Aki held Jaehwan in his arms the minute he got home. He tried his best to pacify his partner, to calm him down. "Hwan-ie, you should calm down. Your chest will begin to hurt if you keep crying like this,"He whispered, stroking Jaehwan's head tenderly. "Deep breaths, deep breaths..I'm here with you, don't worry,". Clinging onto Aki tightly, Jaehwan let his tears form a puddle on the wooden floor. He didn't know why, but Aki speaking in Korean, nevermind his Japanised pronunciation, it just comforted him so much more. Calling Jaehwan's name with an endearment as well; Aki was really trying his best to help him calm down.
Breathing in and out, Jaehwan wheezed and coughed as he tried to calm down but Aki gave him as much time as he needed to relax and hugged him patiently, tutting him. "My babe, I don't like seeing you in so much pain. I'm not going to force you tell me what happened, but when you've calmed down enough and if you want to let me know what happened, I'm more than willing to listen,". Picking Jaehwan up, he laid Jaehwan on the sofa, going as far as to cover him with their warmer and heavier blanket from their bedroom. He made Jaehwan a hot cup of lemon honey tea, a hot water bottle and massaged his neck and shoulders and gingerly as possible with jojoba oil.
It wasn't like Jaehwan to sob his heart out about something and Aki knew that something serious had happened. But as worried as he was, he knew it wasn't something he should squeeze out of Jaehwan. Though, given Jaehwan's honest nature, he would definitely tell him if given enough time. "Babe, all of these scratches and scrapes on your neck look painful. I can't even imagine how you got them,". Jaehwan hissed from the pain when Aki touched it lightly. "They..hurt more than they seem,". "I'm going to massage affected areas with ice, okay? It should help with the inflammation,".
"No, you've done more than enough Kiki. You should wash up and rest,"He grunted, shifting in his seat to peck Aki on the cheek. "As if I'd let you suffer with the scars on your neck inflamed while I take a nap. I'm sure I can go without the extra snooze for a few hours,". Aki returned the kiss on the cheek and proceeded to treat Jaehwan's injuries. He did love Jaehwan and he would do anything for him. If it meant that his precious would be happy, he would do it instantly. After all, why wouldn't he make any small sacrifices for the person who showed him so much unconditional love and support?
Once the inflammation had calmed down, Aki applied some cream to his abrasions before bandaging his neck with wooly bandages. When he was done playing nurse, he took a shower and proceeded to cuddle with Jaehwan on the sofa. Playing with Aki's curly hair, his partner just held him close as he twirled his fingertip around a lock of his lover's hair. "Jae, if you need anything, you can just wake me up? Alright?". Jaehwan nodded and allowed Aki to sleep in his arms while thoughts about last night just kept gloating in his head.
'Ugh...why is it so hard to pry myself loose from him?'. Jaehwan's head was a mess. Everything about Shujin just flowed through his head. He'd been raised on how he should treat him, obey him. He put his arms around Aki, feeling uncomfortable after what happened yesterday.
Just thinking of the way he was choked like that, coerced into sleeping with him. The fact that Shujin just took advantage of him while he couldn't even breathe properly. Even lying that about saying what he said in anger. No, he raped Jaehwan again. Worse than the last time. Choking him with the collar, pulling on it as if it were the reins on his fucking horse. Even after begging for Shujin to stop, the man didn't stop. The thing that didn't put Jaehwan off was the fact that he had been defiled, no, he was numb to that at this point. What rubbed Jaehwan the wrong way was the way Shujin disrespected him.
"Master..Please...I can't breathe...I can't breathe and my chest hurts,"Jaehwan wheezed, coughing as Shujin continued plunging into him. "Oh, you can't breathe? Shall I get your medicine?". Jaehwan nodded desperately and Shujin immediately got off the bed, slipping to the kitchen while he left Jaehwan on the bed. Touching his throat, he yelped in pain and hacked even more, tears dripping from his face.
How much more fucking humiliating could he have become? Why? Why didn't he just have the guts to say no to Shujin? How far could he take being abused like this? Jaehwan had bigger fish to fry than his throat hurting though. He clenched at his chest and groaned, almost wishing he would die at that moment.
Maybe at least Shujin would be imprisoned for suspected murder. At least he wouldn't have to see him again. To deal with his bullshit again.
Arriving on the scene with a glass of water and a pill in hand, Shujin set the glass of water on the bedside table solemnly. "Angel, as your master, I have a question I want to ask,". Jaehwan looked up, seething in pain. "P-Please..can't I have my medicine first?"He begged, his face full of agony. "Be patient, pet. I'll give it to you when I see that you're deserving of it,". Silencing himself, Jaehwan moaned from the stabbing pain in his chest. "A-Ask away, Master,". Clenching his fist with the pill in it, Shujin towered over Jaehwan menacingly.
"Don't you think that I'm cruel, Angel? When I treat you like a dirty dog?". He yanked at Jaehwan's collar, hauling him up so that he was seeing eye to eye with the poor boy who just wanted his medication. "Y-Yes..you're cruel, Master,". Unsatisfied with Jaehwan's reply, Shujin shook him hard before asking him again. But his voice had a hint of threat. "Angel, I think you misunderstood the intentions behind my question. I'll ask you again. Don't you think I'm fucking cruel to you when I treat you like my bitch?".
Not sure of how to respond, Jaehwan parroted his answer. His voice was getting tighter because it began to hurt when he tried to speak. "Yes..you're c-cruel, Master,". Shujin chucked him back on the bed before he sighed. "You were never the brightest. But that's why you were born to serve me. I won't ever have to worry about you running away from me,". Evilly, he tossed the pill onto the floor, crushing it with his foot.
"Eat it like the dirty bitch you admitted that you are,".
.
.
.
Waking up after a long nap, Aki sat up and stretched looking at the clock. It's 15 to 7:00 PM. He yawned and looked at Jaehwan who was asleep. As carefully as he could, he unwinded the bandages a bit to check on the wounds on his boyfriend's neck. Luckily, he played his role of the nurse well enough. They weren't so inflamed anymore. Thank god. He stuck the bandage back neatly and got up to cook dinner.
He would tell Jaehwan about his good news at dinner. But of course, how could he tell Jaehwan at dinner when there is no dinner to be eaten? He should whip something up. Heading for the fridge, he took out some leftover rose pasta and heated it up in a pan. He used some cream to thicken the sauce up again and air fried some chicken to go with it. Jaehwan had been raving about an air fryer ever since his friend Yuto had bought one and began using it religiously. Cutely enough, he asked Yuto to follow him to help pick out an air fryer with him. Jaehwan wanted it so that he could cook healthier food for Aki and himself.
Remembering Jaehwan's look of pure joy when he brought it home, Aki just couldn't hold back his smile.
While he waited for the chicken to get nice and crispy, he decided to do their laundry. He liked doing laundry. Both he and Jaehwan would usually get into little fights about whose turn it was to do laundry. Normally, he let Jaehwan win because they both knew that he did a better job at it anyway. When he checked the dryer, he was confused. Huh, the guest bedroom's sheets were in there? Jaehwan must have changed the sheets and cleaned the room up himself then. He took the warm sheets out of the dryer and folded it deftly.
Part of him wanted to believe that Jaehwan did it because Sumi would be staying over more often. Yet, part of him also believed that Jaehwan did it because of what happened to him. Checking on the progress of the pasta and the chicken, he went upstairs to keep the folded sheets away. He did not forget to check the guest bedroom though. What met his eyes was worse than he thought.
On the bed, with a fat wad of money next to it, was a collar. Not just any collar though.
The collar with the forsaken ring that Shujin tried to give Jaehwan.
.
.
.
Being as considerate as possible, Aki didn't want to tell Jaehwan what he found. It was probably racing in his head to the block and back. Instead, he just moved it aside and stooped to wake his beloved up for dinner. "Hwan-ah, we're having leftovers for dinner. You're okay with that, right?". Jaehwan nodded sleepily and put his arms around Aki's neck. "Yeah. You don't like it when we waste food,"He replied, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "It's your cooking anyway. Reheated or fresh, it'll taste delightful,".
No matter how many times he'd heard that compliment before, it always made Aki's day. He lifted Jaehwan off the sofa, hugging him. "My babe~ Why don't you go wash up while I get dinner ready?". Jaehwan nodded obediently and wobbled to the bathroom next to the kitchen, washing his face. Setting the table, Aki gave Jaehwan a huge helping of the pasta and chicken tenders. "Thank you for making dinner, Kiki. I didn't expect to sleep for so long,"He yawned, hugging Aki from behind. Aki kissed him, patting him on the back. "It's alright. By the looks of your face, you didn't get much sleep last night,".
Sitting down to dinner, Aki smiled at Jaehwan, happy that he would be eating well. "Jae, I may not be able to afford the highest grade of diamonds like your Master, but you're the only gem I need in my life,". Hearing that triggered some kind of response in Jaehwan. He immediately broke down crying. He started crying so badly, Aki hurriedly got his medicine in case he needed it. "Kiki...I'm sorry...H-He came y-yesterday..He came..."He wailed, unable to take another bite of his food.
Instantly, Aki took him into his arms, trying to calm him down. "It's okay. I saw the collar upstairs. You don't have to feel like you betrayed me or something,"He hushed and Jaehwan continued weeping. "He..r-raped me..He treated me like shit...I-I..feel so lowly..How could someone as dirty as me deserve any love from you?"He cried. This came as a shock to Aki because Jaehwan never spoke of himself like this before.
Calming him down as much as possible, Aki gave him a bear hug. "Hey, it's not your fault that he chose to take advantage of you. People rape because they chose to be rapists. It's never going to be the victim's fault,"He whispered, wiping Jaehwan's precious tears. "About what you said, Hwan-ie, I'm never going to think of you as any less deserving of my love just because you got taken advantage of. If anything, I'm grateful that you told me all this,". Looking up, his hazel eyes like pools of tears, Jaehwan sniffled.
"So, you s-still love me?".
"Of course, Jae. When will I ever not?".
Holding his partner close to him, Jaehwan breathed deeply. 'It's going to be alright. I'll be alright. I'll be okay. I'll be safe now. Because, Aki still loves me'.
____________________
In the morning, when Jaehwan had calmed down from breaking down the night before, Aki told him about his new job. He also told Jaehwan something else.
"Please, you don't have to rely on that bastard anymore. Jae, please. I can't bear to have him toss you around like a rag doll,"He sighed, hugging Jaehwan. "Kiki, he just doesn't listen to anything I say. I've tried. Believe me, I've tried,"Jaehwan squeaked, feeling Aki take him into his arms. "He's not letting me quit my job at the café. He refuses to cut off my allowance. I don't know what to do...What more can I do?"He whimpered, wheezing into Aki's chest. Not really wanting to make Jaehwan cry so early in the morning, Aki began patting his back to calm him down.
Plucking a tissue from the bedside table, he handed it to his beloved. "Jae, I would say that you don't even have to go to work. But, I know you'll feel bad about it. Especially because you've been away from work for so long,"He began, still petting Jaehwan on the back as tenderly as possible. "So, if he comes over again, I'll be the one to talk with him. Okay? You don't have to worry about anything,". Jaehwan nodded in response and leaned into Aki's embrace. "Thank you, Kiki,".
Even though their lives went on like usual, Shujin never turned up out of the blue again. Jaehwan began working at the café once more, wary that his Master might pop in at any time and mess with him but it never happened. Aki liked his new job so much more. He did have to stay until much later in the evening, but he knew that Jaehwan would be waiting for him at home and coming home to him was the best part of his day. Eventually, Jaehwan's birthday was rolling around and so was Aki's mind trying to think of a good present for him.
"I don't think it'd be fair to lump together his Christmas present as his birthday present though. But, Jae doesn't like receiving presents. He says he has everything he needs and can afford anything else that he wants. But, what could I give him?". He remembered that Jaehwan had been extraordinarily happy weeks before because Yuto texted him and told him that he got engaged.
Nudging Aki with his phone, Jaehwan's eyes twinkled. "He got engaged in England!! Kiki, I'm happy that things worked out for both of them!"He squealed, his face beaming. Well, perhaps it wouldn't be any harm to take some inspiration, right?
Passing by a jewellery store, he managed to snag himself a nice pair of rings. He also bought a blanket, a medicine box and a cake on the way home from home. The blanket would keep him warm, especially on colder nights. Jaehwan wouldn't mind a new blanket added to his collection. The medicine box would help Jaehwan plan out his medication for the week instead of having to remember whether he had already taken it or not. And the cake, well, who says no to cake on their birthday?
He had the cake decorator write a very specific message. "We tried our best, Sir,"They apologised profusely, winking at each other after handing Aki the cake. Aki couldn't see any flaws though and happily thanked and paid them for the cake. After successfully completing his haul, he began making his way home to his beloved. However, when he got home, there was a huge problem at their doorway.
What problem?
Oh, nothing huge. Just the many presents Shujin sent over to Jaehwan's house.
.
.
.
Defeated, Jaehwan was moving the presents to the table so he could at least open them without them causing an avalanche at the doorway. "Jae! Tadaima!"Aki called out to him and Jaehwan stopped what he was doing at once and ran to him, helping him with his things. "Okaeri~ You've bought a lot of stuff,"He laughed, setting the bags on the sofa. "Well, my Master's causing me a lot of problems on my birthday, isn't he?". Aki huffed at the mountain of presents. 'That man has nothing and nobody else to waste his money on....'.
"You've bought a cake?! Kiki, you shouldn't have! And...It's a fruit flan too? You really know me well!"He squeaked as he checked one of the plastic bags. "Huh? Of course! A cake is a must when it's your birthday,"Aki chuckled, moving the cake to the dining table. "Let's cut into it then,"Jaehwan smiled, rinsing some dishes and cutlery in the sink. Aki took off his coat, happy that even though Shujin could deliver a whole century worth of presents to Jaehwan, his partner was more interested in the cake that he had brought home.
Reading the message on the cake Jaehwan was thrilled. "Kiki, you flirt! You called addressed me as yeobo? We're not even married yet!"He laughed, taking a photo of the cake. "Or are you trying to tell me something?". Aki couldn't understand it at first but then he realised that the cake decorators probably thought he was buying this cake for his 'wife' and decided to spice it up themselves. "Ah...I gave the cake decorators a different message to pipe on top of the cake. But, creative liberties, am I right?"He joked and Jaehwan swung his arms around him. "You know, if you want to call me yeobo, I don't mind. We're practically married at this point,"He teased and Aki hugged him back.
"Really? I thought it was just for the married,". Jaehwan giggled in his arms and shrugged. "What, would you rather call me jagi?". Aki shook his head and turned Jaehwan's attention back to the cake. "No. You're more than that to me,". Plopping some candles into the centre of the cake, Jaehwan continued to tease him. "Then say it. yeo-bo. yeobo~,". Falling prey to Jaehwan taunting him, that word finally escaped Aki's lips. "Yeobo, blow your candles before the cake melts!"He laughed and Jaehwan got the lighter out, in fits of laughter himself. "Yay, you finally said it!".
After extinguishing the candles of their flame, Jaehwan told Aki his birthday wish. "Kiki, my wish is that I'll make a full recovery one day. So that I can live a long life with you,". Aki agreed and watched him slice the cake. "I would have wished for the same thing, yeobo,". Serving Aki a slice of the cake, Jaehwan chuckled. "Okay, you don't have to say that anymore. I was just teasing you. Here, have some cake,".
"No, I'll keep calling you that because you like it, yeobo,"Aki smirked, ducking his head when he received the cake. He looked to the mountain in the living room and huffed. "What are we going to do with that mess?".
Swallowing his bite of cake, Jaehwan thought for a bit. "We'll open them later and decide. But, if there's a nice engagement present in there, I'm giving it to Kirishima to congratulate him,". Aki went along with it and felt his pocket, relieved when he felt that the rings were still there. "They were supposed to be yours anyway. Do whatever you want with them,".
He looked to Jaehwan and then to the ring and then to his beloved again before slipping the box back into his pocket.
Dear me, so it seems that he'll have a wait longer before he finds the right time to be able to get down on one knee.
But, he probably shouldn't feel so dejected.
After all, great minds think alike.