Shattered Innocence

A Sorrowful Reminder and Steps towards Healing

"Bert, I said I'm sorry!" Yuri whines as I step into the kitchen. My hair is still wet and hanging over my back, and I'm dressed in skintight black yoga pants and a crop top. I lean into the door and watch as Yuri follows an angry Bert around like a kicked puppy. With his lips pursed, Bert sniffs, ignoring Yuri as he cooks.

"Please, my man, I just want those epic pancakes you made," Yuri begs. "I'll go and clean up the vase. I'll even get you a new one!"

Shaking my head, I stride to the table and take a seat next to Mikhail, who smiles at me. I grin back and knock my shoulder against his as we turn to watch the show, but then Nikolay comes in and steals all of my focus. My mouth becomes dry, and my thighs clench together as desire pounds through me. He's shirtless, wearing low-rise grey joggers that do nothing to hide his thick thighs and slightly hard length. I scan his impressive abs and Adonis belt, leading down to the joggers and then back up to his huge pecs. I get lost in his muscles before there's a whisper in my ear.

"You're drooling," Mikhail teases.

"And you wouldn't?" I mutter.

"Oh, I do," he purrs.

I throw him a mock glare and wipe my mouth, even as my eyes jerk back to see Nikolay grinning at me, flashing straight white teeth, as he purposely heads over, leaning over the table to kiss my forehead.

"Good fight. Next time, don't hold back so much. You can't hurt us."

I swallow and nod, not trusting my voice when his man boobs are so close and I have the irrational urge to flick his nipple. Fuck it. I tweak his nipple, laughing when he jerks back.

"Same goes for you."

I ignore the looks thrown my way, especially the dark, hungry one Nikolay gives me as I grab a plate and start to load it with fruit and pastries, whistling happily.

"Fucking hell," Nikolay finally mutters as he sits opposite me, bringing his pecs back to my line of sight as I munch on fruit.

There is a crash, and I jerk my gaze up to see Yuri on his knees before a shocked Bert, who dropped a pan.

"Please, Bert, I'm not into guys, but I'll blow you if that's what you want." I frown at the panic winding through Yuri's tone.

Looking at Zack, I see him sigh, scrub at his face, and nod at Mikhail. "Dr. Davis used to starve him as an experiment and withhold his favorite foods as punishment and to taunt him," he whispers sadly. "When we found him, he was half dead and crazed. He panics about food."

"Fuck." I climb to my feet and head over, my hand going to Yuri's shoulder. He looks up at me sadly with haunted eyes, completely broken. Getting to my knees, I lean into him as I stroke his face, comforting him as tears fill his eyes. He's terrified that someone will let him starve again and tease him with what he wants but can't have.

"Go sit down, baby, okay?" He still seems concerned, but he stands, and with sagging shoulders, he heads to the table, not meeting anyone's eyes.

I look at Bert, who tracks him with a shocked, saddened gaze. "We all have our issues from my father. Do not ever withhold food from them again, do you understand me? I know it wasn't meant as a punishment, but we've been treated as if we were nothing, starved, and taunted with food. It's a sensitive issue."

Bert nods, swallowing. "I understand. I'm sorry."

I nod back. "I know you didn't know. But it's important you know. We're all damaged, just some more than others."

He nods again, wiping his face. "I didn't mean it like that. I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Yuri."

Yuri's eyes meet mine and I give him a nod, making sure he knows I'm proud of him, that I'm there for him. It takes everything in me to keep from going over and cuddling him, rocking him back and forth and whispering sweet things in his ear. But I hold myself back, forcing a smile instead.

"Thank you, Bert," I say as I go to the pantry, taking out ingredients to make a comforting meal for everyone. "Let's eat and put this behind us."