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It all starts in a damn hospital.
Seokjin is a doctor, has been for the past three years, ever since he turned twenty-three. He works in a hospital in a neighbourhood, shady enough for people of all sorts to come in, but safe enough for them to feel at ease.
At first, Seokjin's family was hesitant, but it is not like they have a choice when Seokjin is already an adult. They also know that he is a rational man, long even when he was a child, when they noticed Seokjin acts mature for his age and rarely plays like any typical child would. Working at the hospital gives Seokjin a sense of ease, most especially when he sees children in ratted clothes being ushered in looking so unsure and leave being vibrant with their gratitude.
Seokjin does not know where they live and for where they leave, that is why his chest aches with a worry that he can never do anything to ease. The hospital is also generous, accepting people who can not afford the fees, more on helping than gaining.
"Doctor Kim, your patient in room two-six-two-four is now awake and awaiting you.", a nurse says briefly, leaving with a curt nod.
Seokjin says a thank you to the recent nurse's retreating back. Oh well, there goes his plan of getting a snack after five hours on continuous duty.
++++++++++
After he sent off his last client of the day, reassuring him through his tears that no, you're not dying and yes, this is only temporary, the guy finally believed him and left. Whew!
He looks at the clock. Six p.m., right on the dot. His shifts starts at seven a.m.. One of the downsides of working here, is that not a lot of people would apply here. That's why more often than not, most of them take long shifts.
He stands up after a little while, and proceeds to leave, greeting the janitor a good night on his way out. As soon as he opened the doors of his home, he immediately removes articles of clothing and just dumps himself on the bed only in his boxers. After the week of grueling long hours, Seokjin finally had Thursday all for himself! Unless the hospital calls, he is not going back.
He slept in late and woke up mid-afternoon, groggily bathing and dressing. Naturally,he decided to re-stock his pantry and buy necessities that he had long run out of but was too busy to buy another for. At the end of his spree, he became more aware and awake. Shopping always leaves him excited. He was struggling to carry all of the bags, whilst pressing the button for his floor.
He must've looked pitiful because the person who came in with him offered to help him.
"It's fine, I think I can handle it.", Seokjin gritted his teeth with exertion.
Carrying stacks of boxes for a long period of time is maybe a little too much for his capabilities, but Seokjin is a proud man. The stranger does not speak, but simply watches him as he presses the button with his elbow.
Since he lives on the 6th floor, he lays the boxes on the floor and turned to the stranger. Said stranger is tall,albeit shorter than him, with features so striking that it left Seokjin gaping. Said stranger is also smiling at him with closed lips.
Said stranger speaks," What's your name, hyung? You look older than me and Korean. May I call you hyung?"
Seokjin recovers from the brief state of awe he was in and was about to answer when the elevator chimed. He lifts the bottom box carefully when the top box slips. It almost falls when the talkative stranger catches it swiftly.
"I don't think you can handle it,hyung. See?", the stranger shakes the box thay almost fell.
He takes 2 more stacks(Seokjin goes overboard when he shops), removing heavy burden.
"Urgh. Fine. Come, then". Seokjin gestures with his head and leads the way.
He opens his door and the stranger places the boxes inside. In hindsight, maybe he should have not have let the stranger in, but that's what he does.
"Take a seat please. I want to give you something as a token of gratitude. More for myself, actually.", Seokjin waves the stranger inside his dining table.
The stranger takes his offer and with a wide sweep, says teasingly referring to the elegant design,"Modest house."
Seokjin places a pink glass on his glass table,"Shut up. What's your name? I invited you in my house, you've helped me, and you've teased me. I think your introduction is long overdue, don't you think?"
The stranger smiles and says,"I don't know. Should I? They say names hold power."
Seokjin feels scrutinized with the way the stranger looks at him, his eyes taking a hard glint. Just as fast, it dissappears.
"Just kidding,hyung. My name is Kim Taehyung. I'm not being rude, but I have to go.", Taehyung holds up his vibrating phone, the name Joonie-hyung flashing on his phone.
Seokjin accompanies him out his door and unexpectedly Taehyung leaves with a quick, "See you soon,hyung.", and a hug.
Seokjin stands in front of the door for a while before he locks it. He goes to his kitchen, drinking from the untouched glass, the whiff of the scent of rust also gone.