“Where’s appa?” Taehyung asks hesitantly, glancing over to the driver’s seat for a second.

“Work,” answers Baekhyun shortly, looking straight ahead at the road in front of them.

“Oh.” Taehyung falls silent, his gaze dropping to the hands twisting in his lap. He kind of wished it had been appa to come instead of his umma because appa is usually more laid back about these kinds of things.

“You can talk now,” Baekhyun says, applying the brakes with more force than necessary. “Or do you only do that during class?”

Taehyung bites the inside of his cheek. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have that problem during class apparently.”

“Umma…”

“Look Tae, I’m not mad.”

Taehyung perks up in surprise. “You’re not?”

Baekhyun shakes his head, starting the car forward. “Not really. I know you like to talk. You got that from me and your appa. But not everyone likes to talk.”

“I know but I just want to be friends with everybody. But seonsaengnim doesn’t understand,” pouts Taehyung. “It’s not like we’re learning anything anyway.”

“I don’t know, fifth grade is kind of important,” Baekhyun tells his son. “It’s where you learn basics to get through the rest of school.”

“Umma, it’s boring!”

“I know, I know. It but I made it through, appa made it through.” Baekhyun pauses. “Well, barely anyway.”

“That’s mean, umma!”

“Maybe so but I love him anyway. Speaking of your appa, we’re going to discuss this we he gets home.”

Taehyung’s shoulders slump. “It’s not like it’s a big deal, umma. I was just talking. Am I not allowed to make friends?”

“Of course not!” Baekhyun looks scandalized. “I want you to have friends, any friends. Since you’re my son, it shouldn’t be that hard.”

“Oh umma!”

“But you’re right, it’s just talking.” Baekhyun brakes at a red light, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. “I really don’t understand their reasoning. It’s stupid. Honestly, they should be happy you’re so eager.”

Taehyung smiles, his box smile that Baekhyun thinks is so adorable and he can’t find it in himself to be mad at his son.

He got that trait from Chanyeol.

“Don’t think too much about this, okay Tae? There’s more to life than obeying orders and being quiet.”