Together

chapter fifty

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warnings

- anxious pack members
- ptsd
- guilt
- fluff
- multiple pov
- mention of previous sexual harassment/assault 

edits needed so i apologize for any mistakes

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The only noise that rings through the apartment is the sound of the shower running. Jay had been in there awhile his skin flushed under the hot water. He didn't move to clean himself, Jungwon made plenty sure he was clean and in a set of his most comfortable pajamas before sending him to bed. Jay sits under the warm spray of the shower, the temperature growing colder, in hopes it will wash away the dread he felt within himself.

He hadn't talked about his past since befriending Jungwon in high school. It was terrifying to recount the memories, to share the most vulnerable part of himself with the pack but it was freeing too. They knew now, that there was no need to hide it (although he's sure some things he still will just by force of habit), and the weight of imaginary expectations lifted off his shoulders.

They accepted him, they stayed with him all night huddled in the nest with him right in the middle and Sunghoon outside as if they were a band of thugs and a guard dog protecting their most precious treasure. Jay should feel happy they did that for him, they provided him the comfort he was long overdue for but there wasn't a trace of happiness within him he just felt...awful.

Shutting the water off Jay reaches for his towel wrapping it around his waist. He shivers as he steps into the hall to make it to his room to change. He takes extra care moisturizing his skin and drying his hair before throwing on a pair of clothes.

The nest is cold when he climbs into it the body heat his pack left behind is long gone. Jay rolls around picking up traces of their scent, warming the nest again for their return which wouldn't be for hours but he still felt the need to do something even if it was as small as this. Eventually, he stills lying motionless. His mind begins to drift slowly until he picks up the sound of Sunoo's voice further down the hall.

"No, I'm just going to call out. I can't leave him like that..."

"Sunoo. I know you're worried but you said tonight was a busy night. Don't call out and make things harder for your coworkers."

"Jake, I don't give a fuck about them. Jay needs me and-"

"Jay will be fine for a couple of hours. I'll keep an eye on him for you."

There's a nagging in Jay's brain from Jake's words. Keep an eye on him...like he was a child. Normally Jay would feel anger, maybe a bit of shame, instead, he finds himself thinking Jake meant well and maybe having the betas company was better than being left alone. He can hear Jake tell Sunoo to have a good day before the door to their apartment opens and shuts, leaving silence in its stead.

Jake doesn't come to his room right away, instead, it's ten minutes later with a glass of milk and a sandwich.

"Hey...how are you feeling?" he questions stepping into the room. He begins to climb into the nest with the food but Jay whines shaking his head.

"Oh right my bad. Hold on..." Jake looks around the room awkwardly, not used to being inside. He sets Jay's plate and milk on the desk before he sits in the nest.

"I made you a sandwich figured you might be hungry..."

"Not really." even in his current state Jay could see the beta's dejected look and the way his eyes dart away dragging his palms along his pant legs. "I-I'll eat in a bit though...thank you."