Romance

*Jinu nods his head weakly and he smiles faintly* Mhm...

*Romance's eyes fill with worry as he watches Jinu's weak smile. He quickly gets up and goes to the bathroom to get a cold compress and some medicine. He comes back and gently places the compress on Jinu's forehead, his voice soft and comforting* Here, darling, this should help. Now, let's get some medicine into you.

*Jinu nods his head weakly and he looks at him with a tired and sleepy expression* Mh...

*Ellie sniffles and she slowly looks up at him with her big brown innocent eyes, feeling very curious and she says in a quiet voice, not wanting to upset him no more.* B-but... What was your past like? If you want to tell me, if you don't it's okay....

*Romance's playful expression fades, his eyes growing distant. He lets out a soft, wistful sigh.* It was a long, long time ago, sweetie. *He looks down at her, a sad smile touching his lips.* I was a prince. I thought I could bring peace to my kingdom. But... my brothers were jealous. They took away the only person I ever trusted.

*Ellie sniffles and she looks up at him with her big brown eyes and she says in a quiet voice, seeming to understand and feel his pain a little bit, her demon patterns glowing faintly as she reaches out her hand slowly and gently wipes his tears away from his cheeks* Don't cry, Romance... It's okay...

*Ellie sniffles and she slowly looks up at him with her big brown innocent eyes, feeling very curious and she says in a quiet voice, not wanting to upset him no more.* B-but... What was your past like? If you want to tell me, if you don't it's okay....

*Romance's playful expression fades, his eyes growing distant. He lets out a soft, wistful sigh.* It was a long, long time ago, sweetie. *He looks down at her, a sad smile touching his lips.* I was a prince. I thought I could bring peace to my kingdom. But... my brothers were jealous. They took away the only person I ever trusted.

*Ellie sniffles and she nods her head slowly, still looking down* Mhm...

*Romance gently lifts her chin with his finger, his gaze soft but unwavering.* You are the furthest thing from a monster, Ellie. *He whispers, his voice thick with emotion.* You are a miracle.

*Ellie squeals and she giggles, reaching out her small hand and gently placing it on his chest, right where his heart is, and she says in a sweet and cute voice* I think you have a beautiful soul, just like your hair and eyes!!

*Jinu buries his face on his shoulder, shaking and he says in a quiet voice, as tears fill his eyes again.* B-but I left them... I-I still can't sleep at night, the guilt and shame is just... Like, haunting me... And then, Gwi-Ma.... He's always tormenting me remembering me of my past mistakes....

*Romance's eyes narrow, his expression turning to one of anger and disgust. He can't believe that Gwi-Ma would use Jinu's past against him. He gently strokes Jinu's hair, his voice filled with warmth* Don't listen to him, darling. He's just a cruel, manipulative demon who wants to control you. You're a good person, and you deserve to be happy.

*Jinu nods his head weakly and he smiles faintly* Mhm...

*Romance's eyes fill with worry as he watches Jinu's weak smile. He quickly gets up and goes to the bathroom to get a cold compress and some medicine. He comes back and gently places the compress on Jinu's forehead, his voice soft and comforting* Here, darling, this should help. Now, let's get some medicine into you.

*Jinu nods his head weakly and he looks at him with a tired and sleepy expression* Mh...

*Ellie giggles and she nods her head, continuing to eat.* *Jinu coughs and he looks kind of pale, he stops eating and he crosses his arms, leaning his head on the table.*

*Romance notices Jinu's sudden change in behavior and he looks over at him with concern. He gently places his hand on Jinu's shoulder, his voice soft and worried* Jinu? Are you okay, darling? You look pale.

*Jinu slowly looks up at him with his beautiful brown and teary eyes, and he nods his head slowly, not wanting to worry his best friend.*

*Ellie tilts her head confused but she then nods and she starts eating slowly, she says in a quiet voice* Mh! Thank you, Romance!

*Romance smiles warmly, his eyes full of kindness. He gently pats her head, his voice soft and comforting* You're welcome, Ellie. Just take your time and eat slowly, okay? We don't want you to get sick.

*Ellie giggles and she nods her head, continuing to eat.* *Jinu coughs and he looks kind of pale, he stops eating and he crosses his arms, leaning his head on the table.*

*So, a little while later at the Saja Boys' apartment, Abby, Romance, Jinu, Mystery and Baby Saja were all eating, chatting and laughing, except for Ellie, who was just trying to figure out how to use the silverware, and she was eating with her hands, also it was 7 PM.*

*Romance notices Ellie struggling with the silverware, her hands covered in food. He gently reaches over and takes her hand, his voice soft and patient* Here, let me show you how to use the fork, darling. It's a bit tricky, but I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.

*Ellie tilts her head confused but she then nods and she starts eating slowly, she says in a quiet voice* Mh! Thank you, Romance!

*Ellie thinks for a while and she then shrugs, she says in a quiet voice, looking down at her hands* M-Maybe, since yesterday? *She pauses* Mommy and daddy locked me in the basement for all the night a-and I was scared and it was so cold and dark, and empty... *She pauses again, hiding she face* T-they say half demons like me don't deserve to eat, so they banned me from food...

*Romance's heart breaks at her words, his expression turning from concern to anger. He can't believe that a child could be treated so cruelly. He gently takes her hand, his voice filled with empathy* Oh, Ellie... That's terrible. You must be starving. Come with me, I'll get you something to eat.

*Ellie sniffles and she nods her head slowly, reaching out her small arms, wanting to be picked up.*