Dark. Quiet.

 

 

Jongin didn’t know where he is right now. He walked but his footstep isn’t heard. Is he fly? No. He was right on his feet.

 

 

Where is he? Ahh there's a speck of light on the other end. Light. Hope. Jongin should going there.

 

 

Jongin approaches, the light gradually becomes a ray. Incomplete and separate by a black square.

 

 

What is that?

 

 

It's ... a prison. With a small window at the top that is blocked by some irons.

 

 

Jongin arrived in front of the prison. He looked inside. A bed. The small window above is one of the light sources for the prison. That light was a hope for Jongin. And ... a boy?

 

 

The boy was curled up at the end of the wall. Hugged his whole body with his short arms. Slowly he looked up at the bars. Suddenly he got up and ran to the iron door. He raise his head.

 

 

"APPA! HELP ME! APPA PLEASE HELP ME! PLEASE APPA !!!!".

 

 

Jongin's eyes bulged. It's his son! "TAEJONGIE!".

 

 

How can his son be locked up in jail?! Jongin grips the bars, hoping to destroy the irons even though he knows it is impossible. He had to save his crying child in front of him, but he could not hold him.

 

 

"TAEJONGIE! TAEJONGIE !!!!".

 

 

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.

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"JONGIN! JONGIN! WAKE UP JONGIN! JONGIN !!".

 

 

Jongin immediately opened his eyes. He knows he's in his room now. No more darkness.

 

 

Jongin remembered his son who was in prison. He threw off the blanket to run off to the baby monitor. Jongin heaved a sigh of relief as he watched his son fall asleep while hugged his favorite strongman chibi doll.

 

 

It was just a nightmare. Taejong is not in jail. Her son was in his room, safe, not crying and was dreaming beautifully.

 

 

 

Two familiar arms held him from behind. "What's up Jongin?". Ask the owner who leaned on Jongin's shoulder. "Another nightmare?".

 

 

 

"Kyungsoo ..." Jongin holds the arms around his waist. "Yeah .... I had the nightmare .... about Taejong again ...".

 

 

Kyungsoo frowns. "You're too worried about Taejongie. That’s why you often have nightmares about him ...".

 

 

"I know .... you always remind me of that ... but ... I can’t stop to thinking about him ...".

 

 

"I know....". Kyungsoo looks at the baby monitor. He smiled to see his son sleeping with a peaceful face. "He always slept soundly after he took his medicine. "As you see ... he's fine ...".

 

 

"I know....".

 

 

"Let's go back to sleep. Don’t worry, the baby monitor will alarmed if there is a strange sound at all".

 

 

 

Jongin saw Kyungsoo ascending to the bed. Jongin peeks once more at the baby monitor to make sure his son is safe. After convinced, he come to the next Kyungsoo.

 

 

Jongin sees Kyungsoo closing his eyes. "Jagi ... I can not sleep ...".

 

 

Kyungsoo opened his while smirking. "I can make you sleep again .....". Kyungsoo gets up and take off his pajamas. "It related with something y and hot ...".

 

 

Jongin welcomed Kyungsoo who climbs onto his body. He kissed Kyungsoo back. His body really felt smoldering now. Although it's been ten years passed, Kyungsoo still succeed to passionate him.

 

 

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Jongin sat next to his still sleeping son. While his hair softly, he said, "Taejongie ... wake up son".

 

 

The eyes slowly open. He blinks his cute eyes before they are wide open. A pair of round eyes like a full moon greet Jongin. "Morning Appa".

 

 

Jongin felt his heart is peaceful. "Morning Taejongie, had a beautiful dream?".

 

 

"Eum! Taejongie sees a fosl running around in a vast green pasture".

 

 

"It must be very beautiful, dear ... How aboutyou wake up now? Then we will see a real little horse".

 

 

Taejong rose with perfect rounded eyes. "Really? We will see a horse?".

 

 

"Yes. We will go to a horse farm in the mountain area. Do you want it?".

 

 

"I want it!!!".

 

 

"Then we have to bathe and brush your teeth, then we go down for breakfast". Jongin was carrying his five-year-old son.

 

 

Taejong laughed as he rocked his legs. He is very happy to be held by his taller Appa. It was like flying.

 

 

Taejong actually can bathe alone. If a normal day his both parents are busy getting ready before going to work, little Taejong will bathe himself before he leaves for the playgroup. Today is Sunday. The day that Appa will help him take a bath and they can play the foams together.

 

 

After spending a great time in the bathroom and getting ready, still holding Taejong, Jongin takes his son to the kitchen. He walked towards Kyungsoo who was putting plates on the table.

 

 

 

"Hello champion, have you showered?". Kyungsoo kisses the lips of his son who laughs excitedly.

 

 

 

"I had! Taejongie wants milk!".

 

 

"This is your milk".

 

 

Jongin put his son on a chair. Taejong picked up his own plastic cup and immediately drank the milk. Jongin sat next to Taejong while Kyungsoo sits on the other side.

 

 

"Let's eat, then we'll go." Jongin takes the rice bowl in front of him.

 

 

"Taejongie, Papa has prepared lunch and we'll have a picnic later".

 

 

Taejong glanced to Papa. "Did Papa bring Taejongie's favorite oreo?".

 

 

"Yeah, and also milk".

 

 

"Hurray !!!".

 

 

"Now eat Taejongie".

 

 

Little Taejong picked up his plastic chopsticks. He held up a plastic bowl of rice in his left hand. Then Appa and Papa took turns giving each one a side dish for him.

 

 

Little Taejong always feel happy on Sunday. Where Appa and Papa will spend time with him for all day. They will do a lot of fun together in the mountain area. If Sunday is over, he will wait for the next Sunday to arrive soon.

 

 

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Taejong jogged as he grasped a corn in his tiny hand. He stood beside the bar. Stretching out his hand containing corn.

 

 

Taejong waits and waits. When a horse comes to eat his corn, he shouted "Papa! Appa! Horse eat corn from Taejongie !!".

 

 

The horse immediately ran in surprise. Little Taejong sullen. He glanced at the parents who laughed beside him. "Why did he run?".

 

 

"He's scared because Taejong screamed".

 

 

"Taejong should not scream to let him come again".

 

 

Taejong looked hopefully at the horse that had run from him. The horse saw Taejong still stretching out his corn. The horse slowly came back. As the horse eats the corn, the other Taejong’s hand gently the base of the horse's nose.

 

 

"There there, don’t run anymore Taejongie does not want to hurt you".

 

 

Once satisfied feeding, with holding hands with both parents, little Taejong walks around a horse farm. He saw many horses on different colors. Some are big and some are small.

 

 

Taejong laughed with pleasure as he rode the horse with Appa. Riding horse was fun. He jumped up and down on the body like he was going to fly.

 

 

After that they sat in a marquee and ate a delicious picnic made by Appa. Taejong finished his favorite oreo. Even eating vegetables that he does not like because he wants to make happy his parents who always make sure he is happy and healthy.

 

 

With Appa, Taejong comes to one pony. He was given a brush to comb the pony mane. Taejong carefully does his job. Taejong develops a smile when he sees the pony looks comfortable combed by hims.

 

 

 

It happened before suddenly the pony coughed and growled. The horse moves wild and kicks the back foot.

 

 

Taejong froze in place. Too shocked to react to the sudden condition of a small horse. Jongin immediately hoisted Taejong, taking him running away from the pony which was obviously in pain for some reason. Both saw several members of the breeders come to check on the state of their pony.

 

 

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"Papa, what happened to the pony?"

 

"I do not know son, maybe he's poisoned something".

 

 

"What is poisoned?".

 

 

Kyungsoo cursed his own stupidity by saying the word 'poisoned' to Taejong who was still five years old. How could such a small child understand what poisoned means?

 

 

"Poisoned means when something bad come into your body". Kyungsoo tried to explain easily that may be understood by the little Taejong.

 

 

 

"Like what?".

 

 

"Maybe he ate something very smelly or accidentally swallow something".

 

 

"But .... Taejongie is with him. I'm combing his hair and he does not eat anything".

 

 

 

"Maybe he ate before Taejong brushed his hair.Let's go back to Appa. Maybe Appa already knows the cause of why the pony was in pain."

 

 

 

Holding hands, Kyungsoo and Taejong return to the horse farm. Taejong other hand hold a box of milk that bought from the little shop they have just visited. Papa said Taejong needs to drink milk so Taejong didn’t get sick anymore.

 

 

They saw Jongin Appa running toward them. Jongin picked up Taejong and kisses his chubby cheeks. Then he kissed Kyungsoo's.

 

 

"What's wrong with the little horse?"

 

 

"Well ... turns out that the little horse is already sick for this week".

 

 

"Where is he now?". Taejong looks over at the ranch stables where the last time he saw the little horse being taken away.

 

 

 

"Ngg ..." Jongin hesitate. He looks at Kyungsoo with a look of help. Kyungsoo just nods in agreement. "He's ... he's dead Taejongie".

 

 

 

"Die?". Taejong knows the meaning of death. Die means we can not meet again. He's gone a to a far place. Taejong sees a dead character in a strongman cartoon that he watched on television.

 

 

 

"Why is he dead?".

 

 

"Because he is sick".

 

 

"Ohh".

 

 

The atmosphere became instantaneous. Tiny Taejong who is usually have a lot of questions, suddenly become silent. Jongin and Kyungsoo feel anxious.

 

 

 

"It's okay Taejong, if he's dead, he's not in pain anymore". Kyungsoo tried to explain.

 

 

"But ... why should he die? He can not be cured?".

 

 

 

"Yeah ... it his fate" Jongin tried to help explanation from Kyungsoo.

 

 

"What is fate?".

 

 

 

This time it's Jongin's turn to condemn his own stupidity. "That ... fate is something that can not be avoided ....".

 

 

 

"Can not?".

 

 

"Yeah, if that's fate, no matter where we run, he will still come to us". Kyungsoo shook his head to Jongin.

 

 

"So ... if the horse ran from the pain ... but if there is a fate, then the horse will still be sick?".

 

 

 

"Yes, like that. Taejongie is smart".

 

 

 

"But ... what about the doctors? The doctors can not help the horse from the pain?".

 

 

 

"They can’t, Taejongie. The horse is destined to be sick and dead, and as strong as any doctor to help him, the horse will still die, because that is his fate".

 

 

 

Taejong paused again. Kyungsoo and Jongin look to their only son. Trying to guess what is in their little boy’s mind.

 

 

"It's sad. Fate. We can not run from it. We really not be able to escape from it?".

 

 

 

"We can".

 

 

"How?" asked Taejong and Kyungsoo together. Kyungsoo does not understand what the meaning from his husband.

 

 

 

"There's someone up there who can help us Taejongie, if we're kind and begging, someone up there will grant our wishes."

 

 

Ahh so that was Jongin means.

 

 

"Is a small horse not good?".

 

 

 

"The little horse is very good, but he is in pain and he can not speak. But someone up there can understand the little horse's words. The little horse begs in his heart to be healed, he can heal with the fate of death as his choice."

 

 

 

"Why would someone up there pick the little horse to die?".

 

 

"Maybe because someone up there wants to meet the little horse. He wants to talk to that little horse who does not hurt anymore. They'll talk together."

 

 

 

Taejong's eyes see an adult horse walking by. "What about big horses? Are they talking to someone up there too?".

 

 

 

"They talk too. Big horses say they are healthy, they want to live longer, so please help them".

 

 

"Are they getting helped?".

 

 

 

"Of course, through the breeders who care for them to stay healthy".

 

 

 

Little Taejong paused again. He thought  of something. He sees his parents. Taejong smiled broadly.

 

 

"It feels good to hear someone understand the horses! Is someone up there only able to hear horses?".

 

 

 

"No, he can hear everything. All you need is to be good, then beg, then your request will be granted."

 

 

 

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Taejong fell asleep on Kyungsoo's lap during the trip back to home. Kyungsoo continues to his soft hair while occasionally kissing his head.

 

 

 

Once they are home, Kyungsoo puts Taejong who half-awake on the couch. Then he cleared up the picnic basket that Jongin put on the kitchen table. For dinner is KFC because Kyungsoo is too tired to cook anymore.

 

 

Jongin came to Taejong. "Taejongie, let's get up, we'll bathe and have dinner."

 

 

After dinner, Kyungsoo takes Taejong to his room to sleep. Taejong takes the medicine that Kyungsoo Papa gave him. Then he lay down and hugged his favorite strongman beloved doll.

 

 

 

Kyungsoo put a blanket on Taejong. He kisses his son's forehead. "Good night Taejongie, have a beautiful dream".

 

 

"Good night Papa".

 

 

 

Kyungsoo turns on the table lamp. Then the baby monitor camera. He glanced once more at Taejong who had fallen asleep. The medicine really helps him to sleep.

 

 

 

Kyungsoo returns to the living room. He saw Jongin still eating KFC chicken while watching television. A few bottles of beer were on the table.

 

 

 

"I thought you were done at the kitchen. Turned out you move to the TV".

 

 

 

"Eating chicken while drinking beer and watching the news at home is the best break, Jagi. Is Taejong already sleeping?"

 

 

 

"Yes.... as usual he slept after taking medicine ....".

 

 

 

Kyungsoo sits next to Jongin. In Kyungsoo opinion, watching news is not something that can be called a break. But Kyungsoo realize that has a husband who is a detective meaning his life is around the news. News of the crime in particular. To be analyzed.

 

 

 

Kyungsoo once told Jongin that crime news can not calm him. Jongin should watch variety shows that can make him laugh and comfortable.

 

 

But this is Jongin's life. Since childhood he likes to read mystery books. Solving a puzzle, realizing a small thing are Jongin's pleasure. It worked to get him to work as a detective as he got older.

 

 

Although Jongin have family and his life revolves around his only husband and son, Jongin remains faithful to his work by watching the news after spending time with family.

 

 

Jongin said this calmed him. After a day of forgetting herself from a family-focused job, at night he watch the news to see if any crime happens during his ignorance.

 

 

"Hey ... you ... I also need attention ... not just your news".

 

 

 

Jongin holding his smile. "Is my husband jealous to the news? There, there. Hug me the., I can not hug you because my hands are dirty".

 

 

 

Kyungsoo hugged Jongin's waist. He leaned his head on Jongin's hard chest.

 

 

 

"You already know this is my habit ... Beside I need a reference for my work tomorrow. There are a lot of people out there need my help".

 

 

 

"I know ... but just this time... forget the news ..." Kyungsoo pleaded to be spoiled. He rubs his head like a kitten.

 

 

 

How could Jongin be able to refuse such an adorable request? Jongin takes the television remote and switches to the evening variety show channel. "Okay, I've changed ... Now, what do you want to watch for? Want another y time?".

 

 

"Later in bed. I want to talk about Taejong first ...".

 

 

"What about him?".

 

 

 

"Do you think ... he will be traumatized by the incident at the ranch earlier?".

 

 

 

"About the death of a horse?".

 

 

 

"Yeah ... he's so quiet after knowing his horse was dead".

 

 

 

"I think he's just surprised".

 

 

 

"Yeah .... but he is a kid ... watching death in front of a child is.... I was so worried, so I brought him to buy milk at the shop I do not want his attention on the horses. Milk can calming him ... .. ".

 

 

 

"It's okay Kyungsoo. I'm sure he will not be traumatized or anything. He also needs to learn about death. The horse may be like a  pet's die experience for him".

 

 

 

"But for me he's a kid. I want him to just learn about the happiness and beauty of life. I want my son to always be happy".

 

 

 

"He's happy Kyungsoo/ Don’t you know that? He's happy, so he eats his vegetables. He's happy because we make him happy, so he eats vegetables to make us happy too."

 

 

 

Kyungsoo chuckled. "Smart boy ... He's  still young, but he can understand something like that, if it's another kid, I'm sure they will selfishly say they do not want to eat vegetables and we can not force it".

 

 

 

"Because he's so smart he's so our child".

 

 

Kyungsoo wanted to remove the handsome grin on his husband's face. "Fool you… Ah yes ... where are we going next week?".

 

 

"How about picking strawberries?".

 

 

"Agree".

 

 

 

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To be Continued….

 

 

I'm sorry. English is not my native. I made it with google translate. I hope you can understand what i'm writing about. I wish i can get a beta....

 

Sore ja.

 

Wish you have a happy life everday.