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An incessant banging on the door of Jiho’s apartment stops the conversation he was about to have with the person sitting next to him on the couch. The sound was indignant, whoever was on the other side of that door was not relenting.
“Woo Jiho!” A voice, deep and baritone, bellows from the hallway.
“Oh, son of a bitch.” Jiho mutters, standing immediately with an apologetic look to his date. “Let me see what he wants…”
Padding over to the door, Jiho finally pulls it open, ducking as the suddenness almost has Taewoon knocking on his head instead of the door panels. “What the hell hyung??” He demands, staring at his older brother, Taewoon.
Taewoon looked like a mess. He’d most definitely been drinking. Jiho makes a point to bring it up in conversation again, but right now the other was not to be reasoned with.
“Fourteen fucking missed calls.” Taewoon roars, the edge of his voice cracking to something raw and truly filled with worry. It makes Jiho swallow, just a little guilty. “Technically they’re not missed calls, I declined th--”
“Same thing. Why?” Taewoon deadpans, leaning around as suddenly another figure appears from inside the apartment. His eyes widen but he looks like he’d been sucker punched with a confirmation he didn’t like.
“Everything okay in here?” The other boy asks, timidly, cautiously approaching the pair like he’s seeing wild animals released from zoo cages.
“Because I was on a date, hyung, Jesus!” Jiho argues, groaning in frustration before letting out a sigh of defeat. He turns to send a withering look to the aforementioned date partner.
“Hyung, this is Sungoh.” Jiho sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose at the antics. His brother was practically trembling with unspoken fury, jealousy plain as day on his face. “Sungoh, my brother, Taewoon.”
Sungoh, for all his credit, at least looks like he recognizes the older boy, nodding as he catches on. “Ah! It’s nice to meet you.” He starts to extend his hand, but the inebriated rapper before him looks-- angry.
Taewoon crosses his arms, eyes narrowing. “Hello.”
Jiho tuts, shaking his head and walking away from the whole spectacle that was Woo Taewoon right now, entirely.
“I’m sorry about this, “ he murmurs quieter to Sungoh, tugging him away before things could get ugly “You probably didn’t expect to meet my family on the first date.”
Sungoh snickers, looking over at Taewoon curiously before glancing back at Jiho, letting the expression soften to something else entirely. “It’s alright, you can’t help it. Maybe another time?”
The room practically goes ice cold, heavy breathing sounds indicating that the older brother of Block B’s rapper was seething. He tuts. “Or not.”
Sungoh bows politely despite the frigid statue that refused to greet him, waving to Jiho as he escapes the apartment. His pace quickens like he’s not sure he wants to witness anything else about to happen.
After the door clicks, Jiho rounds on his brother. “What the actual fuck, Tae?” He shoves at him in the chest. “I don’t remember ever interrupting your dates.”
Taewoon backs off just a little from the force but doubles down immediately, surging back forward. “Are you trying to get back at me for saying I couldn’t do this?” He spits. “I say ‘we can’t’ and you, what, move in on the next guy you get close to?” His words are venom, filled with more conflicting emotions than he can even express.
“What the hell else am I supposed to do?” Jiho fires back, getting just as worked up.
“Give me some time to think.” Taewoon lashes, chest heaving.
Jiho regards him with baited breath. For a moment, neither of them move or say another word.
It happens all at once, a syncopated motion from both parties, pulling taut the string of gravity between them and eliminating space all at once.
They’re kissing in a way meant to drive a point home, to test a theory, to indulge in what could never be-- again.
Taewoon is devouring his brother’s mouth, tongue pushing in with an aggression that surprised even him, shoving Jiho into the wall.
And Jiho, Jiho was wrapping his arms around his hyung’s neck like he belonged there, kissing back for all he was worth.
There’s a literal growl when they both part for much needed oxygen, Taewoon pushing his forehead against Jiho’s. “I’ll-- fuck, I’ll figure things out, Ji. I promise. But goddamnit, I need you to be here to help while I do.”
The confession from Taewoon was probably the most raw and vulnerable thing Jiho has ever heard his older brother say. It pulls an endearing smile from him. “Alright. Together. No more avoiding it.”
Taewoon nods, his eyes finally showing his signature smile better than his lips ever could. “No more avoiding.”