Criss-Cross || Hyunin

Chapter 17

Minho blankly stared at the glowing screen of his phone, the soft knock on his door roused him from his thoughts. With a quick swipe, he hastily pocketed the device, masking any hint of emotion that might betray the tumultuous thoughts swirling within him. With a heavy exhale, he rose from his bed, the weight of unspoken worries pressing upon his shoulders.

The door creaked open to reveal Jeongin, his eyes heavy with sleep, standing at the threshold. Minho's stern facade softened slightly at the sight of his younger brother's fatigued countenance, though he quickly regained his composure.

"Jeongin, what are you doing here?" Minho's tone was firm, yet there lingered a subtle undertone of concern. “Don’t tell me you’re hungry again.”

Jeongin, barely able to keep his eyes open, mumbled incoherently before shuffling past Minho and flopping onto the bed with a heavy thud. Despite Minho's attempts to dissuade him, Jeongin seemed resolute in his decision to stay.

"Come on, Jeongin. You should sleep in your own room," Minho urged, his voice tinged with a hint of exasperation as he attempted to coax his brother off the bed.

But Jeongin merely groaned in response, his eyelids drooping as exhaustion threatened to consume him. With a resigned sigh, Minho relented, knowing that further attempts to persuade Jeongin would be futile.

As Jeongin succumbed to the embrace of sleep, Minho couldn't help but feel a surge of protectiveness wash over him. Despite their occasional clashes and differing personalities, there existed an unbreakable bond between them, forged through years of shared experiences and unwavering loyalty.

Sinking onto the edge of the bed, Minho watched over Jeongin with a mixture of apprehension and affection. In the hushed stillness of the room, the rhythmic cadence of Jeongin's breathing served as a soothing melody, easing the tension that had coiled within Minho's chest.

In the quiet of the night, Minho found himself grappling with a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. Beneath his stoic exterior lay a wellspring of vulnerability, a longing for the reassurance of familial bonds in the face of life's uncertainties.

As he brushed a gentle hand across Jeongin's tousled hair, Minho's heart swelled with a profound sense of gratitude for the presence of his brother. In a world fraught with chaos and turmoil, it was moments like these – moments of shared intimacy and unspoken understanding – that anchored him to a sense of purpose and belonging.

Yet, even amidst the warmth of familial affection, Minho couldn't suppress the niggling worry that gnawed at the corners of his mind.

"Jeongin," Minho began, his voice laced with a hint of sternness, "this can't become a habit. You're old enough to know better."

Jeongin stirred slightly, his brows furrowing in confusion as he drifted in and out of sleep.

"You should be in your own room," Minho continued, his tone softening slightly as he reached out to gently shake his brother awake. "I can't have you barging in here every time."

Jeongin's eyes fluttered open, drowsy and bleary with sleep. He offered Minho a sheepish smile, his usual mischievous demeanor momentarily subdued by the weight of exhaustion.

"I know, hyung," Jeongin murmured, his voice heavy with sleep. "But I just... I needed to be near you. It feels...lonely."

Minho's heart softened at the sincerity in Jeongin's words, a pang of guilt tugging at the corners of his conscience. Despite his desire for independence, Jeongin still sought comfort in the presence of his older brother, a proof to the unbreakable bond that bound them together.

"Jeongin," Minho's voice was soft, laced with a hint of vulnerability as he reached out to gently shake his brother awake, "do you really want to be with me?"