The Brother's Embrace

Marcus instinctively caught him, cradling the fragile boy in his arms as if shielding the most precious treasure.

"...Thank goodness… you're safe…"

With no one else around to witness, Marcus allowed his composure to falter completely.

His body trembled with the aftershock of panic and relief.

Marcus ran his hand gently through the boy's soft and silky hair.

He rested the boy's head on his shoulder and the boy responded with a faint, blissful smile.

That smile was so innocent and so heartbreakingly endearing that it sent an unexpected pang through Marcus's chest.

This was why he hesitated to involve himself too much with the boy.

Being near him often led to moments like this, where the child's sweetness brought a sharp, almost unbearable ache to his heart.

Marcus had grown accustomed to pain over the years, yet he despised himself for letting it create distance.