16. Team AvaSeol

Seol was up early the next morning. He had had yet another rough night of sleep, but again he didn't plan on telling anyone. He knew that he was already adding stress to everyone's plate, and didn't want to make it worse. Instead, he laid and stared at the ceiling for a while as the sun began to spread across the ceiling tiles like a fan. Eventually Seol moved to stand up and wander into the kitchen. When he got stressed out or worried at all he would resort to cooking. He didn't know why, but figured it was just one of his uncles rubbing off on him.

He was in the midst of opening the fridge when he heard footsteps behind him. Turning he saw that it was Ava. She seemed to be surprised to see him up so early.

"I thought teenagers slept the mornings away," commented Ava as she entered the kitchen and went over to the coffee pot. She was surprised to see that it was already gurgling. "Did you start this, or does Rai have it automatically set?"

"I started a fresh pot just a few minutes ago," said Seol as he emerged from the fridge with a carton of eggs and a jug of milk. He put them on the counter before opening a cupboard for a bowl.

"Are you a chef or something?"

Seol's smirk at Ava's question was hidden by the cupboard he was rifling through, digging out a bowl and putting it on the counter.

"It is a hobby of mine," said Seol. "One of my uncles taught me, and I find it relaxes me."

"Are you stressing about something Seol?"

He just shrugged in response as he began to crack some eggs into a bowl.

"Seol...what are you thinking about?"

Ava was soon standing beside Seol at the counter as he worked. He kept his eyes focused on what he was doing so he didn't have to look over at her scrutinizing gaze.

"I'm thinking about my mom and dad," he said eventually. "There is never a moment where I'm not."

"You feel their divorce is your fault, don't you?"

That hadn't changed about Auntie Ava. She always seemed to get right to the root of things even if he didn't say it out loud. He just nodded his head to give her the confirmation she was waiting for, working on making scrambled eggs as he dug out a pan from under the stove.

"It isn't though."

"You don't know that," said Seol softly. "You haven't been to the future. Not yet."

Ava watched Seol work, trying to think of the right words to say to him. He was only fourteen. He shouldn't feel as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"I may not have been to the future yet, but I'm getting to know you now. Do you not see that your parents - who are still up in the air about everything - still love you?"

"It wasn't a matter of loving me," said Seol. "It was a matter of me being in the way."

Seol paused for a second, grabbing up a utensil to begin scrapping at the eggs to make sure they didn't stick to the pan.

"Auntie Ava, do you think I'm going to end up making things worse by coming back to the past?"

"Seol, turn the burner off."

He rose a brow - confused by how she answered - but doing so. He put the utensil down along the edge of the pan just in time for Ava to grab him, turning him to face her so she could give him a tight hug. He was shocked at first, but immediately relaxed as he hugged her back.

"You didn't mess anything up, you remarkable boy - my little butterscotch," added Ava, remembering Seol telling her that was the nickname she gave him.

He let out a small chuckle as he hugged her for a moment.

"Thanks Auntie," he said as they eventually released from the hug. He moved to resume his cooking, clicking the burner back on.

"We can still fix whatever it is that happens," said Ava, "Because I assure you - if either of them ever does anything to hurt you - I will kick their behinds back into the past. No time traveling watch needed. I do have one question for you though Seol."

"Hmm? What is that?"

"Do I...do I end up with anyone?"

"With anyone?" he asked. "Of course, but I take it you mean a step further...you want to know if you end up with one of my father's band mates, right?"

Ava felt her cheeks heat with a blush at Seol's bluntness, but nodded her head.

"I mean, Rai knows she ends up with Jungkook because of you. It surely couldn't mess things up too much to give me a hint."

"But then it wouldn't happen naturally," said Seol, "I'm already messing up how my parents meet. I shouldn't meddle in anymore relationships. I will just leave you with this. Yes, you end up with one of my father's friends. I won't say which one. I'll let that be a mystery."

Ava couldn't help the thrill she felt at the thought of falling for one of them. She couldn't help but to start racking her brain, trying to piece together who would be her other half. Seol could see the wheels in Ava's head spinning, chuckling as he turned back to cooking breakfast.

"Auntie Ava, can you be my sous chef?" asked Seol. "I need to start some pancakes. The batter will only take me a second to make."

"Of course. Just tell me how I can be useful," said Ava.

Seol appreciated her attitude. It was one of the many reasons he loved his auntie. They both busied themselves with their own separate tasks before Seol broke the silence with another question.

"How do you think we break the awkwardness between my parents?"

"We could parent trap them."

"Huh?"

"Like - for instance - you set your father up to go to the movies or something and I can do the same with Rai. Then we both ditch them and leave them to spend the evening with each other."

"And we're sure that won't backfire?"

"We'll never know if we don't try," said Ava, "And it's clear from yesterday that they both need a bit of a shove in the right direction."

"We're a good team, Auntie. Did you know that?"

"I think we definitely are," agreed Ava. "Team AvaSeol."

"We sound like hand lotion," chuckled Seol which caused Ava to chuckle too.

"Well, unlike hand lotion, we don't soften hands. We soften up awkward relationships," said Ava.

The two of them laughed and made light conversation as they made breakfast. By the time Rai got up, the table had been laid out with the spread they had created. Ava and Seol sat down with Rai to enjoy the breakfast, already having an idea as to how to set their plan into motion.

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