are you ok?” The boy asked as he tried to get close and once he saw the phone on the ground he connected some dots. “Did you receive bad news?”

The last question made Myungsoo regain his wits and only then he noticed that his mother was still on the line and calling his name. He gulped hard and grabbed the phone in a haste before he tried smiling at his son. “I'm fine Namu, I was talking to grandma and I wasn't careful so the phone slipped from my hands. Go back to your drama, our lunch will be ready in a bit.” He said nervously and hoped that this was enough to make Woohyun return to the living room and his mother to understand in what kind of situation he was.

The boy moved his eyes from his dad to a big clock in their kitchen, and his belly growled as it already passed the time they usually eat but the boy decided to believe his dad, he already could smell something good from somewhere in the kitchen.

“Ok.” The boy easily agreed to go back to the living room and Myungsoo waited the boy to leave before he had the courage to try to speak to his mother again.

“Mom, you're still there?” He asked.

“Yeah, sorry for the news, it wasn't the best time was it? Is Woohyun suspicious of something?” She asked worriedly.

“No, not yet.” Myungsoo assured as he threw another glance at his son before the microwave beeped, signaling his lunch was done reheating.

“I'm sorry, I'm just sorry to give you this news when you have so many things going on.” His mother kept apologizing but Myungsoo didn't want to keep hearing that.

“So? Where is he?” He decided to cut the chase and ask.

“Back in Seoul.” She promptly answered.

“Damn it.” He cursed briefly as she continued.

“I bumped with him a few days ago in a restaurant and I knew it was him because Woohyun looks like him.”

“Damn it, why didn't you tell me?” He hissed, trying to keep his tone low so his son wouldn't hear.

“Because it was a coincidence and he doesn't work there, I think he was in a meeting with a client or other coworkers, I don't know. So we talked to your father friend so he could ask around.”

“And?” Myungsoo urged as he gathered bowls and chopsticks.

“And now he asked us to meet him so he can show us the results of his search, so we were wondering if you want to go with us so we can set an strategy later.”

“Of course I want to go.” Myungsoo said seriously.

“Good, then call Moonsoo and ask to cover for you, we are leaving Incheon now so in an hour we can give you a ride.” His mother said and Myungsoo winced, he couldn't do that.

“I saw Moonsoo and Sungjong earlier, they are visiting Daegu and will spend the night there.”

“Damn it.” This time it was Sonmi turn to cussand as she started to whisper the current situation to her husband Myungsoo interrupt her.

“Just come, I'll feed him and I'll find a way.”

“Ok, see you in a bit.” Myungsoo winced again as he hung up the phone, there was only one thing he could do and it was too much to ask but it was an emergency.

He put the food on the bowls then took to the table and Woohyun promptly got up from the couch to finally eat, the boy was starving. The boy tried asking his father what happened and Myungsoo came up with a story that his mother needed his help to buy clothes for his father and since Woohyun knew how indecisive his grandmother was and how boring that activity was he quickly let go.

They ate quietly and Myungsoo asked Woohyun to grab his own keys and whatever he needed then wait for him to dress up. Once they both were ready, they left the apartment, and Woohyun thought his dad would ask the old neighbor next door to keep an eye on him but Myungsoo just took a deep breath and knocked on Sungyeol door.

“Myungsoo?” Sungyeol asked surprised to see the younger at his door, aside the conversation they had  he didnt think Myungsoo would be knocking on his door again.

“Hey.” The younger replied awkwardly.

“Hey, hyung.” Woohyun spoke right after while raising his arm and waving at him.

At first Sungyeol was kinda confused but at the end he decided that over analyzing Myungsoo presence there would probably push the younger away so he decided to open up his mouth with the next logical thing.

“Is there any problem with your project? Did you come with Woohyun to make things less awkward?  Because if so we can go to somewhere neutral...”

“No, it's nothing like that.” The young dad raised his hands in the air to stop his neighbor. “ The project is ok.” He was tense and kind of holding a question back Sungyeol tilted his head in confusion. Meanwhile, Woohyun looked from one adult to the other before tapping his father so he could talk, he rather spend the afternoon with these neighbors instead of Ms. Baek. “Ahem.” Myungsoo cleared his just dry throat. “I know this isn't ideal but can you keep an eye on Woohyun today? I’d ask Moonsoo but he and Sungjong are kinda unreachable....”

Sungyeol eyes grew comically big, which made Woohyun look at him judgingly. He thought that that request was something big since nowadays Woohyun just came over whenever he was allowed to play.

“It's ok, come on Woohyun.” Sungyeol said with a smile then moved to the side so and the boy didn't  need to be told twice.

“Since you're here can I have a minute?” Sungyeol asked as he wanted to report what Woohyun told him the night before but Myungsoo shook his head.

“This an emergency.” Myungsoo looked past Sungyeol only to be sure Woohyun had disappeared in search for his friend. “My parents are coming to pick me up, they found…”

Myungsoo didn't need to finish his sentence for the taller to understand what was happening. “Oh my God.” The taller gasped.

“It's really an emergency.” Myungsoo said apologetically. “But I shouldn't take long to come back.”

“It's ok, it's ok, you can go, I'll keep an eye on him.” Sungyeol assured.

If it was on him Myungsoo would focus on his project 100%of his free time but he knew this was one problem the younger didn't have the luxury to ignore for some time so he made a fighting hand motion as Myungsoo did early this week.

In return the younger threw an apologetic look at Sungyeol turned around and ran to the elevator.

___________________________________

The boy's rehearsed all afternoon. Sungyeol had found an easy tutorial of their song on YouTube and slowed the speed for them and Sunggyu would play as the right hand while Woohyun would be responsible for the left hand and they were slowly working on that.

The elder had connected his earphones on the keyboard so he wouldn't hear the same mistakes a hundred times but by the time they started to sing he knew he wouldn't escape some vocal ones. The kids were not bad singing but whenever they made a mistake with their hands they started singing everything again.

The boys were vocal that they wanted to do a surprise but at this point Sungyeol was just pretending he didn't hear anything. Unfortunately when the sun started to set Sungyeol was done with their rehearsal and decided to make them stop and occupy them with another activity until Myungsoo came back, he was taking some time and Sungyeol was kind of worried already..

“Pleaaaase!!!! The boys begged and Sungyeol sighed then crossed his arms.

“Boys, if it was on me you could continued until it was perfect but you have to rest your voice too. Do you guys want to force your throat and be voiceless on the big day?” Sungyeol reasoned with his hands on his hips.

“That can happen?” Woohyun asked scared.

“It can, when you cheer for your dad matches you also lose your voice no?” Sungyeol asked then looked at Sunggyu and squinted his eyes. “ Your dad also had days off between his shows right? Wasn't because of that he met mom?” He asked his brother and that seemed to do the trick.

Woohyun nudged Sunggyu with his elbow then whispered at him. “This really happens with me.”

“Fine, we'll stop.” Sunggyu said even though he pouted.

“Then let's take a bath, I want to show you guys something before we have dinner.” Sungyeol announced.

“What? Is it my cupcake?” Sunggyu asked hopeful and Woohyun pouted because he wasn't the one that discovered the meaning of that word first.

“No, I'll buy your cupcake tomorrow.”

“Then?” Sunggyu was puzzled and Sungyeol smiled at him.

“A while back I found some photo books from yours, Sungjong and mine baby days and I was thinking we could look at it together. We can show Woohyun how adorable you were and then you guys will be able to see how Jongie and I looked like when we had your age. What do you say?”

Sunggyu begrudgingly nodded although he thought maybe his brothers were prettier children than him.

“Do you have pictures with daddy?” Woohyun asked.

“I don't know, I only met Myungsoo once when we were your age, I don't know if there will be more pictures of that day.” Sungyeol replied honestly.

“We can search.” Woohyun agreed animatedly.

“Yes, but after you guys take a bath and I order some food.” Sungyeol compromised. “ Now let's get some clothes and towels.” Sungyeol said as he left his room and both boys started following him. Sunggyu moved straight to his closet when he entered his room and Woohyun stopped in his tracks.

“ I can't eat or take a bath here anymore or else I won't be able to come back.” Woohyun said as he made a conflicted expression because he remembered the new rules his father set.

“I think it will be ok, your father is taking too long to come fetch you, it wouldn't be ok to let you stay dirty or leave you starving. Come on, chose some clothes from Sunggyu closet.”

“How about this one?” Sunggyu turned around to show Woohyun a bright striped shirt.

“Hyung, your clothes are twice my size.” Woohyun said exasperated and Sungyeol knew the boy had a pint. Sunggyu liked using oversized clothes, not that the elder minded, children lost clothes fast due to their growth but this habit of his brother made him use clothes for longer. “I have my keys, can I go grab my own clothes and I come back really quick.”

At this point Sungyeol didn't know how many problems he could avoid by saying no, but the boy was used to go and come back from his apartment quickly and now he had a key for it so the elder didn't see any problem.

“Ok, you can go. But remember to lock the door when you come back, your father would be angry if you left it open.” Sungyeol instructed then turned to Sunggyu. “You're the first one to hit the showers.”

“Always me, always me.” Sunggyu complained as he passed Sungyeol to go to the bathroom while holding clothes.

“The hyungs set examples Sunggyu!” Sungyeol said in amusement and Woohyun giggled before he ran to the door.

“I'll be right back.” The boy said before he was out the door. Sungyeol waked to his couch and sat on it to look for food on an app on his phone, he was certain Woohyun would come back within the next five minutes, the only wrong thing was that the boy wouldn't.

___________________________________________________________

Woohyun placed his tongue between his plumpish lips and concentrated on opening the door. Once opened it he just pushed the door and entered his apartment, not bothering to take the key out of the hole, because grabbing his clothes  would just take a moment.

He went inside his room and chose some nice clean clothes then he remembered he didn't have a toothbrush at Sungyeol place anymore so he moved to the bathroom to grab it.

He directed himself there and  as he passed Myungsoo bedroom door he remembered his dad had whole collections of photo books with his baby pictures and he immediately thought that since the neighbors would show their baby pictures he could show his too. Besides, his daddy had taken a lot of them and he would probably be cuter than anyone, his dad always said he was the prettiest child ever and Woohyun totally believed that.

He opened Myungsoo door to see the room in perfect order like it always had been, but he managed to spot there was a lot of on his father bed together with his laptop. He got curious and decided to take a look, his hyungs could wait a bit, right?

He got close from the bed and put his clothes on it but didn't climb immediately there. He saw the only door that was always closed on his dad bedroom since they moved to Seoul (and where his dad kept things he couldn't lose couldn’t be damaged, or serious stuff that wasn’t meant for kids) was open and something in him told him that perhaps his dad was already hiding his Christmas gift, if he could only take a peek at it right? Would he find another LEGO set there? Or maybe he would receive a kick scooter as a gift too and he and Sunggyu would be able to race each other and.. But did it fit there?

or that Woohyun

He fully opened the door to finally look inside and maybe discover his gift but was partially disappointed when he didn’t see anything big and wrapped for him. Instead he saw, among other things, many, many red books like some on his father bed and he knew they were a compilation of his and his father best pictures.

Woohyun pulled the first one he saw, the one labelled as ‘Woohyun 7-year-old adventures’, so see if there was any interesting picture he could show to his hyungs. There were pictures of him sleeping in the car, or helping pack, hugging his grandfather, or playing in the pool with his uncle Moonsoo, observing his grandma prepare something for them to eat, in the bed with his dad in the last night they spent in Incheon. He smiled fondly as he moved pages. He then saw pictures of him and Sunggyu in their first day of school (the day they met) and then one with his father where they both made V signs, then recognized the one they gave as a gift to Sunggyu that his friend kept in his wall.

There was a ton of pictures of him and his dad, some very funny too, like that time they made silly faces in front of the mirror after they had arrived home after the park, or his dad lifting him up in a strange pose because he was trying to help his dad to exercise. There were pictures of his birthday too, where Sungjong and Sunggyu appeared to surprise him and as he turned the pages he saw that Sunggyu started to appear a lot and then Sungjong and even Sungyeol. After a few more pages he could see a lot of pictures of him, Sunggyu, his dad and Sungyeol, they were together all the time back then and that made Woohyun a little sad.

He didn’t want to be sad so he placed that heavy book back into place and decided to read the others titles.

“Woohyun 6-old-adventures, Family trip - 2016, Woohyun 5-old adventures, Family trip - 2014, Cheerleader Woohyun, 2Heart - Woohyun and Key adventures, Kindergarten adventures…” Woohyun kept reading the titles in a low voice until he spotted a black and kinda small bag hindering the sight of other photo books titles.

He pushed the small bag to the side and was surprised to see a title he never imagined to find in his daddy things, even more now that he knew his father and his hyung were awkward with each other and weren't friends anymore.

“Myungyeol adventures?” He gasped in surprise and was about to grab it when he noticed something else beside it that caught his attention way more.

“Myungsoo and Jihyun adventures in parenthood - Woohyun and Seohyun pregnancy….” The younger eyes got big in surprise and he moved his hand to the side to be able to grab that one.

Woohyun brought the book to Myungsoo bed but once he was placing the heavy book on it, a picture fell from it. He found strange because his father never ever left pictures loose but quickly grabbed it without looking at it, and proceeded to put the book on the bed. He sat in front of it and decided to keep close attention to find a empty spot where that picture belonged then finally opened it.

The first picture was big and had his father dressed in his basketball attire with a medal around his neck and he was standing beside a small but pretty girl with dark brown hair and pale skin, dressed in a high school uniform while she held a board with ‘Go oppa!’ written. Woohyun tilted his head to the side confused, who was this girl? That surely wasn’t his mother because his mother looked like him, right?

His eyes then instantly moved to the picture in his hand where his daddy was sitting on a cafeteria dressed in his high school uniform, eating some home made lunch and making a bored expression as the girl from the big picture was there as well but she seemed to be paying attention to another guy in the back and the other guy looked at the camera but didn’t seem happy.

Upon close inspection, Woohyun noticed that the guy was a bit tanned, had sharp but perky nose and plump lips, black jet and messy hair, his eyes had the same shape and…Woohyun heart started beating weirdly fast.

He put the picture down and passed some pages to see some pictures of Myungsoo and the pretty pale girl holding a ultrasound, then he turned more pages to find that girl on a bed, showing a belly while Myungsoo placed his ear on her belly trying to listen to Woohyun and his sister movements. His eyes started to water and he passed some more pages to see a picture of the girl, looking very pale but having two babies held near her face and then one where Myungsoo held him in his arms while he stayed beside the girl that seemed really sick in what it looked like an hospital room.

So that was his mother? But she looked nothing like him. She was pale and he was tanned, she had thin lips and his were plump, her eyes were bigger than his, her hair was dark brown while his was black, her nose was soft while his was perky and…

No, that couldn’t be his mother he couldn’t accept that she was because his father always told him that he took after his mother. On the other side, pictures couldn’t lie, right? And his father wouldn’t take all those pictures in those poses and keep them in a photobook if that wasn’t his mother, they both were very close and there was no way Myungsoo would photograph another girl pregnancy.

His eyes watered and his breath intensified as he became deeply sad. If that was his mother and he didn’t look like her, why would his father lie about that? Why would he say he looked like her when he didn’t? And why he kept pictures of her hidden when he said over and over again that all pictures of his mom were lost? Was it possible that his father didn’t want him to know how his mother looked like? Why? Although they didn’t look like each other his mom was so pretty, like an angel and… if he didn’t look like her who did he look like?

Suddenly fear installed itself in his heart and he ran from the bed to get another album, the one labelled as ‘Woohyun 1 year old adventure’. He threw it on top of the other album and passed the pages until he found what he was looking for: a photo of his whole family. There was Myungsoo holding him in his arms and Woohyun couldn’t help but notice how much his daddy looked like his grandfather while his uncle Moonsoo resembled more his grandmother. Then he looked at his grandmother sister (that was way older than her) with her husband and two of her children (that had children of their own), his grandpa brother with his wife that had no children... absolutely no one looked like him. No one.

He then grabbed the picture that previously fell and inspected closer, focusing on his mother and the guy she was looking at while his father took the picture, and then he finally could accept the truth. He looked nothing like his mother but didn’t look like his father either because the one he thought it was his father, the one that lived with him every day, wasn’t his father, the unknown guy was.

Woohyun wanted to scream in pain but his voice didn’t come and his lungs failed him, how, how could that be? They lived seven years together, shared many memories, Myungsoo was always there for him and he wasn’t his father? Not only that, Moonsoo wasn’t his uncle, Bumsoo wasn’t his grandfather and Sonmi wasn’t his grandmother? That ripped his poor heart apart and he started to feel suffocated, he had to get out of there, get away from these people that lied to him, the people that weren’t even his family, he had to just… get away. Maybe find his real dad and ask what happened and why they didn’t live together.

He tore the picture in his hand to separate Myungsoo from his parents then moved to his room to get his travel bag. He quickly threw a few clothes there, his uniform, two pair of shoes and his pajamas, some underwear, a few toys too and his piggy bank, then placed the ipod with his mother recorded voice inside his backpack together with the picture and rushed for the door.

Once passing through it he didn’t bother with the key or locking things up, he didn’t bother looking back either and chose to take the stairs as he kept sobbing without making noise.

_______________________________________________

AN: Hello there, it took me a while but I managed to finish this chapter, I hope you like it. And as I said: drama is coming. 

Hey guys... another album from woohyun? I felt like he gave us a hint at the beginning of the year when he talked about dongwoo album but  I didnt think it would really happen between the days, mephisto, miss trot, dream concert, his studies and all of that. But we can tell woohyun is giving his all to make the most of his time no?

Just reinforcing things here, my husband and I are in the middle of our vacations... I might have written this chapter but from Sunday onwards we are travelling overseas so it will be harder for me to update so it is likely that I can only update properly at the end of May.