~Time skip: 2 weeks~

They made no progress. Hyunjoon was impossible to talk to. He clearly remembered something and wouldn't tell him about it. Haknyeon looked out of his office towards Hyunjoon's cubicle. He wanted to give him the space he needed but at this rate...

"Hyun-"

Haknyeon grabbed his arm, sitting him back down. Enough was enough.

"We can't put this off anymore. I don't know what happened but this isn't getting you any closer to stopping the perps." Haknyeon said in a low voice, tightening his grip. "Please, help us... help me..."

Hyunjoon finally met his eyes, looking as if he hadn't slept in days. He wanted to hold him but his body held back. Of all times for his real self to kick in... Hyunjoon slowly nodded, rubbing his face with the bottom of his palms.

"I'll be ready. Just let me get some sleep first..."

"All right... I'll stay by in case..."

Hyunjoon closed his eyes, desperately needing sleep. Haknyeon's hand hovered over his head, a few feet away from touching it. He pulled back, his body overpowering his heart. Maybe this was an appropriate distance. With how his real self is, he didn't deserve Hyunjoon. At some point their real selves would come back and things would go back to normal. Would it hurt what they have if he expressed his feelings while he was still his opposite self?

Hyunjoon stretched out, feeling better than earlier. Haknyeon was working in silence beside him.

"Oh, afternoon. Feeling rested?"

"Somewhat. So any finds about the plan?" he asked, scooting over to look.

"I think we might've entered through the side entrance. See, from here..." started Haknyeon, keeping his voice low. "Actually, let's move to my office. We kept quiet about this for a reason."

Hyunjoon closed the door behind him and they were back to discussing possible routes. Haknyeon thought in silence, wondering what could've gone wrong. Wrong timing? Miscounted? It'd be a smarter choice to take a new route since they'd have more people guarding their old route.

"I think this is it. We should double check what's going on in Bakmoon. Things have probably changed since our initial raid." reasoned Haknyeon, getting a bit excited.

"Hak, are we going to do this alone again? We may have more information and memories, but we still aren't fully back."

Haknyeon sighed, giving Hyunjoon a stern look.

"I'm sure going to Bakmoon will give us more. It has to. It's the reason why we're here in the first place." he replied, placing his hand atop Hyunjoon's. "We can do this alone. Remember what I said? I don't want the others who have people who care to lose them. As morbid as it is, no one would care if we died."

"I'd care."

Haknyeon cleared his throat, leaving Hyunjoon to sit at his desk. It was clear that Haknyeon didn't want to continue the conversation. They were startled out of the moment by knocking.

"Come in."

"Uh, you've got mail..."

Haknyeon took it from the officer, opening it at his desk.

"Hak? What's with that look? Is something wrong?"

Haknyeon bolted out of his seat, leaving him in confusion. He circled the desk, seeing a note, photos and... what was it? He picked it up only for the color to drain his face. That was flesh he was looking at. Haknyeon was about to do something stupid.

Hyunjoon frantically looked around, hoping with his entire being that he didn't head for Bakmoon.

"Hak?! Stop!"

He ran faster, tackling Haknyeon to the ground. Passerby looked on, wondering if something should be done.

"Stop and think! Is it really theirs?"

Haknyeon went limp, giving Hyunjoon a bit of relief.

"I just don't want to be wrong in waiting... That should be us, not them. Taesob did nothing yet he's being dragged in."

"Come on, they're probably watching us..."

Sure enough, a gunshot rang out, sending those nearby into a panic. They quickly got their feet, ensuring the other's safety before their own.

"Come, this way!"

Haknyeon let Hyunjoon lead, watching him navigate with ease. He was getting a sense of deja vu. He glanced back, briefly seeing someone chasing them. They instinctively ducked at the sound of a gunshot. Did Hyunjoon know where he was going? They exited the back alleys, emerging near the precinct. Another gunshot. They made it back inside, Hyunjoon quickly explaining things.

"Officer Heo!"

Hyunjoon was sat down, someone wrapping his thigh while another headed out to bring a car around. When did he get hit? He was ahead of him the whole time wasn't he? Were they going to have to postpone things again?

"It's not bad. I'll be in and out. Promise. Create an amazing plan while I'm gone."

The officers ushered him out, leaving Haknyeon behind. Things were dragging on long enough. He was going to get them in there even if it meant breaking a limb or two.

୨୧⑅︎*‬‪*⑅︎୨୧︎

Haknyeon entered Bakmoon, blending in with others. He made mental notes, knowing writing things down would be suspicious. He went on a tour, memories slowly coming back. Apparently they had gone on the tour before. It was a bit lonely without Hyunjoon.

He asked questions, using his amnesia to his advantage. The best time to strike would be tomorrow. Most of their employees would be out for an event in another province. Maybe they'd expect that, making the next day the best day.

He went back to the precinct, surprised to see Hyunjoon there. It had only been a day since they parted. He squatted down, poking his thigh. No reaction. That or he was holding in his pain.

"So, anything?" Hyunjoon asked.

They entered Haknyeon's office, discussing his plan. Hyunjoon agreed they'd expect them when their numbers were lowest. Though they couldn't deny they'd have better chances with the fewer numbers.

"I think we can do it without a handicap. I have faith in your firearm skills." smiled Hyunjoon, both his current and past self in agreement.

"Listen and I'll be able to protect you."

Hyunjoon placed a hand over his heart, wishing his heart would be steady. He thought he was saying it to sound cool but seeing how far they've gotten, he truly meant it.

"Joon?"

"Huh?"

"Let's bring them down and get back what we've lost."

Hyunjoon nodded in agreement, the two high fiving.

୨୧⑅︎*‬‪*⑅︎୨୧︎

Hyunjoon looked between the ticket and note, letting out a sigh. He wondered what happened. Why didn't they go to the show together? Who was the guy he went with? He never ever figured out the whole snow globe fiasco.

"You seem troubled Hyunjoon. Wanna talk?"

Hyunjoon looked around, trying to find Haknyeon.

"He's out like a light. Needed some sleeping pills. So I'm guessing it's about him then?" asked the officer, placing down a cup of water for him.

"In a way... I was just wondering about things. I wanted to invite him to a show yet I ended up going with someone else..."

"Mmm... Haknyeon wasn't interested in wasting time."

A waste of time...

"It's not a waste! Even officers like you need a break no matter how small!"

"Are you ears blocked off? I said I'm busy."

The ticket floated to the floor, Haknyeon focused on work once more.

"Well sorry for caring about your well-being..."

The scene shifted but essentially looked the same. He was just missing.

"Yo Joon! Amazing show right?!"

They came into sight, standing near Haknyeon's office.

"I mean, yeah. B-"

The other officer kept going on, making it hard for him to just walk away. Slam! Haknyeon's door was locked shut. He walked off in anger, leaving behind a confused officer. He was tired of being nice only to be cast aside like trash.

The officer peered at him curiously.

"It's so hard... We have our duties as officers but we're also humans who love... Why does it have to be one or the other?" Hyunjoon whispered, feeling himself tear up.

He didn't quite understand what he was talking about but he was beating himself up over nothing in his eyes.

"It's not impossible to do both. There are lots of cases where two officers get married. Some work out, some don't. It's just life. If you give up before even trying, you never really wanted them."

There was still time before they put their lives on the line. Hyunjoon wiped his eyes, feeling a bit encouraged.

He entered the room, seeing Haknyeon asleep. Even if he wasn't conscious, he was going to confess. He wouldn't be able to settle otherwise. Hyunjoon slid next to Haknyeon, staring up at the ceiling.

"If today happens to be our last together like this, I hope you know that... I have a crush on you, Haknyeon. From what we've been told and remembered, you're an amazing officer even if you could be irritating at times. But I think I get it. We can't let emotions cloud judgment in this case. We're dealing with a big criminal here with many pawns at their disposal. So... if our paths cross again whether on Earth or in death, I'll probably end up following you like I usually do, ehe..." Hyunjoon had whispered with his eyes closed.

Hyunjoon felt uncomfortable soon after, a headache coming on. He wasn't in the room anymore. This was... Haknyeon's apartment? Ah, the snow globe memory. He didn't need to watch to know what happens. The door was opened, sending him backwards into the apartment.

"Officer Ju, I've-"

"What the fuck are you doing here? Get up and get out of my sight! I will shoot you on sight if you ever step foot back here!" Haknyeon shouted, closing the door on him.

He could hear this time.

Was this back when they were starting out as partners? He still couldn't tell. Ah, he was coming back. Did he really not fear the possibility of being shot? He knocked, waiting for an answer. It was taking pretty long. The door opened, himself shoving the small snow globe before Haknyeon could speak.

'Well I'm sorry for wanting to be close to someone I admired and liked..."

Wait, he's said that line before? No wonder it rolled off his tongue so easily.

"Hyunjoon..."

He actually stopped. How much of a simp was he? The two were now standing in front of each other again. Haknyeon initiated a hug. That was possible?

"Listen and I'll be able to protect you. Leave my side and you're as good as dead." said Haknyeon in that soft voice he used back during the skii trip. His hands left his sides, cupping his cheeks. "But you're an astounding officer on your own. If you think something else should be done, say so. We only have each other to rely on."

Hyunjoon placed his hands over Haknyeon's, now having them hold hands. Haknyeon was clearly flustered by the gesture. So there was more to this memory than he initially thought.

"It's late out. I don't mind you staying the night. You know, Bakmoon and all..." muttered Haknyeon, walking inside.

"Why were you so angry earlier...?"

Silence. Hyunjoon walked over, hugging his superior from behind. Wow. Was he always that bold? Haknyeon wasn't even trying to move.

And then it ended.