kindergarten teacher!tae + single mom oc
“Here. If you twist it that way you’ll finish the first side. No—that way—yeah like that. Perfect! See? You did that all on your own.”
“You helped me though.” Bona sounds exhausted in that wise baby way when she knows you’re lying to her. She still smiles like she holds the plastic equivalent of absolute accomplishment.
Taehyung looks at her the way you do; full of that curious and bothered wonder. He looks confused. “Yeah but I’m not the one working the Rubik’s cube like a pro.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” you come in, umbrella seeping next to your heels and you think Taehyung startles but now there’s a tiny being clinging to your knees.
“Hey baby.” You pet her head when she snuggles a little further into your crotch. Taehyung takes tiny steps towards what he probably thinks is a tender moment but the crown of Bona’s head is really bony for no reason and it hurts. “Thanks again Taehyung.”
It still feels weird on your tongue. He’d pulled the please don’t call me that I feel old for no reason card two days ago but the need to hide from his kindness is just second nature at this point. He’s sweet but everyone is until they’re… not. Your daughter might just be the only exceptions. She has no mean bone in her body; the other day she’d accused you of martyr after you suggested you kill the spider bothering her while she brushed her teeth. She just picked it up herself and let it out the window while you gaped.
“It’s no problem, Bona is very sweet. Also I discovered that she’s pretty dexterous, you might wanna watch for those Rubik’s competitions coming up.”
“I have no idea! But people are weird like that so they probably do.”
“Mama you’re wet.” Bona looks up with tired eyes, “Get dry.”
“I can’t do that if you’re stuck to me like that, bunny.”
“You said I was wet! I can hug you when I’m home and I can get dry.”
Bona pouts, and stays still.
“Now go say bye to Mr. Kim and say thank you.”
“Thank you Mr. Kim.” But she stares at you, rooted in her spot. You look at Taehyung who’s trying not to laugh, ears red and lips mum looking at this tiny display of defiance just because she wants to hug her mom. And it’s lighting up all the motherly instincts in you to just get your little baby in your arms but she’s being extra and you’re kinda tired trying not to laugh either.
“Bona, say bye properly.”
She turns around with a heavy heel. “Bye Mr. Kim.”
“See you tomorrow, okay?”
“Get your bag and jacket,” you order. When she runs to the cubbies at the back, Taehyung steps closer.
You shrug. “Busy. One of the lawyers got mad because I didn’t buzz him in.”
“You didn’t buzz him in?”
“He’s a lawyer, he has access to any room he wants to go in, god. But lawyers are stingy and annoying. Whatever.” There’s a part in you that almost apologizes for oversharing—again, might you add, because he seems to keep your mouth running recently—but he just smiles.
“I am,” you answer. He fiddles with his thumbs like he’s nervous. “Thanks again Taehyung, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
“I don’t mind staying an extra hour. I have to clean up anyway. Plus Bona is so cute, she called me a poo poo head because I threw out the juice box she was supposed to throw out first.”
“God.” You’d rather she call him a shithead because then at least he might find you somewhat funny. He still laughs though. “Sorry.”
“Don’t worry about it. I’m gonna go red in the face saying that so stop being sorry, I want to help you.”
“I mean it.” He steps even closer. Your toes touch. “I’m here to help you and Bona. I know it’s—probably weird letting yourself… trust someone—or, no. Letting me help you I guess. No I’m choosing the wrong words—“
“I just want you to know that I’m here for you.” You pause at that. “I—sorry. It’s weird. But I can see how hard you work for her and it’s… great. She loves you so much, doesn’t stop talking about you. And if someone as great as her is letting me help her then I wouldn’t be able to live if I didn’t help the very reason why she’s grown to be so great.”
“Mama!” Bona comes bounding, jacket wrongly buttoned and she sticks to your leg, wet and all. “‘M ready.”
“Okay bunny. Let’s go.” You keep her hand tight in yours, and maybe it’s just that you’re trying not to tremble. Your heart was beating so fast you could feel your chest start to cave in. “Thank you, Taehyung. Really.”
He grins. “You’re welcome. Really.”
