Soulmates. The sequel II

Chapter 90

When Seonghwa woke up, Hongjoong had just exited the washroom, his towel loosely wrapped around his waist. Seonghwa stared at his body taking in every inch of it. The alpha had a few marks and scars on his abdomen and forearms. It made the beta a bit jealous. He's always wanted a scar but his body wouldn't allow it.

"Seong!-" Hongjoong turned red and quickly grabbed his shirt to cover himself. Seonghwa laughed at his behavior.

"You're so tiny Joongie. But even you have those squares," the beta giggled. Hongjoong wore his pants under his towel and then took it off.

"What squares?" He asked still a bit abashed
"The ones on your sto- abdomen," he amended. Hongjoong wondered why he changed his word but stayed on topic.

"That's because I had to work out a lot. If you work out, you'll get them too."
"I have some too," the beta retorted and pulled off his shirt.

Hongjoong ogled at his body for a few seconds.
"See. I told you," Seonghwa said confidently.
"You can put your shirt back on.." he mumbled shyly and looked away.
Seonghwa did so and walked up to the alpha.

"Joongie I'm hungry."
"Then let's eat."
Hongjoong turned around to walk towards the door but Seonghwa stopped when he saw his cheek was pink again.

"You got hit again?" He asked a little worried.
"Yes. But don't worry. It's my fault," Hongjoong told him.
"Why is it your fault? It shouldn't be your fault for getting hit," Seonghwa argued.
"It's alright. Let me go get the food."

When they sat down to eat, Seonghwa offered to heal it but Hongjoong refused.

"Why?" The beta asked.
"Because my teacher told me not to. And you can't keep healing me all the time."
"Yes I can. I'll be with you all the time so I can heal you all the time," he said it like it was a fact.

Hongjoong smiled softly at that and held his hand. He shook his head to tell Seonghwa that it was ok.

"Why are you taking classes? You're smart and strong."
"It's because...I need to learn to control my emotions," he told the beta.
"What happened to your emotions?"
"When I get angry, I become ...like a different person and it's not good. I could hurt people. So I need to learn and do better."

Seonghwa understood what he meant. It was the same way he felt about Mars in the beginning.

"Oh it's ok Joongie," the beta hugged him.
"I was afraid of Mars too in the beginning. But if you truly care about someone, you won't hurt them. I know it!" he stated confidently.

Hongjoong felt like Mars must have just been an imaginary friend Seonghwa made up.

As they ate Hongjoong began to think. He soon realized something but was a little afraid to ask. He decided to tread lightly.

"Seonghwa," he called, and the boy immediately turned his head, his cheeks full.
"Can I ask you something? You don't have to reply if you don't want to."
"You can ask me anything," he grinned before putting more food in his mouth.

"How..how long were you in the lab?"
"Uhm..." he counted on his fingers.
"Eight years."
Hongjoong's eyes widened in shock.
"Eight years?! What did they do to you for eight years?"
"They cut me and stabbed me and burned me. They even crushed my bones. I think they were trying to kill me. But I never died. Except for that one time."
Hongjoong tried his best not to get angry and noticed Seonghwa's airy behavior.

"Are you not upset? They hurt you so much."
"I was upset. Very. But I'm not anymore."
"Why?"
"Because Mars fought for me. He killed all of them. I didn't remember but I found out when he left."