In the birds' nest • woosan

IV. Harmonica

[tw: physical and psychological abuse of minor; abusive parents; mentioned drug addiction]

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The shouts pierced through the thin walls of their small house, a harsh noise that cut through the soft murmur of the evening and made Wooyoung understand that they'd better leave the place. Kyungmin's small hand slipped into Wooyoung's, the familiar comfort of his brother's touch grounding him in the moment. Wooyoung, face set in a determined expression, led Kyungmin out of the house, the door closing behind them with a heavy thud.

The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows over the streets as Wooyoung and Kyungmin made their way to the park. Wooyoung squeezed his brother's hand, trying to keep his own unease masked behind a bright, casual demeanor.

"Look at those clouds," Wooyoung said, pointing upward with a forced cheerfulness "They look like a bunch of fluffy animals, don't they? I think that one looks like a dragon"

Kyungmin's wide eyes followed Wooyoung's gaze, a small smile playing on his lips "A dragon? I see it! What about that one?"

"That one?" Wooyoung said, squinting up at the sky "Hmm, it's a little harder to tell. Maybe a giant turtle? Or a spaceship"

Kyungmin giggled, the sound a precious balm against the tension that lingered just beneath the surface. Wooyoung felt a pang of guilt for not being able to fully shield his brother from the discomfort that was slowly creeping into their lives. But for now, he clung to these small, precious moments of distraction, trying to push away the shadows that loomed over their home. As they approached the park, the vibrant colors of the artificial lake greeted them. The water lilies, painted in shades of pink and white, seemed to shimmer in the evening light. The contrast between the park's serene beauty and the chaos they had left behind was stark.

Kyungmin's face lit up as he pulled out his new harmonica, his fingers trembling slightly with the excitement of playing it. Wooyoung settled beside him on the grass, making an effort to keep his voice light. Wooyoung watched as Kyungmin brought the small instrument to his mouth, the polished metal glinting in the fading sunlight, and blew into it as to test the notes before he stopped like he was thinking at what to play. He marveled at the way Kyungmin's fingers moved over the instrument, delicate yet confident, as though it were an extension of himself. Their mother had always called Kyungmin her "little diamond," a nickname that had started when she first noticed his innate talent for music.

It was true, Kyungmin was something special. From the moment he had first laid hands on any instrument, it seemed like the music came naturally to him. Their mother would often say, with a fondness in her voice that was reserved only for Kyungmin, "This boy is a prodigy. He's going to make something of himself one day"

Wooyoung had heard it all his life, and though it stung, he had come to accept it as fact. Kyungmin was her diamond, sparkling and flawless, while he was... well, he wasn't sure what he was. Just Wooyoung. He knew he wasn't gifted like his brother. He wasn't particularly bad at anything, but he wasn't outstanding either. His grades were decent, his attempts at sports were passable, and when he tried to dabble in music, it always felt forced, unnatural. He couldn't make the notes sing the way Kyungmin could. But that was alright, he told himself. Kyungmin deserved all the praise he received, every word of encouragement from their mother. Wooyoung loved his brother, and it was only fair that someone as special as Kyungmin would be the center of their mother's world.