In a Maze...

Chapter 9

Despite having had very little sleep, Mark prepared himself, in the early morning, to go out and buy something for breakfast. Jinyoung was still asleep when he left the apartment.

Mark had to walk one block until he found a market; cereal for himself, chicken and vegetables to make soup for Jinyoung, and green tea for both of them.

Once he got back to the apartment, he made a call to the chief, asking for one day leave of absence. Afterwards, he got down to cooking the soup; he was used to making it at home and thus it went well.

While watching the water getting heated as for the green tea, he managed to have his breakfast. A few minutes later, just as he had finished his breakfast, Jinyoung appeared in the kitchen doorway, looking quite clean but his face was still colourless.

He dragged his feet into the kitchen and gazed at Mark, questioningly.

"Do you feel better? If you've already washed yourself, come have the soup. I made it for you. And the green tea too," said Mark, taking the pot off the gas.

"I didn't think you'd still be here. I'm fine, why're you troubling yourself? But thanks."

"I don't want to leave you alone," Mark's eyes ran over Jinyoung, "You aren't fine yet, Jinyoung. I'll go get the medicine in your room, so you can have it after the breakfast."

Mark went out of the kitchen and into Jinyoung's room. Jinyoung made his way to the table and looked at the steaming soup. Then he continued to the kitchen counter, where the tea pot and the green tea package were.

Feeling his dry throat, he reached for a glass and took hold of the pot by the handle. His hand was shaking when he lifted it. While pouring the steaming water into the glass, his hand could not endure the pain that reached his skin through the glass. In a heartbeat, both the pot and glass were dropped to the floor, the steel pot spilling the water and the glass shattering into pieces.

Jinyoung groaned and crouched down to take back the pot and pick up the glass pieces to put them away. He could hear Mark hurrying to the kitchen, maybe due to the sound.

Jinyoung quickened his cleaning the broken pieces before Mark got here and stepped on them. Just when he took hold of the last one, it penetrated his index finger and made a sharp cut, blood racing down from it.

Mark ran over to him and looked at the mess. His eyes then fell on Jinyoung's injured finger. Without any second thoughts, Mark got to his kneels and took Jinyoung's hand before enveloping the bleeding finger in his mouth.

Jinyoung was startled, staring at Mark with the widened eyes. It was just for a moment, and then Mark led him to the sink to rinse the cut.

"Why did you touch them? You should've called me or got the broom, instead. What if there's virus? It'd worsen your illness."

All the blood was washed away and the cut could be seen clearly. Mark made Jinyoung sit in the chair at the table and searched for the first aid kit in the kitchen cabinet, where Jinyoung said, it was.

With the kit, he got back to Jinyoung and put the antibiotics on the cut, before plastering over it. Jinyoung sat there, like a child, and followed Mark's movements with his eyes.

"There, finished. It won't take long to heal."

Mark retreated the first aid kit to the cabinet and then cleaned the mess on the floor, himself. By the time, he finished that, Jinyoung was already having his soup, which had already cooled down.

"How's it? I often cook at home, so I'm quite sure it's eatable," said Mark, with a laugh.

"I like this. But my appetite's not so good at the moment."

"That means you're still not feeling well, Jinyoung. Take the medicine after that."

Mark made both the medicine and water ready for Jinyoung, placing them on the table.

"Aren't you going to work?" Jinyoung asked.

"I took leave of absence. I rarely do, so the chief didn't even ask the reason. He believes me, I guess."

"But you're basically at work, anyway. You're watching me, aren't you?"

"I'm not here as a detective now, Jinyoung. It's all just out of concern for you. If I'm not here, who'll be here for you? Your breakfast, your medicine and other stuff. You do need someone, Jinyoung."

"So you're that someone," Jinyoung muttered.

He finished the soup and took the medicine, while Mark watched him, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"Go back to your room and rest there. I'm not leaving you any soon."

"I just came from my room. I want to be here instead. It makes me feel more weary there."

"But you haven't recovered yet, Jinyoung. You must keep yourself warm. I'll call you for lunch."

"Are you preparing it? Can't I just be here and watch you cook? I can't cook as good as you. Maybe, I can learn something."

"Jinyoung," Mark sighed, "Only when you've recovered. You've got a cut too. Go and take a rest."

Jinyoung did not budge an inch and remained there, with determination. He kept his eyes away from Mark lest he urged him more.

"So, that's it? You want to be stubborn? Too bad, I don't give up so easily, too, Jinyoung."

Mark strode fast to where Jinyoung was, and ignoring Jinyoung's questioning eyes, he threw his hands, one to Jinyoung's back and another to his kneepits. It was not easy but he got Jinyoung alright in his hands and lifted him up in the bridal style.

"What're you doing?" Jinyoung's shocked eyes looked up at Mark. "Put me down."

"Geez. Don't think of struggling. I might drop you just like that," Mark carried him across the kitchen and to the bedroom, "If I hadn't been trained enough, I think my hands could've come off."

"Why do you do this then? I can walk myself."

Mark entered the room and continued his way to the bed. He put Jinyoung down on it and covered him with the blanket up to his chest. Then he stretched himself and looked down at Jinyoung, who was watching him.

"Sleep or whatever. I'll come to you and keep you company once I finish cooking the lunch. If something's wrong, just call me."

Jinyoung gave a slow nod, to Mark's satisfaction. Mark left the room right afterwards and headed back for the kitchen.