NEVER NOT • H.RENJUN

31

| chapter thirty-one |
you were my heaven on earth..
« i never wanted to need someone »

A light breeze brushed against Hyewon's skin causing goosebumps to form on her skin. The sun had begun to dip below the horizon, decorating the skies in orange and pink hues.

She looked around the empty grass field, trying to spot wherever Renjun had gone. He brought her to the meadow on a picnic. He had created a bucket list of things he wanted to experience with her; a picnic was the fifth of ten things.

No words could ever sum up how thankful she was for him. Hyewon knew that he made the bucket list to distract her from the cruel realities of her life. However, as much as it warmed her heart, it broke it a million times more. Renjun had to make the list with only one thing in mind: Hyewon is leaving.

It wasn't long until Renjun appeared, walking toward her with the prettiest smile on his face. Easily, a smile tugged at her lips too. No matter how bad things were, when it was just the two of them, she was still the happiest demon on Earth.

Renjun held his right arm behind his back, clearly hiding something from her. She squinted her eyes suspiciously and he knew that she had noticed but he still wanted to play it off. "What?" He feigned obliviousness.

Hyewon motioned to his hand with her finger, "What do you have there?"

"I have no idea what you're talking about," He shrugged his shoulders and stopped walking.

Hyewon laughed and stood up from the picnic blanket. As she took a few steps toward him, he took a couple of steps back; keeping the distance between them. The Demon knew he was teasing her, but she couldn't help her curiosity. She wanted to know what he was holding.

"Fine, don't tell me," Hyewon turned around making it seem like she was going to sit back down and sulk. But when she sensed him coming closer to her, she instantly turned around and ran towards him. Renjun reacted fast, just as she was about to grab his arm, he ran away. Hyewon chased after him. "Renjun!" She yelled out. "Why are you so fast?!"

As her breathing became ragged and her legs weak, Hyewon was about to drop to the ground and give up. Then, she heard the prettiest sound. Renjun's laugh. It blessed her ears and filled the evening air. She wanted to hear it over and over and over again. The pain in her legs immediately subsided and she ran even faster wanting to reach him as fast as possible.

When Hyewon did reach him, she couldn't hold herself up anymore. She wrapped her arms around his neck and dragged him down with her. She fell on top of him and didn't bother moving; she laid comfortably against his chest.

Renjun lifted his right arm and placed a bunch of flowers in front of her. Hyewon smiled and took them from his hand. She pulled away from his chest and looked at him lovingly. "I've never received flowers before," She smiled widely, holding the messy bouquet to her heart. "Thank you."

"Do you know what these flowers are called?" Renjun asked. She shook her head. "They are baby breath flowers and they mean everlasting love." Hyewon stared at him in adoration. "I want you to know that even though things came to be this way, I will never–" He took a deep breath, as if every word he uttered pained him. "I will never not love you."

Before a tear could slip past her eye, Hyewon smiled sadly and closed her eyes. She kissed him softly. "I love you," She muttered against his lips, "so so much."

Renjun wrapped his arms around the demon, holding her as tight as his body let him. Every ounce of his body was pressed against hers and somehow that still wasn't enough. He wanted her to be closer, he wanted his body and soul to be intertwined with hers. He didn't want to ever have to let go.

Hyewon nestled her face closer to the crook of his neck. She let herself indulge in the closeness and the intimacy; something that she'll miss when she's gone. With her ear pressed against his chest, Hyewon could hear his heartbeat, but she could also feel the way his chest began to shake. He was crying. She immediately pulled away from him and looked at his face.

"Renjun.." She helped him sit up before he choked on his tears.

"I really don't want you to go."

Hyewon could feel the way her chest tightened; it was painful to see him suffer because of her.

"Can you not leave me?" Renjun's voice trembled as he looked up at her.

Gently, Hyewon wiped his tears with the pads of her fingers. "Don't cry, Jun." Besides those words, the Demon didn't know what else to say. She felt that she would only disappoint him further if she said anything else.

"I really really don't want you to leave," Renjun looked up at her, begging with his eyes. Tears ran down his face unlikely to stop anytime soon.

Hyewon hushed him as she fought back tears. "I know." She said, her bottom lip trembled. "I know, Renjun."

"I'm so scared," He murmured between sobs.

Hyewon looked at him endearingly as she caressed his face. "It's all going to be okay, hm? This will all be over soon and once it is, you will be okay." Renjun shook his head but he could not speak; anything that came out of his mouth was a cross between a sob and a hiccup. "I promise, you will be okay."

Renjun pulled her in, holding her tightly as he sobbed in her warm embrace. "I w—"

Before he could finish, Hyewon pulled away, she looked at him, eyes furrowed and full of terror. "Renjun."

He looked at her, then at her fading body. "Hyewon..." Renjun shook his head. It was happening. But why? The angel tried to grasp onto any part of her as she slowly disappeared. "No, why—why is this happening? We still have two more days. Why?!" He cried out.

"Everything will be okay," Hyewon said even though she wasn't sure of anything anymore.

Renjun held onto her until nothing was left in front of him. He was left staring at an empty meadow. He was left alone and in pain.