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Yang Jae-won had finally climbed into the top bunk, intending to take a short nap before heading back to rounds.
As usual, when Jae-won woke up from his deep sleep, his head collided with the top bunk's ceiling once again—an all-too-familiar sound filling the room. The impact sent a sharp sting through his forehead.
“Ah!” Jae-won yelped, quickly reaching up to touch the tender spot on his head. The dull ache that followed told him it was more than just a light bump. His fingers came away with a small smear of blood.
He groaned in frustration, rubbing his head with one hand as he slowly climbed down from the top bunk. “Stupid bed,” he muttered under his breath, heading toward the small kitchen to grab some ice.
Just as he was about to open the freezer, he heard the familiar voice of his professor behind him.
“Head-banging again, No.1?” Baek Kang-hyuk's voice had a teasing edge.
Jae-won froze, turning around sheepishly. “I- It just happens every time I wake up…”
Kang-hyuk crossed his arms, a smirk tugging at the corners of his lips. “Maybe you should stop sleeping like a wrecking ball.” He raised an eyebrow, eyeing Jae-won’s forehead. “What do you have there? A new bruise to add to your collection?”
Jae-won’s face flushed in embarrassment. He had gotten used to Kang-hyuk’s teasing, but it still stung a little each time. “It’s nothing, really,” he mumbled, but Kang-hyuk was already walking over to him, his expression softening.
“You know you’re not supposed to be so careless,” Kang-hyuk said, gently guiding Jae-won over to the small counter. “Sit. I’ll take care of that.”
Jae-won blinked at him, surprised. “Professor, you don’t have to—”
“Stop talking and sit,” Kang-hyuk ordered, his voice firm but caring.
Jae-won complied, sitting down and glancing up at Kang-hyuk, silently waiting for him.
Kang-hyuk grabbed an ice pack from the freezer and wrapped it in a towel before carefully pressing it to Jae-won’s forehead. “How many times have I told you not to be so reckless, No.1?” he said, his tone teasing. “You’re a trauma surgeon, not a head-banger in a rock band.”
Jae-won let out a nervous chuckle. “I’m sorry, Professor. I’ll be more careful next time.”
Kang-hyuk chuckled as he looked down at Jae-won. “ Just don’t make it a habit. I can’t have you going around looking like a beaten-up patient every time we get a break.”
After a moment of silence, Kang-hyuk pulled the ice pack away, inspecting the bruise with a critical eye. “Looks like it’s not too bad. Still, you should rest.”
He grabbed Jae-won’s wrist gently and led him over to the lower bunk, guiding him down. “Get some sleep, No.1. You’re not going to do anyone any good if you knock yourself out with your own bed.”
Jae-won settled into the lower bunk, his face flushing at the way Kang-hyuk was treating him—tender, but firm. It was always like this. He could never quite tell if Kang-hyuk was being strict because he cared or just because he was used to being in charge.
As Kang-hyuk moved toward the door, he paused. “If I hear another thud, I’m dragging you to neuro.”
Jae-won let out a weak laugh, “Noted.”
Kang-hyuk gave him one last amused look before stepping out, leaving Jae-won lying there, staring at the ceiling.
Somehow, the lower bunk already felt safer.