𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧, 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐤𝐞𝐬
vernon chwe x reader x kwon hoshi
0.7k words, reader has she/her pronouns (mentioned once), gunslinger/cowboy au, duel au, implied love triangle, angst (laughs nervously)
Duels took place in the town's main square, at high noon, in the setting of blistering heat and under the relentless glare of the sun. It was the town's rules, that anyone stupid enough to duel another and to accept the challenge would suffer the consequences.
Vernon Chwe felt the sweat dribble down the side of his face like the waterfalls he'd seen while trudging through the rainforests in South America. He never thought he'd be one of the fools standing with his back pressed to his challenger, about to duel for his life, for the entire town to see. But, he told himself, his dignity was on the line. And you, of course.
The man behind him was tense in his shoulders, and Vernon knew that Kwon Soonyoung was just as anxious despite being the challenger. The man was all pent-up energy, ferocity like that of a wild tiger.
Perhaps it had been a bad idea to fall in love with Soonyoung's lover, but Vernon simply couldn't help himself when it came to you.
"Alright, boys," said Choi Seungcheol, your older brother and the mayor of the town. He was young to be an official, but he had taken over when the town needed a leader more than an election. He had a stalk of wheat between his teeth, toned arms crossed over his broad chest as he considered the two duelers. "You know the rules: ten paces, then fire. Fair's fair. No tricks."
Vernon and Soonyoung both nodded their heads, hands hovering over the pistols in their holsters.
Seungcheol paused. "Are you both certain this is what you want—"
"What in the blazes is going on?!"
Everyone's heads whipped toward the saloon doors where you had come barreling out, hair a windswept mess of fury and distress. Behind you, Lee Seokmin and Boo Seungkwan were chasing after you with just as much distress in their eyes, but with gleams of desperation.
"I am so sorry, we couldn't stop her!" Seungkwan exclaimed to Seungcheol in explanation.
Before you could reach Vernon and Soonyoung, Seungcheol's best friends and right hand men, Joshua Hong and Yoon Jeonghan, were holding you back with gentle, but firm grips.
"Let go!" You wrestled out of their hold, and huffed out harshly, bangs flying. "What's going on? I deserve to know, Seungcheol!"
Seungcheol sighed. "They're dueling, Yn—"
"I can see that." Your eyes went to Soonyoung and Vernon, and your gaze softened. On which man, however… that remained to be seen. "What is this all about?"
Soonyoung's nostrils flared as he broke formation to gesture accusingly at Vernon. "He's trying to steal you away from me."
Vernon rolled his eyes. "It's not stealing if you're willing—"
"Shut up," his opponent growled. "Yn, darling, please."
Your eyes were wide with too many conflicting emotions. A duel? Over… you? That was the dumbest thing you'd ever heard, and you'd heard a lot of dumb things in your life. "Well, don't kill yourselves over me! You're not animals!"
There was a beat of silence that everyone seemed to understand. This wasn't just about you, but a question of pride. You might never fully understand how deeply this went. And you would never try to, because to you, it was utterly ridiculous.
Your lips parted in disbelief. "I can't believe this."
"Yn…"
You brushed Seungcheol's hand away as you turned back to the saloon. "No, stop." You sent the two men—the two you had grown to love—one fleeting, pleading glance. Then you shook your head and stormed off, Seungkwan and Seokmin hurrying after you.
Seungcheol rubbed his face with his hand. "Okay," he murmured with a shadow passing over his features. "Let's get this over with then." He gestured with his hand and Vernon and Soonyoung assumed their position once more.
"Ten paces and fire. One…"
Vernon stepped forward once, twice—in time with Seungcheol's counting. He didn't know if Soonyoung was actually faking his paces or if his hand was hovering closer over his pistol. All he knew was the heat of high noon, the racing of his heart, and the look of betrayal in your eyes.
"Eight… nine…"
God, he was stupid for this. But he loved you, too. And as much as Soonyoung loved you, Vernon loved you just as much—perhaps more.
"Ten! Fire!"
And as he whirled around with pistol blazing, he only had you in mind as his finger pulled the trigger and he left it up to fate to decide.
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