Chapter Text
K.HJ
Twenty doctors and their colleagues had given up on patient 396. They claimed he was a "lost cause" which was a term Hongjoong and his team never believed in. Everyone could be helped if they had the right resources and care.
Flipping open the file on patient 396, Hongjoong was genuinely surprised by how little was written for someone doctors wanted to "kill". The patient was turned away many times, so doctors were just going to kill by lethal injection, but then Hongjoong got word of this case. He figured there would be more notes from the previous doctors for Hongjoong to study from, but he was let down by the single page that occupied the folder.
PATIENT NAME: Kang, Yeosang
PATIENT NUMBER: XXX396
AGE: 24
GENDER: Male
REASON FOR ADMITTANCE: N/A
NOTES: Monster
Monster?
Hongjoong had no idea what that was supposed to mean. Was he violent? Was he a psychological torturer? Was he the Boogeyman?
The consultation for the patient would happen today and Hongjoong would decide if his team and he would take on this patient or not. So far, Hongjoong wasn't deterred by the file. In fact, he was even more curious about this boy.
The heavy set of doors buzzed obnoxiously loud as they opened after Hongjoong scanned his key card. Two guards were stationed outside the door of the solitary place, moving aside as Hongjoong approached the patient's door. They had this fear in their eyes which didn't show on any other part of their body or expression. The one on the left had met Hongjoong's gaze, nodding as if wishing him good luck.
Swallowing hard, Hongjoong undid the lock on the outside of the door. He lifted the handle and pushed the door open. Not wasting a second, Hongjoong slipped in through the smallest crack of the door he could, closing the door behind him. He wasn't sure if the patient was prone to escaping so it was best to be quick about entering and exiting for now.
There wasn't much in the room besides a toilet and sink in one corner, a bed in the other, and a low table in the center. The lights were dim, giving the room an even smaller feeling.
The patient was on the floor at the table, his back to Hongjoong. If he noticed the older's presence, he didn't show it.
"Hello." Hongjoong greeted calmly, taking in the eerie atmosphere. "I'm Doctor Kim, but you can call me Hongjoong if you'd like."
The dark haired boy didn't say anything in response or move. Hongjoong wasn't sure if the boy was even breathing.
Walking further into the room, Hongjoong moved to sit in front of the boy on the other side of the table. "Can I get your name?" He asked, guessing he'd have to initiate the conversation.
The boy finally lifted his eyes from where they were glued to his hands as Hongjoong seated himself on the floor across from him. His gaze shifted from Hongjoong's face to the file and then back up.
The patient was rather handsome in Hongjoong's opinion. His hair was dark and longer than most kept it in the ward. His eyes were dark but his pupils seemed much larger than the average person, making him seem more innocent and naive than the rest of the patients Hongjoong had helped before.
"My name isn't in the file?" The boy's voice was deeper than he thought it would be, his tone snarky and quiet.
"I prefer proper introductions." Hongjoong replied, reaching up to massage his left shoulder as a heavy soreness set in. "Your file can only tell me so much."
The younger stayed quiet, his eyes watching Hongjoong's shoulder carefully. He let out a chuff, amusement tugging at the corner of his lips.
"You should just put me out of my misery now." The boy stated. "It would save both of us trouble. It's not like you'll be able to help me anyway."
"And how do you know?"
"Twenty plus doctors have come in and out of this room, promising me the same thing. You can see how that went."
"And what if I told you my team and I would be different?" Hongjoong asked, confident that this boy could be helped. So far, he had no idea why others were so afraid.
The younger smiled weakly. "I'd tell you that in a week, you'll change your mind."
"I don't believe in giving up on people." Hongjoong replied, rolling his shoulders back to try and get rid of the heavy tiredness he felt. "My team and I are confident we can help you."
The patient remained quiet for a few more seconds, his eyes looking back to Hongjoong's shoulder. "Something tells me you're not just trying to help me from the goodness from your heart. So why are you really here?"
Hongjoong could feel a chill run down his spine, the weight on his shoulders growing heavier. "Believe what you want, but I can promise you that I simply want to help you."
The other let out a sigh, seemingly disappointed by the answer. "Do what you want, but I have a request."
Hongjoong nodded for the other to continue.
"If you and your team decide I can't be helped or you all no longer want to be my doctors, then you'll give me the lethal injection."
"I can guarantee that won't happen, but I'll make sure your request is fulfilled." Hongjoong promised. "Now, if you could tell me your name, my team and I will be happy to be your new doctors."
The boy smiled a little bit brighter, though there was still doubt lingering. "My name is Yeosang."