To the end

23

Homecoming Tensions

The air inside the mansion was thick with unspoken tension as Kim walked towards the children's room. Each step echoed louder in his ears, a steady drumbeat of anger and frustration. He knocked gently, but his voice was firm. "Venice, Leiah, come out. There's someone you need to see."

Silence. Then, a hesitant voice. "Is it Ken?" Venice called out, a mix of hope and confusion.

Kim clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. He took a deep breath, trying to keep his temper in check. "No. Just... come downstairs. Now."

The door creaked open, and the two kids stepped out, their faces guarded. Leiah held Venice's hand tightly, her wide eyes searching Kim's face for clues. "Why can't Ken come in?" she whispered.

Kim's eyes flashed with frustration. "Ken has nothing to do with this. You'll understand when you see who's waiting."

They reluctantly followed him down the hallway, their footsteps hesitant. Each step felt like a march towards the unknown. As they reached the living room, Vegas stood near the door, his head down, hands fidgeting. He looked up, eyes locking onto his children, heart pounding in his chest.

Venice froze. His eyes narrowed, confusion etched deep in his features. "Uncle Bib? What are you doing here?"

Leiah's eyes widened, tears welling up. "But... dad's gone. We saw... we saw how he made you sad."

Kim's anger flared. "Enough!" His voice cut through the room like a whip. The children shrank back, and he immediately softened. "Listen to me. This man... he's your real Dad. Not Ken. He's the one who has always loved you."

Venice shook his head stubbornly. "Then why did he leave us?"

Kim's fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white. Before he could answer, Thankhun stepped in, his usual playful demeanor replaced by rare seriousness. "Alright, little ones. Come here." He knelt down, his eyes soft but firm. "This man," he gestured towards Vegas, "is your real dad. Not Ken. He's the one who's always loved you. Even when he couldn't be here."

Venice's eyes narrowed, his voice hard. "Then why did he make papa cry?"

Thankhun sighed, running a hand through his hair. "Sometimes grown-ups don't get to choose what happens, Venice. Sometimes... things happen that are beyond their control. And sometimes, it's hard to come back. But he's here now. That's what matters."

Leiah's voice trembled. "Ken said... he said he's our dad now..."

Kim's eyes darkened, a dangerous edge in his voice. "Ken has no place here anymore." His words were like steel, cold and sharp. "This is your family. No one else."

The room fell into a heavy silence. The children exchanged wary glances before looking back at Vegas. He knelt down, his voice soft, almost pleading. "I know I wasn't here when you needed me most. I'm... so sorry. But I promise I'll do whatever it takes to make things right. You don't have to forgive me now. Just... let me try."

Venice's eyes softened, but his voice stayed guarded. "We'll see."

Leiah took a hesitant step forward, still clinging to Kim's hand. "Why now? Why come back?"

Vegas's voice broke. "Because... I need you. I need my family."

Thankhun clapped his hands suddenly, breaking the heavy atmosphere. "Alright, enough drama. Let's get some food in these kids and let everyone breathe."

Kim nodded, his eyes meeting Vegas's. There was a long road ahead, filled with painful memories and unspoken wounds. But for the first time in a long while, there was a glimmer of hope.

The past would not be forgotten, but maybe... just maybe, it could be healed.

The silence in the room was almost suffocating. Vegas stood near the window, his back to Kim, shoulders tense. The dim light from the setting sun painted a silhouette of a man who had carried too much for too long. His hands were clenched at his sides, every muscle in his body rigid. Kim's heart ached seeing him like this-like a fragile figure standing on the edge of a precipice.

Kim's voice was soft but firm as he stepped closer. "Vegas... You don't have to stand there, looking out like it's the end. This is your home too."

Vegas didn't move, didn't turn. "Is it?" His voice was barely above a whisper, laced with bitterness and pain. "They looked at me like a stranger. Like I don't belong here."

Kim's jaw clenched, his fists tightening at his sides. "You do belong. You're their father."

Finally, Vegas turned, eyes glistening with unspoken pain. "Did you see them? The way they flinched? They looked at me like I was... like I was some ghost. Or worse, a monster."

Kim crossed the room in a few long strides, reaching for Vegas's hands. "They're scared. They thought they lost you. They had to learn how to live without you. It's not you they fear-it's the past."

Vegas pulled his hands away, his voice cracking. "And what if I can't make it right,what if they don't love me anymore?!"

Kim's eyes blazed with fierce determination. "Then we'll fight it together. I didn't bring you back just to lose you again."

The door creaked open, and Thankhun entered, his eyes darting between them, sensing the tension. "Everything okay in here?"

Kim didn't look away from Vegas. "We're fine."

Thankhun hesitated, then walked over, his gaze softening as it met Vegas's. "The kids... they're confused. They've been through a lot. Give them time, Vegas. They'll come around."

Vegas's eyes filled with guilt. "I never wanted to hurt them."

Thankhun's voice softened " I know you love them , and I know you will try to bring them back to you". He looked at Kim, his expression serious. "And you... don't lose sight of why you fought so hard to bring him back."

Kim's gaze was unwavering. "I haven't."

Thankhun nodded and left, leaving the two of them alone again.

Kim turned back to Vegas, his voice gentle but strong. "You're not alone anymore. Not ever again."

Vegas's voice trembled. "And if I fall?"

Kim closed the distance between them, his hands cradling Vegas's face. "Then I'll catch you."

Kim pulled back just enough to look into Vegas's eyes, his fingers brushing the tears from his cheeks. The silence between them was heavy but filled with understanding. They had fought battles no one else could see-battles that had left scars, both seen and unseen. But this moment, standing here together, felt like the first step toward healing.

Vegas's voice was barely a whisper. "They hate me. I saw it in their eyes."

Kim shook his head, his grip firm but gentle. "They don't hate you. They're confused. They've been through so much, and so have you."

A bitter laugh escaped Vegas's lips. "Confused? Kim, they called someone else 'Dad.' They replaced me."

Kim's jaw tightened, the memory of Ken's presence still fresh. "No one can replace you. Not to me. Not to them. You're their father."

Tears welled in Vegas's eyes, and Kim pulled him into a tight embrace. They held each other, the weight of everything they had endured pressing down on them, but the promise of something better lifting them up.

"I love you," Kim whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

Vegas's breath hitched. "Even after everything?"

Kim pressed a soft kiss to his forehead. "Especially after everything."

In that moment, the past didn't matter. The only thing that mattered was the future-the future they would fight for, together.