"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." You chanted as you tried to clean up the glass shards littering the floor.

You had been doing the dishes for your grandmother when a wet plate slipped out of your hands and smashed on the floor.

"It's alright y/n." Your grandmother soothed keeping her distance. "It was an accident. Just don't cut yourself." Your grandmother had always been patient with you and kind. The exact opposite of your parents.

Since you were little they beat you, viciously. They were emotionally manipulative and frayed every heartstring you ever had.

You blamed yourself for just about everything, always apologized, remained silent most of the time, and flinched anytime anyone attempted to touch you.

Your grandmother had got custody over you a year or two ago and insisted that you stay with her while going to college and trying to get a job. You guessed she was trying to rehabilitate you for the real world.

You did your best to improve and make her proud. But you still couldn't handle anyone attempting to touch you. Much to your grandmother's heartbreak.

"You just work on those dishes and I'll start on di-Ah!"

You jumped to your feet at her yelp ready to run.

Your grandmother pressed a hand over her heart and grimaced in pain.

Your fight or flight response eased as you came back to reality and fear was replaced with worry.

"Grandma?"

She shook her head and gave you a dismissive wave when her pain seemed to leave slowly.

"I'm fine, dear. Just an old heart." She turned her back to you preparing the stove for cooking.

You frowned in worry and reached out to stop her, but halted your hand only inches from her back. You retracted your hand and opted to speak instead.

"Grandma, let me buy some take out. I saw a barbeque place down the road. I heard they have the hottest food in the country." You bribed with a kind tone.

Your grandmother was a sucker for spicy food and you swore she had a gut of titanium.

"I don't want to spend your money, dear." Your grandmother said turning to you.

"I do though. And besides, I think it might help." You were no doctor, but maybe the spice would help her heart. You weren't sure why but that seemed right.

"Well alright. But please be careful and don't spend too much."

You nodded at the instructions and rushed out the door.

Once outside, you avoided looking up as much as possible keeping to yourself.

That was until you came to the barbeque stand and forced yourself to smile although it was shyly.

"Excuse me?"

A man in a red trench coat with fiery red hair turned to you with a clearly forced smile.

"Well hello valued cu-" his eyes locked on you and he froze mid-sentence. He stared for a moment then shook his head. "Valued customer. What can I get you?"

You ordered trying not to let your smile slip. So, you studied the man while he worked. He looked handsome and confident. You caught yourself staring and blushing so you quickly looked away.

Unfortunately, he noticed the red on your cheeks and smirked.

"May I ask your name for the order?" He quirked a brow at you. His smirk turning flirtatious.

"Y/n." You said sweetly.

"That's a lovely name." The man said as he started to pack your order.

"What's your name?" You asked curiously tilting your head.

The man chuckled.

"Don't you know?"

A small gasp escaped you.

"Are you a celebrity? I'm sorry I'm terrible with celebrities."

The man laughed lightly.

"You could say that. I am Red Son. Son of the Demon Bull King and Lady Iron Fan!" He declared proudly.

You stared dumbfounded.

"Oh you're the guy who tried to take over the weather station."

Red son cringed at the mention and you bit your bottom lip.

"Well technically, you did succeed for a while." You pointed out kindly.

Red Son paused in shock then smiled at you.

"I did, didn't I?" He stood a little straighter.

You nodded with a giggle. He was so easy to please.

Red Son offered you your order and you waved goodbye walking home.

Your grandmother adored the food and you ate yours with a quiet smile and light blush. Then as you finished you found a small piece of paper at the bottom of the bag. It held Red Son's name followed by a series of numbers.

He had given you his phone number. Your heart stuttered at the realization.

You pulled out your phone and dialed the number, then sent a text.

Soon you received a return text and without much time at all you two were texting everyday. You would go on walks with him to the grocery store and he would sometimes stay and help you make dinner for your grandmother and you.

He enjoyed cooking with you and your grandmother was in love with his spicy food so it seemed like a good situation until one time in particular.

You chopped the vegetables while the stove simmered next to you and Red Son worked on filling dumplings to your left.

"Are your parents ok with you being here?" You whispered glancing at him.

Red Son chuckled.

"Oh please, mother is ecstatic that I'm talking to someone as lovely as you and father adores your food. Of course they are overjoyed that I am here."

Your cheeks burned red at the compliments and you smiled lightly.

"I'm glad you're here too."

Red Son turned suddenly as you finished the vegetables. In doing so he knocked down a few dishes off the counter. The collective crashes sent you back to when you lived with your parents. 

You screamed and covered your ears falling to your knees.

Your grandmother came around the corner with a worried frown just as Red Son reached for you.

"Don't, don't touch her." She informed him carefully. "She's reliving very painful memories."

You attempted to breathe as tears streaked down your cheeks your mind slamming you with all the most painful of your memories.

Red Son knelt next to Y/n carefully. Her sobs and gasps for air tore at his  heart. He had no clue what 'painful' memories your grandmother meant, but he intended to stay with you until they passed.

"What memories do you mean?" He asked as he snapped his fingers igniting a small flame in his hand.

You stared at the flame and slowly started to breathe evenly again.

Y/n's grandmother informed him of the past abuse and the years Y/n suffered. It became difficult to keep the flame in his palm small as he heard the stories, but he urged himself to have patience.

Caring for y/n was his first priority. So, he waited until her grandmother finished her tales and Y/n had calmed down some before speaking.

"Y/n, can you hear me?" He addressed you quietly.

You nodded.

"May I touch you?"

You paused but after a moment you nodded.

Red son pulled you against his chest and lifted you bridal style and walked towards the living room.

"Where are we going?" You whispered.

"You are going to rest on the couch. I am going to finish the food. We will eat, then you and I are going to talk." His tone sounded tense but simple.

He finished the food, you all ate, then Red Son leaned over as your grandmother left.

"You have been hiding your pain from me. Care to explain that?" He frowned almost angrily. But you could see worry behind the frustration.

"I didn't want you to worry. And I'm getting better at dealing with it....just not with loud noises."

Red Son sighed and pulled you against him.

"Well we are working together on it from now on."

You smiled and cuddled into him and after a while you slipped off to sleep.

Red Son grinned at you lovingly.

The next day it was reported that your parents' house had caught fire in the night with no survivors. Red Son claimed he had no hand in it. But then he always did smirk when you asked.