Secrets and Dreams

Chapter 16 - Succumbing To The Heart

Sicheng huffed while stretching his back after plopping the barely conscious Taeyong on his bed. Taeyong merely groaned in complaint as Sicheng took off his shoes and socks. Why am I even doing this, Sicheng thought as he stowed the sneakers away. Piggybacking Taeyong from the street to his home was no joke. He had no idea where he took his strength from when he picked up Taeyong from the pavement to settle him onto his back. It now felt like it would break in two. If he was injured or became paralyzed for life he'll blame Taeyong, he thought, although he knew deep inside he would have done it again if need be. He couldn't have left Taeyong lying unconscious on the pavement ex or no, Sicheng justified.

At first Sicheng wanted to bring Taeyong back to his own home but decided against it. He wouldn't want Taeyong's family to see him drunk and find out he was almost run over by a vehicle. It may have been a blessing...or a curse, that Sicheng's parents were away for the weekend on a trip to Jeju Island to attend a wedding. So naturally Sicheng brought Taeyong home.

A trace of guilt started to nab at him. He knew it was his fault Taeyong was acting this way but how can he stay with him when it was for Taeyong's own good. He admitted it was the most difficult thing he had ever done in his life. He still loved Taeyong, immensely. Even as he looked at the motionless figure lying on his bed reeking of alcohol his heartstrings were gently being tugged at. Taeyong looked so fragile and vulnerable with those tiny creases between his brows as he breathed heavily. His lips were so red and his cheeks were flushed. Sicheng crushed the urge to kiss Taeyong right then and shook his head. He missed his ex-boyfriend. Missing Taeyong's kisses was not an excuse to pounce on him. He really should find a way to eradicate all emotions he had for this boy who had secrets. And Sicheng needed explanations. He isn't the father...He's not marrying Jandi...He hates Jandi...

So, Jandi that snake lied to him. It appears Taeyong was telling the truth that day they broke up. Or was he? Sicheng really wanted answers, but to what end? Should he admit even to himself he wants Taeyong back just because he said Nayoung wasn't his daughter? And what of Haejin? Sicheng shuddered as he remembered how bold and corageous he must have seemed, rescuing Taeyong from the fiend as he poked and jabbed at Taeyong. Those siblings must have been raised by the devil himself. How the hell did Taeyong entangle himself with those monsters. Taeyong needed someone to protect him from those two.

Looking at Taeyong now lying askew on his bed Sicheng deliberated whether to just let Taeyong sleep that way, a wounded hand encrusted with blood, clothes dusty from rolling on the sidewalk and smelling of whiskey or give him a sponge bath at the very least. Besides, Taeyong's wound needs to be cleaned. Sicheng swallowed nervously. Washing up Taeyong would mean removing his clothes and seeing him half-naked. It has been a while since he saw Taeyong's naked body. And to see it now when he felt an overwhelming sense of yearning for Taeyong, feeling it under his fingers once more would be torturous. He sighed resignedly. Sicheng already took him home, might as well do the extra mile and take care of his ex-boyfriend completely. "At my expense," he muttered. "You're a masochist, Sicheng."

Sicheng went to the kitchen and took a small basin and filled it with warm water after grabbing a washcloth, a plaster bandage along with some cotton and antiseptic. He went back to his room and settled the small plastic basin and the rest of the stuff from the kitchen on the nightstand. He sat beside Taeyong and gingerly took the injured hand and noted Taeyong still wore the jade bracelet. Sicheng had taken his off the day they broke up. It felt odd looking at the delicate bony hand, for he had not held Taeyong's hand in such a long while and it made him pause as he made sure there were no glass shards stuck in the shallow wound. Sicheng blinked back the sudden rush of tears. Reminiscing now was not helping, thought Sicheng so he carefully wiped off the dried blood, dabbing it with cotton soaked in antiseptic.