Chapter 6: After Effect

Chapter 6: After Effect

***

Morning dawned, and Eugene slowly opened his eyes to find Seung sleeping peacefully beside him. As he gazed at his handsome face, Seung suddenly spoke up, causing him to jump in surprise.

"Stared enough?" Seung teased, a hint of amusement in his voice. However, the sudden movement caused Eugene to wince in pain as the intense pain in his lower back flared up, like he had been hit by a baseball bat.

Seung, sensing Eugene's pain, said, "Don't move, I'll carry you to the bathroom."

"No! I can do it myself," Eugene protested but as he stepped out of the bed, his legs felt weak and his lower back was in agony. He felt embarrassed as memories of the intense activity from the previous night flooded his mind.

"Don't be stubborn, little brother," Seung chided gently. Despite Saejin's tall stature, Seung had no trouble carrying him around. Eugene felt his face heat up with embarrassment, but he had no choice but to surrender.

In the bathtub, Seung carefully washed him, his soapy hands gliding over Eugene's skin as he gently massaged him with the bubble soap.

Seung's voice was low and apologetic as he spoke, "Saejin-ah, I'm sorry I went rough last night." Eugene's face flushed even more, his memories of the previous night's intense activity coming back to him vividly.

Seung continued to touch Saejin's skin with his fingers, clearly tempted to press his lips against the delicate flesh. Unbeknownst to Eugene, Seung's eyes were hooded and fixed on him, his desire evident through his gaze.

Seung's fingers lightly traced the contour of Saejin's shoulder, caressing his collarbone gently. His touch was soft, almost reverent, as if trying to convey silent apologies.

Seung's voice was low and sincere as he spoke, "I should've been more gentle. "

Eugene couldn't help but shiver at Seung's touch, his body reacting to the tenderness. Meanwhile, Seung's eyes still held that intense gaze, his desire thinly veiled behind those dark lashes.

Seung gently kissed Saejin's shoulder, his lips lingering on the soft skin before he began to suck on the area. His mouth moved methodically as he continued to kiss and nibble on the skin, as if claiming ownership over his younger brother's body.

Eugene was startled by Seung's sudden action, his eyes widened in surprise as he felt Seung's lips on his shoulder, sucking and nibbling gently. The sensation was both unexpected and strangely exhilarating, and he found himself holding his breath as he waited for Seung to stop.

After the bath, Seung carefully dried Eugene with a clean, soft towel. Seung gently laid Saejin down on the bed, his movements careful and precise. Eugene watched, confusion evident on his face. He struggled to understand what was happening.

"Stay still." Seung's voice was stern. His words cut through the tension in the air as he opened the drawer of the bedside table and removed a small tube. Carefully, he squeezed a bit of the ointment onto his finger. Eugene, watching nervously, tried to protest, but Seung's grip was unwavering. With a steady hand, Seung spread his legs apart, causing Eugene to flinch involuntarily. A wave of embarrassment washed over him as he recalled the acts from the previous night, and his cheeks flushed red.

Seung then selected the clothes for Eugene to wear, treating him like a doll as he dressed him.

"Let's skip school today," Seung suggested gently. Seung reached for a hairbrush on a nearby table, his fingers closing around the handle. With care and gentle movements, he began brushing Saejin's soft, fragrant pink hair. As he worked, he took a moment to inhale the pleasant scent gently wafting from the silky strands. The fragrance was delicate and sweet, reminiscent of blooms of roses and cherry blossoms, and it left a pleasant trail in the air with each brushstroke.

However, Eugene had a destination in mind that he was determined to visit. He desperately wanted to go to the hospital to pay the medical bills for his accident, and he needed to see his mother. But how could he persuade Seung to grant him permission to leave?

"Hyung..." Eugene began, the word feeling foreign and unpleasant on his tongue. He had no choice but to use it, knowing that it would appease Seung and earn him a spot in his good graces.

Seung was caught off guard, his eyes widening in surprise. Finally, Saejin had addressed him as 'hyung' again.

"Yes, baby?" Seung replied, his attention fully on Eugene as he waited for him to speak. Eugene couldn't help but be stunned by the sudden term of endearment, 'baby.'

Supported by Seung's steady hand, Eugene slowly rose, slowly making his way towards the mirror. Every movement sent a jolt of pain through his body, his muscles and joints feeling weary and sore. Standing in front of the full-length mirror, he took a moment to assess his own reflection. Eugene was taken aback as he caught sight of multiple hickeys scattered across his neck. Seung stood behind him, a smug smirk on his face as he admiringly surveyed the evidence of his claim on Saejin's body.

Eugene averted his eyes, not daring to meet Seung's gaze as he stated, "Hyung, I want to go somewhere." He braced himself for Seung's potential anger, anticipating a possible outburst.

Seung gazed intensely at Saejin's reflection in the mirror as he asked, "And where exactly do you want to go?" he hugged his younger brother from behind, his arms around Saejin's waist.

Eugene's heart raced faster, the unfamiliar sensation making his chest feel tight. He tried his best to keep his voice soft as he replied, "I want to go to the hospital, hyung."

Seung's expression shifted slightly at Eugene's request, his grip on his younger brother tightening.

"Why?" Seung inquired, his voice a low whisper as he continued to hold Eugene tightly in his embrace.

"I want to... visit someone," Eugene responded, choosing to be somewhat honest but omitting the full truth.

"Okay, but..." Seung paused and Eugene almost couldn't believe his ears as Seung unexpectedly agreed to his request. He waited anxiously for the "but" that would surely follow, anticipating some condition or catch.

"But what, hyung?" Eugene questioned, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of worry.

"You're not going alone on this, okay baby?" Seung's voice was firm as he spoke, his arms still wrapped tightly around Saejin's waist. It wasn't that he didn't trust his younger brother, but the mere thought of Saejin being away from him sent his mind into a state of losing his sanity.

"Okay, hyung. Thank you," Eugene responded, his voice barely above a whisper as he felt a mix of relief and trepidation.

"Now, tell me," Seung said, his voice low and intense. "Why do you want to visit that someone?"

Seung knew exactly who Eugene was referring to - the boy resting in the hospital bed. The mere thought of Saejin visiting him filled Seung with irrational possessiveness.

"Because..." Eugene struggled to find the words, unable to confess directly that he felt a deep sense of guilt over what had happened to the boy. He also couldn't bring himself to admit that he was saddened at the thought of the boy's mother having no one to rely on, especially during difficult times. In his state of confusion, he blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

"Because I want to... talk to the boy's mother," he said, his voice trembling slightly. 

***

After having their breakfast, Seung and Eugene headed to the hospital. As they walked toward the entrance, Seung's grip on Saejin's hand remained firm, a silent display of his possessiveness.

The hospital lobby was bustling with activity, the sound of footsteps, conversations, and the occasional announcement over the intercom filling the air. They made their way to the reception area, where a weary-looking nurse sat behind the desk.

The nurse glanced up as they approached, her eyes lingering momentarily on their joined hands before she spoke. "How can I help you?"

"We're here to visit a patient," Seung replied, his tone cool and controlled. "Can you tell us which room he's in?"

"Of course," the nurse responded, her fingers flying over the keyboard as she searched through the patient records. "What's the patient's name?"

Seung silently cursed himself for not knowing the patient's name. He had been so focused on keeping Saejin close and protecting him that he had neglected to gather even the simplest piece of information about the boy in the hospital bed.

Eugene finally spoke up, his voice quiet and hesitant. "Gil Eugene," he replied, addressing the nurse directly. Despite already knowing the room number, Eugene pretended ignorance.

The nurse's reply came quickly. "2nd floor, room 202," she said. Her words registered instantly in Seung's mind, and without wasting time, he turned towards the elevators. With a firm grip on Saejin's hand, he led the way to the second floor.

As they made their way down the hallway on the second floor, Seung couldn't resist the urge to ask, "How do you know his name?" There was a hint of irritation in his voice, and he was clearly bothered by the fact that Saejin knew the name of another boy. The mere mention of another boy's name leaving Saejin's lips ignited a flicker of possessiveness within him.

"I heard it from the gossip of our classmates," Eugene replied, his tone distant. It was true that news about his accident had spread like wildfire throughout the campus, and he had overheard fragments of conversations about it from his fellow students.

As they reached the room, Eugene hesitantly requested for Seung to stay outside and wait but Seung firmly refused, insisting on going inside with him.

"No," Seung said, his voice firm. "I'm coming inside with you."

Eugene knew it was useless to argue. With a heavy sigh, he slowly pushed the door open after knocking a few times. The creaking sound of the door immediately caught the attention of the person inside, his mother.

Eugene's mother watched as two tall young men entered the room. She instantly recognized one of them from their previous meeting.

"Are you here to mock my son again?" Mrs. Gil asked, her voice sharp and filled with bitterness.

Eugene quickly shook his head. "No, mo-ma'am," he said earnestly. "I'm here as Eugene's friend, and I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day. I wasn't in the right state of mind."

Mrs. Gil's expression softened as she noticed the sincerity in Eugene's words. "What's your name, young man?" she asked, her tone more gentle than before.

"My name is Jung Saejin," Eugene said, his voice cracking as tears threatened to fall. As he glanced at his mother, a wave of emotion washed over him.

Seung stood silently next to him, his face expressionless as he observed the interaction between them.

"It's the first time my son has a visitor," Mrs. Gil admitted, a touch of sadness in her voice. "If only he were awake." Her eyes flickered over to the bed, where her son lay motionless, attached to various machines that monitored his vital signs.

As Eugene spoke, there was a hint of vulnerability in his voice. "Ma'am," he said quietly, his eyes filled with a mixture of emotions. "Can I hug you?"

Mrs. Gil looked surprised by the unexpected request, but her expression softened as she saw the earnestness in Eugene's face. She slowly nodded, opening her arms in a gesture of acceptance. "Go ahead," she said gently.

Eugene flung his arms around Mrs. Gil, hugging her tightly as a muffled sob escaped him. The pain and longing in his voice were evident.

Seung silently watched as Saejin hugged Mrs. Gil tightly, a frown etched on his face. In his mind, he couldn't help but question why Saejin had initiated a hug with a stranger. It didn't make sense to him, and he couldn't shake off the feeling of possessiveness that was building up inside him.

Mrs. Gil's tears slowly began to fall as the reality of her situation sank in. Her son had been laying in the hospital for how many days, and no one had bothered to visit him until now. And here was Saejin, a stranger who showed genuine compassion and concern for her.

Eugene gently rubbed his mother's back, trying to soothe her as she cried. It pained him to see her in such distress, and he wished he could do more to ease her pain.

After the emotional hug, Eugene gently guided his mother to a chair, helping her sit down. As he looked at his own body lying in the hospital bed, he felt a pang of sadness and sympathy. He carefully examined the injuries on his head and legs, his heart growing heavier with each new discovery.

Then, his mother spoke up, her voice hoarse with worry. "He sustained head and legs injuries," she said, her eyes never leaving her son's sleeping form.

Seung, on the other hand, felt no pang of sympathy for the boy's condition. As he looked at the injured body lying there, his expression remained stern and cold. He stood there, his arms crossed, his eyes staring at the scene in front of him with a mixture of indifference and disdain.

"Eugene is only 18 years old," she said with sadness. "He has dreams to achieve, but this unfortunate accident happened to him." Her eyes remained fixed on Eugene's unconscious form, the pain and sorrow evident in her expression. She couldn't shake off the feeling of helplessness and anger that coursed through her veins every time she saw her son's motionless body.

Sensing a glimmer of hope, Eugene gently reached out and touched his own body that was lying in bed. A mix of hope and desperation flashed across his face as he willed for his soul to return. However, as his fingers made contact with his body, he felt an emptiness and a sense of helplessness wash over him. Nothing happened. His body remained motionless, unresponsive to his touch.

Eugene tried once again, this time hugging the body in bed, in hope that he will return back to his original body.

"What are you doing?" Seung's irritation flared as he witnessed Saejin touching the body lying in bed, his protective instincts kicking in. He quickly stepped forward and firmly grabbed Saejin's body away from the comatose boy.

Eugene's mother, who had been lost in her own thoughts, suddenly snapped out of her trance as her attention was drawn to the stranger in the room. "Oh," she said, her eyes narrowing as she looked at Seung, "and you are?"

Eugene turned to his mother and explained, "He is my older brother," he said.

Understanding dawned in Mrs. Gil's eyes as the revelation settled in. "Oh," she repeated, her expression softening. "I see."

Eugene turned to Seung, his eyes pleading. "Hyung," he said, "Can we help her pay the hospital bills?"

Mrs. Gil's eyes widened in surprise at Eugene's proposal, her mouth slightly agape. Seung, irritated by the situation, nonetheless grudgingly agreed.

"Okay," he said sternly. "But you mustn't come here again. Don't cause any trouble."

Eugene mentally noted Seung's condition regarding not coming to visit again, but his attention was soon fixed on his teary-eyed mother. The sight of her vulnerability and the weight of her struggles stirred something within him, making it difficult for him to tear his gaze away.

Despite the shock and gratitude she felt at the offer, Mrs. Gil couldn't help but notice Seung's protective demeanor towards Saejin. It was evident in the way he hovered near him, his gaze sharp and vigilant. She wondered silently if there was more than just sibling affection between them.

Mrs. Gil, still attempting to absorb the kindness being shown to her, shook her head in disbelief. "That's really nice of you," she murmured, the weight of her hospital bills looming heavily on her mind. "Are you sure about this? It will be quite expensive."

"Yes, ma'am," Saejin replied.

Mrs. Gil felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude as her eyes brimmed with tears. This was the first time in what felt like a lifetime that anyone had shown her kindness and compassion.

"Thank you, Saejin," she whispered, her voice choked with emotion. "No one... no one ever showed me kindness before."

"Don't worry ma'am," Saejin said, his voice calm but resolute. "It's the least I can do." Mrs. Gil looked back and forth between Seung and Saejin, her confusion deepening. They looked so similar, and yet their temperaments were like night and day.

With a heavy heart, Eugene exchanged final words with his mother, barely holding back his tears. Although Seung couldn't fully grasp the depth of his brother's emotions in that moment, he keenly recognized the signs of sadness and vulnerability. To offer support, he gently placed his hand on Saejin's shoulder, conveying a silent message of empathy.

Together, Seung and Eugene then made their way to the cashier's desk to settle the hospital bills. Seung pulled out a sleek black card and handed it over to the cashier, who promptly proceeded to process the payment.

***

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