"Would you like some tea?" Jung-kook offered, trying to avoid looking at the man in front of him.

"That would be nice."

After summoning the housekeeper to prepare a pot and some snacks, Jung-kook settled on the couch furthest away from Taehyung, fearing that being too close to his ex-lover would trigger memories he wanted to suppress.

"So... wha... what brings you here?" Jung-kook asked when he felt himself composed enough to speak.

Taehyung moved his chair an inch closer but stopped when he noticed the man tense up. He realized some people can be uncomfortable around someone in a wheelchair, but never had he seen another cower at the sight of it. Far from the looks of disdain he used to receive, this was more of an apprehension. Of what, Taehyung was uncertain.

"I travelled through meandering country roads and up a steep hill just to see a handsome man," Taehyung deadpanned.

"You.... you're not serious, are you?"

The jester threw his head back and laughed. "I can't believe you almost fell for that. Don't trust everything I say."

"Right." Jung-kook looked down at his fingers, which were gripping the edge of the sofa tighter than usual. He had heard those lines before, starting when they first met, with him hanging on every word Taehyung said, including his mother being a mermaid.

"Besides, my partner will kill me," Taehyung interjected, and Jung-kook's head shot up.

"Pa.... partner?"

"Yes," Taehyung affirmed, putting up his left hand to show off the ring on his finger.

"Oh," was the only word Jung-kook could muster. He wanted to say more but knew it wasn't his place now. He lost that chance decades ago when he abandoned Taehyung at the mercy of his mother.

"Anyway, I actually came to see you on behalf of my son......"

"So.... son?" Jung-kook repeated, the prickle in his voice betrayed the clenching of his heart.

Of course! What did he expect? Taehyung to stay single all his life? To wait for him? He sacrificed everything for Taehyung to be happy, right? So, Taehyung having a family should be good news. He can't blame Taehyung for doing exactly the same thing as he did, getting married, having kids. But why when it boiled down to it, Jung-kook somehow wanted to deny the truth staring at him in the face. The face that was becoming as dark as his vision.