he watches the world sped pass by him as he gazes out the window. he sat in the backseat of the car, with his step-brother driving in the front seat.
"we're almost there, jeongguk."
the ride was quiet yet so tense.
the two brothers barely knew each other. besides being step-brothers, they were strangers. since jeongguk never got a good impression of his step-brother, he hated him. perhaps, if they met under different circumstances, maybe they could get along well. just not like this.
"namjoon," he calls, uncertain if he got his name correct.
"yeah?"
"is it just gonna be the two of us later?" jeongguk hoped for a certain answer. "what about mom?"
"it's just the two of us, for now." namjoon sighs. "and... i hope mom visits."
disappointed, jeongguk laid his head back as he shuts his eyes, crossing his arms against his chest. "wake me up later."
—
"we're here."
jeongguk lied back for a few seconds to get a hold himself, getting out the car after. "where's our stuff?"
"i carried everything up." he took off his mask to smile at jeongguk.
namjoon wanted to be closer with jeongguk. he knew jeongguk hated him, he could understand why. but he wanted to be there for his brother.
he wanted jeongguk to love him as a brother.
"you didn't have to." jeongguk ignored, walking pass by him and up to their apartment. namjoon looks back, only to see jeongguk walk away. he sighs, letting out a dry cough as it was cold. he whispers,
"it'll get better."
—
jeongguk looks around the house. the walls were empty, the floor was an old-fashioned parquet with a blend of deep homely browns and the walls were a peach-like colour.
he wondered how happy he'd be if he was with his mother. he'd watch his mother squeal when she sees the wide balcony, where she could plant her flowers.
"you wanna choose a room?" namjoon appears as he takes off his winter jacket, along his scarf and face mask.
"i'll take that one i guess." jeongguk pointed at the small room that was also the last room at the edge.
"want me to help with your stuff?" namjoon offers, already carrying a box in his hand.
"just go. i can handle it."
"alright." namjoon smiles.
