Youngjo silently watches his colleague, who is passing his right hand repeatedly through his blond hair, while checking his phone every minute or so. Geonhak looks stressed and indecisive. He barely pays attention to his friend next to him as they are having a coffee break.
Youngjo takes a sip of his drink and finally says, "Call him." Geonhak jerks his head up to look at him, one of his eyebrows raised. His colleague smirks, "I know you want to."
"What if he hangs up?" Geonhak does not apparently question Youngjo reading his mind like an open book. "What if he says no?"
"It's not like you're not used to it by now. You've got nothing to lose. He already hates you anyway."
"Right," Geonhak mumbles.
The blonde takes a quick breath before unlocking his phone and looking for Dongju's number — he would never admit he still knows it by heart. His former partner has been taking care of their child for the past week, as it was his time to have Sunyul. But Dongju has asked to keep the boy for a few extra days — he said he has more time now his big project is secured and done, and he wants to catch up time with his son.
However, if Geonhak wants to be honest, he is starting to miss the little monster. Half his life revolves around him and when he gets back home with no one to look after or nothing to look forward to in the weekend, he starts to feel a slight pang in his heart.
He is thankful that Youngjo always knows exactly what he feels or needs. He is not sure he would have the guts to call Dongju otherwise.
As he expects, a bitter voice answers him after the fourth ring, "What? Is your house burning? You're not welcome at my place."
"I wouldn't go to you if my house was on fire. But I'm doing great, thanks for asking."
"Cut the crap, Kim Geonhak. What do you want?" If the blonde understands Dongju's tone well — as he always has — it seems to him that the man on the phone is a bit intrigued. Geonhak never calls.
"I was wondering... I know you're keeping Sunnie for a few more days but I thought I could pick him up from school today? We'd just spend the afternoon together and I'd bring him back to your place afterwards." Dongju remains silent. "I just want to be with him for a bit. What do you think?"
"Well," Dongju begins slowly. He does not sound too reluctant, not really. Rather surprised, which is rare for him. "I guess you can. I had nothing special planned for today anyway."
"Great!" Geonhak exclaims, relieved. "What time do you want him home?"
"We eat at eight."
"Any objection to my buying him ice cream?"
"Before dinner?"
"It's just for this one time...," Geonhak tries to negotiate in a soft voice, much more high-pitched than his usual low tone.
"Alright," Dongju yields almost with a laugh. "He better eat his dinner when he gets home."
Before Geonhak can thank him, his former lover hangs up. The blonde is looking at his phone with a dumb, victorious smile. Youngjo is also smiling next to him, having delighted in their bickering.
"Mission completed?" Youngjo asks in a mischevious tone.
Geonhak nods silently, and finishes his coffee in one go before suggesting they go back to work in their respective sectors. The blonde thanks the other man for his help and they part in front of their common break room.
After work, Geonhak drives towards the school and arrives right on time, standing near Sunyul's class with the other parents. He tries to look around and spot Seoho somewhere but he does not seem to be there yet.
A pink fluffy head eventually opens the door from inside and lets a bunch of children out. Most of them run to their parents, waving goodbye to Mr. Yeo.
Sunyul catches his father's silhouette and frowns a little but heartily hops towards him. "Appa!" he screams happily. "Is daddy here too?"
"No, love, it's just appa today. I'm taking you for an afternoon out! How do you like that?"
Sunyul screeches out of joy and reaches out so Geonhak can lift him up and kiss him on the cheek. "I heard you're also allowed to have strawberry ice cream."
"Am I?" Sunyul exclaims, his little bright eyes sparkling.
Geonhak smiles back at him. He sees his son's teacher approach them and turns to face him. Mr. Yeo looks perplexed and greets him politely, "Hello, Mr. Kim! Nice to see you. Hum, did Mr. Son get held up?"
Geonhak bows slightly. "I'm taking Sunnie today. Everything's fine. His father will get him tomorrow as he said." The pink-haired man does not seem entirely convinced but says nothing. Geonhak confesses, "Just wanted to take the little bugger out."
Sunyul giggles. Mr. Yeo eventually smiles and bows before getting back next to the door, where a few children are still waiting — Geonhak immediately spots Minbyeol, who waves at he and Sunyul. The blonde smiles at her.
Geonhak slowly drops his son down, looking around the courtyard again as most parents are leaving with their twittering children. Still no trace of Seoho. He frowns a little, and asks his son, "So, how was your day?"
Sunyul begins to talk and talk — he is only that outgoing with his family — while his father searches for Seoho. He takes the boy's cute backpack to wear it on his shoulder, and holds out his hand for Sunyul to grasp it.
They start to walk in the courtyard, but Geonhak is very slow and finally stops, looking back at Mr. Yeo and Minbyeol, who is soon the only child left waiting.
The pink-haired adult meets his gaze and looks disoriented. He tilts his head on the side and asks in a loud voice, so Geonhak can hear him, "Are you... waiting for someone, Geonhak-ssi?"
The blonde vividly shakes his head. "No, no, we'll get going right now." However, he looks around once more desperately. He does not want Minbyeol to be alone again.
"By the way," Hwanwoong adds tentatively, "I was thinking of taking the class for a day out next week. A sort of field trip to the neighbouring forest. And I thought... would you be interested in being our guide? As I understand, you work in environmental planning."
Geonhak does not really see where this is coming from, and he keeps gazing towards the gates as he waits for more. "Your knowledge of trees and nature would be very helpful for the children to understand more about the environment. Obviously, if you're too busy..."
The blonde finally meets the teacher's pleading eyes. He notices Minbyeol and Sunyul looking at him with eagerness — they undeniably want him to go. "Yeah, fine, I'll do it," Geonhak agrees humbly.
"Great news!" the pink-haired adult exclaims, almost clapping. "Can I give you a call later to discuss the particularities?"
"Of course. Thank you." He steals another glance to the entrance to the school and sighs. "Well, I'll see you soon, Mr. Yeo." He pulls on Sunyul's head to leave eventually. As he passes the gates, Geonhak feels his heart race and his face gets brighter and illuminated. "Oh, hi, Seoho-ssi!" he greets, as he finally sees the man's figure up the street.
Seoho is striding on the pavement, and looks up as he hears Geonhak's familiar husky voice. The lean man smiles, which has Geonhak feel bubbly.
"Looking radiant today," Seoho comments kindly. Geonhak tries to hide his blushing cheeks and Seoho continues casually, "I didn't think I'd see you, I thought it was your ex-husband's week."
"Oh, it is. I'm just picking Sunnie up today so we can have some time together this week." He adds fondly, "He's growing up so fast. It feels like I'm missing out on everything."
Seoho smiles sadly, apparently sympathetic. Geonhak eventually shrugs and gets a good look at the other father. "You look a tad tired. Tough day?"
"Yeah," Seoho sighs. "I'm flat out."
The black-haired man begins to walk towards the gates, gesturing for Geonhak to follow him. They catch up on each other's jobs before picking Minbyeol up, who is overexcited at the sight of her father.
When they get to the bus stop, Geonhak feels a burning heat in his chest and finally asks Seoho, "Hum, would you like a ride?"
The other man glances at Minbyeol, who is already getting enthusiastic, and frowns painfully. "Thank you very much, Geonhak-ssi. But we're good. You can't drive us home every day."
"Really, it's my pleasure." He smiles, getting bolder, "And I don't think you can say no to Byeol-ah."
The little girl is tugging at the sleeve of her father's costume jacket, with puppy eyes on top of that. Seoho eventually bursts out laughing and accepts modestly. "I'll pay for the petrol," he warns before getting in the car.
"No you won't," Geonhak answers with just as much determination. He adds with a smirk, "And we're having another play date at my place. You can't say no either!"
Seoho sighs with a smile — but Geonhak can see how grateful he actually is for the proposal.