Horizon | C.JH , K.YS | rewrite

{7}

Yeosang's heart pounded faster, his breath hitching against Minwoo's clammy palm. Wooyoung stood frozen, eyes wide with terror, as he watched the stranger approach.

Minwoo muttered a bewildered "What?" between panting breaths, his grip on Yeosang still tight. Yeosang's eyes pleaded silently for release, his body trembling with desperation.

The stranger chuckled softly before Minwoo let out a sudden groan of pain. Yeosang was abruptly released as the knife clattered to the floor. Seizing the moment, he bolted into Wooyoung's open arms.

Wooyoung clutched him tightly, his hands roaming over Yeosang's face, checking for injuries. He exhaled deeply, relief flooding his features.

"Are you okay?" Wooyoung whispered, his voice shaking as he hugged Yeosang even tighter. Yeosang nodded, still catching his breath.

Turning around, Wooyoung kept a protective arm around Yeosang, his eyes widening as he saw who had intervened. It was San, gripping Minwoo by the neck, pinning him against the wall, his gaze piercing into Minwoo's soul.

"I should have known you fuckers would come back," Minwoo muttered under his breath, a defiant edge to his voice.

San responded with a disdainful tsk, his grip tightening on Minwoo's neck until his knuckles turned white. "You should be glad you're still alive," he said, his tone chillingly calm. He paused, slipping his hand into his pocket.

Yeosang's hold on Wooyoung tightened as he watched San pull out a gun, the hint of a smile playing on his lips as he pressed the barrel against Minwoo's temple. "Or should I just kill you?"

Minwoo's breath caught, his eyes widening in fear. Yeosang suppressed a bitter laugh, the dark irony of the situation not lost on him. He hated Minwoo for destroying his life, but he also hated himself for not escaping sooner.

"What's up, motherfucker? Not so tough now, are you?" San taunted, effortlessly holding Minwoo's arms with one hand, his strength seemingly boundless.

Yeosang couldn't fathom how a man could possess such immense strength. San looked up, nodding toward the door, signalling them to leave.

"I'll handle him. Mingi is downstairs waiting. Go to him," San instructed.

Yeosang nodded, stifling a small sniffle as he grabbed Wooyoung's hand, guiding him past Minwoo.

"You son of a bitch! I'll get you back for this!" Minwoo shouted, attempting to lunge at Yeosang but was yanked back by San's iron grip.

Minwoo's fury sent shivers down Yeosang's spine, his anger triggering a deep-seated fear. Yeosang had never handled yelling well.

"Shut the fuck up already!" San's voice boomed, silencing Minwoo instantly.

Tears welled up in Yeosang's eyes. He rarely cried when Minwoo tormented him, but now the pain was unbearable. It hurt to realise how much he had loved Minwoo, despite never receiving that love in return.

With a deep exhale, Yeosang pulled Wooyoung close, leading him through the door and down the stairs to safety.

Once they were outside, Wooyoung tugged on Yeosang's hand, pulling him into a tight embrace. Despite the glaring midday sun, a sense of safety washed over them.

"It's okay. It's okay. He won't bother us anymore," Wooyoung murmured, gently rubbing Yeosang's back.

Yeosang tried to hold back his tears, but the floodgates opened. He sobbed into Wooyoung's jacket, clutching his t-shirt underneath as he attempted to calm himself. He couldn't pinpoint why he was crying, but the overwhelming relief was undeniable.