Chapter Text
“Here, I’ve put mine and Aunties numbers in already.” Cha Eui-jae handed the bandaged boy a new phone. “You can text me whenever you want, although I might not be able to respond right away.” He watched the boy – Lee Sa-young, he reminded himself – carefully take the new phone and tap on his number before slowly, with trembling fingers, worked to send a single text.
It wasn’t that long ago the doctors had told him the boy may not live. Then the words had changed. He might not regain the use of his hands; there was a chance he would never see again. But the boy kept proving them wrong.
He could see again. Not well and any strain would give him headaches, but he could see. He had also regained enough use of his hands that he’d been able to carefully, slowly, write his own name. Lee Sa-young.
Lee Sa-young was even starting to walk again. His pace was slow and careful, and he needed someone to help support his weight. But Cha Eui-jae would stay with him for however long fate allowed, helping him walk a steady circuit around the room.
When Cha Eui-jae thought the boy could manage it, he’d gone out and bought him a phone. He couldn’t talk, not yet, but he would be able to text. His aunt had insisted he also give Lee Sa-young her number. She wouldn’t take no for an answer.
Cha Eui-jae heard his phone ding pulling him from his thoughts.
Hyung <3
He smiled beneath his mask before sending a reply.
Lee Sa-young <3
Lee Sa-young grinned at the phone in his hands before throwing himself at Cha Eui-jae who caught him with a laugh. “Careful, if you hurt yourself the doctors will keep you here longer.” He ruffled the boy’s hair before easing him back onto the bed.
A loud beeping sound was heard from Cha Eui-jae’s watch and he sighed. “Sorry, I need to get going. I’ll text you later, ok?” Lee Sa-young pouted but nodded his head, clutching his new phone tight to his chest.
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The following days past with a comfortable rhythm that made him relax, if only a little.
He would get called to clear what rifts or dungeons opened that day, lending his support wherever it was needed. Even if the hunters on site could have handled it without difficulty.
His aunt would call him to see how he was doing, she would always ask if he’d eaten a proper meal or had gotten enough sleep. She nagged him when he said no.
He spent time between missions at headquarters, either with the Director for a briefing or with Jung Bin on the outdoor stairs. Sometimes they talked and shared information, other times just enjoyed the quite.
The doctors told him that Lee Sa-young would soon be able to leave the hospital. Cha Eui-jae had panicked until his aunt stepped in and began making the arrangements to bring Lee Sa-young to his home. The boy had been so excited with the offer to live with him that he’d hurt his neck nodding.
Cha Eui-jae texted Lee Sa-young whenever he had a spare moment.
Good morning!
How are you feeling?
I think I’ll have some free time later. I’ll come visit, okay?
I ordered some furniture for your room. Just the basic stuff! You need a bed to sleep in. You can pick out the rest.
We’ll go shopping once you’re discharged.
You, me and auntie. You can pick out anything you want.
Sound like fun?
For once in this new life of his, things were good. He was looking forward to Lee Sa-young coming home and his aunt planned on staying over for a few days to help him settle in. Cha Eui-jae had already begun making plans involving Lee Sa-young, already imagining the boys’ reactions to so many things.
Cha Eui-jae was happy his family had grow.
When his aunt called to let him know she’d be entering a rift Cha Eui-jae didn’t think much of it, he wished her well and they agreed to get together once she was back. What followed felt like a dream, one he wanted to wake up from but couldn’t escape.
Two weeks later, the Director called him.
Aunt was missing.
Missing along with her entire team and the team they’d gone to rescue.
The director ordered J to enter the rift to find any survivors and close it.
He had seen the files. He knew what hunters had already been lost in this rift. Every instinct told him to run, to stay away from that rift. He knew if he stepped foot into that rift he would never come back. Just like Auntie. Just like everyone else.
Instead, he nodded and asked when he was to deploy. Because that’s what a hero did, they died to help others. And he knew that he could never leave those hunters, his aunt, in that rift. Not when there was even the slimmest chance he could still save someone.
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Cha Eui-jae stood outside the door to Lee Sa-youngs room, he didn’t want to have this conversation. Lee Sa-young had come to adore his aunt despite never having met her in person. He had been looking forward to seeing her for the first time when he was discharged from the hospital. Now he had to tell the boy he might never meet her.
He could hear the sounds of cloth shuffling in the room beyond. He had texted Lee Sa-young to let the boy know he was going to visit.
Steeling himself with a breath, he opened the door and entered the room. “Hyung’s here!”
Lee Sa-young fidgeted with excitement on the narrow bed, a smile illuminating his face. He reached out to Cha Eui-jae who embraced him in a hung. After several moments Cha Eui-jae gently rubbed the boy on his back before releasing him from the embrace. “How are you feeling? Better today?” he gently asked the boy.
Lee Sa-young grabbed his notepad and pen before eagerly writing a response to Cha Eui-jae’s questions.
No pain today. The doctors said I don’t need as much medicine anymore.
After letting Cha Eui-jae read the words he turned the pad back and began writing again.
When can I leave the hospital? I want to go home with you and meet Auntie!
Cha Eui-jae felt a crushing weight on his heart. He pulled Lee Sa-young into another hug and held him quietly until the boy tapped him on the side. “I have to go away for a while. Auntie went into a rift to look for someone and got lost, I need to go find her.” Cha Eui-jae said slowly.
He felt Lee Sa-young start to tremble in his arms, his face rubbing against his chest repeatedly with the anxious shakes of his head. Lee Sa-young pushed himself out of Cha Eui-jae’s hold and grabbed his notepad.
Auntie can’t be missing. She can’t!
“I’m Sorry Lee Sa-young. I’ll do my best to find her and bring her back.” Cha Eui-jae attempted to soothe the boy by gently stroking his arm.
Lee Sa-young wouldn’t calm down, instead writing more on the notepad, his tears threatening to fall.
Don’t go. Please. Stay here. I’m scared. What if you get lost too?
Cha Eui-jae didn’t want to lie to Lee Sa-young, he didn’t want to give the boy false hope. “I promise I’ll come back.” He held out his pinky. “Will you wait for me?” ‘And forgive me for being selfish just this once?’
Lee Sa-young watched him with tear-ladened eyes for several moments before reaching out and linking his finger with Cha Eui-jae’s.
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A few hours before he was to enter the rift, he found himself alone with Jung Bin. “Jung Bin, could you do me a favor?” He asked the blond-haired man.
He didn’t hesitate. “Of course J, what did you need?”
“If I don’t come back, could you look after someone for me? He’s a boy I rescued from a rift, he’s still in the hospital but the doctors say he’ll be able to leave soon. His entire family died, he has no one left.” J let the words rush out.
Jung Bin stood still for several seconds. “You’ll come back J. Don’t start talking like you won’t.”
“Please Jung Bin. I have no one else to ask.” J almost pleaded with the older man.
Jung Bin closed his eyes. He knew how dangerous this rift was, he knew the odds of even J returning were slim. He knew they were probably sending him to his death. J knew that too. “What hospital is he at?” Jung Bin asked with a resigned sigh.
He watched J’s tense shoulders relax a little while he told Jung Bin the information on the hospital and doctors treating the boy in question. He wished he could do more for him. He wished he could go in his place. But he knew that was impossible. Instead, he would do his best to care for this child J had saved.
“I don’t know the full extent of my assets, but could you make sure he receives them? That way he won’t have to worry about housing or living expenses.” J was still breathlessly talking. “His name is Lee Sa-young, he can’t speak yet but he can write.”
Jung Bin placed a hand on J’s shoulder. “Don’t worry about the boy, I’ll make sure he’s taken care of. Worry about yourself, do everything you can to come back to him.”
J nodded his head.
They both knew better.
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After J and the other hunters entered the West Sea Rift the entrance had vanished in an instant. The rift was still there - hanging ominously above the sea - however, no one could enter or leave. The bureau had kept watch over the West Sea Rift for weeks. The entrance never reappeared. The rift itself however, slowly began to change. It began to fade.
In a month it had vanished completely. People waited for the hunters to reappear, or at least for their remains to be returned. The ranking update that followed saw the removal of the names of every hunter who had entered the West Sea Rift.
Not one hunter came back. Alive or dead.
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J had been declared dead. Lost to the rift. A noble heroes sacrifice to save the country they said. Jung Bin bit his tongue. Cursing out those who lauded J’s death has if it was some grand deed wouldn’t bring him back and he had other far more important matters to take care of.
He had a promise to keep.
He had called prior to his arrival at the hospital Lee Sa-young was being treated at. The doctor he spoke to had agreed to meet him at a side entrance to not draw unwanted attention.
“The boy is almost at the point he can be released. He’s made remarkable progress.” The doctor announced while guiding him down the endless hallways to a restricted ward. “We’ve done our best to say nothing in earshot but, he seems to have realized something happened to J.” He led Jung Bin to a door the doctor unlocked with a keycard.
Inside was a single narrow bed, its bandaged occupant appeared to be upset. The Nurse with him looked to be trying to calm him down. However, the quite words that reached Jung Bin’s ears didn’t match her actions and he found them highly concerning.
“He’s not coming back. Even a stupid brat like you should be smart enough to understand that. Sign the form and I can take you somewhere nicer. Do you want to stay here? Locked up in this room? Just sign the damn form!”
Lee Sa-young held up a notepad and shook his head.
The woman went to snatch the pad from the boys’ hands when the doctor spoke. “Ga-young what is going on? What are you doing? Why is the patient so upset?”
The nurse whipped around at the doctors’ sudden questions. “Doctor! You startled me! He’s just upset! J hasn’t visited him in so long. I was only trying to calm him down!” She hastily tripped over her own words, eyeing Jung Bin warily.
“Yes, well. The patient’s legal guardian is here so if you would.” The doctor stepped to the side, indicating for her to leave.
Ga-young’s eyes widened at the statement from the doctor before she plastered on a fake smile. “Certainly.” She nodded her head and all but ran from the room. Just before the door had closed completely Jung Bin heard the woman mutter to herself. “Damnit! I was so close. Why is he here? I need to get that brat to sign befo...” The voice faded.
Jung Bin didn’t wait for the doctor to make introductions. He approached Lee Sa-young and gently placed his hand on the back of one of the boys’ trembling hands and spoke softly. “Hello, Lee Sa-young. My name is Jung Bin, I’m a friend of J’s. Did he ever mention me?” He smiled at the boy when he nodded his head. Jung Bin eyed the notepad the boy was still holding.
IM NOT GOING WITH YOU
IM WAITING FOR J AND AUNTIE
He watched while Lee Sa-young flipped to a blank page of the notepad and began writing.
Do you know when J is coming back?
Jung Bin looked Lee Sa-young in the eyes and told him the truth. “I’m sorry Lee Sa-young. J won’t be coming back, he died in the rift with the other hunters.”
Lee Sa-young froze. Then slowly he began to shake his head, tears beginning to spill from his eyes. He attempted to write several times before managing to get something mostly legible.
You’re lying
He promised to come back
He promised
“J tried his hardest to come back. He didn’t…” Jung Bin was cut off when Lee Sa-young suddenly threw the notepad at him. It landed on the ground, the words still facing him. Tears filled his eyes, his entire body trembling with silent sobs. Lee Sa-young futilely shoved at him.
The monitors connected to the boy started sounding various alarms. Causing the doctor to pull Jung Bin away, as more medical staff ran into the room.
“I apologize. If you could leave for today and comeback tomorrow to discuss things further?” the doctor cast anxious glances back at the boy.
“Doctor.” Jung Bin grabbed the doctors’ attention back. “How soon can he be discharged?”
“He still needs several rounds of treatment.” The doctor said clearly flustered.
“Does he need to stay here for that, or can he be brought in for his treatments?” Jung Bin pressed. The words that the nurse Ga-young had spoken still echoed in his ears.
“He could possibly be… I’m sorry can we have this discussion tomorrow?” The doctor turned back to Lee Sa-young when several voices called for him.
“Yes, I’ll be back tomorrow.” Jung Bin looked back at the boy. He had finally begun to calm down with the help of the sedatives they’d had to administer.
He would protect this boy for J who no longer could.
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The following day Jung Bin returned to the hospital. He didn’t have much spare time but this couldn’t wait, his instincts screamed at him that he needed to get the boy out. He sat in the doctors’ office looking over the necessary forms.
“I understand you would like the boy released but he really should remain for another week or two.” The doctor had been voicing protests that Jung Bin kept rejecting.
“You said he only needed to be here for his treatments? I see no reason that should require him to spend every moment here, I can have someone bring him in every day for his scheduled treatments.” Jung Bin spoke dismissively, still maintaining his attention on the forms in his hands.
The doctor eventually gave in and consented to Lee Sa-young being discharged the following day but only after giving Jung Bin a detailed lecture on the boys’ care. He would have to find help he knew, he couldn’t care for the boy by himself, not with his workload but he would worry about that once he knew the boy was safe.
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The following day Lee Sa-young watched Jung Bin walk into his room, intending to take him home. The nurses already had him dressed in lose fitted clothes and sitting in a wheelchair, his few things packed in a bag beside him. This was the day he’d been looking forward to for months, but now he felt no happiness, only bitter loss.
He had imagined what this day would be like so many times he’d lost count.
His Hyung would walk in with open arms and an unseen smile in his strange, modulated voice, hugging him and asking if he was excited to go. Hyung would insist on pushing his wheelchair, happily chatting away the entire time. Auntie would be waiting for them at the car. She’d smile at him and tell him how happy she was to finally see him before driving them back to Hyung’s house - Lee Sa-young doubted his Hyung knew how to drive. Hyung would give him a tour of the house and show him his new room, while aunt made them all lunch.
Now however, in place of his loveable Hyung a stranger stood, and a nurse pushed his wheelchair down the hallways. No one waited at the car. Lee Sa-young wanted to cry and scream; he had lost everything, again.
Lee Sa-young didn’t respond to Jung Bin or any of the hospital staff, he didn’t acknowledge their farewells and good wishes. He didn’t react when he was moved from his wheelchair into a plain black car. And he didn’t notice one nurse standing behind everyone, glaring murderously at Jung Bin.
Jung Bins home was small, not truly meant for more than one occupant. “I know the place is a little cramped, you can have the bedroom until I figure something else out.” He’d pointed to a door before pulling out his phone and making calls.
Jung Bin didn’t know how to cook, he ordered takeout, the food was half cold by the time it arrived. “I’ll pick you up some clothes and essentials tomorrow.” He’d told him while they ate. The food was tasteless.
That night Lee Sa-young laid in the unfamiliar bed and stared at his phone, his already poor eyesight further clouded by tears.
Hyung?
Where are you?
You promised to come back.
When are you coming back?
You promised to find auntie and come home.
I miss you.
Please come back soon.
I need you.