Chapter 38

On the other side, Namjoon's days had settled into routine-morning rounds, consultations, and surgeries that often stretched late into the night. In two years of working as a cardiologist, he had earned respect for his precision and calm under pressure. Though he had begun with minor cases, he was now trusted with critical surgeries, slowly climbing to the place he had always dreamed of.

Still, some days felt unbearably long. He missed Jin-missed being welcomed with open arms and that warm smile. These days, it was often Namjoon waiting at home instead, and though he liked the sweetness of that role, his chest still tightened when the house felt too quiet.

Today, however, he didn't have time to dwell. His schedule was full, and the most pressing was a critical cardiac surgery-a *Bentall procedure*, replacing a diseased aortic root. It would be a difficult, hours-long case.

As Namjoon was reviewing the patient's charts in his cabin, his assistant nurse entered.

"Dr. Kim, today Dr. Jung will be assisting with anesthesia. Dr. Han isn't available."

Namjoon looked up, slightly surprised. "Dr. Jung?"

"Yes. Dr. Jung Hoseok."

Namjoon nodded. "Hmm, alright."

Moments later, the door opened and Hoseok walked in, his posture confident, his presence both bright and professional."Kim Namjoon-ssi?" he asked with a courteous bow. "I'm Jung Hoseok. I'll be the anesthesiologist for today's procedure."

Namjoon stood to shake his hand. "Thank you for joining. Please, sit."

Hoseok set a folder on the desk. "I reviewed the test results that were forwarded. Since this is a Bentall procedure, I've checked ECG, pulmonary function, coagulation profiles, and cross-matched blood. Everything is within safe range for induction."

Namjoon raised a brow, impressed. "You came prepared."

Hoseok smiled slightly. "I don't like surprises in the OT."

Soon after, they both entered the operating theater. The space was cold, sterile, and alive with a quiet hum-machines tested and ready, trays laid out with gleaming instruments, monitors glowing.

Hoseok, now scrubbed in, set about securing IV lines and adjusting the anesthetic machine. His voice was steady as he gave updates."Inducing now. IV fluids running. Patient intubated-ventilation adequate. Vitals stable. You can proceed, Dr. Kim."

Namjoon exhaled and made the first incision. His focus sharpened, but Hoseok's calm voice grounded him."Blood pressure 118/76. Heart rate steady. Oxygen saturation 99%."

Namjoon worked carefully, replacing the damaged aortic root, suturing with meticulous precision. Hoseok never wavered-every fluctuation in the monitors was corrected immediately. They worked in tandem without needing excess words, a rhythm forming naturally between surgeon and anesthesiologist.

Hours later, when the graft was secured and the heart stabilized, Namjoon finally stepped back, sweat beading at his temple despite the chill."Operation successful," he murmured.

"Patient stable," Hoseok confirmed, his tone professional but laced with quiet satisfaction.

After scrubbing out, Namjoon found Hoseok removing his gloves by the sink. "Thank you, Dr. Jung. Your vigilance made the whole procedure smoother."

Hoseok glanced at him, offering a small but genuine smile. "Good teamwork."

For a moment, they stood in silence. Then, almost casually, Hoseok spoke again."You must be tired. There's a café across from the hospital. Want to grab some coffee? It's my treat."

Namjoon blinked, a little surprised by the offer. Namjoon didn't seem the type to extend small talk, but something about Hoseok tone was easy, natural.

"Sure," Namjoon replied after a pause, even though he's not interested in other people now he felt like going.

They walked side by side out of the hospital, the air cool against their faces after hours under OT lights. The café was quiet at this time of day, the smell of roasted beans wrapping around them as they took a corner table.

Hoseok stirred his coffee slowly. "You were calm during the critical phase. Most surgeons tense up."

Namjoon chuckled softly. "You were steady with the vitals. That helped."

Hoseok's lips curved into a faint smile. "Guess we worked well together then."

And just like that, something shifted-a spark of understanding, the kind that came not from words but from shared pressure, shared silence, and trust in the same room.

Just then, Namjoon's phone buzzed on the table. He glanced at the screen-and instantly smiled. It was a message from Jin:

*Today I came home first. Hurry, I'm waiting.*

The warmth in his expression was impossible to miss. Hoseok leaned back, smirking knowingly.

"Ah, so that's the reason for the smile. Okay, I won't drag you any longer. Since we've finished our coffee, you should go. Your lover is waiting."

Namjoon's ears turned red as he tucked his phone away. "Its not that-"

Hoseok chuckled. "See you tomorrow, Dr. Kim."

As Namjoon left the café with lighter steps, Hoseok watched him go, he somehow felt a bond with Namjoon.

---

Jin had come home earlier than usual today, for the first time in weeks. His schedule with the boys had been packed-managing rehearsals, planning their upcoming showcase, and making sure each of them ate properly had kept him on his toes. But today, with practice ending a little earlier, he'd decided to rush home.

Ever since Jin started working again, Namjoon had insisted on buying him a car with his own money. At first, Jin had refused-"I can manage, Namjoon. I don't need you to buy me something so expensive." But Namjoon had been stubborn, telling him that it wasn't just about convenience, but safety too. "Hyung, if you're going to take care of everyone, someone needs to take care of you."

Now, every time Jin drove that car back home, he couldn't help but feel a little flutter in his chest. Not because of the car itself, but because it reminded him of Namjoon's quiet ways of supporting him, of putting him first.

The apartment felt strangely quiet without Namjoon, and Jin realized how used he had grown to Namjoon's presence filling every corner. He set his bag down and immediately padded into the kitchen.

*He'll be tired,* Jin thought as he tied on an apron. *A surgery day is always heavier on him. I should make something warm, something comforting.*

He cooked a simple but hearty meal-kimchi jjigae simmering gently on the stove, rice steaming, and small side dishes neatly laid out. He even cut some fruit, arranging it on a plate with the same care he showed in everything.

After tidying up, Jin sat on the couch with a blanket around him, scrolling through his phone for a moment before deciding to send Namjoon a text:

*Today I came home first. Hurry, I'm waiting.*

He smiled at the thought of Namjoon reading it, imagining that little crease in his cheek when he smiled. For a few moments, Jin just sat there, hugging a cushion, staring at the door like an impatient child.

He got up and walked to their bedroom, turning on the small lamp by the nightstand so the room felt warm and welcoming when Namjoon returned. He placed Namjoon's pajamas neatly folded at the edge of the bed, then stepped back, hands on his hips, satisfied with the sight.

"Perfect," Jin muttered to himself. "My Namjoonie deserves a soft place to land after a long day."

As the clock ticked past nine, Jin found himself standing by the window, looking out at the night lights. Every sound in the hallway made his heart skip, waiting for the moment the front door would finally open.

When his phone buzzed with a simple reply-*On my way home*-Jin's heart raced with excitement. He rushed back to the kitchen, reheating the stew so it would still be warm when Namjoon stepped through the door.

"Come quick," he whispered under his breath, lips curving into a fond smile. "Hyung is waiting."