― Jackie Chan, Spy Next Door

***

The weeks after Ryeowook reunited with  Kyuhyun went faster than Ryeowook expected. It was Thursday night and he was leaving the Park’s restaurant. He never thought he would feel as loved and happy in the work place, similar to how he was treated at Sungmin’s place. Leeteuk taught him a lot of things. Sora and Nana brought back his inner happy side that he never thought he had. Customers were nice to him, but just like in every job, some would be mean. Yet Ryeowook wasn’t sad about it. It was better, much, much more better that his work on the streets. He didn’t want to come back there.

Kyuhyun couldn’t pick him up today. Every day the angel would come to the Park’s restaurant to pick him up, but not today due to work. Kyuhyun was actually worried to leave Ryeowook alone, he even wanted to ask Leeteuk to accompany the other home, but Ryeowook refused. He needed to be independent, he needed to learn how to protect himself if something happened. Ryeowook insisted on living a normal life, even if someone was after him.

He was walking out from the dark alley and wanted to head left, but his eyes landed on people he never thought he would meet again. Shocked and taken aback by the unexpected sight, his heart made an uncomfortable churned before stopping. Palms clammy and breathing heavily, Ryeowook struggled to the regain the strength from his jelly-like legs. Grasping for the nearest wall, he sagged heavily against the sturdy support and watched keenly, palms forming a visible imprint of sweat during the cold night. He was unable to tear his gaze away from the unexpected sight..

 Just a street away, next to a neighborhood mall, stood a woman, her husband and a teenager – a picture-perfect family. Realizing who they were, Ryeowook’s heart made a painful throb and he slid limply to the floor, strengthless. He was looking at his parents and a stranger who seemed to be his replacement as a son. Startled by the commotion, the adults turned away from their blissful conversation and looked towards the fallen figure.

A fateful turn of heads and a coincidental meeting of eyes – that was all that was needed to break Ryeowook completely. It was as if time had slowed, and Ryeowook could sense a second of recognition, before the two adults smoothly masked it up and turned away, feigning ignorance.

„Father, Mother!” Ryeowook wanted to scream, so badly. The inner love-deprived child within Ryeowook wanted to grovel at his parents and plead with them, until his knees crippled from kneeling and his voice turned hoarse from crying. Alas, the cold demeanour frightened the bravery out of that inner child and Ryeowook resisted, mistakeningly letting a small wail escape.

Startled by the noise, the curious teenager swivelled rapidly upon his feet and began making his way over to Ryeowook. „Stop! Go away!” Ryeowook wanted to vent his hatred upon that teenager, the one that had stolen his rightful spot next to his parents, but it was hard to hate an innocent bystander like him, especially not when he had tried to help Ryeowook. What was so different about them, that Ryeowook deserved all the curses and all the abuse, while that kid – no, his brother – received all the praises, hugs and love?

How many points was he away from the perfection that his parents had sought and found in his brother? Was it the marginal lack of compassion, the one that spurred his brother to reach out and help any stranger that had fallen on the streets? Why wasn’t it him?

These questions sent Ryeowook’s mind reeling and he slumped closer to the dirty floor of the alley.

„Excuse me, are you all right?”

Mind whirling with thoughts, Ryeowook had not realized that his brother was now right in front of him. Looking up, he could see the resemblance between the two of them. They had the same cheekbones and a similar lilting voice. Really, why wasn’t he good enough when they were so similar?

„Son, get away from him. He’s dirty.”

„ But-„

„ No, get away. Now.”

Shrugging off the comforting hand upon his shoulder, Ryeowook gathered his strength and ran, maneuvering through the meandering alleyways swiftly. He had to get away, from all this