Haneul’s POV

“Yah! Yong Junhyung!” I shook him a little harder.

“Ughh~” He grabbed onto my hand.

His hand felt cold and I could feel him tremble.

“Help him to sit down!” Ahjumma yelled.

“What’s wrong with you!?” I supported his weight.

“Pe..riod~” He mumbled breathlessly.

I froze for a second. Right. I forgot about his period. In the past I would have taken note of the date, but I completely forgot about it.

“I’ll take him to my room.” I said.

“NO!” Tae Hyun pushed me with his little palms.

I looked at him. He glared at me, his tiny lips pursed tightly.

“Hyung is coming with me!” He stomped his foot.

“Hyung?” I asked, looking at Junhyung and then Tae Hyun.

“Tae Hyun ah… Remember what I said?” Junhyung smiled weakly at him.

“Fine!” Tae Hyun pouted but he still looked angry.

“Don’t be mad.” Junhyung touched Tae Hyun’s cheek lightly.

“Come.” I said, helping Junhyung to my room.

I let him lie down on my bed.

“Wait, I’ll go get a towel.” I said.

He grabbed onto my hand and shook his head.

“Don’t go. It’s fine.” He tugged onto my hand.

I sat down beside him and watch him. His eyes were closed but his expression seemed pained. He was taking deep breaths and shifting uncomfortably. He must be in a lot of pain.

“Are you feeling warm?” I asked, wiping the sweat of his forehead.

“A little.” He mumbled.

I adjusted the temperature of the air conditional and fanned him with a piece of paper. Even with that, he still did not seem to feel better. Although we were back together, we cannot deny the fact we lost three years and that we’ve changed in a way or another.

I put my hand under his shirt and rubbed his stomach lightly. He opened his eyes and looked at me.

“I just thought.. You might feel better.” I mumbled.

“But if it’s weird, I’ll stop.” I said, pulling my hand away.

“No no! Please. I miss this.” He guided my hand back to his stomach.

His stomach felt much flatter than before, an indication of his weight loss.

“You’ve lost weight.” I commented.

“Hee~” He smiled slightly.

“Sorry for losing my temper.” I said.

His right cheek looked slightly swollen. I must have used a lot of strength.

“No, it’s fine. You were worried, I can understand. It’s my fault for letting you know our whereabouts.” He said.

“But what went on with Tae Hyun and you? Why did the both of you suddenly before BFFs?” I asked.

“Shhh~ Secret.” He smiled.

I smacked his stomach and he whined.

“Let him tell you.” He said in between his yawn.

“When I called this afternoon, you were asleep, weren’t you? Sleeping at that time of the day would only mean one thing for you. Why didn’t you tell me?” I asked.

“I was feeling better then, but it must be Doojoon and his cursed mouth.” He pouted.

“Pushing the blame to Doojoon now?” I asked.

“Whatever it is, I would have gone no matter what condition I was in.” He said.

“Why are you doing this?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” He asked.

“You barely know them. Ji Eun has been so mean to you. Tae Hyun.. I don’t know what happened now but he wasn’t the friendliest to you too. Why are you still loving them like they are your children?” I asked.

“You love them like they are your children too, don’t you? And, now that we’re ‘us’, I want to do my part for them too. I want to share your responsibility. When we get married in future, we need their approval too, no?” He asked.

“Married? WHO IS GETTING MARRIED WITH YOU!?” I laughed, backing away.

“YOU!” He grabbed my hand and yanked me forward.

I landed on his chest.

“Oww~” He whined softly, but his hands were circled tightly around me.

“Yah~ Let me go. What an ugly posture.” I poked his arm.

“It’s comfortable.” He buried his face into my neck.

I could feel his hair tickle my chin. We were so close I could feel his breathing.

“Honestly, one of the reasons I shower them with so much love is because of you. But that’s just a small part of it.” He said, letting me rest on his arm.

“So what’s the bigger part?” I asked, propping myself up on one elbow while my other hand continue to rub his stomach.

“They’re so similar to me, but compared to them, I am much fortunate. But I don’t know. Something inside me is just urging me to protect and love them. I just want them to know that it’s not the end of the world. They’ll still grow up to be wonderful people.” He said.

I nodded. I leaned down to give him a kiss on his lips. He stuck out his tongue to deepen the kiss but I pulled away on purpose.

“No. You must sleep.” I chuckled at his surprised expression.

“We haven’t kissed for so long!” He pouted.

He pushed himself up with his tongue stuck out, trying to get a kiss.

“You are acting like a lizard!” I laughed, stopping him by his chest.

He was about to say something but I cupped his cheeks and crashed my lips against his. I circled my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me as we kissed. He is right, we have not kissed in a long time, and honestly, I miss this so much.

We broke apart for air and he smiled like a fool when our eyes met.

“What?” I asked, feeling slightly embarrassed as well.

“Nothing… Just..” He chuckled, touching his lower lip.

“Stop laughing!” I covered the blanket over his face.

He pulled it down a little, revealing his eyes only.

“Sleep.” I said.

“Sleep with me.” He said.

“No. I’ve got to go to Tae Hyun.” I said.

“Ouh~” Although the blanket was covering his mouth, I could sense that he was pouting.

“But I’ll stay with you until you sleep.” I said, pulling the blanket lower to reveal his face.

“So if you would please, close your eyes and sleep?” I said, pushing his fringe away from his face.

“But I am not sleepy.” He said.

“Take a short nap at least.” I coaxed him.

“Oh wait. Is Ji Eun okay?” He asked, worried spelled all over his face.

“She’s fine.” I assured him.

He nodded and closed his eyes. He started snoring softly awhile later.

“I thought someone said he is not sleepy?” I asked his sleeping self softly, poking his nose.

“Sleep well~” I whispered.

I watch him for a while more before turning off the lights and heading out.

When I opened the door, I was taken aback to see Tae Hyun sitting on the floor in front of my door with his head down.

“Hyunie?” I called out.

He looked up at me.

“Why are you sitting here?” I asked, squatting in front of him.

He did not say anything.

“Are you worried about Junhyung?” I asked.

He looked at me then looked away. I knew his answer already.

“He’s fine. He’s sleeping now. Do you want go in?” I asked.

He shook his head.

“I’m sorry about just now. I was wrong. Would you forgive me?” I asked.

He shrugged his shoulders.

“Awww~ Please…” I poked his leg, trying to look as cute as possible.

Tae Hyun may be six, but he already has a soft spot for girls.

“Did you apologize to hyung?” He asked.

“I did.” I said.

“Did he forgive you?” He asked.

“Yes.” I said.

“Then I forgive you too.” He said.

“Thank you.” I pulled him up, hugging him tight.

“What happened here?” I asked, noticing the Band-Aid on his knee.

“Erm…” He bit his lower lip.

“IS IT THEM AGAIN?” I yelled, feeling angry.

“Shhh! Junhyung hyung is sleeping~” He covered my mouth.

Did he just call Junhyung ‘Junhyung hyung’? Ha~ That sounded funny.

“What happened?” I asked, removing his hand from my mouth.

I sat against the wall with him on my lap.

“They… bullied me.. again.” He mumbled.

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t there for you.” I said, touching the plaster on his knee lightly.

“Junhyung hyung came.” He said.

“He did?” I asked.

He nodded and excitedly told me the whole story.

“And he told me a secret.” He said.

“What secret?” I asked.

“It’s a secret, umma. How can I tell it to you? I promised hyung.” He said.

“Yes, that’s my boy. I was just testing you.” I laughed, poking his cheek.

“So… you like Junhyung?” I asked.

He nodded.

“How much?” I asked.

“THIS MUCH!” He beamed, stretching his arms out wide.

“Even more than you like me?” I asked, pouting slightly.

“I LOVE YOU!” He said, planting a kiss on my cheek.

“ME TOO!!” I supported his head as I tickled him.

I love the sound of his laughter. I tickled him for a while before stopping. I did not want him to cry tonight.

“But Ji Eun doesn’t seem to like him.” I said, caressing his soft baby hair.

“Mmm~” He looked down, playing with his toes.

“You got to help him.” I said.

He nodded, still playing with his toes.

“Stop playing with your toes!” I laughed.

“Why?” He asked innocently.

“Nothing, nothing. Continue.” I said.

He leaned against my chest and yawned.

“Sleepy?” I asked.

He nodded.

“Do you want to sleep with Junhyung?” I asked.

“I can?” His face wrote happiness.

“Why not?” I asked.

“He may not like it.” He mumbled.

“Oh no. You don’t know how much he’ll love it. Maybe you can give him stomach rubs since he might still be in pain?” I suggested.

He nodded. I carried him into the room.

“Shh~” I gestured.

I pulled the blanket up slightly and let Tae Hyun crawl in with Junhyung. He snuggled close to Junhyung. He slipped his little palm under Junhyung’s shirt and rubbed his stomach lightly. Tae Hyun really likes Junhyung, doesn’t he?

“Sleep tight.” I whispered, patting his chest lightly, sending him off into dreamland.

Junhyung’s POV

I had no idea how long I slept, but I felt good after the nap. I felt a palm on my stomach. It did not feel like Haneul’s because it felt smaller. I looked down to find Tae Hyun sleeping beside me. It was his palm on my stomach.

“When did you crawl in?” I whispered softly.

I carefully pull his hand out and shifted him to sleep properly. I pat his chest lightly as I watch him sleep. The only person I have watched sleep is Haneul. Although I’ve seen Ji Eun and Tae Hyun sleep before, I did not pay so much attention to it. Now I understood why parents love watching their children sleep, it was simply amazing and too cute to be true.

The door clicked open and I looked over.

“You’re up~” Haneul said.

She must have showered because her clothes were different and her hair was let down.

“When did he come in?” I asked, smiling at Tae Hyun’s sleeping figure.

“When you were asleep. I asked if he wanted to join you since he was sleepy. At first he was afraid you wouldn’t like it.” She said, sitting down beside me.

“Why would I not like it? Silly boy~” I laughed.

“Well, he has only cuddled with Jace. So.. Hmm~” She took a closer look at him.

“And he rubbed your stomach too. I wonder if you felt it.” She said.

“Haha~ Honestly, no. But I feel it now, here.” I said, touching the part of my chest where my heart is.

“Gahhhhhh sweetness overload~~” She covered her face.

“What?” I laughed, poking her.

“Are you feeling better?” She asked, touching my stomach.

“Never been better.” I said.

“That’s good.” She said.

“Let’s bring him back to his room.” She said.

“Huh? Why?” I asked.

“Look at your face. You look like I said ‘let’s sell Tae Hyun’.” She laughed.

“Tsk~” I made a face at her.

“We’ll go out for dinner.” She said.

“Dinner?” I asked.

“Yea. Aren’t you hungry? No. Scratch that. I don’t care if you’re hungry or not. We’re still eating. Come on, it’s already 7.30PM.” She said.

“But I want to watch him sleep.” I said.

“We’ll watch him another time. He sleeps every day.” She said, getting up.

I carried him to his room and put him down carefully. I looked over to Ji Eun’s bed but she wasn’t there.

“Where’s Ji Eun?” I asked.

“Sleeping with Jace.” She said.

“I thought Jace is sick too?” I asked.

“Yea, but that doesn’t mean he stops taking care of her, right?” She said, covering the blanket properly over Tae Hyun.

“Sleep well.” I whispered to him, planting a soft kiss on his forehead before leaving.

***

We had dinner at one of the small restaurant. During dinner, we talked about everything and teased each other like how we would in the past.

“I’ll take you somewhere later.” I said.

“Where?” She asked.

“Somewhere.” I said, shoving a slice of Kimchi pancake into .

“MMPWHERE?” She asked with full.

“What? I can’t understand.” I laughed.

After dinner, I paid and we left.

“Aigoo so full~” She stretched.

“Really?” I asked, poking her stomach.

She flinched and slapped my hand away.

“Don’t!” She pouted.

“Why?” I asked, laughing because I know why she slapped my hand away.

“Just don’t!” She said.

She felt insecure because she thinks her stomach is flabby.

“Why? Are you afraid I would think you’re fat?” I asked, pulling her close to me.

“Just don’t.” She said, crossing her arms over her stomach.

“Your stomach is not flabby, neither are you fat, Haneul ah~” I said.

“But I am not thin either.” She said.

“That’s true.” I said, nodding.

“WHAT!? Have I really put on a lot of weight!?” She asked, pinching her chin.

“Yah!” I grabbed onto her hands.

“You’re the right size for Yong Junhyung, okay?” I said.

“So can we have ice cream?” She asked with full of aegyo.

“Five minutes ago, someone walked out of the restaurant and said ‘Aigoo so full~’” I imitated her.

“There’s always space for ice cream!” She beamed and started running.

“YAH! WHERE ARE YOU RUNNING TO!?” I yelled.

“Away from you!!” She laughed.

“Sure, go ahead. But the ice cream shop is there.” I pointed at the other direction.

She looked a little confused for a moment, then she started running towards me. I thought she would come to me but she ran pass me. I couldn’t help but laugh as I picture her looking like a little mouse. A silly mouse, in fact.

“There are cats there.” I said loud enough for her to hear.

She turned back and ran back to me. She hugged my arm tight.

“What were you doing? Acting in a running drama?” I laughed.

Haneul’s POV

“Give me some!” He tried to my ice cream.

“You have yours!” I blocked his face.

“Yours looks nicer!” He said.

“Tsk! Just eat yours!” I said.

“Come on! Just a bit!” He said, sticking his tongue out and chasing me around.

I felt like a monitor lizard was chasing me.

“OKAY OKAY! TSK!” I let him have a bit of it in the end.

“YOURS IS NICER!” He yelled.

“I just have better taste than you.” I said, my ice cream.

“Let’s exchange!!” He suggested.

“What?! I don’t want to! I like my green tea! You stick with your vanilla!” I said.

“EXCHANGE!!!” He whined like a kid.

“NO!!” I said.

“Exchange or I’ll create a scene here.” He threatened.

“HA! Go on, create a scene.” I said.

He pouted and squatted down.

“Get up!” I said, but he ignored me.

“People are staring. Get up.” I said.

Why is it always at this timing he turns into a five year old?

“Alright, alright! We’ll exchange!” I gave in despite not liking the idea at all.

He jumped up and snatched my ice cream from my hand. He shoved his into mine and ate happily.

“I hate you.” I mumbled.

“But I love you.” He said, pulling me close to him.

“Move away.” I elbowed his ribs.

“Owww~” He bend over, grabbing his ribs.

“I’m not falling for it.” I said, walking off.

I turned around after walking a bit further to find him still in the same position. Did I hurt him? But I did not use a lot of strength, how is it possible?

“Are you okay!?” I ran towards him.

“Is it very painful?! Can you walk?” I asked worriedly.

“Junhyung ah!” I shook him when he did not answer me.

“Don’t scare me like this!” I yelled.

He looked up at me, showing me a monkey face with crossed eyes. Great. I got fooled.

“YAH! YONG JUNHYUNG!!!” I kicked his shin out of anger and stomped off.

“OWWW!! HANUEL!!” He ran after me.

How could he play such a trick on me?

“Haneul ah! Haneul! I’m sorry.” He said, blocking me from going further.

“It wasn’t funny at all okay!” I pushed him.

“I know, I know. I am sorry.” He hugged me.

“Don’t ever do that again!” I yelled.

“Well, if I wanted to do it again, I would have to wait for next year.” He said.

“Why?” I asked, confused.
“Because… April’s Fool only occurs once a year.” He laughed.
“AISHHHHH!!!” I smacked my forehead, totally grasping the situation.

“HAHAHAHAHAHA! Well~ At least I know you care.” He said.

“You mean you didn’t know!?” I yelled.

“Of course I do.” He poked my cheek.

***

“Why are we here?” I asked, looking around.

“You don’t remember this place?” He asked.

“Of course I remember. How can I forget?” I said, looking around.

We were back at the playground we used to frequent.

“Wait for me here.” He said, pushing me to sit on the swing.

“Why? Where are you going?” I asked.

“I’ll be back real quick.” He said.

“Is this another April’s Fool joke!?” I yelled.

“Which fool plays two jokes in such a short period of time!?” He laughed before running off.

I swing myself as I waited for him to come back. I looked around the playground and many memories of us came back. We got together here, and when he lost his memory, I took him here too. We really did a lot here.

“What’s taking him so long?” I mumbled to myself.

He was gone for about half an hour already. I was starting to worry. I called him on his phone. I was relived when it got through, but I mentally cursed myself when I heard his phone ring in my bag.

I waited for a while more but started to get pretty anxious. I grabbed my stuff and walked around, trying to see if he is somewhere around.

“I thought I asked you to wait there!” I heard his voice from behind me.

“YAH! What took you so…” Before I could finish, he raised three stalks of red roses in front of my face.

“I love you.” He said, panting slightly.

He was sweaty and his cheeks were slightly flushed. I guess he had been running.

“Huh?” I looked at him, confused.

“Three stalks of roses mean I love you. Pabo~” He laughed.

I looked at the roses, then at him. I felt shocked, surprised, happy, and worried all at the same time. Is there a proper word to describe this emotion? 

***
After the kiss with Haneul~

When he wakes up with Tae Hyun beside him

Junhyung: HANEUL PABO! HAHAHA!