Chapter Text
The night was heavy with the scent of blood and smoke, the echoes of battle still ringing in the air. Kim Rok Soo lay on the cold, unforgiving ground, his breaths shallow and laboured. His vision blurred, darkening at the edges, but he could still make out the frantic movements of his teammates. Choi Jung Soo was fighting back tears, his face a mask of desperate determination, while Lee Soo Hyuk barked orders, trying to keep everyone focused.
Rok Soo tried to move, but his body felt heavy, pinned by the crushing weight of his injuries. Pain radiated through every nerve, but it was the sight of his friends' anguish that hurt the most. He forced a weak smile, trying to reassure them, even as he felt life slipping away.
"Rok Soo, hang in there!" Choi Jung Soo's voice cracked, tears streaming down his face. "Don't you dare leave us!"
Rok Soo's fingers twitched, trying to reach out, but he lacked the strength. "Jung Soo... you idiot," he whispered, his voice barely audible. "Stop... crying."
Lee Soo Hyuk knelt beside Rok Soo, his expression a mix of fury and grief. "You fool," he growled, his voice thick with emotion. "Why didn't you stay in the back like I told you? Why do you always have to be the hero?"
Rok Soo managed a faint chuckle, though it quickly turned into a cough that sent a fresh wave of pain through his chest. "I... am not... a hero."
"Stay with me, Rok Soo. Help is on the way," Soo Hyuk said, his voice steady but laced with urgency.
Rok Soo's eyes flickered open, his breaths shallow. "Did... did we save them?"
"We did," Soo Hyuk replied, his voice firm with a hint of fear. "You did great. It's all thanks to you."
Rok Soo gave a weak nod, a faint smile ghosting his lips. "Good..."
"You're supposed to listen to your hyung," Soo Hyuk choked out, his eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Why didn't you listen to me, Rok Soo?"
"Sorry,... team leader," Rok Soo murmured, his vision dimming further. "I'm... sorry."
Jung Soo grabbed his hand, clutching it tightly. "No, no, no... don't do this. Please, Rok Soo, stay with us. We need you."
Rok Soo's eyes fluttered, the world around him fading. He could hear their voices, feel their desperate attempts to keep him here, but he knew it was too late. "Take care... of each other," he whispered, his voice growing fainter. "Promise me..."
"We promise," Soo Hyuk said, his voice breaking. "We promise, Rok Soo. Just stay with us."
Rok Soo's eyes closed, a single tear slipping down his cheek. "Thank you... for everything," he breathed his voice barely a whisper.
His hand went limp in Jung Soo's grasp, his chest rising and falling one last time before stilling completely. The world seemed to stop, a heavy silence settling over them as the reality of his loss sank in.
Choi Jung Soo's world shattered the moment Kim Rok Soo's hand went limp in his grasp. Panic surged through him, his heart pounding as he shook his friend's lifeless body.
"Hey, Rok Soo, open your eyes. This isn't a funny joke," Jung Soo's voice wavered, a desperate edge to his words. He tried to keep his voice steady, but the rising tide of grief was overwhelming.
"Rok Soo-ya, leave the joking for me, okay? Now wake up." He choked on a sob, his vision blurred by tears. The silence that greeted him was deafening, a stark contrast to the cacophony of battle that had surrounded them moments before.
Unable to hold back any longer, Jung Soo hugged Rok Soo tightly, his sobs breaking free. "Rok Soo, wake up, please! I won't be a jerk again, I won't annoy you ever again, wake up, you punk!"
He rocked back and forth, clutching his friend as if sheer willpower could bring him back. "You! Wake up!!! Kim Rok Soo, please, you punk!"
“No, he can’t be! You'll wake up!!” Jung Soo’s hands trembled. “Wake up, you idiot! This isn’t funny!”
“Rok Soo… no, this can’t be happening…” His voice cracked into a mix of disbelief and horror. He dropped to his knees beside Kim Rok Soo. “Please, wake up! This isn’t funny, Rok Soo!”
“Why?! Why him?!” Jung Soo screamed, his fists pounding the ground. “He can’t be gone! He just can’t!”
The anguish in his voice was raw, cutting through the night. He buried his face in Rok Soo's shoulder, his tears soaking into the fabric. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, what kind of hyung can't protect their dongsaeng."
Jung Soo's grip tightened as he whispered, "Rok Soo, if you woke up now, you're the hyung, doesn't that sound nice? Please wake up."
The words hung in the air, unanswered, a plea that would never be heard. Jung Soo's cries echoed in the night, a testament to the bond they had shared and the pain of his loss. His heart ached with the weight of his failure, the emptiness left behind by Rok Soo's passing.
"Rok Soo!" Choi Jung Soo's voice cracked as he screamed, a raw, primal sound that echoed through the battlefield.
He cursed, shouted, and pleaded, his emotions pouring out uncontrollably. "You can't leave me like this! You can't!"
Tears streamed down his face as he clutched Kim Rok Soo's body, holding him close. "Please, Rok Soo... please..." His sobs grew louder, more anguished until they were the only sound in the desolate silence.
In that moment, Choi Jung Soo's world changed forever. The light that had once guided him was gone, replaced by a darkness that threatened to consume him. But even in his grief, he knew he had to keep going, to honour Rok Soo's memory and the sacrifice he had made.
For now, though, he allowed himself to grieve, holding his friend close and mourning the loss of a brother, a confidant, and a hero.
Lee Soo Hyuk stood over the lifeless form of Kim Rok Soo, his heart heavy with grief. He glanced at Choi Jung Soo, who was crumpled beside their fallen friend, shaking and sobbing uncontrollably. Taking a deep breath, he knelt next to Rok Soo and placed a firm but gentle hand on Jung Soo's shoulder.
"Jung Soo," he said quietly, his voice tinged with sorrow. "We need to move him. He wouldn't want us to stay here and be vulnerable."
Jung Soo looked up, tears streaming down his face. "Hyung, I can't believe he's gone. This can't be real."
Soo Hyuk nodded, his own eyes glistening with unshed tears. "I know, Jung Soo. But we have to be strong. For him."
Carefully, they lifted Rok Soo's body and carried him back to their temporary base. Once there, Soo Hyuk gently laid Rok Soo down and turned to Jung Soo, who was trembling with the weight of his grief.
"Jung Soo, listen to me," Soo Hyuk said firmly, but with a tenderness that spoke volumes. "I need you to hold it together. We can't fall apart now. Rok Soo wouldn't want that."
Jung Soo nodded, trying to steady his breathing. Soo Hyuk then turned to Rok Soo's body, his voice dropping to a near whisper. "Rok Soo... you always pushed yourself so hard. I told you to take care of yourself, didn't I?"
He tousled Rok Soo's hair, a sad smile on his lips. "But you did a great job. I'm proud of you, Rok Soo. Do you know that? You did so well."
Taking another deep breath, Soo Hyuk focused on Jung Soo, who was still struggling to compose himself. "Jung Soo, look at me."
When Jung Soo met his gaze, Soo Hyuk continued, "I know this is hard. I know it hurts more than anything you've ever felt. But we have to keep moving. We have to honour Rok Soo by doing what he would have wanted: fighting on."
Jung Soo nodded, determination flickering in his eyes. "You're right, Hyung. We can't let him down."
Soo Hyuk pulled Jung Soo into a hug, holding him tightly. "That's right. We won't let him down. We'll make sure his sacrifice wasn't in vain."
As they stood together, united in their grief and resolve, Soo Hyuk whispered, "We'll get through this. Together."
At that moment, they found strength in each other, a strength that would carry them forward in honour of Kim Rok Soo's memory.
The sky hung heavy with a somber grey as Team 1 gathered for Kim Rok Soo’s funeral. The ceremony was a poignant blend of traditional Korean rites and the raw, modern grief of losing a comrade. The air was thick with the scent of incense, mingling with the faint promise of rain under the oppressive sky.
Choi Jung Soo stood beside Lee Soo Hyuk, his face pale and etched with lines of sorrow that starkly contrasted with his usual cheerfulness. Soo Hyuk placed a steadying hand on his shoulder, offering silent support as they faced the ritual together.
The ceremony commenced with a jeol, a deep bow signifying respect for Rok Soo’s spirit. They bowed three times, each motion a solemn acknowledgment of his absence. The officiant, clad in a white hanbok, began chanting sutras, their melodic rhythms a stark contrast to the quiet sobs and murmurs of the mourners.
As they approached the altar, the atmosphere grew heavier. A large portrait of Rok Soo, framed in black, loomed over them. His calm, serene gaze seemed to watch over the gathering, even in death. Below the portrait were offerings of food and drink, symbols of sustenance for his journey to the afterlife.
With trembling hands, Jung Soo lit the incense sticks, the delicate smoke curling upwards as he placed them in the urn. "Rok Soo-ya, I’m so sorry. I’ll never forget you," he whispered.
Soo Hyuk followed, his face a mask of stoic grief. He set a bowl of rice and a glass of soju before the altar, traditional offerings meant to honor Rok Soo’s spirit. “You did well, Rok Soo. Rest easy,” he murmured, his voice barely audible above the chanting.
The funeral procession moved towards the burial site beneath an ancient zelkova tree. Mourners followed, their steps heavy with grief. The pallbearers, including Soo Hyuk and Jung Soo, carried Rok Soo’s casket draped in white cloth, feeling the weight of their solemn task.
At the graveside, the final rites were performed. Jung Soo’s tears flowed freely as they lowered the casket into the ground. He clung to Soo Hyuk, his only anchor in the sea of despair. Soo Hyuk, with tears glistening in his own eyes, held him close, offering the strength they both needed.
As the earth covered Rok Soo's casket, mourners each placed a handful of dirt into the grave, bidding a final, heart-wrenching farewell. “Goodbye, Rok Soo,” Soo Hyuk whispered, his voice cracking with emotion. “You were the best of us.”
The ceremony concluded with a final bow, a last gesture of respect. The mourners dispersed slowly, leaving Soo Hyuk and Jung Soo standing by the fresh grave. A gentle rain began to fall, a cleansing drizzle that seemed to carry their grief to the heavens.
Soo Hyuk ruffled Jung Soo’s hair, a rare gesture of comfort. “We’ll keep fighting for him,” he said, his voice firm with determination.
Jung Soo nodded, wiping his tears. “For Rok Soo,” he echoed, finding a glimmer of strength in the memory of his friend.
As they walked away from the gravesite, the weight of their loss felt slightly more bearable. Their team’s bond remained unbroken, strengthened by the enduring memory of Kim Rok Soo.
As they left the cemetery, the rain intensified, soaking them through but offering a strange sort of solace. The world around them seemed to mourn with them, the relentless downpour mirroring their inner turmoil.
Back at their base, the atmosphere was subdued. The usually bustling quarters felt empty without Rok Soo’s presence. His belongings were neatly packed away, a painful reminder of his absence. Jung Soo and Soo Hyuk, along with the rest of the team, gathered in the common room, the silence thick and suffocating.
Soo Hyuk broke the silence first, his voice steady but heavy with emotion. "We need to talk about the mission," he said, looking around at the faces of his teammates. "Rok Soo's sacrifice can't be in vain. We owe it to him to see this through."
Jung Soo barely heard the words. He was lost in his own world of grief and guilt, replaying the events of that fateful day over and over in his mind. He felt the weight of Rok Soo’s death pressing down on him, crushing his spirit.
As the team began to discuss their next steps, Jung Soo couldn’t bring himself to participate. He stood up abruptly and left the room, his absence unnoticed by his preoccupied teammates. He found himself wandering aimlessly through the halls, his mind a chaotic mess of sorrow and regret.
That night, the base was eerily quiet. The team had retired to their homes, each grappling with their grief in their own way. Choi Jung Soo lay in his bed, staring up at the ceiling. Sleep eluded him, the events of the past days replaying in his mind like a relentless nightmare.
Every time he closed his eyes, he saw Kim Rok Soo’s face, pale and lifeless. The image was burned into his memory, a constant reminder of his perceived failure. He tossed and turned, but no position brought comfort or peace. With a frustrated sigh, he sat up and rubbed his face, feeling the stubble on his chin.
The room felt suffocating, the walls closing in on him. Needing to escape, he slipped out of bed and left his room, padding silently through the darkened halls. His feet led him to the training room once more, the place where he and Rok Soo had shared so many moments of camaraderie and laughter.
The room was dimly lit by the moonlight filtering through the windows. Jung Soo walked over to the punching bag hanging in the corner and began to hit it, his fists connecting with a dull thud. Each punch was a release of his pent-up frustration and guilt.
"Why did you have to go?" he muttered between hits. "Why couldn’t I save you?"
His punches grew more frantic, tears streaming down his face. He pounded the bag until his knuckles were raw, his breath coming in ragged gasps. The physical exertion did little to alleviate the emotional turmoil inside him. Finally, exhausted, he slumped to the floor, his back against the wall.
He hugged his knees to his chest and buried his face in his arms, his body wracked with sobs. "I’m sorry, Rok Soo," he whispered. "I’m so sorry."
The door creaked open, and Lee Soo Hyuk entered, his expression weary but filled with concern. He had heard the noise and knew exactly where to find Jung Soo. "Jung Soo," he called softly, walking over to him. "You need to rest."
Jung Soo looked up, his eyes red and swollen. "I failed him, hyung. I should have been there. I should have protected him."
Soo Hyuk’s heart ached for his friend. He placed a comforting hand on Jung Soo’s shoulder. "It wasn’t your fault," he said softly. "You did everything you could. Rok Soo made his own choices, just like we all do."
Jung Soo shook his head, unable to accept the words. "But I was supposed to be his hyung. I was supposed to keep him safe. And now he’s gone because of me."
Soo Hyuk sighed, his own grief and guilt bubbling to the surface. "We all feel that way, Jung Soo. But blaming yourself won’t bring him back. The best way to honor Rok Soo is to carry on, to keep fighting the way he would have wanted us to."
Jung Soo looked down at his hands, still trembling with the weight of his emotions. "I don’t know if I can," he admitted. "I don’t know if I’m strong enough."
Soo Hyuk’s grip on his shoulder tightened. "You are, Jung Soo. You’re stronger than you think. And you don’t have to do it alone. We’re all in this together."
For a long moment, they sat in silence, the only sound the distant rumble of thunder. Finally, Jung Soo took a deep, shaky breath. "I miss him so much, hyung," he whispered. "I don’t know how to go on without him."
Soo Hyuk pulled him into a hug, holding him tightly. "I miss him too," he said, his voice breaking. "But we have to keep going. For him. For all of us."
Jung Soo nodded against his shoulder, finding a small measure of comfort in the embrace. "For Rok Soo," he repeated, his voice filled with a mix of sorrow and determination.
For a while, they sat in silence, drawing strength from each other’s presence. The night was long, and the pain of their loss was still fresh, but in that quiet moment, they found a glimmer of hope. They would carry on, not just for themselves, but for the friend they had lost and the bond that would never be broken.
As the first light of dawn began to filter through the windows, Jung Soo finally felt a semblance of peace. He knew the road ahead would be difficult, but with Soo Hyuk and the rest of the team by his side, he believed they could honor Kim Rok Soo’s memory and keep fighting for the future he had sacrificed everything to protect.