CHAPTER TWENTY THREE: Dinner with the Beoms

The atmosphere around the table was cold like Antarctica, the cause of that sat beside each other while a sun and a storm sat beside each other, Kim Beom tried to comfort his wife but she wouldn't budge to his sweet words because she was very mad at her son, her husband is no different but he wants to wait a bit more he punishes his son, not because he made them wait but because he worried his mother and make her end like that.

Some would think they're over dramatic and that's what the two youngsters think but we should go one hour back to know the cause of this stormy weather.

After they both cried and started to see clearer, Aera took the opportunity since they're still talking about the same topic and warned Han Beom from dealing with any suspicious man wearing black especially an old man wearing glasses and holding an old clock in his pocket and keeps checking the time every now and then.

Han shivered by the descriptions Aera gave him and how serious he was while talking about them, he wanted to ask many questions about them "why I should be careful?" "How do you know them?" "Are they dangerous for me only or for you too?" "Are they related to your family?" "Do they want to take you back to them?"

His head started hurting from all the thinking so he decided to ask at least one of the questions in his mind but when looked up at Aera, he saw worries and fear filling him, Han wanted to comfort him but a phone call disturbed him, when he picked his phone he jolted, "my parents!!" he yelled while holding Aera's hand and running back to the station and catch the last train.

They ran and caught the last bus that'll pass by his house, when they took seat they noticed all eyes on them, Aera picked a mirror and looked at his reflection and screamed internally, Han looked at his hyung and held back his laughter but Aera didn't let him have all the joy alone so he showed him own reflection and started giggling.

They kept bullying each other about their looks until they reached their destination, when Han Beom rang the bell, the door was swung open and a cold storm came out from the house. They looked at Lin Beom who was close to hit them two and swallowed any word they were planning to say.

"Come in" she ordered coldly, they entered slowly and trembled until they caught a glimpse of Han's father who was still watching the tv, "yo" Kim Beom welcomed them then turned back to the screen trying to avoid a tornado to start at his house.

"Dinner is ready" she called lowly forcing them all to jolt and run to their seats. And that's how they all found themselves where they are now. Aera was worried while eating and kept poking Han's leg, begging him to say anything and save him from digestion problems later but Han himself was terrified from his mother so he poked his father's leg and pointed with his eyes at his mother but he only received a grin from his father, they both panicked knowing fully well what disaster that grin would bring them nothing but troubles.

"Sweetheart? the boys want to tell you something~" she raised her head and looked at the two sweating buckets from fear, "speak up" she said calmly.

Feeling a bit relieved, Aera decided to start, "it's nice to meet you Mr. Beom, Mrs. Beom, I'm honored to be here with you two and dear Hansel~" he said the last line while patting Han's head. Kim Beom and Lin Beom watched the two of them and a warm smile creeped to their faces, he turned to face her asking for her permission and she nodded, "Aera? We're the one who should tell you that. You've been taking good care of our son in the past month and we're thankful for that"

Aera and Han looked at each other and winked, "thank you sir, ma'am, I'm glad to know that. Han is like a little brother for me, so he's my top priority as his big brother~"

"Oh? Since when you two reached that point?" Lin Beom asked, her curiosity reaching the moon, "not too long ago~" Han chirped taking his parents by surprise. "Oh dear~ it seems we have another son!"

Aera flinched at the mention of the two words 'another son', he looked up at them going back to eating, "does that mean I can call you mom and dad?" he mumbled, he doesn't remember the last time he called his parents mother or father, because of the things they got him through they ended up becoming nothing but strangers for him, he even calls them by their names.

Multiple spoons fell on the table, Aera jolted and looked up at them, he thought nobody heard him but they all did and they all were speechless for a moment before Lin Beom stood from her seat and walked to him, "oh, oh dear, yes you can" she told him while hugging him, his face was on her stomach and her sweet scent reached his whole body and found himself comfortable and able to breath again.

Han Beom stood from his seat too and sat on the floor and hugged Aera's stomach, "does that mean you'll officially be my older brother?"

"We already were since we met" Aera assured him, patting his head and back. Kim Beom shook his head knowing fully well this'll happen eventually, he had met Aera enough to know who the boy is. He stood up and walked to the happy family in front of him, "if you want, you can be officially our son and sign the needed papers for that. In no time you can become part of our family!"

The excited three beamed and rushed to have a long talk about the plans they have once Aera become part of them.

After the party was over, Han took his tired mother to her bed and Kim Beom stayed with Aera, he brought the young man a cup of tea and sat beside him, "thank you sir, ah! I mean father" Aera corrected himself happily.

"It seems you really don't remember me... Young master Aera" Aera flinched and looked at the old man's face, he tried to remember if he had ever met him but no matter how hard he tries he still can't. Kim Beom noticed his struggle so he decided to lend him a hand, "even if your parents abandon you for your sexual orientation, I'll always be here to welcome you with open arm and warm heart" Aera's memory finally worked and remembered who the man in front of him is.

A tear freed itself and fell to the ground, "what a small world"

"It indeed is, son"