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

“Is it real? Did he really lose his memory?” Minho 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,” Minho answered with a deep sigh.

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

Minho 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 Tae free. Minho wasn’t sure what to do, but there was one thing he knew for sure. He must find out whether Tae 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 but turned around when they were called by their real name. Minho was aware Tae might have told him another fake name, but it was worth a try, he thought.

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

“Tae.”

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

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

“Hey,” Minho tapped gently on Tae’s shoulder and for the first time, the other showed a reaction, turning his head to Minho. Tae’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 older said, sitting down on the bed, next to Tae.

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

Minho regretted his question as he saw the panic taking over the younger’s body once again. Tae bit on his lower lip, so tight it started to bleed. The younger was shaking. Minho 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.”

Minho corrected, holding the younger tightly. Tae flinched at the sudden hug, but slowly he calmed down. The younger leaned his head on Minho’s shoulder and the older couldn’t help but smile. After a while, he realised that Tae had fallen asleep. With care, he laid Tae down and covered the younger. Minho wiped away the tears on the younger’s cheeks. He couldn’t help but stare at Tae’s puffed eyes just to let the guilt hit him hard. Since Tae met him, the younger had gone through a lot, murders, attacks, kidnapping, and more. Yet, the younger 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 Minho’s shot during the kidnapping. And this was the third time. Minho realised each and every time he was the reason. Every single time, it was him who made Tae cry.

Taemin 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 Minho’s voice as soon as he found it. Before he could say anything, the older shoved a glass of water in his direction.

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

“How do you know?” Taemin mumbled. The younger still didn’t seem to feel comfortable around Minho yet.

“Every morning you drink water as soon as you wake up,” explained Minho. As he noticed the way Tae 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,” Tae 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,” Tae hesitated one more, “you seem like you know me.”

Minho sighed. Did he know this person?

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

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

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

“Tae? Tae… Tae” The younger mumbled to himself, trying to befriend his name.

“What is it?” Minho wondered.

“It feels right. Tae, I think that’s my name. It feels right.” The younger beamed, and a smile appeared on Minho’s face.

“Mister, and who are you?”

“Mister?” Minho yelled in offence, and Tae widened his eyes in shook. Had Tae always thought Minho was old?

“How should I call you then?”

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

“We are married.”

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

“I guess yes, you are.” Minho chuckled. Tae 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. Minho choked on air by the younger’s sudden question.

“What gives you that idea?”

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

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

“Ok.” It was obvious the younger didn’t buy it. Tae was looking down at the kitchen floor, avoiding eye contact with the older. Minho 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?” Tae raised his head. “That was mean,” he added.

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

“So…” The younger tried to say something. Minho could feel the tension in the air. Tae played with his fingers, circling them around.

“We…” Tae blushed.

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

“Wanna find out?” Minho teased, stepping closer to the younger.

“Does your heart race?” Minho asked, leaning in. His eyes targeted Tae’s lips. The younger let out a soft whine as he shut his eyes close. Yet, he slowly opened them as nothing happened. Minho chuckled.

“Seems like your body remembers,” the older winked. As much as he enjoyed teasing the younger, Minho took a step back. He patted Tae’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, Minho didn’t react as Tae pushed him away and run upstairs. Minho smirked. A smirk that didn’t last long as reality brought him back. If Tae faked losing his memory, Minho must find out immediately. However, if the younger didn’t lie, this could be their second chance for a new beginning. Tae could just be his, and this time Minho was determined to do it right.

Minho knocked on the door and waited for the younger’s permission before entering the bedroom.

“Hey,” Minho called. Tae was sitting on the bed. Grabbed a pillow, the younger put it in front of his chest like a shield.

“I’m sorry. Earlier, I was just kidding.” Tae gaze made Minho feel bad. Maybe he went overboard with his joke.