[Multichapter] Dreamcatcher ～瞳を閉じて君を描くよ～ (chapter 5/9)

[tsuchi8562]

Title: Dreamcatcher ～瞳を閉じて君を描くよ～
Author: tsuchi8562
Beta: andreja1989 << Thank you so much ♥
Special thanks for: syunikiss1990 for kicking my butt to continue this story when I wanted to drop it and for yuuki_saya for throwing ideas at me when I needed them.
Pairing: Fukushi x Ninomiya, Matsumiya
Genre: romance, psychological drama
Rating: NC-17
Disclaimer: I own nothing.
A/N: Your comments are always highly appreciated

*MASTERPOST*

It was all the same as before, or even worse. Whether Aikawa lied or changed his mind but the electroconvulsive therapy remained the same. Kazunari was sitting in his room, on the floor in the furthest corner, with his back pressed to the wall. He hugged his knees and started to rock gently trying to empty his mind from every picture that was shown to him during the latest session. His mind was circling around one question. Why the doctor changed his decision? He still placed two electrodes on Nino's head and the shocks seemed to be stronger than before, as much as he remembered previous times. Maybe they didn't give him enough pills? Ninomiya curled up even more, trying to find out what did he do wrong and why he was punished so severely. He wanted to get out of here but there was no chance for escape. He can't swim to the nearest shore, he will drown halfway through. Nobody can help him run away from here, the only person he can trust is deep in his dreams. Maybe he loses his sanity and nothing from this is real? Slowly Nino looked around his room, as if he was looking for something.

“It has to be somewhere here…” He heard his own hoarse voice and got up, walking to the small desk beside the window. Without even knowing what he is looking for, he moved the papers he received from the nurse the first day in the clinic and which still were there. Kazunari frowned and opened the drawers which turned out to be empty.

“I swear I put it here…” Nino kept talking to himself, throwing whole room upside down. Soon his clothes, personal things and papers were on the floor and the thing he searched for so desperately was still nowhere to be found. Ninomiya was more and more frustrated with every passing second but he didn’t want to make any drama, afraid that the nurses can come and restrain him again while injecting some tranquilizers in his veins. After taking few deep breaths he tried to calm down and slowly, without a rush remember where he left the thing he was looking for but nothing, neither place nor the said object came across his mind. Anxiety was getting stronger and he couldn't breathe normally anymore. The urge of finding the thing he needed so badly was driving him insane, of course if he already wasn't there.

"I need you, come on... Don't hide from me, please..." Ninomiya cried, and finally gave up. He was tired and confused which caused the same fear he felt for what seemed to be his whole life. Then, suddenly, a thought hit him with smashing force. If you can't find it, try to replace it with something else, maybe it will be even better... Sniffling, Kazunari nodded to the voice in his head and calmed down a bit, just to see better through his tears. He looked around, excluding more and more objects from the room, just as if his mind was already knowing what he needs but failed in sharing this information with him. Nino slowly got up and walked to the window, trying to check if there was any possibility to break the glass noiselessly; all he needed was just one sharp piece... Just when he touched the cold glass, he understood everything. He was looking for a knife at first, to cut his wrists and finish with every pain he felt, both mental and physical. Kazunari's mind became clear.

He knew that breaking the window is not an option, he will just make too much noise and bring everyone here. He still needed something sharp, no matter what. Focused on this only goal, his eyes finally caught some piece of rusty metal lying on the other side of the window. Ninomiya wasn’t sure it was really something he could use but he didn’t have any other choice but to try. Very gently he opened the wing, being careful not to make any unnecessary sound and reached out, trying to grab the partly shining object. With some effort he finally managed to get it and shortly after he was sitting on his bed, admiring the structure of the metal and rust and wondering if slitting his wrists hurt that much. Kazunari smiled gently and swiped his index finger on the edge, hissing when he cut his fingertip and few blood drops fell on his pants. It was perfect. Without a rush he pressed the makeshift blade to his forearm, feeling it driving in his skin bit by bit. He was just about to make one, fast move to get over with everything when suddenly the piece of metal was knocked out of his hand and landed in the far corner of the room. Soon after a hand was pressed to Nino’s lips as he was pushed on the bed and just then he saw a person sitting on top of him and whispering something incoherently.

“Let me go!” Ninomiya tried to scream but he was unable to make any louder sound than muffled yell. He fought as much as the other person’s body allowed him to and just then he noticed the familiar crimson shirt with black feathers attached to the sleeves. Kazunari’s gaze fell on the man above him and he saw Jun’s face, smiling gently as if he tried to calm him down just with that. How come he was here?! Wasn’t he supposed to be only in Nino’s dreams? Shouldn’t he protect him from nightmares? Or maybe everything that he suspected was true… Aikawa drugged his patient so skillfully that he believed in Matsumoto being just a creation of his sub-consciousness and trusted him. With passing time Ninomiya was supposed to fall for him and then he would stay in this clinic for the rest of his life, like a vegetable when they take him for one therapy session too many… That was it, he was defeated… The doctor and this godforsaken place took full control and he let them trick him in such stupid way... Now they even won't let him die. Kazunari felt so helpless and useless that he didn't even fight with Matsumoto; he just surrender, letting every bit of interest in what will happen to him fade. Only the tears didn't want to stop flowing down his cheeks.

"Are you crazy? Why did you want to do that?" Jun asked and frown replaced his gentle smile. "I thought you will be a bit braver now, when you know you are not alone... I... I was so wrong, I am sorry... I am so sorry!"

“Let me go…” Nino whispered this time and hoped his voice won’t tremble. On one hand he didn’t care anymore, feeling helpless. He didn’t have anything to lose no more. He didn’t move an inch, even when Matsumoto sat next to him on the bed and watched him closely. Ninomiya could feel his gaze but he stayed silent and motionless without even trying to understand everything that was happening around him. Indifference filled his veins with each heartbeat, his breath slowed down and he was ready to just die like that, simply by not breathing anymore. It seemed so natural at the time, so peaceful and rescuing that for tiny split of a second he felt true happiness and he felt his lips curve in almost unnoticeable smile.

“Please, listen to me… You don’t have to talk back, just listen to me… I was just like you, long time ago. I was in the same place, in the same situation as you but… I had nobody then. You are not alone, I am here. So please, I am begging you don’t think about ending your life here. Prove them wrong. Get through this hell and show them you can defeat them by staying yourself. This will hurt them more… Stay strong, Kazu…”

“I am tired.” Kazunari said quietly and turned on his side, facing the latter but not looking at him. He was indeed drained from every piece of strength he had and wanted only one thing: go to sleep and not wake up ever again. Jun’s voice reached him from a distance, just as if the man was far away from him. Slowly darkness embraced him, giving him peace and calmness without disturbing it with any dreams, good nor bad.

***

Somebody’s not so gentle hand was shaking him and he could hear someone calling his name. At first he couldn’t recognize the voice but when the reality was embracing him stronger, he could clearly hear worried woman. Ninomiya had a feeling he knew her, that she was somebody important long time ago but he couldn’t recall any detail. Very slowly he opened his eyes and closed them almost immediately, physically hurt by the bright light invading his pupils.

“Oh! I will close the curtains, please wait…” The woman said quietly and soon he could hear characteristic sound of metal pincer clips sliding on the cornice. “Okay, try now, it should be fine now…”

“W-who are you?” Kazunari whispered and with a slight fear he opened his eyes again. It was indeed better than previously but it still took some time to get used to the still too bright room. When he didn’t receive any reply for his question, he looked around and when his pupils got adjusted he saw a young woman staring at him with frown on her forehead, apparently waiting until he tells her name.

“Shiori…” Nino said more because this particular name fitted to her than from any other reason. Guess he got it right, seeing the woman’s smile… “W-why are you here?”

“I… We got permission to see you but father got sick and couldn’t come… I was so worried, I didn’t know what was going on with you and nobody wanted to tell me anything. They just repeated that you are sick and you need rest and peace. Tell me, how are you?”

“F-fine…” Ninomiya couldn’t say anything more, busy with trying to fit the face to his past, recall some memory and understand why she woke him up so early in the morning. And where was Jun? Everything was mixing in his mind, making him more confused than before. Where the dream ended and reality started? Why Matsumoto appeared in real life and now he sees a face of a woman he used to know? Was he still asleep or awake?

“Kazu… You d-don’t look fine…” Shiori interrupted his train of thoughts and questions and he looked up at her again, as if he didn’t hear what she had said to him few seconds ago. “Kazu, please…”

Kazu

Yes, she was calling him like that before, he was sure of that. Swallowing the saliva Nino tried to taste the memory, giving it shape and grasp it tightly. Slowly he could recall more sounds, scents and finally the images.

“Nee-chan?” Ninomiya asked shyly, still not sure if he was right. This whole insecurity made him so scared, his body started to tremble and shivers ran down his spine. Why is she here? What did they tell her? Why they didn’t wake him up before she appeared in the building? Where did Jun go? Is she real or only a creation of his drugged mind? Is she made from flesh and bones or just his wishes and hopes? “Nee-chan??” Nino repeated louder this time and when he saw that Shiori nodded, he jumped from the bed and hugged his sister as tight as he could. At this time he didn’t care about which side of the dreamland he really was but when he felt the woman’s hands on his back, he couldn’t stop tears anymore. He wasn’t alone anymore. Even though there still was Matsumoto, Kazunari couldn’t allow himself to trust him to the fullest. His sister was his only hope for getting out of here. Shiori will see how much they are hurting him in this clinic, how they torture him and she will take him home. This nightmare will over, just a bit more.

"Kazu... You are not fine here, right?" The woman whispered and hugged him tight, stroking his back gently as she always did when he was crying. "I will help you, don't worry..."

"Take me out of here, please nee-chan... Take me home..."

"I see he woke up already." Aikawa's voice sounded in the room loudly. Kazunari tensed involuntary and didn't move, he didn't even dare to breathe. "I just want to calm you down, Ninomiya-san, patients often react this way on tranquilizers."

"Don't get me wrong, doctor, but I know my brother and he was always calm and quiet. I don't think he needs any pills." Shiori got up, leaving the younger one on the floor. Something in her changed, she was more confident and less scared than Nino remembered.

"With all due respect, but sometimes even the quietest puppies became vicious predators. Especially when they are feeling insecure. But please, don't worry, he is in good hands."

"Somehow I don't see that, doctor. He was sleeping for two days straight and he didn't remember his own sister. I don't think the hands he is in right now are good. I want to take him home."

"That's impossible. He is still very sick and shows self-destructing behavior. Are you aware of that he wanted to kill himself?"

What? How... How did they know? Was Jun really on their side? Why? What did he do to deserve such pain?

"I want to go home nee-chan... Please, take me home..." Kazunari pleaded quietly. He looked down on his hands and saw a bandage around his wrist, with tiny blood stain. Did he really tried to take his own life away? But… But he doesn’t remember it, he was sure he wanted to die but Jun stopped him… Where this injury came from?

“I understand that you think we are hurting him here, but the truth is that we are protecting him. He is sick and right now he is in stage of embracing this fact, it is really difficult, especially when you don’t have enough strength.” The doctor sounded very professional and Nino saw that the will of fight slowly disappears from his sister’s eyes.

“D-don’t listen to him! I am not sick… I… They are…. Hurting me… Please, take me home… Even to Jiro, please… Take me home…” The younger man started sobbing and grabbed his sister’s leg tightly, pleading and begging her to take him away from this awful place. Shiori was torn, it was clearly visible.

“Doctor, can we talk peacefully, alone?” She finally said and when Aikawa left the room, she kneeled next to her brother and smiled. “Kazu, you are not okay… I don’t want you to try and do this again…” She touched Ninomiya’s wrist gently. “I promise you, I will take you home and you will live with me but… You need to get better first. I will visit you regularly, okay?”

“No, no, no… Don’t believe them. I am not sick at all… I am sane… They are torturing me, they even sent their spies to test me but I am strong… I… I am healthy, they… they are wrong!”

“Kazu, do you hear yourself? I love you, I really do. That’s why I think you need to stay here and get better. I will see you soon, I promise.” Shiori pressed her lips to the younger one’s forehead and literally dashed out of his room, leaving him with the nurse.

“No!!! SHIORII!! COME BACK!!!” Kazunari wanted to chase her, but when he got up his body froze on the spot. All hope he had disappeared in blink of an eye. He was alone again… Nino saw the nurse, ready to inject some drug in case he starts making troubles but she calmed down when he went back to bed and hid under the blankets. His mind was blank so he just stared in the darkness and didn’t move an inch until he was almost out of air. Without even realizing what he is doing Ninomiya got up, took the dreamcatcher and hid it in his bag. He didn’t want to throw it away because it still was a gift from his late boyfriend. Kazunari didn’t know why he did it, he still was thinking that Matsumoto can be Aikawa’s accomplice so the present from Souta didn’t have anything to do with his presence in Nino’s dreams. Somehow he got sick of it hanging in the window, reminding him all the painful past. Maybe a bit of a break will be good?

“What should I do now?” The patient asked himself quietly, jumping in his bed again. If things won’t change in any way, he will be still tortured until he completely loses his mind. But on the other hand he didn’t show practically no proof that he is gay, Aikawa based only on Jiro’s words. All Nino stated was that he is not sick… Can they keep him here then? Maybe he is kept here illegally and is able to go out without any fuss around it? He doesn’t have anyone who can check it now though… He is dead for his father and now his older sister believed the doctors here… There was no friend or even colleague who could stood up for him, the only one who kept repeating that he is on Ninomiya’s side was Jun. Maybe this was the plan from the beginning? Make Kazunari believe he is alone, that he doesn’t have anybody except Matsumoto and with passing time he will have no other choice but to trust him. And this can lead to something more than just simple friendship… Aikawa will get his proof then.

“You’re overthinking…” Nino whispered again while shaking his head. Talking to himself is not a good idea when you want to be seen as perfectly sane person. Headache hit him with double strength so without wasting more time he wrapped himself in warm blanket and fell asleep almost immediately. He got to the same place where he was before, when he saw Fukushi. This time he was alone and the ocean behind him changed into lava. The metal fence became unbearably hot and ground got smaller and smaller with passing time. Ninomiya was alone at first but then the doctor appeared, with the same scary grimace on his face and huge hands which grabbed the younger man and lifted him in the air. Kazunari tried to scream but he didn’t have enough air in his lungs, so he just fought with all his strength.

“Admit it… You’re sick… Admit it!!!” The monster squealed so highly Nino felt blood dripping from his ears. He knew it was just a dream but fear didn’t allow him to wake up. It was like he was bouncing from invisible wall, pushing him deeper in his dream. Horrible voice kept invading his ears and when he wanted to give up already, without even the smallest piece of strength, he saw a silhouette in the distance. Ninomiya knew that it was Jun and he wanted to beg for help but Aikawa started to strangle him. Even if he was aware that it was just a dream, fear paralyzed him and just when Kazunari thought he will die, he heard Matsumoto screaming from the top on his lungs.

“Wake up!!! Just wake up!!!” Jun sounded so desperate and hopeless. Nino was amazed that he managed to catch it even though he was on the edge of death. He started to sing the lullaby his mother used to sing for him and that calmed him down, just to be able to kick the monster once and next thing he saw was the darkness of his room. Sweaty, barely breathing Ninomiya sat up on his bed and looked around, giving his eyes time to adjust to the lack of light to find his bag. Every piece of the puzzles seemed to fit in the right place, creating a hopeful picture. The nightmare appeared because the dreamcatcher was hidden and couldn’t stop the awful images. That meant that Matsumoto was telling the truth, he was protecting his dreams and there was a high possibility he was sent by Souta. Kazunari was still scared to believe in all that, trying to be as careful as possible. He was sure he won’t stand any more pain and punches from life and he is just one therapy session away from losing everything.

“Please, be true…” Nino whispered to the black, wooden object in his hand and slowly, with shaking hands he placed it again in the window. Practically immediately Jun appeared in his room and didn’t move nor said anything, giving the latter time to react in any way, ready to leave if he is unwanted.

“I am sorry.” Ninomiya said quietly after a long silence. He looked down, trying to become smaller like a child who was caught on eating cookies before dinner.

“I should be the one apologizing, I couldn’t protect you…”

“It’s my fault because I hid the dreamcatcher away… I just… Couldn’t stand it anymore…” Kazunari dared to look up and took a deep breath to chase away the tears that welled up in his eyes. “I am alone, now I know it for sure…”

“What happened?” Matsumoto stepped closer, making sure to keep some distance between them. “You can tell me…”

“My sister came here and… she believed them, not me…” Nino told about the visit, not caring about the tears falling down his cheeks anymore. When Jun hugged him tightly everything inside Kazunari broke. He let out every pain he held inside for months he spent in this clinic and the warmth he felt from the other man made him feel safe enough to expose himself like that. He couldn’t breathe at some point, sobbing like he never did before, not caring if anyone from the staff can hear him or not. Jun slowly pushed Nino towards the bed and sat on the edge, pulling him closer and rocking him gently, humming some unknown song. With passing time all strength left the younger one’s body and slowly he calmed down, feeling the tiredness hitting him. He fought with it with all his might, slightly afraid that the nightmare can come back even though the dreamcatcher got back to its place.

“C-can you stay with me?” Kazunari asked and immediately regretted this question. It was way too dangerous for him to let Matsumoto sleep in the same room, or even worse - bed. What if the nurses or doctor come in the morning to check on him or take him to the therapy and catch him sleeping with another man?

“I will stay here, you can sleep peacefully. I won’t let any bad dreams haunt you anymore.” Jun smiled and before the younger one could protest in any way, they both were lying in the bed, slightly hugged but with safe distance between them. Nino couldn’t fall asleep. He was still a bit scared of the nightmare he saw not so long ago and feeling awkward with somebody’s presence so close to him. He never shared a bed with anyone before. Of course he was with Souta but they didn’t spend the whole night together, cuddling and sleeping peacefully like this. Kazunari took a deep breath, feeling the other man’s scent and finding it familiar. He was sure he knows the fragrance but he couldn’t place it in his memories so after a while he just gave up. Matsumoto didn’t move an inch, breathing slowly but when Ninomiya looked up at his face, he saw that the taller man is awake. Nino could peacefully analyze the latter’s face which he saw for the first time so close to his own. Jun was handsome; you could even say he was on the edge of being beautiful. The shorter man caught himself on staring and involuntarily moving closer to the latter so he cursed quietly and sat up, shaking his head.

“You can’t sleep?” The dreamcatcher sat as well, frowning. “Something happened?”

“I… I just don’t think it was a good idea to ask you to stay here. What if they see you here? It won’t end with just one therapy session… I… I will be good now, I hung it back.” Kazunari pointed to the gift he received from Fukushi. “I am sorry…”

“Maybe you are right… But please, at least let me accompany you in your dreams, okay? Nobody except you will see me there and we can talk or just sit in silence if you prefer.”

“Sounds good…” Nino smiled and after one blink Jun disappeared in thin air. Suddenly the room became much colder and emptier. Ninomiya didn’t know why exactly he felt this way; not so long ago he didn’t believe in the other man and now he somehow craved for his presence. Kazunari decided to trust Matsumoto without any doubts as the worst that can happen is ending up being punished for what he already is chastised. The need of having a friend or just a person he can talk to was so strong that he decided to trust Jun not looking at the consequences. With a bit lighter heart he settled again on the bed, covered with the blanket and allowed sleepiness hit him. As promised, Jun was in the center of the room. They were in the hut not so far away from the meadow and Nino couldn’t feel more at home than now. Matsumoto was sitting on the floor, near the fireplace with a smile glued to his face. Neither of them said a word for first few minutes but then the younger one sat next to Jun and coughed nervously.

“Can you tell me how this all works? You know, how come you can be in my room and not only here?” He asked this question not only because of his curiosity but also he somehow wanted to get another proof that he did the right thing trusting the other man. Jun just nodded and leaned back to get more comfortable position.

“It’s a bit complicated but I will try to explain as good as I can. Well, you know what I am doing, right? I am able to do so only when the dreamcatcher you got is hanging in your window. If it’s misplaced somewhere, I am able to see you only from afar and to be honest I can’t do much then.”

“Like last time… I saw you but you couldn’t come closer, right?”

“Yes. When you are hiding your dreamcatcher or just hang it somewhere else than your window I am on the place that is called the Bridge. How can I explain it in easy way… You are surrounded by people. I mean, even if you are alone in your room or your house, there is always somebody close to you, nearer or further. When they are sleeping, I am using their dreams to get to you as close as I can.”

“You mean, you are going inside other people’s dreams just like that? Is it… legal?”

“No, I am not going inside their dreams. I walk above them… Imagine that each dream is a big, wide bubble or a pipe made of glass. Dreamcatchers can walk on top of those in case of emergency only but… I know a guy who knows a guy and I can more or less freely walk over them. They not only let you stay close to the ones you are assigned to protect but also walk through their gates to the real world. That’s pretty much sums it up.” Matsumoto shrugged and stared at the other one, waiting for some questions. Nino just nodded, trying to wrap his mind around everything he just heard. He read a lot of fantasy books to understand the idea of this but he had a little difficulty with truly believing in this.

“Is there something wrong?” Jun’s voice invaded Ninomiya’s ear and he looked up, at first not knowing what happened.

“It’s… It’s just that I got in this facility because of my father to whom I am dead. My sister still considers me as a part of her family but she believes I am sick and should be locked up here till they cure me. The only person who saw the real me and loved me for the way I am is dead… Now you appear, telling stories which are taken out from some kind of sci-fi movie and ask me to trust you. Why are you doing all this? I mean, your job is to keep nightmares away from me, right? Why are you coming to my room in real life? Who are you? I know you are the dreamcatcher but… Who are you, really?”

„I am just a guy… Practically nobody…” Matsumoto seemed to get suddenly nervous. Kazunari frowned, tensing a bit and moved away few centimeters but he didn’t say a thing. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to tell you that now… I… I need to ask you to trust me, okay? I am on your side.”

“It won’t be that easy. You know practically everything about me, maybe even more than I know myself… You talked with Souta about me… All I know is your name and profession. If you can’t tell me any details, at least tell me are you real or just a creation of my imagination?”

“I am real. I have my own life apart of being a dreamcatcher. I will tell you about that but not just yet. I can’t…” Jun frowned, as if he was pleading the latter for understanding. Nino sighed and closed his eyes. He is being asked for a lot but he doesn’t have any other chance. He decided to trust the other man and he will do it, no matter how hard it will be.

“Prove it…” Ninomiya whispered without understanding what exactly he meant by that. He indeed needed some kind of proof right now, to make him feel more confident and safe but why did he asked about it? When he looked up and opened his mouth to apologize, he saw Matsumoto’s face only few centimeters away from his own. It felt weird but Nino wasn’t scared, just a bit surprised. When Jun’s lips pressed to Kazunari’s, time stopped. The gentle wind which blew from the fireplace disappeared and even gentle sizzle of wood got silenced. The younger one froze on the spot, letting the latter be. The dreamcatcher pecked the other one’s lips few times softly before he dared to go further and added some tongue to the caress. Ninomiya gasped and parted his lips, letting Matsumoto in and even returning the kiss when his shock disappeared. Jun tasted like a mix of honey and something sour but the mix balanced greatly making Nino want more…

This is wrong, they can see you… A quiet voice echoed in Ninomiya’s mind, bringing him back to his senses.

“D-don’t…” He pushed the latter away gently and bit his lower lip, not able to look at Jun’s face. The older man placed his fingers under the other one’s chin and pulled it up, forcing their eyes to meet.

“I won’t move anywhere further than just that. You wanted the proof and I couldn’t give you anything else than that…” The dreamcatcher smiled gently and just then Ninomiya noticed he is in his bed, perfectly awake and Jun is next to him. Kazunari took a deep breath and wanted to move away but he couldn’t, just as if some invisible restrains were holding him. Matsumoto slowly sat up and looked through the small net in the dreamcatcher on the outside world. He seemed to be lost in some memories, because he was present only with his body, letting his mind wander around unknown places. Nino coughed gently, both to bring the other man back and because he needed to break this unbearable silence, which was already suffocating him.

“The dawn is near, I should be going. If I can ask you for one thing… Don’t hide it anymore, okay?” Jun’s long fingers played with the black feather hanging from the dreamcatcher.

“I won’t…” Ninomiya said quietly and didn’t manage to add anything more, because the taller man disappeared, again within a blink of an eye. Just then everything that happened not so long time ago his Kazunari with huge force. He let a man kiss him being closed in a so-called clinic where he was treated for being gay. And it wasn’t just a random guy; it was some kind of Souta’s friend who promised him to take care of Nino. Ninomiya wasn’t even sure if Matsumoto truly exists, though he surely had a proof of that a while ago. His fingers slowly moved to his lips, gently touching them as if he was trying to recreate all the pecks and brushes Jun’s tongue was making. It was a bit weird kiss. Of course Kazunari didn’t kiss anyone else except Fukushi so sharing this caress with another person was strange by itself. However it wasn’t just that. This skim was far away from showing the emotions and feelings between them but at the same time there was nothing sexual about it, just as if it was another way of comforting a friend. Nino started to wonder if this will happen again, or maybe with passing time this will change to something more…

“Of course it won’t!” He laughed gently and shook his head, feeling silly for letting his own thoughts go that far. Just when he got up from his bed to find some clothes, the door fell open and a bit upset nurse came inside. She practically dragged Kazunari to Aikawa’s office and made him sit on the chair in front of the doctor’s desk, then the woman just left leaving the patient alone. Ninomiya got a bit afraid and the few minutes he had to wait for anyone to appear were the longest in his life. What happened? Will they let him go? Of course not, he wasn’t that stupid to believe in it. Then why they brought him here? Something was going on, that was for sure…

“Ah, you are here already, good… We need to talk.” The older man sat in front of the patient and looked at him with some anger sparks in his eyes. “Are you having any hallucinations recently?”

“W-what?” Nino frowned, not understanding the meaning of this questions. Did he show in any way that he sees or hears something nonexistent during his therapy sessions?

“Do you hear or see something that should not be here, something weird and out of place?”

“No… I don’t recall anything like that… Can you tell me why did you ask me that? Is something wrong?” Familiar fear crawled back to Kazunari’s throat and he had to cough to be able to breathe again. Did he mention Jun in any way during the therapy?

“Are you sure? You told yourself that we sent some spies and since you are not allowed to see anybody except the staff… Is whether you have hallucinations or you are seeing somebody without permission… So what is it?” Aikawa leaned back in his chair and waited for an answer like a predator waits for its prey. Nino didn’t say anything, trying to process everything that was going on right now and think of some rational and possible reply. He can’t tell anything about Jun because they won’t believe him and they will force him to throw away the dreamcatcher and he can’t do this.

“Didn’t you ask the nurses to… take care of me and check if I really am… sick?” Ninomiya didn’t know how to put in polite words what they were doing to him here. He seemed to give the right answer because the doctor became a bit more upset than before. If Ninomiya told about his chats with Matsumoto this would give Aikawa more reasons to keep him here and experiment with new kind of drugs on him.

“You can go back to your room.” The older man finally said. Kazunari didn’t give him a chance to change his mind and left the office immediately, slowly shuffling to his chamber. Kazunari didn’t preoccupy his mind with any thought, trying to just rest from everything. He looked around every now and then until his eyes fell on something he didn’t notice before. On second floor he saw an opened window; the wind made the thick curtains dance. He won’t forget the color of the material till the rest of his life… Crimson with black feathers painted on the textile.