Disclaimer: This story does contain scenes of suggestive nature. If you are faint of heart, then do not read this story. Viewer discretion advised. This work is also a commission and serves as an adaptation of my client's ideas, so I would appreciate no negative feedback on both himself and I. Comment below or dm directly if you wish for me to produce your own commission.
Whether spiritual, physical, or mental, trauma is a truly awful tragedy. One that often comes when you least expect it or when you least want it. Nevertheless, it changes and takes till you are unrecognizable from the person you used to be. Those who experience that trauma can redefine your entire life if you let it. But if you can see what you've gained instead of what you lost, then maybe you'll start to see your current state in a whole new light.
Ahan Pov
Even though I hear it almost every day, it's almost amazing to think that borrowed power used to be a rare trait. It seems what used to be a sacred contract between God and man is now nothing more than a commodity, like implants or steroids. In fact, they've become so popular that their very existence symbolizes a person's status, worth, and power, with all other factors coming in second place. So much so that those without borrowed power are treated like dirt for simply existing.
I was lucky enough to grow up without the burden of the fated taboo, to the point I'm fabled as the legendary Aojiki of Apricot High School. Because that means I have the power and strength the only one that matters to me in this world: Mori Dan. Even if that same strength comes with its complications.
One would think that being the strongest would provide me with no problems, but it just means that more troubles come at you. Even with the structure the Four Divine Kings' massive influence brings, Apricot's huge power borrowers still make it violent and unpredictable.
There's always some new challenger or pack that gets hungry for my "throne." Though I usually find the suck-ups to be even worse, the people who try to date or be friends with me purely to protect their hides. It's sick enough to make me vomit, but still, I don't think I would change a thing. Because this strength is why I can protect the person I cherish most in this world.
Mori Dan may seem like an idiot, a powerless nobody with nothing to offer to the outside world. But for better or worse, he sees people as people and has a kindness that I've never seen in anyone else. So even if he may be the world's worst criminal or even not really my brother, I love him all the same even if I've known that for many years now, I know that we have a bond beyond blood for all we've through.
Mori POV (shortly after his fight with Mori Jung and Ahan Dan's chemotherapy)
I've hate hospitals over time. Maybe it's because of the stuffy environment, beeping machines, or sense of distress from patients and nurses, but my pain and discomfort will always come second. So with my "broken" right arm in a sling, I walked into Ahan's room.
Even with her completely knocked out, I heard from the doctors that talking with her even in this state is still very helpful. So mentally, I planted my feet in the ground and thought about what to say. Of course, Ahan already dealt with me "running away" from my past or future for all we've been through for far too long anyway. Still, that didn't make the conversation any less hard. In only a couple of days, I went from living a completely different life, only to have everything from before come rushing back.
Mira And Daewi, my two best friends, and in turn, the reappearance of Mandeok Sang and Mubong, have honestly left me a mess. But, either way, I still held onto Ahan's hand and found the inner strength to say what I probably should of seventeen years.
"Don't worry about me for even a second, Ahan Dan. I'm not hurt at all," I said while moving around my "bandaged" arm excitedly.
"Plus, I'll get the money for your treatment. It'll take a lot of hard work since Mori Jung destroyed my bag and all but don't worry. I beat him for it. But then again, you already knew that, didn't you? I wonder, how long did you even know I was Mori Jin?"
Of course, I didn't get a concrete answer, instead only hearing the heart monitor jump up slightly. Still, it was enough for me to know that she'll make it out of this fine. With my mind at peace now, I decided to give Ahan her rest and walk away. However, before I could even start, the monitor jumped once again as I felt a soft yet familiar hand grab my arm.
From the depths of slumber, Ahan stirred, trying to string along sentences but failing. A mix of panic and care violently stirred within me as I desperately tried to listen to her However, it was too quiet and indistinguishable to really make anything out. I stayed by her side, not daring to leave her.
Ahan Pov (shortly after Mori Jin declares war with the World Government with Daewi Han)
LIke I said in the beginning of all this, it's almost impossible to leave there was a time where nanomachines were a rare commodity. That being said I thought I would never need it, hoping that I could be strong enough for the both of us, but I guess this world was way bigger than I thought. Then again that never really Mori Dan from jumping in and helping anyway.
He's always been there for me, has always cared about me in a way no one else could. Around him I don't have to be strong, I don't have to put up a front. So given the current events and the recent trends of the one I hold dear, I decide that I'm not going to deny myself anymore.
No more lies, no more holding back. Because even if Mori Jin's memories force him to forget about me, even if the World Government may kill him or my illness kills me. I want us both to be happy, if only for a while.
So when Mori Jin finally returned to me relatively unharmed, questioning what I was trying to say earlier, I answered in the form of action instead of words. I wrapped my arms around him and gave him a full-on kiss. Mori instinctively trembled with complex emotion even with the fabled armor suits and his blazing speed. Either way, he eventually kissed me back, enjoying the movement as much as possible.
However, we soon got interrupted when two different people were spying upon us. One was a small blonde girl a little older than me and another a tall adult man with a bandage over his right eye. As soon as we walked eyes, the two had very different reactions, with the girl turning beet red and running away, forcing the man to chase after her. The sound was enough for Mori's senses to return to him, backing away from me and blushing like crazy.
"Wait, C'mom Ahan, we can't do this. We're -."
"I'm sorry, but I just couldn't help it. When I was doing chemotherapy and watching you on the TV, I realized how little time we have. And I don't care if we have to fight the world or whatever else comes next. All I know is that I want to spend time with you because I love you, Mori Jin. So it doesn't matter what the world says and thinks about us. I just want to be with you."
Mori absorbed my words, stirring inside a cocktail of emotions. Eventually, a massive smile spread across his face as he said.
"You've probably already made up your mind a long time ago, huh?"
All I did was simply nod in agreement. With that, Mori Jin gave his answer.
"Well, if that's the case, then how could I possibly refuse? After all, I love you too, Ahan Dan," he said as he decided to give me another hug.
From there, our relationship blossomed as in the months to come. I got forced to do physical therapy while Mori Jin waged his war against Mubong's empire. Eventually, I got well enough to where I didn't need the cane anymore, but moving around as I used to in my peak was still hard. So, despite both being busy, we would often plan dates over the fun. However, all the planning, items, and preparation in the world can seemingly make our dates ever start on time.
I waited for a good half an hour on a park bench, watching as I finally saw a world where non-power borrowers could enjoy themselves in a peaceful environment. Maybe when this fight with Mubong is all said and done, we will enjoy this scenery too. So when Mori Jin finally arrived with a thunderous scream and panicked apologies. I gave him only a tiny tongue lashing word and then held his hand so we could enjoy the festivities together. After all, I didn't want to waste a single moment of our time together.