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Too many hits.
Too many fights in the alleyway.
It was all too much, and he was now paying the consequences. After the final fight with the Union and just two weeks after Na Baekjin’s funeral did it start. First just a simple dizzy spell. He passed it off as just not hydrating enough. Second came the sharp headaches. Finally, the nose bleeds. Go Hyuntak leaned over the bathroom sink seeing blood swirl down the drain. His head was pounding with a headache. He quickly cleans his bloodied nose and stares at himself in the mirror.
The doctor said he was punch-drunk. Very dangerous if he doesn't get it treated properly and immediately. He's been holding off hoping it will just go away. But the headaches, dizziness, and nose bleeds are becoming more and more frequent. The last thing he wants is to worry his friends. More importantly, Humin. His best friend still grieves Baekjin, no matter how often he says he's fine. And so far he hasn't noticed Hyuntak's slower steps or his trembling hand when they play fight.
This could kill him.
He presses his fingers to his head, squeezing harshly, hoping to relieve some pressure. He shakes his head and makes his way to the door. He grips the door handle feeling dizzy. A little shake and he was out.
“Where'd you go?” Baku asked as he returned to the table at the cafe they had gathered at.
“Restroom,” He answered as he sat down.
Baku didn't push for more answers.
Everything was the same. Only now have they made time to visit Suho in the hospital since he came out of his coma. Everything was in sync. Routine. Normality.
Everything was okay.
Hyuntak decided to take the underground on his way home. In the same tunnel, he first fought Sieun, or his other fights with Seongje.
Gotak groaned. Speak of the devil.
Seongje leaned against the grainy wall, tapping the ash off his cigarette. When their eyes meet it's simple. Hyuntak knows why Seongje is here. He doesn't want to but he knows explaining his condition wouldn't make it any better. Besides, why the fuck would Seongje care about him?
Gotak was off his game. His body hurt badly. A sharp right hook and he hit the ground. He could feel the blood rushing down his cheek. He doesn't get a chance to recuperate when Seongje picks him up and another punch meets his face. His head buzzed in pain, and a high-pitched ringing echoed in his ears.
Punch after punch. Until Seongje was done. He could only hear his footsteps retreat leaving him in the tunnel. Alone and in pain. The iron taste of blood stains his tongue and lips. His head aches. It felt like it was being split open repeatedly by an axe.
He groaned sitting up against the wall before allowing tears to streak down his bloodied cheeks.
“Baku has Gotak texted you?” Juntae asked as he passed Suho an apple juice.
He frowns as he fishes his phone out and sees that Gotak hadn't texted him to say if he's gotten home safely or if he was coming to the hospital.
“No. When did you last text him?” He asked, trying to ignore the pool of anxiety in his stomach.
“Thirty minutes ago. And he's usually always quick to answer,” Juntae answers, flickering a worried glance to Sieun.
Baku flashes a smile, “Don't worry. I'll find him. I'm sure he just took a nap. You know the bastard has been tired the past few days.”
He leaves quickly pressing the call button. It goes straight to voicemail. “Gotak, pick up, pick up. Come on.”
He tries not to feel frustrated or angry as he retraces Gotak’s steps. The moon shines above him dimly as he stops at the fork. On his right was the way to the tunnel, and to the left, he would bump into the bookstore Gotak loves so much. His feet pull him right.
He first sees his shoes. Then he sees the blood.
“Hyuntak!” Baku yells as he rushes to his friend. Gotak’s head lolls to the side as Baku shakes him. Gotak is brought back to reality immediately and clutches Baku’s shirt in a fight-or-flight response.
“Get off!” Gotak yells trying to stand up and push Baku off.
Baku stares at him weirdly, “Gotak! Go Hyuntak! It's me!”
Hyuntak continues his struggle before the familiar smell of Humin’s cologne hits him. “Baku?” His voice was small and broken.
Baku closes his eyes tightly and cradles Gotak’s face gently and carefully as if he would break. He suppresses his anger as he pulls Gotak close.
Gotak sniffles, “Baku, hyung, I… I can't see. I can't see anything.”
Baku watches Gotak shake his head and squeeze his eyes, hoping for his vision to come back. “Hyung… I'm scared,” Gotak allows his vulnerability to slip as he feels his left ear ring. He remembered his doctor saying to be careful with his blood pressure because it could lead to losing his vision. He tried to not show how scared he truly is.
“Let's get you to the hospital. Hold my hand, come here,” Baku pulls Gotak to his side. One hand holding his and his other around his waist squeezing lightly as if not to hurt him any more than he already was. The pain pounding in his head was enough to take his mind off the pain shooting up his knee.
Gotak feels lightheaded, but they manage to get to the hospital. As soon as they enter, a doctor calls Gotak by his name. Baku follows them both to a room.
“I told you to stop fighting,” the female doctor, Dr. Hanna, said, putting him on an IV drip. Gotak stays quiet.
“You've already been here for this?” Baku cuts in searching for answers.
Dr. Hanna turns to Baku. “Your friend is punch drunk,” she turns back to Gotak, “Now that you're here, would you like to do the MRI scan? It's important that we do Go Hyuntak.”
Hyuntak finally had his vision back and the medicine had kicked in enough for him to return to reality. He couldn't think of anything other than how Baku’s hand caressed his waist or how they cradled his face so gently. The worry in his voice. The underlying fear was in his words and how his breath came out. But below all of it, he knew there was simmering rage waiting to explode. Seongje was not getting away from Park Humin.
When he didn't respond Dr. Hanna softly frowned before turning to Baku. “Go Hyuntak, it is imperative that we do this. You can die if this does not get treated. I'll let you two talk.”
Baku waits for the door to close behind her before he makes his way to Gotak and sits down beside him on the hospital bed. “How long have you known?” He asked, seeing how Gotak pinched at his bruised knuckles. He subconsciously reached over and held his hand.
Gotak finally looked up into Baku’s big brown eyes.
“Two weeks after Baekjin's funeral,” he answered.
“Why didn't you tell me?”
“You're grieving, Park Humin! I didn't… I didn't want to burden you more than you already were,” Gotak responds looking away. He can feel tears burning again. He scoffs, “This feels like a sick joke. Baekjin broke my knee for hanging out with you, and now that he's dead, he seems keen on taking me with him. So desperate to leave you with no one.”
Silence stretched between them.
“Gogo,” Baku cupped his cheeks tenderly. Gotak hated that he could see Baku’s eyes glossed over with unshed tears. “Listen… I need you. You need to tell me everything that hurts. You mean so much to me. I can't lose you… not you. I don't know who I would be without you. So let's get this MRI done and we can get dinner.”
Gotak smiled weakly, “You're paying.”
“I'll pay whatever the price,” Baku responded immediately.
Gotak knew he wasn't talking about dinner. Baku was willing to pay whatever the price to keep him alive. Willing to go to hell and back to keep him by his side no matter how possessive it might sound. Tenderly Baku pulls him close and kisses him. It's soft and full of emotion. Gotak can't help himself. He maneuvers himself into Baku’s lap and lays his head on his chest.
“You can get the nurse later. Stay with me,” Gotak whispers, pressing a kiss to his jaw.
“Don't think I've forgotten to ask who did this to you,” Baku reminds him.
“Baku-”
“I'm so serious Go Hyuntak,” Baku responds.
“Hyung,” Gotak whines, feeling Baku tighten his hold around his waist.
“Fine. Fine. But I'll ask again later.”