"He says he looks horrible."

Donghae's brought everyone together. Except Yesung. Kyuhyun. They missed too much. He can't bother updating. Ryeowook and Dr. Goi picked up on it. That Hyukjae's quite down again.

"I was worried about this..." Dr. Goi says.

"Were you?" Donghae says. "Why didn't you say anything?"

An eyebrow rises slightly. "Well..." Dr. Goi says. "The first thing I tried to tell you made you terrifyingly angry..."

She means: Hyukjae's saving. Donghae shakes his head.

"This is different. Anything that could affect him in some way now, I'd like to know. Please."

Dr. Goi lowers her eyes. Gives a small nod.

"I did try to keep him bandaged up and covered for that reason... it would be too alarming for him to see. I didn't even want to remove much from his face, but Ryeowook mended most of his hands and face earlier on... and then Hyukjae kept asking when he'll be free, something about... you telling him he can have a bath..."

Oh. Donghae recalls his words. To Hyukjae. Because the boy had grumbled. About a shower. Moving. Seeing the sun.

"Yeah... sorry. I wanted to make him feel better..." Donghae mutters. "Um, Ryeowook, can you speed up the the recovery of... everything else and reduce the scarring?"

All three get the same expression. Sungmin and Ryeowook nudge his mind. Donghae sighs. Interlaces his fingers. Addresses Ryeowook first.

"Okay, what?"

"No, that's a bad idea, and you should know why."

"Okay, Sungmin."

"I was going to say..." His eyes glance at Dr. Goi. "That you shouldn't want to speed it up? It's not going to benefit... anyone."

Donghae's surprised to see: Dr. Goi nods. She doesn't know all of it, though. That Sungmin's referring to his deal with Lust.

"Dr. Goi?"

"I understand that... you do not want him knowing there's any heavy use of powers on him, because he believes it will taint him?"

"Yes."

"He's already suspicious of what we're doing and how much we're using. Doing this any faster wouldn't help. It will also mean his body could soak up a lot of demonic powers, and you don't know what that will do... it has had enough to work with, I'd imagine."

Donghae exhales. Nods. Because...

Well, Hyukjae's body has its own. It will need to start tapping into that. But... not too much yet. Hyukjae shouldn't notice. Donghae shudders: at the possible result.

"Besides, it hurts him, at this stage," Ryeowook speaks. "We can help with pain as he recovers, but forcing all his flesh and muscles to mend and heal at once? That, I've been told, will be too painful." He looks at Dr. Goi.

"It is."

"So... what if I tried to induce happier dreams?" Ryeowook says.

"I don't know..." Donghae says. "If you do it too much, he'll realize and refuse your help again. Dr. Goi, what do you think?"

"I think... we should just talk to him often. He needs comfort and reassurance. Doing something besides staying in bed and thinking could also help."

-----

"Okay, just wait. I'll call you inside after I talk to him."

Sungmin nods. Appears excited. Donghae doesn't get it. He motions Sungmin. To move further from the door. Then he turns. Knocks. Peeks in.

The boy's awake. He's sitting up. A book is in his lap. But his eyes seem elsewhere.

"Hyukjae?"

They move slowly. To him.

"Could I come in?"

Hyukjae blinks once. It seems to pull him. Out of his stupor. He inhales.

"Y-Yeah..."

Donghae enters. Closes the door.

"You're reading! That's great!"

Hyukjae looks at the book. A heavy sigh escapes him. He closes it. Leans back on his pillows. Turns his head. Towards the window. It's all covered again.

"Did you ask him to get these?"

"Hm?"

"The books. Comics."

"Oh, yes. I thought... less words. You've read enough for school..."

Hyukjae's lips thin.

"Why are they all about... this stuff?"

"Sorry? What stuff?"

Donghae has to look. At the book in his lap. Second Try Idol. He blinks. Turns to the stack on the table. Checks them. Debut or Die. Idol House. Rising Idol. My Supermodel Lover.

"Um..." Donghae says. "I did not specifically request these titles, Hyukjae..."

"So you told them about me?" Hyukjae's voice is small.

Donghae sighs. "Hyukjae, Kyuhyun's up there basically living your life, so I think Yesung maybe asked him..."

"How does Kyuhyun know?"

"Kyuhyun... probably read your classmates' and friends' minds?"

And read Hyukjae's. As soon as Hyukjae regained consciousness.

Hyukjae's eyes drift back to the window. He's silent. Donghae reaches over. Takes the book. Places it back with the others.

"Is there something else you'd like instead? I can ask Yesung to bring them..."

The boy shakes his head.

"I... missed the chance... but it was always impossible anyway..."

"Missed what chance?"

Hyukjae turns to him. "Being scouted... becoming a trainee... I ruined Junsu's chance at it, too. I never should've agreed or signed up..." His eyes tear up. He straightens. "You know, I barely danced. Junsu was so mad at me. It because he worked so hard. He didn't want to ruin the performance..." Hyukjae poutily blinks at his hands. "He absolutely hates me now..."

Donghae's frowning. Because he remembers what Kyuhyun said.

"Actually, I think he's quite happy..."

Hyukjae glances up. "W-What do you mean?"

"Kyuhyun was saying that Junsu chased him around the school and kept talking about training. I didn't think about it much then but I guess this means he's... a trainee?"

Hyukjae's eyes have gone round. His mouth's parted. He a breath. Grabs Donghae's arm.

"Are you serious? Where? For who? W-When--?"

"I don't know, Hyukjae," Donghae says. Carefully takes his hand. Helps him sit up properly. "We can ask Kyuhyun when he's here -- I think he's working at the store now."

Hyukjae breathes out. His lips tremble. Smile. His tears are falling.

"I d-didn't ruin Junsu's chances?"

"Guess not."

Hyukjae sniffles. Wipes his eyes.

"Does that mean... if I'd danced how we'd planned, they could've picked me too?"

"You'll get another chance, Hyukjae. Maybe you'll do even better, because you wouldn't be scared of demon attacks."

Hyukjae appears more crestfallen. His voice gets quieter. His eyes well up again.

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