A House Made of Cards {Ateez au}

Chapter 9 - The Talk

San walked down the familiar white hallways. In his opinion, the place was too white. Somehow, it reminded him of a lab where some evil organization would experiment on unwilling individuals. It gave him the chills.

But he wasn't there to comment on the walls of the base. He was there to speak to his brother. He promised himself that he would keep trying to make things right between them.

And he would admit that he wasn't the best brother, but he never meant to hurt Jongho this badly.

He would do anything for the younger boy's forgiveness.

Under his arm, he carried the borrowed (stolen) tablet from Hongjoong. He knew the leader wouldn't consent to this, so he did it without him knowing.

He can't say no if San never asked him.

Soon enough, he arrived at Jongho's door. He pulled out the tablet, typing away as he had seen Hongjoong do so many times.

The door slid open with a familiar hiss, and San walked in.

The boy inside sat at the table, the same place he was in the last time San came in. He looked up and rolled his eyes when he noticed his brother standing at the door.

"Hi," San said softly in an attempt to show Jongho that he wasn't there to fight.

"If you're here to ask me questions, you can leave now and save us both some effort," Jongho said, staring San in the eyes.

"I'm not here for that," San said.

"Then what are you here for?"

"Jongho, I want my younger brother back," He admitted. He spoke quickly but passionately, trying to show the younger how much he meant it. "I miss how we were before all this, before father's competitions, before we even knew we would have to fight for these abilities."

Jongho scoffed, "I am sick and tired of you always trying to prove you are better than me, San. I am sick of you always being the favorite child. I'm sick of you being the child that can do no wrong. I'm sick of hearing everyone talk about how wonderful you are, and how much better than me you are."

"Jongho, it just sounds like you're jealous-"

"Of course I am!" Jongho yelled, cutting San off. "My entire childhood I just wanted what you had! I just wanted my father to look at me the same way he looks at you!" The younger boy was standing now, tears welling up in his eyes. San had some tears too.

"I hate you so much, San" he muttered, sitting back down.

The two of them sat in silence for a few moments, thinking about what had been said until San decided to speak.

"I stopped speaking to him, you know."

Jongho looked at him, surprise clear on his face. "Why?"

"After seeing you leave, it wasn't the same, I couldn't look into his eyes anymore, mine either, without thinking about how you were treated. I was so blind, I never noticed, and I'm so, so sorry."

The younger boy was crying now, tears running down his face.

San made the decision to walk through the barrier (all members of their team were able to) and give his brother a hug.

And for the next few minutes, San held his brother as he cried. If he was being completely honest, he may have been crying too.

However, one thing was going through his mind.

Hongjoong was going to be very mad.