Seunghyun's POV

*tick tock tick tock*

I tossed and turned in my bed as sleep continued to elude me.

"!" I screamed in frustration as I sat up, glaring at the clock in annoyance. Why was it so loud?!

*tick tock tick tock*

I watched as the clock struck twelve, the ticking of the clock growing louder and louder as the minutes passed. Was this what guilt sounded like? I flopped back down on the bed in frustration. Where was she? It's past twelve and she hadn't come back yet. Was she okay? Had she hurt herself when she had fallen? Where was she?!

The loud ticking of the clock continued to torment me as horrible images flashed in my mind, guilt and dread filling me. Oh god. What have I done? It was no use trying to sleep with this guilty conscience. I got up and made my way out of my room into the kitchen to grab a cold glass of water.

With glass in hand I leaned back on the kitchen counter, my eyes trained on the door. 'Please come back. Please be okay.'

As if hearing my pleas I heard the fumbling sound of keys at the door. I straightened up as I placed the glass on the kitchen counter, waiting for her to enter. It took a while before the door swung open to reveal Bom in the arms of Youngbae. I couldn't believe the site before me, what was this? I couldn't help the anger that filled me. So here I was worried about her, whilst she was all over Youngbae?!

I watched with narrowed eyes as Youngbae carried Bom in, laying her on the sofa. Despite the darkness he seemed to be able to know my presence in the room.

"I hope you're happy with yourself hyung," he said coldly as he crossed his arms across his chest, matching my glare.

"Happy? I don't know. How about you? You seem to be very happy." I quipped back as my eyes flickered between him and Bom, certain he understood my intention.

Youngbae scoffed as he stalked over to me, "Happy? You think i'm happy? You're delusional. You think I would be happy to see two of my close friends hurting? You think I was happy when I saw Bom noona on the floor crying her eyes out? You think I was happy to see her thrown away like she was unwanted trash?"

I flinched at his words but quickly recollected myself, "Don't over exaggerate."

"Over exaggerate? You don't know the half of it. You weren't there. You didn't see how broken she looked. Do you know how long she must've sat there on the cold hard floor as passers by looked down at her and pitied her? It's not a nice feeling hyung and you of all people should know that," he hissed as he jabbed his finger into my chest.

I shoved him away from me in anger, "Oh I know. Believe me. I know what it feels like. Do you? Do you know what it feels like to have your heart stomped on, torn apart and thrown away like it was worthless? Do you know what it feels like to have the person you think the world of leave you behind as if you were nothing to them? Do you Youngbae? If you don't then don't you ing point your finger at me and tell me I don't know!"

"No hyung I don't know, and I wouldn't want to imagine either, but you do. You know how much it hurts, so why would you bestow that kind of pain on someone else? On someone who you know you still love? What is the point in this? Do you want her to feel as much pain as you did? Is that what this is? Revenge? Is it really worth it? To see her in so much pain? Because I know that when she's hurting you're hurting too, so what's the point in this? You're just hurting yourself. You have the power to make two people in this room very happy, what's stopping you? Bitterness? Because that's just pathetic," he turned his back and made his way towards the door turning back to give me one last hard gaze, "Don't let your bitterness get in the way of your happiness hyung, because before you know it it'll be too late and she'll be gone."

I stood rooted in my spot, my whole body frozen as I absorbed his words, they had really hit a sensitive nerve. Was I really being bitter? Was I just unneccesarily hurting two people? My gaze moved from the closed door towards the sleeping girl on the sofa. I was still shaken from Youngbae's words as I approached her, swallowing nervously.

I crouched down as I stared unabashedly at her face, my hand reaching up to move a strand of her luscious red hair out of her beautiful face.

"Are you hurting as much as I am Bom? Am I being bitter?" I whispered as I caressed her face lightly, my heart cringing as I felt her tear trails. Was I wrong? Was it wrong of me for wanting you to hurt as much as you had hurt me?

Sighing I gently scooped her up in my arms and carried her towards her room. I carefully placed her on the bed before covering her with the blanket, tucking her in.

"I'm sorry Bom... I love you, I really do, but I don't know if my bitter heart can let go of the past," I whispered as I her cheek, leaning down to place a long kiss on her forehead.

I pulled back and walked out of the room, using all of my will to not glance back. I laid down on my bed as I looked up at the ceiling, Youngbae's words ringing in my ears.

"Don't let your bitterness get in the way of your happiness hyung, because before you know it it'll be too late and she'll be gone."

I closed my eyes tightly.

"She'll be gone."

"She'll be gone."

"She'll be gone."

I pushed his words away to the back of my mind, as the image of her poorly made cake flashed in my mind.

'Seunghyun, I love you'

That night for the first time in seven and a half long years, I fell asleep with a smile on my face.

Bom's POV

As soon as the door closed my eyes snapped open, my hand reaching up to brush my forehead, the feeling of his lips still lingering there.

I had really hurt him. I knew I had... but I didn't know I had hurt him to this extent. To the extent where he had become so.. so bitter.

"Do you know what it feels like to have your heart stomped on, torn apart and thrown away like it was worthless?"

After tonight I did.. I really did. Had I really made him feel worthless?

"Do you know what it feels like to have the person you think the world of leave you behind as if you were nothing to them?"

He thinks that I thought of him as nothing? Did he not know how much I loved him? How much he meant and still means to me? Did he not know how hard it was to leave him behind? No. He didn't. because I was stupid enough to leave without telling him how much he meant to me and how much I loved him.

"I'm sorry Bom... I love you, I really do, but I don't know if my bitter heart can let go of the past."

A small smile crept onto my face as I remembered how sweet it sounded to finally hear those three words from him. I know he wouldn't have said anything if he had known I was awake but this was what I needed. Confirmation. Confirmation that he loved me, and that my efforts weren't going to waste.

Seunghyun, you mean the world to me and I will use everything within my power to make sure you believe that. To believe that I truly love you and always have. You may not be able to forget or forgive how much I had hurt you in the past, but I hope we can create some new memories to make up for all the years we spent apart.

"I love you"

He loves me. No matter how cold he is towards me, I won't back down. Now that I know he feels the same way as I do, I will fight for the both of us. I will break that wall down Seunghyun! 

== The next day ==

Dara's POV

I rested my head on Jiyong's shoulder as I waited for class to begin.

"Tired?"

"Mhmmm," I nodded my head, causing Jiyong to chuckle. The fundraising event had gone extremely well, much better than we had anticipated. We had sold out just before the night had ended, raking in a rather large sum of money. Unfortunately we had made a rather large mess during the process and had spent a long time tidying up afterward, then we had to count all the money. Bottom line was we didn't get back till late and I was exhausted.

"I'm extremely pleased with the amount of money you have all raised. Collectively as a class we raised the highest amount of money out of all the other departments," he paused as everyone began to cheer and whoop, "Our class also holds the pair that raised the highest amount of money."

Whispers broke out as people looked around wondering who the winners could be. I probably would've joined them if I wasn't so tired, instead I just snuggled into Jiyong's broad shoulders, wrapping myself around his arm.

"The winners, by a long shot, were..." Mr Sang trailed off as he looked around the room, enjoying the suspense.

"Kwon Jiyong and Sandara Park!" he finally announced. There was a loud round of applause as some people whooped whilst others sighed dejectedly.

I frowned at all the noise, who cares who won?

"Dara... we won!" I heard Jiyong whisper excitedly as he ruffled my hair.

We won? That's nice...

My eyes snapped open as realisation dawned on me. WE WON! I pulled away from Jiyong, sitting up as my grip on his arm tightened as I began to jump up and down in my seat, "We won Ji!"

"As you guys raised the highest amount of money the university has decided to give the two of you the day off so you can go and present the money to the orphanage." Mr Sang continued as he showed us a rare smile.

"Now?" I asked as I felt Jiyong stand up, pulling me with him since I was still wrapped around his arms.

"Yes now, I am aware Mr Kwon has a car and I trust you guys will deliver the cheque promptly," Mr Sang said as he handed us the cheque.

I nodded my head as I looked at the cheque in awe, before I felt Jiyong tug me towards the door.

== At the orphanage ==

"Have you ever been to an orphanage before Ji?" I asked as I looked up at the large dull building, waiting for Jiyong to take the bags of toys and sweets we had brought on the way.

"No," he simply replied as we made our way towards the large door.

/knock knock/

"Oh Hello, how may I help you?" A middle-aged woman asked as she smiled at us.

"We're here to represent Seoul University and present the money we raised for the orphanage," I replied as Jiyong and I bowed respectfully to her.

"Oh! Come in come in!" she opened the door wide and ushered us in.

I handed her the cheque and watched as her jaw dropped, her hand flying to as she gaped at the cheque in shock.

"T-this is so much! We can do so much for the children with this! Thank you so much!" she thanked as I watched her eyes fill with grateful tears before she pulled me into a hug.

She finally pulled away as she wiped the tears away beaming at Jiyong and I, "Would you like to see the children? They've not had visitors in a while."

I returned her smile, glancing at Jiyong before turning back to nod at her. She led us down a small corridor to a large wooden door, opening it and gesturing for us to follow her in.

"Everybody, we have visitors!" she said excitedly as she stepped aside to reveal Jiyong and I.

I looked around the large room, shock filling me when I realised how many children there actually were. My heart tugging slightly as I realised most if not all of the children in here were unwanted and unloved.

It was silent for a minute as they all looked at Jiyong and I in curiosity, all of them stopping in their playing.

I felt a small tugging on the hem of my shirt and looked down to see a small boy looking up at me, "Noona is very pretty."

My heart melted at his adorableness as I crouched down to pick him up, placing him on my hip before turning towards the other kids.

"This is Dara and Jiyong, they've come to play with you all for a while, remember to share your toys neh?" the woman said as she smiled at us before leaving us alone with the children.

As soon as the door closed the kids ran towards us, surrounding us.

"What's in the bag hyung?" another boy asked as he eyed the bags in Jiyong's hand.

"Hyung and Noona have brought you some sweets and toys!" he said as he ruffled the boys hair before carefully wading through the children to sit down on a stool, opening the bag and placing it on his lap.

All the kids went crazy at the words 'sweets' and 'toys' as they ran after Jiyong, crowding around him. I chuckled as I watched him distribute the sweets.

"Is hyung noona's boyfriend?"

I blinked as I turned to look at the small boy on my hip, "Neh?"

"Is hyung noona's boyfriend?" he repeated as he looked at Jiyong before looking back at me. It was such a simple, innocent question from a curious child but for some reason I couldn't answer. He wasn't, but I physically couldn't bring myself to say no, instead I shook my head at him.

"Okay! Then Wooyoungie will marry noona when he grows taller and stronger like hyung! Wait for me noona!" he beamed happily as he began to wriggle, causing me to loosen my hold so he could slide down before running off to join the other kids who were busy playing with the new toys and munching on sweets.

I felt another tug on my shirt and I looked down to see a little girl this time, her big brown eyes staring up at me, her toe brushing the floor shyly, "Unnie... could you do my hair?"

I softened, nodding my head as I grabbed her small hand in my own, walking over to sit on a chair, placing her on my lap as I began to play with her hair.

Jiyong's POV

I smiled at the sight of all the happy children running around, glad that their situation hadn't turned them into bitter hearted people.

I scanned the room, a frown finding it's way onto my face when I noticed a small boy sitting in a corner on his own. He wasn't playing with anything just sitting there staring at the wall. I placed the bag of sweets down on my chair before patting one of the boys closest to me, "Whose that?"

The boy briefly turned to look at the boy I was pointing at before turning back to me, "That's Jin-young"

"Why isn't he playing with everyone else?" I asked as I looked at the boy in curiosity.

The boy shrugged, "I don't know. He's new. He doesn't play with anyone or talk to anyone. He just sits there everyday and stares at the wall."

I nodded my head as I straightened up, the boy running off to continue playing. There was just something about that boy that drew me towards him. I slowly approached him before crouching down in front of him, "Hello little man."

Jin-young looked away from the wall to glance at me before shifting his eyes back, not uttering a single word.

"Are you okay?" I asked gently.

I watched as his small shoulders move up slightly before dropping back down in a shrug.

"Why aren't you playing with everyone else?"

Again he gave a small shrug.

"What are you looking at?" I asked as I looked at the plain dull wall that he was so concentrated on.

He shrugged again, his eyes unblinking at he continued to stare.

Sighing I stood up before moving to sit beside him, my back leaning against the wall, "What's up little man?"

This time his eyes flickered to look up at me allowing me to see the immense sadness in his eyes, before he turned back, again not speaking.

We sat there for a good few minutes with him constantly staring at the wall whilst I observed him quietly. It didn't look like he wanted my company. I sighed as I made a move to stand up.

"I--"

I blinked as I turned to see Jin-young still staring at the wall. I swear I just heard him speak! I shook my head, I was probably imagining things. I made another move to stand up when--

"I--"

Okay, that was definitely coming from him. I sat back down as I turned to look at him, "You want to talk little man?"

I waited for a few minutes, silently watching him.

"I--"

"I--"

"I m-miss.." he stuttered, his eyes still trained on the wall.

"It's okay little man, i'm here," I comforted as I placed an arm over his shoulder.

"O-omma. I miss my Omma." he finally got out as he began to trace the floor with his little finger.

"Your Omma? Where's your Omma?" I asked softly, unsure whether it was the right move to ask him. After all he was in an orphanage for a reason...

"Omma? Omma's in heaven.." he whispered sadly as he glanced up at the ceiling.

I felt my heartstrings tug at the look of distraught that crossed over his face, "Where's your Appa?" I couldn't help but ask.

"Appa? I don't know. Where is Appa? Who is Appa?" he muttered, more to himself than me.

"You don't know who your Appa is?"

He shook his head as he continued to trace patterns on the floor, "Appa? I don't think I have an Appa."

"Everybody has an Appa."

"Not me. It was just Omma and me. When Omma.. when Omma..." he struggled to say the words as he began to stab at the floor whilst I rubbed his back comfortingly, knowing what he was trying to say.

"When Omma... Appa was supposed to come and get me. I waited. I waited and waited." he whispered, "Appa never came."

I felt my heart tug painfully at Jin-young's pain, he must be only 6? 7 at most, and here he was struggling from the loss of his mother, and where was his father? No where. I couldn't help the anger boil up at me. How could someone just leave their son like that? At a time when they needed their comfort the most? What kind of father was that?

"I'm sure.. I'm sure he had a reason," I said through clenched teeth, trying to reassure him and not force my own emotions on him.

"Do you think so?" he turned to look at me with hope in his eyes, "Do you think Appa loves me?"

As I stared into his eyes, I couldn't help but feel like I was looking at my younger self. At that moment I could feel his pain, his pain that mirrored my own in so many ways. I know what I should say. I should tell him that his Appa loves him, that his Appa will come and find him, but that would be giving him false reassurance. I couldn't find it within me to tell him something I knew wasn't the truth. To tell him something I myself didn't believe in.

"Jin--"

"Yes, he does love you." I turned to see Dara crouching in front of Jin-young a reassuring smile on her face as she patted his shoulder comfortingly. She turned towards me, giving me the same look as her eyes searched my own, and I couldn't help but think those words weren't just meant for Jin-young, but for me too.

"Come on, lets go play hmm?" Dara continued as she grabbed Jin-young's hand, pulling him up and dragging him towards all the other kids. I stayed sitting down as I watched her play with all the children, a bright smile on her face.

She looked so natural with children. 'She would make a wonderful mother and a beautiful wife' my mind spoke a smile appearing on my face as I continued to watch her run around, laughing joyfully.

"Oppa?" I turned to see the little girl that Dara had been playing with earlier sit down beside me shyly, "Do you have a happy family and a warm home?" she asked wistfully

I blinked down at her, "I don't know about a happy family..." I started as I looked up, my eyes immediately following Dara's movements. As if sensing my stare she looked up, a radiant smile gracing her face as she stretched her hand out towards me, "But i've definitely found my warm home..." I finished as I stood up, lifting the young girl in my arms as I made my way over to Dara, slipping my hand into her outstretched ones, warmth immediately spreading throughout my body. It had been years since I had felt like I had a home. A real home, and I had finally found it. My home. After all, isn't home where the heart is?