CHAPTER XI: Let me pretend, just a little longer...

Somehow, in the amidst of the chaos that was swirling around them, Tae had finally managed to catch up on some sleep even though he was far too worried about his disguise falling out... Literally. 

He hadn't meant to sleep. Especially not beside Rurik... On the same bed! Rurik's right arm was lazily resting on Tae's waist like he refused to let go even in sleep. But something made him stop himself from getting up immediately... Maybe it was the slight tightening of Rurik's grip when he shifted or maybe it was the unexpected warmth coming from Rurik's body... Because tae expected someone like Rurik to have a more naturally cold body but here he was, clinging to Rurik's warmth like a lost child. But oh well... His pride was too tired to care enough... So he decided to go back to sleep.... 

But Tae was one of those people who couldn't go back to sleep once he had woken up so instead, he just decided to stare at Rurik... Why? God knows... It felt weird and Tae just wanted to close his eyes and at least pretend that he was sleeping, but something about Rurik was preventing Tae from doing so.... Maybe it was how the pale lashes fell over his skin, or that damn faint scar that was still a bit red... 

Two days ago, Tae had watched that same body convulse in his arms, blood soaking through white sheets and faith alike. He had heard nothing but silence for so long that he thought–

No... No, no, no...

Not today. 

Tae carefully pushed a strand of white hair away from Rurik's face and whispered quietly, almost to quietly to be heard... Even to Tae himself... 

"You fool... You could've died... I'm not ready for that..."

"Yet."

After a little while though, Tae decided to finally get up. The bed creaked softly as he shifted, trying to slide from under Rurik's arm... Slowly, trying to not wake up the ghost beside him.. 

But Rurik's grip tightening on him again.. 

Although his force wasn't strong enough to hold back Tae, but it was enough to somehow keep him in place..  The only thing that Tae was correct about his assumptions regarding rurik was that he had rough and calloused hands... Rurik's eyes were still closed, he didn't need to open his eyes to confirm that Tae wasn't leaving... Not anytime soon atleast.. 

"....Don't go..." He murmured, his voice sounding like a broken radio. 

Tae closed his eyes and maybe, for only a moment... He worried about Rurik's voice still sounding broken. But, he decided to not dwell on it any further..

"You're awake?" He asked, his voice coming out calmer than he had expected or intended to..

"No..." Replied Rurik dryly "Still dead, just making sure I can get a proper burial at least..."

Was that supposed to be funny or is Rurik just unintentionally funny? Because that's definitely not what you hear from a half dead crime lord do you? 

{Because if you do then that's a cool experience (author would like to know about it too~)}

Even though Tae wasn't able to understand what Rurik meant by that, (Same Tae) he didn't knew if it was meant to be funny or sarcastic, but either way, it made Tae smile... Almost involuntarily.. 

That was a win in Rurik's dictionary. 

"You snore like a dying bear by the way..." That definitely came out of nowhere and also made Rurik crack open an eye. 

"And you talk in your sleep. Something about–... 'Don't die, don't die, I'll kill you if you die' like is that even possible detka?" He asked with a smirk, despite the pain.. 

Tae clicked his tongue, turning away sharply..

"Shut up." 

There was a brief pause, nothing but silence could be heard.. 

"Belka..."

What-!?