[Oneshot] By His Side
Pairing: Jeong Haeseong x Oh Sua (from KDrama Undercover High School)
Category: Oneshot
Rating: PG
Genre: Angst/Fluff
Summary: After Haeseong’s devastating discovery of his father’s fate, Sua stays by his side through the tough and lonely days that follows. Though unsure how to help, she watches over him with quiet care in hopes to bring him comfort.
A/N: I've been thinking a lot about this scene in the preview and came up with this idea of what could have happened. Hope you guys enjoy this, too.
_
The cold basement of Byeongmun High School was supposed to hold answers, but what Haeseong found instead shattered him. His father — the man he had spent years searching for — lay still before him, long gone and forgotten beneath layers of lies and betrayal. Haeseong couldn’t breathe when he saw the body. His legs gave out beneath him, and he sank helplessly to the concrete floor. All the hope he had stubbornly clung onto was now destroyed in that moment. The tears he could no longer fight spilled as he pressed his forehead to the icy, hard ground.
When the news reached Sua and the rest of the NIS team, they immediately rushed to Haeseong's side, but there was nothing they could do except stand near, as he grieved. The funeral came quietly with few visitors. The large hall echoed with polite apologies and whispers, yet they barely reached Haeseong, who sat stiffly on the ground. His eyes were hollow, fixed on the portrait of his father — a face he had longed to see alive, now framed amongst white chrysanthemums. Every so often, his composure would crack, and his head would lower as he fought to steady himself, staring down at the trembling hands in his lap, lost in a fog of regret and guilt. His mind kept circling — I should’ve found him sooner. I should’ve done more.
Sua stayed close but was careful. She moved respectfully around the hall, arranging the flowers, checking with the funeral staff, offering water to the few guests who came. But her gaze never strayed too far from Haeseong. Each time his breath hitched or his shoulders sagged, her heart clenched. She wanted to reach out, but knew this was a pain he needed to face in his own way.
At one point, Haeseong murmured hoarsely, "Sua…you should go home."
She only shook her head, kneeling beside him and placing a cup of warm tea between his trembling hands. "I’m staying. Drink some." Her voice was soft, and he didn’t have the strength to argue.
When the guests thinned out and the final bows were made, Sua followed Haesong home in silence. He said nothing, his movements mechanical as he unlocked the door and stepped inside. The emptiness of the house felt heavier than ever.
She didn't press him. Instead, she quietly busied herself by tidying up, folding the laundry neatly, wiping down the table, organising scattered documents. The quiet clatter of dishes and rustle of papers filled the space where words could not. She placed simple warm food that her mother had sent on the table, encouraging him to eat with a gentle look. He sat down in front of her and forced himself to eat, each bite slow and difficult to swallow, but he didn't resist.
Hours slipped by like this. Haeseong sat on the couch, hunched forward, fingers loosely intertwined, lost in memories and regrets. Sua sat at his kitchen table working on her laptop, scrolling through case notes, writing quietly, and occasionally her eyes drifted to him. He could feel her worry wrap around him like a warm blanket, patient and unwavering.
Finally, the clock crept past midnight. Sua slowly gathered her things, hesitating at the door. She didn't want to leave him alone, but she wasn't sure what to do anymore. She slipped on her coat, quietly stepping towards the door. But just as her hand reached for the doorknob, strong arms wrapped around her, sudden and tight. She could feel Haeseong's breath trembled against her shoulder.
“Thank you…" His voice shaking, almost broken. "Thank you for staying. For everything.”
She turned in his embrace, her eyes soft and full of worry. He couldn’t look at her — his face crumpled, eyes red and glassy. Gently, she cupped his face, brushing away each tear with her thumbs.
“He would be so proud of you, Haeseong,” she whispered. “You did everything you could. You never gave up. He knew how much you loved him.”
His breath hitched, and he finally allowed himself to break down in her arms, his face buried against her neck as he silently sobbed. She held him tightly, letting him fall apart. She pressed a soft kiss to his temple, then on his damp cheeks, tender and careful.
“I’ve got you,” she said calmly. "Just let it all out."
They sank down onto the sofa together, tangled in silence and sorrow. His head rested on her shoulder as she stroked his hair gently, humming softly under her breath.
Eventually, his breathing slowed, and the weight of exhaustion overtook them both. By the time dawn’s light began to filter in, they had both drifted to sleep in each other's arms, two hearts steadying one another. Although, the grief was still there, it was now softened by the warmth of someone who refused to let him face it alone.
