Work Text:
It started with someone saying the forbidden words during a night shift at the Trauma Centre.
“It’s a slow night.”
Jaewon froze before his cup of coffee even touched his lips.
Jangmi half stabbed the table with the pen she’s been playing with.
Dr. Baek looked up from the patient’s chart, still leaning against the counter but everyone could feel the wrath coming from him.
Including the new resident.
“Did I… say something wrong?”
No one answered him.
Jaewon put his glasses back on. Jangmi retied her hair. Dr. Baek placed the chart onto the counter table then gave the new resident a thumbs up.
And then as if on cue…
Their department phone rang.
The first case involved a motorcyclist who skidded while riding in the midst of the rainy night. Without any protection, his body took all the impact after hitting against the guardrails.
Thankfully, with Dr. Baek’s skills, the surgery was a success after 3 hours surgery.
However, before any of them could even take a breather, a nurse from the Emergency Department came running to them.
“Stabbing.” She managed to mutter out as she tried to catch for her breath. “Drunk.”
Dr. Baek, along with his No.1 and Gangster, ran out of the operating room.
They just took off their bloodied gown and would have to put on a new one again.
This time, they had it on for another two hours.
By the time they came out from the second surgery, the sun was already out. Jaewon and Jangmi both thought they could at least take a break now that the day shift people are coming back, they received bad news.
Two nurses and a resident from the day shift called in sick.
“Make sure they stay home. We don’t need anyone else catching the virus. Which means,” Dr. Baek kept his pen into his front pocket. “The rest of us works harder.”
Dr. Baek could see the despair in Jaewon’s and Jangmi’s eyes right after he said that. After all, these two were the ones who’s familiar with what he wanted and thus, the ones he needed to rely more when they’re so short on staff.
“Ten minutes.”
“What?”
“Ten minutes break.” He repeated. “Go eat, take a power nap, wash up, grab some coffee. Anything then we go back to work.”
The team dispersed right away but Dr. Baek stayed.
Jaewon and Jangmi came back before the ten minutes were up.
“Your break isn’t over.” Dr. Baek said without looking up from the chart he was reading.
“Neither is yours.” Jangmi argued back as she took out three sandwiches from the takeaway bag. Jaewon did the same the cups of hot coffee he’s holding.
Dr. Baek took a sip from his cup. Jaewon unsealed his sandwich. Jangmi was enjoying the current peace with a cup in her hand.
But the loud beeping from one of the ICU rooms destroyed that peace.
Just in time, the rest of their small team were back too.
And the sign outside the Operation Room lit up once again.
After the surgery ended, Park Gyeongwon noticed how Jaewon was moving slower than usual. Even Nurse Jangmi seemed less energetic.
The two of them slouched down on the chair behind the counter.
“Are you guys okay?”
“… After three surgeries since last night?” Jaewon didn’t continue and reached out for the sandwich he didn’t managed to eat a few hours ago.
“Dr. Baek…” Jangmi started, Jaewon and Gyeongwon turned to look at where she’s looking at — Dr. Baek checking on his patients. “He’s definitely a monster.”
“Oi No.1!” The said monster shouted.
Jaewon sprung up from his seat right away.
“Bring the ECG chart over!”
Jaewon once again put his sandwich down.
“I will eat this later.” He muttered, searching for the chart Dr. Baek wanted.
“Gangster!” The same voice shouted again. “Check that patient’s vitals.”
“Monster…” She mumbled to herself and walked away, leaving Gyeongwon alone.
He watched the three of them busied themselves in the Trauma Centre and then at the cooled coffee and unbitten sandwich on the table.
Captain Ahn called.
Jaewon used the hospital as his personal treadmill again.
Jangmi answered questions from worried families.
Paperworks are piling up.
Ambulance came in.
The sign outside of the Operation Room lit up once once once again.
By the time the three of them finally sat down again, it was early morning.
Just like yesterday.
“Do any of you remember who said that four words?” Jangmi broke the silence.
“I want to fcking kill that person.” Jaewon muttered, not realising he cursed which caught the full attention of the other two.
“I thought you don’t curse.” Jangmi stated plainly.
“Did I curse?”
“You did. Also, what day is it again?”
Dr. Baek watched with amusement at the interactions between the two in front of him. Their conversation made little to no sense but it’s entertaining. Feeling themselves being watched, Jaewon and Jangmi turned to look at him.
Seeing how Dr. Baek looked exactly the same, annoyed them somehow.
“How the hell do you still look so normal?” Jangmi asked, forgetting her manners in front of an attending doctor.
“Let’s get some food into your system.” Dr. Baek ignored her question and stood up. “So you guys can get to work soon.”
“We were on shift for almost 36 hours!”
And so, the three of them went out for breakfast, went back and took a shower and a quick nap, all these uninterrupted.
They went back to work feeling all refreshed.
A young nurse who just transferred from another department greeted them.
“It’s been a quiet day.”
The smile on Jaewon’s face dropped.
Jangmi bit back the curse that’s about to escape from her mouth.
Dr. Baek walked past them.
The resident who said a similar thing before froze too.
“Everyone has to learn it the hard way.”
And so, the phone rang for the first time that day.