PLEASE STAY

“Jongin!” Sehun calls out and rushes over to the person lying on the ground. He has heard Jongin’s whimper, most likely an inaudible whisper, but that is enough for the genie to come back from wherever he is to take care of the one he shares a bond with.

The bond is akin to a marriage, translated into a mortal human’s terms. That’s what is closest to the bond between a genie and another person - be it another genie, another immortal or a human even - and yet, it is so much more. While sometimes people develop an intuition for their significant other in any kind of relationship over time, the bond makes the genie receptible towards his significant other immediately.

When being close, Sehun can feel what Jongin is feeling, sometimes he can even read Jongin’s mind. Physical distance between them will weaken that bond, but Sehun still knows if Jongin is doing well or not, and right now, Jongin isn’t.

“Hey, Jongin, Nini,” he whispers, unsure what to do with Jongin who is curled up into a ball on the ground, whimpering and holding his ankle. Jongin looks up at him with glossy eyes and in that moment Sehun feels sorry for not being there and watch over Jongin. A genie is not equivalent to a guardian angel, but being bonded means there’s a responsibility to watch over each other and take care of each other, and yet, Sehun has left once again to see the world and to help anyone in need but Jongin. Not, because he doesn’t want to support Jongin, but because he knows Jongin does well without him - usually, that is.

“Sehun,” Jongin mumbles, his smile growing wider, although it is a strained one, most likely due to the pain in his ankle. “You’re back.”

“I’m back,” Sehun whispers, his hands already working on unclasping Jongin’s iron grip from his leg.

“Let me,” Sehun mumbles and Jongin nods, eyes closing, body relaxing. Sehun sighs softly and leans down, closer to inspect the injury. Jongin’s ankle looks swollen and a lot worse than it should be from a regular fall. It’s more likely that Jongin has been practicing without many breaks to satisfy the perfectionist side of him, a thing that Sehun would protect him from if he was here.

“You should take more breaks,” Sehun whispers and leans his face closer, giving little pecks and kisses. He can feel Jongin shudder at the sensation of soft, warm lips ghosting over his skin and chuckles. Surely, he could use his hands to heal Jongin’s injury like any other genie would, but Sehun isn’t just any other genie - he is Jongin’s lover.

“I tried to,” Jongin replies quietly. He is sitting up slowly, but keeps his ankle still as Sehun is still treating it, mostly because he feels