Escape - Chapter 29: Altered

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Yunho grasped Jaejoong's wrist to check his pulse and what he found was unexpected. The blond's pulse was barely there one second and strong another. 'How is this possible? A human shouldn't have such a pulse, but he's not a demon either. I can't sense any demonic energy from him.' Pressing a palm on Jaejoong's chest, he transferred some of his energy to the other's frail body, bringing a bit of color back to his pale face. Jaejoong gradually opened his eyes and saw Yunho staring at him worriedly.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Jaejoong muttered.

Yunho didn't want to alarm him with what just happened. "Like what?"

"Like a homeless puppy fending for its life on the streets."

"That's a far stretch."

"Far stretch?" Jaejoong blinked sleepily at Yunho.

"Jaejoong, I stare at you because you're friggin' gorgeous."

"I'm half asleep; not gorgeous."

"You are and what I say goes; so don't argue."

Jaejoong pouted.

"You're even gorgeous when you're pouting like a duck."

"I'm not a duck," he retorted. "I'm Jaejoong, Yunho's lover."

Yunho caressed a side of Jaejoong's face. "I'll take care of you...always. You would never be homeless when you have me."

The beauty smiled at Yunho's sweet words. "Did you bring me water?"

"Yes." Reaching for the glass, he handed it to Jaejoong.

"Thank you." Jaejoong took a sip and then placed the glass on the bedside table. A yawn emitted from his mouth and he murmured. "Come back into bed and sleep."

"Alright." Yunho agreed and let Jaejoong snuggle up to him when he got into bed.

"Good night."

"Good night." Yunho gently stroked Jaejoong's platinum blond hair and soon the lad dozed off. 'Why is Jaejoong showing signs of weaknesses only demons possess? Was it because of what I did to him in the tub that made him this way? Did I turn him?'

***

Se7en woke up the next morning and checked the bandage on Changmin's neck before heading to the bathroom to wash up. He went to the kitchen to make them something to eat afterwards. Changmin needed extra nourishments to regain his energy after losing so much blood. Stirring the soup, he spooned up a little and cautiously gave it a taste. The doorbell got his attention, so he switched off the stove to go open the door. In came Jiyong carrying in a box of pastries.

"What are you doing here so early?" Se7en grumbled. "Don't you have a restaurant to run?"

"Seunghyun is opening shop for me."

"Aren't you the owner? You should do that yourself."

"What's with the complaining?" Jiyong shot back. "I came to bring you food." Walking over to the dining table, he placed the box down. "Pastries."

"You're not my mother. You don't have to keep feeding me. I know how to cook."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

Jiyong could smell the aroma coming from the kitchen. "What are you making?"

"Soup."

"Since when do you make soup in the morning? Is someone here?" Jiyong walked over to the bedroom and noticed the lad asleep on the bed. "Yah! The blond giant stayed over last night?"

"It was late after we had dinner so he decided to sleep over," Se7en explained with a smile.

"More like he slept with you by the goofy smile you have on your face."

"My smile is not goofy."

"Wait." Jiyong gave Se7en a sniff. "I smell blood."

"You're a demon; not a dog. Quit sniffing around."

Ignoring Se7en's words, Jiyong continued. "Did you mark him? He let you mark him? He did, didn't he? Seriously? He's willing to...?"

"Aish!" Se7en quickly shut the bedroom door and shooed Jiyong away. "Lower your voice. Changmin is resting."

"Are you guys officially a couple?"

"Yes, he confessed to me."

"And you accepted?" Jiyong asked disapprovingly.

"Yeah."

"Are you sure he's for real?"

"I love him. You know that. You're my best friend. You don't have to like him, but at least accept the fact that we're together now."

"But..."

"Thanks for the pastries." Se7en proceeded to herd the shorter man toward the front door. "Please go serve the hungry and leave me be."

"Fine," Jiyong huffed. "You don't have to push me. I know my way out." Stepping outside, he narrowed his eyes at Se7en when the man waved goodbye to him.

"Have a nice day."

"If you need food, just give me a call. I'll ask Seunghyun to bring it over."

"Okay."

"You could also call me if that giant needs food," Jiyong stated hesitantly. "His body must be very weak after being marked a second time. He's going to take longer to recover."

Se7en grinned at his friend's kindheartedness. "Changmin wants you to know that you make the best lobsters."

"That's because I'm an awesome chef."

"Yes, you are," Se7en concurred.

"Ugh! Wipe that smile off your face. Don't get the wrong idea Dongwook. I'm still not too fond of that kid."

"Whatever you say."

"Bye!"

***

"Hi hyung," Junsu greeted when he saw his brother exiting the kitchen as he and Yoochun walked in the front door.

"Good morning, Yunho," Yoochun addressed politely.

"Morning," Yunho said. "You brought him home early."

"I didn't want you to worry about your dongsaeng. I've already kept him at my place for the night."

"You're very courteous," Yunho praised.

"I know how it feels like to be a hyung. I am one, too. Min stayed over at a so-called friend's house last night apparently to eat." Yoochun chuckled.

"Eat?" Yunho threw him a surprised look. "It sounds like he found someone important."

"Sounds like."

Junsu looked over at his lover and then his brother. "Aw...you two are so cute."

"Junsu, you're the cute one," Yoochun corrected. "Your hyung and I are the manly ones. We don't do cute."

"I'm not cute at all." Junsu puffed out his cheeks.

"If you say so, baby."

"Ignores."

"Oh, no! Not your scary ignoring technique again," Yoochun taunted.

Sticking his tongue out at Yoochun, Junsu changed the subject. "We dropped by Misty's Bakeshop on our way here. I got strawberry muffins. Where's Jaejoong?"

"He's sleeping," Yunho replied and glanced at the hallway to make sure the blond wasn't around. "Speaking of Jaejoong, I think there's something wrong with him."

"What's wrong with him?" Junsu queried worriedly.

"I don't know. He's displaying signs of a demon. Maybe I've altered him somehow after we connected. His hair turned color and he seemed to be experiencing memory lapses. He lost consciousness after having a nightmare last night. I had to revive him with my demon energy."