7 - Family Time

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"Hyung... did you fall asleep already?"

Choi Seungcheol, who was sitting on his bed, turned to the door after hearing the knock and saw Seungkwan popping his head inside the room.

"No, baby. I just showered. Come here," he called, drying his wet hair with a towel. Seungkwan stepped inside, smiling at the older man. "What's up?"

Seungkwan shook his head and took the towel from his brother, helping him dry his hair. Seungcheol smiled at his little brother's sweet gesture.


Seungkwan came into Seungcheol's life when Seungcheol started working at his father's company, and Seungkwan was in the 2nd grade of high school. Seungcheol's father introduced them before announcing his marriage to Seungkwan's mother. Seungcheol was fine with it, understanding that his father needed someone to take care of him after his mother had passed away when he was seventeen.

At first, Seungcheol thought Seungkwan was just a quiet, shy kid, but it turned out Seungkwan was being bullied at school. Seungcheol found out before his mother did and confronted the bullies himself. After that, Seungkwan started to smile again, and their bond became as strong as if they were brothers by blood.


"Just checking on my brother who's been busy all week," Seungkwan's voice brought Seungcheol back from his thoughts. "Didn't you miss me, hyung?"


Seungcheol chuckled. "I'm sorry, I always come home when you're already asleep. But you should know that I always check on you before going to my room," he said, bumping his head affectionately against Seungkwan's cheek.


Seungkwan smiled widely. "Hmm... I'm sorry too for falling asleep earlier than usual. The busy days outside have really worn me out," he chuckled.


"Ah, right. Thanks to Aunt Hyorin, Mom finally let you have a life outside. So, tell me how your days managing the foundation are going?" Seungcheol asked, taking the towel from Seungkwan and patting the bed for him to sit beside him.


"It's so fun, you know!" Seungkwan said happily. "But, hyung, it turns out my job isn't managing the foundation. Auntie Hyorin told me just to play with the kids there."


"That's good then! Playing with kids is your superpower."


Seungcheol's words made Seungkwan smile, but it was a sad smile. "But it's really sad too. The kids laugh through their pain and hope that they can still smile again tomorrow."


"Hey," Seungcheol said, stroking Seungkwan's hair softly. "That's why you're there. To make sure they don't lose hope, right?"


Seungkwan looked at Seungcheol with a slight smile and nodded. But then he looked down, stroking his belly slowly. "Just like the hope I had when—"


"Kwannie, look at me." Seungcheol cupped Seungkwan's cheeks to make him look up again. This was their special moment; Seungkwan, who always looked so cheerful in front of others, wouldn't hesitate to show his vulnerable side to Seungcheol. "You're special, but maybe the timing and the person you were with were wrong. That's why—"


"Hyung, please," Seungkwan's eyes watered, and he softly shook Seungcheol off. "You promised you wouldn't say anything about him again."

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