# 1
Magician
"Donghae, you could at least stay until Misoon gets home! Help me put the kids to bed!"
"You do it all the time, Donghwa. You don't need help."
"They want to spend more time with you!"
"I knoow, but I can't, I really can't -- I'd love to, but I can't."
Donghae's gathering his stuff. It's a bit difficult to be quicker. He has to carefully move his right leg.
Leeteuk replied to him a couple minutes ago. Apparently, Hyukjae is okay. Except:
"He's kinda silently staring at the wall now? He probably just misses you. Or he's tired because of Koongie."
Donghae was planning to leave anyway. Around this time. He just lost track for a bit. He was playing with his niece and nephew.
"Uncle Ddohae! Your books!"
Hana's heard running around.
"Wait," Donghae tries to call.
The four year old has already fetched the books. She holds them up to him.
"No, Hana, these ones are for you. They're with the crayons. See, this one's a colouring book -- you've already coloured in it, Hana. It's all yours."
Hana blinks at the book. Pulls up the one underneath it. "Okay. Here."
"This is yours too!"
"You gave me one! Before!"
"I know, but see this one has more pictures! So you can learn more and be the smartest kid in school, Hana."
She stares at the cover.
"Trust your uncle, okay? They'll be useful! All the kids will want them too." Donghae pats her pigtailed head. Whispers. "Actually, my Hyukkie has one just like this."
"The pikshery?" Hana's eyes widen. "Why?"
"Because it helps him learn!"
"For school?"
"Uh, for... uh, just for what things are. Look, it tells you the names for everything." Donghae opens the book at random. "This is a helicopter. Did you know what a helicopter was?"
She nods. "Yeah. But Hyukkie... Hyukkie... doesn't... Hyukkie doesn't know hecoppers?"
Donghwa's come up behind his daughter now. He laughs at her question. Donghae just smiles. Because... he doesn't know... if Hyukjae knows. He might not. Helicopters haven't come up. So Donghae can't know.
"Say thank you, Hana..." Donghwa says. "She'll read it and learn from it. Right, Hana?"
Hana's quiet. She doesn't seem excited. Donghwa's trying not to laugh. He crouches beside her.
"Right, baby?"
"Yeah," Hana sighs. "Thank you, Uncle Ddohae."
"You're welcome," Donghae says. Chuckles. He straightens up. "But I get it, I'll bring you something to play with next time. I'm really sorry for disappointing you..."
Donghwa laughs. Hana's eyes have sparkled. She hops on her feet. Clutches the books tightly.
"Really? What? What will you -- what will you bring?"
"Um." Donghae looks at his brother. He doesn't help. "Um. It'll be a surprise, Hana."
"Okay! When? When will... when will you... when will you bring me a supprise?"
"Yeah, when?" Donghwa says. Stands. Crosses his arms.
"Whenever I... find the time to visit again?"
Donghwa purses his lips.
"Look, I promise I will try my best to come as often as I can," Donghae says again. "And bring you as many fun things as I can."
Hana's eyes are so hopeful. Rae's still stuck to Donghae's leg. Clueless.
"And you'll let us meet Hyukjae like you promised ages ago?"
"Ages? Donghwa, it was just a few months ago and as I explained, many times, he was..." Donghae lowers his voice. Mouths, "Not well."
"Was. And now he doesn't want to meet us."
"What -- no! I didn't say that! He didn't say that! I said he's... not ready..."
Donghae's heart twinges. It's not fair to assume that. Hyukjae has very good reasons. Even if Donghae can't mention those to Donghwa.
His brother steps closer. Claps Donghae's shoulder. Smiles.
"I'm kidding, Hae. I understand." His voice becomes softer. "It's obvious how important he is to you... so I just want to see for myself if everything's okay..."
"It is," Donghae reassures. "He's better and I... I would tell you more, it's just... like I said, maybe he should tell you himself, when the time's right and if he wants to. Don't worry though, Donghwa, I'm doing great -- much better than ever before. Truly."
Donghwa's smiling widely. "I can see that, actually."
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