“I would never turn back around for a hug,” Taesu scoffed at his brother. Did he know him at all? He’d rather the blade pierce his back again and again then rely on someone to ask him for that, mostly because once he tucked himself against them, they’d just stab him anyway. It was easier to not trust anyone because people were all the same – they’d find what he was and leave him alone. Seojin nudged his foot under the table forcing his scowl to deepen, although he didn’t move away. It was the most Jin was getting from him.
His brother prompted him but Taesu rolled his eyes. Seojin-hyung was just fine with him and he’d continue to use it, no matter how many times Jin prompted him to call him anything else. Maybe he would the day he asked for a hug, which would be uh, never. His eyes widened for a second before he glanced at the door from the corner of his eye, and although no one immediately burst through the door to correct him, Taesu’s body remained rigid. It was always difficult to tell when Abeoji was testing them, and although he trusted his brother, he was always wary that Abeoji had gotten to him. If he was going to start ensuring they were loyal to him, it would be in England where they had a little more freedom than before.
Taesu pursed his lips together. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, ba-bo*.”
His expression softened just a bit as Jin flinched, because he hadn’t meant it like that. “I don’t think you’re actually nameoji,
Taesu said with a sigh. “Seojin-hyung, you are what holds our family together.” And it was true; without Jin who knew where they’d all be. Taesu probably would still be curled up in his room because that’s where he was most comfortable. It was his brother who forced him out, forced him to interact with people and break him out of his shell. Even if he didn’t show it often (simply because he struggled with how to), Taesu did adore his family.
Taesu froze halfway through his bite at Jin’s words. They caught him off guard, and although the words weren’t foreign, he’d heard them once or twice before from his brother, they reached somewhere inside his chest as if they were invisible hands, curling around his heart. His chest tightened, an almost physical pinch behind his ribs. His ears had gone pink and the corner of his lips twitched as if trying, and failing, to stay neutral. “Don’t –” His throat felt thick. A few seconds passed before Taesu dared to try again, this time quieter. “Don’t say things like that.” The veela chided him, even if his voice softened. He still didn’t look up, but one of his hands twitched like he almost wanted to reach over, to close the space that he always kept between them. Tae curled his fingers against his palm so he wouldn't.
“Just… eat, hyung,” he muttered instead, sneaking a look up at his brother. Taesu stuck his foot out and looped it around Jin’s ankle. It was as much as he was getting from him, for now at least.
Seojin Jeong
*a fool, said affectionately
His brother prompted him but Taesu rolled his eyes. Seojin-hyung was just fine with him and he’d continue to use it, no matter how many times Jin prompted him to call him anything else. Maybe he would the day he asked for a hug, which would be uh, never. His eyes widened for a second before he glanced at the door from the corner of his eye, and although no one immediately burst through the door to correct him, Taesu’s body remained rigid. It was always difficult to tell when Abeoji was testing them, and although he trusted his brother, he was always wary that Abeoji had gotten to him. If he was going to start ensuring they were loyal to him, it would be in England where they had a little more freedom than before.
Taesu pursed his lips together. “Don’t make promises you can’t keep, ba-bo*.”
His expression softened just a bit as Jin flinched, because he hadn’t meant it like that. “I don’t think you’re actually nameoji,
Taesu said with a sigh. “Seojin-hyung, you are what holds our family together.” And it was true; without Jin who knew where they’d all be. Taesu probably would still be curled up in his room because that’s where he was most comfortable. It was his brother who forced him out, forced him to interact with people and break him out of his shell. Even if he didn’t show it often (simply because he struggled with how to), Taesu did adore his family.
Taesu froze halfway through his bite at Jin’s words. They caught him off guard, and although the words weren’t foreign, he’d heard them once or twice before from his brother, they reached somewhere inside his chest as if they were invisible hands, curling around his heart. His chest tightened, an almost physical pinch behind his ribs. His ears had gone pink and the corner of his lips twitched as if trying, and failing, to stay neutral. “Don’t –” His throat felt thick. A few seconds passed before Taesu dared to try again, this time quieter. “Don’t say things like that.” The veela chided him, even if his voice softened. He still didn’t look up, but one of his hands twitched like he almost wanted to reach over, to close the space that he always kept between them. Tae curled his fingers against his palm so he wouldn't.
“Just… eat, hyung,” he muttered instead, sneaking a look up at his brother. Taesu stuck his foot out and looped it around Jin’s ankle. It was as much as he was getting from him, for now at least.
*a fool, said affectionately
![[Image: JJUdkv9.png]](https://file.garden/aN0lvmYmaWI-Onw7/Charming/JJUdkv9.png)
Credit to Fox for this beautiful set!<3