Inception (ATEEZxReader AU FF)

Escape

Faster than I could comprehend, Seonghwa tossed me out of the building. My brain short-circuited as the feeling of weightlessness surrounded me and I was falling. If I could have screamed, I would have, but the wind whipping past my face robbed me of my voice as I plummeted towards the ground quickly. I squeezed my eyes shut bracing for impact, but it never came. Instead, my body collided with a much firmer one as Jongho's arms came around me, cradling me into his chest. He grunted with the force of the impact, holding me tightly so he didn't drop me.
I opened my eyes just in time to a pair of boots hit the dirt ground hard kicking up dust followed by another pair just behind him. I looked up meeting Yeosang's somewhat gentle gaze before a small smile hiked up one corner of his mouth. "See? I told you he'd catch you."
I turned my head, clashing eyes with Jongho as he raised one eyebrow at me. My hands were clutching at his shirt tightly, knuckles white. I quickly let go embarrassed as he thankfully set me down on my shaky legs. That was something I never wanted to experience again, and I wouldn't have ever experienced it in the first place if it wasn't thanks to someone in particular. I shot a hateful glare at Seonghwa who didn't even notice. He ignored me, strolling past us towards the nearby alley.
I could still hear the fight ensuing behind the walls of the tavern, but they were muffled by the commotion of the main road on the other side of the building. My mother made her way to my side again, taking my hand before the rest of us followed Seonghwa. Despite the danger of our own situation, I couldn't help but wonder about the other four men. While Yunho and Hongjoong weren't exactly the nicest men I've had the pleasure of knowing, they still put their lives on the line for the sake of my mother and me. That, at the very least, earned them a degree of respect.
I seemed to be the only one concerned about their safety however as everyone else moved through the back alleys quietly. The fact that none of us encountered any other thugs must have meant that Wooyoung and Mingi had taken care of anyone left outside when the fight broke out. The sun lit the sky above brightly, blinding me every so often when it peaked through the gaps between buildings. I was starting to sweat under my cloak. All the running coupled with the sun's heat was exhausting and I wasn't sure how much longer I could go. Luckily, we rounded a corner to see Wooyoung and Mingi before us leaning casually against a stable door as they bickered about who took out the most enemies. Yeosang rolled his eyes while Seonghwa ignored the two of them to enter the stables.
"No problems I'm assuming?" Yeosang asked.
"Piece of cake." Wooyoung grinned shooting me a wink.
I scrunched my nose, looking away. I scanned our surroundings recognizing this side of town to be close to the border if the stables and merchant checkpoints were anything to go by. It was oddly devoid of people, but I assumed it had more to do with the celebration than anything else. A hand thrust in front of me catching me off guard. I looked up at Mingi holding out a canteen.
"You look like you need it."
I took it from him slowly bringing it to my lips for a drink. The water inside was cool and refreshing. Especially after our sprint through town. Now wanting to take much since he would most likely need it more than I would, I handed it back to him. "Thank you." I said softly.
He grinned bringing it to his mouth to chug the rest of it. As he did so, I noticed the gash on his arm courtesy of myself. I raised my hand to brush across the angry wound for a better look. He paused with the canteen halfway lowered, eyes focused on my face as I studied his cut. What I didn't expect, was for it to be almost completely healed. All that remained was a small injury, no blood, just a little redness.
"How?"
"We heal fast." He cleared his throat shifting uncomfortably as I moved closer to him.
I frowned dropping my hand. Must be nice having that ability. Still, I felt bad that I had hurt him. Even though in that circumstance I was afraid.
"I'm sorry." I murmured meeting his eyes again.
His features softened almost immediately. Going from the tough, hardened exterior of the warrior I had come to know him to be, to a gentle giant. A sharp whistle broke the moment between us though as San motioned for us to join the rest of them in the stable. I followed closely behind Mingi as we squeezed inside the small structure.
Jongho and Seonghwa were busy saddling horses as everyone else grabbed small bags, tying them onto the horses. Mingi went to help with the saddling while I joined my mother standing to the side watching the men closely.
"Mom."
She turned to me, gathering me in her embrace as she laid an arm around my shoulders.
"I have to tell you what happened."
She shook her head, "It's okay. King Mingi already explained what happened."
My eyes found Mingi again, watching as he skillfully prepped his horse for riding before approaching the next one. I sighed. "We'll get out of this. They've agreed to help us escape and once we're out of here, I'll find us somewhere safe."
My mom smiled at me weakly, laying a soft kiss on my forehead. Yeosang made his way over to us from across the room.
"We only have eight horses so you two will have to ride with someone."
We both nodded following him to the rest of the group. Just then, a searing pain shot through my hand again making me cry out and cradle it to my chest. All heads whipped to me as their gazes drifted over my form before landing on my marked hand. San made eye contact with Yeosang.
"Who is it? Wooyoung and Mingi are both here." The expression on his face was puzzlement as he looked between me and the two I supposedly shared bonds with.
"Wait, Wooyoung is bonded to her too?" Mingi asked stepping forward.
Yeosang scanned the room quickly before turning back to me. "It has to be one of the other two. Everyone else is accounted for and unharmed."
He meant Yunho or Hongjoong. My blood ran cold at the thought. If it is one of them, then that made three. Three shapeshifters that I shared physical bonds with. The pain in my hand reduced to a dull throb as Yeosang took my arm gently leading me to a horse.
"We need to leave now. If there's any more of those men out there then we're sitting ducks in here."
Mingi mounted his horse, followed by Seonghwa right behind him on his own mount. Yeosang guided me to Wooyoung who was already seated on his gorgeous chestnut colored horse. As we approached, he held out a hand for me to grab which I took hesitantly. He heaved me up at the same time Yeosang lifted me with a tight grip on my hips. I settled comfortably in front of Wooyoung looking around for my mother. She was led by San to another horse while the last of the men swung over their own saddles, gripping the reins tightly. Jongho and Seonghwa had ahold of two other horses, that I presumed, belonged to Hongjoong and Yunho.
I held onto the saddle horn tightly starting to feel panic rise inside me as we neared the exit to the stables. Wooyoung on the other hand, was unusually relaxed behind me. Even giddy as I could feel him bounce in the saddle ready to go. I chewed my bottom lip nervously as Mingi and Yeosang took the lead at the head of the group.
"We're heading for Kriton. It's the closest kingdom and we'll have more security there than in Tregeron. Mingi and I will lead, Seonghwa and Jongho bring up the rear in case anyone sneaks up behind us. San and Wooyoung stick to the middle and protect Sera and her mother. We'll rendezvous with Hongjoong and Yunho at the border."
I wanted to ask how they would know where to go but thought better of it when Yeosang turned with Mingi and spurred his horse to a full gallop right out of the gate. San was right behind them followed by Wooyoung and I. My entire body jolted with the pace they set as my butt lifted off the saddle only to fall back into it rather harshly. I winced a few times knowing that I would be feeling the ache come the end of our journey. The lights and festivities along with the townspeople's shouts of merriment faded the further we traveled out of the city. Wooden buildings and homes dissipated, replaced by the lush greenery of Tregeron's forests as we kept off the main roads heading towards Kriton.