The Odd Doctor Out | A Drama | S. 2

288 🩺 Talks

'Oh? Sang-ah,' Hongjoong said in surprise as the door to his office swung open to reveal the blond in his scrubs.

Yeosang was always the one to behave the most casually in his office, walking into it like he owned it. He came up to stand behind him, leaning against his bookshelf as he peeked at his computer.

'Congenital dysplasia. Interesting. Patient?'

Hongjoong nodded. Sighing, he sat back in his chair, taking off his glasses and swivelling to face him. However as he finally gave the boy his full attention, he saw that he was actually carrying two coffees.

'Please, dear god tell me they're not both for you.'

Yeosang smirked. Handing one over, he crossed his legs at the ankles as he yawned. 'It would be unethical for us to work together, wouldn't it?'

Hongjoong laughed for a moment, before he realised that he had been serious. 'Uh, yeah, probably. Why?'

Yeosang groaned suddenly, trying to pull his hair out with his spare hand. 'I told Kim Sa Bu that I was considering applying to do my residence in paeds, and he wanted me to do some more shifts over here...'

Hongjoong suddenly laughed. 'But I'm the only onsite doctor.'

'Bingo.' Yeosang rolled his eyes grandiosely before groaning.

'Sang, have you thought about applying to another hospital? There are plenty in Seoul that would cry out for residents.'

But Hongjoong saw immediately that that was off the table.

'No,' Yeosang said sharply, going rigid. 'No way. I'm not leaving. That's over an hour away. How could you even say that?' He sounded genuinely hurt, and Hongjoong immediately regretted not thinking first.

'I'm sorry... You know I just want what's best for you...'

Yeosang stepped forward and put his cup down on his bench; serious. 'Hyung what could possibly make you think that what is best for me, is being isolated from my family and friends, in a ridiculously busy city with no one that I know?'

Hongjoong rolled up to him, trying to take his wrists in his hands. 'Sang I'm sorry, okay? It might be a really good option for your career, but I never once thought that you would be better off away from everyone you love. I'm sorry, Sang...'

Yeosang pulled out of his grasp. 'Don't say that again. I would sooner become a street sweeper than move away from my family. I may love my job, but I do not love it anywhere near as much as literally everything else in my life. Hyung we grew up here.'

Hongjoong felt a wash of guilt hit him, because the moment he flipped their roles, even if he were offered a position at a bigger and higher paying hospital in Seoul, he wouldn't choose to leave, either.

'Sang-ah, I'm sorry. I was thoughtless for a moment, I'm sorry,' he breathed, rolling up to him again and taking his hands in his...

Just then however, the door opened, and both of them looked up to see Seonghwa suddenly freeze in his tracks.

'Out,' Yeosang suddenly snapped. 'We're having an argument.'

Seonghwa's eyes widened, before he almost comically backed away, closing the door painfully softly behind him.

But after a few moment of silence, Hongjoong still holding onto Yeosang's wrists lightly, somehow, the hostility in the air seemed to vanish, and suddenly, they both grew small smiles.

'Your boyfriend is a dork,' Yeosang said softly.

And Hongjoong chuckled softly. 'He is a little bit, isn't he?'

Gently, Yeosang rotated his wrists so that he could catch Hongjoong's hands in his, and squeezed for a moment, before letting go and leaning against his desk. Picking up his coffee, he lifted it to his nose and breathed in the sweet caramel aroma that Hongjoong could smell from where he was sitting.

'Sang-ah,' he said softly, biting the inside of his cheek for a moment. 'I am sorry...'

Yeosang shook his head. 'I know. I spooked. I'm sorry. I think I'm scared that I'll actually consider it...' he whispered, and Hongjoong suddenly understood a lot better where he was coming from.

'Sang, you don't have to worry about that. If you went, Wooyoung would no doubt follow you, and if he chose to stay, I don't doubt for a moment that you wouldn't be able to bring yourself to leave.' He gave him a small smile. 'If you want, I can talk to some of my colleagues from other hospitals and clinics around here and see whether anyone is willing to recruit...?'

Yeosang's eyes lit up like a child on christmas day, but in a way that he seemed like he couldn't possibly admit that he was hopeful.

And Hongjoong melted. 'I'll do the ring around after work.'

'No rush... I think Woo wants to have a "surprise dinner" tonight. I saw him stashing food under his bed yesterday afternoon.'

Hongjoong laughed. 'Aww precious thing. I think he's excited that you might have your career choice.'

Yeosang laughed. 'You think? If I had a penny for every time he's thanked me, I wouldn't even need to start work. I could have retired ten years ago.'

Hongjoong snorted. But the more he thought about it, and how Wooyoung was acting so incredibly chirpily, the sadder it became, and he could feel Yeosang falling down the same rabbit warren.

'Hyung... You'll find him a really good psychologist... won't you?'

Hongjoong nodded, scooting over and reaching up to put a hand in his to squeeze. 'Of course, Sang. But as much as they will help, Wooyoung will be the one doing the hard work... So you have to stay strong for him, okay? He needs you... And I don't mean needs you to be strong. I mean, he needs you to be genuine. He can tell when you hide things for his sake, and he feels he has to do the same.'

He watched as Yeosang gulped, nodding sadly.

'If he feels you both can rely on each other, openly, he'll feel more inclined to confide in you. Okay?'

Yeosang nodded, putting on a brave face. 'I better head back to work.'

Hongjoong smiled, nodding. 'Sorry... Again...'

He shook his head. 'It's fine. I'll send your goofy boyfriend in on my way out.'

Hongjoong snorted. 'Thank you~.'

And as Yeosang headed out of the room, he saw Seonghwa leaning awkwardly against the wall. beside the door. He straightened immediately as he walked outside and seemed to almost gulp.

'I-is everything okay?' he asked cautiously.

Smirking, Yeosang just tapped him on the shoulder, smiling widely and nodding. 'Yup all better. Sorry for spooking you. The doctor will see you now. And no snogging in the office. Bye~.'

And with that, he headed back down the hall, chin up and ready for work once more.

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