The Untouchable Prince | A Norenmin FanFiction

一百

"...Okay." Minghao's voice sounded worried. "I'll leave your medicine out here then. Be sure to take it. You have injuries that are still healing."

Injuries?

Renjun lifted his quilt slightly and looked down. He wore only a robe, not the usual silk tunic and pants he wore in the past. It draped over his bare lower half to just below his knees, but he didn't have to see to know that it was hurting down there, warm and hot from inflammation. What he did see, though, was his ankle. It was wrapped gently in a white bandage, yet still purple and yellow faded marks could be seen at its edges.

Immediately, he was reminded of the nightmares he dreamt of and the months of torture he suffered. The images flashing visibly in his eyes. Now, everything was hurting, everything felt like it was scraping at his skin, itching and burning.

"And, Second Senior Disciple?"

He flinched again, gaze snapping up to the door again. He had forgotten that Minghao still had not yet left.

"His Highnesses wants to see you."

Jeno... Jaemin...

So... that wasn't a dream? This was real. The dream where they took him out of the dungeon was real. The dream where they wrapped him up in warmth. The dream where they carried him around all night. The dream where they brought him home. It was... real?

"They've been waiting all night at the front gates of your residence."

Waiting... outside? They were waiting for him...?

Renjun felt his heartbeat pick up, sweat forming on the back of his neck.

They were waiting for him? For what? What were they waiting for? What did they want? Was this why they brought him back? Did they want to touch him again? Where they there to taunt him like that one time? Step all over him? Spit on him? Use him as they please? Keep him only for themselves to abuse and use? They took him from once place to another just to do it all over again? They...

His skin burned and scratched at his arms, but no matter how hard he scratched at them, there was no relief. Everything hurt from head to toe. Everything itched, burned, stung.

"Do you want to see them?"

"Go- go away! Go away!" was Renjun's immediate response. He didn't care who it was outside. He wanted them all gone. Out. Away from him. He wanted to be alone.

"Then," Minghao felt almost hurt the way Renjun spoke at him, but he didn't blame him, speaking just as calmly as he did, "I will leave. The medicine is here, remember to take it, okay?" Then, he left.

Renjun listened intently, waiting for him and whoever else was outside to leave. He heard them exchange a few words but couldn't care less about what they were talking about and then heard their footsteps recede into the distance. During this time, he was still scratching at his skin, itching every corner and every surface, and it wasn't until ten minutes after they left that he finally stopped.

With a bit of force, he got himself onto his feet, and walked to his door. His legs were weak, as thin as twigs, and that's when he realized that he hadn't actually walked in at least a few months. It hurt to lift his feet. It hurt to contract his muscles, but he made it to the door anyway. Slowly, he slid open the doors, peeking outside to make sure no one was around before gazing down at the small medicine box.

Using the support of the doorframe, he crouched to lift up the box, only to find that he was too weak. He could only hold the box for a few seconds before his arms could no longer support its weight, and he gingerly placed it back on the ground. And, as if he gave up, he sank onto his knees and opened the box at the front of the door.