It would be an understatement to describe Sehun’s expression as shocked when the ambulance door opened. When he saw the patient lying lifeless on the gurney, the tumultuous twist of events only catapulted the wreck of emotions spinning inside his head. Sehun was given no opportunity to clear his mind though as the paramedic’s words snatched him back to reality.

“Female patient, 32 years old. Found unconscious hanging from a rope attached to her ceiling fan. Uncertain how long she has been unconscious for. CPR commenced at the scene and heartbeat returned whilst on the ambulance. BP 102/60, saturation 89%, pulse 54.”

“Head to bay 1,” Sehun ordered, failing to hide the tremble in his voice when his eyes landed on Kyungsoo.

“Didn’t get round to grabbing your fluffy winter socks as you had requested I’m afraid,” the officer replied, his words contrasting with the stern look in his eyes.

“I’ll live,” Sehun responded instinctively.

The doctor quickly regretted his choice of words. Soonbok, who had been hidden by Kyungsoo this whole time, let out a graceless snort.

“You’ve got awful humour,” Sehun frowned in disapproval, though he did find himself relaxing slightly.

“I know. It’s one of my many quirks”

Soonbok threw Sehun a lopsided grin that did not quite reach her eyes. Not daring to look in the direction where the gurney was going, Soonbok ended up bumping into something sturdy yet warm. Looking up, she found Jongin placing his hands firmly around her shoulders.

“We’ll take over from here.”

“But—”

Soonbok’s words became stuck in upon seeing Jongin’s tender smile. He then enclosed his hands around her’s and only then did she notice her hands had been shaking the whole time.

“Officer Doh,” Jongin spoke, never letting Soonbok out of his eyesight, “I’ll entrust our Bokkie-bok dearest with you.”

Kyungsoo approached Soonbok, not quite daring to touch her in fear that she will break apart. Bearing a brave smile, Kyungsoo motioned the girl to follow him.

“Come on, I’ll treat you to a cup of hot chocolate. I know where Sehun keeps his secret stash of Swiss goods.”

“Yah don’t you dare—”

The remainder of Sehun’s threat was cut off and muffled by Jongin who winked at Soonbok and Kyungsoo before closing the curtains to bay 1. Soonbok interlocked her fingers together, forcing them to stop shaking. She wordlessly trailed half a step behind Kyungsoo, acting almost like his shadow. Moments later, the two found themselves sitting in the hospital garden, surrounded by muted flowers and the dazzling night sky.

“Sure you don’t want to wait inside in the warmth?” Kyungsoo questioned, offering Soonbok his scarf upon seeing her shiver after being tickled by the winter breeze.

Soonbok stared at her reddening hands and wrapped them tighter around the mug of hot chocolate.

“The cold keeps me more alert. Also, if I’m inside, I don’t think I’d be able to keep myself uninvolved.”

Seeing his scarf being ignored, Kyungsoo took the initiative and draped it around her bare neck. As Soonbok did not protest or move away, the male proceeded to carefully wrap it around her neck twice, leaving no bare skin exposed.

“No need to treat me like a helpless patient offer Soo,” Soonbok whispered jokingly. “I’m a mental health nurse. It’s all part of my job.”

“You’re a mental health nurse yes, but you’re also a human,” Kyungsoo replied in an even tone. “I’m not treating you like a helpless patient, but as a fellow human who’s just witnessed something traumatising.”

Feeling the back of her eyes burning, Soonbok raised the mug to her face, burying herself in it. She took large gulps of the thick and rich liquid, swallowing the bittersweetness. Inhaling deeply, Soonbok schooled her expression and lifted her gaze towards the sky, not quite daring to face Kyungsoo just yet. One glance at her and Kyungsoo intuitively knew she was blaming herself for the incident.

“She’s alive thanks to you.”

“This could’ve been avoided if I had stepped in sooner,” So