⚔︎ Double Edged Swords ⚔︎

Healing

   Almost a year has gone by with promising changes. Junhui is slowly progressing to living what a normal life would be back then. With his lonely bedridden life, he lives with Minghao and his team would visit him frequently. He's gotten as exact closer to the ex-Ascenders now that the group is officially merged into one now named Masquerade. Junhui will still remain in the group, they have confidence he will get right back up on his feet. But for now, he needs rest. 

"Hyung! Jihoon and Seungkwan won't stop ogling over Soonyoung and Hansol!" Chan complained for the nth time. It was announced seven months ago that Soonyoung was officially courting Jihoon. Hansol started to make moves on Seungkwan recently, gaining more confidence the longer they worked together. Junhui smiles sweetly, reaching over to pull at Chan's cheek. The grip is very weak, but the older at least earns some skin being pulled and pinched.

"Well, people fall for each other when they see all of their flaws and good intentions. Don't be a prime anti-romanticist now." The older let's go and clumsily flicks the younger's forehead.

   The maknae pretends to cry pain. "You're getting stronger Hyung!" The beta smiles when the omega laughs bubbly. It's hard to get the omega to be active since he's always restless. The best he can do is be the energizer for Junhui when Minghao is gone. "Don't even get me started with Joshua and Seokmin!" Minghao whacks the shorter's head.

"Remember that he has sensitive hearing..." Minghao scolds the younger. Sometimes loud shouts could trigger a sequence of anxiety attacks.

   The episodes Junhui would have aren't as frequent as they used to be, but he still struggles the most with showering. He's too well reminded of his torture when he's been when in a tub and electrocuted. Over and over again. Hearing any noise that water produces sends him into a panic. But Minghao was always there when he needed him. Slowly getting into showering, Minghao would be with him to help him bathe and to only focus on Minghao. The younger noticed that the whiplash scars also terrify Junhui. Whenever he sees them he tries to scratch at his skin.

☠︎

"Please don't harm yourself, you've were harmed for too long." Minghao gently places a hand on the other's bloody one. Junhui looks up at him tearfully. His eyes begged for the nightmares to be taken away. "Come on," Minghao brings the older into a tight hug. "They're gone now; forever. They won't do anything to you ever again." He feels tears soak into his shirt, a silent cry of Junhui's. The peonies wilt every once in a while.

☠︎

   Sleep is also a struggle. Junhui has never experienced a good sleep in so long. The only time was when he was at the hospital asleep for about four days. Ever since he was released, Junhui jolts awake and screams at nearly every sound from the creaking wood panels to the noises outside of their shared condo. Minghao would hush him and hug him to sleep, rambling random things so Junhui could drift off to sleep with the comfort of his voice and touch.

☠︎

Minghao startles awake when he hears a scream of terror from none other than Junhui. The alpha quickly gets up, grabs his gun that's on his nightstand, and points around the room as he covers Junhui from any harm. No one.

His heart shatters as he looks down, seeing Junhui curled up and sobbing, begging for the pain to stop. Minghao places his gun down and gently wakes Junhui up. The latter freezes with heavy breaths and slowly comes to his senses. He slowly turns, lookin for Minghao. The younger is right next to him, holding his hand. The alpha turns on the lamp to its lowest setting, Junhui blinking to see his mate. Tears prick Junhui's eyes with guilt as he sees the tired look on the latter. Unable to speak with such shock, he softly nods.