𝙁𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙤𝙧 𝙁𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 : 𝙃𝙚𝙚𝙟𝙖𝙠𝙚

4.

Author's pov:

[Regina Spektor: Two Birds]

In the warm glow of a summer afternoon, the backyard of their house was alive with the sounds of two young boys' laughter and playful shouts. Jaeyun and Sunghoon were inseparable, their friendship forged in countless hours of shared adventures and games.

Today, they were playing tag, their small legs pumping as they dashed around the yard. But every so often, their eyes would drift to the house, where a figure could be seen through an upstairs window.

Heeseung, Sunghoon's older brother, was hunched over a desk, textbooks piled high around him. He was always studying, always busy. From a young age, Heeseung had been preparing to join Harvard, a dream that consumed most of his time.

"Why doesn't Heeseung-hyung ever play with us?" Jaeyun asked, panting as he collapsed onto the grass. Sunghoon flopped down beside him, staring up at the window where his brother sat.

"I don't know," Sunghoon said with a sigh. "He's always busy with his books. He never has time for us."

The boys lay there for a while, the game forgotten, their thoughts consumed by the figure behind the window. To them, Heeseung seemed like he was in another world, one that was far away from their games and laughter.

"Maybe we should ask him to play with us," Jaeyun suggested, a hopeful note in his voice. Sunghoon hesitated but then nodded. Together, they got up and made their way inside, their small feet padding softly on the wooden floors.

They crept up the stairs and stopped outside Heeseung's room. The door was slightly ajar, and they could see him inside, scribbling furiously in a notebook.

"Heeseung-hyung?" Sunghoon called out tentatively, pushing the door open a little more. Heeseung looked up, surprised to see them.

"Hey, what's up?" he asked, his voice kind but distracted.

"Do you want to come play with us?" Jaeyun blurted out, his eyes wide with hope. "We're playing tag in the yard."

Heeseung's expression softened, but there was a hint of regret in his eyes. "I wish I could, but I have a lot of studying to do. Maybe another time, okay?"

Jaeyun and Sunghoon exchanged glances, their hearts sinking. They mumbled a reluctant "okay" and turned to leave, their shoulders slumped. As they walked back down the stairs, they could hear Heeseung's pen scratching against the paper again.

"He never has time for us," Sunghoon muttered, his young face scrunched up in frustration. "It's like he doesn't care."

Jaeyun nodded, feeling the same sting of disappointment. "Maybe when he finishes his studying, he'll have more time."

But deep down, both boys doubted it. To them, Heeseung's world of books and exams seemed so far removed from their own. As they returned to their game, their laughter was a little quieter, their hearts a little heavier.

Years later, the memory of those childhood afternoons still lingered in their minds. Even as they grew older and understood the pressures and expectations Heeseung faced, the feeling of being left behind, of not being important enough, was something they never quite shook off.

Back to present

The night was electric with anticipation as Sunghoon and Jaeyun made their way to a party hostedby their classmate. The city lights of Seoul sparkled around them, mirroring their excitement.

It wasn't often that they got to unwind and have fun, especially with their busy schedules. Tonight was different, though. Tonight was about letting go and enjoying themselves.

"Can you believe it? We actually have a night off!" Sunghoon exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement.Jaeyun grinned. "I know, right? It feels like it's been forever since we had a chance to just hang out and relax."

The party was at one of the trendiest spots in town, a rooftop bar with a stunning view of the city skyline. The atmosphere buzzed with energy, laughter, and music. As they entered, they noticed the place was packed with people, everyone celebrating the weekend in high spirits.

But there was another reason tonight was special. Jaeyun had heard through his best friend that Heeseung and his friend Jay were also going to be there.

Freshly graduated from Harvard and having landed jobs at one of Seoul's top companies, they had a lot to celebrate.

Jaeyun's heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing Heeseung again. Despite their childhood misunderstandings, his feelings for Heeseung had only grown stronger over the years.

"Hey, isn't that Heeseung-hyung over there?" Sunghoon pointed towards a corner of the rooftop, where a small crowd had gathered.

Jaeyun followed his gaze and saw Heeseung and Jay, looking effortlessly cool as they chatted with friends. Heeseung's presence commanded attention, his confidence and charisma evident even from a distance.

Jaeyun felt a familiar mix of admiration and nervousness bubble up inside him."Yeah, it is," Jaeyun confirmed, trying to keep his voice steady. "They must be celebrating their new jobs."

Sunghoon's expression tightened briefly. Despite everything, the old feelings of being overshadowed by his older brother still lingered. But he shook it off, determined not to let it ruin their night.

"Let's grab some drinks and enjoy ourselves. We can say hi to them later."As the night went on, Jaeyun and Sunghoon mingled with friends, danced, and enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

Jaeyun couldn't help but steal glances at Heeseung, who seemed to be having a great time. Eventually, the opportunity to approach him presented itself when Heeseung stepped away from the crowd to get a drink.Gathering his courage, Jaeyun made his way over.

"Hey, Heeseung-hyung! Congratulations on the new job!"Heeseung turned, a genuine smile spreading across his face when he saw Jaeyun. "Jaeyun! Thanks, baby, It's been a crazy few weeks, but I'm really excited about it."

Jaeyun felt like he was drunk without even drinking much. The older calling him 'baby' for the second time made him question their relationship.

------------
It's kinda a filler chapter!!