Soundleasure | Choi San

Chapter 41

San's eyes fluttered open to a world painted in stark whites and soft blues, the scent of antiseptics filling the air. His head felt heavy, his body oddly light, and the faint, persistent ache in his side quickly reminded him of what had happened.

Blinking to clear his vision, he saw Y/n sitting beside him, her fingers gently weaving through his hair in slow, rhythmic strokes. Her eyes were focused on him, full of worry and warmth, a soft but strained smile appearing as she noticed he was awake.

—Hey —she whispered, her voice barely above a murmur, as though she was afraid any louder might hurt him.

Her smile was cautious, trying to mask how scared she was since he first closed his eyes. Feeling a wave of relief washing over her when his eyes shined as soon as he saw her. San tried to sit up, but the sharp pain in his side made him wince. Y/n's hand immediately moved to his shoulder, urging him to stay down.

—Easy —she said softly—. The doctor said you need to rest, don't force your body.

He let out a shaky breath, resting back against the pillow, his gaze fixed on her face. There were faint traces of exhaustion in her eyes, like she hadn't slept at all. Her other hand held onto his tightly, as if she was afraid he'd vanish if she let go.

—How long have I...? —he managed to ask, his voice hoarse.

—A few days —she brushed a strand of hair from his forehead, her thumb lingering in his skin—. They had to take you into surgery right after the... Well, right after everything. Thank god you were already in the hospital when it happened, otherwise...

Her voice lost power just at the memory of the doctor's words, forcing a smile again so he wouldn't notice how much it affected her.

—They managed to stabilize you, and the surgery went well —she assured him.

San felt a wave of relief wash over him at the sound of her voice, grounding him even as the memories of the incident flashed in his mind.

—Are you okay? —he asked, his eyes searching hers— What happened with her?

—I'm okay —Y/n gave a small nod, but he could see the heaviness she was carrying—. Wooyoung and Jongho managed to reduce her and keep her here the minute the cops took to come. It's finally over —she smiled.

Her thumb moved over his cheekbone, getting him to instantly close his eyes by feeling the tenderness of her touch.

—You saved my life, San —her voice broke slightly.

San tried to smile, reaching up with his free hand to cover hers as she moved her hand a bit upper to run her fingers through his hair.

—I'd do it again in a heartbeat. You know that —he sighed—. It was about time I was what you deserved.

Y/n's hand trembled slightly beneath his. She looked down, biting her lip as she tried to keep her emotions in check.

—You've always been what I deserved —her voice cracked again, and she let out a shaky laugh, brushing away a tear that slipped down her cheek—. You're not allowed to scare me like that again. You can't leave me, in any way.

—I'm not going anywhere —San felt his heart twist, and he tightened the grip on her hand—. Never. I want to be with you forever, Y/n.

For a moment, the only sound was the soft beeping of the machines around them. Y/n leaned down, pressing her forehead gently against his, closing her eyes as though she needed the closeness as much as he did.

—That's great, because I don't know what I'd do without you —she whispered, her voice full of vulnerability.

He could feel the weight of her words, and he knew -he knew how much they'd been through, how hard things had been. But looking up at her now, he felt a renewed determination, a certainty that he would never let anything come between them again.