⠀ ━━ ( 🎲 ) chapter one...

✎ march 17th 2021

15 years later...

the dawn had awoken, heat conquered the sky and once again the moon along with its dark landscape were forced to retreat. morning came to the presence of a busy seoul-for most a sign for their indolent bodies to depart from the warmth provided by the bed; for others a sign that a new day have yet to wow them-filled with a bundle of surprises waiting at their doors.

when entering this frenzy, you would probably expect sounds like: loud echoes of frustration from parents, desperate sighs resonating from students as they marched their wobbly feets to hell (also known as school), plates plummeting down like meteors-descending from the cupboards, the result of lack of sleep.

in this one particular household, the change of situation could be said as drastic, because what used to be a tranquil and peaceful morning-accompanied by the chirpings of their pet birds and the warm sun ray, transformed into a warzone-instead of chirpings, there were irritated yells and replacing the presence of the warm sunray, were cold, icy, stabbing glares.

welcome to world war 3.

" ZHONG CHENLE!! " a booming voice stood out amidst the tweeting of birds, "you are going to be a dead dolphin i'm telling you! nevermind you know what? i'm going to yeet your flat ass to jupiter, just wait! "

down the narrow hallways stood a broad shoulder of a male, skin layered with a profressional suit, a simple pink tie wrapped adorning his delicate neck, down his lengthy height black polished shoes topped his heels-finally, for a sparkling touch...

cake crumbs and white sticky goeey frosting drenched his ebony black locks.

' patience, yes patience. that's the key to solve everything right? ' he encouraged himself, whilst his hazel orbs peeked through every cracks, every furniture in their tiny abode. in search for a strand of pink and the small figure of his most lovely caring dearest brother, going by the name of zhong chenle.

there, na jaemin stood sternly despite how the sweet pieces were plumetting from his broad shoulders, and how the rays of sunlight made his figure shone even more, though it stung his eye-still with all of that, all he could possibly do was mutter a simple curse.

that morning, a new hope glimmered in him, for he was accepted for a job interview and what truly bloomed jaemin's soul more than anything else-was the fact that it was going to he his first decent job. his brand new start to assemble a better future for both of them, he was prepared for the day, more armed than ever. a fresh pair of black suit that he washed with care, purchased with every penny from his hardwork-he even went as far as to borrowing his friend's shoe, just for the special occasion.

but jaemin's efforts crumbled right in front of his eyes, everything ruined, every hardwork, every bullet of sweat became worthless. his idea of a new beginning started to stray away.

still trapped in a dome of frustration and despair, battling with his thoughts that screamed two different things. jaemin heard soft footsteps echoing from the other direction.

it slowed down and started dimming,

it was nearing.

then a sigh escaped, followed by shaky words, " i'm sorry, hyung i r-really didn't mean it. "

jaemin was weak for that voice, it could lull him to do anything and everything. love and car was the cause, chenle was his brother-not even related by blood yet jaemin's love for him stayer unconditional. no matter how driven he was by fury, he didn't dare to lay a finger on the younger one.

it was enough to end his rage, after all what jaemin wanted intially desired was a short apology, " just make sure to never pull that prank ever again, " he turned his back and forced a smile, " now, help me clean this mess before i actually freak out."

chenle's frown turned upside-down to a cheery yet mischevous smile, " see i knew you weren't going to be that mad, jaemin hyung! just admit you're soft for m-"

( a/n : everyone is soft for zhong chenle, if you are not then im gonna have jaemin yeet u to jupiter 😊🔪 )

" no kimchi for you tonight! " jaemin retorted, patting chenle's head innocently, proceeding to turn his back and head for the bathroom.

panic rose to chenle's chest as fast as lightning, jaemin's kimchi did wonders to his belly and it enchanted chenle's mouth everytime. not having kimchi that night meant he had to wait for another month to savour one.

" nah you're just kidding right? you love me too much to do that! "

jaemin snickered while wiping the cake off using a towel, " well not this time, i'm serious little brother. "

chenle's mouth was clasped, no excuse or word could escape the sealed place. he had one last stand against the statement though, a consideration, a plan the chinese had framed for days and nights.

" about that we can make a consideration! " chenle argued, prepared with a proposal, as he leaned by the door frame, " umm what if i told you, i have another surprise? "

the older raised his eyebrow at the words chenle uttered, he took it as pure joke, shaking it off, " what? another cake is going to fall on my head right now? "

chenle's airy and addicting giggle resonated through the bathroom, shaking his head the chinese replied to jaemin, " nope! lucky for you, this one isn't related with cakes or anything sweet, so don't be too worry. "

" oh? then elaborate on what you mean as a 'surprise'. "

" let me give you a hint, it's related to two things: your education and university, " chenle clasped his two hands together eagerly, patiently waiting for his brother to comprehend the hints he had given.

he was gifted with wit and a lot of braincells, surely it wouldn't take his brain more than a second to churn the information.

but what chenle had initially expected about jaemin's reaction totally contrastred what reality had given him.

" chenle, no! we talked about that before, i disagreed and i still do, no we are not involving ourselves in that stupid plan! " jaemin refused sternly.

he forgot the fact that his brother's head and personality resembled a coconut, the husk outside preserved it from harm, making it hard to break through-very stubborn and hard headed like zhong chenle.

not giving up until he put up a fight.

" it's not a stupid plan hyung! i promise you, i have thought of everything last week and i've counted the possibilites and all the chances! " he continued on rambling, " i wasted so many hours with my non-existing braincells just to make up this plan, so please let's just give it one try, one try and that's it, i won't force you anymore. "

jaemin took a deep breath, silence engulfed the atmosphere between the two siblings. one immersed in thinking of the right decision, the other anxious and impatient to hear the final answer.

' one try, just one right? ' jaemin convinced his doubtful heart.

a second,

and another,

the wind still howled and time still striked five, waiting and waiting for an answer or at least a word.

" fine, let's try your plan. "

the short sentence fueled chenle's energy, as it made him more energetic than ever. he had considered himself a burden for jaemin, since his brother had spent so much money and time to ensure that he had food on their plates, so that he could walk to school just like any other kid. this master plan of his, if it worked-would be the key to repay all his good deeds, a door that would lead to a dream of jaemin's since the year the two laid their eyes on each other.

" perfect! we have to get ready, i have arranged a meeting with someone who knows how to help us. " chenle's arm reached jaemin's playing with his dangly limbs.

" they know about the lee family? "

the younger nodded in reply," he's lived with them before, in the jade palace. "

" let's go prepare then, the faster the better."

sadly, destiny always knew better, they've always worked in a faster pace, more than the humans ever expected.

warnings of fate comes in silence, in a whisper that echoes, reaching the many ears that left them unheard.

just like every other, jaemin and chenle had ignore the warnings. without even knowing, they've drove themselves right to the arms of danger, and before their ears could perk to realize it-all that would be left in their hearts,

were regret.