It's Just A Picture (BL)
Chapter 375: But, it’s how I feel

Chapter 375: But, it’s how I feel

Dongwoo sat quietly on the bed as he waited for the twins to be done with what they were doing.

He took his bath first.

He had so much to say. So much that his heart felt like it would burst any moment with the emotions that were swirling in him.

Dongwoo pursed his lips. The prevalent emotion was... The door opened, and he raised his head, looking at the two as they walked... That emotion was gratitude.

All of a sudden, his eyes started tearing up as he stared at them, alarming them.

"Hyung, what’s wrong?" They asked, rushing to his side and that was when Dongwoo realized he was crying.

He touched his cheek to feel the wet tears and then laughed. He shook his head and looked up at them.

"It’s nothing," he said. "I just got emotional for a moment there." Slowly, he cleaned his eyes with his sleeve. "I was thinking a lot and... Realized you two have really done so much for me. So much that... My heart feels this burst of warmth and gratitude. I... I’m so grateful." He sniffed and smiled.

"Hyung," Seojin called softly, kneeling in front of him but then threw his face aside in guilt.

Dongwoo might think they had done a lot for him but it was nothing compared to what he had done for them. He pulled them out of a dark pit and lit their path.

Just... How could they make him see that?

But that aside, he was still feeling a bit awkward from how he acted when Dongwoo was kidnapped. He was so wild and out of control, contrary to his usual calm nature.

He did not know what Dongwoo thought of him after that, but he never treated him any differently, which made him feel worse.

It was as if he had been deceiving him all along, only to be found out at the most critical time.

That alone made it hard to look him in the eye while he said he was grateful to them. How could he? He didn’t deserve his gratitude.

Seojun, who was kneeling next to Seojin, watched his brother, understanding his feelings, and then turned to Dongwoo,

"Hyung," he called, slowly taking his hand. "Gratitude, was it? That’s a strong word."

"But it’s how I feel."

"Yeah, and it’s the same for us," Seojun said, rubbing his palm. "When the world treated us like we were parasites as if we were evil spat out of the devil’s jaw, you looked at us, smiled, and even called us adorable. You taught us a lot of things and showed us that there was light even when we were surrounded by nothing but darkness. You..." He lowered his eyes, clutching onto Dongwoo’s hand tightly. "...looked at us the same way for the short period of time we were together. You never discriminated against us. And even after all these years, your heart is still the same. Kind, warm, and wide. So wide that it fit us both in it and we’re not small." He said and laughed. "Hyung, the one who should be feeling such immense gratitude is us. And I would like to express it to you today. I... I am so happy that I met you."

Dongwoo’s eyes glistened with the remnant of his tears as he watched Seojun confess these things sincerely. They locked eyes and Dongwoo suddenly got a hiccup.

"Hik!" It was so sudden that he got embarrassed and his face flushed.

"I’ll go get water, Hyung." Seojun said, getting up to his feet and heading out.

Once he was gone, it was just Seojin and Dongwoo left and the somewhat silent room was filled with Dongwoo’s hiccups.

"Hyung," Seojin suddenly called, his head bowed, scared to raise his face and take in Dongwoo’s reaction as he asked, "Did you get mad that I deceived you?"

Dongwoo’s eyes widened.

"What? Hik!"

"I never showed my true nature. Were you scared when you saw me acting like a barbarian? I acted cruelly and completely out of character. You must hate me for it." He heaved, watching his hands as they trembled. "I want you to at least get mad. Please, you have to--"

"Seojin," Dongwoo called and Seojin flinched, raising his head to finally meet Dongwoo’s eyes.

Dongwoo’s eyes trembled as he placed his hand on his shoulder, stopping him from speaking any more of those hurting words. They shocked him to his bones. How could he say that? How could he ever hate him? He bit his bottom lip.

That shock happened to stop Dongwoo’s hiccup because it stopped completely.

But he didn’t even care for his hiccup, all he cared about was the hurt he was watching in Seojin’s eyes. It hurt his heart.

"You didn’t deceive me," He said and Seojin pursed his lip tightly. Why was he saying that? He clearly kept a lot of things from him. "Everyone has a side to them that they wish they can bury but as it is their nature, they can only suppress it and keep it hidden. But certain situations cause those hidden nature to resurface. It’s not your fault."

"But..."

"Just because you hid your cruel nature for fear that you would scare me, it doesn’t mean you deceived me." Dongwoo declared and stared softly at Seojin’s face. He looked like he was about to cry. "I can’t hate you, Seojin. I can’t even get mad at you. What happened a month ago..." He shook his head and swiped Seojin’s hair softly. "...was very unfortunate, but you did your best and," his grip on Seojin’s shoulder hardened, and he bit his lip. "...I’m beyond grateful, honestly. If you hadn’t been there, if you two hadn’t showed up, I don’t know what would’ve happened to me."

His body began to tremble gradually.

"Each time I can’t help but think about it. I can’t..." He sniffed, his tears rolling down once more. "I don’t know what I would’ve done without you that’s why my heart feels like it’s going to burst."

Seojun, who had been standing at the door and listening in, turned his face away sadly.

They didn’t even do that much. If not for Lily, they might’ve never found him, he would’ve been lost, and who knew just how many horrible things they would’ve done to him.

But alas...

"Hyung," Seojin called softly and hugged Dongwoo. He had tears in his eyes as well. "Thank you." He said and Dongwoo wondered what he was thanking him for. "Thank you for never giving up on us and yourself. Thank you for hanging on for so long." He cried. "Thank you for being alive."