Chapter 5/6: In the Silence, You Stayed

The wind screamed past their ears.

Jinwoo clung to Sasha like his life depended on it—because it did. His face was buried in Sasha’s chest, fingers fisting the front of his shirt, breath coming in shaky gasps.

“Breathe,” Sasha whispered near his ear. “We’re almost down.”

Jinwoo peeked down.

Bad idea. The ground was coming fast—too fast.

They hit the rooftop of an abandoned building with a thud that rattled his bones. Sasha rolled them to absorb the impact, shielding Jinwoo with his own body. He grunted, wincing as his shoulder smacked hard.

Jinwoo lay still, heart pounding in his throat, cheek pressed to Sasha’s chest.

“You alive?” Sasha panted.

Jinwoo nodded weakly. “I think I left my soul mid-air.”

Sasha let out a breathless laugh. “I’ll go back for it later.”

They found shelter in an old karaoke bar Sasha’s men once used for meetups. Dusty, dark, broken neon signs buzzing overhead. But it was safe.

Sasha dropped onto a couch with a heavy sigh, wincing as he peeled off his coat. Blood soaked through his black shirt.

Jinwoo’s eyes widened. “You’re hurt.”

“It’s nothing.”

“Bullsh*t,” Jinwoo snapped, already kneeling beside him. “Let me see.”

Sasha raised a brow. “Since when does a pop idol know first aid?”

Jinwoo gave him a look. “We pass out on stage sometimes, y’know. We learn.”

Sasha smirked but didn’t argue.

Jinwoo tugged the shirt up, biting his lip as he saw the wound—clean bullet graze, but deep. Without a word, he found a rag and water, started cleaning it. His hands trembled.

“You’re not scared of me,” Sasha said suddenly.

Jinwoo paused. “Should I be?”

“I kill people,” Sasha said, voice low. Honest. Raw. “I’ve done things that’d make you sick.”

Jinwoo met his gaze. “You protected me. That’s what matters right now.”

Sasha stared at him—really stared. Like no one ever had.

“You’re dangerous too, you know,” he murmured.

Jinwoo blinked. “Me?”

“You make me feel like I still have something to lose.”

And damn. That hit harder than any bullet.

The room fell quiet. Only their breaths filled the air. Jinwoo finished wrapping the bandage, his fingers brushing Sasha’s skin too long. Too soft.

Their faces were close again. Too close.

Jinwoo whispered, “What now?”

Sasha leaned in, lips almost touching his.

“We hide. We run. We burn the world if we have to,” he said. “But I’m not letting them touch you.”

Their lips brushed again—gentler this time. Slower. Like a promise.

This kiss wasn’t desperation.

It was the beginning of something unstoppable.

It took two stolen cars, one fake identity, and four burner phones to disappear—but Sasha did it.

By the time they reached the mountain hideout, Jinwoo was half asleep in the passenger seat. Sasha glanced at him. Hair messy. Hoodie too big. Eyes half-lidded with exhaustion.

Not the sparkling idol the world worshipped.

Just Jinwoo.

And damn… he’d never looked more real.

The cabin was quiet. Hidden deep in the forest. No cameras. No press. No fans screaming his name. Just wind through the trees, and the low hum of Sasha’s breathing across the room.

Jinwoo stared at the fireplace, blanket over his legs. He should’ve felt safe.

But his phone—his real phone—buzzed in his bag.

One bar of signal.

And a single message from his manager:

> “They know you’re gone. We’re sending someone. Come back before this ruins everything.”

Jinwoo’s chest clenched.

He looked at Sasha, sitting near the window, gun in lap, eyes scanning the woods like he already knew something was coming.

Of course he knew.

He always did.

“You okay?” Sasha asked without turning.

Jinwoo hesitated. “They want me back.”

Sasha’s jaw clenched. “And do you want to go?”