#kindercareau

[ravixen]

seungcheol ; make or break

➔ synopsis: You barely remember the last time you celebrated Valentine’s Day with someone other than your moms. In fact, if it wasn’t for your students’ excited countdown, you’re sure that you would’ve ignored the romantic atmosphere just like every other year. But as they like to remind you, you can’t forget this time—you have someone to celebrate with, after all. (kindergarten teacher!au).

➔ warnings: a passed relative, cemetery mention || genre(s): fluff, romance, slice of life ➔ 3574 words || scenario || kindergartenteacher!au

➔ notes: i always have strong starts and then lose steam by the middle, and it's so obvious 😭 regardless, i hope you like this one. highly suggest reading kindergarten teacher!seungcheol part 1 and part 2 (2021) first. side note, i use kindercare for this au because it's a mash-up between kindergarten and daycare. i guess nursery school!au would be a better name because apparently kindercare is an american company. this is dedicated to that anon who talked about seungcheol meeting y/n's parents like two years ago, though i can't find the reply anymore.

There’s a palpable excitement in the room as you unstick the velcro name tags and shift everyone forward one space. The Monday morning ritual is arguably their favorite part of class, perhaps second only to recess, and you’re sure it must’ve been yours, too, at some point in your childhood. Once the last name is smoothed into place, you turn to the class.

“Alright, so Haeni is this week’s line leader, Jumin is our caboose, Hongseok is our supply manager…” You rattle off the names of the light inspector, messenger, door holder, trash collector, and librarian as quickly as you can. You learned long ago that if you stop and wait for them to cheer for every person, this five-minute routine would quickly eat up ten minutes of morning meeting time. Time you don’t have, unless you want to cut into nap time and it’s an unspoken rule to never cut into nap time. “And lastly, our reader of the day!”

“Me! It’s me!” Juhyun screeches, launching out of her seat to grab the pointing stick.

It’s the only time your Walking feet rule is allowed to be forgotten, but once she gets to the front, she shifts her stance, suddenly shy under the class’s attention. You lead her through the morning message, board full of sight words that she stumbles over, and then you pull out the calendar poster. February, it reads across the top, printed with hearts and Cupids in case anyone forgot which commercial holiday rules over the month.

“Today is…Monday, February 13,” Juhyun recites nervously, tapping each part with the stick. “Yesterday was Sunday, February 12. Tomorrow is Wednesday—”

“No, tomorrow is Tuesday!” Someone from the back row pipes up and gasps as if surprised at himself for yelling out.

“I was going to say that! Tomorrow is Tuesday, February 14. And it’s our Valentine’s Day party!”

You laugh as the children cheer. “Yes, yes,” you say, a finger to your lips until they settle down. You take back the stick and outline a giant circle around the number 14. “So you all keep reminding me. If you forget what to bring tomorrow, take a look at the sign-up sheet before you leave today.”

An arm pops up from another corner of the room. “Teacher Y/N, I have a question!” She waves, just barely sitting on the ground.

“Yes, Haeni, I see your quiet hand. What’s your question?”

“Are you and Teacher Seungcheol going on a date tomorrow?”

The class oohs and squeals at Haeni’s brave question, hiding giggles behind their hands, and you bite back an affectionate smile. They’ve always been invested in your love life, but ever since that joint birthday party, the twins have crowned themselves the catalyst that got their beloved teachers together and take every opportunity to remind their friends.

“We haven’t talked about it yet,” you admit. “If we need any brilliant ideas, I’ll ask all of you, but enough cupid talk for now—our new librarian needs to come up and choose a book for today’s reading.”

. . .

Seungcheol’s rug is comfier than yours, you realize as you stare at his ceiling. He has more beanbag chairs, too. You stretch out a foot and tap one of them. No wonder Haeni always stares enviously whenever her sister walks into this classroom.

A shadow blocks the overhead fluorescent light, and you squint to see his face. “You know there’s dirt and germs all over the ground,” he says, amused. “I vacuumed right before you came, but it’s still gross.”

“S’ok, it’ll build up my immune system. I get sick more often than the students, and half of them eat snacks on the playground with dirt on their fingers. Maybe they’re onto something.”

He laughs, walking past you to pin his students’ drawings on the wall. He’s using the succulent- and flower-themed thumbtacks you got him the other day. The best dollar store find yet. You’re waiting to see if they’ll release other designs. “Should I get you a dirt pudding cup with actual dirt tomorrow, then?”

And there’s the topic of the day. You roll onto your stomach, propping your chin on steepled hands as you watch his side profile. He’s wearing glasses again today, thin frames balanced low on his nose. They’re one of your favorite pairs, and you remind him of it every time. Maybe that’s why you see it so often.

“What are we doing tomorrow?” Somehow the words Valentine’s Day feel foreign in your mouth, so you swallow them back. “I would’ve forgotten to ask you if Haeni didn’t mention it today.”

“So did Haemin. Must’ve been a coordinated effort.” He pauses, putting up a few more drawings before responding, voice soft, “We don’t have to do anything special if that’s not your style. It’s only been a month, after all; I don’t want to pressure you into anything you’re uncomfortable with.”

He looks over and sends you a smile that’s equal parts sincere and nervous, waiting for your reaction. When you smile back, he returns to his work.

“It’s not like it’s not my style.”

“M-hm?”

“It’s just been a long time since I actually celebrated Valentine’s Day with a date. I usually just get dinner with my mom.”

“Oh, if that’s your tradition, then don’t worry about it. We can hang out another time, and you don’t have to get me anything. I’d still like to bring you a present, though. Is that okay?”

You trace the dotted lines on his street-themed rug, your finger running between a few trucks and cars. Like he said, it’s only been a month since the twins’ birthday—and when he asked you out after school—but something about Seungcheol makes you feel like he’d treat your heart like glass. It’s in the way he hands you a warm drink every morning as you wait for morning recess to end. The way he taps your shoulder in the hallway to flip the tag back into your top, leaving with a brief squeeze of your hand. The way he rearranges your classroom after you had a long day of sick kids and cranky attitudes, quietly and without complaint. The way he looks at you now, again, waiting for your confirmation like your opinion matters to him more than anything else.

And maybe it does.

“Actually, are you free tomorrow evening?” you blurt out.

“I think so, why?”

“Do you…actually want to come spend time with me and my mom? I want to celebrate with you, but I can’t bail on her. You don’t have to say yes; I just thought it’d be a nice opportunity to introduce you and all.”

He tries to tamper down his response, but you’re struck by how child-like he is. Like your students this morning, his excitement thrums beneath his skin, and he bounces on the balls of his feet as he nods a touch too enthusiastically. His I’d love to is a breath of air that rushes into and fills your lungs.

You push to your feet and grab your keys. “I’ll go warm up the car. You can lock up and come out when you’re ready.”

. . .

Before Seungcheol, it was you and your mom against the world—or so you liked to say, huddled up next to each other as you waited for the car to fight the February chill and heat up. For the last few years, the tradition has shifted. What started as a visit to the cemetery became a visit and lunch between your classes. Then a visit and dinner once you found a job. Then a visit and spending all day together once you lost that job. This year, with the nursery school position taking up your mornings and early afternoons, you and your mom settled back into a visit and dinner. With a new guest, it seems.

“Are you sure he’s alright with that? He could be saying it to just be nice. Why don’t you two kids spend time together, hm? I can go on my own.” Her voice crackles over your car’s speakers.

“No,” you say, elbowing the just-entered Seungcheol to be quiet. He grins at you with clasped hands, a silent apology. You’re tempted to make him wait outside until you’re done with the conversation. “He’d like to be there, and I want him there, too, to be honest. Do you mind?”

"Of course I don't! The more, the merrier. I was going to call up our favorite place tonight to make reservations, but we can just get take-out and have a nice dinner at home. I can finally show off my new dinner plates to someone." There's a sudden shuffling on her end. "Oh God, wait, why did you tell me now? I don't know if I have anything nice to wear! Okay, bye, I have to go looking. Love you, see you tomorrow."

You laugh. "Okay, mom, bye."

The car beeps once she hangs up, and Seungcheol finally releases the satisfied hum that he's been holding in his chest.

"You two sound close."

"We are."

"How long have you been spending Valentine's together?"

"Buckle up, passenger princess. Then I'll answer your questions."

He does as told while you pull out of the parking space and lot. The school is in a nice neighborhood, but it seems like the trade-off is having curved streets that make you feel like a rat in a maze.

"We've been doing this for as early as I can remember. Some years, Mom and Mama went for dinner alone, and I had a babysitter for a few hours, but for Mama, Valentine's Day wasn't that special. She loved my mom every day of the year, so eventually they started taking me out to dinner with them. It's a day of love, after all, and they loved me a lot."

Once you turn onto the main road, Seungcheol lays his hand palm-up on his knee and you reach across the console to thread your fingers with his. It's just a straight path from here to the exit you both take, and you settle into your seat, glad that school ends just before the afternoon traffic gets bad.

"And then Mama passed away while I was in high school. She was on her way to order some flowers for Valentine's Day—she liked to get her order in early to avoid the last minute rush." You laugh. "You can see who I take after. We didn't celebrate that year, obviously. It was way too soon. We picked it up again the year after, though, just me and Mom. We'd visit Mama and then spend time together."

He squeezes your fingers, and you squeeze back.

"Are you sure you're comfortable with me coming?"

"Yes, of course. That's why I asked."

You glance over at him. The glasses are away now, now longer blocking the long lashes that brush against his cheeks with every blink. His lips are set in a slight frown, his brows bunched in thought. Your boyfriend—the word still feels new to you—is unfairly handsome in his blue jeans and cable-knit sweater.

You take your hand back to change lanes. "Penny for your thoughts?"

He looks at you, and the lines fade away. His soft expression is even softer in the afternoon sun.

"Nothing much. I'm just thinking about what to bring for your mom tomorrow. Does she like certain flowers? Have a chocolate preference? Should I bring a dessert to share after dinner? I can steal Mingyu’s secret cookie recipe." He takes a deep breath, wiping his palms on his lap. "I mean, for you, I'll just scoop some dirt from the yard before coming to work—”

You snort, shoving his shoulder. "Shut up, I'll toss it right back out the window."

"—but for your moms, I want to make a good impression, y'know? Should I wear a suit? Would your mama be impressed?"

You press your lips together to avoid looking like a lovestruck fool on the highway. Some of your friends had wanted to test him, make sure that he's good enough for you, but as soon as you'd introduced him to the group, their eyes snapped to you. I've never seen someone more head over heels, they complained after your hang out. God, when is it my turn? But really, if they'd looked a little closer at your expression that evening, they would've caught you looking back at Seungcheol, just as enamored.

"I'm sure they'll appreciate the effort," you say. “Regardless of what you do. The fact that you’re coming at all means a lot.”

By the time you pull into his driveway and wave to Mingyu taking out the trash, he's already memorized basic facts about your mom and promised to not screw up tomorrow.

"You'll be fine," you assure Seungcheol as he comes around to your side of the car.

He leans through the open window to press a kiss to your cheek. "I hope so. Don't want to scare them so early in our relationship. I’ll see you in the morning?”

As he disappears into the door Mingyu left unlocked, you hope he doesn't feel like a nervous wreck.

. . .

Seungcheol feels like a nervous wreck.

He knows that he's bothering Joshua, who's only trying to make tonight's dinner, but in his defense, he's sitting on the kitchen counter and fairly out of the way, so he's not that much of a distraction—other than the part where he’s having a dramatic meltdown.

"You're blowing this way out of proportion," Joshua says, sleeves rolled up to his elbows to pat the chicken dry. One pot chicken stew again. It’s his third time making it since finding the easy recipe, but it’s good, so Seungcheol can’t complain. "It's not a big deal."

"It's not a big deal? Josh, I'm literally spending Valentine's Day with them and their mom. Their moms, really. They trust me enough to meet their mama, too. Isn't this huge?"

"Okay, yeah, it is pretty huge," Joshua admits with a shrug. "I was trying to convince you that it wasn't so you'd calm down, but you're literally meeting their family a month in. Congrats, man."

"Thanks, but I need more than congrats." Seungcheol leans to the side as Joshua reaches around him for a knife. "I need…I don't know, a vision. A step-by-step, fool-proof plan to make sure I don't make myself look like an idiot at their mom's dining table. Or anywhere in the house, really. I need a miracle. What if they decide to break up with me?"

He groans into his hands. Joshua continues cutting carrots into uniform slices. Does he not sense the distress?

"They're not going to break up with you."

"You don't know that.”

"I'm going to kick you out of the kitchen and make you talk to Soonyoung."

"He's going to get nervous for me and make it worse," Seungcheol whines, and Joshua rolls his eyes. "I made the mistake of talking to him last time I was about to meet my partner's family."

"You also made the mistake of bringing him as a plus one to their get together," Joshua points out.

"In my defense, he enlisted Jeonghan to convince me, and Jeonghan's really good at talking."

Joshua tsks. "And watching the world burn while he stands next to a gas can and lighter. You should know that by now." He finally puts the knife down and turns to Seungcheol with his arms crossed. "Okay, fine. What's the schedule tomorrow?"

"Right after school ends, we're going to hit the road and take a break halfway. It's like an hour-long drive to the cemetery? Not bad, so we’ll pick up some flowers on the way. I'm meeting their mom and mama there, and then we're going to their mom's house for dinner."

“Not even a buffer activity, huh? What about bringing a board game or cards?”

“That’s a good idea. Y/N said they used to watch movies together, so we might do that, too.”

Wait.

“We have a day off on Wednesday. You don’t think we’ll stay the night, right?” Because one evening he can deal with—he can look put together for a few hours—but his morning self? His bedhead alone could scare off the weak-hearted. What’s the protocol for that, anyway? Would he share a room with you, or would it be more appropriate to take the couch? Why didn’t he think to ask you all this before?

Joshua claps him on the shoulder. “Focus, man. It’s definitely possible, so I’d say prepare a bag and keep it in your car just in case. You’re over-thinking it right now, but based on how you described the phone call, their mom is probably nervous, too. She was looking for a good outfit, right?”

Seungcheol takes a deep breath. That’s true, your mom seemed just as frantic to impress, though her panic was cut short by the phone call.

“And in the midst of this, I bet Y/N’s even more nervous than both of you combined. If this meeting goes to flames, they’ll have to clean up the aftermath on both sides. They wouldn’t have taken the risk if they didn’t think it was worth it, so trust them and help them make it work.”

That’s true, too. His friends are good at this sort of thing, and he’s glad that it didn’t take too much arm twisting to get valuable advice.

“Whew. Alright, I think I got this. Thanks, Josh, I should get—”

The hand on his shoulder tightens, pinning him on the counter. Joshua’s smile barely conceals the hint of mischief. “Where are you heading? You have to pay the price and help me now. Get chopping, lover boy.”

. . .

You offered to drive since Seungcheol picked you up and took you to work, but he gently refused. You thought that he was being chivalrous, but he admitted that he was just trying to push down his anxiety by keeping his hands and mind busy.

“I don’t know how far I’ll spiral if given the chance,” he told you as he claimed the driver’s seat, and you did your best to play the role of the chatty passenger. Before you know it, he’s pulling into the cemetery and the nerves set in again.

You lean forward and point at a small navy car with faded stickers that you’d recognize anywhere. “That’s Mom’s. We can park right behind her.”

Parallel parking is the easy part—getting out of the actual car is harder. You manage a tense breath of a laugh at his tight grip on the steering wheel, though seeing your mom in the distance is making your heart constrict, too. Why are you getting nervous all of a sudden?

“You look good,” you insist, pinching his cheek. And he does, even after you managed to talk him out of the full suit. Warm and cozy—your mom gets to see him the way you do. “You’ll be fine. You’re both looking forward to meeting and impressing each other, so if it’s any comfort, she’ll be too busy worrying about her own actions to judge you for anything.”

He turns his head and kisses your hand. “Are you trying to convince me or yourself right now?” he teases, but from his lopsided smile, you know he’s as ready as he’ll ever be.

You grin. “Choi Seungcheol, you’re a charming guy. Be yourself.”

He insists on holding the two bouquets, yet another thing to keep his hands occupied, though they shake in his grip as you get closer. One of them is for your mom. She takes them with a pleased gasp. The other he carefully tucks into the vase beside your mama’s name, and when he straightens, you step to his side.

“Mom, this is Seungcheol, the guy I’m seeing. We work together.”

“Hi, I’m Y/N’s mom,” she says, holding out a hand for him to shake. He takes it in both of his own. “You can just call me mom, though—oh my, unless that’s too forward of me? Is it too soon?”

She glances at you, eyes wide in the same What do I do? panic that you saw on Seungcheol’s features earlier. You laugh. Yeah, things will be just fine.