⋆｡‧˚ʚ (non demon AU) ɞ˚‧｡⋆

The door isn’t even fully open before you hear him.

"Finally."

Romance appears in the hallway like a ghost out of a period drama—hair slightly messy, hoodie half-zipped, dramatic shadows under his eyes like he staged it that way. He’s barefoot. His arms are already open.

"You left me," he says, walking toward you like he’s crossing the desert. "You left me in this cold, godless apartment with nothing but your hoodie and my own thoughts."

You drop your bag with a sigh.

"It was four hours."

"Four agonizing hours," he corrects, pulling you into his arms like he’s rescuing you. "I could’ve perished. Have you seen me when I’m alone too long? I start monologuing to the laundry."

You laugh, but he’s already wrapping you up tightly, arms locked around your waist, head burying into your shoulder like he can’t physically breathe until you’re close again.

"I didn’t even nap," he mutters. "You took all the oxygen with you when you left. I just laid here. Thinking. Listening to sad playlists like some abandoned lover in a low-budget romance film."

You snort, but he doesn't move.

"I missed you," he says, and this time it’s quieter. Less performance, more ache. "Like... physically. Like my body forgot how to exist right without you in the room."

You rub his back gently, and he exhales like you’re giving him CPR.

"Did you at least think of me once?" he mumbles into your collar. "Even a little?"

You tease him. "I forgot who you were the moment I closed the door."

He dramatically gasps. "Cruel."

You lean into his hold, finally resting your head against his chest.

"You’re ridiculous," you say.

"Mmhm," he agrees. "But I’m ridiculous and reunited. Which means I win."

And he refuses to let go for at least twenty more minutes.