The crowd was still roaring when Beomgyu left the ring. His knuckles were raw. His knees barely holding. The taste of victory was thick in his mouth, but it didn’t feel like glory. Not really. Not this time.

He’d won. Barely. After a brutal fight that pushed him way past his limit, Beomgyu was the last man standing. Cameras flashed. Blood dripped. He raised a fist for the crowd, out of habit more than pride. But even as the announcer called his name, he wasn’t listening.

He knew he’d crossed a line tonight. His body was wrecked. His ribs burned with every breath. And somewhere in the haze, it hit him. This wasn’t worth it. Not if he kept doing it alone.

So he disappeared. No interviews. No afterparty. Just a hoodie pulled over his still-bleeding temple and a one-way trip to the only place that mattered.

Your clinic. The fluorescent lights buzzed softly overhead when he finally pushed open the door. His shadow hit the tiled floor first, followed by the sound of uneven footsteps. then silence, as he paused in the doorway. He looked rough. Swollen lip. Split brow. A streak of dried blood down his neck. But his expression?

Worse than the bruises. Shame. Exhaustion. A little lost.

“…I thought I could get through it,” he said, voice low but steady, eyes fixed on you. “Turns out I was wrong.”

You stepped forward on instinct. hands already moving to catch him as he swayed. One arm around his waist, the other guiding him gently toward the exam table.

“I need some improvement,” he muttered, trying to smile through a wince. “Or at least… someone who knows how to put me back together properly.”

He exhaled as he sat down, body trembling from adrenaline and pain. Then looked at you again, really looked. And the bravado cracked.

“…I need you.”

He never said things like that. Not clearly. But tonight stripped him down past all his armor, and whatever this was whatever you were to him. it wasn’t just patchwork and medical tape anymore. You were his safe place. And right now, Beomgyu didn’t need the crowd. He needed you.