It All Starts Here

Mother Dearest

She walked toward her trembling son with a bottle of rubbing alcohol in her hands.
"Hold out your arm Touya"
He did so. And his mother poured the liquid on his sensitive skin. He cried out in pain.
"I'm sorry Touya."
He whimpered a "I-it's okay mom"
"I know. But I hate having to hurt you," Rei sighed "but we have nothing else"
Touya held out his other arm letting her douse him in alcohol once again. Crying out in pain he retracted his arm as his skin bubbled with white foam.
Hesitantly Rei looked at her son "Are there any more?"
"No"
"Okay" she grabbed the bandages and wrapped them around each of Touya's arms. He cried as the gauze and cloth touched his sensitive skin.
"I know. I know it hurts."
Touya looked so vulnerable so fragile-
"I wanna go"
"What do you mean go Touya?"
"Away. From here. From Dad"
"Me too" she said sadly looking down
"Why can't we?"
"Touya." She sighed "You'll understand when you're older"
"O-Okay." He didn't like that answer.
She finished wrapping his arms and took him to his room.
"Just stay here okay?"
Touya nodded.
"I want to make sure you don't get hurt. I'll bring you your dinner"
Touya nodded.
Rei smiled at him.
He gave her a weak smile.
"I love you Touya"
"I love you too Mom"

Rei walked down the stairs trying to avoid her husband but Endeavour unfortunately spotted her.
"Rei"
She jumped "Enji"
"Where were you?"
Quietly she spoke. "Taking care of Touya"
Enji sighed angrily. "I didn't expect that boy to be a failure"
"Neither did I and I'm sorry I failed as a result"
"Your apology is accepted but that doesn't mean that I don't want another"
She took a shaky breath. "Of course Enji. Tonight as you said."
"Thank you Rei"
They spoke as if their relationship was between business partners not husband and wife.
Enji wanted an object not a wife.
Rei knew. And yet she stayed.