Archive of Our Own ^beta

Teleportation was a handy ability; Hae-in often wished she possessed the skill herself. How many times had she asked Jin-woo to pick up something on his way home from work, only for him to forget and be reminded when she asked him for it? It was as simple as him shadow-stepping over and back in under five minutes.

Alas, only the Shadow Monarch could do that. The rest of them had to rush out of the house after making sure said Shadow Monarch's shadow soldiers could 1. handle watching the pot on the stove without it overflowing or burning; 2. watch over Suho in his play-pen and, in the event that he decided he wanted to fly, ensure all windows were closed, the door to the dining room where all the glass dishes were laid out was locked, and that he didn't float too close to the ceiling lights; and 3. disappear immediately if their dinner guests showed up early.

All of that was before Hae-in could even leave the house; it didn't end there. Once out, she realised she was still in her comfortable sweatshirt and sweatpants. She had a stain on her front that was the last of the ganjang sauce she hadn't realised she'd run out of, and she was certain she smelled like her kitchen. But it was too late to change. She caught a ride to the shops, hustled through the aisles until she found what she needed, and despaired at the sight of the queue as she waited in line. Had everyone and their mother decided to forget a crucial ingredient in their cooking today?

Beru's distinct eyes materialised from the shadows at her feet, glowing purple in what should otherwise be a normal black shadow. Hae-in glanced around discreetly, making sure no one was, for some reason, invested in watching her shadow.

What is it? she asked Beru. Is everything okay? Suho's fine?

Over time, Hae-in had become sensitive to Jin-woo's powers. Even he didn't have much of an explanation for why Hae-in could communicate with his shadows telepathically. She assumed it was a perk of carrying his child who inherited his powers; maybe something had seeped into her. Who knows. Whatever it was, it was useful to be able to talk to them without actually talking, especially in public places.

Everything is well, Queen Mother, Beru assured her. He said Queen Mother so seriously Hae-in couldn't help rolling her eyes. The shadow had to lay off the dramas, seriously.

Must you call me that? She grumbled. Not waiting for a response, she said, Why are you here?

She felt Beru's confusion, which was a recent development in her sensitivity to Jin-woo's shadows.

I am always in your shadow, the ant replied, still confused. I merely revealed myself today to let you know that the guests have arrived.

Hae-in decided to think about the former part of that sentence later. They're already there? Where's Jin-woo?

My King is almost home, Beru informed her.

Okay, that was fine. It wasn't ideal, but they could wait outside for a few minutes. Hae-in pulled out her phone to call Jin-woo and let him know he needed to shadow-step inside and open the door for them so it didn't seem like they'd left Suho alone at home.

With that done, she could focus on Beru again, who had taken to swimming in circles in her shadow. Hae-in regarded the ant as she moved forward in line.

You're still out in the open, she observed, sending another discreet glance around her. Jin-woo had told her that even if his shadows were out in the open, people wouldn't just be able to see them. Some had more of an affinity than others though, so Hae-in never risked it. After all, hadn't she and Woo Jin-chul regained their memories from exposure to Jin-woo's powers?

Yes, Queen Mother, Beru confirmed.

Hae-in sighed. Can we just go with Hae-in?

I'm afraid not, Queen Mother.

Lady Hae-in? she amended, cringing internally. It wasn't much better, but at least it wasn't Queen Mother.

Beru paused his swimming in consideration. That is acceptable, Lady Hae-in.

She sighed with relief, moving one more up in the line. So why are you not in the Shadow Realm or with Suho? she asked.

My duty is to accompany you should you ever leave the house, Beru told her. Hae-in wasn't really surprised that her husband would assign her a bodyguard. It seemed overkill in the world they lived in, but she guessed old habits were hard to break.

Okay, she said, knowing Beru wouldn't listen to her if she dismissed him. And you're accompanying me from outside the shadows because...?

I was merely wondering why you didn't send one of us loyal soldiers to do your bidding. Surely such meager tasks are below you, my Lady.

Hae-in sighed. Of course he would think so. What he hadn't stopped to consider was – Imagine this scenario for me, Beru, she said. It's a calm, peaceful day in the supermarket. Regular shoppers are going about their regular lives, when all of a sudden, a huge, monstrous, humanoid ant appears from the shadows. His sharpened claws reach out toward the shelves, and when he carries his ganjang sauce with him to the cashier, the woman immediately faints when he starts talking in a language that has never been heard before.

Hae-in paused, coming out of the vivid scenario she'd painted for them both. She could just imagine it – utter chaos, the scent of fear ripe in the air, making Beru delight in how he terrified the poor, helpless humans.

Maybe she should have just said, I enjoy running my own errands, Beru, instead of detailing just how bad of an idea it was to send the shadows in her stead. Because one glance at Beru's glowing eyes in her shadow confirmed that the ant didn't share the same opinion as her.

Go check on Suho, she said hurriedly, before the shadow could get any ideas.

I'm afraid I cannot do that, my Lady.

Hae-in sighed. Go scout the surrounding area to make sure there are no threats.

A pause. And if there are threats?

Hae-in shrugged. Do whatever Jin-woo usually tells you to.

Beru smiled, all sharp teeth and wicked delight. Then he disappeared from her shadow, taking the tension in Hae-in's shoulders with him.

By the time Hae-in got home, their guests were hopefully so thoroughly distracted by Suho that they didn't realise that fifteen minutes had passed and Hae-in hadn't shown up yet while her husband no doubt saw to the food on the stove. Beru flew her up to the second story and deposited her gently through the open window, then disappeared to give Jin-woo the ganjang sauce. Hae-in got done in record time, tapping lightly down the stairs as she headed to the lounge.

Suho, from his perch in Jin-ah's arms, caught sight of her first. "Mama!" he said, hands reaching out towards her.

"Sorry I was running so late," she said, offering Jin-ah and Jin-ho smiles as she took Suho.

"We should be apologising for being early," Jin-ah said wryly, pinching Suho's cheek lightly and making him giggle as he hid his face in Hae-in's shoulder.

"Nonsense," Hae-in said. "You don't even need an invite to come over, you know that."

They chatted for a few more minutes until Hae-in passed Suho back to Jin-ah to check on the food. Jin-woo had his back to her as he transferred food from pots and pans to platters and bowls. She brushed a kiss to his shoulder as she came to stand beside him, passing him the last bowl to dish out into.

"Thanks for handling things here," she said. "Of course today of all days I ended up running so late."

Jin-woo gave an unbothered shrug. He placed the ladle in the bowl, turning sideways so his hip leaned against the counter. "Did you at least get the sponsorship deal with how late the meeting ran?"

Hae-in kept her face impassive for all of one second before she broke out into a smile. "I did."

Jin-woo matched her smile, leaning forward to give her a kiss. Hae-in allowed it for two seconds before pulling back. "Jin-ah and Jin-ho are right around the corner."

Jin-woo kissed her cheek. "So? I can't give my wife a congratulatory kiss?"

Hae-in huffed, stepping out of his space and taking two bowls in hand before he took any more liberties. "Later," she said, heading into the dining room. "We're late enough to serve dinner as it is."

"We're right on time, actually," he said, following her with two platters. "They were just early. Also, you could have asked me to get the ganjang sauce."

Hae-in placed the bowls on either end of the table. "Need I remind you you were also busy in a meeting?"

Jin-woo shrugged as if it was no big deal. "It was just Jin-Chul-ssi."

Hae-in stared at him. "Yes. Woo Jin-chul. Your superior."

He didn't look bothered at the thought of cutting a meeting short with his boss on account of buying sauce for his wife. Hae-in shook her head in exasperation.

"Jin-ah-ya," she called, heading into the lounge. "Food's ready."

Suho had been keeping his aunt and uncle busy. He had all his figurines out, split between the three of them, and they seemed to be directing the figurines in battle. Hae-in didn't doubt that this particular game was a result of Bellion and Igris' constant strategising.

Jin-ah looked up from directing her soldiers with a smile. "Aw, just when I was winning."

Jin-ho scoffed. "How could you be winning when you have the least soldiers?"

Jin-ah didn't deign that with a response. Hae-in chuckled. "You can continue winning after we eat. Suho," she beckoned, holding out her hand.

The boy pouted, clearly unwilling to part from his toys.

"Suho," she said more firmly. "Your toys will still be here after you eat. Come."

Just then, Jin-woo joined her in the doorway, and Suho hurried over to grab her hand.

Hae-in frowned lightly. "Why does he only listen when you're here," she muttered.

Her husband chuckled, placing an affectionate hand on Suho's head. He hid his face in her leg in response.

"That's just boys," Jin-ah said as they all made their way to the table. "Oppa was the same – he'd only listen to our mother immediately when Dad was around."

Jin-woo frowned at her. "That's not true."

Jin-ah hummed. "Whatever you say, Oppa."

Jin-ho and Hae-in exchanged an amused look as the siblings continued bickering.

"How's things at the company going, Jin-ho-ya?" she asked. "Busy, I'm sure?"

Jin-ho sighed, passing her a platter after he dished out for himself. "Like you can't believe. I'm not complaining, though. Hyung-nim told me you signed a big deal today?"

Hae-in glanced at her husband, where he was currently preoccupied with feeding Suho, preventing him from discreetly dropping food he didn't like to the suspicious shadow under the table, and responding to Jin-ah's retorts with an indifference that seemed to rile her up even further. Despite all this, he met her gaze and flashed her a small smile.

"Yes," she said, turning her attention back to Jin-ho. "A new sponsor for next season."

The rest of dinner passed in much the same way. After, Suho threw a tantrum because it had gotten too late for Jin-ah and Jin-ho to stay and continue his game. As such, Hae-in stood at the door, waving as Jin-ho pulled out of the driveway, while behind her Suho sniffled and slowly calmed down in his father's arms.

By the time she went back inside, Suho had cried himself to sleep, a wet spot forming on Jin-woo's shoulder from where he drooled. Hae-in smiled, smoothing his hair back from his head and laying a kiss on his forehead. She tilted her head to accept a kiss from Jin-woo, then laid her head on top of Suho's, her one hand on his arm around Jin-woo's neck, her other hand settling on Jin-woo's stomach in a half hug. They stood like that for a moment, wrapped in comfort and silence, and Hae-in wouldn't have it any other way.

Except, of course, for the fact that they were never truly alone. The shadows near the coffee table slithered over, curling around them like a hug of its own, then disappeared again. Hae-in smiled helplessly. They were far from a normal family, but yeah – she wouldn't have it any other way.

"He always makes me the villain," she said, thinking back to Suho's tantrum. She pulled back to arch an eyebrow at Jin-woo. "And when I say no to something, there you are, ready to comfort him. Strategic move."

Jin-woo chuckled, brushing a kiss to her cheek. "It's not a strategy. He just likes me better."

Hae-in pulled a face. "Yeah, because you're never the one who has to discipline him."

He just shrugged, knowing she was right but unwilling to admit it. When they were newly married, Hae-in remembered thinking that Jin-woo would be the strict parent. And then they'd had Suho, and he had proven her wrong: He was gentle with Suho, always giving him more leeway than Hae-in would, letting him get away with things when she wouldn't turn a blind eye to it.

Privately, Hae-in thought he was easier on Suho now because he knew what was to come later. Hae-in would never know exactly what it was like for Jin-woo to possess such immense power, to be immortal; she didn't know all the details about how he'd grown stronger because Jin-woo kept those under lock and key. But she had guesses. She could read between the lines. And it told her that Suho's journey wouldn't be easy.

She released a breath, shaking the thoughts loose. Suho was still young; that was a problem for later. She didn't need to worry about it now.

Jin-woo's free hand smoothed the creases between her brows before his lips brushed across it, easing her frown. Hae-in lifted her hand to hold his, offering a smile to reassure him that she was fine, and they both looked down at Suho as he shifted and mumbled in his sleep. As usual, she caught the word ant.

"Let's put him to bed and call it a night," she said. "It's been a long day."

Jin-woo hummed, readjusting Suho on his shoulder as they started towards his room. Once he was changed and tucked in bed, Hae-in stood by the door, about to close it, watching the way shadows thickened and condensed under the bed.

Suho wasn't going to have it easy, that was for sure. It wasn't what any mother wanted for her child, but so long as he had her support, Jin-woo's guidance, and the steady presence of the shadows...he'd be fine.

With a reassured nod of her head, Hae-in closed the door.