TEAR // C.SB.

The night was unnervingly quiet. Sooha sat curled up on the couch, knees pulled to her chest as she stared out the window. The glow of the city lights felt distant, almost like a different world she couldn't reach. Her mind churned with thoughts she couldn't silence-the devil's taunts, her dwindling celestial power, and the growing weight of her feelings for Soobin.

A sudden chill ran down her spine, sharp and unmistakable. She gasped, clutching at her chest as if the icy grip of fear had physically struck her. The familiar oppressive presence of the devil hovered at the edge of her awareness, like a predator stalking its prey.

"No," she whispered, her voice trembling. "Not tonight."

She scrambled to her feet, pacing the small apartment, her hands shaking as she tried to summon even a flicker of light to protect herself. But nothing came. Her powers, once radiant and boundless, felt like a distant memory.

"Sooha?" Soobin's voice called out groggily from his bedroom.

She froze, trying to steady her breathing, but the panic was too strong. Before she could respond, Soobin appeared in the doorway, his hair messy and eyes heavy with sleep. He blinked at her, then immediately stepped closer when he saw her trembling.

"What's wrong?" he asked, his voice soft but firm.

"It's nothing," she said quickly, wrapping her arms around herself. "I just... I felt him again."

Soobin's jaw tightened. "The devil?"

She nodded, unable to meet his gaze. "I tried to block him out, but I can't. It's like he's always there, waiting for me to slip."

Soobin hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Do you want to sleep in my room tonight?"

Her head shot up, her wide eyes meeting his. "What?"

"I just mean... if you're scared, you don't have to be alone," he explained quickly, scratching the back of his neck. "I don't mind."

Sooha stared at him, unsure of how to respond. Part of her wanted to refuse-to keep her distance, as she always had. But another part of her, the part that was tired of being alone and afraid, longed for the comfort he offered.

"Okay," she said softly, barely above a whisper.

Soobin nodded, his expression gentle as he stepped aside to let her into his room. She hesitated at the doorway, her fingers brushing against the frame, before finally stepping inside.

The room was simple, like the rest of the apartment. A few posters of landscapes hung on the walls, and a guitar leaned against the corner. The bed was slightly messy, the blankets crumpled from where he had been sleeping.

"You can take the bed," Soobin offered, grabbing a spare pillow from the chair.

"No," she said quickly. "I can't-"

"It's fine," he insisted. "I'll sleep on the floor."

She shook her head. "We can... share it. If that's okay."

Soobin's cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, but he nodded. "Yeah, that's fine."

They settled into the bed, a careful distance between them. Sooha lay stiffly on her side, staring at the wall. She could hear Soobin's steady breathing behind her, a quiet reassurance in the dark.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

"For what?" he asked.

"For not giving up on me," she said. "Even when I've given up on myself."

Soobin was quiet for a moment before replying, "I'm not going anywhere, Sooha. I promise."

For the first time in a long while, the weight on her chest felt a little lighter. Though the devil's presence still lingered at the edges of her mind, she felt a fragile sense of safety in Soobin's presence. It wasn't much, but it was enough to let her drift into a restless but peaceful sleep.