"You'll love it," Si-Hun said, trying to keep a smile on his face while his heart…it couldn't keep up the pace.
"He is still the same man." He thought.
Kuro noticed his face twitching on the lips, just slightly, but enough to catch his eye.
"His father. How can someone even be this cold to their own son?"
"This sting…It's here, again!" Kuro held his chest and said.
Si-Hun started the accelerator and let out a low chuckle for the sake of his brother.
"Yayyy!!!" Ji-Ho said, happy as ever.
The bike started, and Si-Hun headed for his apartment
The night ride was quiet with only Ji-Ho chanting happily.
"Hold on to me. You'll fall…" Si-Hun said.
Kuro followed from behind while flying along Si-Hun's bike.
Ji-Ho held Si-Hun's waist tightly and rested his cheek against his back.
Si-Hun's fingers tightened around the bike slightly.
"I missed you, hyung," Ji-Ho spoke.
Si-Hun lowered his eyes a little, then smiled.
"I missed you too, Ji-Ho."
"Where were you so busy? We have only spoken on the phone over the past few months. I was burned out here."
"I…was very occupied. I wanted to meet you, but things kept me away. I'm…sorry."
"It's okay. I know it must be…hard living out there alone."
"It makes me happy that Kuro was there for me." Si-Hun thought.
"Not when I can call you whenever I want," Si-Hun said with a low chuckle.
They talked like that, the moonlight splattering across the bike as it passed through the cold wind.
They reached his apartment in some time.
'This is your building?"
"Yeah."
They got off the bike and walked to his apartment.
"Woah! Can I press the lift buttons?" It was his first time seeing a lift button.
He had never been on an elevator.
"Sure," Whenever talking to him, Si-Hun kept a small smile on his face.
"You can live your childhood even if I didn't live mine. You have a brother who'll keep you safe even when you're on the other side of this Earth."
They got to his apartment, and Si-Hun invited him in.
'Wow! Your apartment is…so cozy!"
"I brought games for you. The ones you love."
"Seriously!????" Ji-Ho said, jumping.
"But brother…"
"Yes?"
Ji-Ho slowly looked at him and slowly came forward and hug Si-Hun.
Si-Hun froze for half a second, put his hands on his back.
His brother held onto his jacket.
"You reach my shoulders now," Si-Hun said, smiling.
"I'll grow…even taller than you," Ji-Ho said, a crack in his voice.
"It's been a while since I last saw him, but he's surely growing up to be a man."
Ji-Ho pulled back and looked directly into Si-Hun's eyes.
"Hyung, you know…you don't have to buy me something so expensive. Come on, I know that…things are not going too well with you."
Si-Hun's breath hitched at what his brother said.
"It's…nothing much. I wanted to buy you something since your birthday passed. This is like…a present. From me."
"Brother…"
"No room for argument."
Ji-Ho smiled faintly and thanked him.
"Thanks, hyung."
"Nah, no need for that," Si-Hun said happily.
"Now, you can play games or do…whatever you want. I'll prepare dinner. What do you want to eat?"
"Uhh…that ramen you used to make me after school!"
"You still like it that much?"
"Mom doesn't make it as you do."
"I'll make it," Si-Hun said with a smile.
Kuro watched at a distance even though Si-Hun sensed his presence.
"He's smiling a lot. He rarely does that. Only with a few people. He must be aware that I'm watching."
"I'm aware."
Kuro flinched at the sudden voice.
"Whoa! Are you reading my mind!?"
"Haha, chill! I'm not reading anyone's mind.'"
Si-Hun made dinner in the kitchen while Ji-Ho explored his apartment and then played the video games.
'Dinner's ready!"
"Just one sec!"
"Be there in under a minute!"
"Yes sir!"
Ji-Ho came to the table and took a seat.
Si-Hun served him the bowl, and he started eating.
"Just as good as before," Ji-Ho said with a smile.
"Only for you, lil bro." Si-Hun teased.
Ji-Ho laughed, and they talked while eating.
They finished eating, and Si-Hun went to do the dishes.
"I-I'll do the dishes!" Ji-Ho insisted.
"I'll do it myself-
"Hyung, pleaseee!!"
"Fine, but don't make a mess.''
"I won't, I promise!"
Si-Hun went to the living room while keeping an eye on Ji-Ho.
He slowly leaned on the couch, his eyes moving away from Ji-Ho after a while as they grew heavy.
He fell asleep.
Ji-Ho came back after doing the dishes and saw Si-Hun sleeping.
"He's asleep already? He never dozed off unknowingly like this at home. Is he working himself too much?" Ji-Ho said to himself.
He took a blanket from the side and put it over Si-Hun.
Ji-Ho sat there on the chair beside him.
"He looks tired."
"He never tells anyone if he's sad or any of his feelings, but I can still see how he is doing. Maybe he's bad at hiding, or maybe I know him too well."
Ji-Ho went to Si-Hun's room and slept there.
"His brother told it too well. He knows him as much as I do, as his shadow. Si-Hun's just…good at hiding at times."