resident dad

“if you had, i wouldn’t be so surprised that you were fluent,” she scoffed, wrapping her arms around his shoulders. “you’re ridiculous– why did you need my help with korean when we met? were you just pretending to not speak it to get close to me?” 

he put his arm around her waist, still concerned as he looked over at her-- he was a little worried that she was genuinely upset with him. “i was flustered,” he answered. “i had just run right into haze’s ahreum, and made both of us drop everything we were holding. i was kind of panicking. no pretending or false pretenses--honest.”

“thanks…” he muttered, admittedly a bit embarrassed that he needed to be babied by some kpop girl’s manager. he could do a frog splash off of a crane with no fear, but being on camera with a bunch of idols made him want to throw up. “okay so…songyi– that’s the one with pigtails, right? and biyi is the one with glasses?” he had to be sure. it would be so embarrassing to mess that up on camera.

he sighed, nodding. “biyi has the glasses, yes. she’s the lead and one of the main vocalists, and a former member of deviant. songyi is the maknae, and recently was a finalist on idol project. she’s in coven too now,” he explained. “there, now you have tons of material to work with so you look like you know what you’re doing, too.”

she sighed, giving him a little half hug. “i’ll do my best. i’ll share what i deem to be necessary, okay? i get you’re worried, but you just need to like….not take it too far.”

“i’ll try to keep my cool, okay? i don’t want to cross any of your boundaries,” he finally conceded, hugging her back. “just... if anything ever turns and you need help, you know i’m here...”

she burst into laughter, looking at him incredulously. “westley, you’ve never spoken korean around me! i thought you were just one of their international managers or something!” she answered, getting off the stool so she could playfully shove him. “this whole time i’ve been limping through my english to try to talk to you, and you knew korean?”

“i... haven’t?” he asked, befuddled. he was certain it would have slipped out before now at least once. he blushed, letting her shove him. “i thought you wanted to practice or something! like...you had someone who could help you with it so you wanted it to get better.... are you sure i’ve never used korean around you before now? i could have sworn....”

“and i’d like to be able to be happy with the man i love, while pursuing the career of my dreams. and, as an adult woman with agency to make her own decisions, i’m going to do that,” she answered.

“i guess i can respect that,” wes answered softly, offering her a smile. “can you at least promise me you’ll keep me in the loop? i...i trust you. i just still want to keep you safe.”

she smiled warmly, looping an arm through his to lead him down the aisle. “of course– i’m happy to help,” she answered. “what brings you to seoul?”

his eyes widened a little, heart fluttering as he smiled at her. “um.... work,” he answered, letting her lead. “i work with new age media, the idol company. with terra,” he explained.

“i know you’re happy! i just also know you’d make a great dad is all. and if i can nudge fate, i’m gonna…”

“focus on your choreography first, mija. you were out of sync during that last run of why not,” he retorted, desperately trying to change the subject

“i promise, if i was hurt, i would let you know,” she laughed, placing a comforting hand on his forearm. he looked like he needed it. “it was just a little knock. i wouldn’t exactly call you a bull in a china shop, either. i’m just fine.”

“do you need help finding the ginger? i saw it a couple aisles back,” she offered. “i have everything i need– i’d be happy helping you with your list.” if he couldn’t speak korean, he was probably so lost.

“as long as you’re sure,” he insisted once more, sheepishly adjusting his grip on the groceries he’d picked back up. “i......i mean, that would be appreciated, sure,” he answered her. the store had been rearranged recently. he could probably find it on his own, but if she went here more, she probably knew where it was.

“i debuted almost four years ago. there hasn’t even been a rumor about me potentially having a boyfriend. i’m being sufficiently cautious,” she insisted firmly. “i’m being careful. i appreciate you wanting to see me well, but i’m an adult. i can handle this.”

“i just want you to be safe,” he said. “i trust you, but i don’t trust him. and i... i’d rather make sure things are okay now and protect you now, then it be too late later.”

“yeah, i got it. i’m literally holding it,” kisu assured him, rubbing his arm awkwardly. “i don’t know what you mean about personal assistant, though? i have a make up artist here and my manager. that’s it. neither of them have time to be holding up scripts.”

“yeah, well, i guess i’m glad you’re thinking of others for once, then,” wes answered shortly. he couldn’t help it. he really didn’t like this kid. “i’ll see you on set, then.”

“you know…. big groups typically have more than one manager…” mija began, tapping her bottom lip. “if you found… a wife or something, i bet new age could help you figure out a work-life balance…. we should really find you a girlfriend…”

wes sighed deeply. “not this again,” he mumbled with an eyeroll. “i appreciate the thought very much, mija, but i don’t need you girls playing matchmaker, okay? if it’s meant to happen, it will happen. and if not, i’m plenty happy. i’m in a good place in my life, i promise.”