#elodie ft. soohyun.

[fadinglights]

even  though  it’s  said  in  jest,  her  heart  aches  with  anguish  from  the  mention  of  death.  death,  lurking  ominously  close,  is  an  indomitable  force  that  sweeps  in  and  out  of  their  lives  like  tempestuous  storms.  “well,  you  didn’t  and  that’s  what  matters  the  most.”  she  wouldn’t  know  how  to  fathom  it,  a  world  without  his  existence.  they’re  already  broken  up  when  she  received  the  call  from  the  hospital,  but  it  doesn’t  mean  that  she  would  like  for  him  to  vanish  altogether  without  a  trace  left  behind,  without  a  string  for  her  to  hold  onto.  “so  what’s  going  to  happen  the  next  time  they  come  after  you  again?”  she  asks,  knowing  that  he  loathes  everything  about  the  world  that  they  are  born  into,  but  sheer  abhorrence  doesn’t  safeguard  him  from  perils.  her  insides  twist  with  the  idea  of  the  possibility  that  her  parents’  men  are  far  from  done  with  him,  that  her  hovering  near  him  would  only  beckon  more  dangers  in  his  way.  perhaps  it  is  for  the  best  if  she  maintains  a  distance,  bowing  her  head  and  obediently  conforming  to  her  family’s  whims.  a  mere  instrument,  skilfully  manipulated  to  erect  a  grander  empire  for  their  own  benefit.  nevertheless,  she  persists,  unyielding  in  her  resolve,  yearning  for  a  destiny  beyond  preordained  script  imposed  upon  her  from  the  start.  does  it  mean  that  she  has  the  right  to  ensnare  soohyun  into  the  web  of  precariousness  and  make  him  bleed  for  it?  is  she  being  incredibly  selfish  for  clinging  to  what  she  wants?  “you  can  barely  laugh  without  choking  and  you’re  begging  me  about  hospital  sex?  give  me  a  break.”  she  gives  a  playful  nudge  at  his  shoulders,  her  gesture  intentionally  light  to  avoid  eliciting  more  pain.  “maybe  you  should  still  tell  me  that  every  day.”  whatever  these  whispered  words  mean,  she  isn’t  certain.  does  she  regret  breaking  up  with  him?  is  she  determined  to  reverse  her  decision?  or  does  she  merely  want  to  keep  him  by  her  side,  no  matter  whether  she  has  her  feelings  completely  sorted  out?

'nah, almost dying does som' shit to you' and it really did. not that he was not clingy. probably of both of them, he was the most attached to physical contact. but he had truly missed her. upon their falling, he had been silently waiting for them to see each other. it would have been for him in different circumstances, of course. yet he couldn't help but appreciate his chances, even if it meant he had to be a bruised mess for her to see him again. he knew the risks, the consequences of loving her, but he couldn't resist the pull of her magnetism, the way she ignited a fire within him that he could neither control nor extinguish. every stolen moment with her was a gamble, a defiance of the laws that governed their existence, and yet, he craved her like a drug, unable to break free from the chains of his own desires. a delicate dance on the edge of a knife, teetering between ecstasy and agony with each passing day. as blood stained the streets and bullets tore through the night, he held her close, knowing that their love was both their salvation and their downfall. In her eyes, he saw the reflection of his own desperation, the longing for a future that could never be. or was it something else? a reflection of their ending? the most utter precision of refutal 'practicing? fuck no, you know how much i hate everything about our...shitty parents' he had learned to despise the world he was born into, where loyalty was bought with blood and honor but a fleeting illusion. every misstep, every wrong turn, was met with a wrath that knew no bounds, his father's fists raining down upon him like a torrential storm. and with each blow, his hatred grew, festering like a wound that refused to heal. he saw the ugliness of their world, the way it consumed everything in its path, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake. the men who wore tailored suits by day were monsters in the night, their smiles as false as the promises they made. no, practicing was but a mere trial of everything he hated. practicing meant he was ready to faze the reality that he, they, would never get away. 'who...who says?! my ass beaten that is' he spoke, jokingly drifting from his thoughts, coming back to her and their usual banter. 'c'mon, hospital sex might be worth it, we need to take this opportunity' there was no way elodie would let him get him close to her enough to even kiss her, yet he couldn't help but continuing disrupting her with quips and witticisms 'yea, you are' he whispered, not waiting for one bit 'too bad you dump my ass or i would be able to tell you that every day'

[fadinglights]

elodie's  piercing  glare  softens  into  a  radiant  smile  as  she  yields  to  the  gentle  caress  upon  her  fatigued  features.  “have  you  always  been  so  clingy?”  in  the  wake  of  this  unforeseen  turn  of  events,  the  opportunity  for  their  reunion  materialises,  prompting  her  to  reevaluate  her  past  choices  and  discern  what  truly  befits  their  intertwined  destinies.  should  they  give  in  to  their  desires  and  rekindle  their  connection?  the  air  crackles  with  an  undeniable  yearning,  concealed  beneath  playful  admonitions  and  solicitous  glances.  yet,  to  forge  their  paths  anew  would  entail  venturing  into  treacherous  territory,  a  realm  where  their  lives  teeter  perilously  in  jeopardy.  but  haven’t  their  lives  been  cursed  by  the  same  jeopardy  since  the  day  of  their  inception?  in  the  absence  of  the  tranquil  havens  that  ordinary  people  are  afforded,  they  were  pledged  a  life  embellished  with  thrill  and  power.  if  they  are  fated  to  navigate  a  treacherous  path  regardless,  isn’t  it  better  to  keep  their  hands  entwined  than  apart?  “well,  that  ancient  creature  got  you  good.”  might  a  jesting  facade  alleviate  the  weight  of  guilt  that  threatens  to  engulf  her?  she  wonders  how  she  might  divulge  the  truth,  that  her  father's  minions  are  the  reason  behind  his  suffering.  would  he  hold  her  accountable  for  crimes  that  she  didn’t  commit?  regardless  of  her  involvement,  she  is  still  the  catalyst  for  her  family's  malevolence.  "looks  like  someone  should  be  practising  more."  not  that  they  should  do  it  together,  of  course,  considering  their  previous  futile  attempts  and  their  mutual  inability  to  maintain  focus  on  the  battling  part.  “who  said  you  get  to  make  the  rules  now?”    she  shakes  her  head,  rejecting  the  notion.  she  knows  that  she  has  to  put  her  best  acting  forward,  even  though  their  efficacy  may  not  be  enough  to  escape  his  skepticism.  yet,  her  weariness  weighs  heavily  upon  her,  impeding  her  ability  to  hide  her  worries  from  him.  “there  is  no  fantasy  nurse.”  she  scoffs,  her  eyes  rolling  in  unison.  her  hand  instinctively  covers  the  one  that  gently  trails  the  contours  of  her  face,  leaving  no  doubt  of  the  affection  she  no  longer  bothers  to  veil.  “hm,  can’t  blame  you.  i’m  gorgeous.”  

she leaning in was a torture proof that they were still equally drown to each other. fervent for every tender touch they could share. elodie's touch, though hesitant, spoke volumes of the longing she harbored, a longing he had felt echoing within his own fractured heart. her words, however, often sharp and defiant, cut through the fragile veil of hope, reminding him of the chasm that separated them. soohyun's eyes traced the contours of Elodie's face, searching for the familiar nuances that once danced freely in her expressions. yet, all he found was a tempest, a storm of emotions churning beneath her facade. He had seen the worst of it, the raw fury that had torn through their bond like a relentless tempest, leaving behind shards of what once was. 'you didn't say stop touching, though' he added, closing in 'and for that i have to move' he recoiled, though, knowing well that elodie wasn't keen on repeating herself. he yearned for her however, in every second passing. his gaze met hers, a silent plea for understanding amidst the chaos. yet, her scrutiny was unforgiving, piercing through his defenses like daggers of doubt. the revelation of the attacker's identity hung between them like a heavy shroud, casting shadows of suspicion upon the fragile threads of their connection. her voice, laced with bitter amusement, echoed in the hollow spaces between them. His lips curved into a wry smile, a fleeting attempt to mask the ache that lingered within. ''harsher than they were? nah' he joked, knowing his words masked the truth, they had really gotten to him badly. in the midst of turmoil, her touch was a fleeting solace, a fragile bridge spanning the chasm of uncertainty. As her hand brushed against his cheek, he felt the weight of their shared history, the tangled web of emotions that bound them together, even in the face of adversity. her words, a playful banter amidst the chaos, brought a momentary respite from the relentless tide of worry. yet, beneath the facade of jest, he sensed the echoes of her own fears, the silent plea for reassurance amidst the tumultuous storm that raged within. 'i get to worry about you every time' and he did, with the life they carried. he wish to be besides her all the time, the only way he could calm himself somehow from thinking she was in danger. not that he was made of steel but at least, he knew he would give his life away to defend her. 'well, im still enjoying having my fantasy nurse thank you very much' he playfully said, chuckling with some effort 'but no, i love having my attention on you'

[fadinglights]

"oh,  you've  seen  nothing  yet."  but  he  has  in  fact  seen  the  worst.  it’s  the  very  thing  that  drove  her  to  lash  out  and  what  ultimately  shattered  their  relationship.  looking  back  at  it  now,  elodie  cannot  say  she  did  everything  right.  her  emotions  were  too  out  of  control  at  the  height  of  her  wrath,  perhaps  she  should  have  tried  harder  to  contain  them  so  she  wouldn't  be  falling  right  into  his  parents’  trap.  she  leans  towards  his  touch,  having  missed  it  too  much  for  too  long  to  pretend  that  distance  is  what  she  wants.  maybe  she  has  changed  her  mind.  or  perhaps,  her  mind  remains  an  enigma,  ensnared  within  the  tempestuous  maelstrom  of  emotions  that  has  entrapped  her  within  these  dreary  walls.  "i  said  stop  moving."  she  reinstates  her  point  more  firmly  this  time.  yet,  knowing  his  want  to  crush  the  distance,  she  inches  closer,  her  gaze  penetrating  him  with  the  scrutiny  of  an  anxious  feline.  her  heart  sinks  further  to  the  pit  when  his  response  confirms  her  suspicion.  the  attacker’s  profile  matches  with  the  man  she’s  seen  in  her  father’s  estate  and  could  well  be  the  one  orchestrating  the  ambush.  "an  ancient  creature?"  she  repeats,  allowing  a  mirthless  chuckle  to  escape  despite  her  inner  turmoil.  "that’s  harsh."  not  that  respect  is  owed  to  anyone  who  has  the  intention  of  ending  his  life,  but  she  needs  a  momentary  distraction  from  the  devastating  truth  that’s  being  processed  in  her  head.  can  this  treacherous  act  be  tied  to  her  family?  is  she  the  catalyst  behind  his  descent  to  ruins?  "you  don’t  get  to  worry  about  me  when  i’m  not  the  one  knocked  out  in  a  hospital."  she  bickers,  giving  him  a  jocular  glare  in  hopes  to  divert  his  worries.  with  a  gentle  sweep,  she  brushes  aside  a  stray  strand  of  hair  that  obscures  his  forehead,  her  hand  lingering  upon  his  cheek  for  a  moment.  "i  thought  you  love  being  the  centre  of  attention."

her smile was a welcomed pleasure, a reminder of all the time passed trailing her skin with his hands, all the secret kisses they've shared, every lousy whisper their lips have sealed. 'as possessive as i remember' he added, touching gently her chin with the tip of his fingers, trailing an imaginary path. she didn't meant to be his, they weren't meant to be together. yet wondering in a world without her was a lost thought now that he had taste what life with elodie could be. a bond as tragic as it was intoxicating, a union fraught with the perilous beauty of shakespearean tragedy. their names whispered in hushed tones, like a forbidden incantation, for theirs was a love that defied reason and courted catastrophe. 'it 'salright' he assured, still moving towards her, getting her closer to him, the only way he could or knew how to. she was the epitome of grace, a delicate flower in a world of thorns, her eyes ablaze with a fire that consumed all who dared to gaze upon her. and he was the embodiment of passion, a tempestuous storm raging against the confines of society, his heart aching for the one who held the key to its salvation. their love was born amidst the chaos of feuding families, a forbidden romance blossoming in the shadows of ancient grudges and bitter rivalries. yet, like moths drawn to a flame, they could not resist the pull of destiny, their hearts entwined in a dance of desire and despair. their clandestine meetings were fraught with danger, each stolen moment a precious treasure in a world that sought to tear them apart. he could sense the tension in the air at his words, how the fine machinery of her mind was cooking something. yet he could phantom which of his words could have creating such a turmoil. the questionnaire surprised him, letting him wondered why would she grasp such a minimal detail. 'not anything distinctive, he was older than the others though, he' hit harder's hit was harsher yet he move like an ancient creature' he replied, only because she was holding for dear life into those questions, forgetting everything else as usual. 'you don't sound convincing'

[fadinglights]

any  remnants  of  feigned  nonchalance  disappears  from  his  admission,  as  a  blossoming  smile  creeps  upon  her  lips.  her  hands  delicately  find  his  once  again,  interlocking  their  fingers  in  a  tender  embrace,  mindful  of  his  injuries.  “good.”  though  what  is  good  to  their  hearts  means  the  opposite  to  their  families,  who  have  long  been  wary  of  the  improbable  pair  that  should  have  adhered  to  their  deep-seated  rivalry.  that  can  wait,  however.  right  now,  right  here,  elodie  allows  her  heart  to  cling  onto  the  flicker  of  hope.  “don’t  move.”  her  brows  knit  into  a  frown  again  when  he  scoots  over,  not  wanting  him  to  intensify  the  pain  he  already  has  to  endure.  she  feels  apologetic  over  posing  such  an  exhausting  question  on  him  when  he  is  still  in  such  a  battered  state,  but  there  is  already  an  ongoing  investigation  by  both  his  family  and  her  most  trusted  men  and  the  sooner  the  culprit  is  found,  the  better.  her  eyes  widen  when  he  mentions  a  man  with  a  limp,  her  mind  recalling  the  last  visit  to  her  father’s  estate  and  how  one  of  his  men  bore  a  similar  affliction,  how  taken  aback  the  man  was  to  be  met  with  her  inquisitive  gaze.  her  heart  sinks.  she  remembers  the  dreadful  altercation  she  had  with  her  father  the  week  before,  about  the  arranged  dates  gone  wrong  and  the  admonishment  for  her  purported  selfishness.  in  other  words,  how  she  should  reconcile  with  her  fate  of  being  a  marionette  with  a  million  strings,  manoeuvred  by  her  family’s  desires  instead  of  hers.  her  fingers  almost  untangle  themselves  from  soohyun’s,  afraid  that  he  will  sense  the  tremor  coursing  through  her.  but  she  refrains,  knowing  the  sudden  distance  will  only  raise  more  suspicion.  her  gaze  falls  to  their  entwined  hands  as  guilt  churns  within  her  core.  “what  else  do  you  remember  about  that  man  —  the  one  with  the  limp?”  she  asks,  her  tone  kept  as  calm  as  possible.  “around  what  age  do  you  think  he  is?  does  he  have  any  other  distinctive  features?”  amidst  her  inner  tumult,  his  inquiries  momentarily  escape  her  notice,  only  registering  seconds  later.  “hmm.”  she  nods  weakly,  unwilling  to  divulge  a  word  about  the  recent  fiasco  in  her  life  that  can  well  be  the  reason  behind  the  assault  that’s  left  him  in  his  current  state.  “i’ve  been  alright.”  

'of course i missed you' he had never had a problem with his raw emotions. unfiltering them all for elodie to see. yet, he knows that to act on his feelings would be to invite destruction upon them both, yet he cannot help but yearn for her with every fiber of his being. As he meets her gaze with a daring intensity, the silence between them hangs heavy, pregnant with unspoken truths and simmering emotions. 'i never stopped...' missing you wasn't quite right. loving you however...his heart pounds in her chest, a constant reminder of the stakes at hand. For in a world fraught with danger and deception, their families' unforgiving nature casts a long shadow over their fragile alliance, threatening to tear them apart at any moment. just hours ago he was on the bridge of his existence. only ah echo of his painful breathing through an isolated space shaking the walls. his body, a recollection of pain configurations was full of lacerations. he didn't want the same for her. she could do better than that. better than him. he sighed, rolling a bit to see her better. he couldn't care less about who did it, literally any bastard with vengeance on his blood could have done it. and there were a few. yet he knew it would bring calm to the storm, and peace to elodie's mind, so he was okay with playing his part. 'not really, they were all wearing masks, everything covered, i remember some punches but...not all of them' he politely replies, wondering through his memories, trying to recollect anything important. 'one of them had a limp, that's all i remember' but i don't care. he whispers in his head. 'but, what about you? have you been okay?' have you found someone?

[fadinglights]

almost  immediately,  elodie  regrets  allowing  those  cursed  words  to  escape  her  lips.  how  can  she  possibly  dissemble  her  feelings  when,  only  hours  earlier,  she  was  consumed  by  fear  over  the  tragic  outcomes  that  could  transpire  within  this  very  room?  instead  of  addressing  his  query  directly,  she  meets  his  gaze  with  a  daring  intensity.  "didn't  you  miss  me?"  the  magnitude  of  allowing  a  minor  disagreement  to  escalate  to  the  point  of  jeopardising  something  of  such  profound  significance  to  both  of  them  feels  disorienting.  yet,  their  shared  temperament  and  intractable  pride  make  for  a  tempestuous  combination.  uncertain  of  their  current  standing,  elodie  knows  one  thing  for  certain  —  she  is  unwilling  to  leave  him  alone  once  again  so  quickly.  despite  his  vexing  idiosyncrasies  and  provoking  smirks,  he  remains  her  person  and  she  doubts  there  will  ever  be  a  day  when  she  ceases  to  care  for  him  entirely.  the  outside  world  fades  into  oblivion,  relegated  to  the  frayed  recesses  of  her  mind,  until  he  poses  the  dreaded  question.  she  contemplates  flashing  him  an  assuring  smile,  urging  him  to  focus  on  rest,  but  ultimately  dismisses  the  notion.  "they  are  trying  to  find  out  who  did  this  to  you."  to  describe  their  families  as  unforgiving  would  be  a  gross  understatement.  her  gaze  meets  his  with  a  potent  mix  of  concern  and  curiosity.  "do  you  remember  anything?"

'some things never change' and they didn't. gazing upon her trying to smile away. the gentle banter was just a demonstration of how easily the fell into the same rythm. memories, those elusive fragments of time, danced before his mind's eye, each one a bittersweet reminder of what once was. her smile, like wind chimes in a summer breeze, echoed in the corners of his heart, carrying with it the warmth of days gone by. 'did you...?' he started, not letting go of the moment for one beat 'did you just admitted that...?' he continued, letting a brave laugh fell through his lips, glimpsing at her playfully 'you missed me-' soohyun sang, with each quip and gentle jest navigating the minefield of their shared history, tiptoeing around the jagged edges of what once was. he traced the contours of her absence like a cartographer mapping uncharted territory, searching for solace in the remnants of a love that still whispered his name of his thoughts. his facade change however with her demeanor, letting all the disguise fall with the notion she cared. she still did. if her exterior told anything, was how well she could made a disguise into reality. a simulation of careful crafting that probably nobody would say a word about. but not him, no when he had spent all his time carefully learning all the raw edges of her being. understanding every inch of her depths and the sorrow she carried within her. he hated himself for being the cause of her pretense. that or a problem had risen. 'is everything alright outside?' he questioned, worry enveloped in his features.

[fadinglights]

"you're  still  so  full  of  it."  she  laments,  shaking  her  head,  trying  to  conceal  the  smile  that  has  already  crept  upon  her  lips.  her  gaze  drifts  away  momentarily  from  his  question  —  being  as  obstinate  as  she  is,  it  would  be  in  character  for  her  to  give  a  deceptive  no,  but  perhaps  it  would  do  her  well  for  once  to  be  a  more  honest  version  of  herself.  "maybe,  but  don't  let  it  get  into  your  head."  even  before  anything  romantic  ensued  between  them,  he  had  always  been  her  most  cherished  friend,  their  chaotic  nature  working  well  —  perhaps  too  well  —  together.  but  there  is  something  inherently  precarious  about  dating  someone  who  shares  too  many  similarities,  as  both  of  them  are  creatures  too  prideful  to  bite  back  their  tongue  when  a  disagreement  arises.  "it's  not  just  a  few  broken  ribs."  she  responds  with  a  hint  of  sadness  that  contrasts  with  her  previously  lively  tone.  he  may  not  yet  be  fully  aware  of  the  severity  of  his  injuries,  and  perhaps  now  isn't  the  best  time  to  disclose  it  in  its  entirety.  her  eyes  widen  when  he  tells  her  to  get  something  for  herself,  but  she  shouldn't  be  surprised.  of  course,  he  still  knows  her  far  too  well,  more  than  she's  ever  comfortable  with  anyone  knowing  her.  she  is  far  from  her  usual  self — meticulously  dressed  and  polished  to  an  impossible  degree  in  the  eyes  of  many.  perhaps  her  hollow  cheeks  and  sunken  eyes  have  betrayed  her  too.  it  wouldn't  be  hard  for  anyone  to  tell  that  she's  far  from  in  her  best  shape.  "are  you  sure  you  don't  want  anything?"  she  asks,  as  if  she  actually  has  any  intention  to  leave  him  be.

'yet it's reserved by a lucky ones like me, see. the world is perfect' far from it, and he was now a perpetual demonstration of it. yet for the means of the raillery and jest, he wasn't willing to admit that. he wasn't really willing to admit anything in this state. he couldn't phantom the idea of favouring negativity right now, not when his bones were fractured and his body ached. 'almost? does that mean you were starting to miss' me sweety?' he continued, feeling the weight of her gaze upon him, a silent accusation that echoed in the recesses of his fractured consciousness. her words, dripping with a bitter irony, cut through the haze of his dreams like a knife, each syllable a reminder of the chasm that had formed between them. and yet, amidst the bitterness and resentment that hung heavy in the air, he couldn't help but sense a flicker of something more, a glimmer of longing that lurked beneath the surface of her facade. 'hey, is just a few broken ribs, not the end of the world' he bantered, knowing well his masochist core had more to do with bearing the pain of loosing her than any lacerations. 'yes, please, get something for yourself' he knew her caring nature. well, he knew her. utterly. desperately. and he was sure the girl hadn't taken a break since the news have broken about his whereabouts. 'i've been on a beautiful diet of iv, thank you so much' he added playfully, the couch crossing his words like an unwelcomed friend.

[fadinglights]

“the  world  would  be  a  much  more insufferable  place  if  everyone  had  the  same  confidence.”  elodie  teases  him,  her  concern  evident  in  her  eyes  as  he  begins  to  cough  from  the  pain.  she  can't  help  but  roll  her  eyes  at  the  statement,  though  she  desperately  tries  to  prevent  her  mind  from  wandering  back  to  the  painful  memories  of  their  past  relationship.  “i’ve  almost  forgotten  how  annoying  you  are.”  she  comments  with  an  unserious  glare.  that’s  a  lie  —  how  could  she  ever  forget?  perhaps  there  is  a  part  of  her  that  missed  it,  even,  missed  everything  that  has  to  do  with  him,  although  the  chances  of  her  admitting  it  are  next  to  none.  the  whispered  apologies  and  confessions  she  chokes  out  while  he's  still  unconscious  are  now  pushed  to  the  recesses  of  her  mind  as  her  pride  resurfaces,  but  witnessing  his  battle  with  death  has  undeniably  altered  her  perspective.  she  remains  a  proud  individual,  and  the  notion  of  reconciling  hangs  precariously  in  the  air.  "still  a  masochist,  i  see."  she  remarks,  lingering  by  the  edge  of  his  bed  even  though  her  assistance  may  not  be  necessary.  "are  you  hungry?  should  i  go  out  and  get  you  something?"  as  for  herself,  she  has  subsisted  mostly  on  a  coffee-only  diet  during  the  days  she  remained  by  his  side,  her  own  well-being  all  but  forgotten  as  her  worries  for  him  took  precedence.

despite the distance that had once set them apart, they fell into a comfortable rhythm of teasing, as if the passage of time had melted away the barriers that had once stood between them. In the quiet moments between quips and jests, he couldn't help but marvel at the resilience of their bond, a fragile thread that had somehow weathered the storms. 'hey, don't be mean, im still a beauty' he scattered, laughing away his sorrow, feeling his chest inflate and hurt once more. pausing a few second to get a cough out of him. each wound spoke volumes of a life lived on the fringes of society, where violence and brutality were the currency of survival. his skin, once a tapestry of youth and vitality, now bore the scars of countless battles. and it would continue to do so. he couldn't help but wonder if that had been a factor in their separation, the notion of the short life span they could both have. 'you never really liked roleplaying so i had to take extreme measurements' he playfully joked, making sure this time his body could admit the laugh by gently smiling away. at least the warmth from the girl appeased the symptoms of his lacerations. 'i've felt worse, don't worry' their separation, a fractured bond that had hurt more than all the bruises and violence his body had taken. 'nah, it's okay, i like to feel it out' the agony, far from a source of repulsion, held a seductive allure, a call that beckoned him deeper into the abyss of his own darkness. in the twisted landscape of his mind, pain became pleasure, a visceral reminder of his own mortality, a communion with the primal forces that lay dormant within him.

[fadinglights]

"do  you  need  a  mirror?"  elodie  responds  with  a  cheeky  smile,  playing  along  with  his  frivolous  tone.  "it  would  be  better  if  i  don't  show  you,  out  of  the  kindness  of  my  heart."  the  bruises  and  cuts  on  him  make  a  worrisome  sight.  it's  not  the  first  time  she  sees  him  battered  and  bruised,  however,  and  she  knows  in  her  heart  that  it  will  not  be  the  last.  not  when  they  are  born  into  a  world  of  looming  perils,  where  every  step  must  be  calculated  to  ensure  their  survival.  perhaps  this  is  the  reason  why  she  can  never  leave  him  completely  alone  —  not  when  they  are  the  only  ones  who  understand  the  depth  of  each  other's  suffering,  the  struggles  they  must  endure  to  simply  exist.  "you  didn’t  get  this  messed  up  just  to  fulfill  your  sick  fantasy,  did  you?"  questions  about  the  culprits  behind  his  injuries  have  plagued  her  since  she  received  the  call  from  the  hospital,  but  she  will  leave  the  interrogation  for  later.  despite  being  awake,  he  must  be  exhausted  simply  to  hold  a  conversation  with  her  with  the  extent  of  his  contusions.  "how  do  you  feel,  really?"  her  voice  loses  its  frivolity  and  softens  with  genuine  concern.  her  thoughtful  gaze  lingers  on  the  iv  drip  attached  to  his  arm  before  falling  back  on  him.  "should  i  get  you  more  painkillers?"

each labored breath was a painful reminder of the cost of his allegiance to the ruthless machinations of his lineage. and yet, amidst the haze of pain and regret, the familiar presence of elodie lingered at his bedside — a beacon of solace in the midst of chaos. Despite the wounds of their past, she had come steadfast by his side. he wondered why 'hey, do i look that terrible?' he knew he did, bruises scattered around his body. yet he welcomed the playful banter. he lay battered and broken, a mere shell of the formidable figure he once projected to the world. the mission, intended to further cement his family's dominance in the shadows, had instead unraveled into a nightmare of betrayal and bloodshed, leaving him in that stupid sterile room. now utterly useless, he wasn't hoping for much from the girl, not when they had ended things in a less than an amicable scenario. yet, her words surprised him, making his eyebrows furrowed in gentle confusion. he kept his silence, taking the glass with shaky hands, remembering her caring nature, all the times she had patch hip up ' so i get my own personal nurse? seems like a good fantasy' with a wry grin tugging at the corners of his lips, he engaged in playful banter, masking the turmoil churning within his chest. nothing more than a futile attempt to mask the ache of a heart that still yearned for her embrace.

[fadinglights]

the  unserious  reply,  even  in  such  a  critical  time,  doesn't  faze  her.  it's  typical  of  him  to  trivialise  such  a  dire  situation  —  it's  how  people  like  them  adapt  to  their  world,  so  as  not  to  go  completely  insane.  she  rolls  her  eyes,  shaking  her  head  with  a  sigh.  her  frown  deepens  when  he  flinches  from  the  ache  caused  by  the  sudden  movement,  her  gaze  filled  with  concern.  "don't  move."  despite  that,  she  can't  help  but  let  out  a  light  chuckle  at  his  whining.  "guess  i  should've  brought  sunglasses  instead  of  flowers,  you  poor  thing."  she  shakes  her  head,  dismissing  the  apology.  maybe  there's  a  part  of  her  that  is  relieved  he  hasn't  changed  the  emergency  contact.  she  would  rather  see  him  like  this,  to  be  able  to  rush  in  and  make  sure  he  is  okay,  instead  of  hearing  terrible  news  elsewhere  or  worse.  the  morbid  possibility  is  something  she  no  longer  wants  to  dwell  on,  a  weight  that  has  finally  been  lifted  the  moment  he  wakes  up.  her  gaze  lingers  on  their  still  entwined  hands  for  a  moment  longer  before  her  honest  reply  slips  —  and  they  both  know  the  only  person  she  listens  to  is  herself.  "i  don't  want  to."  finally  letting  go,  she  gets  up  from  the  edge  of  his  bed  only  to  pour  him  a  glass  of  water  and  hand  it  over.  perhaps  it  will  always  be  second  nature  to  her,  no  matter  how  much  they  claim  to  loathe  each  other,  to  make  sure  he's  okay.

the touch, so delicate it could totally get pass him if not were the only him holding him to reality, felt familiar, like and old friend. he didn't expected any visitors, yet the smell of her perfume had uncover her identity before he could open his eyes. the voice is what finally wakes him up entirely 'like three men had taken their chance on me' he joked with a corner smirk, trying to seem more confident that he felt. shaking his head, he strengthen the touch with a little more force before she could say a word 'please don't' he whispered, recoiling from the sensation of his body been pulled by the little energy he had used. shit, he was a mess. 'she's little miss sunshine i can't handle that right now' the positive woman didn't have a fault, but soohyun had taken her as villain in the small prison of the clinic. she had been cheery, so upbeat with her demonstrations. he didn't need that. 'sorry about you coming, didn't know about the contact thing...' he sighed, not so happy about having to apologize to her for anything, but he had been raised with manners, despite what anyone would think 'you can go now, don't worry about it' she had surely better things to get to.

[fadinglights]

elodie  was  raised  to  believe  that  caring  was  a  weakness,  but  she  still  finds  herself  caring  for  a  select  few.  worry  furrows  her  brows  as  she  takes  in  the  battered  state  of  the  man  in  front  of  her.  she  tightly  grasps  his  hand,  silently  urging  him  to  wake  up.  as  his  eyes  slowly  open  and  surprise  crosses  his  lips,  she  considers  releasing  his  hand,  but  ultimately  decides  against  it.  her  presence  alone  betrays  her,  so  she  might  as  well  drop  the  act.  "i'm  still  your  emergency  contact."  she  says,  her  gaze  a  mixture  of  concern  and  a  slowly  budding  anger  towards  the  pain  he's  gotten  himself  into,  or  perhaps  the  pain  someone  else  inflicted  upon  him.  in  the  world  they  live  in,  she  will  never  be  certain.  taking  a  deep  breath,  she  quickly  wipes  away  her  tears.  "how  do  you  feel?"  she  runs  her  fingers  through  her  hair.  "i  should  call  the  nurse."

close starter for: @fadinglights inspired by this.

his body ached stunningly, white noise filling his ears and an aseptic smell coming in and out. the last remnants of his memory were foggy, an unexplored uncertainty going through his head slowly. still, he opened his eyes with much effort 'what...?' he whispered, trying his damnedest not to move too much, but still as surprise as ever to see that face 'what are you doing here?'