„I had to give him a strong sedative, so let him rest.” The doctor told Jongin as they stood at the front door.

“Is it real? Did he really lose his memory?” Jongin asked.

“Physically he is not that badly hurt, but a trauma could cause amnesia too. Did something happen?” Dr. Song explained to the boss, and she immediately noticed the guilt showing on the man’s face.

“Yeah,” Jongin answered with a deep sigh.

“Jongin, you know you’re like a son to me,” Dr. Song said, and Jongin nodded.

“That’s why I’m going to be honest with you,” she continued, “he is a good person. Treat him right or set him free.”

Jongin had to suppress his anger to tell her goodbye. He wasn’t angry at her but at himself. She was right, and he knew it. Yet, he couldn’t befriend the idea of setting Soo free. Jongin wasn’t sure what to do, but there was one thing he knew for sure. He must find out whether Soo had lost his memory for real or not, and he must do it now. Just then, something flashed on his mind. He had seen it in a movie. When people pretended to be someone else, they’d turn around when they were called by their real name. Jongin was aware Soo might have told him another fake name, but it was worth a try, he thought.

With that in mind, Jongin entered the room, calling out loud.

“Soo.”

His eyes focused on the smaller one, waiting for a hint that never came. Soo didn’t react. He didn’t even flinch at his name. Maybe he should try something else. After all, Soo had lived a long time as someone else.

“Baekhyun,” he tried one more time. Still no response. Jongin felt a mix of feelings growing in him. He was relieved, for Soo didn’t seem to lie. At the same time, he should be more worried, if the smaller one had amnesia for real.

“Hey,” Jongin tapped gently on Soo’s shoulder and for the first time, the other showed a reaction, turning his head to Jongin. Soo’s big round eyes were still glowing due to the tears.

“Do you really remember nothing? You said you wouldn’t lie to me. So, do you?” The taller said, sitting down on the bed, next to Soo.

“Did I lie to you?” Soo asked and a tear rolled down his cheek, “am I a bad person?”

Jongin regretted his question as he saw the panic taking over the smaller one’s body once again. Soo bit on his lower lip, so tight it started to bleed. The smaller one was shaking. Jongin should have listened to the doctor.

“No, you are not a bad person. It’s quite the opposite, you’re too good for your own good.”

Jongin corrected, holding the smaller one tightly. Soo flinched at the sudden hug, but slowly he calmed down. The smaller one leaned his head on Jongin ’s shoulder and the taller couldn’t help but smile. After a while, he realised that Soo had fallen asleep. With care, he laid Soo down and covered the smaller one. Jongin wiped away the tears on the smaller one’s cheeks. He couldn’t help but stare at Soo’s puffed eyes just to let the guilt hit him hard. Since Soo met him, the smaller one had gone through a lot, murders, attacks, kidnapping, and more. Yet, the smaller one had only cried exactly three times. The first time it was the shock as he fell down the stairs, breaking his leg. The second time was because of Jongin’s shot during the kidnapping. And this was the third time. Jongin realised each and every time he was the reason. Every single time, it was him who made Soo cry.

Kyungsoo rubbed his eyes, slowly waking up. His throat was dry, and his eyes were so swollen they felt heavy. Walking downstairs, he looked for the kitchen.

“You’re up,” he heard Jongin’s voice as soon as he found it. Before he could say anything, the taller shoved a glass of water in his direction.

“Here,” Jongin simply said like it was just another day of him reading the other’s mind.

“How do you know?” Kyungsoo mumbled. The smaller one still didn’t seem to feel comfortable around Jongin yet.

“Every morning you drink water as soon as you wake up,” explained Jongin. As he noticed the way Soo hesitated, he grabbed the glass and took a sip of the water.

“It’s neither drugged nor poisoned. You can drink it,” he proved.

“That wasn’t my concern,” Soo said before drinking the water like he wanted to show the man in front of him he didn’t lie.

“Then what’s wrong?”

“You,” Soo hesitated one more, “you seem like you know me.”

Jongin sighed. Did he know this person?

“I don’t know everything about you, but I guess I do know some things,” Jongin responded, and the smaller one’s face lit up.

“Can you tell me my name? What’s my name?”

“You’re called Soo,” Jongin answered, hoping that was enough for the smaller one. It was funny, just a day ago he was the one asking for Soo’s name. Now, the table had turned.

“Soo? Soo… Soo” The smaller one mumbled to himself, trying to befriend his name.

“What is it?” Jongin wondered.

“It feels right. Soo, I think that’s my name. It feels right.” The smaller one beamed, and a smile appeared on Jongin’s face.

“Mister, and who are you?”

“Mister?” Jongin yelled in offence, and Soo widened his eyes in shook. Had Soo always thought Jongin looked old?

“How should I call you then?”

“My name is Jongin , Kim Jongin. And we are…” Jongin needed a moment. He wasn’t even sure about their relationship. How should he explain it to the smaller one?

“We are married.”

“Married?” Now it was Soo’s turn to shout in surprise. “Me? I’m married?... To you?”

“I guess yes, you are.” Jongin chuckled. Soo let out a soft “woah” as he deep in his thought. He didn’t notice he had been silent in the middle of their conversation.

“Do we have marital problems?” He finally asked. Jongin choked on air by the smaller one’s sudden question.

“What gives you that idea?”

“You seem to be mad at me the whole time,” Soo said straight forwards.

“I’m not mad,” Jongin yelled, proving the opposite of his words.

“Ok.” It was obvious the smaller one didn’t buy it. Soo was looking down at the kitchen floor, avoiding eye contact with the taller. Jongin sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

“Listen, I am not mad at you. It’s just,” He tried to explain.

“It’s just me. You often say that I’m grumpy.”

“I did?” Soo raised his head. “That was mean,” he added.

“It’s ok. It was just a joke.” By that Soo nodded.

“So…” The smaller one tried to say something. Jongin could feel the tension in the air. Soo played with his fingers, circling them around.

“We…” Soo blushed.

“We love each other?” The smaller one blurted out his mind. He spoke so fast; Jongin almost couldn’t understand him.

“Wanna find out?” Jongin teased, stepping closer to the smaller one.

“Does your heart race?” Jongin asked with a deep voice, leaning in. His eyes targeted Soo’s lips. The smaller one let out a soft whine as he shut his eyes close. Yet, he slowly opened them as nothing happened. Jongin chuckled.

“Seems like your body remembers,” the taller winked. As much as he enjoyed teasing the smaller one, Jongin took a step back. He patted Soo’s head. Had he bought the amnesia story or not, how could he force a kiss on someone who might not remember him? Besides, how could he, when that person looked so lost… so vulnerable?

Being lost in his thoughts for a second, Jongin didn’t react as Soo pushed him away and run upstairs. Jongin smirked. A smirk that didn’t last long as reality brought him back. If Soo faked losing his memory, Jongin must find out immediately. However, if the smaller one didn’t lie, this could be their second chance for a new beginning. Soo could just be his, and this time Jongin was determined to do it right.

Jongin knocked on the door and waited for the smaller one’s permission before entering the bedroom.

“Hey,” Jongin called. Soo was sitting on the bed. Grabbed a pillow, the smaller one put it in front of his chest like a shield.

“I’m sorry. Earlier, I was just kiddi