Horizon | Choi San

7

"And it's another win!" Jongho high-fived Gaeul, the two of them giggling as if they were drunk- Wooyoung and San supposed they were drunk. Drunk on victory. "We make a good team, eh?"

"The best," Gaeul grinned, "I can't believe we've been winning on a streak after letting them win once-"

"You're cheating!" Wooyoung scowled and San tried to calm him down, laughing in defeat. "I can't believe this! Change partners, right now!"

"Hey!" San slapped his arm and Jongho shook his head.

"Nuh-uh. Whenever we play next time, I'm teaming up with Gaeul."

"Let her decide!" Wooyoung shouted. Gaeul looked at him guiltily.

"I mean... if I have to win, I'll team up with Jongho-"

"Traitors, both of you!" Wooyoung started to pack the games and Gaeul laughed at Jongho who was grinning like a kid. She shook her head- he looked adorable when he laughed, unlike his usual serious demeanour.

"Ah, I'm so tired," Jongho stretched. "I'm heading inside my tent. What about you?"

"I want to walk around," Gaeul got up, hands on her hips while she looked around. "I've never been here. Anyone wanna join?"

"Not me, nuh-uh!" Wooyoung said mockingly, making Jongho giggle again. San got up, kicking Wooyoung lightly and telling him to grow up. He looked at Gaeul, licking his lips.

"Want some company?"

Gaeul's stomach swooped dangerously but she managed to nod, helping the others pack first since they were going to leave early in the morning before it got too hot. After Wooyoung disappeared in his own tent to sulk, San motioned for Gaeul to come along.

"I know a place," San gave her a half-smile, "if you're up for a little hiking."

"And by little, how much exactly do you mean? Because Wooyoung told me this spot was 'right next' to his palace and made me walk miles-"

"Oh, it's not that far- and trust me, you won't regret it one bit."

Gaeul shrugged, tossing two water bottles in her bag before following San who was grinning at her. He asked, "Have you ever been to any mountains?"

"Nope," Gaeul answered. "The beach was where my life started and where my life ended."

"I see," San nodded. "The last time I came here was when we were with Yena- the three of us. I'm having deja vu," he smiled. "There's a lake up there- it's really pretty. We were too occupied with our mission back then to appreciate the beauty of it."

"Have you been to the mountains in your kingdom?" Gaeul asked, "In Arkesh, right?"

"Yeah, a few times when I was a kid," San nodded. "I should visit more- maybe I could find good spots there too."

"Ascella had caves on the beach, if you remember," Gaeul looked at San and he shook his head. "I had a cave that I was pretty sure no one else had spotted yet- you had to go through numerous others to reach that spot. It was my hiding spot."

"Why did you need to hide?"

"Don't you feel like you need to hide from the world sometimes too?" Gaeul asked and San smiled, nodding. "Just a place to get away from reality. Do you have some place like that?"

"Not really," San admitted. "When I want to get away, I just... do. It's pretty selfish of me but sometimes I just don't tell anyone and go in the woods- even my court is used to it now. There's an old lady that lives there who had no idea who I was until two years ago- I used to stay at her place sometimes."