Your smile, Your ghost (part 6)
Pairing: Brendon Park x femReader (nurse reader)
Warning: This is my interpretation of Park’s character, considering the 30 seconds of screen time he got. No medical knowledge from the writer (sorry :/ )
Summary: Brendon Park feels like he’s being haunted by a pretty girl in scrubs who seems to always show up when he needs her.
Chapter Summary: Perhaps your time working with Dr. Park isn’t over just yet,
Previous chapter (part 5)
Dr. Park had forgotten you would only be here for a week. He knew you were only stepping in as an emergency until the new guy was available. He just didn’t realize how quickly the week had passed by.
Gloria confirmed it when she called Park with the great news, the day after you mentioned it. The new guy could start 3 weeks earlier than planned and still cover for Linda during her maternity leave.
It was great news, technically. The new guy was supposed to be really good, that’s what Park was promised. Came from a prestigious university and extra letters next to his name showing off his knowledge. On paper, better than you.
You had worked side by side for the past few days perfectly and he had just learned to dismiss your attempts at socializing.
But now he was back on the original plan. The new guy was starting today and he would work next to him from now on.
That morning Dr. Park was 25 minutes early to the hospital, instead of the 15 minutes he usually was. If the new guy cared about his job, he would’ve shown up early, right?
On your first day, you were there and ready before Park himself. Clearly, you cared about your job.
The new guy was late. Late according to his standards, finally showing up 5 minutes before his shift started.
“Dr. Park” he nodded at Park. He was quick, straight to the point, and didn't give his name. Looked too confident for his own good.
“You’re late.” Park gave him his typical stare.
“Late?” The guy checked his watch.
“You have five minutes” said Park and started walking away.
“Five minutes until what sorry?”
Park let out a loud sigh. Wasn’t this guy supposed to be smart?
“Until the OR is prepped”. Park stared at him. The new guy looked everywhere but, trying to avoid Park’s tense glare.
“I- uh- I yeah ok” The guy’s confidence clearly wavering as he sprinted away. That guy was terrified. Running off like a scared puppy. You were never scared of him, you were too fucking friendly, actually.
Park shook his head, trying to erase the thoughts away. The new guy was supposed to be good. You asked questions on your first day too. But, you also would’ve had the OR ready for him by now.
Park approached the scrub station. The new guy was there, waiting with a towel in hand.
He washed his hands and looked over at the new guy. Raised his eyebrow at him. Park couldn’t believe he actually had to ask him. “Towel?”
“Oh right, here.” The guy handed the towel too slowly for Park’s liking. As Park dried his hands, he looked at him from head to toe. The most specialized nurse in the building was shaking like a leaf in Park’s presence.
The new guy presented the surgical gown to Park and started tying it around him. His neck vessel almost popped from the anger and the tightness of the gown.
“Too tight!” Park huffed. Useless. If Park didn’t have an HR history, he would’ve cussed him out instead.
“Oh sorry.” the new guy loosened it. Park turned to look at the clock. Surgery was already running behind. Great. If you were here, he probably would’ve completed the first incision already.
The surgery went as Park expected.
Park had to repeat himself twice to the new guy on what he needed. The new guy’s shoes kept making the most annoying squeak every time he took a couple steps. Then he almost bumped shoulders with him since the new guy was apparently unaware of the concept of personal space.
As soon as it was over, Park ripped the surgical mask off his face. He didn’t know why he kept putting it off. He had made up his mind already the moment the new guy walked in.
He pulled out his phone out of his pocket, hovered over Gloria’s phone number. Turned to look at Useless and pointed a finger at the door.
You were finally back on the day shift at the ED. So ecstatic, you could’ve kissed the floor in joy.
Dr. Park wasn’t that bad, but you needed to be constantly moving. And most importantly, you needed human conversation that didn’t revolve around medical instruments.
You greeted Dana as you walked in.
“Hey Sunny!” She greeted you back. “Glad you’re back. You survive the shark?” She smirked at you.
“I guess,” you shrugged, “He didn’t call me an idiot.”
“I knew you’d do great. You’re smart, kid. Now back to work, I got a guy in-“ Dana’s phone ringing cut her off and she answered it.
You caught Dr. Robby walking sheepishly towards you. “Sunny… .You survived” He extended his arms gesturing at your unharmed body. “Everything was…ok?” He scratched the back of his head, concern in his eyes.
You rolled your eyes at him. “I’m here. I’m alive. It wasn’t too bad. No insults thrown my away”
“Oh, that’s good” Robby let out a breath, holding his chest, like he was hoping for that answer from you. “I ask ‘cause… We were worried for you. Wasn’t sure if you’d be too… ‘peppy’ for Park.” He held up air quotes.
“You know,” Robby looked up at the ceiling trying to find the right word. “You’re full of energy… and talkative. Park doesn’t… enjoy talking”
You had to admit, with all the warnings you got, you turned down the peppiness a bit during your time with Park.
“It was fine. Just glad to be back.”
“Glad to have you too,” He put a hand on your shoulder then turned to point at the break room, “Shen said to tell you that he left you something in the break room. Probably one of those disgusting drinks you like”
“Come on!” Dana’s loud voice made you both turn to her in surprise. “That’s - Fine. Fine! But you tell her.” She turned to you and extended the phone towards you.
“Your presence is being requested upstairs.” She extended the phone further to you.
Dr. Robby whistled in disbelief at you, then walked away.
You took the phone from her and put it to your ear. The scheduler’s voice on the other end explained quickly.
Your assignment was being extended for the next 9 weeks. No one else with your experience could cover. You were expected upstairs in 30 minutes. The scheduler hung up before you even got a chance to argue.
“9 weeks” You flopped your head on the desk.
“Unbelievable” Dana muttered.
“Can they even do that?” You peeked up at her.
“You must’ve done something right.” Dana patted your head. “There there, go on now.”
“You’re not gonna save me?” You lifted your head frowning at her.
“Can’t. Sorry.” She gave you a sympathetic look.
“Fine,” You grinded your teeth. “But I’m coming back for my coffee.”
“See you later, kid.” Dana chuckled.
You walked out of the emergency department to the elevators, head hanging low.
This wasn't fair! You didn’t even like working there. But you just HAD to prove you were good.
The elevator stopped at that boring floor, you walked out and turned at the last minute towards the wall. Then kicked it. Letting the poor wall feel your rage.
“You’re gonna break a toe” a voice said behind you. You didn’t have to turn around to know who it was. Stupid shark.
“No, I’ll get an ingrown toenail at best.” You countered and limped a little.
He hummed, staring at you.
“What happened to the other one? The replacement nurse?” You questioned him.
“He wasn’t good.” He walked away, then added over his shoulder, “Five minutes.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know.” You said under your breath.
You had 30 minutes until the next surgery so you had to use your time wisely.
You ran to the ED break room for your iced coffee. Thankfully, your drink was still there. Whitaker stole it that one time and you never let him forget it. You glanced at the clock. 27 minutes left. You could still go upstairs and enjoy your coffee slowly in the upstairs break room.
You never went in that break room, but you heard they had a super fancy coffee machine. When you walked past the upstairs break room, it was usually empty. That’s why you didn’t expect to see Dr. Park in front of the coffee machine there.
You sat down at the table and pulled out your phone, sipping on your coffee.
You watched him pull a coffee cup and brew a coffee pod. Then he grabbed a container from the microwave, his home-cooked meal you assumed. Took the coffee away from the machine and placed it next to his container.
He didn’t reach for the sugar or the creamer. He didn’t put anything in his coffee.
You were too curious for your own good, “You don’t put anything in your coffee?”
He paused his movements. “No.” His back turned to you still.
You sipped loudly. “Just black coffee?”
“Just black coffee” He turned his head slightly to you. Then grabbed a utensil and a napkin from the cupboard.
“Really? No creamer? No sugar?” You made a face.
“Black coffee doesn’t spike blood sugar” He said matter-of-factly.
“Yeah, it spikes depression instead” You said without thinking. You almost clamped a hand over your mouth.
Park paused his movements again, finally turning to look at you. He stared down at the cup in your hand.
“As opposed to?” He gestured at your cup. His hands then reached for his container and coffee cup.
“Caramel iced coffee,” You smiled and shook the cup. “You want to try some?
He grimaced at the cup. “No.” Then looked around the break room.
“You sure? I don’t mind I’ll remove the lid”
“No.” Park looked around the room one more time. He looked at you and the table.
You got the hint. He wanted to eat at the table. Alone.
Park doesn’t enjoy talking.
You stood up from the table, drinking the last sips quickly. “I’m done here.” You shook your empty cup at him.
He walked towards the table and set his things down. You walked towards the door and turned at the last second.
“If you want, I can get you a coffee like mine next time. It’ll change you forever, I swear.” You pushed.
“No.” He side eyed you and took a seat.
You walked out the door towards the bathroom.
Park doesn’t enjoy talking.
Well, you were a talkative person. You were also peppy and full of energy. Robby said it himself.
You toned down your personality and that bored you to death last time you were here. It wasn’t fair that you had to change yourself to appease a man. Much less a man you weren’t trying to impress. Not anymore at least. You could be a good worker and still be… ‘peppy’.
If Dr. Park got annoyed with you and your peppiness and that happened to get you sent right back to the emergency department, then so be it.
You would be yourself and annoy the hell out of him.
A/N: I did warn you that I loved a forced proximity trope. Did I also mention I love a grumpy x sunshine trope?😁