Toddler - [TAEBIN FF]

Chapter 6

"She sounds lovely," Taehyun said.

"I agree. I can't wait for you to meet Yerim— ooh, could she come over here for a play date one day?"

His voice was hopeful, and his eyes were bright with anticipation.

Taehyun bit his lip.

Have Yerim come over to our house?

"I'll see," he eventually replied.

Juhyeok's face dropped into a frown.

"Why?"

"I'll see if I can put some time aside because of my job."

And my other stuff.

Taehyun stood up to bring Juhyeok's plate back to the kitchen, setting it down in the sink.

"Dad."

He looked up.

"What?"

"Stop making excuses."

A frown settled on Taehyun's face now.

"What excu—"

"I know I'm young, but I'm not stupid. I know you don't want her to come over because you think she'll see me differently if she finds out I don't have a mom," Juhyeok replied.

Taehyun's blood ran cold.

"Juju—"

"I heard what you said to Uncle Kai last night."

His heart dropped to his stomach.

Shit... shit shit shit he wasn't supposed to hear that.

"I get that kindergarten was bad Dad, but I'm in school now! The people are different there, they're nice!"

"And how are you so sure about that?"

"What?!" Juhyeok cried out.

"The kids at the kindergarten were friendly to you too at first and look what happened then—"

"You don't even know Yerim personally!!"

"And you do?! You've only known her for a few days; how are you so certain she's that nice?!"

Taehyun's breath hitched in his throat when realization dawned on him. Juhyeok stared at him with teary eyes, before looking away and at the TV screen.

"Juju I'm sorry—"

"How can you judge someone without even knowing them Dad?!"

Taehyun walked over to the couch and sat next to his son, taking his hands into his. Juhyeok avoided making eye contact with him.

"Juju... look at me please..."

Hearing that faint whisper in his father's voice made Juhyeok glance up.

A clog formed in Taehyun's throat as he spoke.

"I'm sorry... you're right... but... I cannot risk something like kindergarten again."

"But Dad, things are different this time."

"I know but... I just don't want anything to happen to you... all I want is to protect you, because I love you so much... you mean the world to me, and I'd do anything to keep you safe."

Without you, I'm nothing.

Taehyun squeezed his hand.

"Do you understand?"

Juhyeok looked down, before sighing and nodding.

"I do."

His heart clenched in his chest, feeling the pain of his next words.

"Please... for your own sake... don't mention your mom to anyone. Until..."

He hesitated.

"Until what Dad?" Juhyeok asked.

Taehyun exhaled.

"Just promise me, please? I... I hope this doesn't last much further."

I need to find someone. I need to put an end to this.

"Okay."

Taehyun glanced back at Juhyeok.

"What?"

"I won't say anything until you give me a green light."

The father looked at his son with sultry eyes, before wrapping an arm around him and pulling him into a lopsided hug.

"I love you Juju, please never forget that."

"I love you too Dad."

And the whole time, Juhyeok had his fingers crossed under his heating pad.

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A/N: Juhyeok protection squad, assemble 🤚 I legit created his character but oml he's so precious :((
The only hint I'm giving is that next chapter, something may or may not happen after dragging y'all through a slowburn for six long chapters (there'll DEFINITELY be more in the future) cuz it's about damn time this story gets some spice 💞🫶

And before anyone asks, yes, this exact song is what inspired the book's title :)