Long Hours

Earth's workload increases by the day, the demands of his job as an architect becoming relentless.

He's constantly bombarded with urgent deadlines, complicated projects, and client requests that seem to multiply overnight. It's not just about drawing up blueprints anymore-he's juggling client meetings, site visits, and endless revisions to designs that seem to never quite meet the client's vision.

As the days go on, staying late at the office becomes more frequent. What used to be occasional overtime turns into a regular occurrence, with Earth often being the last one to leave, long after his colleagues have gone home. Each night, as the office grows quieter and the sky outside darkens, Earth finds himself torn between finishing one more design and rushing out the door to pick up Edin on time. But, inevitably, work always wins, pulling him deeper into his responsibilities.

Worst of all, he knows that it's encroaching on his time with Edin. The moments he cherishes most-playing with his son after school, reading bedtime stories, or just listening to Edin talk excitedly about his day-are becoming increasingly rare.

At first, Earth manages to keep things under control. His days are a whirlwind of activity, but he stays focused, ensuring that no matter how busy work gets, he's always there to pick Edin up on time.

Earth dashes out of the office in the late afternoon, juggling phone calls and client emails on the go, but he always manages to make it to the preschool just before the doors close. Sometimes, he arrives with only a few minutes to spare, greeted by Mix's reassuring smile and Edin's eager hug. Earth tells himself that he's managing well, even if it feels like he's constantly racing against the clock.

Edin, on the other hand, never seems to notice the rush; he's just happy to see his dad, talking a mile a minute about his day as they walk to the car. Earth listens, exhaustion tugging at him, but he's grateful for these moments, knowing how important it is to be present for Edin.

But then, slowly, the delays start creeping in.

One evening, a client asks for an impromptu meeting that stretches far longer than expected. Earth checks the time anxiously, nodding along to the conversation, but his thoughts are already at the preschool, imagining Edin waiting.

When the meeting finally ends, Earth bolts for the door, but by the time he arrives, Edin is the last child there, sitting quietly with Mix, who waits patiently beside him.

"I'm sorry, buddy. Work took a little longer today," he explains softly, his voice full of regret. He ruffles Edin's hair, trying to reassure his son.

"That's okay, Daddy," Edin replies every time, his voice full of understanding that Earth doesn't deserve.

Edin, bless him, never complains, never asks why his dad is late. He simply grabs Earth's hand, ready to head home, as if nothing is wrong, but Earth can see it in his eyes-the subtle disappointment, the quiet confusion when all the other parents have already picked up their children, and he's still waiting.

And Mix has noticed the pattern too.

He doesn't say anything.

He knows parents have demanding schedules and tries to give Earth the benefit of the doubt. After all, he's seen plenty of parents rush in late before, juggling the same work-life balance that Earth struggles with. But as Earth's tardiness becomes more frequent-week after week, often the last parent to arrive-Mix can't help but pay closer attention.

He watches as Earth arrives just before closing time, apologizing to Edin, the same script repeating day after day. It's clear that Earth is trying his best, but the toll on him is apparent, etched in the lines of his face, the hurried way he moves. Mix feels a twinge of sympathy, but his focus shifts to Edin, who remains outwardly cheerful but shows subtle signs of something deeper.

During the day, Edin is always a bundle of energy and joy. He laughs with his classmates, eagerly participates in every activity, and often shares stories about his dad with the other kids, clearly proud of Earth.

Mix loves watching how happy Edin is-his excitement about learning, his curiosity about the world, the way he runs around the playground with boundless enthusiasm. But as the hours pass and the school day winds down, Mix starts to notice a shift in Edin. When the other children begin to leave, picked up by their parents or guardians, Edin's energy dims slightly.

While he never complains, Mix can see the quiet confusion settle in as Edin glances around the classroom, watching his friends go one by one. He often moves to the window, peering out, eyes scanning the parking lot for Earth's familiar car. Mix can sense the unspoken question in Edin's gaze-Why isn't Daddy here yet?-but the little boy never voices it.

Instead, Edin sits quietly by the window or plays alone with one of the toys, his usual excitement dialed down to a soft hum.

Still, Mix doesn't pry. He doesn't want to overstep or make assumptions about Earth's life. He knows how difficult it can be for parents, especially those raising children alone. But he can't help but feel a growing sense of concern for both father and son. So, for now, Mix simply keeps a close eye on Edin during those last moments of the day, making sure he's never truly alone.

He'll sit with Edin, engaging him in quiet conversation or offering to play a game, hoping to ease the waiting. Mix's presence seems to calm Edin, though it's obvious that the little boy is only ever fully happy when his dad finally walks through the door.

And then one day, everything comes crashing down.

Earth has been struggling to keep up with a particularly demanding project-an upscale residential building that requires his constant attention. It's been weeks of late nights and high-pressure meetings, but today is worse than usual. Just when he thinks he's got the design ready for presentation, the client calls in a frenzy, insisting on last-minute changes.

Earth's heart sinks. He knows these revisions will take hours, but the client is adamant. Earth buries himself in the work, his eyes fixed on his computer screen, fingers flying across the keyboard as he updates the design. He tunes out everything around him, hyper-focused on getting the changes done before the deadline.

Time slips away unnoticed. By the time Earth finally leans back in his chair, stretching his tired muscles and glancing at the clock, his stomach drops. It's already well past the time he's supposed to pick Edin up from preschool-nearly an hour late.

A wave of panic hits him like a punch to the gut. His heart races as he grabs his phone from the desk, checking the traffic app with trembling hands. He prays that somehow, miraculously, he'll make it to the preschool quickly. But instead of relief, he's met with a string of red lines blinking back at him. There's been a massive accident on his usual route, blocking almost the entire road.

Earth curses under his breath, running a hand through his hair in frustration. The guilt surges in his chest, tightening like a vice around his heart.

How did it get this bad?

He wants to pick up the phone, to call the preschool or Mix, but something stops him. He knows how terrible it looks.

This isn't the first time he's been late, and Mix has already been more than understanding. But an hour? He doesn't want to hear the disappointment in Mix's voice or, worse, imagine Edin waiting there alone, confused and wondering why his dad hasn't come.

He grabs his keys and bolts out of the office, racing to his car, his mind spinning. He feels helpless, trapped by circumstances he can't control.

As he sits in his car, stuck in the gridlock of evening traffic, the minutes tick by painfully slow. Earth grips the steering wheel, trying to will the cars to move faster, his heart aching with the knowledge that Edin is waiting for him, probably scared, and maybe even thinking Earth forgot him. The thought of Edin sitting alone makes Earth's chest tighten even more. It's the last thing he ever wanted for his son. He swore to himself that no matter how hard things got after the separation from Edin's mom, he would always be there for Edin.

And yet, here he is, failing to do the one thing that matters most-being present.

Meanwhile, at the preschool, Mix watches as the sun begins to dip below the horizon. The once-bustling classroom is now eerily quiet, with only Edin left, sitting at a small table, scribbling on a piece of paper. Edin remains cheerful, but Mix can tell he's growing more anxious as the minutes tick by. It's well past the time Earth usually arrives, and Edin glances at the door every now and then, hoping to see his dad walk through it.

Trying to keep things light, Mix moves over to the table and sits beside Edin. He watches as the boy adds a bright blue monster to the corner of his paper, its arms stretching wide in a playful pose.

"That's a pretty cool monster," Mix says softly, hoping to engage Edin and distract him from the growing silence. "What's this one's story?"

Edin looks up briefly, offering a small smile before focusing on his drawing again.

"It's a monster like the one we painted last week," he explains, his voice steady but quieter than usual. He points to the blue creature with his crayon. "He's waiting for his dad to come home."

Mix's heart aches at the comment. Edin's innocent words hit harder than they should, and it's clear the boy is worried, even if he doesn't fully understand why his dad is late.

"Your dad will be here soon, Edin. Don't worry," Mix reassures him, though he's not sure how much longer they'll have to wait.

He doesn't want Edin to feel abandoned or scared, so he does his best to keep the boy entertained, pulling out more paper for drawing and even starting a quiet game of "I Spy."

As the minutes drag on, Edin's eyes grow heavier, and he leans against Mix, yawning softly. "I hope Daddy's okay," Edin murmurs, his words tinged with the fatigue that's starting to set in. He's always so energetic during the day, but the long wait is beginning to wear on him.

Mix places a comforting hand on Edin's shoulder, smiling gently. "He'll be here, Edin. Maybe he's just a little late because of work, but I'm sure he's on his way."

Finally, after what feels like forever, Earth pulls into the parking lot of the preschool. His heart is pounding as he jumps out of the car and rushes toward the door. As he steps inside, he immediately spots Mix sitting at the table with Edin, who is now resting his head on his arms, half-asleep.

The sight hits Earth like a punch to the gut. His son, exhausted and waiting for him, while Mix has stayed behind, taking care of him. He feels an overwhelming sense of failure, but before he can get lost in his guilt, Mix looks up, offering him a kind, understanding smile.

"You made it," Mix says softly, so as not to disturb Edin. "He's okay-just tired from the wait."

Earth exhales a breath he didn't realize he was holding.

"I'm so sorry," he says, his voice thick with regret. "I should've been here. It's just... work, and-"

Mix shakes his head, his smile still gentle. "It's alright. I understand. Whatever is that, I know you're doing the best you can."

Earth kneels beside Edin, stroking his son's hair as he sleeps. "I just feel like I'm failing him," he admits quietly, the weight of his words hanging between them.

"You're not," Mix reassures him. "He's a happy kid, and he talks about you all the time. He knows you love him."

Earth nods, though the guilt still lingers. He looks up at Mix, his gratitude clear in his eyes. "Thank you. For staying with him."

"Of course," Mix replies, his voice soft but sincere. "He's a great kid. I'm happy to help."

As Earth gently lifts Edin into his arms, the little boy stirs, blinking sleepily. "Daddy?" he mumbles, his voice thick with drowsiness.

"I'm here, buddy," Earth whispers, pressing a kiss to Edin's forehead. "Let's get you home."

Earth insists on giving Mix a ride home after their late night at the preschool. Mix hesitates at first, clearly not wanting to impose, but Earth is adamant. He feels responsible for making Mix stay late and sees this as the least he can do to show his appreciation. After a brief back-and-forth, Mix finally agrees with a shy smile, tidying up the classroom before locking the door behind him.

As they head to the car, Earth straps a now fully asleep Edin into the front passenger seat, making sure his seatbelt is secure. Then, in a rare gesture of formality, he walks around to the passenger side and opens the door for Mix.

Mix looks surprised but smiles softly, mumbling a quiet "thank you" as he climbs into the car. Once everyone is settled in, Earth starts the engine and asks for Mix's address.

The first few minutes of the drive are wrapped in comfortable silence, with only the soft sounds of Edin's steady breathing breaking through. Earth glances at the rearview mirror, catching Mix staring quietly out the window, lost in thought. The quiet becomes too much for Earth, though, and he clears his throat, nervously starting a conversation. "So... umm... how long have you been teaching?" His voice is hesitant, unsure of how to fill the silence.

Mix seems caught off guard by the sudden question, blinking as he shifts in his seat. "Oh, umm... I'm actually pretty new. About two years now."

Earth raises his brows in surprise. "Really? Never would've guessed. You handle the kids-and the parents-like you've been doing it all your life."

A soft blush creeps onto Mix's cheeks at the compliment, and he ducks his head slightly. "Thank you," he murmurs. "I appreciate that.. And you? I'm guessing you're an architect?"

Earth's head tilts in curiosity. "How'd you know?"

Mix chuckles, holding up his hands defensively. "Don't worry, I'm not a stalker," he jokes, earning a laugh from Earth. "Edin told me. He said, 'Daddy likes to draw houses and buildings, and they're so pretty.'"

Earth laughs at his son's words, warmth spreading through his chest. "Well, he's a charmer, that one."

"He really is," Mix agrees, his tone light. "And he's got your artistic talent too. He's an artist."

Earth smiles, though a tinge of worry flickers behind his eyes.

"I hope he doesn't follow in my footsteps too closely. Architecture's a pain in the ass," he jokes, but his voice carries an undercurrent of weariness. After a brief pause, he adds, "What's worse is being left alone to raise a kid by yourself."

There's a heavy silence after that, and Earth realizes a moment too late that his joke landed awkwardly. He glances in the rearview mirror again, noticing that Mix's expression has changed, his brow furrowed with concern.

"She left?" Mix asks, his voice soft but laced with surprise-and maybe a hint of anger. "I'm sorry... I thought you were co-parenting."

Earth lets out a dry laugh, trying to shake off the heaviness of the moment. "I wish it were like that," he says, his voice light but strained. "But no, she's... out of the picture."

The silence that follows is different now, weightier.

Mix shifts in his seat, his gaze moving to Edin, who's still sound asleep in the front. There's a look in Mix's eyes, a deep sadness mixed with admiration. "It's her loss," Mix says quietly, almost to himself. "Edin's a great kid. She's missing out."

Earth's heart swells at the words, and he glances over at Mix, feeling grateful in a way that he can't quite express. They soon pull up outside what Earth assumes is Mix's apartment, following the directions on the map. He's about to get out and open the door for Mix again, but before he can, Mix is already unbuckling and slipping out of the car.

"Thanks for the ride," Mix says with a small wave. "Take care and good night, Earth."

"Good night, Mix," Earth replies, watching as Mix walks toward his building.

He waits, sitting in the car, until Mix disappears safely inside. Only then does Earth shift the car into gear, heading home with Edin, feeling lighter than he has in a long time.

When they get home, Earth carefully changes Edin into his pajamas and tucks him into bed. "We'll eat dinner when you wake up, okay?" he whispers, brushing Edin's hair back from his forehead.

Edin stirs, his eyes fluttering open. He looks around, taking in the familiar sight of his room, and a sleepy smile spreads across his face. "Where's Teacher Mix?" he asks, his voice soft and innocent. Earth smiles, tucking the blanket around him more snugly. "He's at his house now, bud."

"Oh, okay," Edin mumbles, turning onto his side, clutching the nearby pillow. "Teacher Mix is really nice, Daddy. He helps me with my drawings, and he tells the best stories."

Hearing Edin talk about Mix warms Earth's heart, a small smile tugging at his lips. "I'm glad you like him, buddy. He seems like a really great teacher."

Edin nods, his smile sleepy but genuine. "He is. He said he likes the robot I drew yesterday. He even said we could paint it next week."

"That sounds amazing," Earth says softly, his chest swelling with affection. "I can't wait to see it."

Edin yawns, his eyes drifting shut again, his face relaxed and peaceful. He buries his face into his pillow, the weight of sleep taking over. Earth stands by the bedside for a moment longer, watching his son. The guilt still lingers, but he makes a mental note that tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow, he'll start making amends.

The guilt still lingers, but he makes a mental note that tomorrow will be different. Tomorrow, he'll start making amends.

It's the least Edin deserves.

The next morning, Earth wakes up just as the first light of dawn seeps through the curtains. For once, he feels calm, with no need to rush.

He pads into the kitchen, determined to make a special breakfast for Edin. He cracks a few eggs into a hot pan, whisking them gently. As they cook, he carefully watches them, knowing exactly how Edin likes them-soft and fluffy, the way he always asks for.

With the eggs done, Earth moves on to the bacon. He lays the strips on the skillet, and the familiar sizzle fills the air, accompanied by the rich, smoky aroma. The sausages go in next, their golden-brown skins crackling as they fry beside the bacon. The smell of breakfast is already filling the house, and Earth feels a sense of satisfaction as he prepares everything with extra care.

After checking on the food, he starts on Edin's smoothie.

He tosses a few ripe bananas and strawberries into the blender, adding a spoonful of yogurt to make it creamy. The blender hums to life, mixing the fruits into a vibrant pink concoction. Earth pours the smoothie into a glass, setting it next to Edin's plate just as he hears a small voice from the living room.

"Daddy?" Edin's voice is soft, still thick with sleep.

Earth looks up to see his son padding into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes and yawning. His hair is sticking up in all directions, a sign of a good night's sleep.

"Good morning, bud," Earth greets warmly, smiling as he places the smoothie on the table.

"Good morning, Daddy," Edin mumbles, still half-asleep but drawn toward the kitchen by the smell of breakfast. "Mmm, that smells good," he says, voice perking up as he stretches, arms reaching above his head in one final yawn.

Edin climbs up into his chair, his eyes lighting up when he sees the spread before him. "Wow!" he exclaims, his sleepy demeanor quickly fading. "It looks so yummy! I want some!"

Earth chuckles at Edin's excitement, grabbing a plate and serving him a generous helping of eggs, bacon, and sausage.

Edin wastes no time, immediately digging in. The minute he takes a bite of sausage, his feet start kicking under the table in a little happy dance.

"Thank you, Daddy," Edin says between bites, his mouth full of food. He spears another piece of sausage with his fork and holds it out toward Earth. "Biteee," he singsongs playfully.

Earth's heart melts at the gesture. He leans forward, opening his mouth and taking the bite his son offers.

"Mmm, yum!" he says, mimicking Edin's earlier enthusiasm. His son giggles, the sound warm and infectious.

After breakfast, they start getting ready for the day. Earth helps Edin with his clothes, carefully buttoning up his shirt and making sure his backpack is packed. He runs a comb through Edin's slightly wet hair, smoothing it down before telling him to wait while he finishes getting himself ready.

"Okay!" Edin squirms with excitement as he waits patiently, bouncing in place as Earth finishes getting ready himself.

Once Earth is dressed and ready to go, he grabs his keys and is just about to head out the door when something clicks in his mind. "Oh, I forgot your socks!" he says, turning toward the bedroom to grab a pair, but before he can move, Edin stops him.

"All done, Dad!" Edin announces proudly.

Earth turns to see his son sitting on the floor, socks already on, shoes laced up-well, sort of. The laces are tied in a messy knot rather than a neat bow, but Earth can't help but feel a surge of pride at Edin's independence.

Crouching down beside him, Earth gently unties the knot and redoes the laces properly. "Wow, you truly are a big boy now," he says, smiling as he looks at Edin's beaming face.

"Teacher Mix taught me how to put on my socks and tie my shoelaces yesterday," Edin says proudly, his chest puffing out with the excitement of sharing his accomplishment.

Earth's heart swells as he hears this. "Oh, really?"

"Yes!" Edin nods enthusiastically. "He told me that Daddy can sometimes be busy, and if I learn how to put on my socks and tie my laces, I can help Daddy more!"

Earth gulps, a lump forming in his throat as the words hit him. He blinks rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay. Edin's simple, innocent statement makes his heart ache with a mix of pride and guilt. But more than anything, he feels overwhelming gratitude-for Mix, for Edin's thoughtfulness, and for this quiet moment of connection.

Instead of letting the emotion overtake him, he pulls Edin into a tight hug. "Good job, honey," Earth whispers, his voice thick with emotion.

Earth doesn't know how to express the depth of his gratitude for Mix.

It's not just the little things, like teaching Edin to tie his shoes-it's the way Mix quietly supports him, helping Edin learn to be more independent in a way that never feels intrusive. Mix knows Earth struggles with balancing work and parenting, but he's never nosy or judgmental. Instead, he steps in with simple, thoughtful gestures that make Earth's life a little easier.

As Earth stands up and grabs their bags, his heart feels full. He doesn't know how he'll ever fully express his gratitude to Mix, but he knows one thing for sure: all he can do is promise himself to show his appreciation in whatever way he can.

:thank you for still checking this out! please let me know how's this one. jubjub~