Just Dinner

Mix has had one of those exhausting days. The kids seem extra hyper, bouncing off the walls with energy that doesn’t seem to run out.

He’s been juggling paperwork since yesterday, trying to stay on top of everything, but despite his fatigue, he puts on his best smile for the children. He knows they look forward to seeing him, and he doesn’t want to let them down. His voice remains cheerful, his laughter genuine, but deep down, he can feel the weight of the day catching up to him.

Finally, the day comes to an end, and Mix breathes a quiet sigh of relief. It’s the weekend, and they get to go home early. One by one, the parents come to pick up their kids, offering him smiles and quick goodbyes.

Mix watches them leave, a sense of accomplishment settling over him. He managed to pull through, and despite how hectic it was, the day ended successfully.

Earth is particularly early today, and the sight of him instantly brightens Edin’s face. The little boy leaps with excitement as he runs to his dad, wrapping his arms around Earth’s legs in pure joy. Earth smiles warmly at his son, but unlike the other parents, he doesn’t leave right away. He lingers, watching as the last of the children are picked up.

Edin runs around the room, still full of energy, while Earth waits in the background, glancing occasionally at Mix as if he’s waiting for the right moment. When the coast is finally clear, Earth takes a deep breath and approaches Mix. His heart races, nerves fluttering in his chest in a way he hasn’t felt in a long time. He’s been thinking about this for days, wondering how to approach it, how to find the right words.

“Oh, hey. You’re still here,” Mix says, glancing at Earth with a warm smile as he watches Edin running in circles around them.

“Umm... yeah,” Earth stammers, feeling a little awkward now that he’s face to face with Mix. He scratches the back of his neck, trying to find the right way to ask. “Mix, um... I’ve been meaning to ask... would you like to have dinner tonight? Just as a thank you for what you did last night.”

Mix, caught off guard, blinks up at Earth. He hadn’t expected Earth to ask him out like this, especially not today.

But Earth’s offer feels genuine, and there’s something about the way Earth looks right now—slightly flushed, a little nervous—that Mix finds endearing. Before Mix can respond, Edin shouts from across the room, “Yes!” His enthusiasm cuts through the tension, and both Earth and Mix laugh at the timing of his outburst.

“Well, as Edin said... Yes, I’d love to.” Mix replies, his smile soft and warm. “ But you really don’t have to, though. Edin’s a great kid, it’s no trouble at all.”

Earth shakes his head quickly, as if to dispel any notion that he doesn’t owe Mix something in return.

He’s trying to hide how much Mix’s smile makes his heart skip a beat. “No, really. It’s the least I can do. You’ve done so much for Edin, and I appreciate it more than you know.”

The laughter fades into a comfortable silence, and Mix can’t help but notice how much Earth’s gratitude means to him. It’s not just about the dinner—it’s about the connection that’s quietly been building between them.

With Edin’s enthusiastic approval and Earth’s sincerity, Mix looks forward for tonight's dinner.

Later that evening, back at Earth’s house, Edin is busy rummaging through his father’s closet, eyes sparkling with excitement as he digs through Earth’s shirts. He doesn’t fully grasp what’s happening, but he knows something special is going on. Earth seems different tonight—excited, maybe a little nervous—and Edin can’t help but want to be involved.

“Daddy, wear this!” Edin exclaims, tugging out a crisp, white shirt that’s far too formal for the occasion. Earth chuckles, bending down to ruffle Edin’s hair affectionately. “Alright, bud, let’s see how it looks,” he says, humoring Edin as he shrugs the shirt on. It’s a little stiffer than he’d like for a casual dinner, but seeing Edin’s wide, approving grin makes it worth it.

Just as Earth is buttoning up the shirt, a knock on the door announces the arrival of First and Khaotung. They’ve come to babysit Edin, agreeing to the favor Earth had shyly asked earlier that day.

First steps inside with a teasing smirk, leaning casually against the doorframe. “So, let me get this straight,” he begins, eyes twinkling with mischief. “You ask us to babysit last-minute... Are you like going on a date?”

Earth rolls his eyes, but the shy smile that spreads across his face betrays him. “It’s not a date,” he insists, though even he isn’t fully convinced. He fidgets with his shirt collar, feeling self-conscious under their knowing stares. “It’s just dinner, alright? Nothing serious.”

Khaotung crosses his arms, raising an eyebrow in disbelief. “Right, just dinner,” he echoes, a teasing lilt in his voice. “Then why do you look like you’re about to meet someone special?”

"Edin picked the outfit," Earth tries to reason.

First chuckles and joins in, nudging Earth’s shoulder. “We’ve known you too long, man. You’re definitely overthinking this.”

“I am not!” Earth protests, but the flush creeping up his neck says otherwise. “It’s just dinner.”

But First and Khaotung aren’t letting him off that easily. “So, who’s this ‘just dinner’ with?” Khaotung presses, feigning innocence.

Before Earth can respond, Edin bounces in with an enthusiastic answer. “It’s with Teacher Mix!” he declares proudly. “He’s my teacher, and he’s awesome!”

“Ohhh,” First drawls, exchanging a grin with Khaotung. “So the mysterious Mix, huh? Can’t wait to meet this guy.”

Earth shakes his head, laughing at their antics, but there’s no denying the warmth in his chest at the mention of Mix’s name. “You two are impossible,” he says, waving them off as they continue their playful teasing.

“We just want to meet the person who’s got you smiling like that,” Khaotung teases, swooning dramatically. First joins in, pretending to fan himself, and even Edin, not quite understanding the joke, giggles along with them.

Earth chuckles, glances at his watch and decides it’s time to go. “Just take care of Edin, will you?” he says, grabbing his car keys from the counter. “I’ll be back later.”

Edin runs over and wraps his arms around Earth’s leg. “Bye, Daddy! Have fun!” he says, his voice filled with genuine excitement.

Earth bends down, giving his son a quick hug, "Bye bud. Make sure to give your uncles headache." Earth jokes and Khaotung throws a pillow at him, as Edin giggles, clearly amused.

He stands up after giving Edin a quick kiss on the forehead and heads out to the door, a mix of nerves and anticipation swirling in his chest.

The drive to Mix’s apartment feels longer than usual, though it’s only a short distance away. Earth grips the steering wheel a little tighter, his mind racing. It’s just dinner, he reminds himself for the hundredth time. But when he pulls up outside Mix’s building and sees Mix walking toward the car, his breath catches in his throat.

Mix looks effortlessly put together, dressed casually but with a subtle touch of elegance. There’s a shyness in his posture as he approaches the car, but his smile is warm and welcoming.

“Hi,” Mix greets, his voice soft but steady.

“Hi,” Earth replies, his own smile widening. He takes a moment to drink in the sight of Mix, feeling that familiar flutter in his chest. “You look great.”

Mix glances away briefly, a light blush coloring his cheeks. “Says the one who looks good too,” he retorts, his eyes flicking back to meet Earth’s.

"Courtesy of Edin." Earth says with a chuckle and Mix joins him.

"What about Edin, by the way?" Mix asks, wondering who's taking care of Edin since Earth is out.

"I've ask some friends to take care of him." Earth replies as he steps around to open the passenger door for Mix. There’s a quiet intimacy in the gesture, one that feels natural despite the nervous energy buzzing between them.

Once Mix is settled in the passenger seat, Earth climbs into the driver’s side, his hands feeling a little clammy as he grips the wheel. With a deep breath, he starts the car, glancing briefly at Mix before pulling onto the road. The streetlights flicker by, and for a while, they drive in a comfortable silence, the weight of unspoken possibilities lingering between them. Neither of them says it aloud, but they both know—this dinner is more than just a thank you.

Something is shifting, definitely.

They arrive at the restaurant, a small, cozy spot tucked away from the bustling streets. Earth had chosen the place for its warm ambiance, with soft lighting and wooden accents that made it feel intimate, yet casual. As they step inside, there’s a brief, shared glance between Earth and Mix—a quiet acknowledgement of something unspoken that has lingered since they first set eyes on each other tonight.

The waiter guides them to a table near the window, where the view of the street below is softened by the glow of the evening. Earth and Mix sit down, the clink of silverware and the murmur of quiet conversations surrounding them.

It feels comfortable, but there’s still an undercurrent, a quiet tension that neither man has fully addressed yet.

After they’re handed menus, Earth watches as Mix scans the options, the tip of his tongue barely peeking out as he concentrates—a small, endearing habit Earth had never noticed before. The waiter soon returns, jotting down their orders as they thank him in unison. Once he leaves, the lull of conversation returns, and Earth clears his throat, wanting to break the silence.

“It’s the weekend. I hope I wasn’t taking up your time to rest and stay home instead,” Earth says, a little uncertain, but wanting to start things off light.

Mix shakes his head quickly, perhaps a little too quickly, but his smile is genuine. “Oh, not at all. Really.” He pauses, eyes softening as he adds, “To be honest, I haven’t been outside much lately, and this—this is kind of a reward after a long week of paperwork. It’s... nice.”

There’s a hint of relief in his voice, like he’s admitting how much he needed this without saying it directly. Earth relaxes at that, the tension in his shoulders easing. “That’s good to know,” he says, offering Mix a warm smile.

“And you?” Mix asks, leaning forward slightly, genuinely curious. “How’s work been?”

Earth exhales, chuckling softly. “Well, as you saw these last few days, they’ve been my hell days,” he admits, running a hand through his hair. “I’m lucky today wasn’t too bad. Fridays are usually brutal.”

“You’re handling it well, though,” Mix says, his eyes meeting Earth’s with sincerity. “Being an architect and being a father at the same time? That’s a lot.”

There’s a flicker of something in Earth’s eyes, a mix of pride and guilt that he doesn’t try to hide. “It’s hard sometimes. If I’m being honest, work often wins out,” he confesses, his voice tinged with regret. “I’m lucky to have Edin. He’s understanding in ways a kid his age shouldn’t have to be.”

Mix’s smile softens, filled with admiration. “Edin is amazing. You’re really lucky to have him.”

Earth nods, but there’s a shadow of guilt in his expression. “I’m taking him out tomorrow as a reward,” he shares, his voice lighter now. “He’s been doing great at preschool, earning his stars, and I figured he deserves something special.”

“Sounds like a perfect reward,” Mix agrees, his smile widening.

“Yeah. A few powpows, and he’ll be over the moon,” Earth chuckles, his laughter contagious as Mix joins in.

Just then, the waiter returns with their food, the plates settling between them as the savory aromas fill the space. Earth glances at Mix, their shared laughter lingering like a soft echo between them.

The conversation continues, flowing easily between lighthearted topics and more personal confessions. As the night progresses, they drift from the surface-level chatter about work and Edin to deeper conversations—hopes, fears, and vulnerabilities that neither man has shared in such a way before.

Mix opens up about his passion for teaching, how it gives him a sense of purpose but also how draining it can be. “Sometimes, it feels like I’m always trying to pour from an empty cup,” he admits softly. “But seeing the kids grow, seeing their face light up when they learn something new—it makes everything worth it.”

Earth listens intently, his heart warming at how deeply Mix cares for his students. There’s something so genuine about Mix’s dedication, and Earth realizes he’s never met anyone quite like him before.

"You're great," Earth simply says, but the sincerity of his voice cuts through Mix's heart.

"We'll.. That's nothing compared to you." Mix says, drinking some of his wine.

Earth rubs the back of his neck in shyness, feeling full at Mix's words. “Well, sometimes I feel like I’m failing him,” he says quietly, his gaze dropping to his plate. “Like no matter how hard I try, I can’t be enough for both roles.”

Mix reaches across the table, not quite touching Earth’s hand but close enough to offer silent reassurance.

“You’re doing more than enough,” he says, his voice steady and full of conviction. “Edin’s lucky to have you, and you’re showing him what it means to love and provide, even when it’s hard.”

The words land heavily, but in a comforting way.

Earth feels a warmth spreading in his chest, a sense of connection that has been growing between them all night. The dinner that was supposed to be a simple thank you has turned into something far more significant, and neither of them can ignore it any longer.

By the time they finish their meal, the air between them has shifted. There’s a comfortable silence as they sip the last of their drinks, but the undercurrent that’s been there all evening has grown stronger, more tangible. Neither of them says it out loud, but both know something has changed—something deeper, something worth exploring.

As they walk back to the car, Earth's phone buzzes, startling him. Without hesitation, he pulls it out from his pocket, the slight tension in his shoulders hinting that it might be something work-related. Mix stands patiently beside him, eyes flicking between Earth and the phone, waiting to see what’s going on.

Earth lets out a low scoff after reading the message, shaking his head in disbelief. The reaction draws Mix's attention immediately, his curiosity piqued. Earth meets Mix's gaze, a look of hesitance mixed with a hint of amusement in his eyes. It’s clear he wants to say something.

“What?” Mix chuckles, raising a brow as he looks at Earth, trying to decode whatever dilemma he’s facing.

“Edin says he wants to see you,” Earth explains, still staring at the phone. “But I’m sure it's just First and Khaotung messing with me—using Edin as bait.”

“First and Khaotung?” Mix tilts his head, intrigued.

“Oh, they’re the friends that are babysitting Edin.”

“Oh,” Mix nods, processing the new names. Before the conversation can continue, Earth’s phone rings again, this time displaying Khaotung’s name.

It’s a FaceTime request. Earth hesitates, his thumb hovering over the screen before he eventually answers. As soon as the call connects, Edin’s bright, beaming face fills the screen.

“Daddy!” Edin grins, his excitement palpable. “Where’s Teacher Mix?”

Earth adjusts the phone so Mix can step into the frame, and Mix gladly leans in.

“Hi, Edin!” Mix greets with a warm, cheerful smile, waving at the screen.

“Hi, Teacher Mix!” Edin replies enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling with joy. Mix notices two figures—must be First and Khaotung—peeking from behind Edin, clearly trying to catch a glimpse of him without being too obvious.

Earth takes the phone back, returning the focus to himself. “What is it, honey?” he asks, addressing Edin.

“Is Teacher Mix coming over? I want to say good night, and I have something for him!” Edin declares eagerly.

Earth turns towards Mix, his expression softening. “You don’t have to if it’s—”

“No, it’s fine. I’d love to see Edin,” Mix interrupts, his voice full of affection.

Earth smiles, and they both hear Edin’s gleeful “Yay!” through the phone.

Earth says good bye and ends the call, and they get into the car, heading straight for Earth’s house.

When they arrive, Edin is already at the window, waving excitedly as soon as he spots them. The moment they step inside, Edin bolts toward Earth, his little legs moving as fast as they can.

“Daddy!” Edin leaps into Earth’s arms, and Earth scoops him up effortlessly, he then turns to Mix who is standing beside his father.

“Teacher Mix!” Edin wiggles out of Earth’s hold and hastily runs toward his room. “I have something for you!”

As Edin disappears into the bedroom, two new figures appear from the kitchen. First and Khaotung, wearing knowing smiles, saunter over.

“Hi,” First greets casually, though there's a playful glint in his eye.

“Oh, umm…” Earth clears his throat. “Mix, these are First and Khaotung.”

“Hi, I’m Mix,” Mix says shyly, feeling a bit out of place but offering a polite smile.

“Nice to finally meet you,” Khaotung says, his voice teasing. “We’ve been hearing a lot about you.” He exchanges a smirk with First. “What I mean is.. Edin’s been talking about you non-stop.”

Earth squints suspiciously at the pair, but before he can say anything, Edin returns, clutching a sketchpad. With a determined expression, Edin rips out a page and hands it to Mix.

“He worked on that earlier,” First says, leaning against the wall.

“It’s for you, Teacher,” Edin says proudly, his cheeks rosy from excitement.

Mix carefully takes the page, his heart swelling as he looks down at the drawing. It's an adorable, colorful depiction of the preschool, complete with a bright sun shining behind fluffy clouds, trees, and flowers scattered around.

But the highlight is in the middle—three figures: one of Earth holding Edin’s hand, and on the other side, Mix holding Edin's other hand.

“This is beautiful, Edin,” Mix beams, genuinely touched by the gesture.

Edin grins brightly, clearly pleased with himself, basking in Mix's praise. Earth glances at the drawing over Mix’s shoulder and feels a flutter in his chest. He can’t stop the soft smile that spreads across his face, nor the butterflies dancing in his stomach.

Mix and Edin settle on the sofa, chatting animatedly, Earth watches them from a short distance, his heart feeling warm. First and Khaotung sidle up to him, their expressions smug.

“They look great together, you know,” Khaotung whispers, nudging Earth as First nods in agreement.

Earth swats at them half-heartedly. “I know you two set this up,” he mutters, shooting them a playful glare. “And you dare use my child."

“Don’t pretend you don’t like it,” Khaotung retorts with a roll of his eyes.

Earth doesn’t respond, because truthfully, he does like it. His gaze drifts back to Mix and Edin, the scene filling him with an unshakable sense of contentment.

Later, when it’s time for Mix to leave, Edin pouts, his lip quivering in disappointment.

“But I’ll see you on Monday, right?” Mix reassures him, ruffling his hair gently.

Earth and Mix step outside, Edin tagging along determinedly, insisting on walking Mix out. First and Khaotung follow at a respectful distance, giving Earth and Mix a moment of privacy while making sure Edin is safe.

“I’m going to drive Teacher Mix home, okay, bud?” Earth tells Edin, kneeling to meet his son’s gaze.

“Okay,” Edin agrees with a nod, then turns to Mix, signaling for him to crouch down as well.

“Hm?” Mix bends down, curious.

Without warning, Edin plants a quick kiss on Mix’s cheek, his little face turning pink as he says, “Good night, Teacher Mix.”

Mix blushes in response, a shy smile crossing his lips. “Good night, Edin.”

“What about you, Daddy?” Edin asks, glancing between Earth and Mix, his innocent eyes wide with expectation.

Both Earth and Mix freeze, caught off guard.

“Umm, well…” Earth stammers, feeling the heat rise to his face. “I’m still driving Teacher Mix home. I’ll say good night later.”

Edin studies him for a moment before nodding, seemingly satisfied. He waves a final goodbye as he runs back into the house, First and Khaotung trailing behind him.

Once back in the car, a thick, awkward silence settles between Earth and Mix. Only the low hum of the radio fills the air as they drive. When they finally arrive at Mix’s apartment, Earth quickly gets out to open the door for him. Mix thanks him softly.

Earth walks Mix to his door, the quiet between them growing heavier with each step.

“Umm…” Mix starts, glancing down nervously as they reach his doorstep.“Thank you for today.”

“My pleasure,” Earth replies, his voice gentle as he smiles.

“I… I’ll head in then,” Mix says, returning the smile before turning to unlock his door.

“Umm… Mix?” Earth’s voice stops him, and he turns back around.

In a slow, deliberate movement, Earth steps closer. He lifts his hand, lightly cupping the back of Mix’s head as he leans down and presses a soft kiss to Mix’s forehead. Mix freezes, his heart pounding wildly in his chest, his breath catching in his throat.

“Good night,” Earth murmurs, his hand lingering for a moment before he steps back. “You should go inside. It’s getting cold.”

Mix lowers his head, trying to hide the flush creeping across his cheeks. “Good night,” he mumbles before slipping inside the door.

As Earth walks back to his car, the moment he sits down, he clutches his chest, his heart racing.

“I’m in trouble,” he whispers to himself, breathing heavily as he tries to calm down.

When he finally feels composed enough, he starts the car and drives off, his thoughts still spinning.

:i'm really not good at long chapters but i hope i'll really do justice for this one. thank you, for reading! your votes are really appreciated 🥺🖤