Page 357 of Scarbound

Duri froze.

Noeul waited deliberately.

“…heart.”

“Hyung!”

Noeul burst out laughing.

“How can you be this shameless?”

“You corrupted me.”

“Me?”

Noeul kissed him again. “Yes. You.”

Duri caught him around the waist, but Noeul slipped away before he could turn the kiss into something that would delay them even more.

“No.”

“You started it.”

“And I’m ending it. We have somewhere important to be.”

“Cruel.”

“Get your coat, Liebling.”

Duri stared at him. Noeul smiled sweetly and walked toward the door.

Even after four years, Noeul still enjoyed knowing exactly what he did to Duri.

Twenty minutes later, they reached their destination.

The peaceful surroundings were as familiar as ever. The only sounds were birds calling somewhere among the trees and the quiet steps of the two men walking side by side.

When they reached Gong’s grave, both men bowed. For several seconds, Noeul said nothing. He simply looked at his brother’s name.

“Gong,” he said quietly. “I’m here.”

His fingers tightened slightly around the flowers. “It’s been a while.”

A faint smile touched his lips.

“I used to come here believing I owed you something. An apology. Punishment. My life, maybe.” He shook his head. “I don’t believe that anymore.”

Duri remained silent beside him.

“I loved you,” Noeul continued. “I still love you. You were my twin. For so many years, I didn’t know where you ended and I began.” His voice trembled slightly. “But I know now.”

Noeul looked down at his own hands.

“I survived you.”

A breeze moved through the trees. Noeul crouched and placed the flowers beside the grave.

“I forgive you, Gong.”