short #jikookAU in which single dad JM messes up the spooky eyeball...

The cookies do NOT look like eyeballs.
JM stares at them in horror, silently praying that he’s just imagining it. But after stepping back, squinting, and tilting his head at different angles,
Unfortunately, he really doesn't have time to fix them, and he can’t show up empty-handed either. So he does the only thing he can think of.
Out of sight, out of mind.
No one will notice, he tells himself.
Except, of course, JK does.
His clothes are always crisp and ironed, his hair styled in a way that
Meanwhile, JM can barely manage to get Soojin out the door in matching socks, and her endless energy makes the mornings a whirlwind of chaos.
To make things worse, the other parents adore JK.
He watches as the other strolls toward the bake table, casually scanning the treats with that frustratingly calm confidence, and JM's stomach drops when
'No, no, no, don’t open it,' he silently pleads, his heart pounding.
But, of course, JK doesn’t get the message. He lifts the lid, takes one look at the cookies, and freezes. JM can already feel the judgment radiating from across the room.
“Oh my,” he laughs a little too loudly while approaching, watching as JK picks up one of the cookies like it’s some strange artifact. “Who made these? Wow."
“What?" JM laughs nervously. "Why would you think that?”
JK points at the container. “The Tupperware says your name on it.”
JM’s face flushes, and he clears his throat awkwardly before crossing his arms.
“They’re eyeballs.”
“Obviously."
“Obviously?” JK echoes, glancing at the cookie. “They look like-”
“I know what they look like,” JM cuts in, his face burning with embarrassment. “But I didn’t have time to fix them. That’s why I put them in the corner...
“Well, I did,” JK says flatly, placing the cookie back in the container. "And these are wildly inappropriate for a school event."
JM’s hands clench at his sides. "I know that. I didn’t do it on purpose!”
JM’s temper flares. Of course, JK wouldn’t understand. The perfect, well-organized single dad who never seems to screw up.
“Oh, so you like them?”
“What? No! I mean, I didn’t say you have to have everything under control.”
JM rolls his eyes. “Well, you didn’t need to,” he snaps, words spilling out before he can stop them.
JK stares at him for a long moment, his expression softening slightly.
“I wasn’t trying to make you feel bad.”
“I know,” he mutters, rubbing the back of his neck. “I just... it’s hard. And I know I’m not great at it. I’m just... I'm trying."
JK watches him for a moment longer, then lets out a small chuckle.
“You don't?”
JK shakes his head with a laugh. “Not even close. Most days I’m just winging it. Same as you."
“But...But you always look so good while doing it,” JM blurts out before he can stop himself.
“I do?”
JM’s face flushes with heat, and he desperately wishes he could swallow his words back down. His mind scrambles for an escape route, but there’s no taking it back now.
JK brings his hand up, inspecting his nails before his eyes find JM's again.
JM’s heart stumbles in his chest.
Abort!
He clears his throat awkwardly, feeling the heat crawl up his neck. “I just...everyone notices, right? You’ve got this... whole thing.”
JK hums, and there is a playful glint in his eyes.
“Annoying? Good to know.”
Something about his tone makes JM’s pulse quicken, and he shifts awkwardly, flustered under JK’s gaze.
“I mean...I don’t know...” His eyes dart anywhere but JK’s face. "It’s just...uhm...I've noticed. I...yeah."
JK chuckles softly, but the playful glint in his eyes remains.
JM’s breath catches. “What?”
JK doesn’t miss a beat. “You’re a good dad, JM.” His voice is calm. “You handle more than you give yourself credit for. And you're really cute while doing it."
“Stop,” he mumbles, feeling his face heat up again. “I'm a mess half the time.”
JK’s smile softens, but he doesn’t back off. “Well, I think you're cute."
JM's throat goes dry.
“You have a babysitter for Soojin?”
“What?” JM blinks.
“Tomorrow night. Seven. You have someone to watch Soojin?”
JM’s heart does a little flip.
“Uh, yeah, my mom should be able-” He frowns. "Wait, why?"
JM’s brain practically short-circuits.
“Dinner?”
JK smirks, crossing his arms. “Yeah. I’ll pick you up.”
JM stares at him, dumbfounded, and watches as JK casually reaches into the container, grabbing one of the cookies.
"Hm, I’m not really a boob guy," he licks a crumb off his lip, "but these are pretty good."
JM stares at him. “Not a boob guy," he echoes dumbly.
JK smirks, leaning in. "No, I'm more into other assets."
"And yours? Definitely my type." Then he winks playfully before stepping past him. “See you tomorrow.
JM stands frozen, his heart still racing, the warmth spreading all the way to his ears as he watches JK walk away, casually greeting other parents as he passes before taking a seat in front of the pumpkin-decorated stage, where the kids will soon perform their Halloween play.
It seems like, for the first time, by messing up, he’s actually made something go right.
🎃 the end 🎃
