Chapter Text
Junmyeon never thought it possible to fall in love with someone at first sight, but here he was, taking side glances of the man beside him and feeling the strangest urge to get to know him and talk to him. Okay, he's being dramatic, no he's not in love with the stranger beside him, but he does feel the urgency behind the want and almost need to talk to the stranger. At the moment, he holds himself back, however, seeing as the man is on the phone with his timbre voice pitched low so Junmyeon won't hear him. He's arguing with someone, his brow furrowed and lowered in a frustrated manner.
He doesn't want to pry, so he turns and looks back to where his son, his pride and joy, his little angel, Kyungsoo, is by himself, with some toys for the sand. Junmyeon was afraid it would get lost or some kid would take it with them if they got their hands on it, but once Kyungsoo looked him in the eyes and asked one more time, he couldn't say no to his child. Kyungsoo wasn't a brat by any means, rarely exploited Junmyeon's weakness for his big, doe eyes, but there were times he would if it was something he really, really wanted.
Though it's been hard managing to raise Kyungsoo himself, he's only grown fonder of the little boy. His mother took off the day after she gave birth to him, ignoring the doctors orders for rest after birth and leaving Junmyeon with an infant who he took immediate responsibility for.
Kyungsoo was his son, he was his life, and despite the hard times they had, he wouldn't trade Kyungsoo for anything in the world.
He tunes back into the world when he hears the man let out a harsh sigh, pulling the phone away from his ear and shoving it roughly in his pocket. The man was handsome, but it was easy to tell that he was in terrible condition. Dark circles sit under his eyes, his long, black hair is disheveled, and the frown lines are deeply embedded into his features. Junmyeon would know, he's been to that place a couple times himself.
Junmyeon glances at his son to check on him, noticing that the kid the man beside him came with, Sehun, as the attractive stranger had called him had just stolen Kyungsoo's shovel that he was using to pat the sand in his bucket down nicely. He knew his son would take care of it himself, get it back from the other boy by saying something or just snatching it back, but he thought that maybe he could use this topic to spark conversation.
"Hey, um," Junmyeon pokes the man beside him and the man turns at him, his eyes almost in a frantic state.
"Yes?" His eyes are crazed, sizing up Junmyeon immediately and narrowing his eyes.
"Your kid just took my son's shovel." Maybe this wasn't the best conversation starter and maybe Junmyeon should've thought it through better.
The man huffs irritatedly and stands to his full height, storming over to his child and the child looking back up at him with the shovel in hand. Junmyeon hurried after him and stood and watched as the man squats down and takes his child's arm gently. "Sehun, we talked about this, we don't steal toys from other kids."
"But-but I wan-wan' p-play with him..." The little boy excuses himself, looking like he's about to cry, though Junmyeon can't tell if it's to get out of the punishment or not.
"Then we ask, Hunnie, okay? So give it back right now." The man tells his son calmly, but there's a clear authority to the tone behind it.
Sehun obeys and hands it back to which Kyungsoo responds by glaring and snatching the shovel back. Junmyeon rolls his eyes at Kyungsoo's behavior.
"Your kid didn't have to snatch it back." The man mutters under his breath while standing and towering over Junmyeon.
Junmyeon looks at him with a raised eyebrow and on reflex, defends his child. "Your kid didn't have to steal it in the first place if you taught him properly." He immediately regrets the statement as the man flinches and he watches as tears fill the man's eyes.
He's speechless, the man is crying over what he just said, only a couple tears able to actually run down before he captures his composure again and wipes them away rough. Junmyeon realizes how mean the statement was and thinks, you're trying to flirt with him, not drive him away.
"Look, I-I don't know why I just said that, I'm really sorry." Junmyeon is really no better than Sehun at the moment. "This is really embarrassing to admit, but I-I was trying to flirt with you because I think you're really attractive and...wow, how pathetic is that." Junmyeon looks down and mentally scolds himself.
The man takes another look at him and says, "What's your name?"
"I-I'm Junmyeon." Junmyeon bends down awkwardly and pats Kyungsoo's head lightly. "And this here is my son, Kyungsoo."
"I'm Yifan, this is Sehun as you must already know." He responds, gesturing to the little boy sniffling by his side.
Junmyeon also hates seeing kids cry if he's learned anything from taking care of Kyungsoo, so he bends down and looks at Sehun. "Hey, Sehun, I'm sorry I told your dad about what you did, but let's ask next time, buddy, I'm sure, Kyungsoo would've said yes." Sehun looks at him from beneath his eyelashes and nods while simultaneously moving to hide behind the man, Yifan's, leg shyly. "He's absolutely adorable." Junmyeon says while standing up and looking at Yifan. Then his eyes widen with a sudden realization, "Oh my god, I didn't even think about if you were married or not. Or if you were even gay. Are you married? and straight? I'm so sorry if you are."
Yifan just shakes his head quietly, "No, to both. This little sucker's all mine." He peaks over his shoulder and smiles, bringing his hand up to Sehun's head and ruffling his hair down gently.
Junmyeon sighs in relief. "Oh, good because that would've been totally awkward." His tone is weird and he thinks that he only made it awkward by doing it. "Um, well, if you're up to it, would you like to accompany Kyungsoo and I to the cafe? I wouldn't mind buying you and Sehun here a drink and a pastry." It's a subtle way of asking him out and even though the kids will be there, Junmyeon gives himself a mental pat on the back for the smooth transition.
Yifan bites his lip in contemplation, but then Sehun is tugging on his pant leg and nodding his head frantically. So he accepts, "Yeah, sure, why not?" He shrugs.
Junmyeon takes the win and tells Kyungsoo to collect his sand bucket and shovel. Kyungsoo listens obediently and after walks up to his father, "Appa, I'm tired, I want the stroller."
"Okay, moomoo." Junmyeon replies mindlessly, pushing a hand out and signalling Kyungsoo to hold it for safety reasons. After taking his son's hand, he nods his head towards the parking lot to tell Yifan to bring Sehun and to follow him there.
They all walk together and Junmyeon walks up to his car, opening the back and taking the pale with the shovel from his son. He places it in the trunk and grabs out Kyungsoo's stroller; he never goes anywhere without it, his baby gets tired easily.
"So would you rather drive or is walking okay with you?" Junmyeon glances back at Yifan as he unfolds the stroller.
Yifan's eyes linger on his car, which just so happens to be the newest version of the Audi. He moves his gaze to Junmyeon and scratches the back of his neck sheepishly. "I don't have a car."
"Oh," Junmyeon doesn't think much of it, he's only a bit surprised, "well, walking it is then." He smiles and finally finishes setting up the stroller. Kyungsoo climbs into it once he's able to and turns around, situating himself in it. Junmyeon turns it to face him and fastens the little seat beat around Kyungsoo.
As he does this, he hears Sehun murmur to Yifan, "Do I get turn in stro-er, Baba?"
"No, Sehun, it's his stroller." Yifan replies quickly.
Junmyeon finishes with the seat belt and looks to the two. "I have a back up stroller if you wanna use it? This one is for everyday uses, I have the other just in case I ever forget it and Kyungsoo gets tired."
Yifan is already rejecting the offer. "No, we couldn't possibly do that to you, you're already taking us to the cafe."
"Oh no, I seriously don't mind. I'm totally okay with it." Junmyeon catches the pleading look Sehun gives Yifan. "Oh come on, look at Sehun's face, he would really like too." If Sehun looked at him like that, he would surely give him what he wanted, the little kid was too cute.
"We're fine. Sehun's been walking for a while and he's doing just fine, there's no need." Yifan looks down at his son and gives a challenging eyebrow.
However, instead of submitting at the intimidating look, Sehun just glares back. " Baba, I want it. " He says in Chinese and oh, is this child serious.
" I said no, Hunnie. " Yifan switches to Chinese as well.
" Baba. I. want. it. " Sehun replies, slowly, basically demanding what he wants.
Yifan only smirks and says, this time in Korean, "Go ahead, throw a tantrum, you know I won't give you what you want."
The interaction is so interesting, Junmyeon has never seen anything like it before. He rarely ever says no, let alone scolds his child, but to watch Yifan continually say no while knowing that Sehun is threatening a tantrum, it's amazing.
Sehun huffs and just pouts, crossing his arms. "Baba mean." He mutters with sass in his tone quietly, but loud enough for Yifan to hear, he even switched back to Korean so Junmyeon and Kyungsoo would understand.
"Shall we begin walking?" Yifan asks, giving a polite smile and gesturing to the street.
Junmyeon smiles back and nods, closing the trunk. The three start walking with Junmyeon pushing Kyungsoo in the stroller and they make it to the cross walk.
Sehun had seemingly let go of the issue beforehand because when he glances over, Sehun is holding Yifan's hand tightly, and looks unbothered.
"How did you do that?" Junmyeon finds himself asking, looking into Yifan's eyes.
"Do what?" Yifan questions in reply.
"How did you say 'no' to him like that? He was threatening a tantrum and you just...smirked at him." Junmyeon says, his brow furrowing in confusion.
Yifan shrugs. "He threatens tantrums all the time. Plus if I gave him what he wanted, he wouldn't learn. Sehun has managed without a stroller thus far, there's no reason to use one if he's only gonna grow out of it. I can carry him if I see he's really fatigued."
The answer makes Junmyeon think about how he is with Kyungsoo. Junmyeon gives him basically everything he asks for, save for the special times Junmyeon has denied, but Kyungsoo isn't a brat. He doesn't take advantage and he listens to Junmyeon, cleans up his toys without being told, knows when it's time to wrap up and go to Junmyeon so they can get ready for bed and go to sleep.
The more he thinks about it, he thinks his own way of parenting is great. Just because someone else raises their child in a certain way, doesn't mean he has to change what he's doing.
"Very interesting." Junmyeon comments as they cross the street and quickly arrive at the cafe on the corner.
He goes to a table and maneuvers the stroller beside it, taking Kyungsoo out of it and setting his baby down on the seat before closing up the stroller and sliding it under the table. "You two sit down and tell me what you want, my treat." Junmyeon smiles excitedly.
Sehun doesn't hesitate. "Hot chocolate an' cake!"
"Okay, cutie, what kind of-" Junmyeon is in the middle of agreeing with Sehun when Yifan interrupts.
"No, Hunnie. No cake." Yifan denies him again.
Sehun whines to the older man. "Baba, say no to stro-er. Can I please have chocolate cake?" He pouts at him, using sad, kicked puppy dog eyes. Junmyeon is almost compelled to help him beg for it.
Yifan stares at his son and takes a moment to ponder. "Fine." He gives this time. "Only this once, it has been a while since you've last had dessert."
Sehun squirms with happiness and grins brightly at his father. "Yay! Thank you, Baba."
"Yeah, yeah. Whatever you say, kid." Yifan reaches over and ruffles his hair but fails to hide his fond smile.
The smile is breathtaking and Junmyeon has to stop himself from being sucked in so he doesn't embarrass himself. "Um, Yifan, what would you like?"
"Just a black coffee, please." Is all he replies.
"Black coffee?" Junmyeon makes a face. "Okay. Do you want a pastry with it? Maybe something to offset from the bitterness."
"No, a black coffee will be just fine." Yifan brushes off his offer.
Junmyeon huffs and cocks his hip, putting a sassy hand on it. "Come on, Yifan. You can get something better than black coffee, that's literally the cheapest thing on the menu."
Yifan shakes his head. "I actually happen to like black coffee. And really, I'm fine. I'm not feeling a snack right now."
Junmyeon sighs in defeat. "Fine. I'll be right back, watch Kyungsoo for me please." He turns to his child. "Be good while Appa's gone, okay, moomoo?" And at Kyungsoo's nod, Junmyeon leaves to order and get the drinks.
With the efficiency of the cafe, Junmyeon is able to order and get their tray of drinks and snacks to their table in under ten minutes. He sets it down while Kyungsoo is engaging in conversation with Sehun over the newest pokemon revealed on the show. Well, it's more of him telling Sehun what it is since Sehun had revealed that they don't have a TV at their house.
"Food." Junmyeon announces after hearing that bit of information from Sehun as he makes it to the table. He sets the slice of cake in front of Sehun along with a small fork and his kids hot chocolate and puts the black coffee down in front of Yifan who thanks him immediately. Kyungsoo has already taken his cup of coco and his banana bread that just came out of the toaster, a small warning from Junmyeon to tag along as he takes it, and Junmyeon situates himself at the table with his sugar diluted latte and a chocolate croissant.
Sehun is already half way through his cake by the time Junmyeon is situated and he smiles at the way the little kid eats it, chocolate streaks leading away from his mouth as he rushes to taste it. Kyungsoo is breaking off big pieces of his bread and Junmyeon scolds him lightly, "Moomoo, small pieces, I don't want you to choke. Same goes for you, Sehun." He knows he has no right to tell someone else's kid what to do, but he doesn't want Sehun to take on a piece too big.
Yifan snatches the fork from Sehun's hand. "Listen to Junmyeon, I don't want you choking either." Sehun makes grabby hands for the fork while whining, but Yifan isn't done yet. He reaches over and takes a bit of the cake onto the fork, eating it quickly. Sehun scoffs and glares at his dad, who replies with a mouthful of cake. "Hey, I made you. I'm allowed to do this." Sehun snatches the fork back and sticks his tongue out at his dad to which Yifan does the same. Then Yifan picks up a napkin and wipes away the cake, softly telling Sehun to not make such a mess. Sehun lets him and agrees, starts to eat the cake more carefully than before after his father’s light fussing. Junmyeon can't deny how cute the interaction is.
It's quiet between them and thankfully not awkward, just everyone enjoying their drinks and/or food. The atmosphere is nice, really nice and Junmyeon would like to think that maybe he can go on a date with Yifan alone next time, if there is a next time and Yifan doesn't totally think Junmyeon is weird or something.
"Kyungsoo, can tell me 'bout poke-mon again?" I wan' know about pi-u." Sehun asks the older kid.
"His name is PI-KA-CHU, Sehun, not pi-u. There's so much I have to teach you." Kyungsoo whispers to himself like he's a disappointed middle aged mother. Sometimes Junmyeon wonders about the mental age of his child.
Junmyeon picks Kyungsoo up and switches places with Sehun so it's easier for them to talk and so he can communicate with Yifan and get to know him better. "So, how old is Sehun?"
"He's three. Kyungsoo?" Yifan questions politely.
"Four, just turned four actually, celebrated his birthday not too long ago." Junmyeon elaborates, smiling sweetly at Yifan. "How old are you, if you don't mind me asking?"
"Twenty-three." Yifan answers. "You?"
Junmyeon nods, "Uh, I'm twenty-two."
"Are you in university?" Yifan asks a question this time and Junmyeon is pleasantly surprised.
He shakes his head. "No, when I had Kyungsoo, I was eighteen and my father had connections into the job I wanted so instead of university, I worked my way up over the years in the company while I took care of my baby, of course with help from my family, and now I'm a publisher and editor. What about you, Yifan? Did you finish school or were you in it?"
Yifan looks hesitant to answer, but he does eventually. "I was in uni when I had Sehun, I couldn't afford to take care of him and attend uni, so I chose Sehun."
"That's very generous of you, Yifan. You must've sacrificed a lot for Sehun, hmm?" Junmyeon comments.
Yifan lets his eyes wander over to where Sehun is sipping on his hot chocolate and staring at Kyungsoo intently so he can focus on his words and learn more about pokemon. "Yeah, practically my whole life. But where would I be without him?"
Junmyeon looks at Sehun and then at his own son. "I completely understand that."
Sehun must've felt Yifan's eyes on him because he turns his head suddenly and makes eye contact with him before smiling widely at him. Yifan smiles back fondly and reaches over, resting his palm on top of Sehun's head and petting instead of ruffling like he usually does. "Baba loves you, Hunnie."
"Hunnie love Baba too!" He replies enthusiastically, then faces Kyungsoo again so he can learn more.
Yifan chuckles softly and looks back at Junmyeon. Junmyeon is already looking at Yifan though, his eyes analyzing the fondness of his smile, the softness of his eyes, and the plushiness of his cheeks as they puffed slightly when he laughed. "Can I have your number?" Junmyeon found himself blurting out before he could stop.
Yifan looks at him with a shocked face. "Really? You want my number?" Junmyeon could only nod, the heat on his cheeks almost glowing with embarrassment. Yifan takes a moment before he says, "sure," with a small shrug.
Junmyeon perks up and immediately digs out his cell, handing it to Yifan. Yifan quickly types in his number and shoots himself a text so he can save Junmyeon’s number as well. Junmyeon beams and bites his lip as he takes the phone back and looks over the contact. "Thank you." He whispers as he clicks the phone off for now.
"I have to ask," Yifan starts, looking at Junmyeon from under his lashes, "why do you want to get to know me so badly?"
"Well, you're really attractive and that makes me sound kind of shallow, but it's been a while since I've really felt, like, the need to try to talk to anyone and get to know anyone, I guess? It sounds weird, but I promise, I'm not weird." Junmyeon tries his best to save himself, knowing he's shoving his foot into his mouth.
Taking a sip from his coffee, Yifan hums, watching Junmyeon. "I get that. Once you started talking to me, I kinda feel that, and this is a terrible way of putting it, but I kinda felt some sort of instant connection to you as well...I guess."
Junmyeon smiles at the revelation. "That's not terrible." He's quick to dismiss. "That's not terrible at all, I-I really like that you feel that way."
"Then I guess we're both in over our heads." Junmyeon isn’t sure what Yifan means by that, but let's it go when Yifan turns and starts paying attention to the pokemon lesson. Junmyeon is stuck in his head, but he turns towards the two little boys as if he's listening in as well.