Shadow | Huang Renjun

48

TW: Mentions of Self Harm

Exhausted from all the socialising, Eunah and Renjun find themselves on the Angel's bed, watching a movie.
Her head is resting on his lap, facing the small TV balanced on her chest of drawers, while his fingers carefully run through her loose hair.

He takes hold of her hand with his free one, raising it to press a soft kiss to the back. Her lips curve into a warm smile, gaze softening as her hand is returned to its previous position on the bed– fingers now intertwined with his.

A lot of things have gone unspoken still, including the topic she discussed with Miyeon the other day. She doesn't want to ruin his mood, especially after everything that's happened recently, but feels it's important to start communicating better.
To start building back the trust he had in her.

Maybe after the movie.

Her change in demeanour must've been more obvious than she thought, as when the credits roll Renjun pauses them– looking down at her confused face with a worried one.

"What's wrong?"
His soothing voice brings her to sigh, turning away again.

"I just– can I talk to you...?"

"Yeah, of course."

"It's about some old stuff that probably doesn't matter anymore," she mutters. "But I want to tell you anyway..."

Humming, the Demon rubs his thumb over her hand, patiently waiting for her to continue. Eunah chews her bottom lip, struggling to find her voice now that the topic is in the air.
Maybe being direct is the way to do it.

"I... used to hurt myself a lot after I got kicked out of Yijun's friend group..."
She lets go of his hand, turning onto her back and shining some light on her wrist to reveal some of the familiar, golden lines.

Brows furrowed in concern, Renjun takes hold of her wrist, running gentle fingers over the lines which causes her to shiver. He raises it to his lips, pressing warm kisses all over them.

"It's fine, they're old and healed..." the Angel mumbles, glancing away.
"I just thought– maybe it was time I told you more about me. It's not like I've been very open about everything..."

"Well, neither have I," he replies, now massaging the area as the lines fade into her skin.
"Nothing detailed, anyway."

"I suppose..."

His free hand cups her cheek, thumb running over it, with crimson eyes meeting golden ones in mutual, soft displays of affection.
"You're not alone, either."

"What do you mean?"

He lets go, lifting one side of his t-shirt as she sits up to look. Across his right side are jagged knife wounds that have scarred with age, bringing her to gasp lightly and cover her mouth.

"What happened...?"

"A lot of anger and self-hatred. I did it sometime after I killed my mother."

"Oh, Jun..." Eunah exhales, hesitantly reaching out to trace her fingertips over the area.

He jolts, reassuring her that it's okay when she apologises. Lowering his top again, he holds his arms out to bring her into a hug– burying his face into the crook of her neck.

"I'm so sorry, Jun..." she utters, voice muffled against his shoulder.

"What for?"

"You've gone through so much, and... all I did was add to it..."

A faint, breathy chuckle tickles her skin, at which she hums in confusion. He rubs her back, lightly squeezing her torso.

"No, you– you're the best thing to ever happen to me," he admits at a murmur, leaning back to look her in the eye with love.
"I know it hasn't been perfect, but I'm so glad I met you. What happened was both our fault and Mark's, so please don't blame yourself for it all. My family... well, that could never be your fault.
You've gone through a lot as well, so I'm sorry too."