A Demon's Angel - Seongjoong

Part 10

A light breeze blew the cool night air through their expensive clothing as they strolled through the manicured lawn towards the gardens at the back of the property. The estate was massive and there was no one else outside, but that didn't stop the two of them from slowly meandering down the seemingly endless paths.

Seonghwa kept glancing down at their connected hands. He should've pulled away a long time ago, but there was a strange comfort from Hongjoong's warm grasp that he couldn't forgo.

The demon and the angel were always talking or bantering, filling up the air between them with the sounds of their voices.
It should've felt strange that they were both quiet, but Seonghwa found it very peaceful.
The angel could hear the sounds of nature, the beat of their footsteps, the soft noise of their breathing if he listened hard enough.

Seonghwa had started the evening as an anxious mess. Now he only felt calm.

He didn't know how long they'd been walking when the angel shivered as a chill ran through him, a particularly strong wind sapping the warmth from his body. Hongjoong noticed and let go of his hand to wrap an arm around his shoulders. They had been so close to each other so many times this evening. Seonghwa wondered if he would spend his night overthinking it when he was back at home lying in his bed.

Seonghwa thought the garden was probably quite the marvel when viewed in broad daylight, but now, lit only by the light of the moon, it was romantic in a more mysterious sort of way.

Seonghwa had been waiting for the right opportunity to say it, and out under the open night sky he felt like it was finally time.

"Hongjoong..."
"Mmm?"
"I've been thinking about what you asked. About working together."
Seonghwa saw that same glimmer of hope from the other day, shining in the demon's eyes. Hongjoong lightly squeezed his hand as he began to speak.

"I... Well I think I would like to work with you."
"Really?" Hongjoong's voice sounded a bit strangled, like he was trying not to show his excitement.

Seonghwa nodded.
"Yes, really. As much as my job is more difficult now, I think it's worth it to try a little harder to really do the right thing, instead of just what I've been told. You've changed my perspective about being an angel, and I need you to be able to keep up what we started."

Seonghwa was aware that the demon could have a field day with the fact that Seonghwa had more or less said "I need you," but to Seonghwa's mild surprise, Hongjoong didn't do anything of the sort.

Instead of responding with words, Hongjoong pulled Seonghwa's shoulders in towards him until he was fully enveloped into a hug.
Seonghwa couldn't help but melt into it. He couldn't remember the last time someone had hugged him, and he was sure no one had ever hugged him like this. Seonghwa would've sworn he could feel the demon's rapid heartbeat matching rhythm with his own.

The angel and the demon stayed like that for a while, the cool night air trying to blow through them but finding no space between their bodies to do so. The sky was clear and the stars were out, tiny flecks of white paint on an indigo canvas.
Seonghwa felt himself relaxing against the demon, his breaths growing deeper and more even. He didn't know how long it was acceptable to stay in a hug like this, but he didn't pull away until the demon did.

"You're amazing, my angel. I hope you know that."

Seonghwa blushed at the praise. He was glad for the cover of darkness because the demon had already seen him turning pink more times than he could count.

"I don't know where the future will take us, but I feel better knowing I'll be diving into it with you."

Seonghwa's heart stopped momentarily. It was so sick and twisted that the demon seemed to know all the things to say to send the angel into emotional cardiac arrest.