ETY | MW [✔]

17.

It was growing dark by the time they arrived back at Briar House. Mingyu helped a tired Wonwoo out of the car, the omega coming back to full alertness in the cool night air. Seungkwan followed them up to their rooms to give Wonwoo the second injection and told them to call him anytime during the night if they needed him. Then he was gone and they were alone again.

"Do you want something to eat?" Mingyu offered.

His mate shook his head. "I just want to sleep."

Doctor Bae had warned them that the injections would make him tired.

"Bed it is so."

They took turns in the bathroom, and Mingyu did one walk around their rooms, checking the doors and windows. With his mate in such a vulnerable condition, his bear paced under his skin, insistent on keeping Wonwoo safe. He returned to their bedroom to find the omega curled up under the blankets. He got in next to him and Wonwoo latched onto him, pressing close. He was used to his mate being more self-contained. This new, clingy Wonwoo would take some getting used to. Mingyu buried his nose in the omega's hair, drinking in his scent while wrapping his arms around him in a loose hold. He wanted to support him not constrict him.

"Thank you," Wonwoo murmured.

"For what?" Mingyu wondered.

"Everything," his mate said, yawning as his eyes fluttered closed. "Everything."

Wonwoo was asleep within minutes, but Mingyu wasn't ready to let his guard down. He stayed awake as it grew later, watching over Wonwoo, reassuring himself that his mate was okay with every beat of his heart, with every soft breath. He fell asleep an hour before dawn, Wonwoo safe in his arms.

*****

He woke to an empty bed and a deep pit of dread in his stomach. There was the scent of blood in the air, and he sat up, frantic when he saw the covers thrown back on Wonwoo's side of the bed and a dark stain on the sheets.

"Won!"

The bathroom door was shut, and he ran for it. It didn't open when he tried the handle.

"Won?" Mingyu shouted again, fear coursing through him. He heard movement within the bathroom and was moments away from putting his shoulder to the door when he heard a dragging sound, and the door pulled open.

A pale, tear-stained face met his as Wonwoo peered around the door.

"It's over, Mingyu," he said quietly, a few more tears slipping free.

"I'll get Seungkwan."

"No. It's early yet. There's no need to bother him."

Mingyu tried to step through the door but Wonwoo didn't let him.

"Let me help."

The omega shook his head. "There's nothing you can do. I just need a bit of time."

"I can-"

"Mingyu, please." He'd never heard that tone in Wonwoo's voice before. It frightened him even more than the bloodstain on their bed.

"What do you need?"

"Some space, to deal with... things. Could you go out to the lounge? I'll join you when I'm ready."

Mingyu really didn't think leaving Wonwoo alone at a time like this was a good idea and tried to work out the best way to say so.

"Please," Wonwoo said again. "You asked me what I need, and I'm telling you."

Mingyu pressed a hand against the door, swallowed hard, and nodded.