Chapter Text
The lights blinded him as he tried, and failed, to sit up, overwhelming him and making him feel the pressure behind his eyes more than he already did. His head was pulsing and he could hardly discern anything around him. Jinu groaned in pain. That’s when it struck him.
How am I alive? Didn’t I just sacrifice myself for Rumi? Didn’t Gwi-Ma’s flames consume me? He didn’t understand. He sat bolt upright, wincing in pain as his limbs protested the sudden movement. He looked around and saw Namsan Tower, empty, lifeless.
“I don’t understand, what happened?” He wondered aloud.
He got to his feet but his knees buckled under the weight of his body and he fell, catching himself before he face planted. Again, he got up, this time staying up, though his legs were shaky, unsteady, as though they would collapse any second. He began to walk, not really knowing where he was heading, just knowing he had to get out, get away from this place, from the memories, from the-
The voices. Gwi-Ma’s voice. It wasn’t there. He looked up, half-expecting to be in front of his flames, hearing his voice mocking him, asking if he truly expected to be free but he just saw the empty tower, nothing more, nothing less. It scared him. He knew it was crazy. He should have been calm, relieved, grateful even, not scared, it didn’t make sense.
Unless you were him.
You see, Jinu had never been one to have good things happen to him. And when they did happen, he either ruined them of his own volition or they were ripped away from him, leaving a gaping hole where they had been. So, he wasn’t particularly thrilled that something good was happening to him.
I mean, he abandoned his family, he ditched them for the palace and he betrayed Rumi. Didn’t he deserve some kind of punishment? So why was Gwi-Ma’s voice gone? Why wasn’t he in his head?
Jinu felt himself begin to spiral, thoughts flying by faster than he could grasp them. What did I do to deserve this? Surely I didn’t do anything good. What is this? Am I hallucinating?
He felt his breathing pick up, chest heaving, heart beating faster than it should. This is it. I’m gonna die. That’s why I don’t hear him. The universe took pity on me.
He could hardly recognise any of his surroundings anymore, vision blurring as his lungs heaved, desperate for breath. He collapsed, unable to stand on his already unsteady feet. Pain shot through his knees from the force he hit the ground with. A hand clutched at his chest as he panted, oxygen too much and still too little. All of a sudden, he fell forward, blacking out before he could spiral further.
When Jinu awoke, he found himself just as he’d been when he collapsed, in Namsan Tower, lying on the floor in the empty place. I don’t understand, what just happened? Wasn’t I dying?
Once again, thoughts rushed through his mind but he shook his head before he began spiralling again.
Where do I go from here? I don’t know what to do.
Jinu’s arms were wrapping around himself when the thought crossed his mind. Rumi. She’d help him. Maybe he could go to her.
The memory of his betrayal came to the forefront of his mind and he winced as he remembered the bitter note their argument had ended on. But, I sacrificed myself for her. She wanted to free me. That oughta count for something, right?
Uncertainty spread like a wildfire within him.
“I guess it couldn’t hurt.” He thought aloud.
He got up and limped towards the exit, wishing he was someplace else, that he wasn’t in pain, that none of the previous events had happened.
Just as he began to feel his legs give out from underneath him, he felt someone or something holding him up, soft fur beneath the skin of his palms. He looked down and there he was. Derpy was holding him up, Sussie on his back with the little hat he always took. A small smile crawled its way across Jinu’s face. They were always there when he needed them.
“Thanks guys. You wouldn’t happen to know the way to Rumi’s, would you?” The question slipped out before he could stop himself, before he could even process what he was going to say.
Sussie stared at him and he suppressed a grimace at the bird’s expression. He could almost hear the disappointed sigh.
“Sorry,” He said, a sheepish smile on his face.
They began to lead him towards Rumi but the more he walked, the weaker he became, eyelids becoming heavier, steps slower and slower. Then it was dark, the world around him muffled, almost as if he were underwater. Then, there was nothing.
~~~
Rumi had been acting strange ever since they had returned from the Saja Boys’ concert. Mira was not blind, in fact, she liked to consider herself quite a sharp, witty person. She knew how to read people. That’s why she was so frustrated at the moment. She knew something was wrong, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t figure out what. The Honmoon was restored, they defeated the Saja Boys, Rumi’s secret was finally out and they accepted her, what on earth could possibly be wrong?
Unfortunately, she didn’t have enough time to consider all the options because there was a bang on the door. She looked up immediately, on edge because that wasn’t a knock, that was a bang, and she didn’t know anyone who did that. She got up, cautiously walking toward the door. Opening the door as slowly as she could, she saw Zoey behind her, on guard and ready to strike.
Blue fur was the first thing she noticed on the other side of the door. That would have been shocking on its own but if that wasn’t enough, it belonged to a small tiger, a bird on its head and on its back, Jinu. The demon himself. Not only was he lying on top of a blue tiger, but he was passed out and at their front door.
As the shock faded out, she raised her weapon, ready to strike and-
“WAIT! Wait, wait, wait, don’t hurt him!” Rumi’s voice called out.
Both her and Zoey’s heads turned towards her, confusion written across their faces.
“I…I know this is probably really confusing but I’ll explain after I help Jinu.” She whispered, voice slightly shaky.
Mira sighed, stepping out of the way and letting all the creatures (and Jinu) inside. Rumi walked toward the tiger, placing a hand on its fur so naturally it was almost impossible for Mira not to put the pieces together. She had met the creatures before. There was no doubt about it. She led the tiger toward her room, looking at Jinu with such fondness in her eyes, breathing a sigh of relief that told the story of affection so clearly that Mira almost let out a sigh herself. Rumi was absolutely smitten with Jinu. She shared a glance with Zoey, both knowing but saying nothing. Better to let her tell them herself.
~~~
Rumi had no idea how she was going to explain everything. She may as well not tell them anything at all, but she had already told them she would explain and there was supposed to be no more secrets between them. As she laid Jinu down on her bed, she contemplated how she could possibly explain in a way that was adequate without telling them how horribly in love with him she was. She stroked a misplaced hair out of his face. She ripped a page out of her notebook and wrote a small message for Jinu for when he inevitably woke up, because he would wake up, right? , hoping that the conversation would go well.
She left her room, closing the door behind her as quietly as was humanly possible, not wanting to wake up Jinu before he needed to. When she stepped out into the living room, Mira and Zoey were already waiting for her. Well, here goes nothing.
“I don’t really know how to say this or how to explain, so just bear with me, okay?” Both girls nodded in understanding.
“I’m going to tell my side of the story and when Jinu’s awake, maybe he’ll tell his side. Is that okay?” Again, both girls affirmed their acquiescence.
Rumi began to speak, talking about their meet ups, his explanation on demons and their feelings, his betrayal and his sacrifice. Of course she didn’t tell them in significant detail nor did she tell them his backstory but she told them enough. They followed each and every word she spoke, not interrupting a single time, leaving any questions in their minds until she reached the end.
“But, if Jinu sacrificed himself for you, how is he here now?” Zoey asked hesitantly.