"You want to take my kids to the beach again?“ There was obvious suspicion in her voice.

Sunggyu cleared his throat and tried hard to keep his poker face on. His sister stared him down like she was waiting for him to crack as he always did, but Sunggyu managed to keep his face straight. "That’s what I said. Is there a problem? It’s sunny and warm. They don’t have school. They love the beach!“

She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes slightly. Sunggyu knew he was pushing his luck. His sister wasn’t stupid after all. But there was no way he could tell her why he really wanted to take the kids to the beach.

"That’s all true but you hate the beach and, while you love your niece and nephew, I know you would never want to be alone with them for a longer time. I know you, Kim Sunggyu. And don’t get me started on how I had to practically beg you to take them to the beach last week!“

"I was simply busy last week! You asked me on really short notice and I was quite stressed, so my answer might’ve turned out a little harsh. But spending time with them at the beach has been a really fun experience! I regret not doing this earlier and I can tell you would totally love another break from your kids.“ Sunggyu gave her a playful shove. "Don’t act like you don’t want some alone time with your husband. Come on.“

There was a sudden squeal. "Uncle Sunggyu is taking us to the beach?“

Two kids stormed into the room and watched them with excited eyes. Sunggyu was smirking inside. There was no way his sister could say no now. Her children weren’t going to give up so easily. He crouched down and opened his arms for them. "Yoonhee, Yoonha! My favorite niece and nephew!“

"You don’t have any other...“ His sister muttered.

"Uncle Sunggyu!!“

Sunggyu dropped a kiss on each of their heads and smiled. "Who wants to go to the beach?“

"Me!“ They shouted loudly. He winced a little at the volume of their voices. Why were kids so loud? But Sunggyu still loved his niece and nephew. He wouldn’t want any of his own but Yoonhee and Yoonha were definitely adorable - even if they tested his patience sometimes.

He gave his sister a grin. “See? They both want to go~“

"Yes, Mommy! We want to go!“ Yoonha copied.

She threw her hands in the air. „Fine, you can take them.“

Her kids screamed in joy and Sunggyu winced once more. "But first you guys will change your clothes and put on sunscreen.“

They ran away like lightning to finish the tasks they had been given. Sunggyu stood up again as his sister sighed. "You’re right. I’ll enjoy the peace and quiet when they’re gone. Let me back their bags and something to eat.“

About twenty minutes later, Sunggyu finally had the kids in his car. He turned around to look at them in the backseats. "What did you tell your mom about our last time at the beach?“

"I didn’t tattle!“ Yoonha exclaimed immediately.

"Snitches get stitches. That’s what you said, Uncle Sunggyu.“

"…” He started to sweat a little. „I didn’t think you would remember that. Don’t say it in front of your parents, okay? You haven’t done it already, I hope.“

Yoonhee shook his head and his sister followed. „Good. If you guys snitch on me, your mom won’t let me hear the end of it.“

The kids nodded and Sunggyu turned around again to start the engine.

There were a lot of people at the beach like last time but Sunggyu quickly found a good spot for their blanket and sunshade. He looked around inconspicuously as the kids took off their normal clothes. They had their swimsuits on beneath them to make the changing quicker. Sunggyu kept glancing around but he couldn’t find the person he was looking for. His sister had been right about him having another reason to take her kids to the beach. There was someone he wanted to see again.

"Uncle Sunggyu, can we go into the water?“ Yoonhee interrupted his searching.

“That’s what you’re here for, aren’t you? But remember to stay close to the beach in the marked areas.“

"Yes, Uncle Sunggyu!“ They said in unison. The siblings hurried off towards the water. Sunggyu followed them with his gaze. They were good swimmers and usually listened to what they were told, but Sunggyu still had to keep a watchful eye on them. Never mind the rage he would face from his sister in case something happened to them. He would never be able to forgive himself either.

Sunggyu took his pants off as well since it was pretty hot. He had his swimming trunks on but he wasn’t really the type to jump into the ocean and swim. Besides, it was way too warm out in the sun. Under the sunshade, it was barely endurable. His shirt he kept on. Sunggyu wasn’t very confident about his upper body. He knew it was his own fault for being a lazy bum but he could never motivate himself to do sports. A little belly wasn’t super attractive but it didn’t hurt. When the apocalypse hit, who would die first - the ones with some belly fat or the skinny ones? At least that was his logic.

He sat down and grabbed a sandwich from the food basket his sister had packed. Sunggyu looked around more as he kept an eye on the kids. An hour passed and the kids were back under the sunshade for a little break, when Sunggyu’s eyes finally found his goal. Those strong, tanned legs, the navy blue pair of swimming trunks hugging a perfectly round and cute . He felt like a ert but one had to appreciate a good-looking behind from time to time. His gaze went further up and he sighed shortly. The other man was attractive from his toes to the top of his brown mop of hair.

"Uncle, you’re drooling.“ Yoonha giggled.

"I’m not!“

Yoonhee looked around. "Oh, it’s Teacher Woohyun!“

“You should talk to him, uncle.“

He huffed. “Eat your sandwich, Kim Yoonha.“

"Teacher Woohyun is really nice.“

“I know. You told me last time.“

Damn those nosy kids. Couldn’t they just let him swoon in peace? Sunggyu sighed. Last time he had taken the kids to the beach (or more like: when he had been forced to take them to the beach), he had spotted a very attractive lifeguard. Yoonha and Yoonhee caught him looking and, by coincidence, they knew the other man. As it turned out, he wasn’t just working as a lifeguard. He was also a swimming teacher at a local pool where many schools sent their kids to learn swimming. Nam Woohyun - a man who loved swimming and kids. The total opposite of Sunggyu. Plus, he was probably straight and dreaming of a whole soccer team of kids to call his own.

"I could call him over. TEACH-“ Sunggyu clapped a hand over Yoonhee’s mouth.

“Ssssshhh!“

"Why?“ Yoonha asked curiously.

“Because you shouldn’t bother adults while they’re working.“

"Adul rulsh are shtoopid“

"Finish chewing before you talk!“ Sunggyu scolded his niece.

She swallowed. "I’m sorry. Do you like Teacher Woohyun?“

He coughed. "You-“

Yoonhee made a face and crossed his arms. "Ehh! But he looks like a gremlin! Especially his hands...“

Sunggyu gave his nephew a stern look. "He doesn’t look like a gremlin! What even is a gremlin?!“

The boy grinned. "So you do like him!“

He huffed and gave the boy a light shove. "Don’t talk about things your little brains can’t comprehend, you two. I don’t like him. Now eat in silence!“

It was quiet, at least for a while. Sadly, silence never lasted for long with the siblings around.

"Uncle Sunggyu, can I get ice cream?“ Yoonhee gave him a hopeful look.

"Your mom told me no ice cream today. You guys eat too many sweets.“

The boy pouted but then grinned. "TEACHER WOOH-“

Sunggyu shoved a sandwich into Yoonhee’s mouth to silence his shout. The lifeguard shortly looked their way and Sunggyu ducked although that would probably make him look suspicious in the first place. "What are you doing, Kim Yoonhee?“

"I want ice cream.“ He crossed his arms in defiance.

He gaped at his nephew. "Are you...blackmailing me?“

Yoonhee smiled innocently. Sunggyu narrowed his eyes at him and opened his mouth to speak, but then he noticed something out of the corner of his eyes. "Where’s your sister? Yoonha!“

He looked around in panic but quickly found the girl with her striking pink swimsuit. She was headed straight towards the lifeguard. "Y-You wait here!“, he shouted at his nephew and ran after her.

Sunggyu felt it hard to run quickly in the sand and all the other people didn’t make it any easier. Time seemed to slow down as he dodged people left and right and jumped over discarded items in the sand. One couple shouted when he kicked sand into their food. Sunggyu sent a quick apology in his head but kept his gaze on Yoonha. It felt like she was moving much quicker, although she was just walking casually.

“Uncle S-“ Something suddenly hit him against the head and Sunggyu stumbled to the side. He lost his balance as he ran into something and he opened his eyes and mouth in shock as he fell over.

He crashed into what felt like a giant mountain of sand. Sunggyu groaned as he felt the sand getting under his clothes and into his shoes. He cursed quietly and looked around. Kids with teary eyes surrounded him and one of them started to cry. "Uwah---Mommy!“

"Our sandcastle!“

"Ahjussi! We’ve been working on it for hours!“

A shadow fell over him. "Are you okay? That looked painful.“

Sunggyu blinked against the sun and almost choked on his spit when he recognized the lifeguard. He jumped up but swayed a little when a spell of dizziness surprised him. The lifeguard grabbed his arm. "That ball hit you pretty hard. Be careful.“

"I’m fine. Sorry about that.“

The lifeguard chuckled. "Sorry about what?“

He glanced at the kids. Woohyun smiled and crouched down to console the crying kid. „Don’t cry, Minnie. This hyung didn’t mean it, okay? He got hit by a ball and your sandcastle might have actually saved his life.“

It was definitely an exaggeration but the boy’s eyes shone brightly. "It did?“

"Yes. You guys saved his life with your sandcastle. Be very proud of your stable construction.“

Just like that the children were cheering again. Sunggyu was in awe. The lifeguard sure knew how to handle kids. Woohyun stood up again and smiled at him. "Is your head really okay?“

He cleared his throat and patted his clothes to get rid of the sand. "I’m okay. Just stood up too quickly there.“

"Uncle Sunggyu!!“ Two small arms wrapped around his leg. Sunggyu smiled at his niece and ruffled her hair. "I’m okay, Yoonha.“

"Oh! Isn’t that little Yoonha?“ The lifeguard exclaimed in surprise.

She looked up and nodded shyly. "Hi.“

Yoonhee appeared at his side as well and Sunggyu absentmindedly wondered if anyone was watching their stuff. Probably not. "Hello, Teacher Woohyun!“

"Oh, Yoonhee as well. Then you must be Jieun’s brother. Sunggyu, right?“ The lifeguard smiled widely and bowed shortly "I’ve heard a lot about you but we’ve never met. I’m their swimming teacher, Nam Woohyun.“

He froze for a second and glanced at his niece and nephew. Sweat ran down his neck. "T-That’s me. I hope you heard only good things.“

"Of course, Yoonha and Yoonhee love their uncle a lot.“ Sunggyu suppressed a sigh of relief.

"Uncle Sunggyu is the best!“ Yoonha cheered happily. Yoonha, my little angel, uncle will buy you as much ice cream as you want!

"And he loves to swim! Just like you!“ Yoonhee added with enthusiasm.

Sunggyu’s eyes widened slightly as the lifeguard laughed. "Is that so? Didn’t you mention before he hates water?“

Kim Yoonhee! The little boy looked around nervously. "Uh, I mean- He WOULD love to know how to swim. He’s scared of water because he can’t! But maybe you could teach him!“

I CAN SWIM! Sunggyu glared at his nephew but quickly stopped when Woohyun laughed and looked at him. "Well, usually I only teach kids but maybe I can make an exception.“

„Actually, I-“ Yoonhee kicked against his shin. „-sure, that sounds great.“

The lifeguard chuckled. "But not today. I got to get back to work, actually. Do you have your phone with you?“

Sunggyu took it out of his pocket in a trance and unlocked it with jittery fingers. Woohyun typed his number into the device and then handed it back to him. "There you go. You can text me later, so I have your number.“ He waved at them and then jogged away to get back to work.

He watched the man’s backside and bit his lip. Those tight swimming trunks were a crime. He gnawed on his lower lip. Sunggyu would really love to put his hands on that one day. Call him a ert if you want.

Yoonhee grinned at him. "Can we get ice cream now?“

Sunggyu narrowed his eyes at his nephew. "So I can’t swim now?“

The boy pouted. "I had to improvise.“

He sighed. Suddenly, he felt a shiver run down his spine. Sunggyu shook his shoulders and looked around nervously. Yoonha gave him a curious look. "Are you okay, Uncle Sunggyu?“

“I just felt like someone was watching me...“ And it felt like they wanted to kill me.

His phone suddenly vibrated and he jumped a little. Sunggyu willed his heart to calm down and looked at the new message.

[How dare you use my children to pick up men at the beach. You’re dead, Kim Sunggyu.]

His eyes widened and he looked around in panic once more. There! In the distance, he spotted a figure next to a tree. Sunggyu swallowed hard.

[It’s not like that, I swear!!]

[There’s no need to deny it! I saw you hitting on my kids’ hot swimming teacher! I should’ve hit you harder with that ball.]

[That was you??]

[If you don’t go on a date with him and marry him, I’ll have your balls. My kids love that man and I love that . What a sight!]

[Jieun! You have a husband. What are you doing staring at another man’s ?]

[If you tell my husband, you’re dead. Also, don’t forget: no ice cream!]

The figure walked away and Sunggyu sighed deeply. The siblings looked at him curiously. "Ice cream?“

Well, he was dead already, wasn’t he? She couldn’t kill him twice. "Sure, let’s go, kids.“

​​​