Page 294 of Scarbound

Ji-Woo’s voice softened. “His face. His DNA. Some of the same childhood. The same parents.” He wiped his cheek. “But that isn’t the same as being him.”

Noeul didn’t answer.

“Do you want to hurt me?” Ji-Woo continued.

“No.”

“Do you want to control me?”

“No.”

“Do you want me afraid of you?”

“No!” The answer came so forcefully that Ji-Woo almost smiled through his tears. “No,” Noeul repeated, quieter. “Never.”

“Then stop asking me to look at you and see Gong.”

Noeul’s face crumpled.

“You’re my brother,” Ji-Woo said, his voice breaking now too. “My annoying, overprotective, impossible hyung.”

Noeul laughed once through the tears.

Ji-Woo’s mouth trembled. “I missed you.”

Noeul stared at him, then finally reached out. Ji-Woo moved only when Noeul did. Noeul pulled him into an embrace.

“I missed you too.” His voice cracked against Ji-Woo’s shoulder. “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For everything.”

Ji-Woo tightened his arms carefully. “No.”

Noeul closed his eyes.

“Don’t start.”

“Start what?”

“Apologizing for existing.”

That earned another broken laugh. Ji-Woo held him until Noeul was the one who pulled away.

Duri remained nearby. Noeul looked at him again, and the fear returned immediately. Duri saw it.

Noeul wiped his face. “Now you know.”

Duri said nothing.

“I’m dirty. Broken.”

“No.”

“All I have to offer is struggle.”

Duri exhaled slowly. “Do you want me to answer honestly?”