𝐒𝐄𝐑𝐄𝐍𝐀𝐃𝐄; boysnextdoor

A Smile Between Us; jaehyun

Y/N adjusted her glasses, her fingers nervously brushing over the edge of her notebook as she stood in the corner of the staff room, observing the others. The hustle and bustle of the dental department had long since become familiar, but there was one thing she couldn't shake off: Jaehyun.

It wasn't that she didn't like him. Quite the opposite, in fact. Jaehyun was everything she wasn't. Energetic, bubbly, outgoing—he lit up every room he entered with his infectious smile. He was the type of person who made friends with everyone in an instant, and Y/N had been no exception... at least, she hoped.

She had joined the hospital's dental department 10 months ago, fresh out of university. As a shy and timid person by nature, it had taken her some time to ease into her role. But in the span of those months, she had grown comfortable with everyone. The nurses who called her "Doctor Y/N" with an affectionate grin, the senior doctors who offered advice (some of it more helpful than others), even the janitor who always greeted her with a wave. Yet, every time Jaehyun walked into the room, her heart would stutter, and her palms would sweat.

Why did he have to be so... everything? The way he laughed, the way he greeted people, the way he would always try to include her in conversations. It made her feel self-conscious, like she was never quite enough to match his energy. So, she avoided him. Every time he walked into the room, she made up some excuse to slip out unnoticed, telling herself it was for the best. But deep down, she wanted to be close to him. The thought of it made her anxious, but it also made her heart race in a way she didn't quite understand.

That was until one fateful morning when everything changed.

"Y/N, you're up for the kindergarten camp next week," Dr. Lee said, glancing over his notes in the meeting. "Jaehyun will be your partner."

Y/N froze. Her stomach turned.

The thought of spending an entire day with Jaehyun in a setting where she couldn't escape made her want to sink into the floor. She opened her mouth to protest but quickly shut it. She couldn't make up an excuse. Not when her senior doctors had spoken.

"No need to worry, Y/N," Dr. Lee continued with a reassuring smile. "It's just a simple dental care camp. You'll be fine. And Jaehyun is great with kids. You'll both work well together."

It was settled. No going back now.

The day of the camp arrived. Y/N stood outside the kindergarten, nervously clutching her clipboard, already feeling the familiar tension creeping up her spine. She had mentally prepared herself for this moment, but her nerves were betraying her.

Jaehyun, however, was his usual self—loud, bright, and radiating confidence. He greeted the children with the energy of a thousand suns, making silly faces and high-fiving them as they lined up. Y/N couldn't help but smile at the sight, even though her hands were trembling.

"Y/N!" Jaehyun called out, waving excitedly when he saw her.

She flinched, heart pounding. "H-hey, Jaehyun," she stammered, forcing a smile.

He grinned, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "You ready for today?"

Y/N nodded, though the idea of spending the day with him made her stomach flip. "I-I guess."

Jaehyun chuckled softly. "You don't need to be so nervous. Kids are easy."

Easier than adults, perhaps, but Y/N had always found it hard to connect with people. Still, she nodded, trying to focus on the task at hand.

They began their session by performing a puppet show for the kids, explaining the importance of brushing their teeth in a fun and interactive way. Jaehyun's voice was animated as he held up a colorful puppet, making it talk to the children about sugar bugs and cavities. Y/N, standing off to the side, couldn't help but watch him, feeling a warmth spread through her chest. He made it look so effortless.

At some point during the show, Jaehyun caught her eye. He smiled at her, his expression softening for a moment, and for the briefest of seconds, Y/N felt like it was just the two of them. The room, the kids, everything faded away.

The kids, oblivious to the unspoken tension, squealed excitedly, pointing at Y/N and Jaehyun. "You two are going to get married!" one of the little girls shouted, giggling.

Y/N froze, her face turning bright red. She opened her mouth to deny it, but Jaehyun beat her to it. "Oh, really?" he teased, winking at her.

The children nodded enthusiastically, their eyes wide with innocent certainty. "Yeah! You're in love!"

Y/N stammered, "N-no, we're not!"

Jaehyun simply chuckled, clearly enjoying her flustered reaction. "I think they might be onto something, Y/N," he teased. "What do you think?"

Y/N's heart skipped a beat. This is exactly why I avoid him, she thought, desperately trying to regain her composure. But there was something about Jaehyun's playful tone that made her cheeks warm in a way she couldn't quite explain.

Jaehyun, noticing her discomfort, gave her a reassuring smile. "It's alright. They're just kids. No harm in playing along for a bit."

As the day wore on, Y/N found herself growing more and more comfortable. The kids were adorable, and with Jaehyun's constant encouragement, she began to loosen up. They took turns giving little dental hygiene lessons, passing out toothbrushes and toothpaste, and even letting the kids try brushing on a giant tooth model. Jaehyun's enthusiasm was infectious, and Y/N felt herself smiling more than she expected.

By the end of the day, as they packed up, Jaehyun pulled her aside. "Hey, you did great today," he said, his voice sincere.

Y/N looked at him, surprised by his kindness. "Really? I thought I was just... awkward."

Jaehyun shook his head. "No way. You were awesome. I can tell the kids really liked you.

Y/N's heart fluttered. She wasn't sure if it was the warmth of his smile or the genuine way he spoke, but something in her chest loosened. "Thanks, Jaehyun."

"Anytime," he replied with that familiar grin of his.

For the first time, Y/N didn't feel the urge to run away. She wasn't sure if it was because of the kids or because Jaehyun had made her feel seen, but she found herself enjoying his company. A part of her wondered if there was more to Jaehyun than the carefree, energetic exterior he showed to the world. Was it possible that, underneath all that charisma, he was just as unsure as she was?

A few weeks later, Jaehyun approached her after a shift. Y/N had been organizing some files when she heard a voice behind her.

"Y/N, can I talk to you for a sec?"

Her heart raced. She turned to face him, trying to keep her voice steady. "Sure, what's up?"

Jaehyun's smile was soft, a little different from the usual teasing one. "I've been meaning to ask you... Do you want to grab coffee sometime?"

Y/N blinked, stunned. Was Jaehyun asking her out? Her mind raced. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words caught in her throat. Was she ready for this? Was she ready to face someone as open and free as Jaehyun?

But then she saw the gentle, patient look on his face, the same one he'd worn the day they worked together at the camp. And for the first time in a long time, Y/N didn't feel nervous. She didn't feel like she had to hide.

"I'd like that," she said softly, her voice steady.

Jaehyun's face broke into a grin, and Y/N felt her heart skip a beat. Maybe, just maybe, the shy girl and the bubbly extrovert could find a way to meet in the middle after all.

And as they walked out of the hospital side by side, Y/N realized something she hadn't known before. Falling for Jaehyun wasn't as hard as she thought it would be.