C H A P T E R   T E N

 ─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───     

❝ To the outside world, we all grow old. But not to brothers and sisters. We know each other as we always were. We know each other's hearts. We share private family jokes. We remember family feuds and secrets, family griefs, and joys. We live outside the touch of time ❞— Clara Ortega

S O O Y U N

Bacon 🍳 : I'm at your doorsteps, wake up sleeping beauty 💜 

MY PHONE VIBRATES AGAINST THE nightstand.

It's been a week and I still haven't recovered from meeting Kim Seokjin.

And it isn't just that.

I am to be the next member of Bangtan Soyeondan.

Like the tides of an ocean and when the sun's rays submerge with crystal tears, it's one amazing view.

For me, it isn't because I am nowhere close to being an idol.

And for others, it's a blessing because world war z might erupt.

Pushing my head out under the pillow, I grab ahold of my phone and read the message that's popped up on the screen.

HOLY CRAP.

WHAT IS HE DOING HERE RIGHT NOW? 

My fingers immediately do all the typing as if my brain knows everything right now instead of when I am in school.

Sueyum ✨ : WHy aRe YOU hErE. 

Bacon 🍳 :  Free food?

Sueyum ✨ :   . . .

Sueyum ✨ :  LIAR JUST GO BACK HOME

Bacon 🍳 :  But I am home ;-;

Sueyum ✨ :  the boys are gonna miss you like crazy.
I don't miss you at all!

I sound so childish right now. Sooyun, why are you like this?

My phone says it's 6:30 am and it's a Saturday. What a way to interrupt my sleep, Baekhyun.

Bacon 🍳: LIAR LIAR LIAR~

I look like an utter undeniable fool right now with my face rough bare, dark holes under my eyes, and my sort of longish wavy soft milk chocolate hair flowing down my back.

Then it happens.

I do the cat stretch and get a cramp.

I scream mentally.

Why is there such a thing called cramps?

Hurrying out of bed, I run downstairs and open the door while rubbing my eyes, not even caring about the fact I am still in my pajamas.

A tall man accompanied with light brown hair, wearing a jacket over his sweater is standing right in front of the doorsteps of the apartment I live in with father. His head low, hands shoved into the pockets of his pants, he breaths lightly, then slowly jerks his head up, meeting my wide eyes. 

His lips curve, reaching at the end of his ears, and his eyes shine from the moonlight. 

He just stares at me while our breaths are the only sounds to our ears, and the eerie silence consuming us two.

"Hey." He greets me with a warm voice, a small familiar smile on his face. "Aren't you going to let me in? I wouldn't want to sleep on your doorsteps, waiting for you to open the door, especially since I'm your brother, Sooyun." He says, taking steps towards me, and puts his luggage down. 

Out of the blue, he pulls me into him, resting his chin on my shoulder. He chuckles under his breath at the rate of which my heart is beating.

"I really did surprise you, didn't I?" He sounds so delighted like he just received some candy.

This is all too much of a shocker for me.

I can't believe he left South Korea and came all over here to America.

I still don't believe it.

But when he starts tracing circles at my back to calm me down, I do believe he's here.

My secret brother who left to Korea when I was just a kid is right here.

After for what seemed like more than two minutes, we pull apart and exchange a smile.

We find ourselves laughing for no reason at all.

"You've always like my hugs when father wasn't around," he laughs, "can I come in?" He tries again, his eyes wandering down.

I follow his gaze to the luggage right beside him. My eyes move on to his black pants, brown shoes, up to the sweater he's wearing.

Before I even realize it, my eyes drag themselves up, widen at his soft, but strong, almost the warmth of his features. His light brown hair is all fluffed up from the lack of sleep, which his eyes are telling me as well.

I study my brother's features. His soft brown eyes, and the way his mouth forms into a knowing rectangular smile as he rakes a hand through his hair. 

"What? Is your brother really that handsome?" He says, between a laugh.

His eyes fall down, staring at the doorsteps, but are quick to directly look at me.

"I mean, I was always your handsome brother, right?"

I'm hesitant for a moment, still quite shocked, then again, I can't say no to my brother who I haven't met after a long time. 

So I shake my head and laugh out of complete embarrassment painting my cheeks.

"Yeah, you can come in."

Baekhyun eagerly grins, lifting his luggage while stepping into our apartment.

"And yes, you've always been handsome. You still are, also your last comeback killed me."

"I never thought my own secret sister was an EXO-L."

The door shuts behind him while I lock the door, and help him slip off the jacket over his sweater, draping it onto the rack right next to the wall at the entrance.

He laughs at my gesture of affection, surprising me once again when his hand finds its way into mine, pulling me into him so we're enveloped in each other's embrace. 

Why another hug? Something isn't right.

I hear him chuckle, listening to our heartbeat, steadily pressed against our chest. His hand brushes down at my back to soothe the emotions tearing me apart, and just like that he holds me so I won't break.

"Sooyun, you don't have to hold it in."

Tears don't hesitate to fall, and my sobs are the least of my worries. Realization occurs in a wave of sudden memories of how he used to comfort me when we were kids, and that the fact—his shirt is wet because of my tears with me gripping onto his sweater.

Awesome job, Park Sooyun.

"You know, I'd do anything to see my sister, right?" He looks at me with affection, bringing his hands over mine, clutching them, softly.

Silence. 

"I'd leave during our comeback preparation, too." He snickers, thinking off his bandmates reaction when they wake up and realize their dear Baekhyun is missing.

And then he cracks into an idiot smile imagining whatever he's imaging.

But his smile tells me everything that—I find myself somewhat smiling until I break loose.

"Hey, why are you here anyway?" I cry out, pulling away from the embrace. 

His mouth agape, gasping, he holds out his hand in defense.

We find ourselves, sitting at a table in the dining room with father's light snores coming from his bedroom. I hope he's having a good night's sleep. Ever since mother left this world, father has been lost, usually seen sitting at a table next to the windows when it's raining and we're both eating ramen together.

I've asked Baekhyun if he was hungry. He said no thank you. I thought he'd be hungry after a long hour flight with all hiding his identity throughout his journey at the airport.

However, he's pretty darn good at keeping his identity hidden.

"So, let me get this straight." He begins over coffee sitting on a plate, waiting to drink. I've eaten, and partially am tired. But after a sudden text from my brother, saying he's at my doorsteps, completely woke me up.

I even told him about these dreams, voices in my head, and the one main reason that's having me all messed up after quite a while.

He's tired, I know.

I know just how he tries so hard to keep speaking, from shutting down. Baekhyun just continues looking into the windows of my soul, bearing dreaded dreams, haunting me at night, constantly after my mother's departure.

"You—Park Sooyun—my secret sister is destined to be the eight member of Bangtan Sonyeondan, and is the granddaughter of Bang PD Nim?" He says this with coolness, but logically, and then runs hands through his hair.

His lips curve a sly smile as if he knows everything I just said.

"Yes. Yes, this is all quite true, Baekhyun."

Wait, does he know about this or not?

Baekhyun stands right out of his seat, staring at me, shocked.

"Park Sooyun, do you even know why I came here?"

But at this, all I do is smile.

"That's why you're here, right, Baekhyunie?"

A/N: Early update because this girl feels good 😃
Not gonna lie, I can't stop writing this book but I feel like I don't deserve you guys. You know what I mean? I wrote this chapter while waiting for class to start and I am surprised how I'm still awake when I only slept for 4 hours.

Get yo sleep y'all! Sleep isn't for the weak! 😑

Thank you for reading
💜💛💚💙 — 

Hayun