chapter 004 steps to recovery 1/2       "Well..." One doctor started before letting out a deep exhale. "For both of them, it did require surgery to get the bullets out and to successfully stitch up the wounds. For Tae Il, due to being recently released from the hospital from a stabbing injury, the stitches were ripped open. We had to put new stitches in, also in some of his intestines as well. So he'll be in some pain, which will require pain meds and a couple nights here. But other than that, he's very dizzy and weak from the amount of blood loss he's suffered. Tae Il is stable but still unconscious. We estimate he'll be awake within another hour or so."   "And as for Dae Gu, it's a bit more serious. Just because the bullet didn't come close enough to his heart doesn't mean it didn't do damage. Any type of injury in the chest area could be enough to cause death alone. With that said, he'll be having trouble breathing due to the pain in his chest. So, please, do not allow him any movement or straining. We don't want him to add insult to injury. He's also unconscious and will be awake within the hour. If you want, you guys can go visit them." The doctor suggested, reaching for the doorknob. They all let out a exhale of relief before nodding eagerly. The doctor opened the door and began leading them to the rooms.   "We managed to book them close rooms so you guys don't need to travel far to visit them." A doctor said as they continued walking.   Gook blinked a bit before leaning in slightly. "When do you think they'll be out of the hospital?" He asked.   "For Taeil, it'll be a couple days. But we're only going to release Dae Gu out of the hospital once a week and a half passes. Since a chest injury is pretty harmful, especially if it deals with a bullet." One of the doctors replied before stopping in front of a door, turning to face them. "Room 201, which is this room, belongs to Taeil. Room 202 is where Dae Gu is staying." Panseok bowed his head at the doctors before watching them leave.   "I'm going in first." Gook bursted without hesitation, opening Taeil's door. As the door shut behind him, he stopped half-way into the room as his eyes locked on to the unconscious body occupying the hospital, a couple cords hooked up into his arms. Gook swallowed thickly before taking a small step forward. "Taeil...?" He tested, trying to see if the other was awake or not. But the other didn't respond. Gook bit his lip and walked towards the bed, studying Taeil's still face for a couple seconds before bursting into tears. He reached up and held Taeil's face in his hands, his thumbs running over both fresh and barely healed scraps.   "I'm so sorry." He sobbed before moving on to the bed, holding Taeil tightly to his chest as he rested his head on to Taeil's. "Like last time...I couldn't protect you. I promised that I'd never let you get harmed ever again. But I broke that promise." Gook squeezed his eyes shut and held Taeil closer. "I'm so sorry, Taeil-ssi! Please...forgive me..."   Panseok turned to Soo Sun. "Did you want to come in with me or see Taeil first?" He question. Soo Sun lightly puffed her cheeks out.   "I want to see Taeil first, but I'm going to give Gook a couple minutes in there. So, yes, I'll go in there with you." She replied. Panseok nodded softly and opened the door to Dae Gu's door, only to be taken back in shock. Dae Gu looked up at them and blinked a little.   "Soo Sun...Panseok..." He murmured. Panseok blinked rapidly, his eyes widening. Soo Sun gasped softly and ran over to Dae Gu's bedside.   "The doctor said you'd unconscious for another hour or so! When did you wake up?" She exclaimed.   Dae Gu lightly rubbed the side of his head. "About a minute or so ago..." He lightly shrugged. "I wake up when I wake up, I suppose." Dae gu went silent for a moment before his eyes widened. He looked over at Panseok and was about to speak.   "Don't worry." Panseok reassured, holding up his hand before folding his arms. "Taeil is still alive. He's in the room next door." Dae Gu let out a small sigh in relief before nodding softly. "He'll be released from the hospital within a couple days. You, however," Panseok walked over to the bed and sat down on the edge. "will be released in less than 2 weeks." Dae Gu looked at him before looking down at his chest. "The doctor said an injury to the chest is pretty critical."   "...It is really hard to breathe...My chest is heavy..." Dae Gu replied. Panseok nodded.   "You don't need to speak if it pains you that much!" Soo Sun whined softly. "You should be careful and not strain yourself, Dae Gu." Dae Gu nodded softly before lightly rubbing his chest. The door opened and a still sobbing Gook trudged in. Soo Sun exclaimed a bit before grabbing a box of tissues and going over to her friend. Panseok watched after her, unaware of Dae Gu's gaze fixed on him.   "...Did you mean what you said?" Dae Gu asked softly, grabbing Panseok's attention.   "Bwo?" Panseok's eyebrows raised a little as he grew wary of the meaning behind Dae Gu's question.   "What you said earlier..." Dae Gu shifted a bit before lowering his gaze. "...before I got taken into the ambulance..."   Panseok blinked as he recalled what he had said. "Oh, right. That."   "Please...don't leave me...I love you too much."   He sighed deeply and crossed one leg over the other, folding his arms across his chest. "I'm surprised you even heard me, much less remember." He nibbled on his lower lip for a minute before he continued. "But yes. I did mean what I said." Dae Gu looked up at him, his eyes wide in shock. "...I do love you, Dae Gu." Panseok confessed as he looked at Dae Gu. "I don't expect you to return it either. I don't expect anything. I'm just..." He exhaled and reached forward, putting his hand on Dae Gu's thigh before giving it a gentle squeeze. "...Burdened."   "Burdened?" Dae Gu pushed forward, his eyebrows slightly furrowing. "With me?"   "Ani." Panseok s