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Han Yoojin lay in a pool of his own blood, acutely aware of the fact that he was dying.
His head was throbbing dully, his limbs akimbo as he laid back against a crumbling wall.
Despite his fading senses, he retained a vague awareness of his current state.
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Everyone knows that head injuries tend to look worse than they actually are, yet from how the blood covers he's visions he's not too sure if that was actually true, especially with how weak he feels. It's as if his body has been weighed down by the amount of blood leaving him, everything feeling like he's made of molten lead and even attempting to sit up sparked pain up his entire spine. He hoped it was nothing more severe than bruises, that it wasn't anything more permanent but at this point he couldn't tell a thing. Everything was becoming a blur of shapes and colors, unable to focus on even the slightest of things.
-
Part of him wonders if it's possible to lose enough blood from his head to have any major repercussions, but doesn't everyone say that head injuries simply look more severe than they actually are? Actually scratch that, he doesn't know anymore. Everything hurts like a fucker and even the simple act of inhaling and exhaling made his body scream with pain, the slightest bit of movement causing him to gasp. It couldn't be that he broke something could he? He couldn't tell and he knew he doesn't want to think about it, acknowledging the pain will only make it worse than it already is, not to mention how nauseated and giddy he feels from what he assumes is the bloodloss coming from the neverending fountain of blood dripping from his forehead. He hears his name being called, echoing from a distance he believes? He can't tell anymore.
Those voices… They were yelling something. Something that sounded like…?
“Hyung!”
“Ahjussi!”
“WHERE ARE YOU?!”
Huh, those voices really were distraught. He should find some way to respond to them, to let them know of his position. Yet, he couldn’t move a muscle. His head was still slumped over and his hands lay limp against his side. Could he make a sound? Hmmm, no chance, too much blood in his mouth. The best he could do was a slight rattling wheeze. Too soft to be heard from a distance.
Ahhhh… This was it, huh?
How he wished he could’ve stayed alive and watched his two kids grow. How he wished he could’ve seen Yerim graduate, her face glowing with pleasure as she proudly showed off her high school certificate. How he wished he could be there by Yoohyun’s side, watching the other grow into a fine adult and attain the title of No 1 S Rank of Korea.
How he wished he could see Hyunjae – wait, why did his dying wish go to that bastard of all people? Funny, he never realized that in his dying moments, he would still think of Sung Hyunjae of all people.
But that was fine – after all, he knew deep in his heart that he had feelings for the other, a love that he would never reveal to the unattainable man.
His eyes slowly slid shut as he felt his body grow cold.
I wonder what kind of face he’ll make when he realizes that his favorite toy is dead.
Unbidden, a smile tugged at his lips.
Goodbye, Sung Hyun –
The crunch of gravel interrupted his thoughts. Then a sharp intake of breath, a gasp of shock and urgent footsteps.
“Yoojin!”
Oh, he was here after all.
More footsteps could be heard coming his way, but Yoojin couldn’t hold on any longer.
With a final wheeze, his heart stopped.
Poison resistance –
Then recovery...
Doubtful –
….
Who was it?
A weak throbbing all over his body.
Several voices argued near him but all he could think about was how exhausted he was.
He went back to sleep.
Hyung… Please, wake up…
That voice sounded familiar.
Ahjussi, I promise to be good. Won’t you come back?
Hmmm… Those voices felt comfortable. But he was too cozy in this little void to care.
So he slept.
New voices came and went.
There was a gruff man once, his voice a low baritone as he wearily asked if he would wake up only after his kids set the world on fire?
That was rude. His kids were perfect angels! They wouldn’t do anything silly like that!
Then there was another voice. This one was warm. He said he was going to make some nice food for him when he woke up! He even described some mouthwatering dishes that made him salivate at the idea.
Still, he didn’t feel the urge to rise yet.
More and more people spoke to him. One introduced himself as Noah and blamed himself for not being on hand to heal him right away. Hyunah came and scolded him for making others worry. So many voices all urging him to wake up soon, yet all he could feel was bone deep exhaustion.
So he went back to sleep.
And slept.
And slept.
And slept…
There was a touch on his wrist, fingers spreading and intertwining with his limp left hand.
“Han Yoojin – gun.” The voice that called out to him was soft.
Another hand took hold of his and raised it to nestle in between two warm palms. “My Han Yoojin – ah.”
A hot breath shuddered over his hand. “My dear Yoojin – ah, why – why did you do something so foolish?”
Foolish? Why was he being called foolish?
“That blow was meant for me. I could’ve withstood it easily and walked away with just a few broken bones. Why did you defend me and risk your life?”
Because he can’t just stand by and let the person he loves most get hurt in front of his eyes? Because he still has a protective streak that he will never change if it meant being able to defend everyone else?
Silly man, of course he would do whatever he could to save the other.
“My dear, now I can never let you go, do you understand? I’m bound to you now; bound to a life debt I will never be able to repay in all my lifetimes.”
What was that bastard saying? He didn’t do this to create a debt. He just did it to save someone.
He felt a feather light press of the lips to the back of his palm. “Wait for me, Yoojin – ah. I will wake you up. I will take responsibility for my mistake and ensure you suffer no more.” The grip on his hand tightened. “All I ask is this – do not go where I can’t follow. Do not leave me alone to suffer in a world without you.”
How silly, as if he could ever leave behind such an insufferable bastard. With a sigh, he went back to sleep.
His dreams were odd.
Sometimes he dreamt of someone calling him mother and weeping dramatically at his side. Another time he dreamt a fight broke out above him and was only stopped by a loud crash.
That was funny.
Another time a little dragon joined him in the void and kept tugging him with tearful wails. He couldn’t resist patting the other on the head before he melted back into sleep.
[Do you want to wake up? YES/NO]
That strange prompt made him blink. What was that supposed to mean? He has a choice?
Too much thinking. He’s going back to sleep.
Except… The voices were back.
“ – and I told them, what makes you think the Kisengsu Facility will crumble without Ahjussi? Ahjussi hired a lot of competent people just to make sure the Facility will do well even when he’s busy, plus Seseong Ahjussi and Guild Leader oppa will never let Ahjussi’s baby fall while he’s asleep!”
“Good for you,” someone grumbled.
“Oh shut up, you big baby. You’re just unhappy over not being allowed to kill the asshats that insulted Ahjussi.”
“They should be grateful I let them live. If Hyung wasn’t fast asleep, he would’ve made sure they regretted opening their big mouths!”
Wait what?
“Alright stop complaining and heat up the water already.”
There was a slosh and splash as something was drained.
“I’ll take his left, you take his right.”
“Make sure you clean Hyung well. I don’t want to see any wet patches remaining.”
“That was one time!”
Despite the squabbling, he could feel the gentle brush of cloth being swiped over his body. Any dirt or sweat on his body was carefully wiped away and he felt his body being turned to clean his back as well.
“Is Seseong Ahjussi busy today? I thought he’ll be here to care for Ahjussi like he usually does.”
“He sent me a text. Said he’s meeting another doctor to add to Hyung’s care team.”
“That makes it… Five out of twenty doctors so far that passed his strict evaluations? Hear that, Ahjussi? Seems like the Seseong guild leader really takes your health seriously.”
Disgruntled huffing ensued. “He better – after all, he’s the reason why Hyung is all laid up in a bed.”
“Hey, at least he’s making up for it. He moved Ahjussi out of the hospital into his own place, paid for all the medical expenses and even sought out doctors to help Ahjussi get better!”
“It’s the least he could do.”
There was a period of silence as they focused on cleaning up. “… Hey Ahjussi, when will you wake up? I miss you.”
“Hyung will wake up when he gets better.”
“But it’s been months! Don’t you – don’t you miss him?”
“… I do.”
“Then why won’t you encourage him to wake up?”
“Because Hyung deserves the rest after all he’s been through. I don’t want to rush him at all and risk his health worsening.”
A long sigh. “You’ve got a point.” Then it brightened up. “Hey, maybe we should bring Peace here! I’ve heard animal therapy can help bring patients out of a coma!”
“Peace is a monster.”
“So what? He acts like a pet enough that I’m sure Ahjussi will wake up for him!”
“You’ll need to ask the bastard for permission then.”
“Ask me what?”
Twin yelps were heard.
“SUNG HYUNJAE?!”
“When did you get here?!”
“How come you didn’t call?!”
“I rang the bell to inform you two of my presence, but you were too focused on Han Yoojin – gun to hear, I suppose. And I reached just ten minutes ago.”
“What about the interview? Did that guy pass?”
The voice turned cold. “No, he was a fake.”
“Another paparazzi?”
“No, just someone who believed that since I was so desperate for Yoojin – gun to recover, I wouldn’t look too closely at the credentials.”
“Idiots, as if we would ever let just anyone come near Ahjussi!”
“Did you verify his reason?”
“The usual – for bragging rights that he got to meet me and to convince me to invest in so and so.”
“Tch, time wasters. Doesn’t your guild usually screen the idiots out before passing their resumes to you?”
A shift in fabric and a quiet sigh. “They did, but Evelyn urged me to go out and get some fresh air instead of staying by Yoojin – gun’s side the whole time. She was the one that handed me the resume and told me to use the chance to vent my stress.” Then a pause. “Speaking of which, it’s about time I switched out his solution bag.”
He fell back asleep with a soft sigh.
Once again, the little dragon was there. It made disapproving noises at him when he wanted to curl up and sleep. It even nipped at him at times and cried dramatically. “Why won’t you wake up?! You’re not supposed to sleep here for so long in the first place!”
But I can’t wake up.
“Yes you can!” The little dragon huffed. “I even spoke to that bastard in his dreams and told him you were stuck, but he said he didn’t have any skill to pull out dreamers in a coma. Instead, he pushed the job to me, saying I had to be a good son and pull Daddy out of this state!”
He blinked slowly. Then what am I supposed to do?
With another huff, the dragon curled onto his chest. “Only you have the power to wake yourself up. Until you accept that you can wake, you’ll be stuck here for awhile. And I don’t like seeing you here. It’s too empty and scary as compared to the world outside.”
He turned his head to gaze at the prompt that appeared just behind the little dragon.
[DO YOU WANT TO WAKE UP? YES/NO]
It was about time, wasn’t it?
He patted the little dragon again. “Sorry to make you worry,” he murmured. “I’ll wake up now.”
[YES]
Blinking, he found himself rousing slowly into a blurry, quiet world. There was a warm weight on his chest, dozing away with the occasional chirr. He couldn’t make out any details unfortunately since it was too dark to see, yet he could vaguely recognize an orange lump on him and fast asleep. A name rose to the forefront.
Peace.
He attempted to raise a hand, yet nothing happened.
It seems that he had been asleep too long if his limbs were being so unresponsive.
He sighed. “Peace,” he attempted to speak, but his throat was too dry to make a sound. The flame manticore remained asleep.
Oh well.
With another tired sigh, he let his eyes drift shut into sleep once again.
The rustling of fabric roused him this time. It was accompanied by the soft whirring of motors and clinking noises as things were shifted around him. On his chest, Peace yawned and then made a grumbling growl.
“What are you doing here?” The tone was one of fond exasperation.
Peace yipped in reply.
“I know I allowed you to join Yoojin – gun in his bed, but I didn’t mean you could stay the night.”
Another exaggerated yawn.
“Your teeth don’t scare me. Now shoo, I need to change the bedsheets.”
Peace grumbled but seemed to oblige as he stood up on Yoojin’s chest. The sudden weight increase startled Yoojin into letting out a soft grunt.
This led to a pause. “Did I not tell you to be careful when you’re with Yoojin – gun? He’s weak enough already but you’re still playing around without watching your strength.”
Peace whined in apology and licked at Yoojin’s chin carefully. Oh, that was cute. Too bad he had no strength to lift his hand and pet the other.
Shucks, he could feel exhaustion creep up on him. It was getting harder and harder to focus. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to just go back to sleep…?
There was a brush of lips against his forehead. “Good morning, Yoojin – gun. It’s been 8 months and 3 days since you were last awake. I wish you would wake up already and let me see your beautiful eyes, but don’t feel rushed. I will wait for you regardless.”
What was this silly man saying now? With another grunt, Yoojin forced his left eye half open.
That… may have been a mistake, as his eye was unprepared for light to enter his vision and immediately watered in response to unexpected stimuli.
Yoojin could only rapidly blink and whine as a headache formed.
There was a breathless, “Yoojin!?” before a rush of sound and a sharp whoosh.
“It’s alright now,” the voice coaxed, “the windows are shut. Can you try to open your eyes again for me, Yoojin – gun?”
Well, since the other was asking so nicely… Yoojin warily opened his left eye again. This time, it didn’t take much effort to open both eyes, albeit halfway.
As promised, the curtains were shut and his eyes adjusted easier to the darkened room. He was able to make out a blurry splotch of gold in his vision that eventually cleared up into a vaguely familiar figure.
Sung Hyunjae, was what his lips formed to say, but what came out was a dry hacking cough. A clink of chains later and something cool was pushed gently but insistently into his lips.
An ice chip?
He parted his mouth to take it in and laid back with a weary sigh as he let the ice slowly melt in his mouth. Now hydrated, he attempted to speak again. “Suh – Yoo – Jay,” was what came out instead.
Instead of being unhappy at his name being mangled, the other’s eyes were enchanted. “Yes, Yoojin – gun,” he answered with adoration clear in his voice.
Yoojin squinted suspiciously at the other. He wanted, quite badly, to smack Hyunjae or throw crass words at the beaming blonde.
Instead, an orange blur zipped past the other and settled quite firmly on him with a joyful cry.
Peace immediately began licking all over his face without pause as he trilled his joy. Yoojin couldn’t help the smile that bloomed as he patiently let the manticore groom him.
But his energy was dropping, and he could feel the familiar claws of sleep in his psyche. Thus, he gave a sigh and let his eyelids slowly fall shut.
A poke to his arm.
“Yoojin – gun, don’t fall asleep just yet? I need you to do something for me.”
But he was tired.
“I know you want to sleep, but just do something small for me so I can show your little brother that you’re back with us, alright?”
Fine. For Yoohyun – ie.
With a grunt he cranked his eyes open and glared straight at Hyunjae’s direction. He hoped his aim was true – his vision was kinda awful now anyways.
“Now, Yoojin – gun, can you give me a smile?”
“Whaaaa smmmmiiiillll –?” He slurred.
Hyunjae chuckled with a suspiciously wet sound. “Your brother is going to be very upset.”
Why would his dongsaeng be upset at Yoojin?
He made a questioning noise. “Yooh yooon?”
“He will be here as soon as he can, don’t worry,” Hyunjae reassured.
That sounded good…
His eyes must have slipped shut at some point as he couldn’t see anything, just feel the gentle waves of exhaustion sweep him deeper and deeper into comforting darkness.
There was a gentle touch on his cheek.
“I’m glad you’re back, Yoojin – ah.” Hyunjae’s voice sounded so far away.
He’s glad he’s back as well with the people he loved by his side. But for now, he needed more rest.
With another sigh, he slipped back into the embrace of sleep.