Jongho was scared. No - he was terrified. For the past few days, his body has been out of control. Not in the "Aw, you're just going through puberty, you'll be fine" kind of bs. NO. Something was seriously messed up right now.

The teen had always been strong. He's been able to break full watermelons in half for as long as he could remember. Lately, however, his strength had been out of control. As in - destroy an entire table with one hand, out of control. People were starting to notice as well and some were even labelling him as a hazard. It was making it harder for him to get into a home. Jongho stayed in the orphanage. He'd been in several foster homes, but nothing too permanent. It was hard enough trying to get adopted as a teenager but with strength problems it just made things impossible. He was pretty sure he broke a man's hand trying to shake it, an event that ended in a hefty hospital bill and news that spread like wildfire.

Jongho heard some of his caretakers stressing about what to do after he broke the latter to his bunk bed. Again. He was scared he was causing too many issues for them and that they'd pull something drastic. "They're gonna put you down like people do with old dogs." One of the kids, his roommate actually, teased.

"Shut up Han" Jongho muttered. Gosh did he miss his old roommate, Taehyun. He was currently in a new foster home and though they saw each other at school, Jongho wished he was here to help through all of this. Still, he tried his best to focus on his homework instead of Han's words, but he couldn't manage to block them out.

"What kind of stuff did they put in you when they made you in the lab? Are you like a pawn by the government or something? Jeez, you're such a weirdo."

"Han, I swear to God, I will break you in half if you don't SHUT THE HELL UP!" The teen's voice came out as a shockwave, splintering the wood of the bed, cracking the window and sending papers in every direction. Han screamed in surprise, backing against the wall in fear and Jongho narrowed his eyes at him. "Oh what now?"

"J-J-Jongho! Y-Your eyes!"

Jongho scoffed at him and got up from his desk and walked towards the mirror. "What Hell are you talking about-" The teen gasped.

His eyes were blazing yellow, glaring into his own soul. He traced the mirror in disbelief. "Help!" Han cried. "There's a demon in here!"

"Han shut up!" Jongho sped over to him and tried to cover his mouth but it just made the child scream even more. Jongho cursed under his breath as tears began to stream down Han's face. Hearing the commotion, the caretakers along with several children rushed to the room. They gasped at what looked like Jongho aggressively throttling the poor kid, with the room in complete disarray. Some of the children shrieked when Jongho turned in their direction, his bright eyes glaring right through them.

"Call the cops!" One of the women shouted.

"W-Wait!" He pulled himself up by gripping the desk but it quickly splintered under the smallest bit of pressure. Jongho flinched back accidentally hitting the window, causing it to crack further. The kids outside continued to scream and the teen quickly realised that he needed to get out of here.

So he ran. Jongho sprinted down the hall and he didn't dare stop. It was pouring outside but he didn't care, he just had to go.

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Rain hit Mingi's windshield like iron pellets on a metal board making sigh at the unfortunate weather. It was so thick he could hardly see anything outside of his lights. That was the only way he saw something lying dead in the street. Mingi gasped and skidded the car to a halt.

It looked like an animal. Maybe a deer? No it had clothes on. Without a moment's hesitation, Mingi jumped out of his car, not bothering to grab an umbrella and silently praying no other vehicles would fly through the empty street.

Looking at the body further, Mingi could tell that it was actually a child - A freezing one too. Hastily, he pulled him into his arms. He tried his best to lull him into the car without waking up, but seeing as he was passed out cold that may not be an issue.

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A warm and comforting feeling filled Jongho's senses. He was wrapped with the unfamiliar touch of care that held him closely in its grip. It felt amazing and he didn't want it to end. "I think he's waking up," a voice whispered once Jongho's eyes finally creeped open.

The boy flinched back when he saw two people looming over him, one standing in front of him and the other was holding him. "We may have startled him," the man holding Jongho commented.

"Ah, you're probably right." The other stranger looked at Jongho with a smile. "Hi, I'm Mingi and this is Yunho." Yunho only responded with a curt nod.

It took a quick second for Jongho to really register what was being said but when he did he pushed himself away from Yunho. "Who are you?"

"Had we not just said-"

"Where am I?"

"Whoa whoa! Hold on." Mingi quickly grabbed the teen's hand to stop him from running out the door. In a knee-jerk reaction, Jongho took Mingi's arm and threw him over his shoulder, the older man nearly hitting the ground had it not been for Yunho. The angel caught him just in time, his lightning speed scaring Jongho enough to make him double down.

"There will be none of that." Yunho said sternly.

"I'm sorry! I didn't mean it!"

"It's alright," reassured Mingi. He was still a bit shaken up after being tossed around like he weighed nothing but he tried his best to just focus on Jongho and noticed that the teen's eyes had begun to glow ever so slightly. He couldn't be a demon, could he? "What's your name?"

"Jongho..." The teen muttered quietly.

"Where are your parents or guardians?" Jongho looked down at Yunho's question. He was clearly avoiding answering it so Mingi told him he didn't have to answer if he didn't want to. Jongho nodded, still averting his gaze. He couldn't tell what Mingi was thinking and was afraid that he was going to send him back to the orphanage. Yunho scared him as well he was just so...blank in a very unsettling way.

"How about this, why don't you stay here for a bit until we get you all sorted?" Jongho was of course cautious. For all he knew, these people had kidnapped him. Still, it seemed better than staying outside alone in the rain. So Jongho simply nodded along. Mingi grinned then turned to Yunho, who had been standing off to the side. "Do you mind if he stays in your room for awhile? You can stay in mine while I sleep on the couch."

"No need, I will reside on the sofa."

"Yunho, you don't need to."

"I insist."

"Seriously, it's okay-"

"OH MY GOD!" Jongho shouted. "I'll just sleep on the couch! Jeez..." Eventually they all came to an agreement: Jongho would stay in the spare room while Mingi and Yunho shared the master bedroom.

Jongho still didn't trust them. Mingi was much too friendly and Yunho kept staring at him. It was uncomfortable but Jongho didn't want to risk getting kicked out just yet, so he bared it.

The next morning, Jongho awoke comfortably in his bed with a stretch and a yawn. Mingi had lent him a grey sweater, which was much too large, to sleep in. It didn't fit but Jongho appreciated it nonetheless. Surprisingly that had been one of the best nights he had in awhile. The moment the teen made contact with the bed he was out like a light, no nightmares, no waking up in a cold sweat - it was nice.

After he finally adjusted to the bright light shining outside the bedroom window, he slowly made his way out of bed and crept into the kitchen where he overheard a conversation the two adults were having. "So, do you think he's the demon they sent you to look after?" Jongho heard Mingi whisper. Jongho anxiously fiddled with the oversized sleeves of his sweater as he listened further.

Yunho shook his head, swirling his spoon around a cup of black coffee with his brows knitted in thought. "Highly unlikely," he replied simply. "I would not be assigned to someone with such a large age gap. It would be wise to keep an eye on him regardless." Mingi hummed.

A moment later, Jongho entered the room. Mingi smiled at him, Yunho avoided eye contact. "Good morning Jongho! Do you drink coffee? I can make you some if you'd like."

"Uhm yeah...black please..." Wordlessly, Yunho pushed his cup towards the teen and got up to leave. "Does he not like me or something?" Jongho wondered aloud.

"I'm sure it's not that." Mingi assured him. "He's just...not good with kids?"

Yunho stopped, taking a sharp turn back into the kitchen. "Do not put words in my mouth," he said. "Though it is true, children lack discipline, common sense and the most basic levels of respect - I have never regarded them with disdain." Yunho turned towards Jongho, his eyes almost focussed in a glare, shocking Jongho since he had previously been so emotionless. "I simply do not wish to interact with demons outside of my mission. It is not protocol."

"D-Demon?"

"I was aware that you were listening to our conversation moments ago and my suggestion is that you return to Hell immediately."

Mingi quickly tried to stop him. "Yunho, don't scare him!" He could tell by the confusion on Jongho's face that he had no clue what was happening and he didn't want to frighten him any further. However, Yunho didn't back down. If anything, he was more persistent.

"Jongho, you are a demon of strength, are you not? As such, I am not required to engage in any sort of conversation unless it deems fit." Mingi sighed in frustration. All he wanted to do was keep the teen calm but he was frozen stiff in shock.

"I-I'm...what?"

"Yunho, you have very poor judgment. You know that?" Mingi went over to Jongho. The teen started shaking in place, his eyes brimming with tears. "Don't cry Jongho," whispered Mingi. Jongho couldn't help it, he broke down in tears and threw himself in Mingi's arms. "I'm not a demon!" He cried. "I'm not a monster!" The older shushed him, gently rubbing his back while, at the same time, glaring daggers at Yunho.

The angel only rolled his eyes. "Jongho, it's okay. You'll be okay. We'll help you find your parents and get everything sorted out."

"I don't have parents," sobbed Jongho, burying his face further in Mingi's shirt.

Mingi couldn't bear the sight of this. He couldn't just let him go back on the streets, alone and confused about his new powers. So without thinking, he told Jongho: "Then we'll be your parents."

The other two's eyes widened. "Seriously?" Jongho exclaimed in disbelief.

"Seriously."

"Mingi, think about this," Yunho uttered, trying to keep his voice leveled. "May I have a word with you?"

"Nope. Now come on Jongho, let's find out how we should decorate your room." The brunette took Jongho's hand with a smile and led him to the guest bedroom, talking about how to personalize the area the whole way.

Yunho was left alone in the kitchen, standing there with a huff. He didn't trust Jongho. To be fair, he had no reason to trust most demons and to Yunho, he wasn't required to glance at any of them outside of his mission. That included the young boy. Now Mingi was just going to let one in his home? What if Jongho loses control and hurts him?

Not on his watch.