XVIIII

A pair of hands, guiding another pair of hands as they slid through the icy ground, leaving marks with their blades. Going straight, and slowly doing rounds. There are several times when the little one stumble, making his mother gasp from where she was watching. Every time the young man slip, a fatherly figure would brought him back up on his feet, urging him to try once more, and once more, and once more. Not long after, he found his balance. Joyfully, he was already standing up on his own feet. He searched for his mother and found her proudly watching him from the distance. He giggled and fell once more. The elder man flinched but he had his hands off from the boy. "Get up," he asked gently.

The boy hesitated and looked up to the man, his eyes was asking for help, and the father could read him. "Try getting up," he urge with care.

"Trust me, I won't let you get hurt," he persuaded.

The boy nodded and slowly lifted his own weight. He wobbled. He tried to find his balance.

His father was watching him closely, ready to save the little one, if his calculation says that the boy is in danger of landing on the ground badly.

His mother bit her lip watching. She wanted to go and get him, put him on a safer place, but she held herself. She knows that his father knows what he was doing.

Soon enough, Jung Soo stabilized himself. The three of them proudly celebrated with huge smiles on their faces. Chae Won put two thumbs up for her son when the father and son looked at her direction.

They played a little more and Joong Ki was teaching him simple tricks. Chae Won unconsciously thought of Seung Joon. He was different from the man in front of her. Seung Joon was plain protective. Joong Ki is protective yet still adventurous. Seung Joon would choose a safe way for Jung Soo. Joong Ki will chose some adventure and guide Jung Soo along the way.

Chae Won shook her unwelcomed comparison. "I'm sorry, Seung Joon oppa," she whispered, apologetic.

She did not notice when Joong Ki started to head her way. Her eyes were fixated on her son skating alone. He looked carefree, he was enjoying the moment.

Joong Ki leaned on the railing that was separating him from her. They stayed there silently watching Jung Soo, admiring him. Joong Ki smiled as he was reminded of himself. "He reminds me of myself. He's just like me," he said loud enough for his voice to get through the small gap from the glasses that was dividing them. Their eyes did not leave Jung Soo.

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