“Dad, he’s so annoying! He pops out of nowhere like grass weeds!” Eunhae complained to Donghae. “He takes my milk!”

On the other side of the world, Donghae can’t help but laugh. He’s been trying to hold it out and hear his daughter out, but she is just like Hyukjae-dense and completely naive.

“Why are you laughing? I’m having boy problems! You’re suppose to listen,” Eunhae whines. She grumbles inside .

Donghae checks the time: 3:41 am. Beside him, Hyukjae is passed out. He is using his neck supporter again since his neck pain is coming back. Donghae pulls the covers to his husband’s bony shoulders.

“What do I do???” Eunhae howls.

“Baby, he’s your best friend from elementary. Don’t push him away,” Donghae answers. “You’ll need someone to depend on and look after you.”

“But he’s everywhere…”

Donghae laughs again, remembering how he literally clung to Hyukjae with both arms and feet so that he won’t be apart from him. Hyukjae might complain about it on the surface, but maybe it’s because he has spent so much time with him that he’s attuned to his needs. Hyukjae needs someone to need and want him, just as Donghae needs to feel that.

“Hey, kiddo?” Donghae yawns. His eyes are hurting. He’s definitely not getting any younger. “Happy birthday.”

Donghae knows that Eunhae is smiling. “Thank you, dad.”

“We love you so much,” Donghae glances at Hyukjae and wonders if he should wake him up. He decides against it. “All the way-”

“To the moon and back,” Eunhae finishes. “I miss you guys, visit me soon!”

Eunhae hangs up and leans her head on the wall. This time, she doesn’t fight the tears that are coming.

~

Eunhae hears rumors about a co-ed group that SM will debut soon. There’s another rumor that this group will be handled by SJ Label, but it’s all talk to get the trainees to work harder. It is working. She dances hard, hoping that someone will notice. She sings well enough, and she improves her techniques day by day. She swears that she will make her parents proud.

Today, they are let off early. Eunhae makes up her mind to visit her uncles. Jihwan doesn’t miss a step, and they found themselves sitting side b