“Right foot. Good. Now, left foot. Good!”

Luhan held Sehun’s frail hand while the physical therapist held the other, helping the young boy take a few steps. His legs were extremely thin and weak. It only took a few more steps before he shook his head, silently telling both of them that he was tired. Luhan nodded toward the therapist, who nodded back and let go of Sehun’s hand to get a wheel chair.

“You did well today, Sehunnie.” Luhan whispered in the younger’s ear when they seated him down. Sehun only nodded and relaxed in the chair.

The stroll back to Sehun’s hospital room was quiet. Luhan was much too young to be supervising Sehun alone but he wanted to be there. Sehun would refuse to do anything if Luhan wasn’t there (which made Luhan’s pride swell just a tad). However, he was supposed to leave for China with his father soon since he had to get back to school. His mother was going to stay and take care of Sehun in his absence. When the younger recovered enough, she would take him back with her to China as well.

It hurt Luhan so much to be separated from Sehun. He didn’t know how the younger can handle everything since he’s been clinging onto his hand almost every waking moment. Even right then when they were heading back to the room. The therapist was pushing the wheel chair while Luhan walked beside Sehun so the younger can cling onto his hand.

As soon as they arrived, the two helped Sehun onto his bed and helped him get comfortable. Luhan’s mother was there to take the advice and words from the therapist so Luhan pulled over a chair and sat by Sehun’s bed. He placed a hand on Sehun’s. Sehun hadn’t said a single word since he had woken up, which was concerning but not uncommon to patients like him. Luhan missed the younger’s voice, the slightly high, squeaky voice.

Doctors had started to believe that Sehun’s blindness may be permanent since all the x-ray shots and other scans they had showed that none of the optical nerves were recovering. Luhan rubbed his thumb on the back of Sehun’s hand, hoping to sooth the younger’s possible anxiety.

“You know, I have to leave soon.” Luhan whispered. He can see how Sehun tensed a bit. “Don’t worry, I’ll call whenever I can. I just have to start school again. I think it’s stupid since you’re way more important than school but my parents are making me.” Luhan explained. “Auntie will be here with you. She’ll take good care of you while I’m away. And after you get better, she’ll take you to China with her and we can be together again. So try to get better as soon as you can, alright?”

Luhan didn’t expect an answer since Sehun hadn’t said a word to him. He expected silence and would move on to another topic. Talking always seemed to calm Sehun down, probably because it would give the younger something to listen to. However, what happened next shocked him. Luhan heard a small, weak voice. It was only one word but it made Luhan’s eyes widen and tear up.

“Okay.”

The thirteen year old sat up straighter when he heard Sehun’s voice. It was scratchy from lack of use but it was surely his voice. It couldn’t have been anyone else. Luhan couldn’t help but smile and held onto Sehun’s hand a little tighter. His heart swelled so much, it felt like it was going to burst right out of his chest.

“Thank you, Sehun. I want to see you better soon.”

~*~

Sehun didn’t get better as quickly as Luhan had hoped.

Everything was going pretty well in the beginning after Luhan left. His mother would call home every night to give updates. Over the next few months, Luhan learned that Sehun’s legs were healing pretty well and he was able to walk a little on his own (with much effort and energy, of course). Luhan was happy to learn about that. They would talk every other day, with Luhan mainly holding the conversation while Sehun making small, one word comments.

However, after a week or so from Sehun walking slightly on his own, Luhan’s mother told him that Sehun stopped talking again. When he tried to talk to Sehun, the younger wouldn’t say anything. His mother told him that Sehun would just sit there with the phone in his lap instead of holding it near his ear. Luhan was absolutely concerned.

Around a week and a half after that, Luhan and his father flew back to Korea to attend the Oh’s funeral. Luhan almost felt bad when he agreed to go as quickly as he did. It wasn’t that he wanted to go to the funeral (he was sure he was going to cry) but he wanted an excuse to just leave school for a little bit and go back to Sehun. He wanted to be by the younger’s side and see what was wrong.

The doctor gave them special permission to bring Sehun to attend the funeral (though, a bit hesitant). Luhan didn’t know if it was a good idea to actually let Sehun go since it might trigger bad memories but he couldn’t really convince anyone otherwise.

As soon as the car was parked, Luhan leaped out and hurried to the trunk to grab Sehun’s wheel chair. He quickly rushed to take Sehun’s hand and guild him to sit. Sehun didn’t say much as he sat down and let the older wheel him into the small church. Luhan pushed Sehun in, glancing around the religious building. Luhan wasn’t that religious himself but Sehun’s parents had a high respect for God. Luhan’s breath hitched when he saw a framed picture of his best friend’s face, just above the jar of ashes and next to his uncle and aunt.

Memories rushed into his mind like a hurricane. Every memory that he could possibly remember with his cousin, Sehun’s older brother, flashed before his eyes. He suddenly felt pain in his chest and his vision blurring with tears. The grip on Sehun’s wheel chair handles tightened as he continued to stare at the photographs. It took the pastor to gently pat his shoulder to snap Luhan out of his small bubble and to take a seat off to one side. (Luhan was actually glad that Sehun couldn't see. He didn't know how the younger would handle seeing it.)

The staff was kind enough to pull out a chair to fit Sehun’s wheel chair in. Luhan carefully maneuvered Sehun to allow the younger to face the right direction, not like he needed to. Slowly, family members and friends entered one by one and took a seat. Luhan didn’t greet them. He just sat by Sehun’s side and held his hand reassuringly. Plenty of people walked up to give their sympathy to Sehun, to which Luhan had to reply since he knew the younger wouldn't. Many of the faces Luhan didn’t recognize but that didn’t matter.

Sehun was silent throughout the whole service. He didn't move a muscle nor made a sound. He didn't even react at the name of his parents and his brothers. He didn't respond when sobbing relatives and friends passed by. He did nothing but sat there and listened. Luhan wondered if the younger felt anything, if he was sad or angry or was just numb. The ceremony passed by slowly and after the flowers were given and a few more tears shed, it was over and the late afternoon settled in.

Luhan glanced up at the sky as soon as they left the church. Sunny. How odd.

~*~

A few days after the funeral, the doctors gave permission to allow Sehun to come back to China with the Lu family. Luhan was thrilled. He didn't know if he could have gone back home without Sehun by his side. The younger didn't say much but he had started to say a few words (not all at the same time, of course).

The four were sitting at the airport, waiting for their plane to arrive. Luhan was trying to keep himself and Sehun entertained, ranging from playing silent games to singing out loud. He gotten more than a few strange looks but that didn't matter to him. It was okay. As long as he could keep Sehun amused, he would sing as much as he wanted. Besides, no one complained (yet) so there was no real problem.

“Hey Sehun.” Luhan suddenly said after finishing a song.

The boy didn't say a word but for some reason, Luhan felt like the younger was listening to him.

“You know, you don't have to hold anything back.” Luhan whispered, reaching out to take Sehun's hand in his. He felt Sehun tense but gave no reaction of discomfort. “I know you lost so much in such an short time but... I'm here if you ever need me. I'm going to protect you from now on and I'm going to make sure you're going to be okay. You're coming to live with me now! There's a lot of things waiting for you in China.” Luhan smiled a little. “Remember China? Do you still like bubble tea? We can stop by and grab some bubble tea when we get off the plane. I don't think mama and baba would mind.” The older rambled.

He didn't notice the small smile on Sehun's face as he continued to talk.

The plane was delayed for about an hour but they were finally boarding. Luhan was yet again reluctant to leave Sehun's side when his mother was going to take him through the handicapped entrance. Luhan would be going with his father through the main entrance and meet on the plane. He sighed as he sat down next to his father, watching his mother wheel Sehun away.

“Luhan.”

The said boy looked up at his father, a curious gaze in his eyes.

“You're going to take care of him, aren't you?”

He nodded vigorously. “Of course I am! I'm going to do my best to make sure he's comfortable and bring back that smile of his!”

His father smiled fondly at his son and patted his head. “I raised you well.”

Luhan beamed, a large grin nearly splitting his face in half. The two went back into a comfortable silence before they were called to board the plane. Luhan swung his backpack over his shoulders and politely handed his passport and ticket to the lady. Once he receive the items back, he waited for his father before they headed in. He quickly found out that he was sitting next to Sehun, taking the window seat, while his mother and father sat in the other seats across the small aisle. Luhan sat down and smiled.

“Sehunnie! Did you wait long?”

He didn't receive a reply but he could see Sehun's shoulder relaxed so Luhan was happy with it. They didn't say much but Luhan put on a movie to let Sehun listen to. The younger seemed interested enough to sit still. Luhan never let go of Sehun's hand throughout the whole plane ride. It made Luhan seem happy enough to know that Sehun didn't mind and at points curled his fingers around the older's hand as well. Snacks would be passed out around half way through he plane ride and Luhn would always help Sehun eat his snacks. He would often have to encourage the younger since he didn't want to eat anything that moment but Luhan made him eat anyway because the younger didn't eat anything all day the previous day.

“Please, Sehun... Just a few more, please?”

The younger listened, much to Luhan's surprise but he didn't question it. However, Sehun took it quite literally and took possibly a small handful of nuts into his mouth before he refused to eat again. Luhan sighed but he patted Sehun's hair fondly.

“You're going to be quite the troublesome kid... But you know what, I don't mind. You deserve it, you know? I hope things can go well from now on.”

The rest of the plane ride was silent. They Lu family exited the plane quietly, Luhan's mother and Sehun splitting off leaving Luhan with his father again. They met up at the luggage pick up and took up two suitcases of the Lu's belongs and another, much smaller one, for Sehun's.

Luhan and Sehun were actually sitting and waiting for Luhan's parents to get the luggage. The two were sitting on a small bench nearby. Luhan was humming songs to Sehun as the younger was resting his head on the older's shoulder, slightly dozing off. Luhan took that moment to stop singing and look down at his younger cousin.

Sehun had gotten a small scar on the right side of his cheek but it seemed to be fading quickly. There was also a slight discoloration on his skin on several parts around his collarbone and down his body and slightly up his neck. Sehun's breathing seems uneven but his breathing changed to that pattern after the accident. Luhan couldn't help but feel more protective when Sehun's face changed from an emotionless, blank face to a vulnerable, peaceful face. Sehun brushed the younger's hair out of his eyes and sighed.

“Luhan! Sehun! Time to go!”

The older boy perked up when he heard his father's call. He glanced down at Sehun and slightly shook the younger awake.

“Sehunnie, let's go home.”

Sehun blinked several times to shake off the sleep. Luhan didn't miss the way Sehun sighed as if he was disappointed to be woken up and see darkness again. Luhan got off the bench first and took both of Sehun's hands in his to help the younger down and back to the wheel chair. Sehun could handle walking on his own and besides, the bench seat it a little taller than the wheel chair so they could swing their legs if they wanted to.

However, time seemed to move in slow motion when Sehun slid off the bench. There was a loud cry and it took a second for Luhan to recognize that it's Sehun's voice. Sehun's voice. The younger's legs seemed to give out on him and collapsed to the ground, crying in pain. He let go of Luhan's hands in favor of clutching on to his legs, tears escaping his unseeing eyes. Luhan didn't realize that he was on the ground and yelling for his mother and father. He didn't recognize what was happening as he zeroed in on Sehun and Sehun alone.

The younger looked like he was in so much pain. Luhan didn't want to hear Sehun's voice this way. It's been so long but he didn't want to hear Sehun's strained cry instead of a laugh or a small comment. The tears trailing down the younger's cheeks is just too much for Luhan. The world around him started to blur and that's when he realized that he was crying as well. His parents probably called an ambulance or security while he was trying to comfort Sehun, mumbling soothing words in Chinese. He knew Sehun understood some Chinese but he doesn't know if he could understand the more complicated words he was spitting out right then and there.

Paramedics arrived with a stretcher and all sort of supplies. Sehun wasn't able to respond to anything and Luhan tried to explain what happened even though he didn't even know what had happened. He was told several times to calm down and he tried his best but his heart hurts and he's crying too hard... His father rushed to comfort him as his mother was frantically trying to give information to the paramedics. In the end, his mother went on the ambulance with Sehun and Luhan went with his father by car.

The rest was a blurry mess until Luhan found himself in a hospital room again, sitting next to Sehun who resting on the bed with more wires hooked up to him. Luhan thought it would be the end after they left Korea but it seemed that God didn't want to stop messing with them. He over heard the doctor talking to his parents just a minute ago.

Relapse.

A relapse. Sehun had to relearn how to walk yet again. Luhan was furious, absolutely angry. How could it all just slip away so quickly? How could the world hate on this young boy so much? He already suffered. Losing his family, his sight, and his ability to use his legs again. At least allow him some peace of mind to be able to walk on his own...

They didn't get bubble tea on the way home. Sehun couldn't even come home.

Hey guys! Sorry for the long wait but here it is! I've been really busy with a few online courses I decided to take during the summer (which I really regret) along with other assignments. And let's not forget those college applications... I haven't really gotten the chance to write much until late at night, then I end up passing out halfway through of just planning on what to write. Yeah... I'm feeling just a little dead right now... Anyways, I quickly edited this so I apologize for any mistakes!

Thank you for reading! Special thanks to those of you who commented/subscribed/upvoted! You guys rock! Until the next update! :-)