White.

Everything was a blinding white.

His head pounded harshly and he really felt like throwing his guts out. Every breath he took seemed to trigger a gunshot into his chest as pain wrecked at his every rib.

He could see his father, young and confident. His father opened his arms wide to embrace a little male toddler who ran right into his embrace laughing so happily that his two almond eyes turned into pretty crescents resembling the moon. The said man raised his arms, lifting his son high into the air before bringing the toddler to his face as he scrunched up his nose and bumped their foreheads together.

“Byunghun ah, appa loves you so much.”

“Hunnie loves appa too.”

The toddler’s giggle twinkled with the stars above the sky.

Byunghun’s eyes slowly fluttered open as he jolted awake.

The entire room was dead silent as Byunghun blearily makes out his father, Sohyun and Chanhee amidst the bright florescent lights. Slowly, his vision became clearer as he could make out light beeping sounds coming from the various machines surrounding him and his own rugged breathing.

Andy immediately reacted as he gently tapped his hands on Byunghun’s shoulder’s twice.

“Lee Byunghun. Can you hear me? If you can hear me blink twice.”

And Byunghun blinked.

Once.

And a second time.

Sohyun’s right hand flew to , trembling and shaking. She was unable to contain her emotions. Her best friend was awake and responsive. He truly was a strong fighter afterall.

“Appa……….” Byunghun breathed out weakly as the three adults in the ward leaned forward and strained their ears to hear.

“It hurts….” He manages to choke out, his voice just barely above a whisper as a tear escapes the corner of his left eye before closing his eyes.

And the strong front that Andy has been putting up finally broke apart as he started tearing and sniffing.

“We know. We know it’s painful but appa is here for you. Alright. Don’t be afraid. Appa, Sohyun, Chanhee and even omma is here for you.” Andy stokes Byunghun’s head softly as he brought Byunghun’s ice cold hand into his own protective warm ones. The word omma seemed so foreign rolling out of Andy’s tongue but he knew Byunghun’s mother would give him the strength he needs as well.

===

It has been three days since Byunghun woke and Andy decided it was safe enough to transfer him from the critical care unit to the intensive care unit. Even though Byunghun had finally woken from his near death experience, he has been drifting in and out of consciousness a lot. It was obvious that the said boy was in a lot of pain, practically begging for morphine every time he’s awake. It broke everyone’s heart seeing Seoul National Hospital’s ball of sunshine being tortured by his own body.

Jonghyun walks into the ward as he closed the door behind him. He had been discharged the