The Water Spirit

Part 23

The day is cloudy and cold. So freaking cold for December but Jungkook feels too warm and agitated. He was nervous, so damn nervous!

"Is it really okay?" Taehyung asks when they turn into the street, navigating the narrow way easily.

Jungkook somehow dreads what lies ahead of him. He dreaded this encounter so damn much for so long, but after the pre-christmas-special two weeks ago, it was inevitable.

"Yeah," he breathes, resigning to his fate. "It is absolutely okay."

"How come you never mentioned them?"

Jungkook bites his lips, contemplating his answer. "I did mention them... in passing," he mumbles.

"I thought you were hatched from an egg," his boyfriend answers matter of factly. "A big one, in the cellar of the hospital. And now you roam around there..."

Jungkook has to snort. "I am not hatched from an egg. It doesn't work with humans like that."

"I know," Taehyung replies, looking at the passing neighborhood. "You are not an orphan after all. Now I can save my pity for another occasion. You don't even have a twin."

"That is really considerate of you and don't remind me of that freaking encounter."

"That is how I am with you, my Love."

"You know I talk to my parents on the phone," Jungkook answers indignantly after some silence.

"I never heard you..."

"Says you..."

"Yes, and I am sure I never heard you say eomma or appa."

Jungkook clears his throat. "Wel..., I don't call them that."

"Huh, why? I thought that was a human thing. It is even a Water-Spirit-Thing. Are you a special snowflake?"

"I call them by their names."

"Doesn't seem respectful. That is so non-korean. Are you actually foreigners? Are you with me just to gain citizenship? Am I your ticket to a new freedom?"

Jungkook snorts once more. "You are ridiculous. No, but my parents are deeply influenced by alternative views."

Taehyung looks at him questioningly, before looking back at the road. "What are you not telling me? Are they deeply into Buddhism? Are they part of a fundamental sect?"

Jungkook sighs. "No, otherwise they wouldn't invite us for Christmas," he says and points to the side. "You can turn there into the driveway and park."

Taehyung does as instructed and they stop in front of a two story home.

Taehyung leans over the steering wheel, glancing at the house intently, probably contemplating what he sees. Jungkook can understand his speechlessness. He feels the same way every time he visits his parents.

There was grass covering the rooftop completely and other climbing plants on the walls, closing in, that the stone front wasn't almost visible anymore. Colorful, but weatherbeaten clothes hung between the now brown plants due to the wintertime, and a lonesome flamingo stood in the overgrown front yard.

A new spirit house, made of stone, adorned the front yard as well and Jungkook was anxious how the backyard had changed.

Taehyung looks at him, no judgment on his face and Jungkook waits for a reaction. The tips of Taehyung's blue hair wiggle a bit, a clear indication he feels excited. Jungkook already knew the signs by now and he groaned.