strawberry shortcake

58. bonding

this one's a bit longer, enjoy!
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Minho stared at Yongbok, who was looking at some cat toys, wondering how to break the news to him.

"You think they will like this?" Yongbok held up a cute bunny plushie with big ears and watched Minho for reaction with wondering eyes. His hyung smiled back at him and nodded, taking the bunny and adding it to their cart that was already pretty full.

"Alright, let's go pay, we'll grab the cat food on our way."

They got out the pet store after spending a good hour and a half there and wasting way too much money, deciding to have a small break by going for a coffee.

Minho briefly announced their decision to the bodyguards Hyunjin assigned to them. To his surprise they were dressed casually and out of their sight most of the time, keeping close in case of an emergency, but not too close to raise any suspicion in people around them. He liked it that way.

Him and Yongbok could go on with their day, feeling free while not worrying about their safety.

Of course, Yongbok was more or less clueless as to why going out would be such a big and dangerous thing, he still had no idea of the world he and his brother got themselves in.

While they sat on one of the tables for two in a cute coffe shop situated inside the mall's food area, he was watching with adoration as his brother sipped on his overly sweet coffee with a happy smile resting on his lips. They were happy to have each other back.

It was the perfect moment to break the news to him. "Jisung wants to meet you."

Yongbok's eyes widened in surprise, sparkling with joy. "He does? Yaay, finally!" He squealed happily with a bright smile on his face.

Minho smiled as well, at how adorable his dongsaeng looked. He was relieved that Yongbok was still so eager to meet Jisung. "We could go on a double date!"

"That sounds really cute, actually. I'll ask him if he was up for it, once we get home."

Yongbok's face fell a little at the last word.

Home.

His smile dropped a little, the joyful expression turning into a sad one. "Is it a home for you there?"

Minho realized how he had referred to Jisung's mansion and felt his heartbeat pick up. He did indeed call it a home. He never realized before that's how he felt. Did the mansion feel like home? Not really, it was a pretty house indeed, a one where he learned how to go by with his days. Yet it held terrible memories. So what made it so special for him to call it home?

At loss for words, be stared at his brother, expression same as shocked and struggled to find an explanation.

"I-I didn't really mean to. It came out naturally."

"Love's making you different. I've never seen you like this." Yongbok exhaled, taking another sip of his coffee while looking down on the table. It made Minho feel guilty about what he had said.

"I'm sorry. I didn't realize-"

"Why are you apologizing? I'm happy for you, hyung. It's refreshing to see you happy. It just makes me scared I'm going to lose you."

Minho took his small hand into his and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "You won't. No matter what happens, you'll always be my little brother Bokk-ah, and I'll always care about you."

Yongbok's eyes glossed over with tears at the heartfelt confession and as he looked into his brother's eyes with adoration. "Hyung..." he shook his head slightly with a relieved smile and shook squeezed his hand back.