Chapter Text
It was almost ridiculous how easily the four fell into step living with one another. It nearly felt natural. Seungcheol would wake up first, start coffee, and gently wake the twins up for breakfast. Jeonghan would join them half an hour later, still looking ethereal despite a horrible case of bedhead. He would greet each of the boys with a kiss on the cheek and give Seungcheol a fond smile as he moved to get a cup of coffee. It was simple, comfortable, and domestic. They were almost a family and the thought always made Seunghceol's heart race. It was something he had longed for, craved, but felt he didn't need to have. He had been completely ready to live alone with his son. As he watched Jeonghan cut Seokmin's food for him, he reminded himself to thank Joshua later for his meddling ways.
After spending most of the weekend packing and setting up in Jeonghan's house, Seungcheol was looking forward to spending a quiet Sunday inside. Maybe he would watch a movie with the twins or he would take a much-needed nap, as he had pulled a long shift as a floater just days before. He was still feeling the effects. However, all of his plans were shattered when his phone loudly rang Sunday afternoon. He winced when he saw it was Minghao calling him. He hadn't spoken to his friends since they last chastised him for his impulsiveness. He was sure they wanted an update and he knew when he gave it, they would be disappointed, Minghao most of all. However, he couldn't let them worry either. They were his friends and they meant well. So, he took a deep breath and answered.
"Hello?"
"Hello?" Minghao scoffed. "Choi Seungcheol, do you know how worried Jun and I have been? First, you tell us you're taking your kid to meet a man you've only met once, and then we don't hear from you. You scared the hell out of us."
"I'm sorry," Seungcheol replied sincerely. He hadn't meant to worry his friends and knew he should have updated them, but too much had been going on. His brain couldn't catch up.
"A lot has been going on." He continued. "I still should have texted or called you guys."
"Is Seokmin okay?" Minghao asked, his tone softening.
It was no secret that Minghao had a soft spot for Seokmin. It rivaled Seungcheol's. He listened attentively when the child talked and often made him little souvenirs with leftovers from his studio. He always said it was worth it to see the joy on his face and Seungcheol couldn't argue with that. He adored how much Minghao doted on Seokmin. Even now, a smile found its way onto his face at his friend's concern.
"He's okay." He reassured. "Everyone is okay, but there's been a big change. I'll explain more the next time we meet up." He promised.
"Wait, Junhui and I can come by the apartment and Seokmin and Soonyoung can play."
Seunghcheol chewed on his bottom lip. This was it. He was going to have to tell them. "We don't live there anymore." He deadpanned.
He was met with silence on the other end of the phone. Just as Seungcheol was sure the other had hung up, Minghao's voice sounded through the phone's speaker. It was quiet but tense.
"What?"
Thankful he couldn't be seen, Seungcheol gulped before answering. "Seok and I moved this weekend."
Minghao wasn't letting him off the hook that easily. "Where?"
"Across town. We moved in with Jeonghan." He admitted.
Another long round of silence before the inevitable.
"Choi Seungcheol, what the fuck is wrong with you?" Minghao snapped.
Seunghcheol winced, holding the phone away from his ear as Minghao shouted all kinds of things at him in a mix of Korean and Mandarin. This had been what he was expecting, but it didn't make it any easier to deal with. When Minghao stopped to take a much-needed breath, Seungcheol jumped in, grabbing his rare opportunity.
"I know it sounds bad, but it's not. I swear. I promise I'll explain everything later, maybe over a nice dinner? I'll pay."
Minghao huffed. "Fine, but I want hotpot."
"Deal."
After making a plan to meet for dinner, they finally hung up. Seungcheol let out a tense breath as he tossed his phone gently onto the cushion next to him. Jeonghan walked in just in time to see the sight. He laughed lightly.
"Rough phone call?" He asked casually as he joined him on the couch.
Seungcheol sat up before sighing. "Something like that. I forgot to update my friends."
Jeonghan gave him a sympathetic look. "Yikes. I can only imagine what that had been like. I'm pretty sure it'll be something similar when I tell my friends."
Seungcheol sank back into the couch as he looked over at him and tried not to get distracted by how good Jeonghan looked. His long hair was freshly washed and flowing free. It looked soft and silky and despite the simple outfit he was wearing, he looked almost like a celebrity. Seungcheol hadn't anticipated how difficult this was going to be when he agreed to this arrangement. He felt like a teenager with a crush. He felt jittery just looking at Jeonghan. It was almost embarrassing. Thankfully, Jeonghan either hadn't noticed or was kind enough not to say anything about it. Even now, his attention was on Seungcheol, but it held no judgment. Only softness and fondness.
"We are insane, aren't we?" Seungcheol asked.
Jeonghan giggled and it was melodic. "A bit, but I would rather be insane than have our sons miserable."
"Me too." Seungcheol agreed.
"We do have to discuss something." Jeonghan started, and Seungcheol's heart nearly stopped. He forced himself to stay calm as he swallowed.
"Yeah?"
"I wanted to ask about your job. What are your hours?"
Seungcheol blinked a couple of times, processing. That wasn't what he had been expecting. Regardless, he managed to pull himself together to answer.
"When I work dispatch, and that's often, I work a simple eight hours from eight to four. However, if I fill in as a floater, those are twenty-four-hour shifts with alternating days." He explained.
Jeonghan nodded along seeming as if he was making a plan in his mind. "During those twenty-four-hour shifts, what did Seokmin do?"
"He mostly stayed with Joshua and if he wasn't available, he would stay with my friends and their son, but he hates doing that. I still haven't got him to stop crying every time I leave."
"That sounds stressful," Jeonghan noted. "I think I'm going to work from home. Someone needs to be here for the boys."
Seungcheol felt guilt in the pit of his stomach. Jeonghan was accommodating them. He was changing his life around for them. No one had ever done that before and it didn't feel right. He wasn't sure how to reply, but he managed.
"You don't have to do that. I'm sure we can figure something out." He rushed out.
Jeonghan snuggled down further onto the couch, turning so he could fully look at Seungcheol. They were so close that their knees were nearly touching and they could feel each other's warm breath as they exhaled. Seungcheol's heart raced once more.
"I want to. I dread going into the office. This will be better."
Jeonghan seemed so genuine that Seungcheol decided not to argue with him on it. They stayed like that on the couch for a bit, discussing random topics and getting to know one another a bit more. Minghao could think he was stupid, but for now, everything was perfect.
That was until Monday rolled around.
There was one small detail both fathers overlooked. Their sons attended different schools. The news devastated Seokmin who began to cry before he could finish his breakfast. He finally had his hyung back. Why did he have to leave him again? It wasn't fair. Seungcheol stood from his chair, ready to talk to his son, but Wonwoo beat him to it. He took Seokmin's hand into his own.
"Seokmin, look at hyung."
It was almost the same words and tone Seungcheol used to calm Seokmin down. It seemed as if Wonwoo had been paying attention. Both Jeonghan and Seungcheol shared a brief look of pride before they returned their attention to the situation at hand. Seokmin was still crying hard but looked up at his brother. Wonwoo rewarded him with a smile.
"It'll be okay, you've gone to your school without me before." He pointed out.
"But that's because I thought you were gone forever!" Seokmin argued, his voice raising in pitch, a sign another wave of tears was approaching. Wonwoo never wavered.
"That doesn't matter. You're brave, with or without me."
In that moment, it was clear to both adults that Wonwoo was wise beyond his years. He had been forced to grow up and play parent to his twin. It wasn't fair, but he handled it well. It broke their hearts to see and they would have to work to change that. For now, they could only watch.
"But I don't want to be brave," Seokmin whined. "I'm tired of things being scary."
"Me too," Wonwoo said as he hugged his twin. "But it won't be scary because I'll be here at home when you come back and then we can play together."
Seokmin sniffed. "Okay."
Crisis settled and adverted, Jeonghan and Seungcheol made quick work getting their sons ready for school. Outside, at the front door, they prepared to part ways. The twins hugged each other tightly and Jeonghan looked over at Seungcheol before leaning over and giving him a quick peck on the cheek.
"Have a good day." He told him before taking off with Wonwoo in tow.
Seungcheol's face flared red and he reached up to touch the place where Jeonghan's soft lips had just been. He was insane because he was a weak man and this arrangement was going to kill him.