Demon and the Mage (Jeongcheol)

Jeonghan

I leaned down and kissed Seungcheol. He whimpered under my lips before opening to let me in. Tears filled my eyes as I recognised how close this call had been. I didn't try to stop them this time. Just let them fall. They hit Seungcheol's cheeks, mixing with his own.

When we'd slaked some of the urgent need to reassure ourselves that this was real, we broke apart. I rested my forehead on his, breathing him in.

"I nearly lost you," Seungcheol whispered. "We came so close. Too close."

"I know," I murmured. "And trust me, going forwards, I'm not going to take even a minute with you for granted. But even if shit like this happens again, we'll find a way through together. You can save me, then I'll save you. That's the way it's going to be with us. You don't need to carry all the weight. Not anymore."

Seungcheol grinned up at me. "I'd like to think I can still be some use."

I eyed the room. "Well, not to sound arrogant, but you kinda missed all the fun here."

Seungcheol frowned, sitting up and scouting out the room. His brothers had finished dispatching the last of the bloodless demons and were now stacking the bodies in a pile in the middle of the room, ready to burn them. My little trick meant it took them longer than usual to reincarnate, giving Joshua, Vernon, and Soonyoung ample time to finish the job. Jihoon was also getting in on the action, even though he seemed injured. He was limping, favouring his left leg heavily. Blood was pouring from a wound on his head, but he was ignoring it as he hefted yet another body.

"Was this...did you do this?" Seungcheol's voice was filled with awe.

I smirked at him. "What? Can't have you guys thinking you're the only ones with powers."

Vernon snorted from a few feet away, having heard my comment. "Trust me, not one of us thinks that now." He raised an eyebrow at Seungcheol. "Wouldn't recommend getting on his bad side...and maybe don't let him play with Joshua or Soonyoung too often."

"Hey!" all three of us protested simultaneously before exchanging mischievous grins.

Something told me being a part of this family was going to be hella fun.

There was a loud bang as Jihoon hit the floor face-first. His wings were stained red with blood. He must have a wound underneath them that we couldn't see.

"Jihoon!" Soonyoung's yell was agonising. He was a blur as he moved to Jihoon's side.

"Shit," Seungcheol said as we scrambled to our feet. We rushed to join the others who were ringed around the fallen angel.

Jihoon's eyelids fluttered as he struggled to hold on to consciousness.

Soonyoung was on his knees beside him, his hands searching out his wounds. When he spoke, the terror he was obviously feeling didn't show in his voice. "Retract your wings, Woozi. I can't help you like this."

Jihoon gave a low groan, his brow furrowing. Then his wings slowly pulled inwards, revealing the myriad of wounds on his back. His eyes rolled back in his head as he fainted, like the small action had stolen the last of his strength.

Soonyoung yanked a strip off the bottom of his shirt, using it to dab away the worst of the blood.

"He's healing," Seungcheol said gently. "You don't need to do that."

The look Soonyoung shot Seungcheol was murderous. "I know I don't need to."

I dropped to my knees and shoved my sleeves back. The angel would be completely fine in about three minutes without any assistance. But if shaving that time in half stopped Soonyoung from taking his fear out on Seungcheol, it'd be worth it. Fortunately, my powers were replenishing fast, thanks to my bond with Seungcheol. "Here, let me help too."