(Outside — Kang Villa Garden)
After pouring everything out every argument, every moment of silence, and every emotion he'd buried ,
Taehyun sat slumped on the garden bench, his voice finally quiet.
The cool night breeze brushed his hair, carrying the faint scent of dew and roses.
Taewon stood beside him, arms crossed loosely, listening in silence until the last word left Taehyun's lips.
For a while, neither spoke. Only the chirping of crickets filled the heavy air.
"I didn't mean to shout… I just I don't know how to stop caring."
"You kept that in for too long,"
Taewon finally said, his tone low but steady.
Taehyun laughed weakly.
"Yeah. Guess I'm as stupid as he said."
He leaned back, eyes closing.
"I just wanted him to see me… not as someone to pity, not as some Alpha he can't love."
Taewon sat down beside him, the wooden bench creaking under their weight.
"Minjoon didn't say that because he hates you," he said quietly.
"He said it because he's scared."
"Scared?" Taehyun repeated, bitterly.
"Of what? Of being happy?"
Taewon's lips curved faintly, though not in amusement.
"Sometimes… being happy feels dangerous when you've lost too much already."
Taehyun turned his head, eyes glinting under the dim garden light.
"You sound like you've lived that yourself "
"I did," Taewon admitted.
"They're brothers, Taehyun. both have the same kind of heart stubborn, fragile, and full of fear.
Jihyun used to push me away the same way. He'd smile like nothing hurt, but I could feel the walls he built around himself.
Loving someone like that... it's exhausting, but it's real."
Taehyun was silent for a moment. His throat tightened.
"I don't even know if Minjoon still feels anything for me. I said things.... things I didn't mean."
"Then fix it," Taewon said simply.
"How? He won't even look at me."
Taehyun scoffed faintly.
"I don't even feel bad for myself. I just feel sorry for him. He thinks we can't be together because we're not meant for each other."
"Then don't make him look,"
Taewon replied.
"Just stand close enough that he knows you're still there."
Taehyun frowned slightly.
"but it's not that easy Taewon-ah"
Taewon gave a faint smile.
"It's not. But that's how love works, Taehyun. It's not about proving you're strong. It's about staying even when it hurts."
Taehyun lowered his gaze. The sharpness in his expression softened.
"You think he'll forgive me?"
Taewon looked toward the dark horizon.
"If he loved you once… he never stopped."
Taehyun nodded slowly, his expression softening.
"I'll apologize tomorrow."
(Upstairs Minjoon's Room)
The room was dim, the nightlight glowing faintly against the pale walls.
Jihyun sat beside Minjoon on the bed, their hands loosely intertwined.
"Hyung," Jihyun said softly,
"Just open up to him. I know you better than anyone you can't live without him. No matter how much you pretend you don't care."
Minjoon's jaw tightened.
"It's not that simple."
"Yes, it is," Jihyun insisted.
"You keep worrying about what others will think. But why?
I'm your only family left. If I can accept you, then why can't you accept yourself?"
"Jihyun"
"Hyung," Jihyun continued, voice low but firm,
"Forget the past. Don't let it chain you. Even though he"
"Stop," Minjoon cut in sharply. His voice trembled.
"Don't talk about him. He's in the past. I left him there."
Jihyun leaned forward.
"Exactly, hyung. Then leave him there not just in words but in your heart too. He was a ruined beast who only used you.
You deserve better. You're not young anymore. Don't waste more years."
Minjoon shot him a look half hurt, half warning but said nothing.
Jihyun sighed and gently took Minjoon's hand, placing it over his stomach.
"Hyung… the baby moved today. I felt it in the afternoon but didn't tell anyone yet."
Minjoon's expression softened.
"Hmmm!"
Jihyun smiled faintly.
"Yeah. I'll tell Taewon when I go back."
Minjoon nodded, brushing Jihyun's hair lightly.
"You should rest. Don't sit here too long. And
....I'll talk to him when I'm ready."
Jihyun exhaled.
"Hyung, I'm telling you for the last time don't lose someone who truly loves you."
Minjoon chuckled weakly.
"Alright, alright. Now go."
Jihyun stood up carefully. Minjoon rose too and pulled him into a warm hug.
"Sleep early. I'll be back by morning," Minjoon murmured.
Jihyun smiled softly and left, closing the door behind him.
(Later Midnight)
The villa was silent .
Taewon walked in quietly, exhaustion on his face. In their bedroom,
Jihyun lay against the pillows, scrolling through his phone lazily.
"You're late," he said, looking up with a smile.
Taewon sat on the edge of the bed, taking Jihyun's phone and setting it aside.
"You took your medicine?"
"Yes, sir," Jihyun teased.
"You took too long."
Taewon smiled faintly.
"Something came up with Taehyun."
Jihyun's eyes softened.
"Did you two talked?"
"yes," he murmured. "we talked."
Jihyun nodded, then said quietly,
"Taewon-ah "
"Nae(yes)"
"Since noon… I've been feeling something."
Taewon frowned, instantly alert.
"What kind of something?"
Jihyun sat up slowly, and Taewon quickly adjusted the pillows behind him.
Then Jihyun took his hand, placing it gently on his belly.
Taewon froze, confused until he felt it.
A faint kick under his palm.
His eyes widened; he pulled his hand back slightly, breath caught in his throat.
"What was that?"
"The baby kicked,"
Jihyun said, smiling softly.
"Don't tell me you didn't know."
Taewon's voice shook.
"I know, but… it feels strange."
"Aigoo, it feels strange because you never felt it before,"
Jihyun laughed lightly, guiding his hand back. "Here see?"
This time Taewon let his hand rest there. When the small movement came again, he smiled unconsciously.
"The doctor said our baby's healthy,"
Jihyun whispered.
"I think it'll be an Alpha like you."
Taewon's smile faltered for a moment, remembering the doctor's quiet warning about Jihyun's condition.
His heart sank, but he forced a soft smile.
"I don't care if it's Alpha or Omega," he said quietly.
"I just want both of you healthy."
Jihyun chuckled.
"The ninth month starts soon… just a bit of time left."
"Don't say that,"
Taewon murmured, kissing his forehead. "We still have so much time. This isn't the end, yeobo."
Jihyun smiled, wrapping his arms around him.
Taewon rested his head against Jihyun's chest, his hand protectively over the growing bump.
He whispered softly, eyes closed,
"You better not hurt my Jihyun, little one. You hear me? You're my kid and you know better that it hurts me when someone hurt him."
The baby kicked again, faint but firm.
And for the first time in weeks,
Taewon smiled without hiding the warmth in his eyes.