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theoneeyedgoldenwolf · 1 month ago

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"DON'T TOUCH ME!"

Whumptober 2024, number 15: Childhood Trauma, Painful Hug

Summary: Time had brought Wild, the third adopted boy of his, to Lon-Lon Ranch only couple of days ago. He was well aware of how little the youngster wanted to be touched. And yet, sometimes that little knowledge slipped from his mind…

CW: Slash wound, held tightly for others to beat, childhood trauma, fear of needles, blood,

Notion: - Time has lost his eye and he has the scar over his right eye BUT he does NOT have Fierce Deity’s markings. He’ll get them at different story and MUCH later on. - Originally that summary was the first paragraph of the story. ^^;; - Luck Bird = Siberian Jay

Part of Ranch Family, my Modern AU story of LInked Universe.

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Time came down from the second floor while very quickly realizing that he wasn’t the first one up. He smiled while having checked on two of his boys and found them sound asleep from their rooms. Yet, the slight noise coming from the kitchen already told him that his newest boy, Wild, was already up and working with breakfast.

“Morning, Wild. I see you’ve alr—“ The one eyed male started while gently placing his hand on his boy’s shoulder before gasping in shock and trying to move fast. It was simply instinct and the swift flash of light on the blade that acted as his warnings of a danger. He held in the scream as the knife slashed at his arm fast and sharp. Yet, he still growled in pain while moving to his left to get out of the attack and instinctively bringing his left hand to the cut.

“DON’T TOUCH ME!” Wild screamed out in rage while acting out of learned instinct. For a moment he forgot where he was as he turned around with the blade and struck. Too many times the touches that had been meant to be gentle had brought him pain and hell. He was not going to let anyone harm him while he held a weapon in his hands.

Yet, the moment he had turned around with a glare of hatred on his features, he froze in shock. “T-Time…?” He mumbled while his eyes widened in terror. The knife slipped out of his hold and clanged to the floor. “I-I… T-Time, I-I….” He stammered while trembling and his gaze began to be blurry with tears.

“Shh, it’s okay. My fault.” Time assured with a calm and assuring smile. “Should’ve remembered. I just…” He explained before hearing the almost thunderous sound as Twilight and Legend were rushing down from the second floor. “Sorry about this, Wild.” He straight off apologized while swiftly moving.

Just before the duo dashed into the room, the ranch’s owner had pushed Wild behind him and raised his hands up in calming manner. “Everything’s okay. Just my own stupidity.” He straight off told before either could start to throw in accusations. “I forgot for a moment not to startle a cook in his work.” He bit chuckled while doing his best to calm the moment. “Just automatic reaction, that’s all.”

The duo stared shocked at the scene while putting one and one together. “Like me throwing a knife at you when you crash into my room after I’ve woken up from a nightmare with a scream?” Twilight asked.

“Exactly like that.” Time agreed before grinning. “Your aim’s perfect in these days.” He ended up bit chuckling when his the boy he had brought here first about a year ago groaned and facepalmed.

“T-Time… I-I’m s-so sorry…” Wild whispered almost fearfully. “I… I-I shouldn’t…” He mumbled before bit gasping as the older male crouched down and looked at him but he didn’t turn around.

“May I hug you?” Time inquired but his boy flinched a bit at the query before already backing off by a step. “Okay, no worries. I understand. I’ll keep my distance.” He straight off promised while raising his hands in calming manner. Yet, he soon gasped a bit in pain as Legend had come over to inspect the wound.

“That needs stitches.” The apple tree caretaker commented before frowning as Time paled and gulped.

“S-stitched, huh?” The one eyed male almost stammered and gave a weak grin that was somewhere between a grimace and a grin. “Oh, joy. This gonna be fun.” He half mumbled while trying to keep his breathing in order and his voice bit playful. “Twi, be a sweetheart and fetch the first aid kit from the living room, thanks.” He requested while nearly fighting to keep himself from breaking.

“You should go to the hospital with that one.” Twilight stated out before leaving the kitchen to get the needed things.

“Eh, I’ve had worse. Lot worse.” Time countered while sitting down to the floor.

“You probably…” Legend started as he watched bit uncertainly as the owner of the Lon-Lon Ranch started to take the shirt off. “I thought we could’ve just cut the sleeve off or something.” He told bit sorrowfully as he tried to ignore the scars littering his caretaker’s body.

“Easier this way.” The one eyed male replied and tried not to slump as the first aid kit was brought in. “It’s just like fixing clothes. Nothing to worry. Small strikes.” He advised as calmly as his thick voice allowed. He fought against the tremble as he saw the needles after Twilight had already opened the kit. Legend got up for a moment to wash his hands.

“You should go to the hospital, Time.” Twilight told firmly while keeping his notion in the bleeding wound. Yet, before his caretaker could answer, he gasped loudly and recoiled away from a touch. He snapped his shocked gaze into Wild before blinking and calming down.

“Sorry, sorry, sorry!” The boy with fascination into cooking nearly shouted. He had been curious of the scars and gently touched one of the markings. Now he had backed off by few steps in shock.

“It’s fine. Just bit sensitive. That’s all.” Time assured as calmly as he could while flashing his best assuring smile to his boy. “Considering all things, I’m not sure which of us two has the worst scars.” He bit joked before flinching roughly and growling in pain. For a moment he trembled violently before he managed to get it under control and force his eye open to look at the stitching Legend had started to do. He fought to take deep breaths.

“Time?” Wild called worriedly while watching the situation in growing terror.

“N-nothing to worry.” Time stammered and gulped few times but he was unable to get the lump in his throat down. “J-just mild case of needle fear. T-that’s all.” He told while holding down his desperate need of whimpering. He just concentrated into breathing and keeping his gaze in Legend’s work. Yet, he flinched roughly at each stitch made.

“I wouldn’t call that mild.” Legend stated out as he glanced once at Time.

“I-I’m still functioning if needed.” Time replied with a half a grin, half a grimace.

“H-how did you…” Wild started before already trailing off. Time tore his gaze off of the stitching to look at his newest boy while doing his best to hum in questioning manner. “T-the needle fear…” The youngster half whispered.

“O-oh… Uh….” Time thought for a moment while still flinching at each stitch made. “It’s a childhood trauma.” He finally managed out and resisted the urge of shrugging as that might’ve caused trouble to Legend’s work. “T-the docs at the orphanage weren’t exactly gentle ones.” He forced out while trying to concentrate into the topic and not the needle going in and out of his skin. He just barely noticed Twilight getting up and going over to the sink.

“I guess we all got quite a lot of childhood traumas.” Legend commented while finishing his work. He got up to clean the items and nodded to Twilight. The first boy of the ranch’s owner had gathered water into a bowl and picked a towel along.

“Yeah, well, not surprised of that.” Time answered and now shrugged a bit. Yet, he soon gasped and flinched roughly as Twilight started to clean the wound and the blood off of him. He swallowed the whimper that threatened to rise from within him. “If something comes up, I promise I’ll make a visit to the hospital.” He stated out into the look Twilight was giving him. “Anyway, Legend, thank you for the help. And, um, sorry for the unwanted wake up call.”

“Wasn’t your fault.” Legend stated out while making sure the needles were out of Time’s sight. The older male was calming down and getting some color back.

“Actually, it was.” Time countered and shrugged. “I took Wild off guard. It was stupid of me. I made a mistake and paid for it. That’s all.” He explained before grinning. “Yet, I do have perfect boys by me here.” Twilight and Legend bit jerked before already blushing. The one eyed male turned his notion into Wild with a fond smile. “And I’m meaning all three of you.”

“I wouldn’t call myself perfect.” Wild mumbled while turning his gaze off and wrapping his arms around him.

“I do and you are.” Time stated out firmly. “Your past is hellish but it is not your fault. You didn’t deserve any of what you’ve gone through.” He continued firmly and looked at the other two. “None of you have.” He returned his gaze back into Wild. “So, tell me, what were you up for doing for breakfast?”

“Time.” Legend called firmly and got the one eyed male’s notion into him before Wild had a chance to reply. “You didn’t deserve the hell you’ve gone through in your past either.” He told firmly while crossing his arms over his chest.

Time jerked a bit and blinked in shock. He gulped once before slowly giving a lopsided smile. “Y-yeah… Yeah, you’re right. None of us deserved it.” He told while concentrating into breathing so he wouldn’t break down in front of the trio. Yet, he still chuckled slightly while wiping few tears off. “Shit. Haven’t heard that line for few years.” He half whispered before smiling bit sorrowfully. “Thank you.”

“I was seven.” Wild whispered while having backed into a corner and sat down. The trio’s notion fell into him. “I thought he wanted a hug when he spread his arms. I went in with a smile and…” He started before already bit trembling as the tears started to form. “He held me tight but not for the hug. It gave a chance for the others to beat me up without me being able to fight back or get free.”

Time desperately wanted to hug his boy at then and there. And as he glanced at the two others, he knew they wanted too. “You can be certain that anyone I let underneath my home’s roof will NEVER harm you, Legend or Twilight. I swear this. You all are safe and sound here. And I will defend you three with my own life if needed.” He swore firmly while wanting to spread his arms and hope for his boy to come for a hug but he didn’t dare to. Not after what he had just learned about Wild. He wanted to give at least a slight touch but he feared to just freak the youngster out of his mind.

Legend got up and left the kitchen. Twilight stayed to his place while trying to be as unthreatening as possible and to show he would never harm his brothers in any of way. “Wild.” Time called gently while fighting against himself about reaching out to his boy. The youngster raised his gaze up a bit. “It’s okay. You’re safe. Us three will protect you. I promise.” He told even though he felt like the words were hollow and empty.

Suddenly Legend came back with a stuffed pink bunny. “I want this back, by the way.” He stated out with a slight blush as he offered the toy to his newest brother. Yet, he didn’t go any of closer than what Time was at the moment as it seemed the distance Wild was comfortable with at the moment.

Wild blinked few times in surprise before he bit shakily reached out to the toy. He tad feared it would be just snatched away and he’d end up into danger. But, such didn’t happen and he quickly returned to the corner while cradling the bunny. “It’s cute and soft but…” He started quietly before shrugging.

“But not your favorite animal?” Twilight half queried and Wild nodded in confirmation. “What is?” He continued calmly.

“I… Don’t know.” Wild half whispered while frowning.

“A wolf? I got a wolf toy if you want.” Twilight suggested with bit hopeful voice. Wild frowned more as he thought it through before shrugging.

“How about a Luck Bird?” Time suggested gently.

“What’s a luck bird?” Wild queried while tilting his head a bit.

“It’s a small bird. It got back and wings of silver. The tail and part of the wings are orange.” Time described with a small smile. “If you see it, it’ll bring good luck for the day. It’ll aid you to figure things out and find answers. But, it’s magic only works until midnight.”

“Is it your favorite?” Wild asked curiously and Time nodded.

“The first time I saw the bird was the day I ran away from the orphanage.” He smiled a bit while turning his gaze into the window. “The next time was at the day I came to here at the age of eleven.” He mused before grinning. “And I’ve seen the bird at each of the days I’ve brought you three in. That bird has never failed me.” Wild stayed silent while letting the words sink. Suddenly a distinctive bird call was heard and Time grinned a bit. “That’s the one.” He bit mused before pointing at the window. “And there he is.” He told and got his boys to turn their notion into the window.

Wild moved a bit closer to the trio to get a check on the bird too. He gasped a bit as he recalled of having seen the bird few times before in his life. Time returned his gaze into him at that sound but he stayed to his place. The youngster had dropped his gaze down while frowning and clearly thinking something through. After a moment he raised his gaze up into his current caretaker with slight uncertainty. “C-can I…” He started while trying to find the right words but the one eyed male just opened his arms and smiled fondly.

“Whenever you feel like it.” Time replied gently. It still took a moment before Wild moved and very slowly and tentatively got into the ranch’s owner’s lap. “May I hug you back?” He inquired quietly. The newest boy at the ranch thought for a moment before giving a slight nod. “Okay. Nice and easy. Nothing to worry.” Time whispered quietly while wrapping his arms slowly and loosely around the boy in his lap.

Legend and Twilight wished to join into the hug but they held back. Both were aware they might scare Wild out of his skin if they touched him at the moment. Time whispered quiet reassuring words while keeping himself from tightening the hold he had of his boy. Slowly, so very slowly, Wild started to relax and calm down in his arms. Before he knew it, the youngster was asleep.

Time turned his notion into the other two boys of his. “I know I’m asking a lot but—“ He started but the duo shook their heads and cut him short.

“We already checked. Everything safe and sound at the cooking area.” Twilight told calmly and Legend nodded. “I’ll take the first aid kit back to its place.” He continued while carefully getting up and going to pick the red pack before already leaving with it.

“I’ll clean around here.” Legend started calmly while beginning to get things to wash the blood off.

“Thank you , boys. I’ll make it up to you for your aid.” Time promised but the second boy of his shook his head.

“Nah, you’re already doing a lot for us.” Legend countered firmly but fondly. “Just concentrate into Wild. He’s needing far more notion and care than either me or Twilight.”

“And yet, all three of you are precious to me and I want to make sure I notice and care of each of you equally.” Time stated out.

“You do, Time, you do.” Twilight told while coming back to aid Legend with the cleaning. “Each of us just need bit different notion and care and you give it to us accordingly.” He told fondly and smiled as he noticed Wild calming down even more as Time unconsciously was running his fingers through the boy’s hair. “The three of us are the lucky ones to have a home in here with you.”

Time blushed a bit and smiled fondly at the claim. “I’m the lucky one to have you three here.” He mused while unconsciously giving a gentle kiss to the side of Wild’s head. He smiled a bit at the happy sound coming from Wild at such caring action.

Legend snorted softly and grinned. “You’re the one whom picked us out of all the other kids.” He reminded with a slight grin. “So, yeah, the three of us are the lucky ones.”

“Can I have all three of you close to me, please?” Wild suddenly requested quietly and bit uncertainly. Yet, he didn’t move from his place while feeling calm and relaxed. It was a feeling he really wanted to savor and stay in.

Time was bit startled before tad chuckling. “I thought you had fallen asleep there, Rascal.” He commented fondly but not stopping his gentle action of running his fingers through the boy’s hair.

Legend and Twilight left the cleaning and washed and dried their hands before moving closer to the duo. They took part into the loose hug one at a time while talking and letting Wild know whole time where they were and what they were doing. At the gentle touch, the youngster bit flinched but he calmed down surprisingly quickly. After all, he had asked for it. Both of the boys first pulled bit back before retouching him while letting him know of their actions.

Time kept smiling almost proudly at the duo’s instinctive actions of reassurances and safety giving words. Both of his boys clearly were protectors and very willing to look after those in the need of it. Slowly but certainly Wild gained a very loose group hug. When he slightly changed his position in Time’s arms, the hold got even looser if not fully off to give him the room and chance to escape if he needed to do such. This time around, though, Wild fell asleep in the hold. The trio didn’t pull off or change their hold even one bit. They all were ready to stay in the given position as long as needed.

Wild didn’t sleep longer than about an hour before yawning and sitting up. He frowned a bit as he felt the hold which was loosening and letting go of him. He frowned a bit as he blinked his eyes open before bit gasping in start as he saw the trio. Yet, he soon relaxed and smiled slightly. “Hi.” He half whispered before getting up. The hold around him pulled off nearly instantly at his movement. “Breakfast sounds good, I’d say?” He partly queried.

“True but you are not obliged of doing it. I’m the caretaker here.” Time told softly with a slight grin.

“But I wanna!” Wild whined and Time chuckled slightly at that.

“May I help? Or would you rather that I just supervised?” The one eyed male queried while getting up too.

“I….” The youngster with eagerness to cook started until his gaze took in the fact that Time was without a shirt, his arm was bandaged and there was blood on the floor. His ears drooped while he bit slumped as he recalled of what had happened only about an hour ago.

“Rascal.” Time called firmly but fondly. His youngster snapped his bit teary gaze up. “Not your fault.” He stated out calmly while wishing to pull the boy back into a hug but he feared he’d only freak Wild out by that. Instead, he crouched down to his level with a fond smile. “Everything’s okay, Wild. You’re safe. I’ll heal. No-one’s blaming you.” He counted out before tad grinning. “How about all four of us handle the cleaning and then you and I can do something bit more than breakfast. A brunch, I’d say.” He suggested calmly while noticing Twilight and Legend nodding in agreement. Wild took a moment to think it through before nodding too.

“I’m sorry to have hurt you, Time.” Wild half whispered sorrowfully.

“And I’m sorry I took you off guard. I didn’t mean to freak you out.” Time countered calmly while feeling grateful of the two boys of his moving off the way to give the third boy a chance of escaping the room if needed. Wild took the area closest to the door when all four of them started to clean the room up. Time stayed in a place where he could easiest get between if things needed it even though he knew both Legend and Twilight were very considerate of the situation while keeping their distance and giving Wild full notion of where they were and what they were doing. It let Wild calm down and feel at safe.

In the end all four of them, out of Wild’s request, handled the brunch. Time knew he didn’t really need to stay as a guard or a wall between the newest member of the ranch and the earlier two. Yet, it seemed to give slight bit of feeling of safety to Wild. And luckily Twilight and Legend understood the situation fully. Wild was skittish and both of the boys were familiar with animals that didn’t trust easily. That knowledge aided them in finding the right way of helping their newest brother.

In all reality, that was the day when Wild began to heal. He gained a clear show of trust and acceptance while the trio with him at there didn’t do anything that would’ve been like before. Slowly during the day he relaxed more as the trio actually apologized if they had accidentally touched him and gave him heads-up if they needed to get past him in such way that there’d be a contact. Each of the three kept the distance and asked if it was all right to touch him like a hand on shoulder or arm.

At the end of the day Wild unintentionally fell asleep on the sofa while having unconsciously actually leaned against Time. The four of them had been watching a movie and just calming down. At the next day he woke up from the sofa with Time having stayed up the whole night just to make sure he wouldn’t unconsciously do anything of stupid and freak his boy out. Wild felt bit bad about that even though his caretaker kept telling it was fine and that he had done similar thing for Twilight and Legend too.

Yet, what really mattered to Time was the very clear fact that Wild was slightly bit better and actually trusting him and the duo with them. That was a good start and he knew they could work forwards from there. Things very much seemed bright for the four of them.

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