Hey y'all,

Just a heads up before we dive into this chapter: it contains some adult content that's based on real-life experiences. I want to make sure you know this isn't just a story—it's a reflection of something someone has actually lived through.

Trigger Warning: This chapter deals with themes of sexual assault and trauma, which might be triggering for some readers. If these topics are sensitive for you, or if you're not in the right headspace to tackle such content, it might be best to skip this chapter. Your well-being is important, and taking care of yourself should always come first.

Remember, stories like these are shared not to sensationalize or exploit, but to shine a light on the dark parts of human experience, in the hope of fostering understanding, empathy, and, ultimately, healing.

Take care of yourselves, loves.

💜 Sunflowersatdusk

The memories of that fateful day from Suho's childhood haunted him like a persistent shadow, casting a dark pall over his relationship with his older brother, Joon. The wounds ran deep, etched into his soul, and even years later, they were as fresh as if they had just been inflicted.

Suho and Joon, in their early years, were typical brothers, inseparable and filled with laughter. They walked home from school together, sharing stories and secrets, blissfully unaware of the turmoil that would soon shatter their innocence.

It was a crisp autumn day when they found themselves on the same path they'd walked countless times before. First and third graders, Suho and Joon wore matching backpacks, their footsteps synchronized in perfect harmony. Their bond was strong, their brotherly love unwavering.

But on that particular afternoon, the world took a cruel twist. Out of nowhere, like malevolent specters, three high-school bullies appeared, the metal in their ears glinting in the sunlight.

Suho watched in horror as the lead bully grabbed Joon's bag and tossed it high in the air, its contents scattered along the dusty pathway. One grabbed Suho by his shoulder straps, sending a shot of terror racing down his spine.

A war was raging inside Suho. It's my fault, he screamed in his mind. I'm so scared. He froze, his body paralyzed by fear.

"Do you know him?" the bully demanded, his voice tinged with menace, his eyes locked on Joon.

Joon's heart raced, torn between loyalty to his brother and the fear of becoming the bullies' next target. He swallowed hard and, with a heavy heart, shook his head. "No, I don't know him," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.

Joon took off like a whirlwind, his long, gangly legs pumping with every stride. He ran toward his bag, and the sight of his brother's frozen panic fueled his adrenaline.is feet stumbling across the gravel, Suho tried to run after Joon, but the grip on his bag was too strong.

"Hey, get off me!" Suho yelled, his voice quavering.

The bully chuckled and tossed him forward. They were now in a back alley, littered with trash and debris. Suho had never felt more vulnerable, and the crushing sense of hopelessness nearly tore him in two.

His heart thudding wildly, Suho slid down the wall, his back scraping against the brick. But instead of hurting him, the bully knelt and unzipped his pants, exposing the pale flesh of his inner thigh.

"Does this feel good?" He taunted, running his fingernail up the length of Suho's thigh.

Tears pricked at Suho's eyes as the bully moved his hand further inward, finding his way towards Suho's underwear.

"Hey!" a deep voice yelled, shaking them both. The sound of running feet echoed through the alleyway as the bully stood up and ran, the heat of pursuit burning in his face. Suho lifted his face up and looked upon his savior.

The old man breathed heavily, his shoulders sagging as exhaustion took its toll. But there was no mistaking the fire that blazed in his eyes. He had saved Suho from one form of hell, only to bring him into the fire of another.

"You need to forget what just happened," he warned. "You can't tell your parents, anyone, ever."

Suho was speechless, shock rendering him mute. The old man's voice held the weight of experience and a trace of sympathy.

"I know you're scared, but sometimes, what's scariest is the truth.

The tension between Suho and Joon had been festering for years, ever since that traumatic day when Joon had abandoned his younger brother to the mercy of bullies. As the years passed, their relationship grew more strained, and the arguments between them became increasingly frequent.

One sunny afternoon when Suho was ten and Joon was twelve, the two brothers found themselves once again locked in a bitter dispute. The topic of their argument seemed trivial in comparison to the weight of their past, but it was often the small things that ignited their tempers.

They were in their shared bedroom, which had become a battleground for their clashes. Toys and books were strewn about, casualties of their ongoing feud. Suho, with his messy hair and determined expression, confronted Joon, whose demeanor was cold and aloof.

"You always think you're better than me," Suho accused, his voice trembling with a mix of anger and hurt. "You act like you're so perfect, but you're not."

Joon scoffed, his eyes rolling dismissively. "Oh, please. You're just jealous because I'm smarter, more talented, and Mom and Dad like me better."

Suho's fists clenched at his sides, his young heart heavy with frustration. "That's not true! You're just a know-it-all, and you never help me with anything. You're not a good brother."

Joon's face darkened, and he took a step closer to Suho, their faces inches apart. "You're just a crybaby, Suho. You're always whining and complaining. Maybe if you weren't such a burden, Mom and Dad would pay more attention to you."

The words hung in the air like a poisonous cloud, and Suho felt as though he had been punched in the stomach. He couldn't comprehend how his brother, the person he had looked up to as a child, could be so cruel.

Tears welled up in Suho's eyes, and he turned away from Joon, his voice quivering. "I hate you, Joon."

Joon's face softened for a brief moment, a flicker of regret crossing his features, but he quickly masked it with indifference. "Fine, hate me. Maybe it's better that way."

The room was heavy with the aftermath of the fierce sibling argument. Joon clutched his eye, tears welling up from the punch Suho had landed. The pain radiating from his eye was undeniable, but his pride refused to let the tears fall. Suho stood there, fists still clenched, breathing heavily as he realized the gravity of what he had just done.

Their mother, Mrs. Kim, had been in the adjacent room when the commotion erupted. The raised voices had alerted her, and she hurried into the boys' shared bedroom just in time to witness Suho's punch. Shock and disappointment registered on her face as she took in the scene.

"What is going on here?" Mrs. Kim demanded, her voice sharp with anger.

Joon, still nursing his eye, quickly seized the opportunity to gain the upper hand. He wiped away a pretend tear and pointed an accusing finger at Suho. "Mom, Suho just attacked me out of nowhere! He's been getting more and more violent."

Suho's eyes widened in disbelief at his brother's betrayal. He tried to speak, to explain himself, but the words caught in his throat.

Mrs. Kim turned her stern gaze on Suho, her disappointment palpable. "Suho, I can't believe you would do this. You're supposed to protect your brother, not hurt him."

Suho felt his heart sink as his mother's words echoed in his ears. The injustice of the situation weighed heavily on him, but he knew that arguing with his mother would be futile. She had already made up her mind.

Later that evening, Suho's parents sat him down for a somber conversation. Their faces were grave, and Suho's heart clenched with anxiety as he awaited their decision.

His father, Mr. Kim, spoke first. "Suho, your mother and I have discussed what happened today. We can't tolerate this kind of behavior in our family. We've decided that it would be best for you to go to boarding school in the United Kingdom."

Suho's world seemed to crumble around him. The thought of leaving his home, his family, and even his beloved country was overwhelming. He looked to his mother, hoping for a reprieve, but her expression was resolute.

Mrs. Kim added, her voice laced with disappointment, "This decision is for your own good, Suho. It's time for you to grow and learn how to control your temper and anger."

Suho fought back tears, his throat constricting with emotion. He couldn't believe that a single punch had led to this moment, the moment when he was exiled from the only world he had ever known. But deep down, he knew the root of the issue, and it lay within the heart of a brother who had betrayed him.

As a boy, Suho had believed that the only person that would ever judge him was God. In an ironic turn, it was Suho who started to judge everyone he met. After being lied to, and after all the betrayals and disappointments, his views on how to love had been forever damaged. Forging a forever connection, scared him.