Torment and Torture

XV

"Alright, Yoonbum. Let's get you cleaned up."

Sangwoo made the effort to pick up Yoonbum and sit him in the bathroom, getting out the roll of bandages and plasters from the cupboard underneath the sink.

Yoonbum pulled up his t shirt and showed Sangwoo where he was bleeding, holding up the shirt between his teeth as his arms were too weak to stay up.

"Man...I'm really sorry. I just can't help myself."

Yoonbum was a little frightened, he didn't want Sangwoo to touch him right now, especially when he had just been beating him.

"Y-you know...I could do it myself...if it's too much trouble..."

Yoonbum didn't want to say exactly what he wanted to. He wanted to say, "Get away from me, let me do it myself."

But he didn't say that. He instead, sounded timid and scared of Sangwoo, so his words made no impact. Sangwoo continued to bandage his wounds.

"S-Sangwoo...please let me do it-"

"Oh...you might need stitches here..."

Sangwoo traced along an open wound and was met by a cry in pain from Yoonbum. Yoonbum didn't want to have stitches, especially not from him.

"Here...I have a needle here..."

"N-no...can't we just go to the hospital?!"

"Really? And risk me getting caught?"

"I...I don't want to have stitches-"

"From me?"

"...."

"You think I'm going to hurt you? I won't. Trust me."

Yoonbum hated these words coming from Sangwoo's mouth. Yoonbum couldn't and wouldn't trust Sangwoo no matter how much he loved him.

"No."

Yoonbum spoke up, leaving Sangwoo in awe.

"What did you say?"

"No. I said no, Sangwoo."

Yoonbum stood somewhat proudly and stood his ground. He would not let Sangwoo give him stitches.

"Hmmm....it seems you are too proud for your own good."

Sangwoo pinned Yoonbum on the floor and got the needle.

"I'm doing this for you. To make you feel better. To repair what I damaged. Allow me."

"No!"