The morning after the first "session"- If you would even call it that-, Ten didn't have work.

He never liked Sundays, they usually held nothing eventful. Not that it was any more eventful than his weekdays. But now Ten finds that he has something to work for, something to explore.

Ten was grateful the office is still open on a Sunday as he walked into the doors. He greeted the nurse as he normally would and went to Kun's office.

"Kun," Ten said, taking Kun by surprise. Not only because he's there on a Sunday, but also because when Ten usually came in, he would say a greeting that almost always included "bitch".

"Ten? What do you need?" he asked

"I need more info on Lee Taeyong"

"What?" Ten questioned the look on Kun's face.

"Nothing... I'm just... surprised" Kun said.

"Surprised about what?" Ten pushed.

"Just... That you haven't already quit." He replied, causing Ten to snort.

"What? It's the first day! You'd just expect that'd I'd quit? Is that what you think?" He couldn't help the growing anger rising in him.

"No! That's not what I'm saying at all!"

"Then what?!" Ten nearly yelled.

"Because all the other ones quit right when they got beat up Ten!" Kun retorted at the same volume. Ten simply stood there, staring at Kun like he's a ghost.

"Look... I already told you that Taeyong is not a safe person, and that there is a reason no one wants him as their patient. The moment they try, it blows up in their face. The amount of people that have walked out of that room with some sort of injury from him proves how dangerous this guy is Ten." Kun sighed.

"He doesn't know any better" Ten muttered.

"And that makes it okay? It's not worth it Ten."

"Nothing of what he does is 'okay', but walking away after being hit by someone who is diagnosed with fucking IED? That's fucked up, because one, you should've known what you're getting yourself into, and two, because it makes him think that he has problems that can't be helped! He's in fucking denial Kun!" Ten was heaving by the end.

"And you picked that up from one session? One meeting?" Kun retorted.

"Yes Kun, I've studied and worked hard for this, in fact, actually, anyone with eyes and a fucking heart would know. Have you even seen him for yourself Kun?"

Kun didn't reply.

"Thought so. Now please, just give me what I came for." Ten was tired of this.

Kun decided that Ten wouldn't take no for an answer. He opened his drawers and pulled out the right file. As he handed it to Ten he spoke,

"Look...," he started. Ten looked at him. "You're right... I'm sorry okay... I'm just worried, I don't want you getting hurt." Ten concluded that Kun seemed sincere.

"I would forgive you... but it's not me you should be apologizing to." Ten said with a soft smile. He took the files and bid goodbye to Kun, leaving Kun dumbfounded.

****

"Hey Ten!" Jungwoo greeted, running around the counter to greet his best friend with a hug. "Hi" Ten smiled, responding by tightening the hug.

This was usual, Ten would always visit the cafe in his free time during Jungwoo's shift, but it still didn't stop the brothers' excitement from seeing each other. And this time, Jungwoo had been eager to hear about Ten's patient the moment he got the text.

"Is he here?" Ten asked.

"Is who here?" Jungwoo asked, not yet noticing Ten's well known teasing smile.

Ten responded by aggressively wiggling his eyebrows. "LucAS~" Ten teased, a little too loud for Jungwoo's liking, causing, Jungwoo to swiftly cover Ten's mouth with his hand.

"Please shut up. And why do you say it like that?" Jungwoo questioned.

"Cause you say it like that, bitch" Ten said, laughing. Jungwoo opened his mouth to retort but was confused when Ten's eyes darted up and to the right of Jungwoo. Jungwoo turned around in curiosity and immediately jumped in shock, causing him to crash into Ten.

"H-hi Luc-LucAS" Jungwoo stuttered. Ten couldn't contain his laughter, turning red from trying to laugh silently.

Lucas smiled like a giant puppy to Jungwoo with warm eyes, something Jungwoo likes to think the other saves just for himself.

"Hi Jungwoo, I just wanted to check up on you since you weren't out back for a while. Oh? Is this the infamous Ten you keep telling me about?" Lucas asks, looking at Ten, then to Jungwoo with a surprised look on his face that resembled a puppy when happy.

Jungwoo seemed to be looking into the 4th dimension through Lucas, so Ten decided to not wait for the introduction and just spoke, "Hi! I'm Ten." he smiled, shaking hands with Lucas. Ten nudged Jungwoo, hoping to bring him back to Earth from god knows where. Jungwoo jumped again and spoke.

"U-um... sorry for not helping, I just saw Ten on my way there" Jungwoo nervously smiled, though his face formed more of an ugly cringe than anything. "Ah, it's okay, I was just wondering." Lucas said. They stood there like that, looking into each other's eyes and Ten couldn't help but mentally gag, saving the real ones for when they see these dreamy stares that they give each other for themselves. Ten just kept looking back and forth between them, wondering when it will end.

"Can I have my fucking pastry please?" Ten finally said, which Lucas and Jungwoo both responded by sharply inhaling from surprise and turning to Ten. The scene from afar would be deemed quite funny, because it looked like Snoopy and a giant puppy with a small cat.

"Yeah, sorry, just sit down, I have to man the cashier so Jungwoo will bring it out to you." Lucas responded with a smile, though Ten noted it wasn't as dreamy as the one Jungwoo was receiving earlier.

Ten nodded and said a short bye to Jungwoo, heading to his usual table in the corner.

Ten got out the files Kun gave him and his laptop. He began to read them.

Lee Taeyong,

Case History: Patient came from abusive household. Rehabilitated at age 20 after leaving a man beaten with bruised ribs, a dislocated shoulder , and a shattered kneecap. Alcohol and traces of heroine were found in the patient's body. Has one older sister, Lee Sunmi, location unknown, father deceased when patient was at age 13, mother in jail for money laundering and attempt for rape.

Doctor's notes: Patient is given 400 milligrams of antidepressants and 400 milligrams of mood stabilizers. PATIENT MUST BE GIVEN MEDICATION BEFORE ANY THERAPEUTIC SESSIONS OR INTERACTIONS.

The rest of the file just said the same as the basic info. Ten grew even more curious about his patient. What will happen when I start the therapeutic sessions? Does he only not hit me because of the medications are given to him right before? Why did the others get hurt then? What will happen if I'm there when he hasn't had his medications yet? Ten thought.

Suddenly Jungwoo came up and served Ten his pastry. "We ran out of the chocolate ones... and the peanut butter, we only have the strawberry one..." Jungwoo is about to hand the plate to Ten, but pulled back when Ten nearly shrieked. "Yeah I thought so, this is for me" Jungwoo smiled proudly.

"Are you on your break?" Ten asked. "Yep, just got off." Jungwoo replied and Ten hummed.

Suddenly a man the height of Lucas came and spoke to Ten.

"Hey Ten! Can I get you anything?" The tall male asked. "Hi Johnny, actually yes, I need something to satisfy my need for my pastry." Ten fake sobbed, which elicited a snort from Jungwoo and a rather forced laugh from Johnny.

"Okay, well what can I get you?" Johnny asked. "Something chocolate please." Ten said. This time there was no response from Jungwoo, but Johnny let out a loud bark of laughter. Ten and Jungwoo turned to him with surprise.

"S-something chocolate! Something..." Johnny realized the awkwardness in the air and cleared his throat. "Right... so something chocolate... we have... cookies?" He nervously smiled. This time Jungwoo cleared his throat. "Johnny, when there are no pastries, you get Ten a chocolate milkshake," He said, smiling, wanting to get rid of this suffocating awkwardness.

"R-right, you're right, I'm sorry, of course you'd be right! I mean your Ten's best friend and brother! You're his brother right? because your father-"

"I'll take the milkshake please." Ten interrupted, glaring sternly at Johnny.

"O-okay..." Johnny said then walked off. Jungwoo suddenly smiled and turned to Ten. "Ten, it's okay you know, I'm over my past, I honestly don't even see it as a part of me." he said.

"I know, but I hate it when people think they can just talk about it like it's some... something they even have the right to say!" Ten yelled, but he would've yelled it louder if Jungwoo didn't shush him halfway.

"I know. he was just nervous I think. He asks about you a lot you know..." He replied.

Ten looked at him incredulously. "Yeah, well the first rule in my books qualify to be a suitor for me is to not bring up my best friend's past." he snorted. Jungwoo frowned.

"You know, The entire 8 years I've known you, you haven't shown any romantic interest in anyone." Jungwoo mused.

"Yeah, well there hasn't been anyone that has done something to really catch my eye" Ten said pointedly. "I'll know when I know, and so far, I just haven't known I guess."

This was true. For Ten's whole life, his singleness just added to his old "empty" feeling. Now that that feeling is gone, the singleness is the only thing that remains. While he isn't a virgin, and he's fooled and partied around plenty of times, he hasn't gone past just a fling with anyone. He doesn't have any requirements, being a pan-sexual may seem like his range of possible lovers is larger, but Ten doesn't see it, because no matter how many people there can be, there's only one person out there that's truly for you anyway.

Jungwoo just hummed, knowing Ten knows what he wants. "Now tell me about your patient!" He said excitedly. Ten smiled.

****

When Monday morning came, Ten found himself ready for the new day faster than usual. Even though the session starts at 1:00, Ten always arrives earlier, just to wake up a bit earlier and prepare his office for nothing in particular. He's ready faster now probably cause he has something waiting for him at his job now, but Ten is faster now nonetheless. He even surprised Jungwoo when he quickly shoved eggs and a piece of toast in his mouth and rushed out the door.

As Ten arrived at the office, he did his normal routine and walked into Kun's office sipping his coffee. "Hi Kun, can I borrow some inkblots?" Ten said. Kun nodded curtly, deciding not to interfere with Ten and his patient anymore until he actually gets hurt. Ten thanked him and smiled, Kun doing the same. Ten went to his smaller office to wait for the session.

****

When Ten entered the code to the room, he didn't have the same nervousness as the first time, but it will still there to some degree.

The door beeped and Ten opened it slowly, peeking before entering with the rest of his body. He saw Taeyong in the same spot as before, by the window on his dragged bed. The room in the same condition as well, although there were a few more broken metal hospital trays added the pile of various broken things.

"Hi Taeyong," Ten said, finally stepping in.

Taeyong didn't move.

"Are you ready for today's session? Ten asked.

"I have some inkblots for today, have you done these before?" Ten asked again. Finally, Taeyong made a response. A scoff, but it was something.

"Are you dumb? Don't you do your research or some shit? I've had countless therapists come in, you're not any different, so no, I'm not ready for for today's session, nor will I ever be, I don't want to talk to you." Taeyong said. His jaw kept clenching and unclenching, and Ten noticed that he did this a lot last time. Perhaps he uses it as something to calm himself, like how Jungwoo takes deep breaths, Ten thought,

"Okay." Ten simply responded.

If none of the others worked, then I have to work differently.

Taeyong suddenly turned his head Ten, his jaw clenching ceased. "What the fuck do you mean 'okay'? That's not something a good therapist should do now is it?" Taeyong pushed, but his face showing no emotion, just like always.

"Well the other therapists did this right? And the other therapists clearly didn't work out correct? Well then why should I? A therapist's job is to talk to the patient, and if the patient doesn't want to talk then why should I force them? You're not a dog, Taeyong." Ten replied casually, sitting down on one of the 2 chairs in the other side of the room put out for sessions.

Taeyong just stared at Ten, his gaze unwavering. Ten simply began to close his eyes, resting casually on the chair.

****

An hour passed by, Ten rested his eyes for the first half hour, and went on his phone the second.

Taeyong however, seemed to have grown more restless, his fists now clenching along with his jaw as his eyes dart from left to right out his tiny window. He turns to Ten.

"Shouldn't you leave by now? The session should be fucking over." Taeyong finally gritted out. Ten mentally smiled, as Taeyong was the one to initiate the conversation. Even if it's out of annoyance or anger, it is still progress, Ten thought.

Ten chuckled, still not looking down from his phone, "Sessions don't have designated ends Taeyong, at least not here. The sessions at this rehab strictly say that the sessions have no designated end. The past therapists you had probably just wanted to get their hours in and left."

Taeyong's jaw clenched, "So why don't you leave."

Ten finally looked up from his phone, his head tilted with an amused smile on his face. "Well we haven't talked yet have we? What did I say my job is?"

Taeyong didn't answer, his jaw and fists clenched and his leg bouncing. Ten knows he knows the answer, but he doesn't say it, so Ten does.

"To talk with the patient. And if I'm correct Taeyong, we haven't talked. So if your question is why I'm not leaving, then my answer is because I'm waiting."

"For fucking what?" Taeyong was going insane.

"To talk." Ten smiled.

****

The same silence continued for a while, and Ten didn't even look at the time yet, so when he saw on his phone clock that it was 4:00, meaning he did this for another 2 hours, he was quite surprised.

He was about to continue his browsing on his phone when a shadow suddenly loomed over him. Ten looked up to see Taeyong.

"Are you ready?" Ten asked, smiling, though he can't deny he gets nervous when Taeyong gets close like this, not knowing what will come.

"If we... talk, will you fucking leave?" Taeyong asks, still not moving from his towering position.

"Well that is what I said correct?" Ten said, although, saying something like this is hard to say confidently when Taeyong's clenched fists are right in front of him.

So, Taeyong sat down, and Ten smiled brightly.

Ten got out the inkblots and started with the first one. It was a green blot

"Okay Taeyong, what do you see?"

Taeyong scoffed while starting at Ten. Ten replied by nodding encouragingly with his bright signature smile. Taeyong sighed.

"I see a tree." Taeyong replied curtly

"Can you point it out to me? Ten asked.

Taeyong scooted his chair forward, and Ten had to force himself not to jump at the sudden loud squeak of the chair leg against the cool metal floors. Taeyong brought his finger up to the paper and traced along the tree he sees. Ten nodded. "I see it."

A simple inkblot, not surprising, the color even suggests it, but why are there no leaves? Ten thought.

"Next one." Ten said, pulling out the next inkblot. It was a purple one.

"Okay, Taeyong, what do you see?" Ten asked.

"I see a butterfly." Taeyong responded.

"Can you show me?" Ten asked.

Taeyong traced the butterfly's head to the wings.

He's seeing "normal" people responses... but the shape of it dwindles towards the end.

"I see it." Ten decided to give it to him.

This went on for a couple more colors. Ten noticed the same thing was happening. Taeyong would begin to trace what he sees, but the shape of it becomes distorted towards the end.

Ten decided to test Taeyong, and got out the red inkblot.

"Taeyong?" Ten asked.

Taeyong took a moment.

"I see a cherry." Taeyong responded slowly.

"Can you show me?" Ten asked.

Taeyong moved his chair closer, this time Ten not flinching. He began to trace the cherry.

"I don't see it, could you show me again?" Ten said calmly.

Taeyong stared for a moment, a silence between them before Taeyong slowly lifts his fingers and begins to trace the cherry, but not in the same way as he did before.

"Taeyong." Ten called.

Taeyong was still tracing the inkblot.

"Taeyong." Ten called again.

Taeyong's finger trying to find something else that could resemble a cherry.

"Taeyong." Ten called more sternly, grabbing Taeyong's hand and holding it away from the inkblot. Taeyong finally broke out of his thoughts the moment Ten touched his hand.

A silence enveloped them, but a different one, The past ones were filled with tension, restlessness, anger... this one is filled with pure question, a waiting one, a calm one.

"Taeyong, what do you really see?" Ten asked slowly, not letting go of Taeyong's hand.

"I already told you, I see a cherry." Taeyong said, though he didn't sound like he even believed himself."

"So why can you not trace the same cherry twice?" Ten asked.

"I don't fucking know, cause there are multiple cherries!" Taeyong shouted.

"What do you see?" Ten asked again.

He felt something dripping from Taeyong's hand onto his.

He is ready to get hit, he just needs to get this out of Taeyong, no matter what.

"Shut the fuck up!" Taeyong said getting progressively louder. His hand began to harshly squeeze Ten's hand, causing the unknown liquid to smear. Ten forced himself to ignore the pain of Taeyong crushing his hand.

"What do you really-"

"I see fucking blood okay!?" Taeyong yanked his hand away and stood up, hitting the ink blots out of Ten's hand. He towered over Ten once again. "Is that what you fucking want?!" Taeyong was yelling, loud. His jaw began its clenching again.

They stared at each other, the inkblots forgotten on the floor. Ten kept watching as Taeyong's jaw clenched and unclenched continuously. He could feel Taeyong's harsh breathing on his face.

Suddenly Ten smiled. He put his hands on either sides of Taeyong's face on his jaw. He felt as Taeyong's jaw paused and his face contorted into a face that said surprise if Taeyong had one.

Ten gently squeezed Taeyong's jaw to unclench it further until it became lax, the unknown liquid spreading to his face.

"Don't do that, you'll hurt your jaw." Ten said softly.

Taeyong didn't say anything, because he simply had nothing to say.

"Why are you hiding what you really see?" Ten said with the same volume, not moving his hand.

"Isn't that what you want? To see me be normal?" Taeyong asked bitterly, but also softly. This is the softest Taeyong has ever spoken to Ten yet.

Ten frowned. "What I want is for you to find yourself. How am I supposed to do that if you hide from me?"

Taeyong stared at him. they stood like that for a couple moments before Taeyong slowly started sitting back down.

Ten got the green inkblot again.

"What do you see, Taeyong" Ten asked softly.

A pause

"A Knife." Taeyong said.

"Show me." Ten said.

Taeyong began to trace the knife.

"I see it." Ten said, nodding.

The tree he said he saw before had no leaves because the trunk was simply a blade, the branches being the curved edges of the handle.

Ten got out the purple inkblot.

"What do you see?"

"Broken Handcuffs."

Ten nodded to Taeyong to show him.

Taeyong traced out a pair of broken handcuffs.

Initially, Taeyong claimed he saw a butterfly, but half the body was missing and one wing had the shape of the top of the heart while the other didn't, instead it looped in on itself. Ten sees it now. The looped wing is the unbroken part of the handcuffs. The other wing is the one that is broken free. These 2 things are connected by the one half of the body, which is the chain between the 2 cuffs.

They did this for the others as well, Taeyong seeing something different and something more accurate every time.

"I see it." Ten said, smiling at Taeyong.

Taeyong stared back at him, and Ten could tell that he was wondering why he was smiling.

"You opened up, you showed me the you who got you here in the first place, the you who you want to get rid of." Ten said.

Taeyong looked down at his hands.

"That's the end of today's session, Taeyong." Ten smiled, standing up. Taeyong didn't move from his chair, but watched him head to the door.

Before he left, he gave Taeyong a bright smile.

When Ten turned back to the hallway, he had to cover his eyes and squint from the brightness, having grown accustomed to the dark of Taeyong's cold, metal room. Ten checked his phone and saw that it was 6:00. He also saw that he had 68 missed messages from Jungwoo. Ten smiled, responding that he was at his session, eliciting a blow up of messages in surprise, which made Ten smile harder, imagining Jungwoo's surprised Snoopy face.

He suddenly saw a blotch of red on his hand, having not noticed it earlier. He remembered the liquid coming from Taeyong's hand. When he looked at his own, he saw dry blood on his palms.

His fists clenching, his nails cut his skin. Ten frowned, finding a new thing he should stop Taeyong from doing.

That night after a long and excited talk with Jungwoo, he got into bed after freshening up. As he turned off his light his whispered a soft, "Goodnight, Taeyong" with a smile on his face, because he knows no one else is there to say it to him. He then drifted off to sleep, dreaming of traversing through a desert to a jungle.