chapter 16

                                    

                                          











The late afternoon sun casts a warm, golden hue over the sprawling garden of the mansion, the air crisp with the unmistakable chill of late autumn. The trees that surrounded the garden stood tall, their branches now almost bare, save for a few stubborn leaves clinging on in shades of red and brown. The ground was carpeted with fallen leaves, crunchy underfoot, creating a satisfying rustle with every step.
Sunoo knelt on the grass, his jacket unzipped as he raked a small pile of leaves together. Beside him, Suwon, his five-year-old son, giggled with uncontained excitement. The boy's cheeks were flushed pink from the cold, his breath visible in the air as he hopped from one foot to the other, eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Okay, Suwon-ah, Ready?" 
With a playful grin, the omega straightened up and brushed his hands together, challenging his son. The boy's eyes lit up with excitement as he nodded eagerly, clutching his puffy coat. Without hesitation, he charged into the leaf pile, scattering them like confetti as his laughter echoed in the air. Sunoo couldn't help but chuckle, shaking his head as he watched his son, the sight was adorable. 
"You're going to get all dirty, you know," 
He said, though his tone was more amused than admonishing, but Suwon had no intention to stop the fun yet.
"I don't care!" 
He exclaimed, wriggling around until he was lying flat on the ground, the remnants of the leaf pile cushioning his small body. He looked up at his father, his smile wide and contagious. 
"I'm a leaf monster!"
The child let out an adorable roar, attempting to look fierce with wide eyes and outstretched paws, but his attempt at being scary was clearly anything but.
"Oh no!" 
Sunoo gasped, playing along. He brought his hands to his face in mock horror. 
"The leaf monster is going to get me!"
With a delighted shriek, Suwon scrambled to his feet and lunged at Sunoo, who allowed himself to be tackled to the ground. They rolled in the leaves together, both laughing, until Sunoo was on his back with Suwon perched triumphantly on his chest.
"You got me!" 
The omega said, pretending to be out of breath but was unable to hide his smile. 
"You're too strong for me, leaf monster."
Suwon giggled, his small hands pressing against his father's chest as he leaned down. 
"I win, Dada!"
He exclaimed.
"You always win," 
Sunoo replied, his voice softening as he reached up to brush a stray leaf from Suwon's hair. 
"You're my little champion."
They lay there for a moment, the cool earth beneath them and the sky above tinged with the colors of the setting sun. Sunoo could hear the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze, the world around them quiet and peaceful. He looked toward the front of the mansion, half expecting to see his father-in-law's car coming up the driveway, but there was no sign of it yet. The old man had promised to pick up Suwon today for some quality time together as grandpa and grandson.