soojin's eyes were bloodshot. she hadn't slept since arriving at the hospital, and she didn't plan on sleeping until she heard from kun himself.

it had been a couple of hours since the incident and he was now out of surgery. apparently they hadn't wanted to remove the bullet but had to due to it's close proximity to one of his major arteries. they said he was really lucky.

the doctor said he wasn't awake yet and wouldn't be accepting visitors for another hour. soojin's stare didn't leave the ticking clock hanging on the wall in front of her.

she didn't hear the hurried squeak of sneakers or the relieving sound of her name when her roommate arrived, and she hardly felt the crushing hug she received.

"oh my god, soojin! y-you didn't answer your phone, and then the hospital called me—jesus, are you okay?" frankie rambled, trying desperately to get her roommate to look at her.

when soojin finally met her gaze, she was pulled into another hug. "they got the guy. he was just a stupid fucking pawn that didn't get the memo that their little mission was off. he's going away for a long ti—"

"he's gonna be okay." the ravenette croaked, her voice still raw from all the screaming and crying. "they said he's lucky and that he'll be okay, but they won't let me see him, a-and..."

frankie pulled the girl into another hug, this one much tighter as soojin tried and failed not to break down for a second time.

TAERIN
is he okay

TAERIN
soojin what happened

SOOJIN
i domt know

SOOJIN
he got hurt

SOOJIN
i coildnt do anything

TAERIN
is he okay? are you?

SOOJIN
we'll both be fine

SOOJIN
dont worru

TAERIN
oh baby...

SOOJIN
im so scared rin

SOOJIN
i almost lost him

SOOJIN
he almost died

TAERIN
but he didn't

TAERIN
kun is going to be okay

TAERIN
will you be?

SOOJIN
i wasnt hurt

TAERIN
you know that's not what i mean

SOOJIN
ill be better after i cam see him

TAERIN
hold on

TAERIN
you haven't seen him yet?

SOOJIN
they won't let me fo in

TAERIN
give me a minute.

a minute later, a man dressed in scrubs appeared, stuttering out his apologies for the wait, and soojin was allowed in kun's room.

she practically flew to his side, her hands clasping over his without wanting to move him in case he was in any pain. she didn't want to speak in case his ears still hurt from the sounds of the shots.

his eyes were shut peacefully and there was a cannula in his nose, along with an iv in his hand. soojin could already feel fresh tears pricking the backs of her eyes the longer she looked at him.

his hand twitched beneath hers, startling the girl instantly. she watched intensely as his fingers moved slightly, his pointer slipping between the gaps in her fingers, and soojin choked out a sound of relief.

"kun..?" she asked so quietly, cautious to raise her voice above a whisper.

kun's eyes were moving behind his closed lids, and she watched closely as his brows began to furrow. then, the man opened his mouth and said, "i love you too."

soojin couldn't say anything for a few moments as she pieced his words together. "what?"

"i told—" he croaked, and the girl quickly turned to pour him some water. after helping him sip some, kun grasped her hand and held her teary gaze carefully. "i told you i'd always say it back, and i didn't get the chance to earlier."

he watched carefully as her face contorted, signaling that she was going to cry again. "don't even worry about that, okay? jeno and ten are okay, and you're here now. that's all that matters." before she was finished speaking, kun was struggling to sit up, hissing out a quiet groan of pain, and slowly moved to hug his love. her warmth calmed him immediately, even if she was afraid to touch him.

"i'm here now," he repeated against her ear, and soojin wanted nothing more than to squeeze and kiss him until he was better.

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hi