Donghae pulls Hyukjae to him, and for the first time in a while, his husband bursts out crying. He shuts the door just in case, but all the kids are at school. He rubs Hyukjae’s back, and doesn’t say anything. He is ready to hunt down the person who made this strong man break down, but Hyukjae needs him. So he stays.

They stand holding each other like that for a while, until Hyukjae’s tears had dried. Donghae sits him to the bed, and quickly rushes downstairs for a glass of water.

He kneels in front of Hyukjae and insists that he drinks it.

“I can’t believe it,” Hyukjae lets out. His shoulders slumped down, and Donghae’s heart breaks at how small and frail he looks. He is defeated.

“We’ll figure it out, just like we always do,” Donghae says. He squeezes his knee. “That person will pay.”

Hyukjae covers Donghae’s hand. They are back at square one. Hyukjae’s co-CEO of his dance studio and small recording company ran away with all the money. They were all just starting out, but it’s been very successful for them.

“Okay, you’re right,” Hyukjae says. He’s not so sure anymore, but he follows his husband’s hope since he’s always able to be his rock in times like this.

~

Donghae smiles down at their baby girl, sleeping fitfully in the crib that he and Hyukjae assembled. They are happy in their new home. No one bothers them here. Donghae can only check the news and the internet, but there are just people who will always be on their side or against them. Not that he minded, he has another life to attend to.

Eunhae fusses a little, and Donghae’s heart breaks from so much love. How can he protect such a tiny thing? She doesn’t know anything.

He reaches down and places a finger on her tiny fist. She immediately grasps it, and grips it strongly.

“I guess you’re going to grow stubborn, huh, Lee Eunhae,” Donghae murmurs. “Just like your appa.”

The door opens, and he hears groceries being set down on the kitchen table. Donghae doesn’t move from his spot. He finally put Eunhae down for a nap, he wasn’t about to go through the cycle again. It was hard enough.

“Hae?” Hyukjae calls softly.

Eunhae stirs, but she doesn’t wake up.

“Did you see the news?” He adds.

Donghae glances at Eunhae. “Yeah, I did.”

Hyukjae walks over to the crib and takes a peek at his baby girl. His tense expression immediately softens. “They’re boycotting us out.”

Donghae shrugs. Eunhae hasn’t let go of his finger yet. “Let them.”

There wasn’t any need for them to say more. All they could do is watch as their new life together begins.

~

“Dad?” Eunhae asks softly. She looks at her phone, which was still recording the silence between them.

Donghae snaps out of his daydreaming state. He focuses on Eunhae, and all he could see is Hyukjae. She has his sharp jaw line and carved cheeks, and his straight nose that rounds at the