Mizuyuki had been asleep on Stephen's chest for nearly two hours. After about thirty minutes Stephen stopped brushing Mizuyuki's hair. He had tried to lay him down on the sofa once, but Mizuyuki wouldn't let go of him, and when his fingers were pried off Mizuyuki started to cry in his sleep.
So Stephen held him the whole time, and in that time Mizuyuki hadn't moved a single inch, he hadn't mumbled or even screamed in his sleep. At first Stephen was worried, but Mizuyuki seemed to be breathing evenly and calmly. The only issue Stephen was having, was that Mizuyuki had an erection the entire time.
"Stephen I'm going to get started on lunch... are you going to continue to sit at the island counter? Or move to the bed? Sofa maybe?" Todd asked.
"Hmm... I'm not nearly confident enough to say I'll put him to bed... and I don't want the sounds in the kitchen to startle him... so I guess there's only one option."
"What's wrong with the bed?" Sebastián asked, oblivious.
Stephen glared in his direction saying, "You don't need to know."
"Hmm... okay then. Should I hold him for you? You can take a break, go to the bathroom, change out of those damp clothes?" Sebastián inquired.
"So, I know you're trying to be helpful, but you're not helping at all. Didn't you say you couldn't hold him like this?" Stephen asked.
"Okay but like I'd help you out if you needed it. I'm not an asshole, and I don't have to hold him exactly like that right? Not to mention, you look like you have to pee sooo..."
Stephen was irritated, because Sebastián was right. Not only was his shirt– now damp from partially drying– uncomfortable, but he actually had to use the toilet, he had been holding it in for the past hour.
"Do you think he'd let you hold him?" Stephen asked, genuinely curious.
"If not, I'll try. Then Bas will have to make lunch too." Todd chimed in.
"No, no, no! I almost died over breakfast! It's too soon! Oh! Shiit! I didn't give him his medication!" Sebastián whispered loudly.
"Seriously Bas!?" Stephen softly yelled back.
"It's not my fault. He was more lively today. He laughed for crying out loud! And then you came along and I got distracted. Do you think that's why he passed out?" Sebastián asked.
"Not likely. Though it might have played a part." Todd retorted.
"Let's just try it first, take him Bas." Stephen said annoyed.
Sebastián let out a long sigh, then gently picked Mizuyuki up. Mizuyuki scrunched up his face as if he was about to cry. Sebastián cradled him like an infant and carefully sat on the sofa. A tear fell from Mizuyuki's eye and he curled into Sebastián's chest. He huffed a few times, but eventually settled down his face still frowning.
"Well at least he doesn't subconsciously hate me, right?" Sebastián said with a small chuckle.
"I'll just be a minute... don't fuck this up Bas." Stephen warned.
Todd went back to preparing lunch while Stephen went to change and handle his business. Sebastián watched the muted TV while rubbing the spot between Mizuyuki's eyebrows trying to relax his frown.
"You don't hate your bestie Bas, right? You just miss Stephen. Don't worry, he'll be right back. He won't leave you behind, I promise." Sebastián said trying to calm him down.
Mizuyuki's face relaxed and he rubbed his face against Sebastián's chest. Sebastián froze and glanced around, hoping no one saw the innocent reaction. Unfortunately Todd was more perceptive.
"I saw that, and I'm telling." Todd said in a loud whisper.
"You'll keep your mouth shut if you want to see the sun rise tomorrow." Sebastián growled back, causing Mizuyuki's face to scrunch up again.
"Ah... bestie Bas is sorry. He didn't mean to scare you. Everything is going to be okay, bestie Todd just plays too much." He said softly as if talking to a toddler.
"Really Bas? Do you have to talk like that? He's not a toddler." Stephen said from behind Sebastián.
Sebastián tensed up, slowly turning his head to look up at Stephen. Stephen didn't look angry, but looks could be deceiving.
"It calms him down. Just look at his calm face now." Sebastián said looking back down at Mizuyuki.
He no longer had a frown on his face, and he was also smiling. Which frightened Sebastián a bit because he didn't smile before.
"Okay I'm 99.9% sure he's only smiling now because he heard your voice." Sebastián said and Stephen came around the sofa and sat near Mizuyuki's head.
"Yeah I know. I saw it happen." Stephen said stroking Mizuyuki's hair.
"Do you want him back?" Sebastián asked skeptically. He thought Stephen would take Mizuyuki back immediately after returning.
"It's fine. Unless you're uncomfortable?" Stephen whispered.
"I'm not uncomfortable per say... I'm just worried he'll wake up, and be pissed."
"Yeah I suppose that would be problematic, but I think it's safer if you guys hold him for now if you can." Stephen said kissing Mizuyuki's forehead.
"Safer how?" Sebastián asked.
Stephen didn't reply. He couldn't tell them that Mizuyuki turned him on every waking moment of the day. He already felt like a monster. Things would get worse if he acted on his impulses.
After thirty more minutes, Mizuyuki started to fuss and fidget. Sebastián rubbed his cheek with his thumb and then the spot between his eyebrows again. Stephen watched as Mizuyuki calmed down again. It was irritatingly comforting.
"Hey guys lunch will be ready in 5 minutes. Should we try to wake him up?" Todd said from the kitchen.
"I'm not sure he'll want to eat, but he still needs to take his medication." Stephen replied.
"Yeah, not to mention this is probably the most sleep he's gotten in days." Sebastián added.
"I'll hold him while we eat. If he wakes up, I'll just feed him too." Stephen said standing up.
Stephen scooped Mizuyuki up and carried him to the table.
"Bas help me will you?" Todd asked.
They got to work setting the table and laying the food out. Todd had gone all out this time. He made a salad paired with garlic bread sticks, and fully loaded bacon cheeseburgers with homemade french fries. He had also cut up some fruit and set out some strawberry yogurt for Mizuyuki if he woke up.
"Jesus Todd there's only four of us. You cooked a veritable feast." Sebastián teased.
"Well Yuki usually picks lunch but he's not exactly speaking at the moment. Also I'm starving so I cooked with my stomach in mind." Todd said looking sheepish.
"It's fine. Leave him be Bas. You'll try it all anyways won't you?" Stephen chided.
"True enough." Sebastián shrugged.
They got to work eating in silence. It wasn't an awkward silence, more of a silence of understanding. Halfway through the meal, Mizuyuki began to fidget and squirm again. This time tears streamed out of both eyes. Stephen put down his food and watched Mizuyuki for a bit.
"Go away... Hngh... No..." Mizuyuki began to murmur and everyone present tensed.
"You're hurting... me... stop... please..."
"Mizuyuki it's okay. You can wake up now." Stephen said gently.
"No... I'm sorry... I'll listen... W-Wait! Grk! Ngh!"
Mizuyuki began to flail, and his face turned red and then a shade of purplish blue.
"He's not breathing!" Stephen exclaimed.
"Mizuyuki! C'mon wake up now! You need to breathe! WAKE UP!" Stephen yelled panicking.
Mizuyuki's eyes flashed open as he gasped for air.
"I-I'm... S-Sorry! I'll... b-behave now... s-so please... stop!" He said through pained gasps.
"It's okay Mizuyuki. Look at me. Everything is going to be just fine. Breathe love, just breathe, and focus on me." Stephen said rubbing Mizuyuki's back.
Mizuyuki's eyes slowly blinked as they began to focus. He quietly sobbed for a brief moment before curling into Stephen's lap more, shivering.
"Ugh... my head hurts so bad." Mizuyuki groaned.
"I'm on it..." Sebastián said, excusing himself from the table.
Todd also excused himself from the table. Stephen continued to rub Mizuyuki's back, while checking his eyes and face. Sebastián returned shortly with 2 pills and Todd sat down an open soda can.
After taking the medication, Mizuyuki slowly looked around confused.
"How long was I out?" Mizuyuki asked.
"About two and a half hours." Sebastián replied.
"Ugh... it felt like days..." Mizuyuki mumbled wrapping his arms around his midsection looking sick to his stomach.
"What's the last thing you remember?" Todd asked to gage Mizuyuki's memory.
Mizuyuki immediately froze and started to tremble violently. He shut his eyes tightly and curled into himself, his face turning red.
"I slipped and hit my head." Mizuyuki mumbled. Everyone sat shocked, mouths agape in horror.
"Should we take him to the hospital? There's no blood, but we know nothing about him internally." Sebastián said, the first to recover.
"No! Please... I-I don't... want to go..." Mizuyuki shuddered.
"Mizuyuki, what if something is wrong? You were out for a while." Stephen said.
"It's fine... I'm fine... why didn't you wake me up?" Mizuyuki asked.
"You slept so soundly for the first time in a while so we let you sleep. You didn't seem to be having a nightmare." Stephen replied.
"I was... it was like I was... trapped in it... I couldn't wake up... it felt so real...don't let me sleep that long again..." Mizuyuki said clutching Stephen's shirt.
"Understood. I'm sorry Mizuyuki." Stephen said kissing Mizuyuki gently.
"Do you want to eat? Todd cut up some fruit for you, and there's a light salad too." Sebastián said petting Mizuyuki's head.
Mizuyuki closed his eyes at the subtle contact and nodded yes.
"Okay, you can eat the fruit first." Stephen said placing the bowl on Mizuyuki's midsection. It was a small bowl of grapes, honeydew melons, and banana slices.
Mizuyuki disregarded the fork and began eating with his fingers slowly, trembling the whole time. Stephen made short work of his burger and fries.
"Do you want some strawberry yogurt? Todd prepared it for you too." Stephen asked setting his plate aside and grabbing the small parfait cup of yogurt.
"Haah... thanks Todd." Mizuyuki said smiling at Todd.
It was a gentle smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, but he took the yogurt anyway. Then he paused, laughed and looked up at Stephen. Stephen looked back down at Mizuyuki confused.
"Hahaha... shall I feed you?" Mizuyuki said, impersonating Stephen.
Stephen realized what he meant and lightly blushed. It had been something Stephen had done on a whim and Stephen had paid the price with a seductive counter attack from Mizuyuki.
"Hahaha... yes I would like some." Stephen said opening his mouth wide.
Still trembling, Mizuyuki popped a melon piece in Stephen's mouth. Stephen immediately clamped his lips over Mizuyuki's fingers catching him off guard.
"Hmmm? How did it go again?" Stephen asked teasingly.
"Hahaha... it's a secret, and don't talk with your mouth full." Mizuyuki said, slapping Stephen's cheek.
Stephen then picked up a melon piece and dipped it in the yogurt. He then placed it on Mizuyuki's lips and wiggled his eyebrows. Mizuyuki laughed and parted his lips allowing Stephen to put the fruit in. After the fruit was gone Stephen pressed his forehead to Mizuyuki's and groaned softly.
"So yea... still here you know." Sebastián said, shattering the moment like glass.
"How strange I don't recall caring that you're still here. In fact, why don't you just leave?" Stephen retorted.
"But then Mizuyuki would be sad." Sebastián said with a wink.
"Honestly... you guys are like children... sigh..." Todd said placing his face in his palm.
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
As the evening approached the boys sat in the living room watching TV while Mizuyuki rested on Stephen's chest. Everyone was laughing and making their own commentary on the thriller movie. Mizuyuki wasn't a fan of jump scares so he decided not to watch. Suddenly there was a knock at the door.
"I'll get it!" I said trying to distance myself from the movie in any way.
I got up to open the door and paused in confusion. It was a petite woman with blonde hair pink highlights and piercing blue eyes. A total stranger, however she was barely dressed, only wearing a halter top and some shorts that rode up her ass.
"Uhm... can I help you?" I asked.
The woman just stared at me eyes wide in shock. Then she reached a hand towards me and I took a step back. I bumped into a soft warm wall.
"What's wrong? Who is it?" Stephen said wrapping his arms around me.
"I don't know she hasn't said anything. She just tried to touch me... I think?"
The woman snapped out of it and cleared her throat. She then looked at Stephen and took a step back.
"Uhm sorry, I was told this was the apartment of the men who beat up my husband. I came to apologize. I'm not sure what he did but I'm certain it was his fault. In fact looking at you, I can almost guess. So I apologize. I will do my best to keep him away in the future." She said bowing.
"Oho? What a nice view!" Came a voice I recognized from the stairs.
"Myah?!" I yelled.
"I'm sorry I'll be going now. My name is Lacy by the way, I'll see you around Mizuyuki." She said as she bounded off towards her apartment.
"Hmm? Did I ever tell her my name?" I asked looking up at Stephen, who had a severe frown on his face.
"Well? Are you going to invite me in? Who was that girl anyway?" Myah asked.
"A neighbor, apparently." Stephen said curtly.
"Hmm... ok I'll look into it. I have something to tell you guys." Myah said.
She pushed Stephen away and grabbed me in tight hug. Stephen allowed it and closed the door behind her.
"You look better Yuki! How are you feeling? Are these brutes treating you well? They had better be!" She said glaring.
"Yeah I'm okay. I missed you Myah... I feel like I haven't seen you in ages." I said.
"Indeed! It's been too long." Myah said walking us to the living room, arms wrapped around my waist.
Stephen looked annoyed, Sebastián seemed afraid, and Todd was already standing offering Myah his seat. It was strangely hilarious.
Myah's presence here did wonders for my stress and anxiety. She hugged me for the first hour talking our heads off on all the shenanigans she had been up to. I could tell there was something deeper she wanted to talk about but she never did, keeping a peaceful smile on the whole time.
"Okay times up. Hand him back to me, you've had your fun now." Stephen said picking me up and sitting on a bar stool. I straddled him and snuggled into his warm smell with a sigh.
"Really Stephen? You jealous?" Myah teased.
"If I were, you'd be dead. Sebastián go get Mizuyuki's medication." Stephen retorted.
Sebastián sprung up like a tense coil ready to get away from Myah. He procured the medication and gave it to Stephen, then got to work getting me a drink. I took the medication and laid on Stephen's chest listening to his heartbeat.
"So Todd, you haven't been responding to my messages or calls. I was incredibly worried." Myah said.
My eyes were getting heavy again, and a pounding ache was forming in my skull. As if on que Sebastián handed Stephen a brush and he started to brush my hair.
"Well if this is how he's being looked after then I'm not too concerned. When do you boys sleep?" Myah asked.
"In shifts. Sebastián has morning shift, I have the afternoon, and Stephen has the night shift." Todd answered.
"Mizuyuki is a full-time job that we take very seriously." Stephen said.
I couldn't help but look up at him, he was talking like it was no big deal, but he seemed more afraid than the others during the day. He gently kissed me and told me to lay back down. I quietly obeyed wanting him to continue to brush my hair anyway.
Their voices were slowly drowned out by Stephen's heart beat, as I drifted off to sleep.
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"Now talk. I know you came over for something serious it's written all over your face. You've got about 10 minutes before Mizuyuki wakes up." Stephen said glaring daggers at Myah.
"Really? 10 minutes is all he gets?" She inquired skeptically.
"He'll wake up on his own from his nightmares." Todd chimed in.
Myah gave a bitter frown. She glanced over at Mizuyuki and sighed heavily.
"How are you dealing with the hallucinations?" Myah asked.
Everyone froze. Stephen let out a small curse. He looked down at Mizuyuki and sighed.
"From what I've gathered after day 3 with your asshole fathers he was hallucinating like crazy. So I find it hard to believe they suddenly stopped. If anything what he's been seeing has probably changed, but not the hallucinations themselves." She said gazing sadly at Mizuyuki.
"I had my suspicions but he never said anything and I didn't want to make him uncomfortable." Stephen said rubbing Mizuyuki's cheek.
"Well that brings me to why I'm here... you guys can't stay here anymore." Myah said with a stern serious look in her eyes.
"What do you mean? Why? What the fuck is happening now?!" Sebastián yelled, then quieted down to not disturb Mizuyuki.
"Well it would seem my uncle Mikhail stabbed me in the back. He cut a deal with your shit head father's and cut them loose. I haven't seen or heard from him since yesterday." Myah said on a huff.
"Poor kid cant catch a break! But what does that have to do with his apartment?" Sebastián asked.
"My financial spendings have never been a secret in my house. My uncles helped me get him both apartments. I know it sounds stupid to do, but one thing my uncles never did was be forceful about Yuki. In the years we've known him, they've only asked once. But something changed when he was alone with your father's, Mikhail got rid of my other two uncles on some bullshit request and when they came back the room was empty."
"Fuck!"
"Calm down Sebastián. We need information before Mizuyuki wakes up." Stephen said.
"How can you be so calm about this?! I should have shot them like I wanted to, consequences be damned!" Sebastián growled.
"Oh? Do I look calm? I can assure you I am anything but. However you should know by now how much Mizuyuki doesn't want to sleep, and I all but forced him to sleep for this conversation. Yelling gets us no where. Use your brain dumbass. He can't stay here, do you think he'd be willing to go back to the estate? Even if we all go?"
"Yeah that's how we ended up here. But he doesn't remember why we came here. So maybe we can replace all the staff and tell him it's safe. Or just get rid of everyone except security and take care of him ourselves like we've been doing?"
"Mmm... Hurts... Ugh..."
"Times up... we'll need to figure something out soon. It's easier to protect him here, but we got less manpower here also. How long do you think we have?" Stephen asked.
"They no doubt went to the estate first. Found it empty and did one of 2 things, stayed, or left for a plan B. And if they are working together with my uncle. They will regroup and come here next, to be honest I thought they had already started their plans when I saw that bimbo at the door." Myah said.
"She's still suspicious, so I'm not ruling it out..." Stephen retorted.
"Uhh... help... me..." Mizuyuki murmured.
"Ugh! That would kill me. How are you guys still sane?" Myah asked eyes tearing up.
"Are we sane? I feel like this guy is taking years off my life!" Sebastián huffed.
"Let me hold him. I won't be able to see him like I want to for a while. Coming here was a big risk. My guys are blocking off the entrance right now. Can't be too safe right now." Myah said stretching out her arms.
Stephen laid Mizuyuki down on the sofa placing his head on Myah's lap. Mizuyuki's face immediately scrunched into a frown as he curled into himself.
"Yuki... it's time to wake up. Your big sis has to go. Wake up Yuki." She said stroking his hair lovingly.
"Hngh... don't leave yet Myah... I didn't get to... talk to you long enough..."
"I have to pumpkin. I have bad guys to vanquish. Nobody hurts my little brother and lives to brag about it. You know this."
Mizuyuki opened his eyes, tears streaming down his cheeks. He looked up at Myah confused. She gently wiped his tears away and hugged his head.
"You really are leaving Myah?"
"I have to love, I really do need to handle some business. I'll see you again soon. We can go out to eat okay?"
"Ugh... that sounds like a bad idea." He groaned.
"I agree..." Sebastián said. "The grocery store was a nightmare. I couldn't imagine a restaurant..."
"You idiots took him to a grocery store? Todd have you learned nothing?" Myah asked.
"Grocery store?" Mizuyuki asked.
"Ah, right. Well... Never mind..." Sebastián coughed.
"I love you Mizuyuki! Call me anytime. You can even FaceTime me, everyday." Myah said looking into Mizuyuki's eyes.
"If I can do all that, then just come see me..." Mizuyuki said with a pout.
"You know I would if I could... You boys better look after him! I'm adding Jeremy to your detail. You can never have too many people to help out." Myah said, standing up.
She hugged Mizuyuki tightly one more time and kissed both his cheeks, tears welling in her eyes.
"Protect him! He's my most treasured person." She said authoritatively.
"Yes, yes. We will." Stephen replied.
Myah made her way to the door but before she reached it, there was a hard knock.
"Who is it?" She yelled.
There was no reply. Sebastián, Todd, Stephen, and Myah all took out their guns, training them on the door. Sebastián and Todd stood in front of Mizuyuki protectively while Myah opened the door.
There was no one there. Myah took out her phone and called someone.
"What the hell is going on out there?!" She yelled.
"There were two suspicious cars circling the block, they didn't stop. Scott is tailing them now." A voice said.
"Send Jeremy up now!" She said hanging up the phone. She leaned out the door to check the hall and immediately pointed her gun.
"Oh? Well if it isn't the suspicious skank from earlier. You've got 15 seconds to dissappear, or your last selfie will be on a T-Shirt!" Myah said.
Stephen walked to the door opening it wide. The woman looked indifferent to the gun pointed under her chin.
"Who the fuck are you? How did you know Mizuyuki's name?" Stephen said grabbing the woman by the hair.
"I was given two things to do. Confirm your location, and relay a message."
"What message? Who the fuck sent you?!" Stephen yelled.
"That's not the message. And my message isn't for you silly... it's for Mizuu... 'I'll play with you again soon Mizuu. Make sure you don't break our promise!'... that's the message." She said seductively like she was in a trance.
"Sebastián, Todd, now!" Myah yelled.
Todd immediately covered Mizuyuki's eyes. Then hinted to Sebastián to cover his ears. Sebastián immediately obliged.
Then Myah fired four rounds into the woman's skull. Stephen saw a man racing up the stairs and instantly cocked his gun.
"It's fine, it's just Jeremy." Myah said lowering Stephen's gun.
"Who is this?" Jeremy asked.
"A messenger from hell... I sent her back, via express train." Myah said.
"STEPHEN! Mizuyuki needs help!" Sebastián yelled in a panic.
Stephen turned on a dime, and Mizuyuki was wailing and shaking terribly. Myah ran to Mizuyuki yelling, "Sebastián, Todd, help Jeremy clean that whore up! Me and Stephen will help Yuki!"
Sebastián and Todd got straight to work, while Myah took Mizuyuki's face in both hands.
"Mizuyuki! Snap out of it! Please! Tell me what's wrong! What's happening?" Myah yelled.
"I don't want to... please... I don't... I can't... don't make me... Hngh! I can't go back... help me... please!" Mizuyuki begged repeatedly, his eyes were open but unfocused and glazed over with tears pouring from them.
Stephen picked Mizuyuki up, and walked to the bathroom closing the door behind him. He turned on the hot water in the shower and the sink letting the room fill up with steam. Mizuyuki's breathing slowed and his screams died down.
"Mizuyuki... I'm sorry... I'm so sorry... please come back to me. It will be okay. We will figure it out together okay? Look at me. Please..." Stephen said running his fingers through Mizuyuki's hair.
Mizuyuki's eyes slowly closed and then opened. He took a few shaky breaths and hugged Stephen tightly.
"I'm scared Stephen... he's gonna come for me... and kill you... he promised... he has eyes everywhere... he proved it... so scary... ugh I'm gonna be sick..." Mizuyuki stammered. Stephen grabbed the wastebasket and handed it to Mizuyuki, who then began to regurgitate lunch into it.
"Mizuyuki... my father has tried to kill me three times in my life. He has failed everytime, this time he gave me a heads up. It's better this way, it means he'll have to come to me. Like a rat to the cheese. Everything will be okay. I don't plan on letting him live any longer. I stand to lose too much to let him slip away again." Stephen said kissing Mizuyuki's face all over.
"Such a scary b-bastard... and sick... he said something... he thought I was unconscious... but I wasn't... h-he killed your mother... Kai killed his wife... they were going to expose the two of them... and take you boys far away from them..." Mizuyuki said crying anew.
Stephen immediately stood up holding Mizuyuki and turned off the water. He walked out of the bathroom and into the living room. He then sat Mizuyuki down beside Myah who was on the phone. She instantly grabbed him in a bear hug kissing his face all over too, still on the phone.
Stephen walked towards the front door and opened it, Sebastián was scrubbing the hallway floor with a pungent cleaner. He looked up at Stephen and flinched at the look on his face.
"This time they die. No second chances. Do you object?" Stephen asked.
"Not even a little." Sebastián replied.
"One more thing... They... killed our mother's." Stephen said through clenched teeth.
"Then they die immediately. No villain monologs. No grand speeches. No surprises. First to see first to kill." Sebastián stood, fury in his eyes.
"His apartment is compromised. I need you to go with Todd and clear out the estate. We will follow you tomorrow, so work fast. Please, I can't trust anyone else. My father instilled a trigger of sorts in Mizuyuki. Certain words trigger him, just like that maid when we were younger." Stephen groaned.
"Is that what happened? And since it wasn't a simple speech it will be hard to pinpoint the trigger words and phrases... haaah what a sick bastard!" Sebastián cursed.
"Yes, exactly... No surrender. No compromising. No mercy. They die, by any means necessary." Stephen said curtly.
"I'll get it done, maybe Myah can lend us some extra man power. I can't say I trust our oldest guys... they've served our father's before us... and the rookies wouldn't know who to obey, hesitation will get us killed." Sebastián said.
"True... I'll ask. I'll see you tomorrow Bas." Stephen said ruffling Sebastián's hair.
"Yeah. Don't be late." Sebastián retorted.