The dinner table is set and the setting is perfect for Youngjae's parents make it very clear how they feel about their son's boyfriend

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The overwhelming contemptuous atmosphere continues to fill the air at the dinner table, much to Youngjae’s horror. The meal laid out in front of them looks fantastic but that’s where the lovely thing at the able end. His parents brought their usual preppy, intimidating, condescending manner to the table. Dread fills the pit of Youngjae’s belly right away because this setting is frighteningly familiar. It reminds him of the night 3 years ago when his parents invited him to dinner to tell him that it’s not too late for him to become a lawyer like they’d always dreamed he would be.

That night hadn’t ended all that well what with Youngjae’s parents threatening to cut him off when he emphatically, once and for all told them to stop living their dreams through him. Youngjae has a feeling that tonight won’t end well either. Since he won’t take up the career they want, he knows that they at least hope he will date someone within the elite social circle. Im Jaebeom is very far from what’s expected of Youngjae.

Dinner starts on a surprisingly calm with Youngjae’s father inviting everyone to dig in. They all eat quietly and peacefully for a while and then Mrs. Choi breaks the silence.

 “Jaebeom, Youngjae tells me you’re an artist. What kind of art do you do?” she invites.

Youngjae empties his red wine glass. He needs the alcohol for his mother’s line of questioning will not end well.

“Painting, drawing and photography.” Jaebeom easily replies.

“Oh. How fascinating.” Mrs Choi mutters dryly with a bored look on her face and Jaebeom’s eyebrows tighten in a frown. “Is it fulfilling work?”

“It is actually.”

“Does it also pay the bills? I’ve heard that art is hard to monetize. I’d hope you are not living off of my son’s bank account.”

Youngjae pours himself another glass of wine and empties that one too.

“Do I look like a free loader to you?” Jaebeom bristles, feeling and looking incredibly wronged but somehow also genuinely puzzled by how someone would so casually ask such a rude question.

Youngjae reaches for Jaebeom’s hand under the table and squeezes it hard, begging him to calm down and let that one go. After all there are more insults up ahead. It would better for Jaebeom to let the less belligerent ones go.

Despite his rising temper, Jaebeom very reluctantly yields to Youngjae’s demand. At the corner of his eyes, he sees Youngjae giving him a small thankful smile. Seeing Youngjae plead with him like this reminds Jaebeom that the two people sitting across him might be his enemies but they are also Youngjae’s beloved family whose love, approval and support Youngjae needs very much. Also Jebeom can’t forget that Youngjae warned him against coming here. Jaebeom is here being subjected to this bull because of his stubbornness.

“Mum, let’s talk about bank accounts later please.” Youngjae pleads. “Jaebeom hyung just got here.” And it’s rude of you to already start in on him about his income, Youngjae wants to add but can’t actually find the courage to.

Youngjae’s dad joins the conversation, vocalising an observation of his own, “I have always wondered why artists look…unkempt.” He points out while giving Jaebeom a once over. “Does that come with the territory?”

“Define unkempt.”

“Scruffy hair, childishly colourful attire, and general shabby appearance.”

Jaebeom smiles tightly and for the life of him he has no idea how to reply to such an offensive remark. “No it’s not.” That’s all he can say.

“So you’re a hippy by choice?”

“I’m not a hippy.”

The older man really looks surprised by that. “Well it’s very easy to misunderstand, all things considered.” He gestures in Jaebeom’s general direction

“I don’t think there is anything wrong with being a hippy.”

“Of course you don’t.” Youngjae’s father looks Jaebeom up and down. “All things considered.” He repeats like that’s the only necessary explanation for how condescending and disrespectful he is being.

Jaebeom slides his gaze to Youngjae who is regarding him carefully and nervously. Unfortunately there is no discrete way to tell Youngjae what he’s really thinking- which is that Youngjae’s parents are big jerks. Jaebeom is starting to understand why Youngjae avoids his parents. Jaebeom wishes he could get up and leave without ever looking back. But he loves Youngjae. That’s all the reason to stay and put up with this mess.  

Youngjae senses Jaebeom’s discomfort and smiles sweetly at him, apologetically and placating. 

It works to calm Jaebeom down a bit. For now.

He turns his attention back to Youngjae’s mother with a fresh determination to at least salvage what’s left of this awkward dinner. 

“Mrs. Choi, Youngjae tells me that you are a college professor of Literature in English. Do you mind telling me a bit about your line of work?”

That gets a tiny smile out of Mrs. Choi. I