Bruised and Bound
692 Words
It was raining again.
Aun didn’t notice it at first. He was grading papers at his desk after school when a faint knock pulled him from the monotony.
He looked up.
Tae stood in the doorway—soaked, silent, and bleeding.
Aun was on his feet in an instant. “Tae—what the hell happened?”
Tae didn’t speak. He just walked in and collapsed into the nearest chair, shivering.
His lip was split. A bruise bloomed under one eye. His white uniform shirt was stained at the collar, half-untucked, buttons missing.
Aun dropped to his knees in front of him, gripping his hands.
“Who did this?”
Tae shook his head. “It’s nothing.”
“It’s not nothing.”
“I don’t want to talk about it.”
Aun took a slow breath, forcing his voice to stay calm. “Let me clean you up. Please.”
---
In the teacher’s lounge, Aun dabbed antiseptic gently on Tae’s cut lip.
Tae winced but didn’t complain.
Aun said nothing. His hands trembled.
After a long silence, Tae finally whispered, “It was my father.”
Aun froze. “Why?”
“He found a message I sent you. I didn’t even mean to... It wasn’t explicit, but it was enough.” Tae looked away. “He said I was an embarrassment. Said I was throwing my future away.”
Aun sat back, stunned. “He hit you?”
“He’s done worse before.”
A wave of guilt crashed over Aun, sharp and cold.
“I should’ve stopped this before it went too far,” Aun muttered. “You’re getting hurt because of me.”
“I’m getting hurt because I’m not what he wants me to be.” Tae’s eyes were glassy now. “He always had plans for me. Girls, Ivy League, company heir. Everything lined up. And then I ruined it by being me.”
Aun reached out, cupping Tae’s cheek. “You didn’t ruin anything. You’re brave just for surviving in a world that wants to control you.”
Tae leaned into his hand, eyes fluttering shut. “I’m so tired of pretending.”
Aun’s thumb brushed gently along the bruise. “You don’t have to pretend with me.”
---
Later that evening, Aun brought Tae back to his apartment.
It was a cramped walk-up, plain and quiet, with thin walls and flickering lights—but it felt safe.
Tae curled up on the futon under a thin blanket while Aun made tea.
“Why do you live like this?” Tae asked softly.
Aun glanced over. “Because it’s mine. I worked for it. No one handed it to me.”
Tae smiled faintly. “You’re proud of it.”
“I’m proud of surviving.”
A beat passed.
“I feel safest here,” Tae whispered.
Aun looked at him. “You’re always welcome. But you can’t stay the night.”
“Because someone might find out?”
“Because I might forget where the line is.”
Tae sat up slowly, pushing the blanket aside. “And if I want you to forget?”
Aun’s jaw tightened. “Tae, I saw your face today. What he did to you... That’s not something we can ignore. This—whatever we are—it’s dangerous.”
“I don’t care.”
“I do.”
Tae stood and walked over to him, eyes locked. “I’ve never wanted anything the way I want you.”
“And if they fire me? If your father sues me? If I end up blacklisted—what then?”
“I’ll still want you.”
Aun didn’t mean to kiss him again—but he did.
This time, it was softer. Slower. A confession more than a crime.
They didn’t undress. They didn’t rush.
They held each other like it might be the last time.
---
When the sky began to lighten, Aun pressed his forehead to Tae’s.
“You have to go before sunrise.”
“I know.”
Aun hesitated. “We can’t do this again.”
Tae kissed his cheek.
“We will.”
- Writer
