Warning: I don't speak English, so I'm using a translator. Please forgive any mistakes! 🥺
Summary: how would the characters react when you are angry with them?
Characters: Lee Kang Soo, Kang Dae Ho, Noh Woo Sung, Kim Yo Han, Wang Wook.
You had been waiting for him a long time. He promised to be back by nine, but the hours ticked by, and he was nowhere to be found. Your heart whispered that something was wrong. You called Kang Soo, but there was no answer.
You had already begun to play out the worst-case scenarios in your head when you suddenly heard the turn of a key in the lock.
Kang Soo stepped into the apartment, and you froze.
His face... you had never seen him like this. A split lip, a massive bruise under his eye, a graze on his cheekbone. His white tank top was stained with blood, and his blazer was caked in dirt.
Kang Soo moved slowly, as if every step brought him pain.
"Kang Soo..." you gasped, springing up from the couch.
"It’s fine," his voice was hoarse, uncharacteristically quiet. "Just a small disagreement with a few people."
"Small?!" You stepped closer, trying to inspect the damage. "Your face is not a 'small disagreement'!"
He tried to smirk that signature slick, arrogant smirk of his, but winced in pain and simply waved you off instead.
"I’ve had worse. Don’t make a mountain out of a molehill."
You clenched your fists. Anger seethed in your chest — at Kang Soo and at whoever did this to him. But he brushed it off, pretending nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"Sit down," you said in a glacial tone. "I’ll get the first aid kit."
"Sit down, Kang Soo," your voice sounded remarkably stern.
Kang Soo had never seen you this angry before. Your command intimidated him more than the brawl with the drug dealers. He simply sat on the edge of the sofa, shoulders slumped, staring toward the bathroom where you had gone.
You brought the kit, stood before him, and began to gently treat his wounds. Kang Soo hissed as the antiseptic touched his skin, but he didn't complain.
"What happened?" you asked, trying to keep your voice steady even though you were fuming inside.
"Nothing. Just an occupational hazard."
"I told you, it’s fine!" He flinched, and you noticed him clutching his ribs. Something was definitely broken or severely bruised.
"Take off your shirt," you demanded.
"What? Now is not exactly the best time for lovemaking..." Kang Soo tried to joke his way out of it.
"Kang Soo, take off your shirt, or I’ll take it off myself. And I swear, it’ll hurt more than it does now."
He sighed and, grimacing, pulled the shirt over his head.
You gasped. His entire torso was covered in bruises.
"Who?" your voice trembled.
"Doesn't matter?! Kang Soo, you look like you’ve been hit by a truck! Do you have any idea how I feel when you come home like this? When you don't answer my messages? When I don’t know if you’re alive or..."
You couldn't finish. Tears welled up in your throat.
Kang Soo looked up at you. His eyes were filled with profound regret.
"Come here," he said softly, reaching out a hand.
"No. You’re not getting out of this with a hug. You..."
"I’m not trying to get out of it. Just... come here. Please."
And those words, spoken in such a tired, broken voice, made you step forward.
You sat beside him, careful not to touch his bruises. He wrapped his relatively healthy arm around you and pulled you close. He buried his nose in your hair and went still.
"I should have anticipated their move," he said hollowly. "I should have. Но they turned out to be... faster."
"Kang Soo..." You closed your eyes and shook your head.
"I’m not used to losing," he cut in. "I always knew what to do. I was always one step ahead. And today... today I almost..."
He trailed off, and you felt his grip tighten around you.
"Don't you dare," you whispered. "Don't even think about it."
"I’m not," he chuckled, though the smile was crooked. "I’m here. Alive. Mostly in one piece."
"Mostly?" You pulled back and looked him in the face. "Kang Soo, your ribs might be broken!"
"I’ll see a doctor tomorrow. I promise."
"Now? Sweetheart, it’s three in the morning."
"I don’t care. You’re going to the hospital, or I’m calling an ambulance. And I swear, I will personally destroy Prosecutor Goo for giving you such dangerous work! I won’t let anyone take you away from me!"
Kang Soo stared at you for a long moment. A flicker of something like respect or perhaps gratitude shone in his eyes.
"You are impossible," he said.
"You’re the only person who can boss me around."
He smirked a real one this time.
"Fine. The hospital. But you’re coming with me."
He stood up, winced, but kept his balance. You took his arm.
"Kang Soo," you said softly as you walked toward the door.
"Please, next time you go on a mission... take care of yourself."
Kang Soo looked at you. His face was battered and bruised, but his eyes held that tender spark he reserved only for you.
"Always, sweetheart. Because I have someone to come home to."
He took your hand, brought it to his lips, and kissed it.
Dae Ho is used to molding himself to fit others, being who they need him to be: strong, reliable, cheerful. But when you are angry with him, the mask cracks. And underneath is a frightened little boy who fears being scolded and cast aside.
Dae Ho lied to you about his service. He served in the Marines, but he had to leave due to panic attacks. He embellished the truth to look better in your eyes.
You found out the truth from one of his sisters. She told you about their father, who took out all his rage on his youngest son.
You don't scream; you just look at him.
"Dae Ho, why didn't you tell me?"
Dae Ho freezes. He recognizes that tone: not angry, but disappointed. That’s the worst kind.
"I... I wanted to," his voice breaks. "I wanted to, but I was scared. I thought if you found out I wasn't the real deal... that I was pretending all this time... you’d leave."
"And you think I won't leave now?" You look him dead in the eye.
Dae Ho’s broad shoulders sag, and his gaze drops to the floor.
"Please don't," he whispers. "I’ll do anything. I’ll make it right. I’ll never lie again. Just don’t leave."
"I know I’m pathetic," his voice trembles. "I’m no Marine, no hero, not the man I claim to be. I’m just... a guy who wanted someone to be proud of him. And you’re the only person who ever looked at me with love... If you leave..."
He stops, unable to finish.
You look at this big, strong man who is now shaking. Your anger melts away. In truth, you weren't even truly angry; you were disappointed because it felt like he didn't trust you. But seeing him now, you realize he just needed time to open up. After a lifetime of his father's cruelty, he isn't used to the idea of being loved for who he is.
"Dae Ho," you step closer. "I’m not upset because you aren't perfect. I’m upset because you didn't trust me. Do you think I only love you because you were a Marine?"
"I don’t love you for some made-up biography," you continue. "I love you for who you are. For your kindness, your clumsiness, the way you care for everyone around you. But if you lie, I can’t trust you. And there is no love without trust."
"Never again," he says. "I swear. I’d rather be the most pathetic version of myself as long as I’m honest. Just stay."
He reaches out his hand but doesn't touch you, waiting for your permission.
You take his hand. He flinches slightly and then, unable to believe his luck, presses your palm against his cheek.
"You’re the most precious person in my life," he whispers. "I’ll make everything right. I promise."
"I really hope so, Dae Ho. Don't be afraid to talk about your problems. We’ll find a solution together. I promise you that."
Wang Wook is a man accustomed to ruling the world. He is a prince, a strategist, always knowing how to turn a situation to his advantage.
But once again, Wang Wook has done things his way. He sacrificed your interests for the sake of power, choosing the throne over you.
You come to him. You don't cry or scream. You simply stand there and look at him.
"I know everything," you say. "You used me."
Wang Wook remains silent. He doesn't make excuses; that is beneath his dignity. But there is pain in his eyes.
"I did it for us," he finally says.
"Not for us. For yourself. You chose power. You always choose power."
"If I don’t have power, I can’t protect you!" His voice rises.
"And if you have power, you lose me," you reply quietly. "You already have."
Wang Wook turns pale. He reaches out, but you recoil.
"Don't," you whisper. "Don't touch me. Not after what you’ve done..."
He lowers his hand. For the first time in his life, he is at a loss for words.
"I cannot be the man you want me to be," he says softly. "I am a prince. I have duties and obligations. I cannot simply... love."
"Then don't," you turn to leave.
"Wait!" He grabs your arm. There is desperation in his voice. "You don't understand. You are the only thing keeping me from becoming a monster. If you leave..."
"You will become one," you finish for him. "I know. Но that is your choice, Wang Wook. You’ve done enough..."
You wrench your arm free and walk away.
He does not follow. He stands in the empty hall, watching you go. His face is a stone mask, but a single tear rolls down his cheek.
This isn't the end. He will come again. He will plead, he will prove himself, he will fight for you. But in this moment, he realizes there are things that can never be undone. And you have no intention of going back.
Woo Sung is used to keeping his problems to himself. He is used to silence in general — silence about pain, fear, and love. Но when you are angry with him, his silence becomes a weapon used against himself.
Woo Sung recently bought an apartment, but he hasn't invited you over even once. You didn't know how difficult it was for him to live in a place where the neighbors were trying to drive him mad.
You try to talk about something important, but he remains withdrawn. You can see something is wrong; he looks nervous, though he tries to hide it. You want to understand his heart, but he retreats into himself. He doesn't want to burden you with his problems or tell you about the strange noises he hears. He keeps you at a distance to keep you safe from his "crazy" neighbors.
You ask him to tell you what's going on, but he just stands there, paralyzed.
"Woo Sung, do you even hear me?!" You look at him, tears in your eyes. "If you don't care, just say so! I’ll leave!"
Woo Sung freezes. He looks at you. His expression doesn't change, but his hands are shaking.
"Don't leave," he says quietly.
"Then say something!" you nearly shout. "Anything! Just show me that I matter to you! Tell me what is happening to you!"
Woo Sung is silent for a long time, searching for words.
He approaches and simply takes your hand. He places your palm against his chest. You can feel his heart hammering. Its rhythm is frantic, as if he’s terrified.
"I know it sounds strange, but... my neighbors are trying to drive me crazy. Every night I hear strange sounds that keep me from sleeping."
Woo Sung tells you everything that has been haunting him.
You look at him. There is fear in his eyes. He’s afraid you’ll leave. You are his only reason not to lose his mind completely.
"Woo Sung..." your voice softens. "I’m sorry... if only you’d told me sooner..."
He is silent for a second. Then, very softly, almost inaudibly:
"I need you. Please, don't leave." He pulls you into a tight embrace. "I was afraid those people would come after you, too. You’re so precious to me, and I didn't want you to get hurt."
You hug him back, stroking his back.
"I’m not going anywhere," you whisper into his shoulder. "Just don't shut me out. At least not all the time."
"Okay..." He strokes your hair. "Okay..."
Yo Han is the type of person who never loses. He is always three steps ahead, always in control, always knowing how to maneuver through any situation. But when you are angry with him, he faces something he can’t calculate: your feelings.
Yo Han has decided everything for you again. Behind your back, without your knowledge, "for your own safety." He got rid of the people you had a conflict with, but in doing so, he stripped you of your choice.
You find out and you are livid.
"You had no right!" You stand before him, eyes blazing. "You aren't my father or my guardian! You are my boyfriend! You shouldn't decide these things for me unless I ask!"
Yo Han is silent. His face is inscrutable, but you know him well enough to see that he’s agitated.
"I did it to protect you," he says calmly.
"I didn't ask you to protect me!" you nearly scream. "I asked you to be there for me! To trust me! And you... you just went ahead and decided. As if I don’t exist. As if I’m a small child."
Yo Han takes a step toward you.
"Stay back!" You recoil. "I’m not a toy, Yo Han. I’m not a pawn in your game. If you don’t see me as someone worth consulting, then why am I even here?"
He falters. For the first time, there is a look of bewilderment in his eyes.
"You’re right..." he says quietly. "I’m used to controlling everything. I’m used to the idea that if I don’t handle it, everything will fall apart. But you... you aren't part of the system. You’re my... my safe harbor. And I brought my games into that harbor. I’m sorry."
"Sorry?" You look at him. "You didn't even ask if I wanted that kind of protection. You didn't even give me the chance to say, 'No, I can handle this myself.'"
Yo Han bows his head. For the first time in his life, he doesn't have an answer.
"I don’t know how to be any other way," he says. "In my world, if you show weakness, you’re gone. I’m used to guarding what’s dear to me. I was terrified that if I didn't intervene, I’d lose you."
"And now you might lose me because you did," you say softly.
He looks at you, and his eyes are filled with pure pain.
"Tell me what I can do," he says. "And I’ll do it. I don’t want to lose you."
"You can start by asking me what I think, what I want. Ask if I’m afraid or not. If I need help. Just see me as a person, not an object to be protected."
"I understand. I will do that." He looks at you earnestly. "But you... if I mess up again... tell me immediately. Don't let it build up. I’m not good at reading emotions like others. Just say it straight: 'Yo Han, you’re an idiot.' I’ll understand that."
You can't help but smile.
"You’re an idiot," you say.
"Thank you," he almost smiles back. "I’ll remember that."
He reaches out his hand. You look at it for a second, then place yours in his. Yo Han pulls you into a gentle embrace, and you rest your head on his shoulder.
