Leave Me Alone, Big Brothers! [BL]-Chapter 32: Sleep in My Room.

"If you know the rope is too tight, never try to untie it. You’ll only make the wound worse," said Alexander.

Nathan remembered how scared he was. He couldn’t think clearly, let alone stay calm and just sit there doing nothing. But he didn’t argue with his brother right now.

Alexander took his other hand and applied the ointment there. He saw that the wound wasn’t too deep.

"If your hand feels uncomfortable or sprained, tell me," said Alexander. If that happened, he would have to take him to the hospital.

Nathan nodded. But he only felt pain and stiffness in his wrist.

"Don’t hold it in or keep it to yourself. If it hurts, you have to tell me, understand?" Alexander continued. He was certain Nathan was used to keeping everything to himself.

Nathan, still afraid of being scolded, stayed silent and nodded. He looked again at his brother, trying to find any sign of anger or annoyance. But there was none.

Alexander treated him so gently.

After a while, Nathan couldn’t help but feel guilty.

"I’m sorry..." he said softly, looking down.

His words surprised everyone. Especially Alexander. He stopped applying the ointment and stared at Nathan, but his gaze softened.

"It’s not your fault that you were kidnapped. The kidnappers are the ones who should apologize. But... you were wrong to leave the house like that. You didn’t tell anyone where you were going. What if you were alone and something happened to you?" said Alexander. His tone was strict, but his words were gentle.

Nathan looked down. "I’m sorry."

Alexander sighed. "Promise me you won’t do it again. If you want to go out, tell me or someone else. Ask Louis to accompany you. I won’t forbid you from going anywhere unless it’s a dangerous place."

Nathan stayed quiet, but he listened.

"Nathan, do you hear me? Promise me, please?" Alexander continued.

Nathan swallowed hard. Even though Alexander’s words sounded like a lecture, he felt warmth behind them. He felt protected by this man, even though he knew he shouldn’t grow attached so easily.

But in the end, he nodded. After all, this man and his family had saved him. He wasn’t ungrateful.

"I won’t leave without saying anything again," Nathan said softly.

"Good. Now let me see your other wounds," said Alexander, making Nathan widen his eyes when the man tried to open his clothes.

"No, no! No wounds there. Only... only my feet," Nathan said quickly. He took off his shoes and showed the red marks left by the ropes. It stung there.

Alexander looked at him doubtfully. "Are you sure? Let me check, maybe you can’t see it," he said, afraid he had missed something. He was sure the boy would have marks on his body after lying on the floor.

But Nathan didn’t let him open his clothes, so Alexander grabbed the boy’s feet and applied ointment there.

Nael stood not far away, watching the whole thing. He was glad Nathan wasn’t as fierce as usual, but seeing how Alexander treated Nathan made him a little jealous. He also wanted to be treated like that. He was injured too.

But Nael didn’t want to ruin the moment. He knew this might be Nathan’s only chance to open up to them. He stayed quiet. He could take care of his own wounds.

"Uuh, I’d better go back to my room," said Nael, seeing that everyone looked exhausted. He was sure they hadn’t slept because they were trying to save him.

"Thank you. Because of all of you, Nathan and I could come home," Nael said, walking toward Roger and hugging him.

"We will always be here for you, no matter what happens," said Roger, patting the boy’s back.

Alexander called Isabel, who was still awake, along with several servants who had already heard the news about the kidnapping. She immediately walked toward him.

"I’m sorry for waking you up this late. But could you prepare dinner for these two kids? Prepare the vitamins for Nael too," Alexander asked.

Isabel nodded quickly. "No problem, Sir. I’m glad both of them are safe. I’ll prepare it right away."

Nael sat next to Roger, looking at Alexander in confusion.

"I’m sure you haven’t had dinner yet. Go to sleep after dinner," Alexander said. He had finished applying ointment to Nathan’s ankle.

Then he looked at Nael. "Come here..."

Nael blinked several times, unsure if he heard correctly. But Alexander’s gaze was on him, and the man patted the sofa next to him.

Nael stood up and slowly walked over. Alexander sat between them now. This time he faced Nael, rolling up the boy’s sleeves.

Nael had more marks from the restraints. Alexander rubbed them several times.

"Does it hurt?" he asked.

Nael was too focused on staring at his brother to feel anything. Then he nodded. He felt Alexander’s gentle touch, which made him happy.

"If it still hurts tomorrow, tell me," said Alexander.

Nael nodded. He pointed at a few spots that didn’t show marks, asking Alexander to apply ointment anyway.

"Here too. And here..."

Alexander chuckled. "Why are there so many?"

Nael didn’t hesitate to lift his shirt, asking Alexander to treat those areas too.

Alexander just smiled. "Looks like you need a massage more than ointment, Nael. Now lift your leg."

Alexander examined the boy’s leg and asked Huan to bring warm water. "How did you go out without shoes in the snow?"

"I was in a hurry," Nael replied. He liked how Alexander gently cleaned his leg and applied ointment. He didn’t seem to mind having many wounds at the moment.

Alexander told everyone to go to sleep. Nathan and Nael enjoyed their late dinner before heading to their rooms.

But when they were about to go, Alexander stopped them. "No, sleep in my room."

Nael and Nathan looked confused. But they followed Alexander to another corridor.

Nathan thought his own room was large, but seeing Alexander’s room, he couldn’t help but admire it. Everything was neatly arranged. Unlike his room, which was dominated by white, Alexander’s room was a combination of red, black, and gold.

Nael had only entered this room once in his life, when he had to wake Alexander up.

And now Alexander said they could sleep here?

"I won’t let you sleep alone tonight. Sleep here," said Alexander.

Nathan felt Alexander was being excessive, but the man wouldn’t take no for an answer. So he followed. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

Isabel prepared their pajamas, and they climbed into Alexander’s bed.

Nathan was used to sharing a room with the children at the orphanage, but this felt different. He didn’t expect to feel comfort sleeping next to someone after everything that happened.

Especially with Alexander sitting on the edge of the bed, as if assuring him he wasn’t alone. The effect was immediate. Nathan fell asleep almost right away.

Alexander hadn’t slept all night. He knew the consequences of his plan. The two boys woke up several times because of nightmares. But he made sure he was always there to calm them before helping them fall asleep again.

***

The next day, Nathan would meet his grandfather for the first time.