The darkness moved with him.
Not wild.
Not chaotic.
Controlled.
Every step Mo Ran took felt deliberate, as if the world itself was bending to let him pass.
Lin Mo could feel it.
Even in his weakened state,
He could feel the way space shifted, how shadows wrapped around them like a shield, hiding them from everything… and everyone.
"…You're using too much power," Lin Mo murmured weakly.
His voice was softer now.
Fainter.
But Mo Ran still heard it.
"…You'll attract attention."
No response.
Not even a glance.
Mo Ran kept walking.
"…Mo Ran."
Still nothing.
A small frown formed on Lin Mo's face.
"…You're overreacting."
That,
That made him stop.
Abruptly.
The air around them stilled.
Slowly
Mo Ran looked down at him.
"…I'm overreacting?"
His voice was quiet.
Too quiet.
Lin Mo met his gaze, calm as always despite the blood still staining his robes.
"Yes."
A pause.
Mo Ran let out a soft, humorless laugh.
"You're the one coughing blood…"
His grip tightened slightly.
"…and you're telling me I'm overreacting?"
Lin Mo didn't answer immediately.
Because
He didn't know how to.
For the first time
He saw it clearly.
Not anger.
Not irritation.
Fear.
Mo Ran was afraid.
The realization settled in slowly.
Strangely.
"…Put me down," Lin Mo said after a moment.
"No."
The response came instantly.
Without hesitation.
Lin Mo blinked.
"…Mo Ran."
"No."
This time
Firmer.
Final.
There was no room for argument.
Lin Mo exhaled softly.
"…You're stubborn."
"…You're worse."
But even then,
Even as he said it,
Mo Ran adjusted his hold.
Careful.
Gentle.
As if he was afraid of hurting him more.
Lin Mo noticed.
Of course he did.
"…You're being careful," he murmured.
"…Shut up."
But his hands didn't loosen.
If anything
They tightened slightly.
Time passed.
Neither of them spoke again.
Only the quiet sound of footsteps remained, echoing softly in the stillness around them.
Eventually
Mo Ran stopped.
The place was hidden.
Isolated.
Even the air felt different.
Safe.
Without a word
He lowered Lin Mo carefully.
Slowly.
Making sure he was steady before letting go
But he didn't.
His hand stayed.
Resting lightly against Lin Mo's arm.
"…Stay still."
Lin Mo almost smiled.
"…You sound like you care."
Mo Ran froze.
For just a second.
"…I don't."
The answer came quickly.
Too quickly.
Lin Mo tilted his head slightly.
"…Then why are you still here?"
Silence.
Mo Ran didn't respond.
Because he didn't have an answer he was willing to say.
"…You should leave," Lin Mo added quietly.
That made Mo Ran look at him again.
"…Why?"
"This place isn't safe for you."
A pause.
"…Neither is yours."
The words landed softly.
But they carried weight.
Lin Mo's gaze shifted slightly.
"…Heaven is different."
Mo Ran let out a low scoff.
"…Is it?"
Silence.
"…You still believe that?"
Lin Mo didn't answer.
Because,
He wasn't sure anymore.
Mo Ran stepped closer.
The distance between them disappeared again.
Too close.
"…You almost disappeared."
Lin Mo stilled.
Mo Ran's voice dropped.
"…Do you even understand what that means?"
Lin Mo looked at him quietly.
"…You said it yourself."
A pause.
"…Angels don't die."
Mo Ran's expression darkened.
"…That's not better."
His hand moved
Gripping Lin Mo's sleeve this time.
Tight.
"…Don't say it like it's nothing."
Lin Mo's breath caught slightly.
"…It's not nothing."
Silence.
"…Then stop acting like it is."
The words came out sharper than before.
But beneath them,
There was something else.
Something softer.
"…You're angry," Lin Mo said quietly.
"…I'm not."
"You are."
Mo Ran looked away.
"…You keep doing things like this."
"…Like what?"
"…Like you don't care if you disappear."
Lin Mo blinked.
"…That's not true."
"Then prove it."
Silence.
Lin Mo didn't respond.
Because he didn't know how to.
And that
That was answer enough.
Mo Ran's grip tightened again.
"…Next time," he said quietly,
"…don't go anywhere without telling me."
Lin Mo looked at him.
"…Why?"
A pause.
For a moment
Mo Ran didn't speak.
Then,
Quietly
"…Because I won't always find you in time."
The words settled between them.
Heavy.
Real.
Lin Mo's expression softened.
"…You found me this time."
Mo Ran didn't respond.
Because that
That wasn't the point.
Silence stretched between them again.
But this time
It felt different.
Closer.
Warmer.
Even as the world around them remained cold.
And still
Mo Ran didn't leave.
To be continued… 🖤🔥