[SHINee] Pocketful of Sunshine (Part 1)
pocketful of sunshine
onew-centric; r; ~21600w
au; psychology major lee jinki gets the opportunity of a lifetime to work at a prestigious psychiatric clinic. it's there that he meets five curious boys with unusual stories. it's there that he makes a name for himself.
December;
It was common knowledge that Yonsei University was at its most chaotic during lunchtime as tired, hungry students desperately fled their classrooms. After hours of grueling lectures and intense book work, it was only natural that the hour lunch break was seen as a blessing. Thus, the hallways were filled with students pushing and rushing, eager to reach the cafeteria before all the hot food was taken.
But of course, there is always that one unfortunate soul that managed to trip over his own two feet and fall to the ground right in front of the stampeding students. Thus leading to the inevitable…
“Gwahh!” Lee Jinki cringed and automatically covered his head with his arms, hoping that this time around no one would step on him. Some students tripped over his crouching figure and swore-“Dammit Jinki ssi!” “Not again, Jinki ssi?”-but he just gulped and ignored his classmates’ complaints.
Two minutes later, Jinki found himself sprawled out awkwardly on the now empty hallway. His stomach grumbled. He groaned out loud, “Another attempt to get to cafeteria first…another attempt failed…” Wincing, he stretched himself upright and rubbed at a newly formed bruise on his arm.
“Another one, Jinki ssi?” a cheerful voice rang out from behind him. Startled, Jinki immediately jumped to his feet and turned around, only to see his long-time friend and roommate, Henry Lau. The man held his usual smile and Jinki offered a sheepish one in return.
“You really don’t have to call me Jinki ssi anymore, Henry-ah.” Henry walked over and helped Jinki pick up his fallen books. He smiled.
“Habit.” His eyes were twinkling mischievously, and Jinki wasn’t sure if he liked that. He took the books from his friend’s hands and backed away slightly, hands gripping the books tightly to his chest. Henry stepped towards him, the smile remaining constant on his face. “Hey Jinki ssi…” Jinki gulped, nervously awaiting what his friend had to say to him. Henry beamed at him.
“I’ve found a job for you!”
Name: Lee Jinki
DOB: 12/14/89
Occupation: Third-year uni student
Major: Psychology
Minor: Anthropology
Jinki’s eyes widened as he read the flyer for the umpteenth time. He gulped, trying to contain his excitement but eventually his feelings overcame his self-control and he erupted. Squealing in excitement, he tackled his amused roommate to the floor
“I can’t believe this Henry ah! You really found me one- A real internship! I-I’ve never been so happy I-“ Jinki continued to babble nonsense happily and Henry laughed again, patting his friend gently on the head.
“Don’t worry about it Jinki ssi. An old friend is the head of the clinic over there and I put in a bit of a good word for you.” Jinki immediately stood up and eyed Henry suspiciously. Henry giggled. “What?”
Jinki pointed accusingly at him. “What did you say about me?” he demanded, brows furrowed angrily. This just caused Henry to laugh even more, raising Jinki’s suspicions. “Yah! Did you say anything bad? Henry ah!”
Henry choked on his laughter. “I promise Jinki ssi, I didn’t say anything that would’ve damaged your reputation.” Jinki lowered his finger and eyed his roommate carefully.
“You didn’t mention how I tend to trip over nothing?”
“…well.”
Jinki groaned and fell back on his bed. Henry merely laughed at him. Jinki covered his face with his pillow. “How is that funny? If they think I’m an epic fail, I’ll never be accepted!” Jinki wailed. Henry patted his arm reassuringly.
“Don’t worry Jinki ssi. Jungsu hyung is not very harsh, so I’m sure you’ll be able to get it. It’s a relatively small clinic so I don’t think you’ll have much competition. The pamphlet says that there are five spots, right?” Jinki blindly groped for the booklet Henry had given him, his eyes still covered by the pillow. Henry sighed and grabbed the booklet.
“Yes five spots.”
“B-But…”
“Jinki ssi! This is unlike you. An attitude like this will never get you the job,” Henry scolded lightly. Jinki sighed and removed the pillow from his face and looked up at his frowning friend.
“Aish, you’re right Henry ah. It won’t do me any good if I get all depressed like this…” Jinki suddenly got up from the bed with a determined expression. “I will get it! I will definitely get that job! I will-“ Suddenly Jinki stepped on a pair of Henry’s spare boxers, and with a squeak, spiral dived to the floor.
Henry’s laughter could be heard throughout the dormitory.
Name: Henry Lau
DOB: 10/11/89
Occupation: Third year uni student/editor-in-chief of Yonsei Daily News
Major: English Studies
Minor: Journalism
“Chungnam Psychiatric Ward?” Jessica Jung raised a perfectly trimmed eyebrow. “I’ve heard of that. It opened a few years ago so it’s quite recent. And despite its size, it’s known to accept any type of patient despite their financial situation or background. A very cozy sort of place.” Jinki blushed brightly when he saw that his friend knew more about the place than he did. Jessica only gave Jinki a little smile and stirred a few spoons of sugar into her tea.
“Oh don’t worry Jinki ssi, I’m not going for that internship. I’m already quite busy in the medical center and I think I’ve decided that nursing is more my thing.” Jinki knew that Jessica was trying to reassure him-in her own blunt manner-but her words made him blush even more, in shame even.
He really couldn’t compare to her, this intelligent beauty who already knew what she wanted and where she was going. Jinki had been struggling with his own major and even though he was a third-year, he hadn’t even found a steady internship at a clinic. He really had no idea what he was doing-his good grades only came from countless sleepless nights, he didn’t even know why he had chosen psych as his major when he didn’t even have a career plan in mind. But he did know one thing.
He wanted to help people.
“Oh do you?” Jessica asked airily, her small smile widening slightly. Jinki’s mouth dropped opened and he sputtered for about a minute. Jessica laughed delicately behind her hand. “Oh Jinki ssi. You’re very amusing you know. It’s quite endearing.” Jinki blushed at that and stuffed a scone into his mouth in a rather ungraceful matter, causing another giggle to pop out of Jessica’s mouth.
Somehow, Jinki knew that if he ever did die, it would be from excessive blood rushing to his cheeks. Caused by pretty girls like Jessica Jung. Yes, it wasn’t that bad of a death if you really thought about it.
Jessica glanced down at her watch and frowned a bit. “I’ve got to meet someone right now…I’m sorry Jinki ssi, but maybe we could go over our papers on Wednesday?” Jinki dumbly nodded as Jessica began to collect her things. She smiled at him as she quietly stood up from her seat. “Well, I’m off.”
As Jinki watched her retreating back, she turned to him last minute and called out, “Good luck on your interview next week!” Jinki smiled and raised his arm up in a sort of wave.
“Aa. Thanks-“ Wait. Jinki’s entire body froze as Jessica’s words rang in his ears. Wait, wait wait.
“NEXT WEEK?!”
Nobody in the little coffee shop noticed the poor unconscious boy slumped across the little table, scone crumbs spilling from his mouth.
Name: Jung Sooyeon “Jessica”
DOB: 04/18/89
Occupation: Third year uni student/intern at Yonsei Medical Center
Major: Pharmaceutical Studies
Minor: Child Psychology
It’s not that far. In fact, it’s only about an hour and a half away from the university. Convenient, a perfect fit into his schedule really. This won’t be a problem at all. Not a problem at all.
“Jinki ssi, please unlock the car,” Henry said patiently from outside the car. Jinki pouted at him through the window and stubbornly shook his head. Henry sighed and rapped the window. Jinki winced and clutched the keys tighter in his fist. “Running away isn’t going to help anyone or anything. Now, are you going to be a man and come inside the clinic or what?”
No, Jinki’s inner voice squealed in fear and he anxiously wrung his hands. He felt a slight twinge of guilt at Henry’s disappointed face, but that guilt immediately changed into panic as he watched a pained expression suddenly come over his friend’s face. Henry fell to the floor and Jinki gasped. He quickly unlocked the door and stepped out the car worriedly.
“Henry ah!” His heart immediately sunk when he saw the smirk on Henry’s face.
Damn.
Jinki shifted nervously in front of the receptionist, trying to ignore Henry’s fingernails digging into the delicate skin of his wrist. The receptionist smiled up at him and he let out a breath. “H-Hello, I’m Lee Jinki and I’m here for the inter-“
“Oh my goodness, there you are!” Surprised, Henry and Jinki both turned their heads to their left to see a panting boy, about their age, standing in the front of the hallway. He looked up at them wildly, eyes wide with distress. He stomped over to where Henry and Jinki were standing and all of a sudden, grabbed Jinki’s other wrist. “Come with me!”
Henry had released Jinki’s other arm in a temporary lapse of surprise but he was brought out of his reverie when the receptionist anxiously shouted, “Wait please, sir!” Henry stared at the mysterious person dragging away his friend.
“Jinki ssi!” Jinki looked back at Henry with a hopelessly confused look. Henry cursed and started after the pair but stepped back in surprise when the door slammed shut in front of him. Mumbling in irritation, he fumbled with the doorknob but groaned when he found it locked.
“Jinki ssi!”
Jinki’s head spun as the strange boy continued to drag him down the hallway. They reached the elevator and the other-shorter, he noted to himself-boy shoved him. Jinki fell unceremoniously on his butt. He let out a yelp and looked up at his captor reproachfully.
The boy only smirked. “So you’re the new meat eh? That’s weird. I guess the docs are robbing babies out of the cradles now-you don’t look a day older than thirteen.” Jinki’s eyes widened at the insult.
“Excuse me? I happened to turn twenty a few weeks ago, you, you-“ While Jinki desperately fished about for a proper insult, the other boy started to choke in laughter.
“Twenty? You cannot be older than me-let me see your ID.” Jinki stared suspiciously at the boy-he couldn’t trust such a shady person with something as important as his identification! There was no way he would-
“Hey!” Jinki squeaked when the mystery boy suddenly tackled him to the floor and groped about in his pants. Jinki flailed his arms about in resistance. “What - are - you - doing?” His voice reached a unnatural pitch and he instinctively closed his eyes in fear.
A few seconds passed. Jinki carefully opened his eyes only to sputter in shock when he saw that the mystery boy had somehow obtained his wallet from his pocket, and was currently shifting through its contents.
“Y-Yah!”
“Hmm, found it.” The mystery boy pulled out Jinki’s identification card, ignoring his vehement protests. The boy raised his eyebrows as he read the information out loud. “Lee Jinki…born in ’89…so you really are older than me…”
Jinki stood up and quickly swiped his ID and wallet from the mystery boy’s hands. The boy blinked but he looked up at Jinki with a cheeky grin. “Nice to meet you sunbae,” he said mockingly. Jinki flushed in anger.
“Don’t call me that! And you can only say, ‘nice to meet you’, if you’ve introduced yourself in return, which you obviously haven’t done. Now, who the hell are you?” Jinki’s angry rant was cut off by the ‘ding!’ of the elevator. The other boy grinned.
“Time to go!” Jinki barely had time to register what was happening as the boy grabbed his wrist again and practically shoved him out of the elevator. Jinki stumbled a bit before turning around to the boy in anger.
“What was that f-“
“Wait here!” the boy interrupted and he quickly ran down the hall leaving Jinki alone in front of the elevator. He blinked.
What a ridiculously energetic guy…
He considered going back down the elevator and finding his way back to Henry but he quickly brushed that idea aside-knowing him, he’d probably get lost in the building and then he’d never get to his interview.
Shit. His interview.
The mystery boy blinked when he saw Jinki sitting cross-legged on the floor, staring at something in the far-off distance. “Yah…” he said nervously fiddling with the papers he had in his hands. “What are you doing?”
Slowly, Jinki’s head turned to face the boy, his expression blank. “My interview,” he deadpanned. “I’m going to miss my interview, I’m not going to get the internship, and all life as we know it will end.”
The boy laughed at this. “Oh, your interview? That’s what you’re so worked up about? Pfft, don’t worry about it. I’ve got your interview right here,” he waved the papers in Jinki’s face. Jinki blinked.
“What?” he asked intelligently as he took the papers from the boy’s hands. He flipped through them, eyes scanning the words quickly. “Are these…profiles?” The boy nodded enthusiastically.
“Basically in Chungnam, each floor represents a different type of crazy. The higher the floor, the bigger the crazy.” Jinki winced at the boy’s insensitivity, but the other one ignored him. “Anyway, Chungnam’s pretty small so we only have five floors. And guess what floor we’re on?”
The boy was teasing him. Jinki was sure of it. His stomach began to churn. “I don’t think I want to know…”
“Don’t worry, it’s only fourth,” the boy said offhandedly. “This floor specializes in the young crazy-the teenagers, the poor lost souls of the younger generation.” The boy paused and smiled at Jinki. “And you’re going to meet some of those young people right now.”
“Now?” Jinki squeaked in a very unmanly tone and he began to back away from the other boy. “I-I can’t! I haven’t met the head or anything. And it’d definitely be out of my place to go around and meet his patients without getting interviewed, I just can’t-“
Once again the boy completely disregarded Jinki and cut into his babbling. “Come on, follow me. Take a look at the third paper and you’ll see the facts on the guy that we’re going to meet.”
Jinki stuttered for a moment before sighing as he began to follow the boy. They walked down the hall until the other boy suddenly stopped in front of a room. Jinki stared at the room number, 3C. The other boy followed his stare and shrugged.
“We’ve got about twenty rooms in each floor if that’s what you’re wondering. But not all of them are filled up. Did you look at the paper yet?” Jinki sputtered before staring at the fact sheet.
Name: Choi Minho
DOB: 12/09/91
Diagnosis: Mute
Cause: Psychological Trauma
“He’s…mute?” Jinki gaped at the other boy who only nodded solemnly.
“Yeah, he’s been like that for about three years. Apparently they found him covered in his father’s blood at his old house. The old man apparently shot himself in the head. His mom and brother were dead too. No one really knows the details, but that day was the last time he ever spoke. But, you can read that for yourself.”
Jinki stared at the paper wordlessly and bile began to rise in his throat. His father’s blood? His entire family, dead? That’s…
“That’s terrible,” Jinki whispered hollowly. His knuckles began to turn white as a result from gripping the paper too hard. The boy blinked at him.
“Hey, take it easy. It’s not like you’re trying to figure out what’s wrong with him or anything, you’re just going to meet him.” Jinki looked up to see the boy smiling reassuringly at him. Jinki forced the bile back in his throat and attempted to smile back.
“Despite your unorthodox methods of bringing me here…you’re actually quite nice…” The other boy snorted at this.
“Yeah yeah whatever. Can we go in now, or haven’t you finished blubbering?” Jinki shook his head and stared at the door determinedly. The boy raised his eyebrows before grasping the doorknob and turning the door open.
It was dark. Very dark. The blinds were shut, preventing any sunlight from coming into the room. Jinki squinted in the blackness and groped around for the light switch. His hand came across it and he quickly flipped the switch.
As soon as it was light, Jinki’s eyes were immediately drawn to the medical bed. Sitting on it was a boy-a very good looking boy, Jinki realized. Minho’s eyes were large and dark and black hair framed his small face. Even though he wasn’t standing up, Jinki could tell that the younger boy was very tall as his legs stretched out and almost hung off the bed. Jinki gulped when Minho turned his head to lock eyes with him.
His expression was empty.
“Sup Minho?” the other boy rang out cheerfully as he strode over to the bed. Minho nodded in acknowledgement but his eyes didn’t leave Jinki. “Oh him? He’s supposedly the new intern here-yeah I know he looks young, but apparently he’s older than me. Isn’t that totally whack or what?”
Jinki chuckled nervously under Minho’s smoldering gaze. This guy…seems to have a very quiet intensity to him. He seems like a very serious person… Jinki bowed his head politely.
“H-hello, my name is Lee Jinki. I’m hoping to get the internship here at Chungnam. It’s very nice to meet you Minho ssi.”
Minho didn’t react at all. He just continued to stare, with his empty dark eyes. Jinki felt something cold clawing at his stomach and suddenly an image of Minho covered in blood popped into his mind. He bit his lip and, again, resisted the urge to vomit right there.
The boy looked at Minho and Jinki with a bored expression, picking at his fingernails. “Well,” he said after a few seconds. “This is dull. Not that I expected much from you anyway, Minho. Ha.” He walked forward and grasped Jinki’s arm. Jinki started at the contact. The other boy grinned. “Time to go.”
Jinki gave Minho one last look before flipping the light switch off again.
“You’re really weird,” the boy commented. “You might be as weird as Minho. He really does look like an anime character doesn’t he? So good looking. Anyway, go look at the sixth page for the next person-“
Jinki was barely listening to the other boy, only nodding slightly at the appropriate times. He flipped to the sixth page, his mind spinning.
That boy has a cold heart.
“Hey snap out of it,” the boy stared at Jinki oddly. “Minho may be an alien, but he won’t suck your brains out of a straw or anything. Anyway, the next guy’s room is right here so read the damn paper already!”
Jinki blinked. “Oh…right.”
Name: Lee Taemin
DOB: 07/18/93
Diagnosis: Schizophrenic/Panic Disorder
Cause: Rape Victim/Psychological Trauma
Jinki dropped the papers on the floor.
Rape.
The word rung in his mind and he stared down at the papers blankly. The first one had seen his father’s dead body, this one had been raped.
How can young people like this go through such suffering?
He felt a hand smack the back of his head. The other boy was frowning at him again. “Hey, if you get shell shocked like this every time you meet a difficult patient, how are you ever going to expect to be a psychiatrist or whatever shit?”
His words pierced Jinki’s heart like an arrow. Mouth suddenly dry, he parted his lips in an attempt to say something but nothing came out.
He’s right, a small voice hissed in his head. How can you, stupid Lee Jinki, make anything of yourself if you flinch at the very mention of rape?
Jinki took a deep breath and opened the door himself this time. The other boy raised an eyebrow before following him into the room. “Taemin ah!” he called.
A slender girl with dyed reddish brown hair was sitting on the floor, jigsaw pieces splayed around her. She looked up and Jinki did a doubletake-this girl was actually a boy.
A very pretty boy.
He blushed in embarrassment at his mistake. The other boy caught his blush and grinned wickedly. “Oooh~ Does our little sunbae have a crush on Taemin ah? Could it be, love at first sight? Did his loveliness make your heart tremble?”
Jinki gaped at the other boy incredulously. “What - no - I - “ Jinki sputtered a bit more until a soft cough interrupted his rambling. He turned to see Taemin looking at him, head tilted in confusion.
“Um hello,” the boy crinkled his nose. “I see hyung, but who are you?”
Jinki mentally berated himself for such carelessness before bowing and saying the same introduction he had given Minho. Taemin nodded slowly, idly playing with the jigsaw pieces on the floor. “I see. It’s nice to meet you too.” He paused for a moment, cocking his head as if listening to something. The other boy sighed in exasperation and Jinki just watched in confusion.
“Saebyuk says it’s nice to meet you too,” Taemin added with a smile. Jinki blinked.
“Sae...byuk…?” He took a quick glance over the room again, but there was only the three of them. He tried to see if there were any stuffed animals in the room-there weren’t there either.
Then he quickly remembered the summary on the paper - schizophrenic.
“I see. It’s nice to meet Saebyuk too,” he added quickly, not wanting to offend the younger boy. Taemin beamed up at him while mystery boy gave him a baffled look that read “please do not encourage him.”
“Yeah. Saebyuk says you look nice. You don’t look like regular men. You look too stupid to try anything,” Taemin said cheerfully. Jinki blinked at him, not sure what he should say. The mystery boy started laughing, holding his sides as he shook.
“Oh god - Tae you really kill me sometimes.” Taemin frowned reproachfully at the other boy. He ignored it. “Come on, sunbae, we have time to get to one more person before-“ he quickly cut himself off but Jinki was already eyeballing him suspiciously.
“Before what?” he asked icily. The other boy shrugged and began to walk out of the room.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Come on slowpoke, time’s a-wasting! See you later Taemin.” Jinki couldn’t shake off the doubt he held in his heart, but he dubiously started to follow the other boy. He turned and offered Taemin a smile.
“It was nice seeing you Taemin ssi. Goodbye now.” Taemin smiled back.
“I hope you come back Jinki ssi! Saebyuk wants you to come too!”
“Ah,” Jinki said nervously. “Goodbye to Saebyuk too then.” He closed the door behind him.
Taemin’s expression fell. He looked down at the puzzle pieces and began to move them around with his index finger. “I really hope he comes back, Saebyuk,” he murmured to the empty room. “Maybe he’ll be able to keep Jinwoo out of here.”
Name: Kim Kibum
DOB: 08/23/91
Diagnosis: Bipolarity/Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Cause: Biological
The other boy was actually looking a bit nervous as they walked to 7C. “Hey, sunbae, I probably should warn you-the paper doesn’t really say how severe Kibum’s mood swings are. He’s worse than a pregnant lady. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was really a girl or something.”
“I-I’m sure it’s not that bad…” Jinki tried to stay optimistic. Bipolarity and OCD-he actually remembered learning these things. And it didn’t seem like this Kibum character had anything particularly traumatizing happen to him in the past, unlike the previous two. So far, he seemed like a normal enough patient. Well, normal enough for someone who was mentally disturbed.
Jinki approached 7C, turning back to smile at the other boy. “I’m sure it’s going to be just fi-“ As soon as Jinki opened the door, a shoe flew out and hit him square in the face.
“Ow!”
“Get the fuck out, you stupid bitch. Don’t come near me with those damn tranquilizers!” The shoe fell from Jinki’s face, clearing his vision and revealing a fuming young man in the doorframe, several nurses holding his arms back.
The other boy was quick to rush to Kibum’s side. “Yah Kibum-“
“Touch me and die,” the boy called Kibum hissed, his eyes narrowing dangerously. One of the nurses looked up at Jinki desperately.
“So you didn’t bring the tranquilizer?” Jinki stared at her in shock.
Tranquilizer…? But, even if he’s bipolar, they should just let him vent, not drug him!
Kibum shrugged the nurses off and tackled Jinki to the floor. He viciously began attacking Jinki’s white polo shirt, grabbing at the fabric and attempting to tear it. “You thought you could trick me with those shitty tranquilizers eh? Well guess what you bastard! I’ve got the upper hand now!”
Kibum was practically screaming in Jinki’s face but Jinki remained calm. He looked up at Kibum’s face, red in fury, and saw nothing but pain. Pained chocolate eyes screaming for help.
“I’ll help you.” It was a whisper but Kibum heard it. He froze and stared down at Jinki in surprise.
“What?” Kibum muttered but the nurses had grabbed his arms again and heaved him off of Jinki. Another nurse helped Jinki up, frantically hovering over him, asking if he was alright, if the crazy one had hurt him.
Jinki kept his gaze on Kibum as he said, “I’m fine.”
Kibum pushed the nurses away. “Oh, quit it. I’m done for today.” He eyed Jinki curiously. “So if you’re not the tranquilizer guy, who the hell are you?”
Jinki straightened and introduced himself again. Kibum raised an eyebrow-looking very much like mystery boy-and only responded with a “Huh,” before walking back into his room. The nurses gave Jinki odd looks before following Kibum inside.
An arm wrapped around Jinki’s shoulders. Jinki sighed as the other boy looked at him in mock admiration. “Wow sunbae. You handled that rather well. I guess bipolar freaks are your thing eh?” Jinki pushed the shorter boy’s arm off and rubbed his temples.
“I’m getting tired of hearing you talk…” he muttered. The other boy laughed at this.
“Kibum talks a hell of a lot more than I do.”
“God forbid.”
A musical laugh sounded in the hallway. Jinki turned around, first he saw an anxious Henry, then next to him a man with a ponytail and an amused expression on his face.
“Oh shit.” Jinki turned back to the other boy and saw that his face had considerably paled. He blinked.
“Hey are you alright-“
“Jinki ssi,” the man’s voice interrupted cheerfully. “If you would, I think it would be best if you read the ninth page in that packet you have there.” Jinki blinked again but did as the man said.
Name: Kim Jonghyun
DOB: 04/08/90
Diagnosis: Undecided
Cause: Suicide Attempt
He read it out loud and looked at the mystery boy in front of him. He was shifting on his feet nervously. Jinki stared some more.
“Hey.”
The other boy jumped in surprise at Jinki’s voice. “W-What?” Jinki’s stare intensified and the boy cringed a little.
“You…wouldn’t happen to know who this Jonghyun character is?”
Henry smacked his forehead with his palm and the man beside him let out a high pitched laugh. Normally, Jinki would be scared out of his wits at such a laugh, but he was too confused by the strange expression on the other boy’s face to think any of it.
The other boy grabbed Jinki’s shoulders and shook him. “You dumbass!” he shouted. “I am Jonghyun!”
Jinki blinked. His lips parted in an “O” shape.
Eh?!
“Y-You’re Jonghyun?” Jinki stuttered. Jonghyun sighed in exasperation before nodding. Jinki’s eyes widened. “B-But that means you’re a patient here…” which also means…
“Yeah,” Jonghyun said quietly in response to Jinki’s horrified look. “I tried to kill myself.”
Jinki bowed his head as he nervously tapped his fingers against the hardwood of the table. The man from earlier-the one with the crazy laugh- was Park Jungsu, the head of the entire ward. Jinki had practically fell over when he introduced himself. Now, he was in Jungsu office sitting across from him while Jungsu busied himself with some paperwork on his desk.
“Oh please be still Jinki ssi,” the man said pleasantly as Jinki began to tap his foot urgently. “I assure you, you are not in any sort of trouble.” Jinki flushed in embarrassment at getting caught and willed his leg not to move. Jungsu gave him a dimpled smile. “So,” he leaned forward, a friendly twinkle in his eye, “I suppose our Jonghyun kidnapping you is what prevented you from coming to the regular scheduled interview, hm?”
Jinki blushed again and nodded vigorously. “Oh, but please don’t get mad at Jonghyun ssi! Though it was his fault…I guess I was pretty hopeless…there was no way I could find my way back so I…” Jinki’s brain desperately wracked for some good excuse to give the head. There was no way he could let this opportunity slip away. Not after he’d met those boys.
Jungsu blinked in surprise at Jinki’s sudden determined look. The younger boy stood up and dropped to his knees. Jungsu’s mouth dropped open when Jinki bowed his head and said plaintively, “Please give me this job!”
“…” Jungsu was speechless. He’d never seen such an idiotic, endearing display in all his years of living. He opened his mouth to speak, but Jinki wasn’t finished yet.
“I’ll work hard, I promise! I know there are some areas in which I’m inadequate at-but I’m willing to learn from my mistakes! I’ll do anything, even get you coffee just-“
Let me help those boys.
“You’ve met the other three then?” Jinki blanched-he hadn’t realized that he’d spoken that thought aloud. Jungsu’s light tone had changed, he sounded more serious now as he mentioned the boys. Jinki raised his head and looked up at the older man. Jungsu sighed.
“Jinki ssi…with those four, it’s not only mental disabilities they’re struggling with. It’s problems with the heart too. Too be so young, and yet have such burdens on your weak shoulders-they’ve lived in a world entirely different from what you’re used to. This is not class, these people are not textbooks. Do you understand?”
Jinki rose and looked straight in Jungsu’s eyes earnestly. His answer was simple, “No I do not, sir.” Jungsu blinked, a bit taken aback. “I have no other experience in dealing with mentally disturbed patients. I have no other knowledge than what my textbooks and professors have told me. I cannot possibly hope to understand the pains and horrors these boys must have gone through. But…” Jinki’s voice began to shake.
“I want to fix their hearts.” Jinki thought of Minho’s empty stare, Taemin talking to the air, Kibum’s troubling eyes, and the pained expression Jonghyun had given him when he had discovered who he was. “I have to.”
Jungsu held out a form and gestured for Jinki to take it. Jinki stared at it. “Is this…”
“Your internship form.” Jungsu’s dimpled smile was back. “Consider yourself hired.”
Jinki felt the corners of his mouth turn into a wide sunny grin. He bowed his head respectfully. “Thank you sir! You won’t regret this, I promise you!” With that said, Jinki turned on his heel and dashed out of the room.
Jungsu laughed to himself, amused by the boy’s energy. His expression turned grim as he looked down at the boy’s profiles. Jonghyun, Taemin ah, Minho yah, Kibum… He rubbed his forehead tiredly.
“Can you really fix their hearts Jinki ssi?”
January ;
“Henry, I already told you that I start work tomorrow! I can’t possibly go clubbing today, I want to be fresh and bright-eyed for my first official day!” Henry rolled his eyes.
“You’re so eccentric Jinki ssi, I’m sure you’ll fit in fine. I mean, you’re missing a chance to dance with Jessica ssi.” Jinki ignored Henry’s suggestive tone and looked back at the letter he was sending back home.
“S-Shut up! We’re just friends, so it doesn’t matter anyway.” Jinki closed his eyes. It had been about a week since he’d been to the ward. He wasn’t sure if Jungsu ssi had told them that he had gotten the job, but he was excited to see them again. Excited, and a bit nervous. Okay, more than a bit. He was really nervous.
Jinki had felt something stir in his heart when he had met all of the boys but he wasn’t sure if the feeling was mutual.
“What if they hate me?” he whispered softly. Henry stared at his friend and walked over to him, rubbing his shoulders in comfort. Jinki sighed and leaned back to look at Henry. “Will they hate me?”
“Don’t be silly,” Henry chided lightly tapping his nose with his finger. “It’s kinda impossible to hate you Jinki ssi. Maybe, be ridiculously annoyed and or amused by, but never hate.” Jinki smiled at his friend.
“Henry ah, you’re so cute.”
“Oh, shut up.”
“Oooh you brought chocolates!” Jungsu squealed in delight as he came out of the building to greet Jinki. Jinki smiled and handed the older man the package to hold as he wrapped his scarf tighter around his neck. It was too cold. Jungsu noticed the younger one’s discomfort before laughing that crazy high pitched laugh of his and ushering Jinki inside.
As soon as they were inside, Jungsu handed a clipboard to Jinki. Jinki looked at it in confusion. Jungsu laughed again.
“You’re an intern now, Jinki yah,” Jungsu explained, affectionately leaving out the polite term in Jinki’s name, “there are other things you have to do besides…well what you want to do anyway.” Jinki blushed and softly apologized for his ignorance. This led Jungsu to squeeze Jinki’s cheeks, squealing about how cute he was.
“Sir…” the receptionist coughed and Jungsu immediately let go of Jinki.
“Right then! The ground floor has a little room that’s for the interns. It’s empty, so feel free to put your personal items there or whatever. You can also meet your fellow interns if you wish. I’ll try to remember to put in a coffee machine in there.” Jungsu scratched his head, trying to remember what else he had to tell the boy.
“Oh yes! Jinki, since I hired you on impulse without consulting the rest of the board, you won’t get to follow one of the clinic’s psychologists like the other interns are,” Jungsu’s face looked apologetic. “That’s why I fixed the schedule for you so you get to meet the other patients. I figure you’re more of a hands on kind of guy anyway, am I right?”
Jinki laughed at that. “Please don’t worry about that Jungsu ssi. I’m only grateful that you let me come here in the first place. I’m sure I’ll manage, and even if I don’t get the same experience as the other interns, they don’t get to experience what I will.”
Jungsu smiled at Jinki’s optimism. “You’re a good boy, Jinki yah. Now, get to work!”
Jinki scurried away to the intern room, holding the box of chocolates to his chest. He walked into the small room and was only slightly surprised to see a few other people in the room. One of them turned and acknowledged him with a nod, while the other two were too busy rummaging in their bags to notice him.
So there’s three here…which means there are two more somewhere else… Jinki thought to himself as he strode over to a corner in the room and put his bag on one of the chairs. And I am the odd one here, the sixth intern.
Jinki laughed softly to himself and he quickly flipped through the clipboard Jungsu had given him. It seemed to be written in Jungsu’s own handwriting, each page contained a list of patients and room numbers, and the numerous tasks Jinki should do for them.
The last page contained four names. Those four names were the most important to Jinki.
“Hey,” Jinki didn’t pay attention, as the person was probably not talking to him. “Hey!” A hand grabbed a startled Jinki’s shoulder and whirled him around. Jinki stared at the girl in front of him, her eyes flaring with anger. “You should answer when someone talks to you!”
Jinki winced. “I’m very sorry! I didn’t realize you were talking to me…” The girl rolled her eyes.
“Fine whatever. I just want to know, why do you have that clipboard? The rest of us didn’t get anything but our psychologist assignments so we were just wondering.” She gestured behind her and Jinki blinked when he realized that the other two boys were staring at the two of them.
“Oh.” This is awkward. “Well you see, I’m going to be working with the patients one-on-one. I won’t be following a psychologist like you guys.” The girl’s eyes widened.
“Ahhh you’re the bratty sixth intern.” Despite her harsh words, her eyes were twinkling with amusement. “I see. Well I didn’t think I’d get to meet you. Seeing as though the other interns are a bit peeved you didn’t have to sit through the torture that was the Executive Board of Chungnam.”
Jinki gulped when the boys’ stares turned into glares. The girl turned around and gave them her own fierce glare. “Anyways,” she continued turning back to Jinki. “Not that I really mind but. Just giving you a heads up. Beware.” She smiled and stuck out her hand. “Im Yoona. Second year, Hansung University.”
Jinki grabbed her hand and nodded dumbly. “Lee Jinki. Third year, Yonsei University.” Her eyebrows shot up as soon as he said “third year.”
“Third year? Really? Starting a bit late aren’t we?” she smiled when Jinki blushed. “Oh don’t worry about it. Everyone goes at their own pace you know?” she glanced down at her watch. “Well, it looks like the two of us should start work. I’ve got to go meet my new sonsengnim. See you around Jinki.”
She flounced out of the room, leaving Jinki alone with the two angry males. Nervousness began to bubble in the pit of his stomach. Suddenly, Jinki felt like a sheep alone with two hungry wolves. And these wolves were mad too.
Maybe I should apologize… Jinki looked warily at the hostile expressions on the boys’ faces. He blinked, before deciding to try to pull a fast one. “Oh my god!” he shouted pointing at a random direction.
Confused, the boys followed Jinki’s finger only to see nothing. They both blinked and turned to where Jinki was, only to find that the smiling boy had vanished. They groaned.
“I can’t believe we were fooled by an idiot like him.”
“I can’t believe they were fooled by me,” Jinki mused to himself as he got on the elevator. He checked the pamphlet and bit his lip. It wasn’t exactly a concrete schedule. Jinki just had to get all his tasks done by the end of the day. Piece of cake.
So it wouldn’t hurt to quickly visit the boys would it? Jinki stared at his reflection in the shiny metal of the elevator and shook his head. No, it wouldn’t hurt at all. He pressed “4” and waited as the elevator began to move, anticipation building in his stomach.
He almost tripped when he climbed out of the elevator but managed to keep his balance. Jinki looked down the hall and decided to start with the closest room-Minho-ssi’s. He briskly walked to 3C and knocked against the wood. Of course he wasn’t expecting Minho to respond, but he knocked out of politeness.
Jinki opened the door and flipped the light switch on. He blinked when he saw that Minho’s bed was empty. “Eh?” he muttered aloud, eyes searching the empty room. Minho was nowhere to be found. He quietly stepped out of the room and frowned. This was weird.
He looked into Taemin’s room and frowned when he saw that it was empty as well.
What…
He practically flew to Kibum’s room and didn’t bother being polite as he swung the door open, expecting Kibum to tackle him or something like that. Again, it was empty. Jinki growled in frustration.
“Where are they?”
“Sunbae?”
Jinki’s ears perked up at the familiar voice and he turned his head to see an incredulous Jonghyun standing at the end of the hallway, Taemin next to him. Taemin’s eyes widened and he let out a delighted “Jinki ssi!”
He ran over to Jinki excitedly and Jinki mentally prepared himself to be hugged or tackled by the smaller boy, but he was surprised when Taemin stopped right in front of Jinki and grinned. “Hug!” he called out. Jinki blinked and awkwardly put his arms out.
“Um…” Suddenly Taemin looked horrified and backed away from Jinki, arms crossing his chest in a protective manner. Jonghyun immediately rushed between him and pushed Jinki back. Jinki gave him a confused stare. Jonghyun sighed.
“He has issues with touching other people,” Jonghyun whispered quickly in Jinki’s ear. “He doesn’t even let the nurses touch him, and god help us the day a man touches him.”
Jinki listened to this troubled. He pulled away from Jonghyun to look at Taemin. He was standing a good two feet away from them, arms wrapped around his shoulders and whispering to himself. Jinki felt his heart go out to the boy.
“I’m sorry, Taemin ssi…” Jinki murmured quietly. He internally flailed-what was he supposed to do now? Jonghyun was looking at him expectantly and Taemin still hadn’t lifted his head up. Jinki tapped his fingers nervously against his chocolate box-oh.
“I brought chocolates,” he stated cheerfully. Teenagers liked chocolate, right? Right. Taemin looked up cautiously and stared at the box Jinki offered to him. A few moments passed, before a lopsided smile made its way on Taemin’s face. He took the chocolates from Jinki.
“Thank you. Saebyuk says these look safe,” Taemin commented lightly. Jonghyun and Jinki exchanged a look.
“Uh…huh. I hope Saebyuk enjoys them too.” Taemin giggled at Jinki’s words.
“Oh don’t be silly Jinki ssi, Saebyuk doesn’t eat chocolates!”
“Ah.” Jinki blinked. Taemin giggled again and began to skip merrily away. Jonghyun smacked his hand against the back of Jinki’s head. Jinki yelped and almost toppled over.
“You really came back huh?” Jinki looked up to see an unreadable expression in Jonghyun’s face. He bit his lip and nodded quickly. Jonghyun sighed. “What the hell do you want with us?” he muttered, more to himself than Jinki.
Jinki opened his mouth. What should he say? “To help you?” But Jinki couldn’t help but think that Jonghyun might find that condescending so he decided on not saying anything at all.
“Anyway,” Jonghyun started again. “We weren’t in our rooms together because every floor has a ‘relaxing room.’ And normally on Tuesdays we all get together and play videogames and hope Kibum doesn’t break anything.” Jinki nodded in understanding. Jonghyun offered him a half smile. “Minho always wins anyway. It’s kinda ironic.”
Jinki wasn’t sure if he should laugh or not at that so he settled for an awkward smile. Jonghyun looked at him again before he started walking in the direction Taemin went. Jinki watched his retreating back quietly. Jonghyun stopped and turned around to stare at Jinki oddly.
“Are you stupid or something? Come on, you’re going to get lost…” Jinki beamed at Jonghyun’s words before he waddled over to him.
“Okay!”
“Geez…” Jonghyun didn’t bother hiding his annoyance as he rolled his eyes. When they finally got to the end of the hallway Jonghyun pointed at the door which merely read “C.”
“Jungsu let us do whatever we wanted with this room so we just made it into a place for us to chill. We’re usually here if we’re not in our rooms since we don’t have much freedom to do anything else.”
Jinki was taken aback at Jonghyun’s slightly bitter tone. Well, he couldn’t really blame him, not really. Jungsu had told him of the situation-because of the severity of their disorders, the boys were confined to the ward; on house arrest so to speak. They weren’t allowed to leave the building because they were dubbed too unstable to function in society.
This was pretty messed up.
Jinki wanted to tell Jonghyun that he didn’t think he or the others were unstable or anything, but then he’d be lying.
They both froze when they heard the sound of sobbing. Jonghyun groaned and Jinki looked at him puzzled. “Is that…”
“Kibum,” Jonghyun confirmed and they quickly pushed open the door. Taemin was fluttering around anxiously around Kibum who was on the ground crying his heart out. Minho was standing on Kibum’s other side looking expressionless, just like the time Jinki had seen him before.
Before he knew what he was doing Jinki impulsively rushed towards Kibum and kneeled in front of him. Jonghyun made a startled sound and Taemin stared at Jinki confusedly. Minho’s expression didn’t change, but his eyebrow raised ever so slightly.
“A-Are you okay?” Kibum’s head hastily jerked up and confusion clouded his teary eyes.
“You’re…that guy from before…” Tears were still spilling down Kibum’s cheeks but his voice sounded surprisingly steady. Jinki nodded his head.
“Lee Jinki.” Kibum nodded back in recognition and hurriedly wiped his tears away. He frowned in annoyance when he saw that Jinki still looked worried.
“Quit making that face. I’m not a child.” The tears were long gone now and Kibum raised himself up to look down at Jinki. “So I’m guessing you got that internship. That’s funny. You don’t seem very capable.”
Jinki couldn’t help but gape in awe. So this was the power of bipolarity…Kibum’s frown didn’t leave his face. “Yah, I told you to stop making faces! Jeez, you’re just like a child aren’t you?” Jinki shrugged in response and Taemin let out a little giggle.
“Saebyuk likes him, hyung!” Kibum rolled his eyes.
“I’m sure she does, Taemin.” Minho’s mouth twitched in amusement. It was barely there, but Jinki managed to catch sight of it. He grinned widely at the tall boy. Minho remained silent. Jinki felt his grin disappear when he noticed that everyone was suddenly looking at him.
“Um…yes?” he asked the four expectant faces around him nervously. His palms were sweating and he wiped them hastily on his jeans. Kibum frowned again.
“Why are you here?” Jinki felt his mouth go dry. How was he supposed to tell them that he wanted to help them without downright offending them? Jinki might be a little naive, but he wasn’t stupid. He figured that other doctors had probably attempted to help these boys, but to no avail. How was he any different?
“Listen sunbae.” Apparently Jonghyun had decided to stick with the odd nickname. “We’ve been here for a while, me longer than these three. I know how the system works. The interns don’t just come up and get all buddy-buddy with the patients. They’re too scared out of their wits to do so. So again, why are you here?”
Jinki bit his lip before turning his head and meeting Jonghyun’s skeptical scowl defiantly. “Because I feel like it,” he announced simply. Taemin looked at Minho confusedly and the taller boy just shrugged.
“You can’t help us, you stupid idiot.” Kibum was glaring viciously at him now his voice turning raw with anger. “Do you feel sorry for us? Huh? Is that why you’re here? We’re not a fucking sob story-“
“I didn’t say that,” Jinki said calmly. Kibum’s upper lip curled up, feral, obviously not liking being interrupted.
“Listen you-” Minho took a step forward and grabbed Kibum around his middle pulling him against his own body. Kibum squawked in protest and struggled futilely in the mute boy’s strong arms. “Minho yah! What the hell are you doing? Let me go so I can kick this guy’s ass!”
“Saebyuk says that Kibum hyung is really like a girl,” Taemin chimed cheerfully. Kibum’s face turned a furious shade of red.
“Tell Saebyuk she can go fucking shove it-“ Minho calmly covered Kibum’s vulgar mouth with his hand pretending the other boy from screaming.
Jinki watched this exchange with a mixture of amusement and fear. He felt eyes burning holes in the back of his head and he turned to Jonghyun. His eyes were cold.
“You can never help us,” he hissed cruelly. Jinki’s eyes widened as Jonghyun’s words crashed harshly over him. Jinki tried to ignore the lump forming in his throat. His eyes began to sting but he clenches his fists tightly to will the tears away.
Kibum had stopped struggling and was staring at Jinki with a look identical to Jonghyun’s. Taemin’s eyes were wet with confusion and Minho had set his mouth in a firm line.
He looked up at Jonghyun, eyes shining in determination. “We’ll see about that.”
That night, Jinki lay in bed, arms and legs stretched out at awkward angles. He tried to fall asleep by listening to the sound of Henry’s even breathing but Jonghyun’s words kept echoing in Jinki’s head.
Do they really hate me? Jinki’s stomach churned at the thought and he turned on his side and brought his knees up to his chest. No, Taemin couldn’t possibly hate him; he had accepted Saebyuk hadn’t he? He couldn’t really tell with Minho-he wasn’t sure if he even hated anything, but then again he wasn’t sure if he loved anything either.
Then came the twins, as Jinki had dubbed Jonghyun and Key privately in his mind. Kibum was angry at him. That much was clear. He probably thought that Jinki coming to them was an insult to his pride or something retarded like that. He probably thought that Jinki’s intentions weren’t genuinely good.
But they were.
Jinki couldn’t help but frown when an image of Jonghyun flashed in his mind. He remembered the boy’s easygoing smile and how he’d eagerly pulled him to meet everyone before. Now he was acting like an ass and Jinki didn’t know why.
Really! That guy is so frustrating. I didn’t even do anything and he’s acting like such a meanie. Jinki pouted childishly and hid his head under the covers.
He would prove Jonghyun and Kibum wrong, he’d prove everyone wrong.
“Just you wait, my little donsaeng,” Jinki whispered silently. “I’ll fix your hearts.”
“…Jinki ssi, please shut up.”
“Sorry Henry ah.”
It was Jinki’s fifth day at Chungnam. It was a disappointment to say that so far he hadn’t made much progress with the boys. He knew that Taemin liked him and he often sat in the room with Taemin and listened to the younger boy blather on about Saebyuk and other random things that popped up in the teenager’s mind.
Minho was still unresponsive as ever, but Jinki managed to play a few video games with him in the C room. Of course, as Jonghyun had told him before, Minho always beat Jinki at whatever they played, especially if it was a sports game or something like that.
Speaking of Jonghyun, he and Kibum had formed an alliance, and did all that they could to make Jinki’s life miserable. They often stole away with the carts of food Jinki had to deliver to the other patients and hid his bag in the most random of places. Needless to say, it was tiring.
But Jinki never complained. And he knew that pissed those two off more than anything, which gave him just a bit of satisfaction.
He wheeled the cart into 8B and smiled at the pale girl in the bed. The girl smiled weakly in return. “Oppa,” she said quietly. “Good morning.”
“Morning, Sunmi yah,” he responded as he took out the tray and carefully placed Sunmi’s plate of eggs on top of it. The first time he had served Sunmi food, he ended up spilling it all over her shirt. The kind girl didn’t mind, but Jinki was determined never to do something like that again.
“How is your day so far?” Jinki asked politely. He blinked a bit when Sunmi stared at him with soft black eyes. “Erm, is something wrong?” Sunmi smiled.
“I heard from a little bird that you have a nice singing voice oppa.” Jinki choked. Who on earth would… “It was Yoona unni, just so you know,” Sunmi giggled delicately at Jinki’s embarrassed face. That would be the last time he ever went to noraebang with Yoona-she was a terrible singer anyhow.
“Well, I was just hoping if you would sing a little for me, please?” Sunmi’s eyes are wide and hopeful and Jinki doesn’t have the heart to refuse her. He stopped fiddling around with the plates and took a deep breath. Sunmi watched expectantly.
“It can't not be you,” Jinki sang softly trying to remember the lyrics. “I am so miserable that I realized this now. The pictures make it look like I am still your love,” Jinki blushed a bit when he saw Sunmi’s eyes sparkling in delight.
“The heat of your body and your face, I can still feel it deep inside my heart. Still, I have romantic in my heart. I want to go back.”
Jinki gave a small bow and Sunmi started clapping enthusiastically. “Oh wow! That was really great oppa! Your voice is so soft and soothing, I could just listen to it forever.” Sunmi sighed dreamily and Jinki’s blush intensified.
“T-Thank you Sunmi yah…”
Neither of them noticed Taemin standing in the doorway, eyes wide from what he had just heard.
“Jinki ssi can sing!” Taemin blurted out loud as soon as Jinki came inside the C room. Jinki’s eyes widened and he quickly turned on his heel in hopes on escaping, but Taemin had already grabbed hold of his shirt and was tugging him over to Minho.
“It’s really amazing Minho hyung! Jinki ssi has such a good voice! Saebyuk can’t believe that you sang to Sunmi ssi and not to us. Hmph.”
Minho looked up and raised his eyebrow at Jinki. Jinki made some sort of strangled noise in response.
“Oh really?” Jinki tensed up when he heard that voice. Kibum and Jonghyun were both sitting on the other side of the room, grim expressions on both of their faces. “So you can sing eh?” Kibum continued.
As soon as Jinki started to shake his head Taemin opened his big mouth. “Yeah! Jinki ssi sings really well. I’ve never heard Saebyuk sound so excited.” Jonghyun rolled his eyes.
“To hell with what Saebyuk says. Sunbae,” he pointed at Jinki. Jinki gulped. “sing.” Kibum nodded in agreement and Taemin was practically bouncing out of his shoes in excitement. Even Minho looked slightly interested, lowering the volume on his PSP to observe what was going on.
“I…” Jinki croaked out, sweat forming on his temple and running down his face. Since when did this room get so freaking hot? “I…”
“Sing.” The three of them said it at once and Minho nodded gently. Jinki gulped and closed his eyes, recalling the song that he had sung for Sunmi not too long ago.
He heard a sputter and he opened his eyes to see the twins gaping at him incredulously, Taemin looking immensely pleased with himself-and was Minho smiling?
The tall boy began to clap, the smile never leaving his face. Taemin enthusiastically joined in blabbing something about Saebyuk saying it was even better than before. Kibum and Jonghyun exchanged looks before they grudgingly joined in.
“Encore, encore!” Taemin cheered happily.
Jinki couldn’t help his own goofy smile from coming out and looking at the four boys in front of him, he has a feeling that he’s come a lot closer to opening up their hearts.
February;
“Sunbae, sing for us,” Jonghyun nudged Jinki’s back with his foot. Jinki looked up tiredly from his game of cards with Minho and stuck his tongue out.
“Not now. I’m too exhausted to do anything.” Jonghyun frowned at him but before he could say anything. Minho gave Jonghyun a slightly deadly look. Jonghyun deflated, muttering a defeated ‘fine,’ before walking back to Kibum.
Kibum looked around the room and frowned. “Where’s Taemin ah? It’s Tuesday, so he should be here…” Jonghyun shrugged before he made himself comfortable on the couch.
“Don’t be such a worrywart Kibum, I’m sure he’s just chilling in his room or something. Not a big deal.” Kibum’s bottom lip trembled as his eyes began to fill with tears. Jonghyun’s eyes widened and he groaned. “Oh jeez-don’t start crying!”
Jonghyun looked helplessly back at Minho and Jinki. Jinki eyed his cards thoughtfully before putting them down. “I’m going to go check on Taemin ah. Think you can handle it?” Minho nodded lightly and Jinki pushed himself off the floor, trying to ignore Kibum’s hysteric cries.
As he approached Taemin’s room, he could’ve sworn he heard the faint sound of hip hop music. Jinki blinked, wondering if he was going crazy. But the closer he got to Taemin’s room, the louder the music was. He blinked put his hear against the door. Yeah, the music was definitely coming from Taemin’s room.
Quietly, he opened the door a crack and peered into the room. He almost fell back in surprise at what he saw. In the middle of the room, bed pushed to the far side, was Taemin.
And Taemin was dancing.
Jinki wasn’t even sure if he could call this dancing though. The way the younger boy moved, it was almost magical, unearthly. His eyes followed the younger boy’s arms, hips, and legs as they swayed in beat to the music. Jinki didn’t realize it, but he was being slowly drawn it by Taemin’s hypnotic movements, leaning closer and closer until-
“Aish!” Jinki fell face-flat on the floor, arms twitching as he groaned. Taemin abruptly stopped dancing and gasped when he saw Jinki.
“Jinki ssi! What are you doing here? Are you okay?” Jinki let out another groan as he slowly stood up and rubbed his nose.
“That hurt,” he whined slightly. He straightened when he saw Taemin looking at him curiously. “Taemin ah! I had no idea you could dance like that!” Taemin’s eyes widened in horror.
“You mean you saw?” Taemin asked a bit dazedly sinking to the floor in slight shock. Jinki nodded vigorously, mistaking Taemin’s shock with embarrassment.
“You’re such a good dancer Taemin! The way you move your body and stuff-it’s amazing!” Jinki waved his arms about enthusiastically as he thought of more ways to praise the young boy. Taemin’s head shot up immediately at Jinki’s words and his eyes darkened.
“What?” he asked coldly. Jinki stopped in his movements and looked at Taemin anxiously.
“Taemin ah? What’s wron-“
“Say that again,” Taemin had suddenly got on all fours and was crawling towards Jinki dangerously. His eyes had gone completely black and when Jinki got a good look at those eyes, he was afraid. Very afraid.
Taemin reached up and grabbed Jinki by his shirt collar and pulled him down forcefully. Jinki’s eyes widened. “Taemin ah?” Taemin roughly kissed Jinki’s jaw.
“You like to see me dance huh? It turns you on huh?” Taemin’s voice became a whole octave lower, more seductive. Somehow, Taemin’s hand had found its way to Jinki’s leg and was currently rubbing circles on Jinki’s clothed thigh. Jinki let out a shocked gasp.
“What are you doing? Stop this, stop this right now!” Taemin’s black eyes stared at Jinki for a moment before they dilated back to normal. They were horrified. He immediately let go of Jinki and backed away from him as far as he possibly could.
“Oh my god, Jinki ssi. Oh my god-Jinwoo, stop it!” Taemin’s cry was harsh and pained. He banged his head on the floor and screamed. “Stop it!”
Jinki lay there, shell shocked for a moment, before quickly snapping back into reality. “Stop that Taemin!” He rushed over to where Taemin was slamming his head and grabbed Taemin’s shoulders and forced him to be still. “Stop-“
“Don’t touch me!” Taemin screeched and slapped Jinki as hard as he could. Jinki saw stars as he fell to the ground, coughing a little. He brought up a hand to touch his lip and saw that he was bleeding. He looked back at Taemin in horror, Taemin whose eyes were wild and pained, Taemin who was screaming his lungs out, Taemin who he couldn’t touch.
Jinki had never felt more helpless in his entire life.
“Saebyuk, hyung, someone, make Jinwoo go away,” Taemin sobbed sinking to the floor again and covering his face. “Go away.”
Jinki vaguely heard footsteps and a shout of “Sunbae!” There were a few shocked gasps and mutters. Jinki ignored them all and crawled over to where Taemin was, trying to look at his face. His hand met with something sticky and he looked down at the floor.
The spot where Taemin was banging his head was covered in blood.
Nausea rose in Jinki’s stomach, he couldn’t help himself. He gulped before vomiting all over Taemin’s blood. A sickening smell rose to his nostrils and he closed his eyes as arms began to wrap around him.
The last thing he heard was Taemin’s soft, “Go away.”
onew-centric; r; ~21600w
au; psychology major lee jinki gets the opportunity of a lifetime to work at a prestigious psychiatric clinic. it's there that he meets five curious boys with unusual stories. it's there that he makes a name for himself.
December;
It was common knowledge that Yonsei University was at its most chaotic during lunchtime as tired, hungry students desperately fled their classrooms. After hours of grueling lectures and intense book work, it was only natural that the hour lunch break was seen as a blessing. Thus, the hallways were filled with students pushing and rushing, eager to reach the cafeteria before all the hot food was taken.
But of course, there is always that one unfortunate soul that managed to trip over his own two feet and fall to the ground right in front of the stampeding students. Thus leading to the inevitable…
“Gwahh!” Lee Jinki cringed and automatically covered his head with his arms, hoping that this time around no one would step on him. Some students tripped over his crouching figure and swore-“Dammit Jinki ssi!” “Not again, Jinki ssi?”-but he just gulped and ignored his classmates’ complaints.
Two minutes later, Jinki found himself sprawled out awkwardly on the now empty hallway. His stomach grumbled. He groaned out loud, “Another attempt to get to cafeteria first…another attempt failed…” Wincing, he stretched himself upright and rubbed at a newly formed bruise on his arm.
“Another one, Jinki ssi?” a cheerful voice rang out from behind him. Startled, Jinki immediately jumped to his feet and turned around, only to see his long-time friend and roommate, Henry Lau. The man held his usual smile and Jinki offered a sheepish one in return.
“You really don’t have to call me Jinki ssi anymore, Henry-ah.” Henry walked over and helped Jinki pick up his fallen books. He smiled.
“Habit.” His eyes were twinkling mischievously, and Jinki wasn’t sure if he liked that. He took the books from his friend’s hands and backed away slightly, hands gripping the books tightly to his chest. Henry stepped towards him, the smile remaining constant on his face. “Hey Jinki ssi…” Jinki gulped, nervously awaiting what his friend had to say to him. Henry beamed at him.
“I’ve found a job for you!”
Name: Lee Jinki
DOB: 12/14/89
Occupation: Third-year uni student
Major: Psychology
Minor: Anthropology
Jinki’s eyes widened as he read the flyer for the umpteenth time. He gulped, trying to contain his excitement but eventually his feelings overcame his self-control and he erupted. Squealing in excitement, he tackled his amused roommate to the floor
“I can’t believe this Henry ah! You really found me one- A real internship! I-I’ve never been so happy I-“ Jinki continued to babble nonsense happily and Henry laughed again, patting his friend gently on the head.
“Don’t worry about it Jinki ssi. An old friend is the head of the clinic over there and I put in a bit of a good word for you.” Jinki immediately stood up and eyed Henry suspiciously. Henry giggled. “What?”
Jinki pointed accusingly at him. “What did you say about me?” he demanded, brows furrowed angrily. This just caused Henry to laugh even more, raising Jinki’s suspicions. “Yah! Did you say anything bad? Henry ah!”
Henry choked on his laughter. “I promise Jinki ssi, I didn’t say anything that would’ve damaged your reputation.” Jinki lowered his finger and eyed his roommate carefully.
“You didn’t mention how I tend to trip over nothing?”
“…well.”
Jinki groaned and fell back on his bed. Henry merely laughed at him. Jinki covered his face with his pillow. “How is that funny? If they think I’m an epic fail, I’ll never be accepted!” Jinki wailed. Henry patted his arm reassuringly.
“Don’t worry Jinki ssi. Jungsu hyung is not very harsh, so I’m sure you’ll be able to get it. It’s a relatively small clinic so I don’t think you’ll have much competition. The pamphlet says that there are five spots, right?” Jinki blindly groped for the booklet Henry had given him, his eyes still covered by the pillow. Henry sighed and grabbed the booklet.
“Yes five spots.”
“B-But…”
“Jinki ssi! This is unlike you. An attitude like this will never get you the job,” Henry scolded lightly. Jinki sighed and removed the pillow from his face and looked up at his frowning friend.
“Aish, you’re right Henry ah. It won’t do me any good if I get all depressed like this…” Jinki suddenly got up from the bed with a determined expression. “I will get it! I will definitely get that job! I will-“ Suddenly Jinki stepped on a pair of Henry’s spare boxers, and with a squeak, spiral dived to the floor.
Henry’s laughter could be heard throughout the dormitory.
Name: Henry Lau
DOB: 10/11/89
Occupation: Third year uni student/editor-in-chief of Yonsei Daily News
Major: English Studies
Minor: Journalism
“Chungnam Psychiatric Ward?” Jessica Jung raised a perfectly trimmed eyebrow. “I’ve heard of that. It opened a few years ago so it’s quite recent. And despite its size, it’s known to accept any type of patient despite their financial situation or background. A very cozy sort of place.” Jinki blushed brightly when he saw that his friend knew more about the place than he did. Jessica only gave Jinki a little smile and stirred a few spoons of sugar into her tea.
“Oh don’t worry Jinki ssi, I’m not going for that internship. I’m already quite busy in the medical center and I think I’ve decided that nursing is more my thing.” Jinki knew that Jessica was trying to reassure him-in her own blunt manner-but her words made him blush even more, in shame even.
He really couldn’t compare to her, this intelligent beauty who already knew what she wanted and where she was going. Jinki had been struggling with his own major and even though he was a third-year, he hadn’t even found a steady internship at a clinic. He really had no idea what he was doing-his good grades only came from countless sleepless nights, he didn’t even know why he had chosen psych as his major when he didn’t even have a career plan in mind. But he did know one thing.
He wanted to help people.
“Oh do you?” Jessica asked airily, her small smile widening slightly. Jinki’s mouth dropped opened and he sputtered for about a minute. Jessica laughed delicately behind her hand. “Oh Jinki ssi. You’re very amusing you know. It’s quite endearing.” Jinki blushed at that and stuffed a scone into his mouth in a rather ungraceful matter, causing another giggle to pop out of Jessica’s mouth.
Somehow, Jinki knew that if he ever did die, it would be from excessive blood rushing to his cheeks. Caused by pretty girls like Jessica Jung. Yes, it wasn’t that bad of a death if you really thought about it.
Jessica glanced down at her watch and frowned a bit. “I’ve got to meet someone right now…I’m sorry Jinki ssi, but maybe we could go over our papers on Wednesday?” Jinki dumbly nodded as Jessica began to collect her things. She smiled at him as she quietly stood up from her seat. “Well, I’m off.”
As Jinki watched her retreating back, she turned to him last minute and called out, “Good luck on your interview next week!” Jinki smiled and raised his arm up in a sort of wave.
“Aa. Thanks-“ Wait. Jinki’s entire body froze as Jessica’s words rang in his ears. Wait, wait wait.
“NEXT WEEK?!”
Nobody in the little coffee shop noticed the poor unconscious boy slumped across the little table, scone crumbs spilling from his mouth.
Name: Jung Sooyeon “Jessica”
DOB: 04/18/89
Occupation: Third year uni student/intern at Yonsei Medical Center
Major: Pharmaceutical Studies
Minor: Child Psychology
It’s not that far. In fact, it’s only about an hour and a half away from the university. Convenient, a perfect fit into his schedule really. This won’t be a problem at all. Not a problem at all.
“Jinki ssi, please unlock the car,” Henry said patiently from outside the car. Jinki pouted at him through the window and stubbornly shook his head. Henry sighed and rapped the window. Jinki winced and clutched the keys tighter in his fist. “Running away isn’t going to help anyone or anything. Now, are you going to be a man and come inside the clinic or what?”
No, Jinki’s inner voice squealed in fear and he anxiously wrung his hands. He felt a slight twinge of guilt at Henry’s disappointed face, but that guilt immediately changed into panic as he watched a pained expression suddenly come over his friend’s face. Henry fell to the floor and Jinki gasped. He quickly unlocked the door and stepped out the car worriedly.
“Henry ah!” His heart immediately sunk when he saw the smirk on Henry’s face.
Damn.
Jinki shifted nervously in front of the receptionist, trying to ignore Henry’s fingernails digging into the delicate skin of his wrist. The receptionist smiled up at him and he let out a breath. “H-Hello, I’m Lee Jinki and I’m here for the inter-“
“Oh my goodness, there you are!” Surprised, Henry and Jinki both turned their heads to their left to see a panting boy, about their age, standing in the front of the hallway. He looked up at them wildly, eyes wide with distress. He stomped over to where Henry and Jinki were standing and all of a sudden, grabbed Jinki’s other wrist. “Come with me!”
Henry had released Jinki’s other arm in a temporary lapse of surprise but he was brought out of his reverie when the receptionist anxiously shouted, “Wait please, sir!” Henry stared at the mysterious person dragging away his friend.
“Jinki ssi!” Jinki looked back at Henry with a hopelessly confused look. Henry cursed and started after the pair but stepped back in surprise when the door slammed shut in front of him. Mumbling in irritation, he fumbled with the doorknob but groaned when he found it locked.
“Jinki ssi!”
Jinki’s head spun as the strange boy continued to drag him down the hallway. They reached the elevator and the other-shorter, he noted to himself-boy shoved him. Jinki fell unceremoniously on his butt. He let out a yelp and looked up at his captor reproachfully.
The boy only smirked. “So you’re the new meat eh? That’s weird. I guess the docs are robbing babies out of the cradles now-you don’t look a day older than thirteen.” Jinki’s eyes widened at the insult.
“Excuse me? I happened to turn twenty a few weeks ago, you, you-“ While Jinki desperately fished about for a proper insult, the other boy started to choke in laughter.
“Twenty? You cannot be older than me-let me see your ID.” Jinki stared suspiciously at the boy-he couldn’t trust such a shady person with something as important as his identification! There was no way he would-
“Hey!” Jinki squeaked when the mystery boy suddenly tackled him to the floor and groped about in his pants. Jinki flailed his arms about in resistance. “What - are - you - doing?” His voice reached a unnatural pitch and he instinctively closed his eyes in fear.
A few seconds passed. Jinki carefully opened his eyes only to sputter in shock when he saw that the mystery boy had somehow obtained his wallet from his pocket, and was currently shifting through its contents.
“Y-Yah!”
“Hmm, found it.” The mystery boy pulled out Jinki’s identification card, ignoring his vehement protests. The boy raised his eyebrows as he read the information out loud. “Lee Jinki…born in ’89…so you really are older than me…”
Jinki stood up and quickly swiped his ID and wallet from the mystery boy’s hands. The boy blinked but he looked up at Jinki with a cheeky grin. “Nice to meet you sunbae,” he said mockingly. Jinki flushed in anger.
“Don’t call me that! And you can only say, ‘nice to meet you’, if you’ve introduced yourself in return, which you obviously haven’t done. Now, who the hell are you?” Jinki’s angry rant was cut off by the ‘ding!’ of the elevator. The other boy grinned.
“Time to go!” Jinki barely had time to register what was happening as the boy grabbed his wrist again and practically shoved him out of the elevator. Jinki stumbled a bit before turning around to the boy in anger.
“What was that f-“
“Wait here!” the boy interrupted and he quickly ran down the hall leaving Jinki alone in front of the elevator. He blinked.
What a ridiculously energetic guy…
He considered going back down the elevator and finding his way back to Henry but he quickly brushed that idea aside-knowing him, he’d probably get lost in the building and then he’d never get to his interview.
Shit. His interview.
The mystery boy blinked when he saw Jinki sitting cross-legged on the floor, staring at something in the far-off distance. “Yah…” he said nervously fiddling with the papers he had in his hands. “What are you doing?”
Slowly, Jinki’s head turned to face the boy, his expression blank. “My interview,” he deadpanned. “I’m going to miss my interview, I’m not going to get the internship, and all life as we know it will end.”
The boy laughed at this. “Oh, your interview? That’s what you’re so worked up about? Pfft, don’t worry about it. I’ve got your interview right here,” he waved the papers in Jinki’s face. Jinki blinked.
“What?” he asked intelligently as he took the papers from the boy’s hands. He flipped through them, eyes scanning the words quickly. “Are these…profiles?” The boy nodded enthusiastically.
“Basically in Chungnam, each floor represents a different type of crazy. The higher the floor, the bigger the crazy.” Jinki winced at the boy’s insensitivity, but the other one ignored him. “Anyway, Chungnam’s pretty small so we only have five floors. And guess what floor we’re on?”
The boy was teasing him. Jinki was sure of it. His stomach began to churn. “I don’t think I want to know…”
“Don’t worry, it’s only fourth,” the boy said offhandedly. “This floor specializes in the young crazy-the teenagers, the poor lost souls of the younger generation.” The boy paused and smiled at Jinki. “And you’re going to meet some of those young people right now.”
“Now?” Jinki squeaked in a very unmanly tone and he began to back away from the other boy. “I-I can’t! I haven’t met the head or anything. And it’d definitely be out of my place to go around and meet his patients without getting interviewed, I just can’t-“
Once again the boy completely disregarded Jinki and cut into his babbling. “Come on, follow me. Take a look at the third paper and you’ll see the facts on the guy that we’re going to meet.”
Jinki stuttered for a moment before sighing as he began to follow the boy. They walked down the hall until the other boy suddenly stopped in front of a room. Jinki stared at the room number, 3C. The other boy followed his stare and shrugged.
“We’ve got about twenty rooms in each floor if that’s what you’re wondering. But not all of them are filled up. Did you look at the paper yet?” Jinki sputtered before staring at the fact sheet.
Name: Choi Minho
DOB: 12/09/91
Diagnosis: Mute
Cause: Psychological Trauma
“He’s…mute?” Jinki gaped at the other boy who only nodded solemnly.
“Yeah, he’s been like that for about three years. Apparently they found him covered in his father’s blood at his old house. The old man apparently shot himself in the head. His mom and brother were dead too. No one really knows the details, but that day was the last time he ever spoke. But, you can read that for yourself.”
Jinki stared at the paper wordlessly and bile began to rise in his throat. His father’s blood? His entire family, dead? That’s…
“That’s terrible,” Jinki whispered hollowly. His knuckles began to turn white as a result from gripping the paper too hard. The boy blinked at him.
“Hey, take it easy. It’s not like you’re trying to figure out what’s wrong with him or anything, you’re just going to meet him.” Jinki looked up to see the boy smiling reassuringly at him. Jinki forced the bile back in his throat and attempted to smile back.
“Despite your unorthodox methods of bringing me here…you’re actually quite nice…” The other boy snorted at this.
“Yeah yeah whatever. Can we go in now, or haven’t you finished blubbering?” Jinki shook his head and stared at the door determinedly. The boy raised his eyebrows before grasping the doorknob and turning the door open.
It was dark. Very dark. The blinds were shut, preventing any sunlight from coming into the room. Jinki squinted in the blackness and groped around for the light switch. His hand came across it and he quickly flipped the switch.
As soon as it was light, Jinki’s eyes were immediately drawn to the medical bed. Sitting on it was a boy-a very good looking boy, Jinki realized. Minho’s eyes were large and dark and black hair framed his small face. Even though he wasn’t standing up, Jinki could tell that the younger boy was very tall as his legs stretched out and almost hung off the bed. Jinki gulped when Minho turned his head to lock eyes with him.
His expression was empty.
“Sup Minho?” the other boy rang out cheerfully as he strode over to the bed. Minho nodded in acknowledgement but his eyes didn’t leave Jinki. “Oh him? He’s supposedly the new intern here-yeah I know he looks young, but apparently he’s older than me. Isn’t that totally whack or what?”
Jinki chuckled nervously under Minho’s smoldering gaze. This guy…seems to have a very quiet intensity to him. He seems like a very serious person… Jinki bowed his head politely.
“H-hello, my name is Lee Jinki. I’m hoping to get the internship here at Chungnam. It’s very nice to meet you Minho ssi.”
Minho didn’t react at all. He just continued to stare, with his empty dark eyes. Jinki felt something cold clawing at his stomach and suddenly an image of Minho covered in blood popped into his mind. He bit his lip and, again, resisted the urge to vomit right there.
The boy looked at Minho and Jinki with a bored expression, picking at his fingernails. “Well,” he said after a few seconds. “This is dull. Not that I expected much from you anyway, Minho. Ha.” He walked forward and grasped Jinki’s arm. Jinki started at the contact. The other boy grinned. “Time to go.”
Jinki gave Minho one last look before flipping the light switch off again.
“You’re really weird,” the boy commented. “You might be as weird as Minho. He really does look like an anime character doesn’t he? So good looking. Anyway, go look at the sixth page for the next person-“
Jinki was barely listening to the other boy, only nodding slightly at the appropriate times. He flipped to the sixth page, his mind spinning.
That boy has a cold heart.
“Hey snap out of it,” the boy stared at Jinki oddly. “Minho may be an alien, but he won’t suck your brains out of a straw or anything. Anyway, the next guy’s room is right here so read the damn paper already!”
Jinki blinked. “Oh…right.”
Name: Lee Taemin
DOB: 07/18/93
Diagnosis: Schizophrenic/Panic Disorder
Cause: Rape Victim/Psychological Trauma
Jinki dropped the papers on the floor.
Rape.
The word rung in his mind and he stared down at the papers blankly. The first one had seen his father’s dead body, this one had been raped.
How can young people like this go through such suffering?
He felt a hand smack the back of his head. The other boy was frowning at him again. “Hey, if you get shell shocked like this every time you meet a difficult patient, how are you ever going to expect to be a psychiatrist or whatever shit?”
His words pierced Jinki’s heart like an arrow. Mouth suddenly dry, he parted his lips in an attempt to say something but nothing came out.
He’s right, a small voice hissed in his head. How can you, stupid Lee Jinki, make anything of yourself if you flinch at the very mention of rape?
Jinki took a deep breath and opened the door himself this time. The other boy raised an eyebrow before following him into the room. “Taemin ah!” he called.
A slender girl with dyed reddish brown hair was sitting on the floor, jigsaw pieces splayed around her. She looked up and Jinki did a doubletake-this girl was actually a boy.
A very pretty boy.
He blushed in embarrassment at his mistake. The other boy caught his blush and grinned wickedly. “Oooh~ Does our little sunbae have a crush on Taemin ah? Could it be, love at first sight? Did his loveliness make your heart tremble?”
Jinki gaped at the other boy incredulously. “What - no - I - “ Jinki sputtered a bit more until a soft cough interrupted his rambling. He turned to see Taemin looking at him, head tilted in confusion.
“Um hello,” the boy crinkled his nose. “I see hyung, but who are you?”
Jinki mentally berated himself for such carelessness before bowing and saying the same introduction he had given Minho. Taemin nodded slowly, idly playing with the jigsaw pieces on the floor. “I see. It’s nice to meet you too.” He paused for a moment, cocking his head as if listening to something. The other boy sighed in exasperation and Jinki just watched in confusion.
“Saebyuk says it’s nice to meet you too,” Taemin added with a smile. Jinki blinked.
“Sae...byuk…?” He took a quick glance over the room again, but there was only the three of them. He tried to see if there were any stuffed animals in the room-there weren’t there either.
Then he quickly remembered the summary on the paper - schizophrenic.
“I see. It’s nice to meet Saebyuk too,” he added quickly, not wanting to offend the younger boy. Taemin beamed up at him while mystery boy gave him a baffled look that read “please do not encourage him.”
“Yeah. Saebyuk says you look nice. You don’t look like regular men. You look too stupid to try anything,” Taemin said cheerfully. Jinki blinked at him, not sure what he should say. The mystery boy started laughing, holding his sides as he shook.
“Oh god - Tae you really kill me sometimes.” Taemin frowned reproachfully at the other boy. He ignored it. “Come on, sunbae, we have time to get to one more person before-“ he quickly cut himself off but Jinki was already eyeballing him suspiciously.
“Before what?” he asked icily. The other boy shrugged and began to walk out of the room.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Come on slowpoke, time’s a-wasting! See you later Taemin.” Jinki couldn’t shake off the doubt he held in his heart, but he dubiously started to follow the other boy. He turned and offered Taemin a smile.
“It was nice seeing you Taemin ssi. Goodbye now.” Taemin smiled back.
“I hope you come back Jinki ssi! Saebyuk wants you to come too!”
“Ah,” Jinki said nervously. “Goodbye to Saebyuk too then.” He closed the door behind him.
Taemin’s expression fell. He looked down at the puzzle pieces and began to move them around with his index finger. “I really hope he comes back, Saebyuk,” he murmured to the empty room. “Maybe he’ll be able to keep Jinwoo out of here.”
Name: Kim Kibum
DOB: 08/23/91
Diagnosis: Bipolarity/Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
Cause: Biological
The other boy was actually looking a bit nervous as they walked to 7C. “Hey, sunbae, I probably should warn you-the paper doesn’t really say how severe Kibum’s mood swings are. He’s worse than a pregnant lady. I wouldn’t be surprised if he was really a girl or something.”
“I-I’m sure it’s not that bad…” Jinki tried to stay optimistic. Bipolarity and OCD-he actually remembered learning these things. And it didn’t seem like this Kibum character had anything particularly traumatizing happen to him in the past, unlike the previous two. So far, he seemed like a normal enough patient. Well, normal enough for someone who was mentally disturbed.
Jinki approached 7C, turning back to smile at the other boy. “I’m sure it’s going to be just fi-“ As soon as Jinki opened the door, a shoe flew out and hit him square in the face.
“Ow!”
“Get the fuck out, you stupid bitch. Don’t come near me with those damn tranquilizers!” The shoe fell from Jinki’s face, clearing his vision and revealing a fuming young man in the doorframe, several nurses holding his arms back.
The other boy was quick to rush to Kibum’s side. “Yah Kibum-“
“Touch me and die,” the boy called Kibum hissed, his eyes narrowing dangerously. One of the nurses looked up at Jinki desperately.
“So you didn’t bring the tranquilizer?” Jinki stared at her in shock.
Tranquilizer…? But, even if he’s bipolar, they should just let him vent, not drug him!
Kibum shrugged the nurses off and tackled Jinki to the floor. He viciously began attacking Jinki’s white polo shirt, grabbing at the fabric and attempting to tear it. “You thought you could trick me with those shitty tranquilizers eh? Well guess what you bastard! I’ve got the upper hand now!”
Kibum was practically screaming in Jinki’s face but Jinki remained calm. He looked up at Kibum’s face, red in fury, and saw nothing but pain. Pained chocolate eyes screaming for help.
“I’ll help you.” It was a whisper but Kibum heard it. He froze and stared down at Jinki in surprise.
“What?” Kibum muttered but the nurses had grabbed his arms again and heaved him off of Jinki. Another nurse helped Jinki up, frantically hovering over him, asking if he was alright, if the crazy one had hurt him.
Jinki kept his gaze on Kibum as he said, “I’m fine.”
Kibum pushed the nurses away. “Oh, quit it. I’m done for today.” He eyed Jinki curiously. “So if you’re not the tranquilizer guy, who the hell are you?”
Jinki straightened and introduced himself again. Kibum raised an eyebrow-looking very much like mystery boy-and only responded with a “Huh,” before walking back into his room. The nurses gave Jinki odd looks before following Kibum inside.
An arm wrapped around Jinki’s shoulders. Jinki sighed as the other boy looked at him in mock admiration. “Wow sunbae. You handled that rather well. I guess bipolar freaks are your thing eh?” Jinki pushed the shorter boy’s arm off and rubbed his temples.
“I’m getting tired of hearing you talk…” he muttered. The other boy laughed at this.
“Kibum talks a hell of a lot more than I do.”
“God forbid.”
A musical laugh sounded in the hallway. Jinki turned around, first he saw an anxious Henry, then next to him a man with a ponytail and an amused expression on his face.
“Oh shit.” Jinki turned back to the other boy and saw that his face had considerably paled. He blinked.
“Hey are you alright-“
“Jinki ssi,” the man’s voice interrupted cheerfully. “If you would, I think it would be best if you read the ninth page in that packet you have there.” Jinki blinked again but did as the man said.
Name: Kim Jonghyun
DOB: 04/08/90
Diagnosis: Undecided
Cause: Suicide Attempt
He read it out loud and looked at the mystery boy in front of him. He was shifting on his feet nervously. Jinki stared some more.
“Hey.”
The other boy jumped in surprise at Jinki’s voice. “W-What?” Jinki’s stare intensified and the boy cringed a little.
“You…wouldn’t happen to know who this Jonghyun character is?”
Henry smacked his forehead with his palm and the man beside him let out a high pitched laugh. Normally, Jinki would be scared out of his wits at such a laugh, but he was too confused by the strange expression on the other boy’s face to think any of it.
The other boy grabbed Jinki’s shoulders and shook him. “You dumbass!” he shouted. “I am Jonghyun!”
Jinki blinked. His lips parted in an “O” shape.
Eh?!
“Y-You’re Jonghyun?” Jinki stuttered. Jonghyun sighed in exasperation before nodding. Jinki’s eyes widened. “B-But that means you’re a patient here…” which also means…
“Yeah,” Jonghyun said quietly in response to Jinki’s horrified look. “I tried to kill myself.”
Jinki bowed his head as he nervously tapped his fingers against the hardwood of the table. The man from earlier-the one with the crazy laugh- was Park Jungsu, the head of the entire ward. Jinki had practically fell over when he introduced himself. Now, he was in Jungsu office sitting across from him while Jungsu busied himself with some paperwork on his desk.
“Oh please be still Jinki ssi,” the man said pleasantly as Jinki began to tap his foot urgently. “I assure you, you are not in any sort of trouble.” Jinki flushed in embarrassment at getting caught and willed his leg not to move. Jungsu gave him a dimpled smile. “So,” he leaned forward, a friendly twinkle in his eye, “I suppose our Jonghyun kidnapping you is what prevented you from coming to the regular scheduled interview, hm?”
Jinki blushed again and nodded vigorously. “Oh, but please don’t get mad at Jonghyun ssi! Though it was his fault…I guess I was pretty hopeless…there was no way I could find my way back so I…” Jinki’s brain desperately wracked for some good excuse to give the head. There was no way he could let this opportunity slip away. Not after he’d met those boys.
Jungsu blinked in surprise at Jinki’s sudden determined look. The younger boy stood up and dropped to his knees. Jungsu’s mouth dropped open when Jinki bowed his head and said plaintively, “Please give me this job!”
“…” Jungsu was speechless. He’d never seen such an idiotic, endearing display in all his years of living. He opened his mouth to speak, but Jinki wasn’t finished yet.
“I’ll work hard, I promise! I know there are some areas in which I’m inadequate at-but I’m willing to learn from my mistakes! I’ll do anything, even get you coffee just-“
Let me help those boys.
“You’ve met the other three then?” Jinki blanched-he hadn’t realized that he’d spoken that thought aloud. Jungsu’s light tone had changed, he sounded more serious now as he mentioned the boys. Jinki raised his head and looked up at the older man. Jungsu sighed.
“Jinki ssi…with those four, it’s not only mental disabilities they’re struggling with. It’s problems with the heart too. Too be so young, and yet have such burdens on your weak shoulders-they’ve lived in a world entirely different from what you’re used to. This is not class, these people are not textbooks. Do you understand?”
Jinki rose and looked straight in Jungsu’s eyes earnestly. His answer was simple, “No I do not, sir.” Jungsu blinked, a bit taken aback. “I have no other experience in dealing with mentally disturbed patients. I have no other knowledge than what my textbooks and professors have told me. I cannot possibly hope to understand the pains and horrors these boys must have gone through. But…” Jinki’s voice began to shake.
“I want to fix their hearts.” Jinki thought of Minho’s empty stare, Taemin talking to the air, Kibum’s troubling eyes, and the pained expression Jonghyun had given him when he had discovered who he was. “I have to.”
Jungsu held out a form and gestured for Jinki to take it. Jinki stared at it. “Is this…”
“Your internship form.” Jungsu’s dimpled smile was back. “Consider yourself hired.”
Jinki felt the corners of his mouth turn into a wide sunny grin. He bowed his head respectfully. “Thank you sir! You won’t regret this, I promise you!” With that said, Jinki turned on his heel and dashed out of the room.
Jungsu laughed to himself, amused by the boy’s energy. His expression turned grim as he looked down at the boy’s profiles. Jonghyun, Taemin ah, Minho yah, Kibum… He rubbed his forehead tiredly.
“Can you really fix their hearts Jinki ssi?”
January ;
“Henry, I already told you that I start work tomorrow! I can’t possibly go clubbing today, I want to be fresh and bright-eyed for my first official day!” Henry rolled his eyes.
“You’re so eccentric Jinki ssi, I’m sure you’ll fit in fine. I mean, you’re missing a chance to dance with Jessica ssi.” Jinki ignored Henry’s suggestive tone and looked back at the letter he was sending back home.
“S-Shut up! We’re just friends, so it doesn’t matter anyway.” Jinki closed his eyes. It had been about a week since he’d been to the ward. He wasn’t sure if Jungsu ssi had told them that he had gotten the job, but he was excited to see them again. Excited, and a bit nervous. Okay, more than a bit. He was really nervous.
Jinki had felt something stir in his heart when he had met all of the boys but he wasn’t sure if the feeling was mutual.
“What if they hate me?” he whispered softly. Henry stared at his friend and walked over to him, rubbing his shoulders in comfort. Jinki sighed and leaned back to look at Henry. “Will they hate me?”
“Don’t be silly,” Henry chided lightly tapping his nose with his finger. “It’s kinda impossible to hate you Jinki ssi. Maybe, be ridiculously annoyed and or amused by, but never hate.” Jinki smiled at his friend.
“Henry ah, you’re so cute.”
“Oh, shut up.”
“Oooh you brought chocolates!” Jungsu squealed in delight as he came out of the building to greet Jinki. Jinki smiled and handed the older man the package to hold as he wrapped his scarf tighter around his neck. It was too cold. Jungsu noticed the younger one’s discomfort before laughing that crazy high pitched laugh of his and ushering Jinki inside.
As soon as they were inside, Jungsu handed a clipboard to Jinki. Jinki looked at it in confusion. Jungsu laughed again.
“You’re an intern now, Jinki yah,” Jungsu explained, affectionately leaving out the polite term in Jinki’s name, “there are other things you have to do besides…well what you want to do anyway.” Jinki blushed and softly apologized for his ignorance. This led Jungsu to squeeze Jinki’s cheeks, squealing about how cute he was.
“Sir…” the receptionist coughed and Jungsu immediately let go of Jinki.
“Right then! The ground floor has a little room that’s for the interns. It’s empty, so feel free to put your personal items there or whatever. You can also meet your fellow interns if you wish. I’ll try to remember to put in a coffee machine in there.” Jungsu scratched his head, trying to remember what else he had to tell the boy.
“Oh yes! Jinki, since I hired you on impulse without consulting the rest of the board, you won’t get to follow one of the clinic’s psychologists like the other interns are,” Jungsu’s face looked apologetic. “That’s why I fixed the schedule for you so you get to meet the other patients. I figure you’re more of a hands on kind of guy anyway, am I right?”
Jinki laughed at that. “Please don’t worry about that Jungsu ssi. I’m only grateful that you let me come here in the first place. I’m sure I’ll manage, and even if I don’t get the same experience as the other interns, they don’t get to experience what I will.”
Jungsu smiled at Jinki’s optimism. “You’re a good boy, Jinki yah. Now, get to work!”
Jinki scurried away to the intern room, holding the box of chocolates to his chest. He walked into the small room and was only slightly surprised to see a few other people in the room. One of them turned and acknowledged him with a nod, while the other two were too busy rummaging in their bags to notice him.
So there’s three here…which means there are two more somewhere else… Jinki thought to himself as he strode over to a corner in the room and put his bag on one of the chairs. And I am the odd one here, the sixth intern.
Jinki laughed softly to himself and he quickly flipped through the clipboard Jungsu had given him. It seemed to be written in Jungsu’s own handwriting, each page contained a list of patients and room numbers, and the numerous tasks Jinki should do for them.
The last page contained four names. Those four names were the most important to Jinki.
“Hey,” Jinki didn’t pay attention, as the person was probably not talking to him. “Hey!” A hand grabbed a startled Jinki’s shoulder and whirled him around. Jinki stared at the girl in front of him, her eyes flaring with anger. “You should answer when someone talks to you!”
Jinki winced. “I’m very sorry! I didn’t realize you were talking to me…” The girl rolled her eyes.
“Fine whatever. I just want to know, why do you have that clipboard? The rest of us didn’t get anything but our psychologist assignments so we were just wondering.” She gestured behind her and Jinki blinked when he realized that the other two boys were staring at the two of them.
“Oh.” This is awkward. “Well you see, I’m going to be working with the patients one-on-one. I won’t be following a psychologist like you guys.” The girl’s eyes widened.
“Ahhh you’re the bratty sixth intern.” Despite her harsh words, her eyes were twinkling with amusement. “I see. Well I didn’t think I’d get to meet you. Seeing as though the other interns are a bit peeved you didn’t have to sit through the torture that was the Executive Board of Chungnam.”
Jinki gulped when the boys’ stares turned into glares. The girl turned around and gave them her own fierce glare. “Anyways,” she continued turning back to Jinki. “Not that I really mind but. Just giving you a heads up. Beware.” She smiled and stuck out her hand. “Im Yoona. Second year, Hansung University.”
Jinki grabbed her hand and nodded dumbly. “Lee Jinki. Third year, Yonsei University.” Her eyebrows shot up as soon as he said “third year.”
“Third year? Really? Starting a bit late aren’t we?” she smiled when Jinki blushed. “Oh don’t worry about it. Everyone goes at their own pace you know?” she glanced down at her watch. “Well, it looks like the two of us should start work. I’ve got to go meet my new sonsengnim. See you around Jinki.”
She flounced out of the room, leaving Jinki alone with the two angry males. Nervousness began to bubble in the pit of his stomach. Suddenly, Jinki felt like a sheep alone with two hungry wolves. And these wolves were mad too.
Maybe I should apologize… Jinki looked warily at the hostile expressions on the boys’ faces. He blinked, before deciding to try to pull a fast one. “Oh my god!” he shouted pointing at a random direction.
Confused, the boys followed Jinki’s finger only to see nothing. They both blinked and turned to where Jinki was, only to find that the smiling boy had vanished. They groaned.
“I can’t believe we were fooled by an idiot like him.”
“I can’t believe they were fooled by me,” Jinki mused to himself as he got on the elevator. He checked the pamphlet and bit his lip. It wasn’t exactly a concrete schedule. Jinki just had to get all his tasks done by the end of the day. Piece of cake.
So it wouldn’t hurt to quickly visit the boys would it? Jinki stared at his reflection in the shiny metal of the elevator and shook his head. No, it wouldn’t hurt at all. He pressed “4” and waited as the elevator began to move, anticipation building in his stomach.
He almost tripped when he climbed out of the elevator but managed to keep his balance. Jinki looked down the hall and decided to start with the closest room-Minho-ssi’s. He briskly walked to 3C and knocked against the wood. Of course he wasn’t expecting Minho to respond, but he knocked out of politeness.
Jinki opened the door and flipped the light switch on. He blinked when he saw that Minho’s bed was empty. “Eh?” he muttered aloud, eyes searching the empty room. Minho was nowhere to be found. He quietly stepped out of the room and frowned. This was weird.
He looked into Taemin’s room and frowned when he saw that it was empty as well.
What…
He practically flew to Kibum’s room and didn’t bother being polite as he swung the door open, expecting Kibum to tackle him or something like that. Again, it was empty. Jinki growled in frustration.
“Where are they?”
“Sunbae?”
Jinki’s ears perked up at the familiar voice and he turned his head to see an incredulous Jonghyun standing at the end of the hallway, Taemin next to him. Taemin’s eyes widened and he let out a delighted “Jinki ssi!”
He ran over to Jinki excitedly and Jinki mentally prepared himself to be hugged or tackled by the smaller boy, but he was surprised when Taemin stopped right in front of Jinki and grinned. “Hug!” he called out. Jinki blinked and awkwardly put his arms out.
“Um…” Suddenly Taemin looked horrified and backed away from Jinki, arms crossing his chest in a protective manner. Jonghyun immediately rushed between him and pushed Jinki back. Jinki gave him a confused stare. Jonghyun sighed.
“He has issues with touching other people,” Jonghyun whispered quickly in Jinki’s ear. “He doesn’t even let the nurses touch him, and god help us the day a man touches him.”
Jinki listened to this troubled. He pulled away from Jonghyun to look at Taemin. He was standing a good two feet away from them, arms wrapped around his shoulders and whispering to himself. Jinki felt his heart go out to the boy.
“I’m sorry, Taemin ssi…” Jinki murmured quietly. He internally flailed-what was he supposed to do now? Jonghyun was looking at him expectantly and Taemin still hadn’t lifted his head up. Jinki tapped his fingers nervously against his chocolate box-oh.
“I brought chocolates,” he stated cheerfully. Teenagers liked chocolate, right? Right. Taemin looked up cautiously and stared at the box Jinki offered to him. A few moments passed, before a lopsided smile made its way on Taemin’s face. He took the chocolates from Jinki.
“Thank you. Saebyuk says these look safe,” Taemin commented lightly. Jonghyun and Jinki exchanged a look.
“Uh…huh. I hope Saebyuk enjoys them too.” Taemin giggled at Jinki’s words.
“Oh don’t be silly Jinki ssi, Saebyuk doesn’t eat chocolates!”
“Ah.” Jinki blinked. Taemin giggled again and began to skip merrily away. Jonghyun smacked his hand against the back of Jinki’s head. Jinki yelped and almost toppled over.
“You really came back huh?” Jinki looked up to see an unreadable expression in Jonghyun’s face. He bit his lip and nodded quickly. Jonghyun sighed. “What the hell do you want with us?” he muttered, more to himself than Jinki.
Jinki opened his mouth. What should he say? “To help you?” But Jinki couldn’t help but think that Jonghyun might find that condescending so he decided on not saying anything at all.
“Anyway,” Jonghyun started again. “We weren’t in our rooms together because every floor has a ‘relaxing room.’ And normally on Tuesdays we all get together and play videogames and hope Kibum doesn’t break anything.” Jinki nodded in understanding. Jonghyun offered him a half smile. “Minho always wins anyway. It’s kinda ironic.”
Jinki wasn’t sure if he should laugh or not at that so he settled for an awkward smile. Jonghyun looked at him again before he started walking in the direction Taemin went. Jinki watched his retreating back quietly. Jonghyun stopped and turned around to stare at Jinki oddly.
“Are you stupid or something? Come on, you’re going to get lost…” Jinki beamed at Jonghyun’s words before he waddled over to him.
“Okay!”
“Geez…” Jonghyun didn’t bother hiding his annoyance as he rolled his eyes. When they finally got to the end of the hallway Jonghyun pointed at the door which merely read “C.”
“Jungsu let us do whatever we wanted with this room so we just made it into a place for us to chill. We’re usually here if we’re not in our rooms since we don’t have much freedom to do anything else.”
Jinki was taken aback at Jonghyun’s slightly bitter tone. Well, he couldn’t really blame him, not really. Jungsu had told him of the situation-because of the severity of their disorders, the boys were confined to the ward; on house arrest so to speak. They weren’t allowed to leave the building because they were dubbed too unstable to function in society.
This was pretty messed up.
Jinki wanted to tell Jonghyun that he didn’t think he or the others were unstable or anything, but then he’d be lying.
They both froze when they heard the sound of sobbing. Jonghyun groaned and Jinki looked at him puzzled. “Is that…”
“Kibum,” Jonghyun confirmed and they quickly pushed open the door. Taemin was fluttering around anxiously around Kibum who was on the ground crying his heart out. Minho was standing on Kibum’s other side looking expressionless, just like the time Jinki had seen him before.
Before he knew what he was doing Jinki impulsively rushed towards Kibum and kneeled in front of him. Jonghyun made a startled sound and Taemin stared at Jinki confusedly. Minho’s expression didn’t change, but his eyebrow raised ever so slightly.
“A-Are you okay?” Kibum’s head hastily jerked up and confusion clouded his teary eyes.
“You’re…that guy from before…” Tears were still spilling down Kibum’s cheeks but his voice sounded surprisingly steady. Jinki nodded his head.
“Lee Jinki.” Kibum nodded back in recognition and hurriedly wiped his tears away. He frowned in annoyance when he saw that Jinki still looked worried.
“Quit making that face. I’m not a child.” The tears were long gone now and Kibum raised himself up to look down at Jinki. “So I’m guessing you got that internship. That’s funny. You don’t seem very capable.”
Jinki couldn’t help but gape in awe. So this was the power of bipolarity…Kibum’s frown didn’t leave his face. “Yah, I told you to stop making faces! Jeez, you’re just like a child aren’t you?” Jinki shrugged in response and Taemin let out a little giggle.
“Saebyuk likes him, hyung!” Kibum rolled his eyes.
“I’m sure she does, Taemin.” Minho’s mouth twitched in amusement. It was barely there, but Jinki managed to catch sight of it. He grinned widely at the tall boy. Minho remained silent. Jinki felt his grin disappear when he noticed that everyone was suddenly looking at him.
“Um…yes?” he asked the four expectant faces around him nervously. His palms were sweating and he wiped them hastily on his jeans. Kibum frowned again.
“Why are you here?” Jinki felt his mouth go dry. How was he supposed to tell them that he wanted to help them without downright offending them? Jinki might be a little naive, but he wasn’t stupid. He figured that other doctors had probably attempted to help these boys, but to no avail. How was he any different?
“Listen sunbae.” Apparently Jonghyun had decided to stick with the odd nickname. “We’ve been here for a while, me longer than these three. I know how the system works. The interns don’t just come up and get all buddy-buddy with the patients. They’re too scared out of their wits to do so. So again, why are you here?”
Jinki bit his lip before turning his head and meeting Jonghyun’s skeptical scowl defiantly. “Because I feel like it,” he announced simply. Taemin looked at Minho confusedly and the taller boy just shrugged.
“You can’t help us, you stupid idiot.” Kibum was glaring viciously at him now his voice turning raw with anger. “Do you feel sorry for us? Huh? Is that why you’re here? We’re not a fucking sob story-“
“I didn’t say that,” Jinki said calmly. Kibum’s upper lip curled up, feral, obviously not liking being interrupted.
“Listen you-” Minho took a step forward and grabbed Kibum around his middle pulling him against his own body. Kibum squawked in protest and struggled futilely in the mute boy’s strong arms. “Minho yah! What the hell are you doing? Let me go so I can kick this guy’s ass!”
“Saebyuk says that Kibum hyung is really like a girl,” Taemin chimed cheerfully. Kibum’s face turned a furious shade of red.
“Tell Saebyuk she can go fucking shove it-“ Minho calmly covered Kibum’s vulgar mouth with his hand pretending the other boy from screaming.
Jinki watched this exchange with a mixture of amusement and fear. He felt eyes burning holes in the back of his head and he turned to Jonghyun. His eyes were cold.
“You can never help us,” he hissed cruelly. Jinki’s eyes widened as Jonghyun’s words crashed harshly over him. Jinki tried to ignore the lump forming in his throat. His eyes began to sting but he clenches his fists tightly to will the tears away.
Kibum had stopped struggling and was staring at Jinki with a look identical to Jonghyun’s. Taemin’s eyes were wet with confusion and Minho had set his mouth in a firm line.
He looked up at Jonghyun, eyes shining in determination. “We’ll see about that.”
That night, Jinki lay in bed, arms and legs stretched out at awkward angles. He tried to fall asleep by listening to the sound of Henry’s even breathing but Jonghyun’s words kept echoing in Jinki’s head.
Do they really hate me? Jinki’s stomach churned at the thought and he turned on his side and brought his knees up to his chest. No, Taemin couldn’t possibly hate him; he had accepted Saebyuk hadn’t he? He couldn’t really tell with Minho-he wasn’t sure if he even hated anything, but then again he wasn’t sure if he loved anything either.
Then came the twins, as Jinki had dubbed Jonghyun and Key privately in his mind. Kibum was angry at him. That much was clear. He probably thought that Jinki coming to them was an insult to his pride or something retarded like that. He probably thought that Jinki’s intentions weren’t genuinely good.
But they were.
Jinki couldn’t help but frown when an image of Jonghyun flashed in his mind. He remembered the boy’s easygoing smile and how he’d eagerly pulled him to meet everyone before. Now he was acting like an ass and Jinki didn’t know why.
Really! That guy is so frustrating. I didn’t even do anything and he’s acting like such a meanie. Jinki pouted childishly and hid his head under the covers.
He would prove Jonghyun and Kibum wrong, he’d prove everyone wrong.
“Just you wait, my little donsaeng,” Jinki whispered silently. “I’ll fix your hearts.”
“…Jinki ssi, please shut up.”
“Sorry Henry ah.”
It was Jinki’s fifth day at Chungnam. It was a disappointment to say that so far he hadn’t made much progress with the boys. He knew that Taemin liked him and he often sat in the room with Taemin and listened to the younger boy blather on about Saebyuk and other random things that popped up in the teenager’s mind.
Minho was still unresponsive as ever, but Jinki managed to play a few video games with him in the C room. Of course, as Jonghyun had told him before, Minho always beat Jinki at whatever they played, especially if it was a sports game or something like that.
Speaking of Jonghyun, he and Kibum had formed an alliance, and did all that they could to make Jinki’s life miserable. They often stole away with the carts of food Jinki had to deliver to the other patients and hid his bag in the most random of places. Needless to say, it was tiring.
But Jinki never complained. And he knew that pissed those two off more than anything, which gave him just a bit of satisfaction.
He wheeled the cart into 8B and smiled at the pale girl in the bed. The girl smiled weakly in return. “Oppa,” she said quietly. “Good morning.”
“Morning, Sunmi yah,” he responded as he took out the tray and carefully placed Sunmi’s plate of eggs on top of it. The first time he had served Sunmi food, he ended up spilling it all over her shirt. The kind girl didn’t mind, but Jinki was determined never to do something like that again.
“How is your day so far?” Jinki asked politely. He blinked a bit when Sunmi stared at him with soft black eyes. “Erm, is something wrong?” Sunmi smiled.
“I heard from a little bird that you have a nice singing voice oppa.” Jinki choked. Who on earth would… “It was Yoona unni, just so you know,” Sunmi giggled delicately at Jinki’s embarrassed face. That would be the last time he ever went to noraebang with Yoona-she was a terrible singer anyhow.
“Well, I was just hoping if you would sing a little for me, please?” Sunmi’s eyes are wide and hopeful and Jinki doesn’t have the heart to refuse her. He stopped fiddling around with the plates and took a deep breath. Sunmi watched expectantly.
“It can't not be you,” Jinki sang softly trying to remember the lyrics. “I am so miserable that I realized this now. The pictures make it look like I am still your love,” Jinki blushed a bit when he saw Sunmi’s eyes sparkling in delight.
“The heat of your body and your face, I can still feel it deep inside my heart. Still, I have romantic in my heart. I want to go back.”
Jinki gave a small bow and Sunmi started clapping enthusiastically. “Oh wow! That was really great oppa! Your voice is so soft and soothing, I could just listen to it forever.” Sunmi sighed dreamily and Jinki’s blush intensified.
“T-Thank you Sunmi yah…”
Neither of them noticed Taemin standing in the doorway, eyes wide from what he had just heard.
“Jinki ssi can sing!” Taemin blurted out loud as soon as Jinki came inside the C room. Jinki’s eyes widened and he quickly turned on his heel in hopes on escaping, but Taemin had already grabbed hold of his shirt and was tugging him over to Minho.
“It’s really amazing Minho hyung! Jinki ssi has such a good voice! Saebyuk can’t believe that you sang to Sunmi ssi and not to us. Hmph.”
Minho looked up and raised his eyebrow at Jinki. Jinki made some sort of strangled noise in response.
“Oh really?” Jinki tensed up when he heard that voice. Kibum and Jonghyun were both sitting on the other side of the room, grim expressions on both of their faces. “So you can sing eh?” Kibum continued.
As soon as Jinki started to shake his head Taemin opened his big mouth. “Yeah! Jinki ssi sings really well. I’ve never heard Saebyuk sound so excited.” Jonghyun rolled his eyes.
“To hell with what Saebyuk says. Sunbae,” he pointed at Jinki. Jinki gulped. “sing.” Kibum nodded in agreement and Taemin was practically bouncing out of his shoes in excitement. Even Minho looked slightly interested, lowering the volume on his PSP to observe what was going on.
“I…” Jinki croaked out, sweat forming on his temple and running down his face. Since when did this room get so freaking hot? “I…”
“Sing.” The three of them said it at once and Minho nodded gently. Jinki gulped and closed his eyes, recalling the song that he had sung for Sunmi not too long ago.
He heard a sputter and he opened his eyes to see the twins gaping at him incredulously, Taemin looking immensely pleased with himself-and was Minho smiling?
The tall boy began to clap, the smile never leaving his face. Taemin enthusiastically joined in blabbing something about Saebyuk saying it was even better than before. Kibum and Jonghyun exchanged looks before they grudgingly joined in.
“Encore, encore!” Taemin cheered happily.
Jinki couldn’t help his own goofy smile from coming out and looking at the four boys in front of him, he has a feeling that he’s come a lot closer to opening up their hearts.
February;
“Sunbae, sing for us,” Jonghyun nudged Jinki’s back with his foot. Jinki looked up tiredly from his game of cards with Minho and stuck his tongue out.
“Not now. I’m too exhausted to do anything.” Jonghyun frowned at him but before he could say anything. Minho gave Jonghyun a slightly deadly look. Jonghyun deflated, muttering a defeated ‘fine,’ before walking back to Kibum.
Kibum looked around the room and frowned. “Where’s Taemin ah? It’s Tuesday, so he should be here…” Jonghyun shrugged before he made himself comfortable on the couch.
“Don’t be such a worrywart Kibum, I’m sure he’s just chilling in his room or something. Not a big deal.” Kibum’s bottom lip trembled as his eyes began to fill with tears. Jonghyun’s eyes widened and he groaned. “Oh jeez-don’t start crying!”
Jonghyun looked helplessly back at Minho and Jinki. Jinki eyed his cards thoughtfully before putting them down. “I’m going to go check on Taemin ah. Think you can handle it?” Minho nodded lightly and Jinki pushed himself off the floor, trying to ignore Kibum’s hysteric cries.
As he approached Taemin’s room, he could’ve sworn he heard the faint sound of hip hop music. Jinki blinked, wondering if he was going crazy. But the closer he got to Taemin’s room, the louder the music was. He blinked put his hear against the door. Yeah, the music was definitely coming from Taemin’s room.
Quietly, he opened the door a crack and peered into the room. He almost fell back in surprise at what he saw. In the middle of the room, bed pushed to the far side, was Taemin.
And Taemin was dancing.
Jinki wasn’t even sure if he could call this dancing though. The way the younger boy moved, it was almost magical, unearthly. His eyes followed the younger boy’s arms, hips, and legs as they swayed in beat to the music. Jinki didn’t realize it, but he was being slowly drawn it by Taemin’s hypnotic movements, leaning closer and closer until-
“Aish!” Jinki fell face-flat on the floor, arms twitching as he groaned. Taemin abruptly stopped dancing and gasped when he saw Jinki.
“Jinki ssi! What are you doing here? Are you okay?” Jinki let out another groan as he slowly stood up and rubbed his nose.
“That hurt,” he whined slightly. He straightened when he saw Taemin looking at him curiously. “Taemin ah! I had no idea you could dance like that!” Taemin’s eyes widened in horror.
“You mean you saw?” Taemin asked a bit dazedly sinking to the floor in slight shock. Jinki nodded vigorously, mistaking Taemin’s shock with embarrassment.
“You’re such a good dancer Taemin! The way you move your body and stuff-it’s amazing!” Jinki waved his arms about enthusiastically as he thought of more ways to praise the young boy. Taemin’s head shot up immediately at Jinki’s words and his eyes darkened.
“What?” he asked coldly. Jinki stopped in his movements and looked at Taemin anxiously.
“Taemin ah? What’s wron-“
“Say that again,” Taemin had suddenly got on all fours and was crawling towards Jinki dangerously. His eyes had gone completely black and when Jinki got a good look at those eyes, he was afraid. Very afraid.
Taemin reached up and grabbed Jinki by his shirt collar and pulled him down forcefully. Jinki’s eyes widened. “Taemin ah?” Taemin roughly kissed Jinki’s jaw.
“You like to see me dance huh? It turns you on huh?” Taemin’s voice became a whole octave lower, more seductive. Somehow, Taemin’s hand had found its way to Jinki’s leg and was currently rubbing circles on Jinki’s clothed thigh. Jinki let out a shocked gasp.
“What are you doing? Stop this, stop this right now!” Taemin’s black eyes stared at Jinki for a moment before they dilated back to normal. They were horrified. He immediately let go of Jinki and backed away from him as far as he possibly could.
“Oh my god, Jinki ssi. Oh my god-Jinwoo, stop it!” Taemin’s cry was harsh and pained. He banged his head on the floor and screamed. “Stop it!”
Jinki lay there, shell shocked for a moment, before quickly snapping back into reality. “Stop that Taemin!” He rushed over to where Taemin was slamming his head and grabbed Taemin’s shoulders and forced him to be still. “Stop-“
“Don’t touch me!” Taemin screeched and slapped Jinki as hard as he could. Jinki saw stars as he fell to the ground, coughing a little. He brought up a hand to touch his lip and saw that he was bleeding. He looked back at Taemin in horror, Taemin whose eyes were wild and pained, Taemin who was screaming his lungs out, Taemin who he couldn’t touch.
Jinki had never felt more helpless in his entire life.
“Saebyuk, hyung, someone, make Jinwoo go away,” Taemin sobbed sinking to the floor again and covering his face. “Go away.”
Jinki vaguely heard footsteps and a shout of “Sunbae!” There were a few shocked gasps and mutters. Jinki ignored them all and crawled over to where Taemin was, trying to look at his face. His hand met with something sticky and he looked down at the floor.
The spot where Taemin was banging his head was covered in blood.
Nausea rose in Jinki’s stomach, he couldn’t help himself. He gulped before vomiting all over Taemin’s blood. A sickening smell rose to his nostrils and he closed his eyes as arms began to wrap around him.
The last thing he heard was Taemin’s soft, “Go away.”