Page 59 of Damian & Jun, Episodes 9-12
“It’s stupid.” Jun cursed in Chinese under his breath. He was safe. Everything was fine. There was no good reason to be struggling like this.
Émeric dropped his elbows, making the space around Jun smaller. “It’s your body protecting you.”
“Protecting me from what?”
“Whatever it recognizes as having been dangerous before.”
Jun closed his eyes and breathed in the scent of spices and baked goods. “Were you cooking?”
“Baking. Apple strudel.”
Jun shivered. “It smells good.”
Émeric chuckled. “I’ll bring you some.”
A voice came from behind Émeric. “Sir, we’re ready for you.”
Jun took a steadying breath and looked around Émeric. The detective who had taken Mark away to get his statement was waiting with a clipboard.
“Can I come with him?” Émeric asked. “I’m afraid he’s having a moment.”
The detective frowned. “Um…I can come back in a few minutes.”
“It’s not going to stop. He’s having flashbacks.” Émeric waved at a uniformed officer nearby. “Jun was abducted recently by people wearing police uniforms.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. We didn’t realize. Let me ask my chief something real quick.”
A few moments later, they were in a room by themselves. Émeric took a chair next to Jun. The questions were straightforward. Jun gave his statement, sticking to just the facts. It was strangely familiar, just like when he’d made his statement concerning his own abduction, but with less eyes on him and no lie detector attached.
They made it to the new hotel room about two hours later, a bit after midnight. They had a suite this time with double bedrooms connected through the same living room and kitchenette. Collin and Richard were sharing the couch. Damian was on the floor, his phone in his hand, in front of Richard, as if he had just dropped somewhere and stopped. He climbed to his feet as soon as Jun, Betti, and Émeric entered. Betti asked for Armada and disappeared into the room Armada was using.
Damian’s eyes were on Jun; he could feel and see the darkness, the question, the fear.
He stepped closer so their chests brushed each other and touched his forehead to Damian’s shoulder. “Tired.”
Damian arms came up, gripping Jun. Perfect.
Jun turned his face into the side of Damian’s neck. Every part of him tingled with weariness.
Damian
Jun was in his arms. Warm. Alive. Still alive. Damian nuzzled Jun’s hair, noticing the length. It was getting long.
“I’m tired, too.”
Jun half laughed, the kind that had no humor in it. He squeezed Damian back. “How’s Rue and Kimbo?”
“Fine. They’re asleep. We put Finding Nemo on for them.”
Jun sighed.
Holden poked his head inside the room. “Ash is here, sirs.”
Richard motioned for Holden to let him in.
Ash came in, a suitcase in his arms. “I have things.” He put the suitcase on the floor on its back.
He didn’t look at anyone until he’d unzipped the suitcase. The reason for carrying the suitcase became clear as soon as Ash lifted away the lid. Inside were dishes. Korean food. And it was warm.
