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Dr. Kim Daeyoung twisted the silver band on his ring finger while reading a text from Riku about a student setting off the fire alarm during a chemistry demonstration. His lips curved into a smile.
"Sunbae, you're doing it again." Dr. Tokuno's voice carried across the nurses' station. "Smiling at paperwork."
"You've been married for over a year," Dr. Fujinaga said, leaning against the counter. "And you still haven't introduced us to your husband."
"Not even a photo?" Dr. Oh added.
"He must be really special," Dr. Hirose chimed in.
Daeyoung shook his head, gathering his charts. "The second you see him, you'll call him cute. Then I'll never hear the end of it."
The silence that followed was deafening. Then all four residents erupted into excited whispers.
"So he is cute," Dr. Tokuno said triumphantly.
Daeyoung walked away, still smiling. Some things were worth keeping close, not out of secrecy, but because they were precious.
Across Seoul, in a cramped teacher's lounge that smelled of instant coffee and dry-erase markers, Maeda Riku was losing his battle with exam papers. His students' handwriting ranged from barely legible to completely incomprehensible.
Earlier that afternoon, during the lab practical exam, three of his most persistent students had cornered him while performing their experimental procedures.
"Mr. Maeda, you never answered our questions about your ring," Park Charl said, sidling up to his desk while her titration solution heated on the burner.
Riku glanced up from his observation notes, keeping one eye on all the stations. "I'm proctoring an exam, Charl. Focus on your procedure."
"But sir," Choi Amani joined them, wiping her hands on a towel after recording her measurements. "How long have you been married? We've been asking for weeks."
"A little over a year," Riku admitted, checking his watch.
Kim Sam wandered over, goggles pushed up on his forehead, his data sheet in hand. "And you still won't show us a picture? That's just cruel, sir."
Riku felt himself weakening under their combined assault. These three were his brightest students and his most persistent. "If I show you one photo, will you three finish your practicals?"
The excited squeals made the other students look over curiously. Riku pulled out his phone quickly, scrolling to a photo from their Busan trip last spring. Daeyoung in a black shirt and jeans, leaning against a railing with the ocean behind him, that small smile on his face that was reserved just for Riku.
"Mr. Maeda!" Charl grabbed the edge of his desk. "He's so handsome! Is he a model?"
"He's a doctor," Riku said, his cheeks warming at their reactions. "Emergency medicine at Seoul Central Hospital."
"A doctor?" Sam's eyes went wide. "That's so cool!"
"Now back to your stations before your samples cool down."
"Mr. Maeda married a hot doctor," Charl whispered loudly to the others as they returned to their lab benches. "Where can I get one?"
"I heard that, Charl."
"But seriously, sir—"
"Stations. Now. Before you mess up your final results."
The bell rang moments later, and his students filed out after submitting their lab reports, still buzzing with excitement about their discovery. Riku stayed behind to clean up the lab equipment and ensure all the chemicals were properly stored, then returned to the teacher's lounge to tackle the mountain of written exams waiting for him.
Hours passed. The clock on the wall read seven-thirty, and the building had grown quiet except for the hum of fluorescent lights. Most of his colleagues had left long ago, but Riku was still grading, red pen in hand. His head was pounding with a low-grade headache that aspirin hadn't touched.
His phone buzzed. Drink water. - DY
Riku smiled softly, grabbing his water bottle. Daeyoung had started setting these reminders after catching him going entire days without proper meals during last year's exam season. Riku took a long drink, then returned to the papers.
When Riku reached for the next one, the room tilted violently. Riku grabbed the desk, knuckles white, waiting for it to pass. It didn't. Cold sweat broke out across his forehead, and his vision swam.
His phone buzzed again. Shift ended early. Want me to pick you up?
Riku's fingers fumbled twice before managing to type: Still at school. Teacher's lounge.
On my way.
Riku put his head down on the desk. The cool surface felt good against his flushed skin.
Daeyoung made it to the school in fifteen minutes, his heart rate climbing with every red light. Daeyoung found the building mostly dark, only a few windows still lit. Daeyoung took the stairs two at a time to the third floor.
Riku was slumped over his desk, surrounded by papers and empty coffee cups. In the harsh fluorescent light, Riku's face looked pale, almost gray.
"Jagi, how long have you been feeling like this?" Daeyoung pressed the back of his hand to Riku's forehead. Too warm. Definitely feverish.
Riku lifted his head slowly, blinking as if trying to focus. "Daengie. You got here fast."
"When did you last eat?" Daeyoung's voice was gentle, softer than the commanding tone he used in the ER.
Riku frowned, struggling to remember. "Lunch? Maybe. There was a sandwich involved."
Daeyoung bit back a curse, his jaw tightening. Daeyoung pulled out his phone, using the flashlight to check Riku's pupils. Equal and reactive, good. But Riku's color was terrible and there was a tremor in his hands. "When did the dizziness start?"
"Maybe an hour ago." Riku's voice was small, apologetic.
"Stand up for me, jagi."
Riku pushed himself upright. The moment Riku put weight on his legs, they buckled. Daeyoung caught Riku instantly, arm wrapping firmly around Riku's waist.
"Look at me." Daeyoung waited until Riku's unfocused gaze met his, then cupped Riku's face gently. "You can barely stand. Those papers aren't worth this. We're going to the hospital."
Riku's expression crumpled slightly. "Okay, hyung."
In the car, Riku leaned his head against the window, eyes closed. Riku's breathing was shallow. Daeyoung kept glancing over, one hand on the wheel, the other reaching across to hold Riku's hand.
"You're overreacting," Riku murmured, though there was no conviction in it.
"You're dizzy, feverish, and you nearly fainted." Daeyoung's thumb traced circles on Riku's knuckles, over the silver band that matched his own. "Let me take care of you. Just rest."
"Okay, hyung," Riku said softly.
Walking into Seoul Central Hospital's emergency department with Riku leaning heavily on him felt surreal. This was Daeyoung's workplace, his domain, where Daeyoung was always composed and in control.
Now Daeyoung's hands were unsteady as he guided Riku through the automatic doors.
"Dr. Kim?" Nurse Park looked up from her computer. Her eyes widened when she saw Riku, saw the way Daeyoung was supporting him. "Is everything alright?"
"I need a bed. Dizziness, mild fever, possible dehydration and hypotension." The words came out clipped, professional.
"Is this—"
"My husband. He needs help. Now."
Word spread fast. By the time Daeyoung had Riku settled on the bed in bay three, half the ER staff was finding excuses to walk past. Daeyoung ignored them, his world narrowed to Riku's pale face, Riku's shallow breathing.
Daeyoung pulled out the blood pressure cuff himself, wrapping it around Riku's arm with practiced efficiency. But Daeyoung's touch was gentler than usual, careful. 95/60. Too low. Temperature: 37.8°C. Low-grade fever. Heart rate: 98. Elevated.
"Dr. Kim?" Dr. Tokuno's voice came from behind the curtain, followed by the other residents. They stopped short when they saw Riku, then noticed something else. Daeyoung's entire demeanor had changed. The rigid posture had softened, his usually sharp voice gentle as he murmured something to Riku.
"Yes. This is Riku." Daeyoung's hand was still on Riku's arm, protective. "My residents will help, okay?"
Dr. Fujinaga, Dr. Oh, Dr. Hirose, and Dr. Tokuno shifted into professional mode. Dr. Fujinaga approached the bed while Dr. Oh began prepping an IV. Dr. Tokuno pulled out his tablet to order labs.
"Mr. Maeda, can you tell me about your symptoms?" Dr. Fujinaga's voice was soothing. "When did they start?"
Riku looked embarrassed, his gaze flicking to Daeyoung before answering. "I felt off this morning. Headache, dizziness. But I had exams to grade."
"Did you eat today?"
"Coffee for breakfast. I think there was a sandwich at lunch." Riku's voice was apologetic. He knew he messed up, knew Daeyoung would worry.
"What about water?" Dr. Oh asked while sliding the IV needle in smoothly.
Riku winced slightly. "I... probably should have had more."
"He does this every exam season." Frustration edged Daeyoung's voice before he caught himself, his expression softening as he brushed hair from Riku's forehead. "Gets so focused on his students he forgets to eat, don't you, jagi?"
Riku looked down, feeling guilty. "I'm sorry, hyung."
Dr. Hirose couldn't help but stare. Daeyoung, who barked orders during traumas and maintained icy professionalism during the worst emergencies, was speaking to Riku like he was something infinitely precious and fragile.
They worked efficiently with blood draw, urinalysis, and ECG. Daeyoung hovered, unable to stop himself from double-checking the IV flow rate, the monitor readings, every small detail.
"Sunbae." Dr. Fujinaga touched Daeyoung's arm gently, pulling him aside. "You need to let us handle this. You're too close to the patient."
"I found him collapsed over his desk." Daeyoung's voice cracked slightly. Daeyoung ran a hand through his hair. "He could barely walk."
"We'll figure it out. But you being stressed isn't helping him." Dr. Fujinaga nodded toward Riku, who was watching Daeyoung with concern despite being in the hospital bed. "He needs you calm."
Daeyoung took a shaky breath and returned to Riku's side, pulling up a chair to sit close. Daeyoung took Riku's hand in both of his.
Riku's thumb brushed over Daeyoung's knuckles. "The IV is helping. I can think more clearly now." Riku squeezed Daeyoung's fingers weakly. "I didn't mean to scare you, hyung."
"I know you didn't, my Iku. Just rest, okay?"
Blood work came back showing mild dehydration, low blood sugar, and slight electrolyte imbalance. Nothing dangerous, but enough to explain everything. The fever was likely stress-related.
"Classic burnout," Dr. Fujinaga explained gently. "Your body hit its limit and forced you to stop."
"Rest, fluids, actual food," Dr. Tokuno said. "And no grading for at least 24 hours."
"But—"
"Doctor's orders," all four residents said in unison.
They kept Riku for another hour, monitoring his response to the IV fluids. Daeyoung sat beside the bed the entire time, holding Riku's hand, watching color slowly return to Riku's face.
Dr. Fujinaga appeared with a tray from the cafeteria. "We figured you'd stay with him. Brought dinner for both of you."
After Dr. Fujinaga left, they ate together, Riku managing small bites while Daeyoung watched him carefully.
"About tomorrow's exams," Riku started.
"No, jagi." Daeyoung set down his fork. "You're taking tomorrow off, okay? I'll call the school myself if I have to."
"But—"
"You can't take care of your students if you don't take care of yourself first."
Riku was quiet for a long moment, knowing Daeyoung was right. Knowing he'd pushed himself too hard again. "You're right. I'll take tomorrow off, hyung." He used the honorific deliberately, the way he always did when he felt guilty and wanted Daeyoung to soften—and it always worked.
Daeyoung's expression melted immediately, just as Riku knew it would. "We'll take care of each other better from now on. Both of us."
When Dr. Tokuno signed off on the discharge papers, Daeyoung helped Riku stand from the bed. "And those exam papers are staying at school for at least 24 hours. You're not going anywhere near that teacher's lounge tomorrow."
"You're very bossy in doctor mode," Riku observed.
"And you're a terrible patient, Riku-chan." But Daeyoung's hand was gentle on Riku's shoulder. "Come on, jagi. Let's get you home."
At the exit, they encountered all four residents. Daeyoung paused, suddenly aware this was a moment. The first time Daeyoung was publicly acknowledging this part of his life at work. But looking at Riku, tired and leaning into his side, Daeyoung realized he didn't mind sharing this anymore.
"It was nice to meet you," Dr. Tokuno said warmly.
Riku bowed slightly, Daeyoung's hand steadying him at his back. "Thank you all for taking care of me."
"Would you both join us for dinner sometime?" Dr. Fujinaga asked. "When you're feeling better."
Daeyoung looked at Riku, who nodded tiredly.
"We'd like that."
In the car, Riku leaned back against the seat, eyes closed. Seoul's lights blurred past with neon signs, street lamps, and apartment buildings stacked against the night sky.
"It feels good," Riku said quietly. "Not hiding anymore. Well, we weren't really hiding. Just... being private."
Daeyoung reached over and took Riku's hand, threading their fingers together. "Yeah. I was being too possessive. But you're just so..." Daeyoung paused, squeezing Riku's hand. "You're mine. Our life together, our home, the way you hum while doing dishes, how you steal my shirts, the way you leave me little lunch notes. I wanted to keep all of that just for us."
"I know, Daengie. I felt the same way." Riku's thumb traced over Daeyoung's knuckles. "But maybe it's okay to let people in a little. To let them see how happy we are."
"Yeah. Maybe it is."
Riku dozed off somewhere around Gangnam. When they reached their apartment building in Seongsu-dong, Daeyoung helped Riku inside.
Their apartment was warm and lived-in. Riku's chemistry textbooks stacked on the coffee table next to Daeyoung's medical journals, a blanket draped over the couch from their movie night last weekend, photos of their Busan trip on the wall.
Daeyoung settled Riku on the couch and brought water and the electrolyte drinks. Riku drank obediently, his color looking better already.
"You know," Riku said, setting down the bottle, "my students had a lot to say about you today."
"Oh?"
Riku's cheeks colored. "Charl said you were hot. Very hot. She wanted to know where she could get one too."
Daeyoung's eyebrows raised, a smile tugging at his lips. "Did she now? And what do you think?"
Riku's blush deepened. "You're... alright."
"Just alright?" Daeyoung leaned closer, playful now that the crisis had passed.
"You're very cool. Is that better?"
"Much better, jagi." Daeyoung grinned, pressing a kiss to Riku's temple.
"They're going to have so many questions when I tell them my husband took me to the hospital. Charl will be insufferable about it."
"Let them have their fun." Daeyoung brushed his fingers through Riku's hair. "I'm tired of being so possessive. I want people to know about you. About us. About how lucky I am."
"Then we won't be so private anymore. We'll tell anyone who asks. We'll go to that dinner."
Daeyoung's smile turned softer. "Though I'm still keeping some things to myself. Like how you snore when you're really tired."
"I do not snore!"
"You absolutely do, jagi. It's adorable."
They kissed, soft and slow. When they pulled back, both were smiling.
That night, they fell asleep tangled together, Riku's head tucked under Daeyoung's chin.
When Daeyoung's alarm went off at five AM, Riku barely stirred, just mumbled "Love you, hyung" and burrowed closer. Daeyoung pressed a kiss to Riku's forehead and slipped out of bed carefully. Daeyoung left a note on the counter: Rest today too. I'll check in at lunch. Made you breakfast, just heat it up. Love you so much, my Iku. - DY
Daeyoung also left out Riku's vitamins and a water bottle, with another small note: Don't forget these! 💊
At the hospital, the teasing started immediately.
"Good morning, sunbae," Dr. Tokuno said with a knowing smile. "How's Mr. Maeda?"
"Better. Resting at home." Daeyoung couldn't quite suppress his own smile.
"We've never seen you like that before," Dr. Fujinaga said. "So... soft."
"He's everything to me," Daeyoung said simply. "I know I was being possessive, keeping our relationship so private. But it wasn't about hiding him. Our mornings together, the way he leaves notes in my lunch, how he steals my clothes, the way he hums while cooking. I wanted all of that to be just ours."
"It's actually really romantic," Dr. Fujinaga said softly.
"He said you were all very kind to him," Daeyoung added. "So thank you. Really."
"So about that dinner?" Dr. Tokuno ventured.
"We'd like that. Riku wants to meet you all properly."
The shift was busy, but during his lunch break, Daeyoung called home.
"How are you feeling, jagi?" Daeyoung asked.
"Good. I slept until ten, had your breakfast, it was delicious. Now I'm reading on the couch," Riku said, his voice stronger, energetic. "I found your notes. You're so cute, hyung."
"Just making sure you take care of yourself. Keep resting for me, okay?"
"I am. Though I'm bored."
"Boredom is healthy. It means your body has energy," Daeyoung said.
Riku laughed. "Is that a medical opinion?"
"Absolutely, Riku-chan."
"I miss you, Daengie," Riku said softly.
"I miss you too. I'll be home after my shift."
"I love you, Daeyoung."
"Love you too, Riku."
Daeyoung returned to work with a lightness in his step.
Their private world had opened up just a little, letting in people who cared. Looking around at his colleagues, people who had shown genuine care for Riku, who had witnessed the softer side of him Daeyoung had kept hidden, Daeyoung found he didn't mind.
Some things would always be just theirs: lazy Sunday mornings, whispered conversations in the dark, the way Riku's eyes lit up when Daeyoung came home. But sharing their happiness with others didn't diminish it. If anything, it made it sweeter.
Because at the end of every shift, Daeyoung got to go home to Riku. To their apartment, their shared life, their love, and that was everything.