Persephone had never witnessed the cruelty of life, nor had she fathomed the extent to which it could push a person. While her brother, back in the Hamertons, had a boxing trainer to enhance his physique as a personal interest, Morpheus engaged in it for survival.
The realization hit her, and a wave of sadness washed over Persephone, prompting tears to fall.
She struggled to speak, her voice choked. "Who... was it... Who subjected you to such brutality... Does it... hurt?"
Morpheus' heart tightened at her words. Slowly, he turned to face her, questioning if the glistening tears on her face were for him. Touched by the unspoken emotion, he refrained from expressing it overtly.
After a prolonged silence, he handed her a bottle of ointment. In the darkness, his deep voice resonated. "I can't reach my back, indeed. Please apply this for me."
Persephone was taken aback. Wiping away her tears, she accepted the bottle. As she ceased crying, he softened his demeanor.
In the quiet house, only the rhythmic beats of their hearts echoed. The heartbeats, akin to two embers in the night, drew closer.
Having never cared for anyone in this way, Persephone felt awkward. Despite her clumsiness, she endeavored to be gentle, moving softly yet inadvertently tickling his wound and his heart.
"Should I rub the ointment?" she asked.
Morpheus snapped back to reality, blushed, and replied, "Okay..."
"I'll do it for you," she said softly. "I've never done this before, so if I hurt you, let me know!"
"Okay..."
He closed his eyes as she applied the ointment, feeling her touch and catching a whiff of her scent. Her tenderness became a form of torment, so agonizing that it seemed to crumble his soul.
Persephone noticed that he was breathing heavily. "Are you in pain?"
"No, no!" He denied it right away. Regret flooded him. Why had he been foolish enough to get her to nurse him?!
"Am I doing it too hard?"
"No..."
"So, can I do it harder?"
However, she realized that the pillow case was gone.
Persephone stood in front of him, demanding, "Hey. Give it to me!"
Morpheus was stunned. "What?"
"Give me the pillow case!" She pointed at him.
He felt a ringing in his head. He had grabbed something to cover his crotch. So it turned out it was her… pillow case?
"Umm… I'm borrowing it." He dared not look at her eyes. "There are more in the room. Get another one."
She leered at him but did not bother to dwell on it and went into the room.
After some time, Morpheus finally released a sigh. His body, which had been tensed up, also relaxed, and he lay on the couch.
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