09.
OopsDaehyun held back a long sigh as he walked through the crowded high school hallway. He forced a smile, greeting some students as he passed by. He was absolutely exhausted and all he wanted to do was go home, get in bed and fall asleep. For a hundred years. Yes, that sounds nice. He thought, his pacing slowing a bit when he noticed Youngjae at his locker. The man stood still, watching as the teen dug through his locker before shaking his head when Youngjae pulled out a king size chocolate bar.
Youngjae unwrapped it and took a big bite before throwing it back into his locker and spinning around. The two met eyes and Daehyun shook his head in disapproval - the teen had promised he was going to start eating better just the other day. Youngjae gave a cheeky grin before snatching up his book bag from the floor and hurrying off into the crowd.
"What are you looking at?"
Daehyun looked over in surprise, his coworker gazing off in the direction that Youngjae had just gone. "Oh, nothing."
"You were looking at Yoo Youngjae, right?" Lee Gunwoo asked before finally turning his attention back towards the younger teacher. Daehyun gave a small hum, feeling uncomfortable. "I'm not surprised he ended up pregnant." Gunwoo made a tsk noise, shaking his head. "He's always been such a pain to deal with. Some kids just have no hope." Daehyun pressed his lips into a thin line, suddenly feeling a bit defensive. He opened his mouth to defend the younger before quickly shutting it again.
His heart ached a bit, knowing Youngjae heard the things that were said about him. Daehyun had never dealt with anything like that; he was always popular in school. He tried to think about how he would have felt if people treated him like that when he was in school. Just the thought made his heart hurt and he was certain he wouldn't have been able to endure it.
Daehyun furrowed his brows, realizing Youngjae really had no one on his side. Except for that one kid he was always talking about - Kim Himchan but that was it. Not his mother, his his classmates, not even his teachers. He shook his head, deciding he would always be on Youngjae's side.
Youngjae was smart, he knew Youngjae was smart - the teen just never put any effort into things and honestly, Daehyun didn't blame him. No one praised Youngjae, even if he did really well. It was always Look at that stupid teenager, pregnant at seventeen. He'll end up in jail soon, I bet.
- - - - - - - - -
"I'm home!" Youngjae shouted as he walked into Daehyun's apartment, kicking off his shoes and stomping through the place. He pursed his lips, looking at the time on his phone. It was almost seven at night - Daehyun was usually always home by now. He shrugged before heading into the kitchen to grab some water.
The teen filled up a cup and took a small sip, letting out a pleased noise. He was really starting to like this water . Youngjae paused, hearing the front door opening and closing. He couldn't help but feel a little giddy as he walked towards the door frame, peering down the hallway. "Youngjae-" The teacher called out as he carefully took off his shoes before arranging them and Youngjae's own perfectly.
"Yeah?" Youngjae called back, fully expecting Daehyun to fuss at him for his shoes.
"Come here."
"A present."
The teen stared at him in confusion. "What? Why?"
"I'll explain in a moment." He said, carefully handing it to the younger. "Come on, let's go sit down in the kitchen." Daehyun put his hands on Youngjae's shoulders, guiding him back into the kitchen. He pulled out a chair, motioning for Youngjae to sit down before doing the same. "Okay, go ahead and open the bag."
Youngjae stared at him for a moment, his expression full of confusion and suspicion before opening the bag and peering in. He reached in and pulled out a box, looking at Daehyun with even more confusion and suspicion when he realized it was a laptop. A really, really, really expensive laptop. "Why?" He asked, frowning deeply.
"Well," Daehyun shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "I know that your old one died and..." He wasn't surprised that Youngjae wasn't reacting exactly how he pictured, but still he certainly hadn't expected this kind of hostility from the teen. "And I, uh, thought it'd be useful for school."
"Why?" Youngjae repeated again.
"Because I know that you can do better if you're just given the chance." Daehyun said, straightening up and keeping his tone firm.
The teen rolled his eyes, his annoyance more than just a little obvious. "Save it, Daehyun. I'm planning on dropping out anyway." The teacher frowned at that, shaking his head but before he could say anything, Youngjae continued. "I'm not good at school, I never have been. I just want to get a job so I can make money to take care of my baby."
"Youngjae-"
"Stop." Youngjae snapped. "Just stop. I'm not good at anything." Daehyun's heart ached when he noticed Youngjae's eyes were getting watery. He felt so bad, he just wanted to help the teen figure stuff out. "So, please, just drop it."
"Youngjae, you are smart." He gently spoke, meeting eyes with the younger. "You've just never had anyone to encourage you."
Youngjae rolled his eyes. "Save it." He crossed his arms over his chest, sinking down into the chair. "You're seriously annoying me..." He muttered, looking away from the teacher.
Daehyun had to bite his tongue, taking a moment to remind himself Youngjae was feeling attacked instead of supported. "Have you not noticed your grades have gone up? Don't tell me you're not smart because you are." He's not listening to me at all. "Look, Youngjae, I'm not saying we're gonna turn the thing on and start studying right now - I'm just saying I ing believe in you." He said in frustration and Youngjae finally looked back at him, his expression softening. He was finally listening.
"Why this sudden pep talk?" Youngjae asked, his tone was curious instead of defensive.
"I've learned a lot about you." Daehyun gave a small smile. "I won't lie - when I first met you in school I thought you were just some lazy kid and you know what? I was wrong. You have been through more stuff than most people can even imagine. You've grown up protecting yourself and defending yourself, hell, you have always made decent grades too. You are brilliant, I really think that and I just... I want you to know it."
"I'm not brilliant." Youngjae murmured, chewing at his lower lip. "... But, thanks." His eyes were downcast and Daehyun's lips twitched upwards when he noticed how red the teen's cheeks were. "Uh, really, yeah. Thanks. That was really nice." His face was turning more and more red as Daehyun continued to stare at him. It was one of the rare times Youngjae was at a loss for words, his guard completely down.
Youngjae suddenly reached up, covering his face with his hands and Daehyun's heart melted. "Youngjae?" Daehyun softly called out, smiling when the teen roughly rubbed his eyes.
"Yeah?" Youngjae said once he dropped his hands by his sides again.
"I really do care about you." Youngjae stared at him for a moment before looking down and covering his face again. Daehyun couldn't help but laugh a little - had they ever had a moment like this before? He had been so anxious the entire drive home, unsure if this was the right thing to do, he even debated on returning the laptop. It was silent between the two but for once Daehyun didn't feel uncomfortable or anxious. In fact, he felt like a new door had just opened up with Youngjae and he was so, so happy he'd gone through with this.
Finally, Youngjae looked up and met eyes with him. "So, uh, this is mine?" He pointed to the laptop and Daehyun nodded. "Do I get to use it for more than just school?" Again, the older nodded. "And I can just use it for whatever?"
"Yes, but please be careful with websites."
The teen started laughing, finding his words funnier than they actually were. Daehyun smiled and for once he thought Yoo Youngjae was absolutely endearing. "God, how cool." Youngjae said, examining the box before looking up at Daehyun with a expression so dark the older almost jerked back in his chair.
The older man frowned when the teen silently stood up and started walking out of the kitchen. "Youngjae, where are -"
Instead of leaving the kitchen, the teen grabbed the swear jar off the counter and headed back to him before ing it into Daehyun's face. "You said ing. That's one dollar." Youngjae burst into laughter as Daehyun shot him an incredulous look and his laugh was so infectious that Daehyun lost it too.
"Hey, you said it too - just now." Daehyun pointed out, getting a dollar bill out of his wallet and dropping it into the jar.
"Oh, come on." He groaned. "That doesn't count."
"Does too."
Youngjae sat the swear jar on the table, the two silent for a moment as they stared at it. "Can I borrow a dollar?" Daehyun shook his head in mock disbelief as he got out another dollar bill and handed it to the teen, snorting when the teen dropped it into the jar. Youngjae hurriedly snatched up the box with his laptop off the table and announced he was going to his room, the older man simply nodding his head as he ran off.
- - - - - - - - - - - -
Youngjae flung himself back into his bed, biting down onto his lower lip to keep from grinning. He picked up one of his pillows and put it over his face, feeling so utterly and completely giddy. I believe in you. He laughed, no wait - I ing believe in you. "Oh, my god." He let out a soft laugh, kicking his feet against the mattress. He felt so dumb and childish but he didn't care - he was happy as . No one had ever said anything like that to him... Maybe, Himchan had but he didn't count because he was Himchan and this was just different.
"I ing believe in you-" Youngjae said, imitating Daehyun's voice and laughing at himself. He quieted down, hearing footsteps coming close to his door. The footsteps stopped in front of his door and he waited for Daehyun to knock but he never did, instead walking further down the hallway to his own bedroom. Once he heard the older man open and close his own bedroom door, Youngjae let out a breath he hadn't even realized he'd been holding.
Oh, god. The teen thought as he rested his hand over his fluttering heart. This is so ridiculous. He sat up, forcing a stern face but it only lasted for a moment and then the smile was on his face again. Youngjae snatched up his phone, smiling when he saw it was a text message from his best friend.
Yo what you doing tomorrow? Youngjae blinked, thinking over if anything was planned for tomorrow before sending back a text that said nothing. A couple of seconds later, the phone was vibrating in his hand, Himchan calling him.
"I am so ing bored, Youngjae." Himchan said as soon as he answered.
"Whaaaaat?" Youngjae asked in a mocking tone. "You ran out of boys to and now you're calling me?" It was quiet for a moment and the younger raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah, pretty much." Himchan finally said. Youngjae let out a sharp laugh, calling his friend an . "I miss you though." He added, pausing for a moment. "Seriously."
"What about when you rejected me last weekend?"
"Well, I didn't miss you then."
Youngjae shook his head and made a tsk sound but there was a smile on his lips. He just felt so, so happy. "You should come over here. It's really cool." He offered. "Like, there is a rooftop garden thing, a tennis court and a pool. Rich people ." He momentarily wondered if he still owed the swear jar a dollar if Daehyun wasn't around to hear him cursing. Nah.
"Text me the address and I'll see you tomorrow, ."
"." Youngjae ended the call, glancing over when he heard a knock on his bedroom door. "Yeah?" He called out and Daehyun poked his head inside.
Daehyun looked at him for a moment. "Who are you talking to?"
The teen pursed his lips, tilting his head. "Myself." He answered and the older let out a soft oh.
"Well... Anyway, I just came to say goodnight." Daehyun said and Youngjae wondered if he was just letting it go or if the man really believed him when he said he was talking to himself. He lazily said goodnight back and then Daehyun was gone.
Youngjae moved to lie on his back again before resting his hand on his stomach and for the first time he realized just how lucky he was. Daehyun was a good guy and despite everything, Youngjae was really glad he was the father on his little demon - and for once, it wasn't just because he was hot and rich. The teen snorted at that. No, for once he realized just how patient and loving Daehyun could be and that was all he wanted for his baby... And if he was honest, that was what he wanted for himself too.
- - - - - - - - - - -
Daehyun yawned loudly, quietly walking down the hallway towards the kitchen, still half-asleep. All he'd wanted to do was stay in bed today. After all, he had a ton of errands to run today. The man could hear Youngjae - The world won't end if you just relax for once day, you know. He grabbed a cup from the counter, filling it with water.
He paused, hearing someone else in the kitchen. "You're up early, Youngjae-" He nearly let out a yelp when he spun around and met eyes with someone unfamiliar. "Oh, good, god." He breathed when he realized it was Youngjae's friend. That creepy kid. Kim Himchan. The two continued to stare at each other for a moment before Daehyun forced a painful smile. "... Hi, Himchan." He gave an awkward wave.
The man swallowed, shifting from foot to foot when Himchan just stared at him, unmoving, just staring. "Uhh..." He slowly side stepped out of the kitchen, Youngjae's friend staring at him the entire time. He shook his head in disbelief when he was finally out of view, resting his hand against his heart.
Daehyun looked up as Youngjae walked out of the bathroom. The teen muttered mornin' and tried to walk past him, the man stopped him as he gently put a hand on his shoulder. "What is your friend doing in my kitchen?"
"I can't have my best friend over?" Youngjae looked utterly irritated, obviously offended by his tone.
"No, it's not that..." He glanced over his shoulder. "Just give me a heads up next time, okay?"
"'Kay." Youngjae tried to walk away again but Daehyun wouldn't let him.
Daehyun leaned in to whisper. "Is something wrong with him? He just... Kept staring."
Youngjae glared, offended again. "He's sensitive around new people. You probably scared him." The teen flicked Daehyun's hand off of his shoulder and left Daehyun standing dumbfounded in the hallway. I scared him. I scared him. The man let out a long sigh, shaking his head all the way back to his bedroom.
- - - - - - - - - - -
"Wow, he got you this?" Himchan said, examining the expensive computer sitting on the kitchen table. When Youngjae nodded his head, he pursed his lips. "... Maybe, I should let him knock me up too."
The younger laughed. "No way." He playfully said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Go get your own baby daddy."
Himchan leaned back in his chair. "It's kinda crazy. I actually could have ended up being that thing's daddy."
Youngjae hummed in reply, thoughtfully tapping his fingers against the table. "Yeah. Honestly, for a while there I thought it might be but..." The teen trailed off, hearing Daehyun. It was quiet for a moment and then Daehyun quietly announced he was going to go run some errands and would be back later.
Daehyun picked up his keys, walking outside of the apartment. His mind was racing with a million thoughts, the man feeling like he was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulder as Youngjae's words repeated in his head. Honestly, for a while there I thought you might be - what if he was? What if Youngjae was lying? How did Youngjae know for certain he was the father.
The teacher wanted to confront Youngjae but he decided to wait until Himchan left. What if the teen was just using him because he knew he had money? What if that child wasn't his at all? He gritted his teeth, feeling anxious and admittedly, angry at the thought of being used.
Daehyun tried to get his errands done before finally giving up and going to a park. He sat in his car for hours, his mind racing with thoughts and theories, each one just making him more and more upset. He's lying and he's using me.
The man snatched out his phone, sending a text message asking Youngjae if he and Himchan wanted anything to eat - just to see if Himchan was still there.
No~ I already ate
Daehyun took in a deep breath before replying. Are you out? I need to talk to you about something. He sent before quickly adding alone to his message. The teen replied he'd be home in a little bit and Daehyun sat his phone in the cupholder. He sat in the parking for a little while longer, trying to calm himself before starting the engine and heading home.
He reached the apartment complex at the same time Youngjae was being dropped off by his friend, his expression dark as he found a parking space and got out. The teen eventually met up with him outside the elevators. Daehyun refused to look at Youngjae, ignoring the curious looks he was shooting him as they silently rode the elevator up to their floor.
Neither said anything until they were in the apartment, the tension between them making Youngjae want to run away. "What's up?" He softly spoke and almost jerked backwards when Daehyun shot him a glare. He was used to being glared at, he was really used to people looking at him like that - but not Daehyun. Never Daehyun. He nervously chewed at his lip as Daehyun walked passed him, making it obvious he didn't want to touch him.
Daehyun sat down on the recliner, looking towards him with his lips pressed into a thin line. "How do you know?" He finally said.
"Know?" Youngjae repeated in surprise.
"How do you know I'm the father? I heard what you said earlier-" Deep inside, Daehyun knew he was being too irrational but he couldn't help it. He was always like this when his mind had made up something. That was part of the reason he and Insoo had broken up - he'd accused his ex of not loving him and that was why he didn't want to have a child with him. In the end, that had nothing to do with it. Insoo loved him but he just didn't want children.
"I... Don't like the way you're talking to me." Youngjae's voice was quiet, his tone flat and face void of any emotion - He was putting back up his wall.
"Look, I have a right to ask this. How do you know? Did you just decide I was the father?" Daehyun narrowed his eyes. "Because I have money?" As soon as those words left his mouth, he realized he shouldn't have said that.
"Do you seriously think I'm that awful of a person?" Youngjae said, visibly hurt. "Do you seriously think I would do that? Do you think I want to be around someone who can't ing stand me to begin with? Seriously, you-" His voice was starting to shake and he quickly wiped away the tears that were starting to form in his eyes. "You know, I was just starting to think you were a good person but you're not. You're a ing , just like my own dad. I don't need you, my baby doesn't need you. We don't ing need your money." Youngjae spun around and grabbed the door, leaving the apartment before Daehyun could even move to stop him.
Daehyun stood up but he felt frozen, guilt hitting him like a concrete wall. Yes, there was nothing wrong with asking Youngjae how he was certain but he shouldn't have let his emotions, his worries get to him and accuse the teen of using him. "Goddamn it." The man thought, bolting out of the apartment to go after Youngjae.
He had to make this right, he needed to fix this.
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