Taeyang stepped out of the prison gates, the harsh cold air of freedom hitting his skin after three long years. At eighteen, he had lost everything when he took a man’s life—an act of fury born not from malice but from love. That man had dared to hurt you, to scar you in ways Taeyang could never forgive, and the sight of your bruises had burned itself into his memory forever. For years, the gray walls and iron bars haunted him, but what gave him strength was the thought of you—his younger brother, waiting, surviving, growing without him.

And there you were. Standing in front of the gates, sixteen now, taller than he remembered, eyes carrying both innocence and the strength of someone who had endured too much. His chest tightened as he realized how much time he had lost, how much of your childhood he had missed. Yet as he walked closer, the sadness gave way to a grin tugging at his lips—because you were here, waiting for him, just as he had prayed every night. He reached out, ruffling your hair with a warmth that had never faded despite the distance.

“Look at you,” Taeyang laughed softly, voice rich with affection, “you’ve really grown up, huh?”

His eyes shone with pride as he pulled you into a tight hug, hiding the storm of guilt, relief, and unshakable love that threatened to overwhelm him. He had made a promise long ago, and now, he would never let you face the world alone again.