Time didn't heal. It moved.
Days passed. Quietly. Without asking. Without waiting for anyone to catch up. The city returned to normal. Lights turned back on. Traffic resumed. People laughed again. As if nothing had happened.
But for them...Everything had.
One Week Later
The sky was pale that morning. Not bright. Not dull. Just… in between.
Noah stood near the window, staring outside.
He hadn't been sleeping well. Not really. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw it. That moment. That hand raised. That bullet. That look.
He exhaled slowly. Running a hand through his hair.
"You're doing it again."
The voice came from behind. Soft. Familiar.
"…Doing what?"
Footsteps approached. Evan stepped beside him.
"Thinking too much."
A small pause.
"No one's asking you to solve it anymore."
Noah let out a faint breath.
"Doesn't stop my brain from trying."
Evan glanced at him.
"You're not responsible for how it ended."
Noah's jaw tightened slightly.
"…I was part of it."
Evan shook his head.
"You were part of stopping it."
Silence settled.
This time, not heavy.
Just… real.
Meanwhile — Somewhere Less Peaceful
Dr. Graham had a problem.
And that problem, was named Victor Kolon.
Or more specifically 'Detective Kolon avoiding him'. For three days straight.
Every time Graham tried to talk Kolon walked away.
Every time he showed up Kolon conveniently had "work."
"Coincidence?" Graham muttered to himself one afternoon, watching Kolon leave the hallway for the third time.
"…I think not."
By the fourth day, he had enough.
Police Station — Evening
The Hunter case was finally closing. Files stacked. Reports being finalized. Officers moving around with a strange mix of relief and exhaustion.
Kolon stood near a desk, focused on writing the final report. Calm. Composed. Professional as ever and completely unaware of the storm walking toward him.
"Victor."
Kolon didn't look up.
"Not now, Li...Dr Graham."
Big mistake.
Graham walked straight up to him, grabbed his wrist, and pulled. Hard.
"What...Dr. Graham...what are you doing?!"
"Talking," Graham said.
"Outside."
Before Kolon could react, he was already being dragged out of the station.
The entire team paused.
Watching.
"…Should we stop them?" one officer whispered.
"No," Noah said casually from the side.
"…This looks interesting. Very interesting."
Rhea, standing nearby, raised an eyebrow.
"…Are we… spying?"
Noah nodded.
"Absolutely."
Outside the Station
Kolon finally pulled his hand free.
"What is wrong with you?" he snapped. "This is a workplace"
"I like you."
Silence.
Kolon blinked.
"…What?"
"I like you," Graham repeated. "No...scratch that...I'm in love with you."
Straight.
Direct.
No hesitation.
Kolon stared at him.
"…You dragged me out here for this?"
"Yes."
A pause.
"…You're unbelievable."
"And you're avoiding me," Graham shot back. "So clearly subtlety wasn't working."
Kolon exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair.
"You don't understand..."
"Then explain it to me."
Silence.
For the first time Kolon didn't have an immediate response.
His gaze dropped slightly.
"…My job," he said finally, quieter now. "It's not safe."
Graham didn't interrupt.
"I deal with people like him," Kolon continued. "Every day. Dangerous people. Unpredictable situations."
A pause.
"Anyone close to me… becomes a target."
That landed.
"But even then…" Kolon added, almost reluctantly.
"…I still..."
He stopped.
Graham stepped closer.
"…You still what?"
Kolon looked at him.
And for once the wall cracked.
"…I fell for you."
Silence.
Real.
Soft.
Graham's breath hitched.
"…You're terrible at expressing feelings," he said quietly.
Kolon let out a small, tired breath.
"I'm aware."
And then Graham didn't think. He just pulled him into a hug. Tight. Warm. Unapologetic.
Kolon froze for a second, then slowly let himself relax.
Graham's grip tightened slightly.
"…I don't care about the risk," he murmured. "I'd rather have something real than nothing at all."
Kolon didn't respond immediately.
But his hand moved.
Resting lightly on Graham's back.
"…You're stubborn."
Graham smiled against his shoulder.
"Only for you."
And just like that
"WOOOOOO!"
Both of them froze.
They turned.
The entire team stood at the station entrance. Clapping. Cheering. Grinning like idiots.
Noah leaned against the wall, arms crossed, smirking.
"Finally," he said. "That took longer than our entire case."
Rhea laughed softly.
Kolon immediately stepped back.
"Were you all...watching?!"
"Yes," Noah said proudly.
Graham didn't even look embarrassed.
"Supportive audience," he added.
Kolon glared at all of them.
"I am your superior."
Noah grinned.
"Relax, Vic."
Kolon's eye twitched.
"Don't call me that."
"Vic, Vic," Noah repeated, clearly enjoying this.
The entire team burst into laughter.
Even Kolon...eventually, let out a small, defeated sigh, and maybe ust maybe, a tiny smile.
Two Years Later
Morning light spilled through the curtains.
The room was quiet.
Soft.
Warm.
Noah stirred first.
He blinked slowly, adjusting to the light.
And then he realized something.
"…We're late."
Beside him Evan groaned.
"Define late."
Noah checked the time.
Paused.
"…Very late."
Evan sat up halfway. Hair messy. Expression still half-asleep.
"…Oh."
A beat.
"…We're very late."
They looked at each other.
And then both burst out laughing.
The kind of laughter that comes easily. Naturally. Not forced. Not heavy.
Just… alive.
Evan leaned back slightly.
"…Worth it."
Noah smirked.
"Definitely."
A pause.
Then they finally got up. No rush. No panic.
Because whatever waited outside could wait a little longer...