Betting on Love [JEONGCHEOL] ✓

Chapter Twenty-four: Tangled hearts

Jeonghan parks his car in the garage and steps inside, greeted by the soft glow of the television. His brother, Hyunwoo, is sprawled on the couch, flipping through channels.

“Hey, hyung,” Jeonghan says, a smile spreading across his face as he plops down beside him.

Hyunwoo glances over, his expression brightening. “Hey, buddy! Where’ve you been?”

A faint blush creeps onto Jeonghan’s cheeks. “I was out with Seungcheol.”

Hyunwoo’s smirk widens, teasingly raising an eyebrow. “Ah, the one you’re trying to win over with that dare?”

Jeonghan's smile falters slightly as the weight of his brother's words sinks in. He had momentarily forgotten about the dare. “Yeah, him.”

Hyunwoo leans in closer, a playful glint in his eye. “So, how’s that going? Any progress?”

Jeonghan shrugs, trying to sound casual, but his heart races at the thought of Seungcheol. “We had a great time today. We just… clicked, you know?”

Hyunwoo nods, a knowing smile forming. “Clicked, huh? Sounds like you might be in deeper than you think.”

Jeonghan can’t help but smile at the memory of their laughter, the way Seungcheol’s eyes sparkled with warmth as they shared that moment. “Maybe. It’s just… it started as a dare, but it feels like more now. We kissed.”

Hyunwoo’s eyebrows shoot up, his expression shifting from casual interest to genuine surprise. “You kissed? Wow, that’s a big step!”

Jeonghan’s heart races at the admission, a mix of excitement and anxiety washing over him. The memory of their lips brushing together plays in his mind, igniting a warmth that spreads through him. “Yeah, it just… happened. It felt right in the moment, but now I’m not sure what it means.”

Hyunwoo leans back, studying Jeonghan’s face. “That’s a huge deal, Jeonghan. If it felt right, maybe it’s worth exploring. But you need to consider what it means for both of you. Are you ready for that?”

Jeonghan bites his lip, feeling the weight of his brother’s question. He knows he should have an answer, but the truth is, he’s terrified. What if Seungcheol sees it as just a game? What if this beautiful connection they’ve built disappears with a few careless words?

“I know. But what if he thinks it was just part of the game?” Jeonghan’s voice is barely above a whisper, fear creeping into his chest.

“Then you need to clarify where you stand,” Hyunwoo replies, his tone firm yet encouraging. “Don’t let fear hold you back. You have to be honest with him—about the dare and your feelings. Otherwise, you might lose something special.”

Taking a deep breath, Jeonghan nods slowly, feeling the truth in his brother’s words sink in like a heavy stone. The thought of losing Seungcheol sends a pang of anxiety through him. “You’re right. I’ll figure it out soon.”

As the night stretches on, Jeonghan’s mind races with thoughts of Seungcheol. The kiss replays over and over, igniting a swirl of emotions—anticipation, excitement, and an underlying fear of vulnerability. He can still feel the warmth of Seungcheol’s breath against his skin, the softness of his lips, and how everything around them faded away in that moment.

Hyunwoo looks at Jeonghan, contemplating whether to share what’s on his mind. Ultimately, he decides to take a leap.

“I know him. Choi Seungcheol. I’ve known him since he was, what? Fifteen? Fourteen?”

Jeonghan’s eyes widen in shock. “You did?”

Hyunwoo nods, his gaze dropping to his lap as memories flicker behind his eyes. “I also knew his brother, Seojun. We… had a complicated past.”

“Complicated past?” Jeonghan leans in, intrigued. It’s the first time he’s seen his brother open up like this.

“We used to date. I really loved him, but things were rocky from the start. Just like you, I was dared to win his heart. I gave it everything I had, but somewhere along the way, I lost my own heart in the process. When he found out the truth, he left… and never came back.”

Jeonghan feels a chill run down his spine at the weight of his brother’s confession. He can see the hurt etched in Hyunwoo’s expression, a reminder of love lost and the complexities that come with it. The gravity of what his brother is saying sinks in, intertwining with his own fears about Seungcheol.

“Hyung, I’m sorry,” Jeonghan whispers, feeling a rush of empathy. “I had no idea.”

Hyunwoo shrugs, forcing a smile. “It was a long time ago. I just want you to be careful. It’s easy to get lost in the thrill of a dare, but real feelings can make things messy.”

Jeonghan nods, the weight of his brother’s words settling heavily on his heart. “I get that. I really do. I don’t want to repeat the past.”

“Just remember,” Hyunwoo says softly, “love isn’t a game. It’s real, and it can hurt if you’re not careful. Take your time, and make sure you’re being honest with yourself and with Seungcheol.”

“I understand, hyung,” Jeonghan says softly. He feels a pang of pity for his brother, but underneath it all, there’s a rising worry about what will happen when Seojun and Seungcheol discover the truth—not just about the dare, but about Hyunwoo being his brother. Things will get messy. Very messy.

But Hyunwoo, sensing the tension, shifts the conversation. “Anyway, enough about me. Tell me more about this Seungcheol guy,” he says with a casual grin, steering them away from the emotional minefield of his past with Seojun.

Jeonghan chuckles, realizing his brother’s attempt to lighten the mood. If Hyunwoo doesn’t want to talk about Seojun anymore, he’ll respect that.

“Seungcheol…” Jeonghan starts, his expression softening as he speaks. “I don’t even know how to explain it. He’s… different. I don’t get butterflies with him, not like they say in the movies. Instead, I feel comfortable. Warm. It’s like being wrapped in a blanket on a cold day. I feel safe when I’m with him. His smile—it's like the sun, you know? Bright and warm, and it makes everything feel okay. I don’t have to pretend or put up walls around him. There’s this feeling deep inside that he’ll never judge me for who I am. It’s just… easy.”

Hyunwoo listens quietly, a gentle smile playing on his lips. He watches Jeonghan, his younger brother’s eyes glowing with emotion. It’s clear that whatever Jeonghan is feeling for Seungcheol, it’s strong. He can practically see the arrows of Cupid lodged in Jeonghan’s heart.

“It sounds like someone’s in love,” Hyunwoo teases, though his tone is gentle, encouraging.

Jeonghan blushes but shakes his head slightly, still unsure. “I don’t know… I’m not sure.”

Hyunwoo pats his shoulder, giving him a knowing look. “Take your time, Jeonghan. But don’t take too long. Not everyone is willing to wait forever.”

Jeonghan nods, feeling the weight of his brother’s words. He just hopes that Seungcheol, with his warmth and patience, can wait a little longer for him to figure it all out.

He leans back against the couch, his mind wandering back to Seungcheol. He didn’t want to rush things, but the fear of losing what he had with him lingered at the back of his mind.

"Thanks, hyung," Jeonghan says quietly.

Hyunwoo offers him a small smile, his eyes soft with understanding. “You’ll figure it out, buddy. Just be honest with yourself. That’s the most important part.”

Jeonghan stares at the ceiling for a moment, taking in the comfort of his brother's presence. He felt a little more at ease now, but the road ahead still seemed unclear. He would take things slow, let the moments with Seungcheol unfold naturally, and hope that when the time came, everything would fall into place.

But for now, just the thought of seeing Seungcheol again filled him with a warmth that he couldn’t ignore.

"Yeah... I hope so," Jeonghan whispers.