A Wind Of Change [1] || EXO ✓

050: Secret Santa

***

It was not a usual evening.

For Sehun, it wasn't a usual evening that day. It wasn't the usual evening where he'd sit by his study, gripping his red pen and correcting assignments. It wasn't the usual evening when he'd glimpse at the phone every now and then, waiting for a call. It wasn't the usual evening when he'd sit alone in his balcony with Vivi on his lap, watching the sunset. It wasn't the usual evening when he'd find himself curled up in his bed, feeling his chest hurt and mind blanked. With unusual guests at home that evening, he wasn't sure if his numb heart was happy or sad.

"How have you been?"

Sehun shrugged. "Barely surviving," he answered through a stuffy nose. "You?"

"Fine, I guess?"

A rueful smile broke into Sehun's lips.

The man kept his gaze fixed on the box-patterned houses before them as they stood in Sehun's apartment balcony. Memories played in his mind as the evening sun sank behind the cottony clouds and flock of birds flew above in the sky. "I'm sorry."

Pain crossed Sehun's expression. "Wha- What are you sorry for? I am sorry. I'm sorry, hyung. All these years I couldn't face you and you..." A sob erupted from his lips, "Don't ever say sorry."

"Despite knowing that I'm your only family...I-," the man's eyes pooled with tears, "I left you all alone," his grip on the barricade tightening.

He took a deep breath and faced Sehun with open arms, a warm smile spread across his face.

"Please, not now." Sehun broke down and profoundly locked himself in his brother's embrace, fresh hot tears rolling down his cheeks in a long while. His brother held him in a secure hug, eyes squeezing shut and letting the tears slip down.

"Do you still hate me?" Sehun's voice croaked.

"What happened?" A small voice from behind.

Sehun freed himself from the hug and turned back to see a pair of doe eyes staring at the brothers in curiosity. The young boy was peeking from behind the wall at the similar looking people in front of him. His tiny index finger unconsciously finding refuge in his mouth; his mouth barely having any teeth, save for the two in front.

Sehun saw him with a soft smile, his heart doing a couple of jumps as he watched the bundle of happiness look up at them from his position in the ground at the two towering people. His brother wiped off his tears and chuckled, "Nothing, baby." He said as he lifted the kid and tucked him into his arms.

Sehun's heart melted in joy as he watched the kid crease his brows - the skin between brows becoming thick in the process - and blink at his dad clad in formals and back at himself who was wearing casuals in utter confusion and suspicion. He raised his hand to slightly pinch the kid's apple cheeks and felt his heart bubble with happiness.