Junseo smiled as Leo applied the ointment to his back. "Are you still crying? I can still hear you" Junseo said and Leo shook his head wiping his tears.
He got out of Junseo's back after applying the ointment. He handed him the tube. Junseo softly laughed seeing Leo's red face.
"Shouldn't I be the one crying?" Junseo teased ruffling Leo's hair. He then sighed. "Really. I'm fine"
Leo looked at the smile on his face.
"How can you still smile after that hyung?"
"What? That was nothing. Look at me, does it look like it hurts?" Junseo asked with a grin.
Leo could see through the grin. Pain.
Junseo looked away from his eyes with a sad smile. "Don't think nothing of it, I made a mistake with his documents. It was my fault"
"Hyung... I didn't know you were getting punished in our place" Junseo shook his head hearing Leo's words.
"I told you, it was because I made a mistake—
"I heard him. It's true right? If I hadn't snuck out with him, this wouldn't have happened, it's all my fault—
"Of course it is" Leo turned his head when he heard a voice.
Junseo sighed when he saw Geonwoo. The last person he wanted to see. Geonwoo looked at him. "Hyung.." He called as he walked to him in worry.
Junseo tried covering the red marks but Geonwoo pulled his shirt up. He gritted his teeth seeing the marks.
His chest heaved up in anger and hurt. He looked at Leo. Immediately got to him and pushed him to the ground.
"Geonwoo!" Junseo yelled holding him. Gritting when he felt a sharp pain in his hand.
"Stop" He said. Geonwoo glared at Leo.
"Do you get it now?! How many times must I tell you to stop before you do?! Look! This is a result of your stupid actions!"
Leo looked away, his eyes stinging in guilt.
"Leave us alone! P-Please!" Geonwoo yelled, his voice cracking. "Hyung has suffered enough.." He muttered, his chest closing in.
Junseo folded his lips stepping in front of him.
"Geonwoo.." He called. "Hyung he—
Junseo shook his head making Geonwoo keep quiet.
Junseo turned helping Leo get up. "You're not a baby anymore, stop crying for me" Junseo said with a small smile as he wiped the tear stains on Leo's face.
He then sighed and patted Leo's shoulder.
"It's okay. It really is. All you should focus on is having fun with Sangwon. Hyung will take care of the rest" He said smiling.
Geonwoo shook his head in disbelief. He glared at Leo, walking out.
-
Leo quietly sat beside Sangwon as they looked out of the window. He looked at Sangwon, seeing him close his eyes, a small smile on his face.
"You look so relaxed" Leo said and Sangwon nodded. He opened his eyes smiling.
'I can tell it's going to rain today. I wish it would'
"Why?"
'The rain helps me sleep. I don't have to worry about anything. I can freely let my thoughts wild. The rain listens and blurs my worry.
I like the rain'
Leo smiled making Sangwon smile. He then clicked his tongue as he sighed looking back out the window.
"I wish I could like the rain" Leo said and looked at Sangwon. 'Why?'
"The rain is harsh on me. We're so different that even the rain treats us differently. It treats me so harshly, the pain lasts for days"
He then smiled. "But hearing you, I don't care if it treats me harshly.. as long as it treats you well, I can like it"
Sangwon scoffed smiling as he looked away from him, looking back out the window. Closing his eyes as he enjoyed the cold breeze.
Leo looked at him, his eyes tracing his face. He softly tucked Sangwon's hair behind his ear. "I want to look at you like this forever"
Sangwon snickered hearing Leo's words.
"I mean it.." Leo said and Sangwon opened his eyes looking at him. He just shook his head with a smile as he looked away.
-
Sangwon woke up rubbing his eyes. He looked out. It had stopped raining. He stretched getting out of his bed. He paused mid-stretch when his eyes landed on Leo's sign language book.
He's so forgetful
He smiled picking up the book.
-
Sangwon folded his lips contemplating whether he should have stayed home rather than going to Leo's house just to give him his book.
But he knew deep down, he was thankful. A reason to see Leo. A shy smile formed on his face. He looked out of the window as the driver drove.
As the driver neared Leo's Uncle's house, Sangwon's smile slowly faded. The roads were muddy and near flooded.
"Young Master. The car can't go further."
Sangwon gave him a nod. He opened the door, water immediately got in. He carefully got down, his feet immediately getting swallowed by the water.
He clutched the book to his chest as he walked. His eyes widened as he saw a different side of the country. Families were crying as they tried to salvage the remaining possessions they had.
His eyes followed adults who carried their crying children. Traders walking with their goods on their heads.
He stopped when he spotted Leo from afar.
A bucket in his hand as he scooped out water from his house. His sleeves rolled up.
His heart sank as he remembered his words.
I wish I could like the rain. The rain is so harsh on me.
He could see how even in distress, Leo kept a bright smile on his face. Trying to lighten up the mood of the other distressed people.
It was a reminder. He seemed to have forgotten.
The large difference in their lives.
He looked at the book in his hands. He looked at Leo who still scooped water out of his flooded home. He turned, looking at everyone.
He thought he had life hard. There were people who had it worse but still pushed through.
He quietly turned, leaving.