"Pang, why isn't dad here this morning?" Chenle asks while lazily tying his shoelaces.

Jeno helps Jisung with his backpack and replies, "he said he has stuff to do." He sounds unsure of the answer himself, but shrugs it off anyway.

Besides, he's used to it. There are times where Johnny cancels his visits for something else, whether they are actually reasonable or not, and times where he surprises them.

Chenle presses his lips together, forming a thin line as Jeno leads them to the door. Once he opens it, Chenle's eyes widen as his eyebrows furrow together.

Jeno turns to them with a smile, "since your dad isn't here, I asked Mister Jaemin if he could give us a ride for today." His eyes filled with a tad bit of mischief.

He totally planned this. In a way that bothers Chenle.

"Why didn't you tell us?" Chenle flashes him an annoyed look as Jisung blinks up at them, a little confused since he's still sleepy.

Well, he wouldn't be sleepy if Chenle didn't force him to play a videogame all night instead of sleeping early.

"So you could escape? Take the bus or skip school?" Jeno crosses his arms, raising a brow at his eldest son. "I don't think so."

"Do you really not trust me?" Chenle grumbles all of a sudden.

Jeno sighs, "let's talk about this another time, for now, come on and get in the car before we will all be late." Taking Jisung's hand gently.

When they enter the vehicle, Jisung rubs his eyes awake and gasps, "Mister Blue!" Exclaiming happily as Jaemin laughs wholeheartedly in response.

"Good morning, Jisungie." Looking over Jeno's shoulder, he flashes the teenager his usual charming smile. "Good morning, Lele!"

Jeno then lilts, "what do you say?"

"Good morning, Mister Jaemin..." Chenle mutters, although loud enough for Jaemin to keep on smiling at him in response.

Meanwhile, Jisung seems more awake than a second ago. "Good morning Mister Blue!" Jaemin extends his hand for the little boy to shake, testing him.

Jeno nods when Jisung looks up as if asking him for permission, his Papa smiles brightly when Jisung shakes Jaemin's hand.

Chenle then gets in the car from the other side, "fasten your seatbelt, baby." Jeno tells him in a soft tone while doing the same for Jisung.

Clicking his tongue, he does it messily yet quickly, pulling out his phone to distract himself from Jaemin's entire existence.

When they arrive at his school first, Chenle practically jumps out of the car, only nodding off at Jeno when he bids him goodbye, wishing him good luck and all.

Jeno sighs watching Chenle's back as he walks away, Jaemin notices and rests a hand on his knee. They share a quick knowing look before driving off to head to Jisung's school.

Chenle and Jisung go to different schools, however, it is lucky enough that they are still near each other. Especially for the little boy.

Chenle can walk to Jisung's school quite fine, hence why they usually get picked up there altogether.

Jisung kisses Jeno's cheek once they bid their goodbyes, "bye-bye Papa!" Tilting his head to peek at Jaemin on the driver's seat, he waves happily at the blue haired man. "Bye-bye too, Mister Blue!"

"Goodbye Jisungie, good luck and have fun at school!" Jaemin responds equally as bubbly.

"Listen well, baby. And eat when you're hungry okay? You know what to do if something concerns you, right?" Jeno rambles as usual.

Jisung nods, smiling cutely at him. Receiving a sweet and long kiss on the forehead. "Okay, go ahead now." They wait there until Jisung enters the school safely.

"Ready for work?" Jaemin quips, lightening up the mood for Jeno as the latter giggles.

"Of course, Lia must be waiting." Jaemin snorts and pats his knee gently. Driving them to work with the atmosphere peaceful.

A good start in their morning.

Better than what I would usually have with Johnny... Jeno thinks to himself while looking out the window.

𖢻

The doorbell rings for the umpteenth time, Jeno groans when he realizes Chenle isn't and probably will not answer the door for them.

Obviously he isn't letting Jisung answer the door alone, so he stands up from where he was seated and was surprised to see his ex spouse there once he answers the door.

"Johnny?" He steps aside nonetheless, especially when the elder man glares at him for whatever reason. "What are you doing here late at night?"

"So when were you going to tell me?" Was what Johnny said instead of answering Jeno's question.

Jeno blinks, looking flustered as he closes the door. "I beg your pardon?"

Johnny chuckles sarcastically, "don't play stupid." He glares at Jeno so harshly, the latter feels like he's shrinking from his gaze alone.

"When were you going to tell me you were seeing some guy?" He elaborates a bit more.

Jeno sucks in a breath. He knew this day would come, but he didn't want it to be like this. He knows it's unfair, but he's scared.

He isn't prepared for this, but attempts to try his best to keep Johnny from yelling and escalating things.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue, darling?" Johnny sarcastically says with a sickeningly sweet tone that has Jeno gulping.

"Johnny, I'm sorry I was going to tell you..." he half lies.

There was a part of him of wanting to tell Johnny regardless of their divorce, but another part of him doesn't want to because he knows how Johnny would react.

And this is just the beginning of it.

"But you didn't," Johnny cuts him off. "I had to find out through the kids, are you fucking kidding?" He hisses.

The kids...

"Johnny please lower your voice, it's late at night." Jeno's hand was shaking as he gestures for his ex spouse to listen.

He's anxious, for anyone else to hear. And he's slightly thankful that Chenle is blasting his videogame music with Jisung watching him play in his bedroom.

Johnny snarls, "Chenle told me, he brought it up because he was upset. Then Jisung started babbling about some happy shit too." He pauses.

"Mister Jaemin, was it?" Johnny flashes him a knowing smirk.

Jeno exhales through his nostrils, "Johnny, please don't–"

"Introduce me to him." Johnny cuts him off once again.

"What?" Jeno blinks in shock, palms sweating as Johnny steps closer.

"Introduce me to this shitty Jaemin guy. Or I'll introduce myself to him, alone." He emphasizes.

Jeno cusses to himself. And he wishes he could cuss at Chenle for snitching, but he can't.

𖢻

Thoughts??

Happy Pride Month!! 🏳️‍🌈