The world felt too quiet.
Too still.
Mo Ran didn't move.
Lin Mo's blood stained his robes, the red too bright against the white, spreading slowly like something alive.
"…Why?"
The question came out low.
Unsteady.
For a moment, there was no response.
Lin Mo's breathing was uneven, but he remained standing, his body refusing to collapse even as the pain spread through him.
"You were about to be hit," he said softly.
"That's not an answer."
Mo Ran's voice dropped.
Colder.
Sharper.
His hand tightened around Lin Mo's arm, pulling him closer without realizing it.
"You think I couldn't handle it?"
"I know you could."
Silence.
That only made it worse.
Mo Ran's grip tightened further.
"…Then why?"
Lin Mo hesitated.
Just for a second.
"…Because I didn't want you to get hurt."
The words were simple.
Honest.
And that,
That was exactly what made something inside Mo Ran snap.
His eyes darkened instantly.
"…You don't get to decide that."
Lin Mo blinked slightly, caught off guard by the sudden shift.
"You don't get to throw yourself in front of me like that," Mo Ran continued, his voice lower now, almost dangerous,
"…and act like it means nothing."
"It doesn't mean nothing."
Mo Ran froze.
Lin Mo's hand moved slowly, weak… but deliberate.
He reached out,
and caught the edge of Mo Ran's sleeve.
The movement was small.
Fragile.
But it stopped him completely.
"…It means everything."
Silence fell.
Heavy.
Unmoving.
For the first time,
Mo Ran didn't have anything to say.
His gaze dropped slightly, settling on Lin Mo's hand gripping his sleeve.
Still there.
Still holding on.
"…You said it," Lin Mo murmured.
Mo Ran's eyes narrowed.
"Say what?"
"…Demon Lord."
The air shifted.
It changed instantly.
The darkness around Mo Ran responded first subtle, but alive, pressing outward like something that had been acknowledged.
Dangerous.
"…You shouldn't say things you don't understand."
Lin Mo lifted his gaze.
Steady.
"I understand enough."
A pause.
"You're not just a demon."
Mo Ran said nothing.
Lin Mo continued quietly
"…And you're still here."
That…
That hit harder than anything else.
Because it was true.
Mo Ran looked away slightly, his jaw tightening.
"…Of course I am."
His voice lowered.
"…Where else would I go?"
The words slipped out before he could stop them.
And for a moment,
even he seemed surprised by them.
Lin Mo's breath caught.
Something warm spread through his chest despite the pain.
"…You could leave," he said softly.
Mo Ran let out a quiet scoff.
"But you didn't."
Silence.
Neither of them moved.
Then
Lin Mo's body swayed.
The strength he had been holding onto finally gave in.
Before he could fall
Mo Ran caught him.
Effortlessly.
One arm around his waist.
The other gripping his shoulder.
"…You're an idiot."
His voice was quieter now.
Lower.
But his hold didn't loosen.
Not even slightly.
Lin Mo leaned against him, his weight heavier than before.
"…You're still holding me," he murmured faintly.
Mo Ran stiffened.
"…And you're still talking."
But he didn't let go.
If anything
he pulled him closer.
The darkness around them shifted again, softer this time, wrapping around both of them like a shield.
"…Don't disappear."
The words came out barely above a whisper.
Lin Mo stilled.
"…Next time," Mo Ran added, his voice quieter, rougher than before,
"…don't stand in front of me."
But his grip tightened again.
"…I won't let you go that easily."
For a moment, there was nothing.
Just silence.
Then,
Lin Mo's fingers moved weakly.
He caught Mo Ran's sleeve again.
"…You're shaking."
Mo Ran froze.
"…I'm not."
"You are."
Silence.
"…You're bleeding."
"That's not the point."
Lin Mo let out a faint breath almost a laugh.
"…It is."
Mo Ran didn't respond.
Because he could feel it.
The warmth.
The blood.
The way Lin Mo's presence felt
Too fragile.
Too close to slipping away.
And that
That was something he couldn't accept.
"…You're coming with me."
Lin Mo blinked slightly.
"…Where?"
Mo Ran didn't answer.
Instead
He adjusted his hold.
Careful.
Unexpectedly gentle.
"…Somewhere you won't disappear."
Lin Mo's eyes softened slightly.
"…You're really not letting go."
"…No."
The answer came immediately.
No hesitation.
No denial.
Just truth.
Mo Ran didn't wait for permission.
The moment Lin Mo's strength gave in
he lifted him.
Not roughly.
Not carelessly.
Carefully.
As if he was holding something fragile.
Something that could disappear if he wasn't careful enough.
Lin Mo's breath hitched slightly.
"…You don't have to"
"I do."
The answer came instantly.
"…You're bleeding everywhere," Mo Ran added under his breath.
Lin Mo let out a faint breath.
"…You sound worried."
"…I'm not."
But his grip tightened again.
And that alone
was enough to prove otherwise.
Lin Mo didn't argue anymore.
Instead,
he leaned into him slightly.
And for once
Mo Ran didn't pull away.
To be continued… 🖤