Sungyeol envied Sunggyu capacity to sleep through noise and cursed his light sleep as he woke up the next day with Hoya meddling in the kitchen. Last night he indeed treated Sunggyu to some milkshake and an omelet, and he tried to pretend that everything was fine enough and he was only sad about the situation with Myungsoo, but the boy surprised him asking if he would be sick again. He came home trying to explain to Sunggyu that he was physically fine but that didn't convince Sunggyu, even more, when Hoya ratted his fainting episode out and promised he would cook good food to make the taller health again.

He had to kick Hoya out of the kitchen twice, once the night before because he and Sunggyu had already eaten and once this morning when he saw the chaos and noise Hoya was making trying to cook something more elaborated. He didn't want to offend his cousin but there was so much he could cook and the thing came out edible.

He sent his cousin to wake Sunggyu and ready him for school, then made something easy for them to eat. Once everyone was ready for the day, Sungyeol came back, shoved the few pictures he found in his bag and a few letters too so he could continue reading through the day and then he and Sunggyu were off.

He didn't bump with Myungsoo in his way out nor when he arrived in school, so he told Sunggyu to tell Woohyun he would talk to Myungsoo about them playing tonight and that made Sunggyu forget about his worry over his health and be anxious for the end of the day.

Upon arriving in college, Sungyeol found Chanyeol waiting for him to read his almost ready thesis and give some tips on what he could do better. Once he finished that, he met with both professors Song and discussed the teaching schedule for the next classes and the selective process that would start soon. He was mostly free around eleven so he decided to go to the cafeteria and buy something to eat then returned to the office to read and eat at the same time.

Through the letters, he discovered more things about Myungsoo early life and he thought that this is where a few things were explained. He already knew Myungsoo lived with his paternal grandmother for the first years of his life, but only now he discovered that they lived alone and his parents took turns visiting/spending a few hours with him daily/spending the weekend. Also apparently Myungsoo couldn't recognize Bumsoo and Sonmi as his parents because they spend a lot of time away, still he was closer to his father because he was the one that slept over and played with him more often. They had a similar background in this aspect because both of them were close to their fathers and their moms were very career oriented, the difference was that, when she was home, Sonmi entire attention was on Myungsoo, his mother stressed herself easily with him so they didn't spend that much time together.

His parents only moved in with them when they married (and that's when Myungsoo was four), but that also coincided with the time his grandmother started to be sick and once she died Myungsoo was inconsolable. He was a shy kid, to begin with, but he became more introspective and even insecure, it also didn't help that his parents moved to another city soon after his grandma died, in the middle of the school year and he knew no one there, but thankfully they met Jihyun and she helped him to socialize.

Jihyun mother though only let her kid out if accompanied by him so they became really symbiotic. She depended on him have a certain freedom and he always depended on her to voice his thoughts or socialize, it didn't help he was always trying to please and seeking validation.

Myungsoo explained Jihyun situation before the pregnancy, he hated her mother for a reason, but when Sonmi described things on her letters, he thought Myungsoo wasn't angry enough, the poor girl suffered a lot. His eyes filled with tears as he read about her story because he thought he could empathize with her constant disappointments with her mother. In the end, he concluded her mother was the worst mother in the world because his mother at least, although ignored his pleas for help, never hit him and tried to please him whenever he was home (though she rarely was able to).

After some years, Jihyun insisted for Myungsoo trying basketball because it was at the same time as her theater classes (that he had not liked) and he ended up developing skills that made him more popular and more confident with himself. Even so, he never stopped trying to please his parents or even Jihyun and her mother, he felt like people quite didn't accept him and once Myungsoo was getting older Sonmi started to think that could be related to his uality too.

“I do give my children my full attention whenever I'm home. I talk to them, and I try to understand them the best I can and now I am so used trying to do that for Jihyun that sometimes it feels like she is the daughter we couldn't have. If I could I would have adopted her, but, since it is not possible, my husband hopes to make her join the family officially when she marries Myungsoo. He thinks things between them will develop into love once they grow older, but I don't know... I don't think Myungsoo is interested in her like that. I'm not saying he doesn't care for her, he takes care of her as he takes care of Moonsoo, always afraid that they will get hurt somehow, it's just...

At that age, kids start to show interest in the opposite and I don't think Myungsoo is doing that. He doesn't show interest in Jihyun and he doesn't talk about any other girl that isn't his middle school math teacher, and no, he definitely doesn't have a crush on her, she simply made him like math a bit more. Besides, sometimes, when he thinks nobody is looking, his eyes roam and settle in other boys and he says he likes to observe people behavior but I think he is admiring them, I don't know...

Unnie, surely Myungsoo wouldn't be loved any less, but what if he is gay? How do I approach him about that? How do I tell him that it is fine? He seems to have this fixed idea about what we expect of him so he keeps trying to please us in any way in anytime but what should I do to show that he can open up to me and to himself and embrace that side? He definitely isn't like Sungyeol that simply said Kim Jaejoong when you asked whose singer he would have a crush on, he probably will freak out and suffer a lot in conflict. Unnie, what do I do? I want Myungsoo to be happy and more confident with himself.”

This particular letter continued on another page and Sungyeol was sure he would want to read not only the continuation but what his mother advised (if she was able to give some useful advice, he didn't think she was and that wasn't even how he came out to his parents), but at that moment he heard knocks on the door and noticed some tears had fallen from his eyes.

“Come on in.” He ordered while the door was opened and Myungsoo came inside hesitantly and for a second they froze, while Myungsoo wondered why Sungyeol was crying and if he had anything to do with it, Sungyeol was surprised by the younger arrival until he regained his senses. “Come and sit down.” He ordered and started to shove letters and pictures into his bag while Myungsoo finally walked to the vacant chair but kept his intense eyes over the taller.

“Sorry about this.” Sungyeol snuffled and tried to wipe his tears. “Do you have anything to show me? Were you able to read anything?” He asked and Myungsoo pushed some printed papers he brought in Sungyeol hands.

“I made some changes in the first chapter.” He said although he kept analyzing Sungyeol movements and expressions.

Sungyeol pulled the papers to himself and, in professional mode, started to read but it wasn't like he could pretend he wasn't crying some moments ago. And as he snuffled away and kept wiping remains of his tears, Myungsoo decided to end with all his internal debate and ask what was killing him.

“Are you ok?”

The elder immediately stopped and wondered if he heard correctly if Myungsoo was indeed asking him if he was fine, but once he raised his eyes and saw the younger expectant face, he let go of the papers and properly looked at him.

“Yes.” He said and forced a smile but his reddish eyes didn't make him believable.

“You don't look good.” Myungsoo blurted and immediately regretted, not only he dragged the subject, but he wasn't in a position that allowed him to keep asking these sort of things.

Sungyeol sighed and leaned on his chair. “It's nothing, really.” Myungsoo squinted his eyes, still not believing and Sungyeol decided to explain things vaguely. “I'm the eldest between the two of us so I had to set the example and grow some balls.” He said, referring to the last conversation they had, one that he hoped Myungsoo remembered.

The younger gulped hard, he remembered that conversation very well, how couldn't if lately Sungyeol words kept replaying in his head like a broken record. “I see.” Sungyeol was about to grab the project again when, against better judgment, Myungsoo decided to insist. “But I heard you fainted.”

“Ok, why you're asking me this? Who told you?” Sungyeol asked in a mix of tiredness and impatience but clearly not denying anything. “I told him to not bother you with my affairs but was it Hoya hyung?” Myungsoo shook his head. “Dongwoo hyung?” Another shook. “Sungjong and Moonsoo?”

“I don't know if you know, but they are not talking about us so they can keep some sanity inside their own relationship.”

“Yeah, Sungjong told me that, was it Sunggyu?” He insisted but Myungsoo snorted.

“Your baby brother gives me the cold shoulders every day.”

“I'll scold him about that, who was it?” Sungyeol asked almost losing his patience.

“I overheard a conversation.” Myungsoo finally confessed. “We live across each other after all.” Sungyeol rolled his eyes - he knew that it probably had been Hoya and his aunt talking outside, Sungjong indeed stayed beside him all the time that Saturday - then sighed deeply to regain his patience.

“After what happened to your last adviser you must be worried if I'll be able to see this project through, right?” Myungsoo didn't know why but his mouth opened and closed as if he wanted to clarify that assumption but the words got stuck in his throat, and Sungyeol continued shortly after anyway, not leaving time for him to gather his words and speak. “Look, I'll see this project through and I'll do my best to make you do your best, you don't need to worry about me, I'm not sick and I'm not going to be. I just fainted because that's what trauma does to me, sometimes I have nightmares and sometimes I faint.”

Myungsoo tried to put the pieces of this puzzle together quickly. He knew Sungyeol main issues could only be from two sources: bullying and ual harassment in school that led to his suicide attempt, or conflicted feelings for his mother that remained unsolved after her death. The young dad knew there was a possibility that he contributed to some of that intense emotional stress, but he was sure he didn't stress Sungyeol enough for him to faint. The taller also hid papers as soon as he entered and if Sungyeol said he was talking about setting an example and growing some balls, that could only mean he was reading his mothers letters.

When he realized that his eyes grew big and he became curious. “What have you discovered?”

Sungyeol looked intently at Myungsoo. “I really wish I could share that with you, are you asking me this because you are ready for another kind of conversation?” He didn't know if showed or not but he was hopeful that Myungsoo said yes.

He cleared his throat and looked away before killing Sungyeol hopes. “I'm sorry, I was out of line.”

“Not what was hoping, but what I was expecting.” Sungyeol mumbled to himself but Myungsoo couldn't help but hear and think how he said something similar back when he proposed they slept together and Sungyeol came over to talk. Thinking about the past embarrassed him, not because he regretted anything at that point but because he was usually shy about things related to his uality. He settled for putting the thoughts to the side, in order to not blush, when Sungyeol grabbed his project again and started to read everything. “Do you have anything to tell me about your project? Have you read anything?”

“I did.” Myungsoo said and held his breathing because he thought Sungyeol would make a deep evaluation of his text now but the taller raised his eyes at him again and waited for him to elaborate. “I liked the methodology, it fits well with what I have in mind so I already made some changes in the text.”

Sungyeol smiled at him but even though it was sincere and indeed he was happy for the younger, he couldn't help but feel sad about the hopes to talk that Myungsoo just killed. “See, you just ended your block, even if it isn't the best, it is progress already.”

“Thank you.” Myungsoo replied with sincerity and was almost smiling because only now he realized that it was true, but then he blinked in disbelief. “You barely read and you're already saying is not good enough? Do I have to do it again?”

Now Sungyeol was the one blinking in a bit of surprise because there was no anger in that question, only plain disbelief. “I have not said that I'd have to read everything to be able to say something is bad, and I always do read everything.”

Myungsoo tilted his head in confusion. “Then?”

“Then I'll not keep you watching me review your chapter when you can use your time doing something useful for your project or your life. But I can do it as soon as you leave and ask Sunggyu to send you later, then you correct things and we meet on Wednesday to check your progress, what do you say?”

“Ok, but isn't meeting here for you to advise me the point of this?” Myungsoo hesitantly asked.

“I'm doing my job, and, for you, in record time too.” Sungyeol said and Myungsoo shifted his weight in the chair uncomfortably. “Unless you have some specific doubt or want to discuss which path to take or any specific text you read... did you managed to read anything else from that pile of books?”

Myungsoo sighed at the end and looked at Sungyeol daring for him to tease or provoke him in any way. “Ok, I read that Twyman guy.”

“Oh, really? What do you think? Is his work useful? If you want something newer but in that line of thought I can search and find you something.” Sungyeol asked happy that Myungsoo seemed to be more open about his work as an adviser this time.

“If we consider that cavemen told stories about their realities through drawings on the walls then we can consider they were already using pictoric language and photography would be the same, just using more technology.” Myungsoo tried to resume his thoughts about the work he read. “Am I right?” He asked hesitantly after he concluded his thoughts.

“I didn't think you'd really read and I would have to insist a little more.” The taller blinked in surprise but quickly gathered his thoughts... “You're absolutely correct in this analogy because photography is a type of art and art is also used to tell stories, to question, to explain, to shock, to make think, to document and to provoke so many emotions on people and that's what you're trying to achieve right?” He was excited once he realized that Myungsoo opened a little road for them to communicate, even if it wasn't about personal things. Also, he used that speech to low key praise the younger and hoped the younger next actions/expressions confirmed in a way that he was insecure.

Myungsoo couldn't help but smile at the subtle praise and mumble a shy yes and Sungyeol almost got up and danced in delight because he nailed it (the letters helped with a push but that shy yes meant Myungsoo was practically confessing his insecurity himself) but instead he chose to keep it as professional as he could then develop a plan with Sungjong later, because he was so sure of this now.

“Now that his work opened your mind, will you use it in your project?” Myungsoo blinked and Sungyeol took that a sign of discomfort so he kept talking. “Don't feel obliged to include it, I just wanted to give you some perspective, something that would make you think and inspire you to write again.”

“I don't feel obliged.” Myungsoo said, surprising himself a little because the taller gave him a choice, and Sungyeol made a surprised expression because he thought he was somehow forcing that author on the younger. “I think it would be a valid addition to the project but …” He scratched his nape. “I don't exactly know how to connect to what I have written so far.”

“Well I have your first chapter right here, if you want it I can write some notes where I think you can fit it but the writing has to be entirely on you - this is your work after all - then you try to figure out something and we see each other next Wednesday .” Sungyeol suggested and Myungsoo nodded but kept surprising the taller.

“I read some other books chapters too. I don't understand why you suggested the pinkish one, but I can say for sure that the ones in blue and the green covers are not going to be used by me.”

“That's a surprise, you read more than I expected.” Sungyeol confessed dazedly then quickly recovered himself. “You're right, those three are not completely related to your project, but if you look closely they use the same methodology you'll be using and I wanted to give you some practical examples. Your chapter three is the main star in your project; when you reach there, you can't simply throw the pictures without an order so the pinkish book is more like a suggestion on how you should organize things. But of course, you'll only use that later.”

“Oh.” Myungsoo said as he now understood what Sungyeol meant.

“Anything else?” The taller asked in excitement if Myungsoo kept their conversations nice like that till the end and did what he was told without putting up a fight, surprising him even, this graduation would happen so smoothly.

“Not on my side, but please don't give me a pile of books to read again, it was really difficult to read everything and get some work done.” The younger confessed tiredly and Sungyeol just knew he wasn't talking about the changes he made in his first chapter.

“I wasn't expecting you to read everything in two days, I know you have Woohyun to take care of.” Sungyeol said but that could be translated as 'I'm not crazy, you know?'. “But you indeed progressed, and more than I thought too.” Myungsoo smiled shyly but proud of himself, anything to get his diploma at this point right? Even keeping his anger to himself to not add on Sungyeol healthy problems caused by emotional stress. “Talking about him...” Sungyeol hesitated a bit. “Do you think you can let the kids play already? If you're not comfortable letting him come over Sunggyu can go to your apartment, I don't mind.” He pleaded.

Myungsoo sighed and got up, that change in topics made this conversation over for him, he didn't think he had much else to talk. “I don't know...”

“Please, think about it, I promised Sunggyu I would try to get an answer out of you.” Sungyeol pleaded, even making sure to put his two hands together. “He can distract Woohyun enough for you to have some time for your project... and they make a little noise but isn't when they are quiet that we should worry some chaos is happening? You taught me that.” The taller tried to reason and Myungsoo knew he had a point, these two quiet meant trouble.

“Actually, he has been a little weird so I don't know if he still wants it.” He said and Sungyeol was surprised, Woohyun mood yesterday implied that he would totally want if that was offered to him, maybe that changed after he cried. That made Sungyeol a little disappointed and that, together with the previous tears Myungsoo saw his shedding, made the younger heart a little too tight so he ended up getting Sungyeol hopes up. “But send Sunggyu over with my project corrections, maybe he can go back to your apartment with Woohyun.”

That definitely was not the answer Sungyeol wanted but definitely one that he could accept because it didn't kill all of his hopes. Actually, now that Myungsoo didn't give him trouble during their meeting and he discovered a thing or two about him, his hopes had raised to their highest level, and he would be damned if he didn't manage to speak with Myungsoo as soon as he was ready. Sungyeol just needed to talk to Sungjong now.

__________________________________________________

I HAVE NEW DEVELOPMENTS. Call me. URGENTLY.

Sungyeol hit enter to send a message to Sungjong then got out of his car to pick Sunggyu up, he usually arrived early but Chanyeol appeared in his office and insisted to discuss something so they could complete their paper together.

With his long legs, he quickly arrived in Sunggyu class only to see Dongwoo kind of exasperated dealing with Sunggyu and six or seven other kids in a very unnatural situation: the pink-haired teacher was telling the kids not to do homework right now and Sunggyu kept checking the other kids' notebooks as a little teacher.

“It is wrong, fix this.” Sunggyu said unforgiving as he took a look at his classmate homework.

“No, you don't have to. I mean, you have to, but only later.” Dongwoo said then tried adding a smile to make a suggestion. “ Why don't we play until your parents arrive, hum?”

The poor kid looked at Dongwoo then at Sunggyu small eyes and decided it was better for him to continue with his homework. Dongwoo sighed helplessly wondering when Sunggyu got more authority than him. Sure he behaved really well in class but during the break and after the school was over he was the one that really ruled his class, Dongwoo didn't have illusions anymore, one glance from Sunggyu made any kid quiet lately.

Thankfully he was saved from these kinds of thoughts when Sungyeol knocked on the door to announce his presence. “What is going on?”

“Hyung!” Sunggyu greeted completely happy. “Hyung!” He added in a scolding manner a second later. “Why you took so long? Woohyunie is already home.”

“We're doing homework.” Another tried to explain the situation and Sungyeol raised his brows. He knew he was different when he was at their age but that, even for him was new.

“Sorry, I got caught up in college, but grab your bag so we can go.” Sungyeol said as he approached the pink-haired teacher and placed a hand on his shoulders? “Are you ok hyung?”

“No, I'm not ok.” Dongwoo said and Sungyeol for a minute was apprehensive and that made the elder sigh. “I just realized that I'm deceiving myself by thinking I still have authority, Sunggyu was already ruling the entire school but not my class, but now one look from him makes the kids stop any uproar or do whatever he wants.” He sighed. “I failed as a teacher, at this point if you don't keep an eye on him he is gonna be a mafia boss in the future.”

“What is a mafia boss?” Sunggyu asked as he came back with his bag and overheard the last part of Dongwoo speech, he had heard something similar before but he didn't know what that was.

“A villain, a bad person with many illegal connections and business, someone that is often violent and punishes his employees with beatings or death.” Sungyeol explained bluntly and Sunggyu started thinking about what that meant.

“Can I just be a boss?” The boy asked as he tilted his head to the side.

“Sure, you'll be a huge CEO in the future if you keep your grades good.” Sungyeol said and Sunggyu quickly nodded to say he understood.

“Does he behaves during your class?” Sungyeol asked when he returned his attention to a desolated Dongwoo.

“I do.” Sunggyu replied indignantly and Dongwoo looked at him fondly before looking back at Sungyeol.

“He does.” Dongwoo stretched his lips in a proud smile and that's when Sungyeol knew Dongwoo wasn't being that serious. “It's been months Sunggyu doesn't disrupt the class anymore. He is eager to learn, right Sunggyu?” The boy quickly nodded.

“Then you didn't fail as a teacher. You teach, he learns that is the way it should be. If he leads the class into good behavior then your job gets easier right?”

“You say this because you are not the one being tortured with aegyo.” Dongwoo complained and Sungyeol turned to give a scolding look at his brother.

“What?” The boy asked.

“Don't do that to Dongwoo hyung.” Sungyeol scolded then added as an afterthought. “Maybe you should torture Myungsoo with aegyo, but not Dongwoo hyung.”

Sunggyu turned his head to the other side. “Go back to your seat and finish your homework.” He said to another boy, that quickly obeyed, then huffed. “I don't want to talk to him.”

“Why? Sunggyu, you can't just don't talk to people, I have told you this over and over again the past year. And how do you expect Myungsoo to let Woohyun play with you when you give him the cold shoulders?” Sungyeol asked.

“He is not taking care of you as he promised and you even got sick this weekend.” Sunggyu said.

“Our fight has nothing to do with you so you should just treat him nicely and that's it. He is this close Sunggyu, this close of agreeing.” The taller said as he places two of his index fingers really close to each other.

“Is that true?” Dongwoo gasped in interest and Sungyeol continued.

“I didn't get sick Sunggyu, Hoya hyung was exaggerating because he is dramatic.” Sungyeol said for the umpteenth time, he already knew that but Dongwoo was right, Sunggyu was relentless.

Sunggyu pouted and Dongwoo could only nod to confirm what the taller said. “He is, Sunggyu, Hoya likes to be dramatic.” He then turned to Sungyeol. “Is he really almost agreeing? Come on, Sungyeol, spill.”

“He is.” Sungyeol answered almost scandalized Dongwoo was even thinking he could be lying. “Today was a great day, I discovered a bunch of things, but I don't have much time to talk. I have to feed Sunggyu and instruct him on a mission.”

“Mission?” Sunggyu asked puzzled.

“But...” Dongwoo was about to say something when Sungyeol interrupted.

“Hyung, pray because if I'm right maybe Hoya hyung will go back home soon. Meanwhile, keep tempting him, I'm sure Saturday was not enough.”

“What happened on Saturday?” Sunggyu asked innocently a Dongwoo placed both hands on his ears and started to laugh out of nervousness.

“Nothing, nothing.” He then glared at Sungyeol. “Please go home!” Dongwoo glared.

________________________________________________________

Sunggyu looked up and down to his brother as he evaluated the elder mood. Sungyeol was in a great mood, a very great mood, one of those Sunggyu was sure he would be able to convince his brother to give him another milkshake, and maybe a hamburger this time. But something looked kinda fishy in his brother behavior and he didn't know why but he thought it had something to do with this mission he was supposed to do.

“First you need to apologize for giving him the cold shoulders....” Sungyeol said excitedly as he opened his door then rushed for the kitchen because something was smelling, smelling good and that was a sign that it was ready. “Hyung? Hyung?” Sungyeol called desperate as he let Sunggyu at the entrance and rushed to the kitchen and Sunggyu entered home running to see what was happening.

“Did he burn our dinner?” Sunggyu asked, hoping for a negative answer, he was hungry.

Sungyeol opened the oven and sighed in relief, it was not , Hoya probably let the food stay there to not get cold too fast. “Thankfully, it is not burnt.” He said then put a kitchen glove to take the food from the oven and put on the counter and Sunggyu proceed to the living room to throw his bag somewhere. “HYUUUUUUUUNG!” Sungyeol screamed/scolded louder for his cousin to appear, he had explanations to give.

“Sungyeol, you already arrived!” Hoya screamed from inside and then came rushing to the kitchen.

“You don't say.” Sungyeol said sarcastically once he laid eyes in his cousin. “Why weren't you keeping a watch on the food? I thought everything was about to burn.”

“Nah, I turned off.” Hoya said confidently as he started to take the plates, Sunggyu was already sitting at the table waiting for the elders provide his dinner. “I had to take a phone call.”

Sungyeol decided that today happenings were more important and it wasn't worth throwing his good mood away because of Hoya neglecting his kitchen. “Was that important?” Sungyeol chose to ask as soon as he arrived at the table. “Dinner, bath, and homework at fast speed, ok? We have a mission today.”

“Well, not for me.” Hoya said as he put the plates at the tables and distributed cutlery. “What mission?” He added in curiosity as he went back to the kitchen to get a bowl of rice for them to share.

“I already did my homework, you took too long to pick me up today.” Sunggyu slightly glared at his brother as he said that but the elder wasn't keen on taking the provocation.

“Good then.” He said and started to serve Sunggyu, that quickly forgot about his brother and paid attention to the food being put on his plate.

“What mission?” Hoya asked as he arrived and put some rice in Sunggyu's plate for him to start eating then sat and started serving himself as Sungyeol did the same, aside Sunggyu very hungry today, the elders were served first and Sungyeol had manners. “You seem kinda happy today.” Hoya pointed as he made a hand motion for Sungyeol to stop putting food in his plate.

Sungyeol sat down in his place and started to put some food in his plate. “Well... a few things happened today and if our mission works tonight, Sunggyu will be able to play with Woohyun at least.”

“Yeaaaaah.” Sunggyu raised his fork in the air to agree and show he was paying attention to the conversation, which made Sungyeol smile at him as he found the action cute.

“I should have predicted that, for you to be this happy today, something changed in your interactions with Myungsoo.” Hoya said as Sungyeol nodded his head and put some food in his mouth. “Has he accepted to have a personal talk?”

Sungyeol sighed briefly and gulped everything half chewed. “Not to that extent.”

“A pity.” Hoya concluded as he put a bit of food in his mouth and chewed a bit... “I was kinda hoping he had accepted because my good news is related to him and...” He talked with his mouth full then gulped everything. “I was hoping you could be the messenger, you know? To gain some points with him.”

“Manners, we have to set an example.” Sungyeol complained about his cousin table manners then added got interested. “What are you talking about?”

“Remember you said if Myungsoo didn't get a job that paid him more he would probably have to move back to Incheon with Woohyun?”

“Oh, no, please!” Sunggyu threw a pleading look for his brother to do something but was partially ignored for his brother that noticed his desperation but turned to keep talking with his cousin.

“I do recall that.”

“Remember you asked me to find some scouts and Dongwoo hyung said he would ask his brother in law about it?”

“Do we finally have good news on that?” Sungyeol asked hopefully and Sunggyu eyes became big as he paid close attention in that conversation.

“Yes and no. The good news is that we found someone that might be interested in his skills.” Sungyeol and Sunggyu looked at each other and cheered but the little party was over when Hoya spoke next. “The bad news is that the video was not enough to convince, they said they need to observe him a little.”

“I thought it would be a sure thing.” Sungyeol pursed his lips in displeasure.

“Does that means they will move back to Incheon? I'm confused.” Sunggyu blinked.

“No, it doesn't mean anything yet.” Hoya assured Sunggyu then looked at the taller. “We need to pass on the dates of Myungsoo's matches so they can go watch him.”

“Ok, that won't be hard to discover, I can say I'll change our goals and schedules because I forgot to take that into consideration. We can get this information today, we just need to include it in Sunggyu mission.” Sungyeol said happily and winked at the maknae.

“I still don't want to talk to him.” Sunggyu complained. “Myungsoo hyung is being mean.”

“You will, you little, that will help us both.” Sungyeol scolded.

“Guys, ok, we can get that information, but we need to let him know so he gives his best. Today I asked him how his past match was and he said he played just because he had to. He can't keep this kind of mentality if he wants a job as a professional player.” Hoya said.

“He doesn't want it?” Sunggyu asked in surprise.

Sungyeol shrugged. “I didn't ask your help to force him on this kind of job.” Hoya lifted his eyebrow on that. “He is not like me that has a goal set and has scarce opportunities to get the dream job. The last time we talked about this he didn't say he wanted to be professional for certain, he seemed like 'whatever, as long as I can raise Woohyun'.”

“Then why are we searching for some scouts?”

“Because it would have been advantageous me as his boyfriend back then. But now that we are not dating, we're doing that so Sunggyu can keep his best friend.” Sungyeol said and he was not lying. “Woohyun wants to stay here too and, as I recall, he had a friend that moved outside the country and that left him sad, and Sunggyu only opened up because of him, so it would be better for everyone to keep them together.” Sungyeol concluded with a definitive tone.

“Yes, Woohyunnie needs to stay here.” Sunggyu said raising his fork on the air again then looked at Hoya. “I just want to see him and play with him every day.” The boy added and that made Hoya's heart ache a bit, he knew everyone was hurting for their own reasons but the kids were being caught in the crossfire and there wasn't much they could do to solve this situation.

“If nothing works with Myungsoo, I will suffer like I haven't suffered in a long time, but I don't want these to affect the boys more than it is affecting. Sunggyu is mad and giving Myungsoo the could shoulders because he knows what is happening but Woohyun... he is all confused because he can't understand, and he even cried Sunday and.. it was hard to see.” Sungyeol continued.

“OK, ok.” Hoya decided as shoved food on his mouth again. “But we still need to give him some heads up somehow.”

“I'll think of something. But your mother said I have to take it slow, so one thing at the time because if I keep fainting I won't be able to help anyone.” Sungyeol said, ending their conversation then returned to his food.

Sunggyu soon followed his brother lead but Hoya kept examining his cousin for a bit. “You changed.” Hoya concluded after a few seconds.

Although that was a compliment for him, Sungyeol stretched his lips in a sad smile because he knew that, but it was something Myungsoo was forgetting. “Despite everything I'm glad I did.” He then eyed Sunggyu. “Eat to have strength, if our mission works Woohyun might play with you today.”

__________________________________________________

After a good bath and changing clothes, Sungyeol gave Sunggyu a bunch of papers and explained the mission to him. All he had to do was: 1- apologize for not talking to Myungsoo/treating him badly, 2- saying that Sungyeol sent a few papers through him and 3-act cute and ask to play with Woohyun. But Sunggyu didn't know, he wasn't sure that would really have any effect, besides he held a grudge because Myungsoo didn't let him play with Woohyun for more than a week now and he also felt betrayed that the elder said he would take care of his brother for him and instead make him cry a bunch of times.

“I said I didn't want you to meddle but do hyung this favor please.” Sungyeol had begged and after his hyung changed so much and treated him so well, even spending more time with him, Sunggyu decided he would break his silence vow, talk to Woohyun dad and complete the mission, but if Myungsoo said no, he would probably kick his shins.

He gulped hard and shifted his body weight from one side to the other before he tested the door. He pouted when he found out it was locked so he rang the doorbell and soon enough Myungsoo opened the door.

“Gyu hyung!” Woohyun exclaimed from inside the apartment before Myungsoo had even the chance to greet him.

“Woohyunnie!” Sunggyu replied in a mix of happiness and worry because it felt like the younger was being somehow captive.

“Hi, Sunggyu.” Myungsoo said as he got in front of Sunggyu to break the boys' eye contact and get attention on himself. “What do you want?” He asked softly.

Sunggyu gulped hard from nervousness and ended up hiding the papers behind himself before speaking as cutely as he could. “I came to apologize for my behavior, hyung.”

“It's ok Sunggyu, you don't need to apologize.” Is your brother that should, Myungsoo thought. “I know that you and Woohyun don't like being apart but sometimes it is necessary.”

What was Woohyun dad even saying? They had nothing to do with his and his brother break up, he was still a bit angry about that even though Sungyeol said not to be. At least Sungyeol said that if he was angry about that, he tried not to show so the mission was accomplished.

He took the pages from behind his back and showed to Myungsoo. “Hyung told me to bring these for you.”

Myungsoo eagerly took the pages from the younger little hands. “Thank you.” He said and when Sunggyu was about to ask if Woohyun could play, he interrupted him. “Wait here a little.”

Sunggyu blinked in surprise as Myungsoo walked inside his apartment and approached his son. “Woohyun, have you finished your homework?”

“Huh? Yes.” The boy said confused.

“Would you like to play with Sunggyu?” He said and while Sunggyu gasped in surprise, Woohyun eyes lighted up.

“Can I? Please! Please! I will behave, please!” Woohyun quickly started begging and Myungsoo smiled softly and ruffled his son's hair.

“We made a promise right? You can go.”

“Yeaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!” Woohyun jumped in place then promptly started running to the door before he was stopped by his father.

“Wait a minute.” He ordered and Woohyun turned around carefully, did he do something wrong? He watched as his father grabbed some books and stopped to take something from the shelve beside the door. “Take this to Sunggyu brother, tell him I finished reading.” He passed the books to his son but the boy had some difficulties, they were kinda heavy. “Sunggyu, can you help Woohyunnie?” He asked and the next second Sunggyu was already taking 80% of the books in his hands.

Myungsoo looked at his son again. “We agreed on new rules right?” Woohyun wanted to pout at that but at this point, he was ready to agree with anything so he nodded and waited to be instructed. “As long as you behave here and over there you're allowed to go visit Sunggyu and you're allowed to have Sunggyu over. If you don't behave you won't play together and you have to ask permission for me and for Sunggyu brother to play, ok?.” Woohyun wanted to stomp his feet on the ground but instead just nodded so his father could finish his instruction quickly. “No more sleepovers in the middle of the week; no more rides, I will keep dropping you in school and picking you up; you'll not eat at their place anymore, if you want to eat over there or go out with them you need to ask permission; you'll do homework at home and you'll be back before bedtime.”

“Fine, can I go now?” The boy asked impatiently.

“Not yet.” Myungsoo said and showed a key to Woohyun. “This is the key of our apartment, I want you to have it because from now on I will leave the door closed. I don't want our neighbors entering our apartment without permission anymore because I have to concentrate on my project, you'll only be able to enter if you have the key, ok?”

Woohyun grabbed the key that already had a Telemonster key chain for him there. “Ok.”

Myungsoo nodded and smiled. “Go have fun, you need to go back by 8:30 so I can read you a story and put you properly into bed.”

Before Myungsoo was able to finish his sentence Woohyun grabbed Sunggyu shirt and pulled him out of his apartment, only for Sunggyu pass some books back to him and open the door before they both disappeared behind it. Once they entered, they ended up interrupting Sungyeol and Hoya that had been whispering to each other.

“Hyung! The mission was a success! Woohyunnie is here.” Sunggyu announced happily and Woohyun smiled widely.

“Hyuuuuung~.”

“Oh my god, he really said yes.” Sungyeol mumbled to himself in a mix of surprise and disbelief before he got up and opened his arms. “Oh, come here you two.” The boys promptly run to him but had a bit of difficulty to hug him because they had books in their hands. “What is this?” He asked.

“Daddy asked me to give you these books, he said he read everything.” Woohyun dutifully informed.

Sungyeol was kinda surprised because Myungsoo was returning more books than they talked about and that means the young dad was way ahead than what he thought. That was good, very good when it came to his project. Even so, Sungyeol didn't want to think about his role as Myungsoo adviser right now, Woohyun was finally visiting and he missed the boy a lot so he took all the books from the kids' hands and threw beside Hoya before hugging the two at once.

“Hyungs, I missed you .” The younger boy said. “I missed coming over.”

“Me too, Woohyunnie.” Sunggyu said as he awkwardly tried to pat Woohyun face by trying to pass his arm behind Sungyeol head and Hoya signaled he was going to leave the three alone.

Woohyun turned his head and asked lowly in Sungyeol year. “Did you really missed me, hyung?”

“Of course I missed you, you're Sunggyu best friend and partner in crime, and my friend too.” Sungyeol felt Woohyun hold him a little tighter and he did the same. “We love you, we really missed you.” He hugged the two too tightly for too long and only let go because Sunggyu started to become unquiet.

“Hyung~~~, let go, we need to enjoy ourselves and play already.”

Sungyeol let go and smiled sheepishly at them. “Aren't you too eager to catch up?” He teased but it was surprised by the boys' replies.

“Woohyunnie has to come back before 9 PM.” Sungyeol found that strange because before his fight with Myungsoo the young dad let Woohyun stay a bit over that whenever he was there or he let Woohyun sleep there.

Woohyun pouted before speaking. “I have to obey new rules or else I won't get permission to come, I can't even eat here anymore.” Sungyeol frowned at that but decided not to be pessimistic and bring the mood down.

“Then we should hurry and play together!” He said with some excitement and that made the kids smile. “I discovered a game during the weekend and I was dying to teach you two.”

“What kind of game?” Both boys asked at the same time interested.

“A shooting game.” Sungyeol properly offered. “Playing alone is kinda boring but if we compete then it is really fun.” He admitted though kept his tone excited.

“Teach uuuuuus~” Sunggyu begged and Sungyeol took a deep breath to use his lungs force.

“HOYA HYUNG, COME HERE, WE NEED YOU TO FORM TEAMS!” Sungyeol yelled and a second later Hoya appeared with many rubber bands and lots of used paper.

“I knew we would have a rematch, prepare yourself to lose again Sungyeol.” The elder said and they both start to bicker which made the kids giggle at their exchange.

___________________________________________________________

Once the door was closed, Myungsoo sighed and his heartache in conflict, he didn't want to let Woohyun spend time in the other apartment because of Sungyeol but he knew that keeping the boys apart was doing more bad than good at this point, and he didn't want Woohyun to be more disappointed at him than the boy already was.

He closed the door and decided to take a look at the papers Sunggyu brought him - he was anxious to see what Sungyeol would say about his new chapter - so he sat down on his couch to analyze them but he found a handwritten note attached to it.

“Myungsoo,

I'm really happy that you made an effort and adjusted some things and rewrote others in such a short time, this tells me how much compromised and focused you are determined to be despite your situation, what you handed me today exceeded my expectations.”

Well, this was good to know, unknowingly Myungsoo smiled to himself proudly that he managed to impress Sungyeol somehow. He then sighed sadly right after, there was nowhere else he could impress Sungyeol right? They had broken up and he should start accepting in everything else he was boring and that's why Sungyeol let him go easily right? Myungsoo groaned as he continued.

“Unfortunately, there are still some changes to be made. The paragraphs I circled in blue are very good but they probably will fit better in your intro, so save it together with what you had written before so we can work on that later.” He breathed in relief.

“I pulled some arrows in blue and made a few suggestions on where you should add our friend Twyman, but you'll probably have to write a little more to connect with the rest of your text.

The paragraphs I circled in red should be rewritten or deleted, they are disconnected or don't have much content but don't sweat on it, this won't give you trouble. I also put some red asterisks over a few words, substitute them, you have some written vices. Be aware of the spelling as you write, but if you don't want to pay attention to that now I can sit down with you and we can go correcting together other time. I hope you know that advisers don't usually do this but I can fix them really quick for you since I'm used to working with that.”

Myungsoo stopped reading the notes to check the pages he handed Sungyeol in the morning and to his surprise, there wasn't that much he had to change once he took some paragraphs away to put it the intro. He read briefly the others Sungyeol said it was disconnected or without content and he had to agree with him, they were strange, to say the least. The suggestions where to add the author appeared in interesting places, but one of his suggestions was to include it in places where he asked to take some paragraphs out and that pleased Myungsoo somehow.

Aside for the many asterisks in his text - boy, only now that they were marked Myungsoo realized how many vices he had – the changes he would have to make weren't that big and he was happy for it. And once aware of that he returned his eyes to Sungyeol note and continued reading.

“I forgot to take your basketball matches and practices into consideration for our schedule so please send me an email with the dates they are going to happen so I won't ask too much of you for those specific days or set other deadlines.”

First, he wondered why the last paragraph was written in black and not blue like the rest of the note, but then shrugged, Sungyeol maybe remembered to add that after some time. He then felt somehow pleased that now his matches and training sessions would be taken into consideration. He also couldn't help but think this time Sungyeol advise seemed more detailed and attentive to his personal needs, his past adviser - and he guessed because she was having a hard time being sick, working and supervising a lot of other kids - didn't pay attention to certain things that Sungyeol pointed like the amount of time he repeated a few words and how to make the text more fluid and easy to read.

He had a bit of surprise when he saw a PS written in small letters, and in blue color again, that addressed a completely different matter.

“PS: Please let's keep our meetings like today. I'm not trying to constantly attack you through my corrections/suggestions/decisions, I never meant to hurt you in any way, I just want to help you to the best of my abilities.”

Yeah, he could do that. The first time he said he would play nice it was so Sungyeol shut up and got down to business, and then, after he fainted and before they met, he decided to really try a cordial behavior (though he was still a bit cold) to avoid less stress on himself and regardless if he had anything to do with Sungyeol emotional stress he didn't want to be the drop of water that spilled everything. There was too much on his plate already and he thought that finishing his graduation would be the first step for things to fall in place and he needed Sungyeol for that so he just needed to put his head into place and hang a bit more. That's it.

One thing he had to concede though, he didn't think Sungyeol kept attacking him, no, he didn't think Sungyeol was doing that, he didn't feel the elder was trying to provoke him. He was the one thinking Sungyeol had been making him lose time. But now that he finally progressed a little bit he was ok. Sort of. For him Sungyeol just gave one fatal blow, he got pissed just to look at his ex-lover, he hated that he was dumped like this.... without even seeing it coming and so... so... the way it was.

He sighed and got up if he kept thinking about Sungyeol this way he would probably spend the night rummaging through his anger and nothing would be done. He knew it was hard to do but he had to dissociate Sungyeol, the ex-boyfriend, from Sungyeol, the adviser, he had to think it was two different people or else he wouldn't be able to go through this.

He sat on his bed and pulled the laptop on his lap to at least exchange some words he repeated too much in the text, but, while he was waiting for everything turn on, he sent an email to Sungyeol through his phone with the dates of his practices and matches and was surprised when the phone rang the moment he sent with a call from Moonsoo.

“Hyung, can you talk?” The younger asked with a rushed tone as soon Myungsoo touched his phone on his ear.

“Yeah.” He replied as he opened the file of his project.

“Is Woohyun around?” The younger kept the rushed tone and now Myungsoo became apprehensive.

“No, you can talk, what happened?”

“I just came out of Sungjong room, we had a bit of fight but, hyung, they found letters that mom sent to their mom.” The younger informed with desperation.

“So?” Myungsoo asked indifferently as he relaxed a bit. “They were pen pals despite the improvement of technology, did you fight because of this?”

Moonsoo groaned on the other side. “Don't you get it? If their mom wrote what was happening to them, our mom obviously wrote about what was happening to us.” Myungsoo eyes became big with what. “At least I know Sungjong didn't read that many letters yet and Sungyeol hyung currently has them all with himself, but they have pictures, hyung, because our mom often sent pictures, do you get what I mean?” The younger nervously asked then started to rant about how Sungjong had some pretty weird pictures of him and that he was hurt the middle Sung brother was making fun of him, but Myungsoo couldn't even pay attention anymore.

He could only think about everything he went through, what if his mother had told Sungyeol mother about everything? What if she talked about all her suspicions? At this point he couldn't even care if she wrote about suspicions about his uality but what if she wrote about suspicions about his secret and the things that happened with Jihyun? What if his secret of seven years leaked to more people before he even had the chance to approach the subject with Woohyun? What if he saw his mother pictures?

“!” Woohyun was in Sungyeol apartment, what if somehow he had access to those letters?