he could recall the first time he came across such a shady clinic. it was never his intention to stumble across it the way he did, but he could say that he wasn’t the least bit regretful when he did. from a drunken night, to happening to injure himself along the way maybe it was some kind of faith to lead him to there. with that he’d came across someone that caught his eye. someone he’d find himself interested in. someone that would keep making him come back to that said clinic with a different pathetic excuse to have him extend his stay for as long as possible. it was the reason he was here now.
standing in front of the building, he was cautious about his surroundings as someone with his status he knew that he couldn’t freely go anywhere without a possible camera lurking in the distance. he could only blame himself for signing his life away to such a strenuous lifestyle. though, each time he came he would find himself stalling before actually heading inside, trying to come up with something that could possibly be wrong with him. thankfully, as an actor he could play the part – it was only figuring out what what ‘wrong’ with him each time he came by.
this was probably his fourth time stopping by, thanks to the lack of free time he had within his schedules he had to squeeze this visit in. with the sudden though coming to mind, he begin to get into his ‘role’ as someone whom had an injured side. placing his hand against his left side, towards his ribs he limps his way in. this was rather a ridiculous approach just to find reasons to see someone he had taken a fascination towards but whatever worked he supposed.
“c-can anyone help me?” he calls out upon entering, hoping the said person he had wanted to see was the one working. otherwise, this would a rather awkward situation.
the notion of much needed repose unceremoniously takes shape in the seedy recesses of the clinical underground. she would indulge in the pensive silence, the way surgical instruments glimmer under harsh lamp light, her entirety shrouded in anonymity as pain becomes more formidable company. more than anything, there’s reprieve in this wickedness, a perpetuated hour of solace in which a girl is left alone with the ebb && flow of her thoughts.
which makes late night shifts her favorite, when the other medics have retired and she’s just barely shook off the adrenaline from yet another chaotic day. she’s organizing medical supplies when a cold gush of foreign air sweeps inside, tickling her ankles. a seemingly distressed voice ( deep, ringing some semblance of familiarity ) breaks through the silence, and after one quick assessment, she allows herself barely any time before hurrying to his side, looping an arm gently around for support.
“where does it hurt? have you broken anything?” only after guiding them to the closest table does she glance up — stop short, lift her free hand to ensure the surgical mask’s still pulled up to her nose.
nowhere in her typical routine does she ever expect to see him: chae jinhyuk, south korea’s golden trophy, always appearing to be surrounded by the glitz and glam of international fame — here, walled in by the dismal bricks of crime and ruination. she supposes they’re both just as dis-belonging as the other, but there’s a facet so remarkably unreachable about his bearing that she cannot help but wonder what possible luck he could have with the clinics if there’s a hospital with private suites and fleets of doctors minutes away ( though she confesses that nothing can beat the seclusion of the clinics ).
— not that she doesn’t mind his company, nor would she ever turn away someone in need of help. his past explanations were particularly amusing, and she complied if only to gain a better foothold of what it was he sought and why he seemed to look to her for it. she finds herself genuinely concerned for his current state, however, and tentatively reaches out a hand. “can i take a look?”