Work Text:
Bleeding Out: Lost My Way
Jungkook was annoyed. For three months now he had been getting deliveries of his favorite foods, mostly delicious baked goods, every few weeks from the doctor who had saved his life in the mini mart shootout. Yet they were never delivered by said doctor.
At first, he'd find them by his hospital bed in the morning when he woke up, or when he came back from physiotherapy. He'd been lucky and didn't need additional surgery - except the first when he was rushed to hospital and a second time during his nine day stay in the ICU - the expert surgical team having put him back together perfectly. So when he'd been released from the hospital, he'd been surprised at the first delivery to his home a dew weeks later.
His best friends, Taehyung and Hoseok, had moved in to help him while he recovered, helping him do his physiotherapy and making sure he took it easier. They'd started to keep a log of what and when it was delivered. Jungkook could not understand how the other knew what his favorites were. He had a strong suspicion that it was Jimin that was telling the doctor about it. Yet Jimin refused to tell him anything about the doctor, claiming he had no idea what Jungkook was talking about. “Really, Jungkookie? You really think I'd share info on my friends to random strangers, even if they are my customers?” Jungkook had felt a little guilty then, but he was still almost certain that Jimin was lying. Not that Jimin was a very good liar as proven by the sizable pile of goodies Jungkook had won from him in poker, but he wasn't giving anything away this time.
The funny - or irritable depending on his mood - thing was that he was a police officer! How was this doctor sneaking around and sending him things without him knowing anything about the how and why? Well, the how was pretty obvious and he could take a guess as to the why, but he didn't want to get his hopes up. Jungkook was pretty sure he'd searched for any info that was possible about the doctor, but the only thing he knew about him was his occupation and his name – Jin – and that name could just be a nickname. It was so frustrating! He supposed part of the frustration stemmed from being shot and stuck at home when he felt he should be out on the streets doing his sworn duty. He'd start on desk duty in a week - granted that his trauma psychiatrist gave him the okay - and that was going to annoy him even more. He'd asked his partner, Namjoon, to check into the shooting (Jin should be listed as a witness after all), but Namjoon had said there seemed to be some kind of clerical error and the info was nowhere to be found.
What irritated him the most was that he could not actually remember exactly what the doctor looked like. He clearly remembered the bad jokes and the gentle, caring nature of the other man, but he could not put together a complete face. He remembered bright, brown eyes, pink, plump lips, and a worried smile, but that was about it.
What was most clear in his mind was the caring touch of the doctors hands. Sure, it had hurt when he kept applying pressure - then again, this stopped Jungkook from bleeding out so he was not complaining - but it had been steady and comforting. He could still almost feel the gentle caress of fingers through his hair from when the fear had overtaken him, easing his worries with each succession.
The memory of that moment made him smile. Maybe that was part of the reason he didn't feel that he had been negatively affected; his brain was choosing to only focus on remembering the good things. He rarely had nightmares about the shooting. Instead he dreamed of kind eyes and gentle hands.
Part of him did worry that he was obsessing about the doctor because of some sort of Nightingale Syndrome thing, but he was hoping that wasn't the case. Which was very much part of the reason he wanted to meet the man; to make sure he wasn't just making things up. Yet there had to be something more behind it. He couldn't quite explain it, but it was almost like his heart had stopped beating, as if it had lost its way and didn't know how to go on. Then he'd shrug off the overly (in his mind anyway) sentimental thoughts and focus on getting himself back in shape. Although, even if he didn't want to admit it, especially out loud, there was something missing.
If he didn't have so many things to keep him occupied - like making sure he could get back to work as soon as possible - he'd have probably gone mad already just thinking about it.
Best try to have another go at making Jimin talk. He won't be able to keep quiet forever.
///
“Are we really having this discussion again? Seriously?” The annoyance was obvious in Jimins voice, something that Jungkook was not used to hearing from the usually very cheerful man. Yet Jungkook couldn't figure out any other way to get his answers; his friend would just have to give in.
He gave Jimin another determined stare. Jimin just sighed and dragged his hand through his bright, orange hair in frustration before turning around and walking back to stand behind the counter.
“I've had enough with this questioning, Jungkookie. Go bother someone else. I have a business to run.”
For a second, Jungkook was afraid he'd really pushed his friend too far, but he knew Jimin would get over it soon. And he really was getting desperate for some leads!
The 'pling' of the doorbell announcing another customer entering interrupted his thoughts and before he knew it, he was pulled into a hug from behind.
“Ah, hyung! Get him home and talk some reason to him, would you? Everything in life is not a conspiracy,” Jimin said as he kept wiping the order counter.
“Still trying to get Jiminie to break, huh?” Hoseok asked as he let go of his roommate. “Without any luck it would seem.”
“Not you too, hyung!” Jimin let out an aspirated sigh. “That's it! Either both of you buy something or get out! I don't have time for your idiotic conspiracy theories. Go bother someone else.” And with those words, he disappeared out to the back room, leaving the two roommates looking a little shamed. The girl employee, who was currently cleaning some tables, looked up, hoping they didn't need anything so she wouldn't get dragged into whatever the trio was arguing about.
“So, what's your next idea?” Hoseok just broke into a smile. He was the one who was most eager to help Jungkook solve the mystery.
“Not sure. We need to start planning something though. This is driving me nuts. Could you make sure Taehyung will be home on time tonight? Emergency planning session. I gotta go talk to my shrink to get cleared for desk duty so I'm busy until then. Oh, joy.”
Hoseok just continued smiling. He knew how much Jungkook hated the idea of doing desk duty, but he really didn't have any other choice.
So, both grabbed a coffee to go and promised to come up with good ideas for that night before splitting up to go do their own stuff.
From the back room, Jimin watched with a nervous feeling in his stomach; he would have to warn Jin to be more careful. It seemed he had really gotten Jungkook's attention.
////
“Tell me again about shortly before the shooting happened. Do you feel that you should have had back up before going in?”
Jungkook was not happy with his shrink right now. I mean, don't get him wrong, he knew they were an important part of helping with traumatic experiences, but he was really tired of going through the same event over and over. How was he supposed to leave it behind if all they did was keep reminding him about it, making him relive every damn moment? It was frustrating as hell.
“No. Like I told you before, my partner was sick that day and, because of the stomach flu, so were a lot of other officers. We were understaffed until the reinforcements that would arrive the following day. It was just bad luck. Shit happens, you know.” he sighed, his leg giving off a painful twinge at the memory of the shooting. He just wanted to leave the bad things in the past and focus on the good that would hopefully be in his future.
The psychiatrist just hummed in response as he wrote something down. “And what about nightmares? Those giving you any trouble?”
“Beside the occasional one? No, not really.” The other man looked up at him at his statement and Jungkook could see a look of disbelief in his eyes. “I've told you before I don't really have any. I still have the pills you prescribed for sleeping if I need them, but I haven't used them so far.” He sighed in frustration.”I just can't explain it. My brain just remembers other things, not the bad stuff.”
“Ah, like this doctor you keep mentioning. How is that coming along?”
Jungkook had felt embarrassed telling the psychiatrist about his little “obsession”, and he most definitely had not told him why it was so important to find the doctor. He didn't think he'd be able to live that down knowing that some stranger knew the secrets in his heart. So he just stuck to the simplest excuse he could come up with.
“I'm still trying to find him. I just really want to thank him for saving my life and then I think I can finally put the whole thing behind me for good.” It wasn't a lie per se. He did want to thank the doctor after all. That he wanted other things concerning the doctor as well, that wasn't something that he needed to share right now. Or ever.
A loud beeping interrupted Jungkooks' train of thought, for which he was happy as his mind had started to travel into thoughts he wasn't ready to deal with at the current time.
“That's all our time for today, Officer Jeon. I'd like to see you one last time before I okay you for desk duty. I have a time open this Friday afternoon at 3pm if you'd like to get it done asap? I'm sure you're eager to get back to work.”
Jungkook just nodded. If the doctor only knew how crazy he was going just sitting at home, doing his physio, and obsessing over men sending him scrumptious snacks.
“Until Friday then. Take care, Officer Jeon.”
“Thank you. You too, Min sunbaenim.”
Yoongi just smiled internally as he watched the young officer walk out the door. Jin hyung, you've really done a number on this one.
////
“So, what are we going to try this time?” Taehyung asked his two friends as they all sat gathered together by the kitchen table to plan out Jungkook's next move in what they had started to call 'Operation Bake Sale”.
“I know for sure Jimin is hiding something; he was acting so cagey when I went by there this afternoon. Oh, that reminds me.” Hoseok got up from the table and grabbed a few things from the fridge. It seemed he had dropped by Jimin's cafe and bought them all their favorite sandwiches. “I got some of those chocolate-pecan muffins as well.” The other two mumbled out a thanks in between stuffing their mouths with the delicious food.
Hoseok just shook his head at their behavior, then quickly plopped back down into his seat and started shoving his own sandwich into his mouth.
After having pretty much inhaled his food in a few seconds, Jungkook spoke up. “Not sure if I wanna keep antagonizing Jimin right now. He seemed really upset last time. For real upset.” That little sting of guilt was back again as he thought of how Jimin's face had looked the last time he brought up the subject.
“You're gonna hear about it for sure next poker night,” Taehyung added.
“Ugh, don't remind me. I might have to lose on purpose just to smooth things over.” Jungkook sighed. He really didn't want to give up any of his goodie-winnings.
“Well, what about Namjoon-hyung? Was there anything else he could look into?” Hoseok added.
“Nothing there, unfortunately. It's all paper work dead ends. I think our best bet is to focus on the deliveries. The company won't give out any info about customers, but I dunno. Maybe if we look into the frequency of deliveries and then keep a lookout at the delivery company offices?”
“That could work. Unless he orders it online from home.” Taehyung was being the voice of reason.
Jungkook was deflated for a moment before he remembered a crucial detail. “He can't be using any online method! The notes are always handwritten and the writing is always the same, so he has to be doing it in person!” He felt proud of his logic.
“You might be on to something there. Where are the logs?” With a huge grin on his face, Hoseok was off looking for the well kept logs they had been filling out before he had even finished asking.
“This is gonna be a lot of work, and, possibly, take a lot of time if you are actually proposing that we 'stake out' all the delivery companies he uses.” At Taehyung's statement, Jungkook got a sad look on his face, which caused the other to quickly continue. “But we'll get it done! Between the three of us, there's no way he'll be able to sneak by!” This time Jungkook face broke into a huge gummy smile.
“Hobi! What's taking so long? Hurry up already!”
“I'm here, I'm here! Jeez, I can't go away for two seconds before you miss me?” Hoseok grinned as he spoke to Taehyung, the younger just giving the older boy a shove before grabbing the logs from him.
“Speak for yourself.” The other two just laughed at their friend's obvious annoyance.
They spent the rest of the night going through the logs, making plans on where to go first and when. It was a great battle plan worthy of 'Operation Bake Sale'.
////
Friday could not have arrived soon enough. Everything had gone well and Jungkook was all clear for starting desk duty next week. They (him, Taehyung, Hoseok and Namjoon if he had time after work) were going to celebrate later that night. They were also going to fill Namjoon in on the update to Operation Bake Sale.
Namjoon was giving Jungkook a ride home while he was going out on a patrol - they were understaffed once again - when the radio blared and called him back to the station for an emergency meeting.
“It's fine, hyung. Just let me off here.” At his partners disapproving look, he continued, “I'll just go by that store to get a few things for the guys, and then I'll take a taxi home. Promise.”
“I better not hear about you running around town, Jungkookie. You need to take it easy on that leg.”
“I promise I won't walk home this time.” He could see that Namjoon did not want to let him go, knowing that Jungkook had already almost set himself back in his recovery by walking home from places too far away before. But duty was calling and soon enough the older man gave in.
“Send me a message when you get home. Don't make me check in with the crazies if you take too long. I'll make you pay if you do.”
“Yeah, yeah. Whatever. Just go already!” Jungkook smiled - especially thinking about Namjoon calling his room mates “the crazies” - as he closed the door and waved at his partner and friend, watching as he drove away. He'd play nice and keep his promise this time. No more setbacks.
An odd feeling came over him as noticed which store Namjoon had let him off by. It was the same mini mart where he had been injured all those months ago.
What a strange coincidence. I haven't been here since the shooting. Realizing this, it occurred to him that he wanted to know how the owner was doing. Also, didn't the owner know who the doctor was?
With new hope he quickened his pace to reach the store.
///
Jungkook entered the store, immediately starting to look for the owner. There was no one by the register, but he could hear someone talking behind some shelves a few aisles down. Maybe the owner was helping a customer? He walked towards the voices and as soon as he came around the corner stopped in surprise.
It had all been worth it! Finally he'd caught the elusive doctor. All the planning, all the searching and elaborate plans they'd made had been useless. Never would he have thought to just go back to the mini mart where it all started.
But there he was, standing by the snack aisle seemingly choosing between some dried seaweed, looking like he'd not moved since they had first met there months ago. Jungkook was shocked. He couldn't believe this was real.
He stood still, as if rooted to the floor for awhile, the scene in front of him so mundane, so glaringly normal it didn't match all the emotions that were shooting through him. Then something, almost like an autopilot kicked in, and he was walking toward the doctor. He kept going until he was only a few feet away before the doctor turned around, noticing someone beside him. Jungkook registered a slight shock on the other man's face before it was schooled into a neutral expression.
“Hi there.” There it was, that same comforting, melodic voice he remembered. Instantly, all the gaps in his visual memories were filled, his mind buzzing with memories. He shook his head to clear it, realizing he needed to say something.
“Hi.” It felt like his tongue was too large. “I've finally found you.” Not the most eloquent thing to say, but seemingly it did the trick as the doctor - no, not doctor but Jin - looked at him gently and nodded his head. Jungkook just felt as in a stupor, the situation feeling so unreal. Jin seemed to notice this as he just tilted his head a bit to look at Jungkook shyly before speaking.
“So now that you've found me, what will you do next?” The doctor smiles that gentle smile Jungkook remembered so fondly and he realizes that what happens next doesn't even matter, because he's found that his heart is beating again.