Almost blind | Haobin

25| red lips |25

It was time to go home. The air between them was thick with unspoken words, the weight of an unresolved history pressing down on Hao's shoulders. Being in Hanbin's presence only deepened his discomfort, so he clung to Yujin, their fingers tangled together like lifelines. They talked quietly, their voices a soft murmur, while Hanbin trailed behind them, a silent storm brewing in his eyes.

"This cabin is already full," Ricky announced, peering inside the gondola, where a few people were already settled.

"It's fine, we'll take this one. You kids wait here for another," Gyuvin added swiftly, stepping inside alongside Ricky before anyone could protest. The doors slid shut, leaving the three boys alone on the snowy platform.

Hao exhaled and turned to Yujin. "Are you sure you're okay? That fall looked bad," Yujin asked, concern lacing his voice as his grip on Hao's hand tightened.

"Yeah. My back hurts a little, but it's nothing serious," Hao reassured him with a small smile.

Minutes passed before an empty cabin finally arrived. With no one else around, they stepped inside, the doors shutting with a quiet thud. The cabin lurched forward, beginning its slow descent over the endless white landscape.

Hao leaned against the railing, his gaze drifting to the snowy hills below. Everything looked so peaceful from up here, like the world had been momentarily frozen in time.

Yujin did the same, but his attention wasn't on the scenery. His eyes scanned Hao's face before his fingers brushed against a faint bruise on his cheek. "You've got a bruise here," he murmured, tracing the mark lightly.

"If you hadn't shoved him down the hill, that wouldn't have happened," Hanbin scoffed from the other side of the cabin. His voice was sharp, cutting through the fragile silence like a blade.

Yujin barely spared him a glance. "Stay out of this," he said flatly.

"Oh?" Hanbin let out a humorless laugh. "I'm just stating facts. You pushed him straight into danger, right into the abyss. What was your goal? To get rid of him?"

Yujin sighed, finally turning to face him. Hanbin was standing with his arms crossed, his eyes alight with challenge.

"Watch your mouth," Yujin warned, his voice dangerously calm.

Hanbin smirked, tilting his head slightly as if daring Yujin to challenge him. "What? Am I wrong?" His sharp gaze flickered to Hao for a brief moment before returning to Yujin, eyes glinting with amusement.

Yujin narrowed his eyes, crossing his arms over his chest. "You're not some hero just because you helped him once," he shot back, his tone laced with irritation. "Don't act like you've done something grand."

Hao stiffened, already sensing where this was headed. "Hey, can you two-"

"But I am a hero," Hanbin cut him off. "After all, if I hadn't been there, what would've happened? You would've stood there, frozen in fear. Maybe even cried your eyes out."

Yujin's expression remained unreadable, but something in his eyes darkened.

Hanbin gasped theatrically, as if struck by sudden realization. "Oh wait, my bad. You're not like that. You're just a copy-and-paste of your father, who cares about nothing but money." His words dripped with sarcasm, each syllable designed to sting.

Hao's eyes widened. He looked at Yujin, who had gone unnervingly still. His breathing had slowed, his fingers curling into fists at his sides.

"You're trying to make me mad," Yujin stated, his voice quieter now.

"Yeah," Hanbin admitted without hesitation, rolling his eyes. "And it's easy. Your eyes are already killing me." He hummed in mock thought before his gaze dragged down Yujin's body. "Makes me wonder... do your parents even know you're here?"