1 salt✅

What I Never Said

I ran at top speed and frantically checked street signs I could just barely manage to read with my limited English. I should've paid attention in school. Hwanwoong didn't look the slightest bit tired. Here I was, part of the military and could only manage 20 blocks of running.

"Why don't we just drive to Manhattan?" Hwanwoong asked quietly.

"Geon says it's jam packed. It'd be impossible to do anything but walk there." I replied as I looked around for a store.

"Why not drive most of the way then walk it?" he suggested as we walked into a corner store.

"Fine. Go find a car." I said as I down the water in seconds.

I yawned as I looked around at all of the food that was up for grabs. I shook my head as it was bad enough I had drank an entire bottle of water. I left the store then looked around for Hwanwoong.

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We sat in silence as the car moved down the highway. Events from a few days ago lingered in my mind. Hwanwoong kept his eyes on the road before us. I stopped the car then sighed. I didn't know what it was, but I felt I had to say something.

"Hwan-" I started then stopped when he started playing music. I frowned as it seemed deliberate. "Hey, Hwan."

He avoided making eye contact with me. I snatched his phone then sat on it. He still didn't look at me.

"What's with you?" I demanded more than asked.

"We're wasting time. Start driving." he said then closed his eyes.

"We're not going anywhere. How are we going to help Geon and Ju if we're not getting along." I fussed then sighed. "Is it because of what happened in the other suite?"

"No. We're cool with that." he said.

"Then what, Hwan? I won't understand if you don't tell me anything." I said, getting frustrated.

"Can we just go?" he asked in a raised voice.

"And then what? We get there and end up making things worse for them, especially Dongju? He's still young you know!" I replied just as loud.

"You're always so worried about everyone except me! Ever since the beginning it's been everyone but me! Am I that forgettable!? Do I-" he said then quieted down.

I had slapped him. He stared at me in disbelief. He quickly unlocked the door and exited the car. I looked at the hand that had done wrong. Why did I slap him? After a while, I got out of the car and hurried after him. Why did I slap him? The question constantly repeated in my mind as I looked everywhere.

"Please be safe... I'm so sorry..." I thought as I ventured further down the highway.

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I sat atop a car as I looked out to the distance. I had lost Hwanwoong. I felt guilty. Who knew what kind of trouble he was in? I looked at my hands then sighed. I slapped him because of his stupidity. I always worried about him just the same as the others. I was just never vocal about it. I never said anything because I knew he could do well by himself if necessary. He was a person who gave off the vibe that they didn't need protection. Instead of telling him all of that, I slapped him. Hwanwoong had every right to run away.

"I suppose I should get going..." I mumbled as the wind blew, moving my hair in the process.

I slid off of the car and opened the door. His phone still sat in the driver's seat. I picked it up and was surprised by the lockscreen. It was a picture of me looking out the window that one time back in Korea. Back when he suggested the beach idea. I never realized how good my side profile looked. It then freaked me out that he had secretly taken a photo of me.

"Does he admire me or something...?" I thought as I got into the car.

I held the steering wheel then looked at the passenger seat. Could I really just leave him behind? I sighed then noticed something in the mirror. I jumped out of the car and rushed towards him at top speed. I hugged him tight and spun him around in my arms. I found myself checking him over then pulling him close again.

"I was worried sick..." I said, choking on my words as I held back tears. "Don't disappear like that..."

I felt him hug me back then rub his head against my body. My face flushed at the action.

"I'm sorry... I overreacted..." he said into my chest.

"No, you didn't. I was an asshole for slapping you. It wasn't necessary." I admitted as we continued to hold each other.

I felt myself smile as I started to enjoy the moment. It was sweet and peaceful. I started to want more of it. I wanted to feel more of the foreign feeling I was experiencing.

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We arrived in Manhattan and checked Geonhak's text once more before moving.

"Central Park... where's that?" Hwanwoong asked as if I knew the answer.

I put it into Google maps then groaned at how long it'd take from where we were on foot. Hwanwoong looked and groaned too. Though, it would've been worse had we walked all the way from the Bronx. We followed the directions as we walked.

"So, where is this?" he asked as we crossed a street.

"It says... Harlem." I said as I messed with the zoom. "Geon and Ju haven't said anything for a while... should we call?"

"I'll do it." said Hwanwoong as he took out his phone.

It seemed as if no one was picking up. I told him to try calling Youngjo since we haven't seen him in hours either.

"Jo? Can you hear me? Great, how are things over there? I see. Mhm. Don't kill him, or else two certain people will hang you. We're fine, but we haven't heard from GeonJu. Ship name? Now's not the time for that, Jo." Hwanwoong said all while smiling.

He really must've liked Youngjo if he smiled that bright. I felt those disgusting pangs of jealously and envy. Hwanwoong hung up then looked at me.

"So he'll call back after trying to reach GeonJu." he said then looked away. "Pretty nice out isn't it?"

"It would be if the temperature was cooler." I replied.

I felt something touch my hand and saw it was his hand. Was he feeling uneasy? I held his hand hoping whatever his worry was would be eased with this action. I heard a yelp come from him when I held his hand. I looked at him and noticed his face was red. Was he hot? Did he not like holding hands? I let go then felt him grab it back.

"Yeah... a cooler day would be perfect for a date..." he said as he looked at the sky that was starting to turn orange.

"Are you interested in someone?" I asked curiously.

"No... not really." he replied as we started swinging our hands.

A part of me broke.

"Is that so..." I said as my grip weakened. "No one interested you?"

"No" was all he said. It was silly of me to think that maybe he was open to same sex relationships. For all I knew, he could be the straightest guy. I was still questioning as I found myself feeling something for the man beside me. I didn't know exactly what it was, but it certainly wasn't anything I felt for a close friend.

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We arrived at Central Park and found it quiet. Youngjo wasn't able to get through to either of them. We walked around hand in hand looking for them in bushes and behind trees. Our hairs stood on end at the sound of a blood curling scream.