bad desire | sim jaeyun

twenty-four🦇

His body hit the earth with a sickening thud. The world blurred, tilting. Pain surged in waves, and darkness began to close in.

As Sunghoon's vision faded, the last thing he saw was the demon's grin, hovering like a shadow over him.

Then, nothing.

"Sunghoon!"

Siyeon's heart dropped as she sprinted across the park, Jake just steps behind her. Sunghoon's body lay crumpled in the dirt, bruised and battered, his chest barely rising. Siyeon skidded to her knees beside him, hands trembling as she pressed against his shoulder.

"He's breathing. Thank goodness.." she whispered, relief flooding her chest.

But then, a voice slithered through the darkness.

"Well, if it isn't Jaeyun."

Siyeon froze. She looked up—and the figure standing only a few feet away sent an icy chill down her spine. His aura was thick, suffocating, unlike any human's. Jake's eyes narrowed, his entire demeanour hardening.

"Heeseung."

The demon grinned. "Good to see you, Jaeyun."

Siyeon's blood ran cold. Jake knows him?

"You've got some nerve showing your face here," Jake spat, stepping protectively in front of Siyeon and Sunghoon.

Heeseung tilted his head, amused. "Relax. I was only playing with your little exorcist friend. 

His eyes soon diverted to Siyeon . "Oh look you brought your human pet here with you."

Jake's fists clenched. "Don't talk about her."

"Ouch. Guess I hit a nerve." Heeseung smirked, baring his sharp teeth. "But tell me, Jaeyun, how long do you plan to keep this 'good boy' act'? It's only a matter of time before you'll eat her."

That was enough. With a guttural growl, Jake launched forward.

The two clashed, fists and claws colliding, energy rippling violently through the park. Heeseung fought with a cruel precision, every strike dripping with mockery, while Jake was raw, explosive anger.

Siyeon, panicked, dragged Sunghoon further out of the way, struggling under his weight. She checked his pulse again, whispering under her breath, "Sunghoon. Sunghoon. Wake up...please wake up."

The fight escalated. Jake managed to catch Heeseung off guard, slamming him into the ground with a force that cracked the dirt. His claws raked across Heeseung's side, dark smoke spilling from the wound.

"Ugh-damn you!" Heeseung snarled, his voice twisted with pain. He staggered, clutching his side, yelping as the injury burned him deeper than expected. His cocky grin faltered for the first time.

Seizing the moment, Jake pressed forward, his aura flaring. But just as he raised his hand for the finishing blow, Heeseung hissed through clenched teeth, "Not bad...Jaeyun. But this isn't over."

With his last strength, Heeseung's body dissolved into smoke, disappearing into the night.

Jake panted, lowering his arm. "Tch. That bastard—"

Siyeon, still holding Sunghoon, looked up at him, eyes wide. "You know that guy?"

Jake's expression darkened, his jaw tightening. "...It's a long story."

"It's always a long story with you." Siyeon muttered under her breath. 

"What's that meant to mean?!"

"You're telling me this demon was roaming around and you didn't think to tell me?!"

Jake rubbed the back of his neck, annoyed and tired. "I told you. Long story."

"Ugh. I don't have time to argue with you," Siyeon cut in, forcing herself to focus. Sunghoon's breathing was shallow but steady under her hand; the bruise across his jaw was darker now. "You have to help him. He's hurt pretty badly."

Jake's eyes flicked to the exorcist and then narrowed. "Oh yes. I should save the guy who's literally been trying to kill me since we met."

"Don't be stubborn now," Siyeon snapped. "Help him."

"Ugh." Jake crouched beside Sunghoon, closing his eyes for a second. He placed both hands over Sunghoon's chest and muttered something soft and low. Light pooled beneath his palms and slid into the other boy's wounds. The bruise lightened; the ragged cuts knit together.

Siyeon swallowed. The change was subtle but real. Sunghoon's fingers twitched. His eyelids fluttered.

"He's a bit out for now," Jake said after a minute, voice rough. "But he'll be fine."

Siyeon let out a shaky laugh, trying to hide how rattled she still was. "He won't be asleep for two days, will he?" she teased .

"No." Jake straightened, forcing a tired grin. "I can control my power now. Give him a few hours to rest, and he'll wake up."

Siyeon looked between them, the park suddenly feeling too small and too raw. "So-what do we do now? His parents are going to be asking questions, and he can't stay at my house."

Jake hesitated a heartbeat, then answered too quickly, defensive. "He can come with me."

"You... have a place to live?" Siyeon's eyebrows shot up. "Like an actual house."

"Yes. What do you think I live in a cave or something?" Jake said simply, a half-smirk that didn't quite reach his eyes. "I have somewhere. It's not a mansion. It's fine."

Siyeon opened her mouth to argue but Jake cut in, oddly fierce in his tone. "Don't worry. I'm stronger than him. He can't kill me."

Siyeon opened her mouth to argue again, unease pressing at her chest, but before she could get another word out, Jake cut her off.

"Look," he said quietly but firmly, "I'll be fine. You should get home before your aunt starts worrying."

The certainty in his voice stalled her. She wanted to press harder, to demand more answers. But the exhaustion in his eyes and the weight of the night made her stop and leave it.

"...Fine," Siyeon murmured at last, though her voice was tight. She stepped back, letting Jake take Sunghoon fully into his arms.

Jake gave her one last look, unreadable, then turned away. He carried the unconscious exorcist with ease into the shadows of the street.