Blaze

In the Face of Lies

"Can't bring yourself to leave?" Suho sat down by him.

"I," he began, "kind of hate you right now."

"Me?" Suho's eyes widened, shocked. "Why? What did I do?"

The corner of Kris' lips drew up, realizing he was being foolish himself. "You never have to struggle to be near her. I always have to find some reason. She probably hates me now."

"You two were on good terms, weren't you?" Suho asked.

"I don't know." His voice was as bland as his answer.

"Namjoo is upset about losing the baby. It's really hard seeing her cry about it. Although I can't say that she'll get over it, I'm sure she doesn't blame you. If you think about how fast she reacted when you were separated from Victoria, I think that shows something else."

A moment of peace brushed by and Suho glanced up when the clouds made way for the sun rays. The day was getting clearer, so was his fatigued mind.

"Let me ask you," Suho started again, "are you serious about her? I, too, feel apologetic that this happened, but if you aren't, I'd advise you to leave it at this. Namjoo is an important person, friend, and colleague to me. And if she doesn't feel the same way about you, I'd like you to leave it at this too. I don't think Donghae would permit you to go any further, unless you're willing to show you're serious. I know finding out about the baby this way wasn't pleasant, but you two need time apart right now. So until Namjoo gets discharged, wait till then to sort things out with her. Go home and get some rest. I promise I'll let you know when she gets out."

~_____~

The lights hadn't been touched, there was no food on the table, and it was as quiet as if the studio had been abandoned. Tao was supposed to be in, at least according to Suho. Donghae walked further into the studio, pausing in front of Tao's bedroom.

Since the hospital Donghae hadn't thought about Tao or how he was faring at all. It'd been clear his feelings for Namjoo and he'd pushed them toward something unreasonable, a bond that couldn't be. He was at fault for hurting the two of them. Imagining how Tao must be feeling right now was painful. He'd cried out there, a sight Donghae would never be able to forget.

Pulling the door open let him see Tao laying on the bed, his back to him. Donghae thought he heard a voice in the silence shooing him out. The curtains remained closed, refusing to shed light in. It gave the room a heavy, gloomy aura. The silence again spoke that the world had betrayed him, just like he knew it would.

How long had he been laying there?

"Tao?" Donghae called out, received no reply. "Are you ok? Have you eaten?"

He decided to wait for a response, none of which he got.

"I won't bother you then, but if you're hungry I'll make something and leave it in the fridge for you." Donghae stared at the lonely back staring at him, feeling sorry. "Namjoo woke up, I thought you'd like to know. I'll be here until late afternoon, so if you need anything I'll be in my room."

Donghae, again, waited a few seconds for Tao to reply. When he didn't, Donghae closed the door.

~_____~

Namjoo was awake, but lying down as should be. The sight was a relief when Suho walked back in. Silence evaded the atmosphere heavily like the aftermath of an explosion. Tension gnawed at him, but he knew the turmoil in it wasn't directed at him. Once more his eyes traced the cords attached to Namjoo, the intravenous fluid dripping per second. She must have shed some weight due to the tremendous blood loss. Donghae hadn't allowed anyone to touch her for fear of worsening her injury. All the while they waited for the rescue that seemed to never come, Namjoo had lain there in her own puddle of blood with a piece of his torn shirt pressed gently against her torn belly as the fetus died.