starmessngr410 - Tumblr blog

starmessngr410 · 3 months ago

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my (not so) lovely guardian angel

pairings: comfort! guardian angel! eric sohn x reader

word count: 15k

genre: comedy, fluff, fantasy

tw: blood, gore, mentions of torture

who's scared when you always have your guardian angel with you at all times?

or, apparently heaven assigned the wrong guardian angel to you. but it's okay because he promised to always be there by your side.

"guardian angel? you're more like my guardian puppy."

do you know that when you cry, it rains in heaven?

a/n: this was a very, very old draft of mine. it was supposed to be just fluff and angst, i don’t know how it became a full blown fantasy storyline :)

@deoboyznet

we could never see our guardian angels, unless we really needed them, or when they decided to make themselves seen. (which rarely happens) it was always in the stories, people who have seen them would say it was a miracle, having these beings among us.

you never believed it, that is until, you woke up to see one staring straight at you a few months ago. you thought you hallucinated, but immediately snatched the night lamp of your side table as soon as he started talking, ready to defend yourself against the said stranger. the said stranger was mumbling a string of colourful words to himself, pacing around your room. who knew angels could curse?

"you have three seconds to explain who you are before i'm throwing this lampshade at you." you started, mentally preparing yourself if he was some psycho killer.

he held his hands up in front of him. "wait! wait! wait! i'm your guardian angel!" he shouted, closing his eyes and bracing for the impact that never came.

"what?" you asked dumbfounded, still clutching onto your night lamp tightly.

"i mean... technically i'm not yours... you were supposed to be hyunjae hyung's responsibility but... i don't know how i accidentally ended up here." he explained, nervously rubbing the back of his neck.

"well? can't you go back?"

"that's the thing. i can't. once a human sees us, we are bounded to be their guardian angel for the rest of their life." he said, running his hand through his hair. "hyunjae hyung is gonna kill me."

"how can i trust you're not lying and you're not some psycho killer?" you asked.

he looked at you in offence, gesturing to himself. "do i not look like an angel?"

you ignored his question. "show me your wings." you demanded.

he sighed. "do you really have to go that far?"

you shrugged. "or i don't believe you and i'll call the police."

"fine. fine." he agreed. "just look away for a second, the initial glow of my wings might blind you."

you narrowed your eyes at him.

"i'm not kidding." he said as soon as he saw your expression. "we've had a previous few cases... and i don't want that happening to you. not when you're my responsibility now. just close your eyes for a second." he assured.

you sighed, deciding to blindly trust the stranger in front of you and closed your eyes, counting down from three.

before you could mentally count to one, you heard the sound of things crashing, and you jolted your eyes open to find a pair of majestic ivory wings, with the stranger looking sheepishly at you.

"sorry for messing up your room. i promise to clean it up for you." he winced, as his wing hit yet another decoration off your table.

you shook yourself out of your reverie and peeked over the edge over your bed, seeing your things scattered all across your carpeted floor but that was the least of your worries.

"so... angels are real." you gasped in awe, unconsciously reaching your hand out to touch his wings, to which he flinched.

"sorry." you apologised, retracting your hand quickly.

"they're... uh.. sensitive." he explained. he quickly changed the topic, tucking his wings away and clearing the awkward tension in the air. "does this proof that i'm not a crazy psycho killer now?" he asked, gesturing to himself.

you nodded, slowly placing the night lamp back onto your bedside table.

"great." he beamed. "my name's eric by the way."

"eric." you repeated softly, your hands fiddling with your blanket.

he hummed, picking up your things and organising your table back to how it once was. "by the way, were you in some sort of distress? you were calling out to hyunjae hyung."

"i was?" you asked, confused.

"your soul was. i was running some errands when i found his chain glowing, which somehow... brought me here." he explained. "though angel chains are normally bounded to their owners.... and theoretically only their owners can have access to it..." he mumbled to himself softly, his eyebrows scrunched into a frown.

he absentmindedly reached towards the chain around his neck. "it's weird..."

"and a tiny bit suspicious?" you continued.

"huh?" eric asked, looking at you.

"i don't know... but it kinda sounds that someone was trying to sabotage you." you explained. "i was not in distress until you popped up in my room. at 3 a.m. at that."

he threw the nearest pillow at your direction.

"hey!" you exclaimed. "can angels even be violent?"

"you'd be surprised." he shrugged. "though you might have a point. i'll have to discuss this with headquarters."

"that sounds weird." you commented. "sounds like there's a hierarchical society up there too."

"we might be angels but we're not perfect, you know." he sighed, making his way towards your window. "i'm genuinely sorry for bringing you into whatever mess this is. and disturbing your sleep at 3 a.m."

you waved his worries away. "don't mention it. life's no fun without a little adventure right?"

he nodded, the corners of his lips curling up into a gentle smile. "see you again soon, little human." was the last words you heard before he disappeared into the summer night air.

it hadn't been a week before eric showed up (or popped up) again in your room, nearly giving you a heart attack while you were studying, or stressing, really, about your physics question.

"you really need to give me a warning before you suddenly appear out of nowhere." you stated, spinning around to face him while sitting your study chair, deciding to disregard your revision for a moment.

"do you mind?" he asked, gesturing to your bed.

you shook your head, and he immediately splayed out on your bed head-first, heaving a sigh.

"you know," he started, his voice coming out muffled due to the covers. "you might be right."

"about?" you tilted your head to the side, confused.

"about someone trying to sabotage us, or me and my brothers, specifically." he explained, flipping over to face you.

"continue." you said, crossing your arms.

"hyunjae hyung said he lost his chain a few weeks ago, and he filed for a new one to the headquarters, that's why it wasn't with him. headquarters was supposed to deactivate it once it was reported missing, or stolen..." he trailed off.

"but they never did."

"bingo." he snapped his fingers. "the question here though is why."

you hit your head against your study table. "physics questions and now philosophical?" you mumbled to yourself.

eric jumped out of your bed, immediately coming over to inspect your now slightly redden forehead. he sighed, his eyes glowing a faint gold colour as he waved his hand over your forehead.

"so, what now?"

"don't worry that pretty little head of yours. it's supposed to be mine to worry about, anyways." he said, peeking over your shoulder. "what are you working on?"

"physics." you said, blowing the stray strand of hair away from your face. "i apparently have a test almost every other week."

"that's brutal." he commented, his eyes narrowing in focus at the physics question.

you looked at him expectedly. "my guardian angel wouldn't have a knack for physics, would he?"

he ignored your question, pointing to your working. "did you notice that the velocity was supposed to be in negative because it's going the opposite direction?"

you glanced back at the question. "shit. you're right." you agreed, quickly correcting your mistake. you mustered your best puppy eyes, "could you please help take my test this thursday?" you asked, innocently.

he stared at you, unimpressed. "angels also have limits, you know. plus, i'm not supposed to help you cheat. it's not an angel thing to do."

you sighed in defeat. "well, at least i tried." you pondered before asking, "were you on bad terms with anyone? maybe the fallen?"

he shook his head. "no, we disagree sometimes but they hardly ever interfere unless it has something to do with the nephilims. speaking of which, hyunjae hyung did have a mission on earth last month."

"i know you said not to worry about it, but promise to update me if anything happens."

"i promise. in the end, we're all in this together."

"did you just quote high school musical?" you asked.

he looked at you confused. "did i... what?"

you shook your head. "never mind." though you did make a mental note to make him binge watch it in the near future.

eric didn't have to reply you because the small feline decoration on your table started glowing before exploding into golen dust.

"pixies." eric cursed under his breath. "watch out!" he shouted, pulling you into his arms as the matryoshka dolls next to you exploded.

"what? pixies?" you exclaimed in shock, your heart beating erratically from the sudden chain of events.

"they're pesky little creatures meant to cause mischief. you know about the fallen but not pixies?" he asked, scanning your room and noting there wasn't any exploding hazards left before letting you go.

"no?" it was supposed to be a statement, though it sounded more like a question.

"someone's messing with me." he sighed, opening your window and sticking his head out, looking around. "hah! gotcha!" eric exclaimed, using your transparent pencil holder to trap who knows what.

"who sent you?" eric asked, his tone demanding.

you peeked out from behind your guardian angel, seeing a tiny green creature, not larger than the size of your hand, with wings.

"human..." it snarled as soon as it spotted you.

eric slammed his hand on the table, startling both you and the creature. "answer me."

you didn't know angels could be so scary.

"master hyun sends his regards." the creature smirked mischievously.

"i should've known. what does he want?" eric asked.

the creature glanced at you, it's eyes filled with menace. "if i were you, i would think there would be more pressing matters to attend to, such as your little human behind you."

"what do you-- shoot! y/n! watch out!" eric shouted. but it was too late as a black entity shattered your glass windows, and you stumbled back. you came face to face with a 7ft demon, it's eyes glowing red.

you grabbed your night lamp and threw it at the demon slash creature, hitting it square in the face.

"seriously?" eric looked at you incredulously.

"what?" you shrugged. "at least i tried!" you exclaimed, though the night lamp barely did any damage to the demon. you managed to duck just in time before the demon swiped its claws at once your head was.

eric jumped at the demon, and the exchange of blows was too quick for you to comprehend what you were witnessing. you saw him reaching a knife at his ankle, plunging it straight into the demon's chest before it turned to ash.

eric immediately went to you, remnants of ash still in his hair. "are you hurt?" he asked, checking you for any injuries. "you are." he grabbed your left arm, your left arm that you didn't even know was bleeding, and his palms glowed, sealing the wound.

your eyebrows furrowed as you noticed as a faint identical scar to yours appeared on his left arm, exactly where you had been cut. but it disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

"the pixie escaped. let's go. we need to leave." he said, grabbing your arm and leading you out your front door.

the familiar sound of your car unlocking snapped you out from your daze, and you wondered when he took your keys from your apartment. he got into the driver's seat, and you settled into the passenger's, securing yourself with your seatbelt before eric took off.

the car was silent for a moment, before you decided to break the silence. "i didn't know angels could drive." you commented. you paused, before another thought popped up yet again in your head. "do angels have a driver's licence?"

"that's the first question you ask after coming face to face with a seven feet demon?" he glanced at you, a small smile tugging at his lips.

you shook your head. "i don't even want to know what that is. where are we going?"

"a safe house. i already informed my brothers. we're meeting them there." he said. "it's going to be a long drive."

your eyes flicked over to eric, pondering whether or not to ask him about whoever the pixie had mentioned but decided against it, not wanting to pry.

whether human or angel, we all have our secrets to keep. and you trusted eric to tell you if you needed to know.

you don't know when you had drifted off to sleep, maybe it was all the fatigue that had crept up to you, but when you woke up at an empty parking lot outside a diner and eric was no where to be seen, you internally panicked.

taking a deep breath, you managed to spot eric coming out of the diner with his hands full, making his way back to the car.

"sorry if i took long." eric apologised, handing you a burger. "i didn't want to wake you, so i figured to stop by to take out some food in case you were hungry when you woke up." he explained. "i made you worry didn't i?"

"was it that obvious?" you asked, embarrassed.

"i would be lying if i said no. other than the fact that it's written all over your face, we're bonded emotionally too. so i can sense if you're in danger." he answered, pulling the car out from the parking lot and onto the freeway.

"oh." you replied in understanding at the new information he gave you. "so, other than the fact that we're bonded emotionally, any other things between a guardian angel and a human i should know?"

he pondered for a moment. "i'll let you know when it comes to mind." he said, taking a bite of his burger with one hand on the wheel.

"do angels need to eat?" you asked, curious.

he shook his head. "nope. but it's just one of the mundane things some of us take pleasure from." he gestured to your burger. "you should try it. it's really good."

you nodded, your stomach grumbling at the thought, taking a bite of your own burger that eric had gotten for you and savouring the taste. it had been more than 12 hours since your last meal, after all.

you reached over to switch on the radio, a taylor swift song coming on. you could hear your guardian angel softly humming to the tune of 'love story'.

"a swiftie?" you asked.

"one of my brothers, jacob, used to blast her music in our room last time." he explained.

you nodded. "he has good taste."

"i'll have to agree with you on that one. he's musically talented, and is the nicest amongst us." he paused. "don't tell anyone, but, he's my favourite hyung."

"my lips are sealed."

---

eric pulled up into a driveway of a white majestic house, (fit for angels, really). though it looked empty from the outside, the door swung inwards before eric could knock, and an almost 6ft man with blonde hair popped his head out, smiling at eric and you with his dimples showing before opening the door widely, allowing you and eric both to step inside.

"hello." he greeted you cheerfully. "i'm changmin. it's nice to meet you."

you smiled at him. "hi, changmin. i'm y/n. it's nice to meet you too."

"it's finally nice to put a face to a name. don't tell him that i told you, but, eric talks about you. a lot."

"he does?" you asked, surprised.

he nodded, smiling. "don't worry. i promise he said good things only."

you followed changmin into what looked like the living room, the living was decorated with various greek elements, with the high ceilings and grand foyer making you feel like you got transported into a movie. but what was even more beautiful were the six men sitting on the sofa, and their conversation stilled when they saw you.

you don't even know when eric disappeared, but when you tried to look around to find eric for help, he was nowhere to be seen. the six men (or angels, you would rather say) must have sensed your nervousness, because they each sent a small smile at you.

you figured changmin could sense it too, because he told you not to worry and that they were all his brothers. they all introduced themselves to you, and you learnt that their names were jacob, younghoon, chanhee, haknyeon, kevin and sangyeon.

"there's two more, sunwoo and juyeon who are busy running some errands, but they'll be back soon." jacob explained kindly as your eyes wandered.

"please make yourself at home." younghoon said. "we don't bite."

your ears turned red at his comment and younghoon bursted out laughing, which earned him a swat from chanhee. "don't torment the poor girl." chanhee turned to you. "how was the journey here? you must be tired. i'm sorry that our house is located so far in."

you shook your head. "it's alright. i slept most of the way here, so i'm really okay."

"chanhee's just excited that there's another girl in the house. it's been ages since he was assigned to one anyways." changmin teased, taking a seat next to you.

if looks could kill, changmin would've been dead as chanhee narrowed his eyes at him, but it seem liked changmin was already used to it.

"you're late." sangyeon commented as two other men stepped into the living room, who you assumed were sunwoo and juyeon.

"the demons downtown were being a bit of a hassle. nothing we couldn't handle." sunwoo explained, then continued. "but seeing hyunjae and eric still absent, i'm betting that they're having a brawl in your study." your eyes widened at his comment. "you must be y/n." he noted, as he turned to you.

you nodded, greeting the both of them. "i'm just kidding about the brawl." sunwoo said, which let you release a breath you were holding. you followed his eyes that were trailed to the staircase to see eric and who you assumed was hyunjae before he added. "or not."

---

although eric assured you that angels heal quickly, you were still worried about the bruises on his face, and the cut on his lip.

"what happened?" you asked, as you applied the ointment younghoon gave you.

eric would never admit it, but he found it cute how you scrunched up your eyebrows in focus while tending to his cuts and bruises.

"it was nothing. we were just talking." he yelped when you pressed lightly on his cut.

"right." you mocked him. "talking would have you ended up in bruises."

"i'm touched that my human is concerned about me."

"uh-uh. don't change the topic." you warned, finishing up with his bruises, proud of your own work.

a knock on the door, made you turn around to see kevin by the door. "hi. sorry to interrupt but sangyeon wants to have a talk with us, eric."

eric practically jumped up from his seat before dashing out the door. "yup. coming!"

kevin turned to you, smiling sheepishly. "i deeply apologise for the actions of our youngest. thanks for taking him out of our hands, and taking care of him."

you shook your head. "it's nothing."

"i gotta go." he said pouting, looking out the door. "you seem really cool. let's talk again soon, y/n."

"ditto."

---

after exploring the whole house and left with nothing to do (since the rest of the guardian angels were still busy), you made your way up to the rooftop. the sun was already setting, and because the house was located deep in the woods, you could see some stars peeking out.

you pulled your legs close to you, resting your chin on your knees while admiring the view. you wouldn't lie that you weren't feeling a bit overwhelmed with how quickly things changed, but you were slowly getting used to it.

"when everyone else couldn't find you, i thought i could find you here."

you turned your head to find the source of the voice, unfamiliarity evident across your face.

"i'm the last of the eleven brothers you haven't met, hyunjae. your supposed to be guardian angel." he said, taking a seat next to you, his presence oddly comforting.

"oh." no wonder his name felt so familiar.

"i also frequently come up here to think." he continued, also tucking his knees into his arms. "the stars are really pretty tonight, they must've known you were watching." he commented, smiling.

"huh. though i feel it's the other way around." you said, as he settled down next to you comfortably. you both sat in silence, admiring the stars above before you.

"can i ask you a question?" you asked.

"go ahead."

"if things had turned out differently, would you have still been my guardian angel?" it felt as if you had known hyunjae for decades, vulnerability evident it your voice.

"always." he replied. "i know that i've never shown myself to you, but i was always there. silently watching over you."

you pondered in silence, thinking back to when some situations that felt like pure luck, or miracles for you. "that night, when someone was following me home, you sent darong, the labrador to protect me, didn't you?" you asked, finding the way how darong suddenly appearing out from nowhere strange.

he nodded. "she did a good job of keeping you safe. i promise to bring her the next time we meet."

"i would really like that. i always wondered where she always went after walking me home. that explains why she always disappeared after." you commented. "thank you." you added, sincerely. "it's nice to know that someone was always there for me."

"even though i'm not your guardian angel now, you can always come to me if you need someone to talk to, or if you want to complain about eric. it's been a long time since he cared for a human. i'll scold him for if he's not taking care of you properly." he said.

"noted. i'll hold you to that." you paused, debating whether or not to ask what they had discussed about without you.

"i can see the gears in your head turning, y/n. ask away."

"i forget that you know me too well." you pouted. "if you don't mind, can you tell me what caused the demon to come after us?"

he sighed. "eric told me what happened." and if someone had flicked a switch, hyunjae's voice turned serious. "we used to have a half brother, centuries ago. but things didn't turn out well between him and our father, which caused him to join hands with evil."

"like the fallen?" you asked, shocked at the revelation.

he shook his head. "the fallen... they're different. fallen angels made their own choice. but our half brother, well, father ripped out his wings and banished him from heaven. and he thinks we were the ones who caused it, especially eric."

"why?"

he paused. "that's not my story to tell." and for the first time, you've never seen the eyes of an angel so sad. "if you want to know the whole truth, it's best you ask eric yourself."

---

the whole night, you just spent tossing and turning, thinking back to your conversation with hyunjae. a soft knock sounded at your door, and you opened it to find eric standing there.

"couldn't sleep?" he asked, stepping into your room, (or their guest room for that matter).

you nodded. "i woke you, didn't i?"

"i could feel your anxiety, so i came to check up on you." he explained. "i heard that you had a talk with hyunjae hyung."

"yeah. i'm sorry that i woke you."

he shook his head, though fatigue was evident in his eyes. "it's alright. this must how you felt when i suddenly appeared in your room at 3a.m."

"that feels so long ago."

he sat at the edge of your bed and smiled. "it does, doesn't it? i still remember you wanting to throw your night lamp at me."

you looked at him in mock offence. "the world is really dangerous nowadays!"

"i've forgiven you for it." he said, playfully.

your eyes widened in shock. "i didn't do anything wrong!"

"and how you threw it at the demon." he continued.

"that was kinda stupid, i admit. i really didn't know what i was thinking then." you said, before both of you bursted into laughter.

when the both of you calmed down, he asked. "though as your guardian angel, what can i do so that my human can go to sleep without all her thoughts running through her head?"

"what's your speciality?" you asked, leaning against the backboard of your bed.

"everything. just name it. i can even bark if you want me to."

"that's oddly specific." you noted. "are you sure you're my guardian angel? you're more like my guardian puppy."

"everybody tells me that. jacob says that i'm like a chihuahua because chihuahuas are cute. but i swear i don't think it's a good thing."

"puppy, come here." you beckoned, patting the empty space next to you.

"is that my new nickname now?" he asked sighing, but obeying your request anyways.

"it does have a nice ring to it..." you trailed off, looking at the angel next to you. he was so close, that you could count his eyelashes if you wanted to. which indeed he had really pretty eyelashes. and lips.

wait. what were you thinking?

you shook yourself out of your thoughts. arranging the pillows so you were settled comfortably. "can you sing me to sleep?" you asked.

"sure. any song request?"

"any song would be fine." you replied.

"close your eyes."

it would have been an understatement to say that eric's voice was beautiful, because he sounded like angels (no pun intended). his soothing voice lulled you to sleep as you slowly surrendered yourself to your fatigue.

---

you didn't know when you had such huge pillow to cuddle with, but it was cuddly. and warm.

sure, you remembered that the pillows were super soft and cuddly. but warmth was a new addition. and now your pillow was moving on its own. that was strange.

were you even snuggling a pillow?

"didn't know my human was such a hugger."

your eyes jolted open to see eric right in front of you, with your arms around him. "why are you still in my room? i thought you would've went back to yours." you said, any evidence of your grogginess fading away.

"i was planning to but you're like a koala bear, you know? you were clutching on to me so tightly like you were scared of letting me go." he answered nonchalantly.

your eyes widened as he wrapped his arms around you, pulling you closer to his chest. "plus, it's nice to cuddle with my human like this for awhile."

your cheeks flushed. you had to admit, you felt safe in eric's arms. "eric. can i ask you a question?" you asked, your voice slightly muffled.

he nodded, his chin resting on your head.

"can you tell me what happened between you and your half-brother?"

you could feel him tense up at the question. "hyunjae hyung did tell me that he told you about it last night and i think you deserve to know." he paused. "but promise me one thing, okay? promise me that you won't hate me."

"i promise. i could never hate you."

he released a breath he was holding. "me and hyun, my half-brother used to be very close. like stuck at the hip close. but then, one day he started questioning our father's rules, and he started looking into the occult, dark magic and all. when i caught him in the act, i tried to warn him against it. that nothing good will turn out from evil. but he refused to listen, saying that we were brainwashed by father."

you could feel his hands tighten around you, and you rubbed soothing circles on his back. "you don't have to continue if you don't want to, eric."

he shook his head. "i want to." he took a deep breath. "things started going downhill when he visited the human i was protecting when i was running some errands. back then, everyone knew everyone. guardian angels used to always show themselves to their humans so she knew my half-brother. the reason why he needed her was to summon the king of hell. god, he wanted to start the apocalypse to wage war on our father. the ritual went wrong and the demon he summoned killed her. and the worst part of it? i wasn't there."

"eric, it wasn't your fault." you reassured.

"but it was. y/n, do you know that I could feel her fear, pain and agony? and i couldn't get to her in time before the empty feeling settled in my chest. if only i had reported him to my brothers, or to someone, it wouldn't have happened. she wouldn't be dead."

"eric." you cupped his face with your hands. "listen to me. you couldn't have done anything and it wasn't your fault."

his eyes watered. "i'm sorry that you're stuck with me, y/n. i'm sorry that i'm your guardian angel when it's supposed to be hyunjae hyung. when you could've been safe with him instead."

"eric, i wouldn't have traded you for anyone else. and i promise it'll be different this time."

"how can you be so sure? i don't want to lose you, y/n. not this time. not again."

"you won't. because i trust you. and you've protected me up until now. if it wasn't for you i would have probably be dead."

"i don't deserve you, you know that?"

"i know." you teased playfully, ruffling his hair.

he looked at you in mocked offence before breaking out into a smile. that beautiful smile of his.

"come on, puppy. gotta get up or your brothers are gonna wonder where we went if we don't show up for breakfast."

he shook his head, pouting. his strong arms not letting you escape his hold as he pulled you closer and buried his face into your hair. "five more minutes."

"alright. alright." you smiled, finding his pout adorable.

"good morning, y/n. breakfast is ready--- oh."

what you didn't hear was the knock on your door before the door swung open and jacob stepped into your room, his eyes wide like a deer caught in headlights.

---

breakfast was awkward to say the least, as you caught jacob stealing glances at both of you from the opposite side of the table. the food sangyeon had prepared was scrumptious, but you couldn't fully enjoy it due to the awkward tension at the table.

"so, did you have a good sleep last night y/n?" kevin asked.

your head snapped up at the question, and you nodded at his question. "yeah. thank you. the room was very comfortable."

"eric was pretty comfortable too, huh?" sunwoo mumbled under his breath, and all heads whipped to the both of you.

"what? didn't you both sleep together?" sunwoo asked, nonchalantly. you winced at the question.

eric denied. "god, no."

"this just got ten times more awkward." kevin commented, and you wanted the world to swallow you whole.

"what do you mean no?" sunwoo asked.

"not in the way you're implying it!" eric countered.

"i wasn't implying anything. you know, the same room, sleeping." sunwoo replied, his hands up in surrender.

"yeah, right."

sangyeon dragged them both by the ear from the table before things could escalate further. everyone was silent for a moment at the table, before continuing whatever they had been doing, as if nothing had happened.

"it's normal for the both of them to bicker." hyunjae whispered to you, explaining the situation. "they're like dogs and cats at each other's throats. and if it makes you feel any better, i have no idea what they were talking about. and i bet the others don't know too."

you smiled at him gratefully. "thanks. that escalated quickly."

he shrugged. "though, i've got to admit, sunwoo should've been more low-key about the teasing." he puts down his fork. "do you want to get out of the house for a bit? i need to run some errands at a town quite nearby. you should come along, it'll be a change of scenery for you."

you nodded. "that sounds nice."

"great. just let me put away the dishes real quick and we'll head out."

changmin wanted to tag along, but he apologised as he needed to visit downtown for a pick-up, and promised to come along next time. hyunjae showed you around the town, bringing you into some of his favourite cafés and letting you try some of his top ten food.

you were having fun chatting with hyunjae as he picked up some groceries along the way. but you did occasionally (well, more than occasionally) wonder what eric was doing, hoping he didn't get into any trouble. the day was going well with hyunjae.

all of a sudden, a piercing scream reached your ears, and you froze. hyunjae looked at you worriedly. "stay here. i'll go check it out."

you nodded as you watched him run to the scene. the sky had suddenly turned dark, and you felt a suffocating tension in the air. you saw the dark creatures that similarly looked like the ones that had attacked both you and eric in your room, but there were so many of them. too many.

you tried to help as many people as you could to evacuate the area, and you made eye contact with a young girl no more than five, hiding near the fountain. you quickly ran to her as dust and debris were flying all around you, some missing you just narrowly.

you hoped hyunjae was okay.

you crouched down to the girl. "hey, are you okay? i'm gonna get you out of here."

she nodded as you wrapped your arms around her, using your body as a human shield. before you could sprint your way to the exit, you came face to face with a demon, but it didn't attack you, not yet, as if it was just taunting you. you hugged the girl close to your chest, reaching for the angel knife tucked away in your right boot, and aimed for an opening at the demon's neck.

thank god for eric giving you one.

as the demon fell to the ground, you managed to make your way to safety, returning the girl to her parents. when you returned to the scene, the air stilled, an uneasy feeling settling in your chest. dust was clouding your vision and destruction was evident but there was no sign of any demons left at the scene. or hyunjae.

"hyunjae?" you called out, stepping over chunks of debris. hyunjae was nowhere to be seen.

you tried calling out again, and this time, you could barely make out a figure with wings through the dust. you let out a sigh of relief, heading towards it, glad that hyunjae was safe. but it became clear to you when the dust settled.

hyunjae wasn't the one heading to you. it was someone else. his wings were obsidian black stained with red, and horror struck you at the possibility of what happened to hyunjae. every cell in your body told you to run, but it was as if something rooted you to the ground.

"i've been waiting for you for a very long time."

and everything went black.

---

you woke up to an unfamiliar environment, and you tugged at your arms only to notice they were chained to a post. you saw hyunjae opposite you, also chained up, but he was in a worse condition than you, unconscious.

hyunjae was bruised, battered. his once pristine wings were tattered with blackened blood. he was so much more different than the angel you first met.

you needed to help hyunjae get out of here.

your hands trembled as you tugged at the chains, trying to find a weak spot or some sort of leverage to free yourself.

"uh-uh. not so fast little one."

you snapped your head up to see your abductor walking towards you. even angels in hell were beautiful, and your eyes were drawn to his red ones.

what were you supposed to do now? you've only ever seen this in movies, not expecting to experience it in real life.

your breath came out in puffs of air. you never expected hell to be cold. so cold.

your eyes darted away from his, trying to focus on anything but the angel turned devil in front of you. he grabbed your chin, turning your head side to side, as if he was trying to look for something.

“huh. weird…” he mumbled under his breath. “valak, are you sure she is the right one?” he asked, his voice booming.

a lesser demon came to his side immediately with his head bowed down. “positive, your demonness. she was the one spotted with your half brother.”

“she doesn’t have the mark.”

the lower demon’s eyes widened, and his hands trembled. “i apologise, your demonness!” he bowed, his head on the ground. “we shall look into it once more.”

“leave before my patience runs out.” he demanded, as the demon, valak, scurried away.

he sighed, letting go of your chin. “this wasn’t in my list of expectations when i took over hell centuries ago.”

you raised an eyebrow, “you don’t sound too happy about it.”

his head snapped towards you. “you’re one to talk. i bet hell wasn’t in your list either.”

“ditto.” you paused. “what do you want with us anyways?”

“you never questioned the angels, have you?”

“what do you mean?”

“they probably told you i wanted to summon the king of hell. but they never told you I failed. it’s true that the demon i summoned killed the human, in exchange for the aetherion, an artifact that is imbued with immense divine energy. something that eric stole.”

“forget about it, jun. she’s mine.” hyunjae mumbled. “eric’s never had a human in centuries after you murdered his previous one. there's no reason to keep us."

“does he not?" he questioned. "how pathetic. does father finally know that he is possession of the aetherion?"

the room fell quiet.

"i guess so. why, brother, cat got your tongue?" the demon's cold smile lingered, his eyes gleaming with malice and a hint of amusement.

he slowly turned back to you, his gaze unwavering. "you've never heard of the aetherion before, have you?" he asked, his voice laced with a dark undertone. "it's the very source of divine power that binds heaven to hell, and earth, to the both of them. something the creator created before he even created heaven or hell. with it, one can obliterate heaven, hell or earth. and not even the strongest warriors can stop them."

your mind reeled, as your brain struggled to process what he was saying. the aetherion-- something even more powerful than heaven or hell, can wipe everyone off the face of existence. at this rate, you're convinced that the four horsemen are real.

"you're never going to get it." hyunjae muttered. "the aetherion belongs to no one."

jun laughed bitterly. "belongs? no, brother, it commands." he knelt before hyunjae. "your strength is now gone, brother. you were once father's favourite angel, but now look at you, a broken shadow of what you once were."

you tightened your grip on the chains, your fingers bleeding from the effort. "and you're willing to risk it?" you asked. after all, it was dangerous to all, demons and angels alike.

he leaned in closer to you. "i have nothing to lose, do i? and you, little one, are going to help me get it."

---

it was hard to keep track of time when you were thrown into the dungeons of hell, the air damp and suffocating, heavy with despair. the flickering glow of distant torches cast long, ominous shadows on the jagged walls, amplifying the eerie silence punctuated only by the occasional distant screams.

time passed in agonising uncertainty. minutes, hours, or days—you couldn’t tell. when they finally brought hyunjae in, you almost didn’t recognize him.

his once radiant presence was dimmed, his golden aura now a faint flicker. bruises marred his face, his body littered with cuts and his clothes hung in tatters. he stumbled as they threw him back into the cell, collapsing onto the cold stone floor.

you crawled towards hyunjae, ignoring the pain that came with every tug of your chains, as it bit further into your skin. he struggled to lift his head to look at you, and in his eyes, you saw it all.

regret. sadness. despair.

"i'm sorry i couldn't protect you, y/n." he whispered, weakly.

you cupped his bloodied cheek with your hand, shaking your head. "don't go down that road, hyunjae. you did everything you could. i wouldn't be alive without you."

you tried to take care of him as best you could, tearing strips from your own clothing to clean his wounds.

you could see hyunjae drifting in and out of consciousness, as his head lulled to one side. "hyunjae, stay with me." you urged, your voice trembling, as tears burned your eyes. blood smeared on your hand as you patted his cheek lightly, trying to keep him awake.

"hyunjae... hyunjae! don't you dare die on me!"

his eyes fluttered open briefly, dull but searching yours. "you.. need to survive." he murmured, his words barely audible. "eric... he'll come for you."

"don't you dare talk like that. you're not leaving me, hyunjae. you hear me?" it felt as if someone was crushing your heart, as you were faced with the weight of the situation, yet helpless at the front of it.

a faint smile ghosted his lips, but it lacked its usual radiance. "stubborn as always." he whispered, his voice fading.

your heart clenched as he slumped forwards, his once strong figure now reduced to a fragile shell. panic surged through you. "no! hyunjae, stay awake!" you shook him again, ignoring the searing pain in your injuries.

you leaned in close, the shallow rise and fall of his chest indicating he was still alive, but barely. you let out a breath of relief. it was better than nothing.

you glanced at the chains holding him, iron biting into his wrists, keeping him anchored to the stone wall like a caged animal. you tugged at your own, trying to find some sort of weak spot, some sort of leverage you could. it hurt like hell, but you tried to pull through.

a low rumble interrupted your thoughts as you heard heavy footsteps echoing in the dungeon hall, and your heart skipped a beat. fear clawed through you as you frantically pressed against hyunjae, trying to shield him with your own.

the figure that stepped through the doorway wasn't jun, but it didn't bring you any relief. a tall, shadowy figure with yellow eyes sneered down at you, showing its sharp canines. "afraid, human?" it taunted. "you should know that i feed on fear."

it's eyes narrowed to slits as it shifted to hyunjae who was behind you, its lips curling into a menacing grin. "and despair tastes even sweeter. your angel here is practically dripping with it."

you glared at the demon. “don’t hurt him.”

the demon chuckled. “a mortal protecting an angel? how noble. how… futile.”

you flinched as it reached a clawed hand towards you. you clenched your eyes shut, bracing yourself for the inevitable.

but it never came.

bang! a huge burst of force sent the demon flying away from you, skidding across the dungeon floor. you opened your eyes to see eric standing by the doorway, his silhouette faintly framed with a glowing aura.

“touch her, and you’ll wish that you never crawled out from whatever pit you came from.”

“angel, angel. that’s not how you greet someone, do you?” the demon snarled.

without warning, the demon lunged at eric, moving faster than any mortal could comprehend. their clashes sent shockwaves across the room, and you scrambled back to avoid getting caught in the fight.

the sounds of swords clashing echoed throughout the room. the difference between light and dark was evident as the room felt like it was split into two— one half bathed in angelic power, while the other, was full of demonic energy.

they clashed violently, both moving with absolute precision, sending fatal blows to the other.

“you can’t hold out forever, angel. the light always dims in the dark.”

eric gritted his teeth, shoving the demon back with a burst of energy. “and the dark always cowers before the light.”

the demon swung its blade downward, aiming for eric’s shoulder, but eric managed to sidestep it at the last second. using his speed, eric drove his sword straight into the demon’s chest before the demon disintegrated into ash.

breathing heavily, eric turned to you, his eyes softening. “y/n, are you hurt?”

“i’m fine.” you managed, though your voice shook. “but hyunjae— he’s—“

eric’s gaze shifted to the angel lying limp on the floor, his expression hardening. he crouched beside hyunjae, gently pressing on his pulse point. “he’s alive, but barely. we need to get him out of here before more demons come.”

he snapped the chains binding hyunjae with a strength that startled you, then moved to your side, breaking your restraints just as easily.

“can you walk?” he asked softly.

you nodded, though your legs wobbled as you stood. “i think so.”

eric swept hyunjae into his arms effortlessly and held out a hand to you. “then let’s move. we don’t have much time.”

---

eric led you through the twists and turns of the dungeon's corridors, his steps sure despite the oppressive darkness at every corner. the flickering torches along the wall were the only source of light, casting uneven shadows on the jagged stone walls. you struggled to keep up, the weight of exhaustion pulling at your every moment.

"stay close." eric said, his voice low and steady as he glanced over his shoulder at you. "we're not out of danger yet."

you nodded, clutching the tattered fabric of your sleeve to your bleeding arm. each step felt heavier, but the adrenaline coursing through your veins pushed you forwards.

"how did you know where to find us?" you asked, your voice barely audible.

"we're connected, remember? i'll always know where to find you if you're in danger. i'm sorry i couldn't get to you sooner." he apologised, his voice softening as he glanced back at you.

you shook your head. his words stirred something warm and bittersweet in your chest, but there was no time to dwell on it. the looming danger kept you grounded in the moment.

"the others are waiting for us." he continued. "we just need to get out of here."

you stumbled slightly, your body betraying the toll the dungeon had taken on you. eric immediately stopped, his eyes scanning you with concern. "y/n, you're hurt." he said, his voice tightening. "i should've checked you earlier."

"i'm fine." you insisted, hiding your bleeding arm behind your back. you didn't want him to bear the cost that comes with healing you. "we need to focus on getting hyunjae out of here."

eric's frown deepened, and he stepped closer, gently but firmly catching your uninjured arm. "don't do that." he said quietly, his voice carrying a rare sternness. "don't pretend you're okay when you're not."

“nothing i can’t handle,” you deflected, your voice steadier than you felt.

eric’s eyes narrowed. “don’t lie to me, y/n. i saw the blood. show me.”

you took a step back instinctively, clutching your arm. “it’s just a scratch, eric. i don’t want you wasting energy on me when hyunjae—”

before you could protest further, he closed the distance between you, gently but insistently pulling your arm forward. his brows furrowed as he examined the torn fabric and the deep gash beneath.

“this isn’t just a scratch,” he said, his tone tight. “why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

“i didn’t want you to—”

“to what? help you?” eric’s voice rose slightly, a rare show of frustration. “you think I wouldn’t notice? that i’d just let you bleed out?”

“i didn’t want you to take on my pain!” you snapped, pulling your arm back. “i know how it works, eric. if you heal me, you’ll take the wound yourself. i couldn’t let you do that.”

eric’s expression softened, the anger giving way to something far more vulnerable. “y/n… that’s not your decision to make.”

you stared at him, taken aback by the raw emotion in his voice.

“i’m your guardian angel,” he continued, his voice quieter now but no less intense. “it’s my job to protect you, even if it hurts me. don’t you understand? keeping you safe means so much more to me than the pain i might feel.”

the weight of his words settled heavily in the air, and you couldn’t bring yourself to meet his gaze. “it’s not fair,” you whispered, your voice trembling. “i don’t want to see you suffer because of me.”

eric stepped closer, his movements deliberate but not forceful. “i’d suffer a hundred times over than see you in pain,” he said softly.

"y/n, if I don’t heal this, it’ll get infected. you’ll be in even more danger.” he stepped closer, his gaze locking onto yours. “please. let me do this.”

you glanced at hyunjae, his breathing shallow. you were all running out of time.

you hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “fine,” you murmured.

eric’s eyes softened as he gently took your injured arm, his fingers light against your skin. “thank you,” he said simply.

he closed his eyes, and the faint golden glow of his aura brightened. warmth spread through your arm, washing away the pain as your wound began to knit itself closed. but as the injury faded from your skin, a sharp hiss escaped eric’s lips. you watched in horror as the same gash materialized on his forearm, blood seeping through his sleeve.

“eric!” you exclaimed, reaching for him.

he waved you off, sweat beading on his forehead. “i’m fine,” he insisted, echoing your earlier words with a wry smile. “see? not so bad. angels heal way quicker than any mortal would.” he showed you his forearm, the gash disappearing as quickly as it appeared.

before you could argue, the air around you shifted. a cold, oppressive energy crept into the chamber, and the faint echo of footsteps resonated from the hallway you’d just left.

"they're coming." eric said, his voice low and taut. he shifted his stance slightly, angling his body to shield both you and hyunjae. “stay behind me.”

your pulse was pounding in your ears as a hulking figure stepped into view, its form monstrous and grotesque. "you thought you could escape?" it rasped, sounding like nails on a chalkboard.

eric's jaw tightened as he set hyunjae gently against the wall. "y/n, stay back." he ordered, drawing his blade in one smooth motion.

the blade hummed faintly, its angelic energy casting a faint glow in the suffocating darkness.

the creature lunged at eric without warning, its claws slashing through the air. eric parried the attack with a burst of energy, the clash sending sparks flying and illuminating the corridor in bursts of light and shadow.

“go!” eric shouted over his shoulder, his voice strained as he pushed the creature back. “find the others and get hyunjae out of here! i’ll hold it off!”

“but—”

“now, y/n!” he exclaimed, his golden eyes blazing with authority.

you hesitated for only a moment before you scrambled to hyunjae’s side, your hands trembling as you tried to lift him. he was heavier than you had anticipated, his unconscious body limp in your arms.

another growl tore through the air, and you glanced back to see eric locked in combat with the creature, their movements a blur of light and shadow. you clenched your teeth, forcing yourself to focus. with every ounce of strength you could muster, you began dragging hyunjae down the corridor, your legs trembling under the weight and fear.

you gritted your teeth and pushed forward, dragging hyunjae step by agonising step through the dark corridor. The air felt heavier with each movement, pressing against you like an invisible force trying to hold you back. hyunjae’s unconscious weight grew unbearable, but you didn’t stop.

you couldn’t. not when both of your survival relied on you.

behind you, the sounds of the fight were relentless. every sound sent a fresh surge of fear coursing through you, but you forced it down. eric was buying you both time, and you wouldn’t waste it.

“almost there,” you whispered to hyunjae, as much to reassure yourself as him. “we’re going to get out of here.”

your heart leapt as you saw a faint light ahead, filtering in from what looked like an open chamber. summoning the last of your strength, you half-carried, half-dragged hyunjae towards it, your breaths shallow and ragged.

the chamber was vast and empty, its walls lined with faded carvings that seemed to pulse faintly in the dim light. you stumbled into the centre, collapsing to your knees with hyunjae still in your grasp.

"hyunjae, stay with me." you murmured, your voice trembling. the faint light filtering into the room cast a ghostly pallor over his face, and your heart clenched at the sight. you cupped his face with trembling hands, brushing his blood-matted hair back from his forehead. his skin was icy, his normally vibrant glow dimmed to almost nothing.

you barely noticed when jacob dropped to his knees beside you as he examined hyunjae's injuries. "he's fading." jacob said, grimly. "we need to stabilise him before it's too late." he uncorked a small vial filled with some sort of silvery liquid. "y/n. do you mind helping me lift his head a little bit?"

you did as you were told, as jacob tipped the vial against hyunjae's lips, the liquid sliding into his mouth. "it's gonna take awhile before the medicine sets in." jacob explained. "you need to get checked out too, you don’t look too well.”

“i’m okay.” you assured. you turned back to look at the corridor you came from, the silence deafening. “something’s wrong.” you blurted out. “i’m going to look for him.” you pushed yourself up despite the exhaustion.

jacob’s head snapped up. “no. you can’t—”

“i can’t just sit here,” you interrupted, your voice firmer than you felt. “what if eric’s in trouble?”

“and what happens if you walk into something worse?” jacob countered, his tone sharper now. “you’re in no condition to fight. even if you weren't injured, the weakest demon would be able to rip you into shreds in seconds."

you swallowed hard, the weight of jacob's words settling over you like a heavy cloak.

right. you were just a mere mortal.

"kevin and sangyeon are out there looking for him now. trust them." he continued. "it's safe here. i've warded the place with protection. no demons can get through. "

safe. the word felt foreign in this hellish dungeon.

"trust them," jacob said again, his voice firm yet gentle, as though sensing your spiraling thoughts. "sangyeon and kevin will make sure he comes back."

you opened your mouth to respond, but a distant crash interrupted you, the sound reverberating through the walls. your head snapped toward the corridor, your heart racing.

jacob cursed under his breath, his hand instinctively going to the hilt of his blade. “stay here,” he ordered, standing quickly.

“no!” you blurted, grabbing his arm. “you just said i’m in no condition. if anything happens—”

“i’ll be back,” jacob interrupted, his tone sharp. “but if they’re in trouble, i can’t stand by.”

before you could protest further, a new set of footsteps echoed from the corridor. this time, they were uneven and rushed. you held your breath, every muscle in your body tensing, hoping—praying—that it was them.

sangyeon emerged first, his face set in a grim expression, black ichor staining his blade and splattered across his uniform. kevin followed close behind, his usually composed demeanor replaced by a weariness that mirrored the battle they had endured. and then, finally, eric stepped into the light, his golden aura faint but present.

“eric!” you called out, relief flooding your voice as you rushed toward him.

his gaze found yours instantly, and the tension in his shoulders seemed to ease just slightly. “i’m here,” he said, his voice steady despite his labored breathing. his sword, slick with ichor, hung loosely at his side. his usually pristine appearance was marred by smudges of soot and blood, though it was impossible to tell if any of it was his own.

without thinking, you closed the distance between you, your hands instinctively reaching out to check for injuries. “are you hurt?” you asked, your voice trembling. your fingers ghosted over his arm, then his chest, searching for any signs of wounds.

“i’m fine,” he assured you, though his words were quickly followed by a wince as you pressed against a sore spot. his golden eyes softened as they met yours. “what about you? are you okay? did anything happen while i was gone?”

you shook your head, but the weight of the past few minutes hung heavily on you. “i was worried,” you admitted, your voice barely above a whisper. “you were gone for so long, and with the demons...”

“i know,” he interrupted gently, his hand coming up to grasp yours. his fingers were warm despite the chill of the dungeon, grounding you. “i’m sorry i worried you. but i’m here now.”

you opened your mouth to argue, to point out the flickering of his aura and the way he swayed slightly on his feet, but the look in his eyes stopped you. instead, you squeezed his hand tightly. “don’t do that again,” you muttered.

a small smile tugged at his lips. “deal.”

“i hate to break up the moment,” sangyeon interjected, his voice sharp but not unkind, “but we need to move. the demons are regrouping, and they’ll be back in force.”

kevin nodded, already scanning the chamber for supplies. “we don’t have much time. is hyunjae stable enough to move?”

jacob glanced at hyunjae, his expression grim but determined. “barely. but we don’t have a choice.”

eric released your hand reluctantly and stepped forward, crouching beside hyunjae. “i’ll carry him,” he said firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument.

you hesitated, watching as he gently lifted hyunjae into his arms, his movements careful despite the obvious strain it placed on him. “you’re already exhausted—”

“i can handle it,” he said, cutting you off with a reassuring glance. “we need to stick together now.”

“we need to leave,” sangyeon said, his voice clipped as he surveyed the room. “kevin, help me secure the path. jacob, get everyone ready to leave.”

as soon as you left the chamber, you could feel the air growing heavier with every passing moment, the oppressive darkness pressing in from all sides. the faint light from kevin and sangyeon’s weapons illuminated the narrow corridor ahead, casting eerie shadows on the jagged walls.

“how much farther?” you asked softly, your voice barely above a whisper. the tension in the air made speaking feel like a risk.

“not far,” sangyeon replied, his tone grim. “but they’re closing in fast. we’ll need to hold them off if they catch up.”

“they won’t,” kevin said, his voice unwavering. “not if we move fast enough.”

behind you, eric adjusted hyunjae’s weight in his arms, his jaw set in determination. despite the strain, he kept moving, his golden aura flickering faintly but steadily.

a sudden noise—faint but distinct—brought the group to an abrupt halt. it was a scraping sound, like claws against stone, followed by a low, guttural growl that sent chills down your spine.

“they’re close,” jacob murmured, his hand gripping the hilt of his blade.

“keep moving.” sangyeon commanded. he and kevin turned to face the oncoming threat, their weapons glowing brighter as they prepared for the fight. “jacob, stay with them!”

the group surged forward, but the sound of clawed footsteps scraping against the stone floor grew louder. shadows flickered at the edge of the light, and a guttural snarl sent a chill down your spine.

you turned your head just in time to see the first demon emerge from the darkness—a hulking creature with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp claws. it lunged toward kevin, who met it head-on, his blade slicing through the air in a brilliant arc.

“don’t look back!” jacob shouted, grabbing your arm and pulling you forward. “focus on the exit!”

eric’s pace quickened, his breathing labored as he carried hyunjae, but his steps were steady. “we’re almost there,” he said, his voice strained but resolute.

the corridor widened slightly, and ahead, you saw a faint glimmer of light—daylight. hope surged through you, but it was short-lived as more demons poured into the corridor, their snarls filling the air.

jacob stepped in front of you, his blade flashing as he blocked an oncoming attack. “go!” he shouted over his shoulder. “don’t stop!”

you hesitated, your heart pounding as the battle unfolded around you.

“trust us!” jacob said, his eyes blazing with determination. “we’ll hold them off. just get out of here!”

eric glanced at you, his expression fierce. “go, y/n. i’m right behind you.”

swallowing your fear, you forced your legs to move, sprinting toward the light with every ounce of strength you had left. behind you, the clash of steel against claws echoed, but you didn’t dare look back.

the light ahead revealed a massive stone doorway carved with intricate runes. it was partially open, a faint golden glow spilling through the crack. hope flared in your chest, but it was quickly overshadowed by the sound of claws scraping against stone.

jacob showed up moments later, his blade slick with black ichor. “the wards won’t hold much longer!” he shouted, his eyes darting to the door. “we need to get through now!”

sangyeon and kevin followed close behind, their faces grim and their movements sharp. as soon as everyone got through, sangyeon slammed the door shut behind him, leaning his weight against it as the first impact hit—a thunderous crash that sent cracks spidering through the stone.

"we need to activate the runes! or the seal will break!" sangyeon shouted. you quickly ran to the door, using your body weight to help sangyeon brace against the relentless pressure from the other side. the vibrations beneath your palms made the ancient runes shimmer faintly, but they didn’t hold.

jacob took a deep breath, his hand gripping his blade tightly as he started tracing the runes etched into the doorframe. the runes glowed faintly in the golden light, their intricate carvings vibrating as though alive.

kevin rushed to his side, his expression fierce as he worked on the other runes. eric began to channel his energy into the runes alongside jacob and kevin, trying their best to seal the door.

sangyeon, still braced against the door, called out, "keep going! we don’t have much time!"

“we’re almost there,” jacob said, his voice steady despite the chaos surrounding him.

the crashing sounds behind the door grew louder, more frequent. sangyeon gritted his teeth as he strained to hold back the onslaught. "hurry! they're breaking through!"

you pushed harder against the door, feeling every tremor and crash echo through your body. the air was thick with tension, each second feeling like an eternity.

the runes were beginning to glow brighter, the energy building with every second. you could feel the faint pulse of power thrumming through the air, strengthening with each passing moment.

“keep pushing!” sangyeon urged, his voice strained as the door began to groan under the relentless attacks.

before the demons could breach, a barrier of golden light erupted, forcing them back with a deafening screech.

the air grew still, the light dimming as the runes completed their work. the demons were gone—sealed away, at least for now.

"we did it," kevin muttered, his gaze distant. "for now."

you collapsed to your knees, exhaustion finally overtaking you. eric caught you before you fell, his arms steady despite the toll the battle had taken on him. “we made it,” he murmured, his voice filled with relief.

you looked up at him, your vision blurred but your heart steady. “we’re alive.”

“barely,” sangyeon muttered, slumping against the wall with a weary smile.

but you couldn’t help the small smile that formed on your lips. against all odds, you had survived.

---

when your eyes fluttered open, you were lying in an unfamiliar bed. your body felt heavy, every muscle aching. you panicked when memories from what felt like the night before hit you like a wave, and you scrambled back, your back hitting the bed rest.

“don’t panic. you’re safe here.” a gentle voice said, and you turned your head to see younghoon seated beside you, his dark eyes filled with relief.

you placed your hand on your chest, willing your beating heart to calm down.

“how long…?” you croaked, your throat dry.

“two days,” younghoon replied, handing you a cup of water. “you passed out as soon as you arrived. we’ve been keeping an eye on you.”

“the others?” you asked, anxiety bubbling to the surface.

younghoon nodded, a small reassuring smile on his lips. “everyone’s fine. a few scratches here and there, but alive.”

the door creaked open, and kevin poked his head in, followed by changmin and sunwoo. “she’s awake?” kevin grinned, stepping inside with a tray of food.

“finally,” changmin said, crossing his arms. “you scared us.”

sunwoo nodded, his usual mischievous expression replaced with genuine concern. “eric’s going to lose it when he finds out you’re awake.”

you tried to sit up, but younghoon gently pressed a hand to your shoulder. “not so fast. you need to rest.” he helped you prop yourself against the headboard. “you’ve been through a lot.”

"i brought something sangyeon prepared from the kitchen." kevin said. "you must be starving."

your stomach growled at kevin’s words, and he smiled, setting the tray down on the bedside table. “told you,” he teased.

“it smells amazing,” you admitted, your eyes lighting up at the food. the tray held a bowl of steaming soup, a slice of fresh bread, and a small cup of tea.

changmin leaned casually against the wall, his sharp eyes scanning you. “you gave us all a scare,” he said, though his tone was lighter now. “eric hasn’t left the house in days. he’s been hovering like a mother hen.”

“he’ll be here soon,” sunwoo added, sitting at the foot of the bed. “he’s just with sangyeon and jacob, talking about the wards and defenses.”

younghoon handed you the soup, steadying your trembling hands as you took a cautious sip. the warmth spread through your chest, and you sighed in relief.

“how’s hyunjae?” you asked suddenly, the question slipping out before you could stop yourself.

the room grew quiet for a moment, and kevin exchanged a glance with changmin.

“he’s stable,” younghoon said softly. “he woke up briefly, but he’s still weak. jacob and sangyeon have been keeping an eye on him.”

“he’ll be okay,” kevin added quickly, trying to reassure you. “hyunjae’s tough. don’t worry about him.”

you nodded, the tension in your chest easing slightly. “thank you… for everything. for taking care of me.”

sunwoo snorted, breaking the seriousness. “you can thank us by not doing something reckless again. and pushing yourself too hard.”

“sunwoo,” changmin warned, though he didn’t seem entirely opposed to the sentiment.

you managed a small smile, feeling a strange warmth despite the lingering exhaustion. “noted.”

the door creaked open again, and eric appeared, his golden aura faint but present. his eyes immediately locked onto yours, relief flooding his face.

“you’re awake,” he breathed, stepping into the room.

“eric,” you said softly, guilt and gratitude mixing in your chest.

he was at your side in moments, crouching beside the bed. “you scared the hell out of me,” he muttered, his voice tight. “don’t ever do that again.”

“it wasn’t exactly part of the plan,” you said, managing a weak laugh.

he shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips despite the worry etched on his face. “i’m just glad you’re okay.”

“me too.” you agreed softly.

kevin cleared his throat loudly, shattering the moment. “okay, guys, before we keep distracting her, we need to let her finish her soup.”

changmin smirked, folding his arms. “agreed. she needs strength if we’re all going to survive whatever’s coming next.”

you laughed softly, the warmth of their teasing making you feel more grounded. “i’m fine,” you reassured them, though the soup did look inviting. “but thank you. all of you.”

for the first time in a long time— you felt safe. if only for a little while.

eric stood, his presence still close as he glanced at the others. “has anyone updated her on hyunjae?”

“we told her he’s stable,” younghoon said. “but maybe she should hear it from you. you’ve been the one keeping watch most of the time.”

eric’s expression shifted, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face. “he’s been in and out. he’s still weak, but his recovery is steady. he’s resting now.”

your heart clenched at the thought of hyunjae, his usual strength and confidence reduced to fragility. “can i see him?”

“not yet,” eric said quickly, his tone firm. “you need to focus on getting better. hyunjae would say the same if he were awake.”

“but—”

“no buts,” kevin interrupted, grinning as he handed you the bread from the tray. “listen to mother hen over here. you’re no use to anyone if you don’t recover.”

sunwoo leaned closer, his mischievous grin reappearing. “besides, hyunjae’s not going anywhere. you can visit him once you’re steady enough to walk without toppling over.”

you huffed in mock annoyance but relented, knowing they were right. “fine. but let me know if anything changes.”

“of course,” eric said, his voice softening.

“now, now, out of the room—everyone,” younghoon declared, standing with an air of authority. “she needs rest.”

“bossy,” sunwoo muttered, but he followed the others toward the door, tossing you a wink. “don’t miss us too much.”

“as if she could,” changmin teased, earning a chuckle from kevin as they filed out.

eric lingered for a moment longer, his gaze meeting yours. “if you need anything, just call for me, okay?”

you nodded, offering him a small smile. “thank you, eric.”

his golden aura flickered faintly, a sign of his own lingering exhaustion, but he returned the smile before stepping out of the room. younghoon shut the door behind him, leaving you alone with the soft hum of silence.

as you sank deeper into the pillows, exhaustion weighed heavily on you, and your eyes fluttered shut. the steady hum of silence wrapped around you, and before long, sleep claimed you, pulling you into its quiet embrace.

—-

the next few days passed in a blur of quiet recovery. you worked on regaining your strength, your muscles slowly losing their ache as you started getting better. during this time, you learned more about the boys—each of them with their own quirks and charm. their camaraderie was infectious, and you found yourself surprisingly at ease in their presence.

changmin always found ways to make you laugh, sunwoo was endlessly curious about your mortal life, and younghoon often lingered nearby, offering quiet support. kevin filled the safe house with music and humor, while sangyeon and jacob balanced the group with their steady leadership. eric, of course, never strayed far, his protective nature always evident.

juyeon, quieter than the others, often sat with you during your recovery, reading with you or simply keeping you company. while chanhee would always chat with you about the latest trends.

on the third morning, as you were carefully making your way to the kitchen, jacob appeared in the doorway, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “hyunjae’s awake,” he said simply.

your heart skipped, a mix of relief and nerves washing over you. “really?” you asked, setting down the cup of tea kevin had made you earlier.

jacob nodded. “he’s still weak, but he’s been asking about you.”

you didn’t hesitate. “let’s go.”

jacob led you down the hallway, his steps steady and calm as if trying to ease your nerves. your heart pounded with each step, a mixture of relief and apprehension swirling inside you.

jacob knocked lightly before pushing the door open, guiding you inside. hyunjae was propped up against a stack of pillows, his usually sharp features softened by exhaustion. despite the paleness of his skin and the faint shadows under his eyes, he managed a faint smile when he saw you.

“glad to see you’re back on your feet,” hyunjae said, his voice hoarse but laced with warmth.

you managed a small smile, stepping cautiously into the room. “and i’m glad to see you awake. how are you feeling?”

“like i went a few rounds with a demon,” he joked lightly, though the faint wince that followed betrayed the toll his recovery was taking. “but i’ll live. thanks to you.”

you hesitated, guilt flickering across your expression. “it wasn’t just me,” you said quietly, lowering yourself into the chair beside his bed. “everyone worked together to get us out.”

jacob stepped back, leaning against the doorframe with his arms crossed. “he’s been asking about you since he woke up,” he said with a faint smile.

hyunjae smirked weakly. “figured i owed her a ‘thank you.’”

“you don’t owe me anything,” you said quickly, your voice firm. “just focus on getting better.”

“yes, doctor,” hyunjae teased, though his eyes softened.

“do you need anything?” you asked softly, your gaze steady as you studied his pale features.

hyunjae shook his head slightly, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “just for you to stop worrying so much. i’ll be fine.”

“easier said than done,” you murmured, leaning back in the chair.

his expression softened, and for a moment, the weight of everything you’d been through together hung in the air. “i mean it,” he said. “you’ve done more than enough. now it’s my turn to catch up.”

“catch up?” you repeated, your brow furrowing.

“yeah,” he replied, his voice quiet but steady. “i don’t plan on letting everyone else shoulder everything. not anymore.”

“also, the demons made a mistake when they were questioning me in the dungeons because they thought i wouldn’t survive,” hyunjae continued, his tone sharper now, the faint smile fading from his lips.

you leaned forward, heart pounding. “what kind of mistake?”

“they let slip some of their plans,” hyunjae said, his eyes darkening as his voice grew grim. “they’re building armies—bigger and more dangerous than the last. they’re not just hunting the aetherion; they’re preparing for war.”

“war…” you trailed off, the word heavy on your tongue.

hyunjae nodded grimly. “and not just to seize control of heaven, but earth too. if they get the aetherion, they’ll have the power to do it.”

“which is why we need to act fast,” hyunjae said firmly, his gaze locking onto yours. “they’re desperate, and desperation leads to mistakes. we need to stay ahead of them and make sure their next move works in our favor—not theirs.”

“what’s the plan, then?” you asked, a determined edge creeping into your voice despite the unease in your chest.

hyunjae hesitated for a moment, his expression unreadable. “we start by strengthening the wards and regrouping with everyone. and after that…” he sighed. “we figure out how to protect the aetherion—no matter the cost.”

—-

as hyunjae got better, you also started learning basic fighting skills. the boys took turns teaching you whenever one of them had a moment to spare, each bringing their own unique style and expertise.

changmin focused on agility, pushing you to dodge and outmaneuver, while sangyeon emphasized strength and precision. kevin and sunwoo kept the mood light, turning drills into playful competitions that left you laughing despite the bruises. juyeon’s quiet patience made him a natural teacher, guiding you through techniques with calm encouragement, while younghoon’s protective nature ensured you never pushed yourself too far.

chanhee was sharp and analytical, quick to point out weaknesses and help you refine your strategies. though his critiques could be blunt, they always came with useful insights that helped you improve faster than you thought possible.

hyunjae occasionally watched from the sidelines, giving a few of his own tips now and then. though he rarely interrupted, you could feel his presence, quiet but steady. every once in a while, his eyes would meet yours, offering a flicker of encouragement.

and then there was eric. when you struggled, he was patient, stepping closer to guide your hands into the right position or demonstrating a move again without a hint of frustration. “you’re getting it,” he’d say softly, his golden aura flickering with warmth. “trust yourself a little more.”

he’d flash his boyish grin as he challenged you to mock duels or turned footwork drills into impromptu games of tag. his lighthearted approach made it easier to forget the stakes, and you found yourself laughing more than you expected.

and it reminded you of the first time you met him.

“tired?” he asked as you sat by the stairs, drenched in sweat, your legs aching from the drills.

"mmhm." you hummed, thanking him as he handed you a towel.

eric plopped down beside you, his own breath coming in short bursts. "you did really well today. you’re starting to look like a pro.”

you let out a soft laugh, dabbing your face with the towel. “i don’t think pros trip over their own feet.”

“hey, that was just once. and i caught you, didn’t i?” he asked, flashing that familiar grin.

maybe, just maybe, your heart skipped a beat.

“barely,” you teased, though the memory made your cheeks warm.

he nudged your shoulder gently with his. “you’re doing great. better than i did when i first started training, actually.”

you gave him a look. “you’re just saying that.”

“nope,” he shrugged. "you can ask sangyeon hyung. he'll say the same thing."

“hard to believe,” you teased, though his words sent a flicker of pride through you.

"i guess all the lessons are rubbing off on you." he said. “come on, let’s take five, and then i’ll show you a trick for keeping your balance. sound good?”

“sounds good,” you replied.

though the lessons were challenging, you found solace in their support, and for the first time in a long while, you felt a spark of control over your circumstances. you weren’t just surviving anymore—you were preparing to fight back.

---

on one of the rare evenings when the house was quiet, the soft glow of the fireplace bathed the room in flickering light as you sat across from hyunjae. he looked more himself now, his strength slowly returning, but there was still a heaviness in his expression that made your chest tighten.

“you’ve heard the others talk about the aetherion,” he began, his voice low, almost hesitant. “but no one’s really told you what it is. not completely.”

you nodded, unsure of what to say. the name carried weight, whispered in fragments and cloaked in fear.

hyunjae’s gaze lingered on the flames for a moment before he turned back to you. “the aetherion isn’t just an artifact. it’s a fragment of divine power—pure, uncorrupted energy left behind from the creation of the realms. it was meant to remain hidden, untouched by mortals, angels, or demons alike. but centuries ago, it was bounded to a guardian angel.”

your breath hitched. “eric.”

he nodded, his expression unreadable. “eric didn’t choose it. it chose him. the aetherion is… alive, in a way. it senses something in its bearer, and once bonded, it amplifies their power but also binds them to it.”

you swallowed hard. “what does that mean? for him? for me?”

hyunjae hesitated, his jaw tightening. “when eric became your guardian angel, the bond between you two linked you indirectly to the aetherion. that’s why the demons are after you. they think they can exploit that connection to locate it—or worse, manipulate it.”

the weight of his words pressed on your chest. “but i don’t even… i don’t feel connected to it. i don’t even understand it.”

“you don’t have to,” hyunjae said softly. “the connection isn’t something you’re aware of, but it’s there. that’s why they targeted you in the first place.”

your gaze dropped to your hands, trembling slightly in your lap. “so, if something happens to me…”

“the bond between eric and the aetherion would weaken,” he admitted, his voice grim. “but it wouldn’t sever. not unless—”

“unless what?”

hyunjae leaned forward, his gaze intense. “unless eric willingly broke the bond, which would destroy him. or if the aetherion itself chose a new bearer, which it hasn’t in centuries.”

"so the reason why eric didn’t have a human for so long…” you trailed off, piecing together the fragments of what you’d heard over time.

hyunjae nodded, his expression unreadable. “it’s because of the aetherion. the bond makes him... different. unique, even among guardian angels. the council feared the risks of pairing him with a human, knowing the kind of power the aetherion holds—and what could happen if it fell into the wrong hands. and he knew whoever that he was assigned to would immediately have a huge target on their back.”

your brow furrowed as another thought struck you. “and that’s why… that’s why the demons kept looking for a mark on me. because i didn’t have it. because you were my first guardian angel before eric.”

a flicker of something passed through hyunjae’s eyes—regret, maybe, or something deeper. “exactly. they knew something wasn’t adding up. you were an anomaly to them. no mark meant no typical bond, no trail to follow. especially when eric became your guardian angel. it threw them off. they’re desperate to understand what happened… and how they can use it to find the aetherion.”

you swallowed hard, the weight of his explanation settling heavily on your shoulders. “so, in a way, i’m the weakest spot to finding the aetherion and the reason they haven’t found it yet.”

“it’s not your fault,” hyunjae said firmly, his tone softening. “this isn’t something you chose. but it’s why we have to stay one step ahead. they’ll stop at nothing to get what they want.”

for a long moment, silence stretched between you, the crackle of the fire the only sound. finally, you looked up, meeting his steady gaze. “thank you for telling me. even if it’s a lot to take in.”

hyunjae’s expression softened. “you deserved to know. and whatever happens, we’ll protect you. all of us.”

you took a deep breath, trying to steady the swirl of emotions inside you. “i guess i just didn’t realize how deeply i was connected to all of this. i never expected to play such a big role in, the aetherion, the realms, everything.”

“it’s a lot,” he admitted, his voice quieter now. “but you’re stronger than you think. you’ve come this far, despite everything.”

his words were meant to comfort, but they only added to the weight you already carried. “and if i make a mistake? if they find a way to use me—”

“we won’t let that happen,” hyunjae interrupted, his tone firm. “you have all of us by your side. and eric… he’d tear the realms apart before he let anything happen to you.”

the thought of eric—of his unyielding determination and the weight he bore for your sake—made your chest ache. “he’s already done so much. on top of everything he needs to do. sometimes, it feels like i'm too much of a burden for him.”

“he doesn’t see it that way,” hyunjae said simply. “for him, you’re worth it.”

you looked back at the fire, its flickering light casting long shadows across the room. despite the overwhelming truths you’d just learned, there was a quiet resolve building within you. “then i’ll do my part. i won’t just sit back and let everyone protect me. i need to be ready for whatever’s coming.”

hyunjae’s lips curved into the faintest of smiles. “that’s the spirit of the girl i know.”

the words were meant to reassure, but the storm brewing in your chest didn’t subside. there was so much more at stake than you’d ever realized, and the aetherion wasn’t just a distant legend—it was woven into your life in ways you couldn’t escape.

---

you knew the time you had with all the boys was just the calm before the storm. something as simple as having a meal together wasn’t something you would take for granted.

the laughter that filled the room, the way sunwoo playfully argued with kevin over the last piece of chicken, or the soft hum of a song that younghoon absentmindedly sang while setting the table—all of it felt precious. fleeting.

each moment was a reminder of what you were fighting for, of the bonds you’d built amidst the chaos. though the shadow of what lay ahead loomed large, you found strength in the small, quiet moments like these. they were your anchor, grounding you when the weight of everything threatened to pull you under.

as you watched eric teasing changmin over his choice of toppings, his grin so effortlessly bright, you couldn’t help but smile softly to yourself.

"what do you wish for, y/n? after all of this is over," jacob’s voice broke through your thoughts, drawing your attention away from the playful banter.

you blinked, caught off guard by the question. after everything? the idea of a life beyond the storm seemed almost too distant to imagine. but as you looked around the room—at the faces of the people who had become your family—you felt a flicker of hope.

“i don’t know,” you admitted softly, your gaze dropping to the table. “i guess… i’d like some peace. a chance to live without always looking over my shoulder. to wake up and not feel like the world’s about to end.”

the room stayed silent for a moment before younghoon spoke, his voice gentle. “that sounds nice.”

“it does,” juyeon agreed, a small smile tugging at his lips.

“and maybe,” you added, your voice quieter now, “to keep this. all of us, together. no matter where we are.”

eric’s gaze lingered on you, something warm and unspoken in his expression. “we’ll make it happen,” he said, the confidence in his voice a stark contrast to the uncertainty of the future.

kevin grinned, leaning back in his chair. “yeah, we’re pretty hard to get rid of anyway.”

sunwoo chuckled, nudging him. “speak for yourself.”

the laughter returned, lighter this time, and for a moment, the weight of everything seemed to lift. you didn’t have all the answers, but maybe that was okay. as long as you had them by your side, you could face whatever came next. for now, at least, you had this—a family pieced together in the unlikeliest of ways, sharing a fleeting sense of normalcy before the world demanded more from you all.

——

the air inside the safe house was thick with tension. the moment sunwoo burst into the room, panting and wide-eyed, you knew—there was no more running.

“they’re here,” he breathed out, hands gripping his knees. “they found us too quickly.”

eric was already moving, securing the exits, checking his weapons. you watched as his wings flickered in and out of existence, a habit when he was restless.

“we end this now,” sangyeon said, voice steady. “no more running.”

you nodded.

outside, the distant sound of chaos signaled their arrival.

“positions,” hyunjae whispered.

you took a deep breath, gripping the hilt of the blade eric had given you what felt like decades ago. it felt foreign in your hands, but fear wasn’t an option anymore.

the first impact came like a thunderclap—the door blasted open, and they poured in.

chaos erupted.

eric moved like lightning, his wings cutting through the air as he took down the first intruder. sunwoo was right behind him, fists meeting flesh, a well-timed kick sending another enemy crashing into the wall.

you ducked, narrowly avoiding a strike, before twisting and driving your blade into the demon’s side.

kevin and chanhee fought back-to-back, their attacks synchronized. jacob’s healing light pulsed through the room, mending wounds almost as fast as they were inflicted. juyeon and haknyeon worked in tandem, their strikes precise and ruthless.

but they just kept coming.

eric’s voice rang out above the chaos. “stay close to me!”

you didn’t need to be told twice.

the battle was brutal. fast. the safe house, once a place of refuge, was crumbling under the weight of destruction.

then, the room fell into a eerie silence.

a deep chuckle echoed from the doorway.

jun.

“you all put up quite the fight,” he mused, voice laced with amusement. “but this is where it ends.”

without warning, he lunged.

eric met him midair, their clash sending a shockwave through the room. light and darkness clashed violently, illuminating the safe house in bursts of celestial gold and abyssal red.

“i shouldn’t have hesitated then. you’re not the brother i once knew.” eric said, blood dripping from his lips.

with one final strike, eric plunged his blade into the its core. the room trembled. shadows shrieked as jun convulsed, its form unraveling like smoke in the wind.

but they weren’t done yet.

sangyeon raised his hand. “now.”

as one, the group activated the exile spell. golden chains wrapped around the demon, pulling it into a swirling void. it roared, thrashing, but the light was too strong.

“sent to headquarters.” sangyeon declared.

eric wiped a hand across his face, blood staining his fingertips. he turned to you, eyes searching. “are you hurt?”

you shook your head, swallowing the lump in your throat. “i’m okay.”

sunwoo collapsed onto a chair. “that was insane.”

eric exhaled, finally letting his wings fade. “it’s over.”

and for the first time in what felt like forever, you let yourself believe it.

——

“five more minutes.”

“eric, we’re gonna be late.”

he groans, burying his face deeper into the crook of your neck. “only five more minutes, i promise.”

you sigh, but there’s no real frustration behind it. months had passed since the last battle, and they managed to sort everything out with heaven. (or headquarters as they say). now, for the first time in what felt like forever, peace wasn’t just a fleeting dream. it was real. it was here.

eric had decided to take a break from angel duties, staying at your place while you continued with your school. it was nice to have someone, to say the least.

and today, you were all having a reunion lunch at sangyeon’s place.

eric tightens his arms around you, refusing to let you go. the warmth of his body, the steady rise and fall of his breathing—it’s all too comforting.

“you’re the one who said we had to be responsible now,” you remind him, though you make no effort to move.

“i lied,” he murmurs against your skin, voice still thick with sleep. “responsibility can wait. let’s stay like this for a little longer.”

“sangyeon might lock us out of his house if we continue with this.”

“he wouldn’t. he likes you too much. something about freeing his hands and lessening his chores.”

you scoff. “you give him that much trouble?”

“depends. occasionally. sometimes.”

you raise a brow. “so… all of the time?”

he grins. “i like to keep him on his toes.”

shaking your head, you finally manage to slip out of his hold, standing up to stretch. outside, the sun is bright, and the distant chatter of people starting their day filters through the window.

“we’re gonna be late,” you remind him, heading towards your bathroom, not before throwing a pillow at him. “if sangyeon does lock us out, i’m blaming you.”

“okay. okay. i’m up.” he says, catching the pillow before it can hit him on the head. he stretches his arms, yawning as he finally swings his legs over the edge.

as you both got into the car (him in the driver’s seat), eric reached over to buckle your seatbelt for you, his fingers brushing against your shoulder.

“you know, i can do that myself,” you tease.

“i know.” he grins, tapping your nose before pulling away. “but i like taking care of you.”

you roll your eyes, but the warmth in your chest is undeniable.

“are you ready to see everyone?”

you nodded. “are you?”

“yup. let’s go.”

as he starts the engine and pulls onto the road, the radio hums softly in the background, the city passing by in a blur. everything feels calm, like this is exactly where you’re meant to be—next to him, in a moment that is finally, beautifully, just yours.

#deoboyznet #the boyz fanfic #the boyz x reader #tbz fanfic #tbz fluff #the boyz imagines #eric sohn x reader #the boyz fluff #OH MY DAYS!!#this was soooo good!#ive never read a bad tbz angel au

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