The hotter days of summer had finally passed and the temperature was beginning to cool down. The trees and grass were the most luscious deep green that they’d been all year which was a signal that autumn was soon on its way. The sun shone brightly in the blue sky, with large fluffy white clouds looming past it. While the days were still warm, Kibum had been spending most of his time outside and away from the house. He wanted to enjoy the best weather of the year before it went away and so he found himself hanging around his favorite place: the bridge.

He sat atop the stone wall, swinging one leg over the side that looked over water. Leaning against the light pole, he silently read one of his new books whilst absentmindedly snacking on some pretzels. Although his attention was utterly captured by the thrilling novel, Kibum couldn’t push away the feeling of nervousness that was boiling in the pit of his belly. It was the weekend and that meant Donghae was coming home today, which in turn meant that it would finally be time to face up to his brother. He wouldn’t normally take Key’s word on anything, but Key had assured him that Donghae wasn’t angry or upset with him and everything would be smoothed over by the week’s end.

I honestly don’t think that I’ve done anything to hurt Donghae’s feelings, but maybe I did something unintentionally. But, if Key says that Donghae isn’t upset with me…then what’s been going on these past couple of weeks?

He flipped the page of his book, tapping his finger against the spine as he read. It was a nervous habit and he was trying not to think about what time it was. A watched pot never boils, after all. Donghae would be here in time; he would just have to wait until he arrived.

“You know, if Heechul finds out that you’re still hanging around here, he’s going to be pissed.”

The sound of the voice broke through the air, startling Kibum so greatly that he dropped his book over the wall. He placed a hand on his racing heart, grateful that it hadn’t been him that had fallen over; that water was deep.

“Jesus, Donghae! Don’t sneak up on me like that,” Kibum complained, sliding off the wall and onto the bench below it, then hopping onto the ground. He noticed that Donghae was holding a white box, which caught his interest.

“See? That’s exactly why you aren’t supposed to be up there,” Donghae chastised him, giving him a stern look of concern. “Find somewhere else to hang out, okay? I don’t want you falling and getting hurt either.”

“Alright, I’ll stop coming here,” Kibum agreed, although he was lying through his teeth. He would never stop coming here, not in a million years. This bridge meant everything to him; it was almost like a second home.

Donghae smiled at him and sat down on the bench, patting the spot next to him. He set the white box aside as Kibum sat down beside him.

“So I got a call from Key the other day,” Donghae told him, and Kibum nodded slowly. “I want you to know that everything has been a huge misunderstanding. That night, I just got caught up in all the fun that I forgot to tell everyone to search for you. Then I forgot myself, because you hadn’t been around all night. I really didn’t mean to leave you like that. I’m so sorry, Kibum.”

It wasn’t entirely the truth, but it wasn’t entirely a lie either. Kibum seemed to buy it, though, and so he continued with the half-assed apology. “I’m not mad at you either. You’re really too sensitive, Kibum. I know that you can’t help it but you need to man up, stop crying about everything.”

“I will,” Kibum swore to him, looking at him with pleading eyes. “I’m not going to cry anymore, Hae. I know that I’ve been over emotional these past couple weeks, but Heechul says that we don’t have to go back to the house anymore. I’m fine; I’m going to be fine. I’ll stop being sensitive. I’ll be normal again. No more crying. I promise.”

It was promise that he was making to himself, too. All this crying had to come to an end because if he continued to do it, Heechul would begin to ask questions. Just like the stone bridge wall, he knew that he needed to build his own wall back up.

Donghae grinned and playfully punched him in the shoulder. “That’s really good to hear, Kibum. Everyone just wants you to be