Running to You | Park Han + JL + Steven | Haneulz + Stejay AU

Chapter 13: The Food Run

JL forgot how to breathe. Han's hand had instinctively found JL's waist during the fall, fingers curling into the bend of his hip and into the fabric of his shirt.

Neither of them moved.

"I -- uh," JL stammered, blinking rapidly.

"Are you all right?" Han asked, voice low, rough with adrenaline. He didn't move his hand. JL didn't move either. 

Their eyes locked.

And stayed locked.

Time was a taut string between them, threatening to snap.

Then JL pushed himself off, awkward but gentle. "Sorry -- gravel," he muttered. He held a hand out.

Han accepted the offered hand up without a word. His palm lingered against JL's a second too long. "Do a better rescue next time."

"Next time, I'm letting you slide into the ravine," JL replied, breathless.

"You'd miss me." 

"I wouldn't miss carrying you back."

The lodge lights shimmered ahead like a finish line.

They collected the food from a kind ajumma who insisted the stew had magical healing properties. JL bowed, inhaled the scent, and nearly swooned. He tripped slightly as they turned to leave, but this time steadied himself before Han could intervene.

Still, Han was already half a step closer than necessary, his hand on JL's elbow. Maybe it was just JL's imagination, but it felt like it lingered there longer than he really needed it to. 

"Thanks for not letting me crack my skull back on the path," Han said quietly as they made their way back.

JL smiled. "Anytime. I owe you for not letting me trip every five minutes. Now you get a taste of what my life is like."

"You really do that with above-average frequency," Han mused.

The cabin lights came into view. The instant they stepped into the clearing, the door burst open.

"THEY'RE BACK!" Woongki shrieked.

"FOOD!" Kyungho roared like a caveman.

Juwon ran out and tried to pry a bag from Han's arms. "Give me the stew or I will cry in front of everyone."

Jeongwoo emerged, towel still around his neck. "We survive another day."

Chih En said nothing, but licked his lips while looking at the roast covered in foil.

Steven solemnly took a tray. "If only you looked at your fangirls like that, Chih En. Now everyone shut up and set the table before I bite through the packaging."

Shuaibo saluted. "Hunters. Providers. Trustworthy kings."

Woongki flung himself at JL. "Did you WALK THROUGH FLAMES?"

Han calmly replied, "Only fireflies."

"ROMANTIC," Woongki sighed.

"It wasn't," JL mumbled, ears burning.

"I bet you held hands," Juwon said.

"I bet you almost kissed," Woongki added gleefully.

JL froze. Han looked sideways.

"Shut up," they said in unison.

They handed out the containers and everyone gathered around the long table, bickering over sides and stealing extra spoonfuls.

Woongki clinked his cup against JL's.

"To our Haneulz."

JL laughed. "That's not our name."

"It is canon," Woongki insisted.

Han passed JL a bowl. Their fingers brushed, and it didn't feel awkward. The energetic banter, the sound of utensils against bowls, and laughter enveloped them both. 

And the rest of the team, mouths full, eyes shining, made the cabin feel like home.

[Your comments and votes each chapter mean the world and support this story. Thank you for reading, and see you in the next chapter! ✩✩✩ - Martiné]