Love is Stronger than Blood (Snowdrop Oneshots)

16- deafening silence part 1

Tbh, all of Kangmu and Hanna's scenes in the early episodes only made sense when you watched them after finishing the whole series.

So you should probably do that if you haven't already. This oneshot is a deeper dive into those few scenes.

===
"I'd tell you I miss you but I don't know how
I've never heard silence quite this loud"
-Taylor Swift, The Story of Us
===

He's briefing the Seoul chapter of the ANSP on his target of upwards of three years— Taedong River 1. One of the Seoul-based ANSP agents inserts film sheets behind a projector, showing the gruesome evidence of Taedong River 1's espionage work over the years, from Korea to Germany.

"And while chasing him, one of our agents..." Lee Kangmu's voice trails off as the image of Jinseong's impaled body projects onto the board.

"So you've come back to Korea to catch Taedong River 1?" One agent asks.

Kangmu stands. He never thought he'd come back here. It has been six years since he's stood in this building last, but he has to catch this Northern spy. So, he's back.

"He's been acting secretly all over Germany, and now he's in Seoul," he says, turning to face the gathered agents.

And that's when he sees her, leaning against a metal file cabinet.

Jang Hanna.

His dark eyes lock with hers, and panic flashes across his mind.

Jen-jang... what is she doing here?

She has barely changed in six years. Her black hair is shorter now, barely touching her shoulders, and her face seems a little wearier than he remembers. But still, there's no mistaking it. She's Jang Hanna, the woman he fell in love with and was engaged to marry so many years ago but was forced to suddenly abandon without a word.

She gives him a tiny awkward wave. It's clear to him that she recognizes him too. He just can't tell if she's happy to see him or not.

Babo-ya, he tells himself. You left her for six years. Why would she be happy to see you?

Kangmu snaps himself out of it, tearing his eyes away from her.

"He either has to win someone over in Seoul, or he was given a mission the agents here can't pull off," he says, but his focus has drifted from Taedong River 1 to the woman it's taking all his willpower not to look at. 

He runs his hand through his hair, which has become a nervous habit of his. "In any case, we must get him before he accomplishes his mission."

"It's much more urgent than catching small-fry spies," Chief Ahn speaks up. "All right. Any volunteers?"

Kangmu hears footsteps retreating. Hanna walks away from the group, disappearing out of sight. He doesn't know whether to feel relieved or go after her.

"Who wants to work with Kangmu?" Ahn asks.

Several agents volunteer, and Kangmu surveys the team he's now got. Hanna's footsteps stop before coming back over. Before Kangmu can turn around, a shot rings out. A hole appears in the cloth projection board behind him. The agents dive in a panic to the ground. Chief Ahn hides behind a folding chair, but Kangmu barely flinches.