#khj.writings

earthquakes rarely last longer than a few seconds, and yet the destruction they leave behind can be felt for years, lifetimes afterwards.

it happens quite like an earthquake, to the point where that's what you assume it to be at first when you notice the multiple chandeliers beginning to shake, the people beginning to shriek, loud bangs coming from every corner of the large room.

copying a man, one you've seen frequent the blackjack table for years, you crawl your way under the nearest stable surface- a poker table- and hope the screams and the shaking and the bangs last only a couple more seconds.

but they continue, far too long for an average earthquake, and beneath the table you remain, heart beating a mile per minute and your palms slicking themselves in nerves-induced sweat. across the room, you make eye contact with a woman, one you quickly identify as one of the waitresses from the familiar uniform she's wearing.

she meets your gaze, eyes wide with fear, and raises her finger to her lips.

be quiet.

the fog in your mind begins to clear up and you become all too aware of what is happening, far too late. the shaking ceiling is from the stampede of people running, the people are screaming as they attempt to fleed and the banging is from a gun, several guns, firing off into the room.

it's a hostage situation, one you know is bound to last far longer than a second.

you hold your breath in an attempt to remain unnoticed as you see a pair of dark boots and the tip of a riffle passing by. if you can just remain hidden, if you can just stay unnoticed long enough, you can contact authorities, you can get to the security room, you can do something before it's too late.

the buzzing of your phone condemns you, hans shooting into the pocket of your trousers and quickly grasping it, shutting the ringer off while hoping no one heard.

it's only a moment that you glance at the screen but his message makes your heart clench, and suddenly all you want to do is call him, tell him you love him, tell him you know he's been looking at engagement rings online, tell him he doesn't need an expensive diamond to sway a yes out of you.

[3:21 pm] joongbug <3: head to that cafe we like on main street, i'll meet you there, let's get lunch

[3:24 pm] joongbug <3: or we can go somewhere else

[3:24 pm] joongbug <3: anywhere you want

[3:25 pm] joongbug <3: i just want to see you, baby

[3:26 pm] joongbug <3: text me when you leave work

swallowing the lump in your throat, you think of how he'd kissed you good morning, begged you to call in sick, and wish you now had, so you could be cuddled up in bed with him and his fresh smelling cologne instead of holding back your own breath.

your thumbs move at their own accord, hitting send before you've fully realized what you're saying.

[3:48 pm] y/n: stuck in a meeting, can't meet you for lunch. i love you so much.

you don't even get the chance to slip the phone back into your pocket, don't get the chance to hear the familiar ringtone playing just a few feet away, before you're grabbed roughly by the ankle and ripped from your hiding spot.

the scream that would have escaped you is quickly swallowed as you stare up at the barrel of the gun, at the chipped nail polish of the hand that holds it, at the set of eyes glaring down at you like you're nothing but a burden.

you try to hold it in, try to keep the tears at bay, but them, and the word, escape you nonetheless when you catch sight of the watch you'd given him on your first anniversary.

"hongjoong?"

the guards are hot on your trail.

you stumble, dress catching on the impractical heels you’d been forced into. without much thought, you kick them off your feet and continue forward, glancing behind only once to see the group of men chasing you through the rain.

the heavens above cry in tune with you, the storm raging on in the sky so similar to the one in your heart. it all feels like a sign, that you’re doing what’s best for you, finally.

the further you grow from that cursed altar, the easier it becomes to breathe.

he hadn’t even blinked when you stopped in your tracks, feet frozen to the ground below as you stared down the aisle at the man you were to marry, more of a monster than a man, really. with his wolfish grins and those hands that could so easily inflict pain on others, as if the world were in his palms and his to crush into nothing but specs of dust.

he seemed bored when you’d turned and began running out of there as fast as your feet would carry you.

“y/n! stop right there! don’t you dare move!” your father’s calls are meaningless. you have no idea when he joined the chase but it almost makes you laugh, to see him actually care enough for once. maybe that’s why you turn to face him, right as you find footing at the edge of the cliff. below, the waves crash against jagged rocks. you hear your name being called once more and smile, at last, opening your arms wide.