Juni sat stiffly on the edge of the Sorell living room sofa, hands clenched in the fabric of his uniform pants. He tried to look calm—tried to look normal—but his trembling was impossible to hide.
Elian sat beside him, not touching, but close enough that their knees brushed whenever Juni shifted.
He didn't move away.
The discreet physician arrived swiftly—a middle-aged man with gray hair and gentle eyes. Lorian greeted him quietly, then motioned him toward Juni.
"This is Juni," Lorian said softly.
"He needs a medical examination. Carefully."
Juni immediately paled.
"I—I don't think—"
Elian leaned forward.
"You're not in trouble. He just wants to help."
The physician offered Juni a small smile.
"I won't touch you without permission. I only need to see what hurts."
Juni swallowed hard.
After a long, shaking breath, he nodded.
The doctor led him to a smaller room with soft lighting and a cushioned bench. Elian stayed just outside the door—close enough for Juni to hear him if he needed.
Minutes passed.
Too many minutes.
When the door finally opened, Juni stepped out—eyes swollen, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. He hugged his arms across his chest.
Elian stood instantly.
"Juni…?"
The physician spoke quietly to Lorian a few feet away:
"Multiple bruises in different stages of healing. Two concerning. He's not in immediate danger, but he needs rest… and safety."
Lorian nodded grimly.
Elian felt something inside him break.
Juni's uncle hadn't just hurt him yesterday. It had been happening for a long time.
And Juni never told anyone.
In Elian's Room
Lorian returned to the boys with a warm but firm expression.
"Juni will stay here tonight."
Juni's eyes widened.
"W-What?! I can't— I don't want to cause trouble—"
Lorian shook his head.
"You're not causing trouble. You're healing."
Juni looked overwhelmed, glancing helplessly at Elian.
Elian offered a small, reassuring nod.
"Stay. Please."
Juni's breath trembled… then he nodded.
Lorian excused himself to prepare the guest room, leaving Elian to gently guide Juni upstairs.
When they reached Elian's room, Juni stepped inside slowly—like he might break something just by breathing.
The room was spacious, bright, lined with bookshelves and warm lights. A soft rug covered the floor.
Juni touched nothing. He stood in the middle of the room like a ghost. Elian reached out and gently caught his sleeve.
"Juni. Sit."
Juni obeyed without thinking, sinking onto the edge of Elian's bed. Elian sat beside him.
Silence pressed between them.
Thick.
Painful.
Heavy with all the things neither knew how to say.
Finally, Juni whispered:
"The doctor saw everything."
Elian nodded.
"I know."
Juni's voice cracked.
"It's humiliating."
Elian turned to him slowly.
"It's not. None of this is your fault."
Juni shook his head, eyes filling.
"It feels like my fault."
Elian leaned forward, voice trembling.
"Juni, listen to me."
He lifted Juni's chin softly until their eyes met.
"People who hurt others want their victims to feel guilty so they stay silent."
A breath.
"But you didn't deserve any of it."
Juni's lip quivered.
His voice was barely a whisper.
"Then why did he do it?"
Elian's chest tightened painfully.
"…Because he's a bad person. And he took advantage of your kindness."
Juni blinked hard, but tears spilled anyway.