Based on:

- April Fool DLC

- Jumin's Normal End

Timeline set between Chapter 10 and Chapter 11.

This part is mainly on Skype intercom.

Zen looks out from the balcony to the view of skyscrapers basking in the morning light as he sips on his hot cup of coffee. The weather is still cold in the early spring. On the table sits a thick script and a notebook, booting on. He went back into the comfort of his apartment and sat in front of the laptop when the Skype rings. As soon as he answers, Zen was glad that he wasn't on headphone that day.

Ryung: MOMMY!

Jumin: H-Hey, sit down properly or you're gonna fall off.

Ryung dash towards the camera as soon as he saw Zen's face coming onto the screen but Jumin managed to catch him at the nick of time. When the commotion subsides, Zen was relieved when he saw his two beloved figures finally taking their seats in front of the camera. Zen asks 'Are you two alright?' Jumin loosens the tie around his neck as he securely places his son on his lap. 'Yes, we're fine. He's abit of a handful lately.' Zen apologizes 'I'm sorry that I'm leaving most of the parenting to you, babe.' He turns his attention to the smaller figure and adds on. 'Ryung, sweetie, don't give your daddy such a hard time. Mommy's right here. I'm not going anywhere.' Ryung replies in a soft tone 'I can see you and I can hear you but you're not really here… I miss you, Mommy. Daddy misses you too.' Zen clutches the shirt right next to his heart as he felt a huge pang of guilt. 'I miss you both so much…' There was some silence before Jumin suggests 'Ryung, why don't you show Mommy what you've drawn today in school?' The little boy nods and Jumin puts him down on the floor. Zen could hear little patters of feet fainting into the distance and then picks up in volume. Jumin scoops him up and places on his lap again, little hands holding onto a drawing. Unlike his previous drawings, this time it was different than usual. Jumin coos 'Go on. Explain your drawing to Mommy and tell him what happened in class today.' Zen got anxious when his little one hesitates. 'Ryung, did something in school?' The drawing depicts a man in suit labeled as 'Daddy', which Zen presumes it's Jumin, holding hands with a smaller character and Elizabeth 3rd in the background. Both were looking sad as they waved good bye to a white haired character labeled as 'Mommy', on a plane with an arrow direction to New York.

Ryung began to explain. 'Today in class we have a story-telling based on our drawing. This is what I drew and I told them that Mommy has to leave us to work somewhere far away. That's when…' The little boy paused and hesitates. He looks up to his father who gave him a reassuring smile and a pat to his small back gesturing him to continue. 'The kid from the older class stood up and shouted saying that Mommy and Daddy don't love each other anymore and you won't come back ever again because I've been a bad kid.' Ryung stops again as tears began forming in his eyes. Zen was shocked hearing those from his young son. Jumin who was calm the entire time tries to comfort the crying child in his arm and says 'You should finish your story, buddy.' The tiny figure wipes his tears with his sleeves and takes a deep breath. 'I know it's not true so I got angry and hit him…' 'Ryung, you can't solve conflicts with violence…' 'But he was so mean to the others too…' 'That doesn't mean you can hit him too.' Jumin calls out to Zen when he noticed he began to raise his voice. 'Hyun, calm down.'

Zen sighed and regained his composure. He diverts his attention and enquiries to his partner. 'Babe, what happened after that?' 'The standard procedure.' 'Way to summarize the event. Could you please elaborate?' 'The school called and I had to go there to talk to his parents. The boy and the father apologized so I accepted it.' 'That's real mature of you, babe.' 'Of course. I have to act professionally in front of my kid so he'll follow the right footsteps. But according to my instincts, I should have sued the living daylights out of them for that kid to provoke our son.' 'That's low, Jumin.' 'I know but it was what Ryung did after that which made me changed my mind.' 'Oh, how so? Wait, you mentioned the kid's father, was his mother there? It must be something that made him said that to Ryung too.' Jumin turn to look at his son sitting on his lap lovingly and turns back to the screen. 'You're observant.' 'Hehe, of course. I learned from the best.'

Jumin smiled as he knew that he was the reason. 'From the moment I step into the principle's room, I knew the kid's father. He is the owner of the golf clothing company who used to frequently golf with me. You've met him a few times when you accompany me to the golf course on occasions.' Zen starts to ponder. 'Hmm… Oh! You mean that Kim Yongnam? The one who wanted to teach me how to golf but you suddenly butt in and drag us home?' Jumin sighed. 'Yes, that's him. I can't believe you actually remembered that.' 'Well, duh. I know you're always jealous of the people hanging around me but you went ballistic that day and accusing him that he's touching me inappropriately.' 'I know what I saw, Hyun. And I know what they're thinking from the way they look at you.'

'Ugh, whatever. We're straying from the main topic here. So what happened?' 'He recognized me instantly too, despite we haven't been golfing for some years. I heard that his business is not doing well and that his wife left him. He immediately apologized to me and reprimanded his son right in front of us. But that's when Ryung intervened. He went over to the pair and you'd never guessed what he said. You'll feel so proud of him' Zen was intrigued 'What, what?' Jumin nudges his son. 'Ryung, why don't you let Mommy know what you said to the boy?' 'I told him that my Mommy said that it's not good to treat other people badly just because we're angry. I know my Mommy will be back soon as long as I behave and not be a burden to Daddy. That's what Mommy promised to me. But…' 'What's wrong, sweetie?' Jumin takes over the narration. 'The kid is just too bitter to accept Ryung's kindness. He retorted saying "What's the point? My mother will never come back even if I behave or not."Judging his erratic behavior, we agreed to meet again next week to settle things amicably.'

Zen excitedly butts in. 'Then, count me in too! This was meant to be a surprise. I'm coming home next week.' Ryung jumps onto the table again and squealed 'Really?' Jumin quickly grab the young child before he hits the screen again. 'Hey, settle down. But what about your work?' 'I have a break in between the final preparations and opening ceremony to the play.' Ryung continues his excitement 'Yeay, Mommy's coming home!' Jumin sighed 'I wished you could have just told us your return in the messenger so I'll let him know at a better time. He's gonna have a hard time sleeping tonight.' Zen pokes out his tongue apologetically 'I'm sorry, babe. I forgot bout our time difference. Are you going to bed after putting Ryung to sleep?' 'No. I have some work piling up from the office. I was in the middle of a meeting when the school called. Because to that, I had to postpone the meeting and cancel the rest of my appointments for the day. But your return will be my source of motivation for the time being.' 'Then, don't work too hard and don't forget your meals. Ryung needs your attention from time to time too.' 'Yeah, I know… I think we should stop here for today. It's past his bedtime now.' 'Agreed. I need to go prepare for my practice soon.' Jumin gestures 'It's time to say good bye, Ryung.' The little boy let out a big yawn and protested 'But I wanna talk to Mommy a little longer…' Zen coos over the intercome 'You need to sleep. We'll talk more again when I get home next week alright?' The little boy could barely keep his eyes open. He nodded and waved to the screen. 'Okay. I love you, Mommy. Bye…' 'I love you too, sweetie. Uhm babe...' 'Hmm?' 'Thank you for being with Ryung today when he needed you most. Love ya.' 'Love ya too. Try not to get anymore injuries and make us worried.' 'That I can't promise. It's a career hazard after all. Gotta go, bye. Take care of each other.'

The screen went blank and silence filled the room. Jumin suddenly felt dizzy and hard to breathe. Shit, not again. Why now? It has been a long time since his state of mind went unstable. Was it the fears and insecurities of not having Zen by his side triggered this old wound? A young voice temporary broke the spell on him. 'Daddy?' Jumin takes a deep breath, thanking the stars that he wasn't alone anymore. 'I'm sorry, Ryung. Let's get you to bed, shall we?' Those pair of red eyes reminded him of the other owner, staring right back at him, providing some comfort. The young lad nodded and he rests on his shoulder, falling asleep. He had promised Zen that he would keep himself checked from the dark thoughts but it was an obvious lie that he could manage it without Zen as he could barely cope with the tangled threads in his mind.

Endnote:

3 years old goes for a daycare sort of schools. As you've read, Zen is half the world away from home in New York for work. But why? I'll give you a hint. New York is the place where all musical actors would want to be!

Part 2 coming soon-ish. Was supposed to complete and upload these chapters on Zen's birthday but I was swamped with work. OTL

Hope you enjoyed reading this fanfic! Please review and comment. Thank you!