Soonbok received little explanation from Jongin as they hurried towards bay 4. She had expected to find a patient experiencing a psychotic episode or actively trying to harm themselves — typical run-of-the-mill situation where her mental health expertise would be needed to deescalate the situation. Little did she know that the person she needed to handle was not a patient but actually Sehun.

“I told you, this was a simple accident in the kitchen. I work as a kitchen assistant and got injured during the lunch rush.”

“Is that really all there is?” Sehun questioned the young female patient. “This is a safe place, you can be honest. Working in the kitchen is a highly stressful environment, it would be completely understandable if—”

“How many times do I have to repeat myself? I’m not suicidal or depressed and this was not self-harm. You’re done treating my wound right? I’d like to discharge myself please.”

“I’d like to conduct a few more assessments first please.”

The patient was visibly livid with the situation. She cradled her left wrist that had been freshly stitched up and bandaged. Her chef’s uniform was stained with a mixture of oil, sauce and what appeared to be blood from her injury. She tapped her foot impatiently against the floor. Sehun stood in front of her, blocking her escape and trapping her in a corner.

“He’s projecting,” Soonbok whispered under her breath as her eyes absorbed the scene.

“That’s what I was afraid of,” Jongin exhaled. “This is the third one today. The location of the injury this time isn’t helping and he just won’t listen to me. But maybe if it’s you…”

Grasping what Jongin meant, Soonbok stepped forward and cleared loudly, making her presence known. Sehun turned towards her and heaved a sigh of relief. Soonbok gave Sehun a brief side glance before placing her attention on the young kitchen assistant.

“Please give us some privacy.”

“But—” Sehun protested, but an adamant Jongin stepped in and dragged him out.

The last thing Sehun saw was Soonbok offering the patient an apologetic smile as she sat down in a stool. Trusting that Soonbok will provide the appropriate care for the patient, Sehun reluctantly obeyed Jongin and sat down behind the nurse’s station to catch up on some paperwork. Seeing the doctor focused on the computer allowed Jongin to finally let down his guard. He leaned against the counter of the nurse’s station, purposefully blocking Sehun’s view of bay 4. Moments later, the curtains opened and the kitchen assistant stepped out with Soonbok. They bowed at each other and the patient made her departure. Outside stood an older male waiting for her. He wore a waiter’s uniform and was holding what appeared to be car keys in his hands.

Soonbok and Jongin locked gazes with each other, a wordless exchange transpiring between the two. As Soonbok approached the nurse’s station, both her and Jongin turned to look at Sehun. Soonbok bit the inside of her cheek as she leaned her head against Jongin’s arm. The latter raised his hand and gently patted the former’s head. The two stayed like that for a few seconds before the hectic ER chaos forced them back to reality.

“I’ll leave this in your hands,” Jongin announced, making his way towards a distraught intern doctor at the mercy of a rabid homeless person.