Chapter Text
“I got in, Keeho, I got in!”
“You got in Intak! I flunking knew you could to it! That’s my lil bro!!”
“Now, just wait for me to go on missions with you, he he! I’ll be an officer in 4 years!”
“Getting a lil bit ahead, don't you think? I’m waiting for you Champ, let’s be the best duo Korean police has ever seen.”
Joy and laughter filled the room they shared, paving the way for a bright future.
****
He felt pain. Immeasurable, unbearable pain, piercing his stomach, spreading through his whole nervous system and numbing his muscles. Filling his vision with fluttering black butterflies. Sudden exhaustion adding a heavy weight to his shoulders. He barely got time to call an ambulance. His body fell and his head bounced on the concrete.
****
“It will take about 9 months to completely heal. We'll keep you here only a week, but you must be very careful. If you're not, you might rip it back. You'll have to wait about five months to be able to go back to work or studies, but no physical exercises. Understood?”
“...Yes.”
****
“ I’m sorry recruit, but we can’t admit you on the field in this condition. Follow your doctor’s advice, you should rest for a few months. Don’t worry, your place here is guaranteed, but we have no use for an injured officer.”
“But I can still do paperwork, right? I can still work!”
“Heh, kid, you forgot I had you as an intern for the past year. Why do you think we never put you on paperwork after the first week? You live with Keeho, so it's fine. You don't have to worry about rent.”
****
“Hey! How are you holding up?”
“I'm doing great! You don’t have to worry, Hyung. I’m not a kid anymore!”
“You don't have to keep such a bright face you know. I'm not blind, I know you're lying to me.”
“It's okay Keeho. It's only a few months. I'll be back home so fast you won't have time to miss me.”
“What do you mean “back home”?”
“I'll... enjoy the break in my hometown?”
“I-what? I never knew about that! You were planning to leave? When?"
“Right now, actually.”
“Isn't that too early?! You didn't tell me beforehand!”
“Well... I decided very fast.”
A heavy sigh.
“Take care of yourself. Don't overwork yourself, okay? It's only a few months. You're not throwing your whole life out.”
“I will. But you have to take care of yourself too, Hyung.”
****
*Hey Intak! It’s your favorite Keeho Hyung. How are you doing? It’s been months since we’ve actually talked. Don’t avoid my calls Intak… You’re not going to fall behind, just heal, be happy and come back as the little sunshine you are. Your unit is waiting for you.*
****
The policeman sighed for the hundredth time this day. The work piled up on his desk was, strangely enough, not the reason behind his growing frustration. The ringing of his phone was actually a great distraction he probably needed to get out of this negative mindset he had been stuck in.
His breath hitched upon noticing the name on the screen, and his heartbeat picked up alarmingly fast. He answered immediately.
“Intak!! How are you doing? Why do you call only now? Where are y...”
A loud Bang interrupted him and he startled. Was that a gunshot?!
“Intak? Intak, what is happening?!”
“HYUNG I- !”
Noises of things breaking, grunts of effort and pain were all blaring sirens in his head. Through his panic, he could only rely on his trained ears. There were about three people, he could make out three voices: Intak, a young man, and another man, probably older, shouting aggressively.
“Intak! Answer me please! INTAK!”
The helplessness sipped into his bones as he could only listen to the fight that was unfolding. Where. Was. He?! He couldn't do anything if he didn't know where he was!!
“FUCK!”
Punching the desk once, he grabbed his keys and rushed out of the door.