“I’m sorry?” Yunho stared in disbelief at the other man in front of him. Not that he was actually sorry, but he just couldn’t believe on what he has just heard before. “You think- why do you think I dragged you out of the house before, Min? So that you could pick Jae up and go back there afterwards?”

“Hyung-”

“No,” Yunho immediately cut Changmin’s words. “No, you’re not going back to your home.”

“Yunho-Hyung,” Changmin tried once more, which fortunately wasn’t cut by Yunho. “That’s not even my idea. If you want to know, I do think the idea was crazy too. But-”

“But it is Jaejoong,” Yunho completed the words. “And you just couldn’t reject him, could you?”

Changmin stopped abruptly as he turned into silence right away, as if he has suddenly lost the words he had ready. Changmin opened his mouth and closed it again for several times; seemed wanting to say something yet didn’t know how he should say it. In the end, he was sighing deeply and staring at Yunho back once again daringly.

“That’s right,” Changmin finally said. “Is there a problem with that?”

“No. Wouldn’t take a risk to get beaten, definitely,” replied Yunho while raising both of his hands as a sign of giving up instead.

“That’s not it, Hyung!” complained Changmin, letting his protective side towards Jaejoong out.

“Relax, Min! I was kidding,” Yunho said with another chuckle. “But have you had a plan on when you are going to go there? I’ll prepare the tickets if you’ve settled the dates.”

“Oh. About that,” Changmin said back uneasily. “Joongie also told me to let you know that we refuse any help from now on; not for our difficulties to get back together, at least. You’ve helped us more than enough. This time, it’s our turn to take care of ourselves. Please understand that, Hyung.”

Yunho was stunned for a second before gave the younger a gentle smile. “You know that I’m very proud of you both, right?” he commented. “If you said so, Min… I can’t do anything else. But please keep in your mind that whenever you need a help, I’m there.”

“Thanks, Hyung,” Changmin said with a smile. “We’ll be going at the end of this week. I’m not sure when we’re going to go back here, but we’ll be back someday. I promise you.”

***

Changmin was nervous as hell. He didn’t even know how long he and Jaejoong have been standing in front of a certain building; which he was surely familiar with. To be honest, Changmin wasn’t wholly convinced that they were doing it right; not even when they were just one step away from his home. He looked at Jaejoong now and then, wanting to make sure that the latter wouldn’t get nervous or… something as he was holding Jaejoong’s hand tightly. Though he could see Jaejoong’s determination on his eyes, Changmin was still worrying the other a lot- which was normal; considering on what his mother has done these whole times.

“Joongie,” Changmin called. “I’ll ask you again. Are you sure with this? We can still turn our back.”

Jaejoong turned to Changmin and tiptoed, giving the taller a peck on his lips. “It’s going to be okay, Minnie,” he replied with a sweet smile of his. “Well, your umma won’t just suddenly like me at our first meeting after years… but they eventually will. I’m betting on that; let’s trust my feeling.”

Changmin moved his free hand and started caressing Jaejoong’s cheek gently. “I’m afraid, Joongie,” he said before resting his forehead on Jaejoong’s. “Afraid that she might hurt you too much, because I know whatever she’s going to do… that won’t be easy. I’m not even sure that I can do something to stop her; to protect you when the time comes.”

Jaejoong giggled instead; seemed to be happy with the fact that Changmin cared him as much. “You shouldn’t think that far,” he said, placing both of hands on Changmin’s cheek and kissing the other’s lips dearly- again. “No matter what she does to me, I’m not going to get torn into pieces. You are my strength; as long as I have you with me, nothing is enough to break me apart. I promise you.”

“That’s not really possible,” Changmin replied while moving one of his hands to Jaejoong’s waist to hold him tight and closer. “How can that happen?”

“Because,” Jaejoong answered as he circled his arms on Changmin’s neck. “I love you.”

“That’s too cheesy,” replied Changmin back with a soft laughter.

“Only for you,” said Jaejoong, winking seductively as he was pulling the younger’s face even closer.

Changmin’s smile got even bigger due to Jaejoong’s sugarcoating words. He was ready to attack the plump lips right in front of him to show how much he loved the latter; letting his face got closer little by little towards the latter. However, it seemed that both of them have forgotten where they were; which making them extremely surprised when they could hear a sound of click near them.

Getting back his mind back at his place, Changmin immediately pushed Jaejoong slightly and turned to look at the building’s direction. He instantly widened his eyes and gulped down nervously, looking at the figure of middle-aged woman he knew right in front of him. Secretly, Changmin really wished that she wasn’t looking at them just now. Because, seriously; their doing before wasn’t helping at all if they wanted to persuade Changmin’s parent.

There was an awkward silence, Changmin could swear. He didn’t know what he should say towards his own mother, who just appeared right in front of them- right before they were going to kiss each other. Changmin could see clearly that his mother was in shock as well, even more than theirs. She might be surprised to see her son who has decided to leave his family forever again, or to see a man who has become the reason her son betrayed his family, or to see his son and a man she hated was going to kiss each other- or maybe all; Changmin couldn’t really guess it.

“Umma…” called Jaejoong softly, breaking the silence between all three of them.

And apparently, making Mrs. Shim came back to her sense. “Don’t call me umma,” she said with her usual coldness. “I’ve told you many times that I’m not your umma.”

“But… you’re still Changmin’s umma,” replied Jaejoong with the sweetest smile he could ever give.

Mrs. Shim turned to look at Changmin, who was standing nervously beside Jaejoong. “And you,” she continued. “Why do you come back here? I’ve told you that you’re not welcome here anymore once you stepped out the door that time.”

Changmin still didn’t remember how to speak, and thankfully Jaejoong noticed that too. He decided to release his intertwined finger with Changmin’s and step forward on Changmin’s behalf. “Umma, don’t say something like that,” he said, trying to ignore the fact that Mrs. Shim has take some steps backward to avoid getting closer with him. “I know you love him, Umma. She’s your son.”

“My son,” Mrs. Shim chuckled cynically. “I don’t remember raising a son that was willing to leave his parent just so that he could catch up on another man. I don’t see him as a son anymore.”

Jaejoong bit his lower lips upon the remark. He was prepared to face Mrs. Shim’s words towards him, but not towards Changmin. The worries grew instantly inside him, as soon he saw the painful look on Changmin. If Mrs. Shim’s intention was to hurt Changmin, he bet she has succeeded that way. Didn’t want to see such look on Changmin, Jaejoong was finally walking back towards Changmin’s side and clinging on his arm; so that the taller could remember he wasn’t alone.

Feeling Jaejoong’s presence back beside him, Changmin smiled gently at the older. That wasn’t the best words he ever heard from Mrs. Shim; indeed, but Changmin knew that he had to stay strong for him and Jaejoong. He couldn’t back off right now. “I am sorry,” he said while bowing slightly towards his mother. “I know I’ve done something that’s unforgivable towards you, Umma. I was just… angry. Because you always blamed Jaejoong for everything, even when I was in love with him. But despite everything, you’re still my umma and I still love you.”

Mrs. Shim remained in silence for a moment, before snorting as it was fading Jaejoong’s hope away. “Your words don’t matter anymore, Changmin,” she said, still as cold. “I’ve warned you to not leave us- to not leave your parent, but you still did. Your explanation doesn’t change anything. Besides, it doesn’t actually matter anymore, doesn’t it? You’ve lived your life for a year without us already. Or is it because you realized it’s hard to live all by yourself now?”

“Umma-”

“Don’t you understand my words?” Mrs. Shim snapped. “I’ve said it before that you can’t call me like that. I’m not your umma. I don’t know who your umma is.”

“Umma, don’t say that to Jae-”

“Leave,” Mrs. Shim said again persistently. “Leave and don’t come back here, Changmin.”

“But-”

Before Changmin had a chance to finish his words, there was another creaking sound coming from the door. All three of them immediately turned their attention there, noticing right away that there was someone- who was equally familiar for Changmin; stood in front of them. The person, a middle-aged man, seemed to be s