Crave

27 - promise to mend the pain

As his vehicle ran on the road, Woo's grip was tight on the steering wheel. His head was full of anger as he glanced at his brother. Joon sat quietly in the passenger seat, leaning back on the seat with eyes full of sleep. He looked weak and hurt, seeing his brother like this made Woo's blood boil.

"Hyung." The beta called out.

Woo's grip loosened on the wheel at the sound of Joon's soft voice. "Hm?"

"Please don't be angry." Joon said, not liking the expression on his brother's face. "I don't like it."

Woo didn't say anything back so the rest of the ride was full of silence. The younger brother felt worried for Woo who felt pure anger. His fists ached to hit something. When they arrived at the alpha's place, Joon and Woo were greeted by Zaire in the living room. Katana came running to them and began to sniff the injured beta curiously.

Zaire went to the kitchen to heat everything as the two brothers went upstairs. Woo took Joon to one of the guest rooms. The alpha sat on the bed with a first aid kit as his brother took a quick shower. Joon came out ten minutes later, dressed in a sleeveless black shirt and shorts. This specific bedroom had clothes belonging to Joon, Liam, and Jonathan. This room was used to hold their stuff when the group would have sleepovers.

"Sit." Woo ordered and the beta sat down, facing the taller man.

Joon watched as his brother opened the first aid kit and held out his hand. Joon gave his injured hand and saw the way the alpha's jaw tightened. Woo cleaned all his injuries in silence, applying pain cream where needed. Every hiss that his little brother let out when Woo cleaned his lip, made the wolf seeth in anger. Songjoon and Ma-Ri had never laid hands on Joon before but Woo would make sure this was the first and last time.

"Is there anything else you're hiding?" The alpha asked suddenly and Joon looked up. "Have they hit you before?"

"Hyung, t-this was the first time it happened." The beta answered. His face looked thinner and his eyes had dark circles under it.

"When did you last eat?"

"S-Since that dinner, I couldn't get up after to e-eat properly." Woo's fists tightened again and Joon gulped. The alpha finished tending to Joon's wounds and helped him go back downstairs. They saw Zaire setting up the table in the dining room.

"Omega, have him eat first." Woo looked at Joon who kept his head down. "Joon, go with him."

"Alright, hyung."

"Make sure he eats." The alpha said before walking out of the house to make some phone calls.

"O-Okay." Zaire looked at Joon who kept his gaze down. The smaller wolf felt his heart hurt seeing Woo's little brother like this. The omega wasn't as close to Joon as much as he was to Liam and Jonathan, but anytime he had interacted with Joon, the beta had been respectful to him. Joon sat down at the dining table as the omega went to the kitchen.

Zaire picked up a plate and filled it with creamy garlic parmesan chicken pasta. He set the dish in front of Joon who stared at the floor with an empty look in his eyes. The omega set a hesitant hand on the beta's shoulder and felt Joon flinch. "I-I'm sorry for scaring you..please eat..it will make you feel better."

The omega's sweet voice was filled with concern as he looked down at the beta who smiled. "Thank you, Zaire."

Joon picked up a fork with his shaky bruised hands and took a bite. The delicious taste of the dish exploded in his mouth and he let out a low hum. The beta ate quietly but enjoyed his dinner. He hadn't eaten properly the day before, not having an appetite. Now, he felt as if he could eat three more plates.