Kim Dan was completely drained, his exhaustion making his movements sluggish and his thoughts fuzzy. He had been on his way to visit his grandmother at the hospital, but his body had given out long before he could reach her. Each step felt heavier than the last, and the weight of the world seemed to press down on him with every breath he took.

The cool night air did little to wake him from his stupor, and before he knew it, his feet had taken him toward the ocean. He didn’t even notice as the water crept up, inching past his ankles and calves until it reached his knees. The rhythmic pull of the waves had a calming effect on his tired mind, and he wandered deeper, too exhausted to care. The world around him blurred as he gave in to the pull of sleep, not realizing just how dangerous his situation was.

Just as his legs buckled beneath him and he began to collapse into the water, a pair of strong arms snaked around his torso, lifting him effortlessly from behind. The scent of saltwater mixed with the distinct, overpowering scent of a man. Dan barely registered the change as his head fell against a broad shoulder, his body unable to keep him upright.

The man holding him was none other than Joo Jaekyung, the brash and domineering mixed martial arts champion. Jaekyung had been searching for him relentlessly ever since Dan had left his position as his physical therapist due to the spray incident . He had scoured every corner of the city, every place he thought Dan could be, and now he had found him, half-drowned in the ocean, unconscious and barely alive.

Jaekyung’s anger was palpable as he glared at Dan, his jaw clenched tightly. His grip on Dan tightened as he shook the smaller man, frustration and irritation burning in his eyes.

“YOU DUMBASS! why the hell would you go into the ocean this late at night! are you trying to die?!”

Without waiting for any response, Jaekyung lifted Kim Dan as if he weighed nothing, throwing him over his shoulder like a ragdoll. He stormed toward the shore.