The market was alive—too alive. Earth was always too much. Too loud. Too bright. Too human. But Jaeshin was willing to suffer anything as long as you were beside him.

You moved through the stalls in a cute, flowy summer skirt, skin warm from the sun, hair soft from the breeze—and Jaeshin had his hand on your waist like he was keeping the planet from stealing you.

His claws were tucked in today, glamoured to look like a normal man’s hands, but you could still feel the strength in his touch. Possessive. Protective. A little greedy. He leaned down, mouth brushing your ear as you admired some handmade jewelry.

“Too shiny,” he murmured. “Doesn’t deserve to touch you.”

You blinked, amused. “You jealous of a necklace?”

“I’m jealous of air, love. The way it gets to wrap around you.” He pulled you closer, his palm flat against your stomach now, heat radiating through your thin clothes. “I should be the only thing brushing your skin.”

People passed you by, too distracted to notice the demon who could end the world clinging to his girl like a love-struck beast.

You paused in front of a fruit stand. Mangoes, their skins golden and ripe, were stacked in soft piles.

“I want one,” you said, reaching out.

Before you could even ask, he plucked one with a fluid motion and handed it to the vendor, tossing twice the amount into the man’s hand before peeling it for you with his claws when no one was looking.

You giggled as he held the juicy slice up to your lips. “You’re spoiling me.”

Jaeshin grinned—sharp teeth, hidden behind glamoured lips. “I exist to spoil you.”

The mango juice dripped down your chin, and he bent low to lick it off, slow and filthy. You gasped, cheeks hot.

“Jaeshin,” you whispered.

“What?” he replied innocently, his fingers still on your hip, holding you in place. “You’re sticky. Let me clean you up.”

You tried to swat him away playfully, but he caught your wrist and kissed the inside of it, his fangs grazing just enough to make you shiver.

People kept moving. Kept laughing and shouting. But Jaeshin was focused only on you.

“Do you like it here?” he asked suddenly.

You nodded.

“Then we’ll stay longer.”

“What about the realm—”

He cut you off with a gentle kiss, sweet and sure. “Let them wait. Let them burn. I’m not leaving until you’ve tried everything this world has to offer.”

Then, smirking: “And until I have too.”