"Changmin-ah… Changmin-ah…" Min-jun moaned as he tossed and turned on the bed restlessly.
Chang-min glanced up from his exam paper, his expression hardening as he observed Min-jun's dramatic display. Min-jun's back was raised, and his face was buried in a pillow, his silent cries filled with longing. Chang-min, with a hint of irritation, aimed the stress ball he was using at Minjun's rear, landing it firmly on Minjun's backside to snap him out of his lovesick daze.
"Ouch…" Min-jun sat quickly, holding his buttocks.
"Stop fooling around and finish the paper."
Min-jun looked at Chang-min with a pouting face.
"But I miss him so much."
"Like I said, you should have asked him for his phone number."
"And like I emphasized, I would have pestered Joon-ah to death."
"True. You almost did that to me. But you would have been the one who's dead if you had carried on."
Chang-min said as he marked down the answers on the paper. Min-jun silently watched Chang-min for a few seconds. Then he looked at the fox keychain in his hand.
'How would I learn to let you go?' he thought somberly.
After weeks of intense preparation, the final study week had arrived, but it felt like an endless stretch for Min-jun, and he dreaded being alone at home with his restless heart. He was relieved when Chang-min showed up to study with him, knowing he couldn't have faced it alone. Min-jun spent countless hours with his books, yet his mind kept wandering back to Seung-joon. With each passing day, his yearning for Seung-joon only grew, making it increasingly difficult to stay focused. There were countless things he still wanted to learn about Seung-joon and so many questions he wished he could ask.
Even though the twins had prevented him from seeing Seung-joon, Minjun felt a sense of relief knowing that Seung-joon was in good hands. Over the past few weeks, it had become increasingly clear to him just how deeply the twins cherished and protected Seung-joon, always making sure he was safe and well looked after. Yet, it was disturbing to witness how quickly their anxiety would escalate whenever anything related to Seung-joon came up. Their palpable worry was so intense that it left Min-jun with a persistent and uneasy feeling that lingered in his mind.
'Joon-ah, why are you such a mystery...'
Min-jun settled into his chair with a resigned sigh and turned his attention to his paper, making a conscious effort to ignore Chang-min's worried sideways glances. He was fully aware of Changmin's concern, even if he pretended otherwise. From the corner of his eye, Min-jun watched Chang-min as he diligently worked on his own paper. Despite Min-jun's irritation at Chang-min's constant vigilance—like a bulldog forever on guard—he knew deep down that his step-brother was the person he loved most in the world.
Min-jun's mind drifted back to the day their parents got married—thirteen years ago. It was a day of pure joy for him, one of the happiest of his life. He had always longed for an older brother, and Chang-min seemed to fulfill that wish ideally. With his severe demeanor and mature manners, Chang-min seemed much older than his mere five years. Min-jun remembered how he had looked at Chang-min with eager, longing eyes, like a hungry puppy yearning for attention. Chang-min's only reaction had been a curt, sideway glance, a subtle sign of his reserved nature.
While the adults chatted away over lunch, Min-jun noticed Chang-min slip out. Curious and giggling to himself, Min-jun quietly followed, assuming he was sneaking off to have fun. But as Chang-min walked dangerously close to the cliff's edge, where the waves crashed below, Min-jun's excitement turned into confusion. What was Chang-min doing? The answer didn't come right away, but before Min-jun could fully grasp the scene, a sudden, gut-wrenching fear gripped him. His legs moved on their own as Chang-min jumped, and Min-jun lunged forward, grabbing his arm just in time. That memory, that fear, lived with Min-jun as vividly as if it had happened yesterday.
"Hyung.. No… No… Please climb back. Please… Please… Hyung…"
Min-jun's cries were frantic, his voice hoarse as he shouted, clinging to Chang-min's arm with every bit of strength he had. He didn't register the sharp rocks cutting into his skin or the blood slowly seeping from his bruised arm. He didn't notice the way his tears mixed with the blood dripping onto Chang-min's face. All he knew was that he couldn't let go. When the adults came, pulling them to safety, Min-jun collapsed into Chang-min's arms, hugging him tightly, his body trembling until exhaustion took over. Just before he passed out, he felt Chang-min's arms wrap around him, holding him just as tightly.
Despite being ten months older, Chang-min insisted that Min-jun call him by his name. And since the day Min-jun rescued Chang-min, Chang-min has loved Min-jun as if he were his own brother. They shared their childhood, growing up side by side, making the most of every moment. Even when Chang-min chose to live separately at fifteen, the decision changed nothing between them.
If Seungjoon was Min-jun's soul, Min-jun knew Chang-min was his heart.
Min-jun snapped out of his trance when he felt something hit his head. He stared at Chang-min as he rubbed his forehead.
"Why does it always hurt to be around you?" Min-jun joked, his tone light as he got to his feet just as Chang-min sprang up from his chair. Min-jun barely had a second to react before Chang-min caught him, pulling him to the floor with a playful grin.
"Do you even know what real pain is… let me show you…" Chang-min said as he started to tickle Min-jun until he couldn't breathe.
"Hyung, please stop... Stop… I..... I can't…" Min-jun giggled, groaned, and gasped for air as he begged.
***
Lately, Min-jun had been feeling increasingly anxious as each day seemed to drag on. It had been two weeks since he had last seen Seung-joon, and the weight of it gnawed at him. With graduation fast approaching, the strain in his chest only grew heavier. He had already decided not to confess his feelings, but now Min-jun realized it would take all his strength to keep that promise. The urge to tell Seung-joon how he truly felt was becoming harder to ignore with each passing day.
On graduation day, Min-jun hadn't expected much—just a fleeting glance at Seung-joon, maybe a silent goodbye. But as the hours passed, Seung-joon was nowhere to be found. Panic started to bubble beneath Min-jun's calm exterior. In a sudden rush of desperation, he dashed home, changed his clothes in a blur, and hopped into a taxi to D*. His plan was simple: wait by the alley next to Seung-joon's house until he returned from his afternoon class. As Min-jun stood there, the dimly lit streets felt eerily quiet. His eyes swept over the empty road, scanning every shadow, every corner. The afternoon light was fading, casting long shadows across the deserted streets. As Min-jun's gaze swept over the surroundings, something caught his attention—a slight movement. At the far corner of the road, a man stood, trying to appear unnoticed. But his intent was clear—he was watching, waiting, just like Min-jun.
Min-jun's heart skipped a beat the moment he saw Seung-joon coming down the road. For a brief second, everything else faded away—he could only focus on Seung-joon's familiar figure. But as Seung-joon passed the man, Min-jun's attention shifted back. His heart began to race when he noticed the man discreetly following Seung-joon, careful not to draw attention. Min-jun's chest tightened—Seung-joon had noticed him, too. Even from a distance, Min-jun could see the fear written all over his face. The streets were mostly lit, but a few alleys remained cloaked in darkness. Without thinking twice, Min-jun sprinted toward a nearby alley, positioning himself to intercept Seung-joon. As Seung-joon approached, Minjun reached out, grabbed him, and pulled him into his arms. His hand quickly covered Seung-joon's mouth, silencing him before he could make a sound.
"Joon-ah... It's me," Min-jun whispered, his voice barely audible. Seung-joon's wide, terrified eyes locked onto his, but it took a few seconds for recognition to sink in. As soon as it did, Seung-joon buried his face in Min-jun's chest, his body trembling uncontrollably. Min-jun wrapped his arms tightly around him, his own heart pounding. From behind the dumpster where they hid, Min-jun watched the man pass by, his expression perplexed as he scanned the street. Min-jun tightened his embrace, and without realizing it, he pressed gentle kisses onto Seung-joon's head, a desperate attempt to soothe him. Only when he felt it was safe did Min-jun finally pull back slightly to look at Seung-joon.
"Joon-ah, can you walk?" Min-jun asked quietly.
"Yes, hyung....."
They moved swiftly but in silence, Min-jun keeping a firm hold on Seung-joon as they made their way toward his house. Seung-joon leaned into Min-jun, his steps unsteady, still shaken. When they reached the staircase leading up to Seung-joon's home, Min-jun paused, glancing at Seung-joon to make sure he could continue.
"I'll wait here. Go."
Seung-joon nodded silently, his legs still trembling as he began to climb the stairs. Min-jun noticed his legs were still shaking. Without a second thought, Min-jun scooped Seung-joon up into his arms, carrying him up the hill like a child. Seung-joon wrapped his arms around Min-jun's neck, resting his head against his shoulder. Min-jun felt warm tears seeping into his shirt, threatening his unshed tears to fall. Despite the emotional turmoil, he focused on getting Seung-joon safely to the top. Once they reached Seung-joon's front door, Min-jun carefully set him down and rang the bell, keeping one arm around him. Tae-min opened the door, casting a silent, scrutinizing glance at them both. Without a word, he ushered Seung-joon inside, closing the door with a definitive thud and leaving Min-jun standing alone on the porch.
Min-jun turned slowly and began to descend the stairs, his movements mechanical, as if he were moving through a dream. The adrenaline that had fueled him was starting to fade, leaving his legs feeling weak and unsteady. He sank down onto a step, his body trembling with the aftereffects of the intense fear and urgency. With shaky fingers, he dialed Chang-min's number.
"Ya. Where the hell are you?" Chang-min's thundering voice came through the speaker.
"Hyung, I'm just outside Seungjoon's house," Min-jun managed to whisper weakly before he lost consciousness.
***
Min-jun woke up in a haze, not knowing where he was. The sight of Chang-min, his face pale with worry, met his eyes.
"Hyung, why the long face?" Min-jun murmured, managing a faint smile.
Chang-min's face darkened with anger, his cheeks flushing as he held back his emotions.
"Fool, you almost gave me a heart attack. I was sure those guys had beaten you to a pulp."
A flicker of pain flashed through Min-jun as Seung-joon's face crossed his mind.
"Hyung, I need to see Seung-joon," Min-jun said, attempting to push himself up from the bed. A sharp pain shot through his head, and his hand instinctively reached for it. His fingers brushed against the bandage wrapped around his head.
"You must have fallen on the stairs and hit your head. I found you at the bottom, completely out of it. You're in the hospital now, and you're not going anywhere," Chang-min said, his voice firm.
"Hyung, please, I have to go," Min-jun begged, his body swaying as he attempted to stand.
"You're still on pain meds," Chang-min said softly, his voice trembling slightly despite his tough exterior.
"Hyung, take me to him."
With a resigned sigh, Chang-min gave in and helped Min-jun change. By the time they arrived at D*, the night had already settled in. Chang-min handed his phone to Min-jun, showing him a number on the screen.
"Call him."
Min-jun took the phone, his hand trembling as he dialed the number. He held his breath as the phone rang, his heart racing.
"Hello."
Seung-joon's voice, soft and familiar, washed over Min-jun, filling him with overwhelming relief.
"Joon-ah, it's me. Can you come down? I'm near your house."
"Okay, hyung."
As Min-jun walked down the narrow alley leading to Seung-joon's home, he spotted Seung-joon leaning against the wall, absently doodling on the dirt-streaked pavement with his head down. The sky was heavy with clouds, and light rain had started to fall. Min-jun approached, and as he neared, he lifted his hand to the wall above Seung-joon's head, shielding him from the drizzle. Slowly, Seung-joon looked up, his blue eyes catching the faint glow from the streetlamp, making them shimmer in the dim light. The rain had left tiny droplets clinging to his lips, making them glisten.
Min-jun's heart pounded in his chest as he mustered all his courage, closing his eyes as he whispered,
"Joon-ah... let me kiss you... just once…"
For a moment, he was terrified to open his eyes, fearing the rejection or disgust he might see in Seung-joon's face. But when he finally dared to, he felt Seung-joon's soft, damp lips press gently against his own. It was only for a second, but for Min-jun, it felt like an eternity had passed.