Perfect

'Whom did you lose a bet with this time?' Ikjun mocked him, sliding himself a few seats away from Dr. Bong.

'Aish! That is obviously not the main problem here; let me borrow 15.000 won now, jebal!' the man named Bong Kwang-Hyeon got on his knees, clenched his hands, and wagged them up in the air. He spent nearly fifteen minutes now begging for a sum of money to his friend, the witty prankster Lee Ikjun from the General Surgery department.

'Ikjun-ah, you know me, alright? I promise to return it tomorrow.' Dr. Bong pleaded, sounded a bit more pathetic this time with a low, almost inaudible whining.

Ikjun looked at him with disgust. Even so, out of pity, Ikjun took a light brown leather wallet out of his pocket. His face was enough to show his unwillingness to lend them money, though it disappeared once he began to count them before giving it to Dr. Bong.

'You owe me this, and one iced americano.' Ikjun declared. Out of surprise, Dr. Bong almost slipped down the stairs if Ikjun's deft hand did not hook on his white coat.

'What's with the iced americano? I never borrowed one from you.'

Ikjun scrunched his nose and left his mouth hanging open. 'Since when do we start borrowing foods? The only thing you can do with it is to consume it, no? And besides, that iced americano you got from Songhwa last week? That was supposed to be mine.'

'Ah, jinja, this guy. You're unbelievable.' Dr. Bong rolled out his eyes but still gave Ikjun a forced smile as he took the money out of the cocky gyosunim's hand. Ikjun was left cackling at his friend's reactions.

'Now, what on earth are you still roaming around the hospital at this time of the day?' the curious Dr. Bong asked, getting himself up and sitting next to Ikjun on the staircase.

Midnight blue deepens over a broad and starlit sky outside. It was past midnight, not to mention it was also way past Ikjun's shift time that made anyone who saw him hanging around the hospital that night might be wondering, as what Dr. Bong just did.

'It is not likely that you're on call… so there's only one possible reason for this.'

Ikjun raised and waggled his eyebrows; he smiled at his friend and turned into a fresh tomato. Needless to say, an image of the sweet smile on Chae Songhwa's face just flashed through Ikjun's mind. As if an automatic button that seemed to change Ikjun's face color from white-ish to blushing automatically.

'I know… there's only one person who can turn Lee Ikjun's frown upside down, and that person is now in the OR. I get it. No need to say more.' Dr. Bong raised his hand, nodding his head as he laughed. 'Yaa Ikjun-ah, you're.. what is that term young people use nowadays… er….. whiplash?'

'Yaa, keep it PG… Ouh…' Ikjun sneered.

'Whipped?'

'Huh? Cream?' Ikjun tilted his head.

'Whipped cream?'

Ikjun threw his head back and started laughing in an uncontrolled way. His laugh was so contagious, though later, it resonated more like an evil cackle. 'Yaa… it's whipped, the term you were referring to.'

'I did say that.' Dr. Bong was left dumbfounded. 'Anyways, regardless of what the term is, all I'm saying is that you're madly in love with her, Lee Ikjun. The two of you are meant for one another.'

Ikjun pursed his lips before letting them slowly turn into a warm smile. 'I am madly in love with her Kwanghyeon-ah. Songhwa and Uju are the best things that ever happened to me. I love the two of them to pieces.'

'Now, when will you two announce this? Sooner or later, people will start to wonder.'

Ikjun let out a long sigh, staring up to the ceiling. 'A lot of things are going to change for both of us. I don't want to rush things out and make it uncomfortable for her. I will be ready whenever she's ready.'

Dr. Bong smiled softly before lightly tapping on Ikjun's shoulder. Ikjun has always been the most gentle, caring, loving, and patient one to almost everyone, moreover to the one and only Chae Songhwa.

'Right then, off you go. She should be done soon.' Dr. Bong stood up, stepping down the stairs as he spoke. 'Take good care of her always, Ikjun-ah. Our emergency department, including me, we are the best, fastest, and bravest team to face situations that are less… wearing. Hence, I need to remind you that we will not hesitate to march to your office with all the sharp and painful medical equipment to interrogate you if any. of us found Songhwa crying and heartbroken because of you.'

A cold wave embalmed him as the hairs rose on the back of his neck and his mouth ran dry. Ikjun chuckled doubtfully. 'I can assure you that will never happen; you have my words.' Dr. Bong stuck his tongue out before fleeing for his life, leaving Ikjun alone as he sprinted his way to the emergency station.

Checking his watch, Ikjun decided to go back to Songhwa's office, remembering that her operation will be finished soon. As a matter of fact, Ikjun could have gone home first, but he chose to stay and wait for Songhwa. Songhwa never asked for such great attention; Ikjun would always keep waiting for Songhwa and drive her home, even in the early hours.

Upon entering Songhwa's office, Ikjun headed straight for the kettle. He filled in just enough water and waited for it to boil as he stood by the table, looking through the window. His eyes widened, letting a small gasp as it started to drizzle outside. The weather forecast that day did not show any signs of rain at midnight, a surprise for Ikjun and everyone in the city.

Ikjun is a natural at brewing teas now, coming to aware that tea is second on the list of Songhwa's favorite refreshment to have post-work or in the morning for breakfast. He poured some water onto the magnolia-patterned teapot, along with a teabag in hot water, and waited for another three minutes.

He took a few steps back to get a better view of the perfect night scenery—raindrops against the background of the sparkling night lights of Seoul.

'She would love to see this.' Ikjun whispered to himself.

Getting immersed in what the view had to offer, Ikjun did not realize he left the door open, and he could barely hear the sound of creeping footsteps coming in his direction.

In a second, Songhwa flung herself behind Ikjun and circled her arms around Ikjun's body, pulling him back into her embrace. Songhwa felt her guts come alive with the flutter of thousands of butterflies in her stomach as she started to engulf his scent.

Songhwa let her weight sank against Ikjun's back, pressing her cheeks on him as she continued to wrap her arms from behind him, not letting him go.

'Thank you for always waiting for me, Ikjun-ah.'

She buried her face on Ikjun's back, getting shy.

Ikjun couldn't stop smiling as he could feel her warmth against him. Ikjun let her have him in that position for a moment while he was softly caressing the back of her hands tied, pressing on his stomach.

'It's been a long day.' Ikjun's voice sounded reverberating through his compact body in Songhwa's ears.

'It is.' she replied, looking up before went back to rest her head on Ikjun's back. 'It must've been tiring for you too, Ikjun-ah. You started early this morning and had to stay up late waiting for me.'

Ikjun freed himself from Songhwa's embrace, only to turn around and face her. This time, holding her in his grace. Ikjun cupped her face, stroking her cheeks with both of his thumbs before gently pulled her in, giving a tender kiss on her forehead.

He looked into her eyes for a few seconds before he tightened his hand in hers, using the other one to keep on caressing the bare skin of her neck and collarbone.

Songhwa placed her hand on Ikjun's chest once Ikjun brushed his lips against hers. Their mouths moved as one in a slow dancing rhythm of lips and tongues. Shared breaths and hears in a union.

Ikjun pulled apart, and their eyes locked one more time. 'Why did you stop?' she muttered, tiptoed as she tried to touch Ikjun's lips again.

Ikjun lowered his head, giving a peck on her lips before breathing into her. 'The tea... it's getting cold.'

Songhwa laughed, then freed herself from Ikjun and went for the tea. Songhwa leaned on the cabinet while her eyes pinned on Ikjun, watching him picked up his cellphone, busy tapping on the screen.

Ikjun played a song.

Their song.

Songhwa carefully placed down the cup before crossing her arms upon her chest. 'What are you doing?' She couldn't hold back her giggles.

Ikjun took her hand and led her to the center of the room, pretending to have it as their dance floor. It was not the first, yet she could've sworn her heart flutters every single time.

He rested his hands on Songhwa's hips, holding her close as she lingered her arms around Ikjun's neck. Following his lead, they began to sway in time to the music.

'You look perfect tonight.'

Songhwa rolled her eyes. 'Yaa... I just performed a six hours surgery. If I were to resemble something now, that is certainly not a Disney princess but rather a hideous troll.'

Ikjun gazed right into her eyes. 'I have faith in what I see. Now I know I have met an angel in person. And she looks perfect.'

Songhwa's face was getting warmer, and her heart felt like it was going to burst through her chest as lovebirds on their first date.

They held each other close as they swayed together. Ikjun wasn't even aware of the music playing in the background anymore; all that mattered was Songhwa. Ikjun used his hand to hold her even closer, let out a soft chuckle when Songhwa gasped slightly.

Songhwa's knees had gotten so weak as their faces were so close that their noses grazed together. She closed her eyes and simply letting all of her sinking in Ikjun's arms.

'If this is a dream, don't wake me up.' she said, nuzzling into Ikjun's neck.

'And if it is not a dream, then I don't want this to come to an end.'

Baby, I'm dancing in the dark, with you between my arms

Barefoot on the grass, listening to our favorite song

I have faith in what I see

Now I know I have met an angel in person

And she looks perfect

I don't deserve this

You look perfect tonight