TWENTY THREE

                                    

                                          



Jungwon leans on the kitchen counter trying to calm his racing heart. 


Jungwon still has nightmares of that night, his body shaking covered in sweat. No matter how many therapists he's gone to, it's never helped him. 


He's moved in with Niki, the only person he finds comfort in now. 


If he was being honest, if Niki didn't see him that night Jungwon might not even be here today. 


His self hatred only got worse after that night. He needed someone who would take care of him and wouldn't treat him terribly. 


Somehow, Niki only wanted to care for him. He didn't have any ulterior motives or anything. 


Niki wanted to take care of Jungwon and show him the beauty that life holds. 


That's why when Jungwon is having these nightmares, he oddly feels safe.


Niki will be there to save him. He'll make it better for him again. 


"Everything okay?" 


Niki's voice is heard from the other side of the kitchen, looking at the boy in concern. 


Jungwon's eyes tear up once more, he's not used to have someone actually looking after him. Niki makes him feel so much, so many things that Jungwon struggles to understand. 


"I don't know why I feel like this Niki.." 


Jungwon's lip quivers as he feels salty tears falling down his face, watching Niki quickly enveloped him in a hug, something that always seemed to work with Jungwon. 


Rocking them both gently Niki hums a melody, keeping Jungwon focused on not only the warmth surrounding him but Niki's voice as well. 


Clenching Niki's shirt Jungwon whimpers, trying to push himself impossibly closer to Niki than they already were. 


"N-Niki.." 


"Shh.. it's okay Wonie, it's just you and I no one else okay?"  


Jungwon's breathing still hasn't slowed, Niki's words only slightly calming the boy. 


Niki then places his forehead on Jungwon's, allowing them to be more close than they ever worry before. This level of intimacy foreign to the both of them. 


However, despite this both of them felt oddly comfortable with the lack of distance.


Jungwon and Niki's hearts slowly began beating in time with one another, almost as if they were coming together as one entity. 


"Everything is alright now Jungwon, it's just you and I.." 


Niki reassured once more, pulling away he places his hand on Jungwon's cheek, watching as he leaned into the others touch. 


"Look at me Jungwon.."


Jungwon hesitates before opening his eyes, met with the same gentle eyes he woke up to for the past month, he felt his heart face at the distance between them, only inches away from each other. 


Niki sighs, his hand slightly shaking, preparing for the words he wanted to say. 



"I won't let anyone or anything hurt you, not while I'm around to stop it."