Old Wounds Aren't Always Healed Wounds - Part Four
Old Wounds Aren't Always Healed Wounds
Pairing: YeWook, slight EunHae
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ryeowook and Jongwoon had a past that one would like to forget and the other would like to turn into the present and future once more. Both have scars that need healing and only the two of them can heal each other.
Note: For my lovely and beyond patient kellsung I hope you enjoy and it doesn't fail too bad.
Parts: 1 2 3 4 5 6
"You came home early." Hyun Soo said as he was cooking breakfast and Ryeowook was making coffee. "Yeah." ryeowook was't focusig very well staring off into space while attempting to finish the coffee that shouldn't be taking as long as it was. Hyun Soo came over and shooed him away. "You're making a mess, just go eat your plate is at the table." It took Hyun Soo about five seconds to finish up. the he came oer to the table with his ow plate. "I won't be around tonight. Junsu wants to go play a couple rounds of pool." This was their normal routine almost like an old married couple. Ryeowook was picking at his food. He didn't cook much anymore, so it was a good thing Hyun Soo was a decent cook or they might starve.
"I'd be crazy.." Hyun Soo looked up to the mumbling man. "Hyung, what's up?" Ryeowook tossed his chopsticks down. "What's wrong with people Hyun Soo? Does it even make sense to say something like that?" Hyun Soo was really confused. "Say what?" he asked. "Start over with someone..." Ryeowook bit his lip as he was off in his own world thikning about the words he couldn't fathom he really heard. Hyun still wasn't sure what was going on but just went with it. "Well, if you realize you made a mistake and really missed the - wait!?" His eyes opened wide then narrowed as he looked directly into Ryeowook's eyes. "Who said this to you?" Ryeowook snapped out of his haze as he looked up at Hyun Soo. Then he shifted away running his finger around the rim of his coffee mug. "Oh, no one. Just overheard someone."
Hyun Soo stood up from his seat and walked over to Ryeowook where he rested a hand on his shoulder and leaned in. "Hyung, you know you're a terrible liar right? Which reminds me about that promise you made me. Hm?" A rin was spread over Hyun Soo's face and Ryeowook knew it without seeing him. "I was drunk that doesn't count." he whined and shrugged off the hand that was on his shoulder. Hyun Soo laughed. "A promise is a promise so spill or I'll come collecting." Ryeowook sighed and blew his bangs out of his face. He remembered that night. Hyun Soo caught him in a lie and made him promise to never lie again or each lie he made, Hyun Soo got a kiss. It was utterly ridiculous but stupid Ryeowook agreed and Hyun Soo never let up about that promise. "Fine, go sit and I'll talk." Hyun Soo's grin grew but before he left Ryeowook's side he stole a kiss on the cheek. "That was for the lie, be happy I didn't collect in full..." Then he added in a mumble "though you'd like it all the same." Ryeowook pretended he didn't hear.
"You're getting the short version so don't even try to pry." he wagged a finger at Hyun Soo in warning. "Psh, if it was anyone else I might pry." Hyun Soo wasn't fond of talkin nor hearing about Jongwoon so he most definitely wasn't interested in the more intimate details of their night. Well, unless the guy had a hard time getting it up which would be hilarious but other than that he couldn't care less. "Alright, I had been trying to avoid any kind of talking but somehow that didn't work. Instead he asked me to start over with him...give him another chance or something." Ryeowook waited for a reaction, mainly anger but he didn't get anything. Hyun Soo just sat there looking at him with a blank expression. It annoyed him, he wanted to see some hint of what his best friend was thinking. Ryeowook waited thinking that his friend might need a few moments to take this in. He sure had and more than just a few moments.
"What did you say?" When Hyun Soo spoke Ryeowook let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding in. Only he wasn't relieved but more confused. "Huh? Oh, I told him we're different now and then I got mad and sort of told him I had an appointment later and that he's an idiot if he thought I was only seeing him." Hyun Soo should have laughed, would have laughed if it had been anyone else but it wasn't. This only worried Ryeowook. "That's it?" Ryeowook frowned but nodded. He wasn't sure he liked this side of his friend. "Yeah, I left and came home." Hyun Soo nodded and finished up the last bit of his breakfast. "Hyun Soo-ah, what are you thinking?" Ryeowook didn't want to ask but he had to. That garnered a small smile but it was a sad one. "I'm thinking I might not be able to help you with this one." Hyun Soo picked up his coffee and took a sip. "Wh-what? Why not?" Hyun Soo always helped Ryeowook with everything even when Ryeowook didn't want his help. His friend finished the last drops of his drink and stood up with his mug and plate.
Hyun Soo walked to the kitchen and cleaned them. "I won't be home tonight Ryeowook, maybe not for the next couple of days. You'll need to do the grocery shopping, don't just eat ramen because you're too tired from the hospital." Once that was finished up, Ryeowook watched his friend walk out the door.
Sitting there for awhile staring at the door, Ryeowook wondered what was going on. Not only was Hyun Soo strange but he didn't call him by his name properly. Hyun Soo only called Ryeowook by two names, Hyung and Ryeowook-ah. There was nothing else he used...ever. Something was really wrong. Ryeowook picked up his plate and mugh. He dumped the mostly full plate into the trash and drained his half full coffee into the sink. He wasn't hungry anymore, at all.
Jongwoon was in a foul mood the next day. He hadn't taken any care of his hand. Barking orders left and right. No one dared disturb him unless they absolutely had to. Unfortunately, his secretary had to communicate with the demon on a much more regular basis. Seungchul brought into Jongwoon's office a document that needed to be reviewed. "Sir, the file you requested." Jongwoon didn't even bother looking up just held his injured hand out. Seungchul had mentioned the hand that was black and blue and skin peeled back only to get yelled at so he kept his mouth shut and handed the file over. It only took two seconds for curse words to be spewed from Jongwoon's lips and the file falling to the floor. "Sir, are you okay?! You really should go to the hospital." Seungchul said in concern while bending down to pick up the file and place it on his boss' desk. "Yeah, yeah, Seungchul. You can leave." The secretary did just that while shaking his head. Jongwoon spun his chair around and looked out the glass behind him. His hand was throbbing. At the time punching the wall had been the right thing to do. He had been so angry that Ryeowook was doing things like that. It had less to do with Ryeowook putting ohers off for him and everything to do with the fact that Ryeowook deserved more than that kind of life.
With Jongwoon's hand the way it was he couldn't even grip a pen. He knew he needed to have it examined, he just didn't feel like going through the hassle. Not getting any work done wasn't much of an option though. Jongwoon grabbed his keys and told Seungchul that he was stepping out and wans't sure when he'd be back. Then he left for the hospital. Might as well get the hassle over with ASAP.
Getting to be actually seen in a hospital was nothing like they showed in the movies. You had to sit there forever. Jongwoon was pretty sure more people died in the ER just because they sat in the waiting room too long, rather than when they were actually on the table. He wasn't sure if it was more comforting to know that his hand wasn't life threatening or not. A nurse finally called his name, and he was shuffled hurriedly into a makeshift room of curtains and a bed. It was odd to have been sitting in the waiting room for over an hour to be hurried to the exam room but Jongwoon kept his thoughts to himself and sat down, answered her questions and let her examine his hand. Only to be told it'd be a few more moments for the doctor.
By this point he was restraining himself from telling the nurse that she should just give him a first aid kit and he'd fix himself but she had a sincere smile so he swallowed his tongue once more. Letting out a sigh he nodded and thanked the woman. Once she was gone, he pulled out his phone, he had an unfinished game on there he might as well play some tetris while he waited another hour for the doc to arrive.
Why Ryeowook had to do good deeds today was beyond him. Sure, he was a doctor so he did good deeds everyday but extra ones that weren't even in his department weren't something he did particularly often and generally for a good reason. Today it seemed he had forgotten when another doctor snagged him and asked him to cover him for an hour. The ER was not his forte. You either had super busy days or dreadfully slow days with practically nothing in between. Ryeowook couldn't handle that. He wanted to stay moderately busy or super busy otherwise he felt like it wasn't worth his time. Yet here he was in the ER taking care of all sorts of patients. The ones who think they child has every rare disease possible when in fact it's just a cold that 24 hours with rest and lots of fluids could probably take care of it in no time, to the actually sick patients who deserved to be there yet were in so much pain they'd rip your head off. Honestly, he found all the ER patients to be quite exhausting.
That was why when he was handed the next chart, he didn't bother looking at the name but skipped down to the meat and potatoes...which was more like a carrot and a pea. Possible fracture from punching a wall...Snapping the chart shut, Ryeowook groaned to himself, what was wrong with people these days. Clearly, you didn't have to be too bright to know that if you punch a wall you might break something, so why do it? It'd just cost you more than it's worth later on. Walking over to the bed that the wall puncher was at, Ryeowook, recollected himself smoothing out his expression of distaste and annoyance and pulled back the curtain.
At the sound of a curtain being whipped back, Jongwoon glanced up briefly then had his eyes on his phone so he could pause and exit out of the game. Looking up again, his eyes met a pair that he would recognize anywhere. Dr. Kim Ryeowook read the name sewed into the lab coat. Ryeowook was mentally beating his head against a wall, this was exactly the reason why you read the name of the patient first. Actually, if you wanted to get technical there were a lot more reasons for that, like the 6 rights he had to learn and practically swear by in medical school but hey the real world and school is different. Okay, not too much but he wanted to use that excuse for today. "Jongwoon-shii." He said slowly, as his eyes stared back into the ones he had just been seeing the other night. Then they moved down to the injured hand..."Are you an idiot?" Where was the professionalism? Ryeowook didn't even know himself but seeing the guys knuckles all black and blue with skin peeled back and some completely off, with what looked like grit in it made him lose that part of being a doctor.
Jongwoon's look of shock turned to annoyance and he looked away from the man in front of him. He didn't answer the question just sat there like a pouty child would. Ryeowook pulled the stool over and sat down. Putting on gloves, he grabbed Jongwoon's injured hand in his and felt the immediate flinch to his touch, as well as the tried to be hidden intake of breath one did when pain coursed through them. "You're how old and punching walls? Stay still so I can take a look at just how stupid you are." While Ryeowook was completely engrossed in his work, cleaning the wound as well as determining if he'd need to go for an x-ray or not.
Jongwoon on the other had was at the end of his patience, Ryeowook calling him an idiot wasn't helping at all. "And whose fault is that?" He grumbled. Ryeowook didn't stop what he was doing but he heard the comment all the same. "Are you implying that it's my fault?" Jongwoon kept quiet this time, he was biting on the inside of his cheek trying not to make any sound because whatever it was that Ryeowook had just done to his hand hurt like hell. "Stay still." Jongwoon's head snapped in Ryeowook's direction, "Then why don't we switch positions and I do the same to you hm? and yes it's your fault. Why do you have to be so stubborn?" Ryeowook looked up then to see he pent up annoyance and anger that Jongwoon had been holding back. He found it interesting. He hadn't realized he had upset the man this much, nor did he realize until now that he was able to do so.
He kept his expression neutral though, "You'll need an x-ray to confirm the fracture and so I can see the full extent of the damage you caused. You can't hold a pen can you? Well, now you really won't be able to do so for awhile." He began to stand up but a hand latched onto his wrist. He looked down at the hand holding him in place then he looked up at the man. "Ryeowook-ah, I'm sorry that I hurt you. I'm sorry that I couldn't see what I was doing to you." Those words made the doctor stiffen. He just stared and stared at Jongwoon. At first he was in shock and then he was searching for absolute sincerity, any doubt of that was what he wanted. Unfortunately, he couldn't find any and that scared him more.
He tried to pull his hand away but the grip on it only tightened. "This isn't the time nor place." His eyes had shifted away not being able to look at Jongwoon anymore. Falling back into a trap wasn't something that he could afford. "Yes, it is. You won't give me the time nor place." Ryeowook could feel his epinephrine beginning to pump through him as the fear grew. He yanked his hand away, "And there's a reason for that." He hissed, needing to make sure that he doesn't raise his voice, they were in a hospital but not only that his place of work. Ryeowook turned around. "You'll need to stay here a little longer for the x-ray. If you need anything the nurse-" Ryeowook couldn't finish his sentence because suddenly he was completely trapped, arms were wrapped around him and a chin was resting on his shoulder. "The only thing I need is you." As strange as it was, Ryeowook was holding his breath waiting for Jongwoon to finish that sentence with the name of L. He didn't though. Ryeowook didn't know what to do. All he knew was that he couldn't breathe, it was stiffling there. He needed to get on the other side of the curtain and quickly.
Ryeowook peeled off Jongwoon's embrace and stepped away. "You can't have me. This is where I work Jongwoon-shii, it would be nice if you respected that. Dr. Kim to you." He took another step foward, only to feel fingertips touching his fingertips that were by his side. "I'll wait." it was then that the curtains opened and Ryeowook's eyes widened. He pulled his hand into his labcoat, leaving the other man's hanging. "Ryeowook-shii..Oh! Yesung-shii, how are you?" The resident looked down at the mans hand and concern replaced her happy expression. "What did you do?" Jongwoon reluctantly looked away from Ryeowook and set his eyes on the woman who had interrupted the two. "Could be better. Thank you for the concern Soo In-shii." It wasn't hard to forget the woman that Ryeowook attached himself too after their conversation that night at the restaurant. She was an annoyance but Jongwoon played the part of politeness rather well.
Ryeowook on the other hand felt like he was going to gag at any moment, watching he two of them. It made him wonder why she even said she liked him, clearly those two would make a better couple. He grabbed the chart and walked out of the makeshit exam room. Soo In stopped talking, eyes following her target, excused herself and then ran after Ryeowook. Jongwoon sighed and watched the exchange. He wondered if she was the appointment that Ryeowook had been talking about. That thought of course only made his mood take a darker turn.
"I came to relieve you. Dr. Park should be back in 15 but I know you'd prefer to go back to your floor so I thought I'd give you a break." At the moment Ryeowook couldn't have been more happy to hear those words from her. Breaking out in a smile, he placed his hand on the small of her back while he thanked her for her thoughtfulness. He lowered his voice, "About this weekend, if your offer still stands then I'd like to take you up on it." The excitement radiated from Soo In. Her eyes, smile, stature everything beamed of happiness, if it wasn't for the fact that they were in the middle of the hospital Soo In might have jumped up and down or even given the man a peck on the cheek. She had to restrain herself though. "Yes it does. I'll text you the time and such later." He nodded, eyes dancing with amusement by her reaction. "Alright, give me report on Yesung-shii." And that was what he did.
Ryeowook went back to his office, he had some paperwork he needed to finish up before consultation and then rounds. Once he shut the door, he took off his lab coat and sank into his chair with a sigh. Picking up his pen, he twirled it around in his fingers. His mind immediately went back to the man that couldn't even hold a pen know. Their whole exchange ran through his mind and he tried to pick it apart to the point that he would find fault in everything that Jongwoon had said. Except he couldn't. Ryeowook was failing. Picking up his phone he scrolled through his contacts until he reached Hyun Soo's name. He was just abou to slide his finger across the name when he hesitated. In his mind the expression he saw earlier this morning flashed, along with his words about not being able to help him.
Groaning, Ryeowook tossed his phone onto his desk and pulled his paperwork towards him. He got through some of it but it was a struggle. Jongwoon's words, "I'll wait." kept running through his mind. Did he really mean it? It had sounded like he did. Shaking his head, Ryeowook pushed Jongwoon out of his mind and forced himself to focus on his work.
Soo In looked like she was floating on clouds as she walked back to Jongwoon. It made him jealous and it also made him burn with curiosity on what Ryeowook could have done to make her react like this. He didn't doubt that the man had the capability, he knew he had it. "You like Ryeowook-ah?" He didn't give her the chance to speak which caught the woman off guard and she automatically answered, "Yes." right after she realized what she had said and blushed, "I-I mean.." Jongwoon held up a hand, "It's okay it wasn't that hard to figure out." she let out a small smile. "Was it really that obvious?" she asked. Jongwoon used his good hand to make his index finger and thumb come together leaving only a small space between them, answering her question with a gesture.
This made Soo In blush a deeper shade of pink. "So, you're smiling like that because he asked you out?" Jongwoon was fishing, he knew he probably shouldn't but he couldn't help himself. "Oh no! No..Ryeowook-shii just uh agreed to go out with me and two friends of mine this weekend that's all." She said quietly without being able to hold eye contact with Jongwoon. That was a good thing otherwise she might have seen surge of anger and jealousy that passed through him. What snapped the both of them out of their own worlds was howls of pain Jongwoon was now making, as he had pressed his hand down into the bed. Soo In leapt to attention and pulled his arm up so he wasn't able to hurt it anymore. "Are you okay, Yesung-shii?" He let out a long breath. "Yeah, just uh forgot that hand is injured."
"I think it's time for that x-ray then, hm?" Jongwoon nodded and followed Soo In. It didn't take took long for the two to arrive at their destination. Before Jongwoon went in for the x-ray he didn't turn around but said, "Soo In-shii, you should be careful." he was determined to not let things end the way she was hoping for. It'd be best if she didn't get hurt but Jongwoon wouldn't go out of his way to make sure that didn't happen. There was only one thing that was his priority.
After Ryeowook's shift was over, he was glad. Being mentally drained is sometimes more exhausting than being physically drained. Walking out of the hospital doors, he started the trek home. Only for someone to step alongside him. Hyun Soo. Ryeowook turned his head with a big smile towards the man only to splutter, "Y-you're not Hyun Soo." his finger was raised pointing at the man. "I would hope not Wook-ah, then I wouldn't be able to do this." Before Ryeowook could block any type of attack he was being kissed on the cheek. Ryeowook's eyes went wide, "Yah! Kim Jongwoon! We're in public!" Laughter filled the air, "well, that's a good reply I guess. You didn't ask what's wrong with me." Ryeowook didn't know what to say to this crazy man beside him. The fact was he hadn't asked that or even thought that. "I was getting to that." he grumbled.
"Thank you." Jongwoon spoke in a quiet serious tone. Ryeowook was really having a hard time right now. The man beside him kept throwing him curve balls. "For..?" A bandaged hand was waved in his face. He nodded. "Just doing my job." They needed to get back on track. "Wait? Did you wait here just to say that?" Or maybe they could stray for a little bit longer. Jongwoon just started whistling. Ryeowook stared at him waiting for an answer. He wasn't getting one. Nudging Jongwoon with his hand, Ryeowook asked, "Wellll, did you?" Jongwoon looked at him with a smile and didn't say anting. Then he leaned in and said, "Didn't I say I'd wait for you." Ryeowook couldn't stop the light blush spreading across his cheeks. He hadn't thought Jongwoon would be so literal. "Of course, I meant that for more than just tonight." Ryeowook looked away and shoved Jongwoon in the opposite direction. "You're too close." Jongwoon only laughted but gave Ryeowook a little more space.
This Jongwoon was confusing. The old one never would have waited hours just for him to get out of work. There must be something strange in the water. "I'll buy you a dirnk next time as thanks. Have a good night, Ryeowook-ah." Jongwoon gave a short wave adn then walked back the way he had come. Ryeowok stood there and stared after the retreating figure for awhile. It wasn't until someone bumped into him that he finally started moving again. He tried to shake off the weirdness and put it all out of his mind along his walk home.
Opening the door to his apartment Ryeowook set his things down and called for Hyun Soo. It wasn't until the third time calling for his friend did Ryeowok remember that he wouldn't be home. Ryeowook stopped looking and went back to his own room to shower and change. When that was taken are of he wandered to the kitchen only to remember more of Hyun Soo's words. He frowned as he stared into the pretty empty fridge. "It'd have been polite if he had filled it up before he left." Ryeowook was grumbling to himself.
He managed to find a not completey brown banana and sat down on the couch with it. Ryeowook turned on the television and ate his banana. Channel surfing seemed to be all he was going to do. Sighing he tossed the remote on the coffee table and pulled out his phone. Scrolling through his contacts, Ryeowook hovered over Hyun Soo's name for only a moment before he moved on. Then came Jongwoon's name and Ryeowook just stared at it for awhile before finally sighing and looking away. He needed to figure out what Jongwoon truly wanted or it would drive him crazy. Even with the thought that Jongwoon could be completely sincere it was really hard for Ryeowook to accept that. He didn't want to get hurt again. Going into a relationship thinking your feelings are mutual only to find out you're just a replacement for someone else was beyond cruel. It was even worse when you're so in love with the person you try to fill those shoes just to stay close to them even while hurting yourself in the process. Ryeowook couldn't no wouldn't do that again.
His hand brought his phone back into view and he clicked on the name about to give that person a chance if nothing else to fully explain himself but a melody rang and up popped a message from Soo In. He opened the text. She was excited about the weekend and gave him the meeting place and time. A small smile crept onto his face. Soo In was so simple, easy. Ryeowook typed a reply and then headed to his bedroom. He might as well do some work sine it was going to be a boring night. He missed Hyun Soo but he wouldn't admit that.
The weekend was finally here. Not being able to use your dominant hand was nearly impossible. Not to mention, Jongwoon now realized just how clumsy he really was. Knocking his hand into things on a daily basis. It hurt. It hurt a lot. "Hyung, I know I've asked you this before but why do you were only your red glasses upside down. If anyone from your company saw you, you're big bad boss reputation would be shattered." Hyukjae asked while stretching out in the grass, looking up at Jongwoon who was throwing breadcrumbs in the water for the ducks and turtles in the pond. "These are my special glasses Hyukjae." he said simply while continuing with his task. "Ooh, you're special alright." he muttered and received a smack on the chest from Donghae who was lying next to him. "That's mean. He's just..unique." Hyukjae burst into laughter and then Donghae followed suit. He had tried but his words weren't much better.
Jongwoon hadn't heard what they said but was used to their random outbursts of laughter, so he just finished up the last of the bread and then took a seat next to his two friends. "Donghae, you better watch your boyfriend. He's not only downloading more porn but trying to get others to watch it with him." Even if Jongwoon hadn't head what they said, he knew it was about him. Hyukjae put a finger to his lips, trying to get Jongwoon to stop. This only made things worse. Donghae sat up looking at Jongwoon first then at his boyfriend who was trying to hush the other. "So, it is true." He raised an eyebrow. There was a glint in Donghae's eyes that Hyukjae knew well was a dangerous warning. He hopped up and backed away slow. "Hae baby, you know-" he was cut off by Donghae, "I know?" and Jongwoon's laughter. "That..I..love you?" It sounded more like a question. Hyukjae ran away as soon as he said it and Donghae scrambled after him. Jongwoon watched the two for a minute then stood up. "Bye guys. Don't hurt him too much Donghae." he called before leaving the two behind. He wa sure they'd be acting like bunnies soon enough anyways. Better to be gone before that began. He had to go get ready for tonight. Jongwoon was excited, it should turn into an interesting night even if things didn't go according to plan.
Pairing: YeWook, slight EunHae
Genre: Romance
Rating: PG-13
Summary: Ryeowook and Jongwoon had a past that one would like to forget and the other would like to turn into the present and future once more. Both have scars that need healing and only the two of them can heal each other.
Note: For my lovely and beyond patient kellsung I hope you enjoy and it doesn't fail too bad.
Parts: 1 2 3 4 5 6
"You came home early." Hyun Soo said as he was cooking breakfast and Ryeowook was making coffee. "Yeah." ryeowook was't focusig very well staring off into space while attempting to finish the coffee that shouldn't be taking as long as it was. Hyun Soo came over and shooed him away. "You're making a mess, just go eat your plate is at the table." It took Hyun Soo about five seconds to finish up. the he came oer to the table with his ow plate. "I won't be around tonight. Junsu wants to go play a couple rounds of pool." This was their normal routine almost like an old married couple. Ryeowook was picking at his food. He didn't cook much anymore, so it was a good thing Hyun Soo was a decent cook or they might starve.
"I'd be crazy.." Hyun Soo looked up to the mumbling man. "Hyung, what's up?" Ryeowook tossed his chopsticks down. "What's wrong with people Hyun Soo? Does it even make sense to say something like that?" Hyun Soo was really confused. "Say what?" he asked. "Start over with someone..." Ryeowook bit his lip as he was off in his own world thikning about the words he couldn't fathom he really heard. Hyun still wasn't sure what was going on but just went with it. "Well, if you realize you made a mistake and really missed the - wait!?" His eyes opened wide then narrowed as he looked directly into Ryeowook's eyes. "Who said this to you?" Ryeowook snapped out of his haze as he looked up at Hyun Soo. Then he shifted away running his finger around the rim of his coffee mug. "Oh, no one. Just overheard someone."
Hyun Soo stood up from his seat and walked over to Ryeowook where he rested a hand on his shoulder and leaned in. "Hyung, you know you're a terrible liar right? Which reminds me about that promise you made me. Hm?" A rin was spread over Hyun Soo's face and Ryeowook knew it without seeing him. "I was drunk that doesn't count." he whined and shrugged off the hand that was on his shoulder. Hyun Soo laughed. "A promise is a promise so spill or I'll come collecting." Ryeowook sighed and blew his bangs out of his face. He remembered that night. Hyun Soo caught him in a lie and made him promise to never lie again or each lie he made, Hyun Soo got a kiss. It was utterly ridiculous but stupid Ryeowook agreed and Hyun Soo never let up about that promise. "Fine, go sit and I'll talk." Hyun Soo's grin grew but before he left Ryeowook's side he stole a kiss on the cheek. "That was for the lie, be happy I didn't collect in full..." Then he added in a mumble "though you'd like it all the same." Ryeowook pretended he didn't hear.
"You're getting the short version so don't even try to pry." he wagged a finger at Hyun Soo in warning. "Psh, if it was anyone else I might pry." Hyun Soo wasn't fond of talkin nor hearing about Jongwoon so he most definitely wasn't interested in the more intimate details of their night. Well, unless the guy had a hard time getting it up which would be hilarious but other than that he couldn't care less. "Alright, I had been trying to avoid any kind of talking but somehow that didn't work. Instead he asked me to start over with him...give him another chance or something." Ryeowook waited for a reaction, mainly anger but he didn't get anything. Hyun Soo just sat there looking at him with a blank expression. It annoyed him, he wanted to see some hint of what his best friend was thinking. Ryeowook waited thinking that his friend might need a few moments to take this in. He sure had and more than just a few moments.
"What did you say?" When Hyun Soo spoke Ryeowook let out a breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding in. Only he wasn't relieved but more confused. "Huh? Oh, I told him we're different now and then I got mad and sort of told him I had an appointment later and that he's an idiot if he thought I was only seeing him." Hyun Soo should have laughed, would have laughed if it had been anyone else but it wasn't. This only worried Ryeowook. "That's it?" Ryeowook frowned but nodded. He wasn't sure he liked this side of his friend. "Yeah, I left and came home." Hyun Soo nodded and finished up the last bit of his breakfast. "Hyun Soo-ah, what are you thinking?" Ryeowook didn't want to ask but he had to. That garnered a small smile but it was a sad one. "I'm thinking I might not be able to help you with this one." Hyun Soo picked up his coffee and took a sip. "Wh-what? Why not?" Hyun Soo always helped Ryeowook with everything even when Ryeowook didn't want his help. His friend finished the last drops of his drink and stood up with his mug and plate.
Hyun Soo walked to the kitchen and cleaned them. "I won't be home tonight Ryeowook, maybe not for the next couple of days. You'll need to do the grocery shopping, don't just eat ramen because you're too tired from the hospital." Once that was finished up, Ryeowook watched his friend walk out the door.
Sitting there for awhile staring at the door, Ryeowook wondered what was going on. Not only was Hyun Soo strange but he didn't call him by his name properly. Hyun Soo only called Ryeowook by two names, Hyung and Ryeowook-ah. There was nothing else he used...ever. Something was really wrong. Ryeowook picked up his plate and mugh. He dumped the mostly full plate into the trash and drained his half full coffee into the sink. He wasn't hungry anymore, at all.
Jongwoon was in a foul mood the next day. He hadn't taken any care of his hand. Barking orders left and right. No one dared disturb him unless they absolutely had to. Unfortunately, his secretary had to communicate with the demon on a much more regular basis. Seungchul brought into Jongwoon's office a document that needed to be reviewed. "Sir, the file you requested." Jongwoon didn't even bother looking up just held his injured hand out. Seungchul had mentioned the hand that was black and blue and skin peeled back only to get yelled at so he kept his mouth shut and handed the file over. It only took two seconds for curse words to be spewed from Jongwoon's lips and the file falling to the floor. "Sir, are you okay?! You really should go to the hospital." Seungchul said in concern while bending down to pick up the file and place it on his boss' desk. "Yeah, yeah, Seungchul. You can leave." The secretary did just that while shaking his head. Jongwoon spun his chair around and looked out the glass behind him. His hand was throbbing. At the time punching the wall had been the right thing to do. He had been so angry that Ryeowook was doing things like that. It had less to do with Ryeowook putting ohers off for him and everything to do with the fact that Ryeowook deserved more than that kind of life.
With Jongwoon's hand the way it was he couldn't even grip a pen. He knew he needed to have it examined, he just didn't feel like going through the hassle. Not getting any work done wasn't much of an option though. Jongwoon grabbed his keys and told Seungchul that he was stepping out and wans't sure when he'd be back. Then he left for the hospital. Might as well get the hassle over with ASAP.
Getting to be actually seen in a hospital was nothing like they showed in the movies. You had to sit there forever. Jongwoon was pretty sure more people died in the ER just because they sat in the waiting room too long, rather than when they were actually on the table. He wasn't sure if it was more comforting to know that his hand wasn't life threatening or not. A nurse finally called his name, and he was shuffled hurriedly into a makeshift room of curtains and a bed. It was odd to have been sitting in the waiting room for over an hour to be hurried to the exam room but Jongwoon kept his thoughts to himself and sat down, answered her questions and let her examine his hand. Only to be told it'd be a few more moments for the doctor.
By this point he was restraining himself from telling the nurse that she should just give him a first aid kit and he'd fix himself but she had a sincere smile so he swallowed his tongue once more. Letting out a sigh he nodded and thanked the woman. Once she was gone, he pulled out his phone, he had an unfinished game on there he might as well play some tetris while he waited another hour for the doc to arrive.
Why Ryeowook had to do good deeds today was beyond him. Sure, he was a doctor so he did good deeds everyday but extra ones that weren't even in his department weren't something he did particularly often and generally for a good reason. Today it seemed he had forgotten when another doctor snagged him and asked him to cover him for an hour. The ER was not his forte. You either had super busy days or dreadfully slow days with practically nothing in between. Ryeowook couldn't handle that. He wanted to stay moderately busy or super busy otherwise he felt like it wasn't worth his time. Yet here he was in the ER taking care of all sorts of patients. The ones who think they child has every rare disease possible when in fact it's just a cold that 24 hours with rest and lots of fluids could probably take care of it in no time, to the actually sick patients who deserved to be there yet were in so much pain they'd rip your head off. Honestly, he found all the ER patients to be quite exhausting.
That was why when he was handed the next chart, he didn't bother looking at the name but skipped down to the meat and potatoes...which was more like a carrot and a pea. Possible fracture from punching a wall...Snapping the chart shut, Ryeowook groaned to himself, what was wrong with people these days. Clearly, you didn't have to be too bright to know that if you punch a wall you might break something, so why do it? It'd just cost you more than it's worth later on. Walking over to the bed that the wall puncher was at, Ryeowook, recollected himself smoothing out his expression of distaste and annoyance and pulled back the curtain.
At the sound of a curtain being whipped back, Jongwoon glanced up briefly then had his eyes on his phone so he could pause and exit out of the game. Looking up again, his eyes met a pair that he would recognize anywhere. Dr. Kim Ryeowook read the name sewed into the lab coat. Ryeowook was mentally beating his head against a wall, this was exactly the reason why you read the name of the patient first. Actually, if you wanted to get technical there were a lot more reasons for that, like the 6 rights he had to learn and practically swear by in medical school but hey the real world and school is different. Okay, not too much but he wanted to use that excuse for today. "Jongwoon-shii." He said slowly, as his eyes stared back into the ones he had just been seeing the other night. Then they moved down to the injured hand..."Are you an idiot?" Where was the professionalism? Ryeowook didn't even know himself but seeing the guys knuckles all black and blue with skin peeled back and some completely off, with what looked like grit in it made him lose that part of being a doctor.
Jongwoon's look of shock turned to annoyance and he looked away from the man in front of him. He didn't answer the question just sat there like a pouty child would. Ryeowook pulled the stool over and sat down. Putting on gloves, he grabbed Jongwoon's injured hand in his and felt the immediate flinch to his touch, as well as the tried to be hidden intake of breath one did when pain coursed through them. "You're how old and punching walls? Stay still so I can take a look at just how stupid you are." While Ryeowook was completely engrossed in his work, cleaning the wound as well as determining if he'd need to go for an x-ray or not.
Jongwoon on the other had was at the end of his patience, Ryeowook calling him an idiot wasn't helping at all. "And whose fault is that?" He grumbled. Ryeowook didn't stop what he was doing but he heard the comment all the same. "Are you implying that it's my fault?" Jongwoon kept quiet this time, he was biting on the inside of his cheek trying not to make any sound because whatever it was that Ryeowook had just done to his hand hurt like hell. "Stay still." Jongwoon's head snapped in Ryeowook's direction, "Then why don't we switch positions and I do the same to you hm? and yes it's your fault. Why do you have to be so stubborn?" Ryeowook looked up then to see he pent up annoyance and anger that Jongwoon had been holding back. He found it interesting. He hadn't realized he had upset the man this much, nor did he realize until now that he was able to do so.
He kept his expression neutral though, "You'll need an x-ray to confirm the fracture and so I can see the full extent of the damage you caused. You can't hold a pen can you? Well, now you really won't be able to do so for awhile." He began to stand up but a hand latched onto his wrist. He looked down at the hand holding him in place then he looked up at the man. "Ryeowook-ah, I'm sorry that I hurt you. I'm sorry that I couldn't see what I was doing to you." Those words made the doctor stiffen. He just stared and stared at Jongwoon. At first he was in shock and then he was searching for absolute sincerity, any doubt of that was what he wanted. Unfortunately, he couldn't find any and that scared him more.
He tried to pull his hand away but the grip on it only tightened. "This isn't the time nor place." His eyes had shifted away not being able to look at Jongwoon anymore. Falling back into a trap wasn't something that he could afford. "Yes, it is. You won't give me the time nor place." Ryeowook could feel his epinephrine beginning to pump through him as the fear grew. He yanked his hand away, "And there's a reason for that." He hissed, needing to make sure that he doesn't raise his voice, they were in a hospital but not only that his place of work. Ryeowook turned around. "You'll need to stay here a little longer for the x-ray. If you need anything the nurse-" Ryeowook couldn't finish his sentence because suddenly he was completely trapped, arms were wrapped around him and a chin was resting on his shoulder. "The only thing I need is you." As strange as it was, Ryeowook was holding his breath waiting for Jongwoon to finish that sentence with the name of L. He didn't though. Ryeowook didn't know what to do. All he knew was that he couldn't breathe, it was stiffling there. He needed to get on the other side of the curtain and quickly.
Ryeowook peeled off Jongwoon's embrace and stepped away. "You can't have me. This is where I work Jongwoon-shii, it would be nice if you respected that. Dr. Kim to you." He took another step foward, only to feel fingertips touching his fingertips that were by his side. "I'll wait." it was then that the curtains opened and Ryeowook's eyes widened. He pulled his hand into his labcoat, leaving the other man's hanging. "Ryeowook-shii..Oh! Yesung-shii, how are you?" The resident looked down at the mans hand and concern replaced her happy expression. "What did you do?" Jongwoon reluctantly looked away from Ryeowook and set his eyes on the woman who had interrupted the two. "Could be better. Thank you for the concern Soo In-shii." It wasn't hard to forget the woman that Ryeowook attached himself too after their conversation that night at the restaurant. She was an annoyance but Jongwoon played the part of politeness rather well.
Ryeowook on the other hand felt like he was going to gag at any moment, watching he two of them. It made him wonder why she even said she liked him, clearly those two would make a better couple. He grabbed the chart and walked out of the makeshit exam room. Soo In stopped talking, eyes following her target, excused herself and then ran after Ryeowook. Jongwoon sighed and watched the exchange. He wondered if she was the appointment that Ryeowook had been talking about. That thought of course only made his mood take a darker turn.
"I came to relieve you. Dr. Park should be back in 15 but I know you'd prefer to go back to your floor so I thought I'd give you a break." At the moment Ryeowook couldn't have been more happy to hear those words from her. Breaking out in a smile, he placed his hand on the small of her back while he thanked her for her thoughtfulness. He lowered his voice, "About this weekend, if your offer still stands then I'd like to take you up on it." The excitement radiated from Soo In. Her eyes, smile, stature everything beamed of happiness, if it wasn't for the fact that they were in the middle of the hospital Soo In might have jumped up and down or even given the man a peck on the cheek. She had to restrain herself though. "Yes it does. I'll text you the time and such later." He nodded, eyes dancing with amusement by her reaction. "Alright, give me report on Yesung-shii." And that was what he did.
Ryeowook went back to his office, he had some paperwork he needed to finish up before consultation and then rounds. Once he shut the door, he took off his lab coat and sank into his chair with a sigh. Picking up his pen, he twirled it around in his fingers. His mind immediately went back to the man that couldn't even hold a pen know. Their whole exchange ran through his mind and he tried to pick it apart to the point that he would find fault in everything that Jongwoon had said. Except he couldn't. Ryeowook was failing. Picking up his phone he scrolled through his contacts until he reached Hyun Soo's name. He was just abou to slide his finger across the name when he hesitated. In his mind the expression he saw earlier this morning flashed, along with his words about not being able to help him.
Groaning, Ryeowook tossed his phone onto his desk and pulled his paperwork towards him. He got through some of it but it was a struggle. Jongwoon's words, "I'll wait." kept running through his mind. Did he really mean it? It had sounded like he did. Shaking his head, Ryeowook pushed Jongwoon out of his mind and forced himself to focus on his work.
Soo In looked like she was floating on clouds as she walked back to Jongwoon. It made him jealous and it also made him burn with curiosity on what Ryeowook could have done to make her react like this. He didn't doubt that the man had the capability, he knew he had it. "You like Ryeowook-ah?" He didn't give her the chance to speak which caught the woman off guard and she automatically answered, "Yes." right after she realized what she had said and blushed, "I-I mean.." Jongwoon held up a hand, "It's okay it wasn't that hard to figure out." she let out a small smile. "Was it really that obvious?" she asked. Jongwoon used his good hand to make his index finger and thumb come together leaving only a small space between them, answering her question with a gesture.
This made Soo In blush a deeper shade of pink. "So, you're smiling like that because he asked you out?" Jongwoon was fishing, he knew he probably shouldn't but he couldn't help himself. "Oh no! No..Ryeowook-shii just uh agreed to go out with me and two friends of mine this weekend that's all." She said quietly without being able to hold eye contact with Jongwoon. That was a good thing otherwise she might have seen surge of anger and jealousy that passed through him. What snapped the both of them out of their own worlds was howls of pain Jongwoon was now making, as he had pressed his hand down into the bed. Soo In leapt to attention and pulled his arm up so he wasn't able to hurt it anymore. "Are you okay, Yesung-shii?" He let out a long breath. "Yeah, just uh forgot that hand is injured."
"I think it's time for that x-ray then, hm?" Jongwoon nodded and followed Soo In. It didn't take took long for the two to arrive at their destination. Before Jongwoon went in for the x-ray he didn't turn around but said, "Soo In-shii, you should be careful." he was determined to not let things end the way she was hoping for. It'd be best if she didn't get hurt but Jongwoon wouldn't go out of his way to make sure that didn't happen. There was only one thing that was his priority.
After Ryeowook's shift was over, he was glad. Being mentally drained is sometimes more exhausting than being physically drained. Walking out of the hospital doors, he started the trek home. Only for someone to step alongside him. Hyun Soo. Ryeowook turned his head with a big smile towards the man only to splutter, "Y-you're not Hyun Soo." his finger was raised pointing at the man. "I would hope not Wook-ah, then I wouldn't be able to do this." Before Ryeowook could block any type of attack he was being kissed on the cheek. Ryeowook's eyes went wide, "Yah! Kim Jongwoon! We're in public!" Laughter filled the air, "well, that's a good reply I guess. You didn't ask what's wrong with me." Ryeowook didn't know what to say to this crazy man beside him. The fact was he hadn't asked that or even thought that. "I was getting to that." he grumbled.
"Thank you." Jongwoon spoke in a quiet serious tone. Ryeowook was really having a hard time right now. The man beside him kept throwing him curve balls. "For..?" A bandaged hand was waved in his face. He nodded. "Just doing my job." They needed to get back on track. "Wait? Did you wait here just to say that?" Or maybe they could stray for a little bit longer. Jongwoon just started whistling. Ryeowook stared at him waiting for an answer. He wasn't getting one. Nudging Jongwoon with his hand, Ryeowook asked, "Wellll, did you?" Jongwoon looked at him with a smile and didn't say anting. Then he leaned in and said, "Didn't I say I'd wait for you." Ryeowook couldn't stop the light blush spreading across his cheeks. He hadn't thought Jongwoon would be so literal. "Of course, I meant that for more than just tonight." Ryeowook looked away and shoved Jongwoon in the opposite direction. "You're too close." Jongwoon only laughted but gave Ryeowook a little more space.
This Jongwoon was confusing. The old one never would have waited hours just for him to get out of work. There must be something strange in the water. "I'll buy you a dirnk next time as thanks. Have a good night, Ryeowook-ah." Jongwoon gave a short wave adn then walked back the way he had come. Ryeowok stood there and stared after the retreating figure for awhile. It wasn't until someone bumped into him that he finally started moving again. He tried to shake off the weirdness and put it all out of his mind along his walk home.
Opening the door to his apartment Ryeowook set his things down and called for Hyun Soo. It wasn't until the third time calling for his friend did Ryeowok remember that he wouldn't be home. Ryeowook stopped looking and went back to his own room to shower and change. When that was taken are of he wandered to the kitchen only to remember more of Hyun Soo's words. He frowned as he stared into the pretty empty fridge. "It'd have been polite if he had filled it up before he left." Ryeowook was grumbling to himself.
He managed to find a not completey brown banana and sat down on the couch with it. Ryeowook turned on the television and ate his banana. Channel surfing seemed to be all he was going to do. Sighing he tossed the remote on the coffee table and pulled out his phone. Scrolling through his contacts, Ryeowook hovered over Hyun Soo's name for only a moment before he moved on. Then came Jongwoon's name and Ryeowook just stared at it for awhile before finally sighing and looking away. He needed to figure out what Jongwoon truly wanted or it would drive him crazy. Even with the thought that Jongwoon could be completely sincere it was really hard for Ryeowook to accept that. He didn't want to get hurt again. Going into a relationship thinking your feelings are mutual only to find out you're just a replacement for someone else was beyond cruel. It was even worse when you're so in love with the person you try to fill those shoes just to stay close to them even while hurting yourself in the process. Ryeowook couldn't no wouldn't do that again.
His hand brought his phone back into view and he clicked on the name about to give that person a chance if nothing else to fully explain himself but a melody rang and up popped a message from Soo In. He opened the text. She was excited about the weekend and gave him the meeting place and time. A small smile crept onto his face. Soo In was so simple, easy. Ryeowook typed a reply and then headed to his bedroom. He might as well do some work sine it was going to be a boring night. He missed Hyun Soo but he wouldn't admit that.
The weekend was finally here. Not being able to use your dominant hand was nearly impossible. Not to mention, Jongwoon now realized just how clumsy he really was. Knocking his hand into things on a daily basis. It hurt. It hurt a lot. "Hyung, I know I've asked you this before but why do you were only your red glasses upside down. If anyone from your company saw you, you're big bad boss reputation would be shattered." Hyukjae asked while stretching out in the grass, looking up at Jongwoon who was throwing breadcrumbs in the water for the ducks and turtles in the pond. "These are my special glasses Hyukjae." he said simply while continuing with his task. "Ooh, you're special alright." he muttered and received a smack on the chest from Donghae who was lying next to him. "That's mean. He's just..unique." Hyukjae burst into laughter and then Donghae followed suit. He had tried but his words weren't much better.
Jongwoon hadn't heard what they said but was used to their random outbursts of laughter, so he just finished up the last of the bread and then took a seat next to his two friends. "Donghae, you better watch your boyfriend. He's not only downloading more porn but trying to get others to watch it with him." Even if Jongwoon hadn't head what they said, he knew it was about him. Hyukjae put a finger to his lips, trying to get Jongwoon to stop. This only made things worse. Donghae sat up looking at Jongwoon first then at his boyfriend who was trying to hush the other. "So, it is true." He raised an eyebrow. There was a glint in Donghae's eyes that Hyukjae knew well was a dangerous warning. He hopped up and backed away slow. "Hae baby, you know-" he was cut off by Donghae, "I know?" and Jongwoon's laughter. "That..I..love you?" It sounded more like a question. Hyukjae ran away as soon as he said it and Donghae scrambled after him. Jongwoon watched the two for a minute then stood up. "Bye guys. Don't hurt him too much Donghae." he called before leaving the two behind. He wa sure they'd be acting like bunnies soon enough anyways. Better to be gone before that began. He had to go get ready for tonight. Jongwoon was excited, it should turn into an interesting night even if things didn't go according to plan.