Five
Keeping You
This much
"Is it only because I am totally hungry or does the food really taste superb?" Jackson asked while getting more of the beef stew.
Yugyeom who was on his fifth bowl of rice nodded eagerly as sign of agreement. He was saying something but none of them quite get it since the younger was talking with his mouth full. So much for dining etiquette.
"Looks like hyung improved over the years." Youngjae commented while using his chopsticks to get some kimchi from Jackson's side of the table.
"Well after all, he should be a good dad to Jio and a good husband to Jaebum hyung."
And once again, Bambam has managed to drag the atmosphere down. Just with those words coming from the Thai's mouth, the five males were put into silence, only Jio tapping on the table, asking for rice cake from his appa was able to break the silence. "Here you go, baby." Jinyoung said when he finally snapped himself from staring awkwardly and gave the rice cakes Jio was asking from him.
They all proceeded to eating lunch and thanked Jinyoung after they were all full. While Jinyoung was taking care of the dishes, because he refused any help the guys offered, Jio tugged on his uncles to play some more.
Mark finds himself enjoying his time playing with the toddler. Jio was having fun talking about his cars, his favorite is Lightning Mcqueen. The little bub didn't let go of the red race car all through out the time they were playing and just let them play with his other cars.
"You have this." Jio said in his cute little voice, handing the black race car to Jackson. "This Jackson."
"Oh. Is he a Wang too?"
Jio shook his head. "No. He's Jackson Stu-... Jackson Stu-... uhm Sstu-"
"Jackson Storm." Mark said, helping the kid out. And that started the guys teasing him because he watches Lightning Mcqueen. Mark just said he'd come across the movie one time when he was watching Disney. But watching Disney channel isn't that manly at all too.
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"You drive cars, daddy Mark?"
It was when Youngjae, Jackson, Yugyeom and Bambam were having too much fun on their own, yes still playing cars when Jio asked him this. Jinyoung was in the kitchen preparing their snacks and the kid was playing with his Lightning Mcqueen, resting his small head on his chest. They were all seated on the floor and the little guy was almost sitting on his lap. Jio was looking at him with those doe eyes and Mark can't deny the resemblance the kid has with his appa.
Playing with Mater, Mark nodded. "Yes, I do buddy. Why'd you ask?"
"Jio want drive cars too! Like daddy Mark!" He could see the excitement the toddler has in his eyes as he swinged his Lightning Mcqueen up in the air. Mark felt as his cheeks streched into a wide smile just watching the happy kid. But being the only adult here, Mark ought to tone down Jio's excitement.
"Oh you will! You will definitely drive cars and even race cars if you'd like." He saw how Jio's eyes lighted up with much more excitement and soon the toddler is clapping his hands, but since he's holding Lighting Mcqueen and Chick Hicks on both of his small hands, Jio was basically crashing the two toycars. "But that won't be happening anytime soon, buddy. You're still too young to drive a real car."
Hearing this, Jio's shoulders instantly dropped and Mark could see his cute little pout. Wanting to make the little guy feel a bit better, Mark just ruffled his hair. "You need to learn how to drive first, so why not start on riding a bike?"
Jio seemed like he was happy with the idea, but then his pout quickly returned again. "But Jio also don't know how to ride bike. In tv, I see but never ride it." Now the toddler is slowly pushing his toycars to move on the floor, his pout still showing as he talked. "Appa said bike not safe. Bike is big. I could fall then hurt knee. Appa don't want Jio hurt. And Jio don't want too, but. . . ." Now Mark is met by those cute doe eyes and he almost cooed. "Jio wants to ride bike. Jio is bigger now. Jio is four!" the kid say, showing him his four little fingers.
Ruffling the child's hair again, Mark just smiled fondly at him. "Yes, you are, buddy!"
The little guy nodded. "So Jio can ride bike!" Mark giggled at Jio's cuteness, but then the kid is pouting again. "But still don't know how." there was a short silence before Jio was staring up at him again. "When Jio gets own bike, can daddy Mark teach how to ride?"
Mark did like the idea but, a sudden thought came knocking on his mind. Looking at the kid, he asked, "Why won't you ask your papa to teach you how to ride a bike? I'm sure he will love to teach you."
And yet again with the pout. "Papa Jaebum always busy. He works, far far. He leaves day, goes home night and very tired. Papa is busy. Jio can't ask." And the kid's response brought a memory back in Mark's mind...
"He's busy. He's always busy, being part of the swimming team and all."
"I'm okay about waiting. I had tons of practice in it already."
"We are in this relationship together but it always felt like I'm the only one rowing the damn boat!"
"Daddy Mark?" A soft tug on his arm snapped him back to reality. He sees Jio, staring at him as if waiting for his answer. Not wanting to fail the kid in his little hopes, Mark only smiled and tapped Jio's head.
"Alright, buddy. Daddy Mark will teach you how to ride bikes."
"I had a great time with you, buddy." Mark said as he rubbed the back of Jio's head. He sat on his knees to have his face levelled with Jio. "Always be a good boy and don't stress your appa too much, alright?" He shortly glanced at Jinyoung who was standing beside his son, holding his small hand. Jinyoung smiled when their eyes met and Mark smiled back before returning his attention to Jio. "Until next time!"
He was just standing up when Jio managed to hold his hand. He stared at how his small fingers held on his hand, a warm feeling wrapping around his heart. Jio was looking at him with a glint of hope in his eyes. "When is next time, daddy Mark?" He wasn't able to answer immediately and his eyes crossed Jinyoung's surprised ones as if he was looking for an answer to his son's question. But Jio spoke again. "Jio will wait. Jio promise."
And that was the time when Bambam chimed in, saying that they will all go and visit the little guy every Saturday. It's not something they needed to discuss first because the Thai seemed very certain upon announcing it, making Jio jump up and down excitedly.
With that, Mark starts to think that he finally has something to look forward to every Saturday.
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It's Sunday.
It's 10:30 in the morning.
He just got out of bed, his messy bed hair is a proof of that.
"Good morning."
And here he has Jackson, smiling at him after that greeting of his, standing by the entrance of his unit.
"Good morning, daddy Mark."
And yeah... Jackson has Jio with him. T
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