5 - Nightmare

Dr. Gordon ordered Fang to rest and Ren was pulled away by Pax. Wolf had made some suggestions that Pax wanted to discuss with his boss.

Before he allowed himself to be pulled away, Ren quickly sent a strand of his magical energy into Fang so that he'd be notified if there was something wrong with the boy. He'd sometimes used his magic as a medical assistance tool in his previous life.

In Ren's study, the two young men sat close together and Pax gave him the details of what Wolf wanted to do and how he planned to go about it.

A devilish smile appeared on Ren's handsome face, and for the first time he felt like a real villain.

"I like it," he told Pax. "Wolf has really outdone himself this time. Tell him to go ahead."

Pax's blue eyes glowed. "Even the mafia hates child abusers," he said quietly. "Wolf and I...we were also in an orphanage for two years before we were adopted. It was run by an old, retired soldier. It didn't have much, but we were safe. It was shut down after the soldier died."

Ren sighed. Wolf and Pax were twin brothers and looked rather similar with matching blue eyes, silver hair and caramel skin. Their parents had worked as undercover agents and had been killed when the twins were five. They had been adopted later by a mafia don who took a liking to Wolf and brought him up as his successor. Pax, on the other hand, was of a scholarly temperament, despite his excellent fighting skills. So he had ended up working for Ren as an assistant and occasional bodyguard.

"You're a good man, Ren," Pax said quietly.

Ren chuckled. "Hardly, my dear Pax...but I'm glad you are finally addressing me as a friend! It's been so long, and all this "Master Ren" business still makes me feel awkward!"

Pax laughed. "Don't let Steward Paul hear you!"

Ren shook his head fondly.

"What do you want to do about the boy Fang?" Pax asked. "You can't keep him here for long. The Orchid Orphanage will be sorted out tomorrow and he'll heal in a few weeks. What does Dr. Gordon suggest?"

"Send him back once he recovers," came a voice from the door and Dr. Gordon walked in.

"PTSD?" Ren asked.

Dr. Gordon blinked, surprised. Lately, he had often felt that Ren's medical knowledge was no less than that of a trained doctor.

"Yes," he replied. "I'll find a good psychiatrist and a therapist later - but I don't think he'll accept them right away. He's a proud child and he won't want to live on your charity, Master Ren."

"What do you suggest?" Ren asked.

"Find him something useful to do. He seems to be a high IQ child, with a bit of training, he could be very good," Dr. Gordon said.

Ren nodded. He already knew about the extraordinary abilities of the Male Lead.

"It will be good if he can make some friends his own age at school," Dr. Gordon continued. He eyed Ren. "He's taken a shine to you. Keep in touch with him even after he returns, will you?"

"Of course," Ren agreed immediately. After all, the Male Lead would grow up to be his brother-in-law and the man who killed Ren in the end, which was an outcome he'd like to avoid. So, he fully planned to be on good terms with Fang and help him whenever he could, just like a good big brother and support the lovey-dovey couple...but then, he should probably find a way to sensitise the little brother as well. Half of Fang's heartache had originated from the protagonist little brother's unknowing cruelty. Fang would be better off with someone who cherished him properly, but the heart wants what it wants...

Also, according to the book, Fang should have already developed a huge crush on the little brother now. Perhaps it was time for Ren to meet the protagonist as well.

"I'll handle the school situation," Pax offered.

"And you're due for a check-up as well, Master Ren," Dr. Gordon remarked. "Come on, then."

Ren groaned, but obeyed. After all, this was his body now, and he needed to take good care of it to live well. And he intended to.

Dr. Gordon was pleased with Ren's improvement. He looked in on Fang, instructed Steward Paul to feed the boy another bowl of soup and took his leave, promising to return in the morning.

Fang looked a little better and brighter when Ren went to wish him good night.

Predictably, Ren was alerted by the residual magic he'd left on Fang that the boy was suffering from a nightmare. Rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Ren looked at his bedside clock. 3 AM.

He quickly threw on a dressing gown and made his way to Fang's room. An attendant was sitting outside the door - clearly Dr. Gordon had left instructions.

"Young Master Fang seems to be resting well, Master Ren," the attendant informed him. "There has been no sound at all."

Ren frowned slightly. "I'll take a look anyway. Did Dr. Gordon say anything else?"

The attendant shook his head. "Just to feed him something light whenever he woke up."

Ren nodded and opened the door. Fang was curled up in the middle of the huge bed, silent. However, Ren caught a slight metallic scent of blood in the air immediately. He beckoned the attendant and both of them walked to the bed.

Fang was trembling and biting down on his knuckles hard enough to bleed - he wasn't awake, and this seemed to be his habitual response to nightmares! The teenager's forehead was sweaty and his naturally pale skin was white as a sheet.

"Get the first aid kit," Ren instructed the attendant, who ran off hurriedly.

Ren sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out a hand to stroke the boy's dark hair gently. That seemed to soothe the Fang a little and he turned over and burrowed into the comforting human heat of Ren's arms. His trembling subsided and the frown on his young brow eased.

Slowly, carefully, Ren removed the bitten hand from Fang's mouth. He held the boy gently, mindful of his injuries.

The attendant, who had returned almost immediately, watched them in shock. He had worked here for over two years now, and he had never seen Master Ren be so gentle to anyone except his little brother Wade - but even that was a bit awkward.

At that moment, Ren looked up and pointed at the boy's injured hand. The attendant quickly treated it and bandaged it expertly.

"Good, thank you," Ren told him.

The two of them watched over the boy in Ren's arms for half an hour or so, but Fang seemed to be sleeping deeply and peacefully now.

Assured, Ren carefully extracted himself. As soon as he got up, though, a small whimper caught his attention. With a helpless shrug, he sat down again and combed his fingers through the teenager's hair until he calmed down again.

When Fang continued to sleep peacefully for over an hour, Ren finally heaved a sigh of relief and returned to his own bedroom.