~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

Seunghee woke up on her new bed and took a glimpse of Jeonghan at the neighboring bed still sleeping. The nightmare of that day still haunted her in her sleep those days. She could still feel the touch of that person doing disturbing things to her. She hugged herself almost starting to tear up. Until she felt a hand gently caressing her hair. She opened up her eyes meeting his loving ones. Jeonghan wasn't asleep yet. He was watching her. He was worried about her.

"Can't sleep?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Do you want me to lay down beside you? If it's okay with you."

"Sure."

He nestled beside her and she instantly cuddled by his side like she was scared of something.

"Can stay like this?" she asked.

"Sure, if this what will make you feel at ease."

"Yes. Please sleep right here. If you're the one beside me, I know no one can hurt me anymore."

"Okay, goodnight Seunghee."

"Goodnight."

She felt protected feeling him beside her. It was so hard for him seeing her like that. It was all his fault, he kept blaming himself. If only he did not leave her alone that night. If only he protected her more than enough. He would do everything to help her conquer this fear. He had to regain the old Seunghee. He had to bring her back.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

Day by day, Jeonghan tried his best to make her forget about the incident. He cheered her up by going an extra mile for her. He did funny things, stupid things, romantic things and lastly heart-warming things to ease her. And it made her relax bit by bit that she was able to sleep peacefully at night alone again. He felt somewhat relieved. Even her parents were seeing the change. She was starting to smile again. The smile she used to have, the smile she used to capture them with. It had only been a month and her parents were really glad.

They went over the Oh residence that day. Seunghee missed her piano. She started playing it as soon as she arrived.

"I'll just play for a while okay?"

She left her parents and Jeonghan at the living room though she was just across the room. As the music resounded around the room, they talked about her.

"She's doing well. I'm really glad. Thank you Jeonghan," her mom said.

"I'm doing my best to help her. I really want to bring the Seunghee I once knew back."

"For how long is it gonna take you?" her dad asked.

"I... don't know sir. But I'm trying."

"You said you would do it. Don't turn back on your words boy."

"I will do it sir. And after all of these are done, can I ask for your blessings? I wish to marry your daughter as soon as we graduate."

"Don't push your luck just yet. If Seunghee decides to leave, we'll leave right away."

"I'll see to it that she doesn't consider leaving again sir."

"Well, it's all up to her."

They stared at Seunghee who was jauntily playing the piano. Jeonghan would make her stay. He won't let any other option cloud her vision.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

They also met with Sehun and Yujin on the way. They shared coffee at their fave hangout at the plaza. Jeonghan and Seunghee sat across Sehun and Yujin at a table.

"I just learned your father owns this plaza. That's just marvelous," Sehun uttered.

"I told him oppa," Yujin said.

"I never intended to tell anyone Yujin," Jeonghan replied.

"You're just so modest," Yujin told him.

Jeonghan answered, "I'm not I just don't want to brag."

"It's not bragging, it's just stating the facts. Just like how I do," Sehun stated.

"Ah... don't put us in the same dish, hyung," Jeonghan replied.

Seunghee was a bit surprised hearing Jeonghan call Sehun hyung. "Eh? Since when did you take a step up in your friendship?"

"Well, since you..." Sehun stopped.

Jeonghan shook his head at him slightly. They didn't want to make her recollect. Yujin also looked a little worried.

"And when did Yujin meet Sehun oppa?" Seunghee tried to change the topic. She noticed they were being a bit cautious around her.

"A while ago. Sehun oppa's been nice to me," Yujin answered.

"Really? Never heard of something like that," Seunghee said.

"I'm good with the ladies my sweet cousin," Sehun uttered.

"I didn't say anything," Seunghee replied.

"Yeah, hyung's only cruel towards me," Jeonghan interjects.

"That's a given," Sehun said.

They laughed.

"Do you want some sweets? My treat. It's out first meeting today, the four of us," Seunghee asked.

"Me unnie! I'll pick some with you," Yujin answered.

"Okay, come Yujin."

The girls got in line to order some sweets. Then Jeonghan went staring at Seunghee from their seat as Sehun took a sip of his coffee.

"So how is she doing? She looks a lot better now," Sehun queried.

"I'm doing my hardest to keep her away from those memories," Jeonghan said.

"You're doing good Jeonghan. Don't be so hard on yourself."

"This is just my punishment for not taking care of her."

"You're taking care of her now."

"Well, yeah."

Seunghee and Yujin were cheekily chatting as they picked the sweets. Jeonghan knew it was time to move forward. He would do it that night. He had to take his chance.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

Upon arriving at his unit, Jeonghan was seriously lost in his thoughts. Seunghee was gladly talking about something that he didn't quite give attention to. She noticed him drifting away.

"Is there a problem? You've been silent since we left the house," she asked.

He closed the door behind him and he looked into at her eyes deeply.

"Seunghee I think it's about time we try to do it."

Seunghee was a bit taken aback.

"It's the only reason you have to stay here right? And if after this, you have to leave, I won't hold you back. I'll be waiting till you come back."

He held her face and affectionately caressed her cheek. She relaxed. She was assured, he would take care of her. She was still somewhat afraid, but she wanted to do it with him. If he did it, she could forget every little feeling of that man's touch and replace it with his. She was ready.

"I know, I was just waiting for you to remind me. It's alright. We can do it, tonight."

Jeonghan tightly enclosed her in his arms.

"I will wipe away every single thing that guy did to you Seunghee. I'll make you forget about it. So please stay with me till the end."

"I will Jeonghan. I will."

From there, he kissed her.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

They ended up in the room, on his bed, they slowly made way for each other. Bodies' friction, swollen lips, heated skin, their clothes were left on the floor. Jeonghan made sure he didn't leave any part of her body untouched. Seunghee did not object to anything he did. Her everything should belong to him. And he made it certain that she felt that way. It was give and take for both of them.

But that moment had to come, when two become one. They were both sweaty and catching their breaths after a round of endless foreplay of love making. Jeonghan laid over her, his face on her neck while Seunghee was adamantly waiting for him to continue.

"I think it's time Seunghee."

"Yes, I think so too."

"I love you very much. Let's treat this night as our beginning."

"To our lifetime together. Yes, I will. I love you so much."

Jeonghan and Seunghee finally had their very first time together. Seunghee was blissful, the same way Jeonghan was. He was relieved. It may have been just a couple of months but this love has come a long way until that point. Both of them knew that they would never be able to spend a day without each other. That night was the beginning of their lifetime together.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

A few months later, it was almost time for graduation. Jeonghan and Seunghee were spending some time with Yujin and Sehun at the cafeteria.

"Are we hearing the wedding bells after graduation already?" Yujin asked.

"Of course not. They have a long way to go before all of that happens," Sehun said.

Seunghee smiled at him.

"Sehun-oppa has never agreed with me when it comes to you two," Yujin commented.

"You never change oppa," Seunghee uttered.

"I'm just stating the facts Seunghee. And besides uncle will never approve of that this early," Sehun stated.

"I know. I have a lot to prove to him and I think everything will start over again after graduation," Jeonghan said.

"Don't worry, dad's not gonna go that hard on you," Seunghee told him.

"But I will!" Sehun exclaimed.

Yujin laughed and Seunghee frowned at him.

Jeonghan just neighed. "All of that doesn't matter. Cuz I will marry Seunghee one day. That's for sure."

He put his arm around her shoulders. And she nuzzled with him.

Yujin could see sparkles in their eyes, she felt so envious. "Aahh... you guys are so sweet I need water."

"Break it up, you're pissing me off," Sehun interrupted.

They all laughed.

Jeonghan and Seunghee were spending their time merrily and they were getting stronger as the days passed by. It was a love meant to be and they were still waiting, waiting for eternity to come by, together.

~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^

The end.