NEVER NOT • H.RENJUN

16

| chapter sixteen |
you're too precious to be hurt..
« i wonder what it's like to be loved by you »

After the heart-wrenching revelation, Hyewon and Renjun laid comfortably on the bed. His arms were wrapped around her as she nuzzled her head in his neck. The demon closed her eyes, listening closely as his chest moved up and down with every breath.

She had told herself to not go near him again– to not feel anything for him. But it seemed impossible. She thought about him every day. Although she tried ignoring her feelings and walking away when she was drawn to him, she only created another path that led her to him. She gave in to the feeling.

"Are you asleep?" Renjun broke the peaceful silence. Hyewon shook her head, fluttering her eyes open. "Are you staying the night?" He asked, a soft hue of pink painting his cheeks.

Hyewon chuckled, "Should I?"

The angel opened and closed his mouth but no words were uttered. Instead of words, he met her gaze and nodded before pulling her back into his arms.

Silenced engulfed them once again. The demon held his hand in hers, fingers intertwined. She admired the endearing action of his thumb rubbing against her skin gently. It made her feel safe. He made her feel safe.

And though she never cared for the feelings of others, tonight, she wondered if he felt the same way with her. If she made him feel safe. If his heart ever beat so fast in his chest to the point that it feels like it could explode. She wondered if what he felt for her was more than an infatuation. And if he was in love with her as much as she concluded she was.

"Jun?" Hyewon called, he responded with a hum. "Why aren't you afraid of me?" She muttered against his chest. She had to put an end to her endless thoughts.

"I was," Renjun said. "That day when we met at the alley, I was terrified of you. Of course, I would be, you're a demon. Yet, in a way, the way you talked and walked, everything about you, amazed me. And as much as I tried to, I couldn't get you out of my mind. So I took it as a sign from God; that you were important to me in some way."

"How could I be of any importance to you?" She let out a mistrusting chuckle. "If anything, I would only get you killed."

"I trust Him. And I trust you to not get me killed. You're like my guardian demon," Renjun chuckled. He meant the latter part as a joke but Hyewon didn't think of it as a mere joke.

If she had gained his trust, then she would never break it. She would protect him, with her life if necessary.

"I will protect you," she assured him. "You're too precious to be hurt by this cruel world."

Renjun let out a contented sigh, feeling safe with her in her arms. Just being around her brought a feeling of security into his life. He wanted that feeling to last forever. He wanted them— whatever their relationship was and whatever it would become— to last forever.

"I want to stay like this forever," he muttered into her hair. She smiled even though she knew forever wasn't possible. But she'd enjoy the moment while it lasted.

Hoisting herself up on her elbows, Hyewon looked up at him. Renjun met her gaze as well, noticing a hint of warmth in the otherwise emotionless black hue.

"What?" The angel asked as she simply stared at him. She shook her head and smiled, "I just like looking at you. I like knowing that you're here. You're too good to be true."

Renjun's heart swelled. Caught up in the moment, he cupped her face with both his hands and slowly pulled her closer. Their lips were inches apart and the beating of their hearts increased.

Just as their lips were about to touch, there was a knock on the door. Hyewon turned away from him and sat up straight. Renjun did the same.

"It must be Jeno," He said, letting out an awkward chuckle before walking out of the room.

Hyewon mentally slapped herself for letting herself give in to the temptation again. Friends. She reminded herself. Just friends.

Leaning her head against the headboard she patiently waited for Renjun to return. She fidgetted with her fingers nervously and practiced multiple conversations in her head so she could make things less awkward.

Five minutes passed and he hadn't returned. Then ten minutes, Hyewon started to worry.
When fifteen minutes passed, she got up from the bed and walked out of the room.

He wasn't there. The door was left ajar letting the cold breeze surge into the room.

"Renjun?" The demon called out his name. She searched around the place and outside of his dorm but he was nowhere to be found. Where could he have gone?

She sat down on the floor beside the door, waiting for him to walk through it. She felt worried, scared, and guilty. There was a possibility that this happened because of her.

The door opened, but it wasn't Renjun that opened it. It was Jeno. Hyewon jumped to her feet and hurried to him.

"Renjun is gone," The demon spoke in a rushed tone. "I was with him and there was a knock at the door. He went to open it thinking it was you but he disappeared." She explained in one breath.

Jeno processed the words just as fast as they left her mouth. He let out a deep sigh and closed his eyes, "He visited."

Hyewon furrowed her eyebrows together, confused. "Who?"

"The Archangel."

what are your thoughts on this story so far??
i'm curious :))