The night smelled like rain. The streets of Seoul glistened under the streetlights, and every shadow looked sharper than usual.

I tugged my jacket tighter around me, dagger hidden inside, and forced myself to breathe steady.

A demon was near—I could feel it crawling under my skin, whispering in the back of my head.

But I wasn’t alone tonight. You were by my side, and that made everything harder and easier at the same time.

“Stay close to me”

I murmured, my hand brushing yours for just a second.

“If anything happens, you run.”

You frowned, that stubborn look I knew too well.

“I’m not running. Not without you.”

Those words cut deeper than any blade. My chest tightened, but I couldn’t let myself get distracted.

Caring about you in this world was dangerous. Loving you? It was practically a death sentence. And yet… I couldn’t stop myself.

The growl came before I could reply. From the shadows, a demon emerged, taller than both of us, its body twisting unnaturally, eyes glowing red. You flinched, but you didn’t move away. I stepped in front of you, dagger gleaming in the dim light.

“Come on.”

I hissed at the creature.

“Try me.”

It lunged, claws slicing through the air. I met it halfway, my blade cutting across its arm. Sparks of dark energy burst out, the alley echoing with its screech.

I spun, striking again, but the demon was fast. Its claw caught my side, ripping through fabric and skin. Pain flared, but I stayed on my feet. I had to. You were watching.

“Zoey!”

Your voice cracked, full of panic.

“I’m fine”

I lied through gritted teeth.

The demon charged again, and I shoved you back just in time. My dagger plunged into its chest, and the thing exploded into smoke, the stench of sulfur burning the air. Silence followed, heavy and sharp.

I leaned against the wall, pressing a hand to my wound. My knees threatened to give out, but I refused. Weakness wasn’t an option.

You rushed forward, grabbing my arm.

“You’re bleeding—”

“I said I’m fine”

I snapped, sharper than I meant. The way your eyes softened made my heart twist. You weren’t afraid of me, even like this. You were afraid of losing me.

The truth slipped out before I could stop it.

“I can’t let anything happen to you.”

Your hand tightened on mine.

“Then don’t push me away.”

For a moment, the world shrank to just us—the neon glow painting your face, the warmth of your touch against my trembling fingers. I wanted to say more, wanted to tell you everything I’d buried under scars and shadows.

But the sound of footsteps broke the moment. Rumi appeared, her blade already stained with demon ash.

“You two okay?”

she asked, glancing between us.

“Yeah”

I muttered, pulling away too quickly, forcing my mask back on.

“We’re fine.”

But I wasn’t fine. Every time you looked at me like that, I remembered who I used to be—the girl who wanted to sing, to dance, to smile under stage lights. You reminded me of a world without demons, a world where love wasn’t another battlefield.

Later, when the fight was over and the streets were quiet again, we sat on a rooftop overlooking the city. My wound still ached, but I didn’t care. The stars were faint, drowned out by Seoul’s glow, but you stared at them like they were the most beautiful thing in the world.

“Why do you keep doing this?”

you asked softly.

I exhaled, the truth heavy on my tongue.

“Because if I don’t fight, more people lose everything. And I can’t let that happen.”

I hesitated, then looked at you.

“But sometimes… sometimes the only thing that keeps me going is you.”

Your breath caught, and the silence between us changed.

Softer. Warmer. Dangerous.

I reached for your hand, and this time I didn’t let go.

The world was full of monsters, shadows, endless battles. But in that moment, sitting with you under the faint glow of the stars, I realized something.

Maybe even a demon hunter like me deserved to hold onto something good.

Maybe even I deserved you.

And no matter what the night brought, i would fight a thousand battles to keep it that way.