Working-Class Mr. Ahn’s Unscheduled Visits to Dr. Yeon’s Clinic (3)

📍 Working-Class Mr. Ahn’s Unscheduled Visits to Dr. Yeon’s Clinic continues…

Excuse me, I’m not a dentist, ok?

1.

On days when Suho stayed home, the terrors weakened, as if out of respect for the presence of a guardian deity, though they stubbornly persisted. But with Suho around, when an attack came, Si-eun would awake to find himself in Suho’s arms. In summer this could be uncomfortably warm, but the nightmares chilled Si-eun from within, so he was always deeply grateful for the snuggle, and sweated out the remainder of his sleep with a light smile. 

That alone had made him want to quit night delivery work, but when he discussed it with Si-eun the next morning, the boy genius had dismissed the idea.

Day delivery work is more dangerous, it’d give me more nightmares if anything. Plus they’re just dreams. They can’t do a thing.

They can crush your soul, thought Suho. But he downplayed his own worries.

Awww, but I just want to hug my favorite bolster.

Don’t think I don’t know you are rubbing yourself on your favorite bolster.

You were awake? Why didn’t you say so? We could have eaten some ice-cream.

Oh, you bought some?

, Asked Si-eun brightly, hoping Suho had brought back some Melona from the neighborhood mart.

No, but we have popsicles full of fresh cream don’t we?

, replied Suho with a twinkle, staring below Si-eun’s waist.

Mine is sea-salt caramel, yours is vanilla.

… … yah… Ahn Suho…you…you must be the healthiest guy in this neighborhood, really.

That morning, they had dessert for breakfast. It also chased the boogeymen away.

---

2.

The nurses spoke a lot more carefully to Dr Yeon whenever Mr Ahn failed to saunter in, usually at some time between 1 and 2pm. They also made sure to take their coffee strong, because Mr Ahn’s absence meant an afternoon of soldierly alertness throughout the clinic. One file out of place, one delay too many and Dr Yeon would deliver The Glare. When he got into that mood, even the clicking of his pen felt menacing. 

So they all sighed with inward relief when, like the most welcome breeze, Mr Ahn blew in. He went to register his presence, smiled warmly at the trainee nurse who was on counter duty, made her insides fuzzy, and went to wait on a sofa of dark leather. How I’ll miss this if I went to Jeon Clinic. I think I’ll stay here a while longer, she thought dreamily.

After his patient number flashed on a small screen, he knocked gently and entered the large consultation room; the nurses gathered to discuss their latest observations.

“He’s so polite today.”

“Polite or not, doesn’t he just ooze charisma?”

“I bet he oozes a lot more than charisma in there.”

“Guess we’ll have to bleach the sheets again.”

Cackling erupted all around Yeon’s Coven.

---

Some of them thought back to the one (and only) time Mr Ahn had arrived in the evening, around when they were closing for the day. Dr Yeon had already emerged from his room to do a debriefing with the staff. In fact he was so stern, the staff half-expected he would snap at Mr Ahn. Instead, the dark clouds around Dr Yeon dissipated and he told the nurses he would clean up and close the clinic himself, a first. It was like witnessing a sunrise at night. ‘It’s been a hard day. Sorry if I was strict. I will see this last patient. You should all go back and rest,’ he had said in rather urgent, short phrases.

---

3.

Ah… you’re here again. What is it this time?

, Asked Dr Yeon tiredly.

Mr Ahn puffed out his cheeks and clutched the side of his face in mock pain.

I haf toof achy,

He mumbled, child-like.

Performed to perfection by a grown man with sinewed forearms, the aegyo got to Dr Yeon who summoned all his resources to suppress a smile. He tried frowning, but Mr Ahn could see the edges of his lips twitching upwards.

You just had a toothache last week. How many toothaches will you have?

As many as the teeth I have

, replied Mr Ahn, flashing his toothiest grin.

Aish your teeth are freakin’ perfect! thought Dr Yeon as he rolled his eyes. 

Excuse me, I’m not a dentist, ok?

Hmm you taste like you ate a lot of liver or something

, said Mr Ahn, wrinkling his nose.

I’m bleeding you idiot!

exclaimed Dr Yeon hotly as he went in search of the medicated mouth gel in his bathroom cabinet.

The sound panels, though more form than function, at least managed to blur out proper enunciation on most days. But Dr Yeon’s exclamation reverberated quite clearly throughout the whole clinic nonetheless, and sent the gaggle of medical staff huddled outside his door into a frenzy.

---

The cut on Dr Yeon’s lip started stinging as the events of last week played out in his mind. Across from him Mr Ahn sat like a happy seal, smiling through closed eyes with his mouth opened wide.

I’m not falling for the same trick twice.

said Dr Yeon, stone-faced.

To be honest, I need an extraction, Dr Yeon.

Quite abruptly, Mr Ahn had become serious. This alarmed Dr Yeon, who pursed his lips, tapped his fingers on the consultation desk for a while, and then sheepishly pulled out a small new dental kit from his first drawer, freshly acquired solely for one patient’s dental needs. Dr Yeon cleared his throat awkwardly and tried to pretend this was all part of his clinic’s setup. It was Mr Ahn’s turn to suppress a smile.

Don’t just grab my head okay? You have no idea how strong you are.

Dr Yeon warned.

Got it.

I mean it. I’ll be holding sharp tools all right?

Dr Yeon thought he saw mischief sparkling in Mr Ahn’s eyes. But that was Mr Ahn’s default setting, so Dr Yeon ignored his suspicions and started stretching starched white linen sheets over the synthetic leather cushions of the examination table and topped it with a plush Tempur head rest. He was still calculating the budget for a dental chair, but he had some space concerns and wasn’t sure if he could handle the questions the nurses were sure to ask. He didn’t want any of them to volunteer as dental assistants. 

After Mr Ahn had made himself comfortable, he remarked:

I swear other clinics don’t make their clinic beds so comfortable.

This is Yeon clinic, you don’t have to go elsewhere. And it’s called an ‘examination table’. Also, if you go to the clinic across the street, I’ll kill you.

What if I wanted to burn it down?

Then wait for me and we’ll do it together.

Dr Yeon Si-eun. You really are a psycho, you know that?

Si-eun ah, you ok?

Dr Yeon jerked back into composure. 

Yeah, I’m fine. Just relax and get ready for your teeth to be plucked out.

Dr Yeon snapped his rubber gloves with mock intimidation.

That’s more like him, thought Mr Ahn, though he wondered what Dr Yeon was hiding this time.

Dr Yeon yanked his mind into total focus. This kept the shadows at bay. He grabbed his new toys and went to work on his Dentistry 101 guinea pig. It was amazing how much one could learn from YouTube with proper (or improper) motivation, but without actual practice the tools felt awkward to hold and he was worried he could hurt Mr Ahn with the tartar pick for real. If it turned out Mr Ahn really needed serious work, like draining a gum abscess or worse, Dr Yeon was mentally prepared to refer him to the finest consultant specialist dentists in all of Seoul. He would close the clinic for the day and sit in the waiting room himself.

Currently, Dr Yeon methodically noted all his deficiencies as a wannabe dentist for future improvement; he wasn’t even quite sure how to position himself, and shifted around uncomfortably to get a better view of Mr Ahn’s mouth. His round eyes widened unblinking and his mouth hung open slightly.

Somewhere in the process of admiring the white pearls of Mr Ahn’s teeth, and realizing he had been deceived once again, Dr Yeon became aware of an intimate clutch. He looked down to see he had been delicately cupped by Mr Ahn’s right hand. He removed his tools from Mr Ahn’s mouth.

Took you forever to get into position,

said Mr Ahn, grinning.

That’s really distracting, you know?

Dr Yeon replied, waving a metal pick in Mr Ahn’s face.

I can tell from your firm response. Looks like you do like getting grabbed by the head.

Do you want your teeth examined or what?

I said I needed an extraction, not an examination.

And what does our honored client want to extract?

I want an extraction of caramel, salted like the sea.

Oh my god. Are you serious?

Dr Yeon asked incredulously, but already he was failing to stop himself from brightening.

Yes I am. Go vanilla go!

---

Hey. You know, I haven’t showered yet.

said Dr Yeon.

Oh, organic ice cream for me then.

That’s disgusting.

You’ll never be disgusting to hyung.

Somehow this cheesy line went straight to Dr Yeon’s heart.

Thanks, but I’m showering and so are you. Listen to your doctor.

said Dr Yeon, as he grabbed Mr Ahn’s hand. Mr Ahn put up no resistance and happily trotted to the bathroom.

---

4.

In their post-dessert bliss, they remained as a single entity snuggling under the soft running water.

Then Dr Yeon spoke: “Suho-ya.”

“Mmm?” He rarely calls me so tenderly, thought Mr Ahn as he nuzzled a smile into Dr Yeon’s shoulder from behind.

Why don’t you ever tell me when you are not coming to the clinic?

Oh? Doesn’t that make for a nicer surprise? thought Mr Ahn, oblivious to the deep fears his non-visits triggered in his bestie.

Of course I don’t. You make it sound like my illnesses are planned.

Yeah yeah whatever, King of Toof Achy. Anyway, I’m glad you came.

Oh I’m not done coming. Just give my boy five minutes to recharge.

Yah Ahn Suho… How is it you still have your teenage appetite?

Because you make me so hungry. But I must say you were pretty famished yourself. Though, you still haven’t found the correct angle to take it in one mouthful right?

They continued their embrace, unwilling to part. 

Then Mr Ahn spoke: “Why do you treat all my illnesses so seriously?”

Because… I…I’m so scared the day will come when you are not lying.

Really, he never lets me have the last word.

But Mr Ahn tried regardless:

Si-eun ah, I’m here. I’m here and I’ll always be here.

His back turned to Suho, Si-eun let the gratitude in his eyes brim over and mix with the warm waters of the shower, as a wave of the kindest déjà vu washed over him.

---

5.

Outside, the trainee nurse tapped her foot nervously as she struggled to remain smiley-faced at the growing string of angry, rich patients. Several of them had already let loose deliberately audible sighs at her direction.

Bloody dammit! Someone let those two know there is not enough waiting space on that sofa!

Mr Ahn’s toothache is chronic

---

Although he feigned exasperation with his most persistently ill patient, the truth was that Dr Yeon very much looked forward to Mr Ahn disrupting his routines. 

: When Dr Yeon was high school Si-eun or college Si-eun, he had that signature ‘blank’ stare, and if Suho said ‘let’s bike to the Han River’ he’d just go ‘okay… since Suho wants to…’ and trail after him without thinking… sigh… (puts hand to forehead) A man’s growth… now he’s a proper professional who even pretends to be annoyed, so cute that if Dr Yeon were right next to me I’d suck his cheeks

On days when he did not visit because of work demands, Dr Yeon felt the time crawl by. Such days were random, and he always feared Mr Ahn had been injured at work or at wherever he was gallivanting.

: If Mr Ahn became a tile and wallpaper specialist, there’d be less risk than construction work… but he’d still need ladders… still risky… That ‘incident’ that’ll follow Si-eun like a set piece every time he thinks of Suho until they eventually part (even in deluluverse, they won’t be together forever, right?)…

He remembered the ice-cold days of Suho’s coma. Days of numbness and sadness that stretched into weeks and then months.

: Speaking of numbness, Ji-hoon’s acting was brilliant – how did he mimic the dulled exterior from sleeping pill overdose…

Dr Yeon could endure medical school and military service, including a little-known stint in Iraq that had lasted for three years; even before that he already had the grit to weather the ruthless bullying of his high school days. 

: Reading this made me think about Si-eun’s weapon ‘starter pack’ evolution… pen… scissors… dumbbell… fire extinguisher… Even in Iraq, bullies probably approached that pretty face, thinking he was easy prey, but backed off seeing Si-eun’s gaze and whatever he was gripping

But if anything ever happened to Suho again, Dr Yeon knew he would fall apart. This was the one thing he could not bear. 

: Did this feeling deepen during those 6 years living together in Suho’s grandma’s old house? ‘Is it okay to be this happy?’ ‘Is it okay to be this joyful?’ Lying together on the creaky old floor with that ancient rattling fan, even while napping, Si-eun would suddenly wake up, look at sleeping Suho’s face and think, ‘If something happens to Suho again, I won’t be able to bear it’

The trauma of years ago had not been expunged, only buried with work and kept out of the waking world. But it lived on in Dr Yeon’s dreams. Whenever it visited in the silence of tired nights, he became Si-eun the high schooler again, the boy who gained the world and lost it. 

: Reading your delulu made me realise… these nightmares would be really sticky. Very vivid and sticky, becoming clearer over time. All ptsd is like this, I suppose.

During the six halcyon years living with Suho after Eunjang High, he sometimes woke up shivering with sharp breaths, damp with cold perspiration. He would then lurch to the desk, weak from the weight of bad dreams, and memorize anatomy notes as a way back to sleep while he waited for Suho to return from his delivery runs. 

When the old jade-painted metal gates creaked open rustily, Si-eun would open his half-closed eyes and shuffle to the entrance where Suho took his shoes off. He loved early autumn in particular, when his hair stood up from the static (that never failed to draw a smile from Suho). Suho’s windbreaker would be saturated with the crisp air of dawn. 

And Si-eun would hold him tight and breathe in the scents of September, of Seoul, and of Suho. It chased all the boogeymen away. 

: As I mentioned before, ‘scent’ is what refuses to let us go the longest… reminded again

On days when Suho stayed home, the terrors weakened, as if out of respect for the presence of a guardian deity, though they stubbornly persisted. 

: Why is his name even ‘Suho’? I love Director Yoo’s character interpretation that Suho moves only for Si-eun – in some ways, our delulu arc is less delulu than the original lol

But with Suho around, when an attack came, Si-eun would awake to find himself in Suho’s arms. 

: Externally, Suho lost many neurons from the head injury, but internally, Si-eun was more damaged – that makes my heart heavy. You could say one person’s pain was split between two

In summer this could be uncomfortably warm, but the nightmares chilled Si-eun from within, so he was always deeply grateful for the snuggle, and sweated out the remainder of his sleep with a light smile. 

: Reading your delulu makes me want to support my headcanon that Si-eun’s love-deprivation seems ‘healed’

“I’m here, I’m here. Si-eun-ah, I’m here,” he had whispered over and over until Si-eun’s breathing eased. 

: The fact that Suho knows about Si-eun’s sleep talking, that Si-eun still calls Beomseok’s name, all these sleep ‘habits’ of Si-eun – and Si-eun doesn’t know that Suho knows – destroys my heart…

“Day delivery work is more dangerous, it’d give me more nightmares if anything. Plus they’re just dreams. They can’t do a thing.” 

: I think even if Suho talked about Si-eun’s sleep habits, he wouldn’t mention the deepest details

That morning, they had dessert for breakfast. It also chased the boogeymen away. 

The nurses spoke a lot more carefully to Dr Yeon whenever Mr Ahn failed to saunter in, usually at some time between 1 and 2pm.

: Mr Ahn holds the nurses’ fate in his hands (laughing to tears)

They also made sure to take their coffee strong, because Mr Ahn’s absence meant an afternoon of soldierly alertness throughout the clinic. 

: When Mr Ahn doesn’t come, they’d exchange messages in their group KakaoTalk chat like ‘Dr Yeon’s mood today: cloudy’ The part about drinking strong coffee overlapped so much with my office life

One file out of place, one delay too many and Dr Yeon would deliver The Glare. When he got into that mood, even the clicking of his pen felt menacing. 

: Is this an homage to Si-eun’s pen ‘clicking’? I’m melting at your wit again

So they all sighed with inward relief when, like the most welcome breeze, Mr Ahn blew in.  

He went to register his presence, smiled warmly at the trainee nurse who was on counter duty, made her insides fuzzy, and went to wait on a sofa of dark leather. 

How I’ll miss this if I went to Jeon Clinic. I think I’ll stay here a while longer, she thought dreamily. 

: On another note… there’s a pharmacy I regularly visit for medication, and the pharmacist there is really… handsome. He recently quit, and apparently, all the clinics in the area know about his departure… his leaving… lol

“He’s so polite today.” “Polite or not, doesn’t he just ooze charisma?” “I bet he oozes a lot more than charisma in there.” “Guess we’ll have to bleach the sheets again.” 

: HAHAHAHAHAHA These cheeky nurses would probably think it’s fortunate that Mr Ahn has a ‘partner’ rather than a ‘pretty girlfriend’ since they can’t have him anyway

Cackling erupted all around Yeon’s Coven. 

: HAHAHAHAHAHA Honestly, at this point, shouldn’t the nurses be paying Dr Yeon a salary? Making them this entertained – no need for movie theaters

Some of them thought back to the one (and only) time Mr Ahn had arrived in the evening, around when they were closing for the day. Dr Yeon had already emerged from his room to do a debriefing with the staff. In fact he was so stern, the staff half-expected he would snap at Mr Ahn.

: Bet some clueless trainee nurse asked a question here HAHAHA ah so much wit overflowing, I’m happy

Early the next morning when a groggy Dr Yeon popped up unexpectedly from behind the registration counter, he badly frightened the first nurse to open the clinic doors, who had thought she heard a couple of large mice scurrying about. 

Some mouse! He apologized profusely of course, and tried strangely hard with large hand gestures to direct her attention to a nice breakfast (his treat, also a first), but it wasn’t enough to distract her senior nurse senses from noticing he smelled headily of boy and spice and yesterday; his shirt buttons were a mess, as was his hair; and there was a Mr Ahn-shaped shadow sneaking out the front door behind her. 

While Dr Yeon went to shower and change for his impromptu breakfast date, senior nurse Han promptly updated the Yeonnies chat group. 

: Hahahahahaha, the Yeonnies already had a KakaoTalk group chat name hahaha I think the nurses should pay Dr Yeon a salary – getting this kind of entertainment at work isn’t easy, right? It’s like a free lunch

“Ah… you’re here again. What is it this time?” asked Dr Yeon tiredly. Mr Ahn puffed out his cheeks and clutched the side of his face in mock pain. “I haf toof achy,” he mumbled, child-like. 

: If Baku or Gotak had done this, Si-eun would’ve immediately turned to his monitor

Performed to perfection by a grown man with sinewed forearms, the aegyo got to Dr Yeon who summoned all his resources to suppress a smile. 

He tried frowning, but Mr Ahn could see the edges of his lips twitching upwards. 

: Like watching early-thirties puppies returning to the early dating phase in real time… (suddenly want to date someone)

“You just had a toothache last week. How many toothaches will you have?” 

: Mr Ahn’s toothache is chronic. (bangs gavel)

“As many as the teeth I have,” replied Mr Ahn, flashing his toothiest grin. Aish, your teeth are freakin’ perfect! thought Dr Yeon as he rolled his eyes. 

: ‘Aish’ HAHA

“Excuse me, I’m not a dentist, ok?”

But when Dr Yeon got near enough to feel the warmth of his patient’s breath, without any warning Mr Ahn latched on to his neck and dragged him down for a very wet oral inspection of his own. Dr Yeon didn’t even have time to gasp. 

: Suho is totally strategic? (love it)

Unfortunately the ex-Byeoksan High boss didn’t know his own strength. Within seconds the tang of iron filled Dr Yeon’s mouth. He squirmed himself away from his loving assailant. 

: ‘his loving assailant’ – carving this into my heart with a knife

“Hmm you taste like you ate a lot of liver or something,” said Mr Ahn, wrinkling his nose. 

“I’m bleeding you idiot!” exclaimed Dr Yeon hotly as he went in search of the medicated mouth gel in his bathroom cabinet. 

: I was internally scolding, ‘Mr Ahn! You idiot! What were you doing while Dr Yeon went to get gel from the cabinet! You should’ve licked it for him!’ 

The sound panels, though more form than function, at least managed to blur out proper enunciation on most days. But Dr Yeon’s exclamation reverberated quite clearly throughout the whole clinic, nonetheless, and sent the gaggle of medical staff huddled outside his door into a frenzy.

: Hahahahaha

“Oh my god, he said he’s bleeding.” 

: These nurses think it’s bleeding from the bottom mouth, not the top mouth, right? They’re mistaken and excited? Crazy hahahaha

“All right, pay up girls. I always said Patient A is the ‘one’ and Dr Yeon’s the ‘zero.”

“Could it be that Mr Ahn is playing nurse with some thermometer and he doesn’t know how to use it?” “I’m sure he knows how to use it. It’s just his thermometer is too thick.” “I’m glad Dr Yeon didn’t carpet the floor.” 

: Hahahaha these cheeky nurses – when did they measure Mr Ahn’s thermometer thickness

— The cut on Dr Yeon’s lip started stinging as the events of last week played out in his mind. Across from him Mr Ahn sat like a happy seal, smiling through closed eyes with his mouth opened wide. 

“I’m not falling for the same trick twice.” said Dr Yeon, stone-faced. “To be honest, I need an extraction, Dr Yeon.” Quite abruptly, Mr Ahn had become serious. This alarmed Dr Yeon, who pursed his lips, tapped his fingers on the consultation desk for a while, and then sheepishly pulled out a small new dental kit from his first drawer, freshly acquired solely for one patient’s dental needs. Dr Yeon cleared his throat awkwardly and tried to pretend this was all part of his clinic’s setup. 

: Right. Everything in our arc appears like Harry Potter’s Room of Requirement when needed, but there’s no way a dental kit would appear in a family medicine clinic HAHAHA

It was Mr Ahn’s turn to suppress a smile. “Don’t just grab my head okay? You have no idea how strong you are.” Dr Yeon warned.

: When living together at Suho’s grandma’s house, it was probably mostly the right side grabbing the left side’s head hard…

“Got it.” “I mean it. I’ll be holding sharp tools all right?” 

: Even if he had tools sharper than sharp tools, unless the world splits in half, there’d be no use for them on Suho

Dr Yeon thought he saw mischief sparkling in Mr Ahn’s eyes. 

: Why are mischievous men attractive to the end? Of course, there’s the prerequisite of having Suho’s face.

But that was Mr Ahn’s default setting, so Dr Yeon ignored his suspicions and started stretching starched white linen sheets over the synthetic leather cushions of the examination table and topped it with a plush Tempur head rest. 

: fr, are you really an amateur writer? Though our mother tongues differ… You feel like a very seasoned writer, hmmmm…

He was still calculating the budget for a dental chair, but he had some space concerns and wasn’t sure if he could handle the questions the nurses were sure to ask. He didn’t want any of them to volunteer as dental assistants. 

: Seems like Dr Yeon’s reputation among the nurses is ‘hot/weak look but difficult personality’ HAHAHA

After Mr Ahn had made himself comfortable, he remarked: “I swear other clinics don’t make their clinic beds so comfortable.” 

“Dr Yeon Si-eun. You really are a psycho, you know that?” Dr Yeon wanted to respond with a witticism, but seeing Mr Ahn on the makeshift bed and hearing that last line suddenly brought back memories of a particular dream.

Of the many that haunted him at night, this was the oldest and by far the warmest one, but it was no less painful. With his big-brotherly embraces, Suho always tried to ward away Si-eun’s sleep demons, even back when they lived together as boys barely into adulthood. But then and now, Si-eun refused to say anything about his dreams. He was not a superstitious person, but he was deeply afraid they would manifest into reality if he talked about them.

: And he wouldn’t have the confidence to face Suho, hearing the specific details of his dreams. When Suho was being beaten defenceless, Suho had already lost consciousness – Si-eun was the one who saw all that like recorded footage…

He would do anything to keep Suho safe. Even if it meant believing in nightmares and boogeymen. Or buying a dental chair. Mr Ahn sensed Dr Yeon had retreated into himself, a sign that an old wound had opened. 

: So great… even in the actual show they don’t talk much but understand situations just by looking at each other’s faces…

If it turned out Mr Ahn really needed serious work, like draining a gum abscess or worse, Dr Yeon was mentally prepared to refer him to the finest consultant specialist dentists in all of Seoul. He would close the clinic for the day and sit in the waiting room himself. 

He’s so cute: he looks just like when he tried playing video games for the first time at my birthday party, thought Mr Ahn wistfully.

: I was already overlapping that scene!

He looked down to see he had been delicately cupped by Mr Ahn’s right hand. He removed his tools from Mr Ahn’s mouth.

: Dr Yeon bought a dental kit for Ahn Suho, was prepared to close the clinic and take him to the best dentist if there were gum problems, but all Mr Ahn was thinking about was how to ‘position’ his right hand on Si-eun. So cute

“I can tell from your firm response. Looks like you do like getting grabbed by the head.” 

: At this point, Dr Yeon should already be biting his lips tight 

“Do you want your teeth examined or what?” “I said I needed an extraction, not an examination.” “And what does our honored client want to extract?” “I want an extraction of caramel, salted like the sea.”

Dr Yeon’s ears turned pink and a small chuckle, rare as unicorns, sang out from his lips as he fondly recalled words from his late teenhood. 

: Look, I knew it was ‘memory summoning’

Suho’s improvised mantras didn’t dispel desire—they did the exact opposite—but they banished all of Si-eun’s heavy thoughts from their sunny presence. 

: When Suho was on a ventilator for almost 2 years, wasn’t the face Si-eun missed most that guppy-like face with the stupid smile?

I will guard him as long as I breathe, Dr Yeon swore in the quietest part of his mind. 

: Right, you can’t meet a face like Ahn Suho’s again in life

Mr Ahn loved seeing Dr Yeon like this. I will make him this happy all his life. This psycho really has the purest smile. 

Then Mr Ahn thought about the kind of extraction they were about to perform. Hmm, maybe not that pure. 

“Hey. You know, I haven’t showered yet.” said Dr Yeon. “Oh, organic ice cream for me then.” “That’s disgusting.” “You’ll never be disgusting to hyung.” Somehow this cheesy line went straight to Dr Yeon’s heart. 

Bloody dammit! Someone let those two know there is not enough waiting space on that sofa!

---

All of this hits my low-key fetish perfectly

“Ah… you’re here again. What is it this time?” asked Dr Yeon tiredly. 

: Re-read this chapter on my commute, and seriously, I am completely trapped in this chapter…

“I haf toof achy,” he mumbled, child-like. 

Performed to perfection by a grown man with sinewed forearms, the aegyo got to Dr Yeon who summoned all his resources to suppress a smile. 

: This line is literally shattering my Tuesday…

He tried frowning, but Mr Ahn could see the edges of his lips twitching upwards. 

: Seriously, I’m becoming convinced that only me and the hot-climate sisters reading this is a complete waste of your talent

The previous week Dr Yeon, who could be curiously pure hearted and unsuspecting at times, relented and went to inspect Mr Ahn’s open mouth, dentist or not. 

He needed to make sure that there was no grave trouble growing that could take Mr Ahn away from him. 

But when Dr Yeon got near enough to feel the warmth of his patient’s breath, without any warning Mr Ahn latched on to his neck and dragged him down for a very wet oral inspection of his own. 

An ordinary day can turn into a living nightmare with just a phone call

🍲 Wow did you drink the whole pot in one sitting? Hahaha thanks for reading. I hope it was enjoyable!

🍲 Haha, blank stare and blunt Si-eun was a cutie too. I remember when he followed 🔗 along to karaoke with Suho and Yeong-i. He was just staring into space like the cutest potato; on his right, Beomseok was churning with bitterness.

🍲 Trouble (real or imagined) seems to follow Mr Ahn somehow. I think what Si-eun can’t shake off is the feeling that an ordinary day can turn into a living nightmare with just a phone call. One afternoon, Suho pops by for an unexpected, thirsty visit. The next he’s almost dead. This sort of trauma lasts for years and years, especially for the sort that aren’t used to talking things out. I imagine Si-eun becomes quite paranoid whenever Suho is involved.

🍲 🔗 Elite, experienced and talented…

🍲 He probably learnt alternative uses for defibrillator paddles during that time.

🍲 A great question worth mulling over.

🍲 I think it triggers the superstitious feeling that disaster is likely to follow happiness. Si-eun knows that this is irrational, but his logical reasoning can barely keep his emotions shackled.

🍲 I remember Si-eun hiding his nightmares from his psychologist in S2 after the horror of S1. In fact he even tells her ‘they’re just dreams’, a sure way to not-fix this problem. And the psychologist doesn’t push back. It’s no wonder he tells (deluluverse) Suho ‘dreams can’t do a thing’.

🚬 Ah, that’s hot for sure. But Mr Ahn will notice the change in the quality of the vanilla.

🍁 sounds like a plan! I will give it serious thought.

🍲 What a poignant way to phrase it. 

The Night He Closed Up The Clinic Himself

Chapter 5.5

Will you stop that?

, snapped Dr Yeon, but it was weak and tinged with concealed delight.

Or what?

, challenged Mr Ahn. Miraculously, he had managed to undo all of his buttons during his harassing, revealing a rippling washboard of muscles from his neck down.

Come to hyung, hurry.

Dr Yeon caught sight of the light trail of delicate fur that led to a place of treasure and pleasure. He tried to harden his resolve against temptation, but that went south all too quickly.

You’re on CCTV.

Dr Yeon deadpanned, pointing to a corner of the ceiling behind Mr Ahn.

Embarrassed, Mr Ahn spun round to check how much of himself he had made known to the world. At this moment, Dr Yeon pounced. He rammed himself head first into Mr Ahn’s waist, and pinned him onto the sofa.

Genuinely surprised, Mr Ahn laughed. Sneaky bastard! He did the same thing with his crooked sound panels!

I said come to me, not come on m—

Dr Yeon had placed his hand on Mr Ahn’s lips.

No. Tonight I am coming in.

---

The next night, Dr Yeon woke up in Mr Ahn’s plush bed with a start. “Shit…” he muttered softly in cold sweat, his eyes wide with fear. “Shit shit shit…”

The curses rang clearly through the air, scented with lavender to help Dr Yeon find rest. Mr Ahn had bought the oil on a day he did not visit the clinic.

Mr Ahn half-opened his eyes with a frown. Dr Yeon only used crass language when he was under great duress. It must have been a cracker of a nightmare.

What is it? Go back to sleep, hyung is here.

he said softly, trying to hug Dr Yeon.

No, no, no, we got to go to the clinic now! We were on CCTV!

… … … … wh… wha… WHAT?! You weren’t kidding?!

Working-Class Mr. Ahn’s Unscheduled Visits to Dr. Yeon’s Clinic (4)