"Now," Seungmin started as they sat side by side on the bed, " tell me what's bothering you, I'll listen," He said softly, reaching for Hyunjin's hand and caressing it.
"You don't have to be troubling yourself with me, you should be enjoying yourself. This is nothing," Hyunjin sniffled, guilt visible on his face as he wipe the dried tears on his cheeks with the back o his hand.
Seungmin quickly shushed him.
"Your feelings are valid, okay?" Seungmin assured, "besides, you won't be that tick off if it was nothing. Heck, even bumping your toes on a corner doesn't make you angry and you even apologize to the corner," He pointed out matter of factly.
"That is too much information, babe," Hyunjin pouted but chuckled lightly after, making Seungmin smile knowing that his husband is no longer crying and is in a much better state than earlier.
"But it's the truth," Seungmin laughed, before frowning and turning serious again, "now, tell me what made you so on edge? was it work? the board? since you've mentioned it earlier," He asked, worry visible in his tone.
Hyunjin was quiet for a moment, contemplating what he's going to say, sighing and looking away before he finally starts talking.
"You probably noticed that I've been busier with work, right?" Hyunjin asked, Seungmin nodded, "It's actually connected to the thing that's been troubling me," Hyunjin continued.
Seungmin's eyes widened in realization. It's been a few months since Hyunjin started being this busy, so it means that he's been holding it in since then? "It's been that long and you didn't open up to me?" He asked Hyunjin in worry as he held his husband's hand tighter, "I'm sorry, I should've known," He apologizes, he felt bad for not noticing until earlier.
Hyunjin quickly shook his head upon hearing Seungmin's apology."No, no. You didn't do anything wrong. It was my fault for keeping it all in and not telling you anything," He told.
Seungmin still felt bad despite Hyunjin's assurance, he sighed and collect himself again, giving Hyunjin a soft smile, "Now tell me what has been troubling you, I'll listen, this is the third time of me saying this," He said the last part with slight frustration that it made Hyunjin chuckle.
"Okay, okay," Hyunjin nodded, taking a deep breath. "I'm just y'know, anxious for the kids, for our family. I've been overthinking about our children's future ever since the twins' birthday," Hyunjin stopped talking for a moment to think about what he'll say next, "I've realized that the kids are growing up really fast, and we're not as young as before too- yeah, yeah, I know we're only 29 but it doesn't change the fact we're not getting any younger," He defended when he saw Seungmin's expression wanting to retaliate about their age.
"Through that realization, I wanted to work extra harder, thus, I became busier in work," Hyunjin continues, "We don't know what the future holds for us, for our children, or for our family. What if I suddenly die, who would take care of you? Who would take care of Jiyoo and Jiwoo? Who would take care of Jino? I don't want to leave you and become a single da-"
Hyunjin got cut off when a soft pair of lips suddenly meet his. He looks at Seungmin in bewilderment once he pulled away, a very serious look on his face as he literally stares in Hyunjin's soul.
"Minnie?" Hyunjin asked in confusion.
"Jinnie, why are you suddenly talking about death? You're not secretly sick and only have a few months to live like those I read from angsty stories, right?" Seungmin questioned.
"Huh? No, it's just a what-if-" Hyunjin got cut off again, not with Seungmin's lips but with his words.
"That's it, it's just a what-if," Seungmin said softly, he looked straight into Hyunjin's eyes, his expression so soft before he continues, "You don't have to overthink about the future, what matters is the present and we just have to enjoy and get the most out of it. The kids are fine, we are fine, our family is fine, everything's great in our life right now and the only thing we have control over is the present moment, the "now" where we currently are," He took a deep breath after saying all of that.
"Do you understand? Let's be happy at the moment, each moment is all we need, not more," Seungmin said furthermore, giving his husband a soft, reassuring smile as he let go of Hyunjin's hand to hug him instead. "I love you, I'll always be here for you to listen to you even if our hair turns white," He said softly, sighing in relief when Hyunjin hugged him back and felt him nodding before snuggling his face on Seungmin's neck.
As they busked into each other's warmth and comfort, the room was in comfortable silence. Because of how preoccupied Hyunjin had become with work, he couldn't remember the last time he hugged Seungmin. He'd been longing for this feeling. Aside from their precious children, it will always be Seungmin who will comfort him and take his worries away.
"I love you so much," Hyunjin mutters, "I'm sorry if I didn't tell you about this much earlier, I forgot that there's only so much that I can take, I feel so bad for having an outburst earlier, did I scare you?" He asked softly, breaking free from the hug to meet Seungmin's eyes.
Seungmin smiled and shook his head, "No, you worry me more than scaring me," He laughed, making Hyunjin sigh in relief and giggle.
"Thank you," Hyunjin said softly as he stares at his husband in adoration, "What would I do with my life if you're not there?"
"You'll really always be my dramatic husband," Seungmin chuckled, "You're always welcome, okay? That's what I'm here for, we'll always be each other's strength, our kids give us strength too, even our dork of friends," He said his last words jokingly, making both of them laugh.
"Are you feeling better now?" Seungmin asked softly.
Hyunjin nodded, " "I have never felt better than I feel at this moment," He said giddily.
As he saw Hyunjin's bright smile, Seungmin smiled. He didn't think twice about grabbing Hyunjin by the neck and kissing him on the lips; Hyunjin was taken aback at first, but soon smiled as he returned the favor. The kiss was slow and soft, steady for a minute before speeding up, and both of them could feel the room's temperature rising. Their faces got even closer to each other if that was even possible.
There was barely any room between their faces when they heard the sound of the door opening.
"Papa, Daddy!"
Jino, Jiyoo, and Jiwoo's voices were heard before they came running into the room, Changbin behind them carrying one of the triplets.
Hyunjin and Seungmin have never been this quick to move away from each other, faces both red in embarrassment.
"Daddy! You're here!" Jino said in excitement as he sat beside him and hugged him sideways, "What took you so long?" He said with a pout.
"I'm sorry honey, I'll make it up to you," Hyunjin apologizes, ruffling Jino's wet hair.
"Daddy, daddy! We played chicken fight earlier!" Jiwoo told Hyunjin happily, sitting on his right lap.
"Jiyoo won!" Jiyoo said proudly and excitedly as she sat on Hyunjin's left lap.
Hyunjin kisses both the twins' cheeks before saying with an excited voice, "Let's play it again, this time with Daddy and Papa, but I'll have a swim race with your brother."
"I'll leave the five of you, I'm sorry if we interrupted anything, I just can't deny them of seeing Hyunjin, so maybe uh... I slipped and told them that Hyunjin's here," Changbin said from the door with an apologetic yet teasing smile, "So, ciao!" and with that, he's gone with his child.
Hyunjin and Seungmin were left with their kids who just keep talking about what they did in the pool and asking their parents to go play at the pool again. Hyunjin doesn't even mind his slacks getting wet because of the twins sitting on his laps, nor the bed getting soaked because of Jino's wet trunks, both his slacks and the bed would dry off on themselves anyway.
"Shall we go back to the pool?" Seungmin asked.
"Sure, let me just go change into my swim trunks, you and the kids go first," Hyunjin agreed, carrying Jiyoo and Jiwoo for them to stand up. "I'll be quick," he said immediately when the kids seem to retaliate.
"Promise?" All three of Jino, Jiyoo, and Jiwoo said in unison, making their parents laugh.
Hyunjin nodded, "I promise!"
That seems to convince the three as they all cheered in excitement and ran off outside, Seungmin panicked and yelled, "Don't run! You might slip!"
"See you at the pool," Seungmin said hurriedly as he gave Hyunjin a quick kiss on the lip before running off outside to follow the kids.
Hyunjin is was left in the room, reflecting on what Seungmin had told him earlier. He smiled to himself as he rummage on their bag to get the swim trunks that Seungmin packed for him.
Seungmin is right, Hyunjin doesn't have to worry about the future and should focus on the present, at the moment he has with his loved ones. He'll forever be grateful for Seungmin and their children.
God, thank you for giving them to me.
a short message from your
ghoster author,
hellllo! this was supposed to be a christmas special, but guess what?
yes, i procrastinated :D, this is so
long overdue, lol im so sorry. i hope
you all enjoy this little gift from me.
thank you very much for reading &
supporting this book, you all are so
so so amazing! that's all, love lots!
ps. this story will be under revision
to match my current writing style and
to edit, a LOT, of things lmao.