Myungsoo brought Sungyeol to the small table he had in his apartment where Sungyeol favorite dish was waiting for them to start eating. Myungsoo felt a little nervous, he put a lot of effort and made sure to follow every little detail of Sungjong explanation, so he was hoping his food was up to Sungyeol standards, but instead of saying anything Sungyeol closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.

Sungyeol pulled Hoya's blankets over his body, he felt cold, not because the temperature inside this apartment was particularly low, but he hoped that he would feel warmer inside if he covered all of his body.

He held the book he wanted to read in a good distance from his face and sighed deeply, he wasn't exactly interested in this kind of book, it was a romance with, probably, a happy ending and filled with clichés through it - something Sungyeol came to hate - but Hoya's school library hadn't any interesting stuff and he was stuck with more language elaborated romances while he waited for his cousin to come back home. He could only hope Hoya would come back soon, he was tired of being alone.

“Yeol! Yeol!” Hoya came running inside his room like a tornado and threw his bag to the corner while Sungyeol promptly laid the book down and sat up in his cousin bed.

“Finally, I was dying out of boredom, this book .” The taller complained.

A brief look at Sungyeol book and Hoya snorted. “Of course you would be bored, it's been a couple of months since you stepped foot outside this apartment and I am the only one your age you interact with.”

Sungyeol sighed deeply and hugged his knees as he avoided Hoya gaze. “You're the only one I trust to interact with, aside uncle and auntie, that is.”

Hoya sighed. “Sungyeol, dude, I know you suffered a lot in ways I can't even imagine even if you tell me every dark detail, but you're fifteen, you can't close off like this when you have all your life ahead of you.” Sungyeol turned to look at his cousin kind of incredulous before Hoya sat down beside him and continued. “Look, I'll be honest with you, I'm tired of people pressuring me to tell them what you confide in me, I want to keep your trust, but everyone is scared you're going to attempt suicide again and...”

“Hyung, I was desperate, I was very hurt and I thought it was the only way out, but things changed, I don't think I'll ever do that again.” Sungyeol said firmly.

“Then make an effort to show everyone they don't have to worry about you that way, if you keep being closed off in this room, circled by books I bring for you, you are only reinforcing what they think.”

Sungyeol looked down his feet for a bit before his voice came out small. “What do you suggest that I do? I feel so lost.”

“Go back to school.” Hoya suggested firmly.

Sungyeol gasped. “Are you crazy? I'll never ever go back to that school of hell, how could you suggest that to me?” He finished with a betrayed look to Hoya.

“No, Sungyeol, you understood things wrong!” Hoya almost reached to touch him but Sungyeol flinched and he promptly retreated his hand. “Not your school, another one.” When he said that Sungyeol looked at him with a confused expression and Hoya got up to get some papers from his bag and bring back to him. “Nobody asked me to do this but... I went to talk to the principal of my school and... my school is coed you know, and they have this program...” He passed some papers to Sungyeol that started to inspect it right away. “...you could watch classes online there without having to mix with other students until you graduate, and, if you want or don't want to interact with other people, I could keep you company. I just... I don't like to see you wasting away, you're so smart, with such potential and you wouldn't have any problem to catch up with things.”

“Hyung, you study in a public school, what guarantees me that my mom will even allow me to attend your school?” Sungyeol asked in a defeated tone as if he already knew the outcome of this. “I bet she wants me to go to another boarding school.”

“Nothing guarantees you nothing, but you won't know if you don't try asking her. I'm sure you have ways of convincing her, you're smart.” Hoya said softly but when Sungyeol didn't reply he tried another approach.“Come on, you like studying, and as soon as you graduate you'll be able to get a scholarship and then a part time job so you can be independent of her, if you work hard you should be able to get everything you want..”

“You're right, I could get a job and dad maybe have left us some money so if I work hard I could save money to get my own space, and... I don't think it would be too hard for me to get a scholarship later and...” Sungyeol finally looked hopefully to Hoya for the first time in almost two months. “Yes hyung, that's it, independence or death.”

“I don't like when you speak this way, you're scaring me.” Hoya squinted his eyes at his cousin.

“Don't be scared, death is already out of question, so independence it is. I'll work hard and I will conquer my independence.” Sungyeol then smiled at his cousin and got up to hug him. “Of all the kids that could have been adopted by my uncle, I'm glad he chose you, you are nothing short of how a family member is supposed to be.” With that, he felt Hoya arms circling him and despite getting tense he let himself be hugged because he knew both of them needed that. “I'm sorry if I always seem distant, I didn't mean to seem that way it's just that I don't know how to connect, but I'm glad you always try with me.” He apologized.

Hoya hid his face on Sungyeol shoulder and spoke in a low tone.“Thank you for letting me be a part of your family, this means a lot to me.” He then pulled away and looked at the taller eyes to try to convey his feelings. “Lean on me from here on, I will never turn my back on you, I swear.”

Sungyeol tried to search for the truth in his eyes but that wasn't necessary, they knew each other since they were five and although they didn't meet much Hoya was a consistent person, sometimes teasing but very honest, and although Sungyeol didn't exactly know how to get along, he knew Hoya was one of the few he would be able to count on through most of his life.

“Thank you, Hoya.” He said.

Hoya gave him a judging stare. “It's Howon.”

“No, it's Hoya.” Sungyeol said with a fond tone but it was not like Hoya could complain, not only he didn't want to but his mother also interrupted them to call them for dinner.

Hoya ran for the kitchen with Sungyeol on his tool, a thing that surprised the pair of adults in the kitchen - Sungyeol had been not joining them for any meal since he came back from the hospital – but, well, they wouldn't complain, that was a good sign.

Hoya's parents hadn't had that much contact with him as he grew up, so they didn't know what the boy liked aside books, but they thought they were getting there when it came to food. Since he went back from the hospital Sungyeol had been eating more and more of their food and, to think that Sungyeol eyes actually sparkled when he saw today's dinner... once he filled his bowl to the brim it left them over joyed.

Sungyeol didn't like talking about what happened to him at all, but sometimes, when he actually left the room he was currently sharing with his cousin, he forced himself to join whatever the conversation was for a minute or two.

“So, we've been talking about this for a couples weeks already and...” Hoya's dad started talking and everyone looked at him with attention. “Sungyeol, we want you to know that you will always be welcomed in our home...” Red siren flared in Sungyeol mind, would his uncle send him back to his mother? “It's just we don't know how long would you want to stay and we want to both of you to be as comfortable as possible, so we've been thinking about getting a bunk bed for you two.”

“That's great.” Hoya smiled as Sungyeol released a very very relieved breath. “I know I'm not that big but sleeping on the couch is kinda hurting my back lately.”

“Sorry Hoya, it's my fault.” Sungyeol apologized but his tone was so low that his cousin wasn't able to hear from the other side of the table, but, even so, his mother, that was beside Sungyeol, heard just fine and frowned.

“Hoya?”

“That's my new acquired nickname, I kinda like it.” Hoya said with such a blinding smile that got his parents looking at each other and exchange happy telepathic messages while Sungyeol shifted in his seat but smiled to himself. “So when exactly are we buying this bunk bed?” The thick-brow boy asked his parents in excitement then turned to talk to his cousin. “It will be awesome, it will be like having a sibling.”

“We can get your room measurements later and order online, so it should be here in a couple of days.” His father explained.

“Nice.” Hoya beamed.

“Would you be ok if Howon sleeps with you sweetheart?” Sungyeol auntie asked him.

“I trust him.” That's all that Sungyeol said but that answer seemed to please the rest of his family, and since the mood was nice he took the opportunity to talk about what he talked with Howon before. “Auntie, Uncle, I know you're already doing a lot for me but can I ask you something?”

“Sure dear, anything, whatever helps you.” Hoya's mom answered quickly.

“If it is something we can do for you, of course we'd do.” Hoya's dad assured.

“I know you two have been taking turns to watch over me so I don't do that again, and, after what happened to me and what I did to myself, I thought I would need time to heal so I have been keeping to myself and mainly interacting with Hoya, but he started school again so I feel pretty lonely and...the thing I want to ask for is...” He hesitated a bit but took a deep breath in and said everything in one go. “I want help to go back to school.”

Hoya smiled and put his two thumbs up, very proud that Sungyeol accepted his suggestion with

“Of course dear, of course, school is really important!” Hoya's mom beamed in joy, that was awesome progress.

“Sungyeol-ah if that's what you want I will talk to your mother so she can find another school suited for you.” Hoya's dad agreed.

“No uncle.” He said firmly. “I want you to convince her to enroll me in Hoya hyung school.” He then became hesitant. “I want... I want someone there for me.”

“Don't worry, I got his back, I will introduce him to nice kids only and….” Hoya promptly tried to convince his parents to do what Sungyeol wanted - of course he didn't like what happened with Sungyeol, but he was absolutely loving having him home, he always wanted a sibling and the gender wouldn't matter, but his parents had given up on another adoption because it took too long and, despite continuously visiting orphanages, they didn't hit it off with another kid the way they did with him – but he was interrupted by the doorbell.

The adults frowned, they weren't expecting anyone tonight. As Hoya's father got up to open the door the other three wondered between each other who it was until they saw Sungyeol mom, as if summoned, entering the kitchen.

“Sungyeol, dear.” She greeted happily and was about to go for a hug but he got up and backed away so fast he made the chair he was sitting fall back.

“Don't.” He said through gritted teeth and she promptly retreated and made some distance between them, it had been two months Sungyeol left the hospital and it didn't matter how many times she begged for forgiveness and tried to get close to him he would always back away and tell her to keep a distance, and that was if he actually agreed to talk to her.

“I brought your favorite food, Yaki Mandu.” She offered to put a bag with food on top of the table and he snorted.

“You're my mother and I know you but you don't know me at all.” He shook his head for effect, he was disappointed but not surprised. “You brought Yaki Mandu because that's what you think I like to eat whenever you want to apologize, but let me tell you something, I like Bulgogi better and, oh, I was already having that before you arrived.” He said dryly.

His mother looked down to her feet and slumped her shoulders while the other three stayed kind of frozen observing mother and son exchange.

“I came hoping to have a talk with you.” She said slowly.

“I don't want...” Sungyeol was about to cut her but was interrupted by his uncle.

“Sungyeol, why don't you take the opportunity that your mother is here and tell her about your wish hm? Wouldn't be easier if your mother heard about that from you?” The older male suggested and Sungyeol bit his lips in thought as his mother looked at him expectantly.

“Do you want something son? I can do whatever you want.”

“Wow, how things changed.” He said sarcastically. “But yes there is something I want, I want to go back to school.”

“Of course son, right away, actually I have been looking for some options and I found a private academy that...”

Sungyeol just ignored what she said. “Actually, you don't need to look for another school, I already found a school for me.” He said firmly and she looked at him confused when he moved his eyes to his cousin. “Hyung, can you get that paper you showed me earlier?” With that Hoya got up and ran towards his room so Sungyeol looked back coldly to his mother. “Aside from your pathetic attempt to apologize, do you have anything else to tell me or...”

“Actually there is.” She said weakly and took a deep breath in. “I'm pregnant. I met the baby father at Amanti, his name is...”

“Jongwan.” He completed and she seemed surprised. “Why surprised? Do you think Sungjong wouldn't have told me in the rare times that you let me see him?” He asked sarcastically.

She sighed deeply before continuing, she felt Sungyeol wanted to pick a fight and she didn't want to indulge. “Jongwan has been asking me to meet you for some time already but I have been stalling since you needed time to recover from your father death and well that, but I want you two to meet because we are going to marry soon, move into a bigger place and we want you to come to live with us.” She decided to tell the whole truth in one go.

While Hoya's parents were surprised Sungyeol let out an incredulous and rather dark chuckle then looked at her with even more hate.

“Did you cheat on my dad? Did you have fun lying to him and pretending to care about him while he was in that hospital bed dying? Did you know that he still loved you even after the divorce?” He asked enraged.

“No Sungyeol!” She tried to get close to him again but once more he backed away. “Things with your father weren't good for a long time already and your father knew it, but I never cheated on him. It's just when we divorced things happened and I ended up falling in love again. You and Jongwan are totally different matters, I was going to tell you but the next time I saw you it was in a hospital bed.” She tried to reason.

While mother and son were arguing, Hoya came with papers in hand but his father held him so he wouldn't interrupt, this fight might hurt both of them, but Sungyeol needed to take some things off his chest.

“And whose fault it is that I did that?” He asked and she guiltily looked at the ground while Sungyeol took a deep breath before continuing. “So you started dating this guy after the divorce, ok I'll give you that, but you already knew by then I had troubles in school, so what you're saying is ...” He tried his best to look strong but he knew his eyes were betraying him by producing tears of anger and hurt. “that while I was in that school, getting beaten, getting touched inappropriately, afraid to even sleep, that you preferred having fun with this rocker instead of coming to rescue me when I cried and begged a lot of times for you to come?” A lone tear fell from his eyes.

“No Sungyeol, you're not...” She was ready to defend herself but Sungyeol cut her off.

“Do I mean nothing to you? Or is it that you don't have a heart anymore?” She opened to talk but he continued before she could say anything. “I don't care if you have my guard I'll never ever live with you again.”

“Sungyeol, you say this, I'm letting you stay here because talking to Howon makes you feel better, but your place is by my side, besides you don't want to be a burden to your uncle and auntie.” She reasoned.

“He isn't a burden unnie.” Sungyeol auntie protested but was ignored by mother and son.

“Should have thought about that when I was six, or at least everytime I called you in tears.” He said sarcastically then noticed Hoya was there with the papers he asked for so he started talking while going over his cousin to retrieve them. “It won't take long for me to go to college and I can definitely get a scholarship in the moon if I want, so you don't have to worry about my future, but before that, I need to finish school.” He finished his speech as he placed the papers on the kitchen table beside her.

“This is the school I want to attend, enroll me.” He said firmly. “If you refuse it or try to drag me to live with you, I'm gonna have to tell everyone that wants to talk to me how you chose to let your kid be tortured for years. I'm sure any social worker will have a blast and even if that doesn't work you'll have to live with the burden of my death on your back.” He threatened seriously.

“Sungyeol!” Both women in the house were scandalized while Hoya's dad was so shocked that words couldn't come out of his mouth and Hoya was quite mad he had been pulling efforts for Sungyeol to get better all this time and his auntie had to come and ruin it all. He really liked her, but she was doing mistake after mistake with his cousin.

The tall boy turned around to go out of the kitchen but stopped by the door to look back at his still shocked mom. “Sungjong is quite fine and pretty auto-sufficient so it's ok, but I pity your unborn child, only God knows what he will suffer with you, better yet, by the lack of you.” He said not knowing what the future had reserved for him. “I hope that his dad does a better job and actually listens as my father did with me.” With that, he stomped his feet towards Hoya's room and banged the door behind him.

“Thank you a lot auntie.” Hoya said sarcastically.

“Lee Howon!” His mother chastised but Hoya just rolled his eyes and ran after his cousin.

“Yeol! Sungyeol! Sungyeol!”

“Sungyeol hyung!” Sungyeol finally opened his eyes a bit confused only to see Myungsoo looking at him worriedly. “ I had to call you a few times, did something happen? Are you ok? If you want it we can postpone this to another day.”

“Oh, no, no.” Sungyeol forced a smile on his face. “I'm fine. It's been eight years since I ate this dish so the food brought back some memories.”

“I was kinda hoping to please you so I asked Sungjong what you liked to eat the most and... you didn't like it, was that it?” Myungsoo asked a bit nervous. “Did this bring back bad memories?”

“So it was Sungjong that told you about this recipe right?” He chuckled lightly ignoring his neighbor question to not get the mood down, that was way in the past and he needed to live in the present, Myungsoo was his present and he needed to take advantage of their time before the kids got back. “It was no wonder he seemed to know I would have dinner with you when I called him earlier.”

“Do you think he will tell Moonsoo?” Myungsoo asked nervously as he watched Sungyeol prepare some to eat some bulgogi.

“I asked him not to, but who knows.” He shrugged and put the food in his mouth and while he chewed Myungsoo fidgeted in his seat, he was nervous, would Sungyeol approve it? Suddenly the elder eyes became big and he placed a hand in front of his mouth. “Gosh Myungsoo.” He mumbled then chewed a bit more then gulped before talking again. “You were hiding some talent.”

Myungsoo contained a smile but his dimples coming out were a huge giveaway that he was happy. “I just followed a recipe.”

“No way. You made it good at first try.” Sungyeol complimented already making another wrap of bulgogi. “This is my favorite dish but last time I ate this I had many mixed feelings, this is why I kind of stopped eating, to not remember you know? Also, my dates never once cooked for me so wow... now I will associate this dish with you.” He said resolutely with a smile then put the wrap in his mouth. “Gosh so good, the meat is melting in my mouth. Ahhh so good eat it too, here..”

Sungyeol quickly made another wrap of food and gently pressed against Myungsoo mouth and the younger let himself be fed. He thought this was somehow cliché but still this was so good, like being fed by another person gave him the impression that he was taken care of, it made him so happy and it didn't help that Sungyeol looked like Woohyun on Christmas day, with happy twinkly eyes and giddy feeling. Myungsoo was truly relieved and in glee that he was finally able to payback for the times Sungyeol cooked for him while scoring some points with the elder, he was sure to thank Sungjong all over again and even give him a birthday gift when he discovered when that was.

The night only got better from there on, the mood was good during dinner and they kept the conversation light and humorous. Sungyeol was excited and happy, telling Myungsoo that he would teach him more tricks in the kitchen so the younger could do this more often - thing that Myungsoo totally interpreted as 'I like when you cook for me on a date' – he also said he would teach him more chess strategies so they could play more together.

When they talked about the music they had already moved to the living room, forgetting completely about the movie they were supposed to watch. To both of their surprise, they discovered they, and their families, were extremely musical as well: Sungyeol played piano, Sungjong cello, and Sunggyu a bit of violin, they kind of had a more classical upbringing in that sense. As for the Kims, Myungsoo played acoustic guitar, Moonsoo bass, and Woohyun tried to use his mother flute every now and then although he found piano more interesting, though since Myungsoo couldn't afford a real piano and classes for Woohyun the boy nowadays stuck to try singing.

“Do you want me to teach him? I have a keyboard in my room so if he really wants to learn...” Sungyeol offered.

“Oh, no hyung, you barely have time for yourself I can't ask this from you..” Myungsoo denied flushing.

“Oh nonsense, Sunggyu has some interest in piano as well, I could teach them both while you work outside with your pictures or whatever is that you work with.” Sungyeol insisted.

“Hey, I might work from home too, editing pictures.” Myungsoo half complained half laughed.

“I don't care, it's decided, I'll lure Woohyun with piano lessons, that way I can spend no awkward time with Sunggyu as well.” Sungyeol devised a plan and seemed proud of himself only for Myungsoo to laugh.

“Do you have a thing for teaching? You offered to teach stuff like thrice already.”

“Is that obvious?” Sungyeol smiled sheepishly. “I like learning and passing knowledge on, I used to coach Hoya hyung on his studies until he finished high school and that was when I discovered I wanted to be a teacher. I know I don't interact that great with people, but to teach someone you don't need to be that close, as long as they are interested I can teach. ” Sungyeol spoke proudly and excitedly about his passion. “But since I was traumatized while in school I aim for higher education. One day I want to be a professor in Seoul U and I have been working hard for that, every day I feel closer and closer to achieving that dream and...”

“You seem so passionate.” Myungsoo smiled.

“What? Will you tell me you're not passionate when you talk about your pictures.” Sungyeol teased.

“Yeah, but I don't know. My goal is to get a job that pays enough to support me and Woohyun. I can be an art teacher in a school or work taking pictures for a newspaper or a magazine, or work taking wedding pictures, or even becoming professional and trying to play basketball on KBL or NBA. If I go down the sports path I want to stay here and play for Samsung Thunders but Woohyun likes Ulsan Mobis Phoebus better so I don't know.”

“You have many options.” Sungyeol was surprised but Myungsoo chuckled.

“Some of them are impractical, it's not like anyone from NBA will notice me and ask me to play for any of their teams, I'm too short for a basketball player, you'd have better chances than me.” Myungsoo chuckled as he tried to grab Sungyeol feet over the couch but the older kept evading.

“Better chances to get beaten during a game you mean.” Sungyeol teased. “Stop, heheh” He laughed at Myungsoo's attempt to get his feet, why he was doing that?

“Oh don't tell me about getting beaten.” Myungsoo groaned remembering the only time Sungyeol went to watch him and he got beaten during the game. “I wanted to show everyone a good side of myself but ended up looking like an idiot”

“Don't talk like that, yes you got us worried, but you still won the game, besides...” He grabbed Myungsoo chin and inspected it up and down. “...it has been more than two weeks, it barely shows anymore.” Sungyeol chuckled then abruptly stopped to look from Myungsoo eyes to his lips then back at his eyes. “It's a pity, it looked kind of y on you.”

“You like stuff like that?” Myungsoo raised an amused brow.

“No, I.... hey what are you...” Sungyeol was about to complain that Myungsoo finally grabbed one of his foot but, before he could, the younger was massaging it.

The mood could have completely changed when Sungyeol said Myungsoo looked kind of y with his cheek swollen and purple, but due to the younger surprise massage the mood once again became bright and the taller let himself enjoy a good foot massage, no one ever did that to him before - not on a first date (he thought it would be weird), not ever, but since he already knew Myungsoo it didn't feel weird it just felt... nice.

One more night they kept talking until the first yawns came up. Sungyeol was about to end their date and go back to his apartment but Myungsoo held his wrists and quietly brought Sungyeol to his room and into his bed. The taller was a bit afraid with that, maybe Myungsoo was expecting to end their first official date in despite Sungyeol saying he didn't want to, but he relaxed once Myungsoo laid in bed beside him, threw the blankets over them and held Sungyeol hand to sleep.

That night Sungyeol wondered once again if he deserved such great guy, but at the same time he heard Hoya's voice in his head telling him that he deserved to be happy and he also heard Dongwoo voice telling him to make Myungsoo love him so he decided he would give his all for this to work in the best way it could so the younger would want to stay.

The night was great, everything was on point, but Sungyeol had to agree that he was a bit taken off guard by Myungsoo choice of dish and he was even more surprised that he remembered such memories when he saw the dish. At the time he managed to push that to the back of his mind, but when sleep finally came for him it was not like he could ignore his memories.

He ran desperately through the halls of the hospital only to meet with his brothers in front of a room, Sungjong probably didn't have any more nails left after biting them nervously while Sunggyu looked plainly confused and scared.

“Sungjong!” He called his middle brother only which made the younger one deflate. “Someone called me and told me mom.... is that true, it can't be right?”

“I talked to the police, uncle Jongwan was taking mom to work when it happened and...” Sungjong was reporting to his elder brother with eyes full of tears when he was interrupted.

Sungyeol snorted. “Uncle Jongwan... he is not our family Sungjong!”

“What does it matter now? He is DEAD!” The younger yelled and Sungyeol was shocked by the information and they stayed in silence looking at each other awkwardly when they heard a small voice.

“De-de-dead?” Sunggyu stuttered by their side with his eyes producing tears at a quick speed.

“Look what you've done, he wasn't supposed to receive the news like this!” Sungjong scolded and promptly turned to tend to the younger brother, thing Sungyeol didn't know it would become a normal thing between them during the next year. “Gyu-ah, you see... another car hit your daddy car and he and mom got really hurt. Your daddy was so hurt that he couldn't hang on to arrive at the hospital so he..” The middle brother was trying to save the scene and explain what happened in a soft way when the elder brother interrupted him.

“You won't see him anymore, kid.” Sungyeol said dryly and Sunggyu started to sob.

“Hyung! He is seven, for the love of God.” Sungjong complained scandalized as he enveloped the younger in a hug.

“You know I don't believe in God.” Sungyeol retorted dryly then looked around in search of a doctor. “What about mom? How is she?”

“I don't know.” Sungjong answered truthfully. “They just told me she was pretty hurt and that they would try their best to fix her, then told me to get some adult family member that could take decisions and... hyung, that person is you.”

Sungyeol gulped hard, he didn't know much about Jongwan background aside little things Sungjong told him and what he read over the internet, so he didn't know if the guy had some extended family that could take care of Sunggyu and if everything went wrong... he decided not to think about it.

“Ok, decisions.” Sungyeol agreed then looked at the sobbing child. “He can't stay here.”

“But hyung, he has no other kin and mom is...” Sungjong looked at his brother with a betrayed look.

“!” Sungyeol groaned as part of his fears became truths. “Still he can't stay here! A hospital is no place for a child and there is nothing any of us will be able to do right now. Besides, look at him, what can I do with a crying child when our mom is...” He couldn't finish that sentence. “Take him home, at least for today, let him cry and rest, we will need to be strong from here on.” He said with a determined tone. “I'll stay here and I'll keep you updated.” He opened his wallet and took some money out of it to hand his brother. ”This should be enough for you two to go home. If you need anything else, call uncle Hajin or Hoya hyung and explain the situation. Tomorrow, after some rest and a good bath, you can come back if you want it.”

Sungjong hesitated and took the money. He didn't want to go but Sungyeol was right, there was nothing both of the underage boys could do and Sunggyu was in no condition of staying in the hospital. Sooner or later Sunggyu cries would annoy the other patients that needed to rest to recover so he had no option, he had to take the boy home and make him calm down there.

“Jong.” Sungyeol called when the younger was about to go and he saw his older brother taking his jacket off and throwing his way. “Whatever happens, don't talk to the press, don't let them take pictures of Sunggyu.” The younger nodded in agreement and left.

Sungyeol breathed in and out and then started to 'take decisions'. First and foremost he found someone who could inform him things about the accident, Jongwan death, and his mother health. It turns out his mother was having a surgery but they didn't know if she would be able to make it, thing that made Sungyeol curse in his mind.

Sungyeol searched on the internet for Nell company phone number to inform them of Jongwan death so they could help him make some public statement and ask help to find a lawyer, he knew he would need one pretty soon.

As he tried to solving things on the phone and informing his uncle, cousin and boyfriend about what was happening, the time passed and, at some point, the doctor came out of the surgery room and informed him that his mother survived the surgery but they had to wait to see if she would make it. He spent the night in front of her room trying to learn about laws and what could happen to his brothers if his mother was to die, despite everything between them he didn't want her to die now that they started somehow talking for the last couple of months, but he didn't have a good feeling about this.

In the morning his eyes were practically dried from all the reading about laws and rules, but he still had 15% of battery on his phone and he figured it out he would save it for something important. So when he was informed if he was careful he would be able to have fifteen minutes with his mother he called his middle brother and informed him.

“It doesn't matter if you're still in your pajamas, you come here and drag that child with you quickly, it seems that we can see her.” He demanded/explained.

When they finally arrived they were informed that only one could enter her room at the time. They didn't think it would be good for Sunggyu to see her hurt, the kid was pretty down already with the news of his father, and Sungjong seemed to be scared to enter her room so Sungyeol decided to go first. He saw how weak and hurt she was, she resembled nothing from the strong willed woman that had been his mom, but when he came close enough he was surprised to see her eyes opening up.

“Mom? Can you hear me? Are you awake?” He asked as he ran to her side.

The woman weakly nodded and tried to speak. “...Yeol-ah, sorry.”

“No, don't say this, not now, we can argue over that later when you're healthy again.” He offered.

“Jongwan?” She asked weakly and Sungyeol bit his lips, there was a part of him that was angered she was asking about that guy but at the same time he understood, he was in the car during the crash, they were married and had a kid, obviously, she would want to know about him. Still, he couldn't answer that question, he couldn't say he was dead already, but he didn't have to, his silence told her everything. “Brothers?” She asked again after a painful breath.

“They are outside waiting for a chance to see you, so you have to get better ok? So don't talk, keep your strength.” He said as he awkwardly touched her hand.

“Ta-take care of-of your brothers...” She started saying weekly and Sungyeol felt where this was going. “There's... there's money for you to rai-raise them.”

“No! No! No! No! I can't do this, I can't do this! Please don't leave me again, don't leave any of us, you have to live!” He pleaded desperately now holding her hand tightly but seeing that she wouldn't last long he ran for the door and called his brothers in. “Inside quickly.” He demanded.

The two brothers ran inside the room and went straight to their mother bed if they wanted to follow hospital procedures they wouldn't be able to see their mom and by the desperate expression Sungyeol had they wouldn't have much time before she left this world.

Minyoung was really week but she was able to crack a smile when she saw the three of them together for the first time, - not that Sungyeol didn't meet Sunggyu already but it seemed like she could never reunite her three kids together – so her eyes watered a bit.

“Y-eol is going.. to take... care.. of you.” She assured and Sunggyu couldn't understand and Sungjong wanted to protest but the old woman reunited the remaining of her strength to say one last sentence. “I'm sorry... to all of you,... but please... stay a... family.” As she gave her last breath her sons couldn't believe.

“Mom wake up! WAKE UP!” Sunggyu tried to shake her hand so she could wake up but that was too late.

“NO!NO!NO!NO!” Sungjong promptly went in denial as her last breath came out and all the machines around her started beeping like crazy.

“Ahhhhhhhhhhhh” Sunggyu wailed loudly and the next thing they knew they were being kicked out of their mother room so the doctors that had arrived could try to revive her.

Once they were in the corridor Sungjong hugged Sunggyu and tried to calm him down though the maknae could only cry and let out the most painful cries the middle brother ever heard, but as Sungjong looked at the elder, Sungyeol was just standing in his corner with his head down in silence and hands turned into fists, but he didn't seem like he was crying.

“Hyung... mom... mom...” The middle brother wanted to inquire the older why he wasn't showing any reaction, but couldn't even complete his sentence and put all of his feelings of incredulity in it, the pain was too much. “What are we going to do?”

Sungyeol finally gave a step closer and Sungjong and Sunggyu briefly untangled themselves to look at him. The elder looked at the maknae for a brief but awkward second before he tried enveloping both of them in an awkward hug.

“Nothing. Leave everything to me, I will do everything and soon enough we will be ok.” He assured but none of the three knew if that would be true.

Sungyeol woke up gasping for air, even though he wasn't choking or drowning and looking around frantically until he understood he wasn't in a hospital hallway with his brothers. He sighed deeply and pinched the bridge of his nose when he felt a hand on his arm pulling him back down, oh, right, he was sleeping in Myungsoo's bed... Wait, what? The realization that he might have woken Myungsoo hit him and he was about to die out of shame but he felt Myungsoo hand slide down his arm until he found his hand and held them.

"I'm here, you're ok and I'm here for you." The younger said lowly and Sungyeol caught himself holding Myungsoo hand tightly and letting his body relax while Myungsoo repeated his words, even though he did it sleepily until Sungyeol fell asleep again.

When he opened his eyes in the morning he was greeted with his neighbor in a deep sleep with his face close to his own, he looked so peaceful and a bit innocent, it didn't even seem he was a father of a seven-year-old boy. His eyes scanned Myungsoo face, he wanted to save this image in his head, but, as he looked down, he looked at their hands holding each other. Not that he didn't feel that before, but Myungsoo held his hand against his heart and that... that just left him all fuzzy inside.

He sighed deeply, this time in an enamored way. “You're going all in right?” He asked lowly but the younger didn't even move so he chuckled and carefully untangled their hands.

After a quick bathroom stop, he went to the kitchen to make breakfast so he could thank his younger neighbor for the amazing night he had, not only that but for respecting him and even helping him relax after a nightmare. He was definitely convinced now that Myungsoo was a keeper and he would be damned if he wasn't the one keeping him.

First Sungyeol washed the dishes then decided to make pancakes, it was something easy and Myungsoo seemed to like it. He was almost finishing when he noticed Myungsoo appearing in the little kitchen.

“Morning sleepy head.” Sungyeol greeted cheerfully turning to look at his neighbor rubbing his eyes like a bigger version of Woohyun.

“What are you doing? Why are you up so early? I was the one supposed to make you breakfast.” Myungsoo complained still half asleep as he approached his neighbor.

“I'm making pancakes for us.” Sungyeol said with a chuckle as he went back to the pancakes. “I don't know why, but somehow I woke up feeling good so I decided to make breakfast for us, sorry if I messed up your plans, but isn't that early anymore, it's ten already.”

“Humm, ok.” Myungsoo stretched a smile although Sungyeol didn't see. “If you're feeling happy then I'm happy too.” He added and due to his sleepy state he totally forgot Sungyeol wasn't always ok with skinship so he hugged and placed a small kiss on one of Sungyeol shoulder blades, which made de elder tense. “Oh my god! Sorry, hyung.” He promptly apologized once he noticed what he did and gave some steps back.

Sungyeol turned the oven off and put the pan away. “No, Myungsoo, I'm the one sorry.... it's just... you just caught me by surprise, but I'm ok if you were to hug me.” He confessed awkwardly but it was enough for Myungsoo to completely wake up and his eyes light up.

“Really?” He asked and Sungyeol nodded trying to hide a smile, even though he said he would need time to touch Myungsoo in a ual way when it came to gestures that showed a more innocent form of loving his younger neighbor was a complete opposite of his ex, thing Sungyeol already liked and appreciated already.

“Can... can I?” Myungsoo stuttered kind of holding himself not to throw himself on the elder and Sungyeol couldn't even finish his nod when he felt strong arms circling his waist and a head rest on his shoulder. “I waited for this forever.” The younger practically giggled against Sungyeol shoulder.

“To hug me?” Sungyeol asked amusedly as he tried to hug Myungsoo back only to feel the younger opening a big smile against him.

“To give someone all the love I kept hidden until now.”He then looked up to Sungyeol with honest eyes. “I seriously hope that you'll be the one I am entirely giving it to.”

Sungyeol was a bit taken aback by that confession, it was not like Myungsoo was admitting feelings already but that kind of sentence made him feel more secure, surer that Myungsoo would put effort into them, and even surer that if this didn't work out at least it would be better than what he had with Sangwoo, and that knowledge made him so happy already.

He wanted to reply, to say that he was hoping for that too, but the only thing he could do at the moment was to bring his lips close until it touched his neighbor's and a full second didn't need to pass before the two of them were already expressing themselves by a loving kiss. Unfortunately, their moment was cut short by the door being open, Myungsoo totally forgot to lock the door the day before.

“Daddy!” Woohyun practically screamed when he burst the door open and started running inside the apartment to check the rooms and bathroom. “Daddy, I'm home early, where are you?”

“Sungyeol hyung? Are you there?” Sunggyu asked at the same time but with a more shy tone, choosing to stay in the living room.

The two adults in the kitchen, much for their misery, promptly untangled themselves and looked at each other in sort of desperation, and they needed to take a deep breath in before Myungsoo turn up the oven placed the pancake pan over it and called his son.

“We're cooking in the kitchen, come here!” He said and only had time to turn off the oven again and pass the pan to Sungyeol, that placed on the counter, to feel a small body colliding against himself.

“Daddy, I missed you so much!” Woohyun said as he hugged his dad tightly.

“I miss you too Namu, I was so bored without you here.” Myungsoo grabbed Woohyun under the arms and easily lifted him up to hug him. “This weekend will be awesome, I planned so many things for us to do, do you want to go to the noraebang tomorrow?”

Woohyun gasped already marveled with the idea. “Noraebang?!!!!!” He then hugged his father neck and almost yelled in his ear. “YEAAAAAAH!!!!”

“Hi hyung.” Sunggyu greeted Sungyeol with an awkward wave from afar but Sungjong appeared behind him and shoved him to the front.

“Gyu, give him a hug, you said you missed him!” Sungjong ordered.

Sunggyu hesitantly approached his eldest hyung, thing that amused Sungyeol, so he decided he would take the first step with Sunggyu this time, maybe the maknae would get even more confident that things between them were changing more and more for the better. “Oh, come here, I also missed you so much that I dreamt about you.” He crunched up and hugged his brother much for the younger happiness.

“Aigo, look at them, aren't they cute together.” Moonsoo asked from beside his boyfriend, innocently referring to how the two elders were hugging the children.

“Yes, they look amazing together.” Sungjong said but had a teasing glint in his eyes as he looked at his hyung. “I feel like I'm watching those commercials that portray happy families reunions.”

Moonsoo smiled because he thought Sungjong agreed with him, but Sungyeol, that currently held Sunggyu in his arms and patted the kid hair, glared at his middle brother, he definitely knew Sungjong was teasing him because of  Myungsoo.

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An: Hello,it's me I don't know where I took inspiration from but here it is another chapter.