89. A.U: Younger - Going Home

"He what?" Kang was horrified, truly and utterly horrified. "He told you that?"

His mother nodded, and Kang couldn't help but look between Ah-In, and his father, who was on the other side of the glass, sitting by Squirts' side to keep him company as he slept. "Yeah. I had to coax it out of him, but he didn't tell you because he thought the party was more important." A party? A party???

Kang couldn't control his expression whatsoever, and he couldn't begin to describe what he was experiencing. Disbelief? Horror? Frustration? It was probably all of the above. "Why would he think that?" Did Kang make the party seem more important???

But that couldn't be it! Kang made a point out of telling his kid that a single phone call would be enough to make Kang go back running! And he did! Kang did go back running with a single phone call, so why would the kid ever think that a stupid party that he didn't even want to go to! would be more important than him!

"He has a diminished sense of self-worth," Ah-In said quietly, Kang's lips turned into a thin white line at that. "It's normal for kids who were abused to have low self-esteem and self-worth. With the kids past..." Ah-In trailed off, allowing Kang to put together the pieces himself. "He really needs to see someone."

Kang nearly cursed.

He had looked up the consequences of severe child abuse when the squirt first got onto the base. He did it in an attempt to figure out how the kid worked so he could have a rough idea of the kids' boundaries. Kang had ingrained them into his mind and thankfully, it had prevented Kang from doing something that made him lose the kids' trust.

Somehow, he had managed to completely forget about the consequences, like a complete and utter fool.

But Kang also knew his kid. "Mom. He won't go to therapy." Kang stressed out. The kid didn't even talk about his emotions with him, someone who had been his caretaker for nearly two years by then. Kang just knew that his kid would never talk to a stranger about his emotions. "He doesn't even want to talk about his nightmares, he won't talk to a therapist even if we get him one." Kang knew his boy and he was willing to bet money that the kid was more likely to wring something out of his therapist with the way he stared right into people's souls. And that was assuming the kid would even agree to go.

She sighed, her fingers rubbing at her forehead, "I know, I know. There isn't much we can do." Her voice portrayed her sorrow, her eyes lingering on Squirt as he slept. "All we can do is just smother him with love until he starts to believe it himself." That was a gross understatement, though she was right. Smothering the kid with love was the only thing they could do. They had to reinforce the idea that his kid deserved all of the care he was receiving and more, and then hope that over time, it would be enough to raise the kid's self-worth.

They were going to have to play the long, long game. Self-worth was not easy to fix, not with the way the kid grew up, and if – if- they were lucky, they would be able to help over the course of a few years.

The lengths they went to for his kid. Not that Kang was complaining, it was a labor of love, but Kang wished that they didn't have to do it, he wished his boy knew that he was important, so very important.

Kang couldn't help but let out an aggravated sigh. His heart went out to his kid. He was exhausted after the surgery, he slept all the time and while it was the point of recovery, his kid was already struggling with the lethargic side effects, so he didn't need to deal with such an internal problem. The kid had enough on his plate, he didn't need his mind to use falsehoods to convince him that he was less important than a party of all things.

"Hamchan." His father's voice was slightly muffled behind the glass, and Kang was met with the sight of Squirt being wide awake, an expectant look on his face. Knowing what the kid wanted, Kang gave his kid a smile as he waved, which seemed to be enough to make some of the tension leave Squirt's shoulders as he almost waved back shyly. Squirt didn't completely relax, so Kang motioned for his kid to wait for a bit, earning a nod.

Kang was just going to chalk up his boy's change in behavior to anxiety. He changed topics, "The good news is that his doctor said I can take him home today." The kids' doctor had been one of the first people he had run into when he walked into the hospital, and along with the basic wound precautions, and a liquid diet, there was nothing else they could do. Apparently, the kid was healing faster than she thought, so that meant that he was able to leave in four days rather than the usual five. The most important part was making sure that his kid had a liquid diet, so his intestine had plenty of time to recover with minimal work. Squirt's intestine had burst closer to the large intestine rather than the stomach, which meant that the kid would heal just a tad bit faster. But other than that, there was nothing else the hospital could do. From that point on, it would be best to take his kid back home, so he could recover in a place that brought him comfort and allowed him to destress. Squirt just had to let the nurses give him his medication, his breakfast, a final check on his vitals and then they were ready to go. After he signed his boy out of course.

Ah-In smiled, taking the time to also wave at Squirt through the glass, who returned the wave. "That's good. Where's Han-jae?"

"Bathroom. Oh, actually, can you and Dad go to the car? I packed the kid some clothes and forgot to grab the bag." Kang had brought them originally so the kid could have better lounging clothes, but since the doctor had given them the green light to go ahead and take his boy back home, he was going to need it, considering the E.R staff had cut off Squirt's clothes when he was admitted to the hospital.

"Okay. Start signing him out meanwhile," Ah-In motioned for her husband to get out of the room, giving him a short explanation.

"I will." Kang walked into the room, sitting next to the bed, "Hey kid. How are you doing?" The kid was no longer pale and hadn't been for a while, but Kang could tell that he was still tired. Kang already knew that once they were back home, where the kid felt safe enough where he didn't feel the need to force himself awake, Squirt was going to sleep and sleep until he was better.

A weak shrug, "Tired." The boy mumbled out, a small yawn escaping him. "I need to go to the bathroom." He announced, already pushing back the blankets the best he could.

Alright, that was that then. Kang pushed on the call button before helping his boy out of bed. He let Squirt be as independent as possible, letting him hold onto his hands so the teenager could pull himself closer to the edge of the bed, only stopping once he had swung his legs over.

Squirt's frown deepened, flexing his legs as he tried to determine if he was in good enough condition to walk or not, only for him to look to Kang for help.

He stepped into his role easily. "Alright, let's do this." It was difficult to help the kid up without touching anything below his waist as Kang didn't want to risk pulling on the stitches, but on the count of three, Kang pulled the kid onto his feet. He paused for a few seconds at the top, waiting for Squirt to get his footing before they started moving, "You okay?"

"Yeah." His voice was painfully quiet, his eyes drooping as he shuffled a foot forward. Humming in approval, Kang supported the kid as they walked to the bathroom.

It wasn't until they were standing in the bathroom, right in front of the toilet, that he realized they had a problem.

They both knew that the kid wasn't strong enough to hold himself up or to get on and off the toilet by himself. He was more likely to fall and hurt himself.

But Kang also knew how private the kid was and he knew the kid would rather struggle than get help.

"Um...number one or two?"

"Gotta piss." The boy grunted out.

"Ok. Do you want me to help you sit down and then leave?"

"Mhm."

"Ok." Well, at least he wasn't arguing about trying to stand up and pee like most men would have.

Carefully, Kang helped his kid sit down on the toilet. Ideally, they would have pulled down his pants and underwear before that, but Kang knew his kid would rather die than expose himself to anyone like that. He was just going to let Squirt maintain some form of dignity if it was possible.

The kid sat down clothed on the toilet, sweat beading on his hairline as he held onto his stomach. "Does it hurt?"

Kang didn't even get a chance to give Squirt A Look before he was telling the truth. "Yeah." good, that meant that he finally realized that there was no point in lying when it came to his health.

The soldier nodded. "Alright, I'll tell a nurse to get your medicine once you're done."

"Ok." With that, Kang gave the kid his privacy, at the same time, the nurse popped in just long enough for Kang to request for him to bring the kids medication and breakfast and to start the discharge process.

"Kang?" Even with the echo of the bathroom, he sounded exasperated.

Kang stepped closer to the bathroom. "Yeah?"

A long pause and another sigh, "I need help..."

Yeah, that sounded about right. Kang wasn't too surprised that Squirt needed help after all. "Can I come in?" an affirmative had Kang opening the door and save for the kid's clothes being a bit more rumpled up and out of place, Kang would have thought he hadn't tried at all. "How do you want me to help?"

Squirt did not look at him as he quietly admitted, "I need help pulling down my boxers." He figured.

"Okay," Kang bent down and grabbed his kid, "I'll support you while you pull them down."

He grabbed onto the back of Kang's shirt. "Don't look."

"Well, I wasn't planning to, but you don't have anything I don't." Because again, they were both men, they both had the same genitals, and Kang did not find a need to look whatsoever.

That still didn't stop Squirt from hissing out. "Don't look."

"I won't." Making sure that they had a firm hold on each other, he stood up. It was much easier to do it the second time around. The fact that they didn't have to move anywhere, made it simpler as well. Carefully, Kang held his kid up as the teenager pulled down his clothes himself, the entire time, Kang's eyes were focused on the ceiling. "There?"

"Yeah." Kang lowered the boy back onto the toilet, still looking up at the ceiling. "Thanks." Squirt added on after a moment.

"Tell me thanks after you're back in bed." Because they were going to have to do the exact same thing to get him back into bed.

Kang left the bathroom and closed the door. The nurse still wasn't back with the kid's medication, so Kang took it upon himself to fix his bed. They weren't going to be there for much longer, so Kang smoothed out the blankets.

"Hamchan." Taehyung rapped his knuckles against the doorframe, catching his attention. "Here. Me and Mom are going to be downstairs with Han-jae, to give the kid his privacy."

Perfect timing. Kang took the bag, "Alright. Thanks, we won't be too long." And with a nod, his father stepped back out. That was good. The kid would need his privacy if he wanted to change his clothes. Though, trying to find clothes for the kid to wear was a reminder that they had to take Squirt shopping again.

Hospitals were cold, the thin gown wasn't enough to stay warm and it wasn't until then when Kang was looking through the dresser that he realized that Squirt didn't have a single sweatshirt, sweater, or jacket. He didn't have anything to stay warm, nor did he have any winter clothes, which was something they were going to have to fix.

For the time being, Squirt was going to have to make do with one of Kang's sweatshirts and some spare pajama pants. They were going to be big on him, but Kang knew that the clothes needed to be loose for ease of movement and so the nurses could easily check on his stitches.

Maybe Kang should ask his parents to go and buy him some winter clothes. Or would it be better to take the kid to go and buy them?

He heard the toilet flush. "Kang?" and that was his cue to go back into the bathroom to help the kid.

"I brought a change of clothes for you." Kang said as he helped Squirt shuffle out of the bathroom. "Just a sweatshirt and pajama pants, do you want to change into them?"

He nodded. "Yeah." Alright, then that sounded like a plan. After helping the kid sit on the bed, Kang went over to his bag. "The nurse will come with your medication right now." He pulled out the clothes, the sweatshirt was soft and thick, and Kang knew that it would be more than enough to help the kid stay warm. The pajama pants were on the thinner side, but it wouldn't be any less effective. "Do you need help changing-?" Kang froze.

Squirt had taken off his shirt while Kang had his back turned.

Kang suddenly understood why they accused him and Han-jae of child abuse.

He forced himself to move. To pretend that everything was okay, that his boy having enough scars to make Kang restrain his tears was normal. As if it was normal to have old, healed bullet wounds, old burn scars, and old knife wounds at the tender age of sixteen. "Here." He handed over the sweatshirt, and it was only through the grace of god that his voice came out smoothly, his hands were just as steady. "It's going to be a bit big on you." God the scars were even worse when he got closer. Kang didn't know a lot about medicine, but he could tell the severity of each scar and the type of treatment the kid had gotten afterward. The burn scars were easily the size of Kang's palm, all of the edges to the scars were rough and there were only a few injuries that had gotten proper treatment.

He took a deep breath. He had to pretend as if it was normal. He had to. If Kang had a strong reaction to Squirt's scars, whether it be out of concern or anger, then Squirt would never be so vulnerable with him again. The kid would never let down his guard like that, as much as Kang wanted to cry, to show his frustration that Squirt, a child, had been hurt so much.

He could do that later. He couldn't do it then.

Squirt took the sweatshirt and needed no help in putting it on. Kang couldn't deny the small relief he felt after the scars were hidden under the shirt. It would be easier to pretend as if everything was okay when they were out of sight like that. "Can you help me with the pants?"

"Yeah." Squirt's legs had scars, but they weren't nearly as bad as his upper body. Still, Kang had to restrain the urge to wrap his boy up so tight, to hug him and keep him safe for as long as possible.

Instead, Kang pulled the blanket higher, tucking Squirt in. He couldn't keep the boy as safe as he wanted to, but Kang could at least make him feel safe.

Although Kang was still struggling to push what he saw to the back of his mind, it was nearly a relief when the nurse walked back in, food and medication in hand. He took the distraction in stride, grateful that he had something to distract himself from the implications of Squirt's past.

Kang knew that Squirt needed to take his painkiller with some food, and with the restriction on solid food, the soldier wasn't too surprised when the nurse brought a bowl of broth. The nurse placed everything on the bed stand, Squirt would eat it after the nurse was done checking his vitals and such.

Squirt scrunched up his nose at the sight of the broth, seemingly unaware of the way the nurse was checking his temperature, even more so when he left. "Sorry kid. "Kang chuckled when he saw the kid's expression, "No solids. You can only eat liquids for the time being. Maybe Kang should bring some broth from a good soup place to placate him for a bit. Based on the look the kid was making, the broth just had to be bad.

To his credit, the kid ate the broth with little to no complaint, mainly using it to swallow his medication. Though Kang could see that the kid wasn't exactly ecstatic to eat nothing but broth after a couple of days in the hospital. But in other news. "I saw your doctor in the hallway." A quirking of Squirt's eyebrow prompted Kang to continue, "She said you can leave as soon as you finish your food."

He didn't even hesitate. Squirt picked up the bowl and downed it. His glass of water met the same fate, and so did the juice box. He pushed away the tray, already sitting up straighter and pushing the blankets back. "Let's go." It was like the fatigue that had been plaguing his boy mere moments ago had disappeared just like that.

Kang nearly laughed at the boy's eagerness to leave. "Alright alright. I'll go and sign you out and come back with a wheelchair. Wait for me." The kid was still shaky at best when he stood up and Kang could only assume it was from the incision being placed under stress since it was so close to his pelvis, though sitting up seemed to be fine for him.

"I will." Yeah, Kang knew that he wasn't.

Likewise, because he knew his kid so well, he added, "Wait because they won't let you leave without me." That earned him a flat look. "It's policy. I don't think they'll let you leave if you try and do it yourself." Kang didn't know if the staff would be hard-asses about a minor leaving their hospital room, it didn't make a lot of sense for the staff to be strict like that.

But the squirt didn't have to know that. If it meant that the kid would wait for him, then Kang had no problem with lying. "I'll be back. Wait." Kang said firmly, earning a huff and another nod from his kid before closing the door.

He'd better make it quick, Kang did not doubt that his little gremlin would just get impatient if he took too long.

Kang heaved out a sigh once he got further down the hall.

All of those scars...

They were all so terrible. Just thinking back on them was enough to almost bring tears to Kang's eyes. Kang understood that his boy had a hard life, he understood that. He understood that Squirt was a soldier, that he had somehow made it through a training program that culled all but fourty of the trainees, and that Squirt had fought tooth and nail to survive each culling.

But it did nothing to prepare Kang for the reality that his boy's body reflected all of those terrible experiences and then some.

The nurse had to push the clipboard into his hands, making Kang realize that he had just been staring at her in a daze. Whoops.

With an apology, Kang took the clipboard and filled it out in a corner before handing it back. He needed to get it together. He was finally able to take his kid home, and he was going to do just that.

After asking a nurse to get him one, Kang pushed the wheelchair into the room, smiling when he saw the squirt sitting on the edge of the bed, ready to go. "Ready?" a nod, "Alrighty buddy, let me put on your shoes and then we can go." Kang knew that Squirt didn't have the range of motion to do that, and while he wasn't surprised, he was a tad bit annoyed to see the kid frown.

"I can put on my shoes myself."

"Not without pulling on your stitches. It'll be faster if I put them on for you." Kang added after a moment, hoping that it would be enough to convince Squirt to just let Kang help him so they could leave faster.

It worked.

Squirt heaved out a sigh, his nose scrunching up in that way of his when he was somewhat peeved as he motioned toward his feet. "I can do this myself." He muttered petulantly.

Kang nearly laughed. "I know that." The kid could do it himself if he really tried and ignored the way he would pull on his stitches. But that didn't mean he had to struggle like that, it would be easier for both of them if Squirt just let him help. "But it's faster this way," Kang said as he pushed the shoe onto Squirt's foot, his fingers already moving to tighten the shoelaces. "Just let me help you."

The teenager hummed. "You put on the wrong shoe."

He blinked. "Wait really?" Did he?

Kang twisted his head to check, only to see that he had not put the wrong shoe onto the wrong foot. It was just Squirt trying to mess with him.

He snorted. "You little gremlin." The kid laughed quietly as Kang ruffled his hair, messing it up enough that Squirt had to smooth down his hair afterward. "Is that your way of saying that you don't want to go?"

"No, I want to go." That time, Kang laughed at the way the squirt said that, he said that so fast, it reminded him so much of Han-jae when they were children. Just to further prove his point, the kid lifted his other foot, letting Kang put on his other shoe. "Where are the others?"

"They're waiting for us in the waiting room." Kang finished tying the knot and helped Squirt move into the wheelchair. "It's a bit cold outside." Kang said as he draped a blanket over the kid's lap, and then another around his shoulders. "I'll take you shopping for winter clothes once you're better." Maybe the blanket around his shoulders was overkill, but after what the kid just went through, Kang wanted to be extra sure that his boy wouldn't get sick. His immune system was already going to be weakened because of the surgery and then the antibiotics, being careful wasn't going to hurt anyone. Besides, Kang had long noticed that Squirt was well adjusted for heat, not for the cold.

Squirt accepted the bag and held it on his lap. "You don't have to do that." Yeah Kang was expecting that reaction, "I'll be fine."

Kang was positive the kid was saying that because he hadn't experienced a true winter, one where the temperature would dip below eighty degrees. "Yeah well, I'm going to get you winter clothes anyway." Squirt huffed, but Kang ignored that in favor of pushing the kid out the door and down the hallway. "It gives me peace of mind to know that you won't be cold when we're out and about." The kid didn't say anything, and Kang thought that was that. He thought his kid had understood that Kang was going to buy him winter gear, whether he liked it or not.

Instead, his voice was so quiet that Kang nearly missed it.

"I don't want you to waste more money on me."

"What?" His voice came out harsher than he meant it and he saw the way his boy had stiffened up as a result "hang on." Kang smoothed over, pulling them off to the side into an empty hallway. Kang needed to hear just what made the kid think that Kang was 'wasting' money on him. Last time he checked, Kang had done anything but. He kneeled in front of Squirt, letting them be on the same level, "Say that one more time?"

The teenager nearly squirmed, his eyes focused on his lap just like the previous day. Kang almost thought that Squirt wasn't going to repeat himself. "Medical bills are expensive." He said quietly, rolling the hem of the blanket between his fingers, "I don't want you to waste more money on clothes I don't need." Kang could hear the guilt in his voice, and he hated the way the kid was guilty over money of all things.

Kang was the adult there, he was the kids' guardian, he was the one who had to worry about money, and Kang had more than enough to take care of his boy. "This is the first and last time I want to hear you say that." Kang couldn't keep the hard tone out of his voice, only softening when he saw the confused look his boy gave him, "understand that I am not wasting money on you, I am taking care of you. I will spend whatever is necessary just to make sure that you are happy and healthy." Squirt didn't look convinced, if anything, his frown deepened and Kang could see the way the kid was chewing on his cheek.

What was going on with him?

Something had changed. It had happened the day before, and Squirt was going through another bout of whatever it was. It was like someone had turned the dial of insecurities up and then broke it so it couldn't be turned off. The more the kid got comfortable, the more comfort he found in Kang and his family, and the more his insecurities shone through. It showed how comfortable the kid had become with Kang because it meant that the kid felt safe being vulnerable with him, Squirt felt safe enough to show his anxiety like that.

But Kang didn't know if he should be somewhat relieved that the kid was allowing the emotion to be expressed instead of bottling it up.

Or if he should be worried. Because if the emotions were finally spilling out, then how strong were they? The insecurities that hadn't even been a blip on the radar had turned into something that needed immediate care. Just how long had the kid felt like that?

He kept the questions to himself. Instead, Kang grasped Squirt's hands, taking note of the way his hands twitched at the contact. "Do you remember what I told you when we first got home? When you asked me why I was doing all of this for you?" Kang asked, clarifying when he got a confused look.

A small nod, but the frown was still there. "You said it was because you cared for me and..."

"And because I love you." Kang finished, squeezing Squirt's hands ever so gently. "And all of this, I'm doing this because I love you. Because you are so important to me and I would do anything to make sure that you are happy, healthy, and loved." Kang hoped that his boy was able to hear the sincerity in his voice. "You don't have to worry about money." Squirt almost started at that, staring at Kang with wide eyes as if Kang had said something insane. "You don't have to pay me back, and I don't want you to pay me back. Seeing you grow up and become your own person is enough payment for me." That was all Kang wanted. He wanted Squirt to become a fine young man, one who could live a life of simplicity and safety. He wanted Squirt to go to school, to have friends, to have the life his parents intended for him before fate interfered.

Still, Squirt stared at Kang as if he had just admitted something absolutely absurd.

Maybe it was absurd to a kid who had grown up on a battlefield, in a world where no help came without strings attached. It hurt to hear that his boy had been so deprived of any sort of care, that the thought of being cared for out of love was still foreign.

Kang pushed it to the back of his head, it was not the time to address something like that. "Do you understand?" At last, the squirt returned the squeeze, the crease in his brow relaxing somewhat.

"I...think I do...Kang...?" Squirt asked hesitantly, almost ducking his head down, "Don't get me new clothes. I know you don't want me to worry but..." Kang sighed.

Alright, for some reason, the kid was hung up over money but Kang could remedy that. "I have some old clothes I can give you. But I'll still get you some new clothes. That will be our compromise alright?"

That seemed to be enough. "Yes sir. Thank you." Some of the tension went away, but not all of it.

Something was still bothering Squirt, but Kang just let it drop for the time being. His boy would tell him when he was ready.

"Don't mention it." His old clothes were fine, but they were from his high school days so they were going to be worn out and outdated. But that's why Kang was just going to get the kid new clothes, take off the tags, and pretend that they were old clothes. "Also. Just so you know. Healthcare is covered by the government here in Korea." For citizens, which Squirt was not.

He didn't need to know that. But since Kang was Squirt's guardian, he did have the right to put Squirt under his healthcare plan and then get coverage like that.

"We're not going to have a bill for your treatment." But even if they didn't, they had the money to cover the cost either way.

Kang was not surprised when the squirt was shocked by the news. "Seriously?" The soldier stood up and went behind Squirt to start moving again. Kang didn't blame the kid, in the Middle East, it was hard to get medical treatment in the outskirts and it was expensive. It must have been a shock to hear that in Korea, medical care was free.

"Yep." Squirt's hand went up to cover his face, and Kang knew that he had made the right decision in getting the move on just so Squirt could hide his embarrassment better. "Completely free. Oh also, I'm your guardian now." He said casually, earning a confused noise. "You're in my custody. That means that I'm allowed to sign you up for stuff, like school and programs. Before, you would need permission from the government, now you just need mine."

"Oh. Okay."

He ruffled Squirt's hair. "We can talk about it some more once you feel better." He could tell that Squirt was still confused about the whole guardian thing, along with the free healthcare, not to mention whatever was bothering him, it would be better to continue the conversation later. "Are you ready to go home?"

Squirt nodded. "Yes."

--------------------------------------------------

Squirt yawned widely, his jaw cracking loud enough for Kang to hear, the medication must have been kicking in. "Try to stay awake for a bit longer," They were almost home, if he just waited a bit, then he would be able to fall asleep in a bed rather than a car.

The teenager nodded, blinking his eyes hard in an attempt to wake up, only to gain minimal results. He sat up straighter, and took a deep breath, rubbing at his face when he couldn't wake up like he wanted to. "Are we almost home?"

"Yeah." Taehyung turned carefully onto their street, trying to keep the ride as smooth as possible, though that probably didn't help the kids' effort to stay awake. "How are we going to do this? Is he able to walk or would it be better to carry him inside?" That was a good question, considering that the kid was still rather unsteady on his feet, and they didn't have a wheelchair to transport him either.

Kang looked at Squirt up and down.

Kang could carry him. It was going to be a bit difficult considering that the kid wasn't exactly the carrying size, maybe it would have been easier before his growth spurt, but not at the moment. The good thing was that Kang knew he was plenty strong enough to pick up Squirt, the teenager wasn't that heavy.

"I'm not a kid," Squirt muttered petulantly when he noticed Kangs look, "I don't need to be carried."

"Ehhhh yeah you do." Han-jae drawled out, shrugging when he was met with Squirt's glare, "You needed help getting into the car. Don't worry, Hammy won't drop you, he's stronger than he looks."

"That's not the point. I don't need to be carried."

Taehyung pulled into the driveway and man did the kid give them a stink eye when they locked the doors before Squirt could open his. "Just let us take care of you son." Taehyung said as he turned around in his seat, a firm tone in his voice. "We know you can take care of yourself, but we're here to help you. Now, Hamchan, do you need help getting him inside?" Squirt grumbled but seemed to accept that that was that, and he was going to get carried inside.

Kang patted Squirt's leg to provide some comfort, though based on the kid's blank look, it probably didn't come off as comforting. "No, I got it. Just go get everything ready." At last, his father unlocked the doors, allowing everyone to get out so they could start unloading the car, and so Kang could unload his boy.

Squirt heaved out a sigh when Kang opened the door, his mouth twisting in that way of his when he was not happy about a situation, but would tolerate it. "Okay buddy," Kang let the kid hold onto his forearm so he could get enough leverage to turn his body towards Kang. "Just bear with me, this will be quick." The kid didn't say anything, instead, he let Kang pull him onto his feet and then into his arms.

With an arm under the kid's thighs and back, Kang picked him up. Like he thought, the kid was easy to carry, he was a bit big, but it wasn't too bad. As soon as the kid was secure in Kang's grip, Squirt having his arms wrapped around Kang's chest, they were moving. Han-jae snorted as they passed through the doorway, earning a smack from their mother.

Ignoring them, and the way the kid ducked his head out of embarrassment, Kang went into his bedroom. "There you go," Kang set his boy onto the bed and pretended that Squirt was not red out of embarrassment, not at all, before pulling off his shoes. "Now get some-"

"Sleep. I know. I will." Kang chuckled at the way Squirt pulled up the blanket, almost as if he was trying to hide his face. "Thank you." Squirt added after a moment.

With a ruffling of the hair and a 'You're welcome' Kang was leaving the room, closing the door to give the kid some privacy.

He, along with everyone else got everything sorted out, doing the small chores they had neglected over the past few days. He put in a load of laundry, rewashing the towels that had been washed days prior but had never been put into the dryer because of everything.

Thankfully, since none of them had been home long enough to make a mess, that was done quickly and before he knew it, his mom turned on music to fill in the silence and they were having a family meeting in the master bedroom.

His father was the last one to walk into the bedroom, having checked on Squirt before joining them. Taehyung closed the door behind him, making sure to keep it cracked open just in case the kid needed them.

"Alright. We need to talk." Taehyung said seriously, his eyes landing on each of them as they lingered around the room. "About the kid. His self-worth is shit. He doesn't have any." Kang nodded. That was a problem, and it was one that they needed to address.

Han-jae frowned from his position on top of the bed. "What makes you say that?"

Alright, they probably didn't tell Han-jae while he was signing the kid out. "Squirt didn't tell us that he was in pain because he thought the party was more important." Kang said bluntly and he saw his brother go through the same emotions they all did when they found out.

Han-jae looked horrified, a deep frown on his face as his hand went up to cover his mouth. They let him process it. "Jesus Christ..." Han-jae said quietly, disbelief saturating his every word. "But that makes sense though. Remember how he was uncomfortable with us buying him new clothes?" Kang nodded at the question, of course, he remembered. He and Squirt just had another conversation about that less than two hours ago.

"He brought it up again, when I told him that we had to get him winter clothes on the way down. He actually asked me not to get him new clothes, he feels bad when we spend money on him." The way they sighed spoke magnitudes and Kang didn't blame them. The kid either saw the money they spent as a debt that had to be paid back.

Or he saw it as a waste.

Kang was going to hope it was the former.

His parents heaved out a sigh, looking all the more stressed that the kid had such a warped view of himself. "Other than therapy," Ah-In stressed out, "Do you think there's anything that can help?" Off the top of Kang's head. No.

Therapy really would help the kid, but that required the kid wanting to go to therapy. As far as Kang knew, the only thing they could do was make sure that their words and actions lined up so the kid could see that he was worth more than whatever he was telling himself.

"One of my old classmates became a therapist. I'll shoot them a message and ask. Should I tell them about his, uh, past?" Han-jae had an uncertain look and Kang understood why. It would be a breach of trust for Han-jae to tell a stranger about the kid's upbringing, even if the kid wasn't going to find out.

"Just tell them Squirt grew up alone in a war zone." That should be enough for them to get an idea of the kids' past. It would be excluding a lot, such as the kid becoming a soldier for a militia and leading his own squad, but they did not need to know something like that. "All we can do is smother the kid in love. Let's make sure to not be obvious about it though." It had to be natural because the kid would definitely pick up on the behavior change and become wary, which was the last thing he needed.

They all nodded.

Taehyung perked up, his head turning towards the door as something caught his attention. "Hey," He motioned towards the hallway with his head, "The kid is calling for you."

Kang stood up. "Tell me what they say." He called back to Han-jae, earning a nod. He slipped out, trying to make it seem like he had been busy doing something other than having a family meeting.

He forced himself into what he hoped was his usual expression as he opened the door, "Yeah?" Squirt was lying on his side, his upper body propped up on his elbows, a somewhat bashful look on his face.

"Can I have another blanket...? It's cold..." Squirt muttered and for some reason, Kang had a feeling that being cold wasn't the true reason he had been called.

Either way. "Sure." Kang went over to the closet and pulled a blanket out, spreading it over the kid soon after. He made sure to cover him completely with it, smiling when he saw the way Squirt tugged it up. "Do you need anything else?" Squirt averted his eyes, not giving Kang a direct answer as a flush slowly appeared on his face once more.

If it wasn't for the hand holding onto his pant leg, Kang wouldn't have known what his boy wanted.

Kang chuckled as he sat on the edge of the bed, the teenager quickly making room for him. Squirt curled around Kang on his side, the way he looked up at Kang reminding him once more that Squirt was still a little boy. A child that even after everything he went through, he was a child who still needed a parental figure. "Have I ever told you about the time me and Dae-hyun met?" He got a no.

Alright, then he was going to have to remedy that.