It was Woohyun’s eighteenth birthday, and Boohyun had decided to throw his precious brother a party. But not just any party. The biggest and best party ever.

Sunggyu had to convince him to not invite the entire university. There was no way over a hundred people could fit in their tiny house, let alone, over a thousand.

“I can’t believe my baby bro’s already eighteen.” Boohyun sighed as he hung up some streamers above the entrance way. Sunggyu stood behind him, steadying the ladder.

“Yeah, but he’s still just a kid.” Sunggyu grinned.

“Not really.” Boohyun pouted. “The other night, I brought these girls over, and one of them asked what year Woohyun was in. They thought he was a sophomore. I guess people are already starting to look at him like an adult. I mean he did lose his baby fat, and he’s been working out more lately…But to me he’s still…”

Sunggyu kind of stopped paying attention to Boohyun, when Woohyun waltzed into the living room, fresh out of the shower. He had nothing on, but a towel around his waist, and his hair was dripping wet. Boohyun wasn’t lying about Woohyun working out. And Sunggyu could see that now, with Woohyun practically parading himself around, in a half state.

“When did he start looking like that?” Sunggyu wondered, trying his hardest not to stare, but failing miserably. “Did he always look so…so—.”

“Hyung!” Woohyun was sauntering over to them.

“Did he always walk like that?” Sunggyu bit his lip, when he noticed the white towel slipping dangerously lower on Woohyun’s hips.

“Which one should I wear?” Woohyun held up two shirts—a black v-neck, and a red polo.

“Uh…” Sunggyu tore his eyes away from Woohyun’s biceps to actually look at the shirts he was holding. “The black one.”

“Ok, I’ll wear the red one then.” Woohyun smirked, cheekily.

“Yah, why’d you ask me then?” Sunggyu growled, running a hand through his hair as he looked away. He realized they were alone. He didn’t even notice Boohyun leave. That made him even more concerned. He didn’t understand why he couldn’t take his eyes off Woohyun. “Since when did he look so…?” Sunggyu quickly shook away the thought. He didn’t even know what he was thinking. He wasn’t attracted to men. And Woohyun wasn’t even a man. He was still just a kid. Well at least that's what he kept telling himself.

“Hyung, what’d you get me?” Woohyun grinned. “What’s my present?”

“I didn’t get you one.” Sunggyu retorted, jokingly.

“Well that’s ok.” Woohyun inched closer, so his face was mere inches from touching Sunggyu’s skin. Sunggyu could feel the other’s body heat radiating off him and it did dangerous things to his lower region. “Because there’s only one thing I want from hyung this year~”

“Oh?” Sunggyu turned to him, raising an eyebrow. “And what’s that?”

Woohyun bit his lip, before hesitantly leaner closer to whisper in Sunggyu’s ear.

Sunggyu fought the urge to want to taste Woohyun’s lips at that moment.

“A kiss.”

Before Sunggyu could even respond, Woohyun was already running out of the room, barely avoiding tripping as he escaped.

*

It wouldn’t leave Sunggyu’s mind. What Woohyun had said before. He kept trying to understand why Woohyun would ask for such a thing. They were both guys after all.

“He’s just a kid…” Sunggyu told himself. “He was just joking around with me…”

He kept trying to convince himself of such a thing, as he joined the crowded living room. There was music blasting and co-eds partying like there was no tomorrow, in the dim room. The strobe lights were giving Sunggyu a headache, so he grabbed a can of cold beer and downed the whole thing in one go. He wandered around for a while, before deciding he needed a break from all the noise and headed down the hall to his bedroom. He stopped when he noticed Woohyun’s bedroom door open just a crack, and a stream of light pouring through. He hesitantly pushed the door open, to see Woohyun sitting on the edge of his bed, playing a game on his phone. He was wearing the black v-neck, which made Sunggyu smile.

“Yah, what’re you doing?” Woohyun looked up, as Sunggyu closed the door behind him. “Shouldn’t you be enjoying your party?” Sunggyu asked, as he sat down beside Woohyun.

“I can’t…” Woohyun mumbled. “It’s too crowded.”

“Ah…” Sunggyu nodded, feeling really stupid for not thinking of it sooner. Of course a crowded dark room, packed with people would be difficult for someone with claustrophobia. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about—.”

“It’s ok.” Woohyun looked up, smiling slightly. “Honestly…I thought I could do it. But I really can’t.”

Sunggyu placed a hand on Woohyun’s thigh. “Do you want to leave? We could go get ice cream or something.”

“No, it’s ok. You go have fun, hyung.”

“Ok, great. Bye.” Sunggyu started to get up, when Woohyun grabbed his arm.

“Yah, where do you think you’re going?” Woohyun pouted.

“Yah?” Sunggyu smirked. “Is that how you talk to your hyung?”

Woohyun chuckled. “What hyung? You’re just Kim Sunggyu~”

“Say that again. I dare you.” Sunggyu narrowed his eyes, though his voice had a light tone.

“Gyu-yah!” Woohyun chuckled. “GyuGyu~”

“That’s it!” Sunggyu grabbed onto Woohyun’s wrists. They play-wrestled for a bit, eventually collapsing onto Woohyun’s bed, laughing. Woohyun was on his back, while Sunggyu lay on his stomach beside him, attempting to catch his breath. He spotted that stuffed bear Woohyun had won that time they went to the amusement park two years ago.

“You still kept that bear?”

“Of course.” Woohyun grinned. “I named it Gyu bear, and every night I kiss it good night~” He chuckled.

Sunggyu rolled his eyes. “You’re so dumb.”

“Well what do you want from me?” Woohyun pretended to be hurt. “Hyung won’t kiss me, so that’s the next best thing.”

Sunggyu merely snorted, closing his eyes for a moment as he buried his nose in Woohyun’s pillow. It smelled good. It smelled like Woohyun.

“…Why do you keep making weird jokes like that?”

They sat in silence for a moment, the stereo blasting from the other room sounded muffled and felt so far away. Sunggyu allowed his eyes to absently trace the sharpness of Woohyun’s jaw line.

Woohyun was looking up at the ceiling, biting his lips again. Sunggyu unconsciously reached out his hand, and brushed Woohyun’s lower lip with his thumb. That caused Woohyun to stop biting, and his lips parted slightly, as his eyes turned to the side.

“Hyung…” Sunggyu found himself inching closer until he was hovering over Woohyun, their faces mere inches apart.

“Yeah?”

“…I wasn’t joking.” Woohyun breathed, his eyes shifting from Sunggyu’s eyes to his mouth.

“Do you…” Sunggyu whispered against Woohyun’s cheek. “Do you still want your birthday present?” Woohyun closed his eyes in expectation, and opened them back up again, when all he felt was a quick peck on the cheek.

“W-What was that?” Woohyun frowned.

“That’s what you asked for wasn’t it?” Sunggyu smiled slightly, finding Woohyun’s frustration to be entertaining.

“I-I didn’t mean on the cheek—!” Woohyun froze when Sunggyu cupped his chin, and placed a chaste kiss there too. “I-I didn’t mean there either.” Woohyun was about to make a grab for Sunggyu’s face, when Sunggyu pinned his wrists down on the mattress.

Sunggyu matched his gaze with Woohyun’s for a moment, before leaning in and softly pressing his lips to Woohyun’s. It was light, but Sunggyu still felt a spark. No scratch that. It was more than a spark, it was magic. Sunggyu refused to acknowledge that rather cheesy fact, however.

“There, happy?” Sunggyu murmured. Woohyun was staring up at him, absolutely enchanted.

“Y-Yes.” His lips were parted in an ‘O’ shape, as he stared up at the older man.

“Good.” Sunggyu tried so hard to ignore the heat coloring his cheeks, but it was there. And he felt his lips burning too. Burning for more. For more of Woohyun’s lips. For more of his taste.

So that’s what he did. He moved his mouth against Woohyun’s slightly open one, before pushing his tongue in. Woohyun released a soft moan that practically urged Sunggyu for more. But Sunggyu forced himself to pull away.

“Hyung—.”

“T-That’s enough.” Sunggyu suddenly sat up.

“No it isn’t.” Woohyun leaned forward, and cupped Sunggyu’s cheeks.

“Woohyun…” Sunggyu shot him a warning look. “This isn’t—.”

“I’m the birthday boy, remember? I get whatever I want~” Woohyun hummed before kissing Sunggyu again. Except this time, it was more aggressively for both sides. Sunggyu quickly gave in, nibbling on Woohyun’s lower lip, as he fingers teased the folds of that black v-neck. He slipped his hand underneath, caressing Woohyun’s firm abdomen. Woohyun wrapped his arms around Sunggyu’s neck, as he pulled their bodies closer together.

“S-Stop.” Sunggyu suddenly pulled away. He looked positively alarmed by what he had just done. “This…” He shook his head. “This is so wrong.”

“Hyung—.” Woohyun watched Sunggyu get up and make his way to the door. He stopped for a minute, his back still facing Woohyun.

 “I…I can’t believe I did that.” He murmured. “I’m sorry.” He quickly escaped the room after that. He didn’t wait to hear Woohyun tell him that he had nothing to be sorry for.

*

The next morning, while Boohyun was busy throwing up in the bathroom, suffering from a severe hangover, Sunggyu was in the kitchen. He had just poured himself a cup of hot coffee, when he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist, startling him slightly.

“Morning hyung.” Woohyun hummed softly in his ear. Sunggyu immediately shoved him away.

“W-What do you think you’re doing?” He hissed. “A-After last night—.”

“What about last night?” Woohyun blinked, obliviously.

“Don’t play dumb!” Sunggyu warned, earning a chuckle from Woohyun.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about hyung~”

Sunggyu gritted his teeth, and was about to respond, when Boohyun hobbled in. His hair was messy and he was wearing his bunny slippers and a night robe.

“Damn, last night was crazy.” He groaned, as he flipped open the fridge.

Sunggyu was about to make a snide comment on his foolish behavior, when Woohyun suddenly pressed him to counter, and kissed him. Sunggyu instantly shoved him away and checked to see if Boohyun had seen. He hadn’t, and was still having a staring contest with the contents inside the fridge.

“Why the do we have an entire wheel of cheese in here?” Boohyun asked, in a rather whiny tone as he poked the Gouda suspiciously.  

“W-What are you doing?” Sunggyu whispered, shooting Woohyun a horrified look.

“What do you mean?” Woohyun pouted, speaking at a normal volume. “I was—.”

“Don’t.” Sunggyu pointed a threatening finger at him, before turning away to take a sip of his coffee. He was determined to pretend that the events of the night before never happened. And that everything was just like how it always was.

But it wasn’t. And it never would be.

*

This was made pretty clear later that week when Sunggyu came home one evening while Woohyun had friends over.

He walked into the living room, into the sounds of laughter.

“Ah hyung, you’re home.” Woohyun waved casually from his spot on the couch. He was sandwiched between two girls, and there were some guys sitting on the floor around the coffee table as well.

“I...I didn’t know you were having people over.” Sunggyu mumbled, already attempting to make an escape.

“These are my friends from school.” Woohyun stated, stopping Sunggyu from leaving. “You guys this is Gyu hyung.”

“Ah! You’re Boohyun oppa’s friend right?” The girl on Woohyun’s right asked, as she twirled a lock of her long brown hair with her finger.

“He’s not only Boohyun hyung’s!” Woohyun interrupted with a pout. “Hyung belongs to me too!”

“Oh please.” The girl on his left scoffed and nudged Woohyun’s arm playfully. Sunggyu couldn’t help but notice, and twitched slightly in annoyance. “He doesn’t want to hang out with a kid like you. He probably wants to be with people his own age.”

“Yeah and besides,” The brown haired girl giggled and leaned closer to Woohyun. “You have us, right~?”

“Aigoo, and I thought Woohyun was the greasy one.” One of the guys, who was sitting cross-legged on the floor shook his head.

“Yeah.” A guy sitting next to him chuckled. “Looks like he’s rubbing off on you guys.”

Then they all laughed, as the two girls latched onto Woohyun’s arms.

Sunggyu however wasn’t finding the whole situation to be funny. He didn’t think it was funny, how those girls were so shamelessly flirting with Woohyun. He didn’t think it was funny how he was just letting them. But most of all, he didn’t think it was funny that he was bothered by it all so much.

“But you guys are wrong.” Woohyun grinned. “Hyung isn’t like—.”

“I’m going to bed.” Sunggyu murmured before hastily exiting the living room. He could hear Woohyun calling behind him, but he didn’t stop until he shut the door behind him and locked it. Later that evening, he could hear Woohyun knocking, asking what was wrong. But he just laid on his bed, with his back turned, pillow over his head.

*

It was two weeks since the meeting with Woohyun’s friends, and Sunggyu still had no idea what came over him. Getting jealous was not something Sunggyu usually did, especially over a guy, no a kid. But he was determined to discard of such stupid feelings. And what better way than to join Boohyun on a night adventure to the sleaziest clubs the Rose Kingdom had to offer.

“This is gonna be great.” Boohyun grinned, as he pulled out of the driver’s seat and shrugged on a leather jacket. “The two amigos, charming all the girls. Just like the good old days.”

Sunggyu snorted, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked beside Boohyun.

“You sound like an old man.”

“Says the guy who spends his Saturday nights drinking tea and tutoring high school kids, whilst wearing a cardigan.”

“What’s wrong with cardigans?” Sunggyu frowned.

“Seriously though, when was the last time you got laid?” Boohyun sighed as they joined the queue outside the club.

For a split second, Woohyun’s face flashed through Sunggyu’s mind. He quickly shook his head, and bit his lip. No. He told himself. He was not going to let himself think of Woohyun in such a way. He liked women. Not greasy boys with cute noses and sculpted abs.

He turned to Boohyun with a determined smirk. “Well I guess tonight?”

*

“This is good.” Sunggyu told himself, as he glanced at the girl sitting beside him in the taxi. “This is right.” He nodded to himself, as the girl caressed his thigh in the dark backseat. He turned to her, and she smiled at him with a seductive glint in her eye.

His eyes wandered past her, outside, as the view of the city glided along before his eyes in the moving car. He hoped Woohyun wouldn’t be home.

*

“Make yourself comfortable.” Sunggyu mumbled as he guided the girl into the living room. “I’ll get some drinks…”

“Ok!” She nodded cheerfully, and sat down on the couch.

“He’s not home…” Sunggyu breathed a sigh of relief as he entered the kitchen. He grabbed a bottle of soju, two glasses, and a bag of chips.

Suddenly he heard some laughter. He quickly returned to the living room, to see a very shirtless Woohyun, wearing only a pair of black sweat pants, sitting down on the ottoman beside the sofa. He was grinning, as the girl was giggling flirtatiously and shamelessly feeling up his biceps.

“What…what’re you doing here?” Sunggyu approached them, placing the snacks on the coffee table. His eyes zoomed in on the girl’s manicured fingers grazing Woohyun’s bare skin. “You need to leave.”

“I didn’t know you had such a cute brother.” The girl giggled.

“Well of course you didn’t. You don’t know anything about him.” Woohyun thought, but still kept a calm smile on his face. “We’re not brothers.” He said instead.

“Oh?” The girl tilted her head. “Then what are you—.”

“You need to leave now.” Sunggyu was staring at Woohyun. “Right now.”

“But this is my house.” Woohyun pouted.

“Oh don’t be like that~” The girl grinned. “He can join in on the fun, if you know what I mean?” She winked playfully, and Sunggyu’s jaw dropped.

“Ok forget it. You go home.” He pointed to the girl. “I’ll call you a taxi.”

“Aw, c’mon! You said he wasn’t your brother—.”

“Leave! Right now!”

*

“I can’t believe that girl wanted a .” Woohyun laughed, as he leaned back on the couch, stuffing his mouth with some potato chips.

Sunggyu’s gasped and turned to the younger.

“You…how’d you know that?”

Woohyun frowned. “Hyung, it was so obvious. I’m not a kid.”

Sunggyu sighed, staring at the green glass soju bottle sitting on the table. “I wish you were…”

“What…what’s that supposed to mean?” Woohyun watched Sunggyu grab the bottle and head to the kitchen before following after him. “Hyung, what’re you talking about—?”

“I wish you never grew up!” Sunggyu blurted out, slamming the fridge shut. He turned to Woohyun with an aggravated look. “Why’d you have to change? Why can’t you still be that cute kid with the chubby cheeks? Why’d you have to start working out and your voice, and your arms, a-and…damn it.” Sunggyu grumbled, looking away.

“Why are you getting angry at me?” Woohyun frowned. “You’re the one bringing a girl over—.”

“Well what about you?!” Sunggyu was shouting now, unable to conceal his rage. “That time before, shamelessly flirting with those girls right in front of me and—!”

“You…hyung were you jealous?” Woohyun had that stupid smirk on his face and it irritated Sunggyu to no end.

“N-No! I’m not jealous damn it!” He growled. “What do I have to be jealous about anyways?”

“Because you like me~” Woohyun hummed, holding onto Sunggyu’s hands.

“What?! N-No! That’s not it!”

“Gyu hyung likes Woohyunnie, and Woohyunnie likes Gyu hyung~” Woohyun sang, grinning stupidly while swaying left and right.

Sunggyu couldn’t help but smile. Woohyun always seemed to have that effect on him.

“S-Shut up…”

*

That following week, they spent each of the seven days going on dates, planned out to the tee by Woohyun. On Sunday, it was brunch at a cute little café. Monday was an afternoon ice cream date between classes. Tuesday was a picnic, with Woohyun’s homemade lunch. On Wednesday, Woohyun dragged Sunggyu out of class and to the beach to watch the sunset.

Thursday, they stayed in, and after Boohyun left for tutoring, cooked dinner together. Well…Woohyun did most of the cooking, while Sunggyu struggled to boil the water. Woohyun just laughed, thinking the older was adorable. They sat together on the couch, eating dinner and watching cheesy variety shows.

On Friday, Woohyun took Sunggyu to a romantic restaurant, and afterwards they took a walk in the park, enjoying the warm evening spring air. Sunggyu held Woohyun’s hand for the first time. But then Woohyun smiled up at him, instantly making him embarrassed enough to retract his hand.

On Saturday, they spent the evening in the famous Rose Kingdom flower gardens. Woohyun picked a daisy and stuck it in his hair, then looked to Sunggyu, who was sitting beside him.

“How do I look?” He grinned. “Am I pretty hyung~?”

Sunggyu just laughed and shook his head. Woohyun laughed as well, before collapsing backwards into the flowery field. Sunggyu smiled at him for a moment before looking up at the vast dark blue sky cluttered with glittering stars. He glanced at Woohyun, who sat up, also gazing at the glorious view.

“This is really amazing.” Sunggyu murmured.

“Yeah.” Woohyun smiled softly. “This is the best place to see the stars.”

“I’m not talking about that.” Woohyun turned to realize Sunggyu was looking at him.

Woohyun laughed awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck. He didn’t really know why he suddenly felt embarrassed. He was used to Sunggyu being the one getting flustered and refusing eye contact. But now Sunggyu was the one staring straight at him.

He nervously closed his eyes, when Sunggyu leaned forward. But Sunggyu merely chuckled and pulled the flower out of his hair. Woohyun opened his eyes, pouting.

“Hyung…?”

Sunggyu was studying the white daisy for a moment before closing his eyes and inhaling the pretty flower’s scent. Woohyun could only watch. The way the moonlight illuminated Sunggyu’s flawless skin, making it practically glow, left him breathless.

*

It was a hot Sunday afternoon, and Sunggyu was...frustrated.

Boohyun had forced his little brother to help wash his rusty beat up car. He demanded Sunggyu help too, but Sunggyu blatantly refused. He didn’t even bother to make an excuse, and just sat in the front porch in a patio chair, sipping a glass of fruit punch.

“Hyung!” Woohyun laughed as Boohyun aimed the hose at the shorter boy and sprayed cold water in his direction. The younger laughed as he attempted to escape getting anymore drenched then he already was. He threw the huge soapy sponge he was using to scrub the car at his brother before racing towards the porch.

“Gyu hyung save me!” Woohyun leaned on the wooden support beam, in front of Sunggyu, panting, and laughing.

Sunggyu held his glass in mid air, and just…stared.

Woohyun had on black shorts that hit him at the knee, and a thin white v-neck t-shirt that was soaked through, allowing a rather obvious display of his lean chest, s and honey glazed abs that seemed to have been crafted by the gods. 

Woohyun suddenly felt self conscious under Sunggyu’s steady, unreadable gaze.

“Uh…” He laughed awkwardly, as he glanced down at his legs. He wondered if Sunggyu was off put by how hairy they were. “I-I should have probably worn pants, right?”

“Who the hell does that?” Sunggyu finally blurted out, cheeks flushed.

“Huh?” Woohyun blinked, when Sunggyu shot up from his seat.

“W-Why would you wear a white t-shirt while washing a car?” Sunggyu pressed on, biting his already red fruit punch stained lips.

“W-What?” Woohyun tugged at the folds of his wet t-shirt, before looking up at Sunggyu. He unconsciously focused his gaze on those luscious lips, and wondered if kissing Sunggyu at that moment would taste as good as he imagined it would.

“Are you doing this on purpose?” Sunggyu cornered Woohyun against the wooden post, hesitantly cupping his cheek.

“D-Doing what?” Woohyun breathed. His heart was fluttering in his chest, as droplets of water from his hair, ran down his neck. He stared up at Sunggyu who was leaning closer. He squeezed his eyes closed, when he felt Sunggyu’s breath ghost his lips. Woohyun impatiently tugged on the collar of Sunggyu’s shirt crashing their lips together.

Even though Woohyun had just cooled off from the good spray he had gotten mere moments ago, his skin was now on fire. It didn’t matter that his shirt was soaked, as Sunggyu pressed his warm chest closer, not leaving any distance between them.

During their rather innocent dates, they did nothing more than hold hands, cuddle (Woohyun always initiated it), and sometimes a kiss on the cheek. They really hadn’t kissed. Like really kissed. Not since Woohyun’s birthday.

Not like this…with tongue and teeth, and a desperate need to taste more of each other. And they were outside. Other people could probably see, but that just made the whole thing hotter.

Unfortunately they kind of forgot that a certain someone was still around.

Boohyun called for Woohyun after he had escaped onto the porch, but the younger wasn’t answering. He squinted in the sunlight, straining to see two figures standing on the porch.

“Yah!” He called out, to no answer. He turned off the hose, and walked towards the steps. “Yah, didn’t you guys hear me calling? Why didn’t you answer—?” He froze when he caught sight of exactly the reason as to why the two weren’t answering him.

Sunggyu immediately pulled away of course, face red with embarrassment.

“B-Boohyun, this—.”

“What…is this?” Boohyun’s voice was low and his expression was the darkest Sunggyu had ever seen him.

“Uh,” Sunggyu gulped, turning to Woohyun.

“Hyung,” Woohyun stepped forward. “We—.”

“Get out, right now.” Boohyun turned to Sunggyu.

“W-What?” Sunggyu blinked.

“You heard me, you disgusting e!” Boohyun exploded, grabbing onto the collar of Sunggyu’s shirt. Woohyun immediately shoved Boohyun away.

“Hyung, what the hell?!” Woohyun stood protectively in front of Sunggyu.

“Get away from that sicko Woohyun!” Boohyun grabbed onto his little brother’s arm only to be pushed away.

“Stop calling him those things!” Woohyun yelled back. “What’s wrong with you?!”

“What’s wrong with me?!” Boohyun’s eyes went wide. “Yah, shouldn’t you be asking that to the ert standing behind you!” He glared daggers at Sunggyu. “Since when were you preying on my baby brother huh? Is that the reason you agreed to move in with me in the first place?!”

“Shut up!” Woohyun hissed. “You don’t know anything! Gyu hyung and I are—!”

“Go to your room right now Woohyun!” Boohyun commanded, but Woohyun wouldn’t budge.

“No! I’m not a little kid anymore, so don’t try to tell me what to do!” Suddenly Boohyun grabbed onto Woohyun by his torso and pulled him into the house. “Let go of me!” Woohyun cried out, but Boohyun was bigger and stronger and managed to get him inside the house.

Sunggyu stood there frozen in place, hands shaking, Boohyun’s venomous words ringing in his ear, stinging his heart.

ert…sicko…e…

Boohyun reappeared moments later with a wad of cash.

“Here’s this month’s deposit, now get out.” He shoved the money in Sunggyu’s face. Sunggyu just stared, his eyes watery.

“B-Boohyun…just let me explain—.”

“Explain what?” Boohyun growled. “How you took advantage of my baby brother? I really didn’t think you would be like this Sunggyu.”

“H-How am I e?” Sunggyu asked. “He’s only two years younger…and he’s legally—.”

“Do you really think I want to hear your ty excuses right now?” Boohyun retorted harshly. “Just get out. I’ll get some people to send over your stuff tomorrow.”

Sunggyu would have fought back, but no words would come out of his mouth. Because some where deep inside him, Boohyun’s words…he had been thinking those things about himself all along.

*

Woohyun immediately stood up from the couch when Boohyun came back into the house.

“Where’s Gyu hyung?” He asked, fists clenched as he approached his older brother.

“He’s gone.” Boohyun muttered, coldly.

“What?!” Woohyun’s eyes went wide. “What did you do to him? What did you say to him? What—?”

“I didn’t say anything to him.” Boohyun interrupted. “He’s the one who wanted to leave.”

“W-What? You’re lying! Why would he just leave—?”

“Ok, you’re right…” Boohyun hobbled over to the couch and sat down, sighing deeply. “But I don’t know if I should tell you what really happened.”

“You told him something didn’t you?” Woohyun stared, angry and upset. “You made him leave—.”

“He’s not what you think he is Woohyun-ah.” Boohyun sighed.

“You’re wrong.” Woohyun adamantly shook his head. “You don’t even know him! Gyu hyung is—.”

“He told me everything.” Boohyun explained, his eyes focused on a stain on the rickety coffee table in front of him.

“So then he told you, he likes—.”

“Me.” Boohyun met Woohyun’s gaze, rightfully expecting his little brother to be shocked into silence.

“…What?”

“He told me how he had been pining after me all these years.” Boohyun went on with his lie. “That was the whole reason he tried to get along with you after all. Because he knows how close we are.”

“No.” Woohyun murmured, eyes downcast. “Y-You’re wrong…”

“We do look very similar.”

“So you’re saying…Gyu hyung…he liked you and just used me since I look similar to you…?” Woohyun looked up at his brother, incredulously.

“I’m sorry Woohyun-ah.” Boohyun got up, reaching out a consoling hand, but Woohyun backed away, shaking his head.

“No…I don’t believe you hyung!”

“I’m your brother! You think I would lie to you?” Boohyun frowned.

“He would never do that to me. Gyu hyung would never do that to me.” Woohyun was already making his way out the door, when Boohyun grabbed his arm.

“Yah, you trust that dirt bag more than me?” Boohyun tugged rather roughly on the younger man’s arm.

“Let go of me hyung.” Woohyun pulled away. “I’m going to see him. Where’d he go—?”

“Woohyun! Why are you doing this?” Boohyun put an arm in front of the door to stop him. “Yah, who cares about someone like that? You don’t need him. You already have hyung!”

Woohyun shot the older a steely glare. “Where is he?”

“I don’t know…but when you find him. You’ll see, I was right.” Boohyun called after Woohyun who was already rushing down the street. “He’s not what you think Woohyun!”

*

It was already midnight, and Woohyun couldn’t find Sunggyu anywhere. He had checked several hotels, but to no avail. It was dark and cold, and it didn’t help that Woohyun still had on his wet clothes. He shivered slightly, as he attempted Sunggyu’s number on his cell phone again. But there was nothing. No calls. No replies.

But Woohyun didn’t give up hope. He waited, and kept trying to find him. Everyday after class, he would go on a search of all the hotels and apartments in the area. Everyday he would call and text Sunggyu. He would even drop by Sunggyu’s classes, but never saw him. It was almost like the older man had disappeared off the face of the planet.

But Woohyun wasn’t deterred.

Though after weeks, a fear crept up in the back of his mind. That maybe Boohyun might have been telling the truth. Woohyun didn’t want to believe it. He didn’t want to believe everything he and Sunggyu had was a lie. All the times they shared. It just couldn’t be…but after months, of absolutely no idea of where Sunggyu was, Woohyun was in a state of utter turmoil. On nights, instead of going out with his friends, like he would have before, he spent the majority of his time locked up in his room, haunted by his own imagination.

“He didn’t use me…it can’t be…”

He kept repeating the words in his head. Hoping that by some miracle, that if he thought it enough, if he convinced himself of it, it would become true.

But then finally four months later, completely out of the blue, there was Sunggyu. Just sitting there in the library. Woohyun was depressed that day since his suit had gotten messed up and was already in an emotionally unstable place. Seeing Sunggyu there, made him so happy, he wanted to cry. But the way Sunggyu barely seemed to care, made him feel like a complete idiot. Here he was for months, not being able to eat or sleep properly, desperately searching for the older man. And yet, Sunggyu so casually dismissed him, as if he were a squished bug on the windshield of his life.

It made him think that Boohyun may have been right. Or rather, it solidified, the fear that had been slowly creeping inside of him ever since the day Sunggyu left.

Woohyun felt sick and disgusted with himself more than anyone else. But he couldn’t just let it all go and move on.

He needed to make Sunggyu feel at least one ounce of the pain he suffered.

---

This was supposed to be two chapters, but I just put it all together so the flashback can be over, and we can finally get back to the current time. Next chapter will be the party at Myungsoo’s~