Stay With Me

Chapter Five

"Can I ask the name of that handsome boy?" Taehyung inquired, a teasing glint in his eyes as he looked at Hwanwoong. Hwanwoong glanced up, a shy smile spreading across his face. 

Taehyung raised an eyebrow, smirking playfully, "I might have to search all of Seoul for him! My little brother is so shy he might not even be able to say his name without turning beet red," he teased.

"Hyung, please stop making fun of me," Hwanwoong pouted, feeling flustered.

"What can I say? I just asked for his name, and you're already blushing like a tomato. I can't imagine what will happen when you finally tell me," Taehyung joked.

Hwanwoong felt a bit hurt by his hyung's teasing. He was trying to express his feelings, but Taehyung just kept poking fun at him. Frustrated, he stood up and headed straight to his bedroom.

Taehyung watched Hwanwoong's retreat and burst into laughter. "Come on, Woong! You know I was just joking!"

"I don't want to talk to you!" Hwanwoong shouted from behind the closed door.

Taehyung couldn't help but smile at his brother's innocence. He walked over to Hwanwoong's room and found him lying on the bed, face down. "I'm sorry, Woong. I promise I won't tease you anymore," Taehyung said softly.

"Go away," Hwanwoong replied, still pouting.

Knowing Hwanwoong wouldn't give in easily, Taehyung decided to play his trump card. "Alright then, if my little brother doesn't want to talk to me, I'll just leave. No one wants me around. I'll be all alone forever." He pretended to cry dramatically.

Hearing his brother's faux sobs, Hwanwoong's eyes widened in alarm as he jumped up. "I'm sorry, hyung! I didn't mean to make you cry! You know I love you so much."

Hwanwoong rushed over and hugged Taehyung tightly. He couldn't stand seeing his hyung upset. He remembered the times when they were younger and Taehyung would cry in his sleep or have nightmares. Though he didn't know the reasons behind it, he could sense it was something serious. 

Whenever he asked about it, Taehyung would change the subject. Once, he even asked Bogum for answers but didn't get any clarity. "It's better not to dig up the past; some things are best left sealed," Bogum had advised him.

Hwanwoong understood they were hiding something from him but chose not to press further, wanting instead to focus on making their future brighter.

"I promise I'll always keep you happy and never make you cry again," Hwanwoong said softly.

"Promise?" Taehyung sniffed.

"I promise with my life," Hwanwoong replied with a smile as he squeezed Taehyung tighter.

"I... can't... breathe," Taehyung choked out.

"Oops! Sorry! I got a little too excited," Hwanwoong laughed sheepishly.

"Now can I finally know the name?" Taehyung asked eagerly.

"That hyung~~~," Hwanwoong sang teasingly.

Taehyung struggled to maintain a serious expression as laughter bubbled up inside him at Hwanwoong's antics.  "I'm listening, Woong."

With a soft voice, Hwanwoong said, "His name is Yeosang. Je—"

Just then, the doorbell rang, interrupting their conversation.

"Someone's here!" Hwanwoong exclaimed as he jumped off the bed and dashed downstairs to avoid continuing their earlier topic. Taehyung chuckled at his brother's antics as Hwanwoong reached the front door, panting slightly before opening it wide.