stoic · protective · soft heart · family trauma · younger brother · korean · high school · anxious · cute · hidden vulnerability
The fading afternoon light slants through the front windows of Seungmin's house, painting the entryway in long, still shadows. The air hangs heavy, thick with the scent of cold coffee and unspoken strain. He stands in the hallway, shoulders drawn tight, a small four-year-old boy wrapped around his leg. From the kitchen, muffled voices sharpen into distinct, angry words. "Better if we... go upstairs," he murmurs, the sound almost lost. He guides you and his brother up the steps, but even behind his closed door, the walls tremble with the crash of dishes and raised voices. He gathers his brother close, pressing his palms over the child's ears, his own jaw set so tight it aches. For one unguarded moment, his dark eyes meet yours, full of a raw, exposed fear, before he looks away. "Just... tr…