#sandsoftime

But of course, when issue came barelling into you, it's a whole different thing.

Literally.

One moment you were trying to reach for the cereal Jongho likes (that was put on the top shelf because life like to make sure you'd struggle a little), the next, you were tackled to the floor, crashing hard like an idiot. It was fortunate that there was no one near you and that there wasn't a cart in front of you because that would've been even more disastrous.

"Kijoong!"

As much as you hated to admit it, the first thing that popped into your head was "Please God, tell me it's not the kid whose dad aided in the desolution of your career" but of course, when you sat up, you saw the adorable face of the kid you saved grinning at you happily, hands around your waist. "Hi," he giggled before he hugged you tighter. Though you had wished that it wasn't him, you couldn't help but chuckle and pat his head gently, saying hi back.

As quickly as Kijoong attacked you, he was ripped away just as quick by the guy you can only think is his dad, holding him as he looked down at you with worry in his eyes. "I'm sorry miss, I truly- I-I'm sorry, I should've kept an eye on him and- are you hurt? I'm a doctor, I- I work at KQ Hospital, I can help," he tried extending a hand forward but you only rolled your eyes and got back up without his help. "You've done enough, and even if I wanted to seek medical aid, I doubt your stupid hospital will allow me in, dr. Kim," you smiled sarcastically.

Recognition flashed in his eyes as they widen, "Oh my God, are you (y/n)?" At the mention of your name, Kijoong leaped out of his father's hold and crashed into you once again. "(y/n)!" He exclaimed happily, squealing as he tried to squeeze the life out of you (to which he failed to). "What gave it away? The fact that Kijoong seem to know me or the fact that I know you're dr. Kim Hongjoong or that I'm banned from the hospital?" Immediately, Hongjoong felt guilty, ashamed even and it was obvious from how he was trying to avoid your gaze that you maintained because honestly, you were waiting for him to apologize to you. Acknowledge what happened and what he did. Express his regret. But the most you got was from Kijoong and no matter how much you adored the kid, it wasn't enough to keep you around.

So with a roll of your eyes, you pat Kijoong on the head and bid him goodbye.

You really did mean to avoid both Hongjoong and Kijoong but somehow Kijoong managed to sneak away from his dad and stood next to you with an innocent grin while his dad rushed back and forth trying to find his son (and you but you're there by proxy).

The straw that broke (hongjoong's mental state) the camel's back was when Kijoong followed you out of the grocery store (and you only realized when he grabbed your hand as you tried to cross the road). As soon as you stepped back into the premise with Kijoong happily playing with the string of your hoodie, you were met with a dishevelled Hongjoong on the verge of tears standing with a security guard.

"Hey," you called out and as soon as his eyes met with the sight of his son, you could see the relief on his face but even then, you couldn't help but poke fun at him. "Don't worry, I didn't kidnap him," you set Kijoong down in front of Hongjoong as he slumped to the floor, holding his son who looked rather confused and unsure as to why his dad was acting that way.

When Hongjoong pulled away from Kijoong, he held the boy at arm's length as he huffed, "Wooyoung was right, we're gonna have to put a leash on you," and to make matters worse, Kijoong barked at his dad at the mention of the leash but Hongjoong looked too tired to even comment on his son's response. Standing back up, Hongjoon took a step forward towards you but you took a step back while shaking your head, an action you didn't even realized you did. "How can I thank you?" Hongjoong asked, genuinely wanting to repay you. He expected you to do that push-and-pull thing where you said he shouldn't and he said he absolutely should and you said no and he ended up doing something he figures is the least he can do for you. What he didn't expect was you raising an eyebrow at him and just stared blankly. It was rather unnerving. "I- Do you want me to drive you back home?" he asked but you only tilted your head to the side at him, looking unamused. "Is that a yes? O-or...?" but you still didn't reply. Finally, an idea popped into his head, "Kijoong and I haven't eaten. Will you join us?"

So that was how you found yourself sitting in a booth of a noodle restaurant. You sat on one side of the booth with Hongjoong across from you while Kijoong sat on a high chair. Hongjoong initially let the kid sit on the booth, but considering that Kijoong had played Houdini the whole day, you figured putting him in confinement was a better alternative.

Hongjoong stared in wonder at how Kijoong allowed you to watch him eat and even clean up his face. He remembered how the boy used to bite the fingers of people other than him who tried to clean him up or even clean around him. And by 'used to', he meant not even 3 months ago and his brother was still complaining about the bite. But this? Kijoong even accepted your offer to try your noodles (which he hated but he didn't cry). It was always apparent to Hongjoong that Kijoong was not like other kids but at that moment, he realized that Kijoong had the potential to. What was he missing?

"Do you usually watch people eat, dr. Kim?"

Snapping out of his trance, Hongjoong shook his head and went back to eating as if he wasn't just staring at you. "I don't watch people eat," he muttered, slightly embarrassed that you caught him in that situation. Luckily for him, you simply shrugged and went back to eating, going back and forth between taking a bite and making sure that Kijoong wasn't making a mess.

"You're good with children," Hongjoong stated, surprising you slightly. "Yeah... It's as if I have experience working with children or something," you smirked.

At the mention of your job, Hongjoong stiffened slightly and a question hung onto his lips. Before he could stop himself, however, he blurted the question out, "How are you doing though? How's the job hunt?" Initially, you were surprised that he knew about you seeking employment, but you figured he heard stuff from Wooyoung so you shrugged, "Well, I just found out that my career as a nurse has ended before it could actually take of because somehow the news that KQ Hospital wanted to sue me and wanted to bestow upon me a restraining order for 'assaulting the child of a doctor in the hospital' got out proven by the people who rejected my application or invited me to get a direct scoop," you chuckled bitterly, swirling your noodles in hopes that the sudden feeling of wanting to cry would pass. Looking up at him, you sent a smile that sent chills down his spine, "In your professional opinion, dr. Kim, how do you think I am?"

Hongjoong didn't know what he was expecting out of you. He was already aware of what happened but hearing it directly from you, he really felt like he was responsible. Though it was the hospital that suggested bringing the case to court and getting a restraining order he did say yes without taking the time to actually seek the truth. He knew very well what Kijoong could do and after checking the CCTV (4 days after the event), he was proven wrong but things already happened and between dealing with his son and the legal issues, he would rather deal with his son.

You saw him opening his mouth and you immediately raised a hand, "If you're gonna apologize, save it. That's only going to alleviate your guilt and do absolutely nothing for me. I'd rather you feel guilty for the rest of your life because you did ruin my career." It was like he was slapped in the face. He was only thinking of his son and the fact that he wasn't there when it happened. Maybe he really was trying to do what he could due to the circumstances, but maybe it was also his attempt to alleviate the guilt of not being there when something traumatic happened to his son. But alas he took it a step too far. Actually, he took it ten steps too far and now, while his son has returned to normalcy, you were still bearing the burden of what happened.

"But, even in this situation," you looked at Kijoong and couldn't help but smile seeing the boy eating happily as he kicked his tiny legs, "I didn't regret helping him. I wouldn't have had it any other way," you then turned to Hongjoong, "I'm glad Kijoong is fine now."

It was then that Hongjoong realized what kind of a person you actually are. He noticed that something must have happened in the past for you to act as such even in this situation, prioritizing the health and safety of a boy you don't even know even when your career was hanging by a single strand of hair. But Hongjoong didn't want to comment or dig into that, it wasn't his place. He wanted to say something though, but it was obvious that nothing he said could make the situation any better. He wanted to wish you the best, but he was the one who put you in a crappy situation in the first place. He wanted to say sorry, but you had said that would only make him feel slightly less guilty but do absolutely nothing for you. He could change the subject and talk about the food but he shouldn't be the one to do that because it would seem like he was trying to escape the conversation. So he remained silent, he only watched you and Kijoong interact as he mulled and soaked in the guilt. Just like you wanted.

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