I'm sorry it's taken so long to get another chapter of this one. This particular story requires a certain amount of TLC that I don't like rushing.

...

Junmyeon observed the man across from him, not for the first time, in rapt interest. Yixing kept his head tilted down, engrossed in something on the tabletop. Though no doubt he felt his companions eyes boring holes into the top of his head. It was hard to ignore Junmyeon altogether, even if he tried his hardeat not to take up space in anyone's life after being the destructive hurricane he'd turned himself into. Actually, it was nice to see Yixing. It had been awhile since the two had crossed paths.

"A new job," Yixing boasted proudly, albeit tiredly, when he'd first arrived. "Money is running tight." He'd added that last part in a low tone, as Zitao lurked about. And the last thing he needed to hear was the financial struggles of his soulmate and his cousin. "Besides it's at a restaurant. I love to cook." Junmyeon of course didn't miss the little sparkle in Yixing's eyes as he talked about it. In the short amount of time the two had gotten to know each other Junmyeon knew when the taller male was excited about something. He couldn't quite mask his passion, a trait he actually found quite endearing. He rested his chin in his palm, watchimg the taller of the two males.

"So Junmyeon." Said male jumped when Yixing spoke, averting his gaze when Yixing's eyes sought his. A string of guilt threaded through his stomach, but it was short lived as Yixing shot him one of those radiant smiles Junmyeon didn't often get the privilege of seeing. "What else did you like to do. Before..." Yixing trailed off awkwardly, realizimg the sensitive subject they were suddenly dancing around. Junmyeon let out a throaty chuckle, hunching over and fiddling with the bracelet he'd been constructing out of multi colored thread.

"Before Eunha," he replied, quirking an eyebrow. Yixing only nodded. "Not that I ever had a lot in life to look foward to," Junmyeon continued, setting the art project delicately on the table. "Between a father that wished I never existed and a mother I can count on one hand how many times I've seen over the course of my life. I enjoyed my friends. I loved to read. I dabbled in writing in my last few years of secondary, but Eunha always made a big fuss about how I paid more attention to my fantasies than her, so that stopped altogether in year eleven." Yixing listened intently, eyes wide. Junmyeon realized with a little start that he'd so rarely had people who listened to him. Really listened. At least with this keen of interest. It was almost too much for his heart to take.

"I'm sorry." And once again Junmyeon was taken aback. "I'm sorry life has been so cruel to you," Yixing continued, a gaze so full of sympathy that it nearly folded Junmyeon double. "You didn't deserve that." Junmyeon dipped his head in acknowledgement, worrying his lower lip between his teeth. He wasn't necessarily used to sympathy. Not like this anyway. Maybe the occasional pity from Baekhyun, when his friend bothered to stop by. It had been about a month since Junmyeon had last seen the Parks, and while he didn't exactly expect them to drop EVERYTHING to come and see him, he maybe expected his closest friends to worry about him just a little.

Then again maybe he had done this to himself. Maybe he wasn't deserving of sympathy and pity anymore. Maybe he'd done something wrong in a past life to earn this treatment upon himself. How else would he explain this streak of bad luck? Maybe Junmyeom just wasn't worthy of love anymore.

Who wanted to love a broken man anyway?

"Yixing?" Both men swiveled as a third voice lent itself to the conversation. Tao approached the table slowly, and as with any time Junmyeon saw him thess days, his heart gave a little pang. While he himself may have been undeserving of love, he acknowledged that Tao meeded an abundance of it. And overflowing cup of it. Amd he'd tarnished that image with one swift, silver tongue. "Can you send something to Yifan for me?" Tao asked at last, squirming under the scrutiny. Junmyeon could be...unnerving...when his full focus was upon him.

"Of course Taozi," Yixing replied soothingly. Probably the same tone he would talk to a baby in. But Zitao either chose to ignore that fact or didn't care anymore. He had other matters occupying his brain anyway. "How is therapy going love?" Yixing asked next, twisting in his seat to more face the shy and scared male. Zitao peeked around. "If you don't want to talk about it darling we don't have to," Yixing added hurriedly.

"I want to go home," Zitao confessed softly. "I don't like it here. I want to go home to Yifan. Why can't I go home?" So much defeat in five simple words. If Junmyeon had any semblance of a heart it was now surely shattered into a thousand fragile pieces. He'd remained quiet through the whole thing, allowing Zitao his moment with Yixing. But now he felt the ache to say something without even knowing exactly WHAT to say to him.

"Oh love..." Yixing didn't often wear his emotions so openly while he visited. That much was apparent. But even his stoic stature was no match for Zitao's raw and open honesty. His gaze turned sympathetic. Junmyeon even swore his eyes looked a little misty. "I would love for you to come home," he added, holding his arms open in an invitation. Zitao tumbled into them, and jealousy blossomed in Junmyeon's stomach as he watched Yixing's arms circle around Zitao's skinny torso. "But I need you yo stay here, okay?" Yixing added, stroking back Zitao's short hair. "I promise you that it is because we love you that you are here. We aren't abandoning you love." Zitao sniffled, nodding glumly, accepting that at last. Junmyeom glanced pointedly away. Open displays of affection often made him uncomfortable, even if he tried his best to block the emotions out entirely.

A defense mechanism, he'd been told time and time again. A way to guard his heart to prevent more shattering. There wasn't too many pieces left after all. It's often a trauma response. Though it can be undone with time and patience.

...

"Yifan?" Yixing called into the dark home as he let himself in. He removed his shoes and lined them neatly by the door. It was late, after dinner time, so by all accounts Yifan should have been home. But silence greeted him. Then again it was nothing new. He was used to the quiet home. He threaded his way into the kitchen, flipping on light switches as he went, bathing everything in soft florescent glow. He glanced around. This home screamed of two people who belonged together. Whose personalities shone through in the decor.

Tao is the decorator. Yifan's voice flashed through Yixing's mind. So did an image of a soft smiling man, not a look that Yixinf was used to on his cousin. But on he delighted in seeing. He pulled some leftovers out of the fridge, take out from a diner a few blocks over. Honestly it tasted of nothing but it filled his belly. That was the main take away from it. Yixing waited while the microwave warmed his food, spreading his arms along the island and rested his forehead against the countertop. Some days all he needed was a few moments where he did absolutely nothing. And wasn't someone's superhero.

"Hi Yixing." Said male jerked when someone said his name, caught unaware. Yifan padded into the kitchen, looking exhausted as usual. He loosened his tie and set his briefcase on the counter. "Leftovers for dinner?" Yifan inquired. Yixing made a noise of affirmation. Yifan sighed, his composure crumbling before he snapped to it once again, plastering a forced smile onto his features and rooting through the fridge. "Work keeps piling up," Yifan continued, bringing the milk carton out eith him. He went through the motions of pouring himself a glass. "Chanyeol can barely keep up with his departments right now." Yifan twisted, raising the glass to his lips like he intended to drink. But instead he paused, lowering it as quickly as it had risen. "I'm thinking of quitting."

"Quitting?" Yixing sputtered, finally glancing up from his food. Yifan grimaced, setting the glass on the counter behind himself gingerly. Almost like it would shatter if he wasn't careful. "Yifan you can't do that to Chanyeol," Yixing tried to reason. "That's not fair to him. Plus, you need to get the money from somewhere. The house won't take care of itself."

"Damn it Yixing I KNOW that!" Yifan hollored. "Don't you think I know that? I've already ran all the what ifs in my head. I know all of this. But the pain of going to work every day and pretending everything in my life is all okay is unbearable. I'm co-ceo. I'm not allowed to be weak. At least, not where they can see it. I'm the strong one. I'm always the strong one." Yifan sagged. Yixing frowned thoughtfully. It almost appeared like Yifan carried a weight upon his shoulders, bearing the pain alone. In many ways he was. Being a pillar for Tao while also lugging around his own torment. And of course Yixing tried to soak up as much access as he could, trying in vain to be the little sponge he'd been his whole life. But he wouldn't place that on Yifan's shoulders either.

"I think YOU need help," was all Yixing replied calmly. Yifan recoiled, face contorting at the thought. "I know the rough and tough Yifan wouldn't want it," Yixing added, holding up a hand. "But I want you to think about it. For your benefit. But for Zitao's too." And of course that struck every nerve on Yifan's body. Zitao was his weakness. But also his greatest strength. "Please. I know you want to do this alone. But it's clear this is affecting you too. We focus so much on Zitao's pain and his hardships we don't often give yours the time of day."

"I'll...think about it," Yifan responded tersely. And in truth even him considering the idea and taking Yixing's advice was leaps and bounds ahead of where they were even just a year previous. Yixing smiled in soft triumph, picking up the chopsticks he'd abandoned to resume his meal. Yifan finally took his swig of milk, seeming lost in thought.

...

"Chanyeol I TOLD you to go see him," Yifan said angrily to the computer monitor. Chanyeol made a noise, though this time he at least had the decency to look guilty. Yifan swiped a hand through his hair. He observed the chunk that fell out silently, and if Chanyeol noticed he made no comment on the matter.

"I've been picking up YOUR slack," Chanyeol fired off next. His guilt disolved into anger itself. With every right to do so. At least in Chanyeol's mind. Not that he wished the current circumstances on his long time friend. However. Someone had to stay behind and keep the company going. And he was trying to allow his partner the time to geieve and be with Zitao. But here it was being spit back in his face. "Also, you think I don't WANT to go see him?" Chanyeol challenged. "I do. But would I even say? 'Hi sorry I've just dumped you here against your will and then ghosted you for a month?'"

"I..." Yifan began. But he paused, mulling over that statement. "He's lonely," was what he finally settled on. "And he needs to see some familiar faces. You. Baekhyun. Sehun." Chanyeol recoiled at the name. "He has every right to see Junmyeon," Yifan reminded him.

"Junnie lost the privilege when he choose her over everything else," Chanyeol all but growled. "Sehun doesn't need to see him in that state anyway," Chanyeol continued. "We've kept him in the dark about Jun for a reason. That kid doesn't need that. Besides, he's got enough to worry about. In a few weeks he's graduating." Yifan knew this of course. Sehun was another topic brought up quite frequently. Mostly just Yifan asking Chanyeol how he was and the giant of a man giving him some generic answer Yifan could have probably told himself. However. It never stopped him from asking.

He often wondered how the two managed to be so different but came from the same bloodline. Sehun, a straight A student. Sehun, the one in all the after school clubs. Who sang and danced and dreamt of being an idol since he was old enough to utter the word. Sehun the golden child. The one everyone flocked to, singing praises his way. The shy boy basking in it all, taking it in quiet acceptance.

Oh Sehun. Junmyeon's little brother.

...

PLOT TWIST. Hi ya'll. Been a hot fucking moment here huh? I make no promises that it changes, however, you never know with me