What If?

Part Three

"Is this your dad?" Changkyun asked Cameron, not breaking eye contact with Jooheon. Cameron nodded before burying his face back in Changkyun's neck.

"Hey, buddy." Jooheon said softly, placing a hand on his son's back.

"Changkyun, give the child back to his father." Minhyuk interjected, but Jooheon ignored it.

"He can go back to his father whenever he wants. I'm not holding him hostage." Changkyun answered, annoyance clear in his tone.

"I d-don't wanna. H-he do-doesn't want me." Cameron cried, still clinging to Changkyun. Changkyun's eyes widened for a moment in shock before narrowing into a slight glare.

"I do want you. I've always wanted you. You're my little buddy." Jooheon whined cutely, trying to stop Cameron's tears. Changkyun fought a grin at how cute Jooheon acted, pressing his lips together to fight it off and keep the glare.

"Y-you do?" Cameron sniffled, pulling his face out of Changkyun's neck. He wiped the snot and tears that had collected on his face with his arm.

"I love you so much. You know that." Jooheon assured, wiping the rest of Cameron's tears with a gentle hand.

"M-mother hates m-me!" Cameron sobbed out as fresh tears escaped his eyes. He clung a little tighter to Changkyun, who unconsciously tightened his grip on the child.

"Oh, buddy. Mom was angry at me, so she said mean things to hurt me. She doesn't hate you." Jooheon felt like crying. He knew Areum didn't hate Cameron, but she had meant what she said in anger. It was her behavior that his son was emulating when he was a bully. He wanted to stop Cameron from going down this path. He really missed and wanted the happy, sweet boy that Cameron was in his dream. Jooheon knew it wasn't all Areum's fault. He hadn't done anything to stop it from getting to this point, but that was going to change.

"Hey, cutie pie? Go give your daddy a hug he looks like he was worried to death about you." Changkyun stopped the swing completely, loosening his hold on Cameron. His glare relenting. Jooheon gave him a relieved look as Cameron climbed into his fathers embrace. He closed his eyes hugging his child tightly to his chest. Cameron had become his entire heart and soul ever since the moment Areum told him she was pregnant, and he knew that would never change. He made a promise in that moment to give Cameron a better life.

"I love you so much, Cameron." Jooheon's voice wavered slightly as a tear fell down his cheek. Jooheon stood up, keeping Cameron held tightly in his arms.

"I hope everything works out." Changkyun stood up, placing a comforting hand on Cameron's back. He looked compassionately into Jooheon's eyes before turning to leave with a beckoning Minhyuk. Jooheon adjusted Cameron into one arm with his head laying on his shoulder.

"Thank you." Jooheon whispered, reaching out to grab Changkyun's wrist.

"It was no problem. He's such a cute kid." Changkyun smiled wistfully.

"He really is. I'm really glad he found you and not some creep." Jooheon spoke so sincerely it shone in his eyes. "I'm Jooheon by the way. I live just a couple doors down from you."

"Well, Jooheon, if you ever need help or anything...um...Minhyuk has kids too, so maybe they can play together." Changkyun offered awkwardly.

"Daddy, can I?" Cameron lifted his head from Jooheon's shoulder in excitement.

"We will talk about it when we get home. You know it's not all we have to talk about." Jooheon stated firmly. Changkyun and Jooheon simultaneously looked down at the grip Jooheon still had on Changkyun's wrist. Jooheon finally let go, a blush rising in his cheeks. He missed the contact the moment it was gone. He still felt as in love with Changkyun as he was in his dream, and he couldn't help wishing he didn't have to watch him leave with Minhyuk.
The walk back to the house was silent and ominous. Jooheon collected his thoughts and tried to calm the anger he felt towards Areum. They honestly hadn't planned to have Cameron. When he found out she was pregnant he had been surprised, but excited. At the time, Areum had seemed just as excited.