Bandaids & Punches ✔️

11. Like Mother, Like Son

Stunned by Dae Ho's sudden outburst, Haneul stops in his tracks. He opens his mouth to say something but closes it again, unable to form coherent words. It is completely silent in the parking lot, both men staring at each other, one furious and the other surprised. Haneul averts his eyes to the ground, intertwining his fingers, and rubs the pad of his thumb over the inside of his palm. Dae Ho has every right to be angry, he has been taking advantage of the fact that the fighter gives in when he's being persistent. He only wanted Dae Ho to feel better, but instead, the outcome is completely contrary.

Losing a close one is never easy, the storming thoughts and feelings render one restless, making a cluster of disastrous emotions. Channeling the grief into something productive and relaxing helps heal with the passing time, a healthy coping strategy. And that's what Haneul had hoped he'd aid Dae Ho with.

"I...I'm sorry, I didn't know," Haneul apologizes, his eyes falling on Dae Ho for a moment and then averting back onto the ground again. "It was wrong of me to keep pulling you to places without any explanation."

Dae Ho lets out a tired breath and slips his hands in the jeans pockets. "...I didn't mean to blow on you like that. The topic just triggered me." He schools his features into a neutral expression, the previous scowl being replaced.

"But still, I'm sorry. I just wanted to help fulfill your grandmother's wish, finding something you'd love." Haneul gives a small smile, eyebrows creasing he adds, "it's also a selfish desire, in a way. Maybe if I help you find your passion, my haelmoni would be proud of me too."

Dae Ho is supposed to be irritated and upset, he's supposed to be walking away. But the feelings wash away when the words leave Haneul's lips. The words of empathy, not simply sympathy. The doctor has put himself in Dae Ho's shoes, knowing exactly what it's like to lose someone. A reminder of what Haneul had said about the regret and cowardice flashes through his mind. It doesn't take more than a sentence or two to show someone a ray of hope or to push them into a dark pit.

Dae Ho looks at the man who's most likely internally cursing himself for stimulating his explosion. And from the little things the fighter has picked up about the other, he unnecessarily frets over his mistakes. "If you stress so much over things that have already transpired, the wrinkles on your forehead will make you look old. No one will date you then." Dae Ho teases, flicking Haneul's forehead, trying to lighten up the atmosphere. It's ironic but Dae Ho couldn't help it when the redhead looked like a kicked puppy!

Haneul slaps his hand away and walks towards the car, muttering a few curses. "I'll be handsome even when I'm old and wrinkly. And for your information, I can have anyone by my side with just a snap of my fingers."

"Whatever helps you sleep at night, Haneul." Dae Ho follows him into the car and puts on his seatbelt when the engine starts.

"I'm hungry now." Haneul pats his stomach. It isn't something new, the change of heavy atmosphere to a calming one within a span of a few minutes. An arrangement the two have become used to. "Let's go to this new steak restaurant I discovered last month. They've rich flavored dishes."

"You say that to every restaurant we go to."

"What can I say," Haneul says with a shrug. "I'm easy to please, that's all. Food is the way to my heart." He laughs but then glances to his right for a second. "Jokes aside, will it be inappropriate for me to ask why do you fear water?"

"You really jump conversations. And yes, it's inappropriate, so learn how to not be curious."

"Ah, alright, I'll zip it then."

Dae Ho lets out a cold breath, head turning to the side and eyes darting to the passing cars. He has a pensive expression, lips pressed together and tongue poking his cheek, trying to find the right words. "I...I don't know why but as far as I can remember, I've always feared water but I think it was about seven to eight years ago when an incident intensified it." His gaze ping-pongs between Haneul and the scene outside. "A swimming club opened in our area. They offered free swimming classes for a week to attract people. Haelmoni urged me to go, so I did. I was scared but I wanted to overcome my fear of water, the opportunity would help me. I wasn't a regular child like the others, curious and lively, so I preferred to not mingle with the other kids. I stayed till late to swim after most of them left. There was a boy who offered to help me but I refused." Dae Ho props his elbow on the juxtaposition of the window and door and places his head in his palm.