He pushed himself up, grabbed his crutch, and followed along. They made it to the cafeteria, and initially, the blond didn’t have much of an appetite for the change in environment and funky smells. As much as he hated being here, at least it forced some time apart from Jason.

Afterwards, he had a sit-down appointment with one of the psychiatrists. He tried to play along, but lying wasn’t his strong suit. Midway through their conversation, Max blurted. “When will I be able to leave this place?”

“…That depends on your progress. You have a history of attempted suicide.”

“What?” The blond choked. “No. I didn’t. I was just trying to run away from my husband.”

“Then what about the cut on your throat? Was that inflicted by your husband?”

Max felt the bandage over the cut on his throat. “No…that was me…but it's not what it looks like—”

“Maxwell, I as well as the entire staff is here to help you. We want to give you peace of mind and aid in your recovery so you can return to society.”

The blond heaved a sigh as he ignored the rest of the spiel. ‘He wasn’t good at this, was he now? It looks like there was no way out unless he cooperated a bit…’ Later, they had a group session where they also went over the basic rules again, such as no food in their rooms, cleanliness, not touching others, etc. 

In a few weeks, Max’s wavy, blond neck-length hair was now inching near his shoulders. His natural roots were showing more of their natural dark, dirty brown color as well, and he had lost quite a bit of weight. He also just generally look and felt tired. One afternoon, Max was outside in the yard in his mental institution uniform when he heard a familiar honk. He turned to find Jason carrying Leon until they were close enough for the five-year-old to run to him. The blond couldn’t believe his eyes and blinked twice before turning his whole body in their direction, a sad smile stretching across his face. He was not expecting them at all—but then again, when did Jason ever tell him anything?

Max rushed as fast as the recovering ankle could allow him and scooped the running child up into his arms, kissing him instantly. “Why didn’t you bring him sooner?!” He reprimanded when Jason was right behind them in his usual three-piece suit.

“My bad? I was wrapped up with work.” Jason feigned an innocent smile. “Don’t fall. What happened to your ankle?” The purple-haired held the other’s waist. The blond ignored him and brushed him away, not willing to forgive him just yet.

“Liar.” Max accused without even looking his way.

“Don’t I get some love?” Jason probed like a puppy.

“No. You’re the reason I'm here in the first place.”

“Fair enough, I guess.” The taller man agreed, but that didn’t stop him from embracing him from behind and kissing his cheek. He missed him. He rarely spent any time away from the blond ever since they were married. He hated to do this, but this was for his Max. His love needed to be perfect and go through this to realize never to run away or leave him again.

Max averted his face to dodge the kiss, and that stung Jason, but he stifled himself for a change. For now, he’ll allow the small rebellion to slide as cute. While Max rocked Leon, Jason crossed his arms and stood in the background. While they were out, Anthen waved at them from afar before heading back in.

“Who’s that?” Jason immediately inquired.

“Nothing, just a roommate.” The blond quietly answered, since he knew from experience that Jason was not going to let it be. The lavender-haired stared at him with disbelief.

“… Excuse me for a moment, you two stay right here.” Jason excused himself and entered the building casually. Max found it unusual but could care less. 

The Chief Executive of the hospital entered his office room to find an unexpected lavender-grey haired individual taking over his desk. Before he could fully close the door or register the other, a sharp pen came flying his way, barely missing its mark and striking the wall instead.

The older man winced and turned to face Jason on his desk, with his feet up on the desk. “Y-you…”

“Nice office you have here.” Jason colloquially remarked. “Looks like all my donations really helped.”

“Of course…you’re one of our largest patrons…but even so, to be in this room is…”

“I left you in care of someone very special to me, yet what do I uncover?” The purple-haired slowly mouthed, while playing with one of the paper weights in his hands, lining the corners with his finger. “That he’s rooming with another mental patient.”

“Ah. That, I apologize. I was not made aware of that. I didn’t handl—”

“Are you not in charge of this place? Is this how you run this place? I wonder what would happen if the other patrons found out?” Jason trailed off arrogantly.

“Please. There’s no need for that. I’ll make sure it's taken care of right away. There is no need for further action. It was all negligence on my part, I apologize.”

“Negligence, indeed.” The lavender haired repeated it without mercy. The director instantly promised to separate the blond and not make such mistakes again.

After Max unwillingly separated from Leon and Jason, a nurse approached him to change rooms.

“Why? I’m fine here, I don’t mind.” Max suggested.

“No, please, we insist. Your husband also directed us…” She told.

Max understood immediately. “Okay, I’ll get my stuff.” He had no choice, especially if he didn’t want to endanger others. He said farewell to his roommate and settled into the lonely new room. He hated being alone and isolated with his thoughts.

“I want you to be mine.” Jason’s words echoed in the empty locker hall. Max’s heart skipped a beat as he stood there, speechless. He had no idea Jason felt the same… It all felt like a dream. “Be my mate, and I promise I won’t ever let you go."

‘Yeah, literally…’ the blond confirmed. ‘Even now, no matter how much he tried to leave Jason, or fixed things, nothing ever changed. Jason won’t let him go.’

After a month, Max was finally discharged, or maybe Jason had something to do with it—he’d never know. “They let you out sooner than expected, hm?” The lavender-haired remarked with an innocent smile like he wasn’t the reason behind all this.

“Duh. Because I don’t have any mental issues.” ‘Unlike someone.’ Max felt like saying. For the most part, he was still withdrawn from Jason and ignored him. The blond’s ankle had long healed, and he no longer needed the crutch.

“You can’t still be mad at me, right?” Jason poses, to which he received no response. “I was only trying to help you.” There was no answer as Max put his stuff away in closets. “How’s your ankle? Let me massage it.”

“No. I’m fine.” Max gave him the cold shoulder, but Jason grabbed his shoulders and sat him down on the bed. The lavender-haired automatically grabbed his good foot and began massaging it affectionately. Jason always had a way of getting to him. Even now, the way he was so transfixed on his foot, smiling while massaging him so gently. It really messed with the blond’s head because it reminded him—this was the person he loved.

Jason was an outstanding and very successful person and Max had known him personally for years now. Since childhood, to be exact…but then, when did he become so fearful and deranged?

Jason moved on to the other ankle, handling it with utmost care. In the midst of his massage, Jason’s pale hand gripped his ankle tightly. The blond winced once and let out an unfiltered cry when the other bent it. “Jason! Wait—stop, that hurts—!” Jason refused to stop. “Hey!”

The lavender-haired relaxed his hand. “…You finally said my name.” He spoke after a solid minute. “Are you still mad at me?”

Max averted his eyes with guilt and disbelief. ‘How could you be so peculiar and not understand that?’ Jason flexed his ankle once more when the blond took too long to answer. “S-stop—I’m not, okay, I’m not mad at you anymore—” He instinctively let out.

Jason perked up at him. “Hm? Prove it then.” Now he was just pushing it and that was typical Jason. Max wanted to cringe, but he surrendered and scooted closer, wrapping his arms around the other’s neck. The blond was powerless, he learned that over the years. Once positioned, he did their secret little thing. When Jason would come home from work, or even before he left, anytime they met after a while, Max would hold his lover’s face with one hand and affectionately kiss the other cheek with a smile. He did the same now, but it felt nothing alike. Yet, Jason still loved it like nothing else.