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Cale: pspspsps I have ptsd pspspsps.
Oh: what?
Cale: I said pspspsps.
Oh: no, you said that you have PTSD.
*Cale starts running*
If the next day Cale gives more sweets and pats to the kids, it's only between him and his (the claim felt so natural to him) children.
I feel like Cale would have a blank face with mildly wide open eyes if the kids were to call him dad. Raon would fumble with the words a little because while he considers him his father, he still feels shy about being so open about it. Hong is beet red while shouting in a mix of embarrassment and excitement about proclaiming this to his dad’s face. On would say it a bit quietly but steadily, glancing away for a second before maintaining eye contact because she wants him to know they mean it. She looks almost unfazed but there’s a slight red on her ear. They see Cale have a blank look on his face and know it’s because he’s an idiot and needs a moment to process. Which is absolutely right because he’s like ‘me? Dad? Where did they get that idea? Well, not that i mind, but– when did this development happen?
And he’s close to saying they should not call him that if they feel weird about it, but he sees the genuine excitement on the boys’ faces, and the fond determination on On’s face that seems to know his turmoil and tells him that yes they mean it and no this doesn’t feel weird it feels liberating and suddenly he can’t say anything. He just pats each of their heads before letting them fall into his arms in a warm embrace.
Because children should be happy.
And his kids will be happy for as long as he can make it so.
So if calling him ‘dad’ makes them feel like this, he’s okay with it.
(He’s more than okay with it)
He ignores the way his chest feels. Because that’s not important right now.
What’s important is that On started sniffling like she was about to cry.
That was new. On had never made such an expression. She seemed happy and relieved.
Like the weight she had been carrying as the older sister that was thrown away by her home was finally lifted from her small shoulders. The usual serious expression was gone.
And Cale hugged her tighter. He ignored the way his arms trembled from the effort. So did the kids.
Because children should feel like children.
And On was feeling like a kid again.
And her siblings were right there with her.
With their dad.
With this large yet little family of theirs.
In their own corner of the world.