WILTED | SEOKSOO FF

PART 09

The morning sunlight streamed into
Jihoon's living room, casting a soft glow on the walls. Jisoo sat quietly at the dining table, staring at the cup of tea Jihoon had placed in front of him. His face was pale, his eyes swollen from the tears of the previous night. Jihoon was in the kitchen, preparing breakfast and waiting for Soonyoung, to wake up.

When the bedroom door finally creaked open, Soonyoung appeared, his hair disheveled and his eyes still heavy with sleep. "Good morning," he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.

Jihoon glanced at him, his expression
somber. "Good morning. We need to
talk, Soonie," he said, his voice firm.

Soonyoung looked up, noticing the
tension in the room. His gaze shifted to Jisoo, who offered a faint, forced smile before looking back down at his tea.

"What's going on?" Soonyoung asked,
frowning as he moved to sit next to
Jihoon.

Jihoon took a deep breath, glancing at
Jisoo for permission. Jisoo gave a small nod, and Jihoon began. "Jisoo came here last night because.. because he's been living in hell. Seokmin's been abusing him, physically, emotionally, and.." Jihoon hesitated, his voice thick with anger, "even sexually."

Soonyoung's eyes widened in shock, his face draining of color. "What? No..
Jihoon, that can't be true. Seokmin
wouldn't--he couldn't do something like that. You know him! He's your brother."

Jihoon's jaw tightened. "I know who my brother was, but clearly, he's not the same person anymore. You didn't hear what Jisoo told me last night. The
things Seokmin has done...they're
unforgivable, Soonyoung."

Soonyoung turned to Jisoo, his
expression pleading. "Jisoo, are you
sure? Maybe it's a misunderstanding, or-"

Jisoo flinched, his shoulders tensing as he looked up. "Do you think I'd make something like this up?" he asked, his voice trembling with a mix of hurt and frustration. "Do you think I'd leave my home, run away in the middle of the night in this condition, if it wasn't true?"

Soonyoung looked at him, guilt flashing across his face. "I didn't mean it like that," he said softly. "It's just... Seokmin's always been so.. kind. I can't wrap my head around him doing something like this."

Jihoon placed a hand on Soonyoung's
arm. "People change, Soonie. Sometimes for the worse. And we can't ignore what Jisoo is going through just because it doesn't fit the image we have of Seokmin. And he is my brother, I know to what extent his possessiveness can lead him."

Soonyoung sat back, his hands shaking slightly. He looked at Jisoo again, his voice quieter. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to doubt you. I just...I'm struggling to process this. He is more a brother to me than to Jihoon." Jihoon squeezed Soonyoung's arms.

Jisoo nodded, his expression softening
"I understand. It was hard for me to believe too, sometimes. I spent so long
convincing myself that things would get better, that he'd change. But he only got worse."

Soonyoung ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. "What are we going to do?"

Jihoon straightened, his resolve clear.
"First, Jisoo stays here. He's not going
back to that house, not while Seokmin is like this. And second, I'm going to talk to Seokmin soon. He needs to know that we're not going to stand by and let this continue. If he wants Jisoo and the child he need to change or else... I will never allow him to see Jisoo and the kid."

"Jihoon.." Soonyoung started, worry in his voice.

"I can handle him, Soonyoung," Jihoon said firmly. "He respects me--at least, I hope he still does. And if no.... I still have my ways to handle him.."