Outing with Rony

"What's going on here?" De Moda, who had come to talk to Marco in his room, was surprised to see his son packing his clothes.

"Dad!" Marco froze for a moment, startled. His plan had been to slip out before his father arrived.

"T-That... The board exams are coming up, so Aryan and I decided to do a combined study session at his house," he said, trying to sound casual.

De Moda crossed his arms, raising an eyebrow. "Are you serious?" His tone held both curiosity and disbelief. "I mean, it's great that you've finally decided to focus on studying, but we have a guest in the house, and you're planning to leave? What will Rony think?"

He sighed before shaking his head. "I can't allow it, Marco. I'm sorry."

Marco let out a frustrated groan, crossing his arms. "Dad, you can't be serious! Is he really more important than your own son's future?"

De Moda exhaled slowly, locking the door behind him. He walked over to the bed, sat down, and gestured for Marco to sat beside him. 

Though reluctant, Marco sat beside him, watching his father carefully.

"I know you don't get along with Rony," De Moda began, his voice calm yet firm. "But right now, he's going through a tough time. He needs some emotional support."

Marco scoffed. "But I'll go mental if I have to stay anywhere near that guy!"

De Moda ignored the outburst and continued, "His father is having an affair… and your aunt found out."

Marco's expression shifted instantly. His arms, which had been crossed in defiance, fell to his sides. "That's a disaster," he muttered.

"I know." De Moda sighed. "Rony's been struggling. He even caused a scene with some of his friends when they brought it up. That's why I brought him here—To lighten his mood and I truly need your help in it."

De Moda made a request, believing his son wouldn't disappoint him. Luckily, his belief turns true as Marco agreed to it. 

"Fine," he muttered.

Satisfied, De Moda patted Marco's shoulder before standing up and heading toward the door.

As the door closed behind his father, Marco exhaled heavily while watching outside through the window.

From the next day onward, Marco began observing Rony more closely. Unlike before, Rony no longer wandered around the house, causing trouble. Instead, he stayed cooped up in his room, often lost in thought, staring at nothing in particular.

Marco wasn't used to seeing him this quiet.

Curious, he decided to approach. With a small thud, he placed a glass of cold coffee in front of Rony before clearing his throat.

"Ahem..."

Rony glanced up, startled. His brows furrowed slightly before he eyed the drink suspiciously.

"This for me?" he asked, as if he couldn't believe it.

"Yeah. Just drink it." Marco shrugged.

Still skeptical, Rony took a careful first sip, almost as if expecting poison.

Marco rolled his eyes. "Relax. I didn't put anything in it." To prove his point, he casually took a sip of his own drink.

Rony smirked faintly before leaning back. "So, how's your studying going?" Rony who was four years older than him and always excelling in academics, first asks question related to school. Marco curses his own idea to start a conversation at that moment..

"It's going fine," Marco answered vaguely, hoping to dodge further questioning.

A brief silence stretched between them before Marco cleared his throat again.

"Are you free today?"

Rony raised an eyebrow. "Yeah, why?"

"Me and my friends are going out. Do you wish to join? I can assure, you gonna love it." Marco confidently speaks.

Thinking it would be a good thing, Rony agreed

...

With Aryan and Eron leading the way, the group ventured deeper into the forest, their destination still unknown to Rony. What he hated most about this outing wasn't the company—it was the endless walking.

Step after step, minute after minute, they pushed forward, the dense trees towering around them.

Rony, breathless and growing impatient, finally groaned. "When is this going to end?"

"Almost there... just a little more," Marco said casually, striding ahead with confidence.

Rony gritted his teeth. 'Almost there?' He had been hearing that same response for the past hour. If turning back didn't mean walking all the way again, he would have left already.

Eron, walking steadily despite carrying a fully packed bag, glanced at Rony and added logically, "At this pace, we will reach in about fifteen minutes."

Rony narrowed his eyes. "Wait… you've been here before?"

"A few times," Eron admitted. "My brother likes places like these, so he brings me along."

"So, you're not that into it yourself?" Rony asked, trying to keep up the conversation.

Eron shrugged. "Not really, but I don't dislike it either."

As they chatted, they finally arrived at their destination—a breathtaking river. The water was crystal clear, reflecting the lush greenery around it. The sight alone made all the exhaustion worth it.

"Wow…" Rony muttered under his breath, momentarily mesmerized.

Without wasting a second, Aryan and Marco stripped off their outer shirts and jumped into the river, splashing and laughing. Seeing them, Rony and Eron eventually followed suit. They played in the water, time slipping by unnoticed, until the sun began its descent, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink.

The view of the setting sun over the rippling water was undoubtedly the highlight of the trip.

"Achoo!" Aryan sneezed suddenly, shaking off droplets of water.

Eron, ever prepared, immediately pulled out a towel from his bag and handed it to him.

Marco, watching this unfold, scoffed. "Am I an outsider or something? Don't I get a towel?"

Eron ignored him completely, focused only on Aryan.

Marco crossed his arms, faking offense. "Selfish brat. You only care about your brother and no one else!"

Eron sighed, unfazed. "Didn't I already tell you? If you want something, bring it yourself. I'm not your servant."

Marco turned to Aryan dramatically. "Did you hear what he just said? Unfilial son!"

Instead of responding, Eron smirked and took cover behind Aryan, peeking out to mock Marco.

"Don't fight, you two." Aryan chuckled, tossing the towel to Marco after using it.

As the group continued joking and laughing, Rony found himself watching from the sidelines, an odd feeling settling in his chest.

Something about their bond… made him feel strangely out of place.

As they made their way back, Rony walked alongside Eron, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Do you have a crush on your brother?"

The question stopped Eron in his tracks. His heart skipped a beat as he turned to Rony, eyes widening in shock.

Rony chuckled, unfazed by the silence. "Don't bother denying it. I can see it in your eyes."

Eron swallowed hard, but Rony continued. "The way you look at him, the way you care for him—it's not just brotherly affection, is it? You like him, don't you?"

Eron felt his chest tighten. That unspoken question buried deep inside him—the one he never dared to face—was suddenly forced into the light.

Rony's voice dropped to a more taunting tone. "Have you ever thought about how Aryan would feel if he found out? Would he be disgusted? Someone he thought as his brother, having dirty thoughts about him." Eron's face turned pale, hearing such words. Then, unexpectedly, Rony burst into laughter. "Jeez, kid! You should see your face right now. I was just messing with you!"

But it wasn't funny.

Tears slipped down Eron's cheek. Rony blinked, taken aback. He hadn't expected that.

Before he could say anything, Aryan rushed over, concern etched across his face. "What happened?"

Eron quickly wiped his tears, shaking his head, trying to act like nothing was wrong.

But Aryan wasn't convinced. His eyes darkened as he turned to Rony, his tone cold and sharp. "What did you say to him?"

"I—I was just joking!" Rony defended himself, raising his hands in surrender. "I didn't do anything. He just took it too seriously!"

Aryan's jaw clenched. "What kind of joke makes someone cry?"

Sensing the tension, Marco quickly stepped in. "Aryan, please…"

Aryan exhaled, clearly unwilling to let it go, but because of Marco, he held back. Instead, he turned to Eron and gently placed a hand on his back. "Let's go."

As Aryan led Eron away, Marco turned to Rony, his expression filled with disappointment.

"Why are you always like this?" His voice was quieter than before, but the weight of his words was heavier. "Do you enjoy hurting people with your stupid, senseless jokes?"

Rony frowned. "Why is everyone acting like I did something wrong? I didn't hit him, I didn't yell at him—I just talked to him! How was I supposed to know he'd cry over something so small?"

Marco let out a humorless chuckle, shaking his head. "Small? I don't know what you say to him, but it doesn't seem small..." He scoffed. "You act like words don't hurt, but weren't you the same guy who threw a whole scene at college when your classmates talked about your family?"

Rony stiffened.

Marco stepped closer, voice firm. "Don't act like I'm the only one who bleeds when cut."

Silence stretched between them. Marco exhaled sharply, frustration lacing his tone. "I made a mistake bringing you here." Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Rony standing there—his guilt settling in.