Chapter - 25

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Hyunjin stood in front of the full-length mirror, the refection illuminating the evidence of his trauma. The scars, bruises, and fading marks on his back and stomach were stark reminders of the horror he had endured. As he traced the lines on his stomach, a sigh escaped his lips, a mix of frustration and pain bubbling within him.

Just then, the door creaked open, and Felix walked in, his presence instantly filling the room. The moment Hyunjin turned to face him, a rush of panic surged through him. His heart dropped as he quickly yanked his shirt down, hoping against hope that Felix hadn't noticed. But it was too late; Felix's eyes were wide, horror etched across his features as they landed on the bruises that marred Hyunjin's skin.

"Hyunjin..." Felix breathed, his voice shaky as he stepped closer. The look on Felix's face sent a wave of fear crashing over Hyunjin, pulling him back into a dark place he desperately wanted to escape. He instinctively stepped backward until his legs hit the bed, and he felt the soft surface behind him, a jarring reminder of vulnerability.

"Felix, I—" Hyunjin started, but the words tangled in his throat, refusing to come out. The panic was overwhelming, his heart racing as Felix approached. Hyunjin grabbed Felix's hands, desperate to steady himself, but the grip felt weak, slipping away like sand through his fingers.

Suddenly, he lost his balance and fell back onto the bed, with Felix hovering above him, their faces mere inches apart. Hyunjin's breath quickened, his mind racing with terrifying thoughts of what this position meant. The closeness, the intensity of Felix's gaze—it all threatened to suffocate him.

"Felix, I-I..." he stammered, words failing him as fear constricted his chest. He could feel the tears brimming in his eyes, spilling over as the weight of his emotions pressed down on him.

Seeing the fear in Hyunjin's eyes, Felix's expression shifted from confusion to panic. "Hyunjin, please don't be scared," he said, his voice soft but laced with urgency. "I just want to help you."

But Hyunjin's mind was spiraling. Memories of pain and betrayal flooded back, and he couldn't stop the tears from flowing. "I'm sorry," he managed to choke out, the guilt threatening to drown him. "I didn't mean for you to see—"

Without thinking, Felix leaned down and pressed his lips against Hyunjin's, silencing the torrent of fears that raged between them. The kiss was unexpected, filled with an intensity that took Hyunjin by surprise. It was soft yet desperate, conveying a mix of emotions—an apology, a promise, and an overwhelming desire to protect.

Hyunjin froze for a moment, his heart racing, unsure of how to respond. But as Felix's lips moved gently against his, something within him began to stir—a flicker of warmth amidst the chill of his fear. Slowly, he melted into the kiss, his hands finding their way to Felix's shoulders, pulling him closer.

The world around them faded as they lost themselves in that moment, a brief escape from the reality that loomed over them. Felix's warmth enveloped him, chasing away the shadows that clung to him. Hyunjin could feel the love behind the kiss, the unspoken words that Felix poured into him, and he began to believe that maybe, just maybe, he could allow himself to feel safe again.

As they pulled away, breathless, Hyunjin looked up at Felix, his heart pounding in his chest. Felix's eyes were filled with concern, but there was also a flicker of something deeper—understanding, compassion. "I'm here, Hyunjin," he whispered, brushing a thumb across Hyunjin's cheek. "I won't let anything happen to you. Not again."

Hyunjin nodded, the fear still lingering but now mixed with a sliver of hope. It was a long road ahead, but maybe with Felix by his side, he could begin to heal.


Felix's POV:

As I pulled away from the kiss, my heart raced, and the realization of what had just happened settled in. The warmth of Hyunjin's body against mine felt comforting yet terrifying, as if I were teetering on the edge of a precipice. I could see the tears glistening in his eyes, reflecting a mix of fear and vulnerability that shattered me inside.

"Hyunjin..." I whispered, my voice barely audible, my thumb brushing against his cheek. I wanted to assure him that I was here, that I wasn't going anywhere. I wanted to promise him that he was safe with me, but the weight of everything hung heavy in the air.

He looked up at me, his expression a swirl of emotions—confusion, fear, and a flicker of something that felt like hope. I felt a pang in my chest, realizing just how much pain he had been carrying. I couldn't fathom what it was like for him, to have endured such torment and trauma. And yet, here he was, showing me a sliver of trust, despite everything.

"Why... why did you kiss me?" he finally asked, his voice trembling as he wiped the tears from his cheeks.

I took a deep breath, searching for the right words. "Because I care about you, Hyunjin. I want to help you heal. I want to be here for you."

His eyes widened, a mix of disbelief and vulnerability washing over him. I hated that he felt this way. He deserved to know he was worthy of love, not just pity or obligation.

"I'm scared," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "What if I can't... what if I never get over it?"

I felt my heart ache at his words. "You don't have to be strong all the time," I told him gently. "Healing is a process, and it's okay to take your time. I'll be right here with you, no matter how long it takes."

As I said this, I realized how sincere my promise felt. I couldn't keep shutting him out any longer. The walls I had built around my heart felt flimsy in the face of his pain. He needed me, and I was finally ready to be there for him, to love him the way he deserved.

Hyunjin took a shaky breath, and I could see the fight in his eyes as he pushed back the tears. "I don't want to burden you," he said, his voice laced with fear.

"You're not a burden," I insisted, my voice firm. "You're my partner. I want to support you. Please, let me in."

He looked down for a moment, and I could see the internal struggle within him. I wanted to reach out and pull him close again, to hold him and let him know everything would be alright. But I also understood that he needed space to process everything.

"I appreciate everything you've done for me, Felix," he finally said, his voice wavering slightly. "But it's hard to believe that someone could care this much after everything."

I felt a lump form in my throat. "It's true, Hyunjin. I've been a fool for so long, thinking I could just ignore the past and pretend like it didn't matter. But it does. You matter."

There was a moment of silence, the weight of my words hanging between us. I could see the conflict in his eyes, the flicker of hope mixed with fear.

"Can you promise me something?" he asked suddenly, his voice small yet steady.

"Anything," I replied without hesitation.

"Promise you won't give up on me, no matter how hard things get."

"Hyunjin, I promise," I said, sealing my vow with a gentle squeeze of his hand. "I'll never give up on you."

As I looked into his eyes, I realized how much I meant those words. It wouldn't be easy, but I was ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead—together.

In that moment, I knew I would fight for him, for us. Because Hyunjin deserved to heal, to find joy and peace again. And I was determined to help him find his way back to himself, one step at a time.

Embers of Hope// HyunlixWhere stories live. Discover now