When they arrive at the Kim family household, Minseok reverts to the written method of communication using his usual notepad and a washable marker procured from the depths of the kitchen drawer. Luhan still does a good amount of translating for him, and hates to think about what family gatherings must be like. Sipping tea, the relatives sit around the table and attempt to catch up with each other to keep their minds off the sad situation.

“So, you’re living alone now, Minseok?”

Luhan translates, and the pink haired boy writes his reply.

‘Yes! I do need a new job so I can afford rent, though.’

“Ah…I had forgotten your job at the café. Where would you be interested in working?”

‘Not somewhere physically taxing, of course. But I enjoy being a barista, so maybe I’ll go to some coffee shops…’

“Luhan, do you have a job?”

Luhan laughs “I’m a out of work student, actually, and I live with three others who are paying my rent until I can find a job.”

“You two could job search together, then.”

‘We should!’

“Are you both coffee drinkers?”

“Yup. Actually…” …Minseok, do you drink coffee? I’ve never seen you…

‘I’ve been drinking decaf recently because I still can’t handle caffine, but yes I guess I’m still a coffee drinker.’

“Oh, no caffine? The tea…” Sunjung looks concerned.

Minseok, the tea.

The boy in question takes one look at his empty tea cup, his eyebrows contract, and he pushes it away from himself across the table. “!!!” He laughs a little bit, quietly and nervously, eyeing the cup. ‘I’ll be fine…’

Are you sure? The blonde is concerned, What happens with caffeine?

My digestive system just doesn’t know how to deal with it just yet. Really, I’ll be fine. This tea wasn’t too strong anyway! He gives a half smile, and Luhan frowns Okay, I just don’t want you to feel bad or anything.

Don’t worry about me! Minseok tries to convince the group, although everyone is a bit concerned as they attempt to go back to conversing.

“So, Luhan. How did you meet Minseok? It was through Jongdae, I except…?”

The blonde nods “Yeah, I guess I was a regular at the café. I was there the first day that Minseok filled in for Jongdae as barista, and we hit off right away.”

“Mmm…I see…so that was what, six months ago?”

Six months? Has it really been that long? Time has flown and winter is almost over, Luhan realizes. He glances at Minseok This is six months for us.

He gets a grin in response.

Minseok picks up the marker once again, scribbling on the pad ‘I’m sorry that I haven’t been able to spend a lot of time with family recently…in future I hope that we’ll all grow closer. I hope I’ll be able to communicate more easily with everyone, and maintain my health so I can be a better family member. Especially after all of this.’

There are slight nods as this is read, and Jongdae’s father says, after a moment of thought “Whatever lead you to believe that you were a poor family member? I do not believe that you need to be a better one. We all know these past few years have been very hard on you. Although, we would love to see your face at more family gatherings in the future. Please continue to make choices depending on what feels right for you.”

‘Thank you…I’m at least going to try harder to take part in those things. I suppose everyone’s been wondering how I’ve been?’

“Jongdae…kept us and your parents updated when you weren’t able to.” Minseok’s aunt nods “But of course, the whole family was worried when they heard you’d been hospitalized.”

Minseok lets out a little sigh, like a tiny puff of wind ‘I’m sincerely sorry for that. I hope they’ve stopped worrying now. I’m better, if not a little worse for wear.’

“Wonderful. Yes, I think they’re all just wishing you a strong recovery!”  

‘Well, please tell everyone that I’m recovering strongly!’ he gives a small smile then claps a hand over his mouth, pushing his chair away from the table abruptly. He stands, holding up a finger in a gesture of ‘One second!’ then