Put the Gun Down

That was all June had going for him. He knew these people were serving demons, so it was a fair fight. Should they be normal hitmen, he wouldn't know how to make it look like he was not playing vigilante. After that conversation, he took a shower to change into his better clothes.

The trip to the shoot was short and quiet. Lantis barely disturbed him the entire time he played the bad guy in the episode. June might feel a bit strange for seeing someone that everyone couldn't, but Lantis was not standing around places where others would hit him. On his face was only a smile that made June feel like the other was proud of him.

"June, did you go to the hospital earlier?" The female lead who played Stella's character chuckled as she met with him again after the taping. "You're doing so fine like nothing even happened earlier. Uh, here. I still owed you my life, but I don't know what you might want… so I just…"

"A ticket for two to the amusement park?" June opened the envelope that she had given him. "Are you thinking of going here with me?"

Stella blushed a little. "Huh? Well, I thought your girlfriend would really like it. I mean, if my boyfriend came to me with some tickets he got or won, I would be happy. Wait, did I read into things too much? I feel like I was even wrong to assume."

With a slight smile on June's face, he fanned the tickets. "You said girlfriend, so… it's okay, I'll listen to your reasoning. What did you think you read differently?"

"Uh, you act so light these days—I mean, your overall aura is lighter than the last few times I watched you in your sets. It's like you feel so much happier." Stella then looked around and whispered, "Not that I think it's because you left Wings, but… I think you're seeing someone. She must be making you feel so good about yourself. I really thought you're seeing someone, June."

"I… I give off that feeling, really?" In contrast to what Stella thought she would get as a reaction, June had a rather faint blush on his face. He even turned away and looked at the ground as if hiding from someone. It was because he figured Lantis could see him clearly from wherever the demon decided to stand. After all, it was almost time for them to hunt down the demons that dared.

"…oh, wow… I didn't think you were so oblivious to what she's making you feel." Stella giggled as she felt a little excited. June had his own share of boyfriend movies, and he had his own share of fans who fantasized about themselves holding hands with such a fantastical person.

As for Stella, however, this picture was not a movie shot… it was June's genuine reaction. Her heart felt like it skipped a beat at the sudden peak at this movie crush she had. Heat quickly traveled to her face, enough for her to cover her face with her hands. She was not worthy of this gift.

The rest of the crew and other actors and actresses didn't know what was happening between the two. Some of them decided to take hidden shots to post about it somewhere. That was only when Lantis whispered in June's ear: "June, we have places to be. Let's see that amusement park some other day."

June cleared his face and throat as he shakily put the tickets inside the envelope again. Lantis didn't have to blow into his ear before whispering so softly. He just brought his eyes up at the female lead. "Thank you for the gift. I… uhm… we're attracting too much attention."

"Oh, my… you're right." Stella looked around and had a strange look on her face. "I should ask my publicist what to do now. I might bring trouble to you…"

"It's okay. I'll just sign your posters at another time." At this, June bid her goodbye after reminding her of something. Stella gasped and left her mouth open before nodding vigorously. The guest star had also waved goodbye to the director and other staff. He got into his car and drove away.

Stella then cupped her hands on her cheeks, squealing to herself. "Whaaaa! I can't handle being June's leading lady, if ever. How could I not melt if he still smiles like that?!"

…

The light mood that June got from the conclusion of the scenes completely dissipated when he drove off of the site. The actor glanced at Lantis before he took a deep breath. "Lantis, you said there was a foiled plan for tonight. Where will we find them next?"

"They will be gathering in their hideout to discuss their next moves. My people are closing in and are ready to act in case they wish to escape." Lantis flicked a glance at the driver as he noticed how June grip the steering wheel tighter. "Relax, sweet child. I am here."

"It's not much about you or Stallis… or any other person that will be there." June let out his breath as well as his thought that might sound ill to Lantis's ears. "I'm thinking about me. I know the things that I said, and I know what I had to do. I'm just not sure about one thing… how can I show my face and smile at my mother again… knowing that a man's blood is in my hands?"

"I do wish for you to remain guilt-free, darling, but you have to consider the fact that demons—and those consumed by their nature through the corruption of darkness—only care about what they wish to achieve." Lantis's eyes glinted red as they passed by the stark light of the overhead lamp along the street. "June, you and I know that Jonathan Stallis might not stop at just you."

June moved his eyes at the demon next to him, the car slowing down at the red light that lit so fiercely at his face. Under such lighting, it even seemed that Lantis's features were changing. The actor murmured the words that came from his demon companion: "What do you mean… not stop at me?"

A strange smile was Lantis's answer. June waited for him to speak, even until the car had moved on its own as soon as the light turned green. "The sea of fortune had always been hard to decipher, and as someone who could tap into the possibilities, I can clearly see the most evident end that would play. I have seen you put the gun down, but I'd rather not tell you what happens next."

"Is this your way of making me act outside my better judgment?" The corner of June's lips rose in a smirk, his hands trembling in contrast. However, he kept his eyes on the road and drove to where Lantis was leading him. After all, putting a gun on someone's head and pulling the trigger were two different things—at least to June, he could still return from there.

Ring! Ring! June's phone then started to ring. The actor glanced at Lantis and picked up the call as Lantis drove the car on his own. "Hey, Pete, what's—?"

Pop! Pop! Gunshots echoed from afar, making June twitch in his seat. Pete's voice then came shakily: "June! They're killing people here, June! June, help me!"