small words || jeongcheol

10: points.

"So, we're gathered-" Nurse Josh began.

"Just cut past the feel-good shit you say everyday," Junhui snapped, "We've heard it all a million times."

"Two points," Josh reprimanded. "Keep on like that and you'll lose your weekend privileges for a month."

"But I'm still on Level Ten!"

"You live here, you follow my rules," Josh said calmly. "Anyway, we're here for Daily Reflection. Who would like to start?"

Sowon raised her hand. Her legs were slung over one side of the chair, heavy boots nearly in Jeonghan's face. She wore a pair of very short shorts that'd had Josh's eyes bulging when she walked into the room, accompanied by a dark red sweater.

"My struggle," said said dramatically, "Is having to see Nurse Josh's face everyday."

"And a goal?" Seungcheol cut in, before Josh could retaliate.

"Well, I would like a get a new shirt this afternoon," she mused. "Nothing like going out shopping on a Friday when I don't have to go to school. I do need new underwear, too, fancy coming with me, Joshie?"

"What?" he spluttered.

"Okay, next," Seungcheol said swiftly. "Seungkwan?"

"I guess… a struggle of mine would be… accepting that I'm here," he said uncertainly.

"Yes," Seungcheol said gently. "Do you have any further goals? Yesterday, you said that you wanted to get along with everyone in the house. Is there anything else?"

"Get better," he answered, with little conviction.

Jeonghan sighed loudly.

"You wanna go next?" Minghao asked brightly, having sat in on Daily Reflection for the first time. It was his third day on the job, and the other nurses were wondering when he'd stop being so enthusiastic about everything.

Jeonghan rolled his eyes. Every Daily Reflection was basically the same. Yesterday, at Seungkwan's first, the two had just joked about being hungry as a struggle. But the weirdest thing was; he was actually meeting his targets, and apart from the first few days of just 'maintaining' his scarily low weight, he wasn't even resisting it. It was like he was separated from that part of him… but he knew it wouldn't last long.

"Struggle…" he mused, shaking his head slightly. "It's been over a week and I haven't hit Level Two yet."

"Most people don't reach Level One in a week," Josh said with a shrug. "So you're doing well."

"Whatever," Jeonghan remarked.

"Do you have any goals?" Minghao asked, before Wonwoo could say 'lame'.

"Mm… learn how to make an origami dragon?" he mused, earning a fist-bump from Wonwoo.

"Excellent," said Seungcheol, "It's good to see you getting along."

"I'll get along with anyone if it means more points," Sowon scoffed.

After Daily Reflection was over, the residents went to lunch. Seungcheol placed a hand on Jeonghan's arm, stopping him in his tracks.

"Yes?" he asked once they were the only two left in the room.

"I meant to ask earlier," Seungcheol said quietly, "But it slipped my mind."

"Ask me what?" Jeonghan questioned, fiddling with his long sweater sleeves.

"Are you okay?"

"What do you mean?" Jeonghan laughed nervously, "I'm fine."