Anxin sat on his bed as he looked at Leo who stood in front of the mirror.
"Hyung you're not going to bed?"
Leo turned to him. "Oh, I just need to master these signs, and then I'll sleep. Look, I've mastered these pages," Leo said, proudly showing Anxin the pages of the sign language book he had mastered.
Junseo had to get him the book because of how he was constantly disturbing him for it. He would always show Junseo to make sure he got it right.
Anxin chuckled. "You're working really hard hyung" Leo nodded. "It's for Sangwon, of course, I must work hard"
"You know you could have just told me to teach you" Anxin said and Leo shook his head.
"Junseo hyung is already helping me. And I want to learn this on my own. I want to be able to understand him. I've come quite far- just yesterday I understood everything he signed"
Anxin laughed when he saw the proud smile on Leo's face. "Good thing you're a fast learner hyung"
Leo smiled closing the book as he climbed up to his bed. "Anxin" He called looking into space.
Anxin hummed. "You know how Sangwon and Junseo hyung aren't close, do you perhaps know why? I didn't want to ask either of them"
Anxin turned on his bed. He sighed.
"Yeah but... I was ten when I got here. They were already not close then"
Leo turned. "Why?"
"Back then when I came newly, it was pretty obvious Young master didn't like Junseo hyung. Junseo hyung mostly got attention so I guess it's normal for young master to be jealous"
Leo sat up on his bed.
"It was just jealousy and him wanting his father's attention then till... the accident Junseo got into with their mother.
After their mother's death, Young master completely closed out on everyone.. even me"
"You?"
Anxin nodded with a sad smile. "Yes, we were actually close. He used to play with me then. We're only two years apart. I even used to play with his mother.
But after her death... He stopped interacting with me, Junseo hyung, anyone. He was gone like a feather. His hate for Junseo hyung got so bad.
Because Junseo hyung was the one who crashed the car resulting in their mother's death"
Leo slowly looked away from Anxin.
"Do you think they can one day get back together?"
Anxin sighed. "It's been four years... their relationship keeps getting worse.. I honestly don't know hyung.. I really hope they sort things out. I miss him"
Leo quietly looked down sighing.
-
Anxin placed a plate before Sangwon, as he took his hand away, he knocked down his fork. They bent down to pick it up.
Anxin quickly picked the fork, avoiding Sangwon's touch. "I-I'll change it Young master" He immediately said looking down.
Sangwon quietly looked at him as he walked away. He slowly looked away. Guilt eating him up.
He and Anxin were really close when they were twelve and ten. Everyone knew them as two peas in a pod as Sangwon was the closest to Anxin's age then.
But after his mother's death. He distanced himself. His chest filled with hate for everyone.
He folded his lips remembering how hurt Anxin's face was when he sent him away from him.
'Get away from me. You're a servant. Not my friend. Do not call me by my name. I know you not'
Of course, Anxin grew distant from him. Growing up alone after losing his only friend. He didn't hate Sangwon, he understood it was because of his mother's death.
But he just wished that at least he would still smile at him like back then.
So he just watched his old friend from afar.
Jia Hao looked at Sangwon's face once Anxin replaced the fork and quickly left. "What's wrong?"
Sangwon blinked, leaving his trance. He gave Jia Hao a small smile as he shook his head.
'Let's eat.'
-
Leo smiled remembering how he and Sangwon successfully sneaked out the previous day. Junseo lied again, covering up for Sangwon skipping his classes, although he didn't tell him.
He paused when he heard whimpers. He looked up. He quietly climbed the stairs. He stopped before Sangryeok's door.
He gulped when the sound of lashing got louder. He looked through the small opening of the door.
His eyes widened when he saw Sangryeok whipping Junseo's back. Junseo clenched his fists as he gritted his teeth.
Leo covered his mouth in shock seeing Junseo's back filled with red lash marks.
"You think you control the affairs of this house?! Letting your brother skip his classes!" Sangryeok yelled as he whipped Junseo.
Junseo gritted his teeth as he held back his tears.
"You already know how it goes. You take his punishments. You offered for this"
Junseo closed his eyes as he accepted the lashes.
"You two should have just died with that wretch. She left two fools here. A mute and an absolute excuse of a son"
Leo's eyes widened in shock hearing the words Sangryeok spat at him. Sangryeok threw his lash. "Get out of here"
Junseo's shaking hands picked up his shirt. He wore it and turned to his father, bowing.
Junseo opened the door. His eyes widened when Leo fell back. He quickly closed the door stepping out.
He immediately put on a smile. "L-Leo.. What are you doing here?"
Leo panted in fear and worry as he looked at the smile on Junseo's face. He blinked feeling his eyes begin to sting. Seeing how Junseo struggled to keep a happy face, it tore him.
Junseo gently held Leo's chin when he saw his eyes get teary. "What's wrong?" He asked worriedly.
"H-Hyung.." Leo immediately pulled him into a hug.