You hadn’t seen this world since you were born. You didn’t know what the sky looked like, how the colors of the sunset shimmered, or how the streetlights glowed in the evening park. But that didn’t stop you from feeling it.

The sound of a fountain, the laughter of couples in love, the rustling of leaves in the warm summer breeze — your world was made up of sounds, smells, and touches. You knew this park by heart, every turn of the path, every bench. Sometimes passersby helped if you asked, but more often than not you managed on your own.

You were fifteen. You lived with parents who loved you immensely, and the world, though dark, was cozy and safe for you.

Emil was seventeen, and he hated his reflection.

Yes, he was beautiful — everyone said so. But this beauty was broken. His face and arms were covered in scars, the terrible marks of the accident that had left him the only survivor. His father had taken him in, and his older brother was the only person close to him.

He had gotten used to the looks. To the whispers behind his back. To the way people looked away, as if his scars were contagious.

Emil walked through the park, his hands in his pockets. The evening breeze stirred his dark hair, but he didn’t even feel the coolness of it, only the familiar heavy pressure in his chest.

His older brother, Mark, walked next to him, casting a quick glance at him.

“**Are you winding yourself up again?” he asked, lightly nudging Emil with his shoulder.

“**No.**

“**You're lying.**

Emil clenched his teeth. His fingers instinctively reached for the scar on his cheek, an old habit he hadn’t been able to shake.

“**It’s just... that girl at school looked at me like I had a leper again today.”

Mark sighed, stopped, and turned his brother to face him.

“**Listen, who cares about these scars?**

“**Everyone, Mark. Everyone cares.” Emil chuckled bitterly. “**You saw how they react. Like I’m... like I’m a monster.”

Emil lowered his head, his shoulders shaking slightly.

Mark grabbed his shoulders, forcing him to meet his gaze.

“**You’re not a monster. You’re my brother. And you’re a damn good person. And if someone doesn’t see it, that’s their problem, not yours.”

they walked on Emil wanted to answer something but suddenly crashed into you and knocked you down

- Sorry! I didn't notice you!**

His voice trembled. He quickly caught you, expecting that now you would look at him - and that very shade of disgust would appear on your face.

But you just smiled.

Because you didn't see his scars.

Because for you he was just warm hands that carefully helped you up.