Just for a Moment
Late night, hospital room. Reader x Yeo-jung.
You haven’t slept. Again. The room is dark except for the soft yellow glow of the hallway light creeping in. Rain taps at the window. You’re sitting on the bed, knees to your chest, wrapped in a blanket.
There’s a knock — soft, hesitant.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
(quietly through the door)
It’s me.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
Can I come in?
He steps inside slowly, coat damp from the rain. He’s holding a thermos.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
I figured you were still awake.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
Chamomile, again.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
Hope you’re not sick of it.
You
(faint smile)
Better than silence.
He pours the tea into a small cup, hands it to you carefully. His fingers brush yours.
You flinch—just slightly. He notices. He doesn’t react.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
I can sit, if you want.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
I’ll leave if you’d rather be alone.
You
(staring at the cup)
…Stay.
You
Just for a little while.
He nods and sits on the edge of the bed, leaving space between you. Neither of you speaks for a minute. Just the sound of rain. Your breath, finally steadying.
You
It’s not the nights I’m afraid of.
You
Because when I sleep, I forget what happened.
You
And when I wake up, it all floods back in.
You
Like I have to survive it all over again..
You
And some mornings… I don’t want to…
There’s silence. He doesn’t rush to comfort you. He lets the weight of your words exist.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
I know what that feels like.
He doesn’t answer right away. Instead, he slowly lifts his left hand — the one with the faint, thin scar on the wrist.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
I don’t talk about it.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
Not with most people.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
But yes. I do.
You look at him. Really look. The shadows on his face make him look older, more tired. Human.
You
You don’t have to fix me, you know.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
I’m not trying to.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
I just don’t want you to feel alone in this room.
You hesitate. Then, carefully, your hand moves across the blanket — slow, unsure — and rests beside his. Not touching. Just near.
He nods once. You place your fingers lightly over his.
His skin is warm. He doesn’t move. He just lets you exist there, no pressure, no question.
You
I haven’t touched anyone in…
A long time.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
Then we go slow.
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
As slow as you need.
You close your eyes. For the first time in weeks, your shoulders drop. You don’t feel like a patient. Or a project. You feel seen. And safe.
You
(softly)
Can you stay until I fall asleep?
Dr. Joo Yeo-jung
I’ll stay as long as you want.
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