“Oh, look who finally managed to make an appearance.”

Taehyung looked over at a Namjoon, who was mixing some chemicals together across the room. He looked down and blushed slightly, heading to the table the man was seated at.

“I didn’t actually think that I wouldn’t be able to start for three weeks.”

“Jungkook seems a little over excited with his new toy.” Namjoon offered, shrugging.

“Look, I think we got off on the wrong foot. Let’s start over, shall we? I don’t wanna be in a room with a smartass all day.” Taehyung said dryly. Namjoon snorted, but eventually nodded, agreeing with the male. “So what’s your favorite weapon to build?”

Taehyung finally asked, trying to start a conversation the both of them could get into.

“I like bombs. Small ones, usually smoke.” Namjoon finally admitted. Taehyung lit up.

“Really?” The two of them launched into a detailed conversation about the weapons then, Taehyung telling Namjoon a few tricks on how to enhance some particular devices and Namjoon occasionally giving Taehyung a tip on how to build one thing or other.

They were talking so animatedly together, that they didn’t notice how much time had passed, or the fact that they were no longer alone.

But Taehyung noticed when he felt a tug on the leg of his pants. “Yoonbin!” He said happily, scooping up the child in his arms. Namjoon eyed the pair closely.

“He looks a lot like you.”

“Thanks. I like it think that he inherited my good looks.” Namjoon scoffed and rolled his eyes, adding a small shake to his head to make it even more dramatic.

“Of course.” He drawled sarcastically. Taehyung grinned and set Yoonbin onto the table in front of him, moving his hands quickly, Yoonbin replying just as fast.

“You really are a great dad, you know.” Namjoon finally admitted. Taehyung turned to him, a bit surprised.

He didn’t know how to respond.

No one had ever told him that before.

“T-thank you. I...I try.” He replied sheepishly after awhile, looking down, a little flustered.

“I mean it, Taehyung. You seem to put a lot of effort and thought into everything you do for your son, and you’ve sacrificed a lot. No one can deny that.”

“You’re gonna make me cry.” Taehyung wailed dramatically. Namjoon laughed, shaking his head a bit in disbelief.

“Alright drama queen. Why don’t you go and spend some time with your son, we didn’t do much today, anyway. You gonna come in tomorrow, or should I expect another three week disappearance?”

Taehyung blushed, looking away. “Depends.” Was all he could offer.

“Yeah, how horny Jeon is.”

“I’m still your boss.” Yoonbin perked up at the sight of the male, rushing over and jumping into his arms, quickly signing with his hands.

Jungkook turned to Taehyung. “Glad you finally showed up, mommy.”

“Mommy?” Namjoon snorted. “Is that a new kink for you, Jeon?”

“Yoonbin thinks I’m his mother, I’m not going to be cruel to a child.”

Namjoon just snorted and nodded.

-

“So this is…” Taehyung made a motion with his hands, Jungkook watching attentively.

The Older had been surprised when Jungkook had asked to learn sign language. He’d also been a bit touched that the man was taking an effort to do so, so that he would be able to communicate with the child he had practically adopted.

“You know, I’ve always wondered where you found the time to learn this. Attending colleges and searching for a job certainly couldn’t have given you enough time to learn sign language.”

“It didn’t. I used the few hours I had been given occasionally to sleep to learn. I wanted to be able to communicate with my son.”

“How did Yoonbin learn? If you don’t mind me asking. Somehow I don’t see...anybody else teaching him.”

“You’re right. I taught him. And there was this old lady who used to be neighbor’s with Wendy, she passed away last year, but she knew sign language and taught Yoonbin as well. He’s exceptionally bright, and I’m not saying that to brag, and he picked up on it fairly quickly.”

Jungkook nodded.

“You’re really dedicated. I respect you for that, Taehyung. You care a lot for your son.”

“He’s the only reason I’m still living.” Taehyung admitted. “He was the only drive I had to make something of myself, to do something with my life. He was my reminder when I felt worthless and cheap, that I was doing everything for him. So that maybe I could give him a better life. I took mine for granted, and when that was taken from me, I didn’t know what to do.”

“Don’t say that. From what you’ve told me, you weren’t that much of a spoiled brat. You didn’t deserve to be used like that.”

“But it happened. And I quickly realized that I had had it easy for my whole life. Even if I didn’t flaunt it around, everything I had had been handed to me, I had never really worked hard for anything. He allowed me to grow up.”