"You abandoned me" Was the first sentence Chenle had spoken between the two as the silence had soon become intolerable. He was upset, disappointed, angry. He was happy to see her doing well in life yet...it was all at the expense of him learning to live without a sister. Without the support of his elder brother and sister who had left him before he could form opinions of the world for himself. He wanted them to be happy, he wanted them to be free of their parent's ruthlessness, but did it really have to be him that was always left behind while the rest found themselves a better life.
"Kun wrote to me every month, telling me how his military term is going.."
"Chenle i-"
"I heard nothing from you" Chenle stated, swallowing the lump that was in his throat making it hard for him to even breathe
"I tried okay? I really did try to get in contact with y-"
"But then what? You tried and then soon enough decided it wasn't worth your precious time?" Chenle asked, folding his arms above his chest
"I'm sorry" she said, breathing out a breath she didn't realise she was holding and so did he
"Honestly as much as I am glad to see you alive and well...I didn't come here for an apology or an explanation so you can save your breath" he stated making her look up at him with teary eyes
"I came to say that you are no longer my sister" he stated firmly
"Chenle-"
"My parents filed for an emancipation days after you left on your behalf...you are no longer in any legal position or obligation to see me as a brother, so please don't-"
"You'll always be a brother to me-"
"Have you EVER....in your life been a sister to me? Have you ever for one second thought that you running away from this family would have caused an immense amount of pain and trauma for me?!"
"I'm sorry, I'll apologise as many times as you need me to. It was selfish i know! But i had no other choice!-"
"You did! I'm only a year younger than you if you just fucking waited two more years out of whatever love you had left for your family, then I could have saved you from all the misery you were facing...but you were so impatient you just couldn't wait?"
"Are you saying you would rather have seen me endure two more years of torture from those...monsters instead of set myself free?!"
"They're my parents you're talking about, watch your mouth"
"I see you've grown up just find underneath their care. So much that you've even turned into him, the very man I despise the most" she said with a scoff as she saw his dark eyes, void of any feeling apart from anger, and the disappointment she was so used to.
"Maybe I have. Atleast i learnt a thing or two from him that you and Kun could never. And that's to not run away when things get hard like a fucking coward"
"How dare you speak to me that way?" She asked narrowing her eyes at him
"You mean nothing to me...i never want to see you again!"
"Fine then, door's right there you can show yourself out. But just so you know, if you ever need me, for anything at all, I'll open it for you anytime" She said, blinking away the tears that were nearly forcing themselves out
"Let's hope it never comes to that then" he sighed, swallowing a lump in his throat as he stared at the girl he had grown up with but soon grew to resent. Her soft eyes wandered to his once more, though their words were harsh, their inner feelings never were. After all, blood runs thicker than water. Their 'i hate yous' were 'i love yous', their 'i never want to see you agains' were 'take cares'. And that's how siblings were.
Her feet lightly treaded towards his as her arms slowly encased his torso, allowing herself to rest her head on his chest as she hugged him. With a hesitant but relieved sigh he wrapped his arms around her as well. But every good thing in the Zhong family only lasted a short while before everyone went back to playing their act, as if in some sort of doll house.
"I'm always here for you" she whispered softly
"Likewise" he said, clearing his throat after as they parted from their hug looking into each other's eyes once again. Chenle simply bowed, no smile in sight as he turned to walk out of her bedroom door and soon out of her apartment, the sudden slam of the door getting the attention of all the boys
"What happened?"
"We heard screaming-"
"Thank you guys for coming to check up on me but please just...leave me alone for a bit" she said with a sigh
"But-"
"Please" she pleaded and Jaehyun nodded
"Let's leave" he said with a nod and Doyoung soon followed him out the door
"Jisung can you stay at Jeyi's tonight" she asked with a pleading smile and he nodded
"Make sure you get some rest" he said, leaving out the door soon after.
"There's food-"
"You too... Jaem" she said with a small smile
"I understand."
"I'm sorry i...I don't mean to push you away-"
"Hey, it's okay. Take all the time you need" he said with a comforting smile, hugging her as he slowly guided her to the dining table
"Make sure you eat okay? I put all the food on the table so there's no excuse to skip meals. Drink water and please try and get some sleep tonight" he said kissing the top of her head
"You're so good to me...make sure you take your medication Jaem" she said with a small smile
"Hmm, have I ever forgot to? Take your birth control as well, unless you're actually considering making little nanas and seullies with me" he said, giddily wiggling his eyebrows making her laugh and slap his arm lightly
"This is not the time for that type of conversation" She said sternly and he chuckled
"You're right...but for the record i really would- nevermind" he said cutting himself off
"What?" She asked
"It's not the time for this conversation, I'll tell you another day" Jaemin said with a smile. Soon bidding his goodbye and leaving Yeseul to her own thoughts.