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Jinu’s not a full Hunter and he never will be, but the Honmoon likes the way he sings just enough that Jinu can actually be of use to his village— to his family— for the first time in… Forever, probably. So he signs up to guard the southeast side from dusk ‘til dawn because it’s the hours nobody else wants and spends his nights humming to himself, alone with his thoughts, and trying not to think about anything that makes that hot, sour feeling curl in his gut.
He sees demons sometimes— even if they know there are guards, demons still like to try to sneak past under the cover of night— but more often than not, it’s quiet. The times where Jinu has to actually fight are few and far in between.
Usually, anyways. But for the last three weeks, Jinu has occasionally had to face one, lone, very persistent demon from getting in the village. Not every day, but often enough that Jinu isn’t looking forward to seeing her.
Today is no different. Dread curls in his gut as he sees a familiar puff of smoke pop up along the edge of the anti-teleportation circle. Jinu knows who it is even before he gets close enough to see their face and he anticipates the fight, humming so the Honmoon can create a sword that perfectly fits his grip.
“You again?” She takes on a human form as per usual, unassuming aside from her purple, braided hair, but the deadly glint of her claws is an unmistakable sign of her true nature. “Careful, I’m starting to learn your tricks.”
“And I’m learning yours.” Jinu raises his sword so it's level with her head. “I’ve sent you packing every time before and I’ll do it again.”
“You’re not bad.” She admits. “But you’re no Hunter. If you were, I wouldn’t be a problem anymore. Are you sure you’re qualified to handle me?”
Jinu grits his teeth. His sword might work against demons better than any regular weapon can, but a real Hunter can take demons down with a few cuts. Sometimes it doesn’t matter and Jinu can get the job done either way, but she is different. She doesn’t go down easily— she’s a better fighter than most.
Worst of all, Jinu can’t shake the distinct feeling that she’s holding back. Toying with him. That if she really tried, Jinu would be a dead man and someone more qualified would have to stop her as she descended into the village.
It scares him more than he wants her to know. But the one reassurance he has is that even if he dies, or if anything else happens to him, Celine promised to take care of his mother and sister.
Being a guard for the village is a dangerous job. Most retire young, if they live to retire at all.
Jinu tries not to think about the fact that he’ll never get to that point. He’s clinging to whatever sand in the hourglass he has left.
He’s silent for too long. The demon cocks an eyebrow at him. “Not feeling chatty today, Jinu?”
How she learned his name, he doesn’t know. But she told him hers completely unprompted, which only makes him feel like she’s toying with him more.
She wants something out of him. Jinu hasn’t quite figured out what but he has a few guesses. The only thing he knows for sure is that his soul still remains in his body despite it all, so she’s not after that.
“Enough.” Jinu says quietly. “What do you want, Rumi?”
“I’d like you to get out of my way.”
“Not a chance.”
Rumi sighs like she expected that, but when she rushes in, Jinu feels more like a mouse trying to fight back against a cat with nothing but a toothpick.
—
Rumi retreats eventually with a bloody arm. Jinu has a scratch along his cheek that probably won’t scar and probably a dozen bruises to his name.
Miraculously, he lives to see another morning. Even still, he cannot help but feel it’s only because of the mercy, or boredom, of a demon.
—
“The same demon again?” Celine arches an eyebrow. “Should I dispose of her myself? If she’s powerful, she could be a threat to our people.”
Jinu’s hands curl around the teacup, seeking the warmth subconsciously as a way to self-soothe. Sometimes he still feels like a child in Celine’s presence, bumbling his way through the world while she can stand tall and make choices decisively, never looking back. For better or for worse, Celine is a wall of a person, both protective and stubborn, making her easy to rely on but difficult to talk to at times.
These days, Jinu feels like he talks to Celine more than his own mother. But it has nothing to do with her and everything to do with him.
It’s hard to face her. He can’t help but feel if he lingers around her for too long, she’ll know his secret and he’ll have to see her reaction. Watch as it dawns on her.
He can’t bear it.
Jinu is a coward. But at the very least, he’s trying to make the most of the time he has left. An apology, to his mother, his sister, and his people.
Celine is the only one who knows. She keeps an eye on him, waiting for the slightest slip up, in case she needs to cut their agreement short. And Jinu can hardly blame her for it.
“No.” Jinu says. “She’s persistent but I’ve kept her at bay. She underestimates me; maybe I can use that to my advantage.”
After a moment of deliberation, Celine sighs. “Very well.” She relents. She only does so because she is tired, stretched thin from handling Hunters and guards from all over the country. The last Elder Hunter of her generation, still as strong as ever but weary from the weight of the world.
And Jinu is using that against her, because he fears, deep down, that sending her after Rumi won’t end well. It’s a feeling he can’t explain but can’t shake either.
(“You again?”)
(“But you’re no Hunter.”)
(“Are you sure you’re qualified to handle me?”)
Rumi is his responsibility. He’ll handle her for as long as he is able.
—
Two days later, Jinu gets another demon during his shift. Their figure isn’t familiar— it’s more masculine than Rumi’s, though not much bigger. The hair is the same color as hers but it’s cut short, and while he’s shorter than Jinu, it doesn’t feel like it. The way he carries himself is too confident, too deadly.
When Jinu faces him, he grins sharply, flashing his sharp teeth. “Hey, Jinu.” He says, voice low and smooth. Jinu internally grimaces— how do all these demons keep learning his name? Did this one talk to Rumi? Did Rumi somehow hear it from someone else?
“You’re new so I’ll give you a warning: if you come any closer, I’ll have to kill you.”
The demon cocks an eyebrow at him in a way that’s a little too familiar. Then, a slow smirk spreads across his face. “Oh?” He takes another step forward. Jinu figured he would but he threw the option out there anyways. “You’ll kill me?”
“I’ve killed countless demons.” Technically true, due to the fact that Jinu never kept count in the first place.
“Sure.” He sounds amused more than intimidated. “You’ve tried to do the same for me too. Why do you think today is going to be so different?”
Jinu blinks. Searches his memory. “Have we met?” He asks, feeling like he’s missed something. It’s not like he chats with demons often, it’s mostly just—
The demon’s smirk grows wider as it dawns on Jinu. “Ru— Rumi?"
“In the flesh.” Rumi steps forward, voice lower than its ever been. Jinu feels glued in place, unable to tear his eyes away. “What, you didn’t recognize me?”
“You…” Jinu swallows. “You cut your hair?”
“Demon glamour.” Rumi runs a hand through it and it flickers, changing, briefly becoming long and braided again before it’s back to being short. “Don’t tell me the hair is the only thing you noticed.”
“I, uh.” Jinu tries to unstick his tongue from the roof of his mouth.
Rumi has always been hauntingly beautiful. Sharp, inquisitive eyes, a lean form, strong, silky-looking purple hair— Jinu could go on, but usually she’s his enemy, so he tries not to. But now, little things have changed. Rumi’s form is intentionally masculine, yet still has all those same features. The same allure as before, just… Different.
She— he’s?— Rumi is still attractive like this. Jinu is painfully aware of that.
He’s never— Jinu’s never really thought about— he knows Celine is different too but Celine is Celine and Jinu is… Jinu. He’s not— it doesn’t even matter, he can’t— not with anyone—
“Jinu?” Rumi looks almost… Concerned. Uncomfortable for sure. His eyes are too sharp, too knowing, too—
Too much.
Jinu rushes him, swinging his sword in hopes of getting it over with. It’s a mistake— his mind is too distracted and it makes him sloppy. Either that, or he’s lost whatever pity Rumi usually gives him, judging by the way his eyes harden and he grabs and twists Jinu’s wrist the second he can, forcing him to drop his weapon.
He’s not thinking about the consequences, he’s just acting. Jinu swings a punch and clips Rumi’s chin, earning a swear out of him. He gets claws for his efforts, tearing into his sleeve enough to draw blood and leaving him stumbling back.
“What is wrong with—” Rumi begins to hiss, then stops.
Jinu realizes too late what he’s looking at. His heart rams into his chest like it’s trying to escape it and Jinu covers his arm too late.
“Patterns?” Rumi stares, even when his arm is covered, like it’s burned into his brain. Jinu takes a step back, feeling cornered even with a field at his back. “You… Are you half demon?”
The question makes him stop dead, temporarily thrown in for a loop. “A— what?” He’s never heard of such a thing. He didn’t think it existed.
Unfortunately, Rumi gets it right the second time around, realization dawning on him. “You made a deal.” The words cut deep. Jinu wants to escape them. “Hunter magic is protecting you but… It won’t forever, will it?”
Jinu thought he was afraid of Rumi before, but this is worse. This is a nightmare scenario. This is— Rumi is—
There’s still another hour and a half left on his shift at least, and there’s a demon in front of him, but Jinu can’t be here. He can’t do this anymore. He can't sit here, pretending like he’s anything more than a coward on borrowed time.
Jinu turns and runs. He doesn’t know where he’s going, exactly. Only that it’s not here.
Rumi doesn’t follow. Later, he finds out Rumi didn’t even try to get into the village like he feared he would. He doesn’t know what that means.
He knows Rumi will be there again the next time he shows up for his shift. He knows he’ll have questions
Jinu feels nothing but dread when he thinks about it, but like many things, it’s inevitable. Try as he might, Jinu can’t run forever.