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“Yeosang-ah. I smell something burning.” San’s nose tickled as he caught the scent of something burning across his flower shop. His eyes widened when he saw a large plume of smoke rising from the coffee shop across the street. Despite it being closed for the day, San immediately dialed the emergency number.
“911, How can I help you?” The operator’s calm voice answered.
“Yes, I think there’s a fire in front of our shop, but the owner is on leave today and the shop is closed now. I can see the smoke.” San rushed to his front door, phone in hand. “Alright, keep calm. Do you see any people inside?” the operator asked, trying to keep him calm. San peered through the thick, black smoke filling the shop and saw no signs of movement.
“No, I don’t think so. Please hurry. I can see sparks.” San warned other shop owners and directed passersby away from the fire. “Help is on the way, sir.” Despite the reassurance, San’s heart pounded in his chest.
Yeosang reached him, his eyes wide with concern as he signed to San, who quickly signed back, remembering that Yeosang might not have heard his earlier calls. San gently caressed Yeosang's hair, relieved to see him safe and not wandering.
Yeosang had always been fascinated by his surroundings, often ignoring San's nagging to stay alert. Soon, the blaring of sirens announced the arrival of the fire trucks. San watched in awe as firefighters, their movements swift and coordinated, began tackling the fire. He had heard about how handsome firefighters could be, but seeing them in action was a different experience altogether.
The captain, a commanding presence with a confident stride, approached San. “Mr. Choi?” he asked. San nodded, his worry evident. “Is there anyone inside? I just contacted the owner, and he’ll be here as soon as possible.” San clutched his chest, fearing for any lives inside the shop.
“Rest assured, sir, we’ve found no signs of life inside, and the fire is under control,” the captain, whose name San learned was Hongjoong, said reassuringly. San felt a wave of relief wash over him. Suddenly, a tall firefighter with striking red hair shouted at Hongjoong while carrying a large fire hose on his shoulder. “Cap, the fire’s down. Wooyoung and Jongho are checking for any remaining signs of life.” Hongjoong gave a thumbs-up and dismissed himself.
As Hongjoong walked away, San noticed another firefighter, the one who had caught his eye earlier, a tallest among all, grinning and winking at him. San felt a blush spread across his cheeks. The firefighter's face smeared with smoke debris adorned with his grin, making him even more attractive. The hot firefighter looking at him felt surreal.
Back at the scene, the firefighters continued their work, ensuring everything was safe. Yeosang stood by San's side, his usual curiosity momentarily subdued by the seriousness of the situation. San felt a mixture of relief and admiration, not just for the firefighters, but for the sense of community and support that emerged in times of crisis.
Later that night, San couldn’t get the image of the firefighter out of his head. As he lay in bed, the events of the day replayed in his mind. He found himself squealing into his pillow, feeling like a teenager with a crush. He could still see the firefighter's sweet smile and the playful wink that had made his heart race.
"Why am I acting like this?" San murmured to himself, a smile tugging at his lips. He buried his face in his pillow, feeling a mixture of embarrassment and excitement. The image of the firefighter, with his charismatic presence and charming smile, stayed with him as he drifted off to sleep, his dreams filled with thoughts of the unexpected encounter.
San was in his usual routine, arranging flowers to his liking. The orders weren’t particularly packed today, so he quickly cleared the list before playing around with the nearly wilted flowers from the last order. Sunflowers and daisies, a bit droopy, but perfect for a bit of fun. He heard rushed steps coming towards him, and soon Yeosang appeared, his brown hair slightly disheveled, his face contorted with worry.
“Yeosang, why?” San signed while he spoke, his fingers moving quickly. Yeosang signed hurriedly in return, “I was walking here, and there’s a cat stuck in a tree. It can’t come down.”
San signed for him to calm down, “Can you show me?” Yeosang nodded, pulling San’s hand urgently. San didn’t even have time to take off his apron as Yeosang dragged him to the scene. They arrived to find the kitten stuck high up in the tree. San tried to reach it, but the tree was too tall.
He coaxed the kitten gently, but it only meowed in fear. “Wait, I’m going to call 911,” San signed to Yeosang, who nodded and kept his eyes on the kitten, worried it might jump or fall. Yeosang stayed close to the tree, ready to catch it if necessary, though he feared he might not be fast enough.
San spoke rapidly on the phone, then signed to Yeosang once the call ended, “They’re on their way. Let’s hope the kitten doesn’t jump.” He patted Yeosang’s shoulder gently.
It wasn’t long before they heard the familiar sound of a firetruck. San’s heart pounded when he saw the same team who had responded to the fire before. He couldn’t help but feel a flutter of excitement when he recognized the tall, hot firefighter. This time, there were three of them: one shorter than him and another even taller.
“Mr. Choi? Heard it was a kitten stuck in a tree?” The tall firefighter greeted him. San felt like he was short-circuiting. No way, the firefighter was talking to him. Yeosang nudged him, snapping him out of his daze. “Y-yeah, there. Yeosang saw the kitten stuck up there. We don’t know how it climbed, but it definitely can’t get down now.” San pointed to the tall tree.
“Alright, rest assured, Mr. Choi.”
“Please, just San. It feels weird with the surname,” San retorted. The firefighter raised an eyebrow before a playful grin spread across his face. “Sure, San-ssi. I’m Yunho, by the way. At your service.” The taller man bowed playfully, making San giggle. He heard a protest behind Yunho as he flicked his fingers, prompting a grumble from another tall firefighter who then scrambled to the truck to extend the ladder.
“Young-ah, you’re up,” Yunho said in a deep voice. The shorter firefighter giggled before climbing the ladder, scooping the kitten gently, and cradling it as he climbed back down. He handed the kitten to Yeosang, who chirped happily as the kitten burrowed into his arms. Yeosang signed “thank you” to the firefighters, and Wooyoung, the shorter firefighter, signed back, “You’re welcome,” which made Yeosang’s eyes widen.
“Hell, you know sign language?” Yeosang asked, and San tsked at him, “Yeosang-ah, language.” But Yeosang waved him off.
“Yeah, my brother is deaf. We learned sign language to communicate with him,” Wooyoung signed. “I’m mute, I can hear, but I can't speak.” yeosang said.
San smiled, feeling a warm sense of connection. It was reassuring to see others who had learned sign language out of love and necessity, just as he had for Yeosang.
“Uh, I barely know sign language even though Wooyoung taught us some,” Yunho said. San hadn’t realized the taller man was standing beside him.
San giggled, “It’s okay, I had a hard time learning it at first too. I think Yeosangie was very patient with me.”
“I think you’ve learned it well. I guess that’s it. We need to head off now in case there’s another emergency,” Yunho said, though San could sense an unspoken question in his eyes.
“Oh, yes. Thank you for your hard work. I wish I could treat you guys to coffee and biscuits or something,” San said, watching as Yeosang, now holding the kitten, waved goodbye to Wooyoung and the taller firefighter who blushed hard in response.
“We appreciate the gesture. We’ll be off now,” Yunho said with a smile that made San blush even more.
San watched the three firefighters climb into the truck. Wooyoung popped his head out of the window and yelled, “We’ll come after our shift if the biscuit offer still stands.” He was practically squishing Yunho in the process.
“Be my guest, it’s still on the table,” San yelled back, waving goodbye. Yunho winked at him again while saluting, causing San’s heart to skip a beat.
As he headed back inside, San couldn’t stop thinking about the firefighter’s charming smile and dimples. He shrieked and jumped when Yeosang nudged him. “They’re gone,” Yeosang signed.
“I know,” San rolled his eyes, following Yeosang inside.
“What?” San signed, noticing Yeosang’s teasing grin.
“Which one?” Yeosang signed slowly while holding the kitten, a mischievous smile on his face.
San waved him off, purposely ignoring him despite Yeosang’s persistent teasing. “I still know who you like,” Yeosang pouted, the teasing glint in his eyes irritating San.
Before Yeosang could tease him further, they were interrupted by customers. San immediately put on a smile and began helping the customers with their choices.
Yeosang took the kitten to the back of the shop, creating a makeshift bed from rugs and an old basket. He placed the kitten gently in the basket and resumed his work, the sound of the kitten’s soft snores providing a comforting background to the busy flower shop.
Yunho smiled, massaging his eyebrows while looking out the truck window. Wooyoung popped up and leaned over the driver’s seat. “Mangi-yah, I think our Yuyu is falling in love,” Wooyoung teased. Yunho rolled his eyes, nudging the younger man behind him again. Mingi giggled, and Wooyoung didn't stop teasing even after Mingi parked the truck inside the firehouse.
“Hwa-hyung, Yuyu got a boyfriend!” Wooyoung shouted as they entered the firehouse. Yunho winced as a chorus of whistles and cheers erupted.
“Young-ah, stop making rumors. I am still single,” Yunho tried to defend himself, but Wooyoung's loud voice cackled as he shared the story with his boyfriend, Jongho, who was busy cooking.
Yunho tightened his lips, enduring the teasing and congratulations from his colleagues. Hongjoong snickered when he reached the upstairs kitchen.
“No, not you too. You know he was joking,” Yunho sighed, pulling out a chair to sit next to Hongjoong. He took a bite of the food Hongjoong offered, humming in delight. “Jongho-yah, this is delicious,” he said, giving a thumbs-up to Jongho, who smiled while listening to Wooyoung’s pestering.
Seonghwa, with his red hair, came and sat next to Yunho, resting his chin on his hand and looking at Yunho teasingly. “How did he look?” Seonghwa asked, causing Yunho to choke on his food. The man patted Yunho’s back gently, the teasing grin never leaving his face.
“Fuck, why is no one listening to me? No one is getting a boyfriend. You guys should set up Mingi. He’s single too,” Yunho said, reaching for water and gulping furiously.
“We know Mangi is capable of getting one. You, however, are a tough cookie,” Wooyoung said, having finished pestering Jongho and now sitting in front of Yunho. Mingi came over, ruffling Yunho’s hair before tapping Wooyoung to pass him the water.
Yunho ignored them, focusing on his food. He could feel all their eyes on him, grumbling. “Fine, he’s cute,” he admitted. The boys' eyebrows raised, urging Yunho to continue. “He’s hot, okay? He’s fucking beautiful in his little apron. His purple hair with the braids... I can’t lie, he’s handsome.” The boys cheered and whistled again.
Hongjoong gestured for him to tell them more. “I don’t know much. I don’t even know if he’s single or not,” Yunho scratched his temple, feeling a bit sheepish. “He was just another passerby and a victim of the emergency call.”
“He offered us biscuits... I’m just saying,” Wooyoung snickered.
Before Yunho could retort, the siren blared, and all of them rushed to the truck for another emergency. The firehouse buzzed with the familiar rush of activity as they donned their gear and jumped into the truck.
As the truck sped towards the emergency, Yunho’s mind wandered back to San. The thought of his soft smile and those braided locks made his heart race.
Yunho did not go for the biscuits, but he found his legs bringing him to the familiar flower shop on his day off. Standing outside, he was startled when he saw Yeosang, who nudged him and cradled the kitten they had saved before. “You kept her?” he asked. Yeosang giggled but nodded, then tilted his head, ushering Yunho to come in.
“Yeosang-hyung, I think Mango broke the flowers again. I need another batch of roses,” San said to Yeosang, his eyes focused on the paper wrap in front of him. He was measuring the appropriate length before cutting the paper.
Yeosang patted his shoulder, causing San to look up. He was startled upon seeing Yunho’s taller figure behind Yeosang and nicked himself with the paper cutter. Hissing at his finger, he was soon cradled by large hands wrapping his bleeding finger with a satin handkerchief. San’s heart skipped a beat, his eyes widening as the handsome firefighter inspected the wound.
“Do you have any emergency kits?” Yunho asked San. However, Yeosang was quicker, handing the emergency box to Yunho. Yeosang waved to excuse himself, winking playfully at San, who widened his eyes at the teasing. He winced a bit when the antiseptic burned the wound, letting out a soft whine as the bandage was wrapped a bit too tight.
“Too tight?” Yunho’s deep voice asked, making San visibly shudder. Yunho’s teasing grin appeared as he noticed how close they were standing. San shook his head, biting his lips unconsciously. Yunho’s eyes trailed to his lips with a glint of hunger, causing San to step back slightly. He felt too close, and his poor heart might burst.
“T-thank you, Yunho-ssi.”
Yunho leaned on the counter, crossing his arms and showcasing his muscular arms under the short-sleeved shirt. San thought he was going to pass out; this was too much for his heart. “W-what brings you here?” San asked as he packed the emergency kit back inside the box, arranging the mess from earlier.
“Just because,” Yunho shrugged, his eyes focused on San, making him feel smaller under the intense gaze.
“Just because?” San repeated, reaching for the paper cutter again. He measured before neatly cutting the paper. “I mean, Yunho-ssi, it’s weird for you to come here and just watch me do this. I feel like I’m being supervised by a manager,” San said with a pout, making Yunho chuckle.
Yunho fixed his posture, facing San, and reached for a stool to take a seat, tucking his chin in his hand. “Am I? I think that’s good too. I don’t mind watching you all day,” he said, his flirty comment rolling off his tongue easily, making San think he was a player.
“You’re so flirty. Tell me your real intention, sir, because I don’t entertain a player,” San snorted, trying to hide his flustered state.
Yunho’s eyes softened as he leaned in closer, his voice dropping to a more sincere tone. “San-ssi, I can tell you, i’m definitely not a player. I just couldn’t stop thinking about you after that day. I wanted to get to know you better, to see you again.” yunho tilted his face, looking at the poor human blushed heavily. cute!
San’s cheeks flushed a deeper shade of red. “Really?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Really,” Yunho confirmed, a genuine smile spreading across his face. “How about we go out for coffee sometime? Or maybe dinner? I’d love to spend more time with you and get to know you.”
San’s heart raced, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts. He hadn’t expected this turn of events, but he couldn’t deny the excitement bubbling inside him. “I… I’d like that,” he said shyly, his fingers nervously playing with the edge of the paper.
“Great,” Yunho said, his smile widening. “How about tonight? After your shift?”
San nodded, still a bit dazed. “Tonight sounds good.”
Yunho reached out, gently patted San’s hand. “I’m looking forward to it, San.”
San felt his heart flutter at the touch, a shy smile tugging at his lips. “Me too, Yunho-ssi. Me too.” come out whispered hush.
As Yunho left the shop, San watched him go, his mind racing with anticipation for their date.
Yeosang emerged beside him, san shrieked shocked and startled. He smacked the exposed biceps, “I told you, not to do that.” san whined, yeosang however grin. “Did you manage to score a date with him?” he signed to san, by the red cheeks adorning the face.
San pursed his lips, but a teasing nudge from his brother making him felt even more shyer.
They sat in comfortable silence, learning about each other through small talks and shared stories. Yunho discovered that San was adopted by his parents before they adopted Yeosang. They both moved here long before San decided to continue his adoptive parents' business. Now their parents were busy enjoying vacations, leaving the shop to the two of them.
Yunho also learned how San’s giggles were the cutest thing he had ever heard, how the younger man disliked vegetables, especially carrots, but preferred tomatoes. He noticed San's impeccable manners, his respectfulness, and his kindness. The way San spoke fascinated Yunho—the eloquence and the thoughtful arrangement of his words.
San was perfect in Yunho’s eyes. He admired San's pink, plump lips, the eyes that turned into crescents when he smiled, and how they perfectly closed when he laughed. It was adorable.
“So, tell me about yourself, Yunho-ssi,” San said, poking a piece of meat and popping it into his mouth, smiling when Yunho piled more meat on his plate.
“Hmm, I was born here. Grew up and decided to be a firefighter because of my best friends. I didn’t really have a definite career path until Mingi showed me a pamphlet about firefighter training. We both decided to try it and fell in love with it,” Yunho explained, and San nodded.
“Is Mingi the black-haired guy who’s also tall?” San asked, and Yunho nodded.
“Yep, our families are close. I basically eat everything that tastes good. I dance in my free time, a hobby since we were young and continued into college,” Yunho said.
“What’s stopping you now?” San tilted his head.
“Being a firefighter. It’s busy juggling a packed schedule. Mingi and I only dance with other friends when we have holidays. We joked that if we weren’t firefighters, we might have tried our luck as idols,” Yunho joked.
“I think you could be an idol too. You have the looks and height. Just saying. However, being a firefighter is a noble job that not everyone can handle. I think you’re cool,” San said, and Yunho blushed for the first time, the tips of his ears turning red.
It made San happy. They continued to talk before finishing dinner.
As they took a stroll to ease their full stomachs, Yunho suddenly said, “Hey, would you like to have coffee at my apartment? It’s just around the corner.” Yunho shoved his hands in his pockets, looking a bit nervous.
San shrugged with a smile. “Sure, I’m okay with that.”
There’s no coffee at all.
San barely remembered how they ended up tangled together before reaching Yunho's apartment. What he did recall clearly was the passionate kiss Yunho greeted him with, and the whirlwind of sensations that followed.
Yunho's impressive physique left San in awe, especially when he saw how well-endowed Yunho was. San wasn't inexperienced, but it had been a while since he'd been intimate with anyone. The way Yunho's hands skillfully prepared him left San breathless, feeling sensations he hadn't experienced before.
When Yunho finally entered him, San felt like he was seeing stars. Yunho's stamina was remarkable, and San lost count of how many times they changed positions, from doggy style to riding, to the mating press and more. By the end, San felt like a rag doll, thoroughly spent.
The last thing San remembered was passing out on the bed, feeling a satisfying soreness. He blinked as the morning sunlight peeked through the blinds, and he winced when he moved. Remembering the previous night, he buried his face in the pillow, feeling the lingering effects in his lower back.
San realized he was wearing one of Yunho's oversized shirts and his own shorts. Trying to sit up, he reached for his phone and saw several missed calls and messages from Yeosang, who was worried about him. San quickly sent a text explaining he'd be home soon.
"Ah, I was just about to wake you up. I have a shift later on, but there's time for breakfast. Come on," Yunho called out. San's heart raced as he saw Yunho standing shirtless in the kitchen, wearing only grey sweatpants that hung low on his hips.
San bit his lip, unable to tear his eyes away. Yunho chuckled, "Come on, doll. Eyes on me. Breakfast now. I'll send you back home on my way to work. I dry cleaned your clothes already, and there's a new toothbrush in the bathroom. Feel free to use anything."
San nodded, wincing slightly from the soreness. Yunho noticed and held back a laugh. "It's all your fault, I'm barely walking," San whined, yelping when Yunho suddenly lifted him into the air. Blushing deeply, San wrapped his arms around Yunho's neck, burrowing into his warmth as he was gently placed on the toilet.
Yunho patted his head gently and left a soft kiss on his cheek. San giggled, taking his time to freshen up and change back into his clothes. When he emerged, he was greeted by Yunho, now dressed in his work shirt, but still as charming as ever.
They shared breakfast filled with giggles and small talk. San waited for Yunho to finish getting ready, and before leaving, Yunho gave him a kiss and his phone number.
Blushing heavily as he entered the shop, San was greeted by Yeosang, who was sitting with his arms crossed. San halted, trying to fix his shirt.
"I can see the hickeys. Please tell me you used protection," Yeosang signed. San snorted, "Of course, eomma and appa would throw me out if I got pregnant."
San tried to hug Yeosang, but the older man shrugged him off. "I'm sorry," San whined, hugging Yeosang again. The elder huffed, having spent the night worried and unable to sleep well. Despite his frustration, he was also relieved and happy to see his brother had found someone he liked.
Yunho stepped into the firehouse, immediately met by a chorus of whistles and knowing grins from his colleagues. Confused, he approached Mingi, who was in the middle of changing his uniform. "Why is everyone acting weird today?" Yunho asked.
Mingi looked at him, eyes crinkling into crescents as he grinned. "Damn, had a wild night, huh?" he teased.
Yunho tilted his head in confusion. Mingi opened his locker, grabbed a small mirror, and flashed it at Yunho. "I don't know if you're blind or just didn't look in a mirror, but this might be why they're teasing."
Yunho's face reddened as he saw the array of hickeys decorating his neck and collarbone in shades of blue and red. Half of his mind replayed the events of last night, and he couldn't help but grin at the memory of San.
“Eww dude, i could read your mind by seeing your face only. Control yourself.” Mingi said, nudging him. Yunho shoved him back playfully, still feeling the warmth of his blush.
Wooyoung whistles seeing the marks on yunho’s neck, “dang, bubba look how pretty they looked on yuyu’s neck. Tell us, who’s the lucky man hm?” wooyoung leaned and tuck both of his hand on the table and smacked jongho on his back when he saw yunho was preparing coffee.
Yunho scoffed, pouring the hot coffee into two mugs, handing to hongjoong while he drink one of them. Shying a bit when the firefighter collar shirt showed the hickeys, he lifted it awkwardly. “Um, someone.” yunho pursed his lips, wooyoung grin while eyebrows suggesting he knows exactly who.
“I guess yunho get the biscuits.” wooyoung shrugged and that made yunho choked on his coffee. “Right in the nail.” wooyoung cackles, jongho shoved a muffin in his boyfriend’s mouth received a protest. “Stop teasing him.” jongho rolled his eyes playfully, he pinched wooyoung’s nose fondly.
“Alright, finish your breakfast, we’ll have our rollcall later.” Seonghwa interrupted, he fixed his belt crooked a little before he went downstairs to clean what need to do and prepares thing.
Couple of months later..
It have been going on between them, the sex and the date, but neither of them was declaring or putting any labels to their relationship. San was content with this relationship, for him it was enough as they’re not rushing anything.
Him and yunho was kind like a perfect puzzle pisces that fit each other perfectly, the way both of them are attuned to each other and they were moving in their pace of getting to know each other.
For him getting to know yunho, and lead on meeting his crews, his family of firefighters and his parents, san was happy and he was received well in the group. Not to say how yeosang was surprisingly getting along with them, especially with mingi. His brother was happy almost vibrating whenever mingi was telling him stories or mostly bluffing but knowing his brother was too innocent and pure, he believes mingi so much even wooyoung told him it was all bluff.
mingi , the shy tall firefighter san learned, was actually talkative when he wanted too, but sharing the same behaviour with yeosang whenever it was too much for them socialized with people and would be need to have their own time to reset. They shared the similar behavior and even shared the same hobbies.
It was nice seeing his brother also enjoying the companies of them.
Yeosang paced back and forth, his anxiety palpable. His chest tightened with a sense of impending doom. San was packing his sling bag, preparing to go to the bank to deposit a substantial amount of money. Because of the large sum, he needed to go inside the building to deposit it, rather than using a nearby ATM.
Yeosang's agitation was unusual and severe enough that San noticed and grew concerned. San hesitated, half-thinking about canceling his trip to the bank. The bank was a bit far, requiring a bus ride to reach it.
"Hyung, I'll be fine," San reassured, but Yeosang shook his head, eyes moistening with worry.
San sighed and offered a compromise. "Okay, how about we go together? Will that be okay with you?" Yeosang nodded, relief washing over his face. He quickly went to the back of the shop to grab his bag and then returned to join San.
San and Yeosang reached the bank, an old building that had stood the test of time. The bank had been around long before they were born, and their parents were well-acquainted with the staff. As a result, both brothers felt a sense of familiarity and comfort whenever they visited. San gently held Yeosang’s hand, feeling his brother relax a little more with each step.
They took a seat in the waiting area, watching as the tellers assisted other customers. San glanced at his watch, noting they had a few minutes before their appointment. The air was filled with the soft hum of conversation and the distant clatter of keyboards.
Just as San was about to strike up a casual conversation with Yeosang, a deep, unsettling rumble reverberated through the building. The noise grew louder, and the ground beneath them began to shake violently. Panic erupted as people screamed and scrambled for cover.
“Hyung, get down!” San shouted, pulling his brother under a sturdy desk.
The old building groaned under the strain of the sudden seismic activity. Cracks spider-webbed across the walls and ceiling, and chunks of plaster and debris rained down on them. The ground beneath their feet felt like it was giving way.
With a deafening roar, a section of the ceiling collapsed, sending steel beams and heavy debris crashing down. San instinctively shielded Yeosang with his body, but a large steel beam struck him, piercing through his stomach. The impact knocked the wind out of him, and he cried out in pain, collapsing to the floor.
Yeosang's eyes widened in terror as he saw his brother injured. Being mute, he couldn't call for help, but he screamed silently, the anguish and panic evident in his expression. He reached out, his hands shaking as he tried to help his brother. The sight of blood spreading across San’s shirt made his heart race even faster.
The bank's once solid structure was now a death trap. Dust filled the air, making it difficult to see or breathe. The rumbling subsided, but the building continued to creak and groan ominously, threatening to collapse further at any moment.
Yeosang's mind raced. He frantically gestured, trying to get San's attention, trying to communicate his fear and his need for his brother to stay awake. He applied pressure to San’s wound, tears streaming down his face. “Stay with me, San, please!” he signed desperately.
San groaned, his vision blurring from the pain. He could feel his strength fading, but he forced himself to stay conscious for Yeosang’s sake. “I’m... I’m okay, hyung. Just... just stay calm,” he managed to say, though his voice was weak, he could feel the blood starting to seep on his clothes.
Outside, the scene was chaotic. The collapse had drawn the attention of passersby, and someone had already called for emergency services. The firefighters, including Yunho, were among the first responders to arrive. They quickly assessed the situation, realizing the severity of the collapse.
Hongjoong accessed the situation, his mind racing as he evaluated the extent of the collapse. The building was unstable, and the risk of further collapse was high. He quickly mapped out the interior, identifying potential routes to access and evacuate the victims safely.
“We need paramedics on standby,” Hongjoong ordered, his voice firm and authoritative. “Every firefighter, assess the victims and find those who need immediate help. Use the ribbon color system to tag them from worst to normal. Focus on finding the living victims first and tag those who didn’t make it. Seonghwa, prepare the equipment in case we need to cut through any debris. You’ll lead the team inside. Yunho, keep your eyes on the building structure. If there’s any sign of further collapse, evacuate immediately. Mingi, you’re with Yunho. Wooyoung and Jongho, assist me in tagging the victims and keeping an eye on them. Clear?”
The team nodded in unison, each member fully aware of their critical roles. Hongjoong reached out and squeezed Seonghwa’s hand gently. “Be careful, love. Come back safely to me,” he said softly.
Seonghwa smiled, leaning in to kiss Hongjoong briefly on the lips. “I will,” he promised, before heading inside with the others.
The firefighters moved swiftly and efficiently, their training kicking in as they navigated through the debris. The interior of the bank was a chaotic mess of fallen beams, shattered glass, and scattered furniture. Dust filled the air, making it difficult to see and breathe.
Seonghwa led the way, his flashlight cutting through the gloom. “Stay close and watch your step,” he instructed, his voice steady despite the dire situation. They moved carefully, listening for any sounds that might indicate the presence of trapped victims.
“We’ve got people trapped inside!” Yunho shouted, grabbing his gear. The team moved with practiced precision, setting up equipment to stabilize the building as much as possible and preparing to enter the hazardous environment.
Inside the bank, the sound of sirens and the shouts of rescuers brought a flicker of hope to Yeosang. He began pounding on the floor and walls around him, trying to make as much noise as possible to draw attention. His silent screams were heart-wrenching, his face a mask of fear and desperation.
Yunho and Mingi scanned the unstable structure, their eyes constantly roving for any signs of imminent collapse. Yunho’s heart pounded in his chest, not just from the adrenaline but from the gnawing worry, he has a bad feeling. He pushed the thought aside, focusing on his task.
“Over here!” Wooyoung shouted, his voice muffled by his mask. He had found a woman trapped under a desk, her leg pinned by debris. Jongho rushed to help, tagging her with a red ribbon indicating critical injury before carefully lifting the debris to free her. “Help is on the way, miss. You’ll be okay.” Wooyoung tagged it carefully, letting the paramedics come to evacuate the victim.
As they continued deeper into the building, the cries for help grew louder. They found several more victims, tagging and assisting them as best as they could. The clock was ticking, and every second counted.
Yunho led the way into the bank, navigating through the debris with a sense of urgency. His heart pounded in his chest as he called out, “Is anyone there? Can you hear me?”
Muffled sounds reached his ears, faint but persistent. Yunho and Mingi exchanged a determined glance and followed the noise, pushing through the rubble. They finally reached the source of the sound, and Yunho’s flashlight beam fell on a familiar face. His heart skipped a beat.
San was lying on the ground, blood seeping from a wound in his stomach where a steel beam had pierced through. Beside him, Yeosang was frantically trying to stop the bleeding, his eyes wide with fear and desperation.
“San!” Yunho shouted, rushing to his side. He dropped to his knees, his hands trembling as he assessed the injury. The steel beam was connected to a mass of rocks and plaster, making it difficult to move San without causing further harm.
Yeosang signed to Wooyoung, “He was speaking earlier, but then he said he wanted to take a nap.” Yeosang was crying, and Mingi reached for him.
“I need you to stay calm. We’re here now. Do you have any other injuries?” Mingi asked gently. Yeosang shook his head and signed, “ He protected me. The building rumbled and the pieces fell on him. Please, help.” He cried harder, hiccuping. Mingi nodded and hugged Yeosang to calm him.
“Yunho, focus,” Mingi said, placing a steadying hand on Yunho’s shoulder. Yunho was in tears, his hands trembling as he caressed San’s pale face, debris covering his features. “We need to do this right.”
Yunho nodded, forcing himself to calm down as he wiped his tears. He took a deep breath and began coordinating with the others. “We need to cut the steel carefully. Seonghwa-hyung, get the equipment ready. Wooyoung-ah, keep pressure on the wound. Jongho-yah, prepare the stretcher. Mingi, you’re with me; we need to lift this a bit to let Seonghwa has the space to cut the steel.”
“San-ah, can you hear me? San-ah,” Wooyoung tapped San's chest gently, trying to wake him up and preparing for the worst-case scenario. He felt a weak pulse and continued, “San-ah, I need you to wake up. Come on. We’re here now. Work with me.” He heard a weak moan and whimper.
“Thank you, thank god. Let me stabilize him first. Hyung, on my mark.” Wooyoung prepared bandages, pressing them to the wound alongside the steel.
Seonghwa quickly set up the cutting equipment, his hands moving with practiced efficiency. “Hold still, San-ah. We’re going to get you out. Young-ah, any minute now,” he said soothingly.
San’s face was pale, his breathing shallow. He winced as the pain intensified, barely awake but enough to feel the agony, yet he managed a weak smile when he saw Yunho. “Hurts..” he whispered.
“We’re getting you out of here, baby. Just hang in there for me,” Yunho said, his voice choked with emotion. “In case, I didn't make it. I-i love you a lot yunho-yah.” San whispered, he coughed up the debris.
“Don’t fucking say that, you’ll make it. Fuck it, you’ll make it. I love you too san-ah, we have to make it out. I promise you we’ll go on more dates. We’ll go watch that stupid romance movie you want. We’ll go anywhere you want, please stay with me.” Yunho sobs, san lets out weak giggles. “It’s not s-stupid, i-it’s r-romance.”
He glanced at Yeosang, who was watching anxiously behind Mingi. “We’ll save him, I promise.”
“Alright, lovebirds. San-ah, you’ll feel some pain because of the vibrations, but it will be over soon, okay?” Wooyoung administered a pain-numbing agent to San. He waited a moment before nodding to Seonghwa.
Seonghwa began cutting the steel beam, sparks flying as the blade sliced through the metal. The process was painstakingly slow, each moment filled with tension. Yunho kept his eyes on San, whispering words of encouragement to keep him conscious. San whimpered, his hands trembling so much as he endured the pain. Yunho took off his glove, held San’s trembling hand, and caressed it gently, holding back his tears.
“Almost there,” Seonghwa muttered, his focus unwavering. Finally, the beam was cut, and they carefully lifted San onto the stretcher. Blood continued to flow from the wound, and Yunho knew they had to act fast.
“Get him to the paramedics. He needs surgery immediately to remove the rest of the beam and stabilize him. Bubba, help me with the steel. You need to climb onto the stretcher with him and hold the steel steady,” Wooyoung instructed urgently. Jongho nodded, climbing onto the stretcher and positioning himself carefully.
“Cap, we need the ambulance quickly. Male, 25, with a steel wound stabbed into his stomach. He needs immediate medical assistance,” Yunho said into his walkie-talkie. “Ambulance is ready. Quick, check for any other lives and evacuate immediately. Chan reports another collapse could happen at any time,” Hongjoong confirmed over the radio. They nodded, searching for any remaining victims while bringing San out of the building.
They moved quickly, carrying San out of the building and into the waiting ambulance.
Hongjoong saw the ruckus, his eyes widened seeing familiar faces and with stained tears on yunho’s cheeks. “Go with them, I'll handle it from here.” hongjoong says to seonghwa, the elder nodded, he ushered yunho and mingi went in the ambulance too. He followed with another patient in another ambulance.
Mingi remained attentive to Yeosang, wrapping the younger man in a warm blanket and speaking soothingly. “You’re okay, Yeosang. We’ll have you checked too when we arrive at the hospital,” he assured him, the younger trembling in tears, eyes focused on his brother on the bed, eyes shutting closed. Only the movement from the stable breathing chest is assuring that san was fine, he will be fine.
Yunho, standing in front of the emergency room in his uniform, broke down as he watched the paramedics rush San inside. The weight of the situation finally overwhelmed him, and tears streamed down his face. He felt a comforting hand on his shoulder and turned to see Mingi, who had come to stand beside him.
“He’ll be okay, Yunho-yah. They’ll take good care of him,” Mingi said softly.
Yunho nodded, wiping his tears but unable to stop them completely. He glanced at Yeosang, who was also being attended to, his eyes filled with gratitude and worry, even face were blanking.
In the emergency room, the doctors worked quickly to stabilize San. The surgery to remove the steel and repair the internal damage was intricate and time-sensitive. Yunho paced the waiting area, his heart heavy with fear and hope, praying for San’s recovery and wishing for another chance to be together.
Their parents rushed into the emergency room, panic and worry etched across their faces. Taemin cried out when he saw Yeosang, who looked lost and disheveled. He ran to his son, pulling him into a tight embrace. "Oh my lord, you're okay. My love, you're okay. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Eomma is here now," Taemin murmured, cradling Yeosang's head gently while his own tears flowed freely. Yeosang, overwhelmed, clutched his mother's shirt and sobbed harder.
Jongin arrived right behind Taemin, wrapping his arms around his husband and son. His eyes searched the room frantically until they landed on Yunho, whose sad eyes met his. Jongin's heart had shattered when Yunho's call had come in, the news devastating enough to make them urgently book the first available flight.
Yunho approached them, and Taemin immediately pulled him into a hug. "Thank you, thank you for saving him," Taemin cried, his voice filled with gratitude and sorrow. He patted Yunho's back gently.
Yunho, barely holding back his own tears, choked out, "I'm sorry, I should have gotten to him faster."
Taemin shook his head, his voice a soft whisper. "You're not late. It's not too late. Thank you, Yunho. He'll be okay. He's my son. He'll be okay."
Yunho nodded, though his heart was heavy with guilt and fear. He glanced at Yeosang, who seemed deeply shaken, his eyes red from crying. Jongin was gently wiping away Yeosang's tears, whispering soothing words while inspecting the scratches and bruises on his face from the impact of the collapse.
Taemin's lip quivered as he took in the sight of his wounded son, but his worry extended further to his other son, San, who was fighting for his life at that very moment. He closed his eyes, whispering a silent prayer for San's recovery.
Meanwhile, inside the operating room, the doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize San. The steel beam had caused severe internal injuries, and the surgery was delicate and complex. Every second counted.
Back in the waiting area, Yeosang finally found his courage. He looked at Yunho with wide, teary eyes and signed, “San will be okay, right?”
Yunho, still in his firefighter uniform, took a deep breath and knelt in front of Yeosang. "San is strong. He's fighting hard, and the doctors are doing everything they can. We're all here for him."
Yeosang nodded, though his anxiety was far from alleviated. He clung to Yunho's words, finding a small measure of comfort in them. He felt his mother's hand gently rubbing his back and his father's reassuring presence next to him.
As they waited, the minutes felt like hours. Each time the doors to the operating room swung open, their hearts stopped, hoping for news. Yunho stayed close, ready to offer whatever support he could, his own heart aching for San and his family.
San blinked against the dim light filtering into the room, his eyes adjusting slowly. A whine escaped his lips as the brightness stung, and he felt a parched dryness in his throat. He tried to move but winced in pain, every part of his body aching.
"San-ah?" A gentle voice called out, and he turned his head slowly. His mother, Taemin, was sitting beside him, his eyes filled with relief and tears. "You're awake. You did such a great job holding on, my love."
San's eyes welled up with tears, and he whimpered, "It hurts, eomma. It hurts so much."
Taemin reached out and gently stroked San's hair, his touch soothing and familiar. "I know, baby, I know. But you're here now, and you're safe. Just like when you fell off your bike when you were little, remember? You were so brave then, and you're so brave now."
San's tears spilled over, and he cried softly, the pain and fear of the past hours finally finding release. Taemin leaned in, kissing his forehead tenderly. "Shh, it's okay, San-ah. Eomma is here. We're all here. Just breathe, my love. Just breathe."
He continued to comfort him, his voice a soft lullaby in the quiet room. "You were always such a strong boy, even when you were small. Remember how you used to get back on your bike, no matter how many times you fell? That's my brave boy. You've been so strong through all of this."
San's sobs gradually quieted, his mother's calming presence wrapping around him like a warm blanket. He felt hishand slip into his, holding it tightly. "I was so scared," he whispered, his voice trembling.
"I know, sweetheart. We all were. But you're safe now, and that's what matters. The doctors said you're going to be okay. It's going to take some time, but you'll get through this. We'll get through this together."
San nodded weakly, squeezing his mother's hand. The pain was still there, but her words and presence made it a little more bearable. "Thank you, eomma," he murmured, closing his eyes as exhaustion began to take over. "I love you."
"I love you too, San-ah. Just rest now. We'll be here when you wake up." Taemin's voice was a soothing balm to his frayed nerves, and as he drifted back into sleep, he felt a sense of safety and peace that he hadn't felt in what seemed like a lifetime.
Before he drifted off completely, Taemin whispered, "I'm so proud of you, San. You've always been so strong and brave. You've done amazingly well, and I couldn't be prouder of you."
San's heart swelled at his mother's words, a small smile forming on his lips despite the pain. With his mother's pride and love surrounding him, he allowed himself to relax, knowing he was safe and cherished.
Yunho ran fast to the familiar ward, nearly tripping at the door before he saw San's familiar face, already awake and smiling while conversing with his mother. The bed was propped up so he was lying halfway. San turned to the door, giving the softest smile to Yunho, “Hey...” Yunho went inside, reaching San's hand gently as the younger man held it out.
Yunho gripped San's hand and kissed all the knuckles gently, his eyes moistened and glistening with tears. His hair was soft and wet from sweat, having run there as soon as Taemin called to say San was awake.
“How are you feeling?” Yunho kissed San's hand, bringing it to cradle his cheek, feeling the warmth of San's touch. “It hurts, but better. I'm safe now,” San said, his voice still weak.
“Thank you for saving me,” San said, and Yunho shook his head. “It's my duty, and even if I wasn't a firefighter, I’d save you again and again. Thank you for coming back to me.” San giggled weakly.
San’s lips curled into a faint, tired smile. “I’m just glad to be here with you,” he said, his eyes fluttering closed for a moment. The medication was starting to take effect, making him feel drowsy.
“How’s Yeosang-hyung?” San asked, his eyes opening a little wider as he looked at Yunho. “Eomma said he was shaken up a lot. I haven’t even seen him since I woke up. He won’t come in here, even though Appa has tried to coax him out.”
Yunho sighed deeply, his expression somber. “Mingi told me that Yeosang has been having a hard time. He’s been reaching out for comfort, but he’s not okay. I’ll ask Mingi to help coax him out and make him feel better. We need to make sure he’s okay too.”
San nodded weakly, his eyes beginning to droop as the effects of the medication took hold. “Thank you, Yunho. Please make sure he’s alright.”
The room fell into a peaceful quiet, with Yunho sitting beside San, watching over him as he drifted in and out of sleep. The stress and exhaustion of the past hours weighed heavily on Yunho, but seeing San’s small, peaceful smile brought a measure of comfort.
As the minutes ticked by, Yunho occasionally glanced at the door, waiting for Yeosang to come in. He knew how much this moment meant to both brothers, and he was determined to ensure that Yeosang could be there for San when he was ready.
San spent the next few hours in and out of sleep, his body working to heal from the injuries. Yunho remained at his side, occasionally brushing his fingers through San’s hair or whispering words of encouragement.
Eventually, the door to the room opened softly, and Yeosang hesitated at the threshold. His eyes were red from crying, and he looked worn out, but there was a flicker of determination in his gaze as he stepped inside. Yunho rose to his feet, giving Yeosang a reassuring nod before stepping aside.
Yeosang approached the bed slowly, his eyes locked on San. “Hey,” he tapped on san’s chest gently, his hands trembling. “I’m here.”
San’s eyes fluttered open, and he managed to lift his hand to reach out to Yeosang. “Hyung,” he said, his voice weak but filled with relief.
Yeosang sat down beside the bed, his eyes filling with tears as he took San’s hand in his own. “I’m so sorry, San. I should have been there with you. I was so scared.” signing hurriedly.
San squeezed Yeosang’s hand gently. “It’s not your fault, hyung. I’m just glad you’re here now.”
Yeosang tried to smile through his tears. “I’m proud of you. You were so brave, even when you were in so much pain. You’re my hero, you know that?” he signed again, almost motivated
San’s eyes softened, and he managed a weak smile. “Thank you, hyung. I’m just glad to be here with you. I’ll get better, and we’ll get through this together.”
Yeosang hugged San gently, careful not to disturb his injuries. “We’ll take it one day at a time. I’m just so relieved you’re safe.” he signed when he was done hugging san, and hugging him once more.
“Come on, we wouldn’t want to be late,” Yunho said, guiding San to the familiar house. It was Seonghwa and Hongjoong’s anniversary, and they were celebrating it with close friends. A few months had passed since San's recovery, and he was almost fully healed. The scar on his abs was a testament to his survival, and he wore it with pride.
The firefighters had become some of his closest friends, rooting for his recovery every step of the way. It had been a challenging journey, but San deeply appreciated their support.
“Well, we wouldn’t be late if you hadn’t been so horny earlier,” San snorted, giving Yunho a playful look. Yunho pouted. “You can’t blame me. You’re beautiful. I need a dose of you at least once a day.” He parked the car skillfully.
San noticed all the people gathering, mostly from the firehouse. He fixed his dress shirt and pants before reaching over to button Yunho’s shirt, hiding the new hickeys on his chest. Yunho argued he was fine showing them, but San insisted.
He spotted Yeosang signing animatedly to Mingi, who had picked up sign language remarkably fast. It was clear that Mingi had feelings for Yeosang, his eyes filled with affection. They weren’t discreet about their flirting, and it made San smile.
Yunho reached out, lacing his fingers with San’s. Right after San was discharged, Yunho had proposed, and even though it felt fast, San's heart had said yes. They were planning their wedding but taking their time, knowing they had a lifetime ahead of them.
“Aha, you finally arrived,” Seonghwa said, taking the paper bags with wine from San. “Thank you for being here. Make yourself at home. I need to remind Hongjoong to pace his drinking.” Seonghwa hugged San gently before dismissing himself.
Wooyoung came up from behind, hugging San around the waist with one hand while holding Jongho’s hand with the other. “Most of the food is non-alcoholic. You should try it. It’s heaven. Seonghwa hyung is amazing at cooking,” Wooyoung said, and San giggled, nodding in agreement.
The atmosphere was warm and lively, filled with laughter and conversations. San felt a sense of belonging among these people who had become like family. He looked around, seeing the genuine smiles and hearing the heartfelt laughter, and felt a deep sense of gratitude.
As the evening progressed, San found a quiet moment to step outside, taking a deep breath of the cool night air. Yunho joined him, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. “How are you feeling?” Yunho asked softly.
San leaned into Yunho’s embrace. “I’m good. It’s just… sometimes it feels like a dream, you know? Being here, surrounded by everyone I love. After everything that happened, I didn’t know if I’d get to experience this again.”
Yunho kissed the top of San’s head. “You’re a fighter, San. You made it through, and now you have a future filled with love and happiness. We both do. I can’t wait for the day that I will call you my husband. ”
San looked up at Yunho, his heart swelling with affection. “Me too, I'll wait for our big day patiently. I couldn’t have done it without you. You’ve been my rock through everything.”
Yunho smiled, his eyes shining with love. “And you’ve been my inspiration. Together, we can face anything.”
They stood there for a moment, savoring the peace and the promise of a bright future. As they rejoined the party, San’s heart was light, filled with hope and joy.
Back inside, they were greeted with cheers and laughter. Seonghwa and Hongjoong were dancing in the center of the room, and everyone joined in, celebrating love and life. San watched Yeosang and Mingi share a quiet moment, their bond deepening with every glance and touch.
San felt a tap on his shoulder and turned to see his parents, Taemin and Jongin, smiling proudly at him. “We’re so proud of you, San,” Taemin said, hugging him tightly. “You’ve come so far, and you’ve made us so happy.”
Jongin nodded, his eyes misty. “You’re our brave boy, and we love you so much.”
San hugged them both, feeling their love surround him. “Thank you, eomma, appa. I love you too.”
As the night went on, San found himself surrounded by friends and family, the people who had supported him through the darkest times. He realized that he had not only survived but thrived, with a future full of love and possibilities.
In that moment, with Yunho by his side and his loved ones around him, San knew he was exactly where he was meant to be. They had all faced hardships and emerged stronger, and now they were ready to embrace the future together.
The evening was a celebration not just of Seonghwa and Hongjoong’s love, but of resilience, hope, and the unbreakable bonds that tied them all together. San looked around, his heart overflowing with gratitude and happiness.
Life had thrown many challenges their way, but they had overcome them together. And as San stood there, hand in hand with Yunho, he knew that whatever the future held, they would face it with strength, love, and unwavering support for each other.
In that moment, everything felt right. They had come full circle, from fear and pain to healing and joy. And with the people he loved most by his side, San was ready for whatever came next.