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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

behold the ✨ abs trilogy ✨

also known as the fever series😂

💧

The Trouble with Admitting Things

Baek Kang-hyuk x Reader

Genre: Fluff, Humor, Light Slow Burn

Warnings: Mild teasing, secondhand embarrassment

Word Count: ~6,500

Synopsis: After a grueling shift, you accidentally admit to admiring Dr. Baek Kang-hyuk—big mistake. He seizes every chance to tease you, turning your embarrassment into daily entertainment. But when the teasing gives way to unexpected sincerity, you realize admiration might not be so one-sided after all.

You should have known better than to let your guard down around Baek Kang-hyuk.

Especially not when you were running on fumes, too exhausted to keep up your usual defenses.

It had been a brutal shift at the trauma center—back-to-back emergencies, rushed procedures, and a never-ending stream of critical cases. The air had been thick with tension, every second spent making life-or-death decisions. But despite the chaos, the team had worked together like a well-oiled machine, with Kang-hyuk at the helm, cool-headed and sharp as ever.

And now? Now you were all slumped in the break room, desperately clinging to the last ounces of energy in your bodies.

The scent of instant coffee mixed with antiseptic filled the air, and you nursed your mug as if it held the key to your survival. Across from you, Dr. Park Gyeong-won sighed dramatically, rubbing his temples.

“I think I lost about five years of my life in that last hour.”

Jang-mi, one of the trauma nurses, groaned. “Forget years, I think my soul left my body when that last code was called.”

There was a chorus of agreement.

And that was when your sleep-deprived brain betrayed you.

“Honestly,” you muttered, stretching your sore neck, “if it weren’t for Dr. Baek, half of us wouldn’t have made it through that shift.”

The moment the words left your mouth, the room fell eerily silent.

You blinked, sluggishly registering the amused looks being exchanged.

Gyeong-won raised an eyebrow, his exhaustion momentarily forgotten. “Oh? Is that admiration I hear?”

Jang-mi, who had just taken a sip of tea, nearly choked. She slammed her cup down, eyes wide with exaggerated shock. “Wait, wait—our Dr. Baek?” Her gaze snapped to Kang-hyuk, who was leaning against the counter, watching the scene unfold with an infuriatingly smug expression.

“Did you hear that?” she gasped.

Dr. Yang Jae-won, who had been lazily sprawled in his chair, perked up. “Wow, (Y/N). That’s high praise coming from you.” He smirked. “You usually just call him an insufferable ass.”

Your stomach dropped. Oh, no.

“I meant professionally,” you blurted, suddenly very aware of how hot your face felt.

Kang-hyuk chuckled, arms crossed, his smirk widening. “Professionally, huh?”

You shot him a glare, but he was enjoying this way too much.

Unfortunately, so was everyone else.

“Oh, don’t backtrack now,” Jang-mi teased, practically vibrating with excitement. “We all heard it.”

Gyeong-won leaned forward, chin resting on his hand. “So, tell us, (Y/N). What exactly do you admire about Dr. Baek?”

You swore you felt your soul leave your body. “Can we not—”

Jae-won smirked. “Is it his surgical skills? His confidence? His broad shoulders?”

Jang-mi gasped. “His hands, maybe?”

“Oh my God, stop—”

“Or is it,” Kang-hyuk drawled, tilting his head, “my charming personality?”

Your entire face went up in flames.

Kang-hyuk took a slow step closer, voice rich with amusement. “Why are you blushing?”

“I am not—”

“Are you embarrassed?”

“No—”

“You are.”

“I swear to—”

Jang-mi gasped again, dramatic as ever. “Oh no. What if it’s actually his hands?”

Gyeong-won feigned deep thought. “It’s the hands, isn’t it?”

“I HATE ALL OF YOU.”

Kang-hyuk grinned, full-on thriving in your misery. “So, (Y/N),” he mused, “do you admire my hands?”

You considered throwing your coffee at him.

The problem with Baek Kang-hyuk was that he never let things go.

Ever.

For the next week, he found every opportunity to remind you of your unfortunate slip-up.

During morning rounds: “(Y/N), you seem distracted. Thinking about my hands again?”

During surgery: “You’re staring. I get it. My technique is admirable.”

Even in the middle of a high-stakes procedure: “Focus, (Y/N). Just pretend it’s me guiding you with my admirable skills.”

It was relentless. And the worst part? Everyone else was in on it.

Jang-mi started taking exaggerated notes whenever Kang-hyuk spoke, dramatically whispering, “Such admiration,” under her breath.

Jae-won? He would randomly sigh in the middle of conversations and lament, “If only someone admired me the way (Y/N) admires Dr. Baek.”

Even Park Gyeong-won, who was usually the most mature of the bunch, just smirked whenever you shot him a pleading look.

You were never going to live this down.

The tipping point came when Kang-hyuk—absolute menace that he was—walked into the break room while you were alone, arms crossed, looking far too amused.

“You know,” he started conversationally, “I’ve been thinking.”

“Oh no.”

He ignored you. “Since you admire me so much, maybe I should return the favor.”

You groaned. “Please don’t.”

“But there’s just so much to admire,” he continued dramatically. “Your sharp tongue, your ability to withstand my teasing—”

You threw a napkin at him. He dodged easily.

“See?” he grinned. “That resilience. Very admirable.”

You contemplated homicide.

It all came to a head late one night.

You were in the on-call room, exhausted, head resting against the back of the couch. The door creaked open, but you didn’t bother looking up.

“If this is about my admiration comment,” you grumbled, “I am going to scream.”

A chuckle. “Relax. It’s just me.”

You cracked one eye open to see Kang-hyuk standing by the door, hands in his pockets. He looked… different. Less teasing. More thoughtful.

You frowned. “What?”

He hesitated before stepping inside, closing the door behind him.

“Listen,” he said, rubbing the back of his neck, “I know I’ve been messing with you a lot, but…” He exhaled, looking almost—shy? “It actually meant something.”

Your breath caught. “What?”

“What you said.” His voice was quieter now. “That you admired me.”

You swallowed, suddenly unsure where this was going.

He let out a small, self-deprecating chuckle. “I don’t really hear that a lot. Not from people who—” He trailed off before shaking his head. “Anyway. It was nice. Coming from you.”

Your heart did something funny in your chest.

“You admire me?” you repeated dumbly.

His lips quirked. “Someone who keeps me on my toes? Someone I—” He paused before smirking, voice dropping to something softer. “—also admire.”

Your brain short-circuited.

“I—what—”

He chuckled, stepping closer. “Relax, (Y/N). It’s just admiration.”

Your face burned. “You’re the worst.”

“I know.” His grin widened. “But at least now we’re even.”

You groaned, burying your face in your hands.

Baek Kang-hyuk just laughed.

I’ve got a Yang Jae-won fic cooking in my drafts… should I??? 👀👀👀

taglist: perm @missroro @study-with-reine234

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.

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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.

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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

Several ways Jung Woo calls Ji Hoon

choi san: an actor on stage

CHOI SAN: deja vu

an elegant performer

Trauma Code: A Hero in Love

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

Flashback 2: Reunion in the Trauma Bay

The trauma center was buzzing, as usual. Dr. Baek Kang Hyuk stood at the head of the ER, glancing through scans on the monitor while rattling off orders to the nurses. It was just another hectic day—or so he thought.

“Dr. Baek!” Jaewon called out, a phone in hand and urgency written all over his face. “We’ve got a call from Amsan Medical. They’re transferring a trauma patient here. Multiple internal injuries—urgent case.”

Kang Hyuk nodded, already preparing. “Why transfer it here?”

“They said all their ORs are occupied,” Jaewon replied. “But a trauma surgeon is already with the patient and will be performing the surgery here.”

Kang Hyuk frowned slightly. It was rare, but not unheard of. “Fine. Prep Operating Room 2. I’ll assist if needed.”

Before he could even finish the sentence, the ER doors burst open.

A stretcher came barreling through, flanked by a medical team in Amsan uniforms. Atop the gurney, a woman in a surgical gown was straddling the patient, performing CPR with practiced precision. Her eyes were laser-focused, her movements sharp and unhesitating.

Kang Hyuk froze.

There was something oddly familiar about her—even beneath the mask, even in this chaos. That gaze. That intensity. That fire he remembered so vividly.

The woman dismounted as the stretcher came to a stop. Breathing heavily, she pulled down her mask.

“I’m Dr. Song Hye Joo from Amsan Medical Hospital,” she said clearly. “We called earlier to request immediate use of your operating room. We ask for your cooperation.”

Song Hye Joo.

Of course, he knew that name.

That face.

That voice.

She turned—and her eyes met his.

A pause.

Recognition flickered in both their eyes. A beat of stillness amid the rush.

Hyejoo blinked once, her breath still catching from the ride in. Kang Hyuk straightened instinctively, something twisting in his chest.

But there was no time.

“The patient has a ruptured spleen, probable pelvic fracture, and signs of hypovolemic shock,” Hyejoo said briskly, eyes not leaving Kang Hyuk’s as if daring him to challenge her.

Instead, he nodded once. “OR 2 is prepped. Call anesthesia. Let’s move.”

They walked side by side as the gurney was pushed down the hall—two surgeons, old rivals, moving in sync once again.

Whatever history they shared, whatever words had been left unsaid years ago—would have to wait.

For now, there was a life to save.

The surgery was a success—but exhausting. Hours of high-pressure precision had passed in a blur, and now the operating room was quiet, save for the soft hum of machines and the occasional clatter of instruments being cleared away.

Dr. Baek Kang Hyuk peeled off his gloves and scrubbed his hands in silence. Beside him, Dr. Song Hyejoo did the same. Neither spoke. The air between them was thick with something unspoken—fatigue, yes, but also familiarity.

Finally, Hyejoo broke the silence, her voice low but steady.

“Would it be alright if the patient stayed here until things settle at Amsan? We’re still reorganizing post-incident.”

Kang Hyuk nodded without hesitation. “There’s space in Seoul Medical University Hospital’s trauma wing. He can stay. I’ll keep you updated on his progress… if you’re not able to visit right away.”

She looked at him—surprised, maybe even a little relieved. “Thank you.”

Another pause.

And then, softly, she said, “It’s been a long time.”

“It has,” he replied, eyes meeting hers at last.

The weight of everything they didn’t say hung between them. All the nights spent arguing over case studies, the silent hours of tutoring, the glances stolen in quiet corners of the library.

But before either could speak again, Hyejoo’s phone rang. She glanced at it, her expression tightening.

“Sorry,” she murmured. “I have to go. It’s urgent.”

She picked up her coat and surgical tablet, already halfway out the door when she turned back for one last look.

“I’m leaving my patient in your care. I’ll drop by again later to check on him.” A small smile curved her lips—tired, but sincere. “Thank you again… and… see you.”

The door swung shut behind her.

“…See you,” Kang Hyuk said softly, even though she was already gone.

He stood there for a moment, alone in the sterile silence, staring at the door she’d disappeared through.

The last time he’d seen her was on campus, years ago, when she had suddenly told him she was transferring schools. No explanation. No time for goodbyes.

He had always wondered if their paths would cross again.

Who would’ve thought it would happen here, under the bright lights of the trauma bay, with lives hanging in the balance?

And yet, it felt just like her—to show up in the middle of chaos and leave just as quickly.

But this time, she said she’d come back.

This time, maybe things would be different.

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The next day arrived quietly, but Kang Hyuk found himself unusually restless.

He had told himself it was nothing. Just professional curiosity, nothing more. After all, the patient was still under his care—it made sense to expect a follow-up from the referring doctor. A check-in. A call. A return.

From her.

But all morning passed in a blur of rounds, paperwork, and silence. No messages. No signs. No Hyejoo.

By early afternoon, he’d resigned himself to the fact that maybe she wasn’t coming.

Then—

“Dr. Baek,” the head nurse called from the hallway, clipboard in hand. “Someone from Amsan Hospital is here to check on the trauma patient from yesterday.”

Kang Hyuk straightened slightly. His heart didn’t race, not exactly, but something in his chest did shift—an expectation that felt suspiciously like hope.

She came back.

But as he stepped out into the hall, the figure who greeted him wasn’t familiar at all.

It was a younger man, maybe a resident, wearing Amsan’s teal uniform. He bowed politely. “Good afternoon, Dr. Baek. I’m Dr. Han, sent by Dr. Song to monitor the patient’s condition and update the records.”

Kang Hyuk’s brows knit together. “Where’s Dr. Song?”

The resident adjusted his glasses. “Ah, she was scheduled to come herself, but she got called into an urgent meeting with our hospital director. She apologizes for not being able to stop by.”

Kang Hyuk didn’t respond immediately.

Just a slight nod.

Professional. Measured.

But the frown tugging at the edge of his mouth betrayed the flicker of disappointment he refused to show.

“I see,” he said simply.

The resident went on briefing him about Hyejoo’s requested post-op protocol, but Kang Hyuk’s thoughts had already drifted elsewhere.

So that was it?

Another brief encounter, another goodbye without warning. Just like last time.

Only this time, he knew where she worked. That she was still the same confident, capable woman from university. Still the one who caught him off guard.

He wasn’t sure if she would come back—but this time, he didn’t want to let it end without trying.

Not again.

Right behind him, Dr. Jaewon and Nurse Jangmi exchanged looks as they observed the surprisingly calm figure of Dr. Baek Kang Hyuk.

“…Okay, not to be that person,” Jangmi whispered, “but why was I half-expecting him to blow up just now?”

Jaewon tilted his head. “Right? A trauma surgeon from another hospital comes in, performs surgery, then bounces and sends updates through a resident? The old Dr. Baek would’ve lost it.”

“Exactly!” Jangmi crossed her arms, still eyeing Kang Hyuk suspiciously. “But here he is. Calm. Civilized. Not even a raised voice.”

Jaewon squinted at their boss. “You think he finally fixed his temper?”

“I don’t know…” Jangmi murmured, narrowing her eyes. “I think it has less to do with his temper and more to do with the surgeon.”

“Dr. Song?” Jaewon asked.

Jangmi nodded slowly. “He’s been… off since she showed up. Don’t you think? Distracted. Zoned out. Soft-spoken, even.”

Jaewon raised his brows. “Wow. You think he’s—?”

“Caught a different kind of fever, maybe,” Jangmi smirked. “Symptoms are all there.”

“I can hear you two,” Kang Hyuk called out, his voice low but unmistakably dry.

Jaewon and Jangmi both stiffened. Jaewon panicked first. “W-We were just talking about post-op fever symptoms! Very common this time of year!”

Jangmi elbowed him.

Kang Hyuk didn’t slow down. “Mm-hmm.”

He disappeared around the corner, white coat trailing behind him like nothing happened.

But the corners of his mouth?

They twitched. Just slightly.

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Their encounter still lingered in Hyejoo’s mind like a heartbeat she couldn’t quiet.

One moment she was fighting to save a young patient’s life, arguing with Amsan’s board for turning him away. The next, she was in an unfamiliar hospital hallway—face to face with someone she never thought she’d see again.

Baek Kang Hyuk.

The name hadn’t crossed her mind at all during the chaos of the transfer. She’d been too occupied, too furious, too focused on getting the boy the urgent care he needed. But the moment she saw his face, something in her shifted. Time bent.

A wave of memory, of familiarity, of something that had once burned quietly beneath late-night study sessions and rivalry-soaked glances.

She was relieved, she realized. Relieved to see him again after all these years.

And not just see him—see him there. Standing tall in his white coat, calm under pressure, taking control of the situation like the surgeon she always knew he’d become.

Of course he’d become someone great. She never doubted it. He was Baek Kang Hyuk—he didn’t just rise to challenges, he met them head-on and left everyone else trying to catch up.

She wanted to talk. To laugh. To ask him how life had been, what kind of doctor he’d become, if he ever thought of her the way she’d occasionally found herself thinking of him.

But life, as always, got in the way.

The Amsan Medical Director had been furious when he found out she transferred a patient to a rival hospital and performed emergency surgery there without clearance.

His voice thundered in the conference room, demanding answers. “Do you think you’re above protocol, Dr. Song?”

No, she thought. I just refuse to stand by and watch a child die because your system favors power over people.

The anger she’d swallowed for months rose to the surface—every time she watched priority given to patients with prestige, while those who couldn’t afford connections were told to wait. Told to suffer. Told to die quietly.

This boy had been her last straw.

She didn’t flinch. She didn’t raise her voice. She simply reached up, unfastened the Amsan coat she wore like a weight, and laid it neatly across the table.

Then she met the director’s furious gaze with unwavering calm.

“I resign.”

The room went silent.

And just like that, she was free.

She had plans—clearer now than ever. To join a hospital that actually prioritized patients. One where she could be a doctor, not a puppet.

And maybe, just maybe, she’d end up at a place where a certain rival-turned-ally wore his coat with pride.

A place where Baek Kang Hyuk still carried that same focused fire in his eyes—the one that once pushed her to be better, and now pulled her in again, without warning.

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Trauma Code: A Hero in Love - Chapter List

Trauma Code: A Hero in Love

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

3.1: A Prescription for Lunch

The trauma department had finally settled into a lull after the storm of back-to-back emergencies. Dr. Song Hyejoo sat at her desk, flipping through patient charts, her brows knitted in quiet concentration. Her coffee had gone cold. Her stomach had long since forgotten what lunch tasted like.

Without a word, Dr. Baek Kanghyuk appeared beside her and placed a lunch box on her desk with a soft thud. Not the cafeteria kind—this was from the nicer spot two blocks away, the one with actual flavor.

She blinked up at him, surprised. “What’s this?”

Kanghyuk didn’t look at her, busying himself with straightening a nearby chart. “Lunch,” he said flatly. “Obviously.”

She chuckled, then opened it slowly, eyes lighting up at the sight. “You even got my favorite side dishes?”

He finally turned to face her, arms crossed. “Who’s gonna take care of the patients if you don’t take care of yourself?”

Hyejoo looked at him for a long moment, a soft smile tugging at her lips. “Well… I have you around bringing me food like this.”

Kanghyuk scoffed and rolled his eyes, clearly flustered. “Don’t expect I’ll do this every day.”

Behind them, Jangmi and Jaewon stood at the nurses’ station, watching the exchange like it was their favorite drama.

“He says that,” Jangmi whispered, “but he always worries about Dr. Song.”

“Seriously,” Jaewon added with a knowing smirk. “Last week he lectured me for five minutes when I forgot to remind her to take a break.”

Gyeongwon, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed, didn’t even look up from his tablet. “He’s a hopeless case.”

Jangmi smirked. “A hopeless case in love.”

At that moment, Kanghyuk glanced over and saw the three of them watching. Jaewon quickly looked away, pretending to read something. Jangmi gave him a sly wave. Gyeongwon raised his coffee like a toast, not missing a beat.

Kanghyuk sighed. “Get back to work, all of you.”

But even as he turned away, there was the faintest hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

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Trauma Code: A Hero in Love - Chapter List