[SL/SL:R x Reader] Illumoria

Deleted part of Safe in your arms.

Byung-gyu stared at his plate and rubbed his temples. 'Is liking fighting a prerequisite for becoming an awakened being?'

Byung-gyu laughed at himself and finished his meal. "I should go home, it's late. My wife will scold me."

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"Beloved, I'm home."

When Byung-gyu arrived home, he saw his fiancée on the couch under a blanket, watching a TV drama. You heard his voice and looked up with a happy smile. "Welcome back."

Byung-gyu smiled gently, hung his coat on the rack, and approached you. "You look comfortable." He held onto the armrest with one hand and leaned down to kiss the corner of your eye.

You pouted, avoiding his kiss. "Hey! Don't kiss me, your mouth smells of alcohol."

Byung-gyu opened his eyes wide, looking hurt. "How can you reject me!? I'm your fiancé!"

"Won't let you reject me." He cupped your face with his hands and began to attack your face with kisses.

You yelp, laughing as you try to push him away. "Yah! Stop it, I'm serious-!"

Your resistance isn't strong enough and Byung-gyu knows that. He gives you a wicked grin and keeps kissing your cheeks, forehead and nose until you're laughing, holding on to his shoulders for support instead of pushing him away.

"Okay, okay!" You can't resist anymore and begin panting. "You win, you stubborn drunk!"

"Humph." He whispers in your ear, "I'd rather be called sexy and slightly drunk fiancé, if you don't mind."

You roll your eyes at him and gently push his chest. "Wash up before you come back to cuddle. You smell like you've been in a barrel of wine."

He gets up, covers his heart with his hand dramatically and says, "I will clean myself like a noble knight after a fight, all for you."

You threw a pillow at his back as he walked towards the bathroom. "You talk too much!"

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"...I think I'll join the raid on Jeju Island."

"What!? No way! It's too dangerous."

You leapt from the couch and the blanket fell to your lap while you looked at Byung-gyu in shock. He was still getting dry after his shower, so his wet hair and bare arms showed from under his t-shirt and sweatpants. That brief family moment seemed to come from a different time in life.

"You said you wouldn't be there!" you said.

Byung-gyu looked unsure as he sat down beside you and tried to hold your hand. "I know what I said, but-"

"But what?" You drew your hand back, got up and began pacing around the small living room. "How many S-rank hunters have lost their lives while trying to clear Jeju Island, Byung-gyu? They've tried many times and failed every time!"

He watched you pace back and forth with sad eyes. "Jagiya, listen-"

"No!" You turned to face him, tears welling up in your eyes. "You promised me. You promised you wouldn't go on dangerous raids anymore. That's why you retired early, remember? So we could have a normal life together!"

His words seemed to linger in the room. Byung-gyu got to his feet, his hands tightly clenched. "You believe I want to go?" he spoke up at last, barely able to raise his voice. "Do you think I want you to wonder if I'll ever come back? You think I'd be willing to ruin everything we've worked for?"

"Then don't go." Your voice cracked as you spoke. "Please, Byung-gyu. Just don't go..."

He crossed the room in two quick steps and pulled you into his arms. This time you didn't resist, burying your face into his chest as the tears finally fell.

"I love you," he whispered into your hair. "More than anything in this world. But the hunters who died, they had families too. Some of them had people who cared for them and these people are left asking why their loved ones risked everything while others stayed safely at their homes."

You cried out that this was not fair.

"I'm not trying to make you feel bad." He stepped back a little and looked at you, softly wiping each tear with his thumb. "I feel like I have to make you understand that I cannot accept myself if I don't try. Not when I can do something to help those in need."

You looked into his eyes, seeing the determination you'd fallen for years ago. The determination that had made him one of the most respected S-rank hunters in Korea. That determination was breaking your heart now.

"What if you don't come back?" you whispered.

"I will," he said firmly. "I promise you, I will. We're getting married, remember? You haven't picked out the flowers for the ceremony yet."

You laughed through your tears, though. Did you remember that?

"Every detail of what we arranged for our wedding is fresh in my mind," he told you as he leaned on your forehead. "Where we met, the dress you picked out, your excitement whenever you mentioned having a family. I won't let that go. Absolutely nothing."

You clenched your eyes shut, recalling how it felt to have his hand touch your cheek, his breath close to your ears and his shampoos smell.

"You promised..."