⇢ ˗ˏˋ Aɴɢᴇʟ Bᴀʙʏ ࿐ྂ

"You just missed your flight, oppa."

He pauses. "I will cancel all my plans for now."

"But why? Everything was fine until yesterday."

"I can't explain right now. Just be patient with me. Okay?"

I eye the other curiously. It's late in the afternoon. We haven't spoken much since our small conversation in the morning. I have been lying on my bed, my back turned towards him, wondering how the fuck I landed in this situation.

His name is Choi Yeonjun, I think. My memory has been a bit rusty after gaining consciousness so can't remember some of the tidbits but our overall conversation was about how he found me and in what condition, which- in his words- was utterly fucked up.

I'm not sure whether to trust him, but considering the circumstances, we met in, the fact that he managed to rescue me, there's definitely no need to doubt him, I guess.

So, after that, he just went away for a while and came back with changed clothes and tidier hair, but somehow he still looked like he was awake for countless nights.

And then he started talking to someone on his phone in hushed voices. But it isn't working, of course. I can hear his voice loud and clear.

"I will talk to you later. And tell Seungyoun I'll come by his place when things are a little better over here."

"Okay, I guess." And he cuts the call, turning around but pauses when he sees me awake. He clears his throat awkwardly. "Uh... How are you doing?"

"Tired," I reply, sitting upright. "And a bit hungry." He nods, crossing his arms as he leans against the door frame, watching me intently. "I gave you porridge but you are too stubborn to eat that."

"Because I don't like it."

"You are not five, young man."

I huff. "I am twenty-two."

"Yeah, okay, whatever. Eat your porridge."

"No."

"Stop being difficult," he sighs. "Come on. Sit up a little."

I narrow my eyes at him. "Only if you feed me."

He stares at me incredulously. I give him a cheeky smile, raising an eyebrow expectantly at him. He continues to stare at me, rolling his eyes and sighing for the umpteenth time. "Fine."

I grin as he carefully props me up on the pillows. I have a plaster around my neck so it's hard for me to keep it upright. Right now I have it turned at an awkward angle.

I open my mouth, waiting for him to feed me. He looks at me, shaking his head, a slight tinge of pink dusted on his face. "I regret staying here." He grumbles, giving a spoonful of the porridge that tasted, well, awful. I scrunch my nose in distaste. He glares. "Don't you dare throw a tantrum right now."

I giggle. "Don't act like an angry angel." He stops in his movements, dropping the spoon back into the bowl and keeping it back on the bedside table.

"That's it. I ain't your fucking babysitter, Beomgyu." I laugh out loud.

"Okay, I won't say it again." He rolls his eyes and crosses his arms, scowling at me. And then huffs and goes back to the feeding work, which I am glad to silently enjoy.

It is silent. But, I feel more comfortable now.

"Yeonjun, can I ask something?"

"If it's not bullshit, please go ahead."

My eyes flicker to his hands. "Why are you even here when I am just a stranger to you? I am pretty sure we've never met before, have we?" I glance up. He has his head lowered, his face hidden behind his hair.

"It's a long story. One you wouldn't like."

"It cannot be that bad. Besides, I have nothing else to do."

His shoulders fall with another sigh. His jaw clenches and unclenches, making his facial muscles twitch slightly. After a few seconds, he lets out a breath and finally lifts his head to face me. His gaze softens and, for once, he doesn't seem half bad. And, for the first time in these few hours I have known him, I see a trace of emotion flicker in his brown irises, a hint of uncertainty. He looks like he is torn between telling me everything and nothing. I wait patiently nonetheless.

And, after a moment, he speaks, "Well, I don't think it's the right time. There are some things I can't bring up to you right now."

I nod, pursing my lips. "I guess that's okay."

"I hope you understand."

I hit him weakly on the arm. "Oh come on, aren't you gonna feed me?" I fake a pout, widening my eyes. "Pleeeease~" I mumble dramatically.

He shakes his head, smiling faintly. "You are annoying."

"Well, you chose to deal with it, angel."

"Shut up."

~~~

ᴀ ғᴇᴡ ᴡᴇᴇᴋs ʟᴀᴛᴇʀ

"Is there any pain in your chest, any kind of inflammation?" The doctor asks.

"No."

"Any dizziness or lightheadedness? Any fatigue?" She continues.

"None, none at all, actually."

She writes down the notes on her clipboard. I subconsciously reach out to Yeonjun's hand. He stood right next to me, looking at the doctor expectantly. I can feel his thumb lightly caressing my knuckles. A strange, warm sensation spreads under my skin.

"His vitals look normal," she concludes, putting the clipboard on the side and taking the tablet she previously used. She starts typing on the screen.

"What does that mean?" Yeonjun raises an eyebrow, leaning closer.

The doctor glances up briefly at him, "I believe he should be discharged in a few days."

Wait. Discharged in a few days?

My heart clenches, stomach churning. No. I...

I can't leave. Not now. Not ever.

Suddenly I feel distant as my eyes linger on Yeonjun's face. He is smiling, actually smiling with genuine happiness. That usually solemn face of his is lively and full of colours.

But it only brings me dread. My grip on Yeonjun's hand tightens. I can't go back.

Just then, Yeonjun turns to me and his smile drops by a fraction. "Beomgyu?" My chest heaves as I stare right back. I swallow the lump in my throat. His frown deepens in concern. "Beomgyu?"

"N-no." I croak out, shaking my head vigorously. "No."

"What is it?"

"I don't want to go home, p-please. Don't take me there."

"You are not making-" He cuts himself off, realisation finally dawning upon his features.

~~~

The room is awfully silent- like it's warning me of something that is to come. My eyes don't sway from the door, the gears of my brain reeling through thousands of things at once. I can't think straight, as if an inner demon of mine has the whole control and would make me do something that I might regret.

I can't exactly leave the ward, the outside being protected by two officers sent by the Suicide Prevention Branch.

I don't want to go home, anywhere but home. I Hope Yeonjun knows because if my father sees me there, alive, I doubt I'd be able to see Yeonjun ever again.

Over all the time I spent with him here- in this exact ward- I grew fond of him. I cherished all of his attempts of helping me, pulling me out of the hell of my own beliefs. He wasn't aware how much his presence affected me. In this world, where I had no one around, he accepted me, became an angel- my angel.

A lone tear drops from the brim of my eye, the little drop rolling down my cheek. I sniff, remembering these past few weeks. They were heavenly.

That night, I thought it would all be over. I had reached my rock bottom, even deeper if possible. But Yeonjun- a stranger, a person I had never seen or heard of- came and, just like magic, made me forget everything. I still don't know his reasons, but that doesn't matter.

Not anymore. I hope he has got the satisfaction.

Because I cannot take this anymore. I cannot continue on like this, I am too weak to go through the blows life could throw upon me.

I adore Yeonjun, but I am just a burden on his shoulders. He is a good person.

But the angel needs rest.

~~~

• ʏᴇᴏɴᴊᴜɴ's ᴘᴏᴠ •

"Please, let me take his guardianship. I doubt the police would come to a conclusion any sooner."

The doctor's expressions are sympathetic, a guilty smile on her face. "This is not in my hands, Mr Choi. I am really sorry." I want to scream, cry out of frustration.

"You are not understanding, doctor Park, I think Beomgyu's decision was influenced by someone from his house itself, maybe his parents."

"You cannot throw such a huge allegation when you don't have much idea about the victim himself, Mr Choi."

Doctor Park is about to open the door to Beomgyu's ward as I step right in front of her, taking the hold of the doorknob. "But he said that himself." She sighs, adjusting her glasses on the bridge of her nose.

"Then we should let the police record that statement. Let's meet Mr Beomgyu and talk this out." I stare at her for a few moments, letting that sync in my head. She is right. This is Beomgyu's decision to make, where he wants to go. I am nobody but a stranger.

I sigh, admitting defeat and turning the knob to enter the ward.

Except, my eyes fall on Beomgyu- who is out of his bed, standing in front of the fruit basket I had brought in this morning, his long hair wildly unkempt. But that isn't what throws me off-guard.

It's the sharp, shimmering knife that he held.

"Beomgyu?!"

He turns around swiftly, almost losing his balance if it wasn't for the grip he has on the side rails of the bed. He betrays nothing but bewilderment.

"S-stay away."

My frown grows and a sense of frantic fear creeps up my spine. I can feel chills around my arms as my eyes go to and fro between the knife and his face. Doctor Park is as shocked as me, fiddling her pockets to find her walkie talkie call the officers around the corridor.

I pat the air between us as I sense his messed up state, trying to calm him down. "Beomgyu, we are just here to help you."

"I-I know."

"Then put the knife down, please?" It is as if I am talking to a child, but my voice is shaking and is a push away from breaking down.

"I- it's not to harm y-you. I can- I can never harm-" he gulps, eyes hysterically wide.

I inhale sharply. "I know what you are trying to do, but it's not-"

"I don't want to be a burden, though!" He finally cries out, falling to his knees but his eyes still trained on me until I hear the door behind me open, but at this point, I don't think the officers will be capable to stop Beomgyu

But I can try. I cannot let this happen again.

"Gyu! Listen. You are not a burden. You will come with me. I will take you to my home and will be there for you as long as you feel the need. Just don't this."

He is crying, tears after tears lapping over one another on his glistening pink cheeks. His sons break my heart into millions of pieces. "I am sorry, angel, I love you. A lot. And I am happy, oh so happy because you thought of me as worthy enough to get a chance. But I can't handle it any longer. I want to, but I am afraid I might hurt you as well. You are so good, Junnie, you are so precious. Please look after yourself."

"Beomgyu no!" I shout out, going closer to him but he just steps away. "I lost my brother already. I was unaware of what he was going through, totally blind to how he struggled through every day. He always smiled, looked like a bunny," I smile softly as my thoughts go back to the last year, "I didn't know that one day- well," I can feel that he is listening, and if that's the only way I can stop him, I don't mind to let him know all of it. "When I found you, I was going to my home for my brother's one year death anniversary. And that is why I wanted to save you. And I had thought that once you are alright, I will go away with the satisfaction that I wasn't lucky enough save my brother but just knowing that it was you, I would've lived in peace. But you, you grew upon me. After a few days, you were the only one in my thoughts."

I look up at Beomgyu and he is staring right back, his facial features much relaxed than before. I take this moment as the opportunity and move closer until I was kneeling just a few inches away. As gently I can, I cup my hands upon his cheeks. "You made me stay, Beomgyu." I pull him close, embracing my arms around his fragile body. The knife falls from his hand and clangs loudly against the tiled floor.

We are in our bubble, away from the outer world and its din. And when I feel his arms resting upon my back, I let myself loose and cry as if it's the end of the world.

Because I saved someone's life.

And found love.

fin.