+Author's Note

Fun fact! Many Asian countries do not have a 'fourth floor' in hospitals, because the number four sounds similar to death. Instead, they mark it as 'F' or just skip it. (Though these days, they are much less supersticious)

Sitting alone in the hospital room, (Y/n) decided to pass the time by reading.

It was quite dull, having no one to talk to throughout most of the day. (Y/n)'s friends and family were occupied at work; and despite their efforts, it was impossible to stay for long periods of time.

The room (Y/n) stayed in was used for two people, but she was the only occupant, much to (Y/n)'s disappointment.

That soon changed when several nurses rolled in a bed with an IV attached to it.

(Y/n) got up in suprise as she put her book down and straightened herself to what was going on.

A man was lying unconcious on the white bed, covers reaching up to his neck. The nurses paced around slowly, adjusting the IV as they pushed the bed next to (Y/n)'s.

Darting her (e/c) eyes from the nurses to the man, she soon formed the conclusion that he was no longer in any form of peril. The nurses were slow in their movements, (a little tired as well, had they been in surgery?) And the man was breathing slowly, but steadedly.

She would have wanted to see more, but one of the nurses closed the curtains around the man.

It was apparent there was nothing more to see or do. So (Y/n) leaned back in her bed again, plucking her book mark out as she continued with her story.

+++

A groan sounded hours later, and it snapped (Y/n) out of her story.

Sitting up again, (Y/n) tried to see her new room mate, but to no avail. She was much too weak to move any further from her bed anyways.

A nurse soon came in, holding a tray of shots and bags of clear liquid. Walking up, she pulled the curtains back for a moment and checked on the man.

A creaking of the door was heard, making (Y/n)'s head turn. She saw her mother walking in.

"Hey sweetie, how are you doing?"

"Good, oh, but we'll have to keep it down. I have a new roommate"

"Roommate?"

Another low groan was heard on the other side, suprising your mother.

"They're making you share a room with a man?!"

(Y/n) shrugged.

"It seems so?"

Worried, (M/n) walked over to the nurse.

"Excuse me? I'm (Y/n)'s mother, and I was wondering why (Y/n) is sharing a room with a man?"

The nurse didn't look up as she changed the IV bags.

"I'm sorry ma'm, we've run out of rooms and this was the only place available. We'll change his room when we find an suitable spot"

(M/n) pursed her lips but couldn't argue.

+++

Some time had passed, and nothing remotely interesting happened.

Writing down some letters in the crossword puzzle, (Y/n) kept at it when she saw a figure slowly rising from the corner of her eye.

She looked up and saw the man had finally woken up, and struggled as he tried to sit up; mumbling incoherent words as he did.

He looked around dazed, and ran his hand over his bandaged head.

Turning his head, he was suprised to see a girl on his left.

"Eine Dame? Bin ich im richtigen Raum..?"

"Uh.. hi?"

(Y/n) waved her hand shyly.

"Are you okay now? You've been out for a while"

The man rubbed his chin in thought.

"...For how long?"

"Almost 2 days?"

The man gave a nod and gave a sigh of relief. Muttering to himself.

"Gute..gute.."

He suddenly remembered the girl on his left and gave a warm smile.

"Ah, mein apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. I am Joseph Heilburg, und I vork as a doktor"

(Y/n) gave a look of surprise.

"I'm (Y/n).. er.. excuse me for asking but why would a doctor be hospitalized..?"

Jospeh chuckled.

"I know, it's a little strange ja? I had a head trauma caused by penetration. Und unfortunately, I cannot operate on myself"

(Y/n) blushed at her stupid question.

"Ah, haff jou been here long?"

"Um.. a few days now. I got into a car accident. It's not too serious but I think I'm going to be here for a while"

The doctor gave a smile.

"So am I"

+++

(Y/n) soon found that Joseph was a very pleasant company. He was cheerful, calm and collected despite having his head operated on.

Everyday he would give a simple greeting, or casually mention small news. He would occassionly throw in some riddles or jokes, much to (Y/n)'s amusement.

(Y/n)'s mother, (M/n) thought otherwise, and heavily disapproved of the two sharing rooms. But Joseph's polite demeanor gave (M/n) no reason to complain, so she kept her mouth shut.

On the other hand, (Y/n)'s friends thought having Joseph as a roommate was 'the best thing that happened since cheetos' and that (Y/n) should 'go after that hot guy'

(Y/n) tried to shush them, but her friends' whispers were quite audible. Jospeh didn't show any signs of acknowledgment. Whether he didn't hear anything or chose to ignore it, (Y/n) wasn't quite sure.

(Y/n) also found it interesting that since Joseph was a doctor, he would often talk to his own doctor and discuss matters of his current health together. Joseph would look at his own CT scans and X-rays with the doctor and negotiate his treatment along with other related topics.

(Y/n) and Joseph both grew closer, taking about all sorts of things in the hospital, and what not.

But one thing she noticed was that Joseph seemed to keep a certain line. He would falter when asked personal questions, or would slightly avoid her when she got too close when passing each other by.

+++

One rainy day, (Y/n) lied uncomfortably in her bed, clutching her arm, sweating.

She had been feeling nauseous and hot, and the needle in her right arm felt terrible.
(Y/n) gave a angry snarl, making Joseph look up from his medical records.

"Frau? Are jou alright?"

"Yeah.. I'm just a little.. ugh sick"

Jospeh rose from his bed and walked over, putting a hand on her forhead, trying to see if she had a fever.

Blushing, (Y/n) looked up in surprise.
Didn't he always avoid her when he got too close?

"Hmmm.. a little varm.."

He took a look at the IV, and looked at (Y/n)'s right arm again.

"How long have jou been here again?"

"Umm.. about a week and a half now"

He gave a click of his tongue when he saw your arm. Taking the needle out, he reached into his pocket and replaced it with a new one, and stuck it back into your arm.

"Zhe antibiotics in jour IV are too strong, vhich may cause jou nausea (jou feel sick ja?) and zhe nurse did a poor job of finding jour veins. Jou don't really need zhe IV bag, so I suggest jou ask zhe nurse to take it out around.. zhis evening"

Jospeh got up and gave a light pat on your arm, and gave a little wink.

"Best we keep zhis between ourselves ja?"

You giggled, and a nurse came in checking up on you.

She took a long look at your arm, and muttered to herself.

"Hmm.. usually that girl's really bad at putting these in.. I guess Sara's getting better at finding veins?"

You and Joseph choked down a laugh.

+++

It was almost 2 weeks now, and you were finally permitted to leave in a day. Friends and family poured in your room and made a bit of a small party for you.

Everyone brought a few small gifts, and your friends laughed while your family surrounded you. Joseph also joined in, chatting along.

Placing a large cake in front of you, your friends lit the candles.

"Congrats (Y/n)! Come on and blow out the candles!"

"Wow! This cake.."

You saw the candles on the cake were made of large letters, making a message.

I LIVEEEE!

"...Geeze thanks you weirdos"

Everyone laughed, and you blew out the candles. Your friends applauded, Cheering and hooting while your family hugged you.
Laughing, everyone started passing around plates of cake.

You looked up and saw Joseph looked a little blank.

+++

The next day, the patient room seemed much emptier. It had been hours since (Y/n) left, and Joseph was now reading a book, waiting for his doctor (Dr. Chalin) to come in.

"Hello there Jospeh? Feeling any better?"

Jospeh put his book down and gave a small smile.

"Quite better"

"Are you sure? You seemed a little down when (Y/n) left"

Joseph tensed up.

"Vell of course, she vas a nice person, but I am happy she got to leave healthy"

Dr. Chalin gave a skeptcial look and handed Jospeh his medical charts.

"Well, you look pretty stable. I think we can get you out of here in around.. 3 days"

Jospeh nodded, and Dr. Chalin started to leave.

"Well, I've got a operation scheduled soon, so I'll be seeing you. Ring for the nurses if anything happens ok?"

Jospeh nodded and bid him good bye

He saw his medcial documents, and flipped through them, checking their progress when a small slip of paper came out.

"Vhat..?"

He saw the yellow memo, and saw it had a phone number written on it, with (Y/n)'s name.

He looked down and saw a small note.

'Why don't you give a call? -Dr. Chalin'

Joseph blushed and quickly folded the memo and threw it in the trashcan.

'Mein gott..! I'm a 40 year old man..!! I can't just meet a (age) voman..!! I just.. gah!"

He threw the blankets over himself and tried to sleep. Closing his eyes shut, he quickly tried to think of other things.

'Surgeries.. scapels.. medicine.. IV bags..'

He suddenly remembered (Y/n). How he adjusted her needle for her.. how she giggled.. how he touched her arm-

He turned crimson now, and was furious at how his face burned up.

"Nein..!! She is much too young..!!"

Jospeh continued to ramble about in his bed, tossing and turning.

+++

It was twilight, and most of the patients were asleep.

The janitor was passing by, cleaning rooms when he walked in room 503. But he was suprised to see a patient rummaging through the trash can.

"Hey, what's going on?"

Joseph found the memo, fuming at himself as he placed it on his bedside table. Pulling the covers over him, he angrily replied.

"Jou just saw an idiot who lost zhe battle of will power"