The next morning, Sunggyu woke up and turned over in bed, only to remember he was alone.

No one sneaking into his bed in the middle of night. No one to snuggle with in the morning.

It was just like before he had ever met Woohyun.

Even though his bed was still warm, Sunggyu couldn’t help but shiver slightly, as he sat up, gripping hard on his comforter. At least before, his bed was a comfortable place where he could hide away from the world, and wallow in his depression and self pity. But he couldn’t even do that any more, because now, lying in bed just made him miss Woohyun even more.

It’s just a week, he told himself.

He tossed the covers aside, just as his cell phone started ringing. He picked it up after seeing that it was Mi Seon.

“Hello?

“Ah Sunggyu. We have some work for you. So if you could come in this afternoon?”

“Work?” Sunggyu paused. “But Woohyun’s not—.”

“I know.” Mi Seon interrupted. “Just come in ok?”

♦♦♦

When Sunggyu arrived at the SC office that afternoon, Dongwoo, Hoya, and Sungjong immediately approached him.

“We heard about Woohyun.” Dongwoo began.

“How’re you holding up hyung?” Sungjong asked, clearly concerned.

“Are you going to be fired now, since your partner is gone?” Hoya questioned, earning him slaps on the arm from the other two.

“Actually, I got called in for some work.” Sunggyu answered.

“Really?!” Dongwoo gasped.

“Yeah, I don’t know much about it…I was just told to come in.”

“Well,” Sungjong placed a consoling hand on Sunggyu’s shoulder. “If you need any help or just need a friend to talk to, we—well Dongwoo hyung or I are always available.”

Sunggyu smiled. “Thanks….” He paused, noticing Myungsoo lying on the bench outside Sungyeol and Sungjong’s shared office. “But I think there’s someone else that might need a friend a little more.”

“Hm?” Sungjong turned to the direction Sunggyu was looking. “Oh you’re talking about the hunter…”

“Did you guys know about him and Sungyeol…?”

“Of course.” Sungjong scoffed. “They were so obvious it was sad. Like if you’re pretending to hate each other then don’t exchange gifts at the Christmas party while gazing lovingly at each other.”

“Yeah, even the boss knew about it!” Dongwoo laughed. “And he’s totally clueless!”

“Who is the boss anyways?” Sunggyu asked. “I’ve still never met him…”

“Oh Sunggyu, you’re here.” Mi Seon called from her office, interrupting their conversation.

“Ah yes!” Sunggyu waved to the others before joining Mi Seon in her office.

“So Woohyun went off for the week to help train Sungyeol in the mountains?” Mi Seon sat down behind her desk and folded her arms. Sunggyu looked up at her with a confused expression. “I bet you’re wondering how I knew about that.” Mi Seon grinned, as Sunggyu nodded. “Woohyun sent me this.” She opened her laptop and showed him an email Woohyun had sent.

Mi Seon noona~

Please let me have the week off ok? Sungyeol did a dumb thing and got himself involved in a fight. He asked me to help him train for it, so I’m going to take him to the mountains =_=

 But don’t worry about reassigning my missions! Just let Sunggyu hyung complete them. He’s more than capable. He already has the fighting skills, and he’s smart and a quick thinker. Just wait a while, you’ll see, he’ll be the best SC officer the world has ever seen! But anyways….what I mean is, Gyu hyung can handle all of my missions while I’m gone. I put my faith in him~! Gyu hyung, fighting!!

Oh and you shouldn’t wear that green eye shadow anymore Mi Seon noona, it makes you looks like a sea mutant.

Also If Gyu hyung is reading this…I love you hyung and I believe in you <3

Sunggyu couldn’t help but smile. “That idiot…” He muttered. “When’d he even get a chance to write this?”

“So as it seems…Woohyun has entrusted his missions onto you.” Mi Seon closed her laptop.

“He said that…but I’m not—.”

“And I happen to agree with him.” Mi Seon cut him off. “You’ve proven to be more than capable, despite your beginner status. Especially with the mermaid case, and the Bogeyman’s sisters. However, I still don’t think you can be sent out alone, so I’ll have you join other officers for the week to complete missions. How does that sound?”

“Uh…well—.”

“Good, right?” Mi Seon pressed on. “So for the first mission, I’ll have you work with Hoya and Dongwoo.”

“Ok…” Sunggyu sighed, realizing he didn’t really have a choice in the matter.

“I’ve already briefed them on the details, so I’ll just give you a short explanation.” Mi Seon told him. “Basically there’s a group of witches, or a witch’s circle, as they like to be called. They’re from the country side, but moved here to open up an herbs and spices shop in the city.” Mi Seon explained.

“Ok so what’s the problem? They don’t have a business license?” Sunggyu joked.

“They keep getting harassed by this group of gangsters.” Mi Seon said.

“Harassed how?”

“Their supplies and merchandise are getting wrecked and destroyed, and sometimes the gangsters break their windows. Some of the witches have received abuse as well.”

“Why don’t they just put some spell on the gangsters to make them stop?” Sunggyu asked.

“The use of witchcraft in the city is very limited. And besides, legally they’re not allowed to cast spells on humans, unless they’re willing to risk prison time.” Mi Seon stated.

“But what if it’s in self defense?” Sunggyu questioned. “I mean there must be a law for that…”

“Sadly we here at the SC are still working on getting them those rights, but for now no such law exists…” Mi Seon sighed. “But anyways…for the mission, I want you—along with Dongwoo and Hoya—to meet with the witches and catch the gangsters so they can be arrested.”

“But isn’t this something that the regular cops should handle? I mean aren’t these thugs just regular humans?”

“Well we’re not sure about that…”

“So they might not be human?”

“I just told you. We’re not sure.” Mi Seon shot him a dry look. “But whatever they are, I’m sure you can handle it.”

“What makes you so sure about that?” Sunggyu eyed her nervously.

“Well the top SC officer believes in you,” Mi Seon grinned. “So I should as well.”

Sunggyu looked down, and rubbed the back of his neck shyly.

“Oh and by the way, what was that about Woohyun-ah saying he loves you? Are you two finally an item?”

Sunggyu blushed. “T-That’s…”

“Aigoo! Don’t have to be shy!” Mi Seon cooed. “Your mom already texted me yesterday with the good news!”

“W-What?!” Sunggyu gasped. “What’d she say?”

“But enough about that. I have something serious to ask you.” Mi Seon’s expression darkened.

“Ok…?”

“Does this green eye shadow really make me look like a sea mutant?!” Mi Seon pouted.

“…I think we’re done here.”

♦♦♦

“This is going to be so exciting!” Dongwoo cheered, as he skipped ahead of Sunggyu and Hoya. “Isn’t this going to be great?! This is going to be so fun!”

“I’m just jumping out of my seat.” Hoya deadpanned, glancing at Sunggyu from the corner of his eye, after getting out of the car.

“Silly! You’re not even sitting!” Dongwoo laughed and pointed, before racing across the street ahead of the other two.

“Why’s he so excited anyways?” Sunggyu sighed. “We’re going to work, not a party.”

“He’s always like that.” Hoya shrugged. “Plus he might have had a few extra donuts on the way here.”

“Hello, you must be the SC officers.” An elderly lady with a terra cotta colored shawl greeted them at the door of the spice shop. She had a petite frame and her graying hair was tied up in a loose bun.

“Ah yes.” Sunggyu bowed respectfully.

“My name is Yu Sun.” She smiled kindly, and gestured for them to follow her inside. The store was tiny, but it was warm and smelled of nutmeg and cinnamon.

“This is a very nice store.” Sunggyu told her with a small smile.

“Thank you dear.” She smiled and her eyes became little crescents. “Come, follow me. We can talk upstairs.”

They followed her up a creaky narrow wooden staircase to the second floor, which seemed to be her living quarters. On one side, there was a small brown couch with a coffee table in front of it, while the rest of the room was concealed by a tan colored curtain. “Sit…would you like some tea?”

“Thank you, that would be great.” Sunggyu told her. The three boys then proceeded to squish onto the rickity suede sofa, while Yu sun disappeared behind the curtain.

“Move over.” Sunggyu elbowed Hoya in the ribs.

“I can’t.” Hoya bit back, while practically falling onto Dongwoo’s lap.

“Uh maybe I should sit on the floor?” Dongwoo suggested, and then a grin formed on his face. “Unless someone will let me sit on their lap~?”

“Sit on the floor.” Hoya and Sunggyu stated in unison with un-amused looks plastered on their faces. Dongwoo merely laughed it off, as he planted his bottom on the carpeted floor, crossing his legs.

“Where’re the other witches?” Sunggyu whispered. “I thought there was supposed to be a group of them?”

“I don’t know.” Hoya smirked. “Maybe they went to the beach to get sandwiches.”

Sunggyu gave him a blank look, while Dongwoo merely sighed and shook his head.

“Well anyways—.”

“Shh!” Dongwoo hissed. They all kept quiet as they heard some hushed voices on the other side of the curtain.

“I told you mother, we don’t need those SC cops snooping around in our business!” They heard a lady mutter.

“Are they men?” Another voice that sounded like a younger girl asked. “Are they good looking?”

“Hush up Se Young!” It was the older lady speaking now. “It doesn’t matter, whether they’re good looking or not, you’re not allowed to get involved with…men.”

“Ugh, so what do you want me to do mom? Become a nun? A lesbian?” The younger girl, Se Young whined.

“Now, now…lets all calm down.” It was Yu Sun talking now. “Why don’t we just sit down with them and discuss our problem and see if they can help. Ok?”

At that, the curtain was swept away slightly, and Yu Sun, followed by the other two women joined them, bringing chairs with them so they could sit.

“This is my daughter, Ye Jin, and my granddaughter, Se Young.” Yu Sun introduced the other two ladies—both had the same long straight jet black hair, and dark eyes. Though, that seemed to be the only thing they had in common. Ye Jin’s hair was in a loose side braid, and her clothes were simple and light—an airy cream colored blouse, and a long grey knit skirt.

Se Young, on the other hand, had her hair in a high ponytail complete with a cutesy bow shaped hair tie, and had on ripped tight-fitting skinny jeans and a vibrant raspberry colored top that was short enough to get a glimpse of her flat stomach.

Se Young’s eyes lit up immediately the moment she laid eyes on the three SC officers. She excitedly glanced at them, while moving to her seat, but ended up tripping and falling flat on her face.

“Are you ok?” Dongwoo, being the nice guy that he was, went to help her to her feet.

She stared up at him with dazzled, love struck eyes.

“A p-prince?”

“Huh?” Dongwoo smiled though he had no idea what she was talking about.

“A-A…beautiful smiling angel…” Se Young murmured.

Dongwoo looked to Hoya and Sunggyu for assistance, but they merely shrugged in return, not having a clue what the girl was going on about either.

“So, we’ve been told there’re some gangsters bothering you.” Sunggyu began, as they all settled into their seats, with the tea Yu Sun had brought.

“Yes…” Yu Sun nodded. “They almost broke my daughter’s arm.”

“Oh mom it wasn’t that bad…” Ye Jin waved her off, cautiously eyeing the three boys.

“When exactly did this all start?” Sunggyu questioned. “Did you know any of the gangsters?” Ye Jin and Yu Sun exchanged hesitant glances.

“N-No…” Ye Jin replied quietly. “We don’t know them…” Se Young shot the older woman a confused look.

“But mom—”

“That’s it. We don’t know them. Next question.” Ye Jin ignored her daughter.

Obviously Sunggyu, Hoya and Dongwoo didn’t believe them for a second.

“Look…” Sunggyu said. “If you want us to help, you should tell us everything you know. We’re on your side.”

“We just want to help.” Dongwoo added, full of conviction, causing Se Young to sigh dreamily.

“Fine…” Ye Jin sighed. “Its…it’s my daughter.”

“Your daughter?”

“My other daughter. Se Young’s older sister.” Ye Jin explained. “She’s a part of that gang.”

“Wait…a girl’s a part of the gang?” Sunggyu asked.

“Yes, why?” Ye Jin answered nonchalantly.

“No never mind, that’s not important.” Sunggyu nodded. “But why is your own daughter trying to ruin your business?”

“That’s…” Ye Jin looked away. “She never wanted to be a witch in the first place…she’s always hated us.”

“So wouldn’t this be considered a family affair?” Hoya asked. “I don’t really think its something we should get involved in.”

“But does that mean the gangsters she’s with are humans?” Sunggyu asked.

“I don’t think so.” Yu Sun replied.

“Then…what are they?”

♦♦♦

Having no idea what they were facing off against, Sunggyu, Hoya and Dongwoo parked across the street and waited and watched from inside Sunggyu’s car for the gangsters to appear. Yu Sun had told them, they usually appeared around closing time, which was soon, since the sun was setting.

Sunggyu sighed and leaned back in the driver’s seat, stretching his arms.

“So Woohyun’s going to be back in a week?” Dongwoo asked from the back seat, while Hoya yawned sleepily beside him.

“Yeah.” Sunggyu nodded, and then turned around to face the other two. “How come you both sat at the back?”

“Because…” Dongwoo grinned. “The front seat’s where Woohyun usually sits right?”

Sunggyu snorted. “But he’s not here right now.”

“Yes he is.” Dongwoo beamed. “He’s in your heart.”

“Pfft what?” Sunggyu chuckled.

Hoya shivered. “That totally sounds like something Woohyun would say. God he’s so greasy….”

Sunggyu smiled to himself, as he thought of the email Woohyun had sent Mi Seon. He wondered what Woohyun was doing, and if he was ok.

“Well…there’s nothing else I can do for him now…” He thought to himself. “So, I’ll just believe in him.”

♦♦♦

“T-They’re coming this way!” Sungyeol panted, as he crouched down next to Woohyun behind a huge steely gray boulder. “We have to run.”

“Run?” Woohyun scoffed, not even breaking a sweat. “If we run, you won’t learn anything. We’re fighting them.”

“B-But aren’t those ogres?”

“Yeah so?” Woohyun shrugged. “They’re dumb and slow. It’ll be easy to take them down.”

“Y-Yeah but they’re big and they have weapons!” Sungyeol exclaimed.

“They’re not that big, and their so called weapons are just some crappy twigs.”

“B-But they seem to be minding their own business! I mean why should we bother them?” Sungyeol attempted to make an excuse.

Woohyun rolled his eyes. “Didn’t you say you wanted me to help you? You’re not going to stand a chance against the head of the hunters with this weak stick like body of yours. And what’s even worse is you’re a huge coward.”

“W-Well sorry Mr. SC officer of the year!” Sungyeol pouted. “Not all of us can be strong and brave and—.”

“You really think I was like this from the beginning?” Woohyun sighed. “It takes work.”

“I-I know…” Sungyeol frowned. “But I’m scared…and I miss Myungsoo.”

“Who do you think you’re doing this for? Isn’t it for him?” Sungyeol bit his lip, before nodding. “Well ok then. Let’s go.” Woohyun grabbed Sungyeol’s wrist and dragged them out from behind the boulder.

There was a group of the hairy beasts, and they were all standing around in a circle. Woohyun casually strode over to them and joined them in the circle.

“Y-Yah…what’re you doing?!” Sungyeol whispered hoarsely, as he nervously hid behind Woohyun.

“So what’s going on?” Woohyun asked the ogre standing beside him—a tall chubby, orange skinned fellow with long stringy red hair and a beard to match. He was sporting a cross earring on each of his pointy ears, and had on nothing but a tattered brown loin cloth.

“Oh well you see,” The ogre chuckled, while shamelessly picking his nose. “These guys found this girly elf and they’re beating him up now.”

“Hah take that princess!” One of the ogres in the circle jeered, while the others howled and whistled and pumped their fists in the air. Woohyun spotted the young elf, cowering in the grass with his dainty porcelain arms covering his head, while two ogres took turns kicking him.

“Still think we should just leave them alone?” Woohyun muttered.

Sungyeol’s clenched his fists. There’ nothing he hated more than seeing a helpless creature being attacked for absolutely no reason.

Sungyeol cracked his knuckles. “Let’s get ‘em.”

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Sorry I took so long to update. Does anyone still remember this story? >.<

Anyways, I'm not going to have each day go on for like 5 chapters like usual, because then it'll take forever for woogyu to be reunited =_=