Page 297 of Scarbound

Noeul laughed softly.

Ji-Woo looked between them. “I’m going to get your medication.”

Noeul nodded. “Thank you.”

Ji-Woo stood. At the door, he stopped. “Hyung?”

Noeul looked up.

“I believe you.”

Noeul went still.

“Everything you told me.” Ji-Woo’s voice broke slightly. “I believe you.”

Then he left.

The bedroom became quiet. For a long time, neither Noeul nor Duri moved. The crisis had passed, leaving exhaustion behind.

Eventually, Noeul touched the dried blood on his neck. “I should wash this.”

Duri stood but waited for Noeul to do the same. Together, they walked to the bathroom. Ji-Woo had cleared the glass from the floor and sink, but the fractured mirror remained above the counter.

The broken mirror reflected pieces of him back.

Eye.

Mouth.

Cheek.

Not a whole face.

He turned on the water and washed the dried blood from his neck. Duri stayed behind him. Noeul could feel his gaze.

“You should leave me.”

Duri sighed. “We just covered this.”

“I’m serious.”

“So am I.”

Noeul looked at him through the fractured mirror. Duri’s reflection appeared beside his own.

“I’m dirty and broken.”

Duri walked closer, then stopped. “Can I touch you?”

Noeul looked at him. For several seconds, neither moved. Then Noeul nodded.

Duri rested one hand lightly against his arm. Nothing more.

Noeul turned around. They were close now, Duri’s hand still resting where Noeul had allowed it.

Noeul looked at him. “What?”

“Nothing.”