The Devil's vow

The sun blazed brightly in the afternoon sky, casting long shadows across the pavement. The light was unrelenting, a stark contrast to the storm raging inside Seungcheol. He drove with singular focus, the hospital looming closer with every passing second, but not fast enough.

His hands gripped the steering wheel so tightly it hurt, yet the pain was a welcome distraction from the suffocating guilt. He couldn't get the image of Jeonghan out of his mind—frail, hurt, waiting. Every second apart felt like an eternity, a cruel reminder of his failures.

How many hours had Jeonghan waited for him? How many moments had he spent in agony, longing for a trace of Seungcheol's presence? And how had Seungcheol let it come to this?

The sunlight was warm on his skin, but inside, he felt cold. Memories flashed through his mind—Jeonghan's easy laugh, the soft curve of his smile, the way his voice carried warmth that could melt even the hardest parts of Seungcheol's heart. But now those memories were laced with the unbearable image of Jeonghan's pale, trembling hands reaching for someone who hadn't been there.

The world blurred, his mind caught in an endless loop of regret and longing. The desperate ache to see Jeonghan, to hold him, was all-consuming. Seungcheol could barely breathe, each second apart carving deeper into his chest.

He had spent what felt like a lifetime searching for something he didn't even realize he needed—until Jeonghan.  Seungcheol had never deserved him, and yet Jeonghan had stayed. Until now.

-----------------------------------------------------------

The minutes stretched thin, each one longer than the last, as the lively chatter of the boys filled the hospital room. Their laughter and lighthearted banter wove a fragile warmth into the sterile air, but Jeonghan couldn't fully sink into it. He smiled faintly, his lips curving just enough to reassure them that he was okay, or at least trying to be. Yet even as their voices rose in playful arguments and jokes, his mind wandered, his heart restless.

His gaze drifted repeatedly toward the door, unable to resist the pull of anticipation. A faint flicker of hope lit his chest every time he thought he heard footsteps in the hallway, only to extinguish just as quickly when they passed by. He longed for a familiar presence—one that could steady the storm raging within him.

Jeonghan's body felt like a hollow shell, drained of its usual vitality. Every breath came with a slight effort, his chest rising and falling as if under the weight of invisible burdens. His hands, still trembling faintly, lay on the blanket, a quiet testament to the ordeal he had endured. And yet, he didn't let the exhaustion or the ache in his chest show.

The door finally opened, and the world seemed to hold its breath.

Seungcheol stood there, chest heaving, his shirt marred with the remnants of dried blood and dust. His eyes, dark and intense, immediately found Jeonghan, softening in a way that seemed impossible for someone so hardened by the life he led. For a moment, he simply stood there, as if grounding himself in the sight of Jeonghan alive and awake.

The members stilled, the room's energy shifting as they turned to look. Jeonghan's breath caught. His lips parted, but no words came out—just an overwhelming wave of relief.

"Hyung..." dino was the first to speak, his tone gentle yet tinged with concern.

But Seungcheol didn't acknowledge anyone else. 

The others could feel the unspoken intensity between the two. Slowly, almost as one, they began to step back.

The others who entered behind seungcheol also felt the tension Wonwoo, ever perceptive, quietly motioned for the group to leave. "Let's give them some time," he murmured, his hand resting lightly on Mingyu's shoulder.

"But—" Dino started, looking between Seungcheol and Jeonghan with concern.

"They need this," Wonwoo said firmly, giving Dino a gentle nudge.

One by one, the members filed out, their glances lingering as they went. The door clicked shut behind them, leaving Jeonghan and Seungcheol alone in the quiet room.

The hospital room was heavy with silence after the others left, their voices fading down the hallway like distant echoes. Jeonghan sat propped against the bed's headboard, the weight of the past days etched into his pale face and trembling hands. His gaze clung to Seungcheol, who stood at the door, disheveled and raw, like he had been through a storm and emerged battered but unbroken.

The leader didn't move at first. He stood there, taking in every detail—Jeonghan's soft, tear-streaked face, his thin frame, the bandages on his wrists. A flicker of guilt, sharp and unrelenting, darkened Seungcheol's eyes. His shoulders sagged, as if the sight of Jeonghan alive both healed and destroyed him in equal measure.

Jeonghan blinked back tears. "Cheol..."

That one word was enough.

In three long strides, Seungcheol was at Jeonghan's side, dropping to his knees beside the bed. His hands reached out hesitantly, like he was afraid he might break Jeonghan with a single touch. Finally, trembling, he cupped Jeonghan's face, his calloused fingers brushing away the tears that spilled freely.

"You're here," Seungcheol murmured, his voice thick with emotion. "You're really here."

Jeonghan let out a soft sob, leaning into the warmth of Seungcheol's touch. "I prayed for you, Cheol. Every second, I prayed you'd come. I was so scared. I thought—"

Seungcheol cut him off by pulling him into a fierce embrace. Jeonghan collapsed against him, his frailty pressed against Seungcheol's solid frame. The dam holding back his emotions broke, and he wept, clutching at Seungcheol's jacket as if letting go would make him disappear.

"I'm here," Seungcheol murmured into Jeonghan's hair, his arms tightening protectively around him. "And I'll never let anything take you away from me again."

Jeonghan sobbed harder, his voice muffled against Seungcheol's chest. "It hurt so much, Cheol. I—I was so scared. I thought I'd die without seeing you again."

Seungcheol pulled back slightly, enough to look into Jeonghan's tear-filled eyes. His thumbs brushed across Jeonghan's cheeks, wiping away the streaks of saltwater. His expression was both tender and agonized, as if he was waging a silent war within himself.

"Jeonghan," Seungcheol began, his voice breaking slightly before he steadied it. "I need you to hear this. I need you to know this."

Jeonghan nodded, his wide, tearful eyes locked on Seungcheol's.

"I've spent my life walking through shadows," Seungcheol said, his voice low and resonant, carrying the weight of his soul. "I've been a man shaped by violence, by choices I can never undo. I thought I was made of darkness, that I could never deserve anything as pure and beautiful as you. But you—" His voice cracked, and he let out a shaky breath before continuing.

"You're my light, Jeonghan," he said, his hands cradling Jeonghan's face like it was the most precious thing in the world. "You're the only thing that's ever made me believe I could be more than this. I love you—not in the way people write about in songs or poems, but in a way that consumes me. You're in every breath I take, every thought I have. I don't just love you—I exist for you. Without you, I'm nothing but shadows and ashes."

Jeonghan's lips parted, his eyes brimming with fresh tears.

Seungcheol's voice deepened, a rough edge of possession slipping into his tone. "And I will protect you, Jeonghan. Even if it means tearing the world apart. Even if it means becoming the monster everyone already thinks I am. You're mine, Angel. Mine to love, mine to hold, mine to keep safe. Always."

The intensity in his words sent a shiver down Jeonghan's spine, but it wasn't fear—it was something else entirely. Something that made his heart ache and swell all at once.

Jeonghan's trembling hands reached up, brushing against Seungcheol's jaw. His lips curved into the faintest smile, soft and full of quiet devotion.

"I don't know why I love you, Seungcheol," Jeonghan whispered, his voice feather light. "I don't have a reason, and I don't need one. I just...do. With everything I have, everything I am."

Seungcheol's breath hitched, his eyes glistening with an emotion too deep for words. Slowly, carefully, he leaned forward, his forehead resting against Jeonghan's.

"I'm yours," Jeonghan said, the words a promise, a vow, a truth.

Seungcheol closed his eyes, his hands sliding down to hold Jeonghan's smaller, bandaged ones. "And I'm yours," he murmured.

Then, as if pulled together by some invisible force, their lips met.

The kiss was soft at first—a gentle exploration, a careful exchange of emotions too vast to be spoken. Seungcheol's hand moved to cup the back of Jeonghan's neck, his fingers threading through the soft strands of hair. Jeonghan's hands rested against Seungcheol's chest, feeling the steady, reassuring thrum of his heartbeat beneath his fingertips.

But the kiss deepened, growing in intensity and meaning. It wasn't just a kiss—it was an unspoken confession, a melding of two souls that had always belonged to one another. Seungcheol kissed Jeonghan like he was pouring every ounce of his love, his regret, his devotion into him. And Jeonghan responded with equal fervor, his tears mingling with the kiss, his hands clutching at Seungcheol's jacket as if anchoring himself to the only thing that felt real.

When they finally pulled apart, their breaths mingled, their foreheads pressed together. Seungcheol reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box. Opening it, he revealed a simple silver band that glinted in the soft light of the room.

"I bought this a long time ago," Seungcheol admitted, his voice a hushed whisper. "Because even then, I knew it would always be you. I couldn't say it then, but I can now—I love you, Jeonghan. More than life, more than anything."

He slid the ring onto Jeonghan's uninjured hand, the cool metal a perfect fit. Jeonghan stared at it, tears welling in his eyes once more, before he looked back at Seungcheol.

"I love you too, Cheol," Jeonghan said, his voice steady despite the tears.

This time, it was Jeonghan who leaned in, their lips meeting in another kiss—this one softer, sweeter, but no less meaningful. When they finally broke apart, they stayed close, their foreheads touching, their breaths evening out in the shared silence of the moment.

Outside the door, the members waited in a tight cluster, their anticipation palpable. Dino peeked through the crack and turned back, his face lighting up like he'd just uncovered the secret to life itself.

"They're kissing," he whispered, barely containing his grin.

Seokmin gasped, clutching Seungkwan's arm with exaggerated drama. "It's happening! The grand confession—our very own romance saga!"

Seungkwan groaned, pulling his arm away. "Great, now we've got Dad back in action. Can't wait for Seungcheol to start lecturing us."

"Aw, don't be so grumpy," Joshua teased, patting Seungkwan's shoulder. "It's sweet, and you know it."

"I know it's sweet," Seungkwan huffed, crossing his arms. "But it's also gross. Do we have to witness the main leads making eyes at each other while the rest of us are stuck playing extras?"

Minghao smirked, leaning coolly against the wall. "You're just mad you're not the center of attention for once."

Dino snickered. "He's totally mad."

"I am not!" Seungkwan snapped, then sighed dramatically. "Whatever. Let them be happy, I guess. But someone better tell them they owe me for all the stress wrinkles I got from worrying about them!"

The group chuckled, their teasing light-hearted. Even Seungkwan's pout softened into a reluctant smile. For now, everything felt just a little brighter.

------------------------------------------------

sorry for the delay in update.........

your thoughts on the chapter here  ....➡️

plz do vote and follow me.......

until we meet again.... 

your lovingly 

<3 Author <3