Chapter 21: Scars

Yujin put a loose hand on my hip, giving it a gentle tug backward. “Come on,” they said, “the water is running.” I pulled myself up from the bed, hugging the dress against myself tightly in an instinctive attempt to keep them from seeing my chest. They walked behind me, guiding me toward the bathroom. “Still acting all shy, eh?”

I moved slowly toward the bathroom, still hugging the dress tightly. “I can wash up. I’m sure you have other important stuff to do,” I offered shakily.

They wrapped a loose arm around my shoulders from behind and placed a quiet kiss on the back of my head. “Why don’t you want me to take care of you, pet?” They stopped in front of the bathroom mirror and held me for a moment, staring down at my reflection.

I averted my eyes downward, maintaining a tight grip on the soft fabric covering the front of me. “It’s not that, I just…” I didn’t know how to tell them the truth without sounding pathetic.