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The room was swallowed in so much heavy tension that when the door slams shut everyone including Sungho flinches at the loud sound as he was diligently scanning their weekly report.
“Good morning, boys.” It was Chief Kim, the head of their division. Sungho sneaks a look and couldn't help but check out their captain, a gun was hanging low on his hip and he was wearing a denim jacket. He has always been nothing less than a hotshot, Sungho yet again concludes.
“What's up, Chief?”
“Well, getting straight to the point, I called both of you guys in from Narcotics and Special Investigation,” Chief Kim eyes the two units present and clearly dividing the room with their presence, “as we've just been assigned to a joint operation.” He stands before them, rummaging through the drawer in front and brings out folders to pass around the eight of them who gathered there early in the morning.
Sungho immediately grabs one, flipping it open only to reveal classified information, several background files, even some pretty familiar high profile names he has encountered before.
Everyone was busy silently verifying whatever content was in the folder until someone spoke up, a challenging tone directed at Chief Kim.
“How huge did you say this job is again, Sir?” It was Han Taesan. An inspector known for having graduated the police academy with high ranks and who once served in the national Special Ops unit. How he ended up transferring in their division with that kind of performance remains a mystery to most of them there.
He happens to be the center of Sungho's attention now.
“We're bringing in a sniper?” Sungho nearly rolls his eyes in Taesan's direction.
And to top it all off, yes, Han Taesan also happens to be an excellent marksman. Something Sungho could never be, given his awful eyesight. It's even a miracle he passed his physical exam being as blind as he is.
Chief Kim shakes his head before continuing his briefing of the operation. “Don't worry, Team. I guarantee it's not as bad as the Nine Temples Case but it definitely has its intricacies.”
“How dangerous can it be? We don't have the best sniper in our unit for nothing.” One of Taesan's unit members brags, earning chuckles and agreement from their side of the room.
“You mean the only sniper,” Sungho says under his breath.
Taesan stares at him dead in the eye, a playful smirk on his lips. “How little you must think of me, Detective Park.”
Their meeting runs for thirty more minutes before Chief Kim dismisses them upon ordering everyone to clean up their leftover reports and papers from previous cases.
And just before the meeting room was almost clear, Sungho called for Taesan who was already about to step outside.
“Inspector Han, a word?” Sungho gives him a knowing look.
“I'll be with you guys in a sec.” Taesan dismisses his group who were waiting for him by the door and closes it behind him before eventually walking towards where Sungho sat and slides a chair next to him.
Sungho takes a look around before landing his stare on Taesan's and he heaves a sigh he'd been holding back. “One of us has to sit this one out.”
“Well, I'm not doing it.” Taesan crosses his arms defiantly.
“San-ah,” Sungho whines.
“Sungho hyung,” Taesan contests, his stance unchanging.
“It's too dangerous.”
“Well, I'm not letting you go at it on your own either.”
Sungho then grabs his hands, clasping it within his as an act of pleading. “Can we please make a deal? Just this once, please. I'll do whatever you want in exchange.”
“No. You can't force me to drop out of this just because you want me to. It's my job and I'm doing it. That's final, Sungho.” Taesan gently pulls away from his grasp.
“I'm worried, Taesan.”
“Me too. But we are assigned to this operation for a reason. Me and you.” He cups Sungho's cheek, his relentless gaze enough to melt the man. Sungho looks away and purses his lips, almost upset that he couldn't persuade his partner and that he had won him again.
“Alright, fine.” Sungho nods in resolve before jabbing a finger on his partner's chest. “But the minute I see one drop of blood on you, I'm going to make Chief Kim force you out even if it takes faking someone's death on your side of the family.”
Taesan smirks. “Same here. We're done here, yeah?” He stands up from his seat with Sungho looking up at him pouting.
“I'll see you at home, Hyung.”
Sungho tugs at him strongly just enough that when Taesan spins around, their lips are already touching. “Give me my kiss before you walk away, asshole.” Taesan harshly kisses him back and it makes Sungho groan in annoyance before leaving him alone inside the room.
...
The first night they get assigned to a stakeout in one of the busiest streets in Gangnam, Sungho has to hide his embarrassment upon seeing the monstrosity of a car that Taesan arrived in. He cannot believe Taesan managed to convince him that they drive separately with Sungho dutifully taking their team's car with Taesan arriving much later than him.
“Seriously, man?” Sungho was leaning on the hood of his car when he watched Taesan emerge from his own.
“What?” Taesan asks innocently.
“You're the only person I know who would bring a red sportscar on a stakeout.“ Sungho shakes his head and runs his hand on his face.
“What? It's pretty.” Taesan shrugs.
“It's sticking out like a sore thumb.” Sungho scrunches his nose.
“Just the way I like it.” Taesan smirks.
It wasn't until hour two of their stakeout that any signs from their targets began to show. Sungho took it upon himself to wander around the busy streets, each bar he passes by becoming an entire world of its own.
He only stops in his tracks upon seeing a familiar face, someone who sticks out from the crowd just based off of their clothes and the alert energy that did not blend in with their surroundings at all.
Sungho immediately activates his earpiece. “Han Taesan.”
“Yes?” His response was prompt.
“You said Yoon Hosik was last sighted lying low in Beijing right?” Sungho inconspicuously says, walking a distance enough that he won't be noticed by their target.
“Based on our latest intelligence, yes.”
“Well, I've got eyes on him now.”
“I'm right behind you," Taesan quickly says.
“Put Chief Kim on the line for me please,” Sungho orders.
A few moments of static and then a click. “Speak up, Detective Park.”
“We've got Yoon Hosik. What's our next move, Sir?” Sungho is still following them from a distance.
“Bring him to the headquarters. I want him alive and speaking.”
“Chief, we do not have a warrant for him or an APB.” That was Taesan who, to Sungho's surprise, already managed to catch up to him.
“I'll take responsibility," Chief Kim affirms.
“Copy that, Sir.” And that was enough for them.
Taesan then points to a dead end alley on their way. He beelines for it while Sungho gives him a knowing nod and begins to run. It didn't take long until their target notices they are being chased. Sungho makes it a point to corner them and lure them to Taesan's location. The crowd makes way for their commotion and just like that they easily capture him.
...
They make another progress in their investigation only after three weeks. A big tip-off has informed them of an abandoned and unfinished apartment complex in the outskirts of Seoul being used as a pick-up point of their high profile names.
They were only given orders to survey and see what or who goes in and out of the place. Sungho was stationed in an undistinguished gasoline station right across the complex while Taesan was positioned in the building one block away where he could easily scope them out.
Nothing much happens, until they see a convoy arrive. Sungho could only manage a gasp when he noticed who came out of one of the vehicles.
“Do not shoot. I repeat, do not shoot.” Sungho reminds his partner from the radio.
“I'm gonna shoot,” Taesan warns.
“Inpsector Han. I'm speaking right now as the co-head of this joint operation. No matter what happens, do not shoot.” Sungho could only grit his teeth nervously. Knowing Taesan, he might actually do it. And it could ruin their big plan.
Thankfully, the high profile envoy and his men immediately disappear inside leaving Taesan with only a blindspot. “Damn it.”
“Relax." Sungho soothes him. "We have orders to let them be. We'll get them at the right time."
"I had him. Right there." Sungho can hear Taesan's frustration.
"It's too risky. Plus, I knew you were never going to shoot.”
“You don't know that.” Taesan scoffs.
“Whatever you say, babe.” Sungho smirks to himself.
It wasn't until three days later that they got orders from the police general to start moving with their plan. To capture all the names in their list. Warrants have been issued and even the SWAT were on standby.
Sungho is leading the ground team while Taesan is above ground, making sure they get the surrounding area covered.
“Do you have eyes on me?“ Sungho speaks to his radio. A beat after and no one answers, he heaves a sigh. “Han Taesan, I swear to god.”
Taesan could only manage to chuckle from the other line. “I got you. You know I always do, Hyung.”
“I need you to respond quickly, please. I can't do this without you.” Sungho reminds him.
“Okay. I got it. I'm sorry.”
“Good. Now I want you to focus on the show,” Sungho says before cocking his gun.
“Wouldn't miss it for the world, baby.”
He then switches his radio to the main network.
“This is Detective Park, confirm your locations.” Sungho then waits until each lead from the ground responds to him.
“As of right now, this is a lockdown operation. We are not coming out until we have our hands on Moon Bumyoung alive," he informs them.
Sungho then proceeds to move in but a ringing shot startles him.
“Jesus! What was that?”
“A little warning shot for our friends," Taesan supplies. That reckless idiot.
Sungho coughs. “Right. We're coming in.”
“Park Sungho, you better not die.” He hears Taesan say.
Sungho makes it to the second floor of the complex. He knows that the SWAT is right behind him. But it seems too quiet to be a good sign.
“Where the hell are these guys?” He curses under his breath. “Narc Team, this is Detective Park. Are you listening? I need someone to power on all the electricity on my signal.”
“Park Sungho, just what the hell are you planning?” Taesan speaks to their private line again. “Sungho, can you hear me? What's your location?”
“I'm on the east, second level," he supplies.
“I see movement on the fifth floor. Think you can get there in two minutes?”
“I got it.”
Sungho bursts through the door to the fifth floor, gun raised, the thud of his boots drowned out only by the rapid marching of the SWAT team behind him. He moves forward, eyes sweeping every corner.
Then a shadow shifts.
A metal pipe swings at his head. Sungho manages to duck, he fires twice, and one of them collapses with a yell.
“Where’s the rest of your team, huh?” One of them sneers from behind a stack of crates. “They should watch us cut you up into little pieces.”
“They should be the least of your problems right now,” Sungho barks back.
“Yeah? And what are you gonna do, pretty boy? Cry and beg for me to spare your life?”
Sungho smirks, immediately reloading with a click. “Not if I make you cry and beg first.”
The gunfire erupts. The hallway becomes chaos, shouting and bullets ringing through. Sungho is swift, ducking behind a pillar, taking down two more men before his ammo runs dry. A fist then nearly slams into his temple, Sungho turns, blocks, and smashes the man’s face into the column.
Up above, Taesan lowers his sniper after dropping one of the hostiles near a window.
“I’m going in,” he mutters into his comms, already on his feet. He storms toward the building, a pistol in hand, and he runs straight to the same entrance Sungho went into.
By the time Sungho reaches the main room on the fifth floor, his breathing is ragged, sweat mixing with blood. He kicks the door open.
There, Moon Bumyoung, the leader of the operation, stands smug, a knife glinting in his hand. His men linger behind him.
“Shouldn’t you be protecting your partner?” The man taunts as he nods to the direction from where Sungho just came in. A swarm of his associates flood in and from behind, Sungho notices someone looking very much like Taesan who is struggling to fight their way through. He tries to give it no thought. This was not the time for him to be distracted.
Sungho then gives him a glare, letting out a short bitter laugh. “He’s capable of protecting himself and he can do that while eliminating at least half of you.”
Moon Bumyoung tilts his head, almost amused. “You’re a mouthful aren’t you, little detective?”
“And you’re a son of a bitch.”
Then Sungho lunges for him.
He easily blocks a strike with his forearm and throws a punch that lands hard. The man barely flinches. Another hit. Sungho’s head snaps to the side. A kick sends him sprawling onto the ground.
The leader towers over him, pressing the blade to his neck.
“Say goodbye, detective.”
Bang!
A single shot cuts through the commotion. Sungho watches as Moon Bumyoung jerks away, a bloom of red spreading across his chest. He stumbles backward, knife releasing from his hand, and his body hits the floor.
Sungho blinks, dazed. He tries to say something but his entire vision fades out.
When he wakes, everything is white and buzzing.
“...Park Sungho! Jesus Christ. Wake up. Wake up, you asshole!”
Sungho groans, eyes fluttering open. He first sees Taesan then the panicked look on his face. He cradles Sungho right into his chest. “You scared the hell out of me.”
“I’m good, I’m good,” Sungho managed to rasp.
“Fucking asshole.”
“Baby, I’m still in one piece,” he says weakly, half a grin tugging at his lips.
“Yeah, you better not die.”
“I won’t.” Sungho shakes his head, still pressed up on Taesan. “I haven’t even fucked you hard yet, San-ah.”
Taesan snorts. “Oh, fuck you. You’re lucky I’m in love with you.”
“You’re lucky you’re married to me.”
Laughter erupts from the both of them.
“Come on, let’s get you to the medic.” Just like that Taesan swiftly carries him into his arms as they exit the scene.
...
Some more weeks later and the operation was finally wrapped to a close. Prosecution had taken over the case. The apartment complex was now sealed off and awaiting demolition.
The press conference room hummed with low chatter and camera shutters. Reporters filled every seat, waiting for the department’s official statement on the successful bust.
Sungho stood just outside the room. He fixes his collar then straightens his tie with steady hands. Behind him, Taesan leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching him like he always did.
“Well?” Sungho turns to him, gesturing to his uniform.
Taesan only had to nod once for Sungho to feel satisfied. “Hyung, remind me to pass up any operations with your unit after this.”
“Likewise.” Sungho smirks.
He glances back at Taesan, eyes softening for just a second. “Eyes on me?”
“Always.”
Sungho chuckles before turning around, confident and well aware of how Taesan’s eyes trained on him as he steps forward onto the podium and the camera flashes begin. His voice came out steady, practiced and professional, meanwhile Taesan’s gaze never wavered from him, not once.
…
Papers are stacked in uneven piles. A mug labeled World’s Okayest Boss sits dangerously close to the edge of the desk. Superintendent Myung flips through a report while Chief Kim stands in front of him, looking hesitant and amused.
“Myung Jaehyun,” Chief Kim sighs. “Do I really need to report this to you?”
“What? It’s not like it’s bad,” Jaehyun replies without looking up.
“This is basically workplace gossiping.”
“Yes but it concerns the team.”
Chief Kim crosses his arms. “They’re doing well, I guess.”
“And?”
“They look… happy and strong…?”
“Huh.” Jaehyun leans back, grinning. “Has anyone from their teams figured them out yet?”
“No, I don’t think so. News would’ve already spread. Even faster than wildfire, if it were the case.”
“Based on your professional judgment,” Jaehyun says, voice dripping with mock seriousness. “Do you think they are still fit for duty together?”
Chief Kim exhales through his nose. “Their relationship has so far not interfered with any of their missions. So, yes, I would think so.”
“Then that’s all we need to know.” Jaehyun waves a hand. “Give them separate ops before assigning another awful joint case. You can never know with couples.”
“That is… duly noted, Sir.”
“Alright then. Good luck, Donghyun! Just let me know if you’d like to treat your boys to some barbecue.”
Donghyun raises an eyebrow. “You mean your boys.”
Jaehyun simply grins. “Eh, semantics.”
The office door creaks open. Both men freeze.
Sungho leans in, Taesan right behind him.
“Did someone say barbecue?” Sungho asks with a smirk.
Taesan sighs. “No offense, Sir, but you two really need new hobbies.”
Jaehyun clears his throat, flustered. “Ah—Detectives! Just discussing… strategy.”
“Sure you were,” Sungho says, already turning away. “We’ll take hanwoo beef, thanks.”
Taesan nods. “And make sure the boss pays.”
The door shuts behind them.
Donghyun stares after them, then at Jaehyun. “You were saying something about couples?”
Jaehyun groans. “Ugh. Don’t start.”