Jan 19, 2025
[MON.MUK.GO Three Brothers] EP.3 A Mission at Lotte World
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[MON.MUK.GO Three Brothers] EP.3 A Mission at Lotte World
I Am What I Am (III)
A man of the shadows and a woman who belonged in the skies - fate could not have brought two more different people together. But was this fate or was this a choice?
Pairing - Im Changkyun x OC, Kim Mingyu × OC
Word Count - 9.3K
Warnings - mentions of guns, blood, death, mafia. This chapter has smut (fingering, unprotected sex)
Chapter summary - Torn between duty and desire, Na bi chooses to make a deal that may change everything. And to dream of that which didn't mean anything - 'Please don't fall in love with me Ms. Baek.'
| Previous chapter | Masterlist |
Yellow turned green when it poured through the blue curtains as Na bi looked at Changkyun under the sunlight for the first time.
He was sprawled in her sheets, lying on his stomach, his bruised and bandage covered back, raising and falling rhythmically. The house was filled with only the sound of his soft breaths, and occasionally, the flipping of the pages Na bi was clearly only pretending to read - anyone could tell, her eyes barely ever left the dark-haired man. Her coffee grew cold on the table but she couldn’t care less, not when every inch of her was already very, very awake. Unlike him.
Last night was…. something.
Emergency situations weren’t usually hard for Na bi to navigate through – it was her profession, she was trained for it and she dealt with it every day but somehow, when Changkyun collapsed in her arms last night, she froze. Why did he come here? Why did he come back to her?
When his weight got too much for her to handle, she draped his arm around her shoulder and with the little energy left in her, half led, half dragged him to her bed and laid him on it, staring at his blood soaked back. Realising that the crimson was darkening with every passing minute, she hurriedly grabbed a pair of kitchen scissors, made a slit in the fabric and ripped his shirt open, revealing a troubling mess of red. Fuck, fuck, fuck. There seemed to be a blood-stained cloth wrapped around his lower back, evidence of a poor attempt to stop the bleeding. From its width, she figured the wound below should be at least a 10 to 15 cm wide and given all the blood, definitely, considerably deep.
“I’m going to call a cab.” Na bi reached for her phone. “We need to get you to a hospital.”
“No.” He groaned softly, grabbing her wrist as she tried to get up. “No hospital.”
“But- “
“No. Hospital.” Though his voice was weak, there was a tone of finality in it that Na bi couldn't work past.
At that exact moment, to her relief and her rescue, her phone began vibrating in her hand, flashing Seokmin’s name. When she picked it up, he sounded panicked and out of breath. Fair enough, her message earlier was short and cryptic, simply stating 'danger, come over' - okay, definitely worrying.
Glancing at Changkyun’s back, thinking quick, she assured her friend that everything was fine and instructed him to bring a suture kit and some bandages to her house right away, promising to answer his questions later before abruptly cutting the call.
Getting it together, she moved fast, removing Changkyun’s shoes, adjusting him properly on the bed, rummaging through her closet, grabbing an old fading t-shirt, and a small bowl of water. Kneeling on the floor by his side, she removed the bits of ripped shirt and wiped away the stains of blood and dirt all over his back, eyes curiously falling on the tattoo between his shoulder blades. There were three red roses, stalks intertwined, blooming prettily on his back. Na bi wondered what it could possibly mean for him – it looked so delicate and soft, unlike what he seemed to have made his life around.
Over his shoulder he had another one, a writing this time – He who wears the crown, bears the crown.
“It was my father’s favourite quote.”
Na bi didn’t realise that she read it out loud when she let her fingers run over it. Or that his breath stopped under her touch.
She moved her fingers down his back, over older, fading scars of cuts and wounds all over his skin, like a strangely drawn-out map.
“Training.” He answered her unasked question.
“For?”
“Life.”
“What kind of life is this Changkyun?” Na bi sighed. “What happened to you?”
For the first time, he didn’t answer her. She looked over to see his eyes slowly fluttering shut as he began to slip away from her.
“You need to hang in there.” She softly shook him, not letting the worry show in her voice. “Just a little longer.”
But it took a lot longer than ‘a little’ for Seokmin to come with the supplies, thanks to Seoul’s uncharacteristic rains. When he knocked, Na bi immediately opened the door, grabbed the bag and shut the door, promising once again to explain everything when she had the time.
Although, she probably should have let him in because she really could have used an extra hand last night. All she had to do was a couple of sutures and usually, that didn't require much assistance but the moment Na bi freed Changkyun of his temporary torniquet, blood began to gush out like an open dam. By the time she had managed to get it under control, anesthetise, suture and dress his wound, he had lost far too much blood. And his consciousness.
Sitting on her couch, Na bi sipped on her coffee as she watched his unmoving figure. She had been watching him this way nearly all night. After she finished treating him, cleaned up all the mess, showered and changed into her pajamas for the night, she took a step back to reassess everything.
The day when she discovered Changkyun’s location, led him to her house and nearly slept with him…. she was drunk, she wasn’t in her right senses but now? Now she was entirely and consciously aware of her choices yet she didn’t know if she was making the right one. Curling up in her couch in the living space right across him, she let herself wander through the thoughts and possibilities. The wound on his back was clearly the result of an attack – did his enemies finally get to him? Wasn't she supposedly the key to finding him? How did they do it without her? Unless Changkyun assumed that she ratted him out? He wouldn't have come to her for help if he suspected that right? Or was he here for revenge? It was constant speculations like this that didn’t let her sleep.
That and Changkyun’s groans. Through all of last night, Na bi helplessly watched him suffer - moving every time he felt pain and hurting every time he moved. But for the last 2 hours or so, he was surprisingly still, making her eyes flicker between the clock and his back as she counted his breaths every once in a while. Hugging her knees, resting her head on it, she looked at the way his hair framed his face.
He was indeed beautiful; his features were the perfect combination of sharp and soft which truly made him attractive but he was nothing too irresistible. Definitely not enough to overlook the fact that he was a criminal, dangerous and clearly the kind one should strive to stay from as far as possible - it was hard to believe a little alcohol and hormones in her system had made her lose sight of that. Yet she did and here she was, having to face him once again, adding embarrassment to the mix of all the emotions she was feeling now.
Sighing, she tried to push her thoughts away and return to the book she was "reading" when she heard him groan softly again as he stretched his limbs, turning his head the other side. Na bi waited for him to go back to sleep but instead, he raised his head, looking out of the window, eyes squinting at the sun. He blinked a few times, registering his surroundings, froze for a couple of seconds and quickly sat up, panicking. Na bi held her breath, watching silently from across the room as he looked around for something before his eyes finally landed on her and what he was searching for.
His gun…..in her hands.
She had found it in his pocket last night - his gun, a pack of cigarettes and his lighter. Though a gun was the last thing she wanted in her home, she still had no idea what had transpired in the last 24 hours or what was going on in Changkyun’s head – she had to look out for herself, praying that she didn't have to use it for protection.
Changkyun looked at her through his dark fringes in the loud silence as she waited for him to make a move and he waited for her to do the same.
“Ms. Baek....” He finally took her name softly. “That does not belong in the hands of someone like you.”
Na bi scoffed. “Why? You think just because I am a woman I wouldn’t know how to fire? Or you think I’m a coward so I wouldn’t dare fire?”
“Neither.” He looked at her calmly yet his gaze was piercing. “I think that it takes lives, and you save them. Like you saved mine.”
Those were not the words she was expecting.
“Barely.” She muttered. “What were you thinking, coming here bleeding your guts out like that? You should’ve gone to a hospital-”
“I thought I was going to die…..” She could barely hear his soft tone before he cleared his throat, wincing as he moved. “……I had to go to someone I trust.”
Na bi blinked. “You don’t even know me.”
“Yet it looks like I made the right choice.”
He outstretched his hand, having entirely another conversation with his eyes, silently asking her to return what was his. Na bi gave it a minute of consideration before she threw the gun to him and he caught it in a flash.
“And the bullets?" Changkyun held it up in his palm as she blinked at him clearly feigning ignorance. “I can tell by the weight Ms. Baek.”
The weight of six miniscule bullets?
She tried not to glance at her kitchen and give away the location she had stashed them away.
“You may trust me, but I have no reason to trust you.”
“Fair enough.” He cocked his head at her. “Yet you saved my life.”
“I’m a doctor. I took an oath to.”
“Is that all?”
As always, she couldn’t read his expression, but his voice, it was laced with a memory. Na bi suddenly remembered kissing him that night, feeling the heat rise in her face.
“That’s all.”
He looked at her for longer than a while before humming in response and stashing the gun behind him, into his pant. She watched him as he got off the bed, straightening himself, wincing in the process.
“What are you doing?”
“Thank you for saving my life, Ms. Baek. But I should leave-“
“You can’t.”
“I can’t?” He raised an eyebrow.
“I can’t let you.” Changkyun looked genuinely surprised. “Not yet. You haven’t healed enough to be out there on your own.”
“I’ll manage-“
“Changkyun.” She looked at him dead in the eye. “I’m not giving you a choice.”
Now he looked amused. Rightfully so. Whatever made her think she was capable enough to stop him.
“It took me a while to realise but that wound on your back, it’s not an ordinary one. Whoever stabbed you must’ve lined the blade with some sort of anticoagulant because the wound just would not clot.” Either he didn’t understand what she was saying or his mind had already raced ahead. Either way, he was simply staring off into nowhere. “What I’m saying is, there was only so much I could do in my house. If we can get you to the hospital-“
“That’s not possible.”
“That you’ve made clear.” She watched as with each time moved, the crimson on his bandages got darker. “That makes me your only choice so listen to me. You've already lost a lot of blood and you cannot possibly afford to lose more."
He went silent like he was considering it. Na bi didn’t wait for him to come to a decision. She opened the wardrobe, pulling out a set of grey trackpants and a white t-shirt that had always been too large for her and threw it on the bed before him.
“Wash up. I’ll change the dressing after you’re done.”
He looked at them sceptically.
“They’re mine.” She clarified before he assumed they were an ex’s or something. “Clothes in the men’s section are cheaper and a better oversize.”
He reached for them, the edges of his lips curving into a slight smile. “You don't have them in blue for me?”
Maybe she should just let him die on the streets.
“Don’t let water fall on the wound.” She muttered below her breath as she walked away, finally taking her eyes off him.
Maybe Changkyun showering was not the best idea.
Of course, it helped hygiene wise but watching him walk around her house with his wet hair falling into his eyes, dressed so casually was, to accurately put it, painful. If she thought he looked jump-able in that suit with his hair slick back, the way he looked right now was so devastatingly boyfriend, Na bi wanted to scream into a pillow. Of course unlike that night, she wasn't going to stupidly act on it but having to roll kimbap and pretend not to watch him sit at the table, running his fingers through his wet hair was truly a challenge for her self-control. Please stop.
“I hope you’re okay with kimbap for lunch, it’s kind of the only thing I know how to make.”
He nodded. “I’m not picky.”
Silence took over yet again. Na bi forgot just how little this man initiated conversation but she desperately needed it to happen so her mind would stop wandering to terrible, terrible places.
“What happened after you dropped me home that night?”
“Why Ms. Baek, do you really not remember?”
Na bi could hear the smugness in his voice so she refused to look up and meet his eye. This was going to be a constantly recurring topic, wasn’t it?
“After you left.” She muttered, sharping her knife before cutting up the roll. “Wonho said you didn’t return.”
“You met Wonho?”
“He came to the hospital looking for you... or rather looking for me.” Changkyun’s eyebrows knotted in confusion. “I guess because I was the last one to see you before you disappeared?” She added. “And probably because all your men were getting treated there too.”
Changkyun stared at the knife in her hand. “They were in your hospital?”
Na bi nodded.
“Are they....okay?”
“They were treated on time.” She assured him as she placed the kimbap into a plate. “But they left too soon. Few of them were critical so I don’t know how being out of the hospital is working out for them….”
Was that worry on his face? Na bi set the plate before him but he simply stared out of the window.
“Was Wonho hurt?”
“No.” She sat down across him, pouring herself a glass of orange juice and then for him. “He seemed fine. Just worried about you.”
Changkyun continued to stay silent but Na bi needed more than that.
“What happened after you left that night?”
“I was driving back and then I was attacked.” He finally put a piece of the roll in his mouth. Na bi smiled to herself at his full cheeks while he munched on it before quickly realigning herself in the conversation.
“But you came to me the following night and your wound was quite fresh.”
“I was attacked but I escaped.” He sighed. “I don’t go alone anywhere Ms. Baek, my men were there that night too, tailing us.” Na bi recalled the black cars she saw in the rear-view mirror. “When I was attacked, my men managed to hold them off while I escaped. I was laying low till it I could figure out how to move again but they found me once more and…”
He made a weak stabbing motion with his free hand, making her wince at the imagery.
“So whoever has been going around looking for you has finally found you?”
He stuffed his mouth with yet another piece. “Seems like it.”
“Do you…” Na bi sipped on her drink. “Do you think I ratted you out?” Changkyun raised an eyebrow at her question. “Any sensible person would consider that.”
He shook his head. “As I said earlier, I trust you.”
“You continue to make me question your intelligence Changkyun. You have no reason to trust me-"
"Did you call the cops?” Na bi stared open mouth taken aback by the question. “You knew I’m not a good man. You knew I was in an easy, compromised situation. Yet you saved my life and protected me. So was I wrong to place my trust in you?”
For that, she didn’t really have any explanation to give him. Or herself for that matter. Why didn’t she call the cops? Why didn’t the thought even cross her logical, reasonable mind?
“Give my intelligence a little more credit Ms. Baek,” He smirked, enjoying her rare inability to respond, fingers circling the rim of his cup. “Are you forgetting my men had their eyes on you? I would’ve known if it was you.”
Of course. Now that made sense.
“Looks like they wouldn’t have to anymore though. Now that my identity is out, you are no longer relevant.”
For the first time in very long, Na bi felt a wave of relief - she was finally out of this mess. “So what are you going to do now? What about-"
“That’s for me to worry.” He downed the last of his juice, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand.
"But-"
"Thank you for lunch Ms. Baek.”
And with that, Na bi knew the conversation had ended.
"You did what now?"
Seokmin looked at Na bi with absolute confusion etched all over his face.
"Keep your voice down!" Na bi looked up and down the stairwell of her building where she and Seokmin sat, deep in discussion. After lunch, she had texted him to bring a fresh set of dressing and some pain killers but this time, he refused to do so without receiving an explanation in exchange. So for the last half an hour, she sat with him, going over the events of the last few days of her life, leaving out only Changkyuns name in the process. Somehow, Wonhos warning to never ever take his name was ringing in her head.
"Na bi, this is madness, do you have any idea what you're doing?"
"I know." She sighed. "I know it's madness. I know what I'm doing. I'm just not sure it's the right thing."
Seokmin ran his hands through his hair. "You should've never involved yourself in this mess in the first place."
"It's not like I asked to be kidnapped accidentally-"
"I meant trying to reach out for Ana, going to her house, all of that."
"Seokmin you can't be serious. She was in danger-"
"You barely know her-"
"We barely know any of the people we treat, it doesn't mean we don't?!" She looked at him incredulously. "How was I supposed to sit back and just let someone be in trouble like that?"
"Well, thanks to your greatness, now you're in trouble."
"Not anymore." She mumbled, leaning back against the stairs. "My role's over now. The moment he's out of my house, everything ends - there's nothing left to tie us together."
"Then why is he still in your house?" Na bi stared at her friend wordlessly. "You treated him, he gained consciousness, why aren't you letting him go?.... Are you that attracted to him?"
Na bi rolled her eyes. "How stupid do you think I am Min-ah? Do you realise how shallow I would have to be to put physical attraction towards a person above everything else?"
"Then?"
"I owe him Seokmin. He could have killed me the moment I was picked in place of Ana. He chose to show me mercy that people like him don't necessarily need to have.” She habitually picked the skin around her nail. “I'm just repaying the debt."
"You owed him your life, not loyalty. He saved you, you saved him, now it's even. Why don't you just call the cops and-"
"If I do that and his men find out, they will hunt me down Seokmin." Na bi recollected the fierce devotion Wonho seemed to have for his boss. "Look, he's not a threat to me and I'm going to risk being a threat to him again. I'm just going to change his dressing, observe him tonight and send him on his way tomorrow. I don't plan to lose myself in this plot, I'm not that unreasonable."
Seokmin looked at her like he didn't believe her.
"I swear." She laughed. "After tonight, it's all over."
"For you," Seokmin sighed. "Poor Ana, god knows how she is. I mean, I don’t know her well enough either but I always thought her company was shady."
"Her company?"
"There was a guy who used to visit her in the hospital often. I don't know who he is, just that he always seemed to be dressed in suits? It's unusual for men to wear suits when it's 40 degrees you know? And they always looked so branded and perfectly tailored...."
Seokmin's voice faded away as an image of Changkyun in his suit flashed in her head. Of course it couldn't have been him, he didn't even know Ana. But Ana knew him. Other than Na bi, she was the only one who knew who Changkyun was. If his enemies caught up to him, did that mean they found her?
".... and the children really loved that" Seokmin looked at her. "Are you even listening?"
"I need to go." Na bi took the bag from him, and wrapped him in a quick hug. "Thanks Min-ah, I owe you!" She shouted as she ran up the stairs.
"I wish you would stop owing people for gods sake!" He screamed after her before his voice drowned out.
When she entered her apartment, Changkyun was sitting at the table, flipping through one of her books, lost in the words. He didn't look up even when she walked in, set the bag on the kitchen counter and started to empty it. It was only when she was looking around for the scissors that she realised that the counter was clean and her dishes were washed. Did he....
"It's in the drawer." He finally looked up. "The scissors."
Na bi pulled it open, finally spotting it and grabbing hold. (The bullets she had hidden were still right there, beneath the chopsticks.) Watching him struggle with his shirt, she walked over to help him, but he managed to pull it off. Standing behind him she got to work, slowly removing his current dressing and taking a look at his stiches.
"It looks fine. I think I'll changing the dressing once again tomorrow morning and you should be good to go."
Changkyun nodded and silence took over once again.
"You were right. I did save your life," She felt his eyes flicker towards her over his shoulder. "I’m a doctor and I did my job. But….." She began disinfecting his wound. "I have no reason not to call the cops."
Changkyun remained silent, letting her continue.
"I no longer need you to look out for my safety and I don't really have any reason to protect you so I can just have you arrested." She ripped open a bandage roll, unravelling it. "But I won't. If you do me a favour."
"I didn't realise you and I have come down to making deals with each other Ms. Baek." His voice once again betrayed no emotion, but it was hard. "That our relationship is one of business."
"What other relationship can you and I possibly share?" She questioned, not really sure what she was expecting in response as she tied the cloth around his torso.
After what seemed like an eternity, he finally asked. "What is it that you want?"
"Find Ana." Na bi stepped back, removing her gloves as he turned to face her. "If I'm safe and you're compromised it means whoever is after you managed to get to Ana - she was the only other source to get you. She may not be relevant or important to you but she is to me. So when I let you walk away from here freely, promise me you'll do whatever you can to find her."
"Promises are empty words Ms. Baek."
"Not for me."
He stared at her for longer than a moment before he nodded.
"I will do what I can."
For some reason, she decided to take his word for it.
Na bi handed him a fresh shirt, her father's old button down this time for more ease, grabbing the other one to throw in the wash along with all her sheets that were stained with his blood. When something dropped from the pile, she bent to pick it up, hands reaching for a pack of cigarettes.
"Smoking is injurious to health." She handed it to him, disapproving.
He chuckled. "Trust me, of all the things that's injurious to me, this is the least."
Na bi rolled her eyes. "Just don't smoke when I'm home please." She threw the load in the washer as he walked up to the couch, sinking into it. "I’ll be going out for dinner in a while anyways."
It wasn't like she was expecting him to ask anything further, but when he didn't, she added on her own. "I have to meet a friend, I couldn’t say no but I can order take out for you before I go if you want?"
He hummed, not looking up from his book, yet again lost in the words. Knowing the conversation was over yet again, Na bi resorted to her pending work - throwing on a fresh pair of sheets, changing the towels and drying the finished load in the balcony.
The entire time, Changkyun was fast asleep. He had barely gotten through a page before he passed out on the couch, curling up in its warmth. Na bi might have been busy but she did keep an eye on him. It was only when Mingyu texted her the location of their dinner that she diverted her attention. He had messaged her earlier in the morning too, reminding her of tonight's plan making her contemplate whether or not she should go. She was concerned about leaving Changkyun alone but then again, neither was he a child nor anyone important enough for her to put her personal life on hold. She replied that she was looking forward to seeing him, yet she somehow forgot all about it till a while go.
Dropping on the bed, hair fanning around she googled the location Mingyu sent. It looked classy and high end, enough to make her uneasy. Not that she didn't enjoy an occasional splurge but she wasn't sure if Mingyu and her were close enough yet for this kind of indulgence, it felt more like a 3rd or 4th date kind of place. And more importantly, she wasn't sure anything in her wardrobe would match this ambience. Groaning as she got up, Na bi sat before her cupboard, scouring through her clothes, picking out a few options. Looking over to make sure Changkyun was still asleep, she tried them on one by one, again and again, finally settling for a figure-hugging red dress that stopped mid-thigh. Realising she might run late, she quickly hopped into the shower for a quick wash then dried and styled her hair into a loose bun and even put on a little more makeup than her usual eyeliner and lip tint combination. Slipping on her dress, she struggled with the zip, trying all possible ways to reach for it on her lower back when she felt a presence behind her, slowly zipping her up.
"Dinner with a friend?" Na bi watched Changkyun's eyes trail down her figure then up, meeting her eye in the mirror across, her cheeks reddening under his gaze. So he was listening to her.
It wasn’t like she owed him any answers or explanation but he since he always seemed to answer her questions, she shook her head honestly. "It's a date."
Maybe they looked at each other for too long or maybe the sun was setting really quickly, but soon enough, dark shadows started to blurr everything around. It was only when the doorbell rang that Na bi pulled herself away from him and rushed to the door to collect the take out she had ordered.
"It’s pork cutlets." She placed it on the table before walking around him, avoiding his eye, as she grabbed her purse and threw on a few last-minute accessories for a little gold accent. "Make sure you eat on time and if you don't like it then there's instant ramen in the- ow!"
She rubbed her head where she knocked right into his chest, hurrying about around her house. As she peaked at him through one eye, he moved closer to her, making her eyes blow wide open as she walked back till her knees hit the back of the table, trapping her between it and him. Na bi swallowed on nothing as he bent to meet her at her eye level and with a swift move pulled the pin out of her hair, letting her waves fall loosely. She held her breath as he ran his fingers ran through her hair, draping it over her shoulder.
What was wrong with him? Why was he being so....territorial? Since the last two days, Na bi had constantly been wondering - was it only her who felt this undeniable attraction or did he feel the same way? Sometimes, she felt he couldn't care less, like he didn’t feel an ounce of what she did, but sometimes, like right now, when he looked at her like nothing else existed, she didn’t know anymore. Was he indifferent or was simply displaying extreme self-control, she couldn’t tell.
"Your scar still hasn't healed." He ran his finger over Wonho's little knife wound, before adjusting her hair to cover it. Oh. Was that all?
Apparently it was, because after that he walked around the table and started going through his take out like she didn't even exist anymore. Na bi stared wordlessly. Of course, look at him, hot mafia boss of the underworld - he probably had a whole bunch of a whole lot more attractive women at his beck and call, someone like her would barely matter. Yet the way he kissed her that night felt.....
Shaking the spiralling thoughts off her mind, Na bi put on her heels and grabbed a coat from the stand. It was only when she took a pencil from between her books and twisted her hair back into a bun that he finally looked at her again. Not giving him anymore attention, she took one last look at herself in the mirror and stepped out of her house, determined to make her way to the man waiting for her downtown - A man she had no doubt was truly attracted to her.
"I've never had this wine before but it tastes so familiar."
"Do you like it?"
Na bi nodded taking a sip but immediately shook her head when Mingyu offered to pour her another glass.
"I have to go to work tomorrow and more importantly, the board is gathering to take disciplinary action against me. I can't show up hungover."
Mingyu looked at her concerned, setting the bottle down. "I'm so sorry. You don't deserve that."
She truly didn't. From what she heard from Seokmin, she was most likely going to face a two- or three-week suspension for her "inadequate handling of the emergency room" yesterday. Bullshit. The attending was simply taking out her anger over Na bi's unprompted takeover of the emergency room when her incompetent son froze in the face of responsibility. Now using the excuse of Changkyun’s men's escape, she was trying to settle score in her own twisted way.
"Did you not go to work today though?" Mingyu looked at her over his glass. "I picked this place cause it was close to your hospital. I was going to offer to walk you from there."
"Oh." Na bi's mind ran through the list of all possible excuses, picking the worst one possible. "Yeah, I called in sick, terrible case of food poisoning, diarrhea and all."
Way to go Na bi, she chided herself. She was capable of a lot of things but telling a decent lie was just not one of them.
Mingyus face scrunched in worry. "Oh, maybe we should have pushed dinner to another day, I can cancel the seafood-"
"Relax" She patted his arm. "I feel fine now, your date is quite the tough girl."
The moment the words left her mouth, she pursed her lips, putting her glass down. Enough Na bi. She couldn't make a fool of herself yet again. That was the reason when the waiter brought wine to the table, Na bi immediately refused. Mingyu insisted, saying he had asked for this bottle in particular because he heard good things about it and convinced her to try a glass, which then turned into two and here she was, sprouting nonsense as usual. Mingyu though looked rather pleased with her words and surely had something to say in return when his phone started ringing. He cut the call.
"That's the third call you're declining." Na bi observed. "Are you sure it's okay?"
"It's just work." He murmured.
"Aren't your work hours for the day over?"
"Is a cop ever really off duty?" He chuckled, unlocking his phone to drop a quick text. Na bi reminded herself for the tenth time that night that she was sitting right across a member of law enforcement while a criminal munched on pork cutlets in her house. Why again did she think this dinner was a good idea?
"Do you enjoy your work?"
He nodded. "I won't lie, there are days where it gets overwhelming but end of the day, there's something satisfying about saving lives. You should know."
"I wouldn't. I save humans, not cats stuck on trees." She joked and Mingyu laughed.
"I could have you arrested for that Doctor."
"I dare you Officer." She grinned, downing the last of her wine. "Indulge me, what's the most interesting case you've seen in your career?"
"That's what you want to talk about on this, as you called it, date?"
"Would you rather exchange favourite colours and songs?"
He laughed shaking his head before slipping into thought. "I guess, the diamond robbery two years ago? Me and my buddy were the ones who caught the thief in the end. I got shot on the job too." He pointed at his shoulder. "What's your crazy work story?"
"Last year I pulled a 48 hour shift in the ER because of a terrible accident where two buses crashed into each other. The rains those days were so terrible, all 80 patients were taken to the closet hospital which happened to be ours and along with about 20 nurses, I was the only doctor on call." She took a bite of her pasta. "We saved 78 of them."
"Wow." Mingyu breathed impressed. "That must've been intense. I remember those rains last year, they were truly a hazard." He ran his fingers through his hair. "I was a part of the rescue operation for a building that collapsed. Pulled a three-day shift if I remember right."
"Wait, I was there too." Na bi added, surprised. "I wasn't really helpful though - my colleague and I were trying to get someone out from the rubble when someone moved the foundation and we ended up trapped inside for almost 2 days. I, unfortunately, needed to be admitted in the ER after that." She laughed.
Mingyu gaped at her, raising his hands in defeat. "Okay doctor, you win the crazy work story competition." He poured himself and her another glass. "I, unfortunately, am not one of the cool TV show cops with tons of stories to tell."
"Me neither." Na bi laughed. "That's pretty much all I have too. Maybe now we both can add '40 gangsters walking into the ER in broad daylight' to the list."
"I still can't believe that happened." He chewed on his food slowly. "Gang fights in Seoul, its like the 2000s again. My superiors at work talk about those times a lot - they were part of the 2011 WipeOut, and man, quite the story that is."
Na bi propped her head on her interlocked hands, ears perking for this conversation. Mingyu laughed at her curiosity.
"I don't know much details, just that back in the day, Seoul was drowning in crime - drugs, trafficking, money laundering, extortion, you name it. Mafia from Hong Kong and Japan have been here for decades, simply lurking around without much influence but these guys? They were locals, men who built and climbed their way into power so silently that by the time they were on top, they were pretty unstoppable. They were 3 of them - kingpin, the boss, the blackjack, the underboss and bigbucks, the consigliere. Together they quite literally showed the police force of this city what hell would look like on Earth." Seeing how she was ignoring her meal, Mingyu nudged her to take a bite before he continued. "It took a five year long undercover operation to finally get them. The crime branch slowly infiltrated the mafia and then in 2011, there was a big bust where many of them were thrown behind bars and the mafia was finally wiped out for good."
"Was it?" Na bi avoided meeting his eye as she focused on poking her salad. "Do you think the mafia no longer exists in Seoul?"
Mingyu looked at her like she said something ridiculous. "Of course it doesn't! I wouldn't say the city is entirely crime free, I mean you saw what happened just yesterday, but they are all just small-time criminals. I know for a fact that the mafia as an organisation no longer exists in Seoul. It can't."
If only he knew.
Na bi chewed on her food for long after that to avoid talking. Changkyun was right when he said nobody knew of him; evidently even the cops were clueless of his existence. Now someone had entered his playing field, pulled him out of his rat hole and was wreaking havoc out in the open already. Who could it possibly be?
The rest of the dinner was filled with casual conversation and laughter. Mingyu was a sweet guy - he was built like a Greek god, he made good conversation and was surprisingly witty and funny too, nothing short of perfect. Maybe on another day, Na bi would have taken more initiative but today unfortunately and to her own annoyance, Chankgyun was all that was on her mind, so the moment desert was done, she asked for the bill. Despite her refusal, Mingyu offered to drop her home insisting it was late and when Na bi got up from the table and felt her head spin a little, she took him up on that. She should have stopped with that second glass of wine.
During the drive, Mingyu sweetly let her play her playlist, genuinely enjoying her choice of songs and singing along rather loudly. Thank god for him, or given how both the wine and almost 2 days of lack of sleep was weighing down on her, she was sure to have passed out in his car. When they reached her building, he got off first, walking over to open the door for her and as Na bi stepped out, she looked up at her apartment, breath hitching in her throat.
The lights were off.
Reading her face Mingyu followed her line of vision asking if everything was okay and she shook it off saying it was. Had Changkyun left? His wound wasn't as severe and it wasn't like he would be helpless without her but something about him disappearing in her absence made her uneasy.
"Are you sure?" Mingyu asked again frowning, seeing her lost in thought.
She nodded. "Thank you for dinner today, I really had a good time." She walked a step back, watching Mingyu frozen on the spot and realised he was probably hoping she would invite him up but Na bi really could not bring herself to. Not tonight, not after the last few days she had, and not with both wine and a strange disappointment coursing through her system.
"I would invite you up but uh.....I think the.... diarrhea is kicking in again, it wouldn't be right-"
"Anyone ever tell you that you're a horrible liar doctor?" Mingyu laughed. "It's alright, I get it. It's okay if you're not interested-“
"I am." Na bi walked back to him, placing a soft peck on his cheek. "I do like you. I do want to do this again, and more. Just not tonight, I'm sorry."
"Don't apologise." He tucked the strands that were escaping her bun. "You shouldn't."
Putting aside everything in the world that seemed like a problem right now, Na bi pulled him by his dinner jacket, tiptoeing against his figure and kissed him. Mingyu froze, just for a second before his hands found her waist and kissed her back with a hint of desperation that reminded her of that night in the bar. Under the moonlight, on a quiet street, kissing a man who was enamoured by her, Na bi knew she should be savouring the moment a lot more but to her own dismay, she couldn't.
"Goodnight officer." She whispered against his mouth, walking back towards her building, taking one last look at his giddy smile.
"Goodnight doctor."
When she opened the door to her house, every other emotion she felt tonight dissipated. She was met with the silent darkness that she was used to coming home to but didn't expect to return to tonight. Sighing, she put her purse and coat on the table with and kicked off her heels before walking into her house, turning on the night lights. Dragging herself in, she threw herself into the freshly made bed before frowning and looking around.
Did he....
Na bi wasn't really a very messy person but earlier tonight she didn't have the time to reorganise everything, nor did she have the desire to hang out any longer around the very confusing energy she was getting from Changkyun. She had left the house rather annoyed that she would have to come back to a mess but now that she looked around, her clothes, her make up, her shoes, everything was back in its place and there was only one person who could have done it. Na bi scoffed not knowing what exactly to feel about this man - he seemed considerate enough to clean up after her but at the same didn't care enough to let her know before he disappeared. Half burying her face into the sheets, she let her eyes shut, recalling what he looked like right before she left. That was the last time she saw him. That was the last time she will ever see him.
Or maybe not.
Na bi wasn't really sure how long she was asleep but the touch of something soft on her face suddenly woke her up. Half confused, half terrified, her eyes fluttered open, catching sight of Changkyun's face hovering over hers, making her bite back a scream.
"You.." She scrambled in her sheets, sitting up. "You didn't leave?"
He looked perplexed. "Didn’t you ask me not to?"
Na bi swallowed the phantom lump in her throat looking around. How did she miss him? "The lights were off, you weren't here when I came back..."
"I prefer the dark." He confessed moving away as she got to her feet. "I was out in the balcony, getting some air when I heard you come back."
Na bi walked over and peered out of the glass of her balcony doors, looking at the buildings across. "You shouldn't have, you could have been seen...." She trailed off staring at the road realising that if Changkyun was standing here, he probably saw her and Mingyu…… But, did it matter if he did?
"You didn't remove your make up." He walked up to her and held out the wipe in his hand. "I thought I could..."
Muttering a thanks, Na bi took it from him, fidgeting with it in her hand, letting the loud silence take over as she wiped her off makeup slowly. Why was there suddenly a strange tension lingering in the air? It felt like that night again she confessed she was attracted to him - the hesitation to see who would make the first move, the uncertainty about anything even happening, everything felt so familiar. When Na bi turned to casually glance at Changkyun, he was already looking at her.
"You have..." His hand cupped her cheek, thumb brushing against her lower lip, removing the last traces of her gloss. Na bi held her breath, eyes searching his for a clear answer once again. She still couldn't find a no.
When his hand wouldn't part from her, her body leaned in, lips reaching for his when he tilted her face up, frowning.
"Ms. Baek, did you drink?"
"Just a little wine." She confessed, reaching for him again, only to meet with resistance.
"Then maybe you shouldn't-"
"You're not even a little bit attracted to me are you?" Na bi pulled herself away from him, giving herself some much-needed space. What was wrong with her, why couldn't she see? He didn’t ever initiate anything and every time she did, he only stopped her. What else did she need to hear to get it into her thick skull - he was not interested. "I'm sorry, I should just-"
"You think I'm not attracted to you?" Changkyun took a step towards her, making her take one back. "I might have zipped you up in that dress but the moment I saw you in it, I wanted nothing more than to rip it off you."
Na bi’s eyes widened. What?
"When you said my name for the first time, I wanted nothing more than to make you say it over and over and over again."
Her back hit the wall behind her as he caged her between his arms, hands pressed into the concrete by her side.
"Every time I see you it takes every nerve in my being to stop myself from......" He licked his lips eyes flickering down to hers. "From doing this, you have no fucking idea."
"Why do you stop yourself?" She whispered. Did this mean he too wanted…..
"Because you deserve better Ms. Baek." He let his hands fall to his side. "I'm not a good man-"
Na bi rolled her eyes. How chivalrous. "Yeah well, who's trying to marry you and have your kids?" Grabbing a fistful of his shirt, she pulled him closer to her. "I don't care about anything else as long as you don't rip the dress." She bit her lip, drawing his eyes to it again. "I like this one."
Changkyun cocked his head at her and for the first time, she could read him clear as day - he was giving her one last chance to back out. She tightened her grip on the fabric, reiterating that she didn’t want to. Go ahead.
Hands on her waist he spun her around, pressing her against the wall, fingers caressing the bare skin of her back as he unzipped her antagonisingly slow, mouth at the shell of her ear. "Please don't fall in love with me Ms. Baek."
Feeling him move away from her Na bi turned to see him stepping back, watching her. Slipping the fabric off her shoulders, she let the dress pool at her feet, before kicking it away. All she was left in was the black lingerie she had worn - quite frankly it was one of the simpler ones she owned but something hungrily darkened in Changkyun's eyes at the sight of it. Smiling to herself she walked up to him and worked the buttons of his shirt as he captured her lips in his once again, a lot more aggressive this time, making her legs literally go weak. As she stripped the shirt off his body, she felt his hand slip past the hem of her panties, down between her legs, fingers easily sliding between the wetness of her folds, making her moan softly into his mouth.
"Sweetheart, you're soaked." He smiled at the effect he seemed to have on her. "Do you want me that bad?"
Na bi looked at him with pupils practically blown in lust, and pulled on the drawstring of his pajamas, letting a finger run down over the tent in his pants, earning a satisfactory, low growl in return.
"I do." She answered honestly, sliding her hand into his pants, wrapping it around his hard length. "And looks like you do too."
Tugging her hand off him, Changkyun dragged her as he sank into the couch behind him, pulling her onto his lap. It was only when he winced in pain when she straddled him that Na bi realised-
"Changkyun your stitches," His mouth latched onto her neck, littering with kisses and bites. "We shouldn't-"
"Doesn't matter."
He unclasped her bra, sliding it off her, sending it somewhere across the room before he took her nipple in his mouth in a way that made her see stars.
"But...." She tried moving away when his tongue ran across her skin, making her melt back into him. "But if they rip.... I'll have to suture you again-."
"Then do it."
Mouth not leaving her breast, he guided her hips against his length, a loud moan escaping her.
"We've run out of anaesthetic, without it it’ll hurt like hell-"
"Then let it."
A shiver ran down her spine as he slid his hand between their bodies, slipping two fingers inside her, opening her up for him.
"Changkyun please," Her nails dug into his bicep as she felt that delicious stretch. "We can't.... we shouldn't-"
He let her go, pushing his fingers into her mouth instead, making her taste herself, he leaned in. "Ride me." He whispered, and that was all it took for Na bi's resolve to break.
Pushing aside her panties as he pulled himself out of his pants, she let him in, slowly sinking down on his length, finally claiming him for herself. She knew she wasn't prepped enough but she didn't expect to feel this full of him as she stilled, lips parting wordlessly.
"Fuck if this isn't so worth it." His wet fingers trailed down her neck, between her breasts, hands grabbing her hips once again and pushing her further down, making her whimper against him. Oh lord.
"Sweetheart-" Changkyun groaned as she clenched around him. "You need to move. I might just..."
Head thrown back, holding onto his shoulders to support herself, Na bi slowly let herself move up and down his length, the feeling easing in as she found a rhythm. All that mattered was him in her, his hands on her, his mouth exploring every inch, as she buried him in herself again and again and again-
"Look at you taking me so well." He grabbed her face, forcing her to meet his eye as she threaded her fingers into the hair at the nape of his neck. "It's like you were made for me."
Na bi nodded in agreement as she felt the knot inside her starting to tighten and the strength of her legs weaken.
"Changkyun please.." She begged and he immediately complied, wrapping his arms around her waist, holding her against him as he snapped his hips up, fastening the pace.
"You're not going to come till I do are you sweetheart?" Na bi shook her head, knowing it was more of a warning than a question. "Good girl." He whispered against her ear, earning an absolutely unholy moan as he hit all the right spots.
"Please, please, please-" She whimpered no longer able hold herself back. "Please let me come."
"You're doing so well sweetheart, just a little longer." He promised. "Where do you want me to-"
"Inside." She moaned, mouth practically watering at the thought of him emptying himself in her, filling her up. Pressing her forehead against his, Na bi looked into his eyes, getting lost in them as he fucked her into oblivion. His words from earlier rang in her head - Please don't fall in love with me Ms. Baek.
She shut her eyes trying to shut him out. She won't. She couldn't possibly.....
And when she opened her eyes again, she was greeted by the stars stuck on her ceiling and a strange unfulfilled emptiness between her legs.
She was still in her bed, fully dressed, not having moved even an inch since she threw herself onto it.
Was that all.... a dream?
As detailed images of her imagination flashed in her head Na bi groaned into her bed, curling up in shame. Of course none of that was real; just how desperate did she have to be for her subconscious to conjure something like that? How was she ever going to face him again? Not that she would ever have to, now that he was gone-
"Ms. Baek?"
Na bi immediately sat up at the sound of his voice, eyes falling on him standing by her kitchen in the dim light of her house. No, no, not another one. She pinched her arm to give herself a reality check, wincing in pain when it hurt. So he really was here?
"You- you were here all along?" She tried not to look at him as she slid off her bed.
"I was in the shower."
"Ah." Na bi finally pieced it all together - the lights, his absence. "I didn't see you when I got back.... I... uh thought you left."
"Didn't you ask me not to?"
Na bi froze at his choice of words, an echo of her imagination. God please don't let this be a dream, she couldn't possibly survive another one.
"But I'm going to have to leave now." He continued, getting her attention again. "My men have a lead on Ana."
"They found her?"
"Not yet, but they are closing in on her location." He tucked his hands into his pockets. "So I should go. I promised someone that I'd do what I can to find her."
Na bi blinked at him confused till she realised he was talking about her. Oh.
"I didn't want to leave without letting you know so I was waiting for you to wake up."
Na bi felt her heart race in her chest. Please don't fall in love with me Ms. Baek.
Thinking reasonably, she grabbed a paper, the pencil from her bun, and scribbled the names of a few medicines before handing it to him. "These should help with any pain."
He stared at her for just a bit before stashing it away in his pocket with a nod, walking to the door and turning as though to let her see him one last time.
Will I ever see you again?
She let the question remain unasked, lost in the silence between them. Now that they had nothing to do with each other anymore, Na bi wondered if they would run into each other for the third time - maybe then she'll finally have to start believing in fate.
And as fate had it, just over 10 days later, Na bi found herself frantically running down a street and just as she reached the corner, a black van pulled up next to her, history repeating itself as she was shoved into the darkness.
Next chapter
"Me? I'm your oldest brother, Justin McElroy": Seonghwa (Ateez) / Seungcheol (Seventeen) / Shownu (Monsta X) / Johnny (NCT 127) / Bang Chan (Stray Kids)
"And I'm your middlest, most balanced brother, Travis McElroy": Yeosang (Ateez) / Woozi (Seventeen) / Kihyun (Monsta X) / Doyoung (NCT 127) / Seungmin (Stray Kids)
"🎶 Our god, is an awesome god he reigns. From heaven above with wisdom, power and stuff, our god is an awesome god 🎶 - Its me, Griffin McElroy, god's favorite": Wooyoung (Ateez) / Jeonghan (Seventeen) / Chankgyun (Monsta X) / Haechan (NCT 127) / Felix (Stray Kids)
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his voice trembles. I'm crying 😭😭😭
MONSTA X - PLAY IT COOL | HALLYUPOPFEST 2019 - DAY 2
[23:50] -> Perfection
It was getting late you were getting impatient. Changkyun had been coming home later and later every day and you were anxious. Every time you mentioned it, he always reassured you that it was okay, that his perfectionist gene was just getting in the way of him leaving without flawlessly nailing a dance move.
You felt restless and wanted to check up on him, one in good nature and two, just because you felt the anxiety bubble to your core. You slung on one of his big jackets and grabbed your keys while striding through your door.
You started your car quickly while driving down a dark descent through the night to reach Starship Entertainment. It wasn’t too far of a drive, but for some reason, driving through the night in silence eased your worries just a bit.
You entered through the building and scanned around for Monsta X’s practice room floors. You swiped your guest pass and punched in the seventh floor as the elevator slowly rose while emitting soft creaking noises.
Exiting the lift, you felt your heart beat elevate as you bounced towards the practice room. Without a second thought you turned the handle to the room and made your appearance. A tiny gust of cold air hit you right as the door peaked inwards.
“(Y/N)?” a soft but out of breath voice called out to you.
“Kyunnie, are you okay?”
Your eyes widened as you saw him, sitting on the floor in a sweat, probably from overworking himself once again. You grabbed a spare towel from the side and rushed towards him, gently dabbing the perspiration off of his forehead.
“I told you not to worry, I just want to nail this move so I won’t be a disappointment to the others.”
You felt a pang in your heart after you heard his words, you knew that he could be more insecure than the rest but he’d never say that outloud, especially not around his team. You leaned in and engulfed his head with a hug as he leaned on your chest.
“You are not a disappointment, you’ve done and are doing so much! You should be proud of how far you’ve come, and stop overworking yourself!” you proclaimed confidently.
His exhausted gaze met yours as you rested a hand on the side of his cheek. You leaned in and planted a soft kiss on his lips.
“You’re right (Y/N), I really do miss spending time with you, let’s go home now so I can have you to myself all night and worry about this later.”
Give It All To Me (Part 3)
(Part 1) (Part 2)
Shownu entered the main family room of the compound to see his members spread through the room either on their phones or playing a video game. “Changkyun,” he spoke firmly catching the maknae’s attention. The youngest rose to his feet following his leader out into the hallway.
“What’s up Shownu?” He asked quietly leaning his shoulder against the wall.
Shownu studied him over once before glancing at his hands. “That girl last night, think you can find out who she is? I want to make sure she’s innocent like we thought.”
“Already did.”
Shownu’s gaze darts back up to the him. “And?”
“She is. I have a file for you if you want it.”
Shownu nodded, running his hand over his mouth before following the Maknae to his office setup. He took the file before pulling it up and looking over the front page. Her picture included, it was her.
“Thanks Changkyun, good work.”
The youngest nodded before they both walked out and he went back to his activities while Shownu took the file to his own personal office.
….
Shownu stepped into the building, his eyes flickering over the main open space in search of her and smirked when he saw her. She was currently knelt on the floor showing books to a little boy. A bright smile on both their faces as she showed him the book about different forms of transportation. The boy accepted both books with pride and let his mom lead him to check them out as she rose back to her feet. Shownu licked his bottom lip trying to hide his smirk, he had found her so easily. He moved to her side.
She glanced as he came to a stop a few steps from her. “Can I help you?” She questions, picking up a stack of books on a nearby table.
“I wanted to speak with you,” he spoke following her as she set them on a cart.
“About books? I can try to help find whatever it is you are looking for,” she smiled softly, running her hands down her skirt.
“Actually, about you,” Shownu stepped between her and the only way back towards the main counter.
She stopped, her eyes slightly widen. “Why?”
He frowned, dragging his thumb down the side of his nose, she didn’t remember him. “Last night you were in trouble and my friends and I helped. Do you not remember?”
“Oh,” she said after she inhaled sharply. “I was trying my best to forget last night. How can I help you Shownu?”
His eyes darted to meet hers at the mention of his name. “I just want to make sure you aren’t friends with that guy.”
“I’m not, I thought that was obvious,” she muttered as she started away from him. He followed.
“It was. But just a precaution.”
“Mmm,” she mused before looking at him head-on. “Well if that’s all I have work to do, so excuse me.” She left him and he sighed, watching her go. His mind calculating how to accept that she just didn’t care who he was or what he could do if he really wanted to, not that he would hurt her.
(Part 4)
Running to hug Changkyun in the airport after he’s been away and he picks you up and spins you around