BLOSSOMED | SEOKSOO FF ✔️

PART 10

Jihoon couldn’t shake the gnawing feeling in his chest. The silence from Seokmin was deafening, and despite everything, he still worried about his brother. After all, no matter how much anger or disappointment he felt, Seokmin was still family, his only brother.

Late one evening, Jihoon found himself sitting across from Soonyoung in their small, cozy living room. Dino was already asleep, leaving the two adults in a heavy, tense silence. Jihoon stared at his clasped hands, his thoughts swirling.

“I’m worried about him,” Jihoon finally admitted, his voice quiet but strained. “I know what he did was unforgivable, but the silence… it doesn’t feel right. Something’s wrong, and I can’t bring myself to go there.”

Soonyoung’s face stiffened, his usual cheerful demeanor absent. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, avoiding Jihoon’s gaze.

“Soonyoung,” Jihoon pressed, his tone sharper now. “You’ve been acting strange every time I bring up Seokmin. Do you know something?”

Soonyoung sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t going to tell you,” he admitted reluctantly. “But maybe you should know.”

“What is it?” Jihoon leaned forward, his concern mounting.

Soonyoung hesitated for a moment before speaking. “A few weeks ago, I went to see him. I didn’t tell you because I didn’t want to worry you. But… Jihoon, he’s not okay.”

Jihoon’s heart sank. “What do you mean? What happened?”

“When I got to the house,” Soonyoung began, his voice low, “it was a mess. Seokmin was… he was a mess. The place was trashed, and he was sitting in the middle of it all like a broken man. He was crying, angry, and so out of control I barely recognized him. One minute he was blaming himself, and the next he was blaming Jisoo or me for not helping him or even you for taking Jisoo from him.”

Jihoon’s fists clenched, his mind racing. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“Because I didn’t think it would help,” Soonyoung said, his voice rising slightly. “You’ve been focused on helping Jisoo heal, and I didn’t want to drag you into Seokmin’s spiral. But I tried to convince him to get help, Jihoon. I really did.”

“And?” Jihoon asked, his voice tight.

Soonyoung shook his head, frustration evident in his expression. “He refused. He said he didn’t need therapy, that he could handle it on his own. When I pushed, he lashed out. I even… I even hit him, Jihoon. I couldn’t take it anymore. I thought maybe I could knock some sense into him, but it didn’t work. He just doubled down, saying he didn’t need anyone.”

Jihoon’s chest tightened as he listened, torn between anger and sadness. “What about now? Have you checked on him since then?”

“No,” Soonyoung admitted, guilt flickering across his face. “After that, I gave up. I didn’t know what else to do. But, Jihoon… he needs help. He’s drowning, and I think he knows it, but he’s too proud or too stubborn to admit it.”

Jihoon leaned back in his chair, his mind a whirlwind of emotions. Seokmin’s silence suddenly felt heavier, more ominous. He was furious at his brother for everything he’d done to Jisoo, but the thought of Seokmin suffering alone in that state was unbearable.

“I can’t ignore this anymore,” Jihoon said finally, his voice steady but determined. “He’s my brother, Soonyoung. I have to do something.”

Soonyoung nodded slowly, though his expression was conflicted. “Just… be careful, Jihoon. He’s not himself right now. I don’t want you to get hurt.”

“I’ll be fine,” Jihoon replied, though his heart felt anything but. He couldn’t abandon his brother, no matter how much he wanted to. Seokmin needed him now more than ever, and Jihoon wasn’t going to let him face his demons alone.