Day after day | Jaeyong

Chapter 16

"Me up me up!" Sungchan shouts as he tugs on Taeyong's pants.

"Chan I can't pick you two up at the same time." Taeyong says and Sungchan whines as he tugs on the younger's jeans.

"Sungchan, no." Taeyong says and the toddler pouts as his eyes brim with tears as he looks down. Taeyong sighs softly as he's about to put Mark down but before he can Jaehyun scoops him up.

"No need to cry, Taeyong is still yours." Jaehyun jokes as he wipes Sungchan's tears making Taeyong feel warm, but his heart also clenches. Sungchan has been acting up more recently, he's suspected it's because Sungchan is finally embracing the inner toddler in him but he can't help but feel like it's something more than that.

"No no no! Down! Yongie!" Sungchan cries suprising both Jaehyun and Taeyong as he thrashes around in Jaehyun's hold. Jaehyun puts him down carefully as he runs to Taeyong and cries to be picked up. Mark pats Taeyong's arm signaling to put him down but the older just shakes his head.

"Sungchan if you cry like that I'm not gonna pick you up anymore." Taeyong says and Jaehyun was shocked to see Taeyong finally putting his foot down and not giving into him. He was proud of him.

But Taeyong was struggling. All he wanted to do was pick the boy up and pepper him with kisses and reassure him that everything was okay and that he was right here. But he couldn't. He knows he shouldn't. Or else Sungchan will just get worst.

~Flashback~

"Hey, Taeyong?" Taeyong turns looks up after strapping the sleeping Sungchan in the car.

"I wanted to talk to you privately." Taeyong's eyebrows furrow but he nods his head as Mrs. Jung turns around to make sure nobody was around.

"So I noticed that Sungchan is very... attached to you." She says and Taeyong nods.

"Maybe a little too much?" Mrs. Jung says and Taeyong tilts his head in confusion.

"He was crying for you for a good amount of time, even when we told him that he would see you soon he threw a pretty big fit before we left." She says and Taeyong starts to feel the embarrassment set in his stomach as he looks back at the toddler in the car.

"I'm so sorry you had to deal with that, I'll try to take care of hi-"

"No you're taking care of him just fine, but I can't help but think he has some serious separation anxiety. And it seems like its getting worse..." She says slowly and Taeyong thinks for a second. He has noticed that Sungchan has been getting more attached to him. Even Johnny has pointed it out.

"Yes, I've noticed it too. I thought maybe because I was going to school and wasn't spending as much time with him. But now that it's summer I have noticed it's gotten worse..." Taeyong admits and Mrs. Jung places her hand on his shoulder.

"I don't mean to pry but he is almost four, he's getting to the age where he's getting more observant and realizing what he's feeling. My wife is a marriage counselor, she has a few friends that are children's counselors... If you're ever interested." She says as she rubs his shoulder softly.

"I would have to talk to Mrs. Kim about that, but I'm not really sure how I would do that." Taeyong admits as he rubs his nape.

"It's okay! I'll talk to her about it if you want?"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course! Anything for you two." She says with a bright smile.

"Thank you." Taeyong says with a warm smile and Mrs. Jung embraces him in a hug.

"I'm sorry, I'm a hugger." She says with a giggle as she pulls away and pats his head, even though he's taller than her making Taeyong laugh.

~End of Flashback~

"Sungchan you can not act like that." Taeyong says as he clenches his fist and tries his best to keep his composure.

"It okay Sungchan! I down." Mark says as he pushes his way out of Taeyong's hold and grabs Sungchan's hand. Sungchan nods as he wipes his tears with his sleeve and continues walking.

"Kids, they change moods so easily." Jaehyun jokes as he looks back at Taeyong who looks distraught.

"Hey you did good! You've never put your foot down with him, I'm proud of you." Jaehyun says as he intertwines their hands. Taeyong hesitates, but nods as he lays his head on Jaehyun's shoulder.

"I'm just worried about him, that's all." Taeyong sighs and Jaehyun pats his back softly.

"He has his first therapy session next week, I don't know I'm just worried."

"You guys went through a traumatic experience, this will be good for him."

"I don't know..." Taeyong sighs as Jaehyun gives him a kiss on the temple and pats his back.

"Everything will be okay. Alright?" Jaehyun says and Taeyong nods as he gives the younger a sad smile.

"I hope so."

"I know so." Jaehyun says making Taeyong giggle as he nods.

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