Rejected (BxB)

Chapter 27

''I'll ask you just one more time. What the fuck did you just say?!''

Shawn winced when Daniel's hand tightened around Zack's neck once again.

''Daniel-hyung, let him go. Please.'' he said quietly, placing a hand on Daniel's shoulder. The older boy tensed up and then relaxed, slowly letting go. Zack gasped for air, his chest heaving up and down.

He lifted one of his own hands towards his neck and whimpered when it came in contact with the skin. It was an angry red color, with darker dents in spots where Daniel's rings pressed against it.

Shawn's eyes widened and he reached towards Zack, but Daniel held his hand.

''Shawn, what is your relationship to this.'' he stopped to think of a non-offensive word. ''...Person? '' 

Shawn tore his eyes off Zack and looked up into Daniel's silver eyes. ''I- He's my brother.''

Daniel frowned. ''Which one?''

Shawn gulped and looked down, avoiding Daniel's intense stare.

''Which one, Shawn?'' Daniel snarled, making Shawn flinch.

''Daniel, stop it! You're scaring him!'' Jihyuk growled, glaring at his best friend.

Daniel instantly snapped out of his anger. He lifted Shawn's face with a few fingers and smiled. ''Sorry Shawn. I didn't mean to.''

But then his smile fell and he looked over the younger boy's head. ''But your expression tells everything. Which means that this here, is Zack.'' he said lowly and stared into Zack's eyes, which stared right back.

Shawn's confidence suddenly returned and he stood to his full height. ''Leave him alone, Daniel.'' he said, eyes narrowing. Daniel broke the gaze and looked down at Shawn, the lack of honorific and the sheer protectiveness of Shawn's voice startling him.

''Why are you protecting him?'' he asked, this time in Korean. Shawn shifted uncomfortably. He gazed over his shoulder to see Zack, looking relatively scared for the first time in his life, but still looking at Daniel like he couldn't believe his own eyes. Shawn's eyes shot back to Daniel, to catch him gazing at Zack in a similar, but more conflicted way.

''I-'' he started, making Daniel look at him again. Shawn took in a shaky breath and stepped backwards, closer to his brother.

''Just... Don't hurt him, okay?'' Then he grabbed Zack's hand and pulled him after himself. He stopped to peck Jihyuk's lips - which made the Alpha smile - and then proceeded to go upstairs. He quickened up a bit while passing Kayden. 

Zack was very confused by the time Shawn opened the door to a colorful room and pushed him to sit on a king-sized bed. Then the purple haired boy disappeared through another door. Everything was quiet for a minute and then Zack could hear water running. Shawn soon returned with a bowl of cold water an a towel in his hands. He climbed on the bed and sat next to Zack.

''Turn around and face me.'' Shawn whispered. Zack obeyed, shuffling around so he would sit as instructed. Shawn lowered the towel into the bowl and then squeezed the excess water out. He hesitated for a second, but then leaned forward to press the towel to Zack's neck.

Zack groaned when the cool fabric touched his bruising skin. Shawn smiled and dragged the cloth all around the older boy's neck.

They were both silent for a good while. The only sounds in the room were the slight splash of water whenever Shawn wanted to make the towel colder again and their breathing.