A Date of a Lifetime (Harukyu)

Chapter 11

*A/n: Warning - mention of death

(These flashbacks are simultaneously being told by Junkyu to Haruto somewhere in 2019 timeline as their relationship progresses.)

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Autumn of 2015 – 4 years ago

Junkyu looked at the colorful books on his hands on his way home from university. Last week, he saw a toy shop on the other side of the city when he attended their freshmen party and purchased a Lego set and a BMAG counting bears game for his little brother. It had been his weekly task to find toys for his brother every time he went home. The smile on his brother's face whenever he surprises him with different colorful toys never fails to bring him contentment and fulfillment, knowing that he will soon enter school and have to deal with other kids – and his brother wasn't the social type.

Before flinging the door open, Junkyu made sure he's wearing his usual jolly smile because there's always someone expecting him home. When he finally opened the door, he instantly heard rushing little steps.

"Hyung!" An adorable voice of a kid shouted and revealed himself from the inside to welcome Junkyu.

"Junghoon-ah!" He matched the cute tone of his brother to greet him as well.

The little boy spread his arms up and waited for Junkyu to pick him up before quietly hugging his older brother so tight, planting him a soft kiss on the cheeks before they proceeded inside.

"Mom, I'm home." Junkyu made his presence known and sat on the sofa.

"Oh, you're here?" He heard his mom's voice from a distance and a few seconds later, the middle-aged woman came from his brother's room with the dirty clothes on her hands to put on the laundry.

When his mom saw the toys he was giving Junghoon, she subtly sigh. "I told you to stop buying him toys. He has a lot already. And I told you to save your allowance."

Junkyu didn't pay attention to his mom walking past the living room and attended his little brother who was so excited to play with his new toys.

"He doesn't have someone to play with when I'm at school. Don't worry. They don't cost that much." He politely answered while playing with his brother.

'I love you!' Junghoon's eyes were fixated on his new talking book after discovering the lion character inside the book which wears a little button he just pressed.

"Oh! What did he tell you?" Junkyu cutely asked, beaming at his brother.

Junghoon remained silent but he repeatedly pushed the button, making the sound echoed in the entire house. Junkyu looked at his brother with eyes so fond and loving. Despite his brother a little different from other kids, he never failed to make Junghoon feel loved and special.

Junkyu's brother was diagnosed with symptoms of autism when he was only 18 months old after they noticed how Junghoon was kind of different with other normal infants his age. From having no reactions in any loud noises, doesn't smile with people and doesn't babble. Since then, Junkyu had become extra caring and gentle with his little brother, as guidance and support of his family were very important with his growth. Junghoon had become a little clingy to only Junkyu because he spent most of his time outside school bonding and taking care of him. Soon, he will be enrolled in a special school after he convinced his mother to do it for his brother. Junghoon was already 5 and interacting with other kids with the same condition as him will help the little boy adapt in the society.