"How many times do I have to tell you to inform me before going on these hunts?" Yoon's voice was laced with frustration and concern as he yelled at Eryx over the phone, his breathing heavy.
"Oh, come on, Hyung, we both know you'd never let me go," Eryx replied, his tone laced with amusement. "Plus, see, I got all of them. Us! Right, Scooby and me both got them."
Eryx's words were abruptly cut off as Daniel smacked him on the head, prompting him to correct himself.
They were still at the scene, surrounded by the chaos of the aftermath, but backup had arrived to take the men into custody. The commissioner, who had been speaking with them, handed Eryx the phone with a chuckle.
"Please take this. I don't want to face an angry Yoon." Eryx winced as he took the phone. "Please, Hyung, I'm sorry. I'll tell you next time," he whined, trying to placate Yoon's silence.
Daniel struggled to stifle a laugh at his friend's predicament. Yoon sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Are you sure you're okay?" he asked, his concern evident despite the distance. He knew Eryx well enough to realize that he'd never inform him again, so he let it go.
"Yes, Hyung, not a scratch," Eryx assured him. Yoon's voice was barely audible as he mumbled something about coming back soon before cutting the call. Eryx let out a sigh of relief as he handed the phone back to the commissioner.
As soon as Eryx and Daniel stepped into the station, a wave of cheers erupted around them. Applause echoed off the walls, the sound bouncing like victory itself. Colleagues rose from their desks, some clapping, others whistling and calling out their names.
"Way to go, Eryx!"
"Nice work, Daniel!"
The two exchanged modest smiles, nodding in appreciation. Eryx basked in the warmth of the moment, his adrenaline still humming from the chase, the investigation, and the fact that justice had finally been served in the gang rape case they had been working on for months.
Eryx’s eyes scanned the room instinctively, drawn to the one person he knew would be sitting exactly where he always was—Yoon. And sure enough, there he was, hunched over his computer at his usual desk, the glow of the screen lighting up his sharp features.
His hands moved across the keyboard with a practiced rhythm, but Eryx knew he had felt his gaze. Their eyes met. Time seemed to pause. For just a fleeting second, the noise of the station faded. The cheers, the laughter, even Daniel beside him—all became a blur as Eryx’s heart gave a small, involuntary stutter.
There was something unspoken in Yoon’s eyes—pride, maybe? Relief? Or was it just… tiredness? But before Eryx could decipher it, Yoon broke eye contact and looked back at his screen with almost calculated precision, as if the spreadsheet suddenly required his entire existence.
The silent dismissal hit Eryx harder than he expected. His smile faltered, lips curling into a pout before he quickly masked it. It wasn’t the first time Yoon had pulled this cold stunt. But somehow, it always stung like the first time.
Still, Eryx refused to let it ruin the moment. He made his way to his desk, brushing past several shoulders and slapping a few friendly backs on the way. But when he reached his seat, he stopped mid-step.
There it was.
A small bottle of banana milk sat neatly beside his files. Unopened. Cold. His eyes widened slightly, and a warmth spread through his chest. It wasn’t just any drink. It was his favorite—the kind he always reached for after a stressful case.
No note. No name. But he didn’t need one. He knew exactly who had left it there. Without thinking, Eryx turned around, and this time, he didn’t hesitate. With a wide grin splitting his face, he rushed straight toward Yoon’s desk, ignoring the startled glances from nearby officers.
“Hyung!” he burst out, launching into a tight hug from behind, wrapping his arms around Yoon's broad shoulders.“You’re the best! I knew it was you!”
Yoon groaned loudly, throwing his head back in exaggerated annoyance. “Aish, get off me, you brat. People are watching.”
“I want them to watch,” Eryx laughed, squeezing tighter. “Let them know my hyung loves me!”
The station erupted in soft laughter at the scene. Their playful bickering had become something of a running joke in the precinct. It was common knowledge—Eryx’s loud affection and Yoon’s grumpy older brother act were inseparable, like thunder and lightning.
“Act your age,” Yoon muttered, but Eryx caught the faint upward tug of his lips. He was about to pull away when a voice interrupted them.
“Eryx,” one of their colleagues called out, walking over with a puzzled expression. “There’s someone here asking for you. Said his name’s Yug. He’s waiting outside the station.”
Eryx’s entire demeanor shifted. His arms dropped. His smile faded. The warmth from earlier seemed to drain from his face.
“What does he want now?”
Eryx muttered under his breath, exasperated. His hands balled into fists for a brief second before he ran a hand through his hair, clearly trying to rein himself in.
Yoon turned, his eyes darkening instantly. “Yug? That bastard’s back?” Eryx didn't answer, but the silence was loud enough. Yoon stood up halfway from his chair, his jaw tightening. “You want me to go?”
His voice was sharp. Low. Dangerous. Eryx turned to him quickly, alarm flashing in his eyes.
“No, Hyung. Last time, you almost broke his face with one punch,” he said, half-joking but mostly serious. Yoon scoffed, folding his arms across his chest.
“And I regret not making it two.”
Daniel, who had been quietly watching from nearby, raised an eyebrow. Eryx shook his head slightly at him, silently conveying, not this time. Daniel simply nodded, leaning against the desk casually, but Eryx could tell he was ready to step in if needed.
“My mess, my problem,” Eryx muttered, more to himself than anyone else. He picked up his jacket and sighed heavily. As he walked past Yoon, the older man reached out and grabbed his wrist—just for a second.
“Don’t let him mess with your head again,” Yoon said quietly, his voice stripped of sarcasm now. “He’s not worth it, Eryx.”
Eryx didn’t respond. He just gave a small, grateful nod and slipped out of the station.
“And suddenly, you know— it’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings.”
