Episode 3: A Sleepover Emergency

After Jiwoo's comment, dinner became painfully awkward.

Minho focused very hard on his food.

Taehyun focused very hard on his water.

And Jiwoo focused very hard on trying not to laugh.

After dinner, Jiwoo dragged Minho upstairs.

"Come see my room!"

Before either adult could object, he was already pulling Minho away.

Taehyun sighed and followed.

Jiwoo's room was filled with toys, books, and stuffed animals.

One particular stuffed rabbit sat proudly on the bed.

"Mr. Carrot!" Jiwoo announced.

Minho picked it up.

"Mr. Carrot?"

"He protects me from monsters."

"I see."

"He's very brave."

Minho nodded seriously.

"Then I'm honored to meet him."

Jiwoo beamed.

For the next hour, Minho listened to stories about every toy in the room.

Taehyun stood quietly nearby.

Watching.

Listening.

It had been a long time since he had seen Jiwoo this happy.

Usually, after work, he was exhausted.

Even when he spent time with his son, there was always work waiting.

But tonight...

The house felt alive.

Warm.

Comfortable.

Like a real home.

And somehow, Minho was at the center of it.

Suddenly Jiwoo yawned.

A huge yawn.

Then another.

His eyes were already closing.

"Looks like someone's sleepy," Minho said.

"I'm not."

Yawn.

"You definitely are."

"I'm strong."

Yawn.

"Very strong."

Yawn.

Taehyun raised an eyebrow.

Jiwoo glared at both adults.

Then promptly fell sideways onto his bed.

Minho laughed softly.

Together, he and Taehyun helped tuck Jiwoo into bed.

The little boy clung to Minho's hand.

"Teacher Lee."

"Yes?"

"Don't go."

Minho's heart melted instantly.

"Jiwoo..."

The child looked half-asleep.

"Stay."

Before Minho could answer, Jiwoo's grip loosened.

He had already fallen asleep.

The room became quiet.

Very quiet.

Minho carefully stood up.

"He really is adorable."

A small smile appeared on Taehyun's face.

"He gets that from his mother."

The smile faded slightly.

Minho paused.

This was the first time Taehyun had mentioned her.

"I'm sorry."

Taehyun shook his head.

"She passed away when Jiwoo was a baby."

Minho's chest tightened.

Now he understood.

The loneliness in the large house.

The tired look in Taehyun's eyes.

The way Jiwoo always wanted more family around him.

Taehyun had been carrying everything alone.

For years.

As they quietly left the room, a sudden clap of thunder echoed outside.

BOOM!

A second later, the lights flickered.

Then—

Darkness.

The entire house lost power.

A loud cry immediately came from upstairs.

"DADDYYYYY!"

"Jiwoo!"

Taehyun and Minho ran back to the room.

They found Jiwoo sitting upright in bed, tears in his eyes.

The little boy threw himself forward.

Without thinking, he wrapped his arms around both of them.

"I'm scared!"

Minho hugged him immediately.

"It's okay."

"We're here," Taehyun added.

Jiwoo buried his face between them.

After a few moments, he calmed down.

Then, in a tiny sleepy voice, he whispered:

"Can you both stay tonight?"

The two adults froze.

Jiwoo looked up hopefully.

"If both of you stay... I won't be scared anymore."

Neither Minho nor Taehyun knew how to answer.

But one thing was certain.

Saying no to Jiwoo was becoming impossible.

To Be Continued... ❤️🌙👨‍👨‍👦✨

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