Mizuyuki's Point Of View
Mizuyuki was sitting in the living room, in a fresh pair of sweats and one of Stephen's hoodies. The boys were all watching a comedy movie of Sebastián's choosing, while Stephen brushed Mizuyuki's hair. Todd had gotten up to pop some popcorn, and had just sat back down after passing out the bowls.
I was at peace with the calming atmosphere, and with the guys who were secretly keeping an eye on me, throughout the entire movie. It was kind of hilarious, and very heart-warming, when they would each glance at me at different intervals.
It was obvious that they had unknowingly synchronized their glances, so that no one looked in my direction at the same time, which only made it more comical for me.
Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Sebastián stood up immediately, then went to open the door.
"Hey, Gloria. Come on in."
In sauntered a woman, who looked to be in her early 50's. She had wavy brown hair, with blonde highlights. Her hazel green eyes seemed to gleam with interest, as she walked in looking around curiously.
She had a figure that was breathtakingly beautiful, especially for her age, and had a large over-sized duffel bag slung over her right shoulder. Stephen stood up with me still in his arms, and then greeted the woman. Todd stood protectively to our left, not saying anything.
"So, who's the patient?" She asked.
Everyone turned to look at me, and she walked toward me with a gentle smile.
"Hey there, beautiful guy. I'll be your physician for today. Where would you like to be treated? The Bedroom, living room, or the loft? Whatever makes you the most comfortable." She asked, attempting to put her hand on my head.
However, I shrank back reflexively, at her unexpected movement. Stephen also took a step back, which made Gloria cock an eyebrow in confusion.
"Best to keep things professional, Gloria. He's likely to throw up on you otherwise." Stephen advised curtly.
He then turned, and headed towards my room, without another word. Once we passed over the threshold, Stephen gently laid me atop my bed.
"It'll be easier if he's alone. Not just for patient confidentiality, but also because there are times when other people don't need to know certain things. You of all people should understand that... Right, Stephen?" Gloria asked.
"Mizuyuki, she's a good doctor... She's been the family physician since I was a kid... So you can trust her." Stephen said before kissing my forehead, and then my lips.
"I'll be right outside if you need me." He said, as he walked out the door, shutting it behind him softly.
"That boy, he's like a completely different person. I wonder... Was that your doing?" Gloria asked me with a teasing squint of her eyes.
I said nothing, still staring at the door Stephen had walked through. The sense of loss, was more than I thought was possible.
"Focus hun, or we'll be here all day. The sooner we finish, the sooner you can see him again." She said, with a breezy chuckle.
I could feel my face heating up with embarrassment, but I still couldn't take my eyes off the door. Gloria sighed, grabbed a chair, and sat directly in front of my view of the door.
"Mind telling me why I'm here? I can't properly treat you, without knowing what ails you."
Her question immediately made me shudder, while the past five days came to me in quick, fragmented, intervals. I swallowed dryly, then looked up at her.
"I... I-I was... abducted... and drugged with... a massive quantity of unknown drugs... Over a five day period... Beaten and raped... repeatedly, throughout those days... by two men." I squeezed out, feeling my throat close up and tears sting my eyes.
Gloria sat in momentary shock, before taking my right hand, and attempted to comfort me.
"I'm currently going through withdrawal like symptoms, and PTSD. I might potentially have insomnia, or just a fear of sleeping in general. I'm in excruciating pain all over, and I have no appetite whatsoever."
Gloria immediately got to work doing a basic check up. She checked my vitals, reflexes, and fine motor skills.
"Do you have a problem with stripping down to your boxers? I'll need to draw blood, and do a physical examination... If that's okay with you."
"I can try. I can't stand on my own, though."
"It's fine, do your best. We can call Stephen if we have to." She said, reassuringly.
I took off the hoodie and shirt, and she immediately gasped.
"Oh, Hunny... You're in bad shape. Who did this to you? Do you need an official work up for a police report?"
"I don't think reporting it to the authorities will be very fruitful. It was done by Stephen and Sebastián's fathers..."
The pen in her hand snapped in half in an instant, and the fury in her eyes matched Myah's, when she had come to rescue me. It was weird seeing that kind of anger from a total stranger.
"Those unbelievable bastards! So, abusing their kids wasn't enough? They had to go after significant others, as well?! Ugh! I should have harvested their organs five years ago! Stupid! Boarish! Shitty! Fucking–! Ugh! This is unforgivable!"
As she ranted and paced the room, I removed my sweatpants, and laid back down. There was nothing to be said, but I did have some questions about what happened to Stephen and Sebastián, when they were younger.
After she calmed down a bit. She let out a heavy sigh, before she sat back down, and resumed her work. She checked the bruises on my body, pressed spots on my chest and sides, looked at my throat, and then swabbed my ass. She drew 10 vials of my blood, then hooked up an I.V. that contained hydrating fluids, antibiotics, and vitamins, apparently.
"Now, make sure that I.V. stays connected until it's empty. Stephen will know how to take it out, once it's done. Given that you need sleep, I'm not sure what to prescribe you just yet for that condition, in part because of the other medications that you'll need. However, I will prescribe you a medication to wean you off the drugs, so your withdrawal symptoms will stop. Take 3 a day with food for 30 days. Do NOT, take them on an empty stomach."
I nodded along to her instructions, however, my body felt heavy all of a sudden.
"Now, you sit tight and let the medication do it's thing. I'm going to go have a chat with Stephen for a bit." She said, before heading for the door.
It was becoming harder and harder to keep my eyes open, and I began to panic. Not having Stephen beside me before I slept, would be catatonic on my mind... My body became too heavy to move. Then, all at once, it felt as though fatigue had grabbed me with both hands, and effortlessly pulled me into it's deep, dark abyss.
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Sebastián's Point Of View
Gloria walked back out to the living room, walking right past Stephen and his mountain of questions, and then planted her feet firmly on the ground in front of the TV.
"This is unacceptable! They went too far! That boy was near death, and he doesn't even realize it! His heart rate was over 200 beats per minute! He is at risk of a heart attack, this very moment! Not to mention, the bruises, lacerations, and abrasions on his body. I can't be certain, but I suspect he has at least 3 broken ribs as well! What the actual fuck is going on!?"
Nobody made eye contact with her. It was a sore spot for the current group of men, and none of them had known the full extent of his injuries or the damage done to him, until now.
It was becoming abundantly clear that he was suffering far more than he led on, and that he was putting on the bravest face, for their sake. It was an awful feeling.
Mizuyuki, the one who was hurt most, was doing his best to make everyone else less worried... But what had they done for him, besides treat him like a fragile piece of glass?
"What is he doing right now? Does he need help coming out?" Stephen asked, concerned.
"I gave him some antibiotics, vitamins, fluids, and a muscle relaxer mixed with a mild sedative."
"YOU WHAT!?" The men exclaimed in unison.
"He was severely malnourished, and sleep deprived! As a doctor, I had–"
Her words were cut off, as the men rushed off to the room, immediately. Stephen had turned around on a dime, and practically sprinted back towards the room. Sebastián had jumped over the back of the sofa. While Todd had moved Gloria out of his way, before following Sebastián's lead over the sofa, as well.
"NO! STOP!"
They all halted after Stephen forcefully opened the door. Mizuyuki was screaming at the top of his lungs, while twisting and turning atop the bed. He was covered in sweat, and his hair clung to his face, as his hands gripped the sheets tightly.
Stephen rush to the bed, then picked him up, and attempted to coax Mizuyuki out of his sleep. Nothing he tried worked, he didn't know how else to rouse him.
"What's happening?!" Gloria yelled from the door, staring at the men in fearful confusion.
"Mizuyuki had problems sleeping even before this incident. Now, you've essentially trapped him back in that hell, with no way out!" Todd yelled back.
Suddenly, Mizuyuki started to seize violently, as tears streamed down his cheeks.
"No... Stop... Let me go! Please!"
"Mizuyuki, it's okay. I'm right here..." Stephen said, holding him in his arms.
"Please do something to wake him up!" Sebastián yelled at Gloria.
She set her bag down, and unzipped a pouch. She pulled out a vile and syringe, then filled it halfway with the solution. She inserted the syringe into his arm, and Mizuyuki stopped seizing almost instantly.
"Mizuyuki... Come back to me... I'm right here..." Stephen said on a pained whisper.
Mizuyuki's eyes fluttered open, and all the men sighed in relief. Then, they each shot murderous glares at Gloria. She stood there in confusion, looking between them and Mizuyuki.
"Uhh! Hurts... Everything hurts..." Mizuyuki said, his eyes unfocused.
His tears began anew, when he began to sob, as his body began to tremble.
"I... can't do this... I don't want to do this... Please... don't make me... Ngh... just stop... Please... Let me go..."
Mizuyuki evidently couldn't distinguish dream from reality, because he was still begging his captors to release him. Sebastián and Todd clenched their fists, before they both took a seat on the bed beside Stephen on each side, as he cradled Mizuyuki in his arms.
"Mizuyuki, it's okay now. You won't have to do it ever again. Open your eyes, and look at me..." Stephen said, kissing him gently.
"Stephen, Todd, and I saved you. Myah too. It'll be alright now, Yuki." Sebastián said, patting his head reassuringly.
"We won't go anywhere without you anymore. So please, rest easy now." Todd added, while rubbing the top of Mizuyuki's feet.
Mizuyuki blinked slowly, and he let out a shuddering breath. Then, he opened his eyes, and looked up at Stephen in confusion.
"Stephen? Todd? Sebastián?" Mizuyuki questioned, looking at each of them in turn.
"Yeah, it's okay now... Would you like to get up?" Stephen asked, wiping Mizuyuki's tears away.
Mizuyuki looked around the room, he then noticed Gloria, and shrank back fearfully. She watched him carefully, her expression full of concern, but she didn't approach him carelessly.
"Who are you?" Mizuyuki asked, seeming to have already forgotten the woman.
"She's a physician. She's going to prescribe you some medication for your pain, potential infections, and a vitamin supplement." Stephen answered instead, glaring at the Doctor.
"Yes, I'll send Stephen the bill. You just rest easy with these big ole softies, they'll take good care of you. Sebastián, I need to speak with you outside for a moment." She said pointedly, then turned around and quickly exited the room.
"Have Stephen and Todd help you get dressed. Then, we can finish watching the movie, and Stephen can finish brushing your hair." Sebastián said, placing his forehead against Mizuyuki's, before standing up and walking away.
Sebastián met Gloria at the front door, and then opened it for her. They stood out in the hallway of the apartment, with an awkward silence hanging between them.
Then, Gloria sighed deeply, "That boy needs around the clock care, for no less than a week, potentially more. If he can't even sleep for 10 minutes, he will have a psychotic break in the next 72 hours. I can prescribe him medication, it will need to be taken with food, and most of it will make him drowsy. There's no way around that. You boys will need to watch him in shifts, or you're likely to screw up his medication in your own sleep deprived states. His detox medication specifically, has some pretty harsh side effects. He must take it after eating, 3 times a day for 30 days."
She sighed deeply, and then straightened her posture before continuing, "I'm sorry... I didn't know the sedative would be the opposite of helping him... However, if I'm right, then that boy has slept a maximum of 8 hours in the last 5 days. If that's the case, it could be that they forced him awake with narcotics, adrenaline, or something similar... Like energy supplements, or caffeine patches. His skin shows severe dehydration, his eyes do not dilate naturally, and his throat is badly bruised and swollen... Meaning, they barely fed him, barely let him rest, and worst of all, they barely let him heal properly. Sebastián, the next 7 days will test all of you. He could die very easily, with none of you being the wiser. He will need a routine, sunlight, and standby medication for emergencies. I'll send all the scripts to Stephen, so do not procrastinate filling them. He needs to start his medication no later than this time tomorrow."
"Yeah... Thanks Doc, sorry for snapping at you... We just got him back this morning, and it's already been a rough day."
"Well, it's clear how much you all mean to him, and vice versa. However, I cannot stress this enough, but... It will get much worse, before it gets better. His memory for one thing, will be a huge problem for a while. How long will depend on him. When I get his blood work back, I can give you more concrete answers and advice, but I have no idea what they injected him with."
"Thanks again. Be careful on your way back."
"I'll call you when the blood work comes back. Someone needs to watch him at all times. Do you hear me?"
"Yes, Doc... I got it, I got it." Sebastián said, waving her off before going back inside.
Everyone was back in the living room now, with the movie going, and Mizuyuki was laying on Stephen's chest while getting his hair brushed. Sebastián sat to the right of Stephen, because Todd was already seated to his left.
Mizuyuki was still softly crying into Stephen's chest, and Stephen was looking more and more murderous with every brush stroke. One thing was for sure, the Doc had been correct. The next few days would test everyone's limits, with no exceptions.