Chapter 10

Tiwa sits on the bed, contemplating what to say as he watches Jaran pacing back and forth like a caged animal. He sees him rub his collarbone, the grimace across his face conveying anger, annoyance, and pain simultaneously. He recalls the worst moments that are happening in their lives. Perhaps the incidents are different, but everything looks the same. He is the reason for all this.

"I feel like drowning in the cold ocean," he says quietly.

Jaran grunts and continues pacing, clenching, and unclenching his fists. "Just make sure it's not him!" His voice, already raspy, takes on a metallic tone as he forcefully utters the words. He doesn't say anything more than that. There's no need to.

"Yeah, I know," Tiwa mumbles, trying to ignore the nugget of something uncomfortable that appears suddenly in his stomach. He's starting to get dizzy, knowing it's due to the situation, but he chooses to ignore it. He doesn't want to make things even worse.

"I made a mistake by leaving him that day. I shouldn't have done that." Jaran rages, and Tiwa knows there is nothing he can do to quell his brother's fire. Moreover, he acknowledges that it isn't solely due to the return of Pravat; it is a long-standing issue that has been brewing for years, and there is nothing to do but let it burn out.

Tiwa swallows hard, playing with his fingers carelessly. The nugget is now uncomfortably sharp, and he wholeheartedly agrees that the crazy alpha is doing everything on purpose. What the hell! Neither has any idea what to say or what to do.

"I'm not a cube of ice to melt him. If he's fire, well then so am I." Jaran declares, his voice filled with determination as he slams the mirror with full force. It shatters into a million pieces, leaving his hand covered in blood. He stares at his injured hand and asserts, "Now we will find out whose flame burns higher!"

A flicker of concern runs through Tiwa as he sees his brother straighten his shoulders, looking like he is heading out the door. Tiwa knows him well enough to recognize that this could mean trouble. Quickly leaping to his feet, Tiwa stands between Jaran and the way out, not even flinching when his brother's eyes harden to a stone brown.

"Move," Jaran says through gritted teeth.

"No. You must calm down," Tiwa states firmly, feeling even more resolute in his conviction now.

Jaran's fists tighten so hard that his knuckles hurt; that is the wrong thing to say. "I will once I break his stupid face." His voice gets louder and louder with each word, so close that their noses are almost bumping.

Still, Tiwa refuses to back down, putting all of his weight on the sole of his foot, hoping Jaran won't notice how fast his heart is racing. "Please. I'm scared," he blurts out without realizing it. Instead of weakening him, it only strengthens his resolve.

Jaran stares at Tiwa for a few minutes before pulling him against his chest. "Why do you get scared when I'm with you?" He breathes in his little brother's scent and ruffles the soft hair gently.

Tiwa pulls away and says quietly, "Because I don't want you to make any decisions when you are angry." What he says seems to cut through the red haze surrounding Jaran, making him take a staggering step back.

Jaran nods slowly and turns toward the door, leaving Tiwa feeling vulnerable once again. However, halfway through opening the door, he pauses and looks back. "Don't worry. I'm heading to Kay's. Lock the door and stay safe," he assures before exiting the room with a loud growl.

Frustrated, Tiwa sighs and locks the door behind him, leaning against it for a while. He's not insecure about the situation; he's just unsure of what to expect. His sense of control slips out of his hands like sand as he walks around the room helplessly, not knowing what to do.

He collapses on the bed, putting his head in his hands as he runs it over the sheer sides. When his eyes land on the phone, he grabs it and calls Kay to inform him about the situation, clarifying that the other person will catch his brother. Once he's done using the phone, he carelessly throws it on the bed.

He steps out onto the balcony and watches the street below him. His mind whirls with thoughts as he reflects on the choices he has made in his life. "It's not the end of the story; it's just the beginning. There isn't just one way to change the direction of this stupid story. Many ways exist, just like this busy street." He mutters.

He doesn't want to be a witness to another brutal fight, so he thinks of a way to keep Pravat in control and make him stay away from their lives like he's never existed. How can he do it?

"Why don't I talk to him?!" The words hang in the air, lingering like smoke but no less neon than vivid. Even his mind seems unsure of how to follow up, but the effect on his body is immediate. Panic! It shoots through him like a bullet. It takes out his knees and lungs, and he has to mentally force himself to tamp down the feeling.

***

"What are you afraid of, Jaran?" Jaran stops in his tracks and gawks at Kay when he hears the wrong thing as he tenses up. It is unfair; his cousins both know how he feels at this time. Hell, they know about the fights in the past, and it isn't like he hides everything from them.

"I'm afraid of myself, not him!" He fumes, releasing a frustrated sigh. He covers his face with his palms and collapses onto the bed. "What if I end up doing something foolish because of him? Everything I have worked so hard for could vanish in an instant." His cousins possess a knack for extracting information from him, even when he doesn't intend to share it.

"That's what he wants!" Kay says, sitting beside Jaran and patting him on the shoulder to make him look up. "To mess up your mind."

Jaran can't shake what he hears. He needs some alone time to figure out precisely what he needs to do. To figure out what will be best for everyone in the long run, they are working hard. Even if it's not for him, he will do something for his little brother and his bandmates.

"If you can demonstrate that you are not falling for his tricks, it will make him furious. He will have no choice but to accept his failure and let you guys go free." Kay continues, knowing that whatever needs to be told, he isn't stupid.

Jaran chuckles, amused by Kay's perspective. He is confident that his cousin is underestimating Pravat. "The crazy shit is not one to depart without destroying anything. Therefore, I guarantee that this time something will be destroyed. Not just his bones but his stupid smirk, hope, strength, and everything else!" he says with a menacing grin.