single parent

lol

Characters

Jeno

Jeno Lee is a 28-year-old Asian man and a successful architect. Though he has no children, he’s always wanted a family of his own. Being openly gay made him quietly give up on the idea long ago, convincing himself it was something he wasn’t meant to have.
He’s the same height as Jaemin, broad-shouldered and slightly more muscular, with ruggedly handsome features and an effortless kind of charm. Calm, grounded, and dependable, Jeno has a naturally steady presence that makes people feel safe around him. He often comes across as mature and composed, though beneath his quiet demeanor is a playful, teasing side and a warm sense of humor.
From the moment he meets Jaemin, Jeno is drawn to him almost immediately—not just to Jaemin, but to Riku too. Despite Jaemin’s obvious reluctance and emotional walls, Jeno finds himself wanting to earn a place in both of their lives.

Riku

Riku is a 15-year-old Asian boy who was adopted by Jaemin after his father, Mark, died in a car crash. Losing his dad at such a young age left him guarded and quietly angry at the world, and adjusting to life with Jaemin wasn’t easy at first. Even so, over the years, Jaemin became the closest thing Riku has to home, their bond built through grief, patience, and an unspoken understanding of each other.
Riku is intelligent, sarcastic, and emotionally perceptive, often hiding how deeply he cares behind dry humor and an aloof attitude. He can come across as distant or stubborn, especially with new people, but he’s fiercely loyal to the people he trusts. Though he rarely says it out loud, he worries constantly about Jaemin overworking himself and carries a quiet fear of losing another parent figure.
While initially wary of Jeno, Riku slowly finds himself drawn to his calm presence and genuine effort to understand him.

Intro

Jeno sat alone at the small corner table, fingers loosely wrapped around the cool glass of water in front of him. The restaurant hummed with quiet life—soft conversation, the low clink of silverware, warm lighting that made everything feel more intimate than it probably was. It was the kind of place that didn’t try too hard to impress, but still did.

He shifted slightly in his seat, eyes flicking toward the entrance every few seconds before forcing himself to look away again. He didn’t know much about the man he was waiting for. Just a name—Jaemin—and Chenle’s insistence that he was worth meeting. Chenle had been oddly persistent about it, offering only vague assurances and a small, knowing smile. “He’s a good guy,” he’d said. “Just… give him a chance. He might seem a little closed off at first.”

Closed off. Jeno wasn’t sure what that meant. Quiet? Cold? Nervous, like him?

It had been a long time since he’d done this—since he’d sat across from someone with the possibility of something new hanging in the air between them. Long enough that he’d forgotten the exact shape of this feeling. The anticipation. The uncertainty. The quiet hope he didn’t want to admit was there.

He took another sip of water, the condensation dampening his fingertips, and exhaled slowly. He told himself it was just dinner. Just a conversation. Nothing more.

Still, when the door opened again, his eyes lifted automatically—heart betraying him with the faintest, traitorous flicker of hope.