His Twisted Mind

Soulmates?

Seven- Kyson

For hours I helped- but mostly just watched- Enigma practice walking around the yard. He'd crawl a bit, attempt to stand, push me away if I tried to help, then he'd either fall or manage to stand. After standing he had incredible difficulty taking even the smallest step. Every time I tried to explain that learning to walk required him holding onto something he'd just tell me to 'don't watch me if you're scared I'm going to fall' and at that I had to sigh to avoid getting frustrated. Then the miraculous idea came into my head. I pulled out my phone and went on YouTube to find a video of walking rehabilitation. After finding a good example I walked over to where Enigma was currently laying in the snow looking about as frustrated as I felt when he pushed me away.

"Watch this," I commanded as he sat up, and before he could refuse I pressed play on the video and forced the screen in front of him. Watching avidly as the reporter explains how the rehab builds up muscle that has been lost when the legs were immobile. Sure the video was made by humans so the anatomy was slightly off and the duration of rehab wouldn't be as long for us werewolves. Also we don't really need rehab because our cells regenerate at high speeds therefore we don't loose muscle mass. But none of that really matters as long as Enigma is able to walk again by the way shown.

In the back of my mind a thought pops into my head that Eni being unable to walk might be somatic because of his trauma.

After the video is over Enigma turns to me, "so I need crutches?"

"If you want them, or we could just do some leg exercises and practice walking around with a beam," I suggest. I watch his face twist up as he considers the options.

"I want to learn as fast as possible," he says with a determined look. I nod and smile; glad the video worked to change his mind.

"Then let me help you," I add, doing my best to keep the pleading out of my voice. He seems to pout as he agrees but still takes my hands when I hold them out. Pulling him off the ground swiftly and steadying his wobbly form I contemplate my mission. Without debriefing Eni on my plan I spin him around and set him on top of my feet.

"W-wait! What does this do Kyson? How does it help?" He asks and his arms flail a little which made him seem unexpectedly cute even though I couldn't see his face with his back to me. Wrapping my arms around his waist to keep him secure I step forward forcing his legs to mimic the movement. Catching on to what I was doing Eni did his best to move his legs to keep himself balanced on my feet as well as bend his knees the right way to step. Like this we practiced walking around the back yard for a good hour even talking as we did so. When I saw Eni getting tired I pulled him off my feet and walked around to stand in front of him all while holding him steady.

"What did you think?" I ask while scanning his face for some sort of sign that it was terrible for him and that he hated it. Instead he smiled in a wobbly way and I was struck dumb. To my amazement he took a single step towards me and wrapped his arms around my middle giving me a tight hug. I quickly responded and hugged him back caught up in the sweetness of the moment.

We broke apart a few minutes later and I lifted him up and brought him inside. After Eni shuts the door I set him down on the entryway step that lead out of the mud room. I reach down to help him take his winter stuff off but he shakes his head and starts doing it himself. I feel a little bad that he's relying less on me, but I know that he doesn't want to be treated like a kid, nor does he want to be taking care of like a burden. I relax and finish putting all my winter gear away and I wait for him to do the same. After an insanely long period of time that almost tested my infinite patience, Eni finished taking all of his winter stuff off with his cold and still imprecise hands. I quickly grab his stuff and put it away before picking him up.