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Zayn sat on the floor, his back pressed against the edge of his bed, knees pulled slightly toward his chest. His room was dark, except for the faint yellow glow slipping in through the window blinds. The voices, the laughter, the fake smiles downstairs still echoed in his mind.

He had watched them all smile at Adric like they’d never been cruel. Like they never chose one son and discarded the other. Like he didn’t grow up in the same house, invisible to the love that dripped so easily for his brother.

How does it feel to be wanted?

His fingers curled tightly against his pants as he stared blankly at the far wall, his heartbeat dull and aching in his ears.

A soft knock broke the silence.

Zayn didn’t move.

A voice followed low, familiar, hesitant.

“It’s me.”

He didn’t say come in. But the door opened anyway.

Adric stepped inside, closing the door gently behind him. He looked at Zayn, who didn’t even turn to face him, only glanced briefly over his shoulder before turning his eyes forward again.

Without a word, Adric walked over and slowly sank down onto the floor beside him, mimicking his position shoulders nearly touching, knees bent, silence thick between them.

For a moment, neither of them spoke. Just breathed. Existed.

Then Zayn’s voice broke the stillness soft and quiet, but cutting deep.

“How does it feel to be loved by your parents?”

It wasn’t a question. Not really.

It sounded like a plea from someone who had never known the answer. Like a child who had grown up in the same house but never belonged.

Adric’s breath caught. He turned to look at Zayn, whose eyes were still fixed ahead. He didn’t speak because what could he say?

Zayn finally turned his head, meeting his brother’s gaze.

“Are you still angry at me?” Adric asked gently.

Zayn gave a dry chuckle.

“Angry? No. I hate you.”

Adric smiled slightly, as if he expected that answer.

“Yeah. I know. Try telling me something new, I don’t already know.”

Zayn raised an eyebrow and looked away again.

“Then why are you here?”

Adric sighed, resting his arms on his knees.

“Because I’m sorry. For not being here when you needed me the most.”

“I didn’t need you,” Zayn replied coldly.

“I already have my family.”

At that exact moment, his phone buzzed on the bedside table.

He reached for it and glanced at the screen. Rhys.

He answered immediately.

“Hey, Rhys.”

“Zayn. Are you okay?” Rhys’s voice was sharp with concern.

“Yeah… I think so.”

There was a pause on the other end. Then Rhys asked:

“And that stupid brother of yours… did he do something?”

Zayn looked sideways at Adric.

Adric chuckled softly and leaned in.

“You should unblock me now, Rhys.”

There was a stunned silence.

“A… Adric?” Rhys’s voice cracked a little.

“Yup. That’s me.”

“Don’t talk to me.” Rhys started.

Zayn quickly interrupted.“I’ll talk to you later, Rhys.”

He ended the call before Rhys could argue.

Silence fell again.

Zayn didn’t look at Adric. He was still caught in that quiet sadness, but something inside him had softened.Then he said it.

“You like him, don’t you?”

Adric didn’t pretend. He nodded slowly.

“Yeah. I do.”

Zayn exhaled a shaky breath.

“I know. I always knew.”

He paused.

“And you know what? I used to wish… I used to really hope that you never found happiness. That you’d never find someone who loved you. Because I hated you that much.”

Adric stayed silent. He listened, because this was the version of Zayn he hadn’t seen in years raw, honest, hurt.

“But then I remembered…” Zayn continued, his voice quieter now,

“That the person Rhys loves is you. And no matter how much I hate you… I could never wish pain on him.”

Adric’s eyes softened.

“You think he still likes me?”

“He does for a very long time. I saw whenever I talk about you how he behave and pretend that he also hate you but deep down i know he loved you.But he’ll never admit it.”

“Why?”

“Because of me,” Zayn said, finally meeting his eyes.

“Because I’m the broken part in his life he keeps trying to fix. And he thinks choosing you would mean giving up on me.”

Adric sighed deeply.

“He’s not wrong. But it’s also not fair to him.”

Zayn gave a half-smile, then leaned his head onto Adric’s shoulder.

“I hate you.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

Adric rested his head on Zayn’s.

“Yeah. I know. I hate you too.”

And there, in the quiet darkness of Zayn’s room, two brothers sat side by side carrying years of pain between them, but for once, not as enemies.

Just as family.

---

Flashback ______

5

Flashback: 5 Years Ago

The backyard was quiet except for the rustling of leaves and occasional laughter from two young boys. Zayn, 14, and Rhys, 15, were lying on the grass under the late afternoon sun, arms behind their heads as they stared at the sky.

“Do you think clouds ever get tired of floating?” Zayn asked out of nowhere.

Rhys chuckled. “You’re such a weirdo.”

Zayn grinned. “And yet, here you are. Best friends with a weirdo.”

“Yeah, yeah. Guess I’m stuck with you.”

They laughed softly, that comfortable kind of laughter that only comes from knowing someone deeply.

Rhys nudged Zayn with his elbow and said under his breath, "Hey... so, um... I think I like your brother."

Zayn blinked. “Wait.....what?”

Rhys gave him a sheepish smile. “Yeah. Kind of.”

Zayn stared at him like he had grown two heads. “Rhys, he’s five years older than you!”

“I know,” Rhys muttered, looking away. “I just… like him.”

Zayn groaned. “Out of all the people in the world, you had to like that idiot?”

Rhys smiled softly, a little nervous, but there was no mistaking the affection in his eyes. “Yeah. And now you’re going to help me.”

Zayn’s mouth dropped open. “No. Absolutely not. No way.”

“Please?” Rhys gave him those kicked-puppy eyes. “Pretty please? You’re my best friend.”

Zayn groaned again, dragging a hand down his face. “You owe me for life.”

“I’ll take it!” Rhys whispered quickly, practically pushing Zayn toward the hallway.

Zayn rolled his eyes and walked reluctantly toward Adric’s room. As he got closer, he could hear music playing faintly inside something old and mellow, like a soft rock song from the 2000s.

ADRIC’S ROOM –

Zayn knocked once and pushed the door open.

Adric was standing in front of a canvas, a paintbrush in one hand, and his headphones slung over one ear. He was lost in his world until he turned, noticing his younger brother.

Zayn stepped in slowly.

Adric pulled down his headphones. “Yeah? What’s up?”

Zayn hesitated, then shoved his hands into his pockets. “So… my friend likes you.”

Adric raised an eyebrow. “Huh?”

Zayn sighed dramatically and pointed toward the door.

Rhys was awkwardly peeking in, trying (and failing) to be subtle.

“Him.” Zayn deadpanned. “He likes you. Wants to date you. Whatever.”

Adric blinked in confusion, then looked at the door where Rhys immediately froze like a deer in headlights. He facepalmed and pulled Zayn away by the wrist.

“Zayn, you idiot!” Rhys hissed, dragging him out of the room.

Back in the doorway, Adric stared after them for a moment, still processing.

Then… he chuckled.

And within seconds, he burst out laughing.

“Oh my god…” he said to himself, still laughing as he turned back to his painting, shaking his head. “This is so funny.”

Flashback end____

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