chapter 003 it's my fault           ( short author's note: this chapter will be have a flashback. just a warning. flashbacks are indicated by italics. )   "He's...gonna be fine. Both of them are." Soo Sun reassured both Gook and Panseok. She looked back and forth between the grief-striken men. Panseok was pacing back and forth, as he had been for at least 2 hours since they arrived at the hospital. While Gook was sitting silently in a chair, his shaking hands and his clothes covered in Taeil's blood as tears rolled down his cheeks. He would sniff a few times and rub his eyes but he didn't utter a single word as he stared down at the floor.   "Speaking of Taeil," Panseok stopped pacing and turned to Gook. "what were you two doing leaving Dae Gu alone?! You guys fully knew that Hyung Cheol was on the loose." He scolded. Gook swallowed thickly and leaned back in his chair.   "...It was my fault." He replied softly, his voice shaking. Soo Sun blinked and slowly sat down beside him. "It's all my fault...I did this. I did this to him..."   "To Taeil?" Soo Sun asked, her eyebrows raising a little. When Gook nodded, she continued with another question. "What was going on between you two anyways?"   Gook sniffed and wiped his eyes with his sleeve again. "...It's been like this for a couple of days..." He started. "I was at the vending machine with him when he left go grab something at his desk. Another detective pulled me aside and told me that about the rumors he heard; that Taeil was gay. I didn't believe him, so I defended my friend naturally. I never told Taeil about it, though. I felt like it'd be an odd topic to talk about." He shrugged and looked down at his hands. "But then the next day, we went out drinking, remember? All of us did to celebrate a success in closing a bit case. Taeil was really drunk, so I had to help him into the bed. But out of no where, he suddenly blurted out that he was gay and that he was in love with me. I thought he was joking so I made an excuse up saying that it was just the alcohol. But he made a 5 minute speech of how much he loves me and then I knew; the rumors about him were true..."   "And that's why you avoided him? Because he's gay and in love with you?" Panseok put his hands on his hips. "Boy, he's your friend. You shouldn't just cast him aside because of his ual preference."   Gook looked up. "I know, I know! But it was a lot to take in! Hell, I didn't even know if I was gay - well I tried to convince myself not to be." He admited. "Well...when I started avoiding him, I knew he would  do anything just for me to even look at him. But I was stubborn, I never gave in. Taeil walked into our room earlier and said that we needed to talk and he managed to convince me into going out to buy chicen and beer with him. We even invited Dae Gu with us but he stayed behind. We left the complex and almost immediately, I began arguing with him. I walked away from him and he went after me. Then, out of nowhere, out of the corner of my eye, I saw someone reach out and grab him. I...I-It's all my fault." Gook sobbed. "If I didn't avoid him, if I didn't treat him like all because he's gay and in love me, he wouldn't be in a hospital bed either." Soo Sun frowned and immediately hugged her crying friend. He squeezed his eyes shut and leaned into her embrace. "It's all my fault."   ( warning: flash back )   "Gook come on." Taeil continued, nudging Gook - who was attempting to hide away from Taeil but burying himself in his blankets. "Can we at least talk about it? If we continue ignoring each other, it's not going to solve anything! It's just going to get worse." Gook groaned and sat up, the blanket falling off of him, and glared up at Taeil.   "Alright fine. But make it quick and no sudden love confession. I'll hit you for real this time." He warned and folded his arms across his chest.   "Not here." Taeil shook his head. "We could argue - and if we do, Dae Gu won't be happy." Gook blinked before sighing, rolling his eyes. "Gook come on! Stop being so damn stubborn. Let's go already. We can go get chicken and beer." Taeil reached up and grabbed Gook's hand, pulling him out of the bed. Gook whined and tried to resist but Taeil wasn't willing to take no as an answer. He tugged Gook out of the room and into Dae Gu's room. Dae Gu looked up from his lap top and looked over at Taeil and Gook.   "We're going to go get chicken and beer. Did you want to come?" Taeil asked. Dae Gu blinked and looked between Gook and Taeil before sighing.   "Aniyo I'm fine." He replied. "I was about to make ramen actually." Taeil nodded and closed the door before dragging Gook away. Gook whined and yanked his wrist away once they were out of the complex.   "You can stop dragging me around like I'm some rag doll now!" He hissed. Taeil looked at him with a frown. Gook scoffed slightly and walked past him. "Now let's go before I change my mind. As he passed a certain, large bush, Gook had no idea that Hyung Cheol was hiding in it - alarmed by their presence. Taeil sighed and began walking after him.   "See? I told you we'd have to go to a different place. Dae Gu would not like us arguing." He ruffled his hair a bit in frustration. "Gook, will you stop and just listen to me for a second?!"   Gook shook his head. "Shut up before I change my mind and head back to the apartment." He threatened. When Gook heard no response, he turned around to see if Taeil was still behind him since he heard no footsteps. Gook gasped softly and stopped walking, his eyes widening as he saw the scene in front of him.   "So at first I was hiding because I didn't know who you guys were." Hyung Cheol chuckled, his deep voice rumbling in Taeil's ear. He had one arm around Taeil's throat, holding him firmly to his chest, while the other held a gun right under his chin.   "...Oh ." Gook mumbled as he realized that it was Hyung Cheol holding Taeil.   "But then I heard this guy mention Dae Gu." Hyung Cheol glanced down at Taeil. "And my job just got a lot easier now. Thanks. You guys did well." He complimented. Taeil swallowed thickly and gripped on to Hyung Cheol's arm tighter.   "Taeil, just stay still." Gook advised, holding his hand out a little.   Hyung Cheol chuckled. "Yeah, you better not move unless you want a bullet lodged in your mouth." He hissed. Taeil immediately froze. "You," he looked up at Gook. "follow me. You even stray away or call for help, I will not hesitate to kill your friend here. Got me?" Gook nodded obediently. "Good. Kajja." He began walking backwards, occasionally looking behind him to see where he was going. Gook began following him, keeping a safe distance. Taeil looked up at Hyung Ch