CW: Explicit language, mentions of torture.
Not too long after Nuwa leaves, Rin’s wardens drag him to the war room where the Faceless Devil and his inner circle are waiting. They release him from his bonds and he sits across the table obediently, feeling the intense weight of the others’ stares.
He stares right back. Chin raised.
“Otsuki Rin.” Four syllables boom through the war room. Rings in his ears.
Masao sits directly opposite. He looks at Rin detachedly – his speech, smooth and perfectly enunciated. This is the Faceless Devil, not his father.
“It is to our knowledge that you have revealed the true affiliation of the Celestial Theatre. You have also directly endangered the existence of the underground by exposing the true nature of the Celestial Theatre. If we were not warned of your betrayal, we could have suffered an extreme loss. What say you?”
The frosted edge to Masao’s words has Rin swallowing. He clenches his hands beneath the table, trying to stop them from trembling. Above the shoulders, he’s calm, if not scornful. “’To your knowledge’? And how did you come across this so-called knowledge?”
“Nuwa is able to communicate with beasts. While they may not speak our tongue, they are trusted witnesses regardless.”
“Trusted?” Rin sneers, “How can animals be trusted?”
“They don’t know how to lie,” Nuwa bristles. “Stop wasting our time and admit to your fault. Or do you want me to sit here until Izayoma eats my soul?”
The raven rolls his eyes. “Whether I admit to it or not, does it matter? You’re going to hang me anyway. Or do Otsukis decapitate?” He tilts his head, fingering his neck as he considers both options of execution.
“Which do you prefer?” The Devil says, coolly. “If you prefer other methods, then we may also consider them. This is your execution, after all.”
“Masao,” Bo starts, clearly unhappy with the Devil’s threat.
The Devil raises his hand and Bo falls silent, frowning.
“There is another option,” Masao says, holding Rin’s gaze. “We know you have are working for Hwan Sun–”
Rin starts badly, his face blanching shock white. “But I’m not–that’s not–”
“There is no use denying it,” Nuwa interjects. “How many birds do you think there are in Hanjuyang? And how many of those frequent the Central Gardens?”
Despair crawls along the edges of his shock. He drops his elbows on the table and palms his brow. His breath comes rapidly, so raggedly, he’s on the verge of hyperventilation.
“What’s…” His voice cracks and falters. He rubs his numb mouth and tries again. “What’s the other option?”
Rin peeks through his dishevelled hair at the Devil. Something in his wide-eyed look rattles the older man.
Masao raises a hand to his mouth, coughs lightly, and steels himself. “When you next report to Hwan Sun, you will give him the information we want him to know.”
Confusion ripples across Rin’s face.
“We want you to continue working for the Empire,” the Devil clarifies. “You will be, in a sense, a smokescreen for the rebellion. Giving our enemies misleading intelligence so that we may continue to thrive in the underground.”
Rin wipes his clammy palms on his pants. “They’ll know. If I give them bad information, they’ll find out.”
“Your reports will not be empty. There shall be enough reward to distract them from our true movements.”
“But I–”
“You betrayed the people, Rin.”
A tense silence fills the room.
“This is no longer about your quarrel with me. You threatened the future of the federation. Millions of lives. All because you couldn’t keep your temper in check.” Masao gives Rin a narrow look full of disappointment. “What would you rather do? Hang for your transgression? Or seize the opportunity to repent?”
“If it were anyone else, the chief would not be as lenient,” Bo raises, gently. “Take advantage of your favour, Rin. This could be a great asset for the cause. The very thing that could tip the scales of war in our favour.”
Beside her, Lee hums and nods in agreement, his eyes full of worry.
Rin rubs the spot between his brows. His heart is restless. What other option does he have? He either switches alliances or dies for a drunken mistake. And Jun…
He stills. Lowers his hands. On his finger, the frayed thread. His little lord’s promise.
“Fine,” he says, raising his head. Though his colour is still wan, there’s clear determination in his eye. “I’ll tell them whatever you want me to say.”
Around the table, the senior Otsukis break out into relieved smiles and sighs. Masao’s terse expression eases somewhat, and he gives Rin a short nod.
“I commend you for your choice.”
“The problem now is trying to convince Hwan Sun that Rin remains loyal,” Iris says, glancing at the other seniors. “He may suspect that Rin has been taken by us. So to have him return without consequence would raise suspicion.”
“How is your acting, kid?” Gou says, grinning at the raven.
“Better than yours,” Rin retorts.
The general stiffens and his grin strains. “I’ll have you know that I have been a performing arts professional for longer than you’ve been alive–”
“General,” Iris clips. “Do you have an idea in mind?”
Gou grumbles. “The solution is simple. Have the kid break out of the underground. We rough him up a bit, not too much, but enough to make it clear there’s been a good fight. He’ll release the Silverswords on the way out as well. They can serve as witnesses to his escape.”
Murmurs of approval follow the General’s suggestion. In the end, this is the plan they decide to action, and they promptly set about preparing to debut their new ‘theatrical show’.
***
Zev finds his informer huddled behind the shed in Central Gardens, shivering and looking worse for wear. He stands beside him, staring down at the pitiable figure in silent scrutiny.
Rin’s pale, scarred face is covered in bruises and dried blood. There’s a deep exhaustion in his singular eye, giving it a dull glaze. And there’s no faking those shivers – the aftermath of combat, as residue adrenaline makes its way out of the system.
Zev pulls out his handkerchief and offers it to the raven. “Are you injured?”
Rin blinks and dazedly takes the white cloth. He simply stares at it. Unsure what to do next. “…Hm?”
“Are you injured?” Zev repeats, patiently.
“N-No…I’m fine…” Rin shifts and winces at a pain in his ribs. Sweat beads his creased brow.
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
The manservant narrows his eyes, but he offers no comfort. As long as the boy’s not bleeding to death, he’s no business caring for his health. “You missed our last meeting.”
“Tfjt…” Elc rwlgxr, yibbvlfv ilqr delnfglcu. “P kjr xlcvj yers. Vbggs.”
“Qtfgf kfgf sbe?”
“Tbe xcbk ktfgf P kjr.”
Ifn qjerfr. Lf jvperar tlr uijrrfr jcv rjsr lc j qfgoecmabgs abcf, “Tbe kfgf rffc tjnlcu jc jiafgmjalbc ja atf Vkffa Dglfg Pcc jcv obgmlyis ajxfc jkjs. Ktlr kjr cba ibcu joafg atlgas Vlinfgrkbgvr vlrjqqfjgfv joafg lcnfralujalcu sbeg gfqbga bo gfyfi jmalnlas ja atf Jfifralji Ktfjagf. Ktf ibgv lr ecvfg atf lwqgfrrlbc atja atfrf akb fnfcar jgf gfijafv.“
“Smart one, your lord.”
Zev’s pupils constrict in suppressed anger. “He would like to express his gratitude for the return of the captured Silverswords,” he says, stiffly.
“I saw an opportunity. I took it.”
“They knew enough to set a trap.” A hint of accusation.
“Why would I set myself up to fail?” Rin challenges, nonplussed. “You’re an idiot if you think I’m the only rat in Hanjuyang.”
Zev raises a brow. “What did they do to you?”
“What do you think?” Rin gingerly touches his bleeding lip and winces. He slumps against the shed. “Don’t worry. I didn’t tell them anything about our agreement. They just think I threw a temper tantrum.”
“The Faceless Devil is surely astute enough to know this is more than just a…tantrum.”
Rin huffs a laugh. “He’s astute, sure. But he’s taken a liking to me, so he’s willing to think the better of me.”
The manservant slips off his glasses and wipes the pristine lenses on the hem of his shirt. “Not only have you revealed pertinent information about the rebels to the Governor; you have also freed their prisoners. The Faceless Devil will not look upon you so kindly for these actions. The contract must be terminated.”
“No.” Rin snatches the man’s sleeve. He pants through clenched teeth, panic stirring. “Don’t. I can make it work. I can tell them that you tossed my ass. Tried to hang me, but I escaped. I’ll need something to make them believe me. Something substantial.”
“How do I know that you can be trusted?” Zev pulls his sleeve from the raven’s grasp, stepping out of reach. “Many defect under the pain of torture.”
Rin bares his teeth. “I would never be loyal to the Faceless Devil!” He slams a fist into the shed. The structure judders; groans. “I’m in this for Jun. As long as the Governor intends to keep his word, then I intend to keep to the contract.”
The older man studies the irascible youth closely. That bare hatred is genuine. He knows it well himself, for he’s seen the same look in his own reflection. This greatly settles Zev’s incredulity and he says, “The lord shall keep his word. The contract binds you both.” Even if the boy were lying, they would find out soon enough where his true loyalty lies.
Rin sighs in relief, holding his head as though dizzy. “Good. In that case, I’ll give you my report.”
Zev gives him a questioning look.
“I overheard a few of them talking about movement in the North. There’s supposed to be an important meeting with the Governor of Wildeshore.”
“Wildeshore?” The Westerner’s brows furrow ever so slightly. Wildeshore is a port city near the Northern capital, Misthelm. It’s strategically vital for invading forces, should they wish to take the Northern power. He doesn’t know much about the Governor of Wildeshore, but she’d never given any indication of being a rebel sympathiser. In any case, it is worth investigating.
“I shall notify the lord,” Zev says, finally. “We will ascertain the validity of this report.”
“Do whatever you gotta do,” Rin scoffs. “But before that, you need to help me with the rebels. I need a way to regain their trust.”
After a long thought, Zev replies, “We will be transporting prisoners from the barracks to Northern training camps in three days’ time – just before dawn. A few of the prisoners have rebel affiliations.” He brushes invisible dust from his gloved hands. “It would be an ideal opportunity for a rescue.”
Rin digests this information and nods. “That’ll work. They’ll trust me once they rescue the prisoners.” He gives Zev a long glance. “You’re willing to give them up?”
“Not without a fight,” the manservant says, flatly. “But yes. They are mere collateral to ensure the continuation of a far greater asset.”
“I keep telling you Zev, you gotta stop flirting with me. I’m an engaged man.”
Zev clamps his jaw shut, an angry blush touching his cheeks.
Rin laughs and gasps when his bruised ribs protest. “You’re cute when you’re flustered. I can see why your precious lord keeps you around all the time.”
The manservant’s icy glare could send the continent into a deep freeze for a thousand years.
“Okay, okay. I’m just pissing around. Don’t kill me!”
Zev reaches down and snatches his handkerchief from the joker’s grasp. “…I have a question about the Faceless Devil.”
“Sure.”
“What…” The Westerner hesitates. He rubs his gloved fingertips against his thumb. “What kind of a man is he?”
Rin raises a brow. He tilts his head this way and that, contemplating his response. Eventually, he shrugs and says, “One who likes to hide behind his mask and act the devil. But really, he’s just another asshole talking big. No different from the rest of us.”
A deep, blinding rage engulfs the manservant’s usually cool features, rendering Rin speechless. The bestial loathing in those hazel eyes strike the raven like a physical blow, and his back hits the shed, knocking the breath from his lungs.
“Wh-what’s wrong?” he stammers, convinced that the manservant is about to wring his neck.
As quickly as it appeared, Zev’s wild fury is reigned in, stifled, and hidden behind his detached mask. The only sign of it ever existing, is the man’s unsteady breaths. “I have met the Devil once before when I was a child,” he says, quietly. “Ever since our encounter, I have looked forward to meeting him again.”
An uneasiness ripens within. Rin shakily wipes the sweat from his forehead. There’s something very wrong with Zev, but he’s not eager to find out what that is exactly. “How…how did you meet him?”
There’s nothing else from the Westerner. He simply dips his head, curtly reminds Rin of their next meeting, and spins on his heels to leave.
Rin watches him disappear into the trees. It may as well be snowing, for how cold he feels.
***
When Rin opens his eyes, he sees a pair of goldens peering down at him, brimming with concern. He smiles sleepily, reaches up to place a hand on each cheek, and pulls down his little lord for a kiss.
“Rinnie…” The lord murmurs against his mouth, eyes fluttering in surprise.
Rin hums as they part. “Why are you watching me so intently? Am I really that pretty when I sleep?”
A faint smile hooks the corner of Jun’s lips. He eases back, relieved that his lover has finally awoken. “But of course. You are just as pretty asleep as you are awake.”
“Little lord, are you trying to flatter your way into my bed?” Rin smirks and drags himself upright, wincing at the twinges of pain in his bruised ribs. He clutches his side and casts a glance over Jun’s battered face. “…You’re hurt,” he says, frowning.
“I am well, worry not. It was not I who had keeled over in the middle of the street.” There’s a hint of severity in Jun’s tone as he fusses with Rin’s blanket, ensuring that the latter is tucked in properly.
Behind him, the dancing glow of the fireplace casts its warm halo around his handsome figure. The oil lanterns had also been lit, giving the house a bright, cosy aura.
“How badly are you hurt? What happened during the fight? I don’t even remember–” Rin tugs restlessly at the lord’s shirt, raising the hem to spy the mottled bruises covering his torso.
Cheeks darkening, Jun gently nudges his hands away. “They took you away and I could do nothing,” he says in a low voice. There’s a hint of bitter self-deprecation. “I failed to protect you.”
“You didn’t fail,” Rin grumbles. “They weren’t drunks trying to start a tavern brawl. They were trained soldiers with years more experience than you. There’s no reason to beat yourself up for something that’s out of your control.” He raises a corner of his mouth and grazes his fingers over the man’s bruised jaw. “You’ve already been beaten well enough.”
Jun daren’t take a breath when those cold fingers brush over his wounds. Oaken lashes droop over his rapidly darkening gaze as unspoken desire stirs. He palms the raven’s back and draws Rin into his arms, pressing a deeper kiss upon his tender mouth.
Rin arches under that large palm. Clutches onto that strong, broad chest. He hums into the kiss, pleasurable heat spreading from their connected lips to his very core.
When his head starts to spin from lack of air, he reluctantly pushes at the lord’s chest to separate. His breaths come unsteady, shaky, and a deep flush touches his cheeks.
Those goldens seem as deep as the night. Contrarily, Rin’s gaze is lively and bright, like the midday sun.
Jun keeps him entwined in his arms, refusing to release his prize. “They laid their hands upon you,” he rumbles, the heat of passion overcome by the heat of his anger. He tenderly pecks the small cuts flecked upon the raven’s face. “But they released you…”
“Hmm,” Rin agrees, raising his face to those soft pecks. “They know about my contract with the Governor.”
Jun freezes. Quickly draws back. His eyes widen in shock before narrowing into panicked slits. “How?” His tone is harsher than he’d intended.
“Every army has their spies.” Rin glances at the covered windows. A sliver of moonlight infiltrates through a tiny gap in the curtains. In a calm and quiet voice, he relays the events in the underground and about his new agreement with both sides.
Jun’s anxieties aren’t at all eased by this development. His arms tighten around Rin and the latter can detect a slight tremour in them. “The rebels believe you are double crossing the Governor; and the Governor believes you are double crossing the rebels.”
“Yeah, so it’s become pretty messy,” Rin laughs, rubbing his cheek against Jun’s hand. “But I think I’m safe for now.”
“What about this is safe?” Jun’s frown tightens. He gazes down at Rin, his displeasure clear. “You could have lost your life, Rinnie. And now more than ever…” A hard swallow. Another tremor wracks the lord’s form. His golden eyes dim like clouded ores. “And for what? So that I can continue to live in comfort? I do not wish for you to chase legitimacy in this way, if it puts you in such danger.”
“It’s more than that,” Rin says, trying to soothe the distressed man. “You know it’s about more than that. Anyway, you can’t convince me otherwise, so let’s drop this. I’m sick and I want you to take care of me.” He smiles coquettishly and licks the corner of Jun’s mouth.
Jun instinctively licks the wet spot, too distracted to notice his own actions. Rin’s eye gains a mischievous glint and he flicks his tongue at the other corner of Jun’s mouth. Again, the absentminded man licks the same spot.
Rin stifles a laugh. “Come on, little lord. What are you thinking about so hard?”
Jun blinks down at that amused face. He gazes at him for a long time, unable to express the churning emotions and anxieties battering him from within. And seeing that sweet expression, he can’t bring himself to spoil the mood, so he simply sighs and silently acquiesces by drawing Rin to his chest.
The raven burrows in happily, looping his arms around his little lord’s waist.
After a time of enjoying each other’s touch, Jun releases his lover and starts busying himself with cooking dinner.
Rin rolls around his futon and dozes as the house fills with the mouth-watering scent of fried beef and seasonal vegetables. When the meal is prepared, he refuses to eat at the table and makes his little lord feed him in bed instead, citing himself ‘too sickly’ to even raise chopsticks to his own mouth.
He acts like a spoiled cat, lazing in bed as his patient owner feeds him. Jun seems to enjoy pampering Rin in this way. His eyes burn like wind-blown embers every time Rin opens his mouth, and he considerately picks out the fattiest piece of meat to pair with the crispiest green for every bite.
The raven eats with relish and he blabbers mindlessly about everything and nothing, until he finishes his bowl.
Jun quickly eats his own meal and cleans up the leftovers, before joining Rin on his futon. The latter settles between the lord’s legs and leans against his chest. He rubs his swollen belly, feeling smug and satisfied.
“Keep feeding me like this and I’ll end up as round as a ball,” Rin sighs, tilting his head into the crook of Jun’s arm.
“Then a ball you shall be,” Jun huffs, amusedly. He gently cards his fingers through Rin’s hair, making him feel drowsy. “I enjoy cooking for you. I hope you will allow me to continue to do so.”
The raven fiddles with the thread around his finger. A warm glow engulfs his chest. “…I suppose I’ll let you indulge in your little hobby,” he says in a mock dismissive tone. “Maybe one day you’ll reach my superior level in the culinary arts.”
The lord swallows a laugh and says, “I should only dream of possessing such talent.”
“Hmf. Sweet talker.”
Jun takes Rin’s slender hand into his own. His rough fingers rub against the raven’s palm. The tender skin is addictive to the touch, and the little lord resists the urge to place those soft fingers into his mouth.
Ears turning red, Jun quickly distracts himself from his treacherous thoughts. “I should have bought you a proper ring,” he says, looking at the grimy thread. “Look how dirty this has become…”
“I like it,” Rin says, taking control of his lover’s roaming hand. He flips it over and traces the lines in Jun’s palm. “If you give me a ring, I’ll only lose it in a bet or have it stolen. This thread is better.”
“Will you give me one?”
Rin tilts his head to glance up at Jun’s faintly smiling face. “Ask me nicely.”
A gleam enters those molten eyes. The lord pinches Rin’s delicate chin and lifts his lips to his own. This kiss is deep and enduring. Burning lips melt into each other. Teeth click. Breaths puff and mingle. Rin moans into the other’s mouth as he feels a pang of desire between his hips.
When Jun holds the back of his head to deepen the kiss, Rin’s skull tingles and goes numb. Even though he’s not standing, his legs are like jelly, and his thoughts dissipate like crystalline ice under Solaris’ fervour.
They part just as the raven’s vision starts to blur. He’s left panting and boneless, held aloft by his little lord’s burning body.
“Th-th-that’s good enough,” he stammers, breathlessly.
Jun’s chuckles and extends his hand, awaiting his reward.
With clumsy fingers, Rin teases a thread from his sleeve and ties it around his lover’s extended digit. His brows pinch together as he fiddles with the stubborn ends, focused on tying it tight enough to hold, but not enough to pinch the skin.
Seeing the raven’s intense focus, Jun finds him too adorable. His gaze is like liquid honey, pouring thickly over his person.
“There,” Rin exclaims, lifting his head. “We match.”
He raises his own hand and places it beside Jun’s. It’s half the size and far too delicate in appearance, compared to the lord’s large, calloused hand. Around the second finger from the right, their respective threads are tied. One grimy. The other pristinely white. Both symbolising their devotion to the other.
Jun admires the sight. Locks it away, deep inside his heart.
“Thank you, Rinnie,” he husks, printing his lips on the side of Rin’s neck. They graze scarred, puckered skin. “I shall treasure it greatly.”
Rin bites his lower lip as lightning shoots from his neck to his loins. He suppresses a shiver and waves Jun off. “Look, I noticed something strange.” Smiling, he grabs Jun’s left hand and flips it over. He then holds up his own right hand. Both palms, one large, one small, are presented side by side.
“You have a mole on your heart line there,” Rin says excitedly, using his free hand to point to the delicate brown dot on Jun’s heart line. “And I have the same.”
Sure enough, Rin also possesses a distinctive dot upon his right palm. In the exact same spot as Jun’s, as though they were mirrored reflections of each other.
“That is a rather strange coincidence,” Jun says, mystified.
“It’s not a coincidence, stupid. Look, Nuwa taught me a bit about palm reading. She said that if I find someone with a mole on their left hand, it means we were destined to meet in this life.”
“Is that so?” Jun rests his chin on the raven’s head, gazing at their palms with the tenderest expression.
“The mole is supposed to be a promise from our last life to meet again in this one.”
“So we were together even before this life?”
“It makes sense, doesn’t it?” Rin glances up at Jun, eye shining. “I knew it. The moment I met you. I knew you were supposed to be my person.”
The lord’s heart skips a beat. “…You did?”
“Why the hell would I save your ass otherwise?” the raven grins. “So even if you lose your ring, you won’t ever stop being mine.”
“…” Jun lowers his gaze, cheeks bloomed with the heat of his emotions. “Yes.”
Seeing his little lord’s shy demeanour energises Rin. He giggles and turns around in the man’s lap. Plush thighs squeeze the latter’s sides.
“Well? How do you feel about that?” Rin probes. “I’ve got you trapped for good.”
From below his heavy lids, goldens roil with unfathomable emotion. “I will never leave you.”
“ Even if you wanted to leave, you won’t ever be able to now.”
“From our last life to our current and into the next,” Jun continues, words rumbling like a thunderstorm in his chest. “I shall follow you into the depths of the underworld and down Izayoma’s maw. No matter where you are, no matter who you are, I will always find you. You will never be rid of me.”
“…” Rin blinks rapidly, helplessly crushed by the weight of his little lord’s passion. “I…” The syllable peters into a squeak. He clicks his jaw together. Rubs a burning cheek. And says, meekly, “You better follow through, little lord.”
Jun smiles. “I will.”
The raven nods, but something seems to give him pause. His mouth flattens and he pushes his face into the stump of Jun’s neck. Soft arms ringing his nape tighten and squeeze.
“Rinnie?”
“Hm,” comes the muffled reply.
“Whatever is the matter?”
There’s a long silence. And then, Rin draws back, his face pale and gloomy.
“Rinnie, what is it?” Concerned, Jun cups his scarred cheek, thumb rubbing gently beneath the eyepatch. “Is it something I said?”
“No…” Rin mutters, pinching and picking at Jun’s shirt. “Not really.”
“Then what…?”
“You have to remember your promise,” Rin urges, quietly. “Especially when you…when you go to Reshun.”
Jun’s heart sinks. Ah. I see.
Ever since their disastrous visit to the Blue Plains, Reshun has been like a guillotine hanging over their heads, slowly, ever so slowly, inching closer to their exposed throats. Now, it’s clear that they both feel the edge of the blade keenly.
Spoken aloud, they cannot delay the inevitable any longer.
The little lord smiles and rubs his lover’s back, pushing as much warmth as he can into his body. “You have been worried for me.”
“I’m worried you’ll leave me stranded after making so many pretty promises,” Rin says, scornfully. He purses his lip and averts his gaze. “It’ll make me look like an idiot.”
Jun chuckles. “Of course, I shall endeavour with every bit of my will and ability to return to you, Rinnie. It is my only wish.”
The raven’s lips quiver and tighten. There’s a dark flicker in the endless depth of his eye, but he doesn’t voice his fears.
He doesn’t need to. Jun understands well what has his lover so petrified.
“Rinnie…” Jun mulls over his words, and carefully continues. “Though the possibility is next to nigh, I think it would be worthwhile to speak on if I should not return–”
“Then I’ll go to Reshun myself and drag your sorry ass back home,” Rin snaps, whipping his head back to glare at the lord.
While his heart warms, Jun keeps pressing. “What if there is nothing to bring home?”
“What do you mean?” Rin knows, but he refuses to acknowledge such a possibility.
“If I should be captured or killed–”
“Not gonna happen.”
“You cannot possibly know the future–”
“Actually, I can. Haven’t I told you about my visions?”
“Have you had a vision about Reshun?”
“Yes. And you’re fine. You slash a couple of guys. Heal a couple of guys. And come home with all your limbs attached.”
Jun sighs through a helpless smile. “Rinnie–”
Cold, delicate fingers press against his mouth, stifling the rest of his words. Jun drinks in the sight of that beautiful, scarred face; full of unspoken terror and anger both. It’s like watching a silent squall battling with itself in the far distance.
Rin swallows the fear rising in his gullet and says in a low, brittle voice, “You can’t die. Because there’s nothing after you. Nothing. Do you understand?”
Jun’s eyes widen. His breath stutters.
He understands.
A smile touches Rin’s lips, like a spring petal falling upon the still surface of a pond. It spreads and charms, before sinking into the murky depths of the water.
For the rest of the night, Rin is inconsolable. He lies quietly in his little lord’s arms, feeling the steady thrum of his heart against his cheek.
When Jun finally falls asleep, Rin takes a bottle of wine to the rooftop to drink.
His city is restless tonight. Echoes of drunken revelry catch upon the wind, disturbing the tranquility. Hanjuyang River glitters coldly under Luna’s argent gaze, drifting below the low hanging clouds that blur the horizon like smudged charcoal. Above, fields of stars scintillate; pitiless witnesses to mortal plight.
He sits there, contemplating into the thick of the night, obsessively flipping a gold coin in his hand. By the time twilight reunites Luna and Solaris, he’s still trapped in the brume of indecision, and his fingers are tender and bruised.
Double agent rinnie… so cool yet so dangerous please stay safe
Oh he’ll be fiiine as always 😀
You’ll have to excuse me for not believeing you 🥲
Me during the first part: all this stuff is so angsty and sus ;-;
Also me, later: THEY’RE SOULMATES
me again: angst is back ;-;
Thank you for the chapter!! <3
LOL sorryyyy i promise a fluffy chapter is coming up ^3^ Thank you for reading! <33