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Breakfast had been had at his grandparents home, a home cooked meal, consisting of rice, vegetables, soup, and other basic things. He’d found out, upon waking up, that Terry had suffered another poor night on the bed they’d slept on. He’d offered to Terry that the other sleep on him, as it should be more comfortable, and that was how they’d gone to sleep the evening before. The bedroom door locked, thankfully, and with Terry laying on him. This morning however it seemed as though Terry had rolled off him at some point in the night, as he had woken on the bed and sore from the night.
That in mind he was treating the other when they’d gone out today, the first trip was to Myeongdong for make up products as well as skin care products, he was picking some up to bring home with him plus he’d been asked by a friend for face and hair masks. But that wasn’t the only thing to find in the district, though it was a big part of what made the area up, there was also street foods - lots of it.
The street food had become lunch, as he’d treated Terry to anything he wanted to try, encouraging him to try various things. It wasn’t just that but he was also translating prices and telling Terry what was in the various foods found at the numerous stalls. The smells in the air enough to have him ordering food for himself as well, this was one of the big things he missed when in Destiny City. The street food was something he could live off of, or at least very close to live off of. Street food was different here when compared to Destiny City, at least it felt like that to him.
The food was filling and good and while leaving the air, food in hand still being eaten, they were coming up on a park that he pointed out. It was a large park, Namsan park, that they were walking around the edge of. Most of the park, as he said, wasn’t in Myeongdong but in the next district. But deciding to turn into the park, and enjoy the scenery while eating, Seung’s dark eyes glanced about noting some other people wandering about or running.
It had been a hell of a walk to get to the park from Etude House and the other busy makeup and skin care stores but it was worth it. Many food places passed on the way and good food in hand, along with the time spent together.
A playground, and children playing on it, wasn’t an unusual thing. There were young ones, too young for school, and slightly older children who were playing. No parents seemed to be around, as the people clearly watching over the group of twenty odd children wore uniforms of a sort. It wasn’t unusual for children to be there so hearing the sounds of children didn’t draw his attention, he didn’t notice the uniformed caregivers watching the little ones playing.
That in mind he was treating the other when they’d gone out today, the first trip was to Myeongdong for make up products as well as skin care products, he was picking some up to bring home with him plus he’d been asked by a friend for face and hair masks. But that wasn’t the only thing to find in the district, though it was a big part of what made the area up, there was also street foods - lots of it.
The street food had become lunch, as he’d treated Terry to anything he wanted to try, encouraging him to try various things. It wasn’t just that but he was also translating prices and telling Terry what was in the various foods found at the numerous stalls. The smells in the air enough to have him ordering food for himself as well, this was one of the big things he missed when in Destiny City. The street food was something he could live off of, or at least very close to live off of. Street food was different here when compared to Destiny City, at least it felt like that to him.
The food was filling and good and while leaving the air, food in hand still being eaten, they were coming up on a park that he pointed out. It was a large park, Namsan park, that they were walking around the edge of. Most of the park, as he said, wasn’t in Myeongdong but in the next district. But deciding to turn into the park, and enjoy the scenery while eating, Seung’s dark eyes glanced about noting some other people wandering about or running.
It had been a hell of a walk to get to the park from Etude House and the other busy makeup and skin care stores but it was worth it. Many food places passed on the way and good food in hand, along with the time spent together.
A playground, and children playing on it, wasn’t an unusual thing. There were young ones, too young for school, and slightly older children who were playing. No parents seemed to be around, as the people clearly watching over the group of twenty odd children wore uniforms of a sort. It wasn’t unusual for children to be there so hearing the sounds of children didn’t draw his attention, he didn’t notice the uniformed caregivers watching the little ones playing.
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While the night hadn’t been as bad as the night before since he had spent at least some of it sleeping on Seung, Terry still felt sore all over. On one hand it was weird since he had been able to fall asleep on the floor of his house many times with only a blanket beneath him with very little soreness, but on the other hand it could just be because of his house had carpet and maybe that made a difference.
He did try to put that out of his mind and ignore the soreness though as the day began and Seung had lead him out into the city to shop and explore. It was interesting to have all the street vendors around and the variety of foods they offered, though a good interesting. It was certainly one way to go an try out different foods of South Korea and he was very glad that Seung had no problem explaining what the different foods were.
Once the other man pointed out the park as they passed by he looked over and took in the different flora, glad to find greenery thriving in the middle of the city. But his attention was very fleeting on that topic and instead was caught by the kids playing on the playground and couldn’t help but give a small smile. He did find it weird that there were no true adults with them though.
He did try to put that out of his mind and ignore the soreness though as the day began and Seung had lead him out into the city to shop and explore. It was interesting to have all the street vendors around and the variety of foods they offered, though a good interesting. It was certainly one way to go an try out different foods of South Korea and he was very glad that Seung had no problem explaining what the different foods were.
Once the other man pointed out the park as they passed by he looked over and took in the different flora, glad to find greenery thriving in the middle of the city. But his attention was very fleeting on that topic and instead was caught by the kids playing on the playground and couldn’t help but give a small smile. He did find it weird that there were no true adults with them though.
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He didn’t find it odd either as he finished what he was eating. The children were, at least for him, something you saw on occasion as typically they remained where they lived. Moving toward a nearby garbage can, to throw out the container his food had been in, he took the time to glance over the children even as a few Americans, their accents and voices gave it away, called out to the children - gathering them.
It was time for them to go back, according to the voices, though it was summer time so it wasn’t school they were going back to and he knew it. The uniforms on them told him, if he cared to look, where they were from. He already had an idea though, not by name but he had a general idea, as he watched little children go running and walking toward them.
“Want to walk through park?” He asked turning his dark eyes onto his partner, questioning.
It was time for them to go back, according to the voices, though it was summer time so it wasn’t school they were going back to and he knew it. The uniforms on them told him, if he cared to look, where they were from. He already had an idea though, not by name but he had a general idea, as he watched little children go running and walking toward them.
“Want to walk through park?” He asked turning his dark eyes onto his partner, questioning.
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Terry’s eyes followed the children as they played for a few minutes then darted over to look at Seung when the other man spoke up and a few adults were calling to to kids. He was glad to find out that it wasn’t just teens looking out for them, though he was sure those teens were capable otherwise they wouldn’t have been left like that. “Sure. Have you ever been on a walk through it before?” He asked, though figured the answer would be yes. “At least this park won't have youma jumping out at us hmm?” He said then threw away his own trash. Once his hands were free he glanced around at the different crowds around them then held out a hand to Seung. Hand holding would fall under skinship right? So he wouldn’t be causing the other man any trouble at least on that end.
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“I have, been here a lot with family and friends in past.” He had come here more than a few times, especially with friends. More than one shopping trip had ended up here, especially with the few female friends he’d had.
“No...should be safe.” Seung answered, keeping his voice low. “But not say loud - will get questions.” Taking the other's hand he laced their fingers together and moved to the others side. Watching the adults bundle the children together, like a little group of baby ducks, and heard them off.
“Such pity - no homes for them.” He said nodding to the children who were, thankfully, at a distance and wouldn’t hear nor would the adults.
“No...should be safe.” Seung answered, keeping his voice low. “But not say loud - will get questions.” Taking the other's hand he laced their fingers together and moved to the others side. Watching the adults bundle the children together, like a little group of baby ducks, and heard them off.
“Such pity - no homes for them.” He said nodding to the children who were, thankfully, at a distance and wouldn’t hear nor would the adults.
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Terry nodded at Seung’s response, not surprised in the least at the confirmation, then gave a quick smile to the other. “If any one had asked I would have said it was a monster name from a video game, but you are right..” He said, voice just as low as the other man’s. He hadn’t really thought about not calling the youma what they were since they were in a different country after all, though he supposed it was still better safe than sorry.
He then paused as Seung mentioned that the kids he had been watching had no homes, glancing back at them. “I take it they are kids from an orphanage then?” He asked, heart going out to the many children on the playground and hoping at least some were kids with parents that were just playing with the others.
He then paused as Seung mentioned that the kids he had been watching had no homes, glancing back at them. “I take it they are kids from an orphanage then?” He asked, heart going out to the many children on the playground and hoping at least some were kids with parents that were just playing with the others.
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“Don’t know if they have people here...so not good that either.” He said in a whispered voice, leaning in close to the other to keep it so only Terry heard him. He didn’t trust that people, who looked so normal and average, were just that - normal. “Don’t know how far their range is…” How much did they dominate? Was it just Destiny city or beyond that and if it was beyond - how far?
Nodding his head to the others question. “Yes, all orphanage. They go with helpers who teach them there - at the orphanage. Some of them may but many age out. Harder now to get homes with new laws.” Shrugging a bit. He felt for them he did, but there was nothing he could do. They were all in a tight spot and he knew many would fall to the bottom end of society - it was how it went...bad as it was. “Some, I think, go to normal schools...most I think school there...uniforms expensive - too expensive.”
Watching a few of the younger ones play, knowing they knew they weren’t likely to be adopted. If someone turned up at the orphanage it would be a fight to get a home...it could tear apart friendships he was sure. Either way they knew what they were and had a clue as to their likely fate...carefree on the outside as they were.
Nodding his head to the others question. “Yes, all orphanage. They go with helpers who teach them there - at the orphanage. Some of them may but many age out. Harder now to get homes with new laws.” Shrugging a bit. He felt for them he did, but there was nothing he could do. They were all in a tight spot and he knew many would fall to the bottom end of society - it was how it went...bad as it was. “Some, I think, go to normal schools...most I think school there...uniforms expensive - too expensive.”
Watching a few of the younger ones play, knowing they knew they weren’t likely to be adopted. If someone turned up at the orphanage it would be a fight to get a home...it could tear apart friendships he was sure. Either way they knew what they were and had a clue as to their likely fate...carefree on the outside as they were.
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“Very true.” Terry said with a wince. “Something we might want to look into when we get back. It wouldn’t be good to power up without thinking while visiting anywhere else only to end up being a beacon.” Yes it was something they would definitely have to look into if they end up visiting South Korea again and it was a good thing they had no plans on trying it this time around without knowing for sure.
His heart sank when Seung said they all were indeed from the orphanage. He wasn’t in any position to help them right now but that didn’t mean he didn’t wish he could. “What new laws is that? Why would they make laws that would hinder adopting?” He looked from the kids to his boyfriend with a raised eyebrow.
His heart sank when Seung said they all were indeed from the orphanage. He wasn’t in any position to help them right now but that didn’t mean he didn’t wish he could. “What new laws is that? Why would they make laws that would hinder adopting?” He looked from the kids to his boyfriend with a raised eyebrow.
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“No, and since mandatory service...would be good to know for me.” He could, of course, become a naturalized American but it didn’t feel right. It was skipping out on what so many had done...it felt wrong, so he’d be going into service at some point - not for years though. He just didn’t know what Terry would do, since it would be anywhere from twenty one months to...twentyfour or something like that.
“Makes it harder for internationals to adopt...and that is where most go. Tries to get more to adopt from here but that won’t be. So means many won’t get a home and family...they will live there and age out. Job and university will be hard or not possible for many. “New law was to make more want to adopt here - to keep in culture and same language and not give it up…” But as he’d said...it wasn’t working and wouldn’t. It was going to lead to more with no home. “Cut adopts outside to a quarter of what once was.”
He had heard about it online and on tv when things had happened, but at the time it hadn’t been important or even on his mind. It wasn’t something he thought about, busy with school and just living his own life. Seeing the children though, now at least, had him staring and wondering which ones would find a home and a life? Which ones wouldn’t...it was a random thing really.
“Makes it harder for internationals to adopt...and that is where most go. Tries to get more to adopt from here but that won’t be. So means many won’t get a home and family...they will live there and age out. Job and university will be hard or not possible for many. “New law was to make more want to adopt here - to keep in culture and same language and not give it up…” But as he’d said...it wasn’t working and wouldn’t. It was going to lead to more with no home. “Cut adopts outside to a quarter of what once was.”
He had heard about it online and on tv when things had happened, but at the time it hadn’t been important or even on his mind. It wasn’t something he thought about, busy with school and just living his own life. Seeing the children though, now at least, had him staring and wondering which ones would find a home and a life? Which ones wouldn’t...it was a random thing really.
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Terry held back a frown at the reminder of the mandatory service, having never really liked the idea ever since he first heard of it though understanding of it. “I wouldn’t think there would be a lot of opportunity to power up in the military anyway, but yes, something to know ahead of time.” he said with a shrug.
When Seung explained about the laws though, he couldn’t hold back the frown any longer. “I understand why they were trying to encourage more in country adoptions but isn’t it better to have them adopted by some loving family then not at all?” He shook his head. “I hope that gets changed soon when the statistics show it’s not helping at all.”
When Seung explained about the laws though, he couldn’t hold back the frown any longer. “I understand why they were trying to encourage more in country adoptions but isn’t it better to have them adopted by some loving family then not at all?” He shook his head. “I hope that gets changed soon when the statistics show it’s not helping at all.”
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Well...home world travel, or wonders for knights, was the thing he worried over. If there were people here, like themselves and the Negaverse, it could be troublesome for him to power up and visit his wonder. It would be a good thing to know if he had to worry about it, if he needed to not visit at all for the duration of the time. He hadn’t thought on it, since he had no plans to go for a few years, but since it had come up it was worth looking into when they got back to Destiny City.
“Don’t think it will change...people won’t adopt here. Someone else's child...not blood related..different last name. Family is important. Would be a stigma...a taboo to take in anothers child - a child unwanted by the parent.” He said shaking his head. “Even if parents accepted - other family would not. Is one reason parents won’t accept us - no child to carry on name and blood.” It was one of many reasons their relationship wouldn’t be accepted, he’d been over the others with Terry over the time they’d dated.
“Jobs will ask on resume about family. Like with asking college and schooling they ask about that - to judge morals...figure you are like parents and if parents are good so are you.” It made some sense. Parents with good morals and behavior would raise a child who was good. “Without parent..who to put down? Admit to being orphaned...can be, for some, as bad as mental sickness and having help.” And Terry had known, from Seung himself, how bad that could look on a resume. “Means future is not secure...many do not get good job and do well.” Some of the children, following the adults out and holding hands, would not have a bright future. But was their present really that bright? Watching some of them he thought yes but others...others you could read it in their dark eyes.
As the group left they too continued on their own walk. It was a whole system setup for orphans to fail and not do well. Plus their country had only just gotten social security in recent years, not soon enough for his grand parents generation. Many of whom were suffering and not doing well, living on their own and getting assistance and no visits from family. Family was important and yet as their country changed, matured sort to speak, it left some things behind that perhaps they shouldn’t? They were a country who had grown, and fast, but hadn’t thought about things and hadn’t set up enough things to help. They hadn’t had the time or the foresight, maybe both, to do so. Now they were scrambling to set up things and it was a game of catch up.
“Don’t think it will change...people won’t adopt here. Someone else's child...not blood related..different last name. Family is important. Would be a stigma...a taboo to take in anothers child - a child unwanted by the parent.” He said shaking his head. “Even if parents accepted - other family would not. Is one reason parents won’t accept us - no child to carry on name and blood.” It was one of many reasons their relationship wouldn’t be accepted, he’d been over the others with Terry over the time they’d dated.
“Jobs will ask on resume about family. Like with asking college and schooling they ask about that - to judge morals...figure you are like parents and if parents are good so are you.” It made some sense. Parents with good morals and behavior would raise a child who was good. “Without parent..who to put down? Admit to being orphaned...can be, for some, as bad as mental sickness and having help.” And Terry had known, from Seung himself, how bad that could look on a resume. “Means future is not secure...many do not get good job and do well.” Some of the children, following the adults out and holding hands, would not have a bright future. But was their present really that bright? Watching some of them he thought yes but others...others you could read it in their dark eyes.
As the group left they too continued on their own walk. It was a whole system setup for orphans to fail and not do well. Plus their country had only just gotten social security in recent years, not soon enough for his grand parents generation. Many of whom were suffering and not doing well, living on their own and getting assistance and no visits from family. Family was important and yet as their country changed, matured sort to speak, it left some things behind that perhaps they shouldn’t? They were a country who had grown, and fast, but hadn’t thought about things and hadn’t set up enough things to help. They hadn’t had the time or the foresight, maybe both, to do so. Now they were scrambling to set up things and it was a game of catch up.
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“That honestly sounds like this is one big mess of prejudice and not enough opportunities.” Terry said, though he will readily admit he had watered it down to simplify that sentence. While there were many fascinating things about South Korea, some things such as the laws and prejudices around family made him glad he lived in America. “But what if the person happens to have turned out morally right even without parents or with bad ones? How could they prove that to any employer?”
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“Do not know...employer would have to take a chance and hire. But many look at that and university...appearence as well.” He answered seriously. At least in Korea they admitted that good looking people got further in life, they nurtured it even and like a weed it grew. He knew it but he also knew he gave in to it, so he could do well. Now he didn’t live here, he visited, but he had done well in school and had gotten into a good university when he’d lived here. He could have gone to better in the United States but he hadn’t, he’d settled for Destiny City university because he didn’t want to leave his family - family was everything.
“Korea grew - very fast...no time to set things up and think...many old thoughts from grandparents still very strong. Is...new and old and fight between the two...things change to keep up but not fast enough or too fast in some places….very new for us - unexpected.” He had gone to university with plenty of people who wanted to leave and go someplace else where the stress of education was less severe and where the opportunities for a job were better. He had gotten what he hadn’t wanted but what many did want...but he was adapting...slowly in some ways.
“Some will find homes...not enough. Feel for them...family is important - to belong.”
“Korea grew - very fast...no time to set things up and think...many old thoughts from grandparents still very strong. Is...new and old and fight between the two...things change to keep up but not fast enough or too fast in some places….very new for us - unexpected.” He had gone to university with plenty of people who wanted to leave and go someplace else where the stress of education was less severe and where the opportunities for a job were better. He had gotten what he hadn’t wanted but what many did want...but he was adapting...slowly in some ways.
“Some will find homes...not enough. Feel for them...family is important - to belong.”
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Terry frowned and looked from Seung to the surrounding area and people. “I can see why things could get mixed up with the clash between old and new when things are speeding by.” He said after a moment. “It still seems like they need to rethink a lot of things but at the same time I can’t judge too harshly. After all what do I know about leading a country?” He said with a small smile at the end to try and lighten the mood a tad. Whether it worked or not he wasn’t sure though since he was feeling rather mixed about the new information. Logically he knew he couldn’t help the country change, nor could he help all of the orphans who lost good chances at homes thanks to the laws, didn’t stop him from wishing though. And that did give him a partial idea anyway.
The young man then shook his head, gave one last look at the children, then took Seung’s hand. “If...if we get to a point in our lives and relationship that we are thinking about children together… Would you be willing to see about adopting from here?” He asked hesitantly.
The young man then shook his head, gave one last look at the children, then took Seung’s hand. “If...if we get to a point in our lives and relationship that we are thinking about children together… Would you be willing to see about adopting from here?” He asked hesitantly.
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“After Korean war grandparents generation did much hard work to recover and gave up much to help South Korea. Children then, my parents, gave much as well to honor grandparents sacrifices and help Korea. Kept many old things but did some new but did not think of many things...government did not see some things and worked by old ideas.” He had once explained they still held to confusion ideas, at least to a point, and that did influence things in Korea. How families were structured and the like. It played into many things really, whether they realized it or not.
“Is ok, don’t need to understand running country, how many do?” Not many, aside from those who did he figured the number was severely limited. “Eventually, I hope, that new generation will help and advance things - not move away as many want to. Too many pressure here from school...too hard to get good job - all have such good education.” Which was why looks and other things were looked at. Society here was competitive and it was stressing - very stressing.
Staring down at the other's hand his head sprang up, rather harshly, at the others words. He had never thought of children, he couldn’t marry here and thus couldn’t hope to ever adopt. It wasn’t something to have ever cross his mind. Yet Terry was thinking of it, and he was sure one reason was to help a child - so noble. “You would want child from here? Would not be easy for you…” Language and other things would make it harder on Terry, speaking to the child if they were older...if younger it would be easier. But still, there were surely orphans in the US as well.
“If you want - yes.”
“Is ok, don’t need to understand running country, how many do?” Not many, aside from those who did he figured the number was severely limited. “Eventually, I hope, that new generation will help and advance things - not move away as many want to. Too many pressure here from school...too hard to get good job - all have such good education.” Which was why looks and other things were looked at. Society here was competitive and it was stressing - very stressing.
Staring down at the other's hand his head sprang up, rather harshly, at the others words. He had never thought of children, he couldn’t marry here and thus couldn’t hope to ever adopt. It wasn’t something to have ever cross his mind. Yet Terry was thinking of it, and he was sure one reason was to help a child - so noble. “You would want child from here? Would not be easy for you…” Language and other things would make it harder on Terry, speaking to the child if they were older...if younger it would be easier. But still, there were surely orphans in the US as well.
“If you want - yes.”
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Terry shook his head, not sure what he could say in response to that. It still sounded like to him that the people in government needed to sit down and rethink things. “I don’t even think some of the leaders even do to be honest.” He said then nodded. “Agreed. It is better to change things from the inside then everyone just moving away from the problem.” Though he could seriously understand why they would want to move away and he was glad that Seung was living in America wholeheartedly.
When Seung snapped to look at him, Terry ducked his head slightly to hide behind his bangs, not sure how the other man would respond. “Yes, I would welcome any child from here.” For more than one reason though the one he had in the forefront of his mind at the moment was that it would mean giving that child a better future, he wouldn’t care about the difficulties. Parenthood was meant to have those anyway. He gave Seung a smile when he said yes and gripped his hand. “I’m glad.”
When Seung snapped to look at him, Terry ducked his head slightly to hide behind his bangs, not sure how the other man would respond. “Yes, I would welcome any child from here.” For more than one reason though the one he had in the forefront of his mind at the moment was that it would mean giving that child a better future, he wouldn’t care about the difficulties. Parenthood was meant to have those anyway. He gave Seung a smile when he said yes and gripped his hand. “I’m glad.”
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“No...corruption is normal.” It was a normal thing, it just wasn’t much talked about. It happened, he figured it was normal in politics in general...and it did seem to be when looking at the US as well. He knew of people, friends of his and people he’d gone to school with, who wanted to move and go anywhere else though most seemed interested in the United States. It was hard to find a job due to how competitive it was, something he knew all too well as it was something he’d been looking at facing when he graduated university. He didn’t have the worry now but it had been there, it was the only reason he would have ever considered changing his eyes and getting double eyelid surgery...as it wasn’t something he was otherwise interested in.
“Any child…” Trailing off he tightened the hold their hands had and s smiled gently. He honestly had never considered adoption but now it would be on his mind, he knew it, and Terry seemed to really fancy the idea. Could he, would he, have a family one day? How would he keep it a secret from his own parents? From his grandparents and aunts and uncles? He imagined it was like having two lives...like you heard about in the news at times or on tv shows where a guy had two wives and two sets of children and everything. He didn’t like the idea but he knew he could never tell his parents or the older members of his family - they’d never accept it.
“One day, when ready.” Whenever that day came...he’d accept and welcome it.
“Any child…” Trailing off he tightened the hold their hands had and s smiled gently. He honestly had never considered adoption but now it would be on his mind, he knew it, and Terry seemed to really fancy the idea. Could he, would he, have a family one day? How would he keep it a secret from his own parents? From his grandparents and aunts and uncles? He imagined it was like having two lives...like you heard about in the news at times or on tv shows where a guy had two wives and two sets of children and everything. He didn’t like the idea but he knew he could never tell his parents or the older members of his family - they’d never accept it.
“One day, when ready.” Whenever that day came...he’d accept and welcome it.
