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Riku is a diligent and disciplined cupid, his name has been honoured as the best cupid of the season for every love season or valentine they would call it. Riku would never try to interfere with a love assigned for two humans by having a crush on one of them…but will he though?
Of course, he would! Whether it be a human girl or boy, as long as they appear attractive to Riku- he flirts with them before carrying on with his cupid duty. Now, will that get him into trouble? Actually, yes it would- but nothing will happen if he’s still done his job like it should be. Another question; will he cry that his short-term love life is not a part of his destiny?
Yes, he did. Back to heaven-where he belongs, Riku cried to sleep within his twin’s arms. Of course, Yushi just nagged at him and scolded how he should not easily fall in love with humans knowing that both worlds can’t be collided. By then, not to break his own heart again, Riku continues with his never-ending cupid duty and he has never made himself fall for humans. At least for now.
February has come, and heaven is bustling with activity leading up to the 14th. Cupids are being assigned to destined couples, preparing to unite them with the arrows of love. Riku, one of these Cupids, is checking the information on his targets through his work tablet.
On the screen, he sees the details of a man named Kim Jaehee. Jaehee wears glasses, has light brownish hair, and possesses a face that radiates pure handsomeness. If Riku had a heartbeat, it might have skipped a beat faster than usual at the sight.
Name: Kim Jaehee
Age: 20 years old (unconfirmed)
Height: 183 cm
Occupation: working at the local bookstore, Seoul
Personality/ characteristics: Kind, good-looking, romanticist, hard worker, etc
The list of details go on. All of the information is stored safely in his mind as important keywords are kept in mind. Riku then roughly reads Kim Jaehee's potential partner and does the same.
“got a pair?” Yushi asked while munching on his lunch. Riku nodded as he shove the tablet into his bag and stabbed his meatballs before filling his mouth with the food. Yushi hummed in return, peeking his eyes through Riku's sudden sour expression.
“What with the look? You don't look pleased. Someone you know?”
At the question, Riku quickly denies his twin’s assumptions, he waves his hands as quick as he can whilst trying to swallow down the thick meatball. Yushi suspiciously raised his eyebrows, watching Riku's clumsy response.
“Why would I know a human, my dear brother?!” He silently screams so that he won't cause unnecessary attention in the cafeteria.
Yushi shrugged as he resumed eating. “Well, okay then. I'm just asking since your cute little face gets darkened after reading the files. Thought there was something going on.”
“Come on, Yushi. Don't tease Riku like that, he might just be tired. You know, Valentine's Day is near, and we are getting busier than ever.” It was Sion who was sitting quietly beside Yushi- listening to their conversation. The boy has a habit of laughing at every little thing and that charm of him along with his handsomely pretty face which makes him a popular cupid in heaven.
“Right, Riku?” Sion looks at him with an innocent smile formed on his lips but he is actually smart enough to read whatever it is in Riku's mind.
“...you're right.” Riku admits- feeling the nervousness from Sion's clever head.
“Oh yeah! Me and Yushi decided to work together and settled the job quickly. Do you want to join?” Sion muffles with his mouth full of the brocoli fed by Yushi- a hater of grossly green tiny tree shaped vegetables.
“No, it's fine. I just have to deal with this one pair only. I bet there's not much trouble shooting them with the bullets.”
“You don't have to shoot them unless you're desperate, you know that right, my sweet brother?” Yushi said.
“Of course, I know that!”
“Of course, you are. But since you're not the type who shoot people whenever you don't have to, so tell me Riku,”
“Tell you what?”
“Are you in love again?”
The words coming from Yushi are like a bullet shot through his heart. The unmoving heart might have moved by itself and pumps his blood rushed through the systems.
“what-don't be ridiculous!” Riku scolded his brother yet the latter remained unfazed and smirked at the blushing on Riku's face.
“don't worry, I'll just get the job done quickly, make them fall in love, happily married and blessed with offspring of their own. Meanwhile I'm back here, continuing this devastatingly never-ending cupid duty cycle.” Riku shoves the last piece of his meatballs and chews them in frustration.
“I'm not worried because I know you're capable enough to not abandon your duty. I'm just worried that you will get hurt again.” Yushi's voice becomes softer.
“Are you sure you can handle this by yourself?” Sion asked. His eyes twinkle like a sad puppy.
Riku hesitates for a moment before nodding his head with a reassuring smile. “Sure, I am.” convincing Sion.
On the second day of February, the clouds parted, opening the realm to the human world and allowing the Cupids to descend. In the morning, Riku donned his finest Cupid uniform: a white ensemble with a flutter collar. He had altered the shirt to accentuate his tiny waist, making it a rare occasion for him to wear such pretty clothes. Typically, Riku preferred casual attire to blend in easily among humans.
After finishing dressing up, Riku applied a hint of pink blusher to his cheeks and lipstick to his lips. He looked at himself in the mirror, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness for the task ahead.
At the gate of heaven, Riku spread his wings and flew down to the earth.
Upon reaching the earth, he landed clumsily, cursing in silence as he hit the hard surface harshly. "Fuck, that hurts," he muttered, relieved that at least he hadn't been hit by a car this time. Dusting off the dirt on his white cloth, Riku looked around. He immediately recognized the park, crowded with people having picnics with their loved ones. As he gazed up at the clear sky, the clouds parted and formed a heart shape, with sun rays piercing through them toward a specific direction.
Following the direction of the sun ray, Riku arrived at the local bookstore. The two-storey building appeared old and vines almost wrapped the whole building. Through the opened door, Riku heard a glimpse of piano being played and whether it’s from the radio or someone’s playing it- he could not be too sure. However, Riku is drawn to the sound of an unknown piano piece and unconsciously steps into the bookstore.
The sound of piano keys are vividly heard as Riku approaches towards the instrument. At the moment he sees the back of a guy playing the piano; totally absorbed into the instruments, his fingers expertly pressed the keys that releases a sweet melody. Even from the silhouette of his back, Riku knows the guy is indeed tall and his broad back- his damn broad back! Through his blue shirt, shows a glimpse of his back muscles and the apron he’s wearing, framed his upper body perfectly. Now Riku is dying to see his face; already salivating from the figure's attractiveness.
The guy pressed the last key and the melody gradually died and silenced the store. Riku took a chance and cleared his throat- gaining the guy's attention. With the sudden noise, he quickly turned his head and found Riku standing still with a blushing face rose on his face.
As they are facing each other, Riku could see the guy's face better and he couldn't be more blessed. The guy or Kim Jaehee, his name is, a pair of glasses hanging on the bridge of his nose. He dyed his hair light brown and styled with parting his bangs apart; peeking his forehead in the middle.
“Shit- He looks better than in the picture! Now what do I do, what do I do, what do I do,” Riku panicking internally, might have been screaming his lungs out if he were alone.
“Hello, what can I help you with?” The voice shook Riku away from his internal crisis. Jaehee patiently waited for his answer and even though his face showed obvious confusion, a small customer service smile still planted on his handsome face.
“Uhh- uh, I'm,” Riku ended up stammering on his words. It would be a good idea if he just miraculously disappeared from the earth. Well, technically speaking he can but if he does that the human might be freaked out if Riku suddenly teleports and disappears out of nowhere.
“I want to buy uh- books” Riku awkwardly says instead. Mentally palm himself with his own terrible response.
Thankfully, Jaehee is only smiling and then a small giggle escapes. “Okay then. Got any books in mind? Oh, if you wanted to buy freshly released books, I'm afraid we don't have it because we're only selling second-hand books.” He carefully explained with a calm voice. Though, Riku stood cluelessly because he never thought about the damn books.
By then, Riku's ears ring as someone enters the store and he immediately knew that it was the potential soulmate for Jaehee. She walks into the store with light steps and the sunlight- the freaking sunlight! Brightens up the gloomy room. Riku almost rolled his eyes to the natural phenomenon but he refraining himself from doing so.
Upon the arrival of the customer, Jaehee immediately greeted her. Same as Riku, the girl looks around the store clueless which caught Jaehee's attention.
“Feel free to look around, if anything, you can just call me” He said to Riku before shifting his attention away to the girl and asking her the default customer service question.
Pouting, Riku nodded his head and began to look around. He glances one last look on the two people, and the freaking sun rays shine brightly on them. The girl is very pretty. That Riku can't deny. She has such a dainty face, pinkish cheeks bloomed on her face and the way she talks is elegant too. Both of them looked great together.
Riku almost cried so he quickly turned his attention away and went to the second floor of the bookstore. He still has no idea what he should find in the store nor has he ever had any interest in reading books in his whole life. Riku gazes through the bookshelf with a blank stare, reading every title on the old and crumpy books.
Apparently, he is in the mythology section of the bookshelf. Riku's eyes landed on the specific book titled “Myth of Cupid; God of Love”. He reached out for the book and opened a few pages. He read through the contents and the third chapter of the book caught his attention.
Skipped along the old pages, he read “In mythology, Cupid (or Eros in Greek mythology) is the god of love, often depicted as a winged child with a bow and arrows. While he is primarily known for causing others to fall in love, there are a few stories where Cupid himself falls in love with a human.
The most famous tale is the story of Cupid and Psyche. In this myth, Cupid falls in love with Psyche, a mortal woman of extraordinary beauty. Despite various trials and obstacles, including Psyche's journey to the underworld and performing tasks set by Venus (Cupid's mother), the two eventually marry. Psyche is granted immortality by Zeus, allowing her to be with Cupid forever.”
Riku has certainly learned about this story in heaven when he was still a cupid in training. Though, their lessons were never uncovered about the details of the history of Cupid. It was until he and his rebellious friends, digging into the history and eventually learned about the deepest part of the story.
Cupid was sent by his mother, Venus, to earth to make the woman he later fell in love with and make her marry someone who is ugly and unworthy. It all started because Venus was jealous of Psyche’s beauty and people began to worship the girl and abandoned Venus, a goddess of love and beauty itself.
As Cupid met Psyche, he fell in love with the girl and shot the arrow towards himself that made Psyche love him instead.
For Riku, that is some fucked up story to be told. Cupid shoots an arrow to make the beauty love him because of his own desire. Ironically, Riku is in the same situation. He fell in love with the human whilst on the mission just like Venus sent her son who ended up having feelings for the human girl.
As Riku is invested into the book, a whisper of voice through his ears startled him. “That's a good book” Jaehee said in a low voice which was slightly different from his usual customer service voice. Riku finds himself blushing and feeling his cheeks heat caused by the human. Their bodies bumped within the tiny spaces between two tall bookshelves and Jaehee's broad body closed their distances.
“Fuck! He's so close!” Riku curses inside. He couldn't bring his face up facing the latter.
“Uhh-ahh! Yes, you're right,” Riku laughs nervously while Jaehee chuckles as a small response. “It's an interesting book indeed.” taking another glance at Jaehee which almost sends Riku into another blushing mess. The human has been looking at Riku without failing the contact. “This guy is fucking dangerous!” He thought.
“Which chapter are you in?” Jaehee glanced at the opened book and saw a glimpse of small writing that says Chapter 3: Myth of Cupid; God of Love.
“you read it so fast, you're already on the third chapter” he nonchalantly says with a hint of tease in his voice.
“Don't tease me, I just skipped over to the chapter I thought interesting” Riku pouted, his lips puckered and mindlessly scrolling the pages.
“Okay, I'm sorry.” Jaehee's sweet laugh makes Riku's heart flutter and his feelings may have fallen deeper than the pacific ocean. “Cupid is really interesting, you know. I've read about it. He shoots an arrow at a person and makes another fall for one another which makes me wonder if they are truly destined together.”
“What makes you think that they aren't destined together?” Riku simply asks as he finds Jaehee's thoughts interesting.
Jaehee shrugs at the question, “Maybe they are, but what if someone continues to avoid destiny?”
“What do you mean by avoiding destiny?”
“Tell me, do you believe in destiny?” Jaehee avoids the question and looks into Riku's eyes full of wonder.
The sudden question makes Riku sweat as if he's being interrogated. “Uh, I might be” he said in ponder and prompted him to wonder into the question as well. As a cupid, he has to believe in fate as he is the one who is responsible to make it happen. Destiny itself has several outcomes and branches. Depending on the human’s will, some of them accepted it and lived with it throughout their lives. Meanwhile, some of them accepted it but abandoned it halfway through.
Riku has never encountered any human trying to avoid their destiny as much as Jaehee, little enough nor does he have the ability to do so. He is merely just a human.
“Say, you believe in them too?” Riku forwards the same question to Jaehee.
The latter thinks for a while before answering, “...I believe that our meeting today is a part of destiny and the lady earlier too. But I'm right here talking to you instead of her… it feels surreal as if I'm overstepping on something but, it seems like I'm not regretting it.”
“Oh.” at the moment, Riku stood still; a heat of fluttering creeping onto his face. Never did he think that the human would put such interest in him. Is this the power of his white fluttering cloth and the pink blusher he applied this morning? Whatever it is, Riku for sure knows luck is on his side.
“Do you-” Riku hesitates but he gathers the courage and continues. “Do you believe in the existence of cupid then?” he asked.
“Cupid? Hmm, I'm not so sure myself but everything is possible aren't they? You might be the cupid or it might be me or it could be the girl earlier.” Jaehee then smiles innocently and a glimpse of laughter escapes within the closed lips. From the response, Riku gets goosebumps all over his body. “What’s with him?” the question popped up in his head as he senses that Jaehee might be aware about the situation.
Riku laughs nervously, avoiding Jaehee’s eyes that have been staring at him attentively and immediately planning for an escape. Thankfully, a bell rings from downstairs and Jaehee excused himself and left the cupid behind. Sighing in relief, Riku decided to escape for today and back to heaven. More than he thought, the situation he put himself into is much deeper and he might be digging his own grave. It’s not like he is regretting his decision to have a crush on the human instead before carrying on with his original duty, but something about Jaehee that is unsettling and Riku needs to know more about this human.
____
Back to heaven, Riku changed into comfortable pyjamas and searched for information about Jaehee; from the day he was born until growing up, his past relationships and anything that he can confirm but unfortunately, nothing found in the system. Strange, he thought. As humans, any information can be retrieved from the Cupid's System even as deep as their past lives. For him to not find anything about Jaehee even the date he was born is nowhere to be found.
Disappointed, Riku releases a heavy sigh that caught Yushi's attention. “Wow heavy sigh. What's wrong?”
Riku shakes his head while still absorbed into his tablet. “Nothing” he then murmured under his breath.
“If nothing got you sighing like you're trying to solve the world's hunger, I don't believe you at all.”
Riku ignored his twin brother from his sassy remark. Telling Yushi about his situation right now is not a good idea. Everything about him liking the human and also the fact that the human itself has a feeling on him. Even though it's like a dream comes true, for Jaehee to return Riku's feelings, it was also a calling for him to think and create a plan b because he absolutely wasn't prepared.
“Oh, anyway. Sion has told me something. He said that he might have seen your human, that guy, Jaehee before.” With the mention of Jaehee's name, Riku's ears perked up and he finally acknowledged his brother's existence. Putting aside his tablet, he urges Yushi to spill more. “Tell me about it.”
Rolling his eyes, Yushi then continued. “Well, you know, he's actually worried about you and thought that you may have a problem completing your mission. You know, his hunch. Anyway, he looked through Kim Jaehee's profile and in his shock, he found nothing but his name, occupation and so on. As he thought it was really weird especially when our systems are really advanced. But then, suddenly he remembers the face and he-” Yushi stopped suddenly and moved his body forward to Riku, whispering, “he looked through into the dark system, and guess what?” Riku nodded enthusiastically. “He is a fallen angel! He used to be cupid but without specific reason, he chose to be a human.”
Riku's entire body froze. Suddenly, Jaehee's words about destiny, and about the existence of cupid make sense. That also answered Riku's doubts about Jaehee's awareness of his surroundings.
“Riku,” Yushi called for his name but Riku couldn't catch him as he was still in dazed and disbelief. “Riku,” he then went back to reality when Yushi reached for his hands and grasped their hands together. Riku looked back in his brother's eyes, and saw a hint of worried but assuring gazes.
“I know you have feelings for that fallen angel, well human” Yushi said in a small voice. “you're my own brother and I know you very well. But let me just ask you one thing and I won't bother you anymore.”
Riku nodded his head timidly, though he was aware of Yushi's upcoming question. “Are you intending to continue to love him and become a human? To have your heart beating and ageing like a human? To die instead of living in eternity?”
Riku stays silent, the heavy atmosphere between him and Yushi slowly overwhelming him. He glances towards Yushi and finds his twin patiently waiting for his answer with a calm face.
“I-I don't know, I'm sorry” Riku ended up saying. He has still got a lot of things to process about; first, about the fact that Jaehee is used to being a cupid, Yushi's acceptance, and then his feelings that he himself begins to be in great confusion. Is he really in love with the human or will it pass just like it used to? Is it worth abandoning his cupid status and leaving Yushi, his own family behind? To be viewed as betrayal in the heaven realm? All of these doubts begin to swallow him alive and Riku is close to tears. Or he might have been crying without realising it.
Yushi pulls Riku into an embrace, patting and soothing the latter’s shaking back. “It's okay if you still haven't figured it out. I'm sorry I can't answer them for you nor Sion either. But one thing for sure, do whatever your feelings desire. We may have a heart that is not beating, but we do have our own feelings and thoughts that can tell us about what we truly wanted. That's why you develop feelings for that guy and that's also why I'll be supporting whatever choices you make. So don't be afraid, and trust your heart.”
Yushi's words make Riku cry harder. He finds comfort within his brother's arms. “If I choose to be a human, ageing and eventually die, and you as immortal beings witnessing my death, won't you grieve for me and resent me?” Riku asked in a broken voice from the crying.
Yushi cups Riku’s face and wipes the tears away gently. “I would grieve for you and be happy for you for what you sacrificed to have a life that you wanted. I may not be able to relate to your situation. I'm considered to be lucky that Sion is a cupid, and we will live our lives together in eternity. But that's me and my life, not yours. You're lucky in your own way-we can't compare. I hope you know what I mean. You have always been smarter than me. If that human gives you happiness even though it's not for eternity, at least happiness is what is worth living for.”
That night, while Yushi is sleeping soundly, Riku is left thinking and pondering about his feelings and his heart's desires.
Few days before the 14th day of the month, Riku still hasn't answered his heart and its desires as well as avoiding going down to the earth.
On a sunny day before 14th of February, Riku is sitting alone in the cafeteria of the Cupid Society. He is eating alone, forcing himself to eat the pasta. Sion then joined him on the table, a worried expression planted on his face upon seeing Riku's gloomy personality which is unusual. Sure, Riku is always quiet and reserved but being a friend of his for so long, Sion knows that his friend’s behaviour is rather upset rather than being calm.
Yushi has told him everything. All about Riku's feelings and his will to let Riku chase his own happiness. Yushi cried that day but he prohibited Sion from mentioning it to Riku. Though, Sion has few things to encourage his friend.
“Jaehee…” He begins which catches Riku's attention. Even though Riku still wears the bored and unbothered looks, Sion knows that he is listening. “His name is not Jaehee but Daeyoung. That's why we can't find any details about him. Usually, when an angel becomes a human, their record will be vanished. So for him to have a record in our system as human is almost impossible unless he purposely disguise by a new name and new look. A punishment for a fallen angel, not only they lost their status and reputation but also destined to never be loved by anybody. They are merely living as a lonely human. Riku ya, I can't be really sure why he disguises under a new name and what his purpose is, he might be lonely or simply have a bad intention. But don't you think it's time for you to figure it out? To erase away all doubts so that you can follow your heart? Me and Yushi will always support you, so don't worry.”
“To erase all doubts-” Riku muttered while Sion was smiling gently and nodded his head in encouragement.
That night, at 11pm, still in his comfortable pyjamas, Riku let out his wings and flew down to earth. When he's going down, the cloud is not open nor Riku has a direction pointed for him. As he landed, miraculously safer and smoother than usual, Riku decided to follow his heart and walk towards the bookstore. It is now dark except from the street light guiding his way. There are still people roaming around the streets, and a few restaurants that are filled with people having a feast though it's late. It is a city after all, where night never dies.
Riku then finds himself in front of the bookstore where he used to actively avoid. Riku braces himself up, moving forward to the doorsteps, he pushes the door open and is relieved that it hasn't locked yet. Now, he is praying that Jaehee is in the store and hasn't returned home yet.
With careful steps, Riku enters the store before closing the door behind him. Looking around the dim store, he walks around searching for Jaehee's presence. He searched every aisle of bookshelves but the latter can't be seen and to his disappointment, Riku assumed that Jaehee might be gone. Riku can't wait until tomorrow as he is desperately in need to kill all doubts and there's no light from heaven to guide him to Jaehee. Especially when he is interfering with a destiny which is not his.
His mind goes numb- don't even know what he should do next, Riku crouching down as the situation upset him. He sniffed as tears gathered up, his heart getting heavy and feeling hopeless.
“Riku?” Suddenly a calling of his name caught Riku off guard. With a swift manner, Riku gets up and looks for the familiar voice. As he turned around, Riku immediately met with the human or the fallen angel. They both stared at each other for a while, before Jaehee approached him slowly and reached for Riku's face. He then gently wipes the tears that fell on the cupid's face without the cupid realising. “Why are you crying?” He asked and Riku expected a tease but Jaehee is looking at him with a genuine worried face.
“I thought you're gone-” Riku choked on his tears. Slightly hitting Jaehee's chest.
“Where would I go? I was waiting for you.” Jaehee holds Riku's hand and guides him into the room near the main counter. They are inside a cosy room solely for staff members. And though it was for the staff, the room interior is designed with full care and taste. There is a set of leather sofas in a dark maroon colour, the warmth golden colour from the light reflects the leather colour and makes it look expensive.
Jaehee guides him to sit on the sofa and makes him a cup of hot chocolate. Riku takes a sip and his body immediately relaxes to the taste. “Much better now?”
Riku nodded in response. Feeling the warmth radiates from the mug within his palms. In the meanwhile, both of them accompany each other in silence while Riku is contemplating his next step.
“You-you said you were waiting for me?” He then asked, timidly looking at the latter in the eyes. Jaehee returned the contacts; his eyes reflecting a fondness and full of love. Riku wonders if his human's heart is beating fast and does he truly desire for Riku as much as he did towards Jaehee.
“I did. It has been a sleepless night for me waiting for you.” Jaehee said with a hint of sadness and relief.
“Do you know who I am?” Riku then asked again. He needs to. He has many questions to be answered so that he can follow his heart.
Jaehee nods his head and smiles, “I do. Even at that time. Do you know me then?”
“I do. I've heard the story about you.”
“What about it?”
Riku hesitates at a moment before continuing again, “that your real name is Kim Daeyoung, that you're a fallen angel, you disguise as Kim Jaehee and make yourself appear in our systems that eventually lead me into this. I- I don't understand your purpose and I'm dying to know, I NEED to know. Why do you seem like pulling me into this and making me love you and making me willing to sacrifice everything to be with you, including having a heart that is beating.” Riku finishes, heaving a short sigh.
“I Know you more than you know me Riku. When I was a cupid, I longed to be loved. Every mission I sent to, I was overwhelmed with jealousy. But then, I met and found you. We're both cupid, but unfortunately you had your eyes on the human and never looked my way.” Riku's eyes widened from Jaehee's words and heavy guilt swarming him. Even so, Jaehee is still smiling and continuing.
“It's not your fault, don't blame yourself. Becoming a human is my own decision and my own heart's desire. To be human, even though it is short-lived, I want to feel my heart beating fast as I am being loved by somebody. But- being in love and receiving love is my punishment. I spent my days alone until I remembered you-those feelings I have on you. With uncertainty, I attract you towards my way. Took me several attempts and failure until you're assigned as my cupid. You know, the day we met on the first day of February, when I'm looking at you, my heart was beating really fast as I was falling in love all over again. I'm happy now that you're here. I won't force you to love me back and become a human. Following our own desires is what matters.”
Riku stares at Jaehee with teary eyes once again. His vision is blurry but he manages to safely place his mug on the coffee table before hugging Jaehee. “You silly.” He murmured against the collar of Jaehee's working shirt. “This moment is what I've desired. I've been in doubt and dazed for two weeks until I have my courage and followed my heart. That's why I'm here aren't I? I'm sorry I'm oblivious to you, and your feelings to me. So please accept me again and let me be with you until our hearts stop beating.”
Riku is able to feel the arms around him tighten as Jaehee pulls Riku towards him closer and settles the cupid on his lap. Supporting Riku's body by holding tight on the tiny waists, Jaehee leaves small kisses on Riku's collarbone and his neck. Riku moans into the touch as every kiss he receives, he tightly grips on Jaehee's broad shoulders.
Through the sweet kisses and moaning that escaped from Riku's mouth, Jaehee muttered the words “I love you” endlessly like a mantra. The kiss on his neck is getting intense as Jaehee leaves an obvious bite mark. The sensation makes Riku gasping for air and clasping within Jaehee's soft hair. At the moment, Riku desperately needs Jaehee's lips against his and stop the latter from teasing him furthermore.
Breathless, Riku demands, “k-kiss me, please”
From the plea, Jaehee pulled their body apart to look the cupid properly in the eyes. Both of them are in a blushing mess, bodies are sweating from the heat and gasping for breath as if there is no oxygen left.
“Are you sure?” Jaehee asked, his voice hoarse from the kiss and he carefully sought for a green light from Riku.
“I'm sure. I know that the moment our lips are sealed, I will become a human. I know I'm falling for a human, and I'm not regretting it. So please kiss me now.” Riku confirmed his determination and feelings that no longer doubts him and is now following his heart.
Jaehee removes his glasses and tosses them somewhere on the sofa and then grips on Riku's waist once again and pulls the latter closer to him before kissing him hard. The moment their lips touched, though it was awkward for the first time, they quickly adapted to it and Riku allowed Jaehee to lead the kiss. Behind his closed eyes, Riku sees sparks like fireworks which cause dizziness and almost pass out from the sparks. Jaehee who senses Riku's state, holding him tighter, and distracting Riku by kissing him deeper.
Through the intense and fervent kisses, Riku began to suffer from unfamiliar changes within his body. He gasped for air, feeling a sharp pain in his chest accompanied by a loud, rapid thumping. After a few seconds, Riku realised it was his heartbeat. Breaking from the kiss, he rested his forehead on Jaehee's shoulder, clutching his chest to feel the frantic rhythm. He panting and desperately gasping for air.
“Hey, I want you to breathe slowly.” Jaehee comforts Riku and guides the latter to practise a proper breathing technique.
As Riku calmed, Jaehee then gently soothed Riku's back and whispered to the newly fallen angel, “How does it feel? Your heartbeat. Is it racing?”
Riku felt for his heartbeat a little more and nodded. “It's beating so fast, I can hardly breathe. But—is this what it feels like to be in love?”
“It is,” Jaehee simply says, guiding Riku's hand to his own chest. Through the contact, Riku's eyes darken as he felt Jaehee's heart beating just as rapidly. In that moment, he realises their feelings are mutual.
Riku's love story parallels that of Cupid and Psyche. Unlike Cupid, who shot himself with an arrow, Riku finds Jaehee's love so genuine that both are ready to sacrifice everything for happiness and love.
As time passes, they live happily together. Eventually, Riku learns from Yushi that his status in heaven has been erased. Embracing his new life, Riku continues living as a human, without disguise, and without a new name. Jaehee accepts him for who he is now, and their love remains unwavering.