FLATLINE| JK

eleven

"Good morning Namjoon," I greet the barista. He's been the first person I see every morning for the past week or so, and I could definitely get used to it. Namjoon has a way of making you feel at ease when starting your day, even when you have one of the most high-stress jobs in the world. The only thing that lingers in the back of my mind is our last conversation. My curiosity got the better of me and I definitely made him uncomfortable—whatever happened when he and Dr. Jeon were in the same intern group, he doesn't like to talk about.

"Hey, Bong Soon. Less tired this morning?" He asks, friendly smile on his face. Despite what I said, he still greets me like normal. Bless this man.

"Yeah, I actually got to go home early last night. It was nice." I say, and Namjoon nods in understanding. He already knows my order: coffee with a shot of vanilla syrup, but this time he leaves out the extra shot of espresso.

"Good, you need it. Learning to save lives and whatnot requires full mental capacity." He jokes, and I chuckle, digging through my bag for my wallet. I reach in and pull out a few dollars.

"Don't worry about the bill." He tells me, and I pause, looking up at him.

"Namjoon, please let me pay for my coffee. You can't keep covering me." I say sternly, and Namjoon grins. There's a knowing glint in his eye.

"What if someone already did cover you?" He says, grin only widening, dimples appearing in full force.

"Really? Who?" I ask, brows furrowed. My first thought is Taehyung, after I bought his caffeine fix before his surgery.

"Oh, y'know." Namjoon says, teasing lilt in his voice. "Just Dr. Jeon. No biggie." My jaw nearly drops low enough to touch the floor.

"You're kidding." I deadpan, but Namjoon shakes his head.

"Nope. He stopped by earlier. Told me he owed you a coffee or something." He explains, and at that, it clicks in my brain—our oddly civil conversation from last night.

"It's all right. I would have appreciated a coffee or something, though. I was half asleep the whole time you were there." I say, shifting uncomfortably, and Dr. Jeon chuckles quietly. It's the first time I've heard him laugh, and it's higher pitched than his normal voice, which tugs at my heartstrings in a weird, fond way.

"Sorry. Starbucks isn't open that late." He jokes lamely, and I smile a little.

"Oh. Wow." I blurt dumbly. The fact that Dr. Jeon cared enough to go out of his way to buy me coffee is a struggle to wrap my head around. He was actually being...nice? Considerate? I don't know, but frankly, I don't care. I just hope our dynamic stays like this. "I guess he does." I say, and Namjoon laughs at me again.

"It's best not to question that man. He works in mysterious ways." He says, sarcastically cryptic as he hands me my coffee. I scoff, but the conversation Namjoon and I had yesterday resurfaces in my memory. Guilt surges over me again. I need to apologize.

"Hey, Namjoon?" I ask timidly, gaze flicking nervously between Namjoon's espresso colored eyes and the floor.

"What's up?" Namjoon asks, smile fading from his plump lips and brow creasing at my change in tone.

"I'm...I just wanna say I'm really sorry. For...prying yesterday. About Dr. Jeon, and you, and your internship. It was really insensitive." I say quietly, not being able to bear looking at Namjoon. But I look up from the spot on the floor I had been analyzing when a hand rests on my shoulder. Namjoon leans over the counter a little, a gentle smile on his face again.

"Don't worry about it, Bong Soon. I understand why you wanted to know." He says, lithe fingers soothingly rubbing my shoulder. "It's a long, complicated story, but I really wouldn't mind telling you sometime."