𝕮𝖗𝖔𝖜𝖓𝖑𝖊𝖘𝖘 𝕮𝖍𝖔𝖎𝖗𝖘

𝕮𝖍𝖆𝖕𝖙𝖊𝖗 𝐗𝐈𝐕

"We're back!" shouted Benjamin with a gleam in his eye that seemed to light up the room. His words echoed and filled the room with new energy. He pulled his hand out of Asmodeu's chest, which, unlike in his memory, was now unharmed. His broad smile was infectious, and a feeling spread through the room as if a long-awaited goal had finally been achieved.

It had really only been a few heartbeats and Soles didn't even know what had happened.

Asmodeus, on the other hand, seemed completely changed. His expression was less disgusted and angry than before. He felt strangely relieved and confused at the same time. The sudden disappearance of the hole in his chest left him speechless as he tried to comprehend the meaning of this event.

Benjamin's broad smile and the palpable relief in the air calmed him somewhat, but a nagging feeling of uncertainty remained.

What had just happened?

This illusion had confused and shocked him, but it had also opened his eyes.

"I'm sorry for the way I reacted," Asmodeus finally said and looked up, into Soles' eyes. His gaze was honest. "Back then, when you tried to kiss me, and earlier. Always, actually," he admitted and pressed his lips together.

But the fallen angel just shook his head, his eyes filled with tears and he slowly got to his knees, placing his hands on his thighs. "I should be sorry. I should have talked about it much sooner, then you wouldn't be here now because of me. Maybe we could have..."

"Don't take this the wrong way, Steve," Benjamin's voice cut sternly across the room. His gaze was coldly directed at the angel. "Yeonjun doesn't return your feelings."

These words released an uncomfortable silence. It was as quiet as a mouse for several long seconds and the only thing that broke the silence was Asmodeu's swallowing.

"That's true. I think you're a wonderful - ... a wonderful person," he corrected himself at the last moment and took a deep breath. Not seeing Soles as an angel anymore hurt. "I'm sorry you had to suffer like that," he said softly, his words filled with an inexplicable depth. "But you must understand that I am not the answer to your quest. You need to find your peace." He swallowed hard. "You're not here to fill my emptiness or answer my questions. That's not fair to you, and it's not fair to me."

Asmodeus felt the stares on him as he spoke his words, but he knew it was important to be honest, both to Soles and to himself. He forced himself to remain calm, even though his insides were raging, and he felt as if he was walking on burning coals.

Soles sighed after these words.

Of course it was painful for him to hear all this, but at least he had something like certainty. "I understand."

Benjamin sensed the heaviness of the atmosphere in the room and decided to change the subject to relieve some of the tension. With a gentle smile, he stepped closer to Asmodeus and Soles. "Maybe we should all have something to eat," he suggested. "I don't know about you, but I could do with something to settle the stomach."