Smoke Break; TEN

IX.

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Your hands were encasing a cup of water. You didn't realize that your hands were shaking until you saw the water moving along the sides of the cup. The guys were behind you. That was the only way you told them things - they always stood behind you and you always sat in front of them, with your back turned. That was always how it was, even at the beginning of your friendship.

"That man's name is Go Haejin. He's only a year older than Minsu. I found out that he knew what Minsu was planning to do-"

"Which was?"

Xiaojun was really starting to get on your nerves. You adored him, but if he didn't stop asking you, you would have to put him in his place.

"Haejin just let it happen. Didn't give me a warning or anything." You continued. "I found where he lived and I went there. I wanted him to feel the pain I felt. I made him play spin the bottle with me-"

This time it was Ten. "Spin the bottle?"

"When it landed on me, nothing happened and he spun again. When it didn't land on me, I tased him. I tased him so many times that he was almost unconscious when we were done. He was begging me to stop," your voice lowered. "But I didn't want to. I felt so in control at that moment. I could've killed him."

They waited for you to continue, but you didn't. They looked at one another, completely unsure of how to respond. You were always so confined and closed off. You definitely weren't a book that someone could just open up and understand. They had never seen this side of you. They always saw someone that was composed, and good at being a criminal, but also someone who was good at caring for another, someone who was there when they needed you.

Ten was especially shocked. The two of you had been dating for almost three years, yet he never really understood you. He knew there was something sinister in your veins, yet all of WayV had that same sinister touch. He just didn't expect yours to come out in full force and all at once. He also knew that Xiaojun was going to push your buttons even more now, and he knew how badly that would set you off.

"Okay," Hendery said quietly. "But you didn't. What stopped you?"

They watched your shoulders move up, then back down. "I'm not really sure. I just walked away and left him there."

You turned to look at them and that's how they knew you were done talking. You hadn't cleaned the blood off of your skin, so it shocked them a bit when they saw it. Ten grabbed your hand and went upstairs with you and to your bathroom. The first thing he did was hug you, then he helped you onto the counter.

Looking at how beat up you were broke his heart, but he knew you got the advantage of the situation. You looked so tired, and he wasn't sure if it was from that man or if it was from the confession you just made. You hated opening up, so he knew it probably took a lot of your energy.

Ten started tending to your wounds and you closed your eyes. You already regretted telling them about the game. You saw it in their eyes, you saw the glint of disbelief, but maybe it was your imagination.

"We've just never seen the dangerous side of you." Ten whispered. You could feel him putting bandages on some of your wounds. "It's not like we didn't know you had it, though."

You slowly opened your eyes and let your head fall. "I need a cigarette."

Ten helped you off of the counter, but he moved you away from the bedroom door. "Just sleep for a little bit. I can tell that you're tired."

You didn't want to argue, so you laid down. He gave you a kiss on the forehead, then went back downstairs where Xiaojun was making a fuss.

"The words pretty much came out of her mouth. She's going crazy." He said. "And you don't think that's an issue?"

Yangyang pushed on Xiaojun's chest. "Just because you're not close to her doesn't mean you can be so rude about it."

"You didn't tell us anything at first either, Xiaojun!" This time it was Winwin with an outburst. "You didn't tell us for two years why you were on the streets. Quit being a hypocrite and maybe try to understand her situation."

Xiaojun was frustrated, Ten could tell by the way he ran his hand through his hair. "She's going psycho! She said she could've killed that guy."

"So?" It was the first time Kun spoke the whole time. Everyone looked at him as he leaned against the wall. "What about you, Xiao? You told us that you killed someone."

"It was an accident-"

"Minli hasn't even killed anyone. She said she could've, but she didn't. Not even today when she really wanted to. Don't act like you're not in the same boat as Minli. You've both had blood on your hands, we all have." He sighed and headed for his room. "Don't turn your back on her just because you don't understand the way she works. She's part of us and I guarantee you that if she left you'd feel just as empty as Yangyang or Ten would."

The two you were closest to doubted that. They both had an admiration for you that no one else in the house really understood. Of course they would all be upset if you decided to up and leave, but Ten and Yangyang would be most affected.

Yangyang scoffed and walked away from the conversation. When it came to you, he was sensitive about a lot of things. He didn't like when Xiaojun bothered you, he didn't like when Xiaojun accused you of things.

"Where is she anyway?" Xiaojun asked.

"Sleeping." Ten told him. "Do you not understand that her telling us about the torture is a big step? Do you also not realize that you're the reason she doesn't tell us things like that?" Ten pushed Xiaojun back slightly. "She keeps to herself because she knows that perspectives change, but did hers change when she found out about what you did?" The younger shook his head. "Exactly. Don't be like this to her."

Ten walked away first, then everyone else followed. Xiaojun was now alone with Kun and Ten's words hanging in the air. He knew they were right, but he wasn't good at apologizing.

Upstairs, Ten gently sat down on the bed to keep from waking you up. He moved some hair out of your face and silently promised to you, promised that he would always support you, always appreciate you.

When others turned their back on you, he promised that he wouldn't.

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