I slowly emerged from a haze of dreams, my body feeling heavy and sore. The antiseptic scent of the hospital filled my nostrils, mingling with the faint aroma of flowers. The soft beeping of machines provided a steady rhythm, grounding me as I struggled to open my eyes. When I finally did, the harsh fluorescent lights made me squint, and it took a moment for my vision to clear.
I became aware of a warm, comforting weight on my hand. Turning my head slightly, I saw him – Agent 023, dozing off in a chair next to my bed, his hand enveloping mine. His dark hair fell over his eyes, and his face, usually so guarded and composed, looked softer in sleep. My heart fluttered at the sight, an unexpected warmth spreading through my chest.
Ignoring the dull ache in my shoulder, I shifted slightly, trying to sit up. The rustling of the sheets woke him. He blinked a few times, disoriented, before his eyes locked onto mine. Relief washed over his features, and he straightened up, his hand holding mine.
"Seol, you're awake," he said, his voice rough from sleep but filled with unmistakable concern.
"Yeah," I replied, my voice barely a whisper. His use of my name caught me off guard, sending a jolt through me. I remembered telling him my name at the park, but hearing it now, in this context, was different.
"How long have I been out?" I managed to ask, pushing the thought aside for now. My heart would explode if I kept thinking about it.
"Three days," he answered, his grip tightening slightly. "You had us all worried."
I winced as I adjusted my position, the pain in my shoulder flaring up. He immediately reached out, helping me sit up more comfortably, his touch gentle yet firm. The warmth of his hand seeped through the thin hospital gown, grounding me in the moment. I also may or may not have peeked at his veins popping out of his forearms.
"What happened with the mission?" I asked, pretending that I absolutely did not see his arm veins, as he fussed over the pillows behind me.
He sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We managed to push back the attackers. The mafia boss got away, but we gathered enough intel to track him down. The higher-ups are already planning for our next move."
"Good," I said, nodding slowly. "And the team?"
"Everyone made it out," he reassured me. "A few injuries, but nothing too serious. You took the worst hit."
I looked down at my bandaged shoulder, the memory of the gunfire and the searing pain flashing through my mind, making me wince just at the thought. "Guess I wasn't quick enough," I muttered, frustration creeping into my voice.
"Hey," he said softly, leaning in closer. "You did great out there. We all know the risks. And you saved a lot of lives."
I met his gaze, the intensity in his eyes sending a shiver down my spine. Suddenly, a realization hit me. This was the first time I was face-to-face with Agent 023, both of us knowing that we had met at the park. The puppy-looking boy from that day was my partner, the one sitting beside me now.
"You're the guy from the park," I said, now fully confident in myself. Thankfully I had recognized the right guy, and not mistaken him for someone else. Because that would've been embarrassing.
His eyes widened slightly in surprise, then he nodded slowly, a small, knowing smile spreading across his lips. "And you're the spirited lady wouldn't take no for an answer."
A burst of warmth spread through me at the recognition. "I never really expected to see you here, of all places," I said, my voice a mix of relief and curiosity. "But I suppose it makes sense, given our line of work."
He leaned in slightly, his breath warm against my face. "Funny how fate works, isn't it?" His eyes locked onto mine with a soft intensity, and I could feel his proximity stirring a flutter in my chest. The chic, mysterious Agent 023 was nowhere to be found. "You were quite memorable, even amidst the chaos."
"Is that so?" I asked, a teasing edge to my voice, though my heart raced at his nearness.
"Definitely," he replied with a smirk, his face just inches from mine. "But you know, you never told me your name."
Huh, is this a new way of flirting now? Pretending not to know my name when I heard you call me when I was nearly dying?
I had indeed introduced myself at the park, and he had called me by my name when I was shot. I smiled despite the warmth of his breath against my skin. "Actually, you already know my name. You called me Seol when I got shot."
He looked slightly puzzled for a moment before comprehension dawned on him. "Ah, right. I did call you by name. I suppose I was just hoping to hear it again."
I chuckled softly, trying to ignore the way his nearness made my heart race. "I'm not sure if I should be flattered or annoyed by that."
And I'm not sure if I'll be okay with you being so close like that. You wanna see me dying of heart palpitation??
He leaned in even closer, his voice dropping to a whisper as he spoke directly into my ear. "Definitely flattered," he said, his breath warm against my skin. "And if you really want to know, my name is Sunghoon."
The whisper of his name sent a shiver down my spine. I tried to focus on his face, which was so close to mine, but the warmth and intimacy of the moment made it difficult. "Sunghoon," I repeated, the name feeling unusually personal and intimate.
Sunghoon pulled back slightly, his face close enough that I could still feel his warmth. His playful smile made my cheeks flush. "Now, it's your turn."
I took a deep breath, trying not to puke from the tingling butterflies in my stomach. "Seol," I said softly, my voice a mix of shyness and affection. I must really like him, 'cause I am not usually a shy and timid girl.
"Seol," he repeated, savoring the sound. "I like it."
In this part, I want Seol to realize that this is her first time being face-to-face with Agent 023, the both of them knowing that they met at the park a while ago.
"How are you feeling?" he asked, breaking the silence with genuine concern.
"Sore," I admitted, "but I'll live."
"Good," he said, his tone firm. "Because we still have a mission to complete."
I nodded, determination replacing the lingering anxiety. "We'll get him."
"Together," he added, his hand squeezing mine once more.
The door to the room opened, and a nurse stepped in, her eyes widening slightly at the sight of us. "Oh, you're awake! I'll get the doctor."
As she hurried out, I glanced back at Sunghoon, a question forming in my mind. "When are you going to tell me more about your side of things?"
He chuckled softly, his gaze steady. "Soon enough. For now, get some rest. We've got a lot of work ahead of us."
I nodded, exhaustion suddenly washing over me. As I lay back against the pillows, his presence a comforting anchor, I knew we would face whatever came next—together.
