mr. dumpling
member/ band: Kwon Soonyoung (Hoshi) from seventeen
genre: Fluff with a little angst, parenthood au
kwon soonyoung!dancer x single mother! reader
January
The coffee shop was bustling with young college students and workers in the early morning, while the sun was yet to emerge from its haven. Bundled up in woolly coats and scarves, a cup of warm coffee was sufficient for eradicating the harsh cold of the winter. You were no different than the rest walking through the café, neither were the younger girls sitting on the opposite side of the table.
It eventually became a ritual. After their father had left, you desperately wanted them to have something to look forward to, something to ease their pain, and yours. By taking out time to accommodate coffee (or hot chocolate for them) and brownies before the school week begins, it made the rest of six days bearable.
The first few months were the most difficult of all- the girls frequently whined about how much they missed Dad walking them to school. You could never blame them, of course, and the only thing you could blindly promise was your affection and devotion.
They were so tender and young, yet they knew much more than what a normal child would know. Your daughters, only six and four at that point of time, and they already understood the fatal sickness had claimed their father much too soon. From then, it wasn’t just you looking out for them, but them looking out for you. All his kindness and love had still remained although he physically wasn’t present for the three of you. In this way, Seungcheol had never left.
Yunha, 8, and with eyes as encaptivating as Seungcheol’s, bored into you. She, unlike her younger sibling, Soobin, had inherited your outgoing and socially active personality. Her long, ebony hair cascaded down her face and over her black coat as she averted her gaze to her sister.
“Soobin needs to use the washroom,” she stated monotonously.
You perk your brow up as your orbs momentarily flicker to the younger Choi constantly fiddling with the hem of her skirt. Young girl’s locks mirrored her sisters but were kept shorter due her preference. She hardly spoke since her father’s funeral, and occasionally you worry that she might remain like that forever. Soobin didn’t want to interrupt anyone, even if it was something as minor as going to the bathroom.
Yunha had eventually become habituated to do the talking for her sister. It had amplified in public.
“Soobin,” you cooed, “Remember what we talked about?”
Soobin had her eyes shut, as her lips tremble to murmur, “I have go to the loo.”
A tiny smile formed upon your lips, “‘Yunha, do you mind taking your sister to the bathroom?”
Yunha nodded as she clasped her sister’s hand gently within her’s and jogged o the restroom. You watched until they slDumplingy disappeared behind the door, and your head reclined back against the booth with a heavy sigh, “Am I doing okay Seungcheol?”
Moments had passed and neither of them had returned. After gathering leftover juice from the table, you lurked around the washrooms and called out for your children. Panic began to creep up when your call wasn’t answered, every stall door wide open. Where could they have gone? You hadn’t even noticed them walk out.
Unpleasant thoughts had started to build up within you as you continue searching for them in your frantic state, and had it not been for the meek sound of small voices you heard, you would totally lose it all. With a small step around the corner, you saw your young girls in the lobby with a stranger squatted in front of them. Yunha had a firm hold of Soobin’s hand, her tiny head tilted curiously at the man’s monochrome head of hair.
“Mister, why do you look like a dumpling?”
A chuckle escaped Soobin, covering herself behind her sister ,”Dumplings are cute!.“
You watched the scene play out in bemusement, the stranger’s morphing into a wide smile after he heard her youngest say that.
"Oh? Well I guess it is an accurate nickname” the smile remained unchanged, with him showcasing the million dollar smile proudly, as his eyes crinkle up into crescents.
To your surprise, Soobin giggled along with Yunha, pointing and uncontrollably laughing.
“Momma look!”
You blinked in surprise for a while, the disciplinary thoughts in your mind fleeting as both girls grinned at you. The stranger giggled boisterously, proud of his efforts to amuse your children during your brief absence.
He did resemble a dumpling.
April
His name was Kwon Soonyoung, and apparently, he owned a dance studio and takes classes for it. It was weird the numerous times you bumped into him during your routine, finding out later that the coffee shop was an everyday stop for him. Each time you saw him, your girls would plead for touching his protruding cheeks, and Soonyoung was more than glad to comply
Eventually, “Mr. Dumpling” became a welcomed addition at your family’s table.
He was a vivacious personality; a fully grown adult but with hidden childlike qualities. Being the outgoing and rambunctious person, it didn’t come as a surprise that Yunha had taken a liking to him as quickly as she did. Soobin, on the other hand, didn’t really open up much unless he took to imitations of the famous food counter part.
You enjoyed his company because your girls did, though you wouldn’t deny if a friendship grew outside of these weekly meetings. You truly appreciated the genuine interest Soonyoung put into listening to your girls ramble on, and in turn spoke to them just as eagerly. When the girls would run out of things to say, Soonyoung would divert his attention to you.
You hadn’t held an adult conversation in years, at least one that didn’t contain work. Completely busy with the responsibilities of being a single mother, all your time was dedicated to your girls. You promised yourself, even before your beloved husband passed away, that you wouldn’t leave your kids for your personal desires. You turned down party invitations and nights out with girlfriends because you wanted to be around for your daughters. With Seungcheol gone, that promise extended to turning down dates, swearing you would never bring another man into the girls’ lives, romantically, until they became older.
There was no denying that Soonyoung was handsome, and the manner in which he intermingled with you and your girls, was charismatic in many ways. You caught your own excitement the closer Mondays came and often wondered if these visits were starting to be more for you rather than your little ones. It’s wasn’t like it could have been helped; Soonyoung would have been there anyway, and who were you to say he couldn’t sit among you? What reason would you have? As he’d shown no interest in you other than offering platonic company.
The added bonus was that Soonyoung mentioned dancing Seungcheol in your early high school days. The crowd went wild, and you were left astounded at just how tiny the world really was or how you’d still never heard of Kwon Soonyoung.
“Sorry to interrupt you.”
The conversation ceased, your and Soonyoung’s gaze quizzically meeting the kind, wrinkled eyes of the woman that had approached the table. Yunha and Soobin couldn’t have been bothered, too busy scribbling away at their coloring books.
She smiled fondly, “ I just felt forced to tell you how lovely your children are.”
In an instant, your heart swelled with elation and pride. Even Soonyoung tilted his head to you and widely grinned in agreement.
“Thank you so much,” your words, laced with appreciation. “Girls, can you say thank you?”
“Thank you, ma'am,” they quickly replied together, looking up for only a moment.
“Well-mannered as well! You two are exceptional parents.”
“Mr. Dumpling isn’t our dad,” Yunha muttered, eyes lifting from the half-colored pony. Her tone withheld inquiry, innocently wondering how the woman could have assumed such a thing.
“Our daddy is dead,” Soobin mewed silently.
Your eyes slid closed, your spine jerking at the topic of conversation and the sound of the woman apologetically stammering an apology. You didn’t want the stranger’s pity, or to feel the judgmental gaze regarding another male at your side. Soonyoung seemed to sense this, and reclined casually against the booth, arms stretched out along the table top.
“I’m merely just a friend. Though, I can only hope to be as fortunate as [Name] is with her kids. They really are something, don’t you agree with me?”
“Y-yes. I’ll leave you be now… I’m… sorry for your loss.”
A rigid smile forced itself across your lips, and you answered with a curt nod.
A hand squeezed your shoulder as the woman diminished from your sight, Soonyoung’s reassuring smirk replacing her. His reaction to your daughters’ revelation had been much different. Sure, he was taken aback at first, his dimple embedded cheeks and completely unaware that the Choi Seungcheol had passed away.
But he didn’t shower you in pitiful apologies.
Nope.
Instead, he had proceeded to say, “Well… Wherever he is, I bet he’s proud of all of you.”
June
You watched the sizzling pan, absentmindedly pushing the pasta around, coating it in a luscious thick sauce as the giggles emerged from the living room. You adored the sound as you found yourself reminiscing about the time Seungcheol stood by your side. At moments like this he would sneak his arms around your waist and lean for showering you in his affection.
“Mom!”
“Yeah baby?”
“Come here! Quick! Mr. Dumpling is on the T.V!”
Your turn back as stomach performed a flip. You speedily turned off the gas and grabbed the hanging towel to wash of the remnants of the sauce coating your hand and rushed to take a seat by your daughters.
Yunha tilted her neck to look at you and enthusiastically pointed at the television “Look Look!”
Soobin followed, her sister’s actions, “Look mommy It’s Mr. Dumpling.”
“Will you ever call him by his actual name girls?”
Both girl’s paid no heed to the question as their gazes were practically glued to the screen. They barely budged even as you settled between them, catching your breath as the camera zoomed in on the familiar face, skin sweaty and gaze intensely focused. Soonyoung brought his hand up and made a V sign and had a heart fluttering smile patched on his face.
“Oh, wow,” you breathed, eyes widening a fraction as the young man had traversed across the floor, in a fluid manner. You were entranced by the beauty his dance held as he further continued his routine, making it look effortless yet ethereal.
After the gigantic applause from the audience and your kids you couldn’t help but feel elated.
“Woooow! Mr. Dumpling is so awesome.”
You would have thought Soonyoung had heard Yunha by the manner he turned his head around and directly peered into the camera
“About calling him Soonyoung–”
“But, Mamma, he loves it when we call him 'Mr. Dumpling’. He allows us to play with his cheeks and make funny faces, and I like his funny faces,” Soobin clutched onto your leg desperately, “Pwease don’t stop, Mamma. I don’t want him to go or his funny faces!”
You mouth loosened as your brows furrow in curiosity, “What makes you think Soonyoung will not stay?”
The little one momentarily paused, her dejected expression worrying you, “Because… Daddy isn’t here with us.”
Your heart felt heavy as heavy tears were pricking the corner of your eyes as the younger ones gaze bore into you. Even the elder one slumped, as if she had been thinking the same.
You had a difficulty to speak as your assumptions that they had comprehended the situation was shattering.
“Dad… didn’t have a choice, Soobin. He was sick… he didn’t…” You harshly swallowed. “He didn’t want to leave us.”
“What if… Soonyoung gets sick?”
This question came from Yunha, her voice strained from the pain.
“It… It not like that, sweetheart. What happened to Dad was…”
Rare? A bad happening?
None of these words fit the context, they did not just explain the turmoil of sadness within you when you clutched his lifeless hand for support.
The best you could do was to force a smile, pulling Yunha within the embrace of your free arm, “Sometimes bad things happen to good people… Your father loved you both so much and never would have dreamed of leaving you.
” Soonyoungie isn’t going anywhere and neither is his funny faces; as long he is happy with it. He likes the two of you, no matter what you decide to call him.“
"We wike him too…”
Your arms were encased around their tiny frames as your nose nuzzled into their hair, breathing in the fresh scent of their shampoo, relieving the heavy atmosphere within the household
Dinner went cold, three pairs of eyes intently gazed at the dance performance on the screen.
August
“Soonyoung.”
“Hey, what’s up?”
You were confused and stressed. With your girls on their vacation, and today being the peak sale day at the store you work in, it was an extremely horrible day for their babysitter to decline the offer.
Soonyoung was literally the only person left to call, as all of your other relatives were committed to their own work. It wasn’t that you thought you couldn’t depend on him to take care of them for you, but you didn’t want to enforce that responsibility on him, nor did you want him to feel obligated. Unfortunately, you had no choice.
He was promptly standing at your doorstep with no questions, with toys occupying his arms. Soonyoung greeted you with his signature smile, crinkly eyes and soft cheeks that you had to refrain yourself from pinching them.
"You’re a lifesaver.”
“No I had nothing better to do, plus spending a day with these gems is what I wanted to do all along.”
“Thank you, Soon.“
He winked, thumb sticking up at you, "Don’t mention it; just leave it to me HI PRINCESSES!”
“MR. DUMPLING!”
Despite being packed, work seemed to drag. you were totally jealous of the girls back at home, probably enjoying themselves to the fullest with the adult. Scanning item after item, cleaning up spills, and restocking empty shelves couldn’t keep your mind from straying, and wondering what they were up to.
With those thoughts came a few worries.
Could soonyoung make lunch, dinner? Would it be suiting their taste and their dietary needs? Would the siblings get along and not step their boundaries? Would they take the advantage of Soonyoung being a soft-hearted person and use it to their advantage? Would they sleep on time? Would they over snack? Maybe you should’ve properly explained to him about their routine before leaving for work
It was late when you finally clocked off, each muscle in your body seared with the amount of work you did in the past few hours. It was the first double shift you had worked in a long time, and you weren’t used to this. Your lids were threatening to fall over your eyes, and too fatigued to carry the weight of your purse, your body slumped. The word “exhausted” merely encompassed 1% of what you were currently going through.
The keys to the flat jingled within your hand as you struggled to place it inside the key hole. Once prying the door open, you stumbled inside with relieved sigh escaping your lips.
You were greeted with silence. You held your tongue and it’s urge to call out but you decided to investigate for yourself. A gasp caught itself upon witnessing the slumbering bodies huddled on the sofa. Soonyoung was sprawled out, mouth dropped open and emitting soft snores, Yunha tucked between the back cushions and his side, his left arm draped around her. Soobin cuddled on top of him, her small fists clenching the fabric of his shirt, while Soonyoung’s right hand rested protectively on her back.
It was a heartwarming sight, your insides fluttering with warmth and adoration.
And the surprise was far from over. After protecting the trio with a blanket, you padded into the kitchen to find a note on the fridge. You heart swelled to the point of bursting, opening the door and finding a wrapped up dinner plate loaded with leftovers just as the note promised, your name written on the foil.
November
Yunha meticulously watched your movements very carefully as the knife glazed over the icing. Soobin mimicked her sister, chin resting in the palms of her hands. Both their eyes glimmered with expectation for a certain young man.
You couldn’t believe that the oldest was going to be an eight-year-old. It only seemed like yesterday she was born, skin flushed and covered with tufts of mellow chocolate locks. She was always smiling, rarely cried, and nothing much had changed. She was still your source of happiness, filling the empty spaces in your heart and couldn’t be prouder of her.
Soobin looked up to her sister, and likewise, Yunha was always encouraging the younger to open up. She had turned six the month before, and had already grown so much since. Her beautiful hair now grown, Soobin almost looked like Yunha’s identical twin.
“Is Soonyoung coming tomorrow?”
You hummed, and lifted your shoulders with a shrug, “You can ask him.”
“No fair, he didn’t come to my birthday,” Soobin pouted disappointedly.
“He had classes to take baby girl. Don’t be sad after all he made up for it.”
“I wonder if he’ll teach me how to dance”
“I’m sure he would love to,” you told the thoughtful eight year old.
“I wanna learn too!”
“Maybe he’ll teach both of us!”
You smiled while adding the remaining designs of the birthday cake as they continued to chat. Your back was turned, securely placing the cake into the fridge when Soobin asked Yunha,
“What are you gonna wish for when you blow out the candles?”
“Hmm..
"I wished for Soonyoungie to be our daddy.”
You immediately froze in your place as you tried to contemplate the child’s thoughts
“Soobinnie, you’re not supposed to say your wish out loud! You’re so dumb.”
“I-I… I’m sorry!”
Your grip on the handle just became tighter as blood had started to rush to your face. Well what else did you expect of introducing a new male figure in their lives? You have been keeping your feelings for Soonyoung at bay because you didn’t want your children to be affected by it. But hearing this confession made you want to take all your concerns back and accept your feelings. After all they did like him very much. But why did the queasy feeling lurk around within your stomach?
You didn’t want to look like you were compensating for Seungcheol’s absence.
“Mommy?”
You turned in response to the small voice, forgetting to adjust the look of shock on your face “Hm?”
The children’s faces were confused and emanated vibes of guiltiness.
“Did… we do something wrong?”
Sinking your teeth into your lip, you looked between them alternately. They waited patiently, thin brows knitted with concern.
Finally, you shook your head, “No… No honey you’ve just spoken the truth.”
“Soobin, maybe keep your wish between the three of us, okay?”
Your daughter nodded obediently.
“It’s okay, you know?”
Your thoughts came to a halt as the boldness in your daughter’s voice startled you. When your gaze met her strong one, you couldn’t help but think that the girl talking to you was an eighteen year old. Wise beyond her age.
“There’s nothing wrong with liking a boy, Mom, especially Soonyoung. We can’t ever replace Daddy, so you shouldn’t stop yourself from loving anyone. We see how he makes you smile and how he feels shy around you. And plus daddy would be happy for you if you were happy”
With a satisfied grin, you take the girl into your embrace, silently thanking Cheol with blessing you with such mature angels.
December
You always thought the Christmas season was supposed to be cheerful, a glorious season of giving and glee with the coming holiday, but everyone had been so rude today. People were in a hurry, and you were lucky if you got a grumbling thank you before they went around demanding nonsensical thing which totally went over your head.
All you wanted to do was to go back home and stay with your children. Was it too much to ask for?
The elder daughter’s words hadn’t left your mind. They kept ringing as you still were slightly conflicted about accepting your feelings. As much as you would have loved to settle down with him, he has a career devoted to his passion for dancing and he practically had no experience in raising two kids. And what if later on in the relationship your children will not accept the idea of letting another man besides their dad share a room with you, hold your hands in the hallways, kiss you while you are cooking? It would practically shatter the situation and the girls would have to get over another heartbreak, which you wouldn’t even like to think about.
The hinges of the front door creaked and closed. You heard quiet footsteps padding across the hallway and a whispered call that broke you from your trance. Soonyoung stood over the threshold of the living room, hand on a hip and an endearing smirk ensconced on his lips. The green and red lights of the Christmas tree cast their soft hues against the side of his face, and colored his porcelain like cheekbones,
"Hey.”
“Hey.”
“Long day?”
You nodded your head, still distorted about the opinion,
“How did the Yunha and Soobin do?”
“They were amazing-as always. They have so much of energy within them and natural finesse. I can’t wait to see them flourish. It is a pleasure to have them as my students”
Your brows rose, and as if Soonyoung had caught what he’d said, his goofy grin faltered. His hand went around the back of his neck, rubbing the nape of his hairline. He cleared his throat and resumed a grin,
“Anyway, I just put them down… They should be awake.”
All you could hear was a barely audible response before you got up and walked towards their room. For a brief second, you heard the man standing amidst the Christmassy light sigh, which resulted in you chuckling.
Yunha was dozing, arms wrapped around her pillow in a tight hug. You gently stroked her glistening strands of hair before lightly pecking the side of her cheek and murmuring a good night. Soobin called out to you, a pair of big brown eyes scrutinizing you sleepily through the dim glow of the night-light. You sat beside her, showing affection to her just like her elder sibling,
“Hi baby had a good day?”
Soobin hummed, lids fluttering closed, “I got quickly learnt all the new steps for the routine.”
“Really sweerheart? that’s great. I’m glad you enjoy it”
“Mm-kay…. Momma?”
“Yes darling?”
“Soonyoung… asked Yunha and me if it was okay to take you somewhere… a date probably,” the little girl giggled, “He was funny when he asked that. But we said it was okayyy”
Your ministrations stopped as you gently coo, “Would you like that sweetheart? If Soonyoung took Mommy on a date?”
“Mhm… We love soonyoungie….you do too…”
You took a deep breath, and exhaled, "Yeah… I think I do.”
Soonyoung was still in the living room, trying to clear out the mess the girl’s had made. He runs his hand through his hair, setting the small strands aside to prevent blocking his vision, with a fond smile etched on his face.
“Soonyoung, you did not have to do that.”
His crescent like eyes glittered under the dim green lights as he says “It is no problem at all”
Your chest was tightening, your feet trembling due to fear and anticipation.
“Soonyoung.”
Soonyoung met your eyes again, brows crinkling. You were in front of him now, glassy irises staring into his. Your body leaned forward, arms linking around his neck with your face buried in the crook of his shoulder. He tensed, hands hesitantly raising to rest on your back, the warmth of his fingers percolating through your skin, to warm you already heated body.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done,” you whispered, pink dusting your cheekbones. “Thank you for sticking with us and make us whole again”
You pulled your head back, your tearful eyes examining his wide irises. Your heartbeat was rampant as your lips pressed against his and lingered there for an unknown number of seconds. Soonyoung’s lids slid closed, bringing you closer with his calloused fingers capturing the back of your head, nestled within your hair- eliminating any space left between you both. An electrifying sensation zapped down to your toes as lips moved in sync, his other hand trailing toward your hip to firmly squeeze, eliciting a sharp mewl into his mouth,
Your eyes remained shut, coming up for air and reveling in the feeling of his breath fondly caressing your blushing cheeks.
"Yunha and Soobin ratted me out right?”
You chuckled quietly, “Correct guess.”
Soonyoung contently sighed, head dipped exasperatingly.
“Kiss me again.”
It was either the soft red lights cast over his skin, or Soonyoung was furiously blushing, but he certainly eager. His confident smirk returning, he brought you back to his lips without any question.
“Guess it’s a date then?”
“Oh Yes.”
Author note: THIS IS THE LONGEST FIC I HAVE EVER WRITTEN. ANYONE UP FOR A DRABBLE CONTINUING THIS??;
