[DC30] Youth's Collar
Rating: PG-13
Pairing: JungHen
Genre: AU!Romance, Minor!Comedy
Theme: Tricks, Phrase to include: "you're perfect"
Summary: Cats are regal creatures, that adore petting and being rather abusive with their claws. He still got one nonetheless. Nothing and no one ever told him that it was far from the ordinary pet.
-
Henry stumbled backwards onto the floor, in shock at the human that sat on his bed.
"W-who-what- What just-"
"Master, you don't tend to speak well when you're unsure of things. We learned this when you failed in asking out Sungmin last year." Jungmo uttered.
Henry repeatedly parted and closed his lips, unsure of what to say, do. His answer involved him nearly fainting at what just happened when Jungmo adjusted the sheets around his torso. "Master, while I understand you need a moment in processing things, please be courteous and spare some clothing."
Henry took another moment before slowly nodding his head, reaching into his closet and throwing whatever clothes may fit the other.
He cringed, hand clasped over his eyes. He still couldn't process what had happened that afternoon he woke up from his nap, reaching to pet his cat when instead he reached into a mat of hair. The bolt of shock that caused him to fall off the bed. He wondered if that was all some elaborate joke.
Unfortunately, the collar around Jungmo's neck said otherwise.
Jungmo tapped his shoulder and he looked back, surprised to see his clothes fit the other's frame. "I fit quite well, don't I?"
Henry gave an uneasy and strained smile, knowing Jungmo expected a compliment. "Y-yes..." He cleared his throat, reaching to shut the open window of his bedroom and closed the curtains. The last thing he needed in his neighborhood was for others to see Jungmo in his room, though he realized he was probably too late in that matter.
"Do I dare ask for an explanation?" Henry asked slowly.
Jungmo seemed pleased. "I thought you'd never ask, but I figured Master needed some time."
"Don't...call me master." Henry insisted. Jungmo nodded as he straightened up and explained.
"I was cursed twenty years ago into a cat because I was disobedient, and they assumed I'd learn my lesson by having to depend on someone else."
"They?"
"The counsel, they're like your government, they tend to take their sentences quite seriously." Jungmo then beamed. "I almost forgot that my twenty years were up today." He stretched his arms above him.
Henry had to be caught and carefully settled onto the bed, needing to take a breather.
Of all the things he expected that day, this was far from it.
-
"You can assemble into human life again?" Henry asked, walking towards his job. Jungmo seemed to consider that a joke.
"Not that I was ever human to begin with, but I think after living with your family for fifteen years, I got the gist of it." He said lightheartedly.
"I always wondered why you didn't age." Henry commented under his breath. "Any other things you can do then?"
Jungmo seemed too willing to prove it. With a snap of his fingers, he closed his eyes. Henry shifted his gaze, keeping watch for whatever was meant to happen. Jungmo opened his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows.
"Strange," He snapped his fingers a few more times. "I guess the counsel hadn't returned all my abilities yet. How crude of them."
Henry shook his head, exasperated as he moved the hair from his eyes. "Wait here."
The demon watched as the human entered the shop and he waited outside, looking as a small child was in front of Henry. It seemed she didn't have enough cash for her drink and walked out of the store.
Henry walked past Jungmo and handed the child a drink he had already paid for, then looking back to hand Jungmo his own as if nothing had happened. "My roommate hasn't asked about you yet, and I'm thinking of saying of you're a friend who needs a place for the time being."
"Original, if not, you could always blackmail him with using your name to pick up girls. That and stealing your shampoo and conditioner when you're not looking."
"He what?" Henry snapped.
"You'd be surprised by things that happen without your knowledge. I try to warn you Mast-"
"I said not to call me that." Henry interjected sternly.
"But you don't listen. You're too oblivious for your good, even about me."
Henry placed his hands on his hips, outside of the hospital he was meant to volunteer at for the evening. "I could be the most attentive person alive, and I never figured my pet was something else."
Jungmo tilted his head, drinking his almond milk. "I'm much as your pet as any, therefore, I demand food tonight when you come home."
"..."
"Alright then, I demand it tomorrow morning."
Henry with a huff, closed the door behind them.
"Had a good day?" Siwon asked with a wide smile. Henry couldn't join in on his good mood as he put on his name tag.
"I'm still deciding what kind of day it is."
-
Jungmo bit into the tuna filled sandwich, "Your cooking skills are impeccable. You're perfect for this sort of thing." He praised, sitting on the counter.
"It's something you could have easily done." Henry reasoned, chin on his palm as he studied the man's physique. It had been a few months as they settled into their routine, mainly Henry supporting the other as Jungmo lounged around his apartment. Aside from him being human-like, nothing much had really changed.
He slowly inched towards the couch, plopping down on the far corner as he went to read some medical books laid sprawled on the table. He grabbed one when he called Jungmo's name.
"Yes?"
He nearly jumped at how close the man appeared beside him unexpectedly. Jungmo then smiled, realizing what had happened. "I guess I am getting them back, slowly."
"That's good." Henry said quite cheerfully, lowering his book to his lap.
Jungmo nodded proudly. "When I get them all back fully, I'll be able to leave."
Henry smile faltered a bit, the strained expression becoming stolid. He lifted his book to read the passage he remained on when he felt a weight on his lap.
Jungmo adjusted himself as his head laid on his lap.
"You're too big to be doing this now."
"You're just as comfortable as before." Jungmo insisted.
Henry wasn't sure what to make of the compliment.
"You don't have to worry." Jungmo abruptly said, Henry looked down beneath his book. "I see you study so much that I'm sure you almost have this book memorized. You'll be fine once the entrance exams start."
"How would you know?" Henry asked, honestly curious.
To this Jungmo smiled. "I know you better than you know yourself, of course I know."
His assuring tone made Henry feel he was being overindulgent to his studies, but decided a quick read through wouldn't hurt. He didn't push off the man who slept soundly and comfortably on his lap, and instead continued what he was doing, not as bothered as before.
-
Henry discovered a few new tricks the man could do. And when Henry nearly dropped the bins in his hand, he cursed mentally as Jungmo appeared on the empty hospital bed.
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see what you do here, nothing much I see. I thought being accepted into pre-med would mean more than this." Jungmo said idly, looking around. Henry knew better and waited for Jungmo to state the real reason he was here.
"Out of milk again?"
"That's not why I'm here." Jungmo stated. "Although we are out." He added, Henry shook his head when he felt himself being pulled into his hold. "You've been closing the door on me lately, and I don't like it."
"You can easily get inside." Henry reprimanded, remembering how Jungmo abruptly appeared in the bathroom the other day. One Jungmo clearly remembered because of the scolding he got in return.
"I'm learning not to cross your boundaries."
Henry parted his lips when the warmth around him disappeared and turned to see the door open.
"Who were you talking to?" Hankyung asked. "Talking to yourself again?"
Henry chuckled, his neck turn red. "It's a bad habit."
"Let's go, we're going over vasectomies next." Henry nodded as the door closed. He looked back as Jungmo reappeared on the bed, this time with a discontented expression.
"I don't like that guy."
"There's a lot of those it seems." Henry said offhandedly. The patience he needed for his work he was gaining considering the other.
Jungmo noticed his look and prompted him to ask.
"Weren't you neutered?" Henry asked, eyes lowering just as Jungmo shielded his bottom half with his jacket. As if the human could see through his clothing.
"Let's just say there's some poor outdoors cat that never experienced the glories of being a father."
Henry laughed when he heard his name being called, with a quick goodbye he hurried out of the room. Jungmo looked after the closing door and sighed.
"I missed you." He finally revealed, but to a lonely and empty room.
Once the clock struck, the room was once again vacant.
-
Henry looked through the souvenirs.
"You still haven't made up your mind yet?" Hankyung asked, Henry shook his head.
"My pe-...My roommate is a picky eater."
"I don't see why he isn't just grateful to a gift. I wonder if he knows how much you talk about him." He said knowingly, Henry pursed his lips and ignored his tone. He looked past the canned food and his eyes landed on the carved key-chain that held a small cat.
He tugged it in his hand, having made his choice. He smiled at the small bag in his hold.
The moment he returned home, he arched an eyebrow at a giant box moved around the room. Out fell Jungmo who realized the human standing there. "Master!" He called out.
Henry had almost forgotten the feeling of being called that, but was too distracted by the sight. "What's so fun about playing in a box?" Henry asked.
"I'm not sure either." Jungmo admitted, he laid on the floor as Henry sat before him. His eyes widened to a flaring color, a trait he gained recently. The human was admittedly unsettled by the daunting thought that the demon was gaining his abilities, slowly but still.
Henry forgot his train of thought as he was pushed onto the floor, Jungmo's head laid on his chest. "That's not what I had in mind."
"Neither was this, but I enjoyed it." Jungmo uttered about the box.
Henry considerately scratched beneath Jungmo's neck, making the demon adjust closer. He was long used to this constant contact.
Henry glanced at the small bag that was still in his grip, he sat up but Jungmo placed the box over them, shielding his vision of the item. He decided in the mean time, he'd reveal it later on, not wanting to ruin this moment just yet.
-
Jungmo avoided the rain and stood beneath the roof of the restaurant. Henry stood beside him patiently, growing used to his behavior.
"For a demon, you really are a weakling."
"Not all of us are frightening beasts that set out to kill. I intend for a simple life." Jungmo reasoned.
"Then why not just take us to the apartment straightaway? No one's looking." Henry reasoned at the barren streets.
Jungmo glanced at the dark clouds that wouldn't let up soon it seemed. At Henry's question, he replied. "I like walking with you, it's one of my favorite things to do."
Henry had no comeback for that, something that was happening more and more often lately.
Jungmo peered up at the other's expression, "Does Master mind?"
Henry forced a shrug and nonchalant expression, easily seen through by the other.
"You like having me around." Jungmo answered for him. Henry stayed silent. "Do you want me?" Jungmo decided to ask directly, Henry attempted to leave him there but Jungmo held him back.
His neck had turned red.
Henry could easily lie through his teeth, but his body said otherwise. Turning red and followed by a subtle rash after, almost shaking. Henry was physically incapable of lying, and he wished Jungmo didn't know of it.
"Fine, I like having you around." Henry uttered, stalking off to be drenched in the rain for all that mattered. He was too shy to stand there any longer but couldn't walk any further. Instead choosing to stand there, something the man who was in his residency years felt was quite foolish for someone his age to do.
Evening hadn't yet set, Jungmo held out a hand and cradled the bits of light rain that settled. Distracted, he was caught off-guard by the peck against his lips, looking back as Henry walked down the sidewalk.
The demon revealed a growing smile, and decided that a bit of rain wouldn't stop him.
Henry kept his gaze on the wet pavement as Jungmo obediently and willingly joined his side.
-
Henry smiled as the child jumped to her mother's arms. "She'll be fine, unfortunately, we can't cure the common cold just yet."
The mother and he exchanged bows as she went about her away. He watched for a moment longer before stepping out and heading towards the file room. He read over the charts when he felt a pair of lips kiss the back of his neck.
He stiffened momentarily as the figure laid against his back, he feigned composure. "I thought I said to come only when I was alone."
"You are alone." Jungmo corrected with a sly smile, it was then Henry noticed the conveniently empty file room. "Don't worry, I didn't risk exposing myself to them. If I did, it'd mean I'd have to separate from you, and I couldn't bear with that."
Henry could see the reflection from the side as he put in the file, he turned his head as Jungmo leaned against his shoulder, hat tilted upwards to reveal his intense gaze.
"I would have came home in just a bit." Henry said quietly, making sure no one else was around.
Jungmo, in his dark jacket and jeans, glared childishly. "Every night you say the same thing, but you stay longer and longer. I'm not liking this pattern-"
"Dr. Lau?" The nurse walked in, Henry smiled as she approached him, looking around in muted puzzlement. Despite the voices she heard, she realized aside from Henry, no one else was in the room.
-
Henry walked home and was greeted by the door opening by itself. But rather than the usual greeting he received, Jungmo seemed quite tensed as he sat on the floor before the couch. He seemed downhearted.
"What's on your mind?" Henry asked, hanging his coat on the seat.
Jungmo tilted his head, musing the thought before speaking. "I can tell you want children, every time I see you with them. I can give and do just about anything, but it reminds me of what I obviously can't give you. And it bothers me."
Henry held back a smile at Jungmo's lowered expression. He stepped forward, fingers gently on his shoulder, then proceeded to rub just beneath his ear. Jungmo by habit enjoyed it briefly before scowling.
"If you want a pet, get a cat." Jungmo said, irritated that his concerns weren't being taken seriously.
"I learned my lesson." Henry said lightheartedly, his hand reaching near the demon's neck to pull out the collar that remained on his neck. Hidden beneath his clothes most of the time.
"Doesn't this make you mine?" Henry asked with a small smile.
"First you reject me when I said the same thing, and now you're amused by it. You're truly fickle."
The man was growing more restless as the years loomed on, while Henry was becoming more relaxed. He wasn't sure when their roles had switched, but sometimes they settled into this new routine without truly knowing. But they both didn't seem to mind it.
The demon had long gained back his abilities, but he hadn't left as Henry once worried he would. The day he earned his full freedom, the man instead plopped down on his bedside and slept by him, acting as if nothing had changed.
"You're not going to leave?" Henry had asked.
"Do you want me to?" Henry had tried to say no, but his reddened neck said otherwise.
Henry sat on the couch, patting his lap as Jungmo slowly opened one eye.
With swifter reflexes, the demon laid his head on the human's lap.
Beneath the dim lights, Henry read through his files, his hand absentmindedly traced traced alongside Jungmo's collarbone. The resting demon was oblivious to the gentle and softened gaze that came with time from the one flustered and exasperated youth.
Jungmo saw what he couldn't offer, despite his abilities, despite his strengths. Henry didn't linger on the what-ifs.
That moment, laying beside one another in the comfort of their home, it was more than enough. He was in simple terms, content.
- ❄ Challenge 29 ❄ | ❄ Challenge 31 ❄ -
A/N: First JungHen ever! @.@ I basically fulfilled my intent to write one pairing one time so far, shall see the 31st pairing tomorrow ^^ ^o^
Pairing: JungHen
Genre: AU!Romance, Minor!Comedy
Theme: Tricks, Phrase to include: "you're perfect"
Summary: Cats are regal creatures, that adore petting and being rather abusive with their claws. He still got one nonetheless. Nothing and no one ever told him that it was far from the ordinary pet.
-
Henry stumbled backwards onto the floor, in shock at the human that sat on his bed.
"W-who-what- What just-"
"Master, you don't tend to speak well when you're unsure of things. We learned this when you failed in asking out Sungmin last year." Jungmo uttered.
Henry repeatedly parted and closed his lips, unsure of what to say, do. His answer involved him nearly fainting at what just happened when Jungmo adjusted the sheets around his torso. "Master, while I understand you need a moment in processing things, please be courteous and spare some clothing."
Henry took another moment before slowly nodding his head, reaching into his closet and throwing whatever clothes may fit the other.
He cringed, hand clasped over his eyes. He still couldn't process what had happened that afternoon he woke up from his nap, reaching to pet his cat when instead he reached into a mat of hair. The bolt of shock that caused him to fall off the bed. He wondered if that was all some elaborate joke.
Unfortunately, the collar around Jungmo's neck said otherwise.
Jungmo tapped his shoulder and he looked back, surprised to see his clothes fit the other's frame. "I fit quite well, don't I?"
Henry gave an uneasy and strained smile, knowing Jungmo expected a compliment. "Y-yes..." He cleared his throat, reaching to shut the open window of his bedroom and closed the curtains. The last thing he needed in his neighborhood was for others to see Jungmo in his room, though he realized he was probably too late in that matter.
"Do I dare ask for an explanation?" Henry asked slowly.
Jungmo seemed pleased. "I thought you'd never ask, but I figured Master needed some time."
"Don't...call me master." Henry insisted. Jungmo nodded as he straightened up and explained.
"I was cursed twenty years ago into a cat because I was disobedient, and they assumed I'd learn my lesson by having to depend on someone else."
"They?"
"The counsel, they're like your government, they tend to take their sentences quite seriously." Jungmo then beamed. "I almost forgot that my twenty years were up today." He stretched his arms above him.
Henry had to be caught and carefully settled onto the bed, needing to take a breather.
Of all the things he expected that day, this was far from it.
-
"You can assemble into human life again?" Henry asked, walking towards his job. Jungmo seemed to consider that a joke.
"Not that I was ever human to begin with, but I think after living with your family for fifteen years, I got the gist of it." He said lightheartedly.
"I always wondered why you didn't age." Henry commented under his breath. "Any other things you can do then?"
Jungmo seemed too willing to prove it. With a snap of his fingers, he closed his eyes. Henry shifted his gaze, keeping watch for whatever was meant to happen. Jungmo opened his eyes and furrowed his eyebrows.
"Strange," He snapped his fingers a few more times. "I guess the counsel hadn't returned all my abilities yet. How crude of them."
Henry shook his head, exasperated as he moved the hair from his eyes. "Wait here."
The demon watched as the human entered the shop and he waited outside, looking as a small child was in front of Henry. It seemed she didn't have enough cash for her drink and walked out of the store.
Henry walked past Jungmo and handed the child a drink he had already paid for, then looking back to hand Jungmo his own as if nothing had happened. "My roommate hasn't asked about you yet, and I'm thinking of saying of you're a friend who needs a place for the time being."
"Original, if not, you could always blackmail him with using your name to pick up girls. That and stealing your shampoo and conditioner when you're not looking."
"He what?" Henry snapped.
"You'd be surprised by things that happen without your knowledge. I try to warn you Mast-"
"I said not to call me that." Henry interjected sternly.
"But you don't listen. You're too oblivious for your good, even about me."
Henry placed his hands on his hips, outside of the hospital he was meant to volunteer at for the evening. "I could be the most attentive person alive, and I never figured my pet was something else."
Jungmo tilted his head, drinking his almond milk. "I'm much as your pet as any, therefore, I demand food tonight when you come home."
"..."
"Alright then, I demand it tomorrow morning."
Henry with a huff, closed the door behind them.
"Had a good day?" Siwon asked with a wide smile. Henry couldn't join in on his good mood as he put on his name tag.
"I'm still deciding what kind of day it is."
-
Jungmo bit into the tuna filled sandwich, "Your cooking skills are impeccable. You're perfect for this sort of thing." He praised, sitting on the counter.
"It's something you could have easily done." Henry reasoned, chin on his palm as he studied the man's physique. It had been a few months as they settled into their routine, mainly Henry supporting the other as Jungmo lounged around his apartment. Aside from him being human-like, nothing much had really changed.
He slowly inched towards the couch, plopping down on the far corner as he went to read some medical books laid sprawled on the table. He grabbed one when he called Jungmo's name.
"Yes?"
He nearly jumped at how close the man appeared beside him unexpectedly. Jungmo then smiled, realizing what had happened. "I guess I am getting them back, slowly."
"That's good." Henry said quite cheerfully, lowering his book to his lap.
Jungmo nodded proudly. "When I get them all back fully, I'll be able to leave."
Henry smile faltered a bit, the strained expression becoming stolid. He lifted his book to read the passage he remained on when he felt a weight on his lap.
Jungmo adjusted himself as his head laid on his lap.
"You're too big to be doing this now."
"You're just as comfortable as before." Jungmo insisted.
Henry wasn't sure what to make of the compliment.
"You don't have to worry." Jungmo abruptly said, Henry looked down beneath his book. "I see you study so much that I'm sure you almost have this book memorized. You'll be fine once the entrance exams start."
"How would you know?" Henry asked, honestly curious.
To this Jungmo smiled. "I know you better than you know yourself, of course I know."
His assuring tone made Henry feel he was being overindulgent to his studies, but decided a quick read through wouldn't hurt. He didn't push off the man who slept soundly and comfortably on his lap, and instead continued what he was doing, not as bothered as before.
-
Henry discovered a few new tricks the man could do. And when Henry nearly dropped the bins in his hand, he cursed mentally as Jungmo appeared on the empty hospital bed.
"What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see what you do here, nothing much I see. I thought being accepted into pre-med would mean more than this." Jungmo said idly, looking around. Henry knew better and waited for Jungmo to state the real reason he was here.
"Out of milk again?"
"That's not why I'm here." Jungmo stated. "Although we are out." He added, Henry shook his head when he felt himself being pulled into his hold. "You've been closing the door on me lately, and I don't like it."
"You can easily get inside." Henry reprimanded, remembering how Jungmo abruptly appeared in the bathroom the other day. One Jungmo clearly remembered because of the scolding he got in return.
"I'm learning not to cross your boundaries."
Henry parted his lips when the warmth around him disappeared and turned to see the door open.
"Who were you talking to?" Hankyung asked. "Talking to yourself again?"
Henry chuckled, his neck turn red. "It's a bad habit."
"Let's go, we're going over vasectomies next." Henry nodded as the door closed. He looked back as Jungmo reappeared on the bed, this time with a discontented expression.
"I don't like that guy."
"There's a lot of those it seems." Henry said offhandedly. The patience he needed for his work he was gaining considering the other.
Jungmo noticed his look and prompted him to ask.
"Weren't you neutered?" Henry asked, eyes lowering just as Jungmo shielded his bottom half with his jacket. As if the human could see through his clothing.
"Let's just say there's some poor outdoors cat that never experienced the glories of being a father."
Henry laughed when he heard his name being called, with a quick goodbye he hurried out of the room. Jungmo looked after the closing door and sighed.
"I missed you." He finally revealed, but to a lonely and empty room.
Once the clock struck, the room was once again vacant.
-
Henry looked through the souvenirs.
"You still haven't made up your mind yet?" Hankyung asked, Henry shook his head.
"My pe-...My roommate is a picky eater."
"I don't see why he isn't just grateful to a gift. I wonder if he knows how much you talk about him." He said knowingly, Henry pursed his lips and ignored his tone. He looked past the canned food and his eyes landed on the carved key-chain that held a small cat.
He tugged it in his hand, having made his choice. He smiled at the small bag in his hold.
The moment he returned home, he arched an eyebrow at a giant box moved around the room. Out fell Jungmo who realized the human standing there. "Master!" He called out.
Henry had almost forgotten the feeling of being called that, but was too distracted by the sight. "What's so fun about playing in a box?" Henry asked.
"I'm not sure either." Jungmo admitted, he laid on the floor as Henry sat before him. His eyes widened to a flaring color, a trait he gained recently. The human was admittedly unsettled by the daunting thought that the demon was gaining his abilities, slowly but still.
Henry forgot his train of thought as he was pushed onto the floor, Jungmo's head laid on his chest. "That's not what I had in mind."
"Neither was this, but I enjoyed it." Jungmo uttered about the box.
Henry considerately scratched beneath Jungmo's neck, making the demon adjust closer. He was long used to this constant contact.
Henry glanced at the small bag that was still in his grip, he sat up but Jungmo placed the box over them, shielding his vision of the item. He decided in the mean time, he'd reveal it later on, not wanting to ruin this moment just yet.
-
Jungmo avoided the rain and stood beneath the roof of the restaurant. Henry stood beside him patiently, growing used to his behavior.
"For a demon, you really are a weakling."
"Not all of us are frightening beasts that set out to kill. I intend for a simple life." Jungmo reasoned.
"Then why not just take us to the apartment straightaway? No one's looking." Henry reasoned at the barren streets.
Jungmo glanced at the dark clouds that wouldn't let up soon it seemed. At Henry's question, he replied. "I like walking with you, it's one of my favorite things to do."
Henry had no comeback for that, something that was happening more and more often lately.
Jungmo peered up at the other's expression, "Does Master mind?"
Henry forced a shrug and nonchalant expression, easily seen through by the other.
"You like having me around." Jungmo answered for him. Henry stayed silent. "Do you want me?" Jungmo decided to ask directly, Henry attempted to leave him there but Jungmo held him back.
His neck had turned red.
Henry could easily lie through his teeth, but his body said otherwise. Turning red and followed by a subtle rash after, almost shaking. Henry was physically incapable of lying, and he wished Jungmo didn't know of it.
"Fine, I like having you around." Henry uttered, stalking off to be drenched in the rain for all that mattered. He was too shy to stand there any longer but couldn't walk any further. Instead choosing to stand there, something the man who was in his residency years felt was quite foolish for someone his age to do.
Evening hadn't yet set, Jungmo held out a hand and cradled the bits of light rain that settled. Distracted, he was caught off-guard by the peck against his lips, looking back as Henry walked down the sidewalk.
The demon revealed a growing smile, and decided that a bit of rain wouldn't stop him.
Henry kept his gaze on the wet pavement as Jungmo obediently and willingly joined his side.
-
Henry smiled as the child jumped to her mother's arms. "She'll be fine, unfortunately, we can't cure the common cold just yet."
The mother and he exchanged bows as she went about her away. He watched for a moment longer before stepping out and heading towards the file room. He read over the charts when he felt a pair of lips kiss the back of his neck.
He stiffened momentarily as the figure laid against his back, he feigned composure. "I thought I said to come only when I was alone."
"You are alone." Jungmo corrected with a sly smile, it was then Henry noticed the conveniently empty file room. "Don't worry, I didn't risk exposing myself to them. If I did, it'd mean I'd have to separate from you, and I couldn't bear with that."
Henry could see the reflection from the side as he put in the file, he turned his head as Jungmo leaned against his shoulder, hat tilted upwards to reveal his intense gaze.
"I would have came home in just a bit." Henry said quietly, making sure no one else was around.
Jungmo, in his dark jacket and jeans, glared childishly. "Every night you say the same thing, but you stay longer and longer. I'm not liking this pattern-"
"Dr. Lau?" The nurse walked in, Henry smiled as she approached him, looking around in muted puzzlement. Despite the voices she heard, she realized aside from Henry, no one else was in the room.
-
Henry walked home and was greeted by the door opening by itself. But rather than the usual greeting he received, Jungmo seemed quite tensed as he sat on the floor before the couch. He seemed downhearted.
"What's on your mind?" Henry asked, hanging his coat on the seat.
Jungmo tilted his head, musing the thought before speaking. "I can tell you want children, every time I see you with them. I can give and do just about anything, but it reminds me of what I obviously can't give you. And it bothers me."
Henry held back a smile at Jungmo's lowered expression. He stepped forward, fingers gently on his shoulder, then proceeded to rub just beneath his ear. Jungmo by habit enjoyed it briefly before scowling.
"If you want a pet, get a cat." Jungmo said, irritated that his concerns weren't being taken seriously.
"I learned my lesson." Henry said lightheartedly, his hand reaching near the demon's neck to pull out the collar that remained on his neck. Hidden beneath his clothes most of the time.
"Doesn't this make you mine?" Henry asked with a small smile.
"First you reject me when I said the same thing, and now you're amused by it. You're truly fickle."
The man was growing more restless as the years loomed on, while Henry was becoming more relaxed. He wasn't sure when their roles had switched, but sometimes they settled into this new routine without truly knowing. But they both didn't seem to mind it.
The demon had long gained back his abilities, but he hadn't left as Henry once worried he would. The day he earned his full freedom, the man instead plopped down on his bedside and slept by him, acting as if nothing had changed.
"You're not going to leave?" Henry had asked.
"Do you want me to?" Henry had tried to say no, but his reddened neck said otherwise.
Henry sat on the couch, patting his lap as Jungmo slowly opened one eye.
With swifter reflexes, the demon laid his head on the human's lap.
Beneath the dim lights, Henry read through his files, his hand absentmindedly traced traced alongside Jungmo's collarbone. The resting demon was oblivious to the gentle and softened gaze that came with time from the one flustered and exasperated youth.
Jungmo saw what he couldn't offer, despite his abilities, despite his strengths. Henry didn't linger on the what-ifs.
That moment, laying beside one another in the comfort of their home, it was more than enough. He was in simple terms, content.
- ❄ Challenge 29 ❄ | ❄ Challenge 31 ❄ -
A/N: First JungHen ever! @.@ I basically fulfilled my intent to write one pairing one time so far, shall see the 31st pairing tomorrow ^^ ^o^