It wasn’t a secret that Hoya has a certain dislike for hospitals. He would often complain that it smells funny and it was too quiet. But what they didn’t know that there was more to his reasons than what he claims. He didn’t enjoy going to hospitals because it reminds him for the fragility of life. He’s reminded that his life could be taken away from him anytime. He’s reminded that with each day that passes, he comes closer and closer to becoming face to face with death.

Having been diagnosed with a rare heart disease and opting not to receive treatment, he knew that his days are already numbered. He didn’t need the doctor’s constant reminders for that. Being in the hospital was enough. He hated being treated with kid gloves. He doesn’t need that, and nobody seemed to understand him. Nobody but one.

Lee Sungyeol worked as a nurse in the hospital where Hoya would come for his regular doctor’s appointments. He was just one of those regular staff who treated everyone just the same. He would offer comfort when hurt, medicine to ease the pain and sometimes a shoulder to lean on or an ear to listen to. He never got too attached to any of the patients, given that it was basic hospital etiquette, but he never over-looked anyone either. And Hoya was no exception. Sort of.

Hoya was just on his way in for his routine check-up when he suddenly felt woozy. The last thing he remembered was leaning against the hospital wall before blackness engulfed his vision and he collapsed to the floor. Sungyeol just happened to pass by when he saw him fall and immediately took action.

“Hoya-shii? Hoya-shii. Hoya-shii can you hear me?” A voice echoed in Hoya’s mind. Looking for the owner of the voice, Hoya forced his heavy eyelids to open and he was greeted by a boy with blonde hair.

“Good to have you back Hoya-shii. My name is Sungyeol, I’m a nurse here.” The blonde-haired nurse greeted with a smile.

Groggily, Hoya sat up, rubbing his eyes before looking around the room and realizing that he was actually in a hospital room.

“You gave us quite a scare there Hoya-shii but your vitals seems good, would you like us to call Dr. Kim. It says here that he’s your cardiologist, if you feel like you need to have a full check-up.” The nurse offered.

Hoya shook his head. “No thank you, I’m fine.” He said before standing up “And please, call me Hoya.” He added with a smile as he extended his hand to shake the other’s.

“Sungyeol.” He said, shaking his hand. “I guess since you’re already feeling better that I can leave you now. I still have some patients to attend to, unless you still have other concerns?”

“Actually yes.” Hoya replied as he stood up. “I would like to ask you out to dinner tonight.”

His words took the taller boy by surprise. “I—ahm. I’d love to.” He replied, flattered.

“Great, I’ll see you here tonight at 8pm. Is that alright?”

Sungyeol couldn’t help but smile. “That sounds perfect.”

“I’ll see you tonight.” Hoya said as he walked out.

Sungyeol couldn’t help but smile the entire day. The prospect of going out with a handsome young man was quite appealing for him. While it’s no surprise that he barely knew the guy, the prospect of getting to know him is enticing for him. Before he knew it, night had already fallen and it was less than an hour before he was supposed to meet Hoya. Heading back to the nurse’s station, he grabbed his things and prepared to leave.

“It’s good to see you again Sungyeol.” Leaning against the hospital wall, looking like someone who just walked out of a magazine Sungyeol might add, stood Hoya. Sungyeol couldn’t keep the smile off his face when he spotted the shorter male.

“You really did come.” He said as he approached him.

Hoya let out a soft chuckle, “Well, I was the one who invited you in the first place. What made you think I won’t show up?” He said as they started walking.

“Well, first of all, we barely know each other, and second, how could someone like you be interested in someone like me?” He asked, looking down on the ground.

“Well, I guess that is the very reason why I asked you out, to get to know you better. And why wouldn’t I be interested in you? You are good-looking.” He said before stopping beside a car and opening the door. “Get it.”

Sungyeol eyed him curiously. “What, did you expect me to make you walk on our first date?” Hoya asked.

“So is this what it is? A date?” The taller male asked as he boarded the car.

Hoya got in the driver’s side “Well, if that’s what you want to call it.” He grinned. “Buckle up.”

They drove to a nearby restaurant where a chauffeur welcomed them and lead them to their table.

“Wow, a car and a fancy restaurant, seems to me like someone here is loaded.” Sungyeol commented.

Hoya let out a forced smile “I guess you can say that, my parents were rich and when they passed away they left all their possessions with me. You see, I’m an only child.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to ask.” Sungyeol couldn’t help but feel bad for the boy.

“Oh, no. It’s okay. I mean it happened years ago. My father was a soldier you see, he died serving this country. My mother on the other hand was another story. She died of a heart disease just 4 months after my father died.” Hoya explained.

Sungyeol couldn’t help but marvel at the boy’s strength “I’m surprised you can talk so easily about this.”

Hoya smiled, a genuine one this time. “Sungyeol, you’re a nurse so I’m pretty sure that you’ve looked at my medical records and you are well aware that I’m also suffering from a heart disease as well. I don’t need people treating me like I’m some sort of glass that can end up shattering any time.” He heaved a sigh. “I just want to feel normal. Just for once.”

Their dinner date passed by without any surprises. Sungyeol couldn’t help but be enthralled by Hoya. There was so much more to the boy than meets the eye. He found himself observing more of the other’s small habits like how he would bite his lips when he would find something amusing; how he would run his hands through his hair when he’s nervous and how his eyes would turn into crescents when he would smile. He couldn’t help but want to know more about this boy. Before he knew it, the night had already passed and it was time for them to go home.

“I do hope that this isn’t a onetime thing.” Sungyeol said as they walked back to Hoya’s car.

“Of course, besides it’s not every day that I find a decent reason.” He said as he opened the car door for him once again.

“Reason for what?” Sungyeol asked as Hoya got in as well.

“A reason to visit the hospital.”

Sungyeol couldn’t help but blush at his words. “Hospitals aren’t so bad after all.” Hoya added as he drove off, hand wrapped around Sungyeol’s and sporting a smile from ear to ear.

Date Accomplished: 07/ 07/ 16

Word Count: 1,238