❝fuck, fuck,❞ xiaojun faked a cry as he took his tie and fixed it. in doing so, he almost choked himself in result to being in a hurry. ❝i woke up late!❞

he got out from his room after a couple more minutes in preparing himself in putting on his suit. he rushed to the kitchen and grabbed a toast, biting the tip of it before checking himself out one last time by the full length mirror present in the messy living room. he was finally about to make his way out of his unlocked front door but then remembered about the cat plushie in his bedroom.

once again taking time in jumping to the things sprawled down the floor at the living room, xiaojun barged inside his own bedroom and jumped on his bed, hugging the cat plushie. chuckling, he then settled a soft and long kiss on top of the plushie's forehead.

❝i'll see you later, leon.❞ he patted the plushie before finally heading out of the small apartment he lived in.

he took the stairs and almost tripped himself on air. fortunately for him, he got hold of the railings and risked his life in jumping three steps apart to the ground. he huffed and ran a hand through his hair, looking like he hadn't just done parkour on his way down from his apartment. by now, the toast is already being devoured by him.

❝kun ge, i'm leaving!❞ xiaojun didn't have time to knock on their door, greet the family a good morning, and stay for breakfast. all he could do was shout at the top of his lungs, hoping that it was heard from his landlord.

❝why are you in a hurry?❞

xiaojun stopped his tracks, eyes widened and uneven breaths coming out from his mouth. he stiffened from his place when got a glimpse of his ceo leaning by his car with his hands inside his pocket. hair groomed as always, eyes piercing right through his soul, brows knitted in confusion, and lips pressed together. what the secretary did was gulp and hold himself back from drooling at the sight of a sweet father material— shaking his head vigorously, it's not the right time to think about that when he still has to report to work. he already woke up late.

but wait, what is he doing here?

with the windows rolled down, xiaojun caught a sight of a student waving at him with a smile that stole his heart. ❝hi there, dejun ge!❞

the said male then awkwardly raised his hand up and waved back. ❝hey?❞

clicking his tongue at their interaction, the ceo pushed himself away from his car and made his way towards the driver's seat. but before opening the door, he stared at the shorter male that is still standing there without knowing what to do. ❝aren't you getting inside?❞

the man's strict tone caused for the student to roll his eyes, remembering how much of a sweetheart he is last night with xiaojun for offering a ride and now, he's being a moody donkey. ❝ge, we're here to pick you up.❞

not knowing why, but the male standing there actually got nervous. he didn't know if it was the student's smile that caused his heart to beat at an uncontrollable speed or its because of the ceo's gaze that's like sending thousands of pointy knives at him. ❝am i a-allowed to?❞

❝what do you think why we are here?❞ hendery spoke out in the most harshest way.

yangyang pinched the bridge of his nose at what pissed his boyfriend's cereal this early in the morning. calming himself down from scolding a certain someone, he managed to have that adorable smile plastered back on his face. ❝we wouldn't be here if we won't allow you to get inside, ge.❞

❝r-right.❞ he slowly made his way at the backseat and was about to open the door, but stopped when he heard the ceo call out his name.

❝dejun,❞ the secretary hummed as he raised his head up to look at him, can't help but just stare at how he looked extra groomed today. but spacing out about how attractive he looked for the day was soon cut off when he heard him continue what he was about to say. ❝stop stuttering.❞

with hendery getting inside the car first, xiaojun then showed a pout while huffing. why is he acting like that towards him? it was as if that kiss didn't happen at all. the kiss, the way how his lips moved on his, how it tasted when they had it connected, and how it was so addicting that he won't mind having it again— the guy is mad for god's sake, why is he still thinking about the kiss?

plus, he probably just did it so that he would shut up.

not wanting to get a stern statement from the ceo as to why he's still standing there and not doing anything, xiaojun got inside the car and gasped after seeing who's there with him at the back seat. ❝eleven!❞

the boy that played with the toy car that's given to him the looked up to see who called out his name. with a bright smile, he scooted and gave space for the secretary to sit down. he didn't want to have favorites among these three who knows him more than anyone else but he's a tad bit comfortable with xiaojun.

❝did you h-have b-breakfast already?❞ it was quite odd for him to be the first one to initiate the conversation but he did get an earful by yangyang as to how he should be nice to other people. there were also a lot of things both the student and the ceo had told him this morning as he woke up and he surely would keep it in mind.

he's still trying to adjust from the new environment but it's alright, baby steps.

getting shy at how the kid asked him first, he let out a chuckle while rubbing his nape. ❝y-yeah. you?❞

❝i a-already did.❞ eleven looked away with the same tint of color as what xiaojun had in his cheeks.

despite of being close last night by having the secretary to comfort him and put him to sleep on his lap, and especially how he was clinging to him like no tomorrow, they still are trying to adjust from each other. after all, xiaojun did once hate him and eleven had to admit, he was rude to him back at the orphanage.

❝seems like you two are getting along well.❞ yangyang peeked his head to the side and giggled at the two that are creating distance between them, looking away from each other with heat rising up to their cheeks.

scoffing, hendery went on driving after taking a short glance at the both of them by the rear view mirror. ❝they have one thing in common, they love stuttering.❞

taken aback by the man's statement, the two faced in front at the same time while still being a blushing mess from getting embarrassed for some reason. ❝w-we do n-not!❞

the sight was honestly cute and hendery was this near to cooing along with the student that reached out his hand to pinch the boy's cheeks. but no, he had to keep his image and look stern in front of them. and so, here goes is famous line to end the two. ❝say that again without stuttering.❞

slapping his boyfriend's thigh, yangyang gave him a warning expression. ❝stop teasing them.❞ he didn't know what had gotten with the ceo, he was just fine this morning. he even pampered him with kisses. ❝he's really grumpy, isn't he?❞

❝he is!❞ at the same time just like before, both xiaojun and eleven nodded their heads in agreement with what the student had said. ❝definitely!❞

it made yangyang coo again, melting at how these two could probably siblings in their past life, or probably a father and son. whatever it is, they are unconsciously matching each other's personality. he's also quite happy to see that eleven was slowly showing his true and got a little bit talkative. this morning he was undeniably quiet that both he and hendery had to do a lot of convincing that they aren't going to do anything to him. eventually, they got him to talk and yangyang set out some lessons for him.

one of the many things he had told him to do was be nice always.

hendery also gave him his own lessons and one of them is to fight whoever dares to piss him off.

another thing they had noticed is how louis is so fond of eleven even when they had just met. hendery may or may have not found it very unfair.

but hey, since when is life fair?

the ride to yangyang's university was filled with both that's seated at the backseat exchanging small talks and the student joining them from time to time. hendery would also speak, more like scold them for being too loud, whenever the red light comes on. nonetheless, the four of them enjoyed each other's presence and even the ceo would admit to that. he did feel kind of warm having them to talk like they are a family.

stopping in front of the school gates, it snapped yangyang back to reality and reminding him how he'd have to explain this to jaemin. not only will he earn a whole day, or even a week, of scolding because of this but he'd get a lifetime of teasing for stepping up his relationship with hendery and xiaojun by adopting a child.

wait, a relationship with hendery and xiaojun? what's his relationship with them? he just knows that the ceo is his boyfriend and he's dating the secretary, but what is that called? remembering his friends' relationship, the three of them certainly loves one another.

in his case, both xiaojun and hendery aren't admitting to anything.

❝we're here,❞ a voice then cut him off from his pile of thoughts. ❝you're still spacing out?❞

yangyang then turned to the ceo and mustered up a smile, leaning towards him and had caught his lips. they usually would have it last long that just a minute but they then realized, they can't make out inside the car anymore before of the additions inside. not like the student is complaining, the ceo definitely is.

❝i'll go now.❞ twisting his body to look at the secretary, he got a small smile from him. ❝dejun ge.❞

leaning forward, xiaojun made sure to pour his affection in that soft and innocent kiss they are having. he wanted to throw it at the back of his head that he's also tasting indirectly the ceo's lips. ❝take care.❞

❝hm.❞ the student hummed with a nod.

and at the same time, both the ceo and the secretary had said something in chorus as if they had planned it out. ❝behave, alright?❞

slouching down on his seat as he rolled his eyes, yangyang clicked his tongue at the two of them. he's already a graduating college student, of course he'll know how to act in his age, unless he's with his friends. ❝i'm not a baby!❞

he unbuckled his seatbelt and was about to go out but got back seated when he came to remember someone that made him grin widely.

❝the only baby here is—❞ he turned around and almost fell from his seat if it weren't for hendery's arm wrapped on his waist and xiaojun holding his uniform up to prevent him from falling down as he went to reach out to the little boy that's now laughing because yangyang is tickling him. ❝come here, eleven!❞

while the two went on with the tickles, their laughter filling the car up, both the ceo and the secretary watched and can't help but smile at the two's adorable interaction.

looking worn out from his seat at the intense tickles, the boy still managed to raise both his hands up and cupped the student's face with it. yangyang expected for the boy to squish his cheeks to get back from tickling him so much but was surprised to see how eleven leaned close just to give him a kiss on top of his forehead.

❝stay s-safe,❞ trying to make out the names he was told to call them, the boy pressed his lips to a thin line. he still wasn't ready for it but it was worth a try. ❝p-pa—❞

yangyang could see his discomfort, hushing him down as he also returned the kiss on his forehead and cheeks. ❝it's okay baby, it takes time.❞

the student gave him one last glance before giving them his goodbyes once more, getting out of the car and could be seen being greeted by his friends by the front gates. it still questioned xiaojun as to how aggressive the student's friends can get but he didn't want to remember that one time he went out and embarrassed himself just because he thought that yangyang was being bullied.

❝alright, we are the only ones left.❞

removing their eyes from their knight in shining armor, the two from the backseat then gulped at how the ceo cracked his knuckles. not to mention how the tone of his voice changed now that yangyang is gone, it was as if he's having the time of his life scaring these two.

❝dejun, sit right next to me.❞ he demanded, eyes glaring right to their reflection at the rear view mirror.

❝i'm f-fine here.❞ xiaojun mentally facepalmed at how he always stutters every single time that he get to have a conversation with his moody ceo.

wanting to help the secretary out, the boy dropped his toy car down the seat and made his way to the male's lap. he sat there with his arms crossed, trying to look like he's not scared of hendery at all. ❝i a-also like h-him here with me.❞

❝you two,❞ hendery now turned around and send daggers at them with his gaze, causing for the two to visibly shake with xiaojun hugging the boy real tight and eleven holding on to the secretary's arms. ❝can't you just stop stuttering?❞

they couldn't help it, why does he have to look scary? ❝o-okay.❞

🦋

what got him so moody? xiaojun, that's the only answer.

the anger isn't directed to the secretary though, it's for himself. hendery didn't know what to feel about that sudden urge to kiss him last night when he offered him a ride to his apartment. he would be lying if he says that he didn't like it, he's the one who leaned in and captured his lips first and even with the secretary freezing from his place, he still continued to devour his lips. right at that moment, he felt it again, the butterflies inside his stomach. he had already swore to himself that the only person he should feel that way to is his boyfriend. but with xiaojun around, it's as if the butterflies automatically appears and flutters inside him.

sure, the feeling is heartwarming and wholesome, but he couldn't help but feel like it's wrong.

that what he's feeling are the bad kind of butterflies. he let it happen despite of already having a boyfriend. then again, ain't yangyang also doing that? the student has something going on with xiaojun while being on a relationship with him. wouldn't that be considered cheating? it isn't because hendery gave him permission.

fuck, he can't help but curse. why is this so complicated?

❝h-here.❞

and the ceo was snapped back to his senses when a young boy's voice was heard inside his office. darting his eyes at him, hendery only got to realize that he had eleven to stay inside his office as he and his secretary go to work while the student goes and attend his classes. he also let him stay on the sofa, giving him a paper and bunch of art materials that he found inside his office.

taking the paper that's been handed to him, hendery furrowed his brows. ❝what is this?❞

huffing, the boy tried to tiptoe and till he could reach to the paper where he drew while hendery was busy with work— or busy spacing out since eleven noticed that he's just sitting there, staring out of no where. ❝this is a frog.❞

again with frogs? the ceo groaned. ❝how many times do i have to tell you—❞

❝listen!❞ the boy whined and puffed his cheeks at how the man isn't letting him explain his drawing. now finally getting approval to continue, he had a smile curved back on his lips. ❝this is me, this is you. i am holding a frog and i set it free, away from you, and this is what i wanted to say during that time.❞

hendery's eyes followed where he kept on pointing at and label the abstract drawing he is looking at right now, till his eyes settled on the bubble that consists of words and a poor handwriting. ❝i'm sorry?❞

moving away from the man, eleven wandered his eyes as he had his fingers fumbling with the pencil he is holding. he didn't know how to say it properly, only having it drawn and written. ❝i'm sorry.❞

the man had no idea how on earth his mood brightened up that easily. it probably is because he received an apology from the boy, something he had been wanting to hear ever since. placing the drawing down on his desk filled with documents and folders, he made a mental note to have it glued on the fridge later when they will arrive home.

❝that's all in the past, you also didn't know i'm scared of it.❞ he then pushed his swivel chair back and carried the boy up, making him sit down on his desk after clearing up some space. ❝friends?❞

shaking his head, eleven pointed the pencil's eraser at the ceo. ❝you are my parent, we can't be friends!❞

❝eleven, i can also be your father and you friend.❞

tapping his chin with the pencil's tip, the boy tilted his head to the side. ❝i am curious,❞ he then recalled what had happened inside the car. he saw the student kissing both the ceo and the secretary, causing him to wonder what their relationship is. ❝you are my daddy.❞

because of how corrupted his mind already is, hendery's thoughts went to places for a moment before finally getting back at the conversation they are having. ❝i am, then your yangyang hyung is now your papa.❞

getting inside the room just in time, without knowing what's happening to the two, the male raised an envelop with him and was about to inform them about his presence there but paused as he saw how close the two are right now. a smile made its way to the secretary's face, seeing the improvement between the two.

it was in another second that hendery had caught a glimpse of his secretary that got inside his office without making a sound. saying the male's name was already at the tip of his tongue but had halted his plans in doing so when the boy had spoke after some moment of silence.

❝then what is dejun hyung for me?❞ he said, his soft voice heard from both that are present there.

❝dejun?❞ hendery's gaze went to the said male that stood there with his eyes widened.

what is xioajun to the boy? most importantly, what is he to both him and yangyang?

gasping with excitement at the idea he had in mind, the boy noticed the long pause from the man and decided to say something instead. ❝can dejun hyung be my dada?❞

⚊ t b c ⚊