reading children's story book to put the kid to sleep, yangyang paused midway from the paragraph they are as of the moment as he noticed the boy in his lap not paying any attention. his eyes were on the book but it seemed like he isn't interested in what the story is all about. it also does look like he's sleepy, he isn't dozing off. he's spacing out, something might be bothering him. it made yangyang wonder what it is. everything was fine when he came to his boyfriend's company to visit them. he even saw how the two played with eleven, almost forgetting that they had a business meeting to attend to at that hour. if it weren't for the student arriving then they would have missed that one out.

❝okay,❞ making a noise as he slammed the book shut, yangyang didn't intend to startled the boy but at least he got to snap him out from his thoughts. ❝is there something wrong?❞

the boy lowered his head down as he fumbled with his fingers, pressing his lips to a thin line as he did that. he honestly didn't know how to put it with words, he also feels like it might be something too personal to ask.

heaving out a sigh, yangyang placed the book down the bed and also made him get off from his lap. the two faced each other with the student's soft gaze on him while the boy felt nervous on his place. ❝eleven, are you fine?❞ running his hand gently on his soft locks, the student tilted his head to the side. ❝don't tell me ryry ge scared you again?❞

actually, no. in fact, that ceo's heart of stone melted after receiving that drawing and getting an apology from him. speaking of that drawing, hendery really did glue it on the fridge. it may be abstract and hard to determine what it is from his eyes but the drawing held a meaning that made him warm. ❝d-dad didn't scare me.❞

yangyang was aware that he's still trying to adjust to the new environment and hearing him label hendery as his father made him smile widely. though, he still has to find out what's bothering him. ❝then what's the matter? baby, you can always tell me what's wrong.❞

back then, he had a dark past of meddling to other people's business. it made the young boy sweat buckets as he tried to get the question out from his mouth. ❝i-if i would tell you, will p-papa hit me?❞

eyes widened, yangyang felt himself not breathing as he just watched the boy bite his bottom lip and look anywhere but him. he looked scared, being reminded of his past and the abusive household he was in.

instinctively, the student took hold of his hand and pulled him in a tight embrace, warming him up as if he was cold in the first place. eleven was a curious child, having questions to ask every minute, but that trait of him led him to being abused. he kept on asking questions, sometimes out of the boundary, and matching it up with his parents' toxic behavior, that caused for him to be abused. being hit everywhere, being lashed out, and being called names. asking personal questions would always make him nervous like this.

❝shh, papa won't do such thing.❞ the student tried silencing his quiet sobs down. ❝it's okay, you're safe here with us.❞

the young boy kept on nodding his head while snuggling close to the student, having him rub circles behind his back as he mumbled some comforting words. it took them a whole minute of sitting there and finding comfort in each other's presence until eleven pulled away and wiped his own tears. yangyang had his eyes fixed on him, hands messing up his hair before combing it back again.

❝so,❞ a chuckle was heard from the student when he helped in wiping his tears away using his thumb and earned a whine from the boy. ❝what is it?❞

❝a while a-ago, we b-brought dada to..❞

noticing how he trailed from his sentence, probably finding a word, yangyang went to help him. ❝apartment?❞

but it made him internally squeal. dada? since when does he call xiaojun— did hendery just allow this? does that mean that there's really something going on between them but just doesn't know how to tell him about it?

❝yes, his apartment!❞ eleven showed an adorable smile as he got to know a new word. but that smile soon curved down as he was still hesitant to ask personal questions. ❝is it alright to ask?❞

❝baby, i'm the one pushing you to say it.❞ cupping his face, yangyang puckered his lips when he went to squish his cheeks. ❝come on, papa might be able to help.❞

❝w-why..❞ when eleven went on to say something, the student removed his hands from his face and patiently waited for him till he wad ready to ask. ❝why is dada not living here with us?❞

that question also made yangyang think. yeah, why? he could have sworn he had this crossed inside his head. visiting the secretary's apartment once made him think that maybe he can ask xiaojun to move in with them, the house is too big for just him and his boyfriend. but that's the problem, it's not his house to begin with, he can't just make such choice. he first has to discus it with hendery and he knows that there are a lot of convincing to do with that.

❝i saw papa and daddy kiss, papa also kissed dada. doesn't that make the three of you a couple? i don't know how that works but i have heard somewhere that love is—❞ eleven paused for a moment with a gasp, covering his mouth as he had done it again. he started to ramble and that would cause him to ask more and more questions that'll lead to annoyance. ❝i-i'm sorry, papa. am i asking to much?❞

this was where yangyang found out how curious this boy can get. he isn't irritated by it though, he honestly found it adorable. unfortunately, he can't answer all those as he is also questioning that to himself. he only let out a giggle before leaning down and placing a soft peck on top of the boy's forehead. ❝you'll get to know more about this when you get older.❞

or at least when yangyang gets to find the answers on this.

eleven couldn't hold himself back to frown at his answer, typical answers from adults who isn't ready to tell kids anything. he didn't force the answer out from him though, he knew his limits. ❝but papa loves dad?❞

❝i do,❞ nose scrunched, the student booped their noses with a laugh. ❝very much.❞

❝what about dada?❞ he hoped that these questions aren't making the student uncomfortable. eleven is still conscious about it but he can't help but ask. it's actually is his first time seeing one being in a relationship with two people but there's still more to the world he still has to discover so he shouldn't be surprised about it.

he one thing is for sure, this relationship is kind of interesting.

love? yangyang stiffened from his place as he thought well about it. at first, he would admit that he liked xiaojun. what is there not to like about him? then they started dating, getting to know each other more. a smile curved on his lips, is this love? it feels nice. ❝i love him, your papa loves your dada.❞

❝papa,❞ eleven couldn't find the right word to say but he wished that this was a compliment from what he could see from their relationship. ❝it's beautiful.❞

❝it really is, isn't it?❞ it's funny how yangyang always teases and questions his friends' relationship yet here he is, also experiencing the same thing. ❝anyways, eleven needs to go to sleep.❞

❝but i want to continue reading the book!❞ puffing his cheeks, eleven folded his arms across his chest.

the student then playfully rolled his eyes at how the boy was being a whiny baby. ❝it's not like you're even paying attention to it.❞

❝i am!❞

❝then what was the book about?❞ he asked, a brow raised as the student knew the kid wouldn't be able to answer it.

but it was worth guessing. he'll do anything just to have a talk with his papa and not just go to sleep. he loves learning new things from him. ❝a-about simba not needing his nala?❞

that was far from the right answer, making yangyang laugh really loud. ❝wrong.❞ tucking the pouting boy on the covers, he leaned down and gave him another peck on the forehead. ❝it's about a family ordering a baby from the storks.❞

❝close enough.❞ eleven said, earning a look from the student.

❝what makes you sleep tonight then.❞ yangyang said while stroking his hair and watching him slowly drifting off to sleep.

yawning, eleven stretched his arms before having it sprawled down the bed. his drowsy eyes then went over to the student that's petting his head to put him to sleep. ❝night, papa.❞

❝sleep tight baby.❞

the student stayed there with the boy inside the room where the three of them would be sharing. he waited for minutes until he could hear light snores from the kid, smiling at how he easily gets himself deep asleep. silently standing up, he slowly made his way to the door after switching on the lamp. he took a last glance at the sleeping boy before going out and letting out a sigh.

god, he never knew taking care of a child would be so— heartwarming. a quiet squeal was heard from the student as he rushed down the corridors and made his way down the stairs. seems like being a parent isn't so bad after all. as a matter of fact, it's actually a nice experience. unless if it's a brat then that would be a different story. eleven is different and although unexpected words may slip out from his mouth, there's still a lot of time to teach him.

yangyang was about to make his way to the kitchen but stopped in the middle when he caught the busy ceo on the sofa, having his eyes in his laptop and fingers typing fast. his smile widened and had a plan to surprise him. well, not really, he's bad at it. maybe he can just relieve his stress even for a tiny bit.

with brows furrowed and index finger tapping his chin, hendery was snapped out from his pile of thoughts about the company when he felt a pair of arms drooped down on his shoulders and pulling him with his back now touching the sofa's backrest. after that, he was then met with a smiling male with looking down at him with his eyed sparkling. looks like someone is happy in taking care of the child.

❝is that going to take long?❞ the student tilted his head to the side with a pout. frankly speaking, he just wanted to go back to the room with the ceo but seems like he's too busy with his work.

❝not really, i just have to revise some things but i'm almost done.❞ hendery brought his hand up and settled it on the younger's nape, having his thumb caressing the soft skin. ❝is eleven asleep?❞

❝already, just waiting for us to join him.❞ humming, yangyang gasped as he remembered something to tell his boyfriend about. ❝and i discovered that he's quite sensitive about being yelled at so if he ever happens to ask some personal questions that you are not fond of, please don't shout at him. he's a curious kid and—❞

cutting him off with a kiss, the older male pulled away with a grin. ❝yeah, i understand, papa.❞

he was obviously teasing him. well, yangyang can do that too. ❝do you really, daddy?❞ but soon realized how strange that sounds with his mind going to places. ❝oh, wait i—❞

he was once again cut off when hendery pulled him down for another kiss. this time, it lasted longer than what to two expected. yangyang felt himself buckling his legs as he felt the older's tongue slipping inside his mouth as soon as he parted his lips, having it playing with his own still one. he made an attempt to lead the kiss but failed when he felt the ceo smirk and biting his upper lip. he muffled out a moan and easily got all submissive by how his boyfriend was pleasuring him so much with just a kiss, a heated one.

yangyang didn't even say a word even when he felt his legs go all jelly, but hendery had to pull away as he felt something warm on his lap.

with the student catching his breath, the ceo lowered his head down and felt his blood boiling as to who's the culprit in making him feel a warm liquid on his lap. ❝louis!❞

flinching in his place at how his boyfriend raised his voice, yangyang lifted his head up and snorted upon seeing the siamese cat quickly getting down from the sofa and joining their beagle dog from his own bed. patting his boyfriend's shoulder to calm him down, the student stood up and made his way to the kitchen. ❝you might want to clean yourself, ge.❞

groaning in annoyance, he can't believe this happened to him twice. ❝that fucking puss—❞ he can't even say that word, not when yangyang is glaring at him. ❝cat! he peed on me!❞

yangyang laughed at the ceo's outburst. getting inside the kitchen, he then remembered what he wanted to say after having a talk with eleven just moments ago. ❝ge, classes are canceled tomorrow.❞

being in the living room, hendery tried to keep his fists all to himself as he passed by the cat that sassily avoided eye contact with him. ❝so, what about it?❞

❝give dejun ge a day off tomorrow for me, eleven wants to see him!❞

🦋

❝uncle xiao, why are we here?❞

and just like what yangyang had requested, the ceo did give his secretary a day off. however, xiaojun had no idea about it. he just thought that maybe the man noticed his hardwork that he decided to give him a day to rest, which he actually needed it so bad. he just wanted to lay in his bed and probably talk to leon, his cat plushie. sleep, eat, and maybe watch movies, that's how he planned to do for the day. but receiving a message from yangyang, it immediately got him all excited as the student talk about how eleven wants to meet him.

he then asked permission from his landlord to go, not that relevant but he felt like he needed to inform kun where he's going. he might report him missing like the last time he's gone for the whole day. anyways, he was supposed to go alone but sian here also wanted to tag along upon hearing that he'd be meeting up with mister ryry and yang squared. kun and hansol couldn't say no to their child, they also trust xiaojun to watch over him.

though, hansol couldn't stop teasing the secretary about in just a blink of an eye, he might be already moving in with them.

❝this is where they are living.❞ xiaojun turned to the side and smiled at how the child's mouth was agape in awe, eyes scanning the place. it kind of reminded him the first time he came here.

that time when he actually believed that hendery is yangyang's brother.

ah, good old days.

❝it's so big!❞ sian exclaimed, walking right next to the secretary while having his arms motioning as to how large the place is.

a dirty thought then came inside his head that made him snort. what he didn't know is that he had said it out loud. ❝so is kunhang.❞

sian wouldn't have interest in understanding the statement if it weren't for the name being mentioned. with a puzzled expression, the boy looked up at the secretary upon arriving at the front door. ❝mister ryry is big?❞

xiaojun stopped his hand from knocking the front door when he heard that question coming from the kid he is with. he then immediately thought of something that could cover up with what he said, not wanting for kun to kill him for tainting his son's innocence. ❝yes, heart! mister ryry has a big heart!❞

understanding it now, sian started to chuckle. ❝sian also has a big heart!❞

❝y-yeah, definitely big heart.❞ luckily for him, he saved himself from being decapitated by his landlord. he can also imagine his landlord's husband laughing at him while he suffers.

shaking the frightening thought away, xiaojun took a deep breath before knocking the door. it didn't take them minutes till someone had finally opened it and it showed a cute guy with an adorable smile that the secretary can never get tired looking at, yangyang.

❝you're here!❞ the student then greeted him with a light peck on his lips before turning around, ❝eleven, dada is here!❞

the secretary has his head peeking to the side and saw a familiar kid also present inside the house, making him wave his hand at the shy little boy. ❝little sushi is also here—❞

❝dada!❞

almost stumbling back, a laugh was heard from xiaojun when he felt a pair of arms hugging his hips and a face buried on his tummy. he then brought his hand up and ruffled the boy's hair. the sight almost melted the student, making him coo and regret that he left his phone at the kitchen. he could have taken a picture of it.

pulling away, eleven raised his head up and showed his dada how excited he is to be seeing him here. but that excitement soon faded away when he turned to the side and saw a boy standing there, looking at him.

he didn't mean to be rude but his tone says so. it somehow just bothered him seeing his dada being with someone else that looks the same age as him. ❝who are you?❞

both yangyang and xiaojun stood there as they gasped, not expecting for the young boy's tone to change like that. although he might not mean to be rude, that was how it seemed like it.

sian was also taken aback by how the unfamiliar boy greeted him. he was just looking at him, wondering who this kid is and why he's calling his uncle xiao his dada, and this is what he gets?

he scoffed, eyeing the boy from top to bottom. ❝who are you? ❞

looks like the two boys began with a bad start.

⚊ t b c ⚊