Ｃａｓｔｌｅ Ｉｎ Ｔｈｅ Ｓｋｙ // Soonhoon

《Introduction》

"Momma, when am I going to meet my soulmate?" Lee Jihoon, aged 7, walked up to his mom and sat next to her. She turned to him and smiled, pulling on his cheeks.

"Dont worry, you'll meet them someday. You're just a child, you don't need to worry about love, now, go play with hansol, alright? He's calling for you." Jihoon's mother let go of her  child's cheeks. Chuckling when Jihoon   massaged his peach colored cheeks.

And so that's what he did, for 12 years. He ignored all of the comments, all of the concern his family gave him. Afterall, he was terrified. The thought of him being alone all of his life was alot to bear.

He even stopped going out. Seeing others with their partners made him sick. Why couldnt he have that? What did he do to the universe to deserve such sorrow brought onto him?

"Leave me alone." Jihoon mumbled and pulled up his covers to his ears. Trying to make the sound coming from his phone stop. It was Seungkwan. Calling for the fourth time today. Something about being worried about Jihoon's health.

The phone vibrations and noises finally stopped. The cold thick air finally taking over again. His covers doing nothing to stop his occasional shivering.

Thats when he heard the door creek open. The bright light of the living room creeping into his own. Making Jihoon blink a couple times to adjust.

"Jihoon, you've been in here for days on end. You're coming with me to see a movie or something." Hansol stepped in. Walking towards Jihoon's bed and pulling his covers down.

"I don't want to go." Jihoon hissed back. Sitting up and staring cooly at hansol.

That's when Hansol realized how bad he let it get to. Jihoons collar bones popped out, his ribs clearly visible. Jihoons eyebags and circles as big and as dark as they could be. Jihoon was the definition of a walking zombie.

"You don't get a choice, you're coming out. Shower and get ready. I'll come back to get you in thirty minutes." Hansol walked to Jihoons closet and pulled out clothes for him to wear.

"I'm not a child, Hansol."

"Then stop making me treat you like one. You'll thank me later. Im making you have fun for today." Hansol threw a grey hoodie at Jihoon, along with blue denim ripped jeans.

Jihoon stayed quiet as Hansol left. Leaving him in the dark once more. Jihoon stared at his clothing before standing up and heading towards the bathroom. Dirty clothing and scattered towels were everywhere. Picking up what was clean jihoon folded them and started stripping. He turned on the shower, making it as hot as he could stand.

Stepping in he winced. The steam rising and hitting the mirrors. Evidence of past scars starting to blend in with his fair skin.

---

Twenty or so minutes later he turned off the water. Staring at all of it rush into the gaping drain.

He dried off, looking in the mirror and tracing his defined collar bones with his fingers. His dull eyes routinely showing worry for his health. He knew it wasn't healthy, but he had no clue what else to do. Food was boring to him, he only ate when his stomach gave him ruthless consequences for his actions. 

He finished dressing and fixing his hair. Starting to brush his teeth before eventually putting on his converse and lacing them up.

Stepping out of his room he spotted a smiling hansol.

"Theres my boy. You ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be."