Haneul woke up with a sharp jolt of pain.
His head slammed against the car door as the vehicle came to a sudden, violent stop.
A dull ringing filled his ears, vision blurring as he sucked in a shaky breath.
His body felt heavy, unresponsive, as if he were still half trapped in darkness.
He couldn't move.
But he could hear.
"Damn it."
A rough voice cursed from the front.
"What happened?"
"The roads are blocked."
"What?!"
Another voice snapped, irritated.
"We already wasted fifteen minutes back there."
"Now here "
The sound of a car door opening echoed loudly.
Footsteps followed as one of the guards stepped out to check.
Haneul's lashes fluttered.
His eyes were still half-lidded, unfocused, but fear crept into his chest like ice.
"We have to get there before anyone notices,"
One guard said urgently.
Another scoffed.
"That crazy Liya
She'll cut our money if we get caught."
A third voice cut in, sharper.
"You're thinking about money?
Are you insane?
Think about Young Master."
There was a pause.
"If he finds out we're taking his man from his residence"
The guard swallowed audibly,
"He'll break our legs.
You know how he is when he's protecting someone."
Haneul's breath hitched.
From the front, distant voices carried through the air.
"Officer! Open the trunk."
"Step aside."
The guard who had gone out suddenly ran back, panic in his voice.
"Dude, run! They're checking cars
searching for someone.
I think it's him."
Haneul's eyes snapped open fully.
Fear surged through him, raw and overwhelming.
The guards turned toward him.
He was shivering now, body trembling uncontrollably.
"There's no way back,"
One muttered.
"It's traffic everywhere."
"We have to run,"
Another said urgently.
A third shook his head.
"No carry him. He's light.
We'll cut through there."
He pointed toward a sharp turn off the road.
Before Haneul could react, rough hands grabbed him.
[Meanwhile]
Taekyun's car tore through the road, the engine roaring as he sped toward the main highway.
His jaw was clenched so tightly it hurt.
His eyes were cold, sharp, focused only on the road ahead.
The phone rang.
He answered instantly.
"Yes."
"Sir,"
Lihan's voice came through, tense.
"Officer Minjae says it's better if we go fast. He can't block the roads any longer.
They're checking cars one by one now."
A pause.
"They're worried the suspects might escape."
"Hmm."
That was all Taekyun said.
Then he pressed the accelerator harder.
The call dropped.
Lihan's car fell further behind, unable to keep up.
[Back on the road]
The guards dragged Haneul out of the car.
Cold air hit his skin brutally.
One of them hoisted him up, running toward the side road.
Suddenly
"Hey!"
An officer shouted.
"They're running!"
Everything happened at once.
As the guard carrying Haneul ran, Haneul's forehead smashed into a nearby road sign with a sickening thud.
Pain exploded through his head.
He cried out, fingers clawing weakly at the guard's jacket.
Other guards tried to shield them, but the officers were already closing in.
"They won't make it!"
Someone yelled.
Panicking, the guards shoved Haneul away.
He hit the ground hard.
They ran.
Boots thundered past him as officers chased after them.
Haneul lay there, vision swimming, tears spilling freely now.
He was terrified.
Too terrified.
His chest heaved as sobs tore out of him. His pheromones spilled uncontrollably into the air, thick with fear and desperation.
Hands reached for him.
"It's okay,"
An officer said gently.
"You're safe now."
But Haneul couldn't hear.
He scrambled to his feet and ran.
Straight back onto the road.
"Sir!"
Lihan's voice rang through Taekyun's phone.
"They caught some of the guards!
Others are running!"
Taekyun's heart slammed painfully.
"They say Haneul is injured,"
Lihan continued urgently.
"He's panicking
He's not under control.
He's running back toward the road."
Taekyun couldn't see anything else.
He slammed the brakes.
The car screeched to a stop just meters from the chaos.
He threw the door open and ran.
Not caring about anything else.
Not looking anywhere else.
"Haneul."
And then....
He saw him.
Haneul was running toward him, tears streaming down his face, blood at his hairline.
"Taekyun!"
Haneul crashed into him.
Wrapped his arms around Taekyun's waist, clinging desperately.
Taekyun staggered but held him instantly, arms locking around his shaking body.
Haneul sobbed against his chest, soaking his shirt, breath coming in broken gasps.
His pheromones flooded the air, hitting Taekyun hard raw fear, pain, trust.
Even though the cold cut through them, Taekyun burned.
He rubbed Haneul's back slowly, firmly, grounding him.
"I've got you,"
He murmured, leaning down, holding him tighter.
"It's okay. You're safe."
Officers approached cautiously.
Haneul looked up, terrified.
He shook his head violently, gripping Taekyun's hand with both of his.
"I don't want to go with them,"
He cried.
"I don't want to please tell them to go away.
I don't want"
Taekyun pulled him closer.
"They're not taking you,"
He said firmly.
"No one is."
Haneul looked up at him, eyes red, tears still falling.
Taekyun lifted him carefully into his arms.
He noticed everything then the cut on his forehead, the scraped hands.
Rage simmered under his calm.
He placed Haneul gently into the front seat, fastened the seatbelt himself, then lifted Haneul's chin slightly.
"Stay here,"
He said softly.
Haneul nodded weakly, still holding his hand.
Taekyun released his pheromones into the car, wrapping them around Haneul like a shield.
"I'll be right back."
He closed the door and turned.
Officer Kang Minjae approached.
Taekyun nodded.
Minjae bowed deeply.
Traffic slowly began to clear.
Lihan's car pulled up from behind, and he stepped out, bowing as well.
The arrested guards were brought forward, hands restrained.
"Sir we're sorry!"
One shouted.
"It was Liya! We didn't do it on our own!"
Taekyun didn't even look at them.
But his blood boiled.
"Lihan,"
He said coldly.
"Handle everything.
Make sure none of them reach Gwanrim."
"Yes, sir."
Taekyun paused, then turned to Officer Minjae.
"Thank you."
The officer stiffened in shock.
A Kim saying thank you?
Taekyun was already walking away.
[Around 11:30 pm/Hospital]
Taekyun carried Haneul straight inside.
A VIP room was prepared instantly.
A doctor entered, bowing politely.
"Young Master."
Haneul clutched Taekyun's arm as the doctor examined his forehead first, cleaning the wound carefully, then bandaging it.
"Easy,"
Taekyun murmured, steadying him.
The doctor cleaned and wrapped Haneul's scraped hands.
Then he prepared an injection.
Haneul noticed.
He pouted slightly, shaking his head in refusal, pressing closer to Taekyun.
"No"
Taekyun said nothing.
He simply moved closer, holding Haneul firmly against his chest.
The doctor administered the injection quickly.
Haneul flinched, then relaxed, still clinging to Taekyun.
"It will help you rest,"
The doctor said gently.
After ensuring everything was stable, the doctor bowed again and left.
A servant arrived shortly after with fresh clothes for both of them.
Taekyun changed quickly, helping Haneul into clean clothes.
They left the hospital together.
Outside,
Taekyun placed Haneul gently into the car, covering him with a blanket.
Haneul held his hand the entire time.
Taekyun turned to the servant.
"Tell Bora to handle everything.
I'm not coming back tonight."
"Yes, sir."
As the servant left,
Taekyun got into the driver's seat.
He made one call.
"This is kim Taekyun,"
He said calmly.
"Prepare my room."
The car pulled away toward the hotel.