SHADOWS OF DECEIT

Chapter 23

"Joshua! Wait up!" Little Jeonghan's voice called after him, breathless but laughing. Joshua giggled, chasing after the ball, paying no mind to the world around him. 

But then he froze, eyes wide as a dark car pulled up, cutting them off.

"Appa!" he cried, a bright smile stretching across his face as he ran forward, tiny arms reaching out.

"Joshua, stay back," Jeonghan's voice was firm as he pulled Joshua close, stepping protectively in front. Joshua peered around his brother, confused as he watched the man's expression shift, that look he didn't understand back then, a mix of something sharp and cold.

"Always in the way, aren't you, Jeonghan?" the man's voice was low, and Joshua felt Jeonghan's hand tighten around his shoulder, holding him close.

Jeonghan stayed quiet, his small form unyielding. Finally, when the man turned away, Jeonghan knelt down, meeting Joshua's wide, questioning gaze. 

"Are you okay?"

"Why was Appa mad, Jeonghan?"

"Sometimes... people get mad even if you didn't do anything," he'd said softly, brushing a hand over Joshua's hair. "But don't worry. I'll handle it."

The memory faded, and then the scene shifted, softening as though it had been carried on a gentle breeze. 

They were seven now, back in their small shared bedroom, warmth spilling in through the window. 

Joshua lay on the floor, crayons spread around him, his brow furrowed as he carefully colored within the lines of his drawing. 

Jeonghan was in front of the mirror, absently brushing his hair, which had grown surprisingly long for his age, nearly touching the tops of his shoulders.

Joshua glanced up, eyes bright with curiosity. "Hannie, your hair's gotten pretty long."

Jeonghan smiled at his reflection, giving a small, pleased nod. "You think so?" he asked, turning slightly to meet Joshua's gaze. "Do you like it, Shuji?"

Joshua's face scrunched up thoughtfully, and he shrugged, "It's... pretty. You look like a..." He paused, eyebrows knitting together, trying to find the right word.

Jeonghan turned to him, a smile teasing at his lips. "An angel?"

Joshua's face broke into a grin, nodding eagerly. But a moment later, he frowned, studying his brother's hair with critical eyes. "But Hannie... angels have really long hair. Yours doesn't even touch your shoulders."

Jeonghan laughed softly, crossing the room to tousle Joshua's hair. "Don't worry, Shua-ya," he said, voice steady with a confidence that only a big brother could have. 

"I'll grow it out. One day, it'll be long enough, just like an angel's."

The memories shifted again, like pages turning in a storybook, each scene fleeting yet vivid.

Joshua stirred in his bed, the soft glow of the nightlight casting gentle shadows on the walls. 

The muffled sound of something breaking in the distance jolted him awake, his small heart thudding as he listened closely. 

He turned his head to see Jeonghan already awake, sitting cross-legged on his bed, his eyes fixed on the flickering television screen in front of him.

"Hannie?" Joshua's voice was barely a whisper as he climbed out of his bed, shuffling over to Jeonghan's. Without hesitation, he crawled under the covers, and Jeonghan instinctively wrapped an arm around him, pulling him close.