No Limits

Part 5

"Will you stay?" Jongin asks, his eyes wide and unsure.

You look back and forth between the two men before nodding your head. A relieved breath escapes from Minseok, and he lets out a small, breathy laugh once he realizes what he did.

Both of the men were so nervous that it was starting to make you nervous. You didn't know what to do with yourself, so you turn back to the seat you were originally in and slowly sink back down onto the cushion. The men take note of your action and move to do the same.

Once all three of you were seated, you looked between the pair and waited to see who would make the first move. Judging by their actions, you had a feeling you would be here for a while. Minseok was looking off to the side at a gaudy abstract painting that you've tried to get your brother to replace multiple times, while Jongin was looking at his enclosed hands where he was twiddling his thumbs.

You waited a couple minutes, debating if maybe you should say something or just sit here quietly, and thankfully, Jongin makes that decision for you. The younger man takes a breath causing Minseok to slowly look over at him.

"I don't know if I should apologize or not... because I'm not sorry for what I did. We all knew it had to be done... but I am sorry for taking your father from you."

Minseok looks down at his lap and shakes his head. "You don't have to apologize."

"I'm glad that I was the one to do it. I didn't want you to share the same fate as me. I guess, in a way, I was trying to save you from as much pain as I could. I didn't want you to have to live with the demons that come when you take the life of someone close to you because, believe me, even if he was the biggest asshole on Earth, they still come..."

Jongin's words have Minseok's head snapping up to look at him. His mouth slightly parted in shock and pity at what Jongin had been hiding from his brothers.

Sure, they knew he had dealt with some issues after killing his stepfather, anyone would, but you knew Jongin hid the worst of it from them. That's how he was. He didn't want anyone to see his weaknesses or insecurities.

The only reason you knew was because you refused to let things go, especially when it came to the people you cared about. It wasn't all that hard to get Jongin to spill his thoughts to you.

"Thank you... Thank you for doing that for me." Minseok's eyes glisten as he roughly tries to get the words out. He clears his throat in an attempt to regain some composure. "I understand you doing what you did, and that's not the reason I've avoided you. Actually, the reason I've stayed away from you has nothing to do with you at all."

Jongin looks at the older man in confusion, and you were sure you mirrored the look on your face as well.

"I've been avoiding you because of my own insecurities," Minseok admits before looking back up at the ugly painting. "I feel like a coward for not killing my father. I feel like a coward because I couldn't kill my father."

You and Jongin stare at Minseok with wide eyes after hearing his confession. You wanted to speak up, to tell him he shouldn't feel that way, and hell, give the man a hug, but you remained in your seat. A ton of emotions crossed Jongin's face as he tried to process what he was hearing.

"I should've been the one to do it. I should've been able to do it... How come you could do it, but I couldn't?" Minseok's voice cracks on the last word as he looks back at Jongin.

Jongin fiercely shakes his head as he scoots to the end of his seat. "It's a good thing that you couldn't do it. That means that this life hasn't completely destroyed all of your morals. It means that you're a better person than I am."