7 PM - Lee Seokmin
pairing: seokmin x nurse fem!reader
prompt: you went to Han River feeling drained by the stress as a health worker in a foreign country.
warning:
few medical terms were included and might as well encounter grammatical errors due to lack of proof reading
wc: 2k
note:
it's mainly inspired by BSS new released Second Wind track, 7 pm. So please stream the whole album, BSS and their production did well upon manufacturing this whole masterpiece possible.Enjoy!
photo credits: dk_is_dokyeom
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Everyone could tell that you're not at your best today. You just can't accept the fact that one of the patient you've grown close to expired. You remembered how her eyes sparkled, her endearing smile and hopes as young as adolescent whilst her condition deteriorating every encounter. However, today, it came to an end. She left not in the four corners of her ward...but for good - with nothing but memories you'll cherish. A foster family you'll remember 'till your last breath.
It is true they say that the feeling would be worst than your first heartbreak.
Staying in a foreign country was far easiest. Starting from the day you land and explore a few feet from Incheon Airport to attest your luck as a foreign worker, the strong glare and the whisper you receive were enough to shoo anyone back from where they came from. But it neither touched the outer layer of your ego nor simply frighten you.
You just never thought your profession could hurt you more than anything.
However, you are well aware that this instance was just the dawn of the distress you may face as a health worker and to this country. The news was enough to tell you the trend. But having a family to feed also reminds you to take a blind eye onto that and keep your personal feelings out of your way (especially in this kind profession).
.
.
.
You weren’t sure where you get the energy of walking from the hospital you were in, yet you just know that you needed a most placid place you could reach to vent all the bitterness of the day bombarded you. The vibration of your phone reminded you of how selfish you were to silent your notifications and leave your poor co-nurse oblivious of your immediate absence. Maybe an Iced-Americano would do the trick for the next day?
All you could think of as of now is to deliver your last farewell to your friend. Maybe Han River could never be as high to reach the highest of heaven or be the most secluded area for your intention, but you know this would be the best place for her.
Once you get the right spot of the bridge, you will tell her that you kept your promise, just a bit late. You will tell her how lonely you felt since her absence and also regretful of not coming here with her any sooner. Though it might take time for the wound to heal, you also promise her that you will.
While walking, eyes alternating the minimal car passers and the tiny city lights, you can't help but to reminisce the sequence of the day that left you soulless and emotional.
How could this day be so harsh on you when all you did was to heal people? Wasn't that a positive thing to do?
The bus perfect for you to arrive at your hospital on time left early than expected so you have no choice but to take cab that charged you double the average. Again, another patient you almost lost, even when you desperately want to resuscitate them, yet you can't due to their DNR order. And just as you thought you could somehow relief some of the overwhelming events from this day, the family call that you received for the first time after the long week got ruthlessly cut shortly after the poor internet connectivity.
You want to cry... yell... anything that could somehow release the burden you were feeling. But you instead choose to extract them out by a long sigh, afraid that someone was there as well to have their peace.
The thought itself aches your whole body to completely drain its optimism, and also pleading you to pause for a bit from your undying walk. You just felt sorry for yourself since the confidence you openly display to your family and friends upon conquering the dilemma of a health worker seems to fall off. “Sorry...” It is more intended for yourself than for the people you think of. The cold wind of this country just hits differently from your own. You involuntarily grasp your left hand to the bars of the bridge just to secure your balance caused by your fatigued well-being and the other were to hold onto the caffeine you manage to take out at the convenience store down the street. Also, this is your way to position yourself to have a good view of the night sky being beamed by the little lights of the city.
.
.
.
“Ilgupsie manna yaksok jangso hangang...” Your solicitude got suddenly interrupted by the singing of this random Korean folk. Thankfully, their voice was soothing enough for you liking orelse you could possibly thrown your coffee straight to them by irritation. The melody is precise for the scenery – too precise to the point that it comforts your current resistless state and yearn to hear for another entry. It was too good, yet you reminded yourself that this night is intended for your re-charging, ALONE.
Just so you’re about to confront them to give you your peace and sing their song to themselves, their sniff prevents you from doing so. “...ppalli anda sigan a meomchwora, Be here with me.”
He flinched. The sudden contact of your elbow to his makes the young man startled and withdraw his initial thought of him being alone. Seriously, how did you get there? “Maybe you need this more than me” You offered the caffeine you were holding for about half an hour that almost lost its warmth due to the bold wind assaulting you.
“What’s this?” He eyed the caffeine.
“Act of service… felt like I needed to.” Nonchalant with your acts, you simply turn to face the young man for you to void being rude. "And don't you worry, it wasn't touched yet." You studied his features. His strong strong masculine demeanor is quite the opposite of this childish behavior you perceived. His cheeks were pinkish from the cold, his nose bridge was high, and his monolid doe eyes radiates pure innocence to the point that it felt wrong to see him shed tears right in front of you. This vulnerable state of him alerts your mere instincts to protect him at all costs. God, I thought I’m off duty.
You could also tell that this guy is well-off just by judging how he dressed. The white polo under his dark brownish denim paring with a classic black jeans sounds basic, however this guy just manage to make them look expensive - they could possibly be branded.
“Thanks” He accepts the offer with a small smile as you detach your stare to refrain yourself from any further thoughts and point them back to the city lights ahead. “I’ve never seen you coming.” “I arrived first.” You clarified.
Just before the unnamed latter spoke, his alarm rang. ”Sorry for the surprise, just a routine that’s needed to be done.” The small nod that the gentleman receives from you makes him at ease that he somehow confirms that his presence wasn’t bothersome to you. At least he knows you weren't going anywhere just yet by witnessing your calm frame against the rails of the bridge. “It’s 7 pm. I set that alarm as I learned that the Han Bridge River got emptied by that specific time stamp. It is a good coincidence though. My work ends about 20 minutes before so I think it is a good thing to loosen myself a bit to my favorite place.” So, he frequents here? You thought. Though it wasn't really something substandard, it just wonders you how can he be so warm to a person he barely knows.
“Seokmin” You didn’t ask but he did it anyway. “Thanks for the coffee by the way. It helped a lot.” You also ponder where you get the guts of offering your only caffeine after walking miles just to grab that favorite liquid of yours. “It wasn’t really generous to consider after all. Take that as a fair human act.” Lies.
Now it was his turn to face you to catch a glimpse of this humble human-kind he came across with. Now he knows that you're a health worker just by how your white uniform peek through against your jet-black trench coat. No wonder why you're being unselfish to him.
Seokmin didn't miss uneasiness due to the heels you were wearing. He could tell just by you were shifting them from time to time. "Here, wear this for the meantime." He wasn't certain why he kept bringing extra slippers while going to this specific bridge despite wearing the most comfortable leather shoes he owned.
Now he knows why.
"Reciprocating are we, aye?" You chuckle, and too bad for you as you miss Seokmin smiles just as how lovingly your angelic giggle was. Why do you wear them though? Here's the thing. You ought to yourself that you should wear the most fashionable and high-class fits you could possibly dress to fairly fill in those aching days when you couldn't due to the high tropical country you lived in. Coats and high heels were impossible as the high heat and uneven placement of lands forbid you so. And now you're suffering because of your extra self.
"Let me do that." He was hesitant at first.
Seokmin witnessed how you struggle removing your cone heels in spite of them being 4 inches high, and the jet-black trench you were wearing was also adding weight to your difficulties. So as the gentleman he is, he thought of helping this extra woman in front of him.
Once he settled himself crouching - he first starts with your right heels and you know your cheeks were not only blushing due to the cold weather just by how this fine man were ready to help you with your stupidity. You weren't used to these kinds of gentleman act and you will never.
"I went here for a friend." It was your lowkey way to divert your fluttering heart. Thanks, God the guy was simply indulged with his work and did a small nod, or else he'll catch sight your most awkward state.
"She passed this morning, and I'm only saying my goodbyes to her favorite place for her not to pout her way to heaven." You chuckled, and Seokmin knows that it's bittersweet. He could tell that you're somehow happy that you fulfilled your promised to your friend, however, the loneliness was still evident due to the sudden abscence. Damn, why does my tears only comes out now? Okay, stop now. You're not here to cause a scene.
"Excuse me for th-" "Hey, it's fine." He said as he slightly smiled - satisfied with his work while standing up and also never neglecting to stay delicate with you. "Tears were not only meant to display joy after all. They could as well be the silent screams of pain. It is excruciatingly painful to see your love ones have their last days with you and talk their last with you on their dead bed. I'm proud of you 'cause not all people have the courage to continue their way without those they cherish. Cry as you want. I'm right here to tell that you're protected from the judgements of the world with me. As long as you're with me." He smiled reassuringly.
Now, you hate Seokmin for making you cry even more. You closed your eyes and let few of your tears drop against your cheeks. You never thought that a barely known person can be this affirming as you were taught that you should never talk to a stranger. The comfort that you received from your family was as the same as Seokmin's. How was that possible? You thought.
The sight ahead him indeed ache his heart. As much as Seokmin wants to hold you onto his arms and tightly embrace you and pat your head to somehow let you know that he's here for you to let out your pain with, if words was not enough. However, the young man never want to go beyond your comfort, or simply startle you with the gesture. So the brunet gentleman settle patting shoulder and accompany you with him by your side.
"Maybe not as heavy as yours, since this morning, I wasn't feeling as good as usual. Maybe because of the lack of sleep? And it got worse when my hyung (Seungcheol) scolded me for something I didn't do and he didn't bother to asked anyone at the scene. It was Seungkwan who finished the entire Iced Americano intended for that one staff. Plus my tires are now flat due to some stray irksome lump that I didn't notice on the way here.” The narration makes you giggle a bit, that partly offended Seokmin, but also thankful for he succeeded on making smile.
"Hey, that's not fair. My ego got offended because of the scolding, you know?" He later chuckle along seeing you being comfortable now around him. He just hopes that you smile more frequent now as he came to learn that it suits you more than your straight face when he first set his eyes on you.
You weren't sure who this Seungkwan was, but you’re slightly thankful for him doing that, or else you might not witness or less, would never meet this most sulky brunet gentleman ever. You just loved the way he looks down pouting at his toes when you got him vaguely offended.
“That’s fine. Maybe your hyung was just tired at that moment. You could go talk with him and settle things tomorrow between you both.” He nodded, seemingly agreeing with your proposal as a peacemaker and directing his brown doe eyes to yours accompanied by a smile.
Cute.
.
.
.
The night passed with both of you sharing your stories about the day, and you will never forget how hilarious Seokmin's face was when he laughed (sounding like windshield) and spilled his coffee directly from his nose as for the reason of you cursing your head nurse with your language and also said their thank you when you explained it was translated as something complementing. At least Seokmin now would never want to be your enemy if doesn't to be cursed at.
It definitely would not be the most visually pleasing side of the guy, but you know that his trying his best to make you happy for the moment. He may not withdraw all of the sorrow of the day, yet, at least he managed to lessen them and you're genuinely thank Seokmin for that. The guys is indeed a hidden angel.
You checked the time, and the watch reminded you about the duty you have for the next day. “Maybe my leisure is done for tonight. I still have my responsibilities tomorrow. Oh, and thanks for the slippe- “You can keep them.” He reassured with a cheeky smile. You found it funny though. How would you use them daily considering their size? But it was still from Seokmin, you would kept them anyways.
The night ends with Seokmin accompanying you to your apartment and fairly convincing you a thousand times that his car would be fine with an ample amount of drive.
After you bid your goodbye accompanied by a smile as a gratitude for all his kind gestures to you and finally, turn your back to Seokmin to call it a day – hands almost touched the door nub, “Does 7 pm at Han River sound good?” He smiled sheepishly, as you scoffed at the sudden offer “Are you asking me out?”
“It was too early to say that, but maybe that’s the same thing. So, I guess? but more of a friend type.” He clarified, yet you're never aware of how hard he gather his last energy to utter those words. Also, Seokmin thanks the person who decided to place the lamp post not directly to where his car was or else, you would witness how flustered he is now. “And…oh, could we bring pizza as well?
You just simply shook your head and giggle at how ridiculous his remarks were. To be honest, you're undeniably the hardest to convince in anyway. Even your co-worker just accepts their defeat and simply quit to even try to ask you hang out with them. It wasn't really your thing though and they could never argue with you. Declining should definitely be the answer to this, however, your instincts is opposing the idea and tells you that Seokmin was no harm and could never do you wrong. Besides, if he did. He should've done his thing when you were at your vulnerable state, yet he did not. “Okay, same time, same place.”
“Promise?” You sealed your promise by raising your pinky finger and curling them against Seokmin’s despite the air distance. “I promise.”
Now you know that you did chose the right choice just by eyeing how cutely he smiled - wrinkles also displaying at the mere corner of his eyes. And you know that they're genuine.
You actually forget to give your name to the gentleman. It was Seokmin who was smart enough to eye for any trance of your name on the caffeine you offer him from earlier. He wasn’t sure if it was a blessing that you left a sticky note in his car, which was intended for your colleague just by judging the foreign name written on it, he would surely give you a call tomorrow but for now, Seokmin will stay up ‘till eleven reminiscing the sweetest night he ever had.
