Yuwon and Tae sat in the car. Tae drove in silence, but a gentle smile played on his lips as he kept glancing toward Yuwon, who sat quietly, eyes fixed on the window. The car moved through familiar streets, but Yuwon's thoughts were far away, tangled between past and present.
Finally, they arrived home.
Yuwon stepped out first. As he shut the door, Tae came around and immediately reached for Yuwon's hand again. The warmth of the touch made Yuwon tense slightly.
Yuwon (nervous): "Tae…"
Just then, his phone rang. Startled, Yuwon glanced at the screen.
Manager Min.
Tae leaned slightly, also catching a glimpse of the name.
Yuwon stepped to the side to answer.
Tae (watching closely, expression unreadable): …
Yuwon spoke briefly, quietly, and after the call ended, he returned to Tae, sliding the phone into his pocket.
Tae (voice low): "Hyung… was that the man from last night?"
Yuwon (calmly): "Yeah."
Without saying more, Yuwon turned toward the apartment door and unlocked it. Tae silently followed him inside.
The door closed behind them with a soft click.
Tae (quiet but firm): "Hyung… what's your relationship with him?"
Yuwon turned around slowly and looked straight into Tae's eyes.
Yuwon: "He's my boyfriend."
Tae's entire expression shifted.
The innocent look vanished.
His eyes darkened. His voice dropped, calm but laced with fury.
Tae: "Hyung… are you kidding me?"
Yuwon: "I'm not. He's my boyfriend. And Tae… what you did to him last night wasn't right. You can't—"
Tae (interrupting, coldly): "Boyfriend?"
He stared at Yuwon without blinking.
His shoulders stiffened.
Yuwon felt the atmosphere change—thick, heavy with tension.
Trying to avoid confrontation, Yuwon turned and began walking toward his bedroom. But suddenly, Tae grabbed his wrist and pulled him back.
Yuwon (startled): "Tae—!"
He turned around, heart pounding.
Tae's grip was tight, his face inches away.
Tae (angrily): "Hyung, how could you forget that you're mine? How could you cheat me?"
Yuwon (shaken): "Tae… what are you doing? You're hurting me."
But Tae didn't let go. Instead, he pulled Yuwon closer, their bodies almost touching.
Tae (firmly, possessively): "Don't meet him again. I don't care who he is. Just remember—you're mine."
Yuwon's heart raced.
He tried to push Tae away, but Tae was strong—too strong.
There was fire in Tae's eyes. Not the childish longing from before.
This was something darker.
Yuwon finally gathered strength and shoved Tae away, his breath shaky.
Yuwon (firmly): "Tae…"
But Tae didn't stop.
He took a step closer, voice low and cold with frustration.
Tae: "Hyung… I'm done playing this brothers game. Brothers, brothers—it's so damn frustrating."
Yuwon instinctively stepped back. But Tae kept advancing until Yuwon's back hit the cold wall. The sudden chill against his skin made his heart jolt—it reminded him of that night. That one night he had tried so hard to forget.
Yuwon (tensed): "Tae… get out of here."
But Tae didn't move. His gaze stayed locked on Yuwon's, intense and wild.
Tae (voice trembling with emotion): "Hyung… how could you do this to me?"
He reached out and grabbed Yuwon by the waist, pulling him in until their bodies were pressed against each other. The heat between them was undeniable. Dangerous.
Tae (softly): "Hyung… can I kiss you?"
His lips hovered inches from Yuwon's, his breath brushing against Yuwon's cheek.
Yuwon quickly turned his face away, heart pounding.
Tae (grinning slightly): "You're so stubborn, Hyung."
Then, his smile twisted—something darker flickering in his expression.
Tae: "What if I kill your boyfriend? Then you'll be mine. It's that easy."
Yuwon's eyes widened in horror.
Yuwon (in disbelief): "Tae… what the hell are you saying?!"
He stared at Tae, chest rising and falling rapidly, unable to believe the words he had just heard from the boy he once held like a little brother.
Tae (coldly, eyes wild): "Hyung… I'll kill everyone who tries to steal you from me."
Yuwon's eyes widened. Without a second thought, he pushed Tae back—hard—and slapped him across the face with trembling hands.
Yuwon (shouting, voice shaking): "You're not the Tae I know! Get out of here!"
A sharp silence fell between them. Tae's head slowly turned, the red mark on his cheek blooming. His face burned with disbelief and rising fury. It was the first time Yuwon had ever hurt him. The sting wasn't just on his skin—it was deep, slicing through the boy he used to be.
Tae (softly, voice cracking): "So this is how much you hate me… and love others instead."
Yuwon's chest heaved. His breathing quickened, and tears slid down his cheeks. His hand trembled at his side. Guilt clawed at him—he didn't want to hurt Tae, never like this. But he couldn't let things go on this way.
Tae stepped forward again, his gaze unwavering.
Tae (whispering): "Okay… if you hate me, I don't care. I love you. That's enough for both of us."
He held out his arms.
Tae: "Then slap me again, Hyung. Slap me as much as you want."
Without giving Yuwon time to respond, Tae grabbed his wrist and yanked him forward, pulling him toward the bedroom.
Yuwon (panicked): "Tae—stop!"
But Tae's grip was tight, and his steps were determined.
Tae dragged Yuwon onto the bed, his grip firm and determined.
Yuwon (shaken): "Tae, what are you doing?!"
Tae didn't respond with words. Instead, he pulled off his shirt in one swift motion, revealing the sculpted body he'd grown into. Yuwon's eyes widened as he realized exactly what Tae was trying to do.
Tae leaned closer, grabbing Yuwon by the waist. His face was tense with frustration, his eyes burning with desire and hurt. He gently took Yuwon's trembling hand and placed it on his bare chest.
Tae (low and intense): "Hyung… touch me. I'm not that kid anymore. I'm better now—stronger. Just feel me."
Yuwon's hand rested against Tae's chest, the warmth of his skin making it hard to think. He stared at the man in front of him—so handsome, so grown-up… and yet still the Tae he once cradled like a younger brother.
His hand trembled.
Yuwon (softly, voice breaking): "Tae… I'm your brother. If we do this… we're not brothers anymore."
Tae (firmly): "Hyung, we already did it. That night—was it not real for you?"
Yuwon (tears forming): "It was a mistake, Tae… I was confused, you were young…"
Tae (angrily): "It wasn't a mistake to me. And I don't want to be your brother—I never did! Why won't you understand, Hyung?!"
Tae let go of his hand, his jaw clenched. He stepped back silently, picked his shirt up off the floor, and slowly put it back on. His voice dropped, no longer full of rage—just quiet, bitter disappointment.
Tae: "I don't want to do it like this. We'll do it… when you're ready."
Without another word, he turned away, walked to the door, opened it, and left.
Yuwon remained frozen in place, the room suddenly too quiet. The weight of silence pressed against his chest.