Unexpected Things

As the afternoon sun starts to dip, casting long shadows across the room, Mix moves through the now quiet classroom with a calm efficiency.

The once chaotic space, filled with laughter and the energetic shuffling of little feet, has dwindled down to a handful of children, their voices softer, their energy fading with the day.

Mix bends down, picking up small building blocks and scattered crayons, placing them neatly back into their bins. He moves to the tiny chairs, arranging them in neat rows, his hands moving automatically as his mind briefly drifts to the long night ahead of him. The reports and documents waiting for him at home seem to loom larger in his thoughts with every passing second. But he pushes that aside for now, focusing on tidying up the remnants of the day.

Just as he reaches for a stray toy car, a small voice pipes up, breaking the quiet rhythm of the room.

"I'll help you, Teacher Mix!" Edin’s voice is soft but determined, and when Mix glances over, he sees the little boy already reaching for a toy just out of his own reach.

Mix can’t help but smile, a warmth spreading through his chest at the sight. Edin’s always been eager to help, even when it means doing something as simple as putting toys away.

"Thank you for helping, Edin," Mix says gently, his voice full of appreciation as they place the last of the toys back into the cabinet.

He watches as Edin, so small yet so earnest, handles the task with the seriousness of someone much older. There's something heartwarming about his dedication—this tiny child, so willing to lend a hand without being asked. But as they finish, the room now looking pristine once more, Mix can’t ignore the fact that Edin is still here. His small figure stands in the middle of the empty classroom, the last to be picked up again.

A flicker of concern passes through Mix as he glances at the clock on the wall. The other children have long since gone home, scooped up by their parents, leaving Edin the only one left behind.

Still, it’s early yet.

Mix knows he can wait if he has to, but those reports and documents waiting for him at home gnaw at the back of his mind, a silent reminder of the workload he’ll have to tackle once he’s off the clock. He checks his watch—a reflex—before his gaze returns to Edin, standing there with his usual sweet expression, completely unbothered by the delay.

“Let’s sit down for a bit,” Mix says, trying to keep his voice light, though his mind is already making a mental list of how much work he’ll have to cram into the night ahead. Edin nods eagerly, climbing onto one of the chairs Mix had just arranged, his little legs swinging as he settles in.

For a moment, the room is quiet again, save for the soft ticking of the clock on the wall. Mix watches Edin, feeling a strange mixture of affection and concern swirl in his chest.

"Edin is not sad, Teacher Mix," Edin says suddenly, his voice soft but filled with a childlike clarity that stops Mix in his tracks. He looks over to see Edin smiling up at him, his small face so pure and genuine. It's as if the boy had sensed the concern that Mix was trying to hide behind his calm demeanor.

Mix feels a rush of emotion at Edin’s words.

How could someone so small, so young, have such a deep understanding of what’s happening around him?

It's not the first time Edin has caught him off guard with his perceptiveness. But this time, it's different. There's something in the way Edin looks at him now, as if the boy is not just thinking of himself, but of his father—of Earth, the man who, despite everything, is clearly the center of Edin’s world.

"Edin is just worried," the little boy continues, his tone thoughtful as if he's really trying to piece it all together in his mind. "Maybe Daddy got eaten by monsters on the way here. I hope he's safe."

Mix’s heart swells at the simple, innocent logic. The fact that Edin could take his father’s tardiness and turn it into something out of a fantastical story—something he could process in his own way—makes Mix feel a pang of both admiration and protectiveness.

He sits down beside Edin, unable to stop the small smile that pulls at his lips.

What kind of child thinks of monsters instead of blaming someone or getting upset?

Edin does.

The child who turns the ordinary into the extraordinary, who sees the world through a lens of wonder rather than frustration.

"Monsters, huh?" Mix echoes, leaning slightly closer to Edin, playing along with the narrative that the boy has spun.

"But Daddy is strong, Edin," he adds, his voice warm, reassuring. "I'm sure he’ll fight off those monsters and make it here safe and sound."

Edin’s eyes widen a little at the suggestion, and then his face lights up with that same, genuine smile that melts Mix’s heart every single time.

“Yeah!” Edin chirps, his confidence returning as if Mix’s words had unlocked a well of courage within him. “Daddy can beat anything! He’s the best!”

Mix nods, unable to look away from the boy. There’s something about Edin that just gets to him—the way he sees the world, the way he believes so fully in the strength of his father. It’s moments like these that make Mix marvel at how much love and care Earth has put into raising his son. Edin is not just a good kid; he’s a great one, the kind that makes you believe the world might just be okay after all.

Mix runs a hand through his hair, debating his next move. He can't leave Edin here, alone in the empty school, waiting indefinitely. He doesn’t want to alarm the boy either.

He makes up his mind.

I'll take him home with me.

“Edin,” Mix says softly, crouching down beside the little boy. “How about we head to my place for a bit? We can wait for your daddy there, and I’ll make us something yummy while we wait.”

Edin looks up, his big, trusting eyes blinking at Mix. “Okay, Teacher Mix. I want to see your house!”

“Oh, yeah?” Mix says, chuckling at Edin's enthusiasm.

With Edin’s tiny hand in his, they leave the preschool behind.

They took a taxi on the way to Mix's apartment. Edin seems perfectly content, chattering away about his drawing earlier at class. His small voice fills the silence between them, and Mix listens intently, nodding and smiling at all the right moments, though his mind is still preoccupied with thoughts of Earth.

When they finally reach Mix’s apartment, the door clicks open to reveal a small, cozy space. It’s warm inside, the air carrying the faint scent of books and vanilla.

Edin’s eyes widen as he steps in, taking in the shelves lined with books, the soft, cushioned couch, and the neat but homey feel of the place. “Wow,” Edin whispers, his voice full of wonder. “This is your house?”

Mix chuckles, his heart softening at the boy’s innocence. “Yep, this is my place."

"It's very nice, Teacher." Edin says, mouth agape, as he checks out almost every corner of Mix's room.

"Here. I have some of these." Mix says, as he reaches for crayons and a sketchpad from a nearby cabinet. Edin automatically smiles as he sees the art materials. "You can draw while I get you something to snack on.”

Edin nods and sets himself up at the coffee table, quickly sprawling the crayon on the table. Mix watches him for a moment, admiring how adaptable Edin is—so resilient, so sweet.

He heads to the kitchen, rummaging for snacks while keeping an ear on the little boy in the living room. He makes a mental note to call Earth, as soon as possible. To let him know that Edin's at his care. As he slices an apple and arranges some crackers on a plate, his phone buzzes on the counter.

He peeks at it and sees that it's an unregistered number. Thinking that it might be important, Mix answers it quickly. “Hello?"

“Mix,” a familiar voice comes through, breathless and panicked. “I’m so sorry. I—work, and traffic—at this point I don't know if my excuses makes sense."

“Hey, chill. Everything's fine.” Mix says, keeping his voice calm.

"I'm in my car now, then I'll be on my way." Earth informs Mix, the rustling of things can be heard on the background, indicating Earth is shoving stuff in the need to hurry.

“About that.." Mix says biting his lip as he turns to check on Edin. "I was about to call you to let you know that he’s here with me, at my apartment. We didn’t want to stay at the school too late. I hope that's fine."

There’s a pause on the other end, and Mix can almost hear the wave of embarrassment and guilt washing over Earth.

“Thank you,” Earth breathes, the words heavy with relief. “I'll be there, asap.”

“Take your time,” Mix says, his eyes drifting to Edin, who is humming softly to himself as he draws. “We’re doing just fine.”

Mix hangs up and lets out a breath he didn’t realize he was holding. He thought Earth might be offended at his sudden intrusion--bringing Edin at his house and forgetting to call Earth about it. He breathes another sigh as he carries the snack plate over to Edin, who beams up at him, excited for the treat.

“Apple slices!” Edin exclaims, grabbing one eagerly. “Thank you, Teacher Mix.”

Mix smiles, settling down next to him. “You’re welcome, buddy. Do you want to tell me about your drawing?”

The next half hour passes in a blur of stories and laughter. Edin, with his boundless imagination, entertains Mix with tales of superheroes and magical lands. They laugh together, and Mix finds himself completely drawn into the boy’s world, his earlier worries momentarily forgotten.

Then, there’s a knock at the door.

Mix stands up, his heart pounding just a little faster, and for what reason he doesn't know why. He opens the door to find Earth, standing there with disheveled hair and a look of pure exhaustion mixed with worry in his eyes. The sight of him—clearly flustered but so eager to see his son—makes Mix’s chest tighten in a way he can’t quite explain.

“Hi,” Mix says, stepping aside to let him in. “Come in.”

"Hi." Earth greets shyly, rubbing the back of his neck as he enters.

Earth’s eyes immediately dart around the room until they land on Edin, who is still sitting at the coffee table, happily munching on his apple slices. The tension in Earth’s shoulders visibly melts away at the sight of his son, safe and content.

Earth puts down what looks like his bag and some plastic bags.

“Daddy!” Edin’s voice rings out, filled with excitement. He scrambles up from his seat and rushes to Earth, who crouches down to catch him in a tight hug. “Teacher Mix let me stay here, and we had so much fun!”

“I can see that,” Earth says, his voice soft and filled with gratitude. He holds Edin close for a moment, then straightens up, picking up the kid in his arms, his gaze finally meeting Mix’s.

There’s something different in the way Earth looks at Mix now—something deeper, more appreciative. “Thank you, Mix. I...I don’t even know what to say. I’m so sorry for being so late.”

“It’s alright,” Mix says, brushing off the apology with a wave of his hand. “Edin’s a joy to have around. We had a good time.”

Earth lingers for a moment, his eyes flickering between Mix and Edin. There’s a pause, a stillness in the air, and in that quiet, Earth realizes how much he's starting to value this man standing in front of him. Not just as Edin’s teacher, but as someone who cares—genuinely cares—about his son. And that thought stirs something inside him, something warm and unexpected.

As they stand there, Earth cradles Edin in his arms, the little boy resting his head comfortably against his father's chest. The room feels calm, a quiet moment where time seems to slow. Mix watches them both, a warm fondness filling his heart as he observes the way Earth holds his son. It's the kind of scene that makes Mix feel like everything is exactly as it should be.

But then, without thinking, Mix's hand moves on its own. Before he even realizes it, Mix's fingers reach up and gently brush through Earth’s disheveled hair, smoothing it down as though it’s second nature to him. The soft, familiar gesture lingers in the air for a beat too long.

Earth freezes, his body going stiff the moment Mix’s hand touches his hair.

The sudden contact takes him by surprise, and his eyes widen slightly as he feels the warmth of Mix’s fingertips against his scalp. Mix, on the other hand, doesn’t seem to notice what he’s done until it’s already over. When he does, his face flushes with embarrassment, and he quickly pulls his hand back as if it’s been burned.

“Oh my God, I’m sorry,” Mix stutters, his voice flustered as he tries to explain himself. “I—it’s just muscle memory. I used to do it to my pupils all the time. I’m really sorry…”

Earth blinks, still a little stunned, his ears turning an unmistakable shade of red.

He’s not sure what to say, fumbling for words that don’t quite come out right. “Oh… umm…” He clears his throat awkwardly, his voice low and uncertain. He feels Edin's hands on his ears, pinching it softly.

In that moment of awkward silence, the only sound that breaks the tension is a soft snicker. Both Mix and Earth turn their heads at the same time to see Edin looking at them, a playful smile tugging at his lips. The boy’s eyes sparkle with mischief, and he giggles, clearly amused by the situation.

Earth and Mix exchange a glance, and then, as if on cue, they both burst into a soft laughter.

The tension dissolves, replaced by a shared sense of amusement. Edin’s giggle grows louder, his small body wriggling with delight as he watches the two adults laugh along with him.

Mix, still slightly flustered but now laughing, feels the embarrassment fade away, replaced by a warmth that comes from the easy connection they’ve built in that strange, unexpected moment. Earth’s laughter is softer, his face still tinged with red, but there’s no awkwardness left, just the comfort of a shared experience that feels oddly natural.

The evening air is cool, and a gentle breeze flows through the open window as Mix smiles at Edin and Earth, feeling the warmth of their company settle in. The room is cozy, softly lit with warm-toned lamps casting a serene glow.

“Well,” Mix says, the familiar softness in his voice lingering, “You two should get going. It’s kinda late.”

Earth glances at his watch, realizing the time, and nods in agreement. But as he turns toward the door, something crosses his mind. He gently shifts Edin from his side to the floor and grabs one of the plastic bags he carried inside.

“Oh. Wait.” He pulls out a bag from within, extending it toward Mix. “This one’s for you,” he says with a casual smile.

Surprised, Mix takes the bag, tilting his head slightly, curious as he feels the weight of it. Earth then hands another plastic bag to Edin, who beams, clearly in on the surprise.

“I dropped by Edin’s favorite stall,” Earth explains, “I hope you like it.”

Mix looks down at Edin, who is practically buzzing with excitement. “Is it powpow?” the little boy asks, his eyes wide, his grin even wider. “It’s yummy, Teacher Mix! It’s my favorite!”

Earth chuckles at Edin’s enthusiasm as Mix glances down at the bag, smiling at the way Edin refers to the food.

“Powpow?” Mix asks, his expression curious.

Earth grins and clarifies, “He calls poh pia tod, powpow.”

Mix can’t help but laugh, charmed by Edin’s adorable nickname for the dish. “I was gonna cook tonight for Edin,” he says, still smiling at the boy’s delight. “But thank you for this, I’ll enjoy it.”

Edin’s face lights up as he hears that, his hands clapping together. “Oh! I wanna try Teacher Mix’s food!” he exclaims, already imagining the possibilities.

Before Mix can respond, Earth ruffles Edin’s hair affectionately. “Maybe next time, bud, okay?” he says with a gentle tone. But Edin, determined not to let the moment slip away, holds out his pinky, eyes wide and pleading.

“Pinky swear?” he asks, hopeful.

Mix smiles warmly, holding out his own pinky without hesitation. “Pinky swear,” he agrees, their fingers hooking together in a promise that makes Edin grin from ear to ear.

“Well…” Earth says after a moment, his voice tinged with reluctance as he checks the time again. “We should be going.”

Earth pulls Edin close to his side, steadying him as they head for the door.

“Goodbye, Teacher Mix!” Edin calls out cheerfully, waving with his free hand.

"Goodbye, Edin,” Mix replies, watching him with affection. “See you at school.”

As Edin busies himself tying his shoes—his little fingers fumbling with the laces—Mix and Earth stand by, a comfortable silence hanging between them. Earth takes a step forward, breaking the quiet, his voice sincere as he speaks.

“Thank you so much for today, Mix. I really appreciate it,” Earth says, his gaze steady on Mix, his tone filled with genuine gratitude.

Mix shakes his head with a soft smile, waving off the thanks. “No need to thank me,” he says lightly, his voice filled with warmth. “You know I love spending time with Edin.”

Earth chuckles softly, watching as Edin finally manages to get his shoes on. “Right,” Earth nods, still holding Edin close. “I really do owe you, Mix. If you ever need anything…”

Mix smiles, that same warm, unassuming smile that makes Earth’s chest tighten just a little.

“No need to worry about it. Just take care, both of you.”

As they leave, Mix stands in the doorway, watching them walk down the hall, Edin’s voice echoing faintly as he chatters away excitedly. The plastic bag in Mix’s hand feels light, but the gesture behind it means more than he can put into words.

Mix closes the door softly behind them, looking down at the bag with a smile lingering on his lips.

“Next time, I’ll definitely cook,” he murmurs to himself, already thinking of the promise he made to Edin, feeling a warm glow settle in his chest.

As Earth watches Edin bounce towards the car, holding the plastic bag like a treasure, his heart swells with a mix of pride and something deeper—gratitude. The way Mix had treated Edin tonight, so gentle and warm, made something stir inside him. The domestic ease that surrounded Mix had wrapped Edin in comfort, and maybe, just maybe, it had reached Earth too.

Earth helps Edin climb into the passenger seat, making sure he's buckled in before settling into the driver's seat. He starts the engine, and as the car hums to life, they begin their drive home under the soft glow of streetlights.

The car ride is peaceful, the faint sound of the radio filling the space, until Edin—always full of surprises—breaks the silence.

“Do you like Teacher Mix, Daddy?”

Earth almost chokes, caught completely off guard by the question. He coughs, trying to recover, but his mind is racing, thrown off balance by how perceptive his son is.

“Wha—Why did you ask, hun?” Earth manages to say, still clearing his throat.

Edin, ever observant, tilts his head thoughtfully. “We went to Uncle First and Uncle Khaotung’s house but your ears never went red like earlier with Teacher Mix.”

Earth is stunned. He glances at Edin quickly, wondering how on earth a little boy could pick up on something even he hadn't fully acknowledged.

His ears went red? He hadn't noticed. But clearly, Edin had. Maybe that's why the kid was playing with his ears.

For a moment, Earth is speechless, trying to think of how to respond. When he finally does, his voice is soft, almost tentative. “You don’t mind that I like Teacher Mix, bud? He’s a guy, you know?”

Edin turns to him, eyes wide and genuine, his innocence disarming. “No, not at all. Uncle First likes Uncle Khaotung too... And I also like Teacher Mix.”

Earth can’t help but smile, his heart leaping in his chest. The pure acceptance in Edin’s voice, so uncomplicated, fills him with warmth. In that moment, he feels both proud and relieved, knowing that his son not only understands but embraces the possibility of him liking Mix.

Earth reaches over and ruffles Edin’s hair, his voice soft with affection. “You’re a good kid, you know that?”

Edin grins up at him, the same smile that had brightened Mix’s apartment not too long ago. Earth’s heart swells with joy, realizing that whatever feelings he might be sorting out for Mix, his son was already on board.

As they drive through the quiet streets, Earth’s thoughts drift back to the warmth of Mix’s home, the easy way they had all laughed together, and the way Mix had made Edin feel so at home. Maybe Edin wasn’t the only one who felt something special in the air tonight.

:jubjub 🖤 let me know how this one is 🥺