Chereads / My Captive / Chapter 35 - Chapter - 35 Mizuyuki's A Full-time Job

Chapter 35 - Chapter - 35 Mizuyuki's A Full-time Job

Mizuyuki spent the whole night with Stephen, and while he didn't particularly mind, Stephen had nodded off a few times throughout the movies. Sebastián had called it an early night, thanks to the stressful events of the day and him being on morning shift he was severely lacking sleep. Todd stayed up late into the night before he too called it quits, he woke Stephen up and told him to be more alert since everyone else was going to sleep.

I laid on Stephen's chest for what seemed like hours. My head in constant turmoil over the past few hours. I couldn't remember anything. I had apparently been in this place for two days already but that's not how it felt.

I could still feel Daimian and Malykai on my skin, their insults in my ears, and my body felt primed for their torture. I couldn't stop the images that flashed through my mind and shuddered. More importantly however was that Stephen had repeatedly told me he loved me, but I couldn't properly respond to him.

I didn't feel loved, I felt used and run down. My body was acting in ways unknown to me and my mind and memories were altered and a skewed. Every time I closed my eyes I could see Daimian's face, his evil lustful grin replayed like a broken movie. Day 3 with them had been the peak of their cruelty, and it was a hardship that haunted me everyday since.

Stephen told me this was the new apartment Myah had gotten for me, but it didn't feel like home. Everything was so new to me I felt uncomfortable. My body began to tremble, begging for drugs and release, and I was tempted to let it have them. The boys would never agree to it, but I could only pretend for so long. The cravings were too strong and the memories too persistent.

Stephen had fallen asleep again for the umpteenth time that night and I laid beside him for a while. It was a tight squeeze on the sofa so eventually I had to wake him up.

"Stephen? Can we go lay in the bed?"

"Mmm... yeah we can... I'll carry you." Stephen mumbled then sat up clutching me to his chest.

He then stood up and carried me off to bed. I was given a tour of my apartment after dinner. Sebastián had taken the second room, while Todd had taken the loft. They seemed to be telling the truth about the amount of days passed, everyone had weeks worth of clothes, shoes, and accessories in their respective places.

Stephen laid down on the bed facing away from the door with me on the other side of him. The simple contact was doing great for my mental state but not my physical one. Stephen said he loved me, but he had gone from a horny teenager to an overprotective parent seemingly overnight. He never got an erection while touching me anymore, and he never mentioned sexual jokes anymore.

It made a weird sensation form in my chest. Like he was saying he loved me out of a habit and not from the heart. He had changed so much in my absence it didn't feel like I had been rescued at all. This all felt like a dream, not reality. It felt like if I fell asleep now I would wake up, chained to another contraption being drugged and whipped out of my mind, begging for dick and praying for release.

I rolled over letting Stephen hug me from behind as he slowly breathed in my neck. I stared at the window in my room and the shadows it created. My eyelids felt heavy and my blinking became slower. When I opened my eyes again I gasped out loud scrambling backwards into a soft warm body. I couldn't perceive who it was because my mind and eyes were seeing something else entirely.

"No... You're not supposed to be here..." Daimian was standing over me with his overbearing shit eating grin plastered on his face.

"Mizuyuki...?"

"Why? How? How did you get here? Go away..." I sobbed shutting my eyes. Seeing him was like being doused in ice water. The blood in my veins froze over as I trembled.

"Mizuyuki? What's wrong? Hey look at me!" Stephen said forcing my face toward his.

"Open your eyes Mizuyuki. It's okay. I promise..." Stephen said rubbing my tears.

I opened my eyes and was staring directly into Stephen's eyes. They were like looking at fresh green land after being lost at sea for too long. I took in a deep breath and sighed, if it was a dream I never wanted to wake up. Waking up to Daimian and Malykai was truly a nightmare, and Daimian was like a spoiled brat when he didn't get his way.

Stephen gently kissed my face, all over. He wouldn't let me look anywhere else.

"Focus on me, I'm real I promise. I've got you now. Just focus on me." He said cupping my cheeks in his hands and kissing my face.

"Stephen I'm really scared. You said I've been here for two days but... I feel like I'm trapped in that room again. Like this is all a figment of my drug addled mind, trying to keep me sane from the reality of my situation." I said leaning into his chest breathing him in deeply.

"Well, it's not. Sebastián, Todd, Myah, and I saved you. From what I understand Myah is spear pointing the revenge. It's all going to be okay now." He said rubbing my back.

"I can feel them all over me, constantly. It's so scary. My body doesn't feel like my own. Wanting and craving things I don't actually want. What am I supposed to do?" I said tearfully.

"Just lean on me, I'll support you. Don't try to do it alone. You can lean on Todd and Sebastián too. We are all here to help you and protect you." He replied, playing in my hair.

It sounded much easier said than done. I laid curled into Stephen's chest until the sun rose high in the sky. I could smell food cooking, which meant someone else was awake now. My head was pounding and my body felt heavy, I didn't want to leave Stephen's arms but if I didn't I would definitely fall asleep.

I lumbered out of bed only to be halted by a deep voice, "I'll be out in a bit, I'm going to sleep some more. Wake me if you need anything. I mean it Mizuyuki." Stephen said turning over and looking right at me.

I turned back from the door and walked back towards the bed. Stephen took my hand kissing my palm, then he licked and bit it. Causing me to gasp loudly.

"I love you Mizuyuki Shin. Always. Now, go play with Bas, make sure you eat. And leave the door open."

I stood there confused, while he kissed and nibbled my fingers.

"How do you know its Sebastián? It could be Todd..." I stared quizzically.

'Does he have a Sebastián radar?'

My confusion was unwarranted because Stephen replied with the answer I had apparently forgotten.

"Sebastián has morning shift. He's supposed to make you breakfast and give you your medication. I suspect on a subconscious level you knew that, it's why you were going out there without thinking about it. Sebastián thinks you're adorable in all things, so be nice and play fair." Stephen said, a flicker of jealousy in his eyes.

I was confused on what he was telling me. Play fair? What does that even mean? And adorable? Me? Why? And why Sebastián? The less I understood, the less I wanted to go. I sat back down on the bed ruffling Stephen's hair.

"You seem to have forgotten but you traded war stories with him yesterday. I'm not sure what you told him, but he did tell you a piece of his childhood. He has experienced something similar to you. So it's ok to lean on him too. He understands perfectly what you are going through. And although he wasn't abducted, he was raped and sexually assaulted when he was younger."

I couldn't hide my shock. You would never know by looking at him. He was terrifying in his own right so I couldn't imagine how he had gotten to the point he's at now so easily.

I laid back down looking into Stephen's eyes, then tapped my lips with my finger. Stephen obliged, kissing me deeply with a groan.

"Ok go eat. Your making me horny." He said giving me one last kiss before letting go.

My pulse rose quickly in excitement. Just the thought of him wanting me pushed everything else from my mind.

"No, no, no. Don't give me that look! Your killin me. You have to heal more first. You probably don't realize it but you have broken ribs. Those bastards really hurt you..." Stephen said rubbing my side.

I shuddered at the memory, I could distinctly remember when it felt like my bones were breaking, but they just injected me with more drugs to take it all.

"That... wasn't done by Daimian or Malykai's hands." I said sitting up feeling nauseous. I kissed Stephen a final time and stood up.

I didn't want to remember, and most importantly I didn't want Stephen to worry. I headed towards the door glancing back at Stephen one more time before leaving the room.

I shuffled my way to the kitchen and froze mid-step. It was Sebastián alright, headphones on, shirt off, and flipping pancakes. I couldn't move, he seemed so happy and care free I didn't want to sour the mood. Honestly speaking his body was ridiculously ripped. Like he bulked up to never be bullied again. Since all his clothes were baggy, you'd never guess he was so sculpted. Myah would love him before breaking him.

The most alarming thing was the amount of scarred skin and marks on his back. There were so many, it was terrifying. Sebastián turned to place a pancake on a platter and froze, jaw dropping along with the pancake. I walked to the island counter and sat on a bar stool.

"Good morning Yuki. Did you get any rest?" Sebastián said yanking off his headphones and picking up the fallen pancake.

I shook my head, I couldn't rest anything. My head was a mess and my body was worse. I needed a distraction so I wouldn't fall asleep.

"What are you making me for breakfast?" I asked changing the subject.

"Pancakes, obviously. Bacon is in the oven. And scrambled eggs. I also chopped up some fruit for you so eat that and wait." Sebastián said putting a bowl of honeydew melon and pineapple slices in front of me.

I wasn't particularly hungry but I really loved these fruits. I immediately ate a piece of melon and my eyes widened.

"I can taste this!!" I unintentionally yelled.

"Hold on a second... you haven't been able to taste your food? So you were lying when you said my breakfast was good yesterday?" Sebastián asked looking crestfallen.

I didn't know what to say since I didn't remember him cooking me anything yesterday.

"Um so I'm not sure about breakfast, I don't remember... but I couldn't taste anything you guys made last night. Nothing had taste or flavor. My body... it uh... it doesn't crave food... like yours does..." I said looking away and back to my bowl.

I didn't want to tell him what it craved but he seemed to figure it out on his own.

"Well no hard feelings it wasn't a very flamboyant breakfast. Don't worry about it. But try to taste the bacon today okay?" Sebastián said patting my head then rubbing my cheek.

I couldn't explain why feeling his hand on my face was so comforting, or why I leaned into it. I just wanted it.

"Okay... I will... thanks for cutting up the fruit for me. It really is delicious this time." I said eating a piece of pineapple next.

"Don't mention it Yuki. Just get better soon, yeah?" Sebastián said cracking eggs into a bowl.

"Hmm? Deja Vu? Have we done this before? Did you say that to me before?" I asked.

"Oh you remember? I don't know if I should feel honored or scared you remember me first haha don't tell Stephen I don't want to die." He said laughing.

Turns out he had said the same thing yesterday while making scrambled eggs. It was strange that being in the same spot had triggered unknown memories so forcefully.

"Sebastián...?"

"What's up buddy?"

"My head hurts..."

"I'll get your pain medication. Just eat your fruit okay?" He said walking off towards the bedroom.

I continued to eat my fruit looking at the messy kitchen. Sebastián was a good cook but he was messy as hell. He returned and placed two small round pills down in front of me. Then poured me a cup of cranberry juice.

Sebastián went back to making the eggs, and I took the pills staring at his back. Up close was even more heartbreaking, like he was whipped with something with barbed edges. The wounds were healed but the scars were still so painfully obvious. They didn't look new but they still looked like they hurt.

"WHOA!"

Without even thinking I touched one, making Sebastián jump and splash the raw eggs onto the stove.

"Oops... s-sorry..." I said turning completely away from him.

'What even was that? Why did I touch him?! Curiosity is not an excuse. Stupid! Stupid! Mizuyuki!'

"It's fine... you just scared me is all... plus I didn't spill all of the eggs. Just a bit... you curious?" Sebastián asked.

"N-No... well yes... They look... painful..." I mumbled.

"Hmm I'm guessing you don't remember or he hasn't shown you yet... but Stephen has them too... and you've already encountered the asshole responsible for them... I can put a shirt on if it bothers you." Sebastián said still scrambling the eggs in the hot skillet.

"Uh... no it's fine... W-Wait what?! Daimian hit you too?! Your father didn't stop him?" I asked shocked and confused.

"Haha... yeah no... that bastard just watched. All the while apologizing on Daimian's behalf..."

"Ugh... he hasn't changed much then... he's still very much the same asshole. It was more infuriating than dealing with Daimian... I really hate your father... sorry..." I couldn't be bothered if it hurt or offended Sebastián. His father was a real piece of shit.

"Trust me, the feeling is mutual..." Sebastián replied.

His scars didn't bother me but it made me remember, remember things I'd rather forget. Malykai was the textbook definition of a maniacal psycho. He enjoyed watching people in pain more than he enjoyed inflicting it. To make matters worse he enjoyed prolonging their pain after the fact.

He spent countless hours rubbing and tracing the welts on my ass and my back. He would keep his dick inside me, just to feel me clench around him as he traced them. All the while apologizing for Daimian's depravity instead of his own.

I shuddered at the memory, if Daimian was the administrator of my pain then Malykai was the prolongation of my pain. They were hellish fiends when the drugs took over, and heartless bastards when they wore off.

Malykai became the most depraved when the drugs wore off. He enjoyed how my body felt going through withdrawal. He would never let me rest, even when Daimian wasn't around. He seemed to get worse when Daimian wasn't around, and the things he'd whisper to me would shred my soul every time. They really were the worst kind of people to find and befriend each other.

Lost in thought I finished off the bowl of fruit my hand mindlessly searching the bowl for the nonexistent fruit.

"Ki?... Yuki...? Mizuyuki snap out of it!"

I shook my head and opened my eyes to Sebastián snapping his fingers in front of my face.

"Huh? What? What happened?" I asked looking around confused.

"I said breakfast was done almost 10 minutes ago... what happened? It was like you were in a trance..." Sebastián said placing a plate in front of me with a bottle of syrup.

"I... uh... do I have to tell you? It's really shameful so I'd rather not..." I didn't want to admit that I was lost in my memories of his father, because I didn't want to explain the uncomfortable erection that came with it.

But Sebastián wouldn't let it go, "You know Yuki we can't help you if we don't know what's wrong. The doctor said there's a lot going on with your body that you aren't telling us. Not saying it's your fault but you're putting us on edge, because we want to help you but don't know how. It's really scary watching Stephen panic because you're unresponsive..."

I felt guilt all the time. Guilty that they all had to take care of me like this, guilty that my body becomes aroused at a stupid memory that should be traumatic, and guilty that the sons of my tormentors were trying their best to right their wrongs. It made me queasy.

"You guys keep telling me I've been here for 2 days already, but I have no memory of it. I feel them on my skin constantly, no amount of scrubbing can fix that. I also can't help but get turned on thinking about the things done to me. Like my brain has been reprogrammed to treat a traumatic situation like a good thing... it scares me..."

"Oh... well that's not your fault either. And you are kind of right. Your brain has been reprogrammed, it was the drugs. Or at least that's what I gathered from the Doc. The drugs they gave you were some of the purest you could get and they gave them to you frequently enough to make your body want things that your mind did not." Sebastián said on a sigh.

"I feel dirty all the time now..." I murmured.

"It's not shameful and it's not your fault. Your body is just trying to protect your mind. I'm no doctor but I can speak for myself when I say I don't think you're dirty and Stephen would sooner kill himself than let you feel that way." Sebastián said petting my head.

"Thanks Sebastián..."

"Anytime... now eat your food before it gets cold. I'll give you your medication after your done."

We ate in silence, though I couldn't help but giggle when I noticed the eggs were kind of spicy.

"Did you add spicy seasoning to the eggs, because I said I couldn't taste anything last night?" I chuckled biting a piece of bacon.

"Hmph! So you can taste now huh? You thought I'd let you off the hook just because you can't remember? I made sure you wouldn't forget today's breakfast." Sebastián said looking indignant.

"Spicy foods give me indigestion Bas..." I replied taking the wind out his sails.

He stared at me mouth agape. I couldn't help but laugh again, this time harder.

"Haah... I guess I have no choice now, since you went out of your way to make sure I wouldn't forget." I said teasingly as I finished off the eggs.

"Are you messing with me? Stephen's gonna kill me if I give you indigestion!" Sebastián said looking queasy.

"I'm not joking. But what can we do? I already ate them?" I said with a shrug sticking out my tongue.

"You spit those out right now! I don't want to die!" Sebastián said standing and wagging a finger.

I couldn't help but laugh harder. It was the first time in a while that I had laughed this hard, and Sebastián's face was hilarious.

"What's with all the commotion?" Stephen said walking into the kitchen with a yawn.

Sebastián went ramrod stiff and I burst out laughing again. He was well and truly terrified, it was so funny because in terms of size and strength Sebastián had Stephen beat no question, but he loved his best friend so much he would never fight against him. It was like witnessing a tiger being scared of a tiger cub. I clutched my sides, too caught up in my laughter to respond.

"Sebastián...? What did you do?" Stephen asked and Sebastián went white as a sheet. This only spurred my laughter on more.

"M-Me? What do you mean? I didn't do anything!" Sebastián said waving his hands in surrender.

"You've got that guilty look on your face. The same one you'd make when we were kids when you broke something of mine or you got us in trouble..." Stephen said walking up to the both of us. Sebastián slowly took a step back and then put me in between them.

"Hahaha! Yeah he might have temporarily broken your toy!" I said on another winded chuckle.

Sebastián clamped a hand over my mouth and looked up at Stephen actually trembling a little. I looked up at Stephen as well and well it made sense, Stephen looked like he was about to kill Bas where he stood.

"Now, now Yuki that leaves too much up for interpretation. You should stop while you're ahead. You should view your situation more clearly... What are yo– AH!"

Sebastián's words were cut off when I bit the palm of his hand. It's their fault for being so goofy for no reason.

"Wha? Did you just bite me? What the shit?" Sebastián said stumbling to the ground and landing pretty hard on his ass.

"It's fine you won't die. Stephen Sebastián made breakfast, but he made spicy eggs. They were pretty good though. Do you want some?" I asked eating my second slice of bacon.

Stephen just stared between us for a moment until realization dawned on his face.

"Don't spicy foods give you indigestion?!" Stephen said finally catching on. Sebastián scurried to his feet to explain.

"Well if you knew you should have told me! He said he couldn't taste any of the food yesterday so I wanted to test his palate today, since he could taste the fruit. But he ate all the eggs anyway! I think he wants me dead Stephen. Don't kill me and give him the satisfaction!" Sebastián said pointing an accusatory finger at me.

Stephen walked over to the skillet and popped some eggs in his mouth the rounded on Sebastián in an instant.

"These are ridiculously spicy Bas Jesus!"

"Hmm? They weren't that spicy." I said pondering the subtle tingle in my mouth.

"You saying that only proves your taste buds aren't at 100% yet." Stephen said with a glare. I could only pout, I couldn't be sure they were that spicy, but they hadn't been terrible so I ate them.

Now I felt like I was being scolded, so mean. Stephen walked around the counter and picked me up, then placed me on his knee. There was no way he could say this was comfortable.

"Aren't you uncomfortable?" I asked.

"You barely weigh anything now, someone's gotta fatten you up. Can't leave it to Bas... All he wants to do is look at your adorable face." Stephen said a little irritated.

"Let it go man. It's not a big deal." Sebastián said rolling his eyes.

"Am I missing something here?" I asked.

"No." Stephen said curtly.

"Yes!" Sebastián said at the same time.

"What's all the yelling about? It's too early..." Todd said stretching.

"Todd... Stephen and Sebastián are bullying me!!" I said with a pout.

Todd stopped dead in his tracks and glared at the accused.

"Bullying you, how?" He asked, the glare never leaving his face.

"All I did was laugh at their comedy skit, and I got scolded! And then they–"

For the second time this morning, my mouth was covered by a hand. This time, Stephen was the culprit.

"Mizuyuki...? Didn't Sebastián just tell you to be aware of your situation and the way things can be interpreted?" Stephen said whispering into my ear.

The difference this time was that I didn't have to hold back with him. I immediately licked the palm of his hand, and then bit him... hard.

Everything I said was the truth. I didn't know why they were being secretive, but that wasn't my problem. However instead of removing his hand he squeezed my face harder. It was starting to hurt, but I just kept licking his hand. One of us would cave, and it wouldn't be me.

"Mizuyuki... stop misbehaving. You're killing me here. I'm really trying to be a decent guy and a caring boyfriend, but you are really testing my patience." Stephen said in a harsh whisper close to my ear.

His stern voice made me shiver and then flinch. I had an erection... again.

'This fucking sucks!'

Todd stared at everyone confused, but I could no longer meet his eyes. I was fighting an even bigger Demon now.

"Hngh..."

Stephen wouldn't let go of my mouth and I couldn't help but squirm on his knee. Not just my face, but my whole body was heating up.

"Um... Stephen? I think you should let go now..." Todd said looking worried.

Stephen immediately let go and looked at my face. Then his expression went from playful to remorseful in an instant.

"I... need to go to the bathroom..." I said sliding off Stephen's knee and staggering to the bathroom. I couldn't make eye contact with anyone.

Something innocent and harmless turned into such an embarrassing mess. I turned on the shower and got undressed. After I got undressed I entered the shower standing under the cold spray. It cooled my head, but my erection was still going strong. Having no other choice I gripped it and began to stroke it.

"Mizuu... You're being so naughty and obscene today. Does it feel good?"

My hands stilled and I looked around, I was alone but Daimian's voice in my head grew louder.

"Your ass squeezes me so nicely when you do that... Mizuu..."

I could feel the tears stinging my eyes. It wasn't fair I didn't want to hear his voice. Even after escaping him, I hadn't really escaped.

"Why did you stop Mizuu?"

"Go away!" I yelled flinching as I looked up.

Even though I knew it was a lie, even though I knew there was no way, Daimian was still standing there outside the shower looking at me with his lust filled gaze.

"AH!"

I took a step back and slipped, smacking my head on the back wall of the shower...

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

Daimian said.

{I don't want to do this... please don't make me.} I sobbed.

[What can we do? Our pet doesn't want to play with us anymore.] Malykai said.

[Oh? Renting out our pet you say? How interesting. Yuki do you want to play with more people?]

{NO! Please! I'll do it. I'll listen... please don't bring other people here!}

{Please stop! Don't do this!}

[It's fine Yuki. You'll enjoy it too.]

{Hngh... haah... huff... huff...}

{Nooo... please!}

[How many will be enough to please Yuki I wonder?]

{Kai please no! Two... only you two! Please! I'll listen I swear!}

*Knock... Knock... Knock...*

{Ugh... please Daimian. I don't want this...}

 do. And you are supposed to serve me, no?>

{NO! JUST... LET. ME. GO! I DON'T WANT ANY– Grk!}

{"....."}

{Y-Yes... S-Sir...}

[Right this way gentlemen. He doesn't bite... much... haha]

{...Ngh...}

{Y-Yes... S-Sir...}

{W-Wait No! Not both at once! AH! Fuck! Hngh...}

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆

"Stephen you really gotta learn to control yourself. You knew he couldn't help it, and you still teased him? Were you jealous?" Todd asked.

"That wasn't jealousy. If it were you'd be dead. Also don't scold me, Sebastián was about to blab about the physical contact thing! Mizuyuki even bit him, so how am I the bad guy?" Stephen retorted.

Todd turned his glare to Sebastián.

"That surprised the hell out of me. I didn't think he'd bite me." Sebastián said moping.

"All he needs to know is we are here to support him. He will withdraw into himself if he feels overwhelmed or that he's a burden." Todd said, hands on his hips.

"He's been gone for a while though... Stephen go check on him." Sebastián said glancing at the bathroom door.

"Yeah okay..."

Stephen got up and walked to the bathroom door.

"Mizuyuki... are you okay?" He asked.

There was no reply. He anxiously looked back at the other two men who were already making their way over as well.

*Knock... Knock... Knock...*

"Mizuyuki...? I'm opening the door okay?"

There was still no reply... Stephen opened the door in a panic and was met with a frigid breeze. Everyone audibly gasped. Stephen ran to the shower and his eyes went wide. Mizuyuki was slumped in a painful looking position on the shower floor.

"Mizuyuki wake up!" He yelled taking him by the shoulders. Mizuyuki's body was freezing cold and trembling all over.

"Sebastián grab two towels! Todd a blanket!"

Both men went to work grabbing the requested items. Stephen turned on the hot water and let it spray over Mizuyuki while he waited.

"Mizuyuki... please wake up!"

Sebastián and Todd came back at the same time. Stephen took the first towel and wrapped Mizuyuki up in it. Then he wrapped Mizuyuki's hair in the second one. He then held Mizuyuki so Todd could wrap the blanket around him.

Mizuyuki's lips were blue and his body was completely limp. No one knew what was happening to him or how to help him.

"What do you think happened to him?" Sebastián asked checking the shower for any signs.

"I don't have the slightest clue." Stephen replied.

They took him to the living room and laid him on the couch. Stephen began drying Mizuyuki's hair, while trying to wake him.

"Could you guys get some clothes for him to wear. I don't mind if you use my shirts." Stephen said sarcastically.

Sebastián and Todd went to retrieve the clothes while Stephen continued to dry Mizuyuki's hair and body.

"Mizuyuki, it's okay now. Come back to me... I'm sorry I took things too far today." Stephen whispered.

After Sebastián and Todd came back with his clothes Stephen dressed Mizuyuki in sweatpants and one of his hoodies. He then picked up Mizuyuki, sat in a bar stool, and proceeded to brush Mizuyuki's hair.

Mizuyuki took a deep breath in Stephen's chest and let it out on a shuddering sigh. Even though he was asleep he was relaxing more and more.

"Is it just me, or is he relaxing with every brush stroke?" Sebastián asked.

"No I see it too, he definitely is." Todd replied.

"As long as he can sleep without nightmares, it's fine by me." Stephen said continuing to brush Mizuyuki's hair.

"Hngh... Stephen... C-Cold..." Mizuyuki murmured.

"Well... it's progress... I'll take it. I'll get him another blanket." Todd said walking away.

"Yea same. I'll start cleaning up breakfast." Sebastián said.

Todd tucked Mizuyuki into the blanket as it draped to the ground. It was hard to wrap him in it, since he was straddling Stephen, but Todd pulled it off nonetheless.

"Mmm... So warm..." Mizuyuki mumbled.

"Haha well at least he's happy with it." Sebastián said scrubbing the skillet out.

"Yeah... let's hope it lasts." Stephen said worry clear in his voice.

Todd pet Stephen's shoulder reassuringly, then began helping Sebastián with the dishes.

One thing was made abundantly clear, Mizuyuki was a full-time job.