c h a r l i e
OPERATION: LOVE
“Okay…” Youngjae’s pen gracefully skid along the surface of thin paper on the clipboard, expressing his doctor’s handwriting. He finished his statement with a forceful dot before passing the clipboard back to Sana. Youngjae then turned to Jaebum. “In another month, you’ll be able to go home.”
Jaebum nodded promptly. The agent has been lying around in his hospital bed for the last two months. Recovery found him fast, according to his doctor. Jaebum was bored out of his mind. He couldn’t wait to get back out on the field again. Just one more month.
Jinyoung visits daily, bringing reports to his Captain. Mark called sometimes and gets roasted by Jaebum. Youngjae comes in to check up on Jaebum two times a day, however, each check-up only lasted three minutes or so. Not enough time for an injured Jaebum to 'interact' correctly. Well, at least he got one more month. Let’s see how that’ll go.
“If there are no questions,” Youngjae took a look at his patient. “I’ll be leaving you for your rest.”
“W-wait…” Jaebum lamely attempted to call out.
Youngjae stopped in his tracks and turned around towards Jaebum. The doctor’s face is wearing a gentle concern. “What is it, Jaebum-ssi?”
“I feel a bit.. Um.. Stuffy in here,” the agent’s hand reached up to the nape of his neck and awkwardly rubbed at it. “Could you take me out to breathe some fresh air?”
Sana covered to hide her giggle. Youngjae glared at his nurse before setting his eyes back on his patient. He examined Jaebum slowly. The Jaebum inwardly squirmed under his doctor’s intense gaze. “I was told to keep you inside this room,” Youngjae smiled apologetically, “I have no intentions of breaking protocol, sorry.”
“Please? Just for a couple of minutes. I won’t ask for more.”
Youngjae sighed, “Okay, Sana, why don’t you take him out?”
The look of disappointment on Jaebum’s face was obvious, although Youngjae didn’t notice. The patient was hoping to get some private time with his doctor, but that didn’t work.
“Yes, Doctor Choi,” Sana smiled.
Youngjae nodded, “Well, have fun.”
Jaebum watches as Youngjae walked out. His mission just got a whole lot harder. Jaebum looked up at Sana expectantly. The nurse realized and quickly set her clipboard down on a nearby table. Sana helped Jaebum up on his feet, even though Jaebum felt perfectly fine moving on his own.
The wind blew softly as the two walked slowly alongside each other. Sana kept her eyes carefully on Jaebum, prepare to catch him if he falls. They reached the garden at the back of the hospital. Jaebum stopped for a bit. He stood there, taking in the view of nature lying in exposure to his sharp eyes. He had forgotten how gorgeous the outside world is after these months cooped up in a boring, white walled room.
The man is truly a masterpiece, Sana can’t help but gets pulled into his defined beauty. She was mesmerized by how beautiful Jaebum looked. And all he did was standing there, peacefully watching the wind blows on the flowers’ petals like mellow ocean waves. The nurse sighed. She could watch him all day.
“How can someone look this good,” Sana murmured under her breath.
“Did you say something?” Jaebum, having been trained in picking up even the slightest noise, whipped his head towards Sana’s direction.
“Huh? I-Oh, excuse me,” Sana mentally thanked whoever was calling her at the moment. She didn’t have to think of an excuse. She took out her phone and answered the call. A moment later she turned to look at Jaebum with wistful eyes. Sana wished time was in her hands, so she could admire Jaebum for a little longer. “I have to go-“
“Really? Sorry, you can go,” Jaebum said, feeling bad that he’s probably wasting the nurse’s time.
“But what about you? Or should I take you back?”
“No, it’s okay. I.. Uh.. I really want to stay out here for a bit more, if that’s okay..”
“Well,” Sana looked flustered. She doesn’t know what to do. It is her job to watch over her patient, but how could she possibly refuse such a gentle request from such a beautiful man. “I.. I guess it’s fine.. Just another five minutes and then please, please, go back to your room.”
Sana prayed Doctor Choi won’t straggle her in her sleep later.
Jaebum smiled widely, “Thank you,” he got closer to Sana and took her hands into his, trying to show gratitude, and well, maybe flirts a little. Jaebum had always thought Sana was cute. “You are very kind.”
“I-Uh-N-no problem,” Sana blushed madly at the sudden affection. “W-well, I’ll be leave-leaving n-now.”
Jaebum nodded as he released her hands. Sana slightly bowed and headed back into the building, leaving Jaebum standing alone in front a garden filled with nostalgic fragrances.
He wondered how Jinyoung is doing right now. Is his Vice holding up alright? He wondered how Mark is doing right now. Is his best friend safe and sound? Jaebum sighed heavily. He doesn’t want to stay anymore. He wanted to be discharged already. Jaebum misses his work. He misses the action. He misses the thrill.
Jaebum didn’t return in the five minutes span that he had agreed. Instead, he continued breathing in the fresh air for another thirty minutes, unsupervised, but at least he stayed in one spot.
“Jaebum-ssi?” A voice approached.
Jaebum turned as he registered the familiar voice in his mind. What perfect timing. “Doctor Choi?”
“What the hell are you doing out here?” Youngjae looked tired, Jaebum noticed. “I thought you said couple of minutes? And if I could still tell time correctly, you’re out here longer than that. I don’t want you out here long. That’s breaking protocol.”
Jaebum also noticed the annoyance in Youngjae’s rough voice. The doctor was obviously weren’t happy with Jaebum at the moment. Jaebum felt stupid. He was supposed to get close to Youngjae, but now he made his target mad.
“Protocol, protocol, blah, blah, blah,” Jaebum tried joking. “It’s always protocol. Relax, Doc. You’re not breaking anything. If you are, I’ll take all the blame. It’s okay.” Jaebum smirked. Maybe he can charm his way in. Who knows. He knows he looks good. He doesn’t know if Youngjae notice though.
“Really. You’re not taking this seriously, aren’t you?”
“I’ve never said that.”
Youngjae ran his hand through his hair in frustration. It has been quite a day, and this agent-patient isn’t helping his case.
“You look stressed out,” Jaebum said.
No , I do, Youngjae wanted to say, but he held back his sarcastic, sassy self. He’s still at work, so he had to stay professional.
“Want to take a walk with me?” Jaebum offered. “It’ll help, I promise.”
The doctor sighed but nodded. They began walking. Jaebum led the two into the garden. Youngjae looked around, remembering his intern days when he used to have so much free time that two third of his day consists of him aimlessly strolling through the hospital’s garden. Now, he’s so busy to the point he spends most of his nights crashing on the couch he has in his office. Youngjae haven’t gotten much sleep these days. His bags are deeper. His hair's more tousled. His eyes' dried more easily. His head gets more headaches. It’s a miracle that Youngjae is still up and moving.
“Feeling better?” Jaebum's question interrupted Youngjae’s thought process.
“Not technically-“ Youngjae was ready to bombard Jaebum with facts and statistics for no reason whatsoever. He just felt like it.
“A bit, at least?” Jaebum had been working with too many smartasses - Jinyoung - to know what’s the I’m-about-to-make-you-feel-completely-stupid-with-my-awesome-knowledge-on-something-so-irrelevant-just-because face. Jaebum was observing Youngjae since they started walking together, so he was able to stop the doctor.
“Yeah,” Youngjae hung his head low. He wasn’t going to lie. He did feel somewhat lighter. “I supposed.”
“Good,” Jaebum smiled. “I thought you’d need it.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.”
It was a silent walk around the large garden with Youngjae's occasional stopping to feel the smooth petals under his fingertips and Jaebum’s occasional unconscious soft gazes at the doctor’s calm complexion. He would be lying if he say his eyes didn’t naturally ran all over Youngjae’s small frame, taking in the doctor’s gentleness.
He could feel the guilt swallowing him whole. Jinyoung was right.
“We should head back,” Youngjae said in pure authority, forcing Jaebum to snapped out of whatever the he was in.
“Y-yeah,” Jaebum his bottom lip, trying to cure its sudden dryness. “We should.”
The walk back was a different vibe of quietness. Jaebum was uncomfortable. All these rush of emotions was weighting him down. Tiredness swept over him all of a sudden. His knees felt weak. Jaebum just wanted to lie down and sleep on the anxiousness.
Youngjae opened the door for Jaebum and watched as the agent took a seat on the bed. The color was drained from Jaebum’s face, although just moments ago, he looked perfectly fine. It’s natural for wounds to open from intense surge of adrenaline. Jaebum’s chest rises and fall rapidly. His heart hammered hard against his ribcage. It was getting difficult to breathe.Youngjae rushed over and held firmly on Jaebum’s broad shoulders.
“Hey, hey, breathe,” Youngjae soothed. “You’re having an anxiety attack. It’s okay. Just listen to my voice. Come on, breathe, slowly.”
Jaebum forced himself to exhale. The room started whirling like a tornado. Jaebum could faintly hear Youngjae’s voice, but it was pretty much a blur. His head spins like crazy. His lungs contracted painfully. Jaebum gripped the fabric that’s above his beating heart, his breaths uneven.
“Im Jaebum-ssi. Here. Follow me,” Youngjae began exhaling slowly and inhaling at the same rate. “You’ll be okay. Breathe.”
Jaebum tried his best to match Youngjae’s steady breathings. It was difficult at first, but after couple of ins-and-outs, Jaebum finally managed to gain control over himself again. His body felt like an abandoned feather that’s been plucked out of a raven.
“You’re fine now,” Youngjae lightly pushed Jaebum’s body down onto the bed. “Sleep. You need it.”
Nodding, Jaebum allows his eyelids to fall shut. He was so tired.
“Thank you..”
Youngjae heard Jaebum’s hoarse whisper as the doctor pulled the blanket over his patient’s torso, tucking it neatly under Jaebum’s chin.
“You welcome,” Youngjae said, throwing Jaebum’s restful face one last concerned glance before heading over to the door and turned at the knob. “Sweet dreams.”
Youngjae turned off the lights and carefully slipped out of the room. The door shuts silently, not daring to make even the smallest squeak.
*
*
*
Packing his things in a black duffle bag, Jaebum was excited to leave. A month had went by in a blink, leaving uncleared memories behind. After that anxiety attack, there weren’t much progress between the agent and his mission, however, there were tremendous progress in Jaebum’s regaining his full strength. He’s now back to normal, and maybe even a little stronger than before. Three months of rest had done him good. Really good. And bad, too. But that part gets buried deep within the back of Jaebum’s head. He tried to ignore it, and hopefully, it’ll goes away.
Jaebum sighed as he swung his bag over his shoulder. He started rethinking if leaving at night is the best possible idea. He could always stayed until morning. Eat his last hospital’s breakfast. And maybe, have his Doctor Choi checks up on him for the last time… That would be nice. But Jaebum don’t deserve anything nice. Not when he’s carrying out this ridiculous mission anyways.
With one last glance at his temporary three-months-home, Jaebum turned off the lights and left.
*
*
*
Down on the first floor of the twenty-floors building, Youngjae had just finished bandaging a new patient’s left arm. The guy is bulky with thick, solid bulges of muscles. Youngjae had wondered why he’d need bandaging for such a small cut compared to his massive figure.
“There you go,” Youngjae smiled. “All good, sir. You can pay up your bills at the front - it won’t cost much - and you’re good to go.”
Being a doctor means a lot to Youngjae. Despite his tiredness and desire to pass out on the cold hospital floor, Youngjae still managed to be extra calm and caring. His smiles never waver. He chose this career path because he cares about people. He cares about saving them. So, no matter how late it is at night, Youngjae kindly and patiently treats his patients and make sure all of them feel safe and better.
The man sat there, dressed in a black tank top that hugs his torso like a second skin and his camo pants were baggy but not so much that his legs’ muscles go completely unnoticed. His face wore an unreadable expression. When he stood up, he could be described as twice Youngjae’s size, not counting the inches that’s added from his leather combat boots. The man scanned the area, seemed to make sure no one was around. Youngjae, obviously, didn’t picked up the danger, has his back turned towards the man.
The doctor didn’t sense it until a pair of strong hands gripped tortuously on his shoulders and spun him around. What happened next was so fast that Youngjae didn’t even have time to react. The man’s fist collided with Youngjae’s jaw. He was hit so hard that it knocked him off his feet. Youngjae fell to ground, rubbing at his probably broken jaw.
“Why are you-“
Before Youngjae even get to finish his sentence, those hands grabbed his shirt’s collar and bluntly pulled him back up to his feet. And like the first punch, this one went by just as fast, however, this time Youngjae dropped to his knees while clutching painfully at his stomach. Youngjae figured that one more punch and he’ll passed out. What Youngjae didn’t figure out was why is he being attacked.
Youngjae dragged himself back up on his feet. The doctor extended his arms in front of him as he balled his hands into fists, his knuckles’ white. A thin line of fresh blood dripped down from the corner of his mouth. He’s not about to go down without a fight.
*
*
*
The elevator dings as its doors slide open. Jaebum stepped out. All he needed to do was sign out at the front desk since his bills were all paid three days ago. On his way to his supposed destination, Jaebum felt the urge to find Youngjae to say goodbye. The agent wasn’t even sure if the doctor was still here, but what harm would it do to check? And so, Jaebum turned the corner instead of walking straight. He didn’t know where Youngjae’s office was, but he did know, from Sana, that Youngjae usually hangs around the Urgent Care division when he has night shifts. Jaebum knows where the Urgent Care division is though. He have seen it on those maps around the hospital whenever he went out of his room for a little ‘inside walk’.
Walking down the long corridor with a bag slung over his shoulder, Jaebum caught his reflection on one of the windows along the hall. He was clad in black: black v-neck, black jeans, black leather jacket, black laceless high-tops. Black looked good on him.
Turning his head to check into the windows of the rooms along the hall, Jaebum’s hope of the presence of a certain doctor gradually dies. It seemed that Youngjae isn’t in. Jaebum stopped, thinking if he should turn back and go home. While pondering, a loud crash echoed throughout the hall. On pure instincts of a special trained agent, Jaebum immediately dropped his duffle bag and sprinted towards the source of the sound.
As he approaches, the crash becomes louder and louder. There were clatters of metal against vinyl tiles. A fight is definitely going on. Jaebum could hear bones cracking.
“Oh … Youngjae,” Jaebum’s eyes widened in realization and assumption that the doctor is currently in that room. “YOUNGJAE-“ Jaebum pushed the doubled doors open with ranging force only to froze mid-sentence. The sight before his eyes was unbelievable. Jaebum’s mouth formed a surprised ‘O’.
Jaebum witnessed Youngjae throwing a huge man down flat against the cold floor, forcing the man into submission with one of his cheek flushed to the ground. Veins were popping on the man’s forehead; he’s clearly in pain. Youngjae grabbed the man’s left arm and twisted it behind the guy’s back along with his right. Jaebum still stood there as Youngjae quickly reached for some kind of wire to bound the wrists of his attacker’s together. When he was done, Youngjae got up to his feet and wiped the blood that’s trickling down his chin with the back of his hand.
“Finally,” Youngjae sighed. “Oh my ing God-Jesus ing Christ! Jaebum-ssi?!” The doctor was shock to find the Captain standing at the doors, a very shocking look evidenced his gorgeous face. Jaebum was the last person Youngjae expected to find him in this kind of situation. Youngjae’s cheeks couldn’t help but flushed in embarrassment.
“I-um-uh-o-okay,” Jaebum cleared his throat awkwardly after a long moment of just staring. “It seemed that you didn’t need my help.. I-uh.. I’ll call the police..”
Youngjae scratched the back of his head. He watched Jaebum dialing the local police in silence. “They’ll be here soon,” Jaebum said after he finished the call. Youngjae nodded and breathed a little “thank you” which the corner of Jaebum’s mouth lifted upwards for a split second.
“Why do I feel so right now,” Jaebum blurted out his thought before he could stop himself.
“Wh-what?” Youngjae stared at the agent strangely, hoping he somehow misheard that.
“No, I-uh, I mean nothing. Yeah, nothing,” Jaebum cleared his throat once more. “This is getting really awkward. Maybe, I’ll just go wait up at the front…”
“Yeah.. O-okay..” Youngjae swallowed, getting nervous all of a sudden.
*
*
*
The doctor and his former patient watched as the attacker gets cuffed and pushed into the police’s car. A police officer approached and informed, “Well, apparently, he was paid to assault you, Mister Choi. However, you can assure that you are safe. We’ll be taking him with us for investigation. We’ll let you know when something comes up.”
“Thank you,” Youngjae shook hand with the officer.
“Are you hurt anywhere, sir?”
“No, I’m fine.”
The officer doubtfully looked at Youngjae for a couple of seconds, but he decided to drop it, trusting the fact that Youngjae is a doctor, so he must know what’s going on with himself, if there’s something going on that is.
“All right. Have a safe night, doctor,” the officer bid goodbye. “And you, too, agent.”
Jaebum his side towards Youngjae as the officer walked away, “hey, are you sure you okay?”
“Yes, I am. I mean being attacked by a patient who I’ve treated so tenderly is an everyday thing, isn’t it?” Youngjae scoffed. His nature showing. Jaebum couldn’t help but smiled.
“Care enough to spill the secret?”
“What secret?”
Jaebum laughed, “I mean you took down someone twice your size. There has to be some kind of secret.”
“What? A doctor can’t beat up people, too?”
“Woah, okay, I didn’t mean like that.”
“I was sent overseas as a military doctor for the army for about a year,” Youngjae sighed. “It was war season, apparently, so, the Lieutenant decided to teach me some combat.”
“Some combat? What you did back there was definitely more than just some.”
Youngjae rolled his eyes. He removed himself from the wall that he as leaning on and walked back into the hospital. Jaebum didn’t follow. The Captain was going through possibilities. Jaebum maybe know what Youngjae has that the government wants. Maybe.
Jaebum hasn’t moved from his spot until a horrible, horrible, horrible idea struck him. Feeling oddly excited and confident about his newly sprouted plan, the agent hurried back into the building and went happily around looking for Doctor Choi. Jaebum was so sure he can get this mission done within two months. He was so sure this would be nothing but strict business.
Jaebum finally found Youngjae after ten minutes of running around, the grin never left his face. He caught up to Youngjae and stopped the doctor by grabbing his wrist, turning him around to face Jaebum. “Hey,” Jaebum said, “Let’s go out.”
“Excuse me?” Youngjae quirked an eyebrow. This situation is unbelievably unexpected. “Go out? As in out for lunch?” Youngjae asked, quite obliviously.
“Well, that’s fine, too,” Jaebum smirked. “But I was thinking about making you my boyfriend.”
“Um.. Jaebum-ssi, I think you’re missing a very important fact,” Youngjae said. “I’m very flatter, however, I’m not interested in men.. I’m sorry..” Youngjae apologetically smiled before gently twisting free from Jaebum’s gasp. But Jaebum wasn’t going to allow that.
“You’ve never tried.”
“What?”
“You’ve never been with a man.”
“No, because I’m straight.”
“You are,” Jaebum grinned wickedly. “But you won’t be after me or maybe just me.”
“Wow,” the corner of Youngjae’s lips tugged upward amusingly. “Very confident, aren’t you?”
“Yes,” Jaebum smiled sweetly. “So be mine and I swear to God I’ll make you the happiest person on Earth.”
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