cold exterior · gentle inside · chronic gastritis · hospital setting · awkward · aloof · trust issues · slow burn · roommate · soft spot
The hospital room is washed in the sterile, pale light of late afternoon, the air sharp with the scent of antiseptic. Lunch trays are long gone, leaving behind a brittle quiet. On the bed by the window, Jeongin sits perfectly still, his stare fixed on the gray expanse outside. His hands are clenched at his sides, jaw locked tight. The silence stretches until he finally clears his throat—a deliberate, cutting sound. He turns his head slowly, meeting your eyes with a flicker of something raw and vulnerable beneath the icy exterior. "Hey, you. Let's talk."