Safeway Pyongyang // Reader x Countryhumans

Fireworks

       North had been looking into Y/N's unusually determined gaze when the first firework rang out, causing her to flinch and look at it, eyes wide and vulnerable.

      Truth be told, the bruise on her cheek hadn't been the only clue to the girl's past- her haunted appearance, the way she jumped when he or one of his provinces raised their voice, and her timid manner had all contributed to North's suspicion. The bruise had just been the final clue.

    North hated talking about stuff like this. Why had he let her ask him about his lie? Maybe it felt good to tell someone who knew, and who wasn't one of his generals. Or maybe he just wanted to have someone who was technically one of his people say, 'Yes, I'm glad that you're doing this.'

       Either way, the Countryhuman didn't like the weakness in his voice, especially when the waif-like human sounded so strong talking about her past. He was trying to think of something to say to regain control of the conversation, when Y/N's eyes widened and she threw herself at him, knocking him to the ground.

       North tried to ask her what the fuck she was doing, but the fireworks drowned him out, along with a quieter sound that instinctively raised his hackles. He knew that sound.

      Wordlessly, the human girl slumped over onto him.

       "Y/N?" he asked, grabbing her. Feeling wetness on her left side, he pulled back his hand. It was covered in blood, dark in the light of the sparks in the sky. So was her choson-ot.

       "Ssi-bal," the Countryhuman cursed. He was right- the sound muffled by the fireworks had been a suppressor. Rolling the human off of him, he leaped up and pulled his semi-automatic from the inside of his jacket, aiming it at the bushes.

        "On the fucking ground!" he yelled in English, just knowing. The fireworks lit up the night sky again, allowing him to catch the movement of a shadow, and he fired off two rounds, hoping that none of his people were within shooting range. Behind him, he could hear someone start screaming.

       Someone in the bushes started screaming, too, and the country rushed over to find a light-skinned man, rolling on the ground and clutching his thigh, and cursing in English. Seeing North, he raised his gun to shoot again, but the Countryhuman moved quicker, pistol-whipping the human across the temple, knocking him out cold.

        Looking back at the girl, who hadn't moved, he cursed again, wanting to check on her. He resisted the urge to beat the shit out of the unconscious man. That could come later. Instead, he used one hand to keep the gun pointed at his would-be assassin, and used the other to pull out his phone, and dial South Hamgyong.

        "South Hamgyong," he barked. "Get over here now- we're on the riverbank across from the Square."

        "I'm on my way," she said immediately, as she always did when North used this tone. "What happened?"

       "Y/N's been shot."

________

        It was two days later, when North was emerging from the basement room of the Ministry of State Security, and wiping blood from his knuckles, that South Hwanghae came to inform him that the girl had woken up.

        "Ah've been callin'," she complained. "Where's your phone?"

        "It was off." Tucking the bloody cloth into his pocket, he pulled out his phone, switching it on. He raised an eyebrow, turning the screen to his province. "Eighteen missed calls?"

       "Y'all weren't answerin'," the province huffed, crossing her arms.

       "Then call the Ministry," the country said irritably. "I can't keep wasting won on phone cards."

       They started walking to the car, nodding to the Minister of State Security on the way out.

       "You've told me not to call the Ministers unless it's important," South Hwanghae continued trying to defend herself.

        "You don't think that Y/N waking up is important?" North asked.

         "Well, ah do, and ah wanted to stay with her and ask her if she was okay, but SH said that ah had to come get you, and when ah said that North Pyongan could do it, she said-"

        North held up a hand. "Military report."

          "Ah think N/N's important, but ah dint know if you did." The province threw off a small salute to go with her clipped words, which the country glared at her for.

       "She's certainly not a spy." He dodged the question.

        "You're doin' that thing where you don't answer me," South Hwanghae pouted.

         North didn't answer her.

Don't go to hospitals in Turkmenistan, they'll shoot you full of ketamine and call it problem solved. I think it's free, but it's still ketamine. However, if you have a ketamine addiction, I guess that you should go to hospitals in Turkmenistan to get free ketamine.