The Familiar Devil || Minsung

Chapter 6: The Abyss

The warmth of sunlight filtering through tall windows coaxed Jisung awake. His eyes fluttered open slowly, adjusting to the soft, golden light spilling across the room. The warmth felt foreign in a place like the Abyss, where he'd expected only shadows and cold mist. Yet, here he was—bathed in sunlight, the air still and quiet.

For a moment, Jisung forgot where he was. The room was far too grand to be his own, the bed too soft, the sheets too smooth. It wasn't until he blinked up at the high ceilings, the intricate carvings of the walls, and the tall, arched windows that the memory of the night before rushed back to him.

The Abyss. Minho. The castle.

He sat up slowly, his heart starting to race as his gaze swept the room. It was grand, almost palatial, with dark wood and rich fabrics that looked straight out of some old, gothic tale. And there, by one of the windows, standing in the warm rays of sunlight, was Minho.

Minho was already awake, his back turned to Jisung as he stared out the window, the golden light casting a soft glow around him. He looked different here—calmer, more at peace in a way Jisung hadn't seen before. His usual teasing smirk was absent, his expression unreadable as he watched something outside.

Jisung's breath hitched, the sudden realization that he was still in Minho's world settling in. He wasn't back in his apartment, where everything made sense. No, he was in the Abyss, in Minho's room, waking up to sunlight in a place that shouldn't feel this serene.

The sheets rustled as Jisung shifted, drawing Minho's attention. Without turning fully around, Minho glanced over his shoulder, his eyes locking onto Jisung's.

"Morning," Minho said softly, his voice low and smooth.

Jisung swallowed, unsure of how to respond. His mouth was dry, and there were so many questions he didn't even know where to start. Why was there sunlight here? Why did this room feel so... normal? And why, despite everything he had learned, did he still feel safe?

"Morning," Jisung finally managed to croak, his voice still rough with sleep.

Minho's gaze lingered on him for a moment before he turned back to the window, his hands resting in his pockets. "You sleep well?"

Jisung let out a quiet laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess... as well as you can when you're in a demon's castle."

Minho's lips curved slightly, the faintest hint of amusement tugging at his expression. "You'll get used to it."

Jisung pushed the covers off and swung his legs over the side of the bed, his bare feet hitting the cold stone floor. He shivered slightly, the cool air of the room reminding him that this was still very much the Abyss, no matter how normal it might seem in the moment.

As he stood, Jisung glanced around again, his eyes taking in the full scope of the room. The high ceilings, the tapestries that lined the walls, the heavy wooden doors—everything screamed royalty. This wasn't just Minho's room; this was a prince's room.

"Is this your place?" Jisung asked, his voice quieter than he intended.

Minho turned around fully now, leaning casually against the window frame as he regarded Jisung. "One of the many rooms I'm allowed to use, yeah."

Jisung raised an eyebrow. "You don't live here?"

Minho shrugged, his expression unreadable once again. "I do, but sometimes I'm just spending time at Hyunjin's."

Jisung stepped closer to Minho, his curiosity getting the better of him. "But this is your home, right?"

Minho's eyes darkened slightly, a shadow passing over his face. "I guess you could say that. But this place... it comes with expectations. Responsibilities." His voice lowered. "Ones I'm not interested in right now."