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the journey to yuwon's house felt like it stretched on for miles, though in reality, it was just a few blocks. heeseung dragged himself forward, each step a brutal, pounding reminder of the deep cut along his side. blood soaked through his shirt, leaving a dark stain that seemed to grow heavier, pressing down on him like an anchor, dragging him closer to the ground with every aching movement. his vision blurred, the world swimming around him, streetlights casting halos that smeared into the shadows. his breaths came in jagged gasps, sharp and shallow, and he could feel the world tilting, threatening to swallow him whole.
as he stumbled onto her porch, he reached out, clinging to the doorframe to keep himself upright, every muscle in his body screaming for rest. for a second, he hesitated, fighting through the fog clouding his mind, praying she hadn't already gone to bed. he could barely bring himself to lift his arm, but he managed a weak, almost desperate knock. his head dropped forward, resting against the door, eyes slipping shut as he waited, hoping, pleading.
he bites his lip nervously. please, come on. he slowly brings his hand up to knock again, but the door swung open before he could do so. and there she was—yuwon, with her hair cascading around her shoulders, her eyes wide and filled with a mixture of surprise
"heeseu—oh my god" she brings a trembling hand to her mouth, taking in his condition she had not noticed at first.
he took a shaky breath, but the sight of her sent a wave of relief and longing crashing over him. she was the only one he needed to see. he wasn't gonna die tonight it was certain, but even if he did, he would want it to be in her arms
"please yuwon" he murmured, his voice desperate, eyes pleading. "i got nowhere else to go"
yuwon shook her head and reached for him immediately. "you don't have to go anywhere else, okay?" she reassured, and guided him inside, her hand slipping into his, warm and steady, grounding him when he felt himself sway. he let himself lean into her, every brush of her skin a silent promise, an anchor in the haze of pain and need that clouded his mind.
maybe this was why he loved her so dearly. she always knew what to say, she was always there for him no matter the circumstances.
heeseung could feel himself fading as she led him to her room, her grip firm but shaking, fingers pressed to his arm like she was afraid he'd collapse if she let go. he barely registered her helping him to her bed, the soft comforter a relief against his battered body as he sank down, struggling to stay conscious.
yuwon knelt beside him, patting cheek a few times to awaken him. "stay with me heeseung, you'll be alright" she comforted, her fingers caressing his face, brushing against the curve of his jaw with a tenderness thag made his chest tighten. and even though her voice trembled, heeseung believed her.
