“Not going so well, huh?”

I shrug at him. “Well, it’s bound to take some time. I didn’t expect to find her overnight.”

“Guess not.” Joshua looks away in a pout, but it soon turns into a happy little grin as he cuddles down into my cape. I haven’t told him it’s mine yet – and I don’t really plan to. It’s not really important information that he needs, is it?

The other Prefects are at the gates to meet him, greeting him with New Year’s Happy Returns until Wonwoo’s eyes turn into little slits. “Joshua.”

“Hmm?”

“Why are you wearing Jeonghan’s cloak?”

“Eh? How did you know it was from him?” Joshua’s face glows a little as he grins happily, scrunching his neck down so he looks a bit cuter in the collar of fur. “It’s nice, right?”

“No, I mean, it’s his.” Wonwoo scowls as he moves to the back of the collar. “It’s in his color, and it’s got his initials sewn into the collar. Here. YJ.”

Joshua looks at the label and then looks at me in shock.

I shrug, trying to play it off. “It’s not like I use it that much. Besides, I thought you would suit it better than me. And you do. You look good.” And with that last word, anxiety riddles my chest like ice, because I’m pretty sure Joshua isn’t going to be happy with the idea that he’s wearing a demon’s clothes. And I want him to wear them. He looks good in them. And they’ll keep him warm.

Joshua is frozen for a moment, and then he throws his arms around me. “You gave me something so personal!” he whispers in happy shock. “Jeonghan!”

I put my arms around him too, slightly bewildered. “Ye-yes?”

“Thank you,” he whispers. “You’re the best.” And with that, he smacks his lips against my cheeks and lets me go. Joshua flutters off to grab DK’s hand on his right and Wonwoo’s on his left, and he skips through the gates up to the front door of school.

And I’m left on the pavement, wondering why I feel like I still have a heart beating in my chest.

“You’re no fun today,” Jun mumbles, pulling an arm around my waist. “You know I only ask you to help clean the room so I can kiss you until you’re begging for more, what’s up baby?”

I shrug him off uncomfortably. “Nothing, I guess I didn’t sleep very well.”

“Hm.” He stops a moment and leans in, sniffing at me. “Why do you smell like that demon?”

I pull a face and let my voice fall flat and sarcastic. “You mean the one I knew long before I knew you, the one that’s got a Concordat on his that compels him to both live with me and keep my safe from all harm and danger?”

“…I see your point,” he says measuredly, “but you don’t usually smell like him.”

“Maybe he used the soap before me.”

“Joshie.”

I sigh and put the broom down, turning to him awkwardly. It’s uncomfortable. I cross my arms so that I’m the least appealing thing in the room for hugging, which I know he’ll try. “I know.”

“…yes?”

“That you don’t really love me.”

He smiles, confused. “Babe, what are you talking about?”

“I know you don’t really love me.”

“Of course I do! Baby!”

He gives me a sad puppy kind of look, but I can only sigh tiredly. “Jeonghan told me that if a demon really loves somebody and says the words, they get their magicked to purgatory.”

Jun freezes.

I sigh again and uncross my arms, rubbing the tops of his arms. “It’s okay. I’m not mad.”

“What?”

“Not really.” I sigh a bit, sitting on a table. “I mean… I guess? I’m just upset that you felt the need to say it if it wasn’t true. I don’t mind if you don’t love me… yet. I’m sure we’ll get there, at some point.”

Jun looks at me, sighs, and breaks out into a little laugh. “You really are pure,” he smiles broadly. “How many times are you going to forgive me for messing up?”

“Seventy times seven?” I suggest with a grin.

“Kiss me, idiot Prefect.”

I put my arms around his neck and kiss him – taking in the light scent of brimstone. Yeah, for now, it’s okay that Jun doesn’t love me. I can live with his like. For now. I have his kisses, his thoughts, his arms and hands and loyalty