Help! I'm the Plot Device: Just Here to Save the Heroes

Mission Failed: We Fell in Love Instead

"I know I might leave this world. I know none of this was supposed to happen. I know what he is-." He breathed out, shaky but certain. "And I don't know what's ahead. Or what's going to happen to me."

He looked down at Yan-at the man sleeping against him with his whole body, with his whole trust.

"But right now..." Jerry tightened his arm around him, drawing small circles on Yan's hip with his thumb, "...I don't care about anything other than him."

A beat.

Then another.

The system went still-its tone softening like a bowing head.

...Are you sure about this?
Not mocking.
Not warning.

Just... asking.

Jerry's gaze softened further.

He took in the room-the scattered clothes, the warm sheets, the sunlight resting across Yan's sleeping shoulders.

He took in Yan-hair messy, breathing deep, walls lowered to nothing.

And the feeling in his chest answered for him.

"Yes," Jerry murmured.
This time, his voice didn't waver.

He kissed the top of Yan's head, fingers brushing down his spine in a slow, soothing stroke.

Sunlight stretched across the bed like a quiet blessing, wrapping them in a stillness that felt safe in a way Jerry hadn't expected.

Yan slept on, blissfully unaware- held gently, possessively, lovingly against the man who quietly chose him.

🐱

Yan woke long after the sun had settled fully across the room-long after the warmth in the sheets had turned golden, long after Jerry had already lain there quietly for what felt like hours, watching him breathe.

Jerry had one arm tucked under Yan's head, the other resting loosely on Yan's bare back, thumb drawing slow, absent circles along his spine. Yan slept with the kind of exhaustion only a cat-demon could possess-deep, boneless, unguarded. His leg was still thrown over Jerry's waist; his fingers curled lightly into Jerry's skin as if refusing to let him leave even in sleep.

A soft sound escaped Yan's throat as he shifted.

Jerry stilled.

Yan nuzzled closer into his chest first-instinct before consciousness-his nose brushing Jerry's skin, hair mussed, breath warm and slow.

Then he blinked.

Once. Twice.

Sleepy golden eyes peered up at him, unfocused at first, then slowly sharpening.

He froze halfway up, frown forming as he attempted to lift himself-only to stop sharply, like something tugged him back down.

Jerry straightened, alarm flickering.
"What happened?"

Yan did not look up.
"...Nothing."

He tried again-only to wince and settle back with a faint hitch in breath.

Jerry's eyes widened.
"Oh."

A tiny, utterly traitorous chuckle slipped out.

Yan's head turned so fast his hair brushed Jerry's chest, eyes narrowed and accusing.
"...You laughed."

Jerry shut his mouth immediately, shoulders lifting like he'd been caught stealing.
"I didn't."

"You did." Yan's voice was flat-sleep-rough, offended, and somehow adorable.

"I really didn't." Jerry said, struggling not to smile. His lips betrayed him anyway, the corners lifting helplessly.

Yan's eyes widened in outrage-the look of a deeply wronged wife.
"You are laughing at me. Ha!"

Jerry's shoulders shook as he coughed, pretending it wasn't amusement.
"No, no, I'm not-calm down."

Yan clicked his tongue and tried to stand.

Then paused again.

Jerry reached forward quickly.
"Okay, okay, don't move like that. Just-stay."

Yan scowled, cheeks faintly pink, gaze lowering to the sheets as though they had personally betrayed him.
"I'm fine."

"You're not." Jerry softened his voice. "You can sleep more. I'll draw a bath."

Yan's head dropped even lower, sulking silently.

Jerry watched him a moment, lips twitching.
He didn't even get to offer help before Yan suddenly turned, grabbed his waist, and pushed him back onto the bed.

Jerry blinked.
"Li Jie-"

"My whole body hurts," Yan buried his face in Jerry's shoulder, arms locking tight around his waist.
"I hate you," he muttered hugging him tight again like some wronged spouse. "Go away."

He nuzzled his face into Jerry's shoulder as he said it-which absolutely killed any credibility the insult had.

Jerry's laugh came warmer this time, softer.
"Really?"

A small, wounded sound escaped Yan-half whine, half complaint-and he slapped Jerry's chest with the power of a tired kitten.
"Yi-Yichen... stop laughing."

"Okay, okay. I'll stop." Jerry soothed, stroking the back of his head. "Sleep a little more."

Yan loosened only slightly.

Jerry whispered, "I'll-" and tried to move again.

Yan's hand shot up, sliding behind his neck and pulling him right back down.

"Don't go," Yan murmured, voice still thick with sleep.

Jerry paused.

Something in his chest tightened painfully-so tender, so real it startled him.

"Why?" he breathed. "Don't you hate me?"

Yan lifted his head just enough to glare at him-barely awake, messy-haired, and somehow more honest than he ever was awake.

"Don't," Jerry whispered, pushing Yan's head gently back to his chest. "No talking. Just rest."

He pulled the blankets over them, curling back into the warmth they'd made.

Yan didn't complain this time.

He just melted into Jerry, breath warming his collarbone, leg curling over his waist again like instinct.

Jerry's arms wrapped around him, protective and warm.

The world outside didn't matter.

For a moment-for this morning-nothing existed except the softness between them, the lingering warmth of last night, and the way Yan trusted him completely even in half-sleep.

And Jerry held him like he intended to stay.

🧶🐱🧶