Sungyeol blinked in confusion as he moved his eyes between the other three in the living room and waited for an explanation but the three in front of him were extremely frozen.

Myungsoo’s inner self could only scream in his head ! ! ! ! ! After what he said to his neighbor yesterday he was sure Sungyeol would accuse him of trespassing, kick him out or start a fist fight, he thought Sungyeol didn't have enough energy for that but that didn't mean he couldn't try. Myungsoo gulped hard.

“Tchoo!” Sungyeol sneezed bringing back his neighbor out of his frozen state and thoughts and the tall guy dragged his feet to the couch and let his body fall there. “Tchoo!” He put his long legs closer to his body and practically curled in a ball before he looked up to Myungsoo again. “What are you –“ He stopped the question mid sentence because he thought another sneeze would come, but it turns out it didn't, so he just rubbed his nose a bit in a way that if Myungsoo and him didn't have such bad blood between them Myungsoo would think he was cute for a minute.

“You were sick...” Myungsoo started but was interrupted by Sungyeol.

“Really? I couldn't tell.” He said more bitter than sarcastic for once.

“You freaked your brother out.” Myungsoo explained and Sungyeol’s eyes searched for Sunggyu that was trying his best to hide his small frame behind his friend’s dad. “He tried calling your other brother but he didn't pick his phone up and Sunggyu thought you needed help but didn't know who to call so...”

“Someone needs to be scolded.” Sungyeol said dryly and Sunggyu’s hands squeezed Myungsoo, he was probably scared out of his mind. Myungsoo was about to say something when Sungyeol continued. “We had an agreement that if Sunggyu, or his school, calls any of us, we should pick the call right away.”

Myungsoo felt Sunggyu’s hands letting him go and the boy poked his head from behind him and analyzed if he should come out from behind his protector (?) or not.

Myungsoo straightened himself and cleaned his throat before he hesitantly spoke. “You had this nasty fever until practically down, I had to watch over you all night and...” Sungyeol looked at him and his dark circles told him Myungsoo wasn't lying. “...since you're better now... I'll just pick my laptop from your room...”

Sungyeol cocked his head to the side a bit and blankly nodded so Myungsoo scrambled to his room pick his laptop up and then headed back to the living room, both Sungyeol and Myungsoo were awkward and it would be probably better if they just got out of this situation. “Woohyun say goodbye to Sunggyu, we're going.” The young dad said when he came back.

“Can't we finish breakfast first?” Woohyun asked.

“No, it isn't necessary for us to stay anymore and we have food home.” Myungsoo said firmly and his son pouted. “Now say your goodbyes to your friend.” He repeated.

“Bye hyung.” Woohyun did what he was told, though he was kind of pouting, and tried to give a hug but Sunggyu ducked away just to grab Myungsoo’s shirt and looked at him with desperate don't-leave-me-alone-with-him eyes.

“Sunggyu-yah, you shouldn't be scared of him, he is your brother.” Sunggyu wanted to tell him that he didn't understand but Myungsoo continued. “Maybe you two should talk, you were worried about him, weren't you?” Sunggyu begrudgingly nodded. “Now we have to go, say goodbye to Woohyunnie.”

Sunggyu pouted but did what he was told. “Bye Woohyunnie.”

“Bye hyung, see you tomorrow.” Woohyun gave a sad half smile and followed his father that without much ceremonies went out of the brothers’ apartment.

“Sunggyu!” Sungyeol said as soon as the door was closed and Sunggyu turned towards his brother with his eyes closed and dreading this moment. When Sunggyu opened one of his small eyes he saw that Sungyeol was now sitting at the table and looking over what his neighbor had cooked. “We shouldn't waste food so come and eat, I'll call Hoya hyung to spend some time with you, it's not good if you stay here.” Sungyeol voice was assertive as he pulled what was Woohyun’s plate for himself and analyzed the food, then put in his mouth as soon as he finished his speech.

Sunggyu hesitantly sat at the table and started to eat although he was suspicious of Sungyeol, waiting for him to snap at any moment and his older brother felt awkward too. They ate in that awkward silence but five minutes into that Sungyeol couldn't contain himself and Sunggyu thought this was where he was going to die, but instead of some complaining Sungyeol just eyed his brother and talked in a careful tone.

“Sunggyu, can you answer some questions? If you don't want to talk it's ok, you can shake or nod your head.” Sunggyu eyed him suspiciously. “Please tell me the truth and I swear on our mom that I will not get mad and you won't get into trouble.” The boy hesitated but his hyung just showed his emotions when he had them, he wasn't much into traps, tricks, and everything.

“Were you worried about me?” Sungyeol asked and Sunggyu’s eyes got big, from all the questions he thought Sungyeol might ask this was definitely not one of them, but Sungyeol wanted to verify the story, he didn't think Sunggyu would lie to him. The boy bit his lips but gave a short nod. “Was I really that sick?” Sunggyu nodded strongly. “So you called Sungjong?” The boy nodded again. “And did Sungjong answered the call?” Sunggyu quickly shook his head. “So you called the neighbors?” Sunggyu bit his lip again this time with more force and gave a short nod again. “Did he really take care of me?”

Sunggyu gave another nod and Sungyeol groaned and rubbed both his hands over his face, he couldn't believe this, the guy he hated took care of him while he was completely knocked out by this cold and that fever that made him have no recollection of the previous day. , suddenly he had lost his appetite.

He got up from the table. “When you finish with your food leave the plates here and go dress and pack a bag for a couple of days, I'll call Hoya hyung to spend some time with you until I get better, I don't want you getting sick.” Sunggyu pouted but he nodded. “And Sunggyu...” The boy looked in his eyes, not knowing what to expect from Sungyeol now while the elder shifted his weight on his feet nervously as he was gathering some courage.

“Thank you, thank you for worrying over me, though I don't deserve your worries.” He ended up saying and turned around to go to his room, he ended up missing the way Sunggyu dropped his jaw so low that anyone would be able to see down his throat. Sungyeol had never thanked him for anything.

______________________________

Arriving in his room Sungyeol got the phone over his desk and headed for his bed, to be comfortable while making the few phone calls he had to do. He decided to start with Hoya, since he really needed Sunggyu out of the apartment so he wouldn't catch his cold, but when he opened the call history to have better access to Hoya’s number (because they talked to each other the other day) his eyes got so big that almost popped out of his sockets.

There was a good amount of missed calls from his boyfriend and only one taken. !!!!! Did his neighbor take his boyfriend’s call? Or was it Sunggyu? It couldn't be Sunggyu, he didn't have an interest whatsoever in picking up calls or talking in general, unless it was Sungjong or sometimes Hoya and Dongwoo, and now apparently the neighbors.

Sungyeol felt that he lost all the strength In his body. He knew that if he wasn't lying in bed he would have probably had fallen if Myungsoo answered the call what had he said to his boyfriend? This could go wrong …. this could go so, so, so wrong.

Hoya appeared and an hour later to pick Sunggyu up, promising him they would have a nice time together while Sungyeol stayed nasty on his own. Sunggyu was a bit hesitant to leave, what if Sungyeol had a fever again and there wasn't anyone beside him to notice? Hoya told him that Sungyeol wouldn't die and that he would still be the same annoying guy when Sunggyu came back and apparently that was enough to convince Sunggyu to go with him.

Sungjong called desperately right after Sunggyu had left with Hoya, saying that he went to a study session with some of his classmates and he forgot his phone home and it wasn't as if it had much battery anyway. Sungyeol had a bit of joy in scolding him, after all, they had agreed to always be able to communicate, and, even if he couldn't come, he would be able to call Hoya for Sunggyu and calm and instruct his brother over the phone at least.

Sungyeol scolded Sungjong, but incredibly Sungjong didn't fight back this time and just accepted it all, and Sungyeol quickly felt guilty to make them both waste some studying time with this so at some point he just sighed, told Sungjong to keep his phone at all times and then hung up.

Before studying he tried calling his boyfriend a couple of times and his boyfriend had been purposely avoiding his calls, he thought it was a bit immature for a person 15 years older than him, but at least he knew that not picking his call meant that his boyfriend was mad and he would be punished, probably by not seeing each other on the only day they were supposed to see each other.

Sungyeol rubbed the bridge of his nose to alleviate the stress, he should probably apologize for standing his boyfriend up and for whatever Myungsoo told him over the phone, but how to do this when his boyfriend wasn't picking up his phone calls and he didn't know what had Myungsoo said to make his boyfriend pissed? At these times Sungyeol thought not being allowed to go find his boyfriend at whatever moment was too inconvenient, but he would never admit that to Sungjong.

As for not knowing what his neighbor had said, of course, Sungyeol could just cross a door and ask him, but Sungyeol didn't want to see him, not when he hadn't decided what to think of the guy coming to his aid despite their clear despise for each other. Sungyeol sighed and got himself up to pick his book, due to his intellect he didn't need to study much, but he still insisted on doing it because he thought that if he became too overconfident he would make a mistake somewhere, and he couldn't afford to do that, he was aiming high for his future and he wouldn't accept anything less than what he had planned.

__________________________________________

Myungsoo had asked his parents to have Woohyun over for a couple of days this week so he would have time to work on his projects so, when Monday came, Sungyeol and Myungsoo went on with their routines without bumping into each other and both of them being glad of that for different reasons. Myungsoo because he thought he would be avoiding problems and Sungyeol because honestly he didn't know how he would act.

When the next Saturday came the most complicated exams were over and both Woohyun and Sunggyu were back at home. Sungyeol usually spent from lunchtime till dinner time with his friend so Sunggyu was anticipating his elder brother calling Sungjong over to babysit him so he could play with Woohyunnie again, but Sunggyu was taken aback when Sungyeol announced something different.

“Sunggyu, what do you think of us going to the movie theater today?” He asked him a bit before lunch and Sunggyu shifted his attention from his puzzle and raised a brow at him.

“That or...” Sungyeol shifted his weight a bit nervously by the door of Sunggyu room as the said boy squinted his eyes suspiciously at him. “… we could visit a bookshop and, I don't know, shop for some books together.” Sunggyu felt conflicted, he liked movies and books, though spending time with Sungyeol meant not spending time with Woohyunnie.

As Sunggyu pondered, Sungyeol lost a bit of his patience but sighed instead of snapping and just imposing. “You can call Sungjong and ask if he want to join us if that would make you feel more comfortable around me.” He ended up suggesting and this time Sunggyu nodded which made Sungyeol open up a small smile that was just strange for Sunggyu, that fever probably melted something in his hyung brain because his hyung didn't smile much, he never smiled at him, that's for sure.

“Great, I'll finish my work and then we can dress up to leave ok? Be sure to call Sungjong and ask him to join us, tell him I'll pick him up.” Sungyeol added before disappearing to go to his room.

Sunggyu moved lazily to call his middle brother using the landline in the living room. Sungjong had something planned for the night but he could spend the afternoon with his brothers, actually, he couldn't miss the day where Lee Sungyeol took the first step to a good path in his relationship with Sunggyu.

_____________________________________________

“So where did this idea come from?” Sungjong asked as soon as Sunggyu disappeared from his side and into the bathroom after they came out of the movie theater.

“You said I should spend more time with him didn't you?” Sungyeol said a bit annoyed.

“Yes, but weren't you keen on keeping your Saturday sacred?” Sungjong argued.

“Yes, but...” Sungyeol look down not knowing how to answer.

“Hyung! Are you being insincere about this?” The younger scolded. “Are you doing this just because you can't meet with your lover today?” Sungyeol sighed deeply and his brother was about to complain when Sungyeol mumbled lowly.

“It's not like that, it has more into it.” Sungjong raised an inquiring brow, practically saying I'm-listening with his eyes, so Sungyeol raised his voice a bit. “I... I know I'm not what people expect me to be, I'm... I'm not a good brother for any of you.” Sungyeol said dejectedly. “It's just... from one minute to the other I had so many responsibilities pushed down myself, to provide and educate, and not only one person, two...” Sungjong wanted to say he didn't need this but Sungyeol just continued.

“I know you're practically an adult but you're still my responsibility... Anyway, my point is, I am not a good brother but, when I was sick, Sunggyu was worried over me and that... I don't know, I don't think I deserve his worries, but if he was worried he must have this tiny little bit of love for me right?” Sungyeol asked hopeful.

“Hyung, your life developed in an unusual way that made you be away from us most of the time... not to mention it is understandable that you and Sunggyu are awkward with each other because of the . But even if you barely visited us when our mom was alive, she always praised your achievements so he always looked up to you like 'this is what I want to be like when I grow up', therefore when you treat him badly he gets really hurt and disappointed. Deep inside he wants to get as closer to you as he is to me, but he probably thinks you don't like him, or, I don't know, but he can open up if he feels you're sincere.” Sungjong said encouragingly.

Sungyeol let out another sigh and leaned on the wall. “Why do you think I'm not being sincere here?” He asked tiredly.

“Because you reserve your Saturdays for work in the mornings and your lover the rest of the day, you only do anything with us on your Saturdays if he ditches you.” Sungjong said disapprovingly. “He ditched you again, didn't he?”

“Yes, but...”

“See!” His brother pointed and that's when Sunggyu got out of the bathroom. “Did you wash your hands?” Both brothers asked together and Sunggyu nodded.

“Then let's go to the bookshop. I need to buy a book for me and one for Sunggyu, he needs to read more accordingly to Dongwoo hyung, if you're needing any book too I can see what I can do for you.” Sungyeol suggested and Sungjong nodded. The three boys started to walk, having Sunggyu lead the way and the two elder brothers followed him suit keeping their eyes on the kid. They walked for a couple of minutes like that when Sungyeol muttered only for Sungjong to hear. “Today is different, there's more into it.”

Sungjong snapped his head back at him and raised his brow at his brother, that was new. He watched Sungyeol hesitate a bit before. “I'll tell you something before, but, since I know you'll give your input on everything even if I don't want it, promise me you'll focus at one problem at time, and please focus on my relationship first.”

“Fair enough.” Sungjong easily agreed and then talked to Sunggyu that was going the wrong way. “Sunggyu to this side!” The boy quickly ran to position himself in front of his hyungs.

“You know I was angry with you because you didn't pick up Sunggyu’s phone call right?” Sungyeol asked and Sungjong wondered what that had to do with anything. “It was a nasty fever Sungjong, I was knocked out practically a full day, who do you think watched over Sunggyu during that time?”

Sungjong eyes almost popped out of his sockets in realization, giving the pressure of his exams and since Sungyeol seemed ok enough when they talked last weekend he totally forgot about that.

“Sunggyu freaked out Sungjong.” Sungyeol said and Sungjong felt guilty because if he had picked his phone his brother wouldn't have felt that way, - although he knew Sungyeol was deeply irresponsible for letting himself caught a cold because he stayed out in the rain and not even changing his clothes after - only god knew how much more troublesome, and much more traumatized, Sunggyu would get if something happened to Sungyeol while they were alone. “He called because he trusts you, but he doesn't know Hoya and Dongwoo hyungs’ phone numbers so who do you think he went for help?”

Sungjong furrowed his brows. Who? Sunggyu usually obeyed Sungyeol and didn't interact much with people the eldest brother didn't trust or was close with, mainly because he was in constant fear of upsetting Sungyeol.

“He asked his friend’s father help.” Sungyeol confessed and surprisingly there was no sarcasm or bitter tone on his voice. Sungjong wanted to laugh at Sungyeol and praise Sunggyu for having some balls and royally piss his elder hyung, but the elder shot a glare to him. “You agreed you'd focus on my relationship first.”

“Yes.” Sungjong forcefully said. “But I don't know how the neighbors have anything to do with Sangwoo-shi.” He added as they entered the bookshop and Sunggyu ran for the section of children's books. “Sunggyu don't move from here! We'll be back for you in a minute.” He said and the boy nodded as he looked for an interesting book to read. Was Hairy Porta the book Woohyun said he would like to read?

“It's ok, you'll understand soon.” Sungyeol said as they proceeded to the to the communication section, so Sungjong could pick a book for him, Sungyeol might even find something interesting for himself here. “Sunggyu asked for their help, and the guy came over. I don't know why he did this because he knows I don't like him, not to mention we sort of argued on the parents-teachers meeting, but that's not the point. The point is... he took care of me and Sunggyu when he had no obligation.”

“Ok. By your tone, I can infer that you're not angry at this at least?” Sungjong offered as he looked over one of the shelves. “Where is this going hyung?”

Sungyeol sighed. “You know I go out with Sangwoo hyung every Saturday. Last week was not different, I had a date set and I left him hanging at our meeting place because I was sick.” Sungjong looked at him with an expression that said 'dude, you were sick, of course you wouldn't go'. “Sangwoo hyung called me a lot of times, probably to complain about that, and guess who picked up the phone?” Sungjong eyes almost popped out a second time. “Because I'm sure I couldn't at that point and Sunggyu never gets near my phone.” Sungyeol sighed as he opened a book to randomly see if he liked.

“Really?” Sungjong couldn't believe what he was hearing, and he didn't know what to think about that either.

“Really. Now let's forget the part where my neighbor invaded my privacy and get to the problem here.” He closed the book, he couldn't concentrate in other stuff while having this conversation. “I don't know what they talked on the phone, the only thing I know is that when Sangwoo hyung is pissed at me he doesn't pick up my calls for a day or two, but it's been a week I can't contact him, and this is why I am here today in the first place.”

Sungjong jaw tensed and he glared at his hyung. “God, why does this guy do these kinds of things? Why do you even put up with that? I can't understand, hyung,...” He was about to argue all over again but Sungyeol interrupted.

“Sungjong put your hate to the side just once and help me figure this situation out.” Sungyeol finally pleaded and his brother immediately shut up.

“Fine.” Sungjong hissed, agreeing though not without a bit of a grudge. “The logic to fix these kinds of situations, and I hope you manage to use this tip with Sunggyu someday, is to apologize and not do it again, but that guy is ignoring you for a week so let's see..” Sungjong tapped his chin a couple of times in thinking then looked straight in his brother eyes. “I can cancel my plans and babysit Sunggyu tonight, so all you have to do is go find him and talk this out, apologize and continue with that disgusting relationship that you seem to love.”

“I don't know how I'll do that, he is kind of jealous of the world, and he talked to Myungsoo-shi and I don't know what they talked about, and sure I can swallow my pride and ask, but that still wouldn't be able to make him forgive me for whatever he could be thinking...”

“So you think your boyfriend might think you're cheating him with Myungsoo hy-, I mean, shi?” That was the funniest thing Sungjong had ever heard, Sungyeol and the straight neighbor that he hated, omg, hilarious.

“Yes?” Sungyeol asked shyly. “I mean it is a strange an unknown man picking up my phone when I obviously stood him up.”

“But you were sick and he was helping you, it's not like you slept together.” Sungjong reasoned and Sungyeol wouldn't tell him that he thought they kind of did in the innocent way. “So go there and explain.”

“I don't know where he lives.” Sungyeol then confessed frustrated and Sungjong was flabbergasted at that, how could a lover not know the other lover’s address? This was insane. It was understandable if they were getting to know each other now, but this was not the case, Sungyeol and that guy had been together for a year and a half already.

“Then you can't do nothing about it.” The younger said dryly and Sungyeol rubbed his face and made a expression that was the closest beg for help he had ever seen Sungyeol make. “I'm serious, there's nothing you can do right now, if you can't talk to him you can only wait. But while you wait to think if this relationship is worthy hyung, because I have never dated but I'm pretty sure this guy is...”

“Ok Sungjong. Thank you for your wise advice.” Sungyeol interrupted his brother, showing he had enough of their conversation. “Do you want any book or not? I want to eat something and then go home, I still have some things to work on.”

“Not today, I think I can manage with the books of my college library.”

“Then let's get Sunggyu.” Sungyeol suggested then promptly turned around to go look for the boy.

They took only a couple of steps towards the kids’ section when a couple passed in front of them clutched on each other’s side and in their own world. The woman was about Sungyeol’s age, she couldn't have been younger than that, she had this moon eyes and was laughing away as she looked madly in love with the guy beside her. And the guy... the guy was Sangwoo, Sungyeol’s boyfriend, and it didn't seemed like he and that girl had just build that kind of aura, and probably feelings, in just a week. No, this had been going for longer.

Sungyeol halted his steps and his face drained from all color and Sungjong got himself worried because this was weird, his hyung was fine a minute ago, but the younger brother figured things out quickly when he saw his brother eyes water and followed his gaze. So this was the real reason the guy had been fishy this entire time. Sungjong would have given himself a pat on his back but since this was breaking his hyung’s heart he couldn't, instead he got pissed.

“What the ? I'm going there, to scratch the eyes out of that guy so he can't look at anyone else.” Sungjong gave a long stomp in the direction of the couple but Sungyeol got him by the collar and pulled back, shaking his head for Sungjong. “Hyung, why? Don't be passive about this. Go do something, you can't let this girl have the piece of you love just like that.” Sungjong tried to be supportive and think about his brother’s feelings, even if he hated the guy.

“No...” Sungyeol shook his head again as some tears started to fall from his face.

“But hyung...” Sungjong tried to insist but Sungyeol himself didn't want to insist anymore.

“As of today my relationship is over.” He declared and Sungjong was surprised to hear him saying that when a couple of minutes he was trying his best to think of a way he and his boyfriend could patch things up, but hey, he guessed if you discovered your boyfriend was cheating on you the best thing to do was to break up.

“I'll go home, I'll cry, I'll get better, and I won't care if he calls me anymore.” Sungyeol added as tears kept flowing and he took a moment to close his eyes and take a deep breath in. Once he calmed himself a bit he opened his eyes showing anger although Sungjong could still see sadness all over them. “But if he does call me, he won't know what hit him, now that I know this I have the upper hand.”

Now, that was more his hyung. Honestly Sungjong was sad that this had disappointed and broken Sungyeol’s heart but he couldn't help to feel happy too, Sungyeol wouldn't have that dickhead to stress him and he wouldn't lash out on Sunggyu. Well... he probably needed to remind his hyung of that.

Sungjong didn't know what to say anymore because Sungyeol seemed determined enough to end this kind of problem so he only placed a hand, that he hoped it was comforting enough, in his hyung’s arm and squeezed a bit.

They were only interrupted by Sunggyu that came with 7 piled books he was trying his best not to let fall and then he tried to push them into Sungjong’s hands while looking warily to Sungyeol that had turned his face to hide his tears.

“It seems like he got the whole collection of Harry Potter.” Sungjong said as he saw the first cover. “No, wait, it is missing Half-Blood Prince but there's Cursed Child, hey, I didn't read this one yet.” He added as he inspected all of the titles.

Sungyeol turned to look at them, now with his tears wiped. “I told him to choose one, not seven books, pick up the first of the series, he is not going to read everything if he buys that many anyway.” He said going back to his stern self and Sunggyu pouted, but seeing his brother troubled face Sungjong had an idea.

“Hyung, I still can pick a book for myself right?”

“Yes, but make it quick, I want to leave here.” Sungyeol urged.

Sungjong picked two of the books from the pile and winked at Sunggyu, which made the boy a little more pleased. “We are ready.”

“Good, then let's pay.” Sungyeol took two steps towards the cashier when he noticed the oh-so-happy-couple settling in line with books on their hands. Sungyeol then picked up his wallet to take his credit card and his functional Id and placed it in Sungjong’s hands. “Go pay, make sure to show my functional Id so we get a discount, I'll wait outside.”

Sungyeol talked quickly and then turned around to go out of the bookshop, which made Sunggyu look at his middle brother confused, but Sungyeol definitely wasn't quick enough to hide another set of tears that were coming.

__________________________________________________________

“Sunggyu?” Sungjong this time picked up the call as soon as he saw the landline number from his brother place appear in his phone screen that night.

“Hyung, I'm worried.” Sunggyu said as low as he could.

“What happened?” Sungjong asked, becoming worried too.

“Scary hyung is being weird.” The boy said keeping his voice low, he was probably scared Sungyeol would hear.

“Weird how?” Sungjong was alarmed.

“He plays in his computer all the time but since Sunday he just stays in bed, is he sick again?” The boy asked. “I'm afraid of getting near, Myungsoo hyung and Hoya hyung said to not get near him when he is sick.”

Sungjong sighed, Sungyeol was not sick, his heart was broken, but how to explain that to Sunggyu when the boy didn't even know Sungyeol had a male lover? And why even explain that when it was over?

“Sungyeol hyung isn't sick so you shouldn't be afraid of getting near him, so if you need anything just ask, I mean, nudge him or something.” Sungjong instructed then added a question just to be sure because it was a Thursday and Sungyeol couldn't just completely slack off with Sunggyu, kids needed routine. “He is still cooking for you and taking you to school too right?”

“Yes. But hyung, are you sure he isn't sick?” Sunggyu insisted.

“I'm sure.” Sungjong assured and he could only hear silence, which meant Sunggyu didn't completely believed him and was still worried. “Tell me something Sunggyu-ah, did hyung cry?”

“No.” The boy mumbled but audible enough for his brother to hear. “Does he have to?”

“Not really, but that would have made him feel better.” Sungjong made a second of silence but snapped out of it when he had the best idea since letting Sunggyu play with Woohyun behind his back. “Sunggyu-yah, do you want to help hyung?”

Sunggyu wasn't sure about that, how could he? He was just a kid, one his older brother didn't like very much. “I don't think I can help him, I'm just a kid.” He ended up mumbling.

“There's where you're wrong, sometimes we can help a lot even if we don't do much. That happened when he was sick, you didn't take care of him directly but you called someone that could right? Maybe if you hadn't asked Woohyunnie’s dad help maybe Sungyeol hyung would have been even more sick.” Sungjong tried an analogy to see if he could get the young interested in helping because he didn't think it would be wise to leave the dorms at that time for anything unless Sungyeol or Sunggyu were sick.

“Then... what can I do?” Sunggyu asked hesitantly and Sungjong made a commemorative dance in his head for gaining Sunggyu’s interest.

“Ok, I know you and hyung aren't the closest but what hyung needs is to feel that there's people that love him by his side.” Sungjong explained and the younger hummed as he understood what his brother was talking about. “You can comfort him by giving him a tight hug, or rub a hand in his back or hair, and if you really want to help him even more you can tell him that everything will be ok and that you love him.”

Silence was made in the line and Sungjong cussed in his head, maybe that was too much to ask from the kid? Love? Really? Now that he thought better, Sunggyu would never say that to Sungyeol in his lifetime. “Sunggyu?” He asked just to be sure the other was still in line.

“Hyung, I'll hang up now.” The younger simply announced and Sungjong couldn't believe the kid would left him not knowing if he would be comforting their older brother or not, but before he could complain the boy was already saying his goodbyes and really hanging up.

Sunggyu crawled from under the table where their phone usually was and got up on his feet, it was a bit late and he started feeling sleepy and on top of that he still had school tomorrow and would have to wake up early. But instead of going to his room Sunggyu caught himself going to his hyung room and slowly opened the door to see him.

His hyung was in his bed with his back towards Sunggyu and almost curled up in a ball. He looked nothing like the scary hyung Sunggyu was used to and he just looked sad... like he was when they discovered their mother passed away but in a smaller scale, not to mention he was so quiet that Sunggyu didn't know if the elder had woken up.

As if guessing Sunggyu’s thoughts, the older spoke, almost scaring the maknae. “Sunggyu-yah, go to bed, you have school tomorrow.” Sungyeol said although his tone was void of emotions and he didn't sound like he was scolding, he just sounded plainly sad and Sunggyu wondered if their middle brother was right, if Sungyeol would be better if he got some comforting from him.

Sunggyu hesitated for a few seconds as he thought about it, but then decided to do it, after all whenever Sunggyu got some comforting from his Sungjong hyung he always felt better, so maybe that would work for his oldest hyung too.

He took a deep breath and walked confidently towards Sungyeol’s bed, crawling on it and stopping before his brother. Sungyeol was surprised to feel the mattress dip the with new weight that he knew it was from Sunggyu and he was ready to tell the boy to go to bed again when he felt a small body over his and two little arms trying to hold him tightly.

Sungyeol was surprised to say the least, Sunggyu was hugging him? Or something was really wrong with the world, or he was really looking like to inspire some pity from his maknae brother. But if he wasn't prepared for a hug from Sunggyu he definitely didn't expect what happened next, because Sunggyu hid his face in the crook of his neck and whispered in his ear.

“Everything is going to be alright hyung, I love you.”

Sungyeol was tensed for a few seconds that felt like whole hours not only for him but for Sunggyu too, and the maknae had started thinking that Sungjong’s plan wouldn't work with his elder brother and that maybe he would be yelled at soon, but instead of that he felt Sungyeol’s long arms wrapping against his small body and hugging him tightly.

That night the pent up feelings of sadness and frustration Sungyeol had were finally released and he cried for the first time in a year.