Page 299 of Scarbound

Duri stepped back immediately. Noeul’s arms tightened around him for half a second.

Duri stopped.

Noeul looked surprised by his own reaction, then released him.

Duri smiled. “I’m not going anywhere.”

Noeul looked down. “I know.”

This time, the words sounded almost certain.

Duri helped him down only after Noeul reached for his hand. Dr. Kim’s instructions remained clear between them. Duri would stay beside him through the night, Ji-Woo would sleep nearby, and the phone would remain within reach. Noeul took his medication, then walked toward Ji-Woo. He hesitated.

Ji-Woo opened his arms but didn’t move.

Noeul stepped into them. Ji-Woo held him. Noeul stroked his hair once, an old habit returning naturally.

“Good night.”

“Good night, hyung.”

Noeul looked at Duri. “Gute Nacht.”

Duri smiled. “Gute Nacht, liebling.”

Noeul rolled his eyes, but his face warmed. Then he went straight to bed.

SESSION 26

“Visiting Gong in the hospital shortly before his death was one of the most traumatic experiences of my life.”

Dr. Kim looked up from her notes. “One of the most?”

Noeul gave a faint, humorless smile. “There’s competition.”

She didn’t react to the joke. Noeul looked away. “I don’t remember many details of the room.”

“What do you remember?”

“The smell.” His answer came immediately. “Disinfectant. Strong. Heavy.” He rubbed his thumb against his palm. “It bothered me because it was nothing like our room at home.”

“The room you shared?”

“Yes.” He became quiet. “When the door opened…” Noeul swallowed. “What I saw shook me.”

Dr. Kim waited.

“He was lying on the bed with his hands restrained to the rails.” His voice softened. “My brother.” He shook his head. “But not the Gong I remembered.”

“What was different?”

“Everything.” Noeul stared at the floor. “His eyes used to be bright. Even when he was angry, there was life in them. That day, they were cloudy. Empty.” He paused. “His hair was hanging around his face. He looked exhausted.”

“What did you say?”

“I said his name.” Noeul could still hear himself. “‘Gong?’” His voice cracked slightly as he repeated it. “For a second, I thought he recognized me.”

“And then?”