He had tried –oh, so many times– to get a word out of her; he had joked, showed himself understanding… he had done everything in his hand. But she was closed up, like a rusty padlock. His yellow eyes, pained and longing, would follow her wherever she went.

He decided to give her time to sort out her thoughts, but his heart would clench as her gaze became glazed with unshed tears. It hurt him so much to see her avoiding his presence, so much that his own eyes would sting just as hers did. His throat tightened, almost choking him, at the sight of such broken expression on her always-smiling face.

Every day, she would leave the house to take a walk around the city; never biding goodbye, never saying "I'm back". He knew that whatever was troubling her lurked out of his security systems; outside the protection provided by his house.

The tears would never fall from her eyes, if only to hold on to the last bit of pride left in her. She would walk in, let out a shaky sigh and slip away from his grasp before he could touch her. How much she hated herself for treating him in such cold way; him, the man to whom she'd devoted her life. But she knew –she was so sure– if she were to look into his worried gaze, her determination would crumble as fast as the emotions would pour out of her; and she couldn't allow him to see her tears. It wouldn't fix anything, only would it increase his concern for her.

One day like any other, however, she stepped into the house after yet another stroll through the city. His hand enveloped around hers, his fingers laced with hers; the gentle gesture was enough to break her façade, and she fell into his chest.

"I'm sorry, Saeyoung," she whispered, over and over again, as tears streamed down her eyes.

He embraced her, and she could only relish in his touch as he took her to the couch. He pulled her closer, never loosening his grip on her in fear she would turn away from him. And when he tried again, when he voiced his worries for her; the words started leaving her lips without her consent, and the humiliation she felt graced them as they fell.

Her eyes closed, her head leaned on his shoulder.

She talked for hours, pouring out the despair and humiliation that had been building inside of her for days. She was forced to suffer all of it for the umpteenth time –to face back the bullying thrown at her without mercy– and yet, oddly enough, the remembrance didn't hurt so much that time. His arms tightened around her body, his embrace provided her the warmth and serenity she so much seeked.

It was him; it had always been him. No matter the trouble, no matter how broken she was; Saeyoung would be there, reminding her that she wasn't alone. That she didn't have to face it on her own; that her problems were his just as much.

The sudden realization formed a small smile on her face, and Saeyoung beamed. His yellow eyes sparkled in delight as he stared at her, so relieved. Driven by the warmth that spread in her heart, she placed her lips upon his. And being the tsundere boy he was, he became so flustered he began chuckling like crazy.

She didn't leave his embrace, nor did he retreat his arms; they just stood there, cherishing one another for hours. He would joke around, saying silly things about how the both of them would get revenge from the bullies –I'll hack in and find the size of their underwear, he had thought–, and finally accomplished what he did best.

He cheered her up.

"Hey," he called then; his gaze intense and serious as it locked on her. "To me, you're perfect."