Work Text:
After a grueling day at work, the one thing Kim Roksu wants the most is to go home and meet his bed. His beloved, amazing bed. It’s not fluffy or incredibly comfortable like novels tend to describe beds, and it’s not like Korea has really risen back to its previous glory after the Cataclysm, to be able to mass produce fluffy beds for the public. But his bed is good enough. He loves his bed.
Though if Kim Roksu is feeling spiteful, he tends to think about how some world leaders and other higher-ups most definitely have their own fluffy beds. Simply because they have the power and money for it.
Damn it. Now thinking about it pisses him off again. He wants his fluffy bed too!
His bed right now is more hard than fluffy, but it is definitely functional and does not make his back hurt, so it’s still a blessing. For someone who has experienced sleeping in various places, from a piece of blanket, uneven rock surface, the floor, or even dirt, having a bed in itself is already nice enough.
Which brings him to the first point: He! Wants! To! Go to bed! Please!
Today’s mission has been successful, and this time, there are no casualties on Vanguard Team One. It was no easy victory, as it usually goes for every battle as they have to fight with their lives on the line. But the fact that there are no casualties, only injuries, in this battle has given him immense relief. That relief turns into exhaustion real quick, right after the euphoria has slid off of his shoulders. An exhaustion that makes a quick shower and his bed incredibly enticing.
For a team member who doesn’t even have any Attack-type ability and therefore, should not have been actively engaging in upfront battle, Kim Roksu still finds himself incredibly exhausted.
If the Team Leader or his other seniors hear this complaint from him, though, they will cluck at him and shake their heads. After all, for the senior members of the team, they know well enough that Kim Roksu’s exhaustion comes from his own doing.
After all, who told him to run around trying to rescue the other members when they were about to get hit? That kid can’t even hold a shield properly, and yet, each time his analysis during battle brings forth an unsatisfying result for him, he will be the first one to run ahead and rescue a team member.
It’s fine and all, and it’s commendable, but the members of Vanguard Team One will be happier if the punk does not get hurt every time he does that.
Honestly, a rear team member should have just stayed in the rear! Such scoldings and cheek pinching certainly do not dissuade Kim Roksu, however, and the punk stubbornly still throws himself into danger for the sake of someone else.
In the end, Vanguard Team One members, sans Kim Roksu, can only sigh and shake their heads. If their youngest team member wants to be stubborn and endanger himself for the sake of others, then isn’t it just right for them to respond in kind?
Just like how Kim Roksu would rush to rescue them from their bitter end whenever he is able to, then it is just right for them to also rescue Kim Roksu whenever it looks like a monster is going to step on the ballsy punk like a particularly annoying ant. It is also right for them to scold him every time such recklessness happens, no matter how fond they are of Kim Roksu. No matter how much Roksu grumbles that he doesn’t mean to run into danger, that it ‘just happened’... As if they need more reasons to be fond of the young man.
That is why, when they walk back from their battle, victorious and very much alive… The sight of Kim Roksu’s grumpy exhaustion causes them much fondness within their hearts. It’s because, if there had been any casualties, Kim Roksu’s exhaustion would be more sullen than grumpy. More cold and distant than alive.
The sight of their youngest walking back towards the headquarters with more bounce than usual is enough to really cheer them up even more. It is yet another successful mission! They’ve all managed to return alive! Sure, some of them are more battered up than the others, but with their field healer and later, the healers back at the headquarters, they will be more or less okay.
It’s a joyous day.
Tomorrow, they will go back to missions. Tomorrow, they’ll fight with their lives on the line once more. Tomorrow, there’s a chance that one of them may die. That is the harsh reality of their lives, after all, and even though none of them fancy dying, they know that there’s always a chance of that happening anytime they go out on missions.
But that worry is for tomorrow. That fight and that struggle for another day of being alive will be for tomorrow.
Today, they go home, injured, tired, but alive—and that is enough.
It is, truly, a joyous day.
After giving necessary reports to the higher-ups and cleaning themselves up, the members of Vanguard Team One are ready to go home. Light chatters are exchanged between them as they pack up, their shoulders light.
Kim Roksu himself, after taking a much needed shower and change of clothes, feels refreshed as well. The small wounds, bruises, and scrapes on his body have been taken care of by a healer, and whatever remains are insignificant enough that he doesn’t feel much aside from a sore body.
It simply makes him long for his bed a bit more. Oh, it will feel so good to lie down on the bed and burrow under his blankets until the morning birds disturb his sleep.
Just as he walks out of the office building together with the others, however, a hand grabs onto his upper arm, stopping him in his tracks. Kim Roksu does not flinch, well aware that the ones that can grab him this casually when he is surrounded by his teammates can only be, well, his teammate. If he was alone (if he was not surrounded by the people he considers and who considers him as friend and family), the scenario would be different.
Kim Roksu’s intuition proves to be right, as he spins around to face the perpetrator and finds himself face-to-face with his Team Leader.
Lee Suhyeok, with a smile on his face that resembles a smirk more than anything, squeezes Kim Roksu’s upper arm once again. The squeeze is gentle, and it serves its purpose in signaling that Lee Suhyeok wants Kim Roksu to stay , for whatever reason it may be.
It doesn’t really stop Kim Roksu’s expression from falling a little bit, though.
The Team Leader, heartless as he is, simply scoffs at him. “Calm down, I am not giving you extra work to do.”
Oh, he’s not? Kim Roksu’s expression lightens up at that very moment, and upon witnessing that, the teammates around them start to snicker. Kim Roksu ignores them with expert ease. One that comes from multiple experiences in dealing with his seniors’ gentle teasings.
“Then what do you want me to do, Team Leader?” Kim Roksu asks.
“I can’t spend some time with my favorite youngest?” Lee Suhyeok asks back, his expression contorting into fake hurt.
“Of course not,” Kim Roksu says easily, his expression flat. “This rookie simply wants to rest. Surely, the Team Leader won’t be so mean as to force more work on this poor rookie?”
“You rude punk,” Lee Suhyeok huffs out a laugh, “I just want to take you to dinner.”
“With me,” Choi Jeongsu pipes in, pointing towards himself while trying to look cute. Kim Roksu squints his eyes towards him, as if disbelieving. “Let’s eat together, Roksu. Fellow rookies should stick together, after all.”
“I’ll pass,” comes Kim Roksu’s quick reply, all said in familiar jest.
“Hey,” Choi Jeongsu complains weakly, much to the increasing snickers of their seniors. Why are they even still here anyway? Kim Roksu glances towards them, an eyebrow raised in question. They don’t bother to explain themselves, simply smiling towards Kim Roksu like he’s being particularly cute.
It is at that moment when the seniors begin to excuse themselves.
“Well~ If that’s the case then I’ll go home first~” One of them says, similar words and phrases being echoed by the other seniors right after.
“Right, right~ Have fun you three, eat well!”
“...Wait a minute,” Kim Roksu calls out, staring towards his retreating seniors. Surely, they are not leaving…? Are they not going to eat dinner together?
(A part of him twinges a little bit at this thought, the way he had so easily thought that they will surely hang out together with him and the Team Leader. Considering that’s how it has been for them for months now, it’s not all that odd to think about it.
After all, none of them have any living relatives left. They are all alone, and they only have each other. Just like how Kim Roksu only has them.
Even Choi Jeongsu. Even the Team Leader.
They only have each other.)
“Roksu, you’re not going to refuse, are you?” One of the other team members says, her tone teasing. Kim Roksu blinks at her, wondering for a short moment if she is going to start ruffling his hair like usual. Thankfully, she doesn’t do so, though her teasing tone has not abated even one bit as she continues speaking. “Team Leader is giving you free food!”
It’s not the food that’s the problem, Kim Roksu wants to say. Of course he likes free food. Who doesn’t? But the problem is… Why are you guys leaving…?
Then, as if answering his question, one of the seniors cheers, “Fighting, Roksu! Team Leader, scold him real good!”
“...”
Kim Roksu starts to sweat, finally realizing the goal of today’s dinner, and why the rest of them are not invited.
But it doesn’t make any sense. He’s getting reprimanded? Why? No one died today! Surely he hasn’t done anything wrong?
Everyone else is smiling towards him, though, and Kim Roksu quickly realizes that all of them know why he’s going to be reprimanded. Except for himself, apparently.
“Haha, of course,” the Team Leader laughs, being mean in the way that he does not immediately explain why Kim Roksu is in trouble. His palm is heavy when it lands on Kim Roksu’s shoulder, and Kim Roksu can only freeze when he feels that hand clenching a bit, as if daring him to run away if he can.
“...” Kim Roksu is not stupid. If the Team Leader wants him to stay, then he will stay. It doesn’t stop him from mourning over the time lost for his sleep, though… Sigh, so long, his bed…
He watches with a dramatic mournful silence as each team member leaves the vicinity with smiles on their lips and mirth in their eyes (they’re happy, spirited and alive , and a part of Kim Roksu settles contentedly like a cat curling up for a nap, his eyes recording this sight of them walking back home without any burden of someone’s death on their shoulders), until there are only him, Choi Jeongsu (why is he even here?), and Team Leader Lee left.
“What kind of useless things are you thinking about right now?” Lee Suhyeok’s voice cuts through his thoughts, his hand patting Kim Roksu’s shoulder a few times. Pat, pat, pat. Kim Roksu shudders involuntarily as he feels the menace radiating from those pats alone. Haaa… Team Leader, why do your pats feel like a thinly veiled threat?
He doesn’t voice those thoughts out loud, however. “Wanting to rest is not useless,” Kim Roksu grouses instead, much to the amusement of the last two Vanguard Team One members. “Team Leader, if it’s eating, I can just eat by myself. It’s fine. No need to bother.”
“Nope,” Choi Jeongsu chirps, his large hand patting Kim Roksu’s other shoulder. “We all know you will immediately collapse in bed the moment you arrive in your apartment!”
“...” It is, in fact, his plan. Unfortunately, it seems like that plan is now thwarted under the tender care of his Team Leader and fellow rookie. He makes it known through his gaze alone, though his face remains seemingly deadpan as ever.
His teammates know him, though, and it’s easy to see the offense and the whole impression of ‘ how do you know???? ’ coming from Kim Roksu’s gaze alone.
It’s funny enough that it makes Lee Suhyeok and Choi Jeongsu laugh.
“Come on, the more we dilly dally, the later we will be able to go home,” Lee Suhyeok provides as the voice of reason, shoving Kim Roksu forward with his hand. The shove is gentle, but it’s enough to make the scrawny-looking man stumble a bit in his steps.
However, he does not fall.
The reason being Choi Jeongsu, his same-age friend whose arm readily steadies Kim Roksu’s body, with a familiar grin plastered on his face.
Kim Roksu doesn’t get the chance to say his thanks, not when Choi Jeongsu is quick to change his position so that he walks by Kim Roksu’s left, his palm being a warm presence on his back. Lee Suhyeok is quick to follow suit, placing himself by Kim Roksu’s right and his bigger palm being another gentle presence on his back.
Kim Roksu sweats yet again. They’re ganging up on him so he doesn’t escape…! His shoulders slump as he realizes that, though he’s not even thinking of running away in the first place. Kim Roksu can only follow the two men as they more or less guide him towards the nearest street food area.
The smells of various food attack his nose, making the rookie perk up a little bit. You know what, he may be tired right now, but free food doesn’t sound so bad, either.
Everyone likes free stuff, after all. And this is food . Kim Roksu likes food.
“Team Leader, you really will pay for me, right?” He feels like he has to ask.
“Of course.”
“No matter what I choose to eat?” Kim Roksu asks again for good measure, blinking innocently when Lee Suhyeok directs a suspicious look towards him.
“Right… As long as you finish the food.”
“Of course I will finish all of the food,” Kim Roksu huffs, the young man having enough food anxiety that he can’t even fathom wasting perfectly good food. “But if I eat more than one portion…” He trails off, raising an eyebrow only to jump a little bit when Lee Suhyeok smacks his back.
“Punk,” Lee Suhyeok says, though there’s amusement in his tone. “Just eat and don’t worry about any expenses today. You too, Jeongsu.”
“Yes,” Choi Jeongsu pumps his fist in excitement, his grin wide as he leans a little bit of his weight on Kim Roksu, who does not move away. “Let’s wring Team Leader’s wallet dry, Roksu-ya.”
“Oh?” Kim Roksu sounds interested now, an amused tilt on his lips. “That’s a good idea, actually.”
“Oi,” Lee Suhyeok scolds, sounding wry even to his ears.
“You’re the one who offered, Team Leader,” Kim Roksu wisely inputs, Choi Jeongsu nodding sagely beside him. Of course it’s when they’re ganging up on him that these two’s impeccable teamwork also comes to light.
Lee Suhyeok is totally going to sic these punks to grueling training next week.
In the end, they decide on having some kimchi beef stew. Kim Roksu, proving his previous words true, requests for extra beef. Choi Jeongsu, most likely finding all of this funny, requests for extra tofu.
Lee Suhyeok, not wanting to be outdone, requests for extra vegetables.
The loud laughter coming from Choi Jeongsu and the smirk on Kim Roksu’s face are enough to make him feel more than just amused, and Lee Suhyeok can only shake his head, letting out small snickers when the cook joins in adding extras. Soup, this time. Also extra kimchi.
Isn’t this basically just ordering another pot? Oh, whatever. What can he even do against these precious rookies of his?
“So, why am I getting reprimanded?” Kim Roksu mumbles around a piece of sliced beef he is chewing. Despite his earlier feelings of betrayal over having to be reprimanded after a good mission, Kim Roksu’s expression this time around is more relaxed and content. If this were a manhwa, Choi Jeongsu thinks that there might be flowers blooming around Kim Roksu’s head at this point.
Really, this friend of his. So easily bribed and made happy with delicious, free food. If the companies trying to poach Kim Roksu realize how easy it is to make him lower his guard and at least be friendly with them… Well, never mind. Choi Jeongsu is sure that Kim Roksu will still ignore or refuse their offers nevertheless. The punk is refreshingly loyal, after all. There is no way that Kim Roksu will ever leave them. And if he does, he will probably play a long game of destroying that company from inside and taking over as the leader, before he drags Vanguard Team One members to join his new company. That guy is crafty and scary like that.
He will totally make the Team Leader the new company’s CEO, too. Just because he won’t want to do the actual work involved in leading the new company. Cute punk, really.
Luckily, Kim Roksu will think of that admittedly terrifying scheme as nothing but troublesome, so he will not do that unless he gets no other choice. Choi Jeongsu knows that, at the very least, the Team Leader will keep Kim Roksu in his team. If there’s anyone who is as possessive of Kim Roksu just as Kim Roksu is possessive of his team, it will be their Team Leader. Choi Jeongsu pities anyone who tries to forcibly pry Kim Roksu off of the team, as Lee Suhyeok will be after their ass in 1 second flat. Of course, Choi Jeongsu will be right behind Lee Suhyeok, ready to deliver additional loving blows to the flies who try to take Kim Roksu from them.
As swift as Team Leader is when it comes to… ah, batting off pests, Lee Suhyeok is also pretty quick when it comes to both reprimanding and rewarding the rookies. Which is why Choi Jeongsu is not surprised when the Team Leader swoops in with his brand of affectionate scolding, paired perfectly with adding more meat on top of Kim Roksu’s rice.
“Roksu-ya,” Lee Suhyeok starts, a smile plastered on his face. At the scolding tone Lee Suhyeok uses, Kim Roksu visibly freezes on his spot, his mouth slowing down his chewing but not exactly stopping altogether. “Do you know why the others said you should be reprimanded?”
Kim Roksu takes a moment to think about it. Or perhaps he takes a moment to savor the meat in his mouth before he swallows it. But when he is done, the furrow between his eyebrows is clear enough to show his frustration.
“I suppose I was too slow to stop Hoseok-sunbae from getting attacked.”
At that obviously unsatisfactory answer, Lee Suhyeok twitches in his seat, his smile frozen on his lips.
“Ah…” Choi Jeongsu trails off, staring towards the ticking time bomb (Lee Suhyeok) and the trigger (Kim Roksu). Helplessly so, especially when Kim Roksu, the infuriating punk, keeps on talking.
Talking about how “I didn’t see that Chaewon-sunbae’s position at that time was bad, and she got hit…” or some other bullshit like, “I tried to push Heejin-sunbae away but she still got injured…” Team Leader Lee is already twitching so much in his seat right now!
Aaah, intervention, intervention! He has to do an intervention!
Taking a piece of meat with his chopsticks, Choi Jeongsu quickly shoves it into an unsuspecting Kim Roksu’s opened mouth.
“...?!”
“Alright, alright, let’s not recount all of those so-called mistakes you’re talking about, Roksu.” Choi Jeongsu laughs, a bit strained when he notices the chilly smile on Lee Suhyeok’s face. Kim Roksu’s attention—previously having been glaring half-heartedly towards Choi Jeongsu for the surprise meat attack—also shifts towards the Team Leader, and the young man blinks towards Lee Suhyeok, his eyes meeting Lee Suhyeok’s chilly smile before his shoulders slump in defeat.
And then, the punk has to mutter: “I know, Team Leader, I will do better in the next mission.”
Lee Suhyeok and Choi Jeongsu close their eyes in tandem, a low sigh escaping their lips. They realize their subtle hints do not work at all, not when Kim Roksu’s thoughts have gone the other way.
It’s obvious that he’s beating himself up for these perceived mistakes, instead of actually realizing the worry everyone has for him.
Everyone knows how dangerous it is to get hit by a monster during a fight, as any injury or mistake might determine whether you can survive the battle or not. But perhaps Kim Roksu, more than anyone, knows the pain of analyzing those losses and being unable to forget them once they actually happened.
Kim Roksu is someone who will never be able to forget, whether they are joyful moments or tragedies.
Perhaps that is why the burden of these deaths feel heavier on his shoulders, compared to anyone else’s.
“Idiot. No one died today, so why would you be reprimanded because of that?”
Except for the Team Leader.
“Hey, Kim Roksu. Do you think you’re all that great?” He asks, while piling more pieces of meat on Kim Roksu’s rice bowl. “Huh? You think you’re a hero? Or you’re a god? Huh?”
Kim Roksu makes a face at that. Choi Jeongsu very nearly laughs if not for Lee Suhyeok’s ongoing rant.
“Exactly, you punk. Why would I be mad at you for failing to be a hero? Huh? You’re not even in the attack squad. You’re supposed to stay in the rear, you bastard, and you still ran straight forward to danger today, huh?”
“...Didn’t mean to,” the youngest mumbles.
“So you’re saying your body moved by itself, huh? Is that what it is? You,” Lee Suhyeok moves his chopsticks to hover right before Kim Roksu’s nose, somehow managing to look threatening while doing so. “Need to take care of yourself better.”
Kim Roksu scrunches his nose. “I am taking care of myself.”
“Says the guy who jumped straight to danger just a few hours ago.”
“That was special circumstances.”
“Sure, rookie,” Lee Suhyeok says, clearly not believing him. He also steadily ignores Kim Roksu’s put-upon frown, and instead piles more meat on Roksu’s bowl. “Jeongsu is doing miles better than you when it comes to self-preservation, you should learn some things from him.”
Jeongsu chooses that moment to waggle his eyebrows. “You hear that, Roksu? You gotta follow my lead.”
“I don’t get paid enough for this,” Kim Roksu replies with no heat, flicking a bean sprout to Jeongsu’s face. The swordsman cheekily catches it with his mouth, even opening it right after like a dog waiting for treats. Judging from Kim Roksu’s entertained squint, he is challenged enough to start flicking food to Jeongsu’s open mouth if he is not stopped.
And because Lee Suhyeok is guilty of spoiling his rookies as much as he bullies them with affection, the leader doesn’t stop them when the duo starts to do exactly that. Instead, he continues the conversation, as if Jeongsu isn’t currently making a real effort to catch flying tofu with his mouth.
“Both of you are rookies, isn’t it normal to work together?”
“We work together perfectly fine.”
Jeongsu places his palm over his chest, his expression touched. “I love you too, Roksu-ya.”
“...Don’t get ahead of yourself.” Even anyone can tell his protest is weak.
“You love me too, I know it.”
“Not true, I prefer the Team Leader.”
“Why, thank you,” Lee Suhyeok shakes his head, chuckling. “For fairness, I’ll say that I love both of you equally.”
Choi Jeongsu: “Thanks, hyung!”
Kim Roksu, the punk: “Does that mean I can get a raise?”
“Know your limits.”