Jaemin slowly and carefully parks right outside Jeno's house, waiting patiently for the younger man as he checks his phone.

Passing by the unread messages and miscalls, he rereads his conversation with Jeno earlier this morning while he was getting ready for work.

Apparently, Johnny isn't here around this time in the morning, a rare and surprising moment Jeno isn't used to til this day.

The elder man had came by earlier than usual, wanting to pick up the kids to drive them to school. Jeno gave him permission, which made his ex spouse grin triumphantly in return.

Jeno finally gets in the car, buckling the seatbelt on him and tilts his head to Jaemin's way. "Good morning." He breathlessly greets.

Giggling, Jaemin leans in to peck his lips sweetly, "morning, honey." Hand reaching down to rest on Jeno's thigh, squeezing him there gently with a  loving smile on his face.

"Sorry for the sudden message, I told you you didn't have to pick me up. I was just telling you Johnny came by early."

Rolling his eyes, Jaemin squeezes his thigh again. "Yeah, and I thought it would be a great time to finally pick you up after a while, I really missed this."

"Missed what?"

"Greeting you in the mornings." Jaemin replies, staring at him lovingly.

Jeno snorts at him. "You always greet me, at work too when I'm late."

"But that's different." Jaemin argues, "this one is more peaceful, in a way. You're the first person I'd crave to see in the early mornings, it's a great way to wake up to."

Taking his other hand in his, Jaemin kisses his bare knuckles, a gesture he's been growing obsessed with since they've became intimate.

Peering up through his long lashes, he flashes Jeno a charming smile. "It's warm in the mornings when you're there, you're very warm and sweet to be with, love."

The color pink blooms on Jeno's cheeks, smiling back as he gives a little squeeze on Jaemin's hand showing how giddy he's feeling. "Likewise, Jaem.."

𖢻

Lia is currently reciting Jaemin's schedule, the next meeting that will start in a few minutes immediately gets picked to be the most talked about.

Their conversation gets interrupted by Jeno's phone ringing, the brunet man snatches it from the table and gives them an apologetic look.

"It's okay, you can answer it." Jaemin reassures him, "we'll tell you what you've missed."

Nodding off, visibly hesitant. The next ring has Jeno standing up and gesturing a free hand towards them as he excuses himself to head out of the room.

Answering the call, he sighs at the all too familiar voice greeting him. Furrowing his eyebrows a second later when the caller starts rambling.

"I told you to double-check their things before heading out, Johnny." Voice calm and sweet, as if he's talking to Jisung and not the little boy's father.

"How is it my fault? I just came by to pick them up, of course I would expect them to be a hundred percent ready for school." His ex spouse snaps back.

Biting his lower lip, Jeno remains calm and replies, "but Johnny, that isn't an excuse to not double-check the boys..."

"Jen, I came by as early as I could so they wouldn't be late. And they weren't, but now we have another problem in hand because of your mistake."

"Me?" Jeno parrots, flabbergasted by the sudden accusation.

It isn't the first time that Johnny has done tricks like this, changing it up and turning the arrow to point at Jeno.

However, that doesn't mean he is used to it or will ever feel okay with it. Especially when the kids get involved and they side with their father against him.

"Yes you, who else would it be?" Johnny snorts, annoyed at the brunet man. "If you would've checked them before we left or even seconds before I arrived, this wouldn't have happened."

"You're the one in charge and is with them twenty-four-seven." He emphasizes harshly.

"Johnny, I woke up tiredly this morning and was rushing to get all of us ready. It's not just the kids who are heading out, I have work too!" Jeno replies.

"You're so selfish, darling. You can't even make sure Jisung had his lunch box in his backpack." Was all Johnny had retorted before ending the call.

Leaving Jeno frustrated, slim fingers running through his hair and clenches his locks tightly.

Exhaling deeply, he walks back in the room with a frown painting his face. His boyfriend and best friend soon reciprocates the look.

"What's wrong?" Lia asks first, still sitting as Jaemin stands up opening his arms for Jeno to be welcomed in.

Sighing in his comfort, Jeno mumbles. "I have to leave for a minute, will that be okay?" Mainly asking Jaemin since he is the boss.

The blue haired man raises a brow, "of course it is, but..." Gently tilting Jeno's chin up with his fingers. "What happened?" Voice so warm and gentle.

Jeno wishes he could stay in Jaemin's warmth and protection for a bit longer, however he unfortunately can't due to an emergency.

Biting his inner cheek, he quietly replies, "can I tell you later? Tonight maybe? This is really urgent." Glancing at the wall clock.

They haven't even had lunch yet either, but Jeno is willing to have that a little later just so his kids could eat first.

Nodding off understandingly, Jaemin then knits his eyebrows when Jeno says, "I have to go to Jisung's school."

"I can drive you there," as expected, Jaemin offers a second later, hands on Jeno's hips, pulling him closer while at it.

From the corner of his eye, Jeno can see Lia nodding frantically in agreement.

"You don't have to..."

"Honey, I told you I'd help you out with anything." Jaemin argues against Jeno's stubbornness with his own.

"But Jaem, you have a meeting in a few minutes... And I think this will take a while because I have to stop by my house first." Hand reaching down to rest on top of Jaemin's.

Thumb rubbing on the back of his palm in circles, his lover is still frowning. "So? That's just another good reason why I should drive you there instead."

"I agree, Jen." Lia chimes in, "you'll have to pay a lot and not to mention it's hot out right now around this time."

"But guys..." Groaning, Jeno glares at them. "Jaemin, you're barely late to a meeting. You're a very punctual person, I don't want to be the reason you're late."

"Honey, I don't mind being late when it's an urgent matter. It's a good and understandable reason, besides, Lia is here to entertain them in the meantime." Jaemin states.

"If it's for you guys, yeah." Lia quips, earning a glare from Jaemin. "Okay whatever, it's part of my job too."

Seeing the hesitant look on Jeno's face, Jaemin smiles sweetly and brings a hand up to frame his cheek. "Jen, I'm not just doing this for you, but for the kids too."

And Jeno finally smiles back faintly. Just by Jaemin's sweet and genuine words, he melts in his warmth.

Jaemin isn't just driving me there for me, but for Jisung too. He also cares for the kids... Dear Lord...

Letting out a breath he didn't even realize he was holding in, Jeno nods and interlocks their hands on his hip. "Okay... Yeah, okay, honey... You can drive me there. Thank you."

"Always a pleasure, sweetheart." Kissing his forehead lovingly, Jaemin briefly reminds Lia of what to do before they excuse themselves.

𖢻

Thoughts??

Lol we finally have a small scene with Johnny :p

Still liking this story? Lemme know <3

Also, I may or may not have forgot who I used as extras/other characters...

So if you can, please help me remember who've been mentioned as Jaemin's employees... That would help a lot.

It will make sense later on, I guess– 💀