checkmate. | pi hanwool

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CHECKMATEㅤ

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The night air was cool against Gaeun’s skin, but all she could feel was the steady weight of Hanwool’s forehead resting against hers, their breaths mingling softly in the small space between them.

He stayed like that for a while, as if grounding himself through her touch, through her presence.

And then, in a low, almost broken voice, Hanwool finally spoke.

"…Everything’s getting complicated," he murmured.

Gaeun stayed still, letting him take his time.

Hanwool took a deep breath, pulling back just slightly so he could look into her eyes. His own were clouded with emotions he could no longer hide.

"Between me and my father…" he continued, his voice raw, "it’s getting worse."

Gaeun's chest tightened painfully at his words. She had always known there were cracks beneath Hanwool’s tough exterior, cracks that he kept hidden from everyone else. But hearing it from him, seeing the vulnerability on his face, made it all the more real.

She reached out and gently brushed his hair back from his forehead, her touch featherlight. Hanwool closed his eyes briefly at the contact, like he was soaking in the comfort she offered.

"He’s pulling me deeper into things I don’t want to be part of," Hanwool said, his jaw clenching. "The gang, the fights, the… power plays. He’s using me."

His voice trembled slightly at the end, like he hated admitting it out loud.

"I’m tired, Gaeun," he confessed, eyes opening to meet hers again. "But I can’t break away. Not yet."

Gaeun's throat tightened with the urge to cry for him, but she swallowed it down. Hanwool didn’t need her pity—he needed her strength.

She nodded slowly. "I’m here. Whatever happens, Hanwool, I’m not leaving you."

A flicker of something—relief, maybe—passed through his eyes. But then his expression darkened slightly, more serious than ever.

"That’s why…" he said, his hand coming up to gently hold her arm, his grip warm but firm, "you have to be careful."

Gaeun frowned slightly. "Careful?"

Hanwool nodded. "You and Gamin… I don’t know what’s going to happen next. Things are getting messy. Suncheol's case, the tension between gangs—everything’s unstable."

He paused, seeming to choose his next words carefully.

"If anything feels wrong, or if you feel like you’re being watched or followed… don’t handle it alone. Call me. Promise me you’ll call me."

The desperation in his voice was something Gaeun had never heard before.

She placed her hand over his. "I promise."

Hanwool stared at her for a moment longer, then slowly pulled her into another hug, tighter this time, almost as if he was afraid she’d slip away if he let go.

"I don’t want you getting hurt because of me," he murmured into her hair.

Gaeun tightened her arms around his waist. "You’re not dragging me into anything. I’m choosing to stand by you."

She felt Hanwool’s body sag slightly against hers, the heavy weight of his fear and guilt finally finding a place to rest.

Under the quiet, sleepy stars, they stayed there for a long time—two people caught in a storm they couldn’t control but refusing to let go of each other.