Vet's Heartbeat | Minsung |

2

Jisung woke to the sound of his alarm ringing. "10:30 PM" He read, surprised that he had slept so long, the day must've drained his energy.

He stood up and began tidying the couch, fluffing the pillows and straightening the blankets. After finishing, he turned off the light and made his way to the office to wash the used mugs—he needed that caffeine. As he dried the last mug, the bell above the door jingled, announcing someone's presence.

That must be the new patient. What was the name again? Mini? Mily? Mimi? Or maybe just the wind. Hopefully.

The clinic felt too quiet for his liking, the only sound being the hum of the fluorescent lights. He hurriedly finished his task and stepped outside to turn on the lights.

“Hello! Welcome to Paws & Claws Veterinary Centre!” he called, trying to sound upbeat. “Is the patient's nam—oh.” Jisung's energy drained away. What am I looking at? He’s unreal.

This is awkward. He had expected a cat with scratches, not a stunning man covered in wounds, panting. This is a veterinary clinic for heaven's sake! But he wasn't complaining.

It was rare to see someone with such sharp features. The man's beauty seemed almost otherworldly; his dark hair framed his face perfectly, and his lips, slightly parted, hinted at pain or perhaps something deeper. Jisung felt a flutter in his chest as their eyes met—those piercing gaze felt like it could cut through him.

This was going to be a challenging night.

“Uh, I—what happened?” Jisung stammered, fighting to maintain his professionalism despite the growing warmth in his cheeks. Is he the cat Josh is talking about? I mean, he looks like a cat. And the scratches too. Is this a prank? That fucker.

“Yeah, so um. Minnie, right? Let’s take a look at those scratches,” Jisung said, trying to sound calm. Inside, he was a whirlwind of thoughts, the line between professionalism and attraction blurring.

"I can help with that… um, if you’d just follow me haha.” The man raised his eyebrows, a glint of amusement in his eyes. Just kill me.

____

As he led the way, he couldn’t shake the feeling that he was in over his head. The man followed closely, his presence both intimidating and oddly comforting. Jisung glanced back, noting the way the man moved with a grace that was almost feline, despite his injuries.

Once in the examination room, Jisung turned to face him, trying to maintain his calmness. “Right… well, can you tell me what happened?” Jisung said as he prepped the supplies.

"I'm sorry, this might sting for a while." He gently started cleaning the area around the wound.

The man shrugged, a ghost of a smile playing on his lips. “Just a little mishap in work. Nothing I can’t handle.” His voice was deep and smooth, sending a shiver down Jisung’s spine. That's a fucked up work.

"I guess so,” the man chuckled. “You should start thinking quietly.” Jisung’s heart raced. He did not just hear my thoughts.

“I’m so sorry. I didn’t mea—” Jisung panicked, almost dropping the supplies. He was immediately cut off.

“It’s fine. No one’s complaining.”

And just like that, he continued treating his wounds. Less talk, less mistakes.

As Jisung focused on his work, he couldn’t help but notice how the light caught the man’s features, casting soft shadows across his face. He was dying to achieve that kind of look, but this man seemed born with it. Life's really unfair.

___

Hours passed in a blur of antiseptic and bandages. The soft hum of the clinic’s equipment was interrupted only by the occasional rustle of paper and the gentle sound of the man shifting in his seat. Jisung caught glimpses of the man’s expression as he winced slightly while Jisung cleaned a particularly deep scratch.

“And it’s done,” Jisung finally said, relief flooding through him. “It’s great that the wounds aren’t deep, but you still need to take care of them.” He started writing on a notepad. “These are the creams you need to apply every night to avoid infections. Read the instructions carefully and dab it gently. We can’t risk irritating the wounds.” He handed the note over, looking up to find the man still watching him, amusement lingering in his eyes.

Jisung cleared his throat, suddenly feeling self-conscious. “You can come back next week for a free check-up. I’d suggest returning here so we can monitor the healing process.” He quickly began arranging the supplies, his movements almost frantic. Everything felt awkward. Why was he so quiet?

“Thank you, bub. See you next time.” The words were unexpected, laced with warmth. Jisung looked up, stunned, but the man was gone. The bell jingled softly behind him.

Stepping outside the room, Jisung peeked into the waiting area, half-expecting to see the man lingering. Instead, the clinic was empty, save for the soft glow of the overhead lights. He sighed, disappointment mingling with the thrill of their brief encounter.

Then he noticed the stack of cash on the counter. He started counting, and a gasp escaped his lips, echoing in the stillness of the clinic.

“Whoa. He must be rich. This is way more than what’s needed.” Jisung could hardly believe it; the encounter was a blessing in disguise. His eyes sparkled with excitement. New tools, maybe a new couch, too!

After closing the clinic, he stepped outside into the cool night air, the scent of fresh grass mingling with the faint hint of rain. Entering his car, the world felt alive around him, every sound magnified—the rustling leaves, distant laughter, and the gentle patter of raindrops beginning to fall.

As he drove home, Jisung’s mind raced with possibilities. He could finally replace the broken scalpel and invest in new bandages. Maybe even decorate the waiting room with some cheerful artwork. He envisioned a cozy space where pets and their owners would feel at ease, a place that felt more like home.