GASLIGHTER // BBANGSAZ

35| hers 🚭❗

Minji closed the door of the underground room quietly, careful not to make any noise that might disturb Hanni. The events of the night still buzzed in her mind, a whirlwind of adrenaline and satisfaction. She had won. Hanni had chosen her, done what she asked, proving that their bond was unbreakable. It was exactly as she’d planned, exactly as she’d always wanted.

But now, looking at Hanni curled up on the makeshift bed they’d set up in the corner of the small, dimly lit room, Minji felt something tug at her heart. Hanni’s eyes were closed, her face tear-streaked and pale, her body curled in on itself as if trying to hide from the world. Minji bit her lip, guilt mixing with the triumph that still lingered in her chest.

She crossed the room quietly, sitting down on the edge of the bed. Hanni stirred slightly but didn’t wake. Minji reached out, her fingers brushing gently over Hanni’s hair. She looked so fragile, so small, and for a moment, Minji’s heart ached with something she couldn’t quite identify. Was this really what she wanted?

Minji leaned down, pressing a soft kiss to Hanni’s forehead. “I’m sorry,” she whispered, the words slipping out before she could stop them. “I’m sorry it had to be like this.”

She knew she had pushed Hanni too far tonight. She’d seen the way Hanni had looked at her, the confusion, the fear, the desperate need to please her. Minji had built this relationship on control and manipulation, but there were moments when she wondered if it was really love she felt for Hanni, or just a twisted obsession.

But those thoughts were dangerous. They led to doubts, to cracks in the carefully constructed façade she had built. She couldn’t afford to let them in. Not now. Not when everything was finally coming together.

Minji sighed, brushing a few strands of hair away from Hanni’s face. Hanni murmured something in her sleep, her brows furrowing slightly. Minji’s heart clenched, and she shook her head, as if to clear away the unwanted emotions. She stood up, stepping away from the bed.

She needed to get out, to clear her head. Everything was moving so fast, and she needed to stay focused. There was still so much to do, so many loose ends to tie up. But for now, she would give Hanni some time. She deserved that, at least.

Minji slipped out of the room, closing the door behind her quietly. She made her way through the dark, narrow corridor, her footsteps echoing softly. The underground space they had found was perfect, hidden away from prying eyes, a safe haven for their twisted love.

She emerged into the main part of the hideout, a larger room filled with old furniture and boxes of supplies they had gathered over the past few weeks. It was quiet, the air thick with dust and the faint smell of mildew. Minji sat down on an old, worn-out sofa, running her fingers through her hair.

She needed a plan. Danielle’s death would complicate things, no doubt. There were people who would notice she was missing, people who would start asking questions. But Minji was confident she could handle it. She always did. As long as Hanni was by her side, they could get through anything.

She leaned back, closing her eyes. Her thoughts drifted back to Hanni, to the look on her face when she had pulled the trigger. It was fear, yes, but there had also been something else. A kind of desperate hope, a need for approval that had tugged at Minji’s heart. She had broken Hanni down completely, but now, looking back, she wondered if she had gone too far.

But no. This was what needed to happen. Hanni was hers, completely and utterly. Minji would keep her safe, protect her from anyone who tried to take her away. And if that meant manipulating her, breaking her down until she was nothing but a shell, then so be it.

Minji stood up, pacing the room restlessly. She needed to keep moving, to keep planning. The next few days would be crucial. They needed to leave this place, to find somewhere new. She couldn’t risk anyone finding them, not now.

But Hanni… She couldn’t push her too hard. Not yet. She needed to give her time to recover, to adjust to what had happened. Minji would be patient. She would wait. And then, when the time was right, she would rebuild her, piece by piece, until Hanni was exactly what she wanted her to be.

Minji stopped pacing, taking a deep breath. She needed to stay calm, to keep her emotions in check. Hanni would be fine. She was strong. She would bounce back. And when she did, Minji would be there, waiting for her with open arms.

She smiled, a small, determined smile. Everything was going to be fine. They had made it this far, hadn’t they? They could handle anything, as long as they were together.

Minji glanced at the closed door, her heart swelling with a fierce kind of love. She would protect Hanni. She would keep her safe, no matter what. And anyone who tried to get in their way… Well, they would just have to be dealt with.

She turned away, her mind already racing with plans. There was so much to do, so much to prepare. But she would do it, for Hanni. For them. Because Hanni was her everything, her reason for being. And she would do whatever it took to keep her by her side.

No matter the cost.

Minji spent the next few hours cleaning up the hideout, organizing their supplies, and making sure everything was in place. She knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep, not with so much on her mind. But that was fine. She was used to sleepless nights, to the constant hum of adrenaline that kept her going.

As she worked, her thoughts kept drifting back to Hanni. She hoped she was resting, that she was finding some peace after everything that had happened. Minji knew she would need to be patient, to give her time to heal. But she also knew that she couldn’t afford to let her guard down.

There were people looking for them, people who would stop at nothing to tear them apart. Minji wouldn’t let that happen. She would protect Hanni with everything she had, even if it meant sacrificing her own sanity.

Hours passed, the night slipping away into the early hours of the morning. Minji finally allowed herself to sit down, exhaustion creeping into her bones. She glanced at the door to the small room where Hanni was sleeping, a soft smile tugging at her lips.

They would get through this. They had to. Because losing Hanni wasn’t an option. Not now, not ever.

Minji closed her eyes, leaning back against the sofa. She could rest for a little while, just until Hanni woke up. Then they would talk, make plans for their next move. They had to be careful, had to stay one step ahead.

But for now, just for a moment, Minji allowed herself to breathe, to let go of the tension that had been building inside her. She had Hanni. And as long as she had her, she could face anything.

With that thought, Minji drifted off into a light, restless sleep, her mind still buzzing with plans and possibilities. She would keep them safe. She would keep Hanni safe. No matter what it took.

And anyone who tried to get in their way… Well, they would have to learn the hard way that Minji wasn’t someone to be messed with. She had fought too hard, sacrificed too much, to let anyone take Hanni away from her now.

Because Hanni was hers. And she would protect her, even if it meant losing herself in the process.

_

Filler chapter. Bleh.