The Angel's Paradise. ( Saeran x MC )

《 f i f e t e e n 》

"Soon, you'll come learn that paradise is typically the place where you get killed."
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"My name is Saeran Choi, I'm Luciel's brother."

There was no noise around the room, as everyone stared at Saeran incredulously, including (Y/N), for the simple reason she wasn't prepared for him to reveal himself like so. Jaehee was the first to speak, "I wasn't aware Luciel had a brother. To be quite honest, there seems to be a lot we don't know about his life."

All of a sudden, Saeran felt vulnerable, and regretted the choice of telling Jaehee and Jumin who he was, but it was so much easier to come out with the truth than to keep an elaborate lie. Regardless, speaking his relationship with Luciel out-loud had forced him to remember every detail about his life as a child, and he desperately tried to push those memories to the side.

He still wasn't completely healed. After years of trauma and abuse, who could be fixed in just a short few months?

Noticing he had been quiet for just a bit too long, Saeran took a short breath, "There's a lot to our story... And most of it, should remain unknown. I hope you'll forgive me, the situation truly is complicated." Even if he had wanted to tell them his backstory, he didn't know where to start. He couldn't begin to make sense of his own memories. What was real, and what had been implanted there to manipulate him?

Jumin nodded, sensing Saeran's uncomfort. After all, he was a businessman; he was supposed to know how to read people's emotions. "That's understandable," He shifted his gaze to (Y/N), and watched the way she looked at Saeran. There was some emotion in her eyes that he couldn't understand- something unreadable. In the months she had been missing, what had happened to her?

He couldn't even begin to fathom what she had gone through, and he sincerely wanted to know. Of course, he had never met (Y/N) before, but she seemed different, or at least, she wasn't what he imagined her to be.

"Now, this may be to much of me to ask," Jumin started, "But, I must know. What happened, (Y/N)? Where did you go?"

(Y/N) bit her lip in response, not sure of what she should say. She knew it would better to tell the truth, rather than to hide the whole situation from her friends, but she had also wanted to be as careful as possible. What would they do if they knew everything? How would they react? (Y/N) had figured Jumin was the type of person to use his money and status when it was needed, and she wasn't too sure she wanted any investigations or over-reactions.

She struggled to say anything at all, and looked down at her hands, which were placed in her lap. There was also the factor of Saeran - How is she supposed to tell them that she was kidnapped, and her kidnapper is someone she thinks she fell in love with, in front of him?! 

Talk about a bad case of Stockholm Syndrome, (Y/N) scoffed to herself.

But it was different; It was different and she knew it was. How else could her and Saeran have ended up here together? She actually knew things about him - She knew more about him than most people did.

She felt special.

(Y/N) looked up at everyone in the room, just realizing that she had gotten lost in her thoughts once she started to think about Saeran. Once she had looked up, she caught the worried gaze of Saeran. Something about looking at him, reassured her. It reminded her that she was not alone - She didn't experience that hell cult alone - he was by her side the whole time. 

Even though Jumin and Jaehee were looking at (Y/N) expectantly, their faces held patience and understanding. She knew she couldn't reveal everything- and she especially couldn't reveal anything about 'The Savior', but she should at least tell them the basics as to lessen their worries.

(Y/N) let out a deep breath, and while she struggled to find the words to explain everything, she managed to speak anyways. "I. . . Don't really remember too much, but far away, there's this messed up place-"

(Y/N)'s words were interrupted by the door opening, and what seemed to be a receptionist entered the room, "Mr. Han, Jihyun has arrived. Would you like me to send him in?"

It took a moment for Jumin to respond, almost forgetting he had planned to meet with his friend about what further actions they should take concerning Luciel, although that was before (Y/N) had arrived. "Oh, what perfect timing, actually. Please, send him in."

Just a small moment later, a blue-haired man walked into the room, who (Y/N) could only presume to be the head of the R.F.A, V. She had only talked to him once or twice, but he seemed to be exactly what she imagined. He was tall and lanky - perfectly fitting for his somewhat gauche, yet charming personality. 

When (Y/N) had went to examine his face, she noticed a small flash of panic move across his face, and looked over to where V was staring, only to find Saeran gazing at him with the same expression, except he seemed more pained. Instantly, the air grew thick with a sharp tension, to the point that even Jaehee had been able to tell something was wrong.

"Saeran...?" V had spoken softly, his face falling into a regretful expression suddenly feeling all of the emotions he's been trying to ignore for the past many years. "What are you doing here?" He couldn't put together any thoughts, his head scrambled from suddenly seeing Saeran. He had so many questions to ask - Why isn't he with Rika? How had he come into contact with Jumin? But most of all, he had wanted to know if he was okay. Yet, he couldn't stutter out a single word.

"No. No-no-no-no." Saeran kept repeating, his mind full of panic as he went into immediate denial. Why did Jihyun have to come here? Saeran didn't think he was ready to face him yet - There hasn't been enough time for him to heal! Saeran's breaths became shorter and quicker, as he refused to look at V. Just the mere sight of him sent his body into fight or flight mode- and he wasn't sure which one he should do.

The effects from Rika's brainwashing still poisoned him, and he felt a painful migraine coming on. He buried his face in his hands as he tried to control his rapid breathing. He closed his eyes shut tightly as his mind raced with thoughts. The room quickly began to feel as if it was trying to suffocate him, and Saeran decided he had to leave the room in order to deal with emotions he was currently feeling.

He didn't want (Y/N) to see him like this, even if he had told her everything about his childhood. He wanted her to see him as someone strong - someone who could protect her.

Saeran hastily took his leave from the room, keeping his gaze on the floor as he angrily pushed past Jihyun to reach the door, as (Y/N) started at him in confusion,  "Saeran!" She called out, briskly walking out the door right behind Saeran. She was nearly just as shocked as Saeran was, but knew she had to go comfort Saeran before she could begin to process her own feelings.

The three people remaining in the room all shared a look of confusion, although Jihyun was confused for a different reason. He couldn't help but wonder who that female that had chased after Saeran was. Had she come with Saeran from Mint Eye?

Finally, someone spoke up. "You know him, V? I suppose now there's no need to explain he's Luciel's brother." Jumin had asked, trying to understand the weird situation in front of him. It seemed to make a little sense earlier, but now that he had heard even Jihyun was caught in the middle of this, he wasn't sure what to think. 

"Yes, I do..." V spoke, slightly alarmed that Jumin knew Saeran's identity. It led him to wonder how much the two knew, "But, I am not aware of who the other lady is...Could you please fill me in?"

"That, would happen to be our party coordinator."