Jimin's calloused fingers drummed against the worn wood of his father's front door, the familiar rhythm a nervous, staccato beat that matched the rapid pulse in his veins. Steeling himself, he lifted his hand, hesitating only for a heartbeat before rapping firmly against the weathered surface.
After years of choosing to distance himself from both his adoptive parents, Jimin had finally summoned the courage to return to this modest home, the place that had once been a sanctuary. A swirl of trepidation and fragile hope churned within him as he waited, his gaze fixed upon the doorway, bracing himself for the confrontation that was sure to come. He knew that he had no right to ask his father anything after not coming home since he left for the academy at 14.
But he knew his only chance of saving the boy who saved his life laid with his father.
Flanking him were Jimin's soulmates, Momo and Mingjue, offering theirsilent support, their presence a comforting anchor amidst the turmoil. Momo's dark eyes held a glimmer of understanding, while Mingjue's steady gaze exuded an unwavering calm – a silent reminder that Jimin need not face this alone.n
The door creaked open, revealing the imposing figure of Tag Wuxian, his stern features etched with a mixture of surprise and wariness. Jimin had long ago grown accustomed to that guarded expression on his shushu's face, a shield against the vulnerabilities his father openly displayed. A palpable tension filled the air as the two men regarded each other, the weight of their estrangement palpable in the silence that stretched between them.
Jimin took a deep breath, his fingers flexing at his sides as he summoned the words he had rehearsed a thousand times in his mind. "A-dieq, I... I've come to talk to you and Appa. I didn't know where else to go." His voice wavered slightly, betraying the well of emotions that threatened to spill forth.
The older man's brow furrowed, his gaze shifting between Jimin and the two companions at his side, as if assessing the situation. Jimin's heart hammered in his chest, the anticipation of his Shushu's response a heavy, tangible thing that threatened to consume him.
Jimin drew in a deep, steadying breath, his shoulders squaring as he prepared himself for the confrontation. Though the choices he made as a child felt heavier with each passing moment, he knew that this was a chance he could not afford to let slip away.
Without a word, Tang Wuxian reached out to open the door.
As the door creaked open, Jimin's gaze locked with his father's, who had been the standing very close to the door. The older man's expression was l a carefully guarded mask that betrayed none of the emotions that surely lay beneath the surface. Jimin could feel the tension crackling in the air, the unspoken history between them a palpable force that threatened to consume the moment.
Jimin steeled himself and began to speak, his voice carrying a weight of conviction that belied the turmoil churning within. " Appa, I'm sorry. I'm so sorry for abandoning you. "
The older man's brow furrowed, his expression unreadable as he saw tears running down his son's face. He could see the effort it took for the them not to reach out to Jimin
Jimin held his breath, the anticipation of his father's response a tangible thing that threatened to consume him., The door creaked open wider, revealing Jimin's father in full. The soft-faced man regarded his son with a mixture of surprise and unease, his weathered features etched with a lifetime of regrets and unspoken burdens.
An awkward silence hung in the air as father and son sized each other up, the weight of their past transgressions palpable between them. Jimin could feel the tension coiling in the pit of his stomach, the familiar ache of longing and resentment warring within him. How many times had he called his mother only be turned away? Why didn't his father reach out when she left?
Jimin's father cleared his throat, his gaze flickering briefly to Momo and Mingjue before settling back on his son. "Jimin," he began, the single word weighted with a lifetime of unspoken emotions. "It's been... a long time."
Jimin nodded, his fingers flexing at his sides as he fought the urge to reach out, to bridge the distance that had grown between them. "Yes, Appa. Too long." He paused, weighing his words carefully. "I so sorry for not coming home. "
The older man's brow furrowed, his gaze searching Jimin's face as if seeking some hidden motive or deception. He turned to soulmate who gave him a reassuring smile. The silence stretched on, thick and heavy, until Jimin felt as though he might drown in the unspoken emotions that hung in the air.
Tang Wuxian pulled his both his soulmate and their son into a hug. He knew that there was some sort of misunderstanding between the two of them and Sungchul was waiting for Jimin to come back home.
Extracting himself from the hug, Wuxian invited Jimin and his friends inside.
"Come inside boys. I think we have a lot to talk about." He said, his voice calm and measured.
As they all sat down in the cosy living room, Jimin had to admit that he had missed his family home and all the fun he had here as a child.
Tang Wuxian quickly disappeared into the kitchen before returning with the tea.
"Are you ok?" Sungchul asked softly
The words tumbled from Jimin's lips, tinged with a raw vulnerability that he had long struggled to suppress. He told his Appa and A-die what he had been upto and his reasons for not coming home. He told them about the boy who saved his life and how his life was now at risk due to the number of curses placed on him.
Jimin's father listened, his expression . as his son's impassioned plea hung in the air, the tension palpable. Momo and Mingjue remained steadfast at Jimin's side, their silent presence a testament to the depth of their friendship and the unwavering support they offered.
"I know it won't be easy," Jimin continued, his voice softening. "There's a lot we need to work on an . lot of wounds that need to heal. But I'm willing to try, Appa. I know it's risky for both you and A-die. But I didn't know where else to go." He paused, his gaze searching the older man's face for any glimmer of understanding.
The older man's brow furrowed, his lips pressed into a thin line as he considered his son's words. Jimin held his breath, his heart pounding in his chest as he waited, the anticipation and dread warring within him., The tension in the air was palpable as Jimin's father considered his son's words, the older man's expression unreadable.
He shared a quick glance with his soulmate before turning to his son and his soulmates
" Of course we'll help. But Jimin.-"
He was interrupted by sudden commotion at the front door. Q one got out of their seats and took up defensive positions around Jimin. They watch as a portal opens in the middle of the Ko-Tang living room. On the other side of the portal, they saw Dr. Choi and his primordial spirit guardian, DaWei fighting against shadow creatures.
"Da-ge, I need help!" Ha-Joon yelled in Chinese as DaWei blocked and incoming bullet "He's here. Wei-ge is here. But something is wrong with him. He didn't recognize me. He keeps trying to get to the kid. DaWei and I are barricaded them in the hall. But we won't be able to contain them for long."
Tang Wuxian nodded and walked into the portal. Sharing a look with his father and his soulmates, Jimin followed his A-die through the portal.