CHOI SAN: Predator

Trauma Code: A Hero in Love

genre: workplace romance, comedy, mutual pinning, slow-burn, banter, suggestive

1.3 Cardiac Complications

Dr. Baek Kanghyuk had faced countless medical emergencies. Gunshot wounds, collapsed lungs, cardiac arrests—he had handled them all with precision and composure.

But nothing, nothing, had prepared him for Dr. Song Hye Joo standing a little too close to him.

It wasn’t intentional. She was just trying to get a better look at the patient’s chart he was holding. But when she leaned in, her shoulder lightly brushing against his arm, Kanghyuk felt his entire body lock up.

It was ridiculous. He wasn’t some inexperienced intern. He was a seasoned doctor. This was normal human interaction. And yet—

“Dr. Baek?” Hye Joo’s voice was soft, her breath faintly hitting the side of his neck.

Kanghyuk cleared his throat, hyper-aware of how close she was. “…Yes?”

She pointed at the chart, completely unaware of his internal crisis. “I think the dosage here should be adjusted slightly. The patient’s vitals indicate they might not tolerate the standard amount.”

He barely processed her words. For some reason, all he could focus on was how near she was. How he could catch the subtle scent of her shampoo—something light and clean.

When he didn’t immediately respond, Hye Joo tilted her head up to look at him. “Dr. Baek?”

Kanghyuk exhaled through his nose. Pull yourself together.

“Yes. You’re right,” he said, his voice far too stiff. “Good observation.”

Then, with all the grace of a malfunctioning robot, he took a deliberate step back.

A little too quickly.

His hip collided with the edge of the counter, making a loud thud.

Hye Joo blinked. “…You okay?”

“I’m fine,” he said immediately, standing straighter, pretending like nothing had happened.

But across the room, Dr. Yang Jae Won and Nurse Jang Mi were watching everything unfold.

And they were barely holding it together.

Jang Mi had her hand clamped over her mouth, her shoulders shaking as she tried to suppress her laughter. Jae Won, meanwhile, looked like he was about to combust with glee.

Kanghyuk shot them both a warning glare, but it only made them laugh harder.

“He backed into the counter—” Jang Mi wheezed.

“Because he panicked—” Jae Won added, tears in his eyes.

Kanghyuk ignored them and turned back to Hye Joo, trying to salvage whatever was left of his dignity. “Make the adjustment to the dosage. I’ll review it later.”

Hye Joo, completely oblivious to his suffering, simply nodded. “Of course.”

And with that, she walked away, leaving Kanghyuk to deal with the aftermath of his humiliation.

Jae Won leaned in, smirking. “So, doc… Should we call an ambulance? You seem to be having some cardiac complications.”

Jang Mi wiped away a fake tear. “He’s so strong in the ER but almost passed out from mild physical contact. Amazing.”

Kanghyuk exhaled sharply. “Triple shifts. Both of you.”

Their laughter immediately died.

“Wait, what?!” Jang Mi gasped.

Jae Won groaned. “Come on, man. You can’t keep punishing us for observing.”

Kanghyuk adjusted his coat, regaining his usual calm exterior. “Consider it a test of endurance.”

And with that, he walked off—this time making sure to not back into anything.

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Trauma Code: A Hero in Love - Chapter List

choi san: an actor on stage

smiling like a fool under my blanket right now :’D

I don’t think you understand how happy I am to find a sfw ateez blog oml

Can I request a San e2l? where reader has a grudge against him because he’s an overachiever like the reader, yet he doesn’t actually have anything against them. Reader thinks his life is so perfect and their own is just empty that they don’t realise they’ve started to become envious of San, and it goes on from there.

(This is very much self indulgent because I can’t live without knowing I’m the best in all the people I know and it’s killing me)

If you could do it that would be great, dw if you can’t tho<3

𝙤𝙣𝙚-𝙨𝙞𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡𝙧𝙮 — 𝑠𝑎𝑛

genre: enemies-to-lovers au, angst, fluff at the end, gn!reader

word count: 2.3k

summary: Pride, reputation, and a one-sided rivalry; all these are because of your fear of losing the top spot in the class. Even when you finally got what you wanted, why did you still feel unsatisfied?

a/n: I kind of relate to this and I tried to express my thoughts based from personal experiences. I also learned to accept the fact that we can have our lowest times, so let's stay humble and I hope you enjoy it!

𝗺𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁

✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧⋄⋆⋅⋆⋄✧

You didn't hate him, you didn't like him either. He's more like a rival than a friend. You had your pride and reputation as the class's top student, that's all you ever cared for. You were contented with yourself, not until someone challenged your position and managed to drop your rank to top 2.

Choi San, you hated that name.

Both of you get high grades all the time, one gets higher than the other and vice versa, a push and pull type of game. It wasn't just your grades that were put to the test, your reputation as well. San's confidence during oral recitations and discussions was undeniably admirable, and that's the problem. It pissed you off because your social anxiety was hindering you from defending your reputation, but you couldn't deny that he was more or less smarter than you, just a tiny bit.

You didn't like San, but San liked you.

He admired your intelligence, your leadership skills, your hard work, and he acknowledged your efforts every time. How could he not when you two were in the same group for the whole semester? Being known as the two smartest students in the group was alright with San, but it pressured you a lot.

Your classmates usually depended on you two but when they ask him for help instead of you, it hurts your pride. This fueled your motivation to try your best in contributing most of the work during group projects to prove your classmates wrong. Even during quizzes and exams, you'd secretly compare your scores with San's as if it was normal. Of course, you had your share of low times.

It was very selfish of you to think that way, you were aware of that. You knew he was trying his best as well and he even helps you with some lessons you're struggling with. You had no idea when or how this rivalry started, but you were obstinate.

Why do you not like him? For being smart? For challenging your position as the top student? Who were you to hate him for that? These were the questions that run through your head whenever you see him in class, but that wasn't the case for San, he was just there to learn and graduate.

At this point, you're just envious of him for the most unnecessary things. Seeing him hanging out with his friends, having a good relationship with his parents, his life was almost perfect and that made you bitter.

In contrast to his, your life felt empty. Talking to your parents casually was a once-a-day thing because you always lock yourself inside your room and you don't even have that many friends compared to San's, much more talk to them every day.

You were envious, there's no better word to describe how you felt about the guy. Your pride, your ego; you wanted to be the 'best' and you wanted to be in the limelight of the class in regards to academics. But no, someone had to be on your level to humble you down. You, a selfish overachiever, holding a grudge against the boy with an angelic smile, attractive dimples, and cute eye smile.

You thought surviving this semester by avoiding him, while silently boring deep glares towards his direction were going to be a piece-of-cake. That was until you realized that the heavens weren't on your side, it was like a punishment for you.

Out of all people, all the possibilities that could happen, you just had to be paired up with the one and only, Choi San, for your General Maths subject. Honestly speaking, you didn't need a partner and neither does he. You could do it on your own, but your teacher insisted on working in pairs to develop social relationships and to help each other.

If it wasn't for those reasons, you wouldn't be sitting here in the library after your last class ended. ‘Home’ was the only thing on your mind, going home and avoiding his presence that makes your blood boil. If only he didn't insist on finishing the assignment the right way, together, you would've been taking a nap on your bed right now.

You were answering the assignment silently, yet you couldn't focus well with him beside you. You weren't in your right mind and San caught on to that, as he looked over your paper and easily found small mistakes on your solutions.

"It's not supposed to be distributed, just remove the parentheses."

His voice made you groan in annoyance, knowing that he was right and he corrected your mistakes. Okay, Mr. Know-it-all. You rolled your eyes away from him and redid your solutions correctly.

San was aware of your grudge towards him, it's not his fault you were quite obvious with it. He found you cute, though. When your mad or when you glare at him, that doesn't get to him, he's too distracted by your kissable and welcoming cheeks when you pout.

"Are you done? Let's compare answers." San spoke over the silence of the room.

There it was again, the usual glare you give to him. "Give me time, this isn't a race."

"I didn't say...but, take your time."

See, despite your harsh treatment towards him, he couldn't bring himself to fight you back. He had no reason to, so why try to engage in something he's not going to enjoy anyway? After about 3 minutes, you passed him your paper and he did the same to his own. The way San scanned over your paper made you nervous as if he was the teacher checking your mistakes and right answers. His paper, on the other hand, was clean and readable. Confidence in getting every question right the first time written on it.

"Hmm, you lack a negative sign here...and here...and here as well." He pointed each mistake with the tip of his pen and you swore, you wanted to curse at him.

"Okay, Choi San. You're the smart one, you know best. Sorry for being dumb." You retorted with bitterness in your voice.

"What are you talking about? I was just trying to help."

"Well, I don't need your help."

"Well, good luck with your grades then. You got all the answers correct with only a few mistakes, but okay."

Not wanting to fight anymore, you corrected your mistakes as fast as you could. He smirked at you as you closed the cap of your pen and sighed deeply, "There we go, y/n. It wasn't so difficult now, was it?"

"Get a life." If I could just remove that smirk off your face, I would.

How could San even get a life when the missing piece of his life hates his guts? His day wouldn't be complete without you glaring at him at least once, though he still hoped that one day, you would change your false opinions about him. He wouldn't purposely fail his academics for your benefit, but he's going to find a way to win your heart and stop your childish jealousy towards him once and for all.

-

You didn't talk to him for a whole week, you spent most of your time preparing for the upcoming finals exams that would start tomorrow until Friday. You had no time to waste, this was your last chance to prove everyone wrong. The desperation to keep the top spot of the class for yourself motivated you a lot. So when finals finally started, you made sure to put your all in every exam and hoping for the best.

-

Congratulations! You did it, you actually did it!

You kept the top 1 spot, it was yours and you were beyond happy with the positive news. It boosted your pride, but that's besides the point. Once you pulled away from your friend's embrace, you accidentally caught sight of San standing alone from afar. He had a sad yet satisfied smile on his face, while he looked over the bulletin board again where the ranks were displayed.

You felt bad, that was true because yes, you worked extra hard for this and as much as you hate to admit it, he assisted you when you didn't understand some concepts of a certain topic and those concepts were essential parts of the exam. You never, not even once, thanked him for his help and that's enough reason for you to feel guilty. Now that you got what you wanted, why do you still feel unsatisfied?

San caught you gazing in his direction, so you immediately looked away in embarrassment. He only chuckled at your reaction, knowing too well what's going on inside your head at the moment. Your eyes traveled back to his figure once again and you couldn't hold it in anymore, his smile was too bright for your satisfaction. You needed to apologize to him as soon as possible before the semestral break starts, at least.

When the last bell rang indicating the end of classes, you decided to look for him. Ditching your friends with the excuse of stopping by the convenience store before going back home, you searched everywhere for him. Thankfully, he wasn't anywhere far from the school premises. There he stood outside the school gate with his AirPods on, most probably waiting for his friends to hang out later. Carefully, you tapped on his shoulder and he turned to you with a confused look as he removed an AirPod from his ear. He didn't expect you to talk to him personally, especially not you approaching him first.

"What's up?" San's voice was cheerful and no sign of bitterness at all.

"You're n-not busy right now, are you?" You stuttered out of nervousness.

San looked around for any sight of your friends and his but there's no one around he knew of. "I don't think I am, why'd you ask? Oh, congrats by the way for taking the top spot. You deserve it, y/n." The smile on his face was genuine, he was very happy for your success. He wasn't disappointed because he believed you deserve that spot, you worked extra hard to beat him earn it.

On the other hand, you were nervous as hell, fiddling with the hem of your uniform. "Thank you, San."

"It's no problem." How was it so easy for him to say that? You don't know.

You tried to form the right words to say to him, not wanting to waste this opportunity and bringing the guilt with you. "I just wanted to apologize for treating you, you know, in a not-so-good way. I'm sorry for always pushing you away, taking your help for granted, and for holding a grudge against you just because I was afraid of losing the position of being the top student in the class. It's very childish of me, I know."

You scoffed ridiculously at yourself, "Now that I got what I wanted, I'm happy but I feel guilty whenever I see you. You helped me so much, but I didn't even thank you once. No matter how embarrassing I probably sound right now, I'm taking this opportunity to apologize for everything I've done wrong and to thank you for all your help. I don't deserve your forgiveness and-"

"Yo, San. Let's- oh, sorry. I didn't see your friend there." Yeosang, one of his friends, interrupted your rambling.

You were more than embarrassed at this point, you wanted to scream, to run away and hide from everyone, but San noticed the panic in your eyes. The idea of confessing and not being able to finish your words was suffocating you, so you tried to make a turn. Unfortunate events really couldn't wait as a random rock made you trip your foot, but a strong arm held your waist so quick, you didn't even have time to process what had just happened.

San clicked his tongue teasingly, "y/n, still clumsy as ever."

Can the world just take you whole? His friends were watching the current situation, this is very bad.

"I think I'll pass today, guys. I have some important business to talk to with them, so just leave without me and don't forget to buy me that thing I talked about, I'll pay later." San called to his friends, who nodded at his request.

"San-"

"Don't worry, y/n. I know you hate me, but I think you got some explaining to do." A smirk was plastered again on that attractive face of his.

"But I already did."

"You didn't get to finish your words because of my friend and I want to hear more of it. Maybe if you treat me out for dinner, I might just forgive you."

"My money's not enough for the both of us." You haven't realized that you just indirectly considered his suggestion, he's got you in his trap.

"Perfect, a kiss it is then."

"What-"

He didn't let you finish as he interrupted you with his soft lips on yours and when he pulled away, he laughed at your flustered reaction.

"Cutie, let's go to that BBQ place nearby to celebrate your success." My success?

"What about you? Are you not mad at me for being the first in rank?" This was the question that had you worried about this whole time. What does he think of you now after everything?

"What's wrong with being 2nd? As long as we succeed together, that's enough for me. Now that you're here with me and I finally got a kiss from you, what more could I ask for?”

─── ⋆⋅☆⋅⋆ ───

CHOI SAN: The Stage Master

UNSPOKEN (말하지 않은)

genre: romance, slow-burn, fluff, angst, sexual tension, mutual pining

Chapter 9: Almost on the Line

A line was almost crossed, feelings starting to grow, but both Haein and Chaewoon choose to stay on their own sides, avoiding the tension that’s quietly building between them.

They stayed like that for a moment—neither of them moving, neither of them speaking. The only sound between them was the soft rhythm of the rain tapping against the windows, steady and unrelenting, like the silence that wrapped around them.

Chaewoon’s gaze was soft, gentle—just like it always was when it came to Haein. But tonight, there was something different in his eyes. Something unspoken. Something heavier. And she felt it too—the shift in the air, the quiet catch in his breath, the way his eyes lingered like he was searching for something… something he wasn’t sure he had the right to want.

Then his gaze dropped—to her lips.

Haein’s heart fluttered in response, unsteady and sudden. Her breath hitched, caught in her throat, and when his eyes flicked back up to meet hers, the moment stretched impossibly thin—on the edge of something neither of them dared to name.

And then—

RING.

The sudden sound of a phone call cut through the quiet like a splash of cold water. Haein startled, fumbling for her phone, yanking it free and accidentally dislodging her headset in the process.

“I—I need to take this call,” she stammered, avoiding his eyes. “You can take the rest of the day off. Goodbye.”

Before he could say anything, she was already halfway to her room, pressing the still-ringing phone to her ear, her footsteps quick and uneven.

Chaewoon sat there still in the moment, his mind still wandering on what had almost happened. One minute, he was waking up to find her beside him—closer than they’d ever been—and the next, she was running off like the walls had suddenly caved in.

His eyes dropped to his lap. Her headset.

It must’ve slipped when she grabbed her phone. He picked it up slowly, fingers curling around the tangled cord.

With a quiet sigh, he leaned back against the couch and ran a hand across his forehead.

“That was close,” he murmured to himself.

Too close.

The way he’d looked at her lips. The way he’d almost leaned in. It wasn’t just a moment— it was a line he'd never crossed, until now.

He knew he was losing his grip. And he didn’t know how much longer he could keep pretending.

Pretending that he didn’t want more. Pretending that the feelings blooming quietly inside him weren’t real. Pretending that looking at her didn’t already feel like falling.

And it was dangerous. Too dangerous.

Because the moment he let himself feel this way—let himself want more—he knew it could only end badly.

He kept reminding himself: he was betraying her even now. He was someone she should never trust.

And if the moment comes when Haein finds out the truth—that he was a spy planted inside her family—he didn’t know if she would ever be able to look at him the same way again.

And that thought terrified him more than anything else.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haein closed the door behind her and leaned against it, eyes shut, chest rising and falling as if she’d just run a marathon. The rain outside hadn’t let up—it kept drumming softly against the windows like a heartbeat she couldn’t ignore.

She finally opened her eyes and let out a shaky breath, walking over to her desk. The phone call had ended quickly—nothing urgent, just her secretary checking in. But it might as well have been fate yanking her away from a moment she wasn’t ready for.

She sank into her chair, elbows resting on the table, fingers threading through her hair. Her mind was still in the living room—with him. With Chaewoon.

The way he looked at her. The warmth in his eyes. The stillness in the space between them.

And the way his gaze dropped—just for a second—to her lips.

Her heart thundered at the memory, that tiny, unspoken flicker that almost turned into something more. She’d seen it. Felt it.

And she’d run.

Haein let out a soft, humorless laugh and tilted her head back against the chair.

“Idiot,” she whispered—to herself, to him, to the whole moment.

Why did he look at me that way? Was he about to lean in? Was he about to….

She halted her thoughts. It was starting to scare her. She was scared how easily she got lost in the moment. She was scared at how she wanted it. How easy it was to lean in. How natural it was starting to feel to be near him.

Her eyes drifted to the empty pouch sitting on her desk. It was where she kept her headset. The one Chaewoon was still holding onto in the living room.

She pressed her palms to her face.

“This is getting out of hand,” she muttered.

And yet…

Her hands dropped slowly to her lap as her lips curled, soft and bittersweet.

She wasn’t sure what scared her more—that he almost kissed her… or that she almost let him.

And if the phone hadn’t rung…

She wasn’t sure she would’ve stopped him.

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Chaewoon hadn’t slept well that night. His mind had been too busy, too occupied. And when morning came and he picked up Haein for work, he noticed—she hadn’t slept well either.

The air between them was awkward, heavier than usual.

The drive to the company was uncomfortably quiet. Chaewoon kept glancing at the rear-view mirror to check on her. Haein sat quietly, her eyes fixed on the window, but he noticed the little things—the way she blinked a little faster whenever she caught him looking, the way her fingers absentmindedly played with her pen.

And when their eyes met in the mirror, he quickly looked away.

He hated that.

Hated that he was the one making her feel this uncomfortable.

When they arrived, he moved to open the door for her, hesitating for a second before calling out, “Miss Haein.”

She paused on her tracks. Chaewoon took a breath, his voice steady and careful.

“I’d like to apologize for my behavior yesterday. It was inappropriate, and I made you uncomfortable. I assure you, it won’t happen again.”

Haein didn’t respond right away. She stayed still for a moment, letting his words sink in.

Then, with a small sigh, she spoke.

“What do you mean, Mr. Woo?” she said softly. “I think I should be the one apologizing. I fell asleep on your shoulder the entire afternoon. It must have been uncomfortable for you, and yet… you stayed. I don’t blame you for falling asleep too. You’re not a robot. And…”

She finally turned to face him fully, and for a moment, she almost smiled.

Chaewoon looked so much like a guilty puppy, apologizing even when he didn’t have to.

“I’m not mad or upset with you,” she said gently. “So please, don’t feel uncomfortable with me either.”

Chaewoon returned her smile.

Both of them knew it wasn’t just about her falling asleep on his shoulder, or him dozing off beside her. It was what happened after. The way their lips had almost…

But they chose not to mention it.

Two guarded souls, after all—two people who had built walls too high and too thick around themselves. So, they did what they always did: ignore the moment, pretend it didn’t happen, and let it quietly slip away.

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When they arrived at the office, Haein noticed it again—the lingering stares from the employees, especially the women. Or rather, the stares directed not at her, but at her bodyguard, Chaewoon.

Haein scoffed under her breath. Her pace quickened, the sharp sound of her heels echoing down the hallway.

Chaewoon blinked, momentarily thrown off, before quietly matching her hurried steps.

Is she upset again? he wondered, noting the slight stiffness in her stride.

When they reached her office, Haein spun around, arms crossed, expression unreadable.

“I think you should wear a mask next time,” she said flatly. Chaewoon blinked. “…Excuse me?” he asked, genuinely confused.

“You’re too distracting,” she said, almost accusingly.

“Distracting to… whom exactly?” he asked, his brows furrowing.

“To the people working here. You’re too tall, and too han—” she stopped herself mid-sentence, clearing her throat awkwardly. “—frankly, too above average in looks. You draw too much attention. A mask would… solve that.”

She was rambling now, and Chaewoon, much like yesterday, found himself struggling not to smile. She was flustered—and he was thoroughly entertained.

Chaewoon tilted his head, the corner of his mouth twitching upward.

“So… let me get this straight,” he said slowly. “You want me to cover my face because I’m too distracting?”

Haein stiffened. “Don’t make it sound so ridiculous.”

“But it is ridiculous,” he said, a soft chuckle escaping him. “Should I wear sunglasses too? Maybe a hat? Full disguise?”

“Maybe,” she muttered, turning away and busying herself with the papers on her desk, pretending to look disinterested. “It’s called being considerate to the workplace environment.”

Chaewoon stepped closer, just enough that she could feel his presence behind her.

Haein froze for half a second—barely noticeable, but enough for him to catch it.

“Or should I just wear a scary face like this?” Chaewoon said as he furrowed his brows together and pressed his lips together.

She cleared her throat again, shuffling a stack of papers that didn’t actually need organizing. “You’re here to do your job, not to be… aesthetically disruptive.”

Chaewoon laughed, low and amused.

“Understood, Ma’am,” his voice held that teasing lilt that made her ears burn. “I’ll try my best to be less… distracting.”

Haein slammed the stack of papers down a little harder than necessary.

“Good,” she said shortly, refusing to meet his gaze.

But as Chaewoon leaned casually against the wall, arms crossed, watching her try so hard to maintain her cool, he couldn’t help but think:

I’m really in trouble now.

< Chapter 8 Chapter 10 >

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Hi everyone! It's been 2 weeks since the last update (aside from the 2 special chapters) I hope you guys are still here :')

Been busy (and lowkey stressed) with work and life lately. So my mind has been so distracted. And this chapter was supposed to be longer, but I figured I should just cut it and continue it for next chapter. I also kinda had a hard time finishing this chapter because my mind is already on the later parts of the story (yoon eunsung, chaewoon background, haein's illness, family hong drama) and yet I'm still not done with the current chapters. I want to pull my hair out.

Thank you again if you guys are still tuning in! I'm more active in Twitter/X esp with updates. If you want to be friends/moots, it's @dalilmountain. Ily and thank you for the patience and support ;-;

taglist: @lvnat1c @strangerinthesecretforest <3

behold the ✨ abs trilogy ✨

also known as the fever series😂

UNSPOKEN (말하지 않은)

genre: romance, slow-burn, fluff, angst, sexual tension, mutual pining

Chapter 4: In His Care

Chaewoon’s protective instincts toward Haein become more apparent as he observes her every move with quiet care. His subtle gestures and watchful presence reveal a side of him that Haein begins to notice—one that goes beyond his role as a bodyguard.

It had been a week since Chaewoon became Haein’s bodyguard, and in that time, he’d already learned to read her like an open book. Watching her through the glass walls of her office, he could tell just by the way she furrowed her brows and gripped the paper tighter—something was bothering her.

Five, four, three, two, one... he counted in his head.

As expected, Haein’s sharp voice rang out, “What happened to decorating the personal shopper room like a gallery? The artist’s reputation and colors don’t suit the interior design.”

Chaewoon couldn’t help but smile. Yelling and glaring like that, she looks so mean.

But then, just as quickly, her expression shifted, a satisfied smile curling on her lips as she flipped to the next page. “Yes, this is what I was talking about.”

She looks excited, Chaewoon thought, still watching her every move.

The annoyed Haein from moments ago was gone, replaced by a woman pleased with what she saw. And just as Haein’s lips slightly curled up, Chaewoon’s own little smile started to falter. For a moment, time slowed down, and for some reason, he could not look away at her smiling face.

He cleared his throat, forcing himself to look away and stare blankly at the opposite wall, as if that would shake the strange, unsettling feeling that had taken hold of him.

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HAEIN'S POV

Hong Haein wasn’t used to people caring about her—not in the way Woo Chaewoon did.

Not that she would ever admit it.

But for a while now, she had stopped trying to shake him off. That didn’t mean she liked his presence, but she had accepted, begrudgingly, that he was annoyingly efficient at his job.

She just hadn’t expected him to be so… considerate.

1. The Elevator Incident

It started in the company lobby. Haein was walking ahead, clicking through emails on her phone, when the elevator doors opened. She stepped in without thinking.

Then, in a single swift motion, Chaewoon reached out, placed a firm hand on the small of her back, and pulled her back just as a man rushed out, nearly knocking into her.

She barely had time to react before she found herself standing inches from him, her back against his chest.

“Watch your step,” he murmured, his hand falling away the second the man passed.

Haein straightened, clearing her throat. “I had it under control.”

Chaewoon didn’t argue, simply stepping inside after her. “Of course, ma’am.”

She turned to glare at him, only to find the faintest hint of amusement in his eyes.

Infuriating.

2. The Heels Problem

Later that day, she had back-to-back meetings, which meant strutting around the office in heels that looked good but felt like a medieval torture device.

By the time she stepped outside, her feet were killing her.

As they reached the car, Chaewoon—without a word—opened the door for her, then subtly adjusted the car mat so she could rest her feet more comfortably.

It was such a small gesture, so smooth, that she almost missed it.

She slid into the seat, watching as he walked around to the front. Inside the car was also a pair of soft comfy slippers that was not originally there.

Her jaw tightened. He wasn’t supposed to be like this. He was supposed to be just another disposable bodyguard, a shadow she could ignore.

Then why was he making it so difficult?

3. The Rain

By the time they arrived at a charity gala that evening, it had started raining. Hard.

As usual, Chaewoon was the first to step out of the car. He retrieved an umbrella, opened her door, and held it above her.

Haein, exhausted and mildly annoyed at the world, reached for the umbrella.

“I can hold it myself.”

Chaewoon, as always, was unmoved. “That’s my job.”

She stepped out, expecting him to keep a respectable distance. Instead, he adjusted the umbrella so that she was completely covered—even if it meant part of his shoulder got drenched.

She noticed. And she hated that she noticed.

By the time they entered the building, she found herself stealing glances at his wet sleeve.

Chaewoon brought her a towel, his expression as calm as ever. She expected him to use it to dry himself off, but instead, he held it out to her.

She raised an eyebrow, about to refuse, when he paused for a brief moment. Then, with surprising grace, he knelt down in front of her, positioning the towel to wipe her shoes.

Oh, my shoes are wet.

The realization hit her like a bolt of lightning. Haein instinctively stepped back just as his hand was about to touch the leather.

“You don’t need to do that. You’re not my servant,” she said, her tone sharper than she intended. She cleared her throat, trying to regain some composure. “Wipe yourself instead. You’re drenched.”

She huffed, a bit embarrassed by the sudden awkwardness, and turned on her heel, walking briskly into the gala without looking back.

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CHAEWOON'S POV

The Elevator

Woo Chaewoon was always quick on his feet. So, when Haein, her attention absorbed by her phone, failed to notice the man about to collide with her as the elevator doors opened, he reacted instinctively.

Chaewoon's reflexes kicked in without thinking. His hand moved swiftly to the small of her back, steadying her just as a man rushed out, too close for comfort.

For a brief moment, he felt her back tense against his chest as he pulled her away. The contact surprisingly electric, but he didn’t let it show. He barely heard her breath catch in her throat, but he noticed.

"Watch your step," he murmured quietly, making sure the man passed safely before letting his hand fall away from her back.

She straightened up quickly, her back stiff. He could feel the subtle shift in her posture as she composed herself.

“I had it under control,” she said, voice a little sharp, but he didn’t respond to the challenge in her tone.

Instead, he stepped into the elevator after her, keeping his face unreadable. “Of course, ma’am.”

She turned to glare at him, her eyes narrowing in irritation. But for just a moment, he caught the faintest flicker of something else there—amusement, maybe. It was gone too quickly for him to dwell on, but it made him smile to himself, just the slightest curve of his lips.

Infuriating. But somehow, she made it worth it.

2. The Heels

Chaewoon had learned to notice the small signs that Haein never acknowledged. He could see it in the way she walked—stiff, her heels clicking sharply against the floor as if she were fighting the discomfort that no one else seemed to notice. Her back straightened, her pace measured, but there was always that subtle shift in her posture after each long meeting. The heels, he knew, were not made for comfort. He also knew she would never be the type to wear flats outside.

So, when they reached the car after a long day, Chaewoon opened the door for her without a word, then quickly adjusted the car mat under her feet. It wasn’t much, just enough to give her a bit of relief, and he did it so smoothly that she almost didn’t catch it.

But she did.

As she slid into the car, he caught the slight wince in her face, then the subtle relief as she settled into the seat. Chaewoon walked around to the front, but when he opened the door to slide in, he saw her eyes lingering on the pair of slippers he had neatly placed inside for her.

Her gaze was confused, almost questioning.

It was an ordinary thing, a small act of care, but it was enough for him to see the slight stiffening in her jaw. He couldn’t help but wonder why she was so resistant to the simplest gestures. After all, he was only doing his job. But still, the thought lingered. She wasn’t supposed to be this difficult to ignore.

Yet, here she was, making it harder than it should be.

3. The Rain

Chaewoon didn’t expect her to notice. The rain had soaked through part of his sleeve, but it wasn’t the first time, and it wouldn’t be the last. He held the umbrella steady over her, making sure not a single drop touched her, while the cold slowly seeped into his own shoulder. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. It was his job.

But then, she looked.

It was quick, just a glance at his wet sleeve, but he caught it. The slight pause in her step, the way her gaze lingered a fraction too long before she looked away. She noticed. He wasn’t sure why that detail mattered, but for some reason, it did.

By the time they reached the entrance, she was back to her usual self—sharp, composed, untouchable. But Chaewoon had seen the flicker of something else. He returned with a towel, expecting her to take it without a second thought. Instead, she hesitated.

So he did what came naturally—knelt down in front of her.

Her shoes were wet. He had noticed, of course, just as he noticed the slight shift in her stance, the way she tensed the second she realized what he was about to do. Then, before he could even move, she stepped back.

“You don’t need to do that. You’re not my servant.” Her voice was clipped, but it wasn’t anger. It was something else—something that made her avert her gaze a second too late.

Chaewoon didn’t argue. He simply stood, towel still in hand, watching as she walked away quicker than usual, like she was trying to escape something.

As she walked further ahead, Chaewoon’s eyes followed her. His gaze lingered just a moment longer, catching the flush of her ears—redder than usual.

He wondered if it was the cold, or if it was something else entirely.

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It was another busy day for Hong Haein, this time at Queen’s Department Store. She was making her way through the floors when a commotion near the cosmetics section caught her attention. A small crowd had gathered, murmuring among themselves as an angry man raised his voice at one of the employees.

At first, Haein didn’t interfere, simply observing from a distance.

The customer was demanding a refund for a product that was nearly used up. The employee, a young woman, remained professional, explaining that refunds weren’t possible once the product was almost empty. But the man wasn’t listening. Instead, he insisted—loudly—that his girlfriend’s skin had worsened because of it. A blatant lie. It was a common trick—buy, use, complain, and demand a refund.

But then, the situation escalated.

Frustrated by the refusal, the man swiped an arm across the counter, knocking over bottles and compacts. The sharp sound of breaking glass made the employee flinch.

“Do you think I’m some kind of joke?” His voice rose, and so did his hand.

Chaewoon, standing silently nearby, was already prepared to intervene. But before he could move, Haein was already stepping in.

She caught the man’s wrist mid-air, stopping his hand before it could strike the employee.

“And who the hell are you?!” he snapped, yanking his arm back. His face twisted in outrage, as if personally offended that a woman had dared to stop him.

Haein’s expression remained calm, her voice unwavering. “This is not a place for such behavior.”

The man scoffed. “Then bring me your CEO. I don’t have time for people like you.”

“You’re looking for me?”

His face faltered for a second before he recovered. “So you’re the CEO?” He sneered, folding his arms. “Figures. No wonder your employees are incompetent. Why did you not train your employee properly then!?”

“You’re right,” she said coolly. “Maybe I haven’t trained them properly.” She turned to the employee, glancing at the nametag. “Ms. Kim Minji?”

The young woman tensed, clearly expecting a reprimand.

Haein sighed and crossed her arms. “Your job is to deal with customers only. As for criminals, report them to the police immediately.”

The man’s face reddened. “Wow. A criminal? So now you’re insulting customers? The CEO of this mall looks down on people. We will sue you.”

Haein simply smiled. Behind her, Chaewoon observed the scene with quiet amusement.

“Please do,” she said lightly. “I’ll be suing as well.”

The man sputtered. “What did you just say?!”

His temper snapped. His hand moved again, this time toward Haein.

But before he could get close, a shadow loomed over him.

Chaewoon was already there.

His tall frame blocked the man completely, cutting off his path like an immovable wall. His movements were smooth, effortless, but his presence alone was enough to make the air feel heavier. In one swift motion, his hand wrapped around the man’s wrist—not rough, not violent, but firm. A controlled grip, precise and unyielding.

The shift in atmosphere was instant.

The man’s anger wavered, his bravado shrinking under the weight of Chaewoon’s presence. Up close, he could see the way Chaewoon carried himself—not just as an employee, not just as security, but as someone who was dangerous in all the ways that mattered. There was no unnecessary aggression in his stance, no tension in his shoulders, no wild anger in his eyes. Just cold, calculated control. The kind that made people second-guess their next move.

For the first time since the commotion started, the man hesitated.

Chaewoon’s grip didn’t tighten, but the unspoken message was clear: Don’t try it.

The man swallowed. His wrist, though not in pain, felt like it was caught in something unshakable. He looked around, as if realizing how quiet the crowd had gone, how the eyes that once watched in amusement were now filled with anticipation—waiting to see if he would be foolish enough to push further.

He wasn’t.

“You can be charged with obstruction of business, property damage, and attempted assault,” Chaewoon said evenly. His voice wasn’t loud, but it didn’t need to be. It carried the kind of weight that made people listen.

Haein tilted her head, unfazed. “And I’ll add another lawsuit for the sales loss you caused.” She turned to the crowd. “Did you all get that on camera?”

A chorus of affirmations rose from the spectators, many holding up their phones, their screens still recording. A few even cheered.

The man looked around, suddenly realizing how outnumbered he was.

“Take them to the police,” Haein ordered as security finally arrived, stepping forward to apprehend him.

As the man was dragged away, Haein turned back to Chaewoon, a satisfied smile on her face. He met her gaze, his own expression unreadable.

She gave him a small nod. “Let’s go.”

Without another word, Chaewoon followed.

On their way back to the company, Haein found herself replaying the moment in her head.

It had happened so fast. One second, she was handling the situation as she always did—calm, composed, in control. The next, a hand had been raised in her direction, and before she could even react, a shadow had stepped in front of her.

Chaewoon.

Haein had barely registered the movement before he was there, his tall frame blocking her completely. The space that had once felt open was suddenly filled—broad shoulders, solid stance, the subtle shift of muscle beneath his suit.

She hadn’t been expecting it.

She had seen him be cautious before, seen the way he silently observed her surroundings. But this was different.

His hand had wrapped around the man’s wrist—not roughly, not aggressively, but with a kind of controlled force that left no room for argument.

She hadn’t seen his face at first, only the sharp line of his jaw from the side, the way his fingers flexed slightly as if calculating the exact amount of strength needed to hold back without breaking.

Then she had seen the change in the man’s expression. The way his anger faltered, the realization creeping in. He had thought he could intimidate her, but now he was faced with someone he couldn’t push, someone who didn’t even need to raise his voice to make his presence known.

“You can be charged with obstruction of business, property damage, and attempted assault,” Chaewoon had said, his voice low, even. It wasn’t loud, but it carried the kind of weight that made people listen.

Chaewoon didn’t move, his stance unwavering, his hand still gripping the man’s wrist as he watched him with cool detachment. And for the first time, Haein realized something.

For all the quiet patience she had seen in Woo Chaewoon, there was another side to him. A side that wouldn’t hesitate to shield her the moment someone dared to lay a hand on her.

And for reasons she couldn’t quite place, she found herself staring at him just a moment longer than necessary.

Gentle, quiet, patient Woo Chaewoon. You had this side to you, huh?

The thought followed her into the car. As they drove in silence, she caught a glimpse of him through the rearview mirror. He looked the same as always—calm, focused, completely unbothered.

She clicked her tongue and turned to the window, blinking more times than necessary.

As if that would make her stop thinking about it.

From the front seat, Chaewoon felt Haein’s gaze linger on him. He kept his eyes on the road, but he noticed everything—the slight shift in her seat, the way she suddenly blinked faster before turning to the window.

For a brief moment, he felt… aware of himself. Just a little.

But why?

Why did her gaze make him falter, even for a second?

He didn’t know.

< Chapter 3 Chapter 5 >

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incorporated some QOT scenes in the story >< will also incorporate BF scenes next chapters!

I feel like maybe the story's pacing is a little slow I noticed that it has fewer readers each chapter🥲 maybe the slow-burn is burning too slow?🥲

but it's fine! I was momentarily discouraged to continue it but honestly, I think I'm also writing this story mostly for myself hihi it's been a loonnggg while since I started writing something again, like actually writing and not just daydreaming about it throughout the day

thank you again who's still tuning in! <3

taglist: @lvnat1c <3

Oh my godddddddd Ju Jihoon. Imagine existing with a face like that. Yes even his little eye, it is so charming, fuck me uppppppppppp

UNSPOKEN (말하지 않은)

genre: romance, slow-burn, fluff, angst, sexual tension, mutual pining

Chapter 8: The Sound of Rain and Heartbeat

As music plays and rain falls outside, Haein and Chaewoon find themselves letting their guards down, just enough to feel a sense of peace. In each other's presence, they begin to realize trust can be found in the smallest, quietest moments.

“Then I’m just going to stay here as well, so you’re not, you know… bored.” Haein cleared her throat, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

She opened her phone and plugged in an earphone to listen to some music. Chaewoon noticed Haein still preferred using her wired earphones when everyone else had moved to wireless ones. That piqued his curiosity. Was it simply preference? Or did those earphones hold sentimental value to her? For some reason, he wanted to know. He didn’t know why, but somehow, even the tiniest quirks about her made him pause and wonder. Tt’s the little things like that made him want to know her more.

Haein noticed him looking at them and pulled one out, offering it to him. “Would you like to listen as well?”

Haein was sure she must be drunk. She’d been doing and saying things she’d normally never do. Before she could retract her offer, Chaewoon had already taken the other earphone from her hand and placed it in his ear.

And he smiled.

Haein blinked. She had seen him smile before, of course. But this one was a bit different.

“I think we listen to the same music,” he said. “I have a CD of this album back at home.”

Oh.

A CD? In this day and age? But then again, she was also the one still using wired earphones.

That was a new piece of information about Chaewoon. A simple one, but she felt a strange sense of satisfaction in knowing something new about him.

Minutes passed, and before she knew it, Haein had already fallen asleep beside Chaewoon.

She was not normally so at ease like this. She was always on guard. Tense. Suspicious of everyone around her.

But why was it that when she was with him, she felt relaxed? She became more clumsy. She blurted out whatever came to mind. And she was able to fall asleep so soundly like this next to him?

Chaewoon, on the other hand, swiftly moved to catch her head with his shoulder when she dozed off.

Her head was now resting against him. He stiffened.

He could feel her slow, even breathing. How she shifted closer to him because of his warmth.

This was a problem.

Chaewoon let out a quiet sigh, staring straight ahead, careful not to move too much.

This was definitely a problem.

He was supposed to be her bodyguard—her shadow, her protector. Someone who stayed at a careful distance, unseen until necessary. And yet, here he was, sitting next to her, sharing an earphone, with her head resting on his shoulder like it was the most natural thing in the world.

She really lets her guard down around me now.

It was subtle, but he noticed. The way she talked more freely, the way she wasn’t as cold or distant. How she embarrassed herself around him yet didn’t push him away.

And now, she had fallen asleep.

So defenseless.

Chaewoon swallowed, shifting ever so slightly so that she’d be more comfortable. He could hear the faint sound of the music playing through their shared earphones. A song he knew well. One he had played on repeat when he was younger, back when he still collected CDs.

Haein stirred, shifting closer.

His body went rigid for a moment before he forced himself to relax.

This is fine. It’s just a small thing.

The rain continued to pour outside, tapping lightly against the windows. The warmth between them was unmistakable.

Maybe it was a problem.

But for now, just for now—he decided he wouldn’t think too much about it.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The rain continued to fall outside, a steady rhythm against the windows. The warmth between them was undeniable, quiet and unspoken.

And before Chaewoon knew it—he, too, had fallen asleep.

It was rare for him to lower his guard. Years of training had made it nearly impossible for him to rest fully, always attuned to every sound, every movement, every potential threat. Even when he slept, it was light, almost restless, ready to wake at the slightest disturbance.

But now, with the soft hum of music in his ear and the steady warmth of Haein against him, his body relaxed before he could even realize it. His breathing evened out, the tension in his shoulders loosening.

Maybe it was the rain. Maybe it was the exhaustion he refused to acknowledge.

Or maybe, it was just her.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Haein stirred first.

Her lashes fluttered as she blinked herself awake, her mind still hazy with sleep.

And that’s when she realized—her head was still resting against him.

Her brain took a few seconds to catch up. She was warm. Too warm. There was a steady rise and fall beneath her, the familiar scent of his cologne lingering in the air.

She turned her head slightly—only to be met with the sight of Chaewoon’s sleeping face.

Oh.

Haein stilled.

She had never seen him asleep before. Not once.

Chaewoon was always so alert, so sharp—always standing, always watching. It was almost unsettling to see him like this, completely at ease. His features were softer in sleep, his usual unreadable expression gone.

She found herself staring.

His lashes were long, his jaw sharp, his lips slightly parted as he breathed steadily. The dim light from outside cast gentle shadows on his face, making him look even more peaceful.

This is unfair, she thought. He’s supposed to be intimidating.

And yet, there was something endearing about this.

Something that made her chest feel tight.

Her gaze lowered slightly, taking in how his hands were still loosely resting on his lap, how his body had leaned ever so slightly toward hers as he slept.

For someone so disciplined, so constantly aware, it was strange to see him this relaxed.

He trusts me.

The thought struck her unexpectedly.

He wasn’t the only one making her feel at ease.

She made him feel at ease, too.

Her fingers twitched slightly, an unconscious urge to reach out. To touch, to confirm that he was really here like this, unguarded. But before she could even think to move—

His lashes fluttered.

And then, his eyes opened, slow and drowsy, adjusting to his surroundings.

They met hers immediately.

Silence.

Haein’s breath caught in her throat.

Chaewoon blinked, his gaze heavy with sleep, his mind still catching up with reality.

For a moment, neither of them moved.

The music still played faintly in the background, the rain still fell outside, but all Haein could hear was the quiet pounding of her own heart. Or maybe it was his. She couldn’t tell.

She should look away. She should.

But she didn’t.

And neither did he.

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Chaewoon felt it first—the subtle shift beside him, the soft stir of movement as Haein lifted her head. He was still half-asleep, his mind floating somewhere between dreams and waking. Normally, he’d be alert at the slightest change in his surroundings. Years of discipline had trained him to be that way.

But not this time.

Even as his senses registered the movement, his body didn’t react. It was as if something within him told him to stay still. To rest. To just be—there, next to her.

He could feel her gaze then, even with his eyes still closed. A quiet presence. Familiar. Warm.

And so, he opened his eyes.

Slowly.

And the first thing he saw was her.

Haein’s face, close to his. Her eyes locked with his, wide and unblinking. Time didn’t just slow—it completely stopped.

He froze.

He blinked once, trying to gather his thoughts, but they scattered just as quickly.

Beautiful.

That was the only word his sleepy mind could offer. No strategies. No logic. Just that one, simple truth.

The sound of rain and music faded quietly in the background, drowned out by the sudden pounding of a heartbeat. He couldn’t tell if it was his or hers.

He watched her breath catch, the way her eyes slightly widened. There was surprise there. Maybe uncertainty. But she didn’t pull away.

And he didn’t move either.

He should have. He knew that.

But for once, Chaewoon let the moment stay. Still. Quiet. Suspended.

And somehow, it felt right.

< Chapter 7 Chapter 9 >

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hi everyone! this chapter is a little short and it ended with a cliffhanger Im so sorry afsghjdkfdsa

I have so much in store for this story, I want to include a moment where Haein has to stay in Chaewoon's place for the time being and she meets his cat, Mansik. They also grow even closer together.

But I think I'm really going to be busy with work for the upcoming weeks. Hopefully, I find the time and energy over the weekends to update at least one chapter each week.

For the meantime, I'm thinking of uploading some of my drafts ><

First Love - my delusional story between Ju Jihoon and Song Jihyo

angst, heart-break, memories, little moments, slow-burn, reunion

What began as young love on the set of their first drama was lost to missed chances, early heartbreaks, and painful regrets. Years passed, but old memories still resurfaced—and they’re left wondering if some first loves are meant to return.

Trauma Code: A Hero in Love - a series of one-shot stories between Dr. Baek Kang Hyuk and Dr. Song Hye Joo (my OC played by Song Hye Kyo)

romance, comedy, lots of teasings, slow-burn

When Dr. Baek’s former med school rival, Dr. Song Hyejoo, joins the trauma team, his usual composure is shaken—just a little competitive, and maybe a little shy. As they face emergencies together, they rediscover something they never dared explore before.

I already have a few chapters written with both of this, so I guess for the mean time, while the Unspoken Series takes a little hiatus, I hope you will enjoy these two stories I have prepared ><

taglist: @lvnat1c @strangerinthesecretforest <3