~𝟯𝟰~

I got the feeling Chan didn't sleep much that night or the following night. I would wake up from nightmares, and I would hear noises coming from down the hall. After one particular nightmare, I got up out of bed and followed the noises to the operations room. He sat there; hands tangled in his short ginger hair. When he looked at me, he had dark circles under his eyes. His arms and hands were more veiny than usual, probably from clenching his fists. He had a bunch of papers spread out in front of him. Maps and textbooks from the academy and training. I had sat down next to him, giving him a smile.

"You should get some sleep. I don't want you getting hurt on the mission because you're tired."

He nodded, dropping his head into his hands. I placed a hand on his back, stroking softly. His muscles seemed tense underneath the skin.

"Come on, I'll make you some tea. That always calms me down."

I got up and heard him follow. We got downstairs and I put on the kettle. He ran a hand down his face before brushing his messy bangs out of his eyes. After I finished the tea, we sat at the kitchen island in comfortable silence.

"You know, I always thought our team was complete. I knew something was missing, but I just thought it was because we weren't together for very long at the time. But then we met you. And I just knew, you were what was missing. We needed you just as much as you needed us. You should see how happy the boys get when they can make you laugh, or how they light up when you walk into the room. You've really become part of our family. And I really appreciate you for that."

"Oh, Chan. I don't know what to say. You guys... it's been hard for me to get comfortable around men for the past three years. Especially men close to my age. But with you guys... it was just so easy. And I know I haven't told you all everything yet. But I really am more comfortable with you all then I have been around any other guys, probably ever. And that means so much to me."

He smiled at me before downing the last sip of his tea and bringing me into a hug.

"I still remember the first hug you gave me. I was so nervous. I was afraid I was overstepping some kind of boundary. But now. It just feels so natural," he said.

His voice vibrated against my cheek that was pressed against his shoulder. We pulled away, and he insisted on escorting me to my room again. He wouldn't leave until I was safely tucked under the covers. I made him promise to get some sleep, but I wasn't sure it would work. I got the feeling he didn't sleep much even on normal days. When he walked out of my room, I kept my eyes open until I heard his door open and close. Then I slipped into sleep.

...

The next morning we got a message that Han was being discharged. The house buzzed with excitement. We all crammed into a car and went to fetch him. When we got to his room, they had just helped him into a wheelchair, his clothes and other things packed into a bag on the bed. I noticed a girl sitting on the bed next to Han's, and I waved at her. She waved back and gave me a small smile. I reached out to take the handle of Han's wheelchair but took hold of someone's else hand instead. It was Hyunjin. He must have reached at the same time I did, I thought. We shared a look before pulling our hands away, breaking our gaze. I tucked a piece of hair behind my ear.

"You go ahead, Ava. You can take him."

I said a soft thank you before taking the wheelchair. Just as I started pushing, Han stopped me.

"I just want to say goodbye to the girl if that's okay."

"Sure," I said, pushing the wheelchair around the bed to her. She got up from under the covers and gave him a hug, lingering a moment. When she pulled away, the both of them looked almost sad.

"I'll text you," they both said in unison, laughing. Then I took the wheelchair again, and we walked out of the room. I rubbed Han's shoulder as we walked, and he looked up at me.

"I'll bring you to see her if you want. I don't mind."

He smiled at that, nodding his head. When we got to the car, I helped Han up. He seemed hurt but played it off. I helped him into the car with Hyunjin, our arms crossed around his sides. I smiled sheepishly at Hyunjin before getting in next to Han. The drive home was filled with chatter, mostly about the girl at the hospital. I stayed silent most of the time. I felt eyes on me every now and then, but I just assumed it was my paranoia. Until I felt a hand gently rest on my shoulder from the seat behind me. The hand gently adjusted my shirt, pulling it higher up. I got panicky at the sudden movement. I looked down and realised my shirt had moved to show my scar. I smiled as I realised who's hand it was. The hand lingered on my shoulder for a moment in which I brushed my fingers against his before he pulled away. I would definitely have to thank him later.

...

When we got home, I helped Han out of the car, Hyunjin helping me again. Han seemed in pain, and I wanted to comment, but then we were already setting him down on the couch. He winced when he moved, and I knelt next to him.

"You okay? You seem in pain."

"Yeah, I'm okay. The doctor just said I should start drinking one painkiller in the morning and afternoon instead of two. So now everything is a bit painful. But I'm sure it'll pass if I just rest a while."

"Are you sure I can't get you something? Even just a glass of water?"

"Some water does sound nice. That is, if you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all. I'll be right back."

I went into the kitchen, and found Lee Know and Chan there. They seemed to be going over a map of some sorts, and just by the look of it I knew where it was. I decided to just leave it. I wouldn't be able to change their minds about the mission. So, my mind dropped that subject and picked up the next.

"Hey, guys. I'm worried about Han. He's in pain, but the doctor told him to only drink one painkiller instead of two at a time. Do you think I could give him another?"

"Maybe not. It might not work well with other medications he could be taking," Chan said, which sounded rational.

"Okay. Then what can we do for his pain?"

"Maybe just take him upstairs to rest. I think that's about the only thing you can do. I'll help if you want."

"Thanks Lee Know, that sounds like a plan."

He followed me out of the kitchen back to Han. I helped Han drink his water. He seemed to appreciate it. Then we helped him up and started towards his room. Halfway up the stairs, he clutched his side where the wound was, and we caught him just as his knees gave out. He whimpered.

"Come on, Hannie. You can do it," Lee Know encouraged.

Han just shook his head, whimpering again. I looked up at Lee Know. He seemed to have a plan. He helped me get Han back on his feet before bending down in front of him, lifting him into a piggyback. My eyes widened slightly at his strength, but I quickly got back to my senses when he started walking. I kept my hand on Han's shoulder blade, trying to comfort him. We eventually got him to his shared room with Hyunjin. I quickly pulled the covers back for Lee Know to put him on the bed before I covered him up again. His face was etched with pain, and it broke my heart to see the normally cheerful boy so hurt. I gently took his hand, tracing my thumb over it.

"Get some sleep. It'll make you feel better."

I brushed his hair off his forehead, placing a gentle kiss there before going out with Lee Know, closing the door behind me. When I stopped, he noticed and came to stand next to me. I contemplated for a moment before grabbing my phone out of my back pocket, dialling the doctor's number. I looked up at Lee Know as it rang. When he answered, I put it on speaker phone.

"Miss Noyes, good to hear from you. How is my patient doing?"

"Actually, not so well. He's in a lot of pain. We got home about ten minutes ago. We tried to help him up the stairs to his room, but he collapsed and was gripping his side. The one that was shot. He said you prescribed only one painkiller at a time. I was wondering if there was anything I could do for his pain?"

I looked up at Lee Know again when the doctor hesitated before answering.

"There isn't much you can do for him. If he takes more than one painkiller, it knocks him out and takes away his appetite. He's already weak as is, so I don't really want him to skip another meal. You could check his stitches to see if anything tore loose. Otherwise, if you have painkillers without morphine in them, you can give him that. But other than that, there is nothing we can do for him. I suggest he just stay as still as possible for a day or two more. Then he can start trying to sit upright. But he shouldn't be walking for at least another week."

"Okay, thank you Doctor. I'll let you know if anything changes."

I heard the line go dead and ran a hand through my hair. I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"Okay, could you please check for painkillers without morphine in them? Then I'll check Han's stitches," I said.

"Sure, but shouldn't you get someone else to check his stitches. You seem tired."

He looked at me with concern in his eyes.

"I'll be fine. I promise. You can watch if you want."

"No, I trust you. Goodluck."

Then he went off to look for painkillers. I grabbed the first aid kit out of my bathroom and went back into Han's room. Luckily, he wasn't sleeping yet. He was on his back, clutching his side. His breathing was soft and uneven. His forehead was slightly sweaty. I got onto my knees next to the bed, making him look at me.

"The doctor said we can give you painkillers without morphine. Lee Know is looking for some of that now. Could I maybe check your stitches?"

He gave me a small nod. I rummaged through the first aid kit, and at the very bottom found some gloves. I slipped a pair on my hands and lifted the covers off of Han's body. I slowly lifted his shirt, exposing the big piece of gauze stuck over the stitches. He winced when I touched his skin.

"Sorry. I'll try my best to be gentle."

He nodded, telling me to continue. I gently took hold of the corner of the gauze, slowly pulling it off of his skin. The stitches were all still in place, but there was some clear, yellow-tinted liquid oozing out in between the stitches. I grabbed a piece of cotton wool and started gently dabbing up the fluid. He hissed through his teeth, and I could feel his stomach muscles contracting underneath my fingers.

"I'm so sorry. We're almost done."

He tried to move away just as I finished, and I could see him relax slightly when I pulled my hand away. I took out a new piece of gauze and smoothed it out over the wound, making Han whimper. Then I stuck it down with some medical tape. I wanted to keep it in place by tying a bandage around his waist, but I thought he would be in too much pain, so I left it. I gently rolled his shirt down, covering him with the blankets again. He laid out his hand over the wound on top of the covers. I took off the gloves before taking his other hand in mine, gently squeezing. Finally Lee Know showed up, along with Hyunjin. Lee Know carried a glass of water and a tablet in his hand, which made my heart flutter with relief. I took it from him. He helped Han sit up a bit while I helped him to swallow the tablet, letting him drink some of the water as well. Then I got up off the ground, walking out. I stopped in the doorway, looking back at Hyunjin who went to sit next to Han on the bed.

"Don't keep him awake too long. He needs his rest."

Hyunjin nodded at me, and I walked out the door, softly closing it behind me. When I turned to Lee Know, he gave me a sad smile. It was upsetting and confusing to see. He must just be sad for Han, I thought. As he turned away, I took his wrist, making him turn back to me.

"Thank you. For your help with Han. And for hiding my scar. I appreciate it."

"You're welcome."

He smiled again, and it seemed slightly more cheerful. But all too soon, his smile fell again, and he turned away.

---------------

A/N

Hi, everyone. Welcome back. My life is a bit hectic at the moment because we're busy with exams, but luckily I have this book to use as a stress reliever. I hope you guys can come here and read this book to unwind and destress as much as I can while writing it.

I've been meaning to say this, but I just wanted to let you guys know that if you notice any spelling mistakes or grammatical errors, please let me know. I try to edit the chapters as thoroughly as possible, but sometimes i miss some errors. Also, if you guys have any suggestions for chapter ideas or books you want to see in the future, you're welcome to leave a comment :)