(3 years later)
"How are the new interns taking to the CC?" Gun asks as he walks down the hallway of the building, heading towards the medical room with another person in tow.
"Adapting as usual, I've given them a rundown of the manual and a tour of the facilities and resources," Mira explains, her voice even as she walks by the Founder's side. With every new batch of interns that come here to do their rounds, their opinion of us is slowly improving. They're less hesitant and doubtful about their time here, which is good. It means past groups are spreading the better word of us." She delves deeper into explaining, and Gun nods.
Mira Kim has taken on a larger role within the CC's medical department in the past three years. Although she was a volunteer at first who turned into an employee, since graduating from high school, she has set her sights on completing a nursing degree at university. She was finishing her third year yet due to her experience and hands-on knowledge she was doing far better than her peers. It was probably why Gun and the other Founders promoted her to a managerial and mentor role here at the CC.
"That's good to hear, at least it's an improvement" Gun huffs as he enters the medical room.
People bustled around, few were talking to each other whereas others laughed and watched on. At the appearance of the Founder, they grow silent, standing up from their spots to face him.
"Good evening," Gun grumbles. He hates dealing with the newbies. They're always intimidated by him, even when he does nothing but stand and stare at them. James and Goo are far better at handling this aspect, but they're also busy with other tasks at the moment. Furthermore, he despised being in this room more than he needed to be.
"It's good to see another batch of bright and eager young Doctors. Miss Kim has already told me that she's given you an induction of the facility so I'm just going to make this short. My name is Gun Park, I am a Founder of this business and for your time being here I am the guy that's paying your expensive paychecks. In return for the generosity of my funding and the experience you will be gaining here, I only ask that you act properly. Treat this like any other medical facility. You are here to help the injured. If there are any questions or complaints please feel free to let either myself, Miss Kim or Nurse Hong know. We here at the CC do not tolerate any forms of abuse or harassment towards our employees and we take your safety seriously. Are there any questions so far?" Gun asks.
There were a few murmurs of 'no' and a shake of their heads. Nodding at this, Gun bids them farewell.
"Alright. Please start preparing for tonight. The list of fights has been uploaded to our website and the files of the patients are in our file room. If you wish for any further confidential access you will need to go through Miss Kim or Nurse Hong. I'll see you all later" With a nod at Mira, Gun turns to leave.
The introductions had been stiff at best, and intimidating at worst but Gun could hardly care. It had been a few years at this point ever since this system was introduced and although it worked in the CC's favour they did get the occasional medical personnel who had their own opinions of ending up in the facility. They have improved their safety measures and precautions for the employees but even those rules won't save a mouthy, young intern who thought they were better than the fighters.
Heading back to his office he slips through the doors of the room and locks them quietly. There was quite a fair bit of paperwork he needed to complete before Friday night's events would begin but lacked the motivation to complete it.
Slowly he approaches his desk, a particular piece of paper catching his eyes. Hesitantly he reaches out, picking it up and eyeing its contents. With a disappointed sigh, he simply opens one of the drawers of his desk and slips the piece of paper in with all the other identical and unused papers. Plane tickets, every single one of them directed to DC but always unused, collecting dust in the drawer as Gun holds back each time.
He doesn't understand why he ended up buying so many stupid plane tickets, especially when he never commits to using them anyway. Thousands of dollars were wasted because Gun couldn't bring himself to follow through.
'I need you to stay in Korea…Don't come'
Closing the drawer, he slumps in his chair. Exhausted both physically and mentally. He shuts his eyes and leans his head back on the aged chair, the object needing to be replaced with how uncaringly he had been treating it these last couple of years. The leather was breaking and wearing off, it squeaked horribly and just wasn't as comfortable as it used to be. Despite it all, Gun just can't bring himself to do it, he lacked the energy to. Instead, he sits there and reminiscence of a smile he once knew, a face he once loved, a body he once touched and a heart that once burned for him.
Groaning, Gun sits up and leans on the desk, his elbows settling on the wooden surface and he clutches his head in the palm of his hands. He wanted to forget it all, he wanted to forget about him but no matter how hard he tried…he couldn't. His memories haunted him and with each passing day, he tries to learn to accept it.
Swallowing harshly, Gun opens another drawer to pull out some medicine. A few pills to help with the pounding headache he was suffering from. He swallows two dry before sighing and grabbing a folder.
He needed to finish off his work.
.
.
.
"That was a particularly boring night" Goo huffs as the night's events come to an end, the fight match-ups had concluded without any particular incident and people were now either migrating towards the mess hall for a late-night snack or going home. Not much had shifted in the blonde's appearance over the last three years, his hair was still dyed that ridiculous blonde colour and his personality remained much of the same.
"I don't think I can deal with any more paperwork from any new incidents" James states. Rather than his signature red hair, it was now black. It had been two and a half years since James had revealed to the public that he and DG were the same. It caused an uproar at first but people eventually learnt to accept it. The reason for James' confession was that he found it too difficult to pretend to be two separate entities, he held too much responsibility to be lying to the public all the time so he came clean. It also didn't help that he would have to hide the scars across his abdomen and back whenever he needed to wear low-cut shirts or just be shirtless in general for promotional things for his PTJ job.
However, there was always the unvoiced reason why he decided to reveal his identity. To cover up the instant uproar and shit the people had given them when they told the public that Daniel Park, their Miracle Doctor had quit the CC. James being DG instantly overshadowed the rumours of a dispute within the CC, amongst the medical field about Daniel Park's credentials and reliability.
Ever since then, James had dyed his hair black, returning it to his natural colour and not bothered to alternate between personalities and appearances. He still flaunted his wealth with his clothes and jewellery, continued to enjoy his lavish lifestyle and piss off people with his attitude. But now, all that existed was James Lee, CEO of PTJ Entertainment and Founder of Crew Corps. Also, Gun much preferred this version of James without his pink hair and temporary tattoos that DG used to wear, they had been tacky.
"Seconded" Gun grumbles as he stands up from his seat.
The other VIPs had already left, leaving just the three of them in their booth.
"Hey, we should go out tonight" Goo pipes up, stretching his arms up in the air before throwing them around Gun's shoulders. "And you should join us this time" He adds as Gun grimaces.
"No"
"Oh come on! It has been so long since you've been clubbing with us! You're always saying you're too tired or you have no interest! You're like an old man at this point" Goo complains as Gun shoves the arm off.
"I just don't want to go" Gun huffs.
"Goo leave him be, if Gun wants to go to bed because he's a grumpy, old man then let him be" James calls out, causing Gun to round on him.
"You are literally the oldest one here" Gun announces as James simply shrugs.
"And yet I am the youngest in spirit" The CEO grins which causes Gun to roll his eyes. "But we're serious about inviting you. All you do these days is stay in the CC or work. Come out with us tonight. We're just concerned for you" James speaks, his tone of voice shifting from teasing to worry.
Both James and Goo look at him with big, wide eyes, silently pleading for Gun to join them and with a reluctant grunt, he nods.
This is how he ends up squashed in a booth of a club by himself as James and Goo drink and giggle with one another from where they sit on the other side. Neither one of them had any girls or guys in their arms, instead preferring each other's company.
That was a change that Gun wished he could say he saw coming. Maybe there had been hints and Gun had simply ignored them because he was so stuck inside his head but one day they had been a simple trio then all of a sudden he noticed his two best friends simply being closer than ever. He should have known something was up between those two ever since James' hospitalisation after his fight with Gitae, but he had been so overworked and so emotionally drained after his problems that he just didn't care.
Despite the change, he was happy for the two men. Finding comfort, especially with someone so close and a person who could understand your pain and suffering was hard to find. So he held no ill will to the two, well at least he usually didn't when they weren't making him third wheel them.
Gun grimaces in distaste as he watches the two whisper in each other's ears, their bodies although only sitting, are flushed against each other. James had an arm slung over Goo's shoulders, his fingers playing with the other man's shoulder, his pink lips brushing against the blonde's ears as he peppers kisses with each word. It was disgusting.
Sipping at his drink, Gun drags his eyes away from the two. He should have never agreed to come. If he continued to watch them anymore he might throw up.
Shutting his eyes, Gun focuses on the throbbing of his head and how it protested with the very second of music that was ringing through the club. People were laughing, cheering and singing along to the music, having fun and living the best of their lives and Gun couldn't find himself to be happy. He was content with his life but there wasn't anything really that brought out any particular interest or spark.
Finishing his drink, Gun sighs at the sight of the empty glass.
"Hey I'll be back, I'm just going to go-" He cuts himself off once he notices his two friends making out in their seats. Snarling in anger, Gun stands up and disappears.
He was going to become homophobic if those two kept doing this to him.
The bar is less busy. He orders himself a drink and waits for the bartender to fix him the beverage. In the mere moments he stands there he feels someone press up against him.
"Fancy seeing you here" A soft, feminine voice calls as Gun turns to catch sight of a young woman. She looked familiar but he couldn't seem to put a name to her face, noticing his struggle she laughed. "It's Lydia, I used to work here for Club Vivi" She explains and this rings a bell in his mind.
"You cut your hair," He remarks.
He remembers it being a lot longer, wavier too but now it ended just below her chin. Of course, it didn't make her look any less beautiful.
His words seem to spark a sense of joy in her as she nods.
"Yeah!" She grins and he nods. Despite remembering her and understanding that he had slept with her before it doesn't improve Gun's mood in the slightest, he wasn't looking for anyone to sleep with tonight. Sensing his mood, her smile dims. "Bad night?" She inquires, the meekness he remembers her having is gone and in its place stood a more confident and sure woman.
She wasn't acting like a scared little bunny anymore that wanted Gun to take her. She said she used to work here at the club so it was safe to presume that her previous moments with Gun had only been to try to appeal to him at the time.
"Bad year, more like" Gun huffs as he receives his drink and finishes it within moments. She eyes him with concern, much like everyone else does when they realise that something is wrong with him.
It's the same look Goo and James give him. The same one Charles and Crystal try to hide behind their business professional looks when they don't want to anger him. Hell, he's even seen it around on other people at the CC when they realise he's changed.
"That doesn't sound good. Your job at the CC finally taking a toll?" She asks, it's not meant as an insult, just out of curiosity.
"A little" Gun admits.
He still finds fulfilment working at the CC, there was nothing better than seeing the statistics of crime rates drop every year in Korea but with all the hard work and money he was getting, there still seemed to be a hole in his chest.
"Is that why you're here tonight? Looking to blow off steam?" Lydia asks and Gun grunts.
"I'm not interested in sleeping with women tonight," He tells her honestly, not wanting her to get her hopes up.
"I can tell, the last time we slept together was a bit of a clue for me" She lets out a laugh and Gun turns to stare at her incredulously.
"Because we did anal?" He questions, a little scandalised by her words.
"Because you were pretending that I was someone else" She corrects and this does make Gun feel bad to an extent.
"Sorry" It's half-assed and it's a horrible apology but she doesn't seem to care, shrugging it off.
"It's fine. If you want you can do it again, it didn't feel terrible last time" Lydia offers and Gun frowns.
"You're offering me your ass?" He grumbles out crudely and she nods, sipping the drink that she had been holding in her arms.
"You look like you need the pick me up" She hums and Gun stares.
"I don't need a pity fuck, I could get any man or woman I want," He tells her, defensive and more aggressive than he wanted to be. She shrugs, giving him a look he can't recognise. Biting back the scoff, he drags her towards one of the private rooms he was familiar with.
They waste no time getting down and dirty. He strips her of her clothes, sucks hickeys onto her neck and collar but doesn't bother kissing her or playing with her breasts that looked so full and pretty in the room lighting. She doesn't seem to mind as he pushes her onto the bed and turns her on her stomach. Playing her ass and loosening her up, Gun uses as much lube as he dares before slipping his protected self inside.
He groans at the sensations, it had been far too long since he gave himself the chance to indulge. She moans at the sensations, knowing just how to sound without being loud enough to distract him. As he fucks, Gun could only grumble at the sight of the woman below him.
Sure she had cut her hair and was facing away from him but that didn't take away the fact that her curves were far too accentuated. Her body was entirely different compared to the one he wanted. Noticing the pause, she turns her flushed face to him.
"Just close your eyes, you can imagine that it's him" She offers.
It felt wrong to do something like that, no matter what kind of man he was and what he's done in the past, it didn't feel right to treat Lydia like this.
"It's okay, I can take it" She confesses and unlike her calm facade from before this time her voice is tinged with a soft desperateness. As if she had her agenda for doing this. Nodding, Gun closes her eyes and starts again.
With his eyes shut and a testing movement of his hips, he conjures up as much as he can remember. Letting out a groan, he can almost pretend that it was him.
"Daniel…fuck, Daniel" He groans out, the name dragging itself out of his mouth without his permission but once it starts he can't stop it.
Picking up his speed, he begins to fuck with vigour. Soft moans and sounds leave their bodies as they do so. Gun doesn't remember how long it takes, no matter how much he imagines and pretends his mind still tells him that it's different, that it doesn't feel the same. It takes him far longer to cum than it usually does but by the end, the both of them are exhausted.
Gun lays on the bed beside a red-faced Lydia. It is so awkward and stifling that Gun can only apologise.
"I'm sorry," He tells her. "That probably didn't feel all that great" Gun states and she snorts.
"It's alright, I finished myself off with my fingers," She tells him and Gun can't even find it in himself to feel insulted.
"Oh," He lets out as he turns back to face the roof of the room.
"I'm guessing this Daniel guy broke up with up with you?" Lydia inquires and Gun shrugs,
Did they break up? Well, the guy left the country without further explaining what would happen in their relationship so maybe. If they weren't broken up then they were clearly on a break, if not…then he was a cheater.
Lydia interprets his words how she wants but she does send him a pitying look before turning away again.
"I broke up with my boyfriend earlier this week before coming out tonight" She confesses instead. "Found out the fucker has been cheating on me with my sister ever since we got together two years ago. The only reason I found out is because she's pregnant…" His voice fades and Gun turns to her properly this time.
"I'm sorry you have to go through that," He tells her and he finds that he means it.
She snorts.
"Yeah well, it doesn't take away the pain. What's worse about the whole situation was the two of them begging me to understand…They tried painting me as the one that got between them in the first place…if he had just told me to begin with that he was in love with my sister then I would have never been caught in between them in the first place…I can't look at them the same anymore, I don't understand why people just lie and can't tell the truth. Why couldn't they just tell me what was going on before they took it too far?" And Gun could understand this pain.
This pain of being out of the loop, of not being told before it was too late.
"Come here" He offers and Lydia is in his arms within moments.
Her face is tucked into his bare chest as she heaves out a sob.
"I thought if I changed myself, cut my hair, did my make-up differently and slept with someone else then I might forget, even if I had to come back here…but it still hurts" She confesses, her voice raw with each word.
He rubs circles on her back.
"I'm sorry they hurt you," He tells her soothingly. She tucks her face even deeper, wrapping her arms around Gun.
"Yeah well, I'm sorry this Daniel guy hurt you" She spits out and he pauses again.
For years he tried to tell himself that what Daniel did was for the best. It was Daniel's choice and if he wanted to improve himself then who was Gun to stop him? He even told Gun in his letter that the both of them needed to be better. Yet that doesn't take away the hurt he feels about the way he was told. He was left behind. Daniel left him behind with that poor excuse of a goodbye and that hurt.
"Yeah, me too" Gun hums.
.
.
.
Washington University Medical Centre.
"Doctor Park, that was an amazing surgery you performed!" An intern calls as they exit the operating room, removing their gear in the process. "I mean, the Whipple procedure? At your age?! You really are a genius" They continue to praise as a few others agree.
"Alright, that's enough. Monitor the patient closely and let me know once she's woken up" He tells them, his English-speaking accent having gotten better throughout the years he had been here in America.
They all nod and agree and Daniel takes this as an opportunity for him to slip away.
That was his last surgery of the night and he'd like nothing more than to go back to his apartment and sleep. Unfortunately for him, he's immediately kidnapped by someone else on his way to change out of his scrubs.
"Are you done for the day?" The man asks and Daniel can't help but smile.
"Noah" He greets as suddenly he's pulled into an on-call room. Trapped between the man and the door, Daniel could only smirk. "My, I wonder what it is that you want" He plays dumb as Noah chuckles.
Noah was another resident at WUMC, a surgeon from the plastics department and he was practically eye candy for anyone and everyone who worked or visited the hospital. He was tall, broad-shoulder and blonde with pretty baby blue eyes. A smile that could charm anyone and a personality that was about as kind and charitable as anyone could be.
"Hmm, I wonder" Noah murmured as he leaned down to place a tentative kiss against Daniel's lips. "Indulge me a little for today, I know you don't usually prefer doing it after surgery but I can't wait" He confesses and Daniel sighs but nods.
Daniel never intended to sleep with anyone when he came to America but a few one-night stands turned into something a little more regular when he came into contact with the plastic surgeon. He hadn't been interested in the blonde, he was the complete opposite of what Daniel wanted but he had been kind when the younger needed it and thus it spiraled into this. Daniel could say perfectly that he liked Noah, the man took care of his needs but still chose to treat him professionally in all other parts of their lives and Daniel liked that. Yet there was just something about their 'relationship' that seemed so superficial.
Even now, as Daniel rides Noah who fucks up into him, moaning and praising him for his efforts, Daniel could find that all he holds for the man is lust and a small amount of affection. They both finish in little time before falling limp on the bed, resting in each other's arms.
"We need to stop doing it in the on-call room" Daniel sighs as he picks himself up and out of the bed. He surveys the room for his clothes but is immediately pulled back into a hug.
"Don't go yet, can't you stay a little longer?" Noah asks, peppering Daniel's neck with small kisses here and there.
"I'd rather go home and shower before sleeping in my bed" Daniel answers bluntly, hearing the older man elicit a small sigh. Feeling guilty for his attitude, Daniel turns slightly so that he can see the man, reaching out and pulling Noah in for a kiss. "Hey, don't get upset. I just don't want to take up too much time in these rooms, you know other people need to use them too" He explains and Noah nods.
"Right" The blonde lets go and Daniel shuffles out of the bed to pick up his clothes, putting them on without trying to seem like he was in too much of a hurry.
"You're thinking about going back home for Christmas and New Year's this year, right?" Noah inquires softly and Daniel hums back in affirmation.
His mother had begged him to come home and he finally conceded. He didn't have too much work to do this year so he thought it would be best to appease his mother and go home for a short amount of time. Moreover, he did miss his mother and uncle, so it would be good to catch up with them in person rather than through a call.
"I'll miss you during that time" Noah comments and Daniel lets out a short laugh.
"You'll miss me warming up your bed" Daniel responds but he's met with silence. Pulling up his boxers and pants, Daniel peers at the other resident only to pause when he notices the forlorn look in the man's eyes. He looked like nothing more than a kicked puppy by the younger man's words.
"Daniel…I love you" Noah confesses and Daniel feels his breath hitch. "I know that these meetings between us have always been just casual hookups but…I do mean it when I say that I love you. You might be weirded out by this or you might not be there yet but…I do feel like there can be a connection between us so please give me a chance"
With every word that comes out of Noah's mouth, it causes Daniel to grow more and more panicked which is strange. When a man as gorgeous and well-acclaimed as Noah confesses to you and expresses that they want to date, the typical response would be to feel ecstatic and shout out a resounding 'Yes' but for Daniel, all he could feel was dread.
Noticing the lack of reaction and how Daniel was blinking at him blankly, Noah flushes and turns away. Standing up from the bed, he sighs and rubs the back of his neck.
"Never mind, that was stupid of me" Noah huffs, his cheeks puffing out and his ears burning red.
"No, no it's not stupid" Daniel reaches out, walking over to the other resident and taking his arm to turn him towards the shorter. "Thank you, Noah. I appreciate you telling me this" He tells the man who frowns.
"I'm sensing a 'but' in that sentence" He mumbles, running his fingers through his hair with his free hand. Feeling guilty, Daniel nods.
"But I can't return your feelings. When this started it was just physical and it still is, for me. I'm sorry if that makes you feel shitty and I don't mean to play around with your feelings but I genuinely can't return your feelings or be with you like that" Daniel explains and Noah blinks.
His eyes take in the guilty look on Daniel's face before closing and nodding.
"Alright, I can't exactly force you to like me if you don't want me like that" Noah huffs out as he wraps his arms around Daniel's waist and pulls him closer. "Wanna tell me why you can't be with me, though? Sounds like the issues about this aren't exactly about me" He asks and the question is well-meaning.
It takes a moment of internal debating before Daniel decides to spill. For the last three years, he has kept his problems in Korea to himself. As soon as he landed in America he had pushed his issues aside and focused on his career and education and to his relief he had improved and became a well-accomplished Doctor at WUMC. He was for once respected for his profession and work and had the skills to back it up, not just his money or uncle's name. He had a few close friends here at WUMC but was friendly with everyone, yet that didn't stop him from feeling lonely. He missed being able to casually talk in his mother tongue and he missed his friends back in Korea. But most of all, he missed Gun.
The only reason he realistically decided to keep sleeping with Noah was because the man was completely different to Gun. Where Noah was soft, Gun was hard. Where Noah was sickeningly sweet, Gun was rude and teasing. Even their appearances were a stark contrast to each other.
"I have a guy back in Korea…" Daniel starts and Noah's eyes bulge.
"You already have a boyfriend?!" He shouts and Daniel furiously shakes his head.
"Well, no-well I mean…Yes he was my boyfriend but technically I broke up with him before coming here so technically we're not together and we haven't spoken for three years" Daniel quickly explains and Noah nods, his face still pinched together as he tries to understand. "So yeah, there's this guy back in Korea who I used to date and the thing is…even though I haven't seen him in so long…"
Noah sighs.
"You still like him" Noah finishes and Daniel looks down at the floor.
"I know it's been so long and I should be over him, he's probably over me at this point, but I just can't get him out of my mind. Things between us ended so suddenly and I feel horrible about it. I have regrets that I want to clear up and I just…I miss him" It was the truth.
There hadn't been a night since Daniel had gotten to America where he hadn't thought about Gun. As much as he wanted to forget or shove the man to the back of his head when it came to time to sleep he would always resurface. It was pathetic to be this obsessed over someone, especially when that someone was a person that he dumped and not the other way around.
"You're crazy for him, aren't you?" Noah asks and Daniel nods.
He feels guilty about confessing these truths to a man who just confessed to him. He was the worst.
"He probably wants nothing to do with me" Daniel adds, shoulders slumping and energy depleting.
There's a moment of silence between them, Noah letting the words settle in his mind and Daniel waiting to be shouted at for how sick he was acting. Instead, the blonde surprises both of them.
"You should tell him exactly what you told me. The truth. Even if he doesn't accept you back it would still remove the weight off your shoulders. It seems to me that this has been eating you up from inside for a long time" Noah advises as Daniel looks up at him with an open expression.
This was not what he was expecting.
"Are you telling me I should go and talk to him, potentially get back together with him? Aren't you the one who just confessed to me like five minutes ago?" Raising a brow, Daniel smiles in disbelief.
"Yes I did but you're also the one who rejected me and I'm not an asshole. Besides, perhaps if it doesn't turn out well you can get over him and come back to me. So maybe I'm being selfish about the entire thing" Noah states, smiling a toothy smile as Daniel rolls his eyes.
Nonetheless, he was relieved to hear the response and even happier to know that someone was supporting him on the idea. With one final hug and a few more exchanged words, the two of them get dressed and head out of the hospital for the night.
Back at his apartment, Daniel takes a long, hot shower, before exiting. Rather than heading to his room for bed, he makes his way to the kitchen. The apartment is small, not luxurious but it was enough for Daniel. Homely and warm, it was all Daniel needed and since he always kept it clean he had no problems with any of it. Going to the fridge, he opens it and pulls out a cold can of beer.
He doesn't drink often, he knows that his tolerance is still as low as ever but on the rare occasion, after a hard day at work he'll indulge in a single can. Opening it, Daniel then makes his way to the small balcony, taking in the cold night air as he leans on the edge, sipping his drink and reminiscing about his past.
With his conversation with Noah came a newfound confidence. He had been unsure before whether he wanted to visit the CC or not, scared that everyone would turn him away due to his sudden departure all those years ago but now…now he felt ready to talk. It might have been too late to do any more talking but Daniel would try regardless.
Over the years he never once forgot about the people at the CC. Much to his chagrin, he found himself watching the broadcasts whenever he had free time, he was usually always busy but whenever he found the smallest amounts of free time he would put it on. He knew that his plan to implement a partnership between the CC and SNMC was working and he knew that a lot of the people he used to know had changed. Yet Daniel could hardly care, the one thing he valued the most whenever he got time to watch the lives were the times the camera would pan over to the VIP booth. Each time it happened his eyes would glue themselves onto Gun, the very same Gun who hardly looked like he had changed.
He still had the same dark hair, the same slick back hairstyle and the same rich guy fashion sense. His attitude through the screen screamed tough guy but there was something about him that told Daniel that something was different. Whatever it was, he wasn't able to discern it from just the short moments and clips he saw in passing.
Taking another sip of the alcohol, Daniel can't help but wonder.
How was Gun doing?
He'd know in a week when he goes back home to Korea.
.
.
.
"There he is! There's my baby boy!" Seonhui shouts, rushing over to Daniel as he enters through the house's front door. He was encased within a tight hug and Daniel could only return it with the same vigour.
"It's good to see you, Mum" Daniel announces happily, lifting her off the floor slightly and making her giggle. They both eventually let go but once the happiness was gone he was left to fend himself from the slaps and hits his mother bombards him with.
"Three years! Three years and you haven't bothered once to come back during any of the other holidays? I should lock you inside this house at this rate so that you won't keep going off and leaving me" Seonhui complains but there's no bite in her voice, just sadness.
"I'm sorry, Mum but I am being truthful when I say that I was busy with many different things at work" He tells her and she nods.
"I know, your uncle likes to read up on your work when he can," Seonhu replies.
"Noona, please don't tell him that" Jinyoung grumbles as he also enters the home. His uncle had been the one to pick him up from the airport, they had already had their happy reunion which consisted of a brief one-arm hug and a quick usher into the car so they went home without fuss. They had talked quite a bit during the car ride back from the airport, updates and refreshers to how their lives had been since they last saw each other. Judging by the silver ring on the man's finger, life had been great for his uncle.
"Alright well come on in, I'm sure you're starving" Seonhui calls and Daniel accepts.
Daniel hadn't realised how much he missed Korean food and a home-cooked meal until about two weeks into living in America. That had lots of different restaurants and fast food chains, even the Korean kind but it just didn't taste the same.
That night, his mother went all out for him, cooking up a variety of different dishes to satiate his hungry palate and throughout it all caught up with them. His mother still worked at her usual restaurant and business had been doing well. As for Jinyoung, he was still the director of SNMC although there was talk about him getting another promotion to become an executive but Jinyoung didn't look too happy about it.
"It's just more paperwork and responsibility. I'm too old for this" He had said.
That night was the best sleep he had gotten in the last three years. His bed felt like heaven and his body was content with the food and care he had received from his family. The next morning, Seonhui had offered to take Daniel to work with her but he had declined. Jinyoung had been sceptical of this, giving him the option to come by the hospital but yet again he said no.
"You're going there, aren't you?" Jinyoung grumbles and Daniel could only smile sheepishly and nod. "Alright fine, I'll give you a ride. Come on" and without further adieu he follows.
The ride is silent but it's not too judgemental…at least Daniel thinks so. His uncle had subtly been giving him the stink eye but kept his words to himself. Eventually, they pull up in front of a familiar building and Daniel can't help but suck in a sharp breath.
"Are you going to be alright?" Jinyoung huffs, concern finally showing on his face.
"Yeah, just taking a moment to take it in" Daniel replies, his eyes tracing every unchanged side of the large building. It was as clean as ever and stood tall and proud.
"Daniel, just get out of the car. I don't want to be here any longer than I need to" Jinyoung grumbles and Daniel is quick to wordlessly take off his seatbelt and slip out of the vehicle. "If you need to be picked up, call me immediately. I will come" He states and Daniel smiles.
"Will do, see you later, Jinyoung. Say 'Hi' to Charles for me" And with that the car leaves.
Left alone, Daniel approaches the building. Slowly and hesitantly, he peers around the front to make sure there aren't too many people around. No familiar faces, just several civilians who don't spare Daniel a single glance. As he stands in front of the entrance a thought appears in his mind.
'How the hell was he going to go in?'
He didn't have his passes and authorization to go in anymore, he wasn't an employee here…Letting out a deep sigh, Daniel mentally facepalms.
"Doctor Park…is that you?" A voice calls. Turning around he catches sight of the familiar sight of a security guard.
"Ah, Mr Seong" He greets and the man's face breaks out into a wide smile.
"It really is you! It's been a while!" He greets as he approaches the Doctor. "How are you?" He questions.
"I've been well, I just got back here from overseas," He tells the man who nods.
"America, right? We all heard that you decided to go overseas for a job opportunity. Congratulations, have you finished?" He decides to ask warmly and Daniel smiles in return.
"No quite, I'm just back in town for the holidays but I'll be heading back in a couple of weeks to finish up. I'm almost done" He tells the man who nods.
"Are you thinking about continuing your practice in the States or coming back here? The rest of the CC miss you an awful lot" The guard mentions and a sense of sadness overcomes Daniel.
"I haven't thought about that," He tells the man who nods understandingly.
"A person as amazing and qualified as you shouldn't be limited to just here" The guard states and Daniel hums in understanding. "So, is there any particular reason why you're standing outside of the building?" Mr Seong asks and Daniel can't help but smile helplessly.
"I wanted to go into the building but…I forgot that I don't have access anymore…In all honesty, I just wanted to see if much has changed" Daniel confesses and the security guard chuckles.
Looking left and right, Mr Seong gestures for Daniel to follow.
"Come along, I know I shouldn't be doing this but you're Doctor Park so I'm sure it's fine. Go on in, not much has changed but I'm sure it'll be nostalgic for you. Just don't break anything" Mr Seong tells him as he lets Daniel through the doors.
"Thank you, Mr Seong, I appreciate this" With a wave of his hand, Daniel heads further inside. It had been three years since Daniel had stepped foot into the CC building and just like he was told, everything was practically the same. The same hallways, the same furniture, the same floor. Despite being the same it all but fills Daniel with a sense of wonder and joy. He had been young and so inexperienced back when he first arrived at the CC, lacking in confidence and filled with so much unvoiced trauma. The only difference now was the fact that he was the one who had changed.
No one bothered with him, as long as he walked with confidence and purpose no one would. It also helped that his appearance had changed since three years ago. His hair was shorter, sporting a ¾ style, his neck being bare had taken significant time getting used to. He was also slightly taller and had gained a bit more weight due to his food intake in America but to match it he went to the gym more often.
He visits his medical room first and finds that he's filled with joy. It remains mostly the same but looks a lot more used. Some parts had been replaced or moved around to fit more desks and chairs but…it looked good. For a moment relief fills Daniel, he didn't expect the CC to outright return to its original state before he arrived, to ruin the hard work he had put into the medical rooms so to see it well preserved, even improved, makes Daniel happy.
He approaches a familiar desk, allows his fingers to brush the used wood and grins when he notices the nameplate. Mira Kim.
Mira had stayed, he had known this through the streams he watched but to see it in real life, so authentically visible, it made Daniel's heart swell. The next desk belonging to Jay Hong also makes Daniel's eyes water. Feeling slightly overwhelmed with love, he quickly exits the room before he can completely break down. Just before leaving altogether, he turns around to have one last look before moving on.
The next places he explores are the medical set-up area, the arena, the viewer-level seats, the Fighter section, the VIP booth, the mess hall and then of course he hesitantly makes his way to the office section. He didn't dare venture towards the gym, so far he had been able to successfully avoid people he knew but the gym was a dangerous place. The chances of the fighters recognising him were higher than the security team and he didn't know how they would react to seeing him again. Would they be angry? Disappointment? Upset? He had left them letters but did they ever receive them?
Daniel wasn't brave enough to face them so instead he chickens out and heads to the office instead. So far it didn't seem like any of the Founders were in, busy with their day jobs so it was a little less risky than the gym. James' office comes by first and rather than enter it he simply peers inside. The room was the same, perhaps filled with more papers but still the same. Daniel does the same for Goo's office, it had generally been the emptiest out of all the offices since the blonde spent the least time at the CC but it still looked like it belonged to Goo. Finally, Daniel approaches the last office.
His footsteps stutter and slow down the closer he gets. Anxiety and fear overflow through his body but he stuffs it all down. With a deep breath, Daniel rounds the corner, putting on a brave mask as he pumps himself up to take a peek into Gun's office only to find himself coming to a halting stop.
"You forgot your tie so I thought I'd come and give it to you. It seems expensive, after all", A woman's voice. She was beautiful, with short hair and a pretty smile as she handed something to the man who stood in the doorway.
Gun.
Gun stood tall and proud, accepting the article of clothing without so much as a sense of bashfulness. He slips the tie into his pocket, nodding at the woman as he smiles at her. Not one of those business smiles or terrifying smirks, a real, genuine smile.
"Thanks, Lydia, you didn't have to" Gun replies, his deep voice sending Daniel's body into shock.
It had been so long since he had heard the man speak in person but it serenades Daniel all the same. That deep baritone voice, the same one that used to whisper sweet nothings into his ears as they made love was now addressing someone else.
"Of course, I had to, especially after how you helped me that night" The woman, Lydia, states and Daniel couldn't help but feel sick.
The tie. The looks. Helping her at night? That could only mean one thing and even though they had broken up and Daniel had slept with other people, he couldn't help but feel ill. He shouldn't be feeling this way, it was hypocritical of him. He was the one who broke up with Gun. He was the one who turned tail and left like a coward without saying a word. He did this. How could he not have expected Gun to move on?
In a moment of stupidity and weakness, Daniel attempts to turn and run. Misjudging the distance and timing, he accidentally slams his shoulder against the wall, letting out a loud shout of pain that pulsates through his side.
Rubbing his shoulder, Daniel glares heatedly at the wall only to pause.
"Daniel?" A voice, Gun's voice, calls out.
Daniel turns momentarily, locking eyes with Guns.
Just like every other time, like a coward, he bolts.
Turning and racing down the hall, he pushes his body to run. His heart beats erratically in his chest but it's nothing in comparison to the loud, haunting footsteps that grow louder and louder with each passing moment. He knew he couldn't be out-maneuvered by Gun so there was no shock when he's caught.
Grabbed by the arm, Daniel is spun around until he's facing Gun's face. Rather than the expected anger, there's merely shock and disbelief.
"Gun" Daniel breathes out as he snatches his hand away, knowing that once the emotions fade there will be nothing between them but Gun's imminent rage. In a fit of fear, Daniel finds himself firing out all the excuses and apologies he could come up with.
"I'm sorry!" He shouts at the top of his lungs, panicking. "I'm sorry, Gun. You…you weren't supposed to see me and I'm sure you didn't want to see me but I'm not here to cause trouble I just…I just wanted to see the building and I know I should have expected you to be here since it's your workspace but I thought I could just slip by. I know you probably hate my guts after everything I did to you and you have every right but-"
"Shut up" Gun's voice is loud, it cuts Daniel off and it's authoritative just like it used to be. Trembling in fear, Daniel turns his eyes to the floor, blinking profusely to stop any tears from pouring out.
"I'm sorry" He can't help but utter one last time as he stands there, scared and shaking.
There's a pause and then a sigh. One so heavy that it causes Daniel to wince. He's been in Gun's presence for all of one minute and already he was an inconvenience.
"Have you eaten?" Gun asks, the question startles Daniel out of his thoughts.
That simple question is how both of them ended up in a modern-looking cafe. The place is quiet, with a few people here and there minding their own business. It was too late for the breakfast rush but too early for lunch, so Daniel and Gun had enough privacy to talk and interact without being recognised or bothered.
"Their chocolate croissants are nice, I also got you a caramel macchiato since you prefer sweet drinks over bitter" Gun places the foods and drinks on their shared table.
Gun remembering that he had a sweet tooth was more of a surprise than it should have been. Somehow it makes Daniel feel all the worse about the entire situation. Gun takes a seat, settling in as he drinks an iced coffee. Neither initiates any form of conversation, Daniel too busy staring at his drink and food whereas Gun…well Daniel didn't know since he was too busy avoiding eye contact.
The wordless meeting is filled with the noise of the world around them. The wind and breeze, the soft conversations occurring around the store, the laughter of kids, the scrapping of chairs and eating utensils. Looking around now, Daniel couldn't help but like the place. The cafe was warm and bright, homely yet still contemporary.
"I found this place a year ago, stumbled into here trying to get away from a sudden downpour of rain" Gun suddenly states, his voice even as he speaks.
Looking back at the elder he notices that Gun was also taking the time to observe the space. He wasn't tense in the slightest as he looked around, maybe even enjoying the cafe atmosphere. Once Gun notices that Daniel's attention is finally on him he seems to sit up straighter, clearing his throat he addresses the younger.
"How have you been?" The question is simple and it's straightforward.
"I…I've been well" Daniel answers honestly, finally taking a sip of his drink.
"You said that you were completing your residency in America, how's that going?" Gun continues to ask, prompting the younger into speaking.
It was strange. The Gun Daniel remembers would have been a little more than just pissed, especially with someone who disappeared off the face of the earth and didn't maintain contact. Why was he being so nice to Daniel? He had every right to scream questions in Daniel's face, to press for answers about what happened and demand that the younger make up for it but he doesn't do any of that.
"I'm doing general surgery and it's going well, I'm in my third year which means I have two more to go" Daniel replies and at this information, Gun freezes momentarily.
"Two more years…so you'll be going back to the US soon" Gun hums out, more like he's stating a fact rather than asking Daniel a question.
"I…I will be. I'm only back in Korea for the Christmas and New Year break. I'll be gone within a couple of weeks" Daniel informs, waiting to see if Gun would crack at the information he was being given. Instead, Gun simply sighs. He closes his eyes and his shoulders seem to deflate.
"So I wasn't meant to see you today" Gun acknowledges and Daniel looks at him in confusion. "Even though you're back in Korea, you won't be staying long and with how you reacted to seeing me it's clear to see that you never intended on showing yourself. You never intended on letting me or anyone else know you were back…You were hoping to wait until the end of your residency, weren't you?" He concludes and Daniel blinks slowly.
"Well…not exactly" Daniel mumbles.
"What do you mean by that?" Gun frowns. "You bolted the moment you saw me you turned so fast at the sight of me that you ran into a wall. Besides, I remember the contents of your letter. You said something about improving and maturing which ideally means the end of finishing your residency" He points out and Daniel opens and closes his mouth before shaking his head.
"I also distinctly remember writing that I had no idea how long I'd be gone or when we'd meet, I didn't definitively say it would be after my residency" Daniel scrambles to say and Gun huffs.
"Right," The Founder states, his tone showcasing his disbelief at Daniel's response.
There's an awkward pause, neither knowing what else to say so it's up to Daniel to take the plunge.
"I did come back this time to see you" Daniel says, his words were hesitant as he attempted to observe how Gun would react. "Even though I won't be here long…I did want to see and speak with you to clear up any misunderstandings or questions you might have had" It was a weak excuse to talk and it was probably one that would offend the other.
Just as presumed, Gun's face twists into one of indignation.
"Oh? You're here to answer my questions and clear up any misunderstandings? Whoop-die-fucking-doo. I guess I can die happy now that you've finally decided to bless me with your presence and grant me the ability to speak to you after three years of radio silence. After you dumped me and ran away to another country with just a singular letter for an explanation. I'm overjoyed" Gun spits out and Daniel winces with each word.
He expected this. This was the reaction he had been bracing himself for.
"And then once you've answered my questions you'll run back to the States and ghost me again. How charitable of you" Gun's hands were clenched on the table, his shoulders had risen and his jaw was set as he pieced the younger with a pissed-off look. "You know, a lot of people expect me to be some cold-hearted monster that doesn't flinch when attacked emotionally but I'm not. I have feelings and emotions too, I get upset and hurt just like any other person. I wouldn't expect the world to understand that but…I expected you to know" The agony that was laced in the man's voice simply slaps Daniel with a new wave of guilt.
Daniel had always felt guilty about never having said anything but it had just all been so complicated back then. There had been too much going on, too many emotions running high and not enough time to sort through it all. Leaving without notice, it was acceptable but Daniel had been scared of how Gun would react…guess it doesn't matter much now since Gun seemed just as pissed off as how he'd imagined the other would be.
"I never meant to hurt you" Daniel's voice was small, all the confidence he had built when he was in the US had vanished under Gun's righteous fury.
"Just because you didn't mean to hurt me doesn't mean that you didn't" Gun scoffs, a fist slamming against their table, rattling the contents.
A few people turn around to watch them, noticing that they are making a scene. Gun glares at the people before lowering his voice. Taking a few deep breaths in and out, the Founder starts speaking again.
"Look, I get it, a lot was going on at the time. Issues with my family, the Tournament, your occupational problems and a lot more so I get it, it was overwhelming. Our relationship wasn't stable, it was rocky at best but I…I thought we were working through it…I was trying to deal with my uncle and make things right with you but throughout it all you never said one thing about this, about leaving. I get that we had that fight and realised there were holes to us but I didn't think that you would just decide to leave" Gun stresses out and Daniel nods.
"I know but I didn't have a choice, my uncle and I made an agreement-" "And he told me all about it. About the deal you had with him so I know you didn't have a choice in that regard but you HAD the choice to tell me. To at least warn me…If you had just explained to me what was happening I would have never held you back, especially if this is what you wanted and it was for your future, for your education, for your own good, I would have never done anything that would have made you decide not to go" Gun reasons, having cut Daniel of before he could delve any deeper into the facts that pushed him to leave. For a moment, Daniel finally understood that Gun would have understood his reasonings for leaving, he had just been too scared and a fool to have never noticed or realised.
"Would I have been upset that you were leaving? Yes, I would have been but that's because I love you but I would never take you away from those opportunities. I would have supported you and if this wasn't about your education and a means for you to escape the scandals that other Doctors would have potentially put out about you I would have found another way to help you. All you had to do was tell me and I would have moved heaven and earth to help" The disparity in Gun's voice was unnatural. Daniel had never witnessed so much plain honesty from the man, from his words, and that's what made it hurt all the more.
Not knowing what else to say Daniel could only let out two trembling words.
"I'm sorry" His eyes had welled up with hot tears, his throat closing up and his face growing warm. "Gun…If I had known…If I wasn't so stuck in my insecurities and fears I promise you, I would have told you but I was just…I was just so scared and that's what it all comes down to. The best excuse or explanation I can come up with to give you is that I was scared. The reason I ended up hurting you, hurting us, doing this to us was because I was scared of being a nuisance to you. Of being another inconvenience in your life when you were already going through something difficult. I was scared that it was just going to be another stage in that endless cycle you said that our relationship was. Another stupid fight that would hurt the both of us so I ran away without even giving you the decency of knowing what the problem was and I'm sorry. I know those words probably don't mean anything to you but I am genuinely, deeply, sorry about this, all of this" He gestures to them and then himself.
The very fact that none of this would have happened if he had just opened his mouth and communicated everything was so redundant now that he was thinking about it in retrospect. Maybe they wouldn't have lost three years. Maybe they'd still be happy and together. Maybe they wouldn't be sitting in a cafe, staring each other down and both at their wit's end trying to explain their emotional turmoil to each other.
Fight or flight. The natural response in life and rather than fight for their love, Daniel had simply run.
Sniffling and wiping the tears from his face with the sleeves of his shirt, Gun offers him a tissue. There weren't any tears falling down Gun's face, instead, he was tense and empty. As if he didn't know how to respond to Daniel's words. Gun had every right to be the one throwing up a fuss, to be screaming and crying but he wasn't. Instead,d he hands Daniel another tissue.
"Daniel, what was your expectation here today?" Gun asks, his voice remaining stable.
Sniffling, Daniel rubs the tears from his face before turning back to stare at the table. He hadn't thought about it. Did he want them to get back together? Did Gun even love him anymore? Did he still love Gun? Did he want everything to go back to the way they were three years ago before the problems started to arise? Instead of voicing his answer, he confesses something else.
"From the moment I left Korea, every day afterwards there was never a moment where I didn't think about you" He looked at his uneaten croissant, sitting on the plate and growing more stale by the second. "I thought that it would stop eventually, all these thoughts about you and these feelings but it didn't. Every day that passed made me yearn to see you more and more. More often than not I thought about just buying a plane ticket and flying back home just to see you but…I didn't. I think…no, I know that I still love you. I love every part of you and I loved when I was with you no matter what problems or issues there were. It took me a while to realise that and It's taken me until this conversation to realise that I never should have done what I did"
Looking up from the table, Daniel attempts to showcase his earnestly through his eyes. He wanted Gun to see that every word he spoke was the truth and nothing but the truth. There were no doubts, no regrets for his love, nothing of that was holding him back.
"My expectations are a lot more different to what I want. I expected you to beat the crap out of me, to shout or yell and then walk away from me which in all fairness I wouldn't have blamed you for. Being able to talk to you like this, well this has exceeded my expectations so I can't ask much more from you but what I want requires me to be selfish" Daniel reasons, hoping that Gun could see what this was leading to. "What I want is you, I don't know how it's going to work and I don't know how I'm going to fix this because an apology simply isn't enough but…I want us to be together. I wasn't lying when I wrote that I wanted to improve myself and truth be told, I have. In these three years we've been apart, I've matured and I feel I know that I can do better for you, for us"
Reaching out, Daniel covers one of Gun's closed fists with his own. Squeezing down gently.
"I want us to be together. This time, I'm not choosing fear or insecurity, I'm not choosing to run away…I'm choosing you" He breathes out, hoping and praying that Gun would allow him to redeem them.
Seconds go by as they both continue to stare at one another. The courage and hope eventually fade when Gun's face twists into a complex emotion. His brows knit together and soon the elder is dragging his hand away from the younger.
"Daniel I…I don't know" Doubt was intertwined with Gun's voice, with his expressions and body language and it was holding him back. It was a mirror to how Daniel used to feel and now that he was seeing it on Gun, he couldn't help but agonise over it. "I need time, I can't do this right now" Standing up, Gun's chair scrapes against the floor and soon the man is walking away without another word.
It isn't a surprise. Gun's reaction was understandable and also another expectation but just because Daniel knew he would react this way didn't mean it made him feel any better. Before he can subjugate himself into a pity party and wallow in grief, he registers Gun's words.
'I need time'
That wasn't an outright no. Gun didn't tell him to fuck off. Didn't tell him that he didn't want to be together…Gun needed time and whilst Daniel didn't have a lot of it, he had enough to try and make a change. It's almost as if he was thrown back in time, back to when he had tried to get Gun to date him the first time. It had taken persistence, time and effort but he had been able to do it. He might not work at the CC anymore so he cannot see him every single day but there were other ways to get through to Gun to convince the man.
Pulling out his phone, Daniel opens up his messages. They hadn't messaged each other since Daniel had left, Daniel not wanting to make the first move and Gun presumably too wrecked to even think about talking to Daniel. As time went on, neither of them thought about contacting each other this way or if they did, they never went through with it. Daniel was going through with it now, he wasn't scared of contacting first anymore and so he prayed that Gun's number hadn't changed before shooting a message.
The man had only just left, he'd see it soon.
'It's okay if you need time. I'll wait for your answer'
It was simple and it was short. He sends the message before dumping his phone on the table. It's not immediate, the check marks don't show up instantly after he's messaged Gun but after several long, antagonising minutes they pop up.
Gun's seen the messages.
Blinking expectantly, Daniel waits for either a 'Wrong person, who is this?' response but instead, there's no reply. Again, Daniel expected this and he doesn't fault Gun for not replying.
Letting out a sigh, Daniel sits back in his seat and shuts off his phone.
Operation Get Gun Back was a go.
.
.
.
It starts small. A few messages from start to end that Gun would never reply to.
'Good Morning'
'I had eggs and bacon for breakfast'
'It's so boring when I have nothing to do for work'
'I think I want to see a movie, any recs?'
'Look at this garden, isn't it cute?' Image attached
'Do you know any good lunch spots?'
'This egg sandwich is great, you should try this place out' The Image attached
'I hope everything is going well with work'
'I miss you'
'Good night, don't work too hard'
They were pointless and one-sided messages that Gun never bothered to respond to but he knew exactly who they were from. Gun should have blocked Daniel's number years ago but he had always hoped that the younger would reach out to him and he knew in his heart that he wouldn't be able to stand it if he missed it. In the three years they have been apart, neither of them reached out. Gun knows that communication works both ways but why should he be the one to reach out first? He was the one that was dumped, and left behind, he owed no one.
So he should have been happy that Daniel was texting now…But he wasn't. Instead, he left every single message on read, petty and unhappy every time his phone vibrated.
He should block the guy. He told Daniel he needed time, not to be harassed with a constant influx of messages that made his heart clench. He couldn't bring himself to block the younger.
Internally he might have enjoyed the messages.
So it started small, the text messages were constant but easily ignorable. Then about two days after finding out that Daniel was back in Korea, he started getting random gifts sent to his office. At first, it was just iced coffees and initially Gun had assumed it was the kitchen staff before he realised it was far too out of character for them. Eventually, he put two and two together once he noticed the little hand-drawn hearts and characters on the side of the coffee. Daniel Park was the answer.
He should have thrown the drinks out but then it would be a waste and Gun didn't like wasting things. It helped that he liked caffeine and was always constantly needing it to operate in the morning nowadays. So he drank the coffee and spoke nothing of it, and didn't care that Daniel must have gotten to his office super early in the morning just to deliver the drinks. Gun was going to have to speak to the security team and bolster the CC's safety measures. How the hell was that brat getting into his office undetected?
Then came the same notes and gifts. Along with the coffee, he'd receive little papers with notes.
'Are your shoelaces tied? Because I don't want you falling for anyone else'
'On a scale of 1-10, you're a 9…because I'm the 1 you need'
'Did you just come out of an oven? Because you're too hot to handle
'I'm no electrician but I can light up your day'
And begrudgingly the notes do light up his day. Don't get Gun wrong, every single line was cheesy as hell and he recoiled in disgust each time he read them but for some unspeakable reason, knowing they were from Daniel…it warmed up his heart. Still, Gun questions what the US had done to Daniel to cause him to act like some sick, wayward puppy, he had several questions actually but he refused to voice them.
Then there were the flowers. The stuffed animals. The gift bags. The cologne. And more.
If Gun didn't know that it was all from Daniel he'd think it was creepy. He'd call Jichang personally and have him arrest the idiot who was harassing him every single day for the past week but he doesn't and he keeps this information to himself. He pretends that he's normal, that nothing is happening and that he doesn't know Daniel's in town until he can't anymore.
It's Friday and the first message he receives from Daniel isn't his usual 'Good Morning' followed by a few flowery emojis…no, the idiot instead sends 'I want to come and watch the CC, nothing you say can stop me' and Gun immediately groans into his office chair.
He was frustrated. He didn't want Daniel to come back into his life and try to amend things, he didn't want everything to be fixed. He'd rather the Doctor come and tell him that he never wanted to see the Founder again and make him hate him so that they could stop whatever dance they were doing. He was sick and tired and yet…adrenaline sets into his body. His heart beats erratically and he can't help this reaction. No matter how many deep breaths he takes his body vibrates violently out of his skin and everything feels warmer.
He felt more alive.
Goo and James seem to notice it later in the evening when he meets up with them to go over the details for the fights later on. The matchups were set and everyone was excited but the two other Founders weren't blind to how nervous Gun seemed to feel.
"Are you okay?" Goo had asked at one point and Gun nodded stiffly in return, grunting in response, not trusting his voice to betray his emotions.
James and Goo share a look before nodding.
By the time they made their way to the VIP booth, he could still feel the excess energy dancing around in the cavity of his chest. It was too much, he needed to do something other than sit around and watch fights but in the end, he couldn't. He had a professional standard to uphold and more than several thousand eyes watching him, he couldn't give anything away.