"Well, Conner it's nice to meet you. I'm sorry your fight didn't go any better, but you did well in the Tournament against those monsters" Daniel points to the Kings who were currently dominating the arena effortlessly. "I'm sure the Founders will find some way to thank you for making it lively" Daniel encourages and the man sighs before nodding.
"Right, sure. Thanks for patching me up Doc" And with that the man stands up to leave as another patient comes forward.
Rinse and repeat. Repeatedly, there were more participants coming through with ugly bruises and cuts here and there, some with defeat in their eyes and others win a grin on their faces as they boasted about surviving a fight with a King. It wasn't a surprise when after an hour or so the tournament ended the remaining people who were left in the arena were all Kings.
Gitae Kim, Jichang Kwak, Taesoo Ma, Gongseob Ji, Seokdu Wang, Jaegyeon Na, Jinyoung Go and Doksu Heo. All eight were announced as such and the crowd cheered in both awe and amazement. The Founders briefly explained what would come next before eventually allowing the Kings to leave and seek any medical attention if they needed it.
"Congratulations," Daniel tells the group as they file in one by one. "You all fought well, I notice there are a few bruises and scratches here and there but if there are any other injuries, please let us know" He instructs.
"I'm going to head off, I'm not needed until tomorrow, right?" Gitae asks and Daniel nods. "Well then, see you around Doc" He nods before heading straight for the exit.
With him gone several other employees start whispering about him. Even some of the Kings join in on their muttering.
"I don't get it; he shouldn't even be here" Gongseob huffs.
"Last I heard he was in Mexico" Jaegyeon Na remarks, unamused by the appearance of the King of Seoul.
"Is there something wrong with him being here?" Daniel questions, curious to understand their dilemma.
"He's dangerous" Jichang answers, his hands fiddling with one another as they brush and scratch at the scars that were located there. "Unstable even" he adds with narrowed eyes.
"Well, whatever the case is, one of us just needs to beat him tomorrow and our plan can continue as normal" Taesoo states firmly and there were a few nods here and there. Whatever their plan was it pertained to the Founders and seeking revenge in a sense. "I think I'll head out now, I don't need any medical help but thank you for your offer, Doctor Park" The man informs Daniel who nods.
Taesoo pats Daniel's shoulder before heading out the door. Gongseob shoots Daniel a thumbs up before moving to the exit too, Seokdu follows with a firm nod in his direction and one by one the others leave too. Jichang is the last to leave, turning to Daniel before reaching out to pat his head.
"I'll see you tomorrow, Daniel," He murmurs before leaving.
With them all gone, Daniel turns back to the team to get them to start packing up. Few had watched the exchange, unbothered by how their doctor could have a good relationship with all the fighters at this point in the year. The only one who paid any dubious attention to the conversation was Jeremy whose eyes were narrowed onto Daniel, mouth firmly shut and body rigid in place.
Daniel barely glances at him before turning away to ignore him. There was nothing he wanted to say to the other Doctor and nothing he wanted to do with him. Packing up and cleaning the area goes by quickly enough and eventually, Daniel finds himself dismissing the group and heading back to the Medical Bay.
Jeremy was quick to grab his belongings and march out of the room, intending to get out of the CC as fast as he could whereas Jay made sure everything was fine first before leaving as well. This left Daniel to contemplate staying the night at the CC or heading home during the late hour. He doubted that there would be any taxis available and that public transport was finishing soon. He could always Uber but in Daniel's mind that felt like too much effort.
The sound of the door to the room opening has Daniel spinning around. He had been prepared to see someone who might need treatment, perhaps Jay or even Jeremy coming back to collect something they had forgotten but unfortunately, it was not.
"Hey"
The voice was soft, softer than it usually was, and it held the familiar warmth that Daniel had been craving for days now. Gun stood there, still in his suit and still with his slick back hair and glasses planted on his face. Rather than coldness or estrangement, there was some tender but almost wary on Gun's face as he walked into the room and stood a good metre or two away from the Doctor.
"W-What are you doing here?" Daniel asks, his voice coming out harsher than he meant it to be.
"I just came by to check on things, James ordered me to" Gun replies.
A sentence so simple and yet it makes Daniel feel even more pathetic for even so much as hoping that Gun had come here on his own accord to talk to him. No, he was 'ordered' to come, forced to make his way here to check on him professionally.
"Everything's fine. Everyone's gone home now and all that's left is me" Daniel gestures before turning away and heading back to his desk.
He could understand the elders' anger for his assumptions and words, for hurting him with what he had said. He could excuse Gun for avoiding him and even treating him coldly. But it still hurts all the same no matter his reasons or intentions.
"So, you can leave now, I won't bore you with my presence anymore" Daniel adds, face and body turned away as he sorts out a couple of files on his desks.
Silence. Not a sound of movement came from the other as he just stood there, watching Daniel's back. An awkwardness settles and Daniel finds himself unsure of how to handle the situation, of what to say or what to do. He was far too tired to scream and shout and even if he did have the energy, choosing to turn to those actions wouldn't solve anything. They never solved anything.
Instead, with his back still turned he sucks in a breath and musters all the courage he still has. Pushing his hurt aside he does what he had promised himself to do all those days ago. The very same something that he had been putting off for so long.
"Gun…I'm sorry…For what I said the other day when I was in your office about the situation with your family. I shouldn't have pushed my ideas onto you when I knew nothing…I let my insecurities and the comments of others get to me, and I let you down. I hurt you and worst of all I disappointed you…I'm sorry" It's brief, it's rushed and it's a jumble of words that Daniel has a tough time choking out without the sound of his voice pitching or constricting.
Footsteps, loud and clear against the cold tiles, ring through the room and it doesn't take a genius to know where Gun was.
Turning slowly, Daniel meets the taller man's face. Tall and looming over Daniel, stiff and firm as he opens his mouth to speak.
"Say it again, I want you to say it to my face and not with your back to me. I need to see you say it" Gun urges and Daniel stares back.
If Daniel reached his hand up, he'd be able to touch him, to touch the man that his heart still yearned for even after all the abuse it had suffered. He doesn't move to touch him, instead, he stands up straight and reiterates his apology.
"I'm sorry for what I said about you and your family, I'm sorry for allowing my insecurities to formulate those assumptions about you. For thinking that you could have a better life without me. I know that there's a lot I don't know about you or your family and life back in Japan, I overstepped my place, and, in the process, I broke your trust and upset you. I'm sorry" he says, voice wavering ever so slightly as he stares up at the man.
Still, there was nothing. Gun doesn't break as he stares back, and Daniel finds himself falling deeper and deeper into a hole of despair.
This was it. He had apologised but it was far too late. Gun had reached the point beyond the point of caring about whether Daniel would apologise because in his mind he didn't want the Doctor anymore. He had made peace with Daniel wanting to get rid of him, of wanting to send him away because what other thoughts or words had he given the man to think otherwise? He should have reached out sooner, talked to him sooner and apologised the moment he saw him again but instead, he allowed his cowardice to win. Now he was going to suffer the consequences and no amount of begging from Daniel was going to get him the man he loved back.
"Before you start going on about how we're over and that I was a horrible person, can you at least explain to me why you hate your family so much? Why do you loathe them so much that you don't even want to return home and don't give me the whole 'they're part of the yakuza' story because I know there's more" Daniel states, standing firmly in his spot as he looks at the elder. "Please, Gun, I know I have no right to know but I just…I want it to make sense" He trails off, noticing how Gun's face twists through a few complicated emotions before he sighs.
"What is there to say? I was born into the Yakuza, my whole childhood I spent my time training and learning to take over the position of head of the clan. My mother, my uncle, the Kojima brothers, everyone had this expectation of me, and they were relentless in making sure that it would become a reality" Gun grumbles out, the frown on his face etching in even deeper. "Despite the power, infamy, and money I didn't want any of that. I never wanted to be the head of the clan, I just wanted a normal family…I wanted parents who loved me but instead, I got a mother who put duty before me and a father who didn't even know I existed until I was well into my teenage years and even then he barely paid me any attention"
Daniel listens intently, soaking up the words and story that is coming from Gun's lips.
"Yeah, I know, 'boohoo, another sob story of another unloved rich kid' people hear this sort of thing all the time so much so that it becomes boring and typical" Gun remarks but Daniel shakes his head.
"That doesn't matter, it doesn't invalidate your experiences and your struggles. I'm sorry you had to grow up in such an environment" Daniel tells the man, his voice earnest as he speaks.
Gun takes a moment to consider Daniel's words before nodding.
"I had to do a lot of things I didn't want to do. To build my power and reputation across Japan I had to hurt a lot of people…I never wanted to do that, but no one understood my wants or needs. They just expected me to do what was right for the clan" Gun grumbles, shutting his eyes at the memory. "Well, everyone except one person, my cousin Haruto"
Daniel had never heard about this cousin before and wasn't even aware that Gun had cousins or that Shintaro had a family outside his brother and nephew. Regardless, the mention of this cousin turns Gun's expression into one much softer and fonder.
"He was the one who told me that I could be whatever I wanted, that I didn't need to suffer the life I had been born to. If it weren't for him, if it hadn't been for his love and support then I would never have broken free or seen the reality of what I wanted…But I made the mistake of telling Shintaro this" Gun clenches his hands by his side, taking in a deep breath before he continues to explain. "I told him I didn't want to be clan leader, so he beat me up and told me to get rid of those thoughts. He then forced me to tell him who inserted these thoughts into my mind and I…I told him it was Haruto…Because of this Shintaro made me redeem myself, he wanted me to kill Haruto for his words of treason against the family."
Daniel could only feel his horror grow with each passing word. Whispers of Gun having been sent to a detention centre because of murder all seem to come back, holding his breath he waits for Gun to elaborate.
"I didn't kill him…I couldn't…So I ran, I ran away and found myself here in Korea where I was found by Gapryong, and his crew and the rest are history" Gun confesses before shaking his head. "Nevertheless, of how things happened for me, I still feel sick to my stomach each time I see Shintaro and all I can remember is his orders for me to kill Haruto…" His voice dies off.
Curious about Haruto's fate, Daniel asks.
"And how is he now? Is Haruto, okay?" He didn't want to push Gun, but he wanted to know.
"Last I heard my uncle sent him away to be isolated and locked in a different family's home, away from the main family estate. For all I know, Haruto could be rotting somewhere, dead, and alone forever" Gun replies and Daniel nods.
Daniel's heart ached for the Founder, for the pain he had gone through and the suffering his own family had allowed him to experience all alone. Reaching out, Daniel grasps Gun's hand before speaking.
"When my father passed away a lot of people told me about what a great man he was, about how he died honourably, how hard-working, loving and supportive he was. They always told me that even though he was gone he would always be with me, with my memories and within my love…I hadn't wanted to hear any of that, all I wanted was for someone to tell me how sorry they were so…Gun, I'm so sorry about everything that happened to you" He tells the man who stares back imploringly.
They stay like that for several minutes, lost in each other's gaze before eventually Daniel lets go and moves to step away only to be stopped.
A hand reaches out and Daniel is startled by how warm it is against his skin. The hand cups his cheek and lifts his head back up to meet Gun's gaze, his sunglasses having been pulled off and tucked into his coat pocket he meets the elders' raw emotions.
"Daniel" Gun murmurs. "Do you genuinely want me to leave?" He asks, focused on Daniel's response.
Daniel stares back, his breath stuck in his throat before eventually, he's shaking his head ever so slightly.
"No, I want you to stay" Daniel whispers out just as Gun's leaning down to close the distance.
The brush of lips against his own has Daniel short-circuiting, it's brief and so tender that the Doctor almost doesn't register the sensations before Gun is pulling away. Desperation claws at Daniel's throat and without restraint he throws his arms around Gun's neck and pulls him back in for another kiss. Deeper this time with emotions raw and so wantonly loud that it was hard for either of them not to taste.
Gun's hands leave his jaw, going to grasp him tightly against his hips as he pushes the younger backwards. Daniel hits his desk, and Gun lifts him so that he's sitting on it. The elder's mouth trails from his lips to his cheek, to his ears to his jaw and neck before moving to his collar bone and Daniel could only arch into the burning trail of kisses. Gasping as his hands claw at his back, pulling him in closer and never wanting him to leave his arms.
"Stay" Daniel gasps out through his breathlessness. "I don't want you to go, please stay with me" He confesses with a sob.
Gun presses his kisses more harshly against all of Daniel's exposed skin, biting and suckling on occasions but mainly kissing. He pulls away from Gun's neck, taking Daniel's face into his hand and wiping away a stray tear before kissing the next one that falls.
"Please don't go, I don't want you to go" His true feelings. True opinions. Come cascading out without restraint as he cries.
Gun kisses him again, passionately against his mouth as if he were breathing life into him and removing it without a single thought. He pulls back ever so slightly and starts to pepper kisses at the edge of his lips and throughout it all Daniel accepts it with a thirst and hunger he had never experienced before.
"Why did you tell me to leave if you wanted me to stay?" Gun finally speaks, nosing into Daniel's cheek and holding him in place.
"Because I didn't want you to stay for me" Daniel confesses, coming clean about everything. "I want you to stay here not just because of me but because you want to be here. I want your decision to be because you love It here in Korea, because of your job and because of other people, other friends, and family you've come to build along the way. I didn't want you to eventually resent me for being trapped here because you thought loved me" He spills out only to be kissed again.
"Daniel…" Gun breathes out.
The next few kisses were slow, sensual, and less rushed than the previous ones. They had gotten the passion out of the way and now all that was left was the need to enjoy it. To savour it. Every so often Daniel would beg Gun to stay and every single time Gun would silence him with a gentle kiss.
Daniel isn't sure how long passes but eventually through the calm intimacy he finds his eyelids growing heavy and his limbs following suit. Gun must notice as eventually he's coaxing the Doctor up, leading him along to somewhere before eventually, they come to a stop in front of a door in the dark hallway.
"Sleep. Rest. Ever since our previous conversation as well as tonight's one it has made me reconsider a lot of things. Although I haven't decided to accept my family's offer, I now haven't decided not to accept it either. We'll talk more about this later" Gun soothes out, placing a final kiss on Daniel's forehead before gently urging the younger into the room. It was his room, the room he had claimed ever since he had gotten to the CC. With another look of tenderness, Gun lets go and closes the door, leaving Daniel alone with nothing more than his emotions and exhausted body.
With no further protest or action, Daniel reaches his bed, falls and is out like a light.
.
.
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It felt like a dream. The confessions and reconciling with Gun the previous night. Daniel would have assumed that it was a dream, conjured up by his distraught and exhausted mind if it weren't for the few faint hickeys that hadn't been sucked hard enough laying against his collar and the junction of his neck. Despite how wonderful it had been to be touched by Gun again; to be directed with a look of love rather than scorn it leaves more questions than answers.
The first is. Did they really make up?
Were they back together again now?
Was Gun going to stay or maybe this was all a goodbye kiss?
Was their personal problem resolved yet?
Now that Gun had taken in Daniel's opinion, was he going to choose to leave?
The plethora of questions creates a headache for Daniel and even as he brushes his fingers gently against his lips and neck where Gun had left his mouth, he also pinches at himself to be more realistic. Until Gun could tell him in clear words himself that he and Daniel were fine then he couldn't accept anything else.
Then there was another question. Even if Gun said they were all right, would they be?
The night of the second round of tournaments comes by faster than Daniel could hope for and with it comes Jeremy, his annoying and rude personality pushing through his barriers with far more ease than anyone else could. He had marched into the Medical Bay first thing in the morning and complained unnecessarily about the troubles he had to go through to get to the CC building and how much of a drag it was to work there. He had snatched up his white Doctor coat that he had accidentally left in the bay the previous day, complained about his own mistake, and glared scathingly at Daniel the entire time before storming out of the room to get food from the mess hall, all without so much as a word from Daniel.
Daniel already had one headache to handle, he really couldn't be bothered with a second one.
The brackets for the second round of the tournament had been released and it had been an interesting set-up. The CC and its contestants had the world in a chokehold and the hits on their websites and social media were increasing very quickly. The number of people who were placing their bets had risen astronomically and the tournament was being proclaimed as the battle of the Kings this time around.
By the time the evening had come around and people had filled up the seats of the arena again, had felt nothing more than a blink of an eye. In all honesty, despite being friends or acquaintances with some of the Kings, Daniel found himself not as invested in the fight. Unlike a lot of others who knew the history and were avid fans of the first generation, Daniel found it all to be a bit mundane.
Still, he watches the matchups with intense vigour. Gongseob VS Jinyoung was first up and already the fans were biassed towards Gongseob due to his appearance as a monk. It wasn't every day a monk from the monasteries came down to this part of Seoul to fight in a tournament to enact revenge on a guy who beat him several odd years ago. But the storyline worked for loads of people including Zack who had made signs for his master and was cheering from far up in the stand.
When Daniel had asked Mira about the signs and posters she had simply sighed and confessed that it was all Zack's idea, and he had coerced both her and Johan into helping.
The fight goes off with a hitch and the people gawk at the fight. Jinyoung Go was strong and he evaded Gongseob well, landing a few fresh hits here and there but there was just something about the monk that allowed him to overpower the other. He might be a large man, but his speed was indescribably quick. He wins the match lasting just under half an hour.
The next match was Jaegyeon VS Gitae. The blonde pretty boy stares at Gitae curiously, the other stares back in disdain. When their match starts, Jaegyeon surprises the crowd with his quick movements, grabbing Gitae by the collar of his leather jacket before throwing him down to the floor. Unfortunately, Gitae counters the move, landing firmly on the floor before grabbing the blonde and locking him in place as he sends a few punches in the direction in which it was blocked.
The two go back and forth, but no matter Jaegeyon's speed and grappling techniques, Gitae's innate strength and brute force were overpowering him. This was seen whenever he was able to land a hit against the King of Incheon, his punches sending the blonde's body into shock as the force shook his body each time.
Time went by and although it was an enthralling match-up that had the entirety of the arena on the edge of their seats, Gitae looked like he was getting bored from entertaining the fight. He reaches forward and in a move that Daniel had only seen be used by Johan and himself, the King of Seoul imitates Jaegyeons grappling technique. He grips onto the blonde's collar and throws him onto the floor without remorse. Jaegyeon isn't knocked unconscious, but he does pick himself up and jump away from the other, maintaining a distance as he tries to recover from the move.
Shaking his head and grasping his forehead, Jaegyeon stares back at Gitae's smirking form before cursing and raising his hands in a forfeit. Gitae wins the round.
The crowd roars, a round of applause that has the air vibrating with electricity.
Jaegyeon comes into the medical set-up area with a slight stagger and as Daniel moves to collect him it's Jeremy who comes to steal the patient.
"You handle the psycho; I'll take the blonde" He hisses and without further words, he directs Jaegyeon to his side of the room.
Daniel seethes at the unprofessional behaviour, plainly taking a patient without warning or any consideration for the people in the room. Sucking in a breath, Daniel turns to Gitae who watches on with crossed on and an amused smirk on his lips.
"Trouble at work?" He asks as he comes to stand in front of Daniel.
"It's fine, I'll clean out the wounds you have quickly and then you can head on out" Daniel informs the man, getting to sit down on a chair. Gitae obeys with a hum, sitting down and watching the Doctor's every move.
There were a fair few scrapes here and there, a gash against his chest that was hardly deep as well as a few bruises. Overall, Gitae was fine but was content to sit there and receive medical attention.
"The medic back home for my…business is half as efficient as you" Gitae suddenly states. "You're also about ten times prettier. Have you ever considered wanting to practise overseas? I could use a new personal doctor" He asks as Daniel raises a brow.
"No thanks" Daniel answers plainly before finishing by placing some ridiculous Hello Kitty bandaid against a cut on his fist. "We're done here, go prepare for your final fight of the night," He remarks as he bins the rubbish and used things, stands up and gestures for Gitae to leave.
The man snorts before standing up and seeing himself out of the room.
The next two matchups for the night go by in a blur. Jichang comes out on top against Doksu, both having shaken hands and acting admirably with one another after the fight. Taesoo VS Seokdu had been a much bloodier affair of strength, Fists versus headbutts, but ultimately after a long half-hour of earth-trembling hits, it had been Taesoo who came out on top by just a slight margin.
Jeremy doesn't bother with stealing a patient this time around, not with the number of injuries and blood that was pouring out from both men, both of whom needed stitches somehow.
"How are you supposed to win against Jichang if you've got stitches and injuries like these?" Daniel sighs as he fixes Taesoo up.
"Sheer and utter willpower" Taesoo replies simply.
The next match was Gongseob VS Gitae. The Monk versus a gangster's bastard son, a contrasting sight that had people laughing in glee but waiting to watch the match in insatiable anticipation. Goo barely finished counting down before the two were springing forward against each other, landing blow after blow against each other's form.
Halfway through the match, Gongseob had broken his nose whereas Gitae was bleeding from his mouth having cut his lip with his teeth due to a punch. The two were sweating, breathing hard from the speed of the other man's attack, bruised and aching. To the untrained eye, it might have looked like they were evenly matched but to Daniel, he could tell that Gongseob was losing.
His usual smile, the one that held mischief had slowly faded with each hit and now all that was left was grimace and determination in his shifting eyes as he attempted to look for an opening to beat the other.
"Come on monk, aren't you supposed to be known for your hits and speed? Show me the infamy of this iron boxing you're so proud of" Gitae calls, goading Gongseob to attack.
The monk huffs, irritated by how he was addressed before he snorts, raising his arms and shooting back a comment.
"Show me what you're made of bastard! Show me why they say that you're Gapryong Kim's dark side!" Gongseob grins, having victoriously pissed the King of Seoul with the mention of his father as well as his bastard blood.
Gitae snarls at Gongseob, raising both his arms before lunging forward with impressive footwork to throw his opponent off. With greater speed and strength than Daniel thought could be possible, he throws his entire weight and power into an overhand punch straight into Gongseob's face. The Monk didn't look like he was going to react in time, his eyes growing wide at the sight of the approaching fist.
People held in their breaths, freezing in their spots as they watched the fight unblinkingly.
Suddenly in an incredible display of speed and prowess, Gongseob shifts his position, ducking the fist that was still in motion before going for his right cross punch. Gitae's expression shifts to one of surprise, and just as the world seems to believe that Gitae is going to be hit, the man does something even more unbelievable. Countering the counterattack, Gitae uses his own body already moving inertia to spin around and duck, using his leg to swipe at Gongseob's one which does reach. Gongseob goes down with a start and without being able to react a fist slams itself against his face.
The Monk is smashed against the floor with a loud crash and Gitae remains in his place for a moment longer than necessary before eventually pulling his hand back, standing up and taking several steps back.
"I believe that this fight is over now" Gitae huffs as Gongseob struggles to push himself off the floor only to find that he can't stand. His right leg twisted in an ugly direction, and it had the entire arena cringing and letting out screams of horror.
Gongseob stares at his foot before sighing as he shifts his robes to reveal a metal right leg, a very broken prosthetic leg much to the ease of many people watching. The Monk sighs before nodding and raising his hand to withdraw from the fight, making Gitae the winner and a finalist.
The two men were brought into the medical bay to be patched up, Gongseob facing the worst of the injuries. Gitae simply quickly accepts the cleaning of his wounds and more bandages and band-aids before he skips happily out of the room, content with his victory. Meanwhile, Gongseob used a wheelchair as Daniel removed his broken prosthetic leg.
"Damn bastard, these legs aren't cheap," Gongseob mutters.
"Do you have a spare?" Daniel inquires.
"I do but it's in the trunk of my car."
"You have a car?"
"Master! Are you okay?" Zack barged into the room, his face alarmed and concerned as he made his way to the King who smiled softly at his protege.
"Yes, yes. I'm alive. Be a dear and go and grab my spare prosthetic leg from the boot of my car, Zack" He orders, tossing him the keys to his car to which Zack nods vigorously before running away at the same speed he appeared in.
The final match was between Jichang and Taesoo, it held the same vigour and enthusiasm from the fans and viewers as the previous fight only this time the people were more familiar with these two individuals. Jichang was a well-known officer, Daniel isn't quite sure how his department or other authority figures were going to handle the fact that one of their own was participating in the CC, but it wasn't any of Daniel's business. Taesoo on the other hand, although has briefly made appearances here and there, was best known for his interaction with the doctor and his interesting appearance. The scar, his build, aura, and ferocious style of fighting compared to Jichangs composure, uniform and strait-laced nature were contrasting.
Fists of steel versus Hand blades. It was a unique fight, watching Taesoo swing about his fists, breaking the concrete floor beneath their bodies or having his curled-up hand barely miss the officer in front of him knowing that if it did land it could severely injure the other. Alternatively, the blows from Jichang's signature hand blades looked about as deadly and moved just as fast.
Unlike Gitae and Gongseob's fight which had been hard to keep track of due to their speed, this match-up was hard to watch. Just the thought of those blows landing, of missing each other by mere millimetres had people jumping from the edge of their seats, it certainly had Daniel cringing. It also certainly didn't help that they kept missing one another, always getting the crowd's hopes up only for everyone to cry out in surprise and frustration when the fighter dodges.
It was obvious to anyone that the two men were seasoned fighters. Sure, the Kings were all experienced but these two seemed distinctly different and furthermore there was mutual respect. This led to the fact that neither man played dirty, a sight that wasn't witnessed often during the CC.
Time goes on and as the match nears the 45-minute mark, there's a warning from the Founders to hurry up. The pressures from the ticking clock and the hundreds of thousands of eyes watching them seem to grow and it's to no one's surprise when finally, one of them messes up. Falling for a bluff, Taesoo lunged forward in an attempt to hit Jichang only to be met with air where he thought he would land a blow. Taesoo's surprise is immediately overshadowed by the contact of Jichang's hand hitting exactly right against the back of his neck.
In an instant Taesoo's body goes crumbling against the floor. People all around gasp, they watch with baited breaths for Taesoo to get up, but his body never lifts back up from the floor. That singular hit to the back of the neck where a vulnerable nerve was enough for Jichang to push himself to victory in the match. The officer, despite his calm and collected nature was breathing heavily, sweat dripping down his forehead and neck as he raised himself to stand proudly.
The people cheer and with that Goo announces the winner for the final match of the night.
With these results, the final match of the tournament would be Gitae vs Jichang. The current versus the former King of Seoul.
.
.
.
Daniel hadn't been all that phased by the results of the second round of the tournament, not because he had expected Jichang or Gitae to reach the finals but because he didn't know much about the Kings and their fighting abilities in the first place. Other fighters he had watched for an entire year at this point, and he knew where most of them stood on the spectrum of skills, hard work, and talent in terms of fighting prowess. The Kings were a different unit of measurement, and they had been impressive for sure.
If Daniel had been in the right mind and not feeling as depressed as he had been lately then he might have paid more attention to them. Unluckily he was not in the right mind, and he might have been depressed.
Cleaning up the medical bay had been a bit more of a drag that night but Mira and Jay, having noticed his dip in mood, immediately suggested getting food. So that was what he was currently doing. With the CC having just ended for the night the mess hall was still thrumming with people, from fighters to crews to kings who were staying back to enjoy the benefits of the CC.
Getting a seat that night had also been particularly awful, squeezing in between Jay and Mira as several of the other medical staff were also present. Unfortunately for Daniel, it seemed like Jeremy had also stuck around to eat before bolting this time around and he sat directly in front of Daniel.
Both Doctors had glanced at each other momentarily before choosing to ignore the other entirely.
"I just want the tournament to pass by as quickly as possible this time around, I feel drained" Daniel states, speaking to Jay and Mira who also nod along as they scoff down their meals.
"Shouldn't you be more excited since it's the Kings participating? Some of them are your friends" Mira inquires softly and Daniel shrugs.
"A few of them are friends but at the end of the day the Tournament is nothing but a drag from our perspective of things. If I were a casual viewer, then perhaps I'd feel a little more excited but currently, I'm just too worried about all the injuries and medical emergencies that are going to fall our way throughout the whole event" Daniel sighs before counting all the days. "Since the CC tournaments happen during the first weekend of each new season it means that these matches occur 4 times a year…God that's a whole lot to deal with If I'm going to be staying here indefinitely" He shakes his head, stabbing his salad with a fork.
"Well, you've almost finished your third…and by the time you finish your fourth tournament it will all feel normal" Mira encourages with a bright smile.
Daniel trades looks with Jay who looks just as tired as Daniel but less ready to complain about it. Despite this, he did seem a bit concerned with Mira's positivity.
"Mira, how many tournaments have you done thus far in your career?" Daniel can't help but ask.
"I started this mid-way through my first year of high school so…this is my 9th tournament and you're the 7th Doctor that I've worked with" She grins and Daniel stares back at her with wide eyes before nodding resolutely.
"Damn okay, respect," he tells her as she snorts.
"Listen, when you're adaptable like me you get used to the constant changes and the high blood pressure this sort of job gives you. As for you, Doctor Park, you also seem to be the type to deal well with this sort of job although I do question your methods for relieving stress" Mira mentions when a loud snort is heard.
Daniel blinked at Mira before turning to Jay who looked just as confused by the sound. Realising that it had been neither of them the Doctor looked up at Jeremy who seemed to have been listening and watching their interactions. He had a mean smile on his face as he eyed Daniel in disgust as if he were amused by some inside joke.
"Is something funny, Doctor Kim?" Daniel asks, placing his utensils down as he turns to the other man whose eyes flicker to Daniel and back down to his tray and he clamps his mouth shut to try and stop more laughter from spilling out.
"Nothing, it's just…she's right to question your stress relief methods or just, your methods in general" Jeremy states with a disgusted smirk and Daniel clenches his fists.
"And what exactly do you mean by that?" The question comes out through clenched teeth, Daniel is seething as he stares back at the other Doctor who shrugs.
"Well, I just find it to be disheartening to see how many people here seem to have faith in you and think that you're this amazing Doctor when you're nothing but a fraud" Jeremy starts and Daniel huffs in disbelief.
He was going to start this right here and right now.
"I thought we talked about this, thought we agreed about getting through these three days as fast as possible so you could go back to whatever the hell you were doing before you came here" Daniel states, his voice strained as he tries to contain his anger that was already seeping out through the tones of his voice.
"We did, but I remember not agreeing too much and well after what I've witnessed these last two days, I can hardly keep up this civil farce. Not when you are such a deceitful individual and that's just the surface level of how horrible of a person you can be" Jeremy hisses out like venom and Daniel throws his arms in the air in exasperation as he stands up with a start, his own body betraying his mind as it moved on its own.
"What the hell are you going on about? I know you have this crazy vendetta against me and Collin explained that it was because of my attitude during school that brought about this miscommunication with one another but whatever you're trying to do now…whatever you've got against me is just full of hate" Daniel spits out, gesturing between them before Jeremy throws his head back to laugh at his words.
People around the mess hall turned in the direction of the noise, some pausing their conversations whereas others watched in confusion at the situation that was going on between the medical staff. Daniel could only stare at the other Doctor, baffled by what there was to laugh about before Jeremy stood up from his spot.
"What the hell am I going on about? You want to know about WHAT THE HELL I'M GOING ON ABOUT?!" He shouts, drawing the attention of most people in the room.
Daniel flinches at the noise level but he doesn't back down from the conversation. Steeling himself, he stares back at Jeremy in defiance and in return, the other smirks and shakes his head.
"You know, somehow, you've seemed to fool the world into thinking that you're some God-like Doctor. That you're the best at what you do, that you perform these miracles on your patients and with all this deceit they've named you the 'Miracle Doctor' and I can't help but throw up in my mouth every time I hear those lies" Jeremy spoke, loud and clear in the slowly silencing room. "But that's not what you are. You are no God, and you don't perform miracles. The only ones who know about your real self are the ones who were in the same class as you. They know. I know. Collin at one point knew what you were but somehow, you've brainwashed him into thinking that you're some benevolent and kind soul when in reality you are a soul-sucking, piece of shit" He announces the insults loud and clear and of course, there were a few uproars.
A few people tell Jeremy to shut his mouth, some telling him to piss off, but the Doctor merely laughs at all their scrutiny.
"Shut the fuck up! Do you want the truth about your precious Miracle Doctor? Because I can give you the bare and raw truth of who Daniel Park is" Jeremy screams back at the crowd who falls silent.
Turning back to Daniel, the ugly scowl on his face melts into his usual taunting expression, one that Daniel himself had wanted to punch off his face so many times.
"Your Miracle Doctor is and has always been a nepo baby. Clinging to his uncle's wealth and titles, he bribed his way into Seoul's National College of Medicine, and he bribed professors and tutors who taught him. It's the only way he could have graduated with flying colours despite his mediocre performance" Jeremy states out first but it was Mira who was quick to jump in and defend him.
"Poor performance? Look around idiot, Doctor Park has helped and provided medical aid to every single individual in this room and not a complaint has been heard. Not only has his 'performance' been exceptional he has completed a list of impressive operations and surgeries in the months that he's been here" Mira calls and there are murmurs of agreement.
"He resuscitated someone from the dead on his first day and he wasn't even working here yet at that point. He was able to stop the bleeding of a splenic artery with just his forefinger" Mira reminds the people as they nod and whisper in agreement.
"He cauterised my wound when the bleeding wouldn't stop. If it hadn't been for Doctor Park, I would have been dead!" Olly calls out from one of the tables.
"He was able to help me identify the reasons for my illnesses where dozens of doctors before him couldn't. Would a poor Doctor be able to do something like that?!" Ryuhei shouts, standing up from his seat as he glares in Jeremy's direction.
"He took out Jacky's spleen when it ruptured due to a fight, a surgery like that, no matter how big or small, was extremely impressive, and he saved our friend's life!" Channing had been next to call out.
"He was able to get my mother the necessary help to fix her eyes where other Doctors failed due to their prejudiced views. Now she's recovering and she can see again!" Johan adds. Shoulders squared and ready to challenge Jeremy.
More people started to call out about Daniel's performance at the CC. About all the help he had given them, from broken and dislocated bones to cuts and bruises to more. They spoke openly about Daniel's kindness, about his actions and how he alone had helped more than enough people to warrant his title and their love.
Jeremy stares back at the crowd, shaking his head in pity at them as he listens before he lets out a bark of laughter again. People grow quiet as they listen to his words.
"Majority of the things that all you idiots listed out are nothing but basic knowledge that any medical intern would know how to perform. As for the surgeries and procedures, I'm sure that Director Jinyoung, his uncle, was the one to perform that first surgery. And I'm sure the removal of the spleen was Collin's actions, not Daniel's" He spits out before smiling in amusement and leaning over the table in Daniel's direction. "Look at how they defend you, how loyal and sweet they are. I'm not so sure how loyal they would be when they hear about how much of a dangerous screw-up you are in an actual hospital."
Jeremy makes a show of contemplating his next words, humming as he thinks before asking.
"How many surgeries did you run away from because you couldn't perform them? How many times did you vomit your guts from seeing an open body? How about how many times you fainted in the surgery room because you got sick at the sight of blood? How many people could you have accidentally killed if it weren't for another surgeon to take over your role?" He questions, directing it at Daniel who stares back and clenches his jaw.
"I admit, I didn't perform well before, but those days are over. I am a better Doctor, a better surgeon, and a better person now" Daniel speaks clearly so that everyone can hear.
Admitting his past to a crowd of people who were defending him so much felt like lead on his tongue, but Daniel knew that the truth needed to come out. It was going to come out eventually.
"Maybe you are now, but that doesn't change the fact that your position is the reason YOU could get better. There were hundreds of other people who failed, who were fired and let go for lesser reasons but for you. Nephew of Doctor Jinyoung Park the most renowned surgeon in Korea, for you there was an unlimited number of chances and redemptions. No one dared to argue back for the fear that they would suffer his wrath" Jeremy chuckles out before raising a finger and shoving it into Daniel's chest. "You know, you being afforded the luxury of nepotism isn't what pisses me off. What pisses me off is how ignorant you pretended to act. Like your name and your uncle didn't grant you these powers you had…and if you truly didn't know…well, I don't know if that's worse?" he spits out.
Again, the mentions of Nepotism, again the mentions of people who had lost everything where Daniel didn't. Of course, when Collin had brought it up it had made Daniel do a lot of thinking, taking into consideration everything in his life and it made him feel guilty. If only Daniel had healed from his trauma faster, if only he had been given that talk from Collin earlier, then perhaps this overshadowing cloud of his uncle's favour wouldn't be haunting him so much.
"I know, and I acknowledge this point you are making but-"
"But nothing, you can't bring those people back and you can't mend the rift you caused" Jeremy seethes out.
He was right. Daniel could apologise a million times over, but nothing would ever change the fact that he was a nepo baby. That he got to where he was because of his name and uncle. The only thing he could realistically change was his future.
"You're right" Daniel nods, agreeing with Jeremy's words much to the surprise of the Doctor. "I can't change the past but that doesn't mean I'm going to quit. For all the inequality and disputes I've caused due to my naivety and negligence, I'm going to try to be a better Doctor. I am going to continue marching forward with my head held high as I continue to save lives and make the lives of other people better. If I quit and give up now, then I'll be nothing more than the failure that you and every other intern saw me as. That's why I need to be better. I will be better" Daniel promises loudly and clearly.
There were a few looks of pride directed at him for his words. Some people who had looked disappointed by his admittance for being a subpar Doctor immediately shifted to ones of support. It doesn't matter what Daniel could do in the past or the future, it mattered what he could do now.
"Jeremy, I know I must have infuriated you and I want you to know that it was never my intention to do so. No amount of apologies can save me from your preconception of me, but I have changed . I am willing to be more, be the person who deserved every chance I got that I overlooked. It might not resolve the injustice, might not ever close the rift but I'm still going to do it" he tells the Doctor, looking at him with imploring eyes as he tries to convey his sincerity.
Jeremy looked shell-shocked by the words, slightly impressed perhaps. He opens and closes his mouth, conflicted on what to say and do as he stares back at the younger Doctor. His eyes are locked onto Daniel's face, searching hard before eventually, the tension from his body falls and he closes his eyes and looks to the ground.
Daniel feels relieved, reaching out to clasp a hand on Jeremy's shoulder.
"I know my words don't mean much right now, but I promise to showcase it all through my actions when the time comes" he tells the other.
There were a few relieved breaths from around the room, some people settled back down to their table, content to forget what happened due to the happy resolution. Daniel lets go of Jeremy and turns to smile in relief at Mira and Jay who grin back.
"Oh, how sweet the fox speaks when it's been cornered."
Daniel freezes as he looks up at Jeremy again only to see the deadpanned look on his face. Gone with the smirks and taunting looks and now it was replaced with a blank nothingness.
"It's nice, seeing you in action like this and using these sugary words to destroy everyone's defences. I can see why they all love and trust you now. You know, if the only reason I hated your guts was because of your family fortune and name I would have ratted your sorry ass years ago. But it's not just that, and you're right, your words and promises lay empty until they can be fulfilled so really there is no reason for me to trust you right now anyway. But aside from the fact that you are a child of nepotism, you're also a slut" He spits right out before grabbing his tray which was cold at this point, raising it and spilling the contents all over Daniel.
Daniel gasps at the sensations, pulling himself backwards as he looks up at Jeremy's face.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!" Mira cries out and Jay is immediately trying to wipe away the mess from Daniel's face and hair.
Daniel on the other hand stares at Jeremy in confusion.
"I don't get you, all these words and vile accusations you throw at me when I have done nothing but try to make amends are baffling…it's not really because you care, right? It's because you just want to tear ME down" Daniel accuses which only causes Jeremy to snort.
"Vile accusations? You're trying to redirect the conversation, aren't you? Away from the fact that you are nothing more than both a worthless doctor and a pathetic WHORE!" He directs at Daniel.
"Watch your mouth!" Someone calls.
"I'll say whatever the hell I want, and I'll speak my damn truth if it's the last thing I do!" Jeremy shoots back before continuing with his words. "You being sent here by your uncle; most people thought it was his attempt at finally kicking you to the curb after all these years of constant failure and disappointment. And rather than accepting your punishment and learning from it, you reduce yourself to nothing more than a common whore that would spread your legs for anyone and anything" He accuses which has Daniel's formerly snuffed anger reappearing with even more vengeance.
There was no talking or negotiating with Jeremy.
"Careful, you are bringing up my past was already teetering against the line, but you play a dangerous game with what you're accusing me of doing" Daniel remarks, as he raises a hand for Jay to stop trying to clean him up.
"Dangerous? Why? Because your sugar daddy would kill me if I spilled the truth? I wouldn't give a rat's ass if you were screwing some low-life thug or gangster, I'd even say it was the perfect match for you. Or perhaps you are fucking around and giving your ass and cock out to the fighters of the CC, we've seen the videos, we see how they look at you" The hatred and scorn in Jeremy's voice was enough to prove to Daniel that he genuinely hated him.
Still, whatever topic Jeremy was drawing closer to unveiling had Daniel's stomach-churning in disgust.
"That's not true," Daniel snaps out.
"Well regardless, what is true is that you have been fucking your boss for god knows how long!" Jeremy retorts and there are a few gasps around the room at the words. "Just how bad has it been for a nepo baby to resort to sleeping with your boss? I didn't think you had it in you, and I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't gone back to the medical bay last night to grab my coat only to find you swallowing each other's faces against the desks."
Fear forms in Daniel's gut. Jeremy couldn't have…but his story lines up with what had happened between Daniel and Gun…Oh God. His face had paled significantly, and his body had gone rigid but nonetheless, Daniel tried to relax and smooth it all over.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. The nepotism I can admit to but, this is simply wrong. How much more are you going to try and break me down until you're satisfied? Years of psychological torture and physical pain haven't been enough for you?" Daniel questions and this time Jeremy laughs but it's hollow and unamused compared to before.
"Don't turn this on me" Jeremy points at him aggressively.
"But he's right! You have been bullying him!" A female voice speaks up and heads turn.
It was Lua who had spoken up and next to her Lineman looked just as serious.
"Back when Lineman was still in the hospital because of his injuries, we overheard you and Collin insulting Doctor Park through the door! The words you used, and your actions have always been cruel! Who's to say that this all isn't just an act to hurt Daniel?" Lua asks as Lineman nods.
Daniel couldn't help but mentally thank the two for their defence, remembering the day he had gone to visit them at SNMC before being cornered by both Collin and Jeremy.
"They're right. If this is just a way to try and hurt me then stop it. It doesn't need to be this way, Jeremy," Daniel states confidently, willing to forgive and forget everything from today if he would just stop.
Instead of agreeing or admitting defeat, Jeremy shakes his head.
"Even now you hide in your lies and self-righteousness. But you are not righteous, and you are not kind or benevolent. You, Daniel Park, you are a slut, and you will continue to get away with all this if I don't say anything. Perhaps when the truth gets out to the world, they will finally see you are you are, and even your precious Founder will be disgusted with what he sees. Your precious Gu-"
Before Jeremy could say his name, Daniel snatched up his tray for food and without thinking swung it at Jeremy, a few screams rang out but what's done is done. The metal object lands its mark and the noise the impact makes rings throughout the room.
Jeremy goes down without another word, and he lands flat on his back on the ground. Daniel stares at his pliant body in shock, looking from Jeremy to the tray in his hand before he drops it and clasps his mouth.
"Oh God" Daniel gasps, feeling his throat constrict and his stomach churn.
Daniel's gaze flickers back to Jeremy, watching as blood seeps out of a large gash that is now present against Jeremy's forehead, forming a slowly growing puddle around his head. Daniel was going to be sick.
Jay was the first to act, moving around the table to get to Jeremy as the sound of the world around Daniel came crashing back into his ears. The nurse gestures something, something about calling an ambulance and Mira does just that. The whispers, and the eyes that were watching Daniel seemed to grow, the weight felt heavy on his shoulders as his mind raced to register what he had just done.
"Oh God"