11:58

Jongin and Sehun walked silently through the streets, shoulders bumping and hands brushing. 

Both too lost in their own thoughts to remember where they were.

An anniversary of sorts.

Of brothers.

Of family.

Of memories.

Sehun never talked a lot, preferring to stay quiet and observe the scene, while Jongin liked the spotlight, eager to stand out.

When everything had happened, when family had left, they found convenience in each other.

There was always a shoulder to lean on, an arm to steady. 

An ear to listen to the wretched sobs that bled from the other's mouth and broken dreams of standing together.

When everyone left them, when Sehun was already half-way gone, he remembered why Jongin would stay.

He stayed for Jongin.

Because that's what families do.

Jongin couldn't leave, this was his dream. His midnight thoughts. His blood-deemed destiny.

There wasn't one other person Sehun had gotten close to that was born to be on stage like Jongin was. 

[Except maybe Lee Taemin. But they were sometimes the same person by Sehun's standards.]

And Jongin knew this. 

He had never loved anyone more than he had loved the boy who turned around for him.

Who hadn't left him broken on ankles that could no longer walk and knees that gave out too often.

Who had just as many scars and just as much pain.

Who should have left him there.

By himself.

For Sehun's own good.

Instead, he stayed.

He marked the spot next to Jongin as his own and stuck himself there.

Permanently.

He promised that he wouldn't leave.

He had made good on that promise.

And Jongin owed Sehun his life.

Which was why they walked with each other, toward a place they would both need to shoulder to cry on.

When they entered the small cafe, they realized that their shoulders would not be the only resting places tonight.