NEVER NOT • H.RENJUN

37

| chapter thirty-seven |
you can't forget us
« baby, i would die for you »

The silence was deafening as everyone stood before the Deity. Hyewon and Renjun stood side by side, while Yoon and Jaemin stood behind them. Jeno and Archangel Lee stood next to the Deity. The expression on everyone's faces was one of defeat and exhaust.

Hyewon just wanted everything to be over. She let go of Renjun's hand and stepped forward looking straight into the Deity's eyes. Then, with a deep sigh, she kneeled down before him.

"Just do it," she mumbled. "I've accepted my punishment. Please, I can't take it anymore."

Renjun's heart broke to the tiniest pieces, over and over again, as he watched the love of his life begging for her life to end.

"Demon Cho Hyewon," The Diety spoke sternly.  "In violation of the law that states that, A Demon should never meddle with an Angel, ever, you will be banished from this life; your second life. You also have chosen to bare the responsibility of the Angel's actions, so your third and final life will also be revoked."

"What..no!" Renjun's emotions got the better of him. He walked towards Hyewon and kneeled beside her. "Do not take away her third life."

Hyewon shook her head frantically, "You'll be punished. I don't want that to happen." She turned her body to face him. "I can take it, Jun. I can take the pain. It's okay. I never liked existing either way. I'm satisfied with the fact that I got to meet you in this life."

"I can't take it, though," Renjun said. "I can't even imagine a world with you gone. I can not continue living knowing that I will never see you again."

Caught up in the moment, Hyewon let out a shaky breath and pressed her lips to his. They shared a kiss so delicate and tender, yet full of desperation. She didn't care that everyone was watching them. She knew they'd go down in history, with just a mere interlocking of lips, two worlds collided. Heaven and hell.

As much as it broke him to do so, Renjun pulled away from the kiss first. "Please let me do this," he whispered against her lips. "I love you, Hyewon, but I cannot let you take my pain."

Without letting her speak, he stood and walked to The Deity.

"I will take my punishment. But you have to let Hyewon have her third life." Renjun demanded. He didn't know what it was but all the fear that was in his body had disappeared. He wasn't afraid anymore. His lovers life was on his hands, he had to do anything to protect her. "And you also have to let us meet again."

"I can not promise anything."

"Please, I'll endure anything just as long as I see her again." This time he did beg. He got onto his knees and clasped his hands together. "Please, let us meet in another life. I love her."

"Very well then. Angel Huang Renjun, you will be punished for having a relationship with a Demon. For your punishment, your second life will be revoked and as you wait until your third life, you will be in purgatory."

Renjun gulped at the word purgatory. The most tormenting place between the heavens and the earth. No body knows where it is located, however, everybody knows that it should be avoided.

"Both of you have received your sentence," The Diety spoke once again. "I will give you time to bid your farewells."

Hyewon immediately ran towards Renjun. She wrapped her arms tightly around him. "He said purgatory, Jun. You should've just let me take all the punishment," she sobbed into the crook of his neck. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry, my love."

Wrapping his arms around Hyewon, Renjun could only manage to sigh. "It's okay. I'll do anything for you."

"Sorry to interrupt.." Jaemin tapped his finger on Hyewon's shoulder. They both looked at him and then at Jeno and Yoon who stood behind him. "We're gonna miss you guys, too."

Then all five of them ended up in a group hug. Both laughter and sobs bounced off the walls of Heaven.

"You can't forget us," Renjun said. "I'll never forget the way you beat me up, Jaemin."

Jaemin chuckled, "Did I ever apologize about that? If not, sorry. Man, I didn't know I would end up crying over you." He wiped the tears from his eyes.

Renjun pulled away from the group hug and pulled Jeno aside. "You warned me that things would end like this for us. But I would do it all over again if I could," he told him. "Still, thank you for looking out for me this entire time. You were my only and best friend."

"I'm gonna miss my partner," Jeno sighed. He wasn't one to cry, but he was sad about Renjun having to go. "You better be good in your next life. Don't cause any more trouble like this."

Renjun laughed and pulled him into a hug. "I can't make any promises, but I'll try."

Beside them Hyewon was also saying goodbye to her best friends. "Thank you for everything," she pulled Yoon and Jaemin closer. "I was happy thanks to you guys. I will never forget you and I hope you don't forget me."

"We won't," they both said at the same time. "I hope you get the life that you deserve," Yoon told her. More than anyone else, they both knew how cruel life had treated her. They only wanted for her to finally get her happily ever after. "I hope so too," she hugged them tightly for the last time.

As Renjun and Hyewon made their way back into each other's arms, it was a sign to everyone else that they should leave the star-crossed lovers alone. With frowns, they all exited Heaven, leaving the two by themselves.

one more chapter!