“He is very dehydrated, malnourished, and it seems like he has been lacking in sleep.” Doctor Thompson murmurs, his lips slightly pursed as he is examining the fragile boy on the couch, “I’m not entirely certain but something must be bothering him because this is all mental induced, not physically.”

Lynx is sitting at his desk, worrying because he has noticed that something seems to have been bothering Cory and it makes him wonder if it is him. Is Cory pushing himself to that point because of the job? Lynx didn’t think it was that bad because everyone knows not to touch Cory now and Cory is basically under Lynx’s protection. 

“I suggest that you treat your boyfriend better.” Doctor Thompson suddenly says, making Lynx jerk up his head because he wasn’t expecting that as a response, “I know it can be a little difficult considering the fact that you are the owner here and the Leader of the group, but I can assure you that he will be happier, and you won’t have to worry about anything like this again.”

“He just works for me.” Lynx corrects him, folding his arms across his chest, “he owes me.”

Doctor Thompson raises an eyebrow at that because he doesn’t believe Lynx one bit, “I hope you don’t mind me being frank, but you have NEVER been this gentle with someone who just works for you. Not even your ex-lovers. No one was ever allowed in your office either, only to spare rooms so what is so different about him? I’m actually going to be surprised if you do tell me that you are not dating.”

Lynx isn’t so sure about what Doctor Thompson is saying, a bit surprised because he never thought about it like that. When he looks down at Cory, he can’t help but wonder if this means that he is interested in Cory in a lot deeper level than he was originally thinking he could be. The idea of it happening like that makes Lynx feel a little odd but he isn’t going to dwell on it for much longer if he can help it.

“Well, as long as he is going to be alright, that is what matters.” Lynx murmurs, running his fingers through his hair, “can you go to my condo and set up a drip in my room? I am going to transfer him there.”

Doctor Thompson nods his head and heads out where a few of Lynx’s most trusted guards come in. Getting Cory to his home will be the easy part but getting Cory to open up and answer questions, that will be a much more difficult thing for him to do.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The night has passed, and Cory has made no move of waking up. Thankfully, Doctor Thompson has him on the IV drip that way his body will be getting what it needs while he is asleep. For whatever reason, Lynx keeps coming to check on him, slightly worried that Cory is going to end up getting hurt if anything else comes from it.

No one has ever made Lynx feel like this before and it is definitely a sensation that he is not used to. He wants to know a lot more about this feeling but he’s also eager to decide what’ll come next from it. Maybe Cory is the key to a new world that Lynx has yet to experience.

Sitting in the living room with his laptop on his lap, his glasses remain perched on his nose as he is doing work. Although he is the top Mafia leader in the United States, he is also a businessman, and he has to run a lot of the scenes from the background. He has been doing this for so long now that he isn’t sure what he will do next.

“Lynx?” He hears a soft voice, making him look up.

Cory is standing in the doorway of Lynx’s room, his hair a little tousled and he still looks a bit sleepy. Lynx’s blanket is wrapped around him, covering his nearly naked body, a shiver going through him as he is trying to keep everything together. Just the sight of him is enough to get Lynx going as he closes his laptop.

“You’re awake.” Lynx murmurs, rising to his feet and heading over to Cory, “come, you need to eat.”

Cory looked like he might protest but he must have decided against it as he allows Lynx to guide him over to the table. Lynx doesn’t want him to eat too much because it could make him sick, so he settles on making Cory cheesy scrambled eggs with a glass of orange juice. Hopefully that’ll be good enough for now.

“How long was I out?” Cory asks curiously as he is sipping on his drink.

“Just overnight when you collapsed in my arms.” Lynx murmurs, setting the plate of food in front of Cory, “but I need to be clear on what is going on with you lately. You have seemed to be really on edge and not taking care of yourself. Let me help you.”

Cory hesitates, knowing that Lynx could actually be the problem. The look in Lynx’s eyes is telling Cory that he is not going to be able to run away from this and if he does, then he is going to be in a lot of trouble. Cory wishes that he could figure something out but maybe the truth is what needs to happen.

“I have a stalker.” Cory explains, making Lynx go incredibly still as he learns this, “and honestly, I’m kind of afraid. The person has broken into my home, destroyed the place, and had left photos they had taken of me. For a while, I kept thinking that it was you who did it to scare me…”

The fury on Lynx’s face is enough to tell him a different story.

“But I think that I was wrong.” Cory continues, obediently eating his food, “so I honestly am not sure who I need to be on the lookout for.”

Cory’s confession pisses Lynx off because who in their right mind would go anywhere near Cory. Lynx knows he needs to look into this, slightly worried about what will end up coming from it if it ends up being the case that Cory is in danger.

“You will be staying with me until we can figure out who it is.” Lynx suddenly speaks up, making Cory feel really shocked as he is going to protest, “but I can assure you that I’m going to find out who is responsible. They will not touch you.”

Cory is more than just a little surprised, staring at Lynx because how in the world can he accept this? Something tells him that either way, Lynx is not going to take no for an answer. 

Cory just hopes that he is not going to love with regret.