Jin's Sacrifice
You finally piece together Jin’s plan. Sacrifice himself. Save you. Save Darkwick. And leave you behind.
(Canon-divergent of what happens before he jumps off the railing.)
You have to stop him… no matter what.
You don’t remember running through the ruins of Darkwick, just the frantic beating in your chest as you barged into his chambers.
"Brave of you,” Jin doesn’t even look. “Entering without my permission."
His voice is calm. As if this were an ordinary day. As if he wasn’t about to throw himself into a pit of fire.
"Jin," you pant as you try to catch your breath. "Are you actually going to-"
"If you want details, go to Tohma."
You shake your head. "I-I want to hear it from you."
Jin sighs as usual. Frigid and restrained.
"My ancestors founded the Darkwick institute, I'm just taking responsibility for it." He puts on the cloak laid across his bed.
"Please,” you whisper, “If this is to save me-"
He turns, his eyes piercing.
"Did you not hear me, I'm not doing this for you." His voice is as cold as ice, "Know your position, servant."
A few months ago, maybe you would've believed him. But not now.
"When have you ever cared about legacy?” you fire back. “When have you ever cared about Darkwick?"
Maybe you hit a sore spot. His voice deepens. "Don’t talk as if you know me."
The thickness in the air almost spills an apology out of you. But you've done enough of that during your time here. Now was the time you needed to take action- before it's too late.
You move in front of him, spreading your arms out. "I'm not letting you leave."
He looks you up and down.
Then- laughs in disbelief, watching like you're a clown in a circus.
"You really are stupid through and through." His amusement drops. He steps forward.
You feel it even before he reaches you. The weight of his presence, the certainty in his every step.
But more than anything, it was his eyes- it was as if he didn't even know you. No, you weren't even a person, you were just an obstacle in his way.
You gulp loudly, as his approaching shadow swallows you. But he doesn’t shove nor raise his voice. He simply walks past you. Your hand brushes against his cloak, but that’s it.
A bit flustered, you stumble after him, planting yourself in front of him again. This time his shoulder bumps into yours– not hard, but enough to send a message.
You grab his arm. He flicks it off like dust.
You try the other arm. He pulls away, just as easily.
Your eyes burn. You'd rather he push you down, shove you aside, yell. But being ignored– being treated like air. That hurts more.
You swallow your thoughts down. Now wasn't the time for this.
You run in front of him once more. This time, you press your forehead against his chest, gripping both his arms, trying to push him back with your full weight.
But he doesn’t falter. He walks forward with ease.
Your boots slip against the rug. You fall backward. He doesn’t catch you. In any other moment, in any other world, he would have.
He walks forward.
Your fists clench against the floor.
"Jin… please."
The door handle clicks.
Panic courses through you.
You have to do something. Anything
“I love you!”
The words rip out of your throat.
For the first time, he stops.
"I… love you,” you say again, softer– but even more desperate. “I love you. I love you. I love you.” With each repetition, your voice weakens. Tears that were long overdue spill out.
All your thoughts pour at once.
"I know I’m weak,” you sob. “I know I can't stop you but if you die-” your voice breaks, “then what was the point… of any of this?”
There's no reply.
The door closes and you’re certain he’s left.
Your hand clutches your chest as if you’ve actually been stabbed. You sob into the floor.
You know he can’t hear you through the sound barrier, but–
"Please don't go.” You yell through tears, “Even if I live, I don't want to live in a world without you! Jin-"
Your sobs are cut off by a familiar scent. Arms wrap around your shoulder.
You hear a deep sigh in your ear. Jin’s sigh.
It takes a few moments to register that he was not outside the door but right next to you, embracing you tightly as if you were the one running away.
"Why must you make this so hard?"
Your hands fly to him, clutching desperately, afraid he’ll disappear again.
"We’ll find another way so don't leave. Please." You whisper tenderly in his ear as tears soak his shoulder.
Jin pulls back just enough to look at your face. You probably looked like an absolute mess. Disheveled hair and puffy eyes. But the way he looks at you is unbearably gentle.
He presses the softest kiss on your forehead.
"How can I walk away when you're like this?" Hope flickers. But only for a moment.
He threads his fingers through yours. Gripping a bit too tightly.
“No.” Realizing his plan quickly, you try to pull away. But it's impossible. “No Jin, stop.”
"I'm sorry." He shuts his eyes tightly, bracing for impact.
"Bianerus." You've heard this incantation many times before. Each time he had said it with so much conviction, like a king. But now his voice trembles.
"Go to sleep."
You would've never guessed he’d use his stigma against you. His command seeps into your veins. Your limbs grow heavy. Your thoughts blur.
"Jin… stop." But it’s too late.
You try to fight it. But your strength was never enough– not against him.
He lifts you easily and lays you down onto his bed.
Your eyelids flutter. You’re starting to lose vision.
With the little bit of free will you have left, you grab his hand.
He squeezes back. Just once and only for a moment.
Then gently pries your fingers away.
You feel another kiss on your forehead.
"I'll do anything to protect you." His voice now sounds like a distant dream. "Even if it makes you hate me."
Darkness.
