The air outside is hot and humid , the sun beating down on the both of you and you can have to squint to see the outline of the cacti. San doesn't utter a single word to you as you both continue to walk to the horses that stand near the chairs on the side. Your thoughts are jumbled and your cheeks are still tinted pink from embarrassment ; you have no clothes, nothing with you and you know you'd feel even worse if they had managed to buy you something. Your eyes scan the surrounding watching San as he pets one of the horses, his hair slightly fluttering in the breeze. You can see the weary sag of his shoulders and the clench of his fists ; his jaw clenched and you know his almost recent fight is still burnt fresh into his mind.

"You shouldn't let Mingi get to you." Nearly startling in shock, you widen your eyes and watch as San continues to pet the horse. You stay silent for a second and scan his figure with your eyes, trying to find a good enough response.

"Says you." You don't know how you've managed to muster up all that courage for the remark that just left your mouth but it's too late to take it back and you instinctively shrink back when he quickly snaps his head towards your direction. Surprisingly he doesn't look angry with you , only just as surprised as you are , maybe because he hadn't expected you to answer back. Before you know it a small laugh leaves his mouth , and another and another before he's full blown laughing. He's most definitely off his mental reservation now. You're so dumbstruck that you simply stare at him with your mouth open. San finally regains his posture and nods his head almost as if agreeing with you.

"You're right, I shouldn't let him get to me," His voice is hushed and low but his eyes are still bright. You can't help but notice how good looks in this moment under the beating , hot sun. His symmetrical eyebrows and his sharp cheekbones. You spot a small scar under his left eye that ends at his nose.

"Why doesn't he like me?" You blurt out before you can stop yourself and you feel immensely stupid and humiliated like that one time you asked your mother why that one white  boy didn't want to share his piece of bread with you. She had told you that it was because he just wasn't used to being nice. San's expression turns unreadable , unnerving and you don't expect anything good to leave his mouth.

"Its nothing personal, Y/n, don't let his words hurt you too deeply," He explains sounding like he's almost defending Mingi but then he continues on,"He's just... a difficult person." You don't have anything else to say and just think deeply about San's words. Different as in he hates my guts. You sigh and pat your dirty clothes down feeling sweat bead on your back from the unbeatable heat.

"This will be your horse, we're riding out tonight and I want to make sure everything is set," San mutters but loud enough for you to hear him. We're riding out tonight?

"And ... to where are we riding?" You ask and edge closer to where he stand, rummaging around in a bag that lays on the dirt near the horses.

"Dodge City." At that you widen your eyes and wonder if he's just pulling your leg but he turns to you in all seriousness. Dodge City was known for the people there being attacked by the Native Americans. Your people. Your father was one and you had always wondered that maybe that was why he had left you and your mother. Why would they be riding out there? Wasn't it too dangerous?

"Why there? I mean, my mother always told me that-"

"You aren't with your mother anymore, you're with us," San interrupts you knocking the air out of your lungs. Your words trails off to nothingness and your eyes move down to the ground. He's right, you aren't with your mother anymore and you probably won't ever be with her again. You don't dare and shed tears and instead pick your head up confidently, swallowing  the lump in your throat.

"I'm sorry for asking then." With that you stay silent and cast your eyes away from San, failing to notice the regretful look on his face and the way he silently curses under his breath.

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The day went by fast and the sun moved down the sky quickly than you wanted it to and before you know it the moon is settling in beyond the tree line and all the members , including you, are outside ready to ride. You're beyond nervous , not knowing what's going to happen once you reach Dodge City. Seonghwa had told you that it would take at least 6 hours , and that's if we don't come across any problems. You're still in your same old , dirty clothes but Wooyoung had pulled you aside minutes before you all stepped outside, promising that he'd make sure you'd get new clothes. After the tense moment with San you had gone by yourself inside , settling between Yunho and Wooyoung on the small couch you had slept on. They had asked you millions of questions at the speed of light all to which you just waved your hand at , not wanting to speak.

"Was it San-ie who made you upset? I'll beat him up for you!" Wooyoung pouted, teasingly standing up but you quickly push him back down and shake your head though you know he can tell it's true.

"Yah, don't let San make you frown!" Yunho quirks and you can't help but smile along with him, you shouldn't let San dampen your mood.

Hongjoong's voice knocks you out of your thoughts , his presence intimidating as everyone stops what
they are doing.

"Make sure to stay close to one another, we don't know what's out there and some of us,"Hongjoong glances at who looks to be Jongho and you,"Havent been to Dodge City." You shakily glance at everyone before moving to your horse, trying your best to get on but you manage , Wooyoung helping you a bit. Once  you're mounted on the horse you hold on tight, ready to follow along the group. You don't see San's eyes locked on to your figure , his lips parted wanting to speak up , to apologize to you for earlier but the call of Hongjoong has him quickly swivel around and soon all of you are off to what you hope is a safe ride.