NPC Fell onto My Bed C13

Chapter 13

Self-harm. War trauma. Self-inflicted wounds.

On their way back to the mall, Noah could think only of those three terms Gu Taeheon had mentioned. They were ideas utterly foreign to him—concepts he had never once considered in his life.

Noah’s healing power could cure wounds of flesh and injuries of the body, but it could not touch the human mind. From time to time, people came to the temple, unable to bear the sorrow within them any longer. Yet all Noah could do for them was offer a warm bed and a simple meal.

Emotional wounds—he did not know how to heal those. And because of that, he remained both ignorant and indifferent to his own.

“We should get you some clothes first.”

Tense from the unfamiliar surroundings, Noah followed close behind Taeheon. The brilliantly white lights in the vast hallway almost dazzled his eyes, and on both sides, rows of shops were neatly lined up—shops far too luxurious to be called stalls.

Though Taeheon had said they would buy clothes, he walked past all the clothing stores and instead stopped in front of the one at the very end—the most elegant-looking store of them all. Noah followed him carefully inside.

“Welcome.”

A woman wearing white gloves greeted them with a courteous bow. Noah, caught off guard, returned the greeting, then quickly followed Taeheon as he stepped further into the store.

“I’d like to look at some clothes. He’s the one who’ll be wearing them.”
“I see. If you tell me his size or color preferences, I’ll assist you.”
“Something that suits him.”

At that short reply, the woman smiled and approached Noah. She seemed to be gauging his approximate size with a diligent eye, but then their gazes met.

As always, Noah smiled warmly at her. The problem was that his smile was so gentle, so filled with benevolence, that it stirred something in the hearts of others.

Though his hair hung naturally without proper grooming and his borrowed clothes were plain and ill-fitted, his beauty seemed undiminished—if anything, his disheveled appearance only made his features stand out even more.

“Ah…”

The woman, holding up a piece of clothing, involuntarily stopped as her eyes locked on him. She stood frozen, momentarily forgetting her task. Taeheon’s voice, low and sharp, soon broke through her daze.

“What do you think you’re doing?”
“Ah, ah…! Oh, I’m terribly sorry, sir. Please forgive my rudeness if I made you uncomfortable.”

Realizing how impolite she had been, the clerk quickly bowed in apology. Noah stepped forward, laying a gentle hand on her shoulder.

“It’s all right. I’m not offended.”

Noah knew he wasn’t unattractive. Those who visited the temple often stared at him in silence, as though enchanted. He didn’t believe it was because of his looks, but rather the calm, sacred air that surrounded him as a priest.

“Should I try this on?”
“Yes…”

Noah took the outfit she handed him and disappeared into the fitting room.

For some reason, Taeheon, already irritated, leaned against the wall and tugged his cap lower over his eyes as he waited.

After several minutes, the latch clicked, and Noah stepped out awkwardly.

“….”
“….”

“Um… Is this how I’m supposed to wear it? It feels a bit strange…”

The outfit—though it cost hundreds of thousands of won—was nothing extravagant in design: a light knit sweater perfect for early autumn, and a pair of navy trousers. The only difference was that it fit Noah perfectly.

Yet words failed. Taeheon’s mouth even parted slightly, speechless. He had met and even worked with beautiful celebrities before during his brief time in advertising, but never—never—had he seen someone so breathtaking.

Noah’s beauty went beyond attractiveness. There was something pure and otherworldly about him. Even dressed simply, he looked like a model from a high-end photoshoot.

He was a little under 180 centimeters, but his small, refined face made him appear perfectly proportioned. Without realizing it, Taeheon raised his hand to cover his slightly open mouth, hidden beneath his mask.

“S-sir, if it’s not too much trouble, could you… perhaps also try this one on?”

Her suggestion was so obviously laced with personal interest that even Noah seemed uncertain how to respond. He turned his gaze hesitantly toward Taeheon, as though asking for help.

Reading that silent plea, Taeheon instinctively grabbed Noah’s hand and pulled him toward him.
“These will do. We’ll take them. Please ring them up.”
“Ah—yes, of course.”

Disappointment practically dripped from the clerk’s expression as she led them to the counter. While Taeheon took out his card to pay, another employee hurried over to remove the tags from Noah’s new clothes.

Even that simple gesture rubbed Taeheon the wrong way. The moment the tags were removed, he seized Noah by the hand and led him straight out of the store.

A low, angry breath slipped through his lips. It wasn’t rational—Noah’s beauty was obvious to anyone, so of course people would react that way—but still, the feeling of irritation was impossible to shake.

“Mr. Gu Taeheon.”
“…”
“Taeheon?”

While he stood lost in thought, Noah tugged gently at his sleeve. When their eyes met, Noah bowed slightly, mimicking the clerk’s polite manner.
“Thank you… for buying these for me. No one’s ever given me clothes before.”
“No one’s ever bought you clothes?”
“Priests have no need for such gifts. Our robes are plenty. These clothes… they must be very expensive, aren’t they? The fabric feels so soft.”

Noah smiled sweetly as his fingers brushed the knit fabric, clearly delighted by its texture. His golden eyes curved and vanished for a brief moment, only to shine again like the sun rising over the horizon. Taeheon clenched his teeth.

“…Wait here for a moment. Don’t wander off. Don’t move.”

Without another word, he disappeared. Noah simply stood there, curious, until Taeheon returned less than three minutes later, holding something in his hand.

“That is…?”
“Wear it. And don’t take it off.”

Without warning, Taeheon placed a beige cap over Noah’s head. Noah fidgeted with the brim and looked up timidly at him. When their eyes met, he spoke softly, clearly embarrassed.
“You really don’t have to buy me so many things. I can return the hat—”
“I said don’t take it off.”

At his quiet growl, Noah obediently adjusted the hat again, pushing it firmly down. Only then did Taeheon feel a little relief.

Ever since they’d entered the department store, far too many heads had turned their way—not out of recognition of Taeheon, who was a public figure, but because of Noah’s impossible beauty. The attention was so intense that no one even looked at Taeheon.

The hat, at least, reduced the number of staring eyes. With that handled, they were finally able to enjoy their shopping more freely.

“Want to try this?”
“What is it, Mr. Taeheon?”
“Ice cream. Go on, try it.”
“Ugh—it’s cold!”

Lost now in the joy of showing Noah new things, Taeheon forgot all about the time. Everything seemed new to the priest—delightfully new—and his wonder made Taeheon’s chest stir in ways he couldn’t name.

They spent over four hours wandering the mall, fatigue forgotten. By the time Taeheon’s arms were weighed down with shopping bags, Noah suddenly grabbed his hand tightly.

“Noah?”

It was the first time Noah had ever taken his hand. Taeheon froze for a moment, startled. Then Noah led him toward a quiet corner near the mall restrooms where a few public benches stood. He guided Taeheon to sit down carefully.

“Mr. Taeheon.”
“…What is it?”
“Your leg… it hurts, doesn’t it?”

Noah blinked slowly as he asked. Taeheon looked down at his leg.

He hadn’t even realized it hurt. But as Noah mentioned it, the ache flared alive again. It was the first time since the accident that he had walked this much, and his leg—the same one still not fully healed—was complaining.

Noah had noticed the faint limp he hadn’t even been aware of.

Recognition of that pain tightened Taeheon’s jaw, a wave of unfamiliar emotion crossing his face. He realized he could no longer keep walking.

Noah smiled, soft and serene.
“It’s all right. I’m here with you.”