Having siblings have always been a double-edged sword situation.
And Hanbin wasn't one to deny it.
Jiwon and him always picked up fight when they were younger, and they still do, but the older was always the winner : the one to get the last part of chocolate pie (because Hanbin had fat cheeks), the one to get the expensive electric car (because Hanbin was "too young"), the one to get good grades without trying (he swore he tried, but nothing could do, he was a B- student), the one to get in the Art School on a whim (he waited for months to have a positive reply), in fact life wasn't tender with him and constantly being compared to the other was a burden.
However, his older brother played his role quite well and Hanbin felt thankful for having such a sibling.
Jiwon always shared the last part of pie with him, even under their parents' disapproval stare, he let him play with the remote controlled car when the adults weren't watching, he helped Hanbin with his studies so he could graduate more easily, he encouraged his younger brother to apply for his dreamt school and waited for the answer with him. Hanbin still remembered the whole-hearted cry of joy that didn't come from him but from Jiwon when they opened the e-mail.
Hanbin was this good-looking guy. Rather tall, lean, abs and pelvis bones visible effortlessly with black deep orbs instead of pupils and irises, cherry lips completing the marble-statue-like features of his face.
Jiwon was this even more handsome guy. Both standing at the same height, Jiwon had this sharp jawline, this intense gaze and his signature bunny smile to compete against his brother's charms.
Where Hanbin was distant, almost shy and introvert, Jiwon was playfull, friendly and easy-going.
It was their biggest difference, and it mattered.
7 year-old :
Little Hanbin was playing alone in the sand with a toy rake and its matching green seal when a big shadow appeared above him. The older boy looked down on him with a soft grin, surrounded by two buddies.
"Hey, can I borrow your firetruck if you don't play with it ?" He asked, already reaching out a hand to grab the plastic toy.
Hanbin was a sweet kid, had always been told to share, so he nodded quietly. The boy thanked him, took what he was aiming for and the three ran to the other side of the park to play in the grass.
Hanbin got home with dried tears on his cheeks that day, hair and clothes dirtied by mud and crushed leaves. Jiwon, who had stayed at home to do his homeworks, was the first to see him and his poor state. He immediatly took his younger brother's wrist and lead him to the bathroom.
The ointment was cold on his small scratches, but his heart was warm looking at his brother.
The next day, Jiwon lent him his gameboy and told him to stay at home while he was going out for a small moment.
He smiled gladly and slid under the blanket of their share bed, the console between his small hands.
His older brother came back after a while, hands linked behind his back.
"Hey Bin, I have something for you."
The younger looked up from the screen and raised his eyebrows.
"Why ? It's not my birthday .."
The older grinned playfully and a satisfied laugh escaped his lips. He came closer to the younger and pushed a red plastic toy against his narrow chest. Hanbin's eyes went down and he suddenly dropped the gameboy to circle his arms around the older's neck with an excited gasp. If Jiwon wasn't used to it, they would have fell backwards under the strenght of the sudden hug.
"How did you do it ? They were so strong ! Are you hurt ?"
His questions flowed like a stream and the older only patted the top of his head, a comforting smile on his face.
"I told them to give it back to me and they did. Your older brother is powerful, you know ! Better eat a lot of vegetables to become like me." He joked.
"Heh ? You don't even eat them yourself ! Vegetables suck."
"What did I hear ? Who taught you that Kim Hanbin ?"
Their laughers soon filled the bedroom as they started to mess with each other ribs thanks to merciless tickles.
One hour later, Jiwon right cheek had turned violet and Hanbin was crying again, firetruck held thightly against his chest.
"I told you already, it's not that painful .. They hit me, but I hit them harder. Don't you believe me ?"
"But - But you wouldn't be like that if I didn't lend my truck .." The younger said shakily between two sobs.
"That's ok. It's my duty to protect you, Hanbin. Look, it's already fading .."
All he could see was an even bigger mark and stranger colours on the cheek. But Jiwon's smile was so genuine, he stopped crying.
His tears were cold on his skin, but his heart was warm looking at his hero.
