People Watching ★ 𝐒𝐮𝐧𝐒𝐮𝐧

25: Past

This one's long, get a drink, popcorn and enjoy<3

The door creaked open, and just like that, everything in the house shifted. Heeseung walked in, his polished police uniform sharp and impeccable, the way it always was. The same confident stride, the same reassuring presence. His return from America was everything their father had been waiting for. It had been months of anticipation, months of bragging about his perfect son, the one who was everything he had ever wanted.

"Heeseung," their father said, his voice booming with pride. He stood up from his chair, practically radiating approval. "Look at you. My son. Always making me proud."

Sunghoon hated the way his father's words felt like daggers, each one slicing deeper into his chest. Heeseung was everything Sunghoon was supposed to be, or at least everything their father wanted him to be. Polished. Successful. The perfect officer.

And then there was Sunghoon, standing in the corner, out of place. Invisible.

Heeseung gave their father a wide smile, his whole demeanor radiating warmth, like he was always the favorite. Sunghoon couldn't help but feel that familiar knot tighten in his stomach as he watched them interact.

It wasn't like he hated his brother. Heeseung had always been there—protective, supportive, a constant in the chaos of their family. But it was hard not to feel the bitter sting of comparison every time their father looked at them. Heeseung could do no wrong. He was a cop, well-liked, respected. Heeseung was the son who got all the attention, all the praise.

And Sunghoon? He was always second. Always in the shadow.

Their father's eyes flicked toward Sunghoon for a brief moment, and Sunghoon could already feel the weight of it—the judgment, the disappointment. The look that said you're not enough.

"You've been slacking off again, haven't you?" their father's voice cut through the silence. "Look at your brother. He's out there making something of himself while you sit here wasting your time."

Sunghoon bit down on his jaw, forcing himself not to flinch. His hands clenched into fists at his sides. He hated the way their father spoke to him, always like he was a failure in comparison to Heeseung. Like nothing Sunghoon ever did would be good enough.

Heeseung, ever the peacekeeper, tried to step in. "Dad, that's not fair—"

But their father wasn't having it. His eyes narrowed as he waved Heeseung off. "I don't want to hear it. You're lucky your brother can't see what a disappointment you are." His gaze shot back to Sunghoon, sharp and cold. "If you were even half the man your brother is, maybe I wouldn't be so frustrated with you."

Sunghoon's chest tightened, and for a moment, he thought he might snap. But instead, he stood there, barely holding it together, not even sparing a glance at Heeseung. Heeseung didn't deserve to be caught in the crossfire of their father's anger. Heeseung had nothing to do with how little their father thought of Sunghoon.

But even as his father's cruel words settled into the pit of his stomach, another memory surfaced. One that always haunted him. A day, years ago, when things between him and Sunoo had started to change.

The playground buzzed with laughter and shouts as children ran freely, their joy echoing in the crisp afternoon air. Sunoo stood near the swings, his heart light for the first time in days. Today felt different, a brief escape from the burdens he usually carried. The sun warmed his cheeks, and the excitement of recess made him forget about the looming homework and tests.

But as he watched the other kids play tag, his heart sank. They were so carefree, their laughter ringing like music. He wanted to join in, to run and shout along with them, but something held him back. It always did. He felt like an outsider in a world where everyone else fit seamlessly together. Still, he took a deep breath, determined to be brave today.