Jake really should've listened to Jongseong when the guy suggested to shower after 'training'.

The sun is scarcely out. The thick mist in the atmosphere blocks out most of the light out here, yet Jake’s sweating so much that if he drowns in it, he really won't be surprised.

He's on a field, though calling it that would only be an understatement. The landscape spans hundreds of meters, and up ahead lies the intimidating architecture Jake had been dragged into to heal – or ‘the dominion' as Jongseong had called it. Jake only now got the chance to take notice of his lavish surroundings and the steep cliff at the side that dips into the riotous river below, because Heeseung had soon ordered him to jog around the edifice.

Jake hadn't wanted to, of course (he still has no idea what he got himself into), but Heeseung's steely features quickly sent him dashing across the vicinity as much as he could, which was nothing special, to say the least.

And while Jake looks the part, decked in a blue tank top and joggers, he certainly isn't athletic in the slightest. The only time he showed any interest in sports was when he briefly joined the swim team back in high school, and that was only because he’d wanted to impress his aunt and uncle and swimming seemed the least daunting out of all the other sports.

"Again!" Heeseung yells up ahead, hands on his hips. His voice is loud enough to startle Jungwon and Riki who are on the other side listening to Soobin. Jake curses whoever it was that paired  him up with Heeseung of all people; he's in the mood to punch somebody right now, his aversion to confrontation be damned.

Yeah, Heeseung may be cute, but –

"Run faster!" Heeseung orders, snapping Jake back to reality.

Jake bolts across the field as hard as he can, trying to ignore how much his joints ache.

Jake isn't sure how long he can keep this up. He might collapse in a minute if this continues.

In less than a second, he stumbles, the grass breaking his fall. His pulse is erratic and his heart echoes in his eardrums until it's the only thing he can hear.

Jake doesn't think he can get up. He doesn't want to get up, and squints against the faded blue sky. Despite the looming clouds, it forms a picturesque image, one Jake wouldn't mind observing for as long as he recuperates.

Footsteps stomp over to where Jake lies sprawled out, out of breath, and the breathlessness holding Jake's body hostage further exacerbates when Heeseung glares down at him, his eyes like daggers. The pale streaks cradling the left side of his face are more visible from this angle, the wind playing with his locks.

They look very much like scars, Jake notes.

"Get up," Heeseung says with a firm persistence, leaving no room for arguments.

Jake, on the other hand, has had enough already. "Can we not do this?"

"Can we not do what?" Heeseung's face remains infuriatingly stoic. Jake wonders if he would even react if he just up and kicked him in the nuts.

Jake wouldn't dare to do that, of course – but he's thinking about it.

"I don't know why I have to do this," he says instead, running a hand through his hair. He's still catching his breath, still trying to steady his wayward heartbeat, so his voice doesn't come out particularly authoritative or threatening; he just sounds whiny. But he doesn't give a shit. "I... I never fucking asked for this."

Heeseung crouches to his level, which freaks Jake out more than he'd like to admit. Fortunately, he's a little above average at maintaining a poker face – or, he really hopes he is.

Heeseung out of nowhere removes something from the pocket of his cargo pants. It's like glass, quite similar to a small iPad, and Jake can only watch on speechless as blue lines soar from it into the air, merging and separating till they form something that looks like a map of a neighbourhood.

Heeseung clicks the small green circle at the corner. "This is a portal. And this," he gestures to everywhere else, "is Jinsuk street, a prime hotspot for demons."

"Oh.” Jake swallows, but Heeseung only continues speaking, not taking his alarmed expression into account. Or he simply doesn't care. That seems a lot more likely.

"You died near the portal, as Yeonjun mentioned before, and there's nothing demons want more than a human's life force – even more than possession," Heeseung explains like he's reciting some book instead of expanding more on that horrific night to Jake.

Jake will never forget the abject terror that had gripped him at that moment and those gnarly wails.

"Yeonjun and I had been tasked to rid the area once more of sprouting demons. The more negativity breeds, the more the monsters appear," Heeseung swipes the glass tablet's screen, and the hologram of something else floats into the air. It's large and broad with teeth that remind Jake of ravenous sharks. "They usually look like this. And, since that truck hit you near the portal, we had to change our priorities. Save you from the demons hungry for your lifeforce, which caused them to disappear – or diffuse."

The demon then dissipates to nothing more than tiny pixels.

Jake's at a loss for words, ruminating over what Heeseung had just dumped on him. He's still in a state of disbelief, but how could he not be when retaining everything feels akin to swallowing a bag of bricks?

Heeseung is staring at him again, studying him with those deep brown eyes of his that leave him both speechless and flustered. When Heeseung leans in, Jake's mind – and his entire being even, simply malfunctions.

"When the demons diffuse, they temporarily disappear," Heeseung starts. "When Demon Fighters diffuse..."

"It's forever," Jake murmurs, his quivering voice betraying his fear.

"Don't fret," Heeseung says, tucking the glass tablet back into his pocket while he stands. "You just need to keep honing your skills. You've been given another chance at life, so take advantage of it."

He can't sound any less unbothered, but his eyes say something else entirely. It's fucking confusing, but Jake is too shocked to care at the moment.

"So I got revived because I died near a portal," Jake says while limping to his feet.

"More or less." Heeseung nods, back to avoiding looking Jake in the eyes. Jake doesn't know how he does it while maintaining an air of authority. When Jake avoids eye contact, people just assume that he's shy and lacks social awareness – which he does, to a certain extent.

"Everyone here – except the few humans that know what exactly we do and help cultivate weapons to use – died in some way before getting revived near, or above a portal," Heeseung adds, his tone flippant in the kind of way that tells Jake he's had to explain this many, many times before.

Jake draws a sharp intake of breath, nauseated all of a sudden. It doesn't help that his tank top sticks uncomfortably to his torso. He inhales more oxygen, trying to focus on the way the vibrant green grass dances along to the breeze. "So this is my life now? I have to fight demons or whatever so I don't diffuse?"

"Pretty much," Heeseung says, throwing Jake a sidelong glance. "Maybe you'd even like it in the end."

Jake seriously doubts that. "I don't think I fucking will."

He sounds harsher than he'd intended, and Heeseung's expression becomes even more strained.

Fuck. Jake dislikes how mean he can come off at times, especially when he isn't in the best of moods. He's usually passive, but then again it isn't everyday he 'dies' and then comes back alive (but not quite), just so his new purpose would be fighting these frightening creatures referred to as 'demons'.

"Sorry," Jake mumbles, rubbing his nose, though he has a feeling Heeseung doesn't really care.

Judging by the way the taller man gestures at the blurry cliff ahead, Jake figures he's most likely correct.

"Come with me," Heeseung says, and while Jake feels like following after the guy would lead to certain death, he does as he asks anyway. He doesn't really have a choice here.

They run until they get to the edge of the cliff, Heeseung much closer than Jake is. And Jake isn't keen on stepping any closer, thank you very much, even though the massive river below – with its crashing waves and all – forms a terribly enthralling sight.

"Come closer," Heeseung beckons, giving Jake another glance. He can't seem to look at him for long, Jake notices, and it always bothers him whenever he notices it. Does he have something on his face Heeseung doesn't like? Or is he simply just that repulsive?

Jake stops thinking about it before it consumes his entire being and adds to his ever growing pile of insecurities. He's spent too much of his life feeling less than, and standing next to Heeseung – prim, proper, handsome Heeseung – would only make things worse, he's sure.

"I'm good here, thanks," Jake answers, using his hand to shield his eyes from the gradually rising sun. It's hot up here, sweat beading at his skin, but it's nothing compared to the smoldering look Heeseung hands him right then.

"Jake," Heeseung begins, and Jake does not like the way his ears burn at that moment. What the fuck? "Stand next to me. Please."

What the fuck? Jake tries to ignore the very obvious fact that Heeseung just said his name for like, the first time ever. Jake knows he only just met the guy, but still. And Heeseung has been there from the start. He'd seen him at his worst, revived, and healed him.

Jake hates to admit it, but he somehow feels indebted to Heeseung.

So, he steps closer, only stopping once he's right beside the taller man. Heeseung is still observing him, and Jake stares back, tired of always looking away.

And Heeseung’s eyes are pretty, the irises a soft amber hue under the sunlight.

The urge to stare at Heeseung’s lips is incredibly hard to resist, but Jake stops himself before he establishes himself as even more of a creep. He's positive Heeseung already doesn't have the best impression of him.

"Trust me," Heeseung says, his low drawl worming its way into the deepest trenches of Jake's mind, amplifying the heat sprouting in his chest. 

Heeseung talks like he isn't used to doing so. Talks like no one will bother to listen, but Jake is listening. He’s always listening.

"Trust you with what?" Jake questions, clearing his throat.

Heeseung says nothing. Just takes a step back, before promptly kicking Jake right over the edge.

"What the fu –" Jake's screams are drowned out by the raging waves of the river. He's falling – fast, his heart pounding so intensely he fears it'll rip out of his chest. He eyes the fast approaching river, eyes the large jagged rocks surrounding it, and instinctively cradles his head with his hands even when he's positive it's a lost cause.

I'm going to die, Jake thinks, crashing right into the water moments later.

Jake’s eyes open to a blinding blue sky as he coughs, his clothes drenched while the grass cushions his back.

Heeseung stares down at him, and even has the nerve to look disappointed. "You need to evolve back on your feet."

Jake jumps up, fury fuelling his next actions. He steps into Heeseung's space, hoping his glare explodes him into flames, though he isn't sure how that would work. Jake doesn't fucking care, however, not when he's pissed off.

"What the fuck did you do back there?" Jake questions, his words sharp enough that even he winces. Not outwardly, though. 

Heeseung just shakes his head, but his raised brows showcase Jake's outburst surprised him too. "You didn't die."

"I asked, what the fuck did you do back there?" Jake repeats, teeth gritted.

Heeseung frowns, neither of them wanting to back down first. "This entire landscape is under the Healing Orbit's protection. It allows you to evolve on this spot right here. The more you practice, the better you are at it, so when you're hurt by demons you're able to quickly return to fighting them."

Jake huffs in disbelief. "So it's like respawning, like we're in some fucked up video game?"

Heeseung's jaw clenches, exposing the fact that he is bothered. Bothered by Jake swearing, perhaps. It catches Jake off-guard just as much as it amuses him, actually, because Heeseung gets under his skin far too much and this is his chance to retaliate.

"Yes, basically," Heeseung confirms. "Our combat suits aid with it too, providing more security. Unless the demon's venom enters your bloodstream, or it strikes you here," Heeseung touches Jake's forehead, rendering him speechless. "Or here." Then he pats his chest, right over his erratic heart, and Jake's anger dissipates almost instantly.

"So they can kill me," Jake states.

"If the wound is far too great or you don't get healed on time," Heeseung says. "Sunghoon and I are always around during missions as a result, since our Halo is healing. Too many wounds acquired in a short period of time takes more of your lifeforce, producing lasting physical effects."

Jake quickly gets it. "Soobin and Yeonjun. Their hair."

Heeseung nods, though Jake suspects he's probably getting annoyed by all these questions.

Jake isn't discouraged by it, however. Not when there's a chance he could die again. And, now that he's in a place where he's needed, almost, he has no qualms asking all the questions he absolutely needs to. He's not going to shy away from it like he's done for the majority of his life.

"Halos are like superpowers, correct?" Jake begins.

"Correct," Heeseung says, arms crossed. It's hard not to stare at the way his biceps flex as a result, so Jake forces himself to look Heeseung in the face instead, which honestly isn't any better.

"So how do I get mine?"

"You push yourself to the limit," Heeseung answers. He points at the cliff, and it's obvious what he wants Jake to do.

Jake wants to object to it, to fight back at least, but Heeseung's stares do things to his psyche, things that make him want to obey.

And, while this submissive, people-pleasing side of him is one he despises as it's led him into shitty situations that he'd rather not recall, Heeseung doesn't appear like he's hellbent on taking advantage of him like all the others.

And, Jake wants to know what's next in store for him.

So Jake nods, then races past Heeseung till he gets to the edge of the cliff like last time.

The river thrashes below him, the distance between it and the top of the cliff exceptionally daunting. Nevertheless, Jake takes a deep breath.

Trust me.

He jumps.