Back at the chicken joint, the three males were all enjoying their little dinner. On the table were 2 finished plates of seasoned fried chicken and 4 empty bottles of soju. Hakyeon was already looking sleepy with his cheeks colored a tinge pink and Wonshik had his forehead plastered to the table; almost unconscious.

Only Jaehwan was sober. Well, almost but it was enough. The other two…they were drunk on the scale of 9 to 10. Hyuk was just passing by to check on them; in case they wanted a second round of chicken but he chuckled at the scene. He looked at each of the elders, all light-headed and out of their normal states.

He excused himself early from his shift –seeing that it was only 20 minutes till it ended anyway, and joined the drunken lot at the table. He sat by Wonshik’s side as Hakyeon had already made himself comfy on the other side; lying on the seats next to Jaehwan. Hyuk took a swig at the unfinished cup by Wonshik’s unconscious hand and sighed.

“They’re sure out of it…” Hyuk muttered.

“Nope, not me,” Jaehwan suddenly snapped.

“You sure?”

“Yeah. C’mon, ask me a math question. I bet I’m sober enough to answer them,” he proposed.

“What’s 7x8?”

“…um 56?”

“Nice,” Hyuk laughed, high-fiving his hyung.

“Was I right?”

“I don’t know, I don’t like maths.”

They laughed. They laughed and laughed at everything for a while. It was exhilarating, both of them had to admit because it wasn’t every day they got to sit together and drink themselves into oblivion. They usually only meet at the old folks’ home as volunteers, not that it wasn’t pleasant, but this kind of meeting was more…young people-like.

“Wow, your alcohol tolerance is quite high, hyung,” Hyuk patted the elder’s back.

“Yeah…I’ve drunk a lot these past few months…but it didn’t seem to black me out, so I did it again and again…and again. Who knew it upgraded my tolerance…” said Jaehwan, a little too lazily.

“What, were you trying to blackout on purpose?” Hyuk laughed.

“…yeah, kind of,” he sighed.

It caught Hyuk off guard, his hyung’s answer, but he knew it had a story behind it; so he opted to be quiet. He never knew there was a glum side to this hyung because he always seemed happy. Though, his assumption could be overrated since he’s only met the male for only a few months.

Still… his mind wondered.

“Why, though?” Hyuk asked gently.

“…hm. Lots of reasons…recently in college…I met someone who was just like him.”

“Him…?”

“Mm-hm,” he nodded slowly.

Hyuk watched how the elder sat back and sighed. It was as if a heavy burden was lifted from his shoulders as he exhaled. His eyes were distant-looking; trying to recall a memory, maybe.

“He was quiet, calm and cool. He had so little interest in everything around him…but he cared, nonetheless. He just didn’t show it. I tried to approach him…and he opened up to me…but it took a while. I thought he was just an introvert but then, I realized that, that he was just…careful. He didn’t talk too much because he thought he might hurt someone with his words…and he didn’t take too much interest because it might involve him in non-beneficial things…”

“Wow…that’s a really great perspective-“

“BUT I WAS WRONG!” Jaehwan suddenly hissed.

If Hyuk thought the answer earlier took him off guard, this was much worse. He actually shuddered when he saw just how Jaehwan’s eyes were shut tight with his brows scrunched together as if in pain and how he gritted his teeth as his hand clutched his chest.

“I…I was wrong, Hyuk.”

“…about what?”

“About Taekwoon. He was the same…he didn’t talk because he was scared it might hurt someone, he didn’t socialize because it might involve him in things he didn’t want to be involved in…he wasn’t a freak like they said. He was just…a boy. And I thought…I thought if I stayed away, people would stop bothering him but they got worse…I…I was wrong to do that…I was wrong-“

Jaehwan stopped his sentence as his throat got caught by his sobs. He was swallowing it in but it was too much. He laid his head on the table and he sobbed.

Hyuk was at a lost since 1, he didn’t know what the elder was talking about; this Taekwoon person and what he did wrong, and 2, he didn’t know what he had to do or say to calm him down, period. Amidst the younger’s confusion, Hakyeon sat up.

“…that wasn’t wrong. You were a kid, you didn’t know what to do but I wasn’t. I wasn’t a kid when it happened; I was an adult, I could think of what was wrong and what was not but I made a mistake anyway!” He huffed.

“Hyung, are you alright?” Hyuk asked gently.

“Don’t- don’t call me that…I’m not your hyung. I can’t be…I can never be anyone's hyung because I’m useless. Plain useless….”

“No, you’re not. You’re a doctor and doctors aren’t useless. They help people, remember?”

“…but I didn’t. I didn’t help him.”

Damn it, who’s he talking about? Hyuk stressed. He was lost with Jaehwan's story and now he had to be lost with Hakyeon's too? Please don’t let Wonshik wake up now. It’s already enough where he’s at. Scratching his neck, Hyuk tried to think of something to say.

“Maybe you did, but you didn’t realize it?” He tried, sounding a little too unconfident.

“…if that was it, then I’d be alright. But it’s not. He was an angel…he was MY angel. He’s always been the best; always helping others, ready to lend a hand…and his shoulders if anyone needed it…but I never thought he needed them too, a lot more than it seemed too…” said Hakyeon as he looked up.

Again, Hyuk tried to listen attentively without interrupting.

“…I loved him. He was my only brother…my baby brother…if only this hyung wasn’t that blind and stupid back then, you would still be alive…I’m sorry, Haneul…hyung is very sorry,” he sobbed.

“…hyung,” Hyuk breathed.

Again, he was facing someone crying. He listened to Hakyeon’s story as he did Jaehwan’s but this was different. He knew Jaehwan well enough to listen to his problems but not Hakyeon. They didn’t meet on a daily basis let alone exchange past memories... he felt guilty. He felt guilty even when this was the alcohol’s doing, not his.

“Hyung, I’m so sorry to hear that…”

“…no. It’s my fault. If I was there for you…if this stupid hyung was there for you like any other would be, you wouldn’t have to bear it all alone…my baby…my baby Haneul, I’m so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me you were bullied for so long? Why? You always came home with a smile…I didn’t know…”

So his brother was bullied, Hyuk realized. Hakyeon’s sobs were heard more than before but Jaehwan’s had stopped. Maybe he was asleep, Hyuk thought. He wanted to let Hakyeon do the same, cry his pain out and let him sleep but he couldn’t. Not when it involved death. The pain was heavier, even he knew.

He’s always used to pretending for his grandmother; knowing that it helped her get through so many things, so he wanted to try it with Hakyeon this time. It was risky since he knew nothing of his brother, Haneul. Ah, to hell with that, he thought.

“That’s because I didn’t want to worry you…hyung,” he started.

Hakyeon stopped sobbing. He looked up with a surprised expression but it softened not a second later. He reached out and ran his thumb on Hyuk’s cheek. His lips trembled and his eyes never stopped streaming tears.

“Oh my Haneul…why…why did you have to be such an angel…? You could’ve just said something to me…I knew you’d have some problems…but that’s because you’re a teenager…you should’ve told me you needed a brother, not a father figure…I could’ve changed my ways…I could’ve helped you…what use is it for me to be a psychiatrist when I couldn’t even understand…my own…my own brother,” he hiccupped.

“It’s okay, hyung…it’s okay.”

“It…it is? You’re not mad?”

“How can I when I love you so much…? No one is perfect, hyung but don’t worry, I never liked perfection. You were enough…” Hyuk trailed, his voice suddenly caught.

Hakyeon’s sobs died down a bit as he blinked his tears away. A soft smile appeared on his face and tears brimmed at the edge of his eyes again. His heart ached. Did I go too far? Hyuk started to worry but quickly shrugged it off when a chuckle escaped the elder’s mouth.

“My angel…always so kind…”

Hakyeon’s voice trailed off as his sobs were heard again, this time heavier and quieter as he laid his head on Jaehwan’s back. His breath was caught in between hiccups but he didn’t stop crying. He couldn’t, maybe. All he did was cover his face with his forearm. Poor hyung, Hyuk worried.

He looked at the other two and his brows knitted together.

“Who knew...” he muttered to himself.

Turning to his side, he inspected Wonshik’s profile. He couldn’t help but wonder what his past was after listening to the other two’s. He felt selfish for wanting to know but he was curious. Why, he wouldn’t know since it was his heart’s call, not his mind and everyone knows that the heart can be a very stupid decision-maker.

Sighing, he reached his hand out and played with the elder’s hair.

---

“Unnggghhh…” a groan broke the silence.

It was Wonshik, sitting up from his lying position. He hissed at the pain surging through his head; clutching it with one hand. Breathing deeply, he got around to opening his eyes. He looked around the perimeter but nothing was familiar.

Where am I? What the hell happened? He wondered.

Suddenly something moved beside him. He got his phone out to flash it but what he saw shocked him. 4:50am?! Did I blackout somewhere or something? He panicked. Something moved again, but this time he heard it. He looked up and saw Hyuk walking out from a doorway. Hyuk? Where the hell am I?

“Oh, you’re awake…sorry if I woke you, but I had to pee. The toilet’s at the back, in case you were wondering…” he said as he walked over.

Still dazed, he just watched as Hyuk sat beside him and lied down under the thin blankets.

“…where, where are we?” he finally spoke, voice a little hoarse from sleeping.

“At the shop. You three were all passed out and I don’t know where you live. Even if I knew, I can’t lift all of you so the owner let you guys crash here for the night,” he yawned.

“All three of us out?” He whispered, somewhat a little surprised.

He looked to his other side and found Jaehwan sprawling comfortably across the floor. Next to him was Hakyeon, who had his back turned.

“Are you still drunk? Do you need anything? Water? Toilet? Or…do you need to talk?” Hyuk suddenly asked.

Wonshik turned to the younger and wondered. What did he mean?

“Both, actually; toilet and then water.”

“Water’s in the black cooler. You’ll find some mugs near them,” he said.

Not 10 minutes later, Wonshik came back with a white mug in his hand. He sat back in his place and browsed through his phone for a while. He was always one to have a short period hangover; even if his alcohol tolerance wasn’t that high. Putting his phone away, he lied down, deciding to go back to sleep. It was 3 hours away from work, anyway.

“Are you okay…?” Hyuk suddenly asked.

“I would be if you stop surprising me like that, sheesh… why do you ask, anyway?”

“…it’s nothing.”

“It’s not good lying to a psychiatrist.”

“I know.”

But he said nothing.

“Did something happen…Hyuk? Did something happen when we were out?”

Suddenly he remembered. Hyuk did ask a while ago, “…do you need to talk?” If he meant it, something must’ve happened then, Wonshik thought. So he waited.

“Nothing. Nothing happened. They just talked…” Hyuk said, barely above a whisper.

“They? Do you mean these two hyungs? What…what did they talk about?”

“I don’t know…their past memories, I guess. Some very…painful ones, too.”

“Hakyeon hyung too?” Wonshik worried.

Hyuk nodded and he sighed. No wonder Hyuk was so grim. Talks about the past were never his favorite either, but he knew how to play dumb. Guess Hyuk is much more a softie than I am, he thought to himself.

“He talked about Haneul, didn’t he?” He asked Hyuk softly.

Hyuk nodded. As expected, Wonshik would know better about him since they work together, right? Hyuk thought to himself.

Wonshik knew death talks were a specific matter to Hyuk since his father’s death had caused a lot of other matters to rise so he tried to be as gentle as possible. It was a good thing he followed Hyuk to the folks’ home the other day. At least he got to know the boy enough to have this conversation. Otherwise, he would’ve felt so out of place at the moment.

Slowly, Hyuk sat up. He hunched over his knees and sighed to himself. Quiet, Wonshik kept his eye on the boy; his back bathing in the darkness of the room.

“He even thought I was Haneul…I bet he must’ve loved his brother so much. How did he even keep all of that to himself? I mean…I couldn’t get a hold of myself for almost a fortnight after dad’s death. I still can’t when I miss him.”

Poor kid, Wonshik sighed.

“He’s like that. Since being a psychiatrist means he has a very heavy duty of keeping the clients’ problems to himself and away from others, he’s prone to do the same to himself too…”

“Has he never told you about it?”

“Not really, no. He did spill a little when we were mad drunk at a new year’s party but it was nothing specific…even back then when it happened…he didn’t say a word. He cried, of course…but nothing more. Not to me…not to his family. No one.”

Simultaneously, they looked at the elder. Partially covered by a piece of small blanket that the shop owner had lend, Hakyeon was fast asleep, snoring lightly. He looks so peaceful, Hyuk thought; a little smile appearing on his face.

“I hope he tells someone later…or not it’s gonna eat him alive. It’s been…how many years since?”

“I’m not sure…2 years?”

“That’s dangerous.”

“How about you, how did you get through everything? I mean…you’re way younger than us all, yet you look so dependable,” Wonshik said, looking up at the boy.

“You mean through my dad’s death and my grandma losing her mind?” he asked bluntly.

“Woah, chill. I tried to put it nicely…”

“Nah, it's fine. Things have been better since then. Sure, my grandma’s a bit loony, but I know that she’s actually just not over my dad’s death since it happened so abruptly and when she was just starting to forget things. It was hard for her, I know…and no one can blame her for being like that…”

“Of course…she’s human, after all,” Wonshik said quietly.

Sniff.

A little surprised, Wonshik realized that Hyuk was crying. Maybe quietly, but he was crying. Feeling the need to sit up, Wonshik inched closer to the younger and gently pat his back. The younger flinched a little at first but then quickly caved in. He leaned towards the other and rested his forehead on his shoulder.

Quietly, Wonshik continued patting the boy’s back. He’s a kid, after all, he thought.

The alarm set off. Once, twice…a hand dismissed it. Another alarm set off. Once, twice, thrice…a different hand dismissed it.

A little later, a hand rested on both the previous ones and started shaking them gently. It was Hyuk. He smiled at the elders who resisted his initiative to wake them up. He tried again, this time a little harder.

“5 more minutes, mom…” Jaehwan mumbled.

“I’m not your mom,” Hyuk smiled.

“…you can be.”

“Hyung, get up. Its 7 am, you need to go home. Your mom called and she’s worried.”

“…she did now, did she?”

Hearing Hyuk mentioning his mother, he was taken by a little shock; sitting up. Immediately, he lied back down, groaning in regret.

“What is thiiisss is someone pounding on my head hiiinnggg,” the elder whined.

“It’s called a hangover, in case you forgot. Here, Wonshik hyung bought some aspirin for you guys. Sit up,” Hyuk chuckled, helping the other.

“Ungh…who’s Wonshik?” Jaehwan mumbled, sitting up again; though a little slower this time.

“That would be me.”

Eyes half-open, he turned to his left and a familiar face came into view; smiling and waving a little to the other. By his side was a still-unconscious male, mumbling in his sleep. Memories surging back, Jaehwan smiled at the younger goofily. He waved back. Turning to Hyuk, he swallowed the pills and chugged down the whole glass of water Hyuk had brought along with him. Hiccupping, he laid his head on Hyuk’s shoulder, letting out a sigh.

“Hyung, go home. You stink of alcohol,” Hyuk laughed.

“Meanie. I do not stink.”

“MOM! Mom…we’re, we’re late…the flight is-“

All three pairs of eyes turned to the voice. Sunbae? Wonshik chuckled quietly.

“Sunbae. Sunbae, wake up. It’s almost 7 am, we need to wash up and go to work,” Wonshik shook his sunbae’s arms, hoping he would get up.

“My bags- I know…I got them right here…” Hakyeon trailed off.

A little amused, Wonshik smirked. This was the first time he heard the elder speak so incoherently. Usually, he’s very detailed.

“Then where’s my bag?” Wonshik said in a high pitched voice.

“Ungh, I don’t know…it’s not with…it’s not with me…”

Giggling, Wonshik pats the elder’s shoulder, squeezing them every now and then. He should wake up before I continue with this, the giggling male thought. Hyuk shook his head and smiled. Turning his attention to the other half-conscious male, Hyuk pats his shoulder.

“You okay, hyung?”

“…yeah, I think so,” Jaehwan tried to focus his line of sight.

“Can you go home like this? Or do you need me to call a cab for you…? Where’s your-”

“-shhhhhhhhhhhhh. Hush, child,” the elder slurred a little as he cupped the younger’s mouth with his hand.

Muffling a little chuckle, Hyuk pushed Jaehwan’s hand away from his face. It smelt of stale alcohol.

“My house is near. Just 2 stops away, so don’t worry too much, sheesh. I think I can get by. I’m a grown-up, okay?” Jaehwan continued, pointing a finger at the younger.

“Okay, okay, I get it. Be careful, alright? Do you need me to at least help you find the bus stop?”

“I said I’m a grown-”

“Yeah, yeah, a grown-up. Well, Mr. Grown Up, try standing up on your own while I get your coat and stuff,” Hyuk instructed the elder as he left, disappearing to the kitchen.

Walking back, Hyuk laughed at what he was facing. Jaehwan was fast asleep again, only this time, with his head hung as he sat cross-legged. To his side was Wonshik; all messy with his clothes crumpled up and his hair pointing everywhere, still giggling at what seems to be a happily-drunken Hakyeon, still dreaming that he was at the airport.

What an amusing bunch, the younger laughed to himself. Walking over to Jaehwan, he massaged the other’s back and blew on his bare neck. The elder shuddered, opening his eyes and rubbing the back of his neck in shock. He turned around and scowled at Hyuk with his half-lidded eyes.

“I thought you could get up on your own,” Hyuk chuckled.

“I still can.”

He did try, that Jaehwan, but ended up falling back on his , twice. Shaking his head, Hyuk went to Wonshik to check up on his progress. No luck, still. Though, Wonshik was laughing more than ever at the moment, enjoying his little teasing time. His eyes watered as he laughed.

“Hyung. We gotta help them. They can’t go to work like this. Besides, with us both, we can at least send them home together and let them rest for the day…right? Is Hakyeon hyung allowed to do that?”

“’Course he is. He’s one of the top psychiatrists at our center. He accomplished something new yesterday so he deserves a day off. Though, I don’t know where he lives now so I don’t know where to send him to…?”

“What? I thought you guys knew each other well?”

“We do know each other well but he just moved recently and I remember hyung saying it’s still not fully refurbished a few weeks ago…”

Hyuk looked at Wonshik and Wonshik looked at Hyuk.

“…well, what now?” The younger one asked.

“I guess we’ll take them to Jaehwan hyung’s house…? Do you know where it is?”

“Yeah, I’ve been there once but I need him to confirm it since I can’t remember the exact one. Should we…?”

Right then, Wonshik gestured at Jaehwan; who was still staring off into space in his spot for Hyuk to ask. Smiling at the elder, Hyuk knelt down beside him and rested his hand on his drooping shoulder.

“Hyung…? You here?”

“Hmmm…?” Jaehwan slowly turned his head to the younger, a woozy smile on his face.

“We’re going to take you home, alright? But as we do, can we take Hakyeon hyung too? We don’t know his house and he can’t stay here…”

“Yeah, yeah…I like visitors. Besides, mom and dad…aren’t home for the week and the house should be…empty right now,” Jaehwan slurred in between intervals, the smile still plastered on him.

Chuckling at the response, Hyuk nodded at Wonshik and walked over to Hakyeon to ask the same question. Again, he knelt down next to the elder and placed his hand over his calmly rising and falling shoulder. Shaking it a little, Hakyeon changed his settling expression to a stirring one as he turned his face to the younger.

“…hyung, we’re going to take you home now, okay?” Hyuk asked quietly.

“…hmmm,” the elder hummed.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

---

Not 15 minutes later, all 4 of the males arrived in front of a high rise, fully guarded apartment where Jaehwan was currently staying on the 7^th floor. Without any disdain in the expressions of the guards standing by the front door of the high rise, they nodded when they saw the two half-conscious males being held up by the other two. They then passed through both the electronic guarded gates and the elevators with Jaehwan’s key card in his wallet.

Swiping the card on the door guard of Jaehwan’s place, the sound of a beep let them pass through. Two by two, the conscious males dragged in the other two to the spacious living area.

As if sensing something familiar, Jaehwan slowly lifted his head up and smiled at the warm-looking couch sitting cozily in one corner of the living room. Leaving Hyuk’s side, the elder clumsily waddled over to the couch; landing face-first on the thick duvet that lay on it.

Shaking his head, Hyuk couldn’t help but smile a little as he heard the elder’s content sigh. Turning to the other two, Hyuk helped Wonshik to lay Hakyeon on the other couch. Unlike Jaehwan, Hakyeon was still a little out of it; being unconscious the whole time.

“Ahhh…finally. My back was starting to get sore,” Wonshik sighed.

“Same. So now what? Hyuk asked, placing his hands on his hip.

“How bout we start by washing up? I don’t think Jaehwan minds.”

“Yeah sure.”

Finding their way around the house, both Wonshik and Hyuk succeeded in washing up and getting ready to go to work with whatever they had at the moment. Though a little hesitant in rummaging through the elder’s belongings, Hyuk managed to find a pair of sweatshirt and sweatpants for Jaehwan to change into along with another pair for Hakyeon.

Helping the younger, Wonshik undressed Hakyeon as Hyuk with Jaehwan. After 10 minutes of struggling with dressing the drunken bodies, both Hyuk and Wonshik gave out a long sigh as they got ready to leave. Once in the elevator, silence blanketed both the males. They were somehow running out of vocabs to use even though it was still before 9 am in the morning.

“You know, you don’t have to pay much attention to what they said last night. They were drunk and it was a good excuse to let off some steam. You’re just a kid. It’s going to burden you if you do,” Wonshik said in a soft tone.

“I know…but for your information, I’m not a kid. Even if I am, I’ve been through a lot and it’s a norm for me now so you don’t need to worry. I’ll be fine,” Hyuk chuckled, giving the elder a little smile.

Somehow unconvinced, Wonshik frowned. The elevator doors opened and they got out. They walked down to the bus stop. All the while, they were silent. Not 5 minutes later, Wonshik’s bus arrived and he stood. Spontaneously patting the boy’s head, Wonshik smiled. Hyuk looked up.

“I know you’ll be fine but don’t try too hard, yeah?”

“Yeah.”

---

“Good morning, Bean. How are you doing today?”

Wonshik asked as soon as he opened the brunette’s room door. Gleaming at the doctor from the edge of the bed, Hongbin waved. Surprised at the expression given, Wonshik cocked his eyebrows. Hongbin laughed as he walked over to the other and gave him a hug. Wonshik’s eyebrows went even higher.

“Oookaaayyy…what’s up with you?” He asked, returning the hug, nonetheless.

“I’m just happy. Really happy,” he sighed as he let the male go.

“I understand... that but what made you so?”

“Just some writing…” he giggled to himself, looking at the book on his bed.

Looking in the same direction, Wonshik smiled. It’s good that he found something positive to do, he thought. It should broaden his mind. Putting his hands in his coat pockets, Wonshik looked around the room.

“It’s a little gloomy here, don’t you think? Why don’t we lighten it up a bit?”

Both eyes and smile widening, Hongbin nodded in excitement while he spun around to look at the far wall of his room. Slowly, the blinds were lifted and the soft sunlight bathed the insides of the room. Hongbin ran to the glass wall and plastered his hands on it, eyes gleaming as he inspected the world outside. Butterflies were dancing in his chest as his excitement grew.

“Do you like it Hongbin…? Do you like the world outside?”

Spinning around, Hongbin pouted at the doctor but quickly changed it into a smile.

“Of course I do! It’s so beautiful out there. Oh, I miss the sun’s warmth bare on my skin…” his voice trailed.

There was a hint of sadness to his tone but the excitement in his eyes coated it well.

“You know…you’re getting much better for the past few weeks and I think if you’re confident, you can move to the recuperation level. Patients of that level are allowed outside the buildings for a certain amount of hours. Plus…we just finished reconstructing the garden…” Wonshik said as gentle as he could.

Slowly, ever so slowly, Hongbin’s smile faded away. Wonshik had already started to worry but he showed no such thing on his face so to not trouble his patient. He waited for a response before going any further.

“Am I…am I really getting better? A-am I…?” Hongbin’s voice was a whisper, echoing across the room.

Relieved, Wonshik sighed; a soft smile appearing on his face. He walked over to the male and pat his back. He could see fresh tears b at the edge of his eyes.

“You are… wonderfully.”

“Then…then what about T-taekwoon hyung? Will he be moving there too? Is he doing better?”

“Slow down…slow down. Breathe. Yes, he’s doing well too but as I said, you can only move to the recuperation level if you’re confident. Because confidence is the key in everything, so no matter how good you are or getting, if you’re not confident, we can’t let you go.”

Blinking his pre-tears away, Hongbin smiled.

“I’m so thankful I have great minded people surrounding me…” he said.

“What do you mean?” Wonshik crunched his eyebrows.

“Well…both you and Taekwoon are so good with words; it makes me wonder how your brains work. Though at least I know yours a bit since you talk so wonderfully when you’re treating me... but I don’t know if I know Taekwoon’s. I bet his brain is like a library, so filled with words that it’s almost bursting. How I wish he expresses it more…”

Grinning, Wonshik couldn’t help but ruffle Hongbin’s hair. Shocked at the response, Hongbin stared at his doctor.

“Don’t just wish. Do something about it. Tell him to express more. Use your own words to make him pour his. It’s not that hard, you know, you just gotta go for it.”

Eyeing the book on his bed, Hongbin’s mind started to wonder all the magnificent possibilities.

“Maybe I will.”

---

“Good morning, Taekwoon-ssi.”

A little surprised at the different greeting voice, Taekwoon quickly looked away from the wall he was just concentrating on. He slid his pencil above his ear; he climbed down his chair and politely greeted the doctor.

“Oh…you’re drawing?”

“Yes.”

“That’s really beautiful…and creative too. Wow. I thought you were good at writing but this…this is, wow.”

“It’s not really…”

Wonshik waited for him to continue but he didn’t. Smiling, he walked over to the wall and inspected the drawing even more.

“You know…Hongbin spoke of you earlier when I was checking up on him,” Wonshik suddenly said.

Ears perked, Taekwoon made no movement as to listen to the other properly. Wonshik turned to him and couldn’t help but smile. He could sense that Taekwoon was more than interested in Hongbin.

“Do you want to know what it was about?” Wonshik asked.

Taekwoon nodded.

“Ask me, Taekwoon. Ask me to tell you or I wouldn’t know,” said Wonshik with the gentlest tone he could make.

“…what did he say about me?” Taekwoon hesitated, barely above a whisper.

“He said you’re wonderful with words…and I can guess why,” said the doctor as he looked around the room.

Taekwoon followed his gaze before putting them back on Wonshik.

“He also said he’s always been wondering about you and how your brain works. I don’t know what that’s all about but I think he wants to get to know you more. You should talk to him more if you get the chance. He’d be really happy,” Wonshik smiled, looking straight at Taekwoon who was evading eye contact.

“If I get the chance…” he whispered.

“Oh, yes, about that.”

Taekwoon looked up. Somehow, he was hoping but for what, he didn’t know it himself.

“Well…it seems like you're getting much better these past few weeks and because of that, we’re thinking of moving you to the recuperation level. I mean, if you’re confident, that is…” said Wonshik as he monitored his patient’s response.

“I am. I am really confident. I want to get even better than this,” he said, a tone louder than anything he’s said so far.

Blinking of surprise, Wonshik smiled. He wants to interact more with Hongbin, of course, Wonshik thought, walking over to the male. He gestured for him to turn around and he activated the blinds to roll up. Slowly, he could see Hongbin plastered to one of the glass walls in his room, excited yet again to see the world. He wasn’t even aware of the 2 figures staring at him from across the hall.

A soft smile appeared on Taekwoon’s face. He came to fall in love with the view he had at the moment. The view of the brunette’s back, where his lines were shining from the sunlight that was surging through the glass wall. He wanted more and he knew it.

Quietly, Wonshik left the room.

A/n: I am so sorry for the longest of delays in history but I just managed to update only after I finished with my internship. I'm graduating soon enough so I hope you'll forgive me for torturing your LeoBin hearts. That's why I wrote this chapter SUPER long, so to make up for the lost time. I hope you enjoyed it. I will update more frequently since now I'm a bum and waiting for my next admission to study again. Well...at least I'll try :)

Have an awesome day :*