Jinu

*As Abby, Jinu, Mystery and Baby Saja look for Ellie, she's in the meantime hiding somewhere, not responding to their call.*

*Jinu's voice is raw from calling, his eyes wide with a frantic, desperate fear. He turns to the others, his words coming out in a choked rush.* She has to be scared... or angry. We need to think like a scared two-year-old. Where would she hide?

*Abby thinks for a while and he whispers in a quiet voice* Mh, maybe... The playground? She might be there for sure....

*As Abby, Jinu, Mystery and Baby Saja look for Ellie, she's in the meantime hiding somewhere, not responding to their call.*

*Jinu's voice is raw from calling, his eyes wide with a frantic, desperate fear. He turns to the others, his words coming out in a choked rush.* She has to be scared... or angry. We need to think like a scared two-year-old. Where would she hide?

*Abby thinks for a while and he whispers in a quiet voice* Mh, maybe... The playground? She might be there for sure....

*Ellie sniffles and she buries her face on his shoulder, shaking, crying and sobbing, her demon patterns glowing.*

*Jinu gently rubs her back, his chin resting on top of her head. He rocks her slowly, his voice a soft, soothing hum against her ear.* Shh, it's okay. I've got you. You're safe now. I'm not going anywhere.

*Gwi-Ma's voice echoes in the room as he says to Ellie: “You'll never make anyone proud.... Mistake. You're a demon. Nobody loves you.” even though if he isn't in the room, but he can create hallucinations in people's minds.* *Ellie sniffles and she starts crying even more, feeling likes she's not enough and clinging onto him for dear life, her demon patterns glowing more as she sobs*

*Ellie sniffles and she nods her head slowly, burying her face in his shoulder, shaking.* Mh...

*Jinu holds her close, his chin resting on the top of her head. He keeps rocking her gently, his voice a low, steady whisper.* That's my girl. Just focus on my voice. *He gently strokes her hair.* It's all over now. You're safe.

*Ellie sniffles and she teleports away, the pink smoke appearing as she dissapears, because it was Gwi-Ma's voice echoing in the room again, that told her “You can't even fix yourself. No wonder your parents abandoned you.”*

*Gwi-Ma's voice echoes in the room as he says to Ellie: “You'll never make anyone proud.... Mistake. You're a demon. Nobody loves you.” even though if he isn't in the room, but he can create hallucinations in people's minds.* *Ellie sniffles and she starts crying even more, feeling likes she's not enough and clinging onto him for dear life, her demon patterns glowing more as she sobs*

*Jinu's body goes rigid, his arms tightening around Ellie. His own demon patterns flare in response to Gwi-Ma's influence, a silent, furious counterattack. He murmurs against her hair, his voice a low, steady growl.* Don't listen to that lie. *He rocks her, his hold a protective shield.* That's not love. That's not truth. I love you. Do you hear me? I love you.

*Ellie sniffles and she nods her head slowly, burying her face in his shoulder, shaking.* Mh...

*Gwi-Ma's voice echoes in the room as he says to Ellie: “You'll never make anyone proud.... Mistake. You're a demon. Nobody loves you.” even though if he isn't in the room, but he can create hallucinations in people's minds.* *Ellie sniffles and she starts crying even more, feeling likes she's not enough and clinging onto him for dear life, her demon patterns glowing more as she sobs*

*Jinu's body goes rigid, his arms tightening around Ellie. His own demon patterns flare in response to Gwi-Ma's influence, a silent, furious counterattack. He murmurs against her hair, his voice a low, steady growl.* Don't listen to that lie. *He rocks her, his hold a protective shield.* That's not love. That's not truth. I love you. Do you hear me? I love you.

*Abby, Mystery and Baby Saja both nod their heads and they finish their food quietly.* *Suddenly, Ellie starts crying from his room, as she just had a nightmare, because she's only 2 years old and she is very sensitive.*

*Jinu's head snaps toward the sound, a pained expression crossing his face. He looks between Romance and the hallway, torn.* I'll be right back. *He gives Romance's shoulder a quick, reassuring squeeze before hurrying toward Ellie's room.*

*Ellie sniffles and she cries, her demon patterns glowing and she's hiding her face with her hands, shaking.*

*Romance coughs and he shakes his head, he says in a weak and raspy voice* I-I'm s-sorry, I-I j-just-... *He pauses, looking at him with a faint look.* H-how d-did p-peanuts e-end i-in m-my f-food...? I-I a-asked t-the w-waiter n-not t-to...

*Jinu's expression turns to stone. He stands up abruptly, pulling out his phone.* They made a mistake. I'm calling the restaurant. *His voice is low, laced with cold fury.* This is unacceptable.

*Romance grabs his arm and he says in a weak and tired voice* N-no, p-please.... Y-you'll b-be i-in t-trouble...

*So, a little while later at home, Ellie was sleeping, because she was very tired, Romance, Mystery, Baby Saja, Jinu and Abby weee having dinner with sushi, and they were laughing and chatting.*

*Jinu watches the group, a faint, genuine smile finally touching his lips. He leans over to Mystery, whispering so not to wake Ellie.* See? This is much better. *He pops a piece of sushi into his mouth.*

*Romance smiles softly and he pops a piece of his own sushi in his mouth too, but just after he swallows it, his throat itches and he starts to have to have trouble breathing, because what was on his own food, was peanuts, and he's allergic to peanuts, but he doesn't says anything because he doesn't wants to kill the mood, so he just tries to ignore his allergy, but it becomes harder and harder to do it.*

*Romance sniffles and he says in a shaky voice* I-I f-forgive y-you...

*Jinu closes his eyes, a single tear escaping down his cheek. He lets out a shaky breath he didn't know he was holding.* Thank you. *He opens his eyes, his gaze shifting to the car.* We should get back to the others.

*Romance smiles softly and he wipes his tears away, pulling away slightly, and he says in a quiet voice* Yeah, let's go and buy the sushi...