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The dorm was unusually quiet that night. Most of the other members of their demon-hunting team were either away on missions or asleep in their own rooms, leaving the apartment-style base in a hushed, comfortable stillness. Outside, the Seoul skyline glowed in its usual sleepless shimmer—high-rise lights twinkling like stars as the hum of distant traffic floated faintly through the slightly cracked windows.
Inside their shared room, Jinu leaned lazily against the headboard of his bed, scrolling absentmindedly through his phone. He wasn’t really paying attention to the screen though—his eyes kept drifting to Rumi across the room.
Rumi stood with her back to him, rifling through her dresser. Her long, dark hair spilled down her shoulders, catching the soft golden glow of the bedside lamp. She muttered quietly to herself, probably debating which set of pajamas to wear, completely unaware that Jinu’s attention was fixed entirely on her.
When she finally settled on a light cotton set—soft pink with tiny crescent moons patterned across it—she turned to head into the bathroom. But before she could take a step, Jinu’s voice cut through the silence.
“You look gorgeous.”
Rumi froze mid-step, the pajamas dangling from her hands. She spun around, cheeks already tinged pink, and glared at him. “I haven’t even changed yet, Jinu! These are just clothes.”
Jinu smirked, tilting his head slightly, eyes warm with a teasing kind of affection. “Doesn’t matter. Gorgeous.”
Her face heated more, and she quickly ducked into the bathroom before he could say anything else. Behind the door, Rumi pressed her palm against her chest, trying to steady her heartbeat. They had been together for some time now—long enough that she should be used to his little compliments, long enough that they had fought demons side by side, trained until their muscles ached, and celebrated victories with laughter and relief. Yet, no matter how often he told her she was beautiful, she always melted like it was the first time.
She changed quickly, slipping into the soft fabric and tying her hair loosely back. Looking in the mirror, she sighed. “He’s impossible,” she whispered to herself, cheeks still flushed. “Completely impossible.”
When she stepped back into the room, Jinu was waiting with that same infuriatingly gentle smile. His phone was forgotten on the nightstand, his full attention on her.
The moment stretched. Rumi tugged at her pajama sleeve, wishing she could disappear under the floorboards. “Don’t say it,” she warned, narrowing her eyes.
Jinu tilted his head like a curious cat. “Say what?”
“You know what.”
“That you’re gorgeous?” He grinned.
Rumi groaned dramatically, climbing onto her bed and pulling the blanket over her head. “You’re so annoying!” she mumbled into the covers.
Jinu chuckled, sliding off his bed and padding barefoot across the wooden floor. He crouched beside hers, tugging gently at the blanket until her flustered face peeked out. Her hair framed her cheeks, her lips slightly pursed in an adorable pout.
“I can’t help it,” he said softly. “Every time I look at you, I think it. Gorgeous.”
Her heart flipped. She wanted to scold him, tell him to stop making her so nervous over something as simple as pajamas. But when she met his eyes—earnest, steady, overflowing with love—the words died in her throat.
Instead, she muttered, “You’re ridiculous,” and tried to burrow back under the blanket.
But Jinu wasn’t about to let her hide. He sat on the edge of her bed, gently brushing stray strands of hair away from her face. His fingers lingered against her cheek, warm and tender.
“You don’t even realize,” he whispered. “You could be wearing the flashiest stage outfit, or battle armor with demon ash all over it, or just… simple pajamas like this, and I’d still think the same thing.”
Rumi’s chest tightened. She peeked up at him, her usual composure completely crumbling. “Why are you like this?” she asked quietly, her voice barely audible.
He smiled. “Because I’m in love with you.”
Silence settled between them, heavy but sweet. Rumi finally sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. Her face was crimson, but there was a soft smile tugging at her lips despite her best efforts to hide it.
Jinu leaned back a little, giving her space but not breaking eye contact. “Do you know what I see right now?” he asked.
Rumi groaned. “If you say ‘gorgeous’ again, I swear—”
“Not just gorgeous,” he interrupted gently. “I see Rumi. The person who can take down a demon twice her size without hesitation. The one who always notices when one of us is hurting, even when we try to hide it. The one who laughs so brightly that it makes all the shadows feel less heavy.”
Her throat tightened.
He reached out, carefully taking her hand in his. “And tonight, I see you looking so cozy in pajamas that I honestly don’t want to let you go to sleep, because I’d rather just keep watching you smile.”
Rumi buried her face in her knees, muffling a sound that was somewhere between a laugh and a frustrated groan. “You’re going to make me explode,” she muttered.
Jinu chuckled, squeezing her hand. “Then I’ll pick up the pieces. Don’t worry.”
They stayed like that for a while, the only sound the faint hum of the city outside. Rumi finally lifted her head, her eyes softer now, filled with an affection she no longer tried to hide. “You know,” she said quietly, “you don’t have to say all those things. Just being here… it’s enough.”
Jinu tilted his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. “But why would I keep it inside when it’s all I think about?”
Rumi sighed, but this time there was no exasperation in it—only a quiet surrender. She shifted closer, leaning her head against his shoulder. “You’re impossible,” she whispered again, though now her voice carried no sting.
“And you love me for it,” Jinu teased, resting his cheek lightly against her hair.
Her heart fluttered at his certainty, but she didn’t argue. Instead, she reached for the blanket and tugged it over both of them. The warmth of his presence, the softness of his voice, and the steady rhythm of his breathing made her feel safer than any ward or spell ever could.
As the minutes stretched into hours, they whispered little things—half-teasing, half-serious confessions of love and gratitude. Eventually, Rumi’s eyelids grew heavy, her hand still clasped in Jinu’s.
Just before she drifted off, she murmured sleepily, “Goodnight, Jinu… and thank you.”
“For what?” he whispered, brushing a kiss against her hair.
“For reminding me… even when I don’t believe it myself.”
Jinu’s chest tightened with affection, and he held her a little closer. “Always,” he promised.
And in the quiet glow of their shared room, surrounded by the hum of the city and the stillness of night, they fell asleep—two demon hunters, two lovers, safe in each other’s arms.