CHAPTER 97: HENRY (PAST)

At 10 p.m., the entire mansion went dark. Of course, Joshua was sure his brother hadn’t gone to sleep yet—after all, he wasn’t asleep either. He had a date with his friend tonight.

Just as that thought crossed Joshua’s mind, a noise suddenly came from outside the window, as if something had bumped into it. Joshua immediately jumped out of bed, threw on a long fur coat that reached down to his calves—one that looked exactly like something a mom would wear.

But Joshua hadn’t stolen it from his mother; it was simply the style he liked. Louis was always saying his wardrobe was full of weird things.

Joshua thought that was only because Louis didn’t know anything about fashion! Just look at him—black or white shirts with slacks, all year round, even at home.

Joshua realized his thoughts were starting to wander again. He shook his head hard, as if trying to fling all those restless thoughts out of his mind.

Click. The window opened, and the night breeze rushed in, making Joshua’s soft curls sway slightly.

He narrowed his eyes, looking down at the figure below.

The man was tall—really tall. They hadn’t seen each other for an entire summer, and Joshua could swear he looked even more muscular now. Did they mix growth enhancers into army rations or something? Joshua couldn’t help but wonder.

"Henry!"

Joshua called out softly, even as Henry continued staring up at him.

Then Joshua simply leaped out the window. Henry’s eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t panic.

Joshua felt himself fall into a pair of cool arms—maybe it was just the chill of the night wind.

He opened his eyes, and sure enough, Henry was looking down at him.

That stern expression of his didn’t change in the slightest as he said in a deep voice, "That was dangerous."

That look probably terrified countless young soldiers under his command, but it didn’t work on Joshua at all.

Joshua grinned from ear to ear, immediately straightening up to throw his arms around Henry’s neck, practically clinging to him. His soft head rubbed against Henry’s collarbone as he teased, "We just met again, and you’re already scolding me? You didn’t miss me at all, did you?"

Henry pressed his lips together. "That wasn’t scolding."

Then he added, "Sorry."

"Dummy Henry." Joshua laughed, hopping down from Henry’s arms. He lightly punched Henry’s chest, then blinked in awe. "Damn, your chest muscles are no joke. Do you have eight-pack abs now or what?"

At that, Henry simply lifted his shirt.

Joshua’s jaw dropped. He reached his hands toward Henry’s abdomen, fingers twitching but not daring to touch. It felt like those abs were gleaming like diamonds before his eyes—so cool!

"Do you like it?" Henry’s voice suddenly came from above. Joshua immediately nodded vigorously. "So cool! I wish I could be like that, too."

As he spoke, he straightened up and lifted his own shirt, revealing a soft, pale belly with just a faint line of muscle. The sudden exposure to the night breeze made his skin tremble slightly.

Henry stared at Joshua, his gaze darkening. It wasn’t until Joshua looked up at him that he finally lowered his eyes a little, his expression unreadable.

"Oh, right, Henry—our gates are all locked. How did you even get in here?" Joshua suddenly remembered to ask, lowering his shirt again.

Henry gave him a look. "You should learn to be more cautious of strangers, Joshua."

"Strangers? But you’re not a stranger, Henry."

Joshua hooked his arm around Henry’s with obvious delight.

Henry looked exactly like his older brother, but unlike Louis, he would give in to Joshua the moment he acted cute. Henry was just too easy to fool!

Just then, the sound of a window opening rang out sharply, as if whoever opened it had done so on purpose to make noise.

Instinctively, Joshua looked up—and saw Louis’s cold, shadowed face by the window.

Without a second thought, Joshua grabbed Henry’s hand and bolted. Louis watched their retreating backs—Henry and Joshua running hand in hand. Even after they disappeared from sight, he still didn’t close the window.

Could it be... could his little brother actually like Henry? Did that mean Joshua would marry him one day?

It was clear that Joshua and Louis didn’t resemble each other much, but their tendency to overthink was precisely the same.

Louis held his head in his hands, slumping down in defeat, already grappling with the thought that his brother might one day leave home for somewhere else.

Henry only knew how to shoot and fight—was that really okay?

Meanwhile, Joshua was dragging Henry along in a frantic run, breathing heavily by the time they finally slowed down.

Then Henry suddenly stopped, pulling Joshua backward so that he bumped right into Henry’s chest.

Joshua nearly teared up. "Henry, your chest is so damn hard!"

Henry replied matter-of-factly, "A man’s chest isn’t supposed to be soft."

Joshua immediately spun around, chin lifted. "Mine’s soft. Want to check?"

Henry frowned, lowering his gaze to look at him, his voice turning a little cold. "Don’t talk nonsense, Joshua."

Joshua wasn’t the least bit scared. He even gave Henry two playful shoves. "Don’t be so mean."

Henry went along with it, stepping back slightly as if Joshua’s weak push had actually done something.

By now, they had reached the garden. Under the moonlight, the plants shimmered with a silvery glow, as if coated in a layer of starlight. The scent of flowers filled the air.

Joshua plopped down on a stone bench nearby, burying his face in his hands. "Louis saw me sneaking out. Tomorrow, my parents are totally gonna kill me."

Henry sat down beside Joshua and said softly, "It’s fine."

Joshua immediately turned to him, displeased. "What do you know? No one’s gonna punish you. Ever since we were kids, it’s been me who ’corrupted’ you."

That was true—and Joshua didn’t even bother denying it.

After all, he had always been the kind of kid who influenced others easily.

Henry shook his head thoughtfully. "You didn’t corrupt me."

Joshua couldn’t help laughing at that. He reached out, cupped Henry’s cheeks, and tugged the corners of his mouth upward. "Smile a little, will you? You’re like a block of wood. Any girl who ends up with you will cry herself to sleep from boredom."

Henry continued staring straight at Joshua. Then, in his usual calm tone, he said, "There won’t be any girl."

Joshua blinked, startled. He leaned back dramatically, clutching his chest in mock horror. "So you like guys, then?"

He was only joking—after all, in his mind, Henry didn’t seem to like anyone or anything. That much was certain.

But then Henry nodded, his tone firm as always. "Yes."

Joshua: "..."

He was speechless.

He stared at Henry, as if trying to confirm whether he’d heard correctly. "R-Really?"

Henry nodded again.

Joshua blinked, suddenly thinking hard. "Then... would your grandpa break both your legs and the other guy’s?"

Henry thought of how his grandfather always laughed warmly whenever Joshua came over and shook his head in amusement. "Grandpa would only break my legs."

Joshua’s jaw dropped. "So you’ve already introduced him to your family?! You must be close if you know that much!"

He shot to his feet, looking indignant. "So I’m the only one left out! Henry, I knew you didn’t see me as a friend, you stupid block of wood!"

With that, he spun around to leave.

But just then, Henry’s voice came from behind him—steady, but carrying a weight of determination.

"No, Joshua. You know. You know everything."