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The evening air felt thick with tension as Dohyun stormed through the front door, slamming it shut, the force echoing through the quiet house. Fury radiated off him as he stomped across the living room, flinging his backpack onto the floor with a dramatic thud. Chinwoo, engrossed in the newspaper, looked up with a furrowed brow while Seojin, crouched on the floor playing with their fluffy cat, glanced over with mild curiosity. "What's going on, son?" Chinwoo inquired, his tone laced with worry.

"Leave me alone!" Dohyun barked, his voice echoing through the room. launched into a tirade of cursing and yelling, his words laced with a palpable anger that set the room on edge.

Seojin glanced at Chinwoo, his expression one of understanding. "Dohyun, hey, calm down," he said gently, rising to his feet and approaching the younger man. "Talk to us. What happened?"

Dohyun, however, was seething, his anger refusing to be quelled by Seojin's gentle approach. “Fuck off, Seojin!" he snapped, his eyes blazing with frustration.

Chinwoo, always seeking harmony, stepped in with a voice that was both stern and compassionate. "Dohyun, mind your language and show some respect to Seojin. Remember, this is his home too."

Seojin, the ever-patient figure in their lives, simply sighed. "It's alright, Chinwoo. Let's give him some space to cool down..."

"Respect?" Dohyun scoffed, his lips curling into a bitter sneer. "Why the hell should I respect him? He's not my real dad!"

"DOHYUN! That's enough. Apologize," Chinwoo demanded, his voice booming with authority as Seojin placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, his expression serene.

"It’s okay love. I understand you're upset, Dohyun, but lashing out isn't the solution. We're a family here, and it's important we treat each other with kindness and respect," Seojin said, his tone unwavering yet gentle.

For a moment, Dohyun seemed poised to argue further, but then the anger seemed to fade away, leaving him deflated. "Fine," he conceded quietly, avoiding eye contact. "I'm sorry, Seojin."

Watching Dohyun's troubled behavior, Chinwoo and Seojin could easily see what was bothering him. It was clearly connected to his ongoing problems with Dongsun. This kind of situation had happened many times before, and it always left Dohyun feeling upset. Chinwoo and Seojin had seen this happen over and over again.

Seojin nodded, a small smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I appreciate that, Dohyun."

"Sorry... dad. I just... I'm at a loss," Dohyun murmured, his gaze anchored to the floor, the weight of his inner struggle too heavy to lift his eyes to meet Chinwoo's. The vulnerability in his voice was palpable.

In response, Chinwoo stepped forward, enveloping Dohyun in a comforting embrace that seemed to shield him from the storm of his emotions. His hand gently caressed Dohyun’s back in soothing strokes, a silent promise of unwavering support. "We're here for you, no matter what," Chinwoo assured him, his voice a steady beacon in the tumult. "Let's sit down for dinner together, and I'll pour us all a glass of wine. It looks like you could use a moment to unwind," he suggested, his words imbued with care and an understanding that spoke of deep familial bonds.

Dohyun hesitated, his initial instinct to decline the offer. But the prospect of drowning himself in a glass of wine was suddenly far more appealing than he cared to admit. With a resigned sigh, he nodded, allowing Chinwoo to guide him towards the living room.

After the dinner, as they settled onto the plush sofa, Seojin poured generous glasses of wine for the three of them. The tension had dissipated. Seojin's brow furrowed, and he leaned forward, his own glass of wine cradled in his hands. "Jungeun? Is he someone you know?"

Dohyun took a long, drawn-out sip of his wine, savoring the rich, earthy flavor as it slid down his throat—a bit more eagerly than usual. "Yeah, he's some guy in Dongsun's class, trying to get closer to him," he replied, the bitterness in his tone unmistakable, even as he poured himself another glass, a bit more generously this time.

Chinwoo's expression softened, and he reached out to give Dohyun's hand a gentle squeeze, a silent gesture of empathy for the tumultuous relationship Dohyun shared with Dongsun. "Oh, Dohyun. I'm sorry to hear that. I know how much he means to you."

Dohyun scoffed, shaking his head. "It's fine. Dongsun and I were just... you know, fooling around," he said.

How could they be oblivious, when the sounds from the next room had been unmistakable, a clear testament to their activities? Yet, they held their tongues, recognizing that Dohyun was still navigating the tumultuous waters of his teenage years, exploring and experiencing the freedoms and follies of youth. Now, both noticing Dohyun's increasing reliance on his wine glass as the evening wore on, a silent agreement between them not to comment on it just yet.

Seojin's eyes followed Dohyun as he took his drink in one go. "Dohyun, I know things have been tense between you and Dongsun. But maybe it's time to really think about what you two have. Is it more than just...physical attraction?" he probed, his tone gentle yet firm.

Dohyun rolled his eyes, swirling the wine in his glass—a bit too vigorously. "What does it matter? We keep breaking up and getting back together. It's not like there's any real love there, y'know?" His voice grew louder, more slurred, the alcohol loosening his tongue.. "We're just... using each other."

Chinwoo sighed, his concern deepening as he watched Dohyun drink more. "Dohyun, you deserve so much more than that. You deserve to be with someone who truly loves you." He tried to take the glass from Dohyun's hand but he didn't succeed.

Seojin reached out, placing a comforting hand on Dohyun's knee. "I can't tell you what to do, Dohyun. But I can tell you that if Dongsun is truly important to you, then he's worth fighting for. And if he's not, then maybe it's time to let go and focus on yourself."

Dohyun nodded, his movements sluggish, his fingers tightening around the wine glass and moving it away from his father. "You're right. Thank you so much," he slurred, his heart swelling with gratitude towards his fathers, even as the room began to spin slightly.

As the evening wore on, Dohyun found himself pouring and consuming more wine than Chinwoo and Seojin, who couldn't help but notice his increasingly inebriated state. Dohyun couldn't help but notice and admired the way Seojin and Chinwoo moved around each other, their bodies in sync, their hands occasionally brushing against one another. Why can't Dohyun have something like this—a stable, understanding relationship. Shaking his head, he tried to dispel the envy and the growing dizziness, attributing it to the wine.

In his tipsy state, Dohyun began to ramble, repeating the story of his and Dongsun's tumultuous relationship. "Your relationship... Built on pleasure," he mumbled, his words slurring together as Seojin sipped his wine, a knowing look in his eyes.

Chinwoo turned to shush Seojin, aware that Dohyun was barely conscious, a smirk playing on Seojin's lips. This cycle with Dohyun and Dongsun was familiar, a pattern they had seen repeat itself time and again.

Leaning heavily against his father's broad shoulder, Dohyun's voice wavered as he mumbled, "Dad, don't leave me," his cheeks were awash with a warm flush. His eyelids gently closed, it seemed as though he had drifted into unconsciousness.

Chinwoo's face softened into a warm, affectionate smile as he gazed down at his son. "Cute, isn't he?" he cooed, gently patting Dohyun's chubby cheek.

Seojin watched the tender scene unfold before him, his expression unreadable. He cleared his throat, and looked away. "Baby, why don't you take him to his room?" His voice was low, a hint of something deeper lacing the words. "We can talk... when you get back." Seojin added, his hand brushing against Chinwoo's arm in a seemingly casual gesture, "Make it quick, though. I've been waiting all day for some alone time with you."

Chinwoo nodded, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "I'll be right back," he murmured, scooping Dohyun up with ease.