"Fine.. I'll open the goddamn door"

Kai reached his bloodied hand over, freezing the handle, with a bend of his wrist it broke, falling on the tiled floor with a cling sound.

"Come in, if you still want to.."

No one dared speaking a word. Nor get anywhere near the door.

"That's what I thought..." he laughed, dragging his knees close to his stomach, he allowed his head to fall forward, face hiding in between his arms.

They're no different, I should've seen this coming.

"Don't worry, I'll be out by-"

"Soobin killed his dad" Beomgyu blurted out.

"Huh..?" Kai opened his eyes.

"Hey! Snitch!" Soobin yelled ...."that was so unprovoked" he glared at the younger.

"Well..." Beomgyu grinned awkwardly.

"Okay, to my defense he was a piece of ass and I'd do it again"

"I stand by that" Yeonjun said.

"And Yeonjun's dad" Beomgyu added.

"DUDE" Soobin's eyes widened

"He was an ass too...." Yeonjun whispered to himself.

"Sorry..." Beomgyu laughed unbothered "point is, we all have a pretty messy past....well, mostly Soobin"
he smiled apologetically to the older, not noticing the conflicted look the other gave him in return.

"We've all done things which we can't take back..." Yeonjun said softly.
"Don't let the past hunt you, I'm sure whatever you did, it wasn't on purpose. I hope you find the power to forgive yourself"

Soobin's gaze shifted, resting his eyes on Beomgyu.

If only I could...

"I'm opening the door.." Taehyun got up, twisting the knob.

He cringed at the sounds of glass shard being pushed aside, the floor was a mess of water, mirror pieces and a few streaks of blood.

A loud whimper came from the right.

He rushed to the broken boy.

"Hey,, look at me. It's okay.."

Kai hid his face, unwilling to face the older who hasn't failed noticing the crimson stains on his clothes and the floor around him.

"Soobin Hyung, I need help here!"

The taller teared his eyes from Beomgyu, giving Yeonjun's hand a light squeeze before going in.

"Kai... Soobin Hyung is going to pick you up now, is that okay?"

The younger nodded, his head still hidden as he folds into himself.

He flinches from Soobin's hands, but quickly relaxes into the hold, feeling himself get lifted off the ground into a set of long, protective arms.

"To where?" He heard Soobin ask.

"Can you put him in your guys' bathroom?" He referenced the smaller room. "We'll take care of the mess"

Taehyun wanted to shower the younger himself, naturally wanting to spend time with him. But it wasn't the right time, and he won't be able to keep his cool...

Knowing how he feels about Kai, it'll be too disrespectful to the younger, especially when he's so vulnerable at the moment.

So he stepped down, Soobin will probably do a better job anyway.

...........

"Hey.. easy.." Soobin placed Kai under the faucet. The boy still not lifting his head, the cut on his throat stinging harder.

"You're really high maintenance aren't you?" Soobin joked, remembering Yeonjun telling him about how he struggled showering the younger.

"Sorry..."

"Lift your head, I want to take off your clothes" he checked the temperature. "Please" he added.

"Okay..." he lifted his face reluctantly, revealing his bloodied face. Shying away from Soobin's sharp eyes.

"Shit..." Soobin grabbed the younger's chin, examining his face. "As if you're not injured enough...." he mumbled.

"Sorry..."

"Stop saying sorry dumbass" he traced his fingers over the cut in Kai's throat, the younger flinched in response slapping the older's hand away.

"Sor-" he stopped his panicked apology when Soobin stared at him.

"It's okay, I probably shouldn't have touched you like that"

Kai hummed.

Soobin lifted his hand, taking off Kai's clothes in a few swift movements.

"Why do you only have one?" Soobin asked, not caring for the way Kai's eyes flickered. He wasn't one to admit it but the blue hue was beautiful, unlike any other shade of blue he had seen. As if the younger eyes were made of ice.

"Huh..?"

"One fang" Soobin turned to get the first aid kid from when he sewed himself the day before. "Usually people like you-" he stopped, looking at the younger "I mean.. people, of your... kind?".. He added awkwardly.

"The other one, was pulled out by the..you know.." the younger trailed off, the memory too painful to bring up.

"They pulled it out?" Soobin froze.

"Ripped it out..."

"Why?" Soobin didn't want to pry, but the curiosity was killing him. Getting bits of information from Kai was difficult, and rare. He would take anything he could at this point.

"Research, to hurt me, as punishment.... who knows?" Kai's voice was clear, but it carried more hurt than Soobin could ever imagine, just listening to him speak was painful.

The older found himself wondering how much the younger had to go through before running away.

The only question he really wanted answer to, is the one he couldn't voice out loud.

How long was he being held there?

"Did they normally do...stuff like that?.." Soobin asked.

"Hyung..." Kai said, for the first time Soobin could sense a small whine in his tone

"It's okay, I get it" Soobin said, he probably asked too much already. Continuing to work on the younger's cuts.

"It's not that... aren't you scared of me?"

Soobin looked at him for a few seconds before realizing the younger's question was serious.

He laughed, ruffling Kai's hair.

"How can I be scared of you when you are such a baby?"

Kai looked at him with astonishment, his eyes sparkled and flickered.

"Shouldn't you be scared of me though? You've seen me kill like, 5 people if the last couple of weeks"

"I am scared..."

"Really?" Soobin pouted "then why are you talking to me all of a sudden?"

"Because I have nothing to lose Hyung...... " he whispered

Kai genuine look scared Soobin for just a second, the younger's voice almost too certain of the words coming out of his mouth.

He sighed.

"Everyone has something to lose, I know I do..."

Silence fell, Kai avoiding Soobin's eyes.

The older sighed louder.

"Let's get you washed up"

............

Half an hour and a set of fresh clothes later, the younger was standing up, supported by Soobin.

They headed to the big room, where the 3 boys were waiting after the tiring task of cleaning the bathroom.

"Kai" Beomgyu chirped, standing above a steaming pot with weird looking herbs floating in it

"do you like tea?"

"Oh.. um.." he looked back at Soobin with questioning eyes

"It's good" Soobin reassured him "Beomgyu makes the best tea ever, trust me. Give him a mug Beom"

Taehyun opened the blanket beside him, inviting Kai inside.

"Do you need help?" Soobin asked, the younger still supported by the older's hand on his back.

"It's okay..." Kai said, walking slowly towards the bed, entering Taehyun's welcoming embrace.

"I'm proud of you.." Taehyun whispered only for Kai to hear.

Kai in response looked the older in his eyes, trying to detect any malice or insincerity in his voice.

Sighing in relief when he sees nothing but genuineness.

"Thank you" he said when Beomgyu reached over with a hot cup of tea in his hands, perfect heat for Kai's cold hands

He faced the others, who sat in front of him, passing chocolate and candies around them.

He took a deep breath.

"I think I own you some answers"

.............

Author's note

Okay I know the story is moving slow as fuck. But I'm taking my sweet time and I don't want to rush anything 😭😭

I don't know I just like slow burns more, I think the suspension is kind of compensates the pace no?..