"DUDE! IF YOU'RE GOING TO BRING SOMEONE OVER TO FUCK AT LEAST CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF! THERE'S CUM ALL OVER THE FLOOR AND DISGUSTING HANDPRINTS LITTERED ALL OVER THE GLASS!"
Daniel was startled awake, flinching violently as his eyes blinked rapidly to adjust to the light and the foreign-looking room that he had never seen before.
"Goo, shut the fuck up. It's too early for this!" A grumpy voice replies from beside the doctor and the weight of the bed beside Daniel shifts. Daniel turns only to catch sight of Gun who is still grumpily trying to clench his eyes shut, his mouth set in a disgruntled expression.
"Gun?" Daniel squeaks out and Gun's previous annoyance quickly fades as he also blinks in confusion. Taking in the sight of Daniel, he pales.
"Shit" Was all the Founder could utter before the door to the room was slammed open.
"SERIOUSLY? ALL YOUR CLOTHES ARE JUST LYING ON THE GROUND YOU PIG-" Goo who had looked beyond pissed was now looking at the two men who were still lying in bed with open shock. His jaw had gone slack and his eyebrows were raised so far up that Daniel worried they would fly off into space.
"Goo, get out" Gun grits out, pulling the blanket up to hide Daniel's still very nude form.
The blonde takes a moment to digest the scene in front of him before the look of irritation returns.
"Both of you, clean up and get dressed" Goo grits out before slamming the door shut.
Daniel blinked slowly before turning to Gun who was letting out a deep sigh and was pinching the bridge of his nose.
"I don't think he's very happy," Daniel mumbles.
Gun in return doesn't acknowledge the words, merely getting up and heading to the bathroom.
"Come on, let's clean up. I'll lend you some clothes" Gun hums.
That was how Daniel ended up sitting on the couch, the same couch he had defiled with Gun the previous night, in an oversized dress shirt and boxer briefs. Gun sat by his side, dressed in loose sweatpants and a shirt as he sipped his coffee, trying to act nonchalantly. Goo stood in front of them, pacing back and forth as he muttered profanities under his breath.
"I had a feeling something was going on between you two, ever since that time you asked me to train him" Goo finally states as he comes to a stop. "I also noticed that the both of you were friendlier, but I just thought it was because of your forced proximity and because you had to work together" Hands on his hips, Goo could only shake his head in disbelief.
"Goo this isn't any of your concern, I don't even understand why you're freaking out" Gun grumbles and Goo turns his gaze to his friend.
"This is a massive HR problem! If people find out that you, one of the Founders of the CC, a person who is a director of the CC, have been sleeping around with the medical hire, do you know how much of a problem that's going to be? It's a scandal! People will use it against the both of you!" Goo hisses and there was less anger laced in his voice and more worry.
Goo was worried for them. That was a first.
"Doc, do you even understand the repercussions there will be if your relationship with this idiot gets made public? He's a dangerous person with loads of enemies, you'll be planting a target on your back. People who have hated Gun will get to him through you!" Goo turns to Daniel who falters.
He hadn't given that aspect much thought but now that Goo was practically shouting it all in his face he couldn't help but think about it thoroughly.
"Oh," He mumbles out. "But that's not going to be a problem" Daniel states evenly.
It wasn't a problem because he could take care of himself. After all, Gun had been training him and he could fight. He was strong.
The words that came out of Gun's mouth were completely different.
"He's right, this isn't even a real relationship. We're just fucking" Gun states as if it was the most logical answer in the world. Both Goo and Daniel whip their heads around to stare at the man, one in disbelief and the other in hurt. "Don't give me that look, Goo. It's true, that both the Doctor and I came to this situation through an agreement of relieving stress. It's not like it means anything else"
Gun was right, every word he said was true. That was how their relationship started and there had been no further discussion throughout it that it would be anything different.
'It's not like it means anything else'
So those silent conversations that Daniel had been having, the times when he tried to convey to the elder that he wanted more, that he liked Gun more intimately and affectionately, they had always been one-sided. When Gun had acknowledged his jealousy when they had spent time outside of training and fucking, the trip to see Seoul's nightlife, the late nights they spent together in each other's arms. It had all meant something to Daniel but to Gun, it was nothing.
"Is that true?" Goo questions, his voice unsure now as he turns to Daniel for an answer.
To Daniel, it feels like an eternity before he's able to answer, to the two Founders it's only a moment of hesitance.
"It is" Daniel nods and just like that everything that he had thought to be true shatters. "All of this, everything between Gun and I…It's just sex" He wanted to spit the bitter words out like they were venom but his crumbling heart couldn't manifest the emotions so his voice remained deadpanned.
"Daniel?" Gun hums, noticing that something very wrong has occurred but just as he's about to reach out his hand is slapped away.
"I should get going, I've overstayed my welcome and I need to do my walk of shame" Daniel states, flashing the two a smile as he goes to gather the pile of clothes that Goo had been kind enough to fold.
"Hey now, wait a second-" Goo was cut off. "No, I really should go. Don't worry about whatever this is, Goo. Since it's just it's all just a physical situation there isn't anything tying us together. We can end whatever this is whenever we want or whenever one of us eventually gets bored. We promise to keep it a secret until then, that way nothing detrimental will occur to your business" He was quickly pulling on his pants, fiddling around a bit only to see Gun also stand.
"You saying you want to call this quits, Doc?" Gun frowns.
"I don't know, are you bored of me yet?" Daniel retorts a little more testily than he had intended and his snapping makes both Gun and Goo draw back in slight surprise. Goo was watching the two nervously whereas Gun...well Daniel could see the second the man pulled his emotions back to hide behind his usual mask.
"Are you bored of me?" Gun simply asks.
If Daniel wasn't so hurt by everything he might have noticed the reserved tone the man used. If Daniel's world hadn't just exploded into dust merely a few seconds ago if his heart hadn't just been ripped and mauled to pieces he might have answered honestly.
'No, how could I get bored of you? You're the only thing in my life that excites me in such a way, I don't want to let you go'
Instead, Daniel just sighs, turning around and heading for the door.
"I'll see you both tonight" And he's gone even before Goo could protest.
Daniel didn't know the way back home so he took a taxi. The entire ride back to the CC grounds was silent, with Daniel thinking through every situation, every supposed 'date' and every sugar-coated word they had spoken to each other.
"Daniel, you're back" Collin and Jay were in the medical room and Jacky was sitting up, awake and attentive. "Did you seriously come here without going to get cleaned up first?" The other Doctor calls, exasperated at the state the other man is in.
"I…my body just took me here" Daniel mumbles, walking in closer to see Jacky wave and grin at him.
"Hey, Doc! Thanks for saving my life!" The short boy calls in a chipper tone.
Daniel wanted nothing more than to find a quiet space to break down and cry but the moment he caught sight of Jacky, smiling happily and in relief, he couldn't help but push those emotions away. From the moment he had started working at the CC, it had been nonstop exhaustion, he was constantly overworking himself, sobbing tears for a man who apparently didn't even like him and worrying himself sick. He was done with the useless tears, this wasn't something Daniel wanted to do anymore.
So, the moment concern started to appear on Collin and Jay's face for his lack of response he shoves away all of the negativity that had been festering inside of him and breaks out a small smile.
"It wasn't just me, honestly it was more Doctor Yu who did the saving." He announces as he walks over to the patient. "I'm happy to see you're feeling a lot better" he adds and Jacky nods.
"Doctor Yu gave me the rundown about the operation and how my future is going to be without a spleen, he also said that soon I can be discharged from here and rest at home. I can't wait to get out of here, the guys probably need me back at the bar anyways" Despite the surgery and how fragile his state had been not so long ago, Jacky was already talking about getting back to work.
It was admirable, how easily the short male could bounce back from such a horrifying affair. He had almost died and yet here he was, two days later sitting up in his bed and grinning ear to ear. Meanwhile, Daniel who had just experienced heartbreak wanted to shrivel up and fade into the wind. It was embarrassing, the contrast between him and his patient. If Jacky could take this in stride, why the hell couldn't he also do the same?
At that moment, Daniel made the mature decision to stop. For too long, his issues and relations with Gun had taken priority in his life. It had gotten to the point where it started impacting him while he was on duty. He had made careless mistakes, hurt patients accidentally and even emotionally snapped at others, all because of a man. Before Gun, the only thing that was important in his life was his family and being a Doctor, how dare some thug ruin that for him? He could only swear to himself never to get distracted by something as insignificant as a crush ever again.
"Don't overwork yourself, focus on rest for now" Reaching out, Daniel pats the boy's head. If Jacky who had undergone a traumatic beat down by a monster and had to receive an emergency splenic surgery in a place like the CC could recover this easily, then Daniel with his stupid situationship could recover just as well.
Turning to the sceptical-looking Collin and worried Jay he speaks "I'm going to go clean up, I'll be right back"
Jay nods, providing a supportive smile whereas Collin merely raises a brow but doesn't prevent Daniel from leaving.
.
.
.
"So? Spill, something happened" Collin urges as he shovels a spoonful of rice into his mouth.
Currently, the two Doctors and nurse were in the mess hall for lunch, Jacky was currently in the company of Hudson and Channing who had been called and alerted that their friend was awake. The three Public members were making up for lost time and the medical group had decided to leave and give them some privacy.
"What do you mean?" Daniel replies, pretending to be enamoured by his food.
"Don't play dumb, it doesn't suit you" Collin rolls his eyes before nudging Jay. "Even Jay over here is curious, aren't ya?" He asks the blonde who nods.
Daniel glares at Collin who merely returns the look with an unamused one. The three along with Bredak and Jihyeon were the only ones in the massive mess hall so there was no need to be inconspicuous.
"If I tell you, will you leave me alone?" Daniel questions and the two nod which makes the Doctor sigh. "Gun and I were fucking" he states simply, remembering the stupid words from that morning as well as his vows about keeping this a secret. Now he thought, 'Fuck them, I'll tell who I want' which was why he was so nonchalant.
"I knew it!" Collin slaps a hand against the table in triumph. "Mira would have a field day with this information, especially after that interrogation from last night about you and the other guys" He points out and Daniel sighs.
"Don't tell her neither of you are to tell anyone about this! If I find out that you leak this information I'll slit your throats in your sleep" Daniel hisses and they hold up their hands in surrender.
"Okay, so you're dating that Founder guy, why do you seem unhappy? Is he a shitty boyfriend?" Collin questions and at this Jay frowns. He looked slightly pissed at the mention of Daniel being mistreated which was sweet.
"We're not dating," Daniel replies.
The two pause.
"You aren't?" Collin might have voiced it but Jay's face spoke the same words.
"We aren't," Daniel confirms, taking another bite of his meat and chewing slowly before swallowing. "Hence why I said we were fucking" He snorts bitterly.
There's a moment of silence before the two interrogators look at each other and realisation dawns on their faces.
"Ooh…so it's like that" Collin nods his head solemnly as Jay reaches over and pats Daniel's shoulder.
'Don't mind' he seems to voice which causes Daniel to snort.
"It's not that bad and It's not as if I was forced into anything. I agreed to this…arrangement" Daniel informs before Collin is pointing a spoon at him.
"But you're not happy about it because you now have feelings for the guy and he doesn't like you back, is that it?"
Daniel stares back at the other. He got it in one.
"Predictable" Collin scoffs. "And don't look at me like that, I'm older than you which means I've seen this sort of thing happen before. Situationships and friends with benefits hardly ever work out but I'm unsurprised that you didn't realise this fact before getting involved with this" It was a jab at Daniel but the younger understood why he was being insulted. Getting involved with Gun wasn't smart to begin with.
"You've seen this happen before? Was it during university?" Daniel questions and Collin nods.
"University, high school, at the hospital-" "Wait, these sorts of relationships happen at SNMC?" Daniel gapes and Collin snickers.
"Yeah they do, people like us who work 24/7 and have no social life get close to people at work which results in a lot of workplace relationships similar to what you have. Did you know that the head of neuro slept with an intern before he even divorced his wife? The same wife who cheated on him by sleeping with his best friend the head of plastics?" Collin whispers as if it was a dirty secret.
Daniel gaped and Jay looked intrigued by the information that was being fed to him.
"I thought that sort of stuff only happened in dramas and shows…like Grey's Anatomy or something" Daniel hisses back.
"That is Grey's Anatomy idiot" Collin retorts and Daniel sighs at being fooled by the elder. "But meh, drama is drama. Anyways back to your situation. If you know it's just sex why are you still so upset? What did Gun even do to you this morning when you looked so smitten with him last night" Collin inquires and Jay nods along, wanting to know.
"This might take a while" Daniel sighs but the two merely shrug and lean in. So Daniel spills everything, every single dirty detail with a complete description. Even Olly hadn't gotten something like this and he had been there to cheer Daniel on the moment he clocked what was going on between the Doctor and the Founder.
By the end of it, the three were placing their finished trays back where they should and walking to the medical room.
"What a dick" Collin frowns.
Jay looked borderline murderous, his hands were clenching and unclenching before he eventually tapped Daniel on the shoulder and made a gesture. Touching his fist to his palm in a motion that has Daniel shaking his head.
"Don't fight him, he's horrible to fight anyways" Daniel denies Jay's offer who deflates.
"You know, I already had low expectations about the CC and employees before coming here, it went up slightly after working alongside everyone else for the last two days but now it's gone back to hitting the floor. What an actual douchebag, and I used to be a douchebag. I'm surprised you haven't gone on a rampage or something like that" Collin remarks.
"At this point, I'm thinking about breaking off whatever this is, I know I should but I'm reluctant to" Daniel confides but the other two jump straight in with giving their opinions.
"Dump his ass, he doesn't deserve you" Collin scoffs whereas Jay makes a cutting motion and gestures to his groyne. "Yeah, grab his dick and twist it!" Collin translates enthusiastically.
"I'm not castrating him" Daniel huffs. "Even if I want to do it so badly"
"Well just remember, Danny. A situationship is always a situation to one person" The other Doctor points to him. "And nothing to the other person" The implication of that person being Gun was loud and clear.
Daniel wishes that the man was wrong but he was 100% correct. It had been as clear as day the moment Daniel had started falling for the other man, now he knew for sure.
"I'll think about it" Daniel states.
.
.
.
Daniel doesn't receive any messages or calls from Gun which was fair. He had stormed out of the Founders apartment after shouting about wanting to break off whatever they had. It was easy to understand why Gun hadn't made contact and why Daniel had done the same. Furthermore, they were busy people with busy lives, there was a tournament going on and lives were at stake. They needed to focus.
So here Daniel was, helping a couple of other employees set up and ready for the last pair's fight when a commotion caught his attention.
"Huh? What is he doing down here?" Mira murmured from where she was helping Daniel.
Catching her gaze that was looking behind him, Daniel turned to assess what had stolen her attention.
"You have a lot of nerve getting in my way" It was Gun, glaring down at Jay who had his arms crossed and was watching the older man passively.
Gun tries to sidestep around the blonde only for Doctor Yu to step in that direction, reaching out for his patient clipboard and holding it to his chest.
"Oh sorry, were you trying to get through?" Collin asks innocently. "There's not that much space down here so sometimes trying to get past people is a bit difficult" He states and Gun pins the Doctor with a glare as well.
"I see" Gun acknowledges before yet again trying to sidestep around them but both Doctor and Nurse work in tandem to block his approach. "The hell is going on here? I need to speak with Doctor Park" He growls.
"You do? Oh sorry but Doctor Park is busy doing his job at the moment. If you need to speak to him then you can do it afterwards and not in such a location where space is scarce. Besides, as a Founder shouldn't you be up in your fancy VIP seat getting ready for the last night of the tournament?" Collin questions as Jay nods.
Gun looked seconds away from seriously maiming the two but neither Collin nor Jay seemed to be backing down. Concerned for their safety, Daniel steps forward.
"I can spare a moment" Daniel tells them, placing placating hands on both his friends' shoulders.
They part like the Red Sea, giving Daniel disapproving looks before stepping away and giving them space. Despite this, there were still several people that had been watching the exchange and knowing Gun and his love for personal privacy and secrets he wouldn't want to have a conversation out in the open.
"Follow" Gun orders, spinning around on his feet and heading away from the people. Obediently, Daniel does as he's told but not without irritation showing on his face.
Once the two were alone, Gun started talking.
"Are you okay?" That prissy attitude that was holier than thou disappears, he steps forward into Daniel's space as he looks down at the other. "You haven't messaged me all day" Gun states and Daniel couldn't help but scoff at how the other was acting.
"You didn't message me either" Daniel deadpans.
Gun frowns.
"Usually you're the one that's always bothering me with texts" The Founder retorts before realising how bad it sounded. "I mean-"
"Do I have to be the one to make the effort to reach out text you each time?" Daniel scoffs. "Besides, if you think it's such a bother then isn't it good that I haven't been in contact? I won't text you anymore" he adds much to the Founder's dismay.
"What's gotten into you? I know this morning was pretty heated but surely it wasn't that bad. Or are you bored of me now and you want to end this?" Gun sneers, stepping closer.
"What do you mean 'what's gotten into me' I'm merely telling you that I won't be texting you anymore unless it's important" Daniel frowns.
"You're acting like a little shit" Gun hisses. "It's unnerving to see you suddenly drop communicating with me, and you were pissed off this morning which is understandable because Goo caught us and was acting like an ass about us but still. I don't know what's wrong unless you tell me what's wrong"
Daniel could only stare back in disbelief.
"Be careful Gun, you keep talking like that and I'll start thinking that you care about me" Daniel states, shaking his head. "After all, It's not like we're anything. We're just fucking" Throwing those words back in Gun's face wasn't as satisfying as Daniel thought it would be.
No, rather it tasted exactly the same as it did this morning. Vile and poisonous.
Gun pauses before something clicks.
"That's because we are" He states, his voice awfully stable. "This thing that we both consented to starting, it's just sex with no feelings. That's what we said at the start, that we would have fun relieving stress and that there wouldn't be anything else. It is not my fault if you started thinking any differently down the line, not when I've made it clear multiple times what we are" Gun grits out and Daniel could only stare back with wide eyes.
Not at the piercing words of truth but at the fact that he knew. Jong Gun Park knew explicitly that Daniel had grown feelings for the man and he did nothing about it.
"How the hell did you even know? And if you knew why the hell didn't you deter me if this is how you felt?" Daniel gasps out, feeling breathless and hurt all at once. "If you knew that I liked you, why the hell did you never turn me down? Why the hell would you lead me on after all this time? Why would you indulge me with those stupid trips out, with those looks and with those words? That time we went out to that mountain, when we danced, why the hell didn't you say anything?" Daniel couldn't grasp the concept that Gun knew.
Feeling his body move, Daniel shoves Gun away from him.
"And that time when you knew I was trying to make you jealous, why did you respond the way you did? What was the point in playing along if you had no intention of ever liking me back in that way? Was this all a part of your secretive ploy to manipulate and hurt me?" Daniel asks in disbelief, pushing Gun back again. "I bet you had a great time laughing behind my back with how stupid I was acting. It was really funny, wasn't it?" The mirthless laugh that bubbles up does nothing to snap Gun out of his stupor.
Daniel thrusts his hands out once more until Gun's back hits the wall behind him.
"Why would you lead me on like that?" He hisses once more and Gun finally snaps out.
"How could I not know? With the way you acted around me, the way you looked at me, how could I not know that you liked me?" Gun retorts. "And if I had stopped you, you'd still have been hurt regardless and It's not as if it's my responsibility to make sure you don't do something as stupid as fall for me. We had an agreement and it wasn't me who broke it, it was you" Gun snarls.
Silence falls between them.
It was an agreement, Gun never agreed to have a closed relationship with him which was why he went out to fuck around with other women and men, he had seen the hickeys so he knew that. They weren't exclusive, this situation hadn't started with feelings anyway so it wasn't as if Daniel didn't know what he was getting into. In the end, it was his fault.
Gun may have led him on to an extent but it was his fault for ever thinking there could be more when the line was set in stone. Gun wasn't obligated to respond to his feelings even if Daniel had hoped that the other man also felt the same in return.
"We should stop this" Daniel steps away from the man, looking at the floor. "Goo was right, there are more problems with our relationship than the ones that we've established through this talk. I won't stop working at the CC just because whatever this is has ended but…it's healthier and wiser for the both of us if this just stops where it is. It's the best choice for the both of us" Without giving Gun any time to respond or even providing him with the privilege of meeting his eyes, Daniel turns around and walks away.
A hand reaches out to grab his wrist.
"Oi, hold on for a minute. I'm not done talking" Gun sneers.
"Well, I am" Daniel snatches his hand back. "Leave me alone, I'm busy" he states before walking off.
There weren't any footsteps that followed him and he didn't care. He was beyond the point of caring and once he reached the set up area there were stares and looks sent his way.
"Hey, you alright?" Collin asks, bumping into his shoulder.
"Did he give you any trouble?" Taejin questions as Mira and Jay nod at the question.
"Nah, he just wanted to talk about work and admin stuff. Everything's fine" Daniel states, smiling at the group to assure them. Mira and Taejin lay off but Jay and Collin were less easily convinced. "I mean it, I'm fine" he reiterates.
And he was. He didn't feel like crying at all. His lips weren't trembling, his eyes didn't burn and his heart wasn't beating erratically. He wasn't angry either, he didn't feel that burning vengeance that would simmer under his skin whenever he felt pissed. No, instead he felt numb.
So numb from everything, he would have shut down if not for the fact that he had work to do. It was for the best that he didn't get overly emotional again, he couldn't save lives if he was too busy being blinded by tears and rejection.
It was a blur, what should have been a thrilling introduction to the last pairs match turned out to be an utter blur. Daniel remembers Goo's booming voice, his words blending as he introduces the fighters. The hum of the crowd falls to the back of his mind and his eyes barely register Olly and Eli out in the arena facing No.1 and Ryohei. he barely even registers them starting to fight.
The match had started and Daniel couldn't even pay attention to what was happening, people oohed and ah'd at the moves the duo were pulling against the Worker's member, the intricate plans and evasions of fists and kicks. It was beautiful and yet Daniel didn't notice it in the slightest.
He doesn't make a single sound or move, his eyes were trained to be out on the fighters didn't comprehend anything it was seeing. Not when Eli and Olly landed perfectly synchronised hits, not when they used dirty tactics such as going for No.1's joints and eyes and definitely not when their opponent was able to retaliate. It was as if Daniel was able to see but not at the same time.
Didn't he vow earlier today that he wouldn't but rendered useless whilst working because of Gun just this morning? What happened to that determination?
Shaking his head the Doctor blinks several more times before attempting to push the overflow of emotions to the back of his mind. He could deal with that later, there were much more important issues such as the sight of Olly gasping as No.1's fist lands its mark against the Gang leader's side.
People wince and gape as Olly takes the entirety of the force, without so much as even flinching he grabs onto No.1's fist and holds it in place with a vice grip.
"You're gonna have to do better than this you overgrown fucker!" Olly sneers vindictively.
Eli takes this as an opportunity to attack from the back, jumping up and hooking his legs around No.1's thick neck to lock himself in place and throw several severe punches and elbows straight against the larger man's head. Blood spurts and pours out, there was even an audible, sickening crunch.
No.1 struggles to free his hand from Olly but it is fruitless, he uses his other hand to try and defend himself but Eli is too fast. Olly continues his onslaught of jeering and insults, casting out vile and shameless insults left and right to get into No.1 mind which was a strange tactic. Especially since No.1 didn't seem like he would reply anyway.
'This all you got, fucker?'
'You're so weak that even my grandma could fight better than you!'
'You're nothing but a science experiment gone wrong, ugly bitch!'
'Go back to being a worthless bitch, how could you make anyone proud with how pathetic you are?'
Seeing no other option, No.1 grasps onto the back of Eli's hair instead, yanking harshly enough for Eli to let out a grunt of pain. Eli digs his legs and his nails into No.1 face, clawing himself into the man's skin to keep himself where he was. No.1 roars in pain but pulls even harder, disregarding the way Eli's nails dragged across his face and in turn creating bleeding cuts that spilled down his cheeks.
Olly, who seemed to be getting tired and bored of where he was, quickly lets go and lunges for No.1, kicking his leg out and nailing the big guy straight in the balls. A howl of pain pierces the air and No.1 goes tumbling backwards with Eli still on top of him.
"This is hardly a fight, it's like watching toddlers arguing about a toy" Taejin grumbles, eyeing the blood that flows freely from the fighters' bodies.
Olly laughs manically, cheering and yelling out 'Timber' as No.1's back slams against the floor. The Big Daddy was quick to join Eli in taking No.1 down, the two men relentlessly beating the large man senselessly. The two were fast, any attempts that No.1 made to swing his hands at them or try to grab them he would only meet air. It was as if Olly and Eli were using Johan and Zack's previous idea but had perfected it even further due to their better experience and speed.
Just as No.1 looked close to giving up, his body having already been straining due to his previous fight from the other nights, someone came to save him.
A hand yanks Eli by the back of his shirt, throwing a little further away and disrupting the flow of the two Hostel members.
"Oi, oi! I'm also still here" Ryohei calls, a wild grin on his lips as he stares at the two men. "Just because I've been passive doesn't mean you can ignore me!" The blonde announces much to the disappointment of both Olly and Eli.
There were a fair few cries of shock and outrage from the crowd yet no one could deny that this was also every bit Ryohei's battle as it was No.1. They were partners after all.
"Hey, shitty experiment, get the fuck up and start winning!" Ryohei shouts back at No.1. With Ryohei's distraction he had been able to easily stop Olly from continuing his beat down, meaning that he was caught off guard by No.1's kick which sent him tumbling a few metres away.
There were a couple of curses hissed out as No.1 stood back up again, his body looking beaten and bruised yet his breath still stable. He wasn't done yet. Ryuhei satisfied that his partner was still in the game, smirks only for it to be wiped off his face less than a second later when Eli front kicks him in the jaw.
"I thought you were going to stay out of the fight" Eli states.
"I was but I was getting bored and it looked like he was going to lose" Ryohei replies as he swiftly counters by grabbing Eli and holding him down. No.1 takes the opportunity and launches himself at Eli at full speed.
"ELI!" Olly cries out, pulling himself up to his feet and running after the monster but he had registered the situation too late.
Eli, who was attempting to wriggle out of Ryohei's grip, gaped in shock. At the last possible moment, Ryohei retracts his arms and dives out of the way as No.1 and Eli make contact. With enough force to probably tackle a bus, No.1 sends Eli soaring through the air before connecting harshly with the ground and rolling to a stop.
It takes a moment for Eli to breathe through the pain but once he does he's crawling up onto his knees and forearms, lifting his head to meet No.1's intense gaze. Did he seem even more pissed off than usual? Why was it any different to before?
"ELI JANG IS OUT OF BOUNDS! HE IS OUT OF THE MATCH!"
Goo's voice catches Eli off guard and he turns his eyes to the floor that he is on. Half his body was over the line…he was out.
"Damn it" Eli snaps, slamming a weak fist against the floor only to feel immense pain and fatigue run through his body.
"ELI! I'LL AVENGE YOU!" Olly roars, attacking No.1 from behind by attempting to slide tackle the other to push him off balance yet the Hostel member feels a chill run down his spine. The moment he slides past air without touching the larger man he realises that something is infinitely wrong.
"OLLY! RUN!" Eli attempts to scream, running his voice ragged as he watches in fear.
From his position low off the floor he isn't able to dodge the forceful kick to hit against his side. Just like Eli, he goes flying out of bounds like a rag doll, landing just a few metres next to Eli.
"AND JUST LIKE THAT! OLLY WANG IS OUT OF THE TOURNAMENT! NO.1 AND RYOHEI WINS!"
Olly and Eli lost. Workers had won. Daniel could barely register what he had witnessed, even with his inner conflict he could tell that this was bad on every account. Not just for the CC but for Olly and Eli as well.
"Prep the stretchers! We need to get Eli and Olly in here now!" Daniel calls, moving forward to act.
"Daniel! Wait!" Mira calls but he doesn't.
He needed to get to Olly. With every other opponent that No.1 had beaten they would always visibly be in pain, they were able to voice out either what was wrong or at the very least indicate. The same could not be said for Olly who couldn't feel pain therefore it was even more essential for Daniel to get to him quickly. The faster Daniel could assess the other for injuries the quicker he would be able to determine if something was wrong. Whether it be a ruptured spleen, broken ribs that were piercing his lungs, shattered bones or any vital organ that had been injured, he needed to act quickly.
Reaching the two injured participants was easier said than done, Daniel sliding next to Olly who was groaning yet lying on his back and facing upwards. He was still conscious which was good.
"Hey Doc" Olly groans out not in pain but in discomfort. "I think I'm out" He adds cheekily and Daniel snorts.
"Yes, you are" Daniel replies, going to rip off his white tank top to check his abdomen. "It was a good attempt though, I'm severely impressed by you and Eli" He continues to converse as he trails his hands down the other man's body.
"Hah, if you wanted to feel me up all you need to do is ask" Olly huffs out with a grin.
Daniel was glad for Olly's upbeat attitude even after the loss, it eased his worry. Staring at Olly, the Doctor was going to reprimand him for his remark only to see the Hostel member's expression change from mirth to horror.
Why did he look scared?
"DANIEL!" Someone shouts but it isn't fast enough.
Turning his gaze from Olly he was met with the sight of a fist. Why was there a fist right in front of his face? Why was it getting closer?
Pain. The sharp and forceful kind of pain erupts from Daniel's face and before he knows it his back slams against a wall? Why did his back slam against the wall? Why was he suddenly lying down on the floor? Why did everything hurt?
Using every ounce of effort he still had he cracked open his eyes only to capture the horrifying sight of No.1 having launched himself off the floor, a foot was brought down with no mercy and Daniel's head bears all of its force.
There was no time to scream or cry out in pain, he couldn't move his mouth anyways with the foot that was on top of it. He couldn't see either as it repeatedly stomped against him. He can't move, he can't scream, he can't do anything against the sudden onslaught attack.
Perhaps there was screaming, cries of shock, Daniel thinks he can hear security being called out and the rumble of footsteps rushing to them but he can't comprehend it. He couldn't breathe, not whilst he was under the food and even when it was lifted off him he couldn't inhale or exhale. Why can't he breathe?
Eventually, that weight is gone. Something happened but Daniel comprehends enough to know that No.1 was gone, how? He doesn't know, but he does feel hands. Then he hears swearing and crying, maybe it was him who was crying, he wasn't sure but then he's being lifted. It might have been happening in seconds, minutes or hours. He doesn't know.
He's being carted off, there are hands grabbing and touching him, perhaps checking his vitals but he doesn't register why. He didn't dare open his eyes, he was too scared to open them, he didn't want to see his attacker. He didn't want to see a monster.
Slowly, as Daniel focuses on the hands he also comes to fully feel the immense pain that he was in. His entire body, his head and his neck were pulsating. If he could move his mouth then perhaps he would also be screaming physically but he couldn't. That leads his brain to register something else, why couldn't he breathe? He couldn't open his mouth and his nose, something was blocking his airflow.
Panic ensues. He must've been making sounds in the back of his throat and suddenly there are hands on his face. There were words being shouted at him, some gentle, some reassuring, some were scary. Quicker than he could do anything his jaw is being yanked open and his eyes flutter open.
This pain is even more overwhelming, the sounds that come out of him are unholy, as if some demon had possessed him and they were trying to exorcise it out of him. Daniel can note the pain, he also notes down how everything is pitch black even when his eyes are open.
He screams.
The 'break up' was a long time coming, it was predictable and Gun couldn't say that he hadn't seen it happening. Of course Daniel would eventually blow up on him, how could he not after all those awful things the Founder had said? He was poison and Daniel had finally gotten enough sense and left him.
So why did it hurt? Why did Gun want to take back every single thing he said and pull the Doctor into his arms? Why? It didn't make sense.
It was better off this way. Daniel could be free from Gun and his poison and everyone would be happy. And yet Daniel certainly didn't seem happy and Gun didn't feel it either.
Whatever. What's done is done.
Their arrangement had come to an end.
Gun didn't pay much attention to the tournament even though he felt like he should have. It was his job and the fight currently had one of his favourite fighters after all, Eli and Olly were a formidable pair but in the end, he couldn't find it in himself to be interested. Even as Goo and James commentate he doesn't pay them any mind, staying quiet and focusing on his own inner turmoil.
He wanted to scream from the top of his lungs that he had made a mistake, something that he would rarely do or admit, but doing that would only earn him side eyes from everyone before they started whispering about him finally losing it. No one would understand what he was talking about anyway so he squashes it down and ignores the tightening of his chest.
By the time Gun comes out of mind he notices something off about the fight. Olly of course with his big mouth doesn't hold back his insults, the next thing anyone knows is Ryohei joining the fight and then the Hostel leaders losing.
Was No.1 acting even rougher than usual? No, he was always that brutal…wasn't he?
That was the second mistake of the night. Gun not mentioning that something was off with No.1.
Goo announces the winners, people cheer and the medical team runs out to help. It was the same old routine that Gun was used to, even before Daniel had shown up, this was what happened. Fights, winners and losers and then a medical professional running in to help the injured.
Something was off.
It wasn't just Daniel's tense figure or lack of negative emotions. The Doctor looked completely fine despite Gun having broken his heart not even an hour earlier, moreover Gun could even see the man smile at something Olly had uttered.
No, there was nothing off about Daniel. He was prim and proper just like he usually was, an absolute professional when it came to his job. What is amiss is No.1.
There were screams and Gun shoots out from his seat, gripping onto the railings as he gapes at the sight of No.1 attacking Daniel of all people? Why was the idiot attacking the Doctor? The fight was over! He had won! Why was he still fighting?
"He's lost it, he's genuinely fucking lost it!" Gun grits out, noticing the unhinged look on the monster's face. There was no other thought behind his eyes except for 'attack' and 'fight' which can only mean the danger levels of the situation had increased.
Daniel had been caught off guard, something that Gun should have trained out of the bastard at this point so for him to not be aware that he was going to be attacked…Was his mind really in that much of a mess? Did Gun fuck up so badly that Daniel hadn't even been able to realise what was going on around him? The moment Daniel's body slammed against the wall after being hit the first time, No.1 launches himself forward to continue his onslaught attack, not providing Daniel a moment to come to or adjust.
Goo starts screaming for security, James shouts for Hangyeol to get No.1 under control but they're all so goddamn slow. Taejin, along with the rest of the medical team and first responders were running to where Daniel and No.1 were.
The brawny first responders and the security members try to pull the behemoth off Daniel's slump form but they're too weak. Even Ryohei and the injured Olly and Eli make an attempt to help, pulling and yanking despite being a workers member and hurt. Hangyeol's orders fall deaf on his experiment's ears so he turns around and starts screaming for something to sedate No.1 with.
There was an outcry, fury and shock flowing through the arena as people watched helplessly as their Miracle Doctor was getting his head slammed in repeatedly.
Every cell in Gun's body told him to run, to run towards the Doctor and help him. To save him. But how could he? There wasn't enough time to run down the stairs and reach the ground floor to the arena, he was up in the VIP booth for God's sake, there wasn't any possible way for Gun to reach them in time.
No. He needed to get down there.
'Jump'
His brain supplies him and without question he pulls himself over the edge and jumps. There were indignant squawks let out from beside him but he didn't care. No.1 and Daniel were situated close to the wall that was right under the VIP booth. Without further ado, Gun lunges and lands right on top of No.1, using the entirety of his body weight to knock the man away.
Using No.1's head as both a springboard but also a break for his fall, Gun lands on the floor effortlessly, situating himself between the monster and Daniel's lifeless and bloodied body.
"Get yourself under fucking control you brainless fucking monster" Gun snarls and No.1 falters, pausing as he shakes his head, staring at Gun in confusion only to suddenly fall to the floor. His eyes rolling to the back of his head as he does so. A tranquiliser dart sticking out from the back of his neck and Hangyeol with his hands on the tranquilliser gun.
Where the actual fuck did that gun come from? If Hangyeoul had that on standby did this mean that he knew something like this would happen? Whatever the case it didn't matter right now.
With that situation handled, Gun turns around only to pull back in fear.
Doctor Yu and Taejin were able to finally get to Daniel and secured his neck with a brace before they lifted the Doctor onto the stretcher, acting as quickly yet delicately as they could. They were yelling orders around and before soon they were taking the stretcher out of the spotlight.
Gun follows silently, watching, staring, taking in everything that was in front of him. No.1 was a heavy person and he was equally as strong, to take so many hits from the man in the same spot time and time again, it was unthinkable.
Doctor Yu was shouting about something, Nurse Hong and Mira were rushing around trying to help, taking vitals and hooking him up to the monitors. His heart rate and breathing were slowing. Other employees had grabbed Eli and Olly who although battered, were also watching in utter shock as the situation played out.
"Be careful of his neck! We can't move his neck until we can determine if…" Doctor Yu left the words unspoken.
A broken neck, if that were to happen then…No Gun wouldn't accept that answer.
"It was only his neck and head that were hurt in the blows, his nose is bleeding profusely so it might be broken" Taejin adds. "Other than that, the head trauma is probably the most important thing right now"
"We need to take him to the hospital now, we need a CT scan of his neck and probably MRI's for his head. If there's a cerebral edema then we need to relieve it immediately, we can't do anything until then" Doctor Yu announces and the helplessness of the situation affects everyone.
As Doctor Yu and Taejin are prepping to take Daniel to the first responder vehicle it's Nurse Hong that picks up on something. He gestures wildly, stating that he was hearing something come from Daniel through all the loud noise and that causes the remaining Doctor to hiss out a couple of curses.
"Shit, we need an airway evaluation, FUCK!" Doctor Yu swears as he starts.
Something happens, Gun doesn't understand much of what they're doing but he does know that they were trying to make sure that Daniel was breathing. Why wouldn't he be breathing? His heart was beating but it was slowing down, why couldn't Daniel breathe?
"His jaw, shit his jaw is locked, it's probably a fracture or a dislocation and his nose is broken, he can barely breathe. We…we need to get a tube in his airway so he can breathe" The Doctor calls before pointing at a couple of other employees and ordering them to grab what he needs.
"If his jaw is fractured or broken you could risk making this worse" Taejin points out only for Doctor Yu to snap right back.
"He can't breathe! He needs to breathe or else he will die before he even reaches the hospital!" With that implanted in everyone's mind, they unanimously agree to work.
Die. Daniel could die. That single thought scares Gun more than anything else in the world. He could lose Daniel…and it would be his fault. Daniel had told him time and time again that he felt uneasy around No.1, that something was wrong, but he hadn't listened. He had dismissed him and reassured him that everything would be fine. Even after the first round where No.1 had tried attacking Daniel, he still ignored the signs. For the CC's sake, for revenue and fame, and now this was happening. Daniel was dying.
Gritting his teeth and clenching his fists, Gun could only watch on without being able to do jack shit.
Without waiting any longer or any hesitance, Doctor Yu pops Daniel's jaw open and just like that a blood-curdling scream pierces through the air and eyes snap open, a shiver is sent down Gun's spine at the sounds. Haggard and ragged, the scream only grows louder as the jaw is moved but the group were able to get a tube in as fast as they could. By that point the scream had already penetrated the minds of everyone that was present, hell it was probably loud enough for the crowd outside to hear.
It was unnerving, to see and hear a sound like that come out of a person that was usually the one doing the saving. Doing the fixing and the healing.
Useless, Gun felt entirely useless throughout the entire situation.
"Alright, I've done the intubation" Doctor Yu nods before speaking again, this time addressing Daniel who was blinking fast, tears running down his face due to the pain. "You're alright Daniel, it's gonna be alright. We've got you and we're going to take you to SNMC" He reassures, staring into the Doctor's eyes only to frown.
There was a pause as Doctor Yu noticed something else that was wrong. Why the hell was there something else wrong? Why were there so many things going wrong? Daniel's eyes darted around frantically in fear, searching yet not seeing.
Pulling something else out, Doctor Yu starts flashing a light into Daniel's eyes only for his frown to grow deeper. Reaching out for Daniel's hand he presses the finger to his palm.
"Daniel, can you see me? Tap my palm once if you can and twice if you can't" Doctor Yu calls, waiting with bated breaths.
Everyone watches, waiting for the finger to move.
Tap.
Tap.
More curses, more fear and worry. Daniel couldn't see, his eyes were wide open but he couldn't see.
"Okay, okay. That's…blunt trauma to the head can sometimes cause concussions that lead to temporary blindness…that's not okay but at least now we know that his hands can move meaning that his spinal injury isn't…that he can move his limbs and also he can hear which is good. He's coherent enough to respond as well" Doctor Yu nods to Taejin. "Let us go, we need to go now"
And with that order, they were wheeling Daniel away without so much as a glance to Gun. No one had acknowledged his presence, too focused on the issue which was fine.
Eli and Olly were also carted off to the hospital seeing as there were no more doctors around that could help them with their injuries. They would be riding the second car.
Watching them go, Gun could only watch anxiously.
He could walk away, go back to the VIP booth and talk to James and Goo about the situation. There was going to be a lot of backlash from this whole situation, they would need to control the situation and figure out how to handle No.1 and Workers after the whole ordeal. They'd probably need to start searching for a replacement Doctor as well, there was absolutely no chance that Daniel would return to the CC anyway whether it was because of his injuries or the trauma he suffered.
If Gun lets Daniel go then the chances of him seeing the Doctor again would be close to zero. Perhaps they'd see each other when settling a lawsuit or in passing but otherwise, the younger would probably never choose to associate with him again. Their relationship had practically shattered anyway.
Gun turns, looking out into the crowd of people and the faint noise of James and Goo attempting to settle the crowd. Yes, if he stays away it means permanently severing any ties between him and Daniel. The eventual feelings of warmth and affection that he held for the Doctor would fade away, he'd stop feeling so weak in the presence of the other man, and he'd go back to being the heartless Founder from before.
But…he doesn't move forward.
Gun didn't want this. He didn't want his last memory of Daniel to be him walking away with a devastated look on his face. With a heart shattered and unshed tears in his eyes. With words of betrayal and pain being their last exchange. Daniel's last sight of Gun was him being stubborn and pretending not to care about their relationship or his feelings, his last words to the Doctor had been ones that had cut him deep. Words that were meant to put an end to what they had.
Gun's last sight would be Daniel's bloodied and mangled body.
No. He couldn't allow that.
Spinning back around, Gun runs. He runs to catch up with the Doctors and First Responders, bypassing several confused and shocked employees. It doesn't take much effort to reach them, slamming the doors of the CC open just in time to see Doctor Yu and Taejin load Daniel in.
"WAIT!" Gun calls, startling the group.
Doctor Yu immediately scowls the moment his eyes land on Gun.
"Sir we need to take Daniel to the hospital immediately, whatever you need it can wait" He growls out and Nurse Jay who had been helping Olly and Eli get into the other vehicle turns to penetrate Gun with his own stare.
"No, I'm coming with you" Gun grunts, walking past the man and shoving Taejin out of the way so he could get in.
"Hah?! What the hell do you mean by that?!" The Doctor shouts. "Look if this is out of business or obligation or because you don't want to handle the aftermath of the shit show that just went down then get out!" Doctor Yu sneers but Gun shakes his head.
"I'm not leaving him" Gun answers as he takes a seat. "I…I can't leave him" He adds, taking off his shades to stare at the Doctor desperately.
Doctor Yu must have seen something in his gaze as the next moment he's letting out a grunt and nodding to Taejin. Soon enough everyone was in and the vehicle was moving.
Daniel was still on the bed, unmoving yet his eyes still blinking away tears and darting around as if trying to register what was happening. His mouth was unmoving, the tubes sticking out of his mouth so that he could breathe and all the blood covering his entire face was horrifying to look at.
That's right, Daniel couldn't see right now. Temporary blindness.
Despite that, he could hear so the younger man must've at least heard the commotion that Gun had caused. Leaning down, he calls to the younger.
"Daniel" He tries. He didn't want to say too much in case the other man didn't want him to be there, what if Daniel decided to kick him out?
Instead of recoiling from the voice or showing anger, Gun hears a gurgle.
"Don't agitate him!" Doctor Yu calls before turning to Daniel. "Daniel, Gun is here with us. He won't cause you any trouble so don't worry about him" The tone in his voice is much more delicate when addressing his fellow Doctor.
Daniel pauses, still breathing yet not moving. Then another pained sound comes out of his throat, incomprehensible as to what it meant but it does cause fear to churn in all their stomachs.
"Daniel, stay still. We don't want to cause your injuries to strain any further" Doctor Yu tries but another sound is let out.
Still pained yet more desperate this time. Daniel's unseeing eyes don't dart in the direction of where Doctor Yu's voice comes out, instead, they dart out to where Gun's came from. Eyes growing wider the Founder calls out again.
"I'm here Daniel, I'm here for you" He tells the younger, uncaring for how it looked to other people. Pride could take a backseat, especially with Daniel in such a precarious situation. "I'm not leaving you, I'm right here. You're going to be okay, we're taking you to the hospital, you hear me? They're going to help you the best they can, I'm here" He reassures before noticing Daniel's hand twitching.
Turning to the moving hand Gun realises what the younger needed. Reaching out he locks his hand with Daniel's and squeezes reassuringly.
"I've got you, I'm right here" He whispers reassuringly.
The soft whimpers and groans of pain stop and for the rest of the trip, Gun stays where he is. Doctor Yu doesn't argue and Taejin also averts his gaze elsewhere. By the time they make it to the hospital, the atmosphere changes yet again.
There's a group that receives them, helping unload the patient before wheeling Daniel somewhere further into the Hospital. In that moment Gun's hand slips out from the Doctor but he calls out to reassure him that he is there even if he can't feel him. They speedwalk and Gun had a difficult time catching up, not because they were too fast but because there were too many people bustling around, trying to do their jobs.
They eventually reach an area where a nurse has to come forward and stop him in his place.
"Sir you can't enter through here" She calls and Gun can only watch in frustration as Daniel is wheeled off. He knows he can't go any further so without arguing he turns around to go sit and ponder. Yet again he wasn't able to do anything.
Time goes by slowly and it sucks. Hours and hours go by but no one comes out to tell him anything. Some people swing by to try and tell him to leave, that visiting hours are closed and that security would be called on him if he stays any longer but he doesn't listen. All it takes is a few piercing glares and wads of cash being thrown in their faces for them to leave him the hell alone. So he sits in silence, staring at the white sterile floors and walls with nothing else to do.
Hours go by and he receives several texts and calls from James, Goo, Crystal and even Charles at one point. He merely replies with a simple 'I'm at the hospital' without any further context.
It's 6 AM by the time someone comes by to distract him from his stupor. A middle-aged, short woman, runs into view as she stares at the double doors that Gun hadn't been allowed past.
"Ma'am please calm down" A nurse calls, attempting to hold her back.
"That's my son! My son's in there!" She calls, her voice strained as she tries to pull away. "Daniel Park, that's his name! You said he was in there!" She sobs out and Gun freezes.
Taking in the woman with more interest he could see the slight resemblance.
"Ma'am he's still in surgery" The nurse tries. "You need to wait out here, please take a seat instead" She tries and the mother, Daniel's mother, turns to look at the seating area.
Her eyes lock onto Gun and something akin to recognition seeps through her gaze. Soon she's marching up to Gun who stands up to acknowledge her, ready to tell her who he was and any information he had so far. The moment he opened his mouth he was met with a slap to the face.
"You! I know you! I've seen you online before!" Daniel's mother screams before she balls up her hands into fists and starts sending Gun a barrage of hits to his chest. "You're one of those owners of that place my son works at! You! It's all your fault! How could you let this happen?! How could you let this happen to my son?!" She screams heart-wrenching sobs fall out of her mouth as she attacks.
"Ma'am!" The nurse tried but was ignored.
"My boy…my one and only boy…He shouldn't be in there, he shouldn't have gotten hurt…the only reason he volunteered to work there was that he's a kind-hearted soul and now look at him!" She gasps out, her hits falling weaker and weaker and before soon she's grasping onto Gun's shirt. "Do you know how it feels to wake up to calls and videos of your son being beaten so viciously for just trying to do his job? DO YOU? Now my boy is in there and I have no idea whether he's alive or dead! How dare you show your face here! It's all your fault! Both yours and that horrible organisation's fault! You're nothing but a no-good, dirty criminal! You and everyone in that arena!"
Gun could only watch as the woman fell apart in front of him. As tears run down her face, she heaves every breath in and out like it's life or death, as her shoulders shake uncontrollably.
There wasn't anything he could do to reassure her, not when her words were right. What he can do is offer what was left of his dignity.
"I know" Gun starts and she pauses, stepping back to look at him through her tears. "I'm sorry I couldn't protect your son, from the bottom of my heart I am irrevocably sorry for everything that has happened. I am sorry" Apologise for everything, it was the only thing he could do at that moment.
His desperate sincereness must have shown on his face along with an array of other emotions, the woman stops to stare for a moment longer before looking back to the floor. More sobs fall from her form and Gun hesitates before wrapping his arms around the frail woman. He was wary of the fact that she might lash out again or push away but all she does is fall into his embrace. Clutching desperately onto his shirt as Gun rubs soothing circles on her back.
Neither of them had anyone in the current moment, even if she disliked Gun, he was still the only person who was present for her son.
Gun felt like crying as well and yet in the period of Daniel getting hit up until this point not a single tear had slipped. Was he so emotionally constipated that he couldn't feel sadness anymore or was the sadness so overwhelming that it had surpassed the point of useless tears? No matter the issue, he couldn't cry, between him and Daniel's mother, someone had to remain strong.
Daniel's mother eventually lets go of Gun and he leads her to one of the seats before leaving to grab her some water. They sat in mutual silence for the next hour or so before eventually, the doors opened to reveal a familiar-looking man.
"Seonhui" The man calls and Daniel's mother bolts upright before hastening her pace towards the Doctor.
"Jinyoung" She greets before delving into the matter. "How is he? How is my boy?" She questions, her lips trembling and her eyes watering again with each word.
Gun approaches them at a slower pace, debating between sticking around and listening and running off so that he wouldn't have to hear about Daniel's fate. The Doctor, Jinyoung, narrows his eyes onto Gun but turns to address the mother.
"After performing an MRI and a CT scan to his head and neck we were able to determine that Daniel's spinal cord and neck remain intact. It's a miracle that they weren't fractured or broken in the assault that he faced" Doctor Jinyoung starts, which was a relief.
"But?" Seonhui questions.
"But due to the attack against his head he suffers from a TBI" Jinyoung continues and Seonhui must have noticed Gun's confusion as she quickly translates.
"Traumatic Brain Injury" She gasps, bringing her trembling hands to her lips. "D-Did he suffer from a cerebral edema?" She questions.
"Unfortunately he did, as you know when the brain swells the skull itself remains the same causing the build-up of fluid and the swollen brain to create an intracranial pressure. Fortunately, we were able to relieve this pressure by performing a Ventriculostomy to drain the fluids out. Along with the TBI other injuries we identified include a bruised nose and a fractured jaw. The bruised nose is a minor injury that will heal after several days but for his jaw, we had to operate on and place metal plates on his jaw to hold them in place to allow them to heal. We also needed to wire his teeth together to help with the healing process" By the end of the list Seonhui's face had grown paler and paler.
"But he's alright…he's stable?" She concludes and Jinyoung heaves out a sigh before nodding.
"Had he been hit a couple more times the conditions could have been more severe. Lucky for him, Daniel's always been hard-headed. Recovery can take weeks or months and until he wakes up we won't know anything else but otherwise yes, he is in stable condition" Jinyoung concludes and Seonhui lets out a relieved breath.
"Oh thank God, oh thank you" She clasps her hands together before reaching out to hug the Doctor. "Jinyoung, I can't thank you enough for this" She gasps out and surprisingly the man hugs her back before pulling away.
"Honestly if you're going to thank anyone go thank the neurosurgeon, nurses and other Doctors like Doctor Yu who were involved. I wasn't allowed to do anything other than observe and assist since I'm a relative to the patient"
The moment Jinyoung mentioned this fact Gun realises who he was. Not only had he been the Doctor who had assisted Daniel with Lineman's surgery from the previous tournament but he was his uncle.
"Anyways, move aside for a moment Seonhui" Jinyoung nudges his sister to the side before turning to Gun.
"Jinyoung what are you-JINYOUNG!" Seonhui calls out in shock as Jinyoung pulls back his fist and launches it straight into Gun's face.
The hit was solid and held more strength than Gun had anticipated from a Doctor. It was such a natural hit that Gun didn't even have it in himself to get mad, also because he had just heard that Daniel was going to be ok.
"I'm surprised you even showed up here after the shit show you and your fighters caused my nephew" Jinyoung sneers, the professional act that he had on previously disappeared and in its place radiated pure unadulterated anger. "The only reason I haven't called for security and started filing a lawsuit against your goddamn business is because a friend owns the godforsaken place and because it was you that managed to stop that monster from killing my nephew. With that said I don't want him around you or your people ever again" The man seethes.
People had stopped in their places, taking a moment to gape at their unhinged director who had never acted in such a way before.
Gun massages his jaw before turning back to the man. His words, his orders, they were all reasonable and yet the Founder could only shake his head.
"I can't do that, I can agree to Daniel not working at the CC or preventing him from seeing people from there but what I can not agree with is restricting my access from him" Gun replies, his voice steady and ready to argue despite the exhaustion that was flowing through his entire body.
"Oh? And why the hell shouldn't I keep him away from you? Just because you saved him doesn't mean that you aren't part of the reason why he got hurt in the first place. Tell me why we shouldn't file for a restraining order right here and now" Jinyoung challenges, puffing his chest and standing tall.
Both men stood at the same height and whilst Gun knew that he was built and ready to fight there was something in the Doctor's eyes that spoke to the Founder that he might have a difficult time surviving the altercation.
"It's because it is partly my fault that I feel the obligation and need to stay close to him. Doctor Park from the moment he started working at the CC has been a valuable member of our organisation, not only because he is our medical practitioner but because he's offered greater insight and innovative ideas into our business to achieve our goals. I would even go so far as to say that Daniel has become the foundation of peace within the CC. He has done so much for us that I can not think of any other way to return it all by helping him through this situation. I understand that half the battle has been completed today but the last half involves the recovery, I know there are professionals and people better suited to assist him but…I don't want to leave him. So if you'll have me, let me stay by his side. At least until he's all better" Gun preaches earnestly.
It was silent as Jinyoung and Seonhui shared a look, conversing through nothing but their eyes before they eventually turned back to Gun.
"What exactly is your relationship to Daniel, the way you speak tells me that there's something more" Jinyoung crosses his arms and Gun simply answers.
"I'm his friend"
He could hardly call himself friend without grimacing in distaste, not because they technically weren't friends anymore after their last conversation but because his heart yearned to be more.
Another couple of seconds of silence and looks were exchanged before Seonhui nodded.
"Just until he recovers" Seonhui agrees and Gun lets out a sigh of relief.
"Thank you" He thanked them sincerely.
Jinyoung on the other hand regards him for a little while longer before clicking his tongue and nodding at him.
"Oh alright, if my sister is fine with it then so am I…anyways come with me, I'll get you patched up by one of the interns because at this point all you deserve is an intern, not even an actual Doctor" He grumbles sourly underneath his breath.
"I'm not hurt" "Jinyoung don't be rude" Both Gun and Seonhui hiss at the same time only for Jinyoung to roll his eyes.
"Don't give me that. I just punched you straight in the face, I can literally see the bruise forming on you and I noticed you're favouring your right leg. Let me guess, after jumping from your VIP booth to land on that monster you twisted your ankle in the process. Don't be a baby and just come along" Jinyoung snaps out before turning to his sister. "And sis, if anyone deserves my attitude it's that brat" With that he turns around and marches off.
Gun stares in exasperation at the man before realising that if Daniel got his sass and attitude from anyone it would be that man.
"I'll see you around, Ma'am" Gun acknowledges the woman, titling his head in a bow.
"I guess I will…" She looks expectantly at the Founder.
"Jong Gun Park" Gun provides and something in her eyes light up.
"Ah, I see. Well, I'll see you around, Jong Gun" She provides before Gun moves to follow Jinyoung.