Chapter Text
It’s safe to say that Chan is exhausted. The workload dumped onto him today had been more than tedious and each time he thought he had finally finished, the papers seemed to only keep stacking up. Of course, his job has never been easy and he’s more than used to the grueling hours required for him to put in as the CEO and chairman of the company but that doesn’t make it any less taxing. He’s struggling to fight off the feigning feeling of drowsiness that keeps creeping up on him. It feels like his bones creak with each step he takes and he’s starting to think his body is just aging a decade with each passing day.
He loosens the tie around his neck and unbuttons the top two buttons of his white dress shirt before digging into the left pocket of his slacks. His lower back aches and his eyes burn from looking at the countless monitors that sit in the desk of his office. He can barely keep them open as he struggles to stick his house key into the lock of the mahogany door.
Even if he feels like absolute shit, once that door opens, it’s as if all of it never happened, the stress of the day dissipating into nothing as he steps foot into his home. He’s met with the warm smell of garlic and other spices wafting in from the kitchen and the sound of chatter coming from the television inside the lounge room. He quickly slips out of his pin-striped blazer, tossing it onto the coat rack for later, knowing that he’s most likely going to forget it and eventually be scolded by Minho. That’s something to worry about some other time.
Before he can even step further into the hallway, he’s met with a familiar smile that casts an ethereal beam light on him brighter than anything the sun could ever dream of producing. Instantly, he finds himself somewhat revitalized and he perks up at the sight of that cute face.
There stands Felix at the other end of the hall, wrapped in a cream-colored blanket littered with tiny decals of baby ducks. He looks at Chan as if he’s a Christmas present, favorite cat plush tucked under his arm. His eyes form tiny crescents.
“Daddy!” He squeals rather loudly, footsteps thumping throughout the household as he throws himself into the older man’s arms.
Chan winces a little but he does his best to keep his pained grunt silent as his baby jumps onto him. While he might be in the slightest amount of pain, it’s nothing he can’t handle, especially to see the innocent joy on Felix’s face. He happily pulls him into his embrace, catching a whiff of the lavender shampoo that still lingers in his blonde locks.
“Hi, baby!” He chimes back with equal enthusiasm, ruffling Felix’s hair.
“Fefe missed you! Was waiting all day for Daddy to come home!” Felix whined as he placed a sloppy peck on the other man’s lips, before burying his face into his caregiver’s chest. Warmth like hot cocoa on a winter night spreads through Chan’s chest, his heart shooting to the moon and a giant smile that appears on his face.
He can’t help but feel a little sad. Times like these are when Chan wishes he could just work from home every single day but realistically, he knows it’s more practical to be at the office in person. Even so, he sometimes considers dropping work all together, just for a moment, if it’ll keep a smile on that precious face. While he’s grateful that he was able to inherit the company that has allowed his family to live so comfortably, he finds himself loathing it every so often.
“Aww, I missed you too, lovebug. I’m sorry it felt like so long but here I am! You’ll forgive me, right?” Chan questions, pressing a kiss on the little’s forehead.
Felix giggles quietly, scrunching up his freckled nose. “Silly daddy! ‘m not mad at you. Jus’ miss you lots and lots.”
Chan’s heart soars, Felix’s laughter is like the most beautiful melody to his ears and he loves hearing that sound. “I know, I know. Daddy just wanted to make sure, yeah?” He has to admit, there are moments where he feels incompetent as a caregiver, incompetent as a member of his family even though he knows well that he’s far from it. He does everything that he can for them and they’re constantly there to reassure him that he’s doing more than fine.
Still, he feels bad that he spends much more time away from them than he’d like to but at the end of the day, he knows that they still love him regardless. From the moment Chan leaves the house, they eagerly wait for his return home every single day, those same gorgeous smiles painted upon all of their faces once he comes back. He couldn't ask for more. Minho really is right: he needs to stop putting himself down so much.
“What’s Mama doing, Lix?” He can hear pots clattering in the other room and the smell in the air is a dead giveaway to the answer but he still asks, rather hearing it from his little one.
“Cookin’!” Felix replies, pointing in the direction of the kitchen. “Smells yummy!”
“It does, doesn’t it? Why don’t we go join him in the kitchen, hm?”
Felix’s eyes light up and he holds his arms out. “Okay! Can go upsies? Pretty please?”
Chan chuckles. “Of course, bud! How could I say no to such a polite boy, hm?” He doesn’t hesitate to scoop Felix up, even if he can feel his body straining, struggling to not cramp up.
Again, he could care less about his own discomfort as he keeps a smile on his face, only making sure that he’s holding onto his baby safely and nothing more. “Up ya go!” He exclaims, hoisting him up just a little further.
“Yay!” Felix cheers happily, wrapping his arms around his caregiver’s neck, pressing scattered pecks onto his face.
The two make their way past the few toys scattered on the living room floor and into the kitchen, where a large, steaming pot sits on the stove, accompanied by the rice cooker that sits on the marble counter. There stands Minho in a pair of loose, black joggers and one of Chan’s sweatshirts, a wooden spoon in hand.
“Hey there.” Chan places a kiss on the back of Minho’s neck and Felix giggles watching the display of affection between his two caregivers.
“Well, hello to you too.” Minho turns around, giving Chan a quick kiss on the lips and Felix a peck on his forehead. Even if the kiss doesn’t last long at all, Chan still finds himself dazed, intoxicated just like he had been during their first kiss countless years ago. He’s truly a fool in love and honestly, he wouldn’t have it any other way. He considers himself to be the luckiest man on the planet.
“How was work today?”
He shrugs, pursing his lips. “Well, it certainly was work…But to be fair, it wasn’t too bad today. You know how cruel the paperwork can be. I just had to get through the day while missing the loves of my life with everything in me.”
Minho rolls his eyes. “I might puke because of your sickeningly sweet sappiness.”
“Ick, mama!” Felix stuck out his tongue at the mention of vomit.
Chan laughs softly, used to being sassed. It’s one of Minho’s many traits that he had fallen for when they had first crossed paths. He then looks around the kitchen and he raises an eyebrow at the absence of someone in particular.
“Is Hyunjin asleep?” It’s his first assumption, knowing well that Minho would never leave him completely alone under any other circumstance.
“Mhm, I put him down for a nap around an hour ago.” Judging from the way Minho looks up from the pot he’s stirring, a lightbulb has gone off in that lovely mind of his. “Actually, could you wake him, if it’s not too much trouble? Dinner’s about to be ready and I’m sure he’ll be happy to see your face.”
Chan nods eagerly at the prospect of being the first person that Hyunjin wakes up from his nap to. “Of course I can, babe. You need help setting the table first?”
Minho shakes his head, a small smile on his face. “No, it’s fine. Felix said he’d help me earlier anyway. Isn’t that right, mama’s pixie?”
“Uh huh! I help mama because I’m a good boy!”
“Yes, you are, baby! Down you go then.” Chan eases his baby down onto the ground gently, ruffling his hair once again. He adores how soft his hair is.
“Fefe help now!” Felix chirps, shuffling to the drawers containing the household’s dining utensils.
Chan watches with a proud grin at the sight before he walks off to the staircase in the living room, making his way up to the hall containing the bedrooms.
He pushes the door which is already cracked open, greeted by the sight of Hyunjin clutching onto his white fox plush, snuggly tucked under his favorite blanket. The sound of soft rain plays from the noise machine.
Chan flicks the light on, knowing that the canopy above the bed is enough to keep the sudden brightness from instantly waking the other up. He turns the noise machine off and unplugs the fox nightlight by the bedside outlet before blowing out the candle lit on the other side of the room. The familiar smell of fresh balsam swirls in the air.
He likes the feeling of routine each time he wakes Hyunjin. Sure, he’s not as quick as Minho but it’s basically become second nature to him, his brain automatically knowing the order of everything.
He peers past the protective, wooden white bars of the bed, admiring the beauty of his little one. Even sleeping, he’s as gorgeous as an angel, a precious doe among forest green sheets. A smile spreads across Chan’s face. Waking him up almost feels like a felony.
The caregiver waits a minute or so before he decides to gently nudge Hyunjin’s shoulder, trying to slowly ease him awake. He knows how much the sudden brightness of the world can be too much for him. His voice comes out as a soft whisper. “Hey, baby, it’s time to wake up.”
Of course, Hyunjin doesn’t budge at first. He’s a deep sleeper at times.
The sage green pacifier between his lips barely moves and it’s clear that he’s submerged in the land of dreams. Thankfully, it only takes a few more tries until Chan finally sees those lovely eyes open.
Hyunjin takes in a sharp breath as he wakes, his nose scrunching up. His eyelids flutter as he adjusts to the light in the room. He pouts slightly once he realizes he’s no longer counting sheep.
“Mornin’ starshine.” Chan speaks in a quiet but endearing voice. The two words spoken are enough to wipe the post wake up grumpiness from the little one’s face and a wide-spread grin takes its place as his pacifier threatens to fall from his lips.
“Appa!” Hyunjin giggles happily, full of energy even though he’s barely awake. It’s rare to hear him speak words within minutes of being woken up. His eyes sparkle as if the entirety of the galaxy’s stars swim in the pool of his irises.
Chan coos, unable to contain himself from such a sweet sight. “Hey there, lovie! I missed you.”
Immediately, Hyunjin reaches out to him, wanting to be scooped up into his embrace. Once again, Chan feels like the luckiest man to grace the planet. He’s not sure what he did for the universe to grant him such a beautiful family but he’ll forever be grateful that they crossed paths. He’s more than madly in love, a hummingbird captured by the sweet nectar of affection and warmth of his loved ones.
“I’m going to check your nappy first before I pick you up, alright?” He waits for Hyunjin acknowledgement.
It takes a second for Hyunjin to nod, holding his plush close to his chest. He knows Appa would never hurt him but it’s a little difficult sometimes.
Chan quickly pats his hand around Hyunjin’s lower area before offering him a reassuring smile. “You’re all dry, Jin. Let’s go eat now, yeah?”
“Mama?” Hyunjin questions.
He nods, running his fingers through the little’s long, silky strands of hair. “Mhm, he’s in the kitchen with Felix.” He says as he hoists his baby up into his arms, ignoring the slight pain that shoots up his back. He disregards the complaining coming from his body, the discomfort being worth it as he feels Hyunjin nuzzle closely his neck.
Admittedly, it is a bit difficult to go down the stairs sometimes with another human being in his arms, however, he’s gotten used to it after all of this time. He goes slow and steady, humming some random song he’d heard on the radio during his drive home.
It takes all of him to contain his giddiness as he hears Hyunjin quietly humming along with him. It’s always nice to hear him being vocal.
“Mornin’, Jinnie!” Felix chirps happily once the two enter the kitchen before eagerly pointing to the direction of the dining table. He’s like a ball of energy, bouncing up and down with sheer excitement. “Look! I put your favorite bowl on the table! Am the bestest big brother!”
Hyunjin claps his hands together, grateful. His adored cream bowl decorated with intricate leaf decals on the exterior rests on a sage green table mat.
Now that Chan takes a closer look, almost everything on the table is a little crooked, thanks to Felix’s eagerness. Yet, Hyunjin’s set is the only that is lined up as straight as physically possible, placed directly in the middle of the mat, utensils neatly lined up next to it. The caregiver’s heart is on the verge of exploding out of pure adoration. The love his boys have for each other is unlike no other.
“Glad to see you had a nice nap, baby.” Minho remarks as he walks over to them, a smile on his face as he kisses Hyunjin’s cheek. He brushes the little’s hair away from his face, tucking it behind his ear. “Dinner’s on the table. I’ll go get your juice while Appa sits you down, okay?”
“I wan’ juice too, pretty please!” Felix chimes, giving the man puppy eyes.
Minho pats his head gently before kissing his forehead. “I know you do, my little prince. I’ll be at the table in a sec.” He says, then going over to the refrigerator.
Satisfied, Felix hums and skips over to his seat at the dark, mahogany wood table, gesturing for Chan and Hyunjin to follow. He puts his blanket on the back of his chair before sitting down.
“So, what did my lovebugs do today, hm?” Chan questions as he sets Hyunjin down on the chair to the left of Felix. He grabs the bib that had been on the table and puts it around Hyunjin’s neck.
“Hmm…did lots! Watched TV ‘n movies and went to play outside! Jinnie was on the blanket with Mama drawin’ and I was tryin’ to find some ladybirds! Didn’t see any today though.” Felix pouts for a brief moment before shrugging, a smile overtaking the gloomy expression. “Maybe tomorrow!”
Chan can picture it now; the golden rays of the sun pouring down from the sky, morning dew still on the grass as Felix’s giggles of happiness fill their backyard as he frolics among the flowers and insects. He can see Hyunjin’s concentrated expression, a crayon in hand as he draws his heart away on his sketchpad and Minho’s gorgeous smile as he watches their littles with nothing but love in his eyes.
His heart is so full and yet, it aches. Chan hates that he misses out on those moments. He really needs to work from home more. “Oh yeah? That sounds like a lot of fun, bud.”
The blonde nods eagerly. “Mhm! Wish Daddy was there too…would have been more fun!”
…Ouch.
It takes all in Chan not to start screaming at himself for being such a workaholic or to just straight up start crying. Thankfully, Minho enters the dining area before the mental chaos can embark within the walls of Chan’s brain.
Minho sets down sippy cups on the table. “Here you go, my loves. Two apple juices for two beautiful boys.”
“Thanks, mama!” Felix exclaims.
Hyunjin smiles, signing “thank you”. He’s flapping his hands excitedly at the sight of his favorite drink. Chan’s heart soars for the thousandth time in a night. Their babies sure love apple juice more than life itself. A bottle barely lasts a week in their household.
The four dig into their dinner and chatter accompanied by occasional laughter fills the air. The house is warmed, not by the heater or thermostat, but the love that radiates from each one of them. They may not be conventional, but at the end of the day, they’re family .
Silence washes over the house and the night is still. The littles are tucked away in their beds and the stars twinkle brightly in the dark, velvet sky.
Chan is fresh out of the shower, a small, white towel hanging around his neck as he hand dries his hair. He’s feeling too sluggish to blow dry it and figures he’ll worry about his curls in the morning.
He scrolls through countless work emails on his phone as well, an uninterested expression on his face. The words on his phone begin looking more and more like indecipherable hieroglyphics and he’s not taking in a single sentence that he’s reading.
“Get on your stomach.”
“What?” He’s pulled back into reality by Minho, who had put down the novel he had been reading.
His cat-like eyes are now staring directly at Chan. “Do it.”
Chan complies, turning his phone off before laying on his stomach. His face makes contact with their bed’s soft, silk sheets. He’s learned not to question the other man’s spontaneousness and instead, embraces it.
“Christopher Bang.”
Oh. Chan gulps, wincing as if he’s just been kicked in the shin. His English name is used by Minho only when he’s about to get a scolding. It’s enough to send a shiver down his spine. Seriously, sometimes he feels like he’s one of their littles after hearing the stern tone coming from him.
Minho sighs as he raises Chan’s shirt slightly, exposing his back. “Your spine is going to disintegrate at this point if you keep pushing yourself. Haven’t I told you not to strain yourself if you’re feeling sore? You don’t have to carry Felix and Hyunjin every single time they ask. They understand that you can’t do it all of the time.”
Chan can feel the coolness of lotion on his skin. It’s nice. He instantly finds himself melting into relaxation, even while being reprimanded. “I know, I know…It’s just hard to say no.”
“You sir, are a major softie.” Minho remarks as he gently massages him. His hands are like magic, easing away all of the tension of the day from the exhausted man’s body.
“What can I say? I’m a weak man when it comes to cuteness. Can you blame me?” Chan says with a playful huff.
Minho snorts at the response. “No, I can’t. Our boys are precious gems.” His hands trail up and down Chan’s back and he feels like he’s being touched by the physical embodiment of heaven. “But in all seriousness, you’re worrying me, Chan. I mean it. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
The aussie lifts his head just enough so he can look back at Minho, a sincere look swimming in his eyes. “I’m sorry, babe.” The last thing he’d ever want to do is to scare the people he loves.
Minho grabs the towel from him and begins drying the spots in his hair that Chan had missed. He speaks a little quieter. “Don’t be. Just…be more careful, okay? It’s perfectly fine if you need to rest after you get home from work.” His voice is the most soothing elixir to Chan’s chaotic mind.
“Okay.”
They fall into a comfortable silence once more as Minho finishes up. He presses a kiss to the back of Chan’s neck before folding the towel and setting it aside on the nightstand. The lamp on Minho’s bedside then gets shut off and darkness envelops them.
Minho lays back down, pulling the blanket that had been tucked into the mattress over him and Chan. The autumn nights are beginning to get colder and even with the warmth of each other’s bodies, another layer never hurts anyone.
Chan moves so that he’s now laying on his side to face Minho. “Thank you.” He murmurs quietly.
“Mm.” The other hums.
Chan caresses his face gently, pressing his forehead against Minho’s.
Sometimes he really feels like he doesn’t deserve someone like the man before him and still, here he is, laying in the same bed as him. While the nagging voice in his head tells him one thing, the fact that he’s here, living under the same roof as those he adores, speaks volumes. How did he get so lucky? “I love you, Min.”
Minho puts his hand on Chan’s, a small smile on his face. “I love you too. Get some rest”
Even if he is drained to his core, Chan’s family will always keep him going.