Ni-ki sat on his bed, observing the older as he carefully stirred the soup to cool it down.
" I can do that on my own Hyung, it's been a whole week since that incident- I'm fine now so let me-- "
He tried to get the soup bowl from the older only to receive a glare from him, he looked like an angry kitten and Ni-ki couldn't help but laugh.
" okay okay angry bird do your thing "
He surrendered and allowed the older to do as he pleased. He enjoyed soaking up the affection and attention the older gave him without reservation. He hoped it would continue indefinitely, but he was unaware that the care and affection he had grown accustomed to would not be everlasting.
He had started to notice the growing gap between them, especially when Sunoo began making flimsy excuses to avoid sharing a room with him. Although he tried not to dwell on it, as they spent the entire day together anyway.
However, things took a sour turn when Sunoo stopped initiating kisses and would brush off any concerns with excuses like "I'm just tired, can I rest for a bit?"
Every time he tried to show affection towards the older, all he received were poor excuses. The distance between them became evident when Sunoo refused to reciprocate after Ni-ki confessed his love.
The usual warm reply he has expected never came, but instead, he was met with an uncomfortable silence and a blank expression, showing only a small hint of hurt. The older quickly made a flimsy excuse to escape the awkward situation.
Escape from him.
Watching him run away instead of opening up about his concerns and worries was exhausting, especially when he was right there to listen without judging. It made him question if Sunoo truly relied on him the way he relied on Sunoo.
But still he tried to grasp onto fine sand that was slipping past the gaps of his fingers. He assured himself that it's just a phase, maybe the older is too shaken about everything that's going on with them, their parents upcoming marriage and on top of that he fainted, making everyone worry.
He tried grasping on the weak threads just to watch it snap and burn into ruins when he finally decided to confront the older.
" Hyung, did I do something wrong? Why... "
He didn't need to finish the question because he knew the older person already understood him, showing that they still had a strong connection even without speaking much. This made him anticipate what was coming next.
However, he realized that he may have understood too quickly, as the pain he expected to feel in his heart was not as intense as he thought - it was more numb than anything. This numbness made him feel detached and indifferent.
He would rather feel that pain than the numbness.
" I think we should end this "
There, the bitter truth was now out in the open. He is scared, he is broken but he would rather put up a stronger front to listen to his beloved further. Let him explain... maybe he misunderstood? Maybe there was a misunderstanding? Maybe he did something to hurt him unknowingly and maybe things can be fixed. Maybe they don't have to end this way...
Maybe....
" I think we should just listen to the elders and- and play this role of perfect family.. "
Sunoo said stuttering funnily but Ni-ki didn't laugh, he wouldn't, he couldn't.. he just smiled and studied his lover's face.
Eyes red with overwhelming tears, nose and cheeks flushed red, lips quivering.
" Maybe all I felt for you was dalliance.. so.. "
Sunoo's breath hitched when Ni-ki suddenly grabbed the soup bowl out of his hands and placed it on the night stand, further from them before pulling him forward, making him fall on his lap.
" R-Riki...!? "
He exclaimed in surprise, unsure of what the younger is doing, already it was hard to say his words as he practiced but now their close proximity was making his mind misty, his breath hot and held his heart in a chokehold.
" hmm.. continue "
Ni-ki said lazily while cupping his face gently. His touch so warm it hurts physically at this point.
He quickly blinked away his tears and tried to set himself free from the younger's hold only for the latter to hold him tighter.
" Riki.. let me go "
He fought with himself, it's already hard not to cry but the way Ni-ki's eyes stayed on him, like he is the only one in this whole world, his one and only, his everything.
Ni-ki refused to look away, he never did anyways.. it was always him.
Looking away..
Running away..
He bit his lips and gulped a choked up sob. He can't do this... Not to them.. but he shouldn't be selfish for once.. he should really let Ni-ki go.
" You- You heard me? I said let's end this- "
" hmm "
Ni-ki answered him, gaze fixed on his face, studying every little details of him.. cherishing every flaw and perfection of him wordlessly. He felt like melting under such intense gaze.
" we can't be together.. for the sake of your family.. "
" hmm.. "
Ni-ki grabbed his waist, pulling him closing in his lap.
" for the sake of everyone.. um- we should - "
" hmm "
The younger swiped his thumb across his plump lips, wiping away the blood he was unaware of. Seems like he did bite himself a bit too hard to draw blood.
" we should.. just stay as step siblings.. "
He felt small under the heating gaze and possessive touches. He sucked in a deep breath when Ni-ki leaned in, barely an inch away from his lips and their breath mixing.
" you understand-w-what I'm.. saying? "
Sunoo was now unsure if the younger understood anything.
" Riki- "
" Anata wa usowotsuku to kawaii "
-you're cute when you lie
He smiled seeing the confused expression on the older's face.
" Kimi ga damaru made kosu ni shitai kurai kawaii. "
- so cute that I want to fuck you until you shut up.
He stared confusingly at the younger's smiling face, it was like, suddenly he remembered the younger is Japanese, he blinked and frowned wondering if his words even got through him or not.
" what... does that mean? "
He asked, hating the mocking grin on the latter's face.
" why don't you figure it out yourself? "
Ni-ki tilted his head, inching closer to his lips and unconsciously he licked his own lips, moisturizing it, catching the younger's attention.
" Sunoo-chan "
He smirked, liking the stupified expression of the older.
" Hontōni kawaī "
- really cute
And with that he leaned in closing the gap between them. Sunoo instantly closed his eyes, anticipating the kiss that was about to come but all he got was a peck on his forehead and instantly he opened his eyes only to find Ni-ki looking at him with a small smile.
" hyung "
" siblings don't kiss eachother "
" if you want to play this game, play it properly "
And in a second his smile vanished, replaced by a cold look, sending shivers down the older's spine.
" Keep running for as long as
you wish for, "
"but, I won't choose to wait for you"
_________
He kept his words, he didn't wait..
It was tiring, very.. tiring
But atleast everyone's happy now, busy in preparing for the upcoming wedding.
The preparations for the wedding have begun, with him now assisting his mother in selecting a beautiful wedding dress for her.
He was also involved in accompanying the elders to plan the decorations and guest list for the wedding venue.
Despite his actions, he couldn't help but smile, trying to mask the pain and sadness he felt inside.
Each time the only person he has ever loved, ignored him completely, it was as if he didn't exist. And when he tried to engage in conversation with him, he would speak in a distant and formal manner, like they were strangers.
Each interaction chipped away at him, leaving him feeling broke and stupid.
He couldn't help but mourn for what he lost, the love he ever craved for was taken away from him, leaving him cold and empty.
But it was all his fault so he smiled, he had no right to even mourn anymore.
" Riki... did you like your suit? T-The fitting.. is there some adjustments needed? "
Sunoo asked while observing the younger dressed in a sage green and white suit adorned with rhinestones on the shoulders and pants.
'he looks so handsome' thought Sunoo and immediately looked away, realizing that he have been staring at the younger.
"It's fine"
Ni-ki replied, his reply short and simple.
Sunoo just nodded.
Right..what did he expected? A sweet reply? A smile? He knows he doesn't deserve anything at all. He smiled to himself and turned to look at his own reflection in the mirror.
It's the same colour combination but his suit had white lily flowers embroidered around the collar and cuff.
While he was preoccupied admiring his attire in the mirror, he didn't realize that someone else was admiring him. Lost in his own thoughts, he suddenly felt someone's presence behind him and heard a voice speak.
" Sir, this suit complements your figure beautifully and enhances your curves. "
Sunoo was taken by surprise by the unexpected praise from a worker, causing him to stumble over his words.
" Y-Yes? Is that true? Thank you for your compliment "
He quickly excused himself and gave a small nod to the stranger, assuming they would leave, but to his surprise, the stranger showed no signs of leaving him be.
" By the way..let me introduce myself; Hi, I'm Renan and this is my mom's store, I help her sometimes. Can I ask for your name? "
He suddenly began to introduce himself, and Sunoo nodded along, pretending to be interested to avoid seeming impolite.
“ ..I'm Sunoo- Kim Sunoo ”
He said, leaving out details about his reason to be here at the first place, this is nobody's concern anyways.
“ Oh~ Sunoo-shi, such a pretty name for such a pretty man~ it's a pleasure to have someone so beautiful as our costomer ”
Sunoo noticed that the man was flirting, so he frowned and chose not to respond.
During this interaction, they were unaware of Ni-ki, who was standing nearby, observing the situation with envy and possessiveness evident in his tightened fists and clenched jaw.
His face had lost its usual friendliness and his eyes lost its usual playfulness.
Ni-ki's eyes were cold, staring right at the stranger that dared to approach his Sunoo.
The stranger, sensing the change in demeanor, met Ni-ki's cold gaze and involuntarily shuddered, feeling a sense of unease
“ I- I should get going- I have work pending- please excuse me!"
He drifted off and quickly left, muttering complaints about his circumstances as Sunoo was left puzzled and alone.
The stranger's sudden departure left him bewildered, but he welcomed the solitude. He returned to admiring his attire and appearance without realizing that a familiar gaze was watching him closely, observing his every detail, flaw, and perfection.
To be Continued
———————
[A/N]
Guys sorry for the late update, I had high fever so I was dying then I suddenly woke up at 3AM in cold sweat cuz I saw you all sending me dts for not updating. Gladly it was all a nightmare and nthg irl.
Please vote and leave lots of comments, I like to read them and know your thoughts
Thank you
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