Chapter Text
Minho jolted awake, lungs heaving with air. That disastrous night had haunted his dreams again—the night he’d drunkenly confessed to his now ex-wife that he had just come to terms with his own sexuality.
He glanced at the clock on his nightstand: 7:20 a.m. Late. Again. Throwing off the covers so fast they hit the floor, he leapt out of bed with a dramatic yell and dashed out of the room.
🎧✨
On the other side of the house, a soft pastel-colored bedroom lay quiet. The window on the second floor was slightly open, letting the morning breeze drift in, weaving through every corner of the cozy space.
Two tiny feet peeked out from beneath a fluffy blanket covered in colorful rockets. The little toes stretched and curled, waiting—just like every morning—for a brown-haired young man with a perfect smile to appear in the doorway.
Yong-sun heard the door crash loudly against the wall and giggled, still hiding beneath the blanket. His daddy was something else.
“Sunny, Sunny! Up we go, sweetheart, we’re late!”
Yong-sun wasn’t ready to get up. Maybe if he pretended to be asleep, he could skip school and tag along with his dad to work again. The library was way too much fun to pass up.
“Come on, Sunny! Get up!”
He felt his ankles being tugged downward, and there he was—the most handsome, brave, and fun person in the whole universe: Lee Minho, his adoptive father.
Little Yong-sun knew they didn’t share the same blood, but Minho had once told him they shared the same soul—and that was more than enough to make him happy.
His dad’s urgent expression looked so silly, he couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
“What are you laughing at, you little rascal? Come on, move, move!”
“Carry meee!”
“You’re a big boy now… Oh, Lord. Alright, come here.”
Lee grabbed his son by the legs and lifted him into the air. Little Sun—as everyone called him—dangled upside down, giggling as he swayed like a sack of potatoes. Finally, Minho tucked him under one arm and bolted down the hallway to the bathroom.
After a quick shower, both of them were brushing their teeth side by side in front of the mirror. Minho was tense; the last time he’d been late, the preschool teacher had nearly vaporized him with a glare. There was no doubt he was in for another scolding.
Trying to feel productive, he started hopping in place while finishing his brushing. Sunny watched him, amused, and joined in. Before long, they were doubled over with laughter, toothpaste foam and all.
Once they were ready, Yong-sun waited by the front door. Minho was tearing through the living room, upending everything in search of the keys to his yellow Volkswagen van.
The little boy slipped his hand into the pocket of his jacket and squeezed the missing keyring. He was definitely going to the library. His dad’s job was filled with secret corners and magical books. School, on the other hand, was just plain boring.
His eyes went wide as his dad walked up to him with his arms crossed. Even with the most innocent smile he could muster, he had no choice but to hand over the keys when a hand silently reached out.
The front door swung open, and just like that, the Lees were off and running.
As usual, Mrs. Park was already outside watering her lawn, and she watched with amusement as Lee Minho dropped off that sweet six-year-old neighbor of hers in the front yard—only to dart back inside, clearly having forgotten something.
“Morning, Miss Park! Watch him for just a sec, please!”
Minho knew exactly how to charm the elderly woman. She loved being reminded that she was a *Miss*—not a *Mrs.*—since she had never married.
“Yes, yes, dear, go on, I’ll—”
Too late. Her neighbor had already vanished.
“Hi, LadyMiss.”
“Hello, young man. Oversleep again?”
“My daddy did. I woke up early.”
“And why didn’t you wake him?”
A mischievous giggle from Sun told Miss Park everything she needed to know.
“AHHHH—I’m coming, I’m coming!”
Minho reappeared, wallet in one hand, van keys in the other, with little Sunnie sprinting behind him. He gave his neighbor a quick goodbye wave before the two of them jumped into their bright yellow van and disappeared down the street.
(...)
The fresh, country air of the Lees’ neighborhood gradually gave way to the gritty humidity and fumes of downtown Seoul. After a brief coughing fit, Sunnie rolled up his window with a frown.
“Alright, Cheekies. Let’s review—why are we running late today?”
“My dad ran out of gas.”
“Very good, very good.”
“But Daddy, didn’t we say that last time?”
“Last time? Oh, you’re right. What now? Think, Minho, think…”
“What if we say we had to take grandma to the hospital?”
“Lee Yong-sun, you don’t have a grandma, and I don’t have a mom.”
“But they don’t know that.”
“Oh…”
Lee’s mouth formed a perfect ‘O’ and he blinked a few times.
“I think you’re getting a little too good at making excuses. This time, we’re telling the truth.”
“But the teacher’s gonna scold you,” he pouted.
“Sometimes we have to face the consequences.”
“What’s a con... con-sequence?”
Lee leaned his arm against the seat and glanced back as he slowly began backing into a tight parking spot, giving it his full concentration.
“It’s when you do something, good or bad, and what happens because of it is called a consequence. Like today, I overslept because the alarm didn’t go off, and now the consequence is that we’re late.”
“But what if it wasn’t your fault?”
“Then it’s not a consequence, it’s just a coincidence.”
“Oh, I get it. So if we’re late because I turned off your alarm, is that a consequence or a coincidence?”
The van came to a sudden stop.
“Tonight. Seven p.m. Bedtime. No TV or computer.”
“But—”
“Lee Yong-sun. Apologize.”
Sunnie let out a heavy sigh.
“I’m sorry, Daddy. Never again.”
Minho nodded and finished parking. He checked his watch and jumped out, scooping up his son and heading toward the preschool entrance. Before they reached the door, he kissed the boy’s nose.
“Forgiven, Cheekies. Now, Eskimo kiss.”
They rubbed their noses together, smiling so wide it seemed love was pouring out of them. They adored each other. In just two years, they had become the missing pieces in each other’s lives.
The door opened to reveal a tall, thin woman with the distinct air of an angry mouse. Minho’s stomach dropped. The school principal.
“Mr. Lee,” she greeted, her voice sharp.
“Miss Kim, always a pleasure,” he said, trying his most charming smile.
Minho was well aware of how attractive he was, and in situations like this, it usually worked in his favor. But apparently, Miss Kim was immune.
“This is the third time this week. You’re thirty minutes late. Any particular reason?”
“A consequence happened. Sorry,” Sunnie said, hands clasped in a pleading pose.
“A what happened?”
“Nothing, nothing. We’re truly sorry. I promise it won’t happen again. I had a bit of a situation,” Minho said, setting his son down and brushing his hair into place. “Sun, sweetheart. I have to go now. I’ll pick you up at five-thirty.”
He offered the principal another innocent smile.
“I… I really am sorry. If you’d like, I can bring you a hot coffee as an apology. There’s a great spot just around the—”
“Lee Yong-sun, inside, please. Your teacher and classmates are waiting.”
Sun gave Minho a nervous look. Minho nodded gently, and the boy waved goodbye to both adults before slipping through the door.
“Listen closely, Mr. Lee. I understand your situation as a single parent. Believe me, I know how hard it is to raise a child at… how old are you?”
“Twenty-five. I’ll be twenty-six next month.”
“I get that it’s difficult to raise a child at twenty-five. But your case is unique, and unlike most, you could still press pause. Take some time. Mature. Then, when you’re really ready to adopt—”
“What are you suggesting?”
“Nothing in particular. Just broadening your perspective. I’m older, I can see things you might be missing.”
“Because we’re late?”
“And because of the parent meetings you miss. There’ve been two field trips your son couldn’t attend because you forgot to sign the permission slip. Two weeks ago, when he twisted his ankle, you didn’t answer your phone.”
“It died. That was the first time it happened.”
“I’m not blaming you. I’m just saying—maybe you’re making this harder than it needs to be. Maybe you and he would both be better off…”
“My son lacks nothing. He has never lacked love or anything else. I think you’re being unfair—and honestly, a little out of line. I’ll be more attentive to his schedule and the school meetings. Now, if you’ll excuse me.”
Minho gave her a short bow and walked off, jaw clenched tight.
(...)
Once inside his van, Minho gripped the steering wheel with all his strength. Yet again, someone who barely knew their story thought it was okay to butt in and offer opinions.
Who did that woman think she was?
She was supposed to care about Sun’s well-being. And where else could he possibly be better off than with him?
Some educator. Maybe it was time to find a new preschool—one closer to work...
But then he remembered the nightmare it had been to find one in the middle of the school year, one that also offered hours long enough for him to work in peace.
Minju had left them overnight—literally. And that had thrown their whole world into chaos.
When they were still together, his ex-wife had taken care of Sunnie. They both adored the boy. From the outside, they looked like the perfect family. But behind closed doors, it had been a very different story.
Lee Minho only regretted three things in life:
Getting married so young. He was just eighteen when he nervously memorized his wedding vows.
Not giving himself time to actually enjoy his youth. Minju had been his everything: his first love, his first and only girlfriend—and, by default, his first heartbreak. Maybe if he’d met more people, loved more, he would’ve realized sooner that women weren’t what his heart wanted.
And lastly, he regretted adopting. Not the act itself, but doing it with her. Worse yet: doing it to try to save a marriage that had already started graying just five years in.
Minho found out he was infertile two years into his marriage. They had finally decided to stop using protection. They really wanted a baby. But after months of nothing and growing frustration, they got fertility tests. The results were clear: Minho would never be a biological father.
It hurt more than he expected. He tried to move on, but the grief ate him alive. He’d never even wanted a child that badly—so why did he feel so empty?
Minju was there, but always felt miles away. He threw himself into work to numb it all.
Later on, Minju suggested adoption. At first, it felt strange. But her excitement was contagious. They both hoped that bringing someone new into their home could rekindle a love that had almost completely burned out.
They couldn’t have been more wrong.
The first time Lee Minho locked eyes with Sunnie, something tugged hard at his chest. How could those almond-shaped eyes and round cheeks be out in the world with no one to protect them?
He was waiting for Minju in the backyard of the local orphanage—she was an hour late. He was finishing his third cigarette when the door to the garden slowly creaked open. A four-year-old boy came out holding a piece of bread, waddling on unsteady legs. Minho figured he had snuck out, since he kept glancing back nervously, checking if anyone was following.
The kid walked over to a cardboard box and picked it up with his chubby little hands. Inside, a tiny kitten began meowing, begging for attention.
Minho couldn’t hear what the boy was muttering to the cat, but the way he scolded it like a tiny adult was oddly charming. He offered the kitten his bread. It sniffed it, ignored it, and curled up to sleep instead.
At first, the child looked offended—but then laughed and gently covered the kitten with the box again. When he finally noticed Minho, his face filled with fear. But when Minho mimed zipping his lips shut, the boy giggled again. The stranger would keep his secret.
From afar, the honey-skinned boy smiled at him. Their eyes met, and that heart-shaped grin bloomed wide when they both raised their hands at the same time.
Minho knew, right then and there, that this would be his son.
Things with Minju got better for a few months. It almost felt like that sweet first year they’d had. Everything had been so pure back then. But as the weeks passed, it all started crumbling again.
These days, Minho rushed home to spend every second he could with Sunnie. He loved telling him stories from the library, making every dessert he could learn. Talking to Minju was another matter—they barely had any time left between them. They’d been too young and too naive when they decided to get married.
It happened at night. They drank too much, hoping to blame the alcohol for truths that had been bubbling under the surface. It only took one sentence to shatter their last attempt at fixing what was broken:
“I think I like men.”
Minju fainted from the shock.
That night, she had a million questions:
Since when? Did you ever cheat on me? Did you even like women? Did you ever like *me*?
Lee kept it brief. There had only been two men who made him feel something. The first was Yun-su, the delivery guy from the library. Every time he saw him with boxes of books, his hands would sweat, his body tense, he felt hot. He thought Yun-su was handsome—too handsome. At first, he chalked it up to objective beauty. Anyone would find him attractive, right?
But with the second guy, there was no fooling himself. He never even learned his name. He’d seen him once, maybe twice, when grabbing coffee from his shop. Minho was drawn to him. Physically. Completely. He knew that if the guy wanted to, just a few words would be enough to take him anywhere.
He was insanely attractive and obviously flirting. This time, Minho didn’t feel nervous. This time, he wanted to kiss him—and do everything he no longer felt like doing with Minju. He never went back to that shop again.
“No, I never cheated. And yes, I liked you. But now… I don’t feel the same.”
“If you don’t love me anymore, this is over. Right now. You make me sick, Minho.”
His chest ached.
Minju left the next morning. Over the next week, her friends and family came by to collect her things.
Each visit more insulting than the last.
One of them even spit at his feet. As he carried the last box of her belongings, they shouted slurs at him from across the street.
(...)
"wasn't I grounded, daddy?"
Minho was setting two bowls of ice cream on the table in front of the living room TV.
“I’ve decided to forgive you. Just this once.”
“Hmm... That’s weird. Did the scary principal scold you? You look sad.”
“No. Why would you say that? You’re just a little kid, don’t worry about adults stuff.”
“You don’t wanna be alone. You’re wearing the pajamas Uncle Innie and his boyfriend gave you. Every time you wear them, I hear you crying later.”
Minho tried his best to play it off and smiled wide.
“It’s fine, really. Everything’s okay. We’ll watch a movie and have a sleepover tonight. Look—I brought everything.”
At the foot of the couch, two sleeping bags were laid out with some pillows and a squid-shaped cushion.
“Why?”
“Because it’s Friday.”
“So you don’t have to work tomorrow?”
“Nope.”
Sunnie didn’t waste a second celebrating. He started bouncing around, and Minho joined in. They held hands, giggling and spinning for no reason other than the joy of spending two full days together.
When the movie started, they snuggled on the couch. On screen, a woman ran through an airport and embraced a small child. He looked a lot like Sun.
“That little guy looks like you, Cheekies.”
Sunnie said nothing. He was completely absorbed by the elegant woman in the film. Her hair was long and silky. In some ways, she reminded him of the lady he’d met when he first reunited with Daddy Minho. She’d been nice… but that was all.
The woman in the movie had something else. Maybe it was the way she cared for the boy. The words she used. The way she touched him. There was something in her eyes—something that reminded him of the moms who picked up his classmates from school.
Minho gave him enough love, enough attention, enough care. But in that one specific moment, something trembled inside his little heart. He didn’t know why, but he began to cry as the woman played with her son on screen.
“Baby? What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” Minho panicked, completely flustered, first-time dad instincts kicking in full force. “Does something hurt? My love, talk to me—what’s going on?”
His panic grew as Sun just kept shaking his head, hands over his eyes.
“An ambulance! I’ll call an ambulance—God, what do I do…”
Minho’s heart stopped. The world went still when those words came out of his son’s mouth:
“I WANT MY MOM…”
He had no idea what to say. The movie kept playing. His son kept crying, voice breaking. And he just stood there, frozen.
“Your… mom?”