Autumn is a second spring

160. No worries

Earth sat between Thas and Remi, the space between them warm despite the quiet tension humming under the surface. The room had been set aside for family, away from the chaos of wedding preparations outside, yet Earth could still hear distant laughter, hurried footsteps, and the occasional clink of decorations being adjusted. Sitting here, between the two people who had chosen him and raised him, grounded him more than anything else could.

"I am really glad you both could make it, Mom and Da" Earth said, his voice soft but sincere.

Remi turned toward him immediately, her face lighting up the way it always did when she looked at him. She reached out, cupping his cheek gently with one hand, her palm warm. "Your Dad and I wouldn't miss your wedding for the world."

Earth smiled, leaning slightly into her touch. "Thank you, Mom."

Remi's smile lingered, then shifted into something more tender. "You know," she continued, glancing sideways at Thas, "your dad has been working very hard lately. He has been extremely serious about his physiotherapy."

Earth frowned slightly. "Physiotherapy?"

Remi nodded. "Every single day. No skipping. No complaints."

Earth turned to Thas instinctively, confusion flickering across his face. "Why?"

Remi's lips curved into a proud smile. "He wanted to be able to walk you down the aisle."

The words hit Earth harder than he expected.

He stared at Thas, his chest tightening. After the stroke, Thas had struggled even to stand without support. Watching him learn how to walk again—with a cane, with pain etched into every step—had been terrifying. The idea that Thas had pushed himself so hard, endured all that discomfort, just for him—

"I didn't know," Earth said immediately, guilt flooding his voice. "Dad, I really didn't know."

He and Kao had planned to walk down the aisle together instead of being walked down by their parents as both of them had been married for a while now and there was no need to bother others for the matter. 

But little had Earth expected Thas to put in so much effort for his and Kao's sake.

Thas shifted slightly in his seat, his walking stick resting against the armrest. "There is no need to apologize," he said calmly.

"But—" Earth shook his head. "You worked so hard and I didn't even think—"

"It was my duty," Thas interrupted gently. "As a parent. I didn't want you worrying about me on your big day. I didn't want you to feel embarrassed because of me in front of all those guests."

Earth's eyes stung. "You wouldn't have embarrassed me. Ever."

Thas chuckled softly. "Then what if I say I just wanted to look good in your wedding photos?"

Earth let out a small, strained laugh. "That's unfair."

Thas reached out and patted Earth's head, his touch steady. "I am not upset about not walking you down the aisle," he said after a moment. "After seeing how things were at dinner... I think you and Kao made the right decision."

Earth's smile faltered.

Thas continued evenly, "Kao's mom's remarks weren't subtle. His dad chose silence as always. He didn't even try to stop his wife. Watching that, I realized that you two walking together—side by side—was wiser."

Earth pressed his lips together, disappointment slipping through despite his effort to hide it. He nodded, though the ache in his chest remained.

Remi noticed immediately. She squeezed his hand reassuringly. "Don't think too much. If they even try anything, your dad and I will handle it."