First things first, I just want to say how sorry I am for the late update. This was a difficult chapter for me to wrap my head around and I will do my best to release the next chapter on time next Thursday. That being said, my internal exams are arriving very soon so I'll have to put most of the focus on those.

Second: If part of this chapter looks better it's because Woo_Melon helped by writing that part because I can't write fight scenes to save my life.

And third: I know it's been a bit since there was an actual Woosan chapter, but I decided to write a quick side story for my one-shot book (It's called Illusion and the chapter is Hellish Delights) just in case anyone is curious.

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From the highest wings of the court, Beomgyu and Jongho waited patiently for Yeosang's trial to start. This was a private event. No one wanted it to slip that a disciple of Taemin had caused such a ruckus, so the spectators were few and far between.

Jongho rested his head against the wall, supported only by Beomgyu and his will to see Yeosang in anguish. He didn't care how gruesome it sounded, no matter what punishment he received, he would make the pain he delivered was ten times worse.

"How are you feeling?" The angel beside him asked softly, gently brushing his hand against Jongho's face. Beomgyu was awfully affectionate, at least in the way he constantly attempted to touch the brunette. Normally, he wasn't one for skinship but at the moment he didn't have much energy to argue with his advances.

"Fine," He grumbled back rather curtly. Beomgyu pouted at this response, unpleased with his attitude.

"Is that any way to treat your hyungs?" He mumbled.

"Hyungs? I'm pretty sure I'm older than you."

Beomgyu scoffed. "Impossible. When were you born?"

"Towards the end of the year." Then the angel went silent for a moment before shrugging him off.

"Well time is an illusion and in the grand scheme of things, barely matters, so why bother using the correct honorifics?" Jongho giggled at such a statement and when he smiled, Beomgyu couldn't help but smile back. He continued to play with the features of his body, messing with his hair and holding him close.

Are all angels this warm? Jongho wondered. He sort of smiled at the nice feeling and almost pulled Beomgyu closer just to feel more of it.

Yet his attention was swiftly taken away from the silver-haired teen when the large double doors of the courtroom were opened. The atmosphere became cold, an almost daunting feeling settling as two, well-built angels flew into the room. Yeosang was dropped to the ground, his head hanging in shame while his hands were bound together in front of him by a thick chain he had no hopes of breaking.

His tired eyes were focussed on the floor with no will to look towards the stands. Jongho, hobbling over to the edges of their viewing spot, felt his stomach drop at the sight of him. Yeosang's lone wing lay lifeless, barely hiding the fresh scars on his back. The sharp cuts were likely from a whip and its lashes were so severe that they had hardly healed. "Yeosang..."

Beomgyu had to pull him back, tightly wrapping his arm around his waist. "You have to stay close to me," He instructed. "They'll know you're here if my aura isn't protecting you."

A bright light emitted from the front of the room, blinding in its arrival. The archangel Taemin appeared not a moment later, large wings spanning at their full length whilst his white eyes bore deep into Yeosang's being. His presence alone was powerful, vigorous in the way he headed everyone's attention with a single look.

"Kang Yeosang, you stand before me on trial for high treason, breaking one of heaven's main rules as well as lesser accounts of the first-degree murder of several humans. How do you plead?"

Slowly, Yeosang's head rose, meeting Taemin's scornful glare with one equally as contempt. "Indifferent," He spat. One of the guards took hold of the young angel's hair, the fist full he grabbed being used to yank back his head. Yeosang hissed in pain, his response being enough to have Jongho struggling against Beomgyu's hold.

"You said you wanted to break his bones!" He whisper shouted. "What's wrong with you?" Jongho didn't know. He told himself he hated Yeosang, that he wanted to see him suffer for his crimes yet couldn't handle the sight of seeing him like this.

Even with the two guards looming over him with an immensely threatening aura, Yeosang merely chuckled, a willfully indifferent smirk plastered on his face. "They deserved it. If I could go back, I'd do it all over again. I'd make sure they suffered even more."

Those words were enough of a wake-up call to Jongho. He growled under his breath at the notion of Yeosang torturing Taehyun more than he already had. Everything this man did made him feel conflicted. Like he was pulling his emotions on a leash with every action.

Taemin rose his brow at his disciples' proclamation, lifting his hand and waving to the guards. "Leave us." He commanded. Without question, they bowed to the archangel and flew out, leaving Yeosang on the ground.

The moment they were out of sight, Taemin's expression softened. Though Yeosang kept his head down, the older angel still fluttered to him. Each step he took was followed by an array of flowers, every one of them dying, then fading away once he was a few feet further. "Yeosang, look at me." He told him softly, yet the younger male refused to listen, his head remaining lowered.

Jongho and Beomgyu heard the archangel sigh, watching with bated breaths as he gently pulled Yeosang's face up. "Yeosangie..." He uttered softly, voice teetering on disappointment. With his face void of any emotion, Taemin watched the light tears begin to roll down the younger's cheeks. Said tears were wiped by his mentor's benevolent touch, as he hushed the weeping teen. "Why are you crying, Sangie?"

"Archangel, I'm sorry! I'm sorry I've disappointed you. I let you down..."

"Indeed. You did let me down." Whispered Taemin. Head tilted, a grin nearly formed on his face. "What do you think you should do now?"

"R-Repent..." Taemin stepped back, allowing Yeosang the space the bow. "I apologise! Father God, please forgive my sins and all I have done wrong! I am no longer worthy to exist in the realm you have provided as I am ungrateful for the gifts you have given. My life means nothing if I have displeased you. I am worthless until I am forgiven."

Jongho noticed the way Beomgyu tensed at these words, grip becoming slightly weaker as his face became glued to the scene in front of him. His mouth nearly moved along with what Yeosang had said, like he had rehearsed this.

Taemin smiled regardless, nodding along with everything that had been said. "Good boy," He praised. Yet just as Yeosang was about to move up, he was pushed back down. "Now tell me, what did you do wrong?"

"I caused the death of several humans and failed to send my target back to Hell."

"What else?"

"These are all the crimes I have committed." The archangel's smile fell. If the room wasn't already cold, the temperature began to drop exponentially, so much so that all three of the teens began to shiver. The chains surrounding Yeosang's arms were yanked up, an invisible force hoisting them into the air to leave him dangling in front of the older male.

Each step Taemin took to circle the angel felt patronising, every stride laced with a new layer of disapproval that fueled Yeosang's ever-growing anxiety. "That's not the correct answer, Yeosang." His tone was strict, deadly in its delivery. A voice Yeosang knew he only used if he was made angry, a feat seldom achieved. "I think you're forgetting something."

"Hmm, nope. Why don't you remind me?" A sharp smack was delivered to Yeosang's cheek, head flying to the side in response to the unsuspected strike. His face burned, a violent red mark left in the place Taemin had struck.

The angel of water did his best to hold Jongho back, the overbearing powers of Heaven being his saving grace in weakening the demon.

"I've got buttons, Yeosang." Seethed Taemin. "Keep pushing them if you want to see the end."

"Sounds rather violent, how many buttons do you have? I'm willing to hit every single one of them."

"Just say it. Say you made a mistake and I'll let you go. Why do you choose to be so difficult?"

Yeosang chuckled. "I learned from the best," He replied. He knew he was testing his limits. He was well aware that one wrong move and he would be done for. But honestly? He couldn't care less anymore. "I didn't make any mistakes. My feelings for Jongho were real!"

"What you had wasn't love! It was an obsession. It's impossible to have feelings for a thing like that!"

"Call it love, call it obsession, I don't care! Demon or not, I still care about him!" Jongho listened to every word, heart pounding beneath his chest, overtaking whatever unfavourable thoughts may have entered his mind. Then, Yeosang began to snicker. "You sound like you speak from experience, archangel. Just because you couldn't keep your lover's affair a secret doesn't mean I now have to be punished for your mistakes."

The young blonde suddenly fell to the ground, shocked to see that his chains had been cut. The shadow of his mentor cast over him, a large claymore sword gleaming in his grip, hovering with dangerous intent.

"I shouldn't be surprised. I always knew the thing to end your life would be your own mouth." Yeosang's eyes went wide with fear, slowly scooting back from the archangel. "I just didn't think it would be by my hands."

"NO!" The angel's heads whipped towards the stands, finally spotting the two teens who had hidden themselves there. Beomgyu swore under his breath yet didn't hesitate to follow Jongho when the demon jumped off the balcony. He landed on his knees, powerful stance leaving cracks in the ground that he paid no mind to.

Instead, he rushed over to Yeosang, engulfing him with his arms and burying his face in his chest. "J-Jongho? How did you...?" One swift punch to the face interrupted him. The angel groaned at the hit, carefully wiping the blood now dripping from his nose. "Yeah...I deserve that."

Jongho wanted to punch him until he couldn't stand yet lowered his fists when Yeosang chuckled. "I fucking hate you..." The demon muttered.

"I know."

"Love birds." Grumbled Beomgyu, rolling his eyes in disgust.

Whatever tranquillity the pair felt was interrupted when they heard Taemin speak again.

"Enough of this," With his eyes beginning to glower with an aggressive tint, panic spread across each of the teen's now shaking frames. Even with his newfound fear, Jongho still stood protectively in front of the angel, refusing to let Taemin lay a hand on him. This response made him furious. "DON'T INTERFERE!"

Yeosang took Jongho into his arms, zooming to the other side of the courtroom. Beomgyu quickly blocked the archangel's attack with a frozen shield of ice, allowing the others to move away. "You can't stay here," Yeosang told the younger. "You have to go back to Earth."

They could hear the swift sounds of the other deities' movements, each clash followed by a harsh grunt from Beomgyu. He was being pummeled, every attack he made being easily anticipated by the archangel who could deflect them with no effort. "If I go, what will happen to you?"

"Aww, Jongie. You still care?"

"Of fucking course not! It's just that my conscience will never be clear if I leave you here! You've got one working wing, a fat mouth that landed you in this mess and an angry god who wants you dead! You can't do jackshit!"

"Oh, and you can? You can hardly stand up! What makes you think you'll be of any fucking use?"

"COULD YOU TWO FUCKING HELP!" Shouted Beomgyu, using what was left of his strength to hold back the furious angel in front of him. Yeosang and Jongho watched with wide eyes when he was smashed into the granite walls of the courthouse, eliciting a gruff sound of annoyance from the archangel.

"How irritating," Taemin grumbled, dusting off his clothes. "And for what? The life of a demon. What a useless tenet." With a gaze sharper than steel, the holy figure's body turned towards the demon in question. No words needed to be said for them to realize who his new target was.

Cautious as they may have tried to be before, belligerence was now the only feeling coursing through the angel's veins. Hands clenching into a tight fist, Yeosang provided no warning when he dazed forward. Time slowed for no one but him, plumage whisking in a whirlwind of frantic tenacity, spinning velociously before summoning his glinting blade.

The platinum waves of his hair ravished in the strong gust he previously created, emerald eyes shivering through the light fringe of bloodlust.

The angel extended out of his missile configuration, sheathing his sword from beneath the cloak of immaculate feathers, metal skirmish sparking fire as it met with the diviner's great weapon.

"Protecting a lost cause?" Taemin admonished, grip strengthening around the handle of his claymore. "You've certainly lost your mind, dolt."

Nonce, the younger gritted his teeth, his blade sliding along with a rippling screech before it skidded off, returning with a more perilous approach from below, almost catching the other off of his defences.

Countenance trapped between his forearm and the shining beginning of his evoked item, the male exhibited quite the unnerved appearance which submitted under the taller's impish scrutiny.

"Do you have the slightest clue... How much he means to me?!" Yeosang growled impatiently, ducking from the other's sight only to slip against his side, nudging Taemin forcefully in his left ribs.

It earned him an opening, a chance to strike at the defender, yet as he neared his figure, shadows seemed to engulf him wholly...

Swept off of his feet, the angel's figure hit the granite, an unknown weight tumbling upon him, subduing his wrists down on the dusty flooring.

"Becoming infatuated with a demon...Can you become even more impetuous than this?" The archangel spat, seemingly nauseated by the younger's conniving interests.

His wing was imprisoned between the rough clasp, his body almost crushing underneath it all. There was no way out, no opportunity he could take, and then Taemin leaned in, forfeiting any other presence but the bright haired's. "Will your last words contain a supposed confession?"

"Damn right!" A snarl erupted from his throat, eyes wide as he stared up at the maleficent's intentions from his benumbing posture.

The claymore blazed with unstoppable fury, signalling an incoming defeat on the impoverished frame's behalf. He almost cried out in exasperation as his pure pennon was getting persecuted by the archangel's freight.

"Better hurry then..." Taemin's muscles flexed with the anticipation of his weapon, chuckle striking at Yeosang's pride. "Before that poignant fate of yours ends."

The youngster jerked around, exhibiting all forms of refusal. He wasn't going to wield this easily, not even if it cost him the other wing. May all misfortune spill atop of him, all the suffering and torment of heavens... He was accepting of all tolls as long as it assured Jongho's safety.

Repent? He was designed to do whatever dwelled inside his soul to protect the only life that truly mattered.

Tugging away from Taemin's grip with the powers he gathered, Yeosang lifted himself by mere inches, infuriating tone shaking the pillars to their structures. "G-Get off... OF ME!"

However, the archangel wasn't phased, grinning tentatively once he felt his sword's energy replenish from the sorry sight. As it came down upon the indigent, frozen icicles shot from the side, swooping the blade at a reasonable distance from Kang's nape.

Salvation fled in the form of crystalized water, rescuing the boy from a miserable demise. He wasn't given a chance to comment, a certain elemental's words booming in the atmosphere.

"Fly out of here, dammit!" Beomgyu's eye twitched, injury inflicted upon him due to the previous encounter with the holy being.

As if the sword became an extension of his forearm, the single-winged angel slashed it upward, gashing Taemin's cheek in vain, for it regenerated the next instant.

Regardless, the stun was the emerald-eyed's opportunity at withdrawal. He flapped his wing, body sliding against the floor and into the air, following Beomgyu's trajectory. Only the archangel pivoted, using the strength he possessed in favour of soaring toward the helpless demon.

"No, you won't!" Panic took precedence over the balance, snatching Yeosang at a distance too substantial to catch up with the older. And then, a brilliant strategy sparked his brain. "Don't let him get to Jongho..." He announced his top priority, eyeing the water angel sharply. "Smash everything to pieces!"

After yelling out, the only-winged angel took off, dodging the cylinders with ease, sword burying into the composition before slashing large wads of marble. Yeosang smirked at his masterpiece, ducking at ground level as the rows demolished continuously, similar to domino pieces, chasing closer to Taemin.

"I hope you don't think I'm going to forgive you for what you did," Seeth Jongho, backing away from the vicious scene in front of them.

"I don't need you to forgive me! I need you to stay alive!"

Water traversed at the speed of light, silvering edges and drawing sharp spears through the mass of falling chunks. It all signalled how Beomgyu was doing his own part in the justice.

Slabs cut through the divine's path, coercing him into a detour, sufficient seconds for the elemental to dive like an eagle. He forced the other to a short duel, bolting his hands so any punches would not nail his face before plunging even farther, using his feathers to his advantage, a futile gamble he hoped would function. Taemin swung the younger to the side, scoffing in sick satisfaction as he got smacked against the rigid texture, grunting at the jolt of pain that coursed through his system.

The wise one was going to retaliate, shave his head off for insubordination, therefore Beomgyu couldn't help but falter only slightly, enough for the attacker to catch a glimpse of his weakness.

On the other side, Yeosang made a swift attempt at praying for the demon to get the right indication. He raised into the crowded environment, cascading abruptly as the clasp on his sabre's haft bolstered.

Once again, Kang blocked the incoming hit, shielding the boy with his athletic frame. No seconds wasted, he whipped his forearm around Taemin's claymore, swapping it out of his hand and scanning as it rolled into the debris below.

To maintain a range, the angel twirled around, throwing a rough kick of his leg at the prophet's chest, watching him stagger.

"You imbeciles will pay for the devastation you've caused..." He burned with fury, eyes turning plenty shades darker at the two. "With your deaths." His voice rang like thunder, a typhoon of emotions exteriorizing in the form of flowing anger, masses of air brisking past the duo, blushing its way around the empty, decrepit space.

"Death?" Beomgyu chuckled wearily, clutching his throbbing head.

"Look twice before speaking, fossil." The green-eyed spat, grinning at his irritated confusion.

Meanwhile, sweat glided down Jongho's wrinkled forehead, muscles pulled tautly as one of the fissured sculptures was raided on his right shoulder. The devil grunted harshly, bangs stuck onto his forehead, sheathing the multiple veins that popped in the proximity of his temples.

His foot clobbered with the ground, completely obliterating the remaining intact expanses, splitting up the surfaces, walls almost breaking down.

Bundles of clutter were startled by the seismic touch, hoisting upward in large masses, all hurled across the confinement as Jongho pushed himself past eradicating limits, swinging the column at a precise, growing speed.

"TAKE THIS!" He shrieked, drained of whatever life forces he had convened, gaining the perfect momentum as the item his arms were laced around struck the pile of destruction, precariously aiming at the archangel's facet.

Yeosang ladled the water angel, scurrying past each flying rock with care, feeling a pressuring burden because he wasn't confident in his vulnerable wing. Hardly confident that he could make it in time.

Thereupon, as Jongho believed the building would collapse, swallow him without a trace of remorse, his frame was enveloped by comfort...

He saw white, distinguished a firm hold that cradled him as if he were the most fragile porcelain, recognized the hands that clutched him securely, as if afraid to let go.

Sailed at bay from suffering, the male whimpered an exhausted whiff, glimpsing up as his blackout neared frighteningly.

There his saviour was, all beaten up and bruised, advancing through the agony like it meant nothing. And suddenly, his face lit slightly, regaining a soft spark, the last aspect for Jongho to remember before he crossed the realm of unconsciousness.

"Yeosang..."

Even in his state of weariness, Yeosang found himself lost in the younger's soft features. Too enthralled to notice how his peer rolled his eyes. Not a moment later, his prize was snatched away.

"We need to get out of here," Beomgyu hoisted Jongho into his arms, the unconscious teen curling up to his chest in response. Even in his sleep, he seemed to grow lax in the comforting hold of the water angel. Yeosang examined the way his colleague gazed at the brunette and it didn't take long for his face to fall into a firm scowl.

"Getting a little handsy there, don't you think Beomgyu?"

"Make yourself useful and grow a new wing, then we can talk."

Leaping over the excess debris, the two angel's escaped the crooked scene of the courthouse. Their breaths became strained, injuries catching up to them with painful winces and groans. They would be sure to heal in due time. Both teens shared a look, a mutual expression warning them that they needed to leave.

It was only then that Beomgyu handed Jongho back off to his partner, eyeing him with apparent distaste that Yeosang met with a mocking leer. Doing his best to ignore it, the water angel focussed on creating a portal, marking out the air with the correct pattern.

Yet to the surprise of them both, his blue lines, usually fading into a glowing gateway, simply fizzled out. He tried once again only to receive the same response. "It's not working..."

"Try it again. You clearly just didn't do it right!"

Beomgyu clenched his jaw. "Maybe if you had learned to do it, you could be of more help! They clearly know a demon's entered Heaven, or at least your human friend from before. All entrances and exits had to have been sealed off. That could be the only reason my portal isn't working."

"Shit...So now what?" Yeosang ran his hand through his hair, now frantic in his actions. "Oh! I've got it! There's always a gateway open in the purification chamber! After all, they stop the flow of deaths." For once, Beomgyu was in agreement with him, as he nodded at this suggestion.

However, their conversation was interrupted when heavy pants filled their ears, instantly spiking the angel's to switch to a more defensive stance. Yet their actions came to a halt when a familiar brunette entered the scene. "Mingi?" Yeosang gasped in pure disbelief. "What in the world are you doing here? Wait...YOU BROUGHT MINGI TO HEAVEN?" He shouted towards Beomgyu, who seemed rather aloof about the situation. "He could die here why the fuck would you-"

"I said a human had come with, didn't I? Pay attention! Besides, he said he wanted to be here."

"Yeah well now I'm regretting it." Murmured the human, doing his best to collect his breaths while continuously glancing behind him, just to make sure he wasn't being followed. "At least I got to see Yunho..." Yeosang furrowed his brow at the sombre expression on Mingi's face. Someone would have to explain what happened to him.

That would have to wait though. "Glad you got what you wanted," Was Beomgyu's blunt response to the human's unfortunate murmur. "But we've got to get going!"

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"Attention all units: Be alert. A demon has infiltrated Heaven's barriers. Be alert and detain it at all costs."

The announcement, reaching every part of the Heaven's, caught Yunho's attention in no time. After just a second of thought, it didn't take long for him to connect the dots. If Mingi managed to get into Heaven, there's only one other person who could've come with him. "Jongho!"

Hyunjin laid unmoving against the stone seats of the arena, body bruised with cuts and deep gnashes. Yunho didn't spare his opponent much of a glance, merely a disappointed tut. His scars would heal eventually...

The feathered cloak of his wings were soon to take flight, sending him soaring into the air in the hopes that he would find the misfortuned duo before someone else did. His eyes scanned the vast, glowing planes beneath him, desperately searching for some sort of sign. He told Mingi to stay safe. So where would he go?

If Jongho's here, he's got to be with Yeosang too. He had to have taken him to the hub! With that realisation, Yunho flew down the grand hall which, to his surprise, was rather vacant. Normally, there would at least be a few angels going about their business but today, nothing. So cautiously, Yunho landed on the crystal floors, heels hardly making a sound as he strode through the empty building.

Remains of what could only be described as a disaster littered a soulless courtroom, scattered debris and a fierce aura of magic surrounding the dishevelled space. They must've been here. If they were smart, they'd attempt to go back to Earth after such an occurrence. "Well they are not very smart are they...?" So Yunho couldn't be too sure if that was an option they even considered.

There was only one other portal they would have access to outside of the barrier, a place Yunho knew no human should ever have the misfortune of visiting. He could only hope Yeosang was there to keep them safe.

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"I hate angels..."

The halls were desolate, eerie in their vacancy with the only sounds being the rushing of water in the distance. Heavy blue tints encased the area, casing their amble with a deep sense of uncertainty and endless dread.

Despite it being their idea, the concept of quietly tiptoeing through the purification halls seemed to be completely lost on the pair. As they bickered every step of the way. Yet in the midst of it all, would just stop their ever going feud for pleasant conversation, as if they weren't just acting like petty teens mere seconds prior. Jongho could definitely see the similarities between the two and it became increasingly clear that they were from the same court.

That didn't make them any less irritating.

"Keep your mouths shut! Will you?" His harsh murmur earned only a scornful look from the two angels, yet they complied with his request and kept quiet. At least momentarily. Jongho held a firm grip on Mingi's hand. He was the only one he found even the slightest bit of comfort in and hadn't let him go since he awoke. Despite how hard his fist clenched, Mingi held a straight face, only wincing ever so slightly from the teens' obscene strength.

"How much further is it?" Inquired Mingi, if only to distract himself from the searing pain in his right hand.

"Not too much longer. All we need to do is get to the end of this hall and we'll be there." It wasn't long, however, before they were drawn off course. The group frantically glanced between one another when a new pair of voices entered the scene.

"This way! I can feel its presence just around the corner!" Yeosang swore under his breath and, without wasting a moment to spare, pushed everyone into the nearest room. No one got a chance to question him before he threw a harsh glare their way, shutting them up entirely.

He kept an eye on the door, listening to make sure the soldiers were gone. Leaving the other three to look around. Nearly every inch of the floor was consumed by a glittering liquid, a water nearly silver in colour that sparkled as they threaded across it. Though Beomgyu glided effortlessly over the wet surface, the others stumbled a bit to avoid it since the surrounding walkway was so small.

Mingi examined the water from the side, doing his best not to slip into it. Yet, he felt drawn to the odd substance, strangely enough. Yet just as he was about to dip his foot in, Beomgyu held him back. "Do that," He started. "And you'll end up just like them." He pointed to the humans towards the far end of the pool, sitting in the water with their heads down, bodies a ghostly shade of grey.

"These lakes are full of holy water, used to subdue humans and wear away their bodies so that only the soul is left," The water angel explained. "It puts them in a permanent state of shock, while they are washed of their sins. So don't touch it." Mingi nodded at him, doing his best to keep away from the water.

He was sure people were meant to become angels once they had died, yet it didn't seem to look that way. His eyes scanned the area momentarily. Each section had a number above it, and the one that caught Mingi's attention was 2681998, and the body just below it was strikingly familiar. The brunette gulped. He felt his legs tremble, almost like he was stopping himself from going forward.

However, after just a moment, he let out a breath of acceptance. I don't need to see that... He thought to himself. Rest well...Hwanwoong.

"Is the coast clear?"

"I think so," Said Yeosang. "Come on." He looked towards Jongho first, hoping to take his hand and lead him away. The demon, however, was too preoccupied to pay attention. His eyes were fixed on an unmoving figure, whose head was faced down but Jongho was sure that it was...

"Taehyun...?" Yeosang immediately tensed at the name, his lip curling with aggravation.

"Jongho, we have to leave before they catch us!" Yet his warning had fallen on deaf ears. It was him, Jongho knew it was him. He just needed to be sure. Without a second thought, he slowly moved forward, his hand leaving Mingi's grip. "No Jongho DON'T TOUCH THE WATER!"

Mingi took back Jongho's hand, pulling him back to the far side of the ledge but misplacing his own step in the process. The younger was thrown in Yeosang's arms, who quickly sped to his side but didn't have enough time to catch the older brunette. Mingi braced himself for the impact yet instead, felt a powerful gust of wind brush against his skin as his body was sent into the air.

His hands clung to the new surface holding, his eyes squeezed tight in fear. "It's okay princess. I've got you."

"Y-Yunho?" Sure enough, the angel of light smiled down at him, stroking Mingi's hair as the younger wept in his airs. That didn't stop the remaining trio to stand in shock at the sight, as the massive doors of the room had been blasted open by the oldest divine inviting in a whirlwind of bewilderment from the teens.

Once Yunho had landed, Mingi didn't necessarily get the message that he should have hopped out of his arms, cradling closer to his chest instead. An act Yunho certainly didn't object to. Jongho pushed himself away from Yeosang to hug the eldest angel, leaving the blonde to pout. "Enough of the sappy shit, we need to go!" He grumbled.

"How'd you find us?" Jongho inquired, once again ignoring his previous watcher.

"It was quite simple really. I blended in with one of the groups hunting you. Thankfully, there's only one squad searching this area, for now. I saw you all duck into this room and made sure to lead them astray so that I could get to you."

"T-There are people hunting me?" Jongho gulped, his stress visibly increasing.

All Yunho said was, "Try not to think about it too much." Rather casually, in fact, before turning his attention right back to Mingi. Of course, this didn't ease Jongho's concerns in the slightest and told everyone that it'd be best if they got going, making Yeosang in particular roll his eyes.

Beomgyu floated back over to them, flying over from a few of the humans in the water. No one questioned what he had been doing, only because they didn't have time to care.

When they reached the portal, it didn't take much effort to overpower the two guards standing there since they were easily struck down by the larger group. Yet they were hesitant to enter. Mingi sighed before looking back at Yunho. A smile on his face. "At least I got to see you one last time."

"I'll find a way to visit you again, even if it's the last thing I do."

The brunette chuckled. "That's sweet. What happened to the man I met at the cafe? The one who didn't even want to know my name?" A soft grin soon appeared on Yunho's face as he gently took Mingi's hands.

"He's changed. All because of you. Mingi, you-"

"No no no," He shushed, earning an odd look from the angel. "Let me do it this time. Yunho, you're the miracle I never knew I needed. The one I had spent countless nights praying for unknowingly. I told myself I would never need to love again, but you showed me how untrue that was. Yunho, you're the light of my life and even if we can't be together...you'll always have a place in my heart."

That familiar feeling in his chest returned. The pounding sensation that once caused Yunho distress that he had ever slowly grown fond of. Mingi leaned forward and Yunho did the same, together, they both counted the seconds in their heads.

1...

2...

3...

Their lips interlocked, a soft, and caring kiss full of passion that the two made sure to savour every second of. Neither wanted to let go of the other and when they gasped for air, they knew their feelings could never be untrue. The pair smiled at one another, drawing themselves back to reality.

Mingi stepped towards the portal, a grin of hope on his face as he whispered "I'll wait for you." Before disappearing from Yunho's very eyes.

Jongho stepped forward next, uncertainty resting on his face. "You're not coming back, are you?" Yeosang knew this question was for him, no matter how quietly it was murmured.

"No...I can't. Truth be told, I don't think I'll be returning to Earth for a very long time." He heard Jongho chuckle somewhat bitterly.

"You know, that's not really what I want to hear right now." He had yet to turn around and face the angel, keeping his eyes on the glowing vortex ahead. It hurt, but Yeosang understood why he wouldn't look at him.

"Jongho..." His voice was just above a whisper. The overbearing confidence Jongho had grown used to had faded, leaving a much softer, more sincere tone in its place. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to get you into such a mess nor for you to go through all of that just because I was dragged back to Heaven."

Yunho's head sharply whipped in the younger angel's direction, brows furrowed. "Dragged back? What do you mean dragged back? What did you do?" Yeosang winced at his harsh tone, his eyes indicating that he'd explain later.

"I told myself I would make you mine, even if I had to force you," He continued and the way Jongho's fist clenched became apparent. "But if I did that you'd hate me until the end of time. That week you ignored me was difficult enough and any longer than that, I would've gone insane."

"If I said it was okay, I'd be lying through my teeth," Seethed Jongho. "I won't ever forgive you for what you did. And truth be told, I only came here because I was told you'd be getting off the hook. Whatever punishment you get after today will be well deserved." He entered the portal not a moment later. The demon spared Yeosang not one glance throughout and he had accepted it.

"Are you okay, Yeosang?" Yunho asked carefully. Yeosang kept his head on the portal, his eyes slowly welling with tears.

"Yes," He replied meekly. "As long as he's fine, I'll be fine as well. I know he'll be okay. After all...he doesn't love me back." Despite the angel offering a bit of comfort, he brushed it off, going to stand out of the way while the rest wrapped up their business.

"I'll check to see if there's anyone in the halls, take care," Yunho said towards Beomgyu. The angel of water watched him go, hardly acknowledging his peer. So Yeosang decided to do so first.

"I'll take the blame for what happened in the courthouse," He muttered. "And I'll make sure you're not prosecuted for what happened."

Beomgyu turned to him, arms crossed. To Yeosang's surprise, his frown wasn't one of malice but rather concern. "They'll send you back to Containment for this, you know that, right?"

"Of course I do but Jongho needs someone right now. That someone is just going to have to be you." Beomgyu didn't say anything else. He only strolled towards the gateway back to Earth. However, Yeosang called to him before he entered. "Take care of him, alright? I don't know what I'd do if he got hurt...or worse."

The silence between them was tense. Dense enough to cut with a knife. "You don't deserve him."

The statement gashed at Yeosang's dignity. He threw daggers through his unsettled glance, the items of doom meant to scorch the younger to his very being.

Nevertheless, the one-winged angel found solicitude in the ringing truth, unconcernedly outstaring Beomgyu as his frown radiated enmity.

"I know..." He professed. "But neither do you."

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

Kang Yeosang, angel of swiftness. You have been found guilty on accounts of the first-degree murder of several humans, damages to the court, the harming of an archangel and have committed the sin of confessing your affections for evil. Sentence: fifty years Containment for correction and the removal of your remaining wing.

May God have mercy on you.

˚˙༓࿇༓˙˚˙༓࿇༓˙˚˙༓࿇༓˙˚

For a split second, I convinced myself that this was the last chapter of the book. Then I remembered that I've got about 3 left and I just 🤡