It was a crisp spring morning in Amsterdam.

The buzz in the air was equalled by the buzz in Renjun's hotel room where he paced excitedly.

"I really don't get that shirt." Renjun wore a screen print shirt of Magritte's "Ceci N'est Pas Une Pipe".

It was a painting of a pipe with words below that meant "This is not a pipe".

"Jaehyun will get it, trust me. There are like a gazillion Magritte references in the book."

"This is not a pipe." Mrs. Huang read the shirt.

"Exactly."

"But it is a pipe." Renjun smiled.

"No, it's not. It's a drawing of a pipe. See?" Mrs. Huang still didn't understand.

"A drawing of a thing is not the thing itself. Nor is a t-shirt of a drawing of the thing itself." Mrs. Huang was at a loss of words but she was still impressed.

"When did you get so grown up? Feels like yesterday when 8 year old Renjun asked me why the sky was blue. You thought I was a genius back then.

"Why is the sky blue?" Renjun asked, silencing his mother.

"Because I say so." A knock on the door interrupted their conversation, Jaemin poked his head in.

"Who's ready for answers?!"

***

Jaemin and Renjun stood outside Jung Jaehyun's white house.

"I'm so excited I can barely breathe."

"As opposed to other days?" Jaemin joked, Renjun playfully hit him.

He took Renjun's arm, picked up the oxygen tank and they went towards the front door.

As they approached, there was a noticeable noise coming from inside the house.

It's the deep thump of a bass beat.

Loud.

Like, obnoxiously loud.

Renjun grabbed the brass ornament and knocked, they waited but there was no response.

"Maybe he can't hear us over the music?" Jaemin tried again, this time with more force.

Still nothing.

He tried a third time and finally, the music stopped.

They waited, still excited.

A moment later the door swung open.

It's a man in pajamas with thinning hair, the stench of alcohol, armpits and sweat radiated off of him.

"What?!" Jaemin and Renjun looked at eachother.

Could it be?

"Mr. Jung?" At which point, the pajama man slammed the door in their faces.

Renjun and Jaemin were too stunned to react, through the closed door they could hear shouting.

"Lee Taeyong!"

"Are they here, Jaehyun?" So it is Jung Jaehyun, Jaemin and Renjun couldn't believe it.

"There are two-" Jaehyun stopped mid-sentence.

"Who the hell is 'they'?"

"They are Jaemin and Renjun, the young fans with whom you've been corresponding." Renjun and Jaemin smiled at hearing their names, maybe this will help things take a turn for the better.

"You invited them, remember?" Silence.

"Get rid of them." They couldn't believe it, this was terrible!

"I won't do that. Jaehyun, be nice." The door opened- opened by the other male voice they've been hearing.

Jaehyun's assistant, Taeyong.

He virtually shoved Jaehyun towards a stunned Renjun and Jaemin and they are once again face to face with him.

No one knew what to say until Jaehyun finally spoke.

"Which one of you is Na Jaemin?" Jaemin raised his hand tentatively.

Without another word, he turned and walked inside, at least this time leaving the door wide open.

"Please. I am sorry. Come in." Taeyong apologised, Renjun and Jaemin shared one last awkward glance before Jaemin took a step.

Renjun followed.

Taeyong leaded Jaemin and Renjun into a living room so sterile, it was creepy.

The walls were empty and white, there was one couch, a small ottoman and a single lounge chair.

Jaehyun sat in the chair, off to the side were two large black garbage bags, full and twist-tied.

"Trash?" Renjun asked Taeyong.

"Fan mail. 18 years worth. He never opens it." Jaehyun kicked his feet up on the ottoman and crossed his slippers.

He motioned for them to sit on the couch.

"Yours are the first to which I've replied and look at where I am now." Renjun and Jaemin took their seats.

"Scotch?"

"Um, no thanks." Renjun answered.

"Na Jaemin?"

"It's 11 am."

"Just me then, Taeyong. Scotch and soda." Jaehyun ordered.

"Maybe.. breakfast first?" Taeyong asked.

"He thinks I have a drinking problem." Jaehyun laughed.

"I also think the earth is round." Nonetheless, Taeyong still poured Jaehyun half a glass and handed it to him.

He took a sip then sat up straight.

"So you like my book?"

"Yes. We- well, Jaemin, he made his wish meeting you so we could come here and talk to you." Jaehyun said nothing, instead took a long pull on his drink.

"Did you dress like her on purpose?"

"Kinda." Renjun said looking down at his shirt.

He said nothing again.

"Thank you for dinner last night." Jaemin bowed.

"We bought them dinner?" Jaehyun asked Taeyong.

"It was our pleasure Jaehyun." Jaehyun let out a big sigh.

"You've come a long way so.. what can I do for you?"

"We have some questions- about what happens after.. the end of your book. Specifically to people Anna leaves behind. Like her mom, the Dutch tulip man, Sisy-"

"How familiar are you with Swedish rap?" Renjun looked at Jaemin.

Is he kidding?

=====
(a/n: ugh, irl school starts tomorrow and I want to commit self death)