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Sitting for dinner in a small restaurant, located down aside alley, Seung sat across from Terry as he helped the other go over the menu. The small restaurants menu was spread out on the table they were seated, indian style on the floor, at. Scanning down the list with his finger tip, reading off items, he kept his voice low so only Terry could hear as he didn’t want to disturb other people. Going over ingredients in each item on the menu.

While it rained outside, and the were seated by the open floor to ceiling windows of the place, the roof which overhang kept them both dry. The cool air though was the reason for his choice in restaurant, the place specialized in stews. Already knowing what he was getting he was now helping his husband in figuring out what he wanted, they hadn’t figured out a drink yet either though.

The small little garden in front of them was kept neat with nicely cut grass and a few flowers growing here and there as they added some color. While normally in the spring and summer people would be seated outside there was no one this evening. It was raining and the ground was wet, the little stone path colored a darker hue of bluish grey than usual, it was peaceful here and felt a bit distanced from the city around the place.

“Did you have good day while I worked with Quinn?” Glancing up from the menu, watching the other, with a light smile in place. The place was nice and peaceful so the sounds of the rain was almost louder than the people in the small, old fashioned, establishment. This was the first time he’d taken Terry to a place like this, a traditional place to eat like this.


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Terry was certainly grateful for the explanations and listened to them intently so he wouldn’t make a mistake in ordering something he didn’t like. Of course he also enjoyed how close they were as well, after all that was always welcome. His eyes would occasionally dart up to take in the decor of the restaurant or to look outside but he would always turn back to see where his husband was pointing at in the menu at the time. So far he had narrowed down what he might want to eat but was waiting for Seung to finish explaining the dishes before really making up his mind since it could be that something else caught his attention.

“Yes I did. I took a walk around the area, not too far though, just enough to get a little bit more familiar with the block really.” Terry said with a return smile and a brief brush of his shoulder against Seung’s. “How was yours? Productive I hope?” The atmosphere of the restaurant was calm, peaceful, and seemed private thanks to the rains ambient noise helping to filter out the other patrons voices, something that Terry found he rather liked.


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Finishing with the menu as Terry was asking about his own day, which had thankfully gone well, Seung looked up from the menu and smiled. “Went well, little tiring but good. Glad you are exploring some. Found good places to visit while here?” They could, of course, do the typical tourist thing and when not working he could take Terry to see the tourist locations. It wasn’t like a lot of locals didn’t go to most of the spots as well, at least once in their life. He figured it was the same in Destiny City or any other major place. Locals would, at least on their life time, go to that tourist filled place just to see it...even if it was filled with foreign people and you looked like one of them.

Already he knew what he would be ordering, a nice beef stew and tea, so Seung wasn’t too worried in looking over the menu to decide for himself. He hadn’t been to this particular place before but he’d had the dishes before at various other places.


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“Good to hear.” Terry said with a smile. It was always good to hear when Seung had a good day and even if it is tiring, he could always help the other relax later. “I found a bookshop cafe mix around the corner that looks like a good place to check out, as well as a few different types of stores. Oh and there is a park about two blocks down south that I would love to go walking with you one of these days.” Not today obviously but when it was sunny out or even when it was night time, just so long as it wasn’t raining heavily on them.

His eyes darted once to the menu then back up to his husband, finally figure out what he was going to order but they should probably figure one other thing out before they were waited on. “What would you like to drink?”


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It sounded like Terry had found a lot of things, which was good, it would give him things to do while he was busy helping Quinn to set up things here before the three returned to Destiny City. “Did you go into cafe?” He asked rather curious. Terry could have, unless it was upon on a second, or higher, floor seen inside and realized it was a bookshop and cafe. It wasn’t uncommon to find cafe’s that did more than just serve coffee and tea, it was really rather common in fact.

“Don’t like tea much...but think I’ll get tea with this.” Rather than drink which he normally would do. If this had been over a year ago, back when he’d been living here, he would have ordered soju. Seung also would have been with friends and likely not in a restaurant like this. Things had changed, a lot, for the better in some ways. He still missed living here but he didn’t need to hide in Destiny city and he got to have a family - his family. It was worth it in the end...it really was.

“You?”


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“Not yet, I thought I might ask you to come with me first.” Terry said with a shrug and a smile. It wasn’t that he wasn’t willing to go by himself first, it was more along the lines of he wanted to experience a good chunk of any ‘firsts’ with Seung and it was entirely possible that the cafe could be a good date spot besides. It had looked like a nice little cafe as well as at least part of the bookshop could be seen from the windows and it looked like a nice, quiet place to relax in.

Terry gave a thoughtful hum then another smile. “I think I’ll probably go with the tea as well.” He wasn’t one to drink a lot of alcohol and tea would go better with his planned meal the soda over all he figured.


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Nodding his head, smile bright, Seung may not have figured it was Terry wanting to experience a lot of fists with him. But it was something to experience together, and he liked that idea. “Ok, tomorrow then?” Hopefully it would be nicer out, he hadn’t checked the weather, and they could go together.

“Any type of tea you want? Or whatever I order?” He questioned. If they got the same thing they’d likely finish two pots, if it was just himself it would be one for each of them of two different teas.

“Anything thinking you want to do while here?”


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“Tomorrow.” Terry agreed with a grin and a nod. He then gave his husband a wink. “It’s a date then.” Just because they were married now didn’t mean he didn’t plan on taking the other man out on dates still. And one good thing about it been a bookstore/cafe, even if it was raining they could walk there using an umbrella if they chose to, though he did hope it wasn’t raining.

“Which ever tea you plan on getting is fine with me.” He wasn’t picky over all and a lot of the drinks that Seung enjoyed, he rather did as well so he wasn’t worried on that aspect. At the question though he paused to think it over for a moment. “Well there was one thing I would like to look into… if you are still willing anyway or if you don’t mind the timing...” He said, fidgeting his fingers together a bit. They had talked about it before but he wasn’t sure what Seung would say about the topic.


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A bright smile lit up his face at the word date, making a date out of going to a cafe was nice. It was something simple but not something he’d have ever done while living here, it was something he couldn’t have done while living here. Living here still would mean he was with someone who was also Korean...meaning any relationship would likely be kept a secret. Dates would be rare and well hidden...not obvious. This was, with someone not Korean, it was ok. Terry didn’t hide it and he could be more open, he didn’t have to worry.

“Ok, so chrysanthemum.” Seung filled in before motioning for the waitress to come and take their orders. “What is it?” He asked the other, picking up on his nervousness. How could he not notice the other being nervous? He could feel it like it was his own emotion, the necklace being the cause of it. When the waitress came, in an effort to hurry her off with their order so he and Terry could talk, he placed his order for food and tea before looking to Terry to place his own food order.


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Terry’s eyes lingered on the smile on his husband’s face, heart doing flips in his chest. Even after having dated for over a year, even after being married for a short while now as well, sometimes a simple smile from Seung was enough to make him fall head over heels again when he was just watching the other, as sappy as that sounded. He pressed his leg against the other man’s instead of leaning over and pressing a kiss over the smile like he would have if they were back home in America. Though he could admit to himself that he was purposefully focusing on his beautiful husband’s face and trying to push down the nervousness he was feeling for what he was going to ask.

Seung calling the waitress and putting in his order was another semi distraction but he could feel Seung’s curiosity and drive to find out what was going on quickly so he didn’t linger in ordering either. Once she was gone he turned back to the other man and took a breath before answering. “I would like to… if you are still up for it… while we are here I would like to look into adoption.”


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Hidden amongst the many rings he wore was the engagement and wedding band he had from Terry, he wasn’t going to take them off but he also couldn’t be so open about them here. It might, though he didn’t figure it would necessarily, open them up to being figured out. It wasn’t like they had to deal with these people but he still didn’t want whispers and looks, he’d rather go without them while on a trip.

For a moment surprise flashed across his features...was Terry trying to gain his attention? Raising a brow he rubbed his leg, slowly so as to keep the motion unnoticed, against Terry’s. Pausing he stared for a moment. “Adoption...you are serious?” It was new, being married, but the idea of adoption already. Terry had brought it up, a while back, it wasn’t something he was opposed to either. But now? Though the process did take time...so maybe it would be good to start the process now?

After a few moments hesitation he nodded then. “We can look into. Don’t know where or how….did ask parents about this? Tell them idea?”


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The surprise that flashed over Seung’s face got an amused smile out of Terry though the movement of the other’s leg made it gain a slight flirty edge to it. The smile dropped though as worry took hold at Seung’s first words over the question. He knew that the other man had been agreeable to the idea before they were even married, but he wasn’t sure if the plan was still appealing to him, let alone if the older man thought this was too fast or not.

The tension he felt built up the longer Seung kept quiet and he was about to tell him that he could just forget it and they could talk about it later down the road when Seung spoke up again. Terry relaxed at his words and gave another smile. “I’m not sure how to even begin either, and I did mention the idea to Mom in passing yesterday on the phone.” He was not about to relay the squeal Julie had given at the thought of grandbabies though.


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“Need to find out how...adoption isn’t common..don’t know where to find information.” He was very lost on this topic, and he knew a lot especially here. But this was something unfamiliar to him. “Need money...papers...lawyers - I think. Time, many trips here I think.” It would take a lot, from both of them, he could always turn the trips here into work trips as well. If he did that it would benefit Quinn as well as help himself and advance the idea of having a family.

They could, easily, look it up he supposed. Couldn’t you find the answers to any, and every, thing on the internet anyway? “Take semester off school...might need to for the trips here for papers and more.” If they remained in school and had to make a lot of trips it would wind up with piles of work, unfinished, and failing grades. He didn’t want to do that.

“Terry….important questions. Since adopting, not able to have our own, need to decide on things...what we want...don’t want. Where to look….”


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“It will take a lot of effort on our part yes and we can’t even get started on anything just yet since we can’t look anything up just yet.” He didn’t mind putting it all into this so long as Seung was. So long as his partner, his husband, was willing and happy to adopt then Terry just shrugged at the thought of putting time and money in. “Both of our grades are good and one semester wouldn’t set us back by much when it comes to time to graduate. It will take some careful planning on our part of course for other reasons though I’m sure the two of us leaving frequently won’t make much of a difference over all.”

He paused slightly at Seung’s question, mulling it over for a moment in his head. “We can make a list when we get back? We could even make a list each then compare and discuss after or just make a combined list from the start.”


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“Can handle a child and school….” And being knights, he left it unsaid but hoped Terry understood the unsaid last part. They would have to rely on Terry’s parents often, no doubt, to babysit. Since they knew about them being knights it did help, a lot, but they couldn’t just forget duties in order to raise a child. They had to make the city safe for that child...they had to power up and do their part.

If Terry was willing to put everything into this, though he had no idea where they’d get the funds, he was willing to also. The idea was both terrifying but also thrilling...and somehow soft, he couldn’t really think of anything else but that word to describe the feeling. It was appealing.

“Could make list after meal - back at hotel. Look into things...maybe find orphanages to look at for now...get an idea?” If they were really thinking about this than they might as well get started today, as soon as they could, and see how far they got before returning to Destiny City. “Should tell Quinn...maybe can help...find information or other things.” What other things he didn’t know, but he was sure Quinn could offer some sort of help - right?


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Terry nodded his head, understanding the unspoken words well. Just because he would like to expand their family didn’t mean he didn’t want to also do his duty as well. It would just be something they would have to work around, something they would have to learn to get used to.

“Sounds like a plan to me. We can’t exactly get started in looking right now anyway.” He said and a thrill of excitement went through him. It was a daunting idea but one he was fully looking forward to. “Sure, at the very least he deserves to know where some of your attention is going to be at on this trip.” Terry said with a smile. “And he could probably be rather helpful yes.”


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Nodding his head he smiled as he caught sight of their waitress arriving, with tea and cups on a tray. As she set them out he thanked her and moved to check the tea. It was empty, the tea kettle, save for the flowers. So he had to pour in the hot water to start the steeping process, hadn’t been sure if the container of hot water had been for the first round of tea or for a second round.

“Can look tomorrow maybe...will find orphanage tonight maybe. To see and get idea...maybe they can help with process also - steps and what to do….” He offered once the waitress had walked off, to get their food which was done. Waiting for the tea to be ready he moved his hands out of the way for their meals when they arrived. He was not into the idea of burning his hands on a pot of hot stew. So he let the dish be set down and thanked her, the custom words leaving his lips and a bow of his head.


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Terry didn’t interrupt Seung messing with the tea, knowing that his husband had it in hand quite well, he just watched with a small smile. “I’m sure it won’t be too hard to find the closest one to us that has a good reputation, they might have some of the steps on a webpage as well that we could look over.” He moved as well so the food could be set down, copying Seung’s words and actions to thank their waitress when she did so. “I all certainly smells and looks delicious.” He said as he looked the plates over.


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“Can find a place here as well, might be best. Can start things here while on trip here now.” He offered before pouring out the tea, giving it a bit of time to steep. With Terry’s poured and then his own, though really it should have been Terry pouring as the other was younger, he set the pot down and went of his own glass.

“Do we want baby or older by a bit?” A bit older, at least in his opinion, might be a bit easier. They were both still in university plus he had a job. A baby, an infant, might be a bit too much for them to properly take care of and give attention to. They might wind up leaning on Terry’s parents too much. But he wanted to know the other's thoughts as well, this was a choice both of them had to make. This would impact their lives and their families, but it would really impact their own lives just a bit more.


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He would have poured the tea had he remembered in time that he was meant to but it looked like he would just have to pour the next cups for them and he gave Seung a smile in thanks. The question had him humming in thought as he picked up his cup to take a small sip. “I think older. From what I understand it’s easier for babies to be adopted since they are easier to raise up thinking they are naturally part of the family so I would rather look into adopting someone who is older. Someone who wouldn’t necessarily be picked easily but is young enough that we can give them a good home for years.” He then gave Seung a questioning glance. “What about you? Which would you prefer?”


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Sipping his tea, while Terry spoke, he set his cup down and nodded his head. “Think the same thing. Also easier to handle with school and work.” It also, maybe, was a bit less expensive...or it was just that the expenses were different. It wouldn’t be diapers and bottles, formula, and those sorts of needs. It would be clothing and older toys and other things.

“Might have hard time learning English...will need to get them help. It will be hard for you to speak with them. Will need me or cousins to translate.” Depending on who was around, as he sincerely doubted he’d be able to keep either of his cousins away from any child he brought into the family. It would mean extra people to help with translating, rather than just relying on him though.

“School might be hard, teasing.” Though nothing like what happened here in Korea. It was still a risk. But they could work through it, together.


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“You have been teaching me quite a bit so while it would be hard, it won’t be impossible to understand and talk at least.” At this point Terry could do some small talk and such but too deep into conversation topics and he was back to being lost. He had done his best to learn from Seung but the lessons had been sporadic and it was mostly when they visited South Korea that he got to test out his learnings besides a few practice talks every so often of course. And occasionally listening in on the cousin’s conversations to practice picking up words. “But yes, we will probably need to get help in teaching them English and having you all around to help translate is always welcome.”

The mention of school and teasing had him frowning though as he knew it was very likely. “Well, we are probably going to have to homeschool them for a while anyway until their English is good enough that they won’t fall behind so they won’t have to worry about school teasers at least for a time.” Kids at playgrounds and other types of activities would still be a problem since they wouldn’t want to isolate any child they adopted and make it so they couldn’t have friends.


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“No, will be better than could be.” But it would still be a bit of an issue. Seung was, not for the first time, glad he’d been teaching Terry while learning English himself. “We can work more at home on Korean for you. I can help teach some English, how I learned it.” How he was still learning it. It could be something they would do together, him and their adopted child learning together. He had a feeling it would be everyone in the family learning one language or another, it would be amusing without a doubt. The idea actually had him smiling, and laughing softly into his drink.

“That will be good. Teasing and language will be too much - will set back too much.” And he didn’t want anything to set any child they adopted back in their lessons, especially not as much as that combination could. Children could be mean, he knew that well, it was just how children were.

With food on the table, forgotten, Seung continued for the moment with the conversation and sipping from his tea cup till he found it empty and in need of a refill. ”Will never have to worry about learning a language.” He didn’t have to worry about it, even if it wasn’t the suggested and popular spanish.


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“Depending on how long it takes us to even adopt, who knows, I might be at least semi-proficient in speaking Korean.” Terry said with a grin and a nod in agreement to Seung’s promise of further teachings. It would be needed and whole heartedly welcomed after all. More than likely his parents and brother will join in from time to time to at least pick up a few words to talk to their new family member as well. “And I’ll try my best to help them learn English as well as well as help you continue.”

He nodded, glad that Seung could easily see where he was coming from with the homeschooling bit. “It would also let us catch them up on certain differences in the schooling as well as set the pace for them.” Something that could come in handy as well since for some of it any child would need to go slower on some subjects and faster in others. English writing would probably be a slow topic at least. He took a bit of his food finally and gave a pleased hum as he ate before nodding in agreement. That was certainly a bonus for the child.


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“I appreciate. Still isn’t an easy language, but it’s better.” He had been improving, thankfully, his cousins were still better and both for different reasons. He couldn’t wait till things really got going with this adoption plan, he was sorta excited for it, though also nervous -really nervous.

“Differences in culture to...help settle in.” There were a lot of differences between Destiny City and here, he was still learning things all the time. Certain phrases he didn’t know, even now, and more. It would give them time to help and make sure any child they adopted would be comfortable in the environment, or at least as comfortable as possible.

He had to agree, some subjects would be easy - really easy like math. Math was a big subject in Korea, not that they lacked in anything really, so that should be an easy subject. If their child had any issues he could always help as could any other member of the family, they’d certainly have support.

Falling silent, in order to eat his food before it got cold, he let ideas roll about his mind. There was a lot to do and he needed to look into it. They should also tell Quinn - soon.