"Leo"
Leo turned weakly when he heard his name.
A small smile, barely reaching his eyes, formed.
"Junseo hyung" he called. "Come into my room" Junseo said motioning him to go in.
Junseo looked around before closing the door. He closed his eyes sighing. He turned looking at Leo.
Leo worriedly looked at him when he saw the troubled look on his face. "Hyung, is something wrong?"
Junseo folded his lips giving Leo a weak smile.
"Sit down," He said. Leo immediately sat down when he heard the seriousness in his voice.
"I called you because you're the only one I can trust with this discussion" Junseo calmly said and Leo nodded focused.
Junseo let out a shaky sigh. He held his hands together and then looked at Leo.
"My marriage is in two months" He said and Leo looked down. "I'll be going to the north in a month"
"Huh? But hyung, why are you leaving a month early?" Leo asked in confusion. Junseo folded his lips sighing.
"That's why I called you" Junseo said standing up. He walked to his closet, bringing out a small chest. He placed it in front of Leo.
"I keep this chest on the top shelf in my closet. This is its key" He said, gently placing the key on Leo's palm.
"Why are you giving me this hyung?" Leo asked confused. Junseo softly smiled at him before looking away.
"I want you to give it to Sangwon when I'm gone. You know how things are between us." Junseo said and Leo nodded as he looked down.
Junseo kept quiet for some time, tears building in his eyes. He forcefully smiled. "Leo.." he hoarsely called.
"I-I'm sick.."
Leo immediately looked at him. Junseo chuckled, quickly wiping the tear that escaped.
"Hyung.. wh-what? Sick? Have you seen the doctor?" Leo worriedly asked.
Junseo shook his head. He let out a low sigh.
"I.. I can't be treated Leo. It happened after the accident four years ago... It's a surprise I'm still breathing"
Leo didn't know what to say as he stared at Junseo. His hand gently holding Junseo's.
Junseo gulped when he felt his chest close in.
"I don't have much time Leo" He said blinking, his tears immediately falling. Leo's eyes widened as he covered Junseo's mouth.
"Hyung- don't say such. Heaven listens. I'm sure there's a way you can get treated"
Junseo chuckled, gently removing Leo's hand. He shook his head.
"That's why I called you. In a month.. I won't be here, my sickness would have claimed me by then"
Leo's eyes widened. "Hyung.." he quietly called in shock. Junseo just smiled at him.
"It's okay, I've accepted it. I.. I called you because I need you to take care of things when I'm gone" Leo shook his head as he held Junseo's hand.
His eyes stinging with tears. "H-Hyung you're going nowhere"
"Leo" Junseo strictly called looking at him.
Leo looked down, his tears leaving his eyes.
Junseo folded his lips trying to hold his tears.
"You're grown now. I need you to act grown and wise" Junseo tightened his grip on Leo's hand.
Leo shook his head. "H-Hyung.. no.. you-
"Leo. Listen. You have to step up. For Sangwon. When I'm... When I'm dead, there's no one to protect him except you. Listen- Listen to me"
Junseo raised Leo's face making him look at him.
"Stop crying. You have to toughen up for the battles coming your way. I've held out strong for years. It's time for you to take over- do you hear me? Leo! Do you hear me?"
Leo nodded as he cried.
"I entrust you with Sangwon. If you're going to be with him, you have to protect him. You must man up. I've tried my best protecting you two.
Although I've failed you sometimes... Which I'm sorry for. But.. life leaves us no choice. You'll step in when I'm gone"
Leo looked down crying. Junseo gulped looking away as his tears fell. He wiped his tears and faced Leo.
"Sangwon must never know of our conversation till I'm gone. Understood?" Leo didn't reply as he cried.
"Leo, do you understand me?" Junseo shook his shoulders and Leo weakly nodded.
Junseo folded his lips. "Sangwon builds walls and blames everyone for being outside them. He can be temperamental at times, he says things he doesn't mean, don't take it to heart.
He's just a kid. I know you are too but.. I'm sorry you have to act grown now, I won't be here. You have to be the grown-up"
Leo nodded as he wiped his tears.
"Do not let me die in vain. I left a good amount of money in your name. You don't ever need to worry about that.
If you ever need to run away with Sangwon. The money will be enough to start a new life with him."
Leo folded his lips as he heard Junseo speak.
"H-Hyung.. I don't want you gone.. please.. stay"
Junseo smiled. "Even if I want to.. I can't"
He said rubbing Leo's shoulder.
"No matter the circumstance you find yourself in. Promise me, you'll take care of yourself and fight for Sangwon to the end"
Leo blinked as his tears burned his eyes. He nodded.
"Leo. Say it"
Leo gulped. "I-I promise" He said and Junseo sighed nodding.
He gently rubbed Leo's head, bringing him into a hug. "I'm sorry I can't stay any longer" He muttered, looking elsewhere as his tears left his eyes.
"I hand Sangwon over to you now"