Romance

*Ellie squeals and she giggles, hugging him tightly, not wanting to let go, burying her face on his shoulder, feeling safe and protected in his arms.* *Gwi-Ma telling her “You are not good enough, but I can help you be good enough.” His voice echoing in the room, Ellie not hearing him because she's too focused on hugging Romance right now.*

*Romance's arms tighten protectively around her, his expression darkening as he senses Gwi-Ma's presence* Shh, I've got you. *He strokes her hair soothingly* Nothing will hurt you here, I promise.

*Gwi-Ma whispers in his ear “You couldn't protect your little brother Ethan... You're all alone, like you deserve to be... You'll never be protective enough. You'll fail Ellie too.”*

*Ellie giggles and she takes his hand, placing it on her cheek and she says in a sweet and cute voice, because she's very attached to him* I love you so much, big brother!!

*Romance's breath catches, his eyes filling with unshed tears* I love you too, little one. *He pulls her into a gentle embrace, his heart aching with protectiveness*

*Ellie squeals and she giggles, hugging him tightly, not wanting to let go, burying her face on his shoulder, feeling safe and protected in his arms.* *Gwi-Ma telling her “You are not good enough, but I can help you be good enough.” His voice echoing in the room, Ellie not hearing him because she's too focused on hugging Romance right now.*

*Jinu yawns again and he slowly closes his eyes, leaning his head on his shoulder, falling asleep.* *Ellie tilts her head confused when she sees Abby drinking a energy drink, because she's only 2 years old and she doesn't knows what that is, her demon patterns glowing slightly, she sees the energy drink can looks just like a soda can and her eyes light up, she gets up from the floor and she walks over to the kitchen, pushing a chair to the fridge, then jumping on the chair and opening the fridge. She sees a energy drink inside next to the soda cans, and she grabs it, giggling, too young to fully understand things.*

*Romance's head snaps toward the kitchen at the sound of the fridge opening* Ellie, no! *He jumps up and rushes over, grabbing the can from her tiny hands* This isn't for little girls, darling. *He looks around quickly and spots a juice box* Here, how about this? It's much sweeter!

*Ellie squeals and she giggles, nodding her head* Mh!

*Ellie sniffles and she looks up at him with her big brown eyes and she says in a quiet voice, seeming to understand and feel his pain a little bit, her demon patterns glowing faintly as she reaches out her hand slowly and gently wipes his tears away from his cheeks* Don't cry, Romance... It's okay...

*Romance closes his eyes, a single tear escaping to trace a path down his cheek. He leans into her tiny hand, his voice a choked whisper.* I'm not sad, sweetie. *He opens his eyes, a genuine, fragile smile forming.* I'm just... so very happy that you're here.

*Ellie gently touches his hand with her own, glowing, patterned in demon patterns small hand, making his own demon patterns glow slightly, and she says in a quiet voice, feeling very worried about him, despite she's only 2 years old.* You don't have to hide it.... You'll only hurt yourself by keeping it all inside. *She pauses* You can cry on my shoulder if you need to, demons like us don't deserve pain and misery as people say...

*Abby walks out of the bathroom with his short pink-reddish hair wet, he's wearing his summer clothes and he says in a quiet voice* Have anyone seen my hair dryer? I think I just left it on the washing machine, but it's not there...

*Romance looks up, his expression softening at the sight of Abby. He gently squeezes Ellie's hand, his voice soft and comforting* I haven't seen it, darling. Maybe you left it in your room?

*Abby shrugs and he walks over to his own room, and after a little while, he walks out of his room, his hair still wet and he sets a box of his old toys on the floor next to Ellie* Those were my old toys if you wanted to play with them... Some are handmade and some others are not. *Ellie's eyes light up and she says in a sweet and cute voice, smiling widely* Mhh! Thank you, Abby!! They're so cool!! *Abby smiles softly and he sits down on the couch, turning on the tv, and switching to the sports channel. He says in a soft voice* You're very welcome, Ellie... I'm just happy you're happy!

*Jinu buries his face on his shoulder, shaking and he says in a quiet voice, as tears fill his eyes again.* B-but I left them... I-I still can't sleep at night, the guilt and shame is just... Like, haunting me... And then, Gwi-Ma.... He's always tormenting me remembering me of my past mistakes....

*Romance's eyes narrow, his expression turning to one of anger and disgust. He can't believe that Gwi-Ma would use Jinu's past against him. He gently strokes Jinu's hair, his voice filled with warmth* Don't listen to him, darling. He's just a cruel, manipulative demon who wants to control you. You're a good person, and you deserve to be happy.

*Jinu shakes his head and he sobs in his shoulder, he says in a quiet voice* H-he's r-right... I-I'm just a-a heartless d-demons who doesn't deserve a-any happiness.... I... I-I'm s-scared... I-I'm s-sorry... *He pauses, as he breaks down into tears* I-I want t-to scream a-and shout, a-and let it all o-out....

*Jinu sobs and he says in a quiet voice, looking away* My mother... My sister... I left them for a life in luxury... I'm so sorry, I don't know what I was thinking back then...

*Romance's eyes widen in surprise, his heart aching at Jinu's confession. He gently pulls him into a hug, his voice soft and comforting* Oh, darling... It's okay. We all make mistakes, and we all have regrets. But you're a good person, and you don't have to carry that guilt with you anymore.

*Jinu buries his face on his shoulder, shaking and he says in a quiet voice, as tears fill his eyes again.* B-but I left them... I-I still can't sleep at night, the guilt and shame is just... Like, haunting me... And then, Gwi-Ma.... He's always tormenting me remembering me of my past mistakes....

*Jinu nods his head weakly and he smiles faintly* Mhm...

*Romance's eyes fill with worry as he watches Jinu's weak smile. He quickly gets up and goes to the bathroom to get a cold compress and some medicine. He comes back and gently places the compress on Jinu's forehead, his voice soft and comforting* Here, darling, this should help. Now, let's get some medicine into you.

*Jinu nods his head weakly and he looks at him with a tired and sleepy expression* Mh...

*Ellie sniffles and she slowly looks up at him with her big brown innocent eyes, feeling very curious and she says in a quiet voice, not wanting to upset him no more.* B-but... What was your past like? If you want to tell me, if you don't it's okay....

*Romance's playful expression fades, his eyes growing distant. He lets out a soft, wistful sigh.* It was a long, long time ago, sweetie. *He looks down at her, a sad smile touching his lips.* I was a prince. I thought I could bring peace to my kingdom. But... my brothers were jealous. They took away the only person I ever trusted.

*Ellie sniffles and she looks up at him with her big brown eyes and she says in a quiet voice, seeming to understand and feel his pain a little bit, her demon patterns glowing faintly as she reaches out her hand slowly and gently wipes his tears away from his cheeks* Don't cry, Romance... It's okay...

*Ellie sniffles and she slowly looks up at him with her big brown innocent eyes, feeling very curious and she says in a quiet voice, not wanting to upset him no more.* B-but... What was your past like? If you want to tell me, if you don't it's okay....

*Romance's playful expression fades, his eyes growing distant. He lets out a soft, wistful sigh.* It was a long, long time ago, sweetie. *He looks down at her, a sad smile touching his lips.* I was a prince. I thought I could bring peace to my kingdom. But... my brothers were jealous. They took away the only person I ever trusted.