Love me in the Shadows of Our Memories (🇬🇧)

Chapter 3 - Between hope and pain

IMPORTANT !! CW: Sexual violence / non-con

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Do not cling to the pain that rends your soul.

Do not endeavour to alter what's already in the past.

Let go and embrace hope and love.

They exist, somewhere.

You merely need to find them.

Magnus - present

The glass kettle jug shattered with a deafening racket, causing the scalding water to cascade over Magnus' hands and arms, reaching almost up to his shoulders. For a split second, he gazed at the numerous shards scattered at his feet, too shocked to fully comprehend the recent event. Then, a searing pain surged through his nerves, prompting Magnus to let out a cry.

"Shit! Shit. Fucking shit!" he cursed, hastily removing his soaked tunic. His arms were lobster-red; it didn't look good. Fuck.

He rushed to the sink, turned on the faucet, and submerged his arms beneath the cool water, which immediately soothed the searing pain. Magnus sighed in relief.

"Papa, what happened?" Jarin exclaimed, rushing into the kitchen. "I heard you scream."

"Be careful!" Magnus warned as his son approached. "There's shattered glass everywhere."

Jarin came to a halt, his face filled with fear and concern.

"What happened?" he asked again.

"The kettle's glass jug broke," Magnus explained. "I scalded myself."

"Bad?" Jarin asked, taking a few cautious steps closer while avoiding the glass shards on the floor. Magnus glanced at his forearms. The pain was tolerable for now, thanks to the cool water, but the first blisters had already formed. They weren't overly large but indicated that the injury was more than superficial.

"Nah, it seems to be just a minor injury," Magnus lied, not wanting to worry his son. "I do need the first aid kit, though. Could you get it, please?"

"Of course, Papa. I'll be right back," Jarin replied and hurried out of the kitchen.

Magnus lowered his head and let out a pained sigh. This was the last thing he needed. He hoped that he had everything he would need here to take care of the injury. In reality, he needed professional medical help, but Nate would never allow him to leave the bunker to see a doctor in town. The alpha was overly concerned about Magnus running away, as if he would do that and just leave his children behind, Magnus thought.

Fortunately, it didn't take Jarin more than two minutes to return.

"What do you need?" he asked.

"Bandages," Magnus replied.

Jarin searched through the large, red box, pulling out band-aids, gauze pads, and various other items. None of them were suitable for covering the wounds.

"Papa, I can't find any bandages. There are only band-aids and gauze pads in there."

"Shit," Magnus muttered softly. Think, Magnus. Think. What could work as an alternative? The thin white kitchen towels! They were made of linen and would be sufficient for now.

"Alright, please go back to the closet and fetch those thin white towels. You know which ones I mean, right?" Magnus asked.

"Yes, Papa," Jarin replied with a nod. Once again, his son darted off, returning shortly with a stack of towels.