Seojin was thinking so loudly that it was giving Taesu a headache; he didn’t even know what his brother could be thinking about, but whatever it was, it was probably gross and sappy, a memory of something they’d done together that he wanted to reminisce about for whatever reason. Did Tae believe him that they’d be together after everything they’d gone through? No. He imagined they’d all retreat to whatever place they felt the happiest or safest, although where that was for him, Taesu also didn’t know. With his brothers, probably. It would hurt when he was abandoned.
But instead of voicing any of that because he knew Abeoji wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, he looped his ankle around Jin’s, a silent wish that he’d keep his promise and stay close forever. His gaze flicked up just in time to catch that ridiculous tongue and the equally ridiculous grin that followed it. It drew out the faintest laugh from him, small and muffled like he didn’t quite mean to let it slip. He shook his head as his shoulders relaxed. Jin always had a way of disarming him, not through grand gestures, but with these little, effortless acts of affection that Taesu could never quite brace himself for.
He ducked his head as again his brother said I love you; Jin didn’t say them often and yet right now repeating them like a parrot who did not know how to say anything else. Taesu stared down at the chopsticks in his hand. “You’re impossible,” he muttered. “But I’m glad I came too. And you should be thanking me for making your life as exciting as it is.” Although they both knew that Abeoji kept their lives exciting (and not in a good way) because whenever he said jump they always asked how high; Taesu knew to follow orders without question.
Still…
“Seojin-hyung,” Taesu sighed as he pulled his leg back so they weren’t touching anymore, “Abeoji took my Polyjuice.” The potion had been his safety net, his mask, his one piece of control in a life that rarely offered any. Without it, he felt exposed. And Abeoji didn’t take things away for no reason. “What if he decides I don’t need it anymore? What if he locks it up next to all the other things I’m not allowed to touch?” The man had always sold having a night with a veela wearing the face of their choosing, so Taesu wasn’t sure why it was suddenly changing.
He didn’t like change.
But instead of voicing any of that because he knew Abeoji wasn’t going anywhere anytime soon, he looped his ankle around Jin’s, a silent wish that he’d keep his promise and stay close forever. His gaze flicked up just in time to catch that ridiculous tongue and the equally ridiculous grin that followed it. It drew out the faintest laugh from him, small and muffled like he didn’t quite mean to let it slip. He shook his head as his shoulders relaxed. Jin always had a way of disarming him, not through grand gestures, but with these little, effortless acts of affection that Taesu could never quite brace himself for.
He ducked his head as again his brother said I love you; Jin didn’t say them often and yet right now repeating them like a parrot who did not know how to say anything else. Taesu stared down at the chopsticks in his hand. “You’re impossible,” he muttered. “But I’m glad I came too. And you should be thanking me for making your life as exciting as it is.” Although they both knew that Abeoji kept their lives exciting (and not in a good way) because whenever he said jump they always asked how high; Taesu knew to follow orders without question.
Still…
“Seojin-hyung,” Taesu sighed as he pulled his leg back so they weren’t touching anymore, “Abeoji took my Polyjuice.” The potion had been his safety net, his mask, his one piece of control in a life that rarely offered any. Without it, he felt exposed. And Abeoji didn’t take things away for no reason. “What if he decides I don’t need it anymore? What if he locks it up next to all the other things I’m not allowed to touch?” The man had always sold having a night with a veela wearing the face of their choosing, so Taesu wasn’t sure why it was suddenly changing.
He didn’t like change.
![[Image: JJUdkv9.png]](https://file.garden/aN0lvmYmaWI-Onw7/Charming/JJUdkv9.png)
Credit to Fox for this beautiful set!<3