#Bryce x casey

[myglassesareinkansas]

the meaning of aloha

Book: Open Heart

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x F!MC

Rating: Gen

Warnings: Angst, Discussion of Death

Summary:

aloha (n.): love, affection, peace, compassion, and mercy; a force that holds together existence

Bryce receives the worst news of his life, and to make it worse, he's in love with Casey. And she's about to die.

Tagging: @openheartfanfics, @choicesficwriterscreations, and @mydemonsdrivealimo

AO3 Link: Here

His entire body trembles, but he holds his head high as he pushes his way past the other doctors. Most of them whisper amongst themselves in the hallways, and here and there, he catches words like anthrax and ricin. There’s a pair of attendings wondering how Casey isn’t dead right now. Others who say they hope Travis suffers.

The nurses huddle around their station, and Bryce stumbles over his feet. Marlene rubs Sienna’s back as she lowers herself into one of the chairs.

“I had a date with Danny tomorrow,” she says, looking up with puffy eyes. “What’s—Marlene, what’s going to happen to him? Sarah? Does anyone know what’s happening to Casey?”

He dips his head, trying to remain nondescript as he shoves open the stairwell door.

“Bryce?”

He ignores her.

“Bryce!” Esme reaches out and grabs his arm. “What’s going on?”

He swallows and shakes her hand off of him. “I just need to go, Esme. Ask Ethan. Or anyone else, really, I just—I need to go.”

She frowns and locks her hand around his wrist. “Like hell. Are you seriously going to leave your girlfriend behind now? When she needs you most?” With her free hand, she points furiously back upstairs. “I know she’s in there! I know my resident is fighting for her life! And like a coward, you’re running away.”

He shakes his head. “I’m not running away.”

“Sure looks like it to me.”

Bryce squeezes his eyes shut, begging his tears to stay away. “Jackie and Elijah are off today. Unless Casey or Sienna texted them, they have no way of knowing what just happened in there. They need to know—” They need to know that Casey might be dead tonight. He shakes his head again and pries Esme’s hand off his wrist. “And I need to make sure my little sister will be safe tonight.”

Esme blinks. “Do you think—”

“Esme, I’ve gotta go.” He doesn’t wait for her response, just sprints down the stairs. His lungs burn, from tears or from running, he doesn’t know.

People call his name. Surgical residents congratulate him on Kyra’s surgery. The one he kicked out of the OR glares at him. Ines tries to talk to him. He can’t hear them. His ears ring, and he grabs his keys and sprints outside.

Once he’s in his car, he breathes deeply. Or at least, he tries to. His breaths come fast and shallow, his hands shake, and he rests his head on his steering wheel.

Fuck.

His body starts to shake again, and as he’s reaching for the blanket in his car — the one that Casey told him to keep on hand, with how cold he gets in Boston weather and how traffic is — the shaking stops, and he bursts into tears.

“Fuck!” He buries his face in his hands, a sob tearing from the back of his throat. “Fucking —” he slams his left hand on the top of the steering wheel “— dammit!” His shoulders curl inwards, and sobs rack his body.

She can’t die. She can’t die. I can’t lose her. I can’t—

The sobs come louder now, and he hasn’t cried like this since he was eighteen years old, and he was flying all the way to Ohio State by himself, with no money, no family, and no friends. He hasn’t cried like this since his favorite teacher, the one who believed in him, the one who believed he could be a great surgeon like Michael DeBakey, fell victim to his parents’ schemes and looked at him with such hurt and betrayal every day of the year after that. He hasn’t cried like this since he was alone and unloved and unlovable, when life was hopeless and he had to carve out hope for himself.

Except there’s not hope now, not really.

Casey’s his best friend, his girlfriend, and he just—he cares about her so much. Everything inside of him begs God to rewind the clock, to put him in that room with the senator when Travis deployed the canister, to let him take Casey’s place. If one of us has to die, let it be me. Not her. Don’t let her die.

I love her.

He screams, his voice scratching the back of his throat, his fingers tugging at his hair. Why did it take so long for me to know? Why did I have to wait?

I love her. I love her I love her I love her.

And she’s going to die.

***

“Okay, Keiki, I’m not going to be back until tomorrow at the earliest.” Bryce moves into his bedroom, chewing his bottom lip. He idly picks up his overnight back and sets it down.

Keiki leans against the doorframe, her arms crossed over her chest. “Why?”

He sighs and grabs a fresh pair of scrubs and shoves them into his bag. “I told you, there was an assassination attempt at the hospital. They might need me.”

“There are other surgeons.”

He stands up straight, dropping his boxers on the cover. “Casey was a victim of the attack, too. She’s alive —” he nearly chokes on the next words “—for now, but it’s not looking good. One person died already, one’s in a coma, and I don’t think Raf has too much time either.” He shakes his head and moves into the bathroom. “I’m going to stay with her.”

Keiki bites the inside of her cheek and steps into his bedroom. “Anything I can do?”

Bryce tosses his toiletry bag onto the bed and drops to the ground, fishing under his bed for a pair of shoes. “Uh, can you try and find my green sweatshirt? The one from my surfing days? It’s Casey’s favorite.”

She nods and starts rifling through his closet.

“You know the drill: leftovers in the fridge, and you can use my DoorDash account if there’s nothing in there. Don’t leave the apartment unless there’s an emergency, you have my number and Case—” he swallows. “If there’s some kind of danger, go to Mrs. Zimmerman across the hall. She’s a sweet old lady, makes the best cakes, and she’ll take care of you.”

“I know the drill.” Keiki steps away from the closet, a sweatshirt folded over her arm. “I couldn’t find the one you were talking about, but I’ve seen Casey wear this one before.”

Bryce tosses a pair of tennis shoes on his bed and grabs the sweatshirt from Keiki. “Dammit, Casey must still have it at her place. Alright, this is fine.” He kisses Keiki’s head. “Thanks, Keiks. You know I love you, but…”

He’s never said it out loud before.

She nods understandingly and sits on his bed. “You love Casey more.”

He nods in agreement. “Yeah.”

“Have you told her?”

He ignores her, roughly shoving his clothes and shoes into his overnight bag. When he gets to the sweatshirt, he folds it carefully. Casey might not be able to wear it just yet, not while she’s in a hospital gown, but maybe…

“Can you grab the blanket from the couch? Not the one you use for bed, the other one?”

She frowns. “You didn’t answer my question, Bryce.”

He sighs and runs a hand through his hair. “What do you think?” He shakes his head and stalks to the living room. “And now she might die before I can tell her.”

Keiki trails him. “So then tell her! What’s the worst that can happen?” She hops over the coffee table and sits on the blanket before Bryce can pull it to safety. “She already knows the worst stuff about you, and she stuck around.” She clears her throat and shifts on the blanket so he has no chance of pulling it away. “And if she doesn’t have the same feelings, well…at least you told her.”

“Keiks, I—I don’t know. I just…”

She stands up, eyes on fire. “Bryce Kai Lahela, you do not have the luxury of waiting. With Morgan, yeah, I understand. You were in high school, and Mom and Dad fucked her family over. But that’s not Casey. Please, just…don’t do something you’ll regret.” She hands him the blanket. “Tell her.”

He kisses her forehead. “See you tomorrow.”

***

Jackie runs up to him as soon as he steps back out of his car. “Where the hell were you?”

He glares at Jackie and slams his car door shut. His car beeps when he locks it. “In case you forgot, I have a little sister under my guardianship. I had to make sure she would be okay.” He shakes his overnight bag in her face, his keys also jingling with the movement. “Also, had to pack one of these. Like hell if I leave my girlfriend behind.”

She ducks her head. “Sorry, I just—”

He nods and shoulders his way inside. “I know. You’re worried about her. All of us are.” He clears his throat. “Where’s Elijah?”

Jackie walks in front of him. “Follow me.”

“Jackie, please —”

She turns and shushes him before grabbing his wrist. Dragging him along, she leads him into the locker room, where Elijah is just finishing up a call.

“Alright. Tell me if it reminds you of anything.” He turns around, face falling when he sees Bryce. “Sorry, that was one of my undergrad professors. He taught history of medicine and science, so I was hoping he knew something about reactions to biological weapons. Maybe something useful.” He lifts one shoulder in a half shrug. “Shoulda known better, though. He hasn’t done any research on this topic for decades.”

Bryce opens his locker and tosses his overnight bag inside. “That’s okay. It might help, and he might go through his research. Or talk to someone who might know.” He jerks his head in the direction of Casey’s room. “C’mon, let’s go see her.”

Jackie holds up a finger. “Hold on, Aurora’s on her way.”

Aurora runs inside the hospital a few minutes later, shoving past the handful of security guards — all of them shaken — with a shout and “I’m Harper Emery’s niece, let me in!” When she reaches the three of them, she slows to a walk and smooths her hair. “Where is she?”

“Follow me.” They stop at the nurses’ station to pick up Sienna, and then Bryce is jogging to the elevator, bouncing on the balls of his feet. Jackie rests a hand on his shoulder.

“She’ll be alright.”

He stares straight ahead. “You didn’t see her. Or Raf.” He hangs his head. “Fuck.”

“Either way,” Jackie shakes him a bit, “Casey’s probably scared out of her fucking mind. She trusts you. She loves you. Don’t make her more afraid than she already is.”

He lolls his head. “How in the hell am I supposed to do that?”

The elevator door dings and slides open. Jackie twists her lips. “I don’t know.”

Bryce leads them down the hall towards Casey’s room. As they get closer, he squares his shoulders and forces a smile, but he knows it doesn’t reach his eyes. And he knows Casey will notice it, too.

Casey gapes at them when they get to her room. She offers him a relieved smile and holds her hand up to the glass. His bravado melts into something more sincere, and though his smile isn’t as wide, it’s genuine, and he presses his hand against the glass. “Told you I’d be back. This time I brought some company.”

Her roommates crowd the front of the windows, speaking animatedly to her and Raf. He wants to sag against the wall and cry and cry and cry some more, but he tries to keep a brave face on. For her or for himself, he’s not entirely sure.

Ethan steps back and stands next to him. “It’s good. That you’re doing this, I mean. It’s helping her.”

He shrugs, his eyes still trained on Casey. “I wanted her to see her friends. They’re important to her.”

“So are you.” Ethan studies him for a moment. “How are you holding up?” He jerks his head in Casey’s direction. “She talks about you all the time, you know. And I’ve seen you two together.”

Bryce resists the urge to cross his arms. “So?”

“So this has to be just as hard on you for an entirely different reason.” Ethan sighs and squeezes his shoulder. “Look, in my experience, it’s just as difficult to deliver bad news to loved ones as it is to deliver the bad news to the patient. In fact, I think it’s harder. So how are you holding up?”

Bryce licks his lips. “It sucks,” he says quietly.

Ethan nods and faces forward once again. “I wish we’d never taken the senator on as a patient. Not that I’d wish this even on Tobias, but maybe…”

Maybe Casey wouldn’t have been caught in the crossfire.

He nods. “Yeah.”

Jackie gestures around at the lot of them. “We’re going to figure this out. All of us.”

Bryce steps forward and tries to force a smile. “I’m just a surgeon, but I’ll offer whatever help I can.” And it’s fucking nothing.

Casey’s eyes well with tears, and she shuffles closer. “Now’s not the time for that confidence of yours to do a runner, Bryce.”

Sienna cranes her neck to see him. “Yeah, you’re not just anything.”

He meets Casey’s gaze, and he prays she can read the love in his eyes. I’ll do whatever I can to save you. “Sorry, I mean we’ve got this.”

Casey wipes her cheeks furiously. “That’s better.”

Everything in him wants to reach for her, to tug her into his arms and bury his face in the crook of her neck, to squeeze her hair and whisper that he loves her. He wants to hold her hand and kiss her face and cradle her cheeks in his hands.

But in between them is a wall of glass, impenetrable, separating the dying from the living. “See you soon, Case.”

***

Baz leans back in his chair, shaking his head solemnly.

Bryce’s heart sinks. “So June was wrong?” We don’t have much time left.

“No,” Baz says, scratching the stubble on his chin, “June was right. It’s a maitotoxin.”

A heart-wrenching sob tears from Sienna’s throat. Elijah reaches up to rub her shoulder in consolation. Ethan pinches the bridge of his nose and leans against the wall. Jackie sets her chin, tears filling her eyes.

Bryce swallows, furrowing his brow. “But —” his blood runs cold, and he shudders as a shiver runs up his spine. “Fuck, there’s no cure for that.” He searches for a friend in the lab, but Sienna’s sobbing, Elijah’s fighting his own tears, Jackie won’t meet his eye, and he knows no one else except Ethan. He holds Ethan’s eye. “Casey’s—that means Casey’s going to die?”

The crushing weight of it all threatens to gut him. He stands up, and he nearly pitches forward. His stomach lurches, and whether that’s from a need to vomit or from the sobs threatening to bubble up, he doesn’t know. “I’m going to lose her,” he whispers.

Baz reaches out and catches his wrist. “She’s not gone yet.” With his free hand, he rubs his forehead. “We’ll try and save Rafael too, of course, but Casey’s lucky because she didn’t get as much of the toxin. She might survive.”

Bryce shakes off his hand. “Baz, what are the chances of her making it?” He shoves his hand through his hair, his chest heaving. “There’s no cure. And even if you guys could make one, she doesn’t have weeks! She doesn’t even have days! She —”

Ethan crosses the room quickly and sets both hands on his shoulders. “I know you care about her —”

Bryce shoves Ethan away. “Like hell! She’s my girlfriend, and I lo—” he sucks in a deep breath. “What can you all do? None of you are God! She’s going to die here, and if not tonight, then tomorrow, and —” his knees buckle. Ethan wraps an arm around him and helps lower him to the ground.

No one speaks.

***

He doesn’t know how his feet move. Right now, it feels like he can’t breathe, like his lungs stop before he can breathe in. His body trembles with each step, and yet, he can’t move quickly enough, can’t wait to stand in front of Casey’s room and see her alive for one of the last times.

Bryce squeezes his eyes shut and shakes his head once. Tears escape down his cheeks, and he quickly reaches up to swipe them away. Sienna cries softly, her head on Jackie’s shoulder. In front of him, he can hear Elijah sniffling. The diagnosticians try to exude confidence, try and hold their chins high, but Baz’s eyes fill with tears.

And Casey will know it’s bad news.

She’s so far away from him.

He would do anything to trade places with her, even just to be in the same room as her and hold her and kiss her and tell her that he loves her and everything will be okay, but the glass windows that separate the living from the dying hold firm. Her face falls when her eyes meet his.

She swallows. “What is it?”

Ethan sighs deeply and runs a hand through his hair. Baz turns his head and swipes at his cheeks. Only June seems to have any level of composure.

“It’s a maitotoxin,” Ethan says. “One I’ve never seen before.” His voice gets quieter the more he explains.

Bryce finds himself gently shouldering himself forward, hand itching to touch the glass, to assure Casey that he’s there for her.

“We’ll find a way,” Ethan says. “We’ll fix this.”

Jackie lifts her chin. “You have the smartest diagnostic minds and the best residents at the hospital on this case. We’ll definitely find a cure with the nine of us working on it.”

“Make that more.” Aurora waves Tobias and a few other Mass Kenmore doctors forward. “I present you the best minds Mass Kenmore can offer.”

Bryce doesn’t hear much else, but he meets Aurora’s eyes, then Tobias’s, and prays that they can see what his voice fails to say. Thank you. Thank you for giving her another chance at life.

The diagnosticians wave goodbye to Casey and head back to the lab, but he stays by the window. He puts his hands in his white coat pocket, takes them out, and shakes them a little bit. When Casey tilts her head, studying him, he tries to force a smile. It won’t reach his eyes.

He clears his throat. “It’s all gonna be okay, Casey. I promise.” I pray. I pray, I promise. He shuffles closer. The glass is too damn thick.

She sniffles and presses her lips together. “You don’t have to be optimistic for my sake.” A stray tear falls down her cheek, and she reaches up to rub it away with her thumb.

Bryce sighs and licks his lips. His own eyes well with tears. This is harder than I thought it could be. She’s so small, and her body jerks with shivers. Her knees buckle, and she sways on her feet, but she refuses to move back to her bed. She stays with him, and he will stay with her, until death do them part.

“…I’m not,” he admits. “It’s for my sake. If I don’t stay optimistic —” he shakes his head ruefully, lifting his hand to the glass again, “— I’m gonna fucking lose it.” He breathes in shakily, past the point of caring about the unshed tears in his eyes. “I can’t let myself do that. Not yet.”

She steps forward and lifts both hands to the glass.

He presses his forehead to the window. “Not while there’s still hope,” he whispers.

“Bryce, I’m scared,” she whispers, her voice carrying through the glass. “I’m going to die tonight.”

His heart twinges. “What if I stayed with you for a while? Would that help? There’s another hazmat suit out here.” And he hates it, hates that he can only see her while wrapped in twenty pounds of plastic and completely unable to feel her skin, unable to kiss her, to press his forehead to hers. But it’s something, it would allow him to be with her, and he would cut off ten years of his life for the opportunity to be with her now.

She nods quickly. “Please stay with me tonight.”

Immediately, he suits up. Doesn’t give a damn whether or not he’s actually doing it right, but he saw June, Baz, and Ethan all do it before — twice, actually — and he’s itching to get in there and hold his girlfriend in his arms. As soon as he can, he steps through the decontamination tent, and envelops Casey in his arms.

She sighs in relief, her left arm tucked under his right and her right arm wrapped tightly around his neck. “Thank you,” she whispers, and he’s almost certain he can hear her tears dripping onto his hazmat suit.

He squeezes her tighter. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” If I could’ve done anything — maybe I should’ve stayed in Kyra’s surgery, maybe invited her to watch, gotten lunch with her — maybe…

There’s nothing more in the world he wants to do than kiss her, so he settles on pulling her as close to himself as he dares, with her lungs as weak as they are.

She shakes her head. “It’s not your fault.”

He nods. “I know. I know it’s not—it’s only Travis’s and maybe that shit senator’s. But I’m so sorry. I wish I could do more.”

Casey steps away from him and studies him.

Bryce clears his throat and forces his smile again. It comes a bit easier, now that he can hold her in his arms. “So, am I handsome? Or am I somehow even more handsome in this suit? Be honest and know that I only accept constructive criticism in the form of praise.” His heart hammers in his chest.

At the sound of her telltale giggle, he relaxes. “It’s not quite doing it for me, I’m not going to lie. Still handsome and still the best eye candy in the hospital, but I’m docking points because I can’t see your hair.”

He nods solemnly. “Fair. My hair is my best feature.” Casey giggles again, and instinctively, he reaches out to brush his fingers over her cheek. “Let’s try and get your mind off this. What’s your favorite thing?”

She twists her lips. “You,” she says so quietly that he’s not sure he heard her right.

“Yeah?” he asks, the first genuine smile gracing his lips since this morning.

She nods again. “Yeah.”

“Doesn’t surprise me. Not to make you feel like you’re not special, but I’m a lot of people’s reason for living.” Please keep living. Keep fighting. If for no other reason, then for me.

Her jaw drops and she gently shoves him. “No fair! You asked me my favorite thing, not my reason for living. In light of the new phrasing, I’m changing my answer to ‘pictures of cute animals.’”

He chuckles, shaking his head. “Okay, fair. Even I can’t be mad at that.”

She smiles brightly, in deep contrast to how frail her body is. Reaching out, she brushes his helmet. “Gosh, you’re pretty.”

And he doesn’t know why that cripples him, why that brings the tears back into his chest, but his smile falls, and he bites back tears. For her sake. She can’t know how scared he is.

Her eyes widen. “What’s wrong? Did I say something wrong?”

He shakes his head rapidly. “No.” He clears his throat. “I just…Case, I really am trying to stay positive. We both have to. But…but when I heard you were in danger, my heart stopped.” He holds his hand up to his stomach. “It dropped. I was so scared for you, Case. I was terrified, and I don’t—I’ve never been that scared before, and I pray to God I don’t have to be again.”

Casey nods, avoiding his eyes. She holds her left elbow in her hand, her free arm hanging limply at her side. “I know what you mean.”

Bryce squeezes her arm. “I called your parents.”

She sniffles, eyes flicking to his. “They’re visiting my brother in Oregon.”

“They said that. They’re gonna get here as soon as they can. Apparently, Logan’s also trying to make it up here, but they told me to tell you that it might be hard.”

“I wish I had my phone. Just so I could talk to them, y’know.” Her tears are flowing more freely. “To say goodbye.” She clears her throat and looks up at him. “I’m glad I got that with you, at least.”

He cups her face in his plastic gloved hands. Theoretically, he could chicken out right now. Could just tell her that she means a lot to him, more than she knows, but it’s her last night, and he would hate himself if he never told her. “I love you, Casey. More than you know, probably. And the idea of losing you…” his throat closes, a rock forming, so he shakes his head ruefully. He meets her eyes. “I love you so very much, Casey Grace Valentine. More than anything.”

Despite the saddened goodbye, the desperate reveal, her smile is genuine, and despite the plastic helmet on his head, she stands on her tiptoes and kisses the front of his mask. “I love you, too, Bryce Lahela. More than anything, and more than anyone.” Casey shuffles forward and presses her forehead to his chest. He wraps his arms around her. “And if tonight’s my last night on earth, then you’re the one I want to spend it with.”

He clears his throat, trying to avoid propping his chin on her head. It couldn’t be comfortable. “Well, damn, Casey. Talk about bittersweet.”

She steps back and twines her fingers in his. “So maybe we can just focus on the sweet part?”

Bryce nods. “You should get some rest.” He hates saying it, because as long as she’s awake, he knows she’s alive, and he can hear her voice, can share whispered I love yous between them, but her body is fighting to give her even the smallest chance, and she keeps swaying on her feet.

Nodding, she shuffles to the bed, but as soon as she reaches it, she turns to face him. “Would you hold me?”

His smile is watery. “I’d love to, Casey.” The setup is awkward, with the tiny hospital bed and his bulky hazmat suit, but they make it work, and he curls around her body, pulling her as close to himself as he can manage. If he closes his eyes, he thinks he can feel her heartbeat against his chest. But he can also hear it on the monitor, and right now, that’s the most beautiful sound in the world to him.

Well. Second, really, only to Casey’s voice.

She runs her fingers over his suit. “I wish I could feel your skin.”

He shifts, trying to assure her of their closeness. “You will.”

With her back to him, he can’t see her tears, but he can hear them in her voice and when she sniffles. “I wish I could kiss you.”

His heart shatters, and he hates, he despises how this might be her last night, and they won’t even share a last kiss. But she doesn’t need his anger or depression now, she needs assurance. She needs the unshakable Bryce Lahela, so he forces confidence into his voice and props himself up so she can hear him better. “Sorry, was I mumbling? You will, Casey. You’re going to get through this.”

She tugs him back to their original position, his arm draped tightly over her stomach. “Bryce, there’s not a cure for a maitotoxin. If I don’t die tonight, I die tomorrow. And—and I won’t be able to kiss you one last time, or feel your skin. I won’t be able to run my hands through your hair again or—or make love with you again or anything.” She chokes on a sob. “And that’s not to mention my roommates or my family. They’re downstairs, working on a cure that will probably come too late instead of saying goodbye.”

“Or they’re saving your life.”

“It will be too late!” she shouts. “I’m going to die, Bryce. You’re a surgeon. We’re both doctors, so you and I both know that I’m not walking out of this alive.”

He sighs deeply. “I don’t think there’s anything wrong with hoping right now, Case. It’s all we have.”

Her shoulders shake. “I’m scared, Bryce. Just…tell me it’ll be okay.”

Bryce brushes her hair away from her neck. “It will be, Casey, I really believe that. Ethan and the others will come through.” He pulls her so close to him that the plastic probably does no good, but he couldn’t care less. “Until then,” he says, “just stay with me.”

She nods. “I love you. So much.”

He wishes he could kiss her. “I love you, too.”

***

He doesn’t sleep. His body wants to, of course, but the adrenaline still pulses through his veins, and the idea that if he closes his eyes, Casey might stop breathing and her heart might stop beating is too much for him to bear, so he keeps himself awake.

He prays, too. Not because he’s particularly religious, but if there’s one thing he has left, it’s hope, and he can’t see where God or the universe would hold it against him to hope, to pray. He doesn’t know who to pray to, really, so he just throws it out there and hopes something sticks. It has to. It has to.

Around five or six in the morning — Bryce can’t see the clock around all the plastic covering, but the sun is rising — Casey wakes up with a jerk, looks around wildly, catches his eye, and retches into the sick bag by her bed. He bites his lip and rubs her back soothingly. When the nausea stops, she leans back into his chest, blinking tiredly.

“I hate this,” she says. Her lips are dry.

With his plastic-covered hands, he smooths her hair away from her face. “Do you have a hair tie?”

She shakes her head, but there’s a small smile on her mouth. “Guess I didn’t die last night, after all.”

He squeezes her shoulder. “See? There’s still hope.”

The bags under her eyes have grown darker. Vomit crusts the corners of her mouth. She can’t stop shivering, and she keeps scratching her skin. Her voice is weak.

There’s still hope, he said, but she just keeps getting worse. He can hope and pray all he wants, but her death is fast-approaching, and if the other doctors can’t come through by this afternoon…

Ethan, Baz, and June walk into the room. Casey’s roommates crowd around the window, Sienna nearly bouncing on the balls of her feet. Jackie smiles, and Elijah reaches out to grip her hand. Tobias meets Ethan’s eye and nods once.

Bryce sits up immediately. Does that mean…?

Jackie can’t contain her glee. “We did it! We found a cure.”

Ethan nods slightly, a smile curling at his mouth. “At least, we hope so.”

Both Bryce and Casey furrow their brows. “You hope so?”

Tobias clears his throat. “We didn’t exactly have time to test it out.”

Sienna hooks a thumb in his direction. “But we administered it to Rafael. It—it might be too late for him, but…”

“—but he hasn’t shown any signs of getting worse,” Elijah chips in. He nods at Casey. “There’s hope. We think it’ll work.”

Casey hums. “What else do I have to lose?”

Ethan steps forward, syringe in hand. “If you would.”

Casey holds her arm out to him, but her body has clearly weakened overnight. Bryce cradles her against his chest, holding her arm still as Ethan prepares the injection. “How do we know if it works?”

Ethan shrugs, sliding the needle into her vein. “I’m assuming something similar as what has happened to Mr. Aveiro: no worsening of symptoms and hopefully even improvement. We’ll run some tests in a few hours, assuming you feel the same or better.” He steps back. “Dr. Lahela, if you would.”

Bryce’s eyes flash. “You honest to God think I’m leaving her here?”

June sighs. “You have to. The hazmat suit only has so much available oxygen, and you stretched it far beyond its limit already. We don’t want to have to admit you, too.”

He sets his jaw. “I’m willing to take that risk.”

Casey gently places her hand on his chest. “But I’m not. They’ll come get you if anything happens to me.” Her eyes seek out her friends and colleagues. “Right?”

They all nod. “I’ll send for Bryce personally,” Baz replies.

She squeezes his hand, and for a second, he thinks he can feel her skin. “Go,” she whispers. “I have a fighting chance now.”

***

“You need to get some sleep,” Jackie tells him, handing him a cup of coffee all the same.

Bryce takes it from her, mouthing his thanks, and lifts it to his lips. Across the room, Tobias shakes Ethan’s hand, clapping him on the shoulder. Aurora stands behind him, shifting her weight from foot to foot. When it looks like he’s about to leave, she hooks her thumb over her shoulder, and he nods.

“Sienna,” Aurora says, crossing the room, “you should get some sleep, too.”

Sienna wipes her eyes hastily. “Danny’s dead, Aurora.”

Aurora presses her lips together and rubs her back soothingly. “I’m so sorry, Sienna.”

Bryce nods, lowering his cup of coffee. “I’m sorry for your loss, Sienna.” He sighs, sets down his drink, and wraps her in a hug. “Truly, I’m so sorry.”

She sniffles and squeezes him tightly. “But Raf and Casey are still here. That’s good.” She steps back and forces a smile. “It makes it easier, I think.”

Aurora wraps an arm around her shoulder and guides her to the on-call room. Bryce sighs again and leans against the countertop, reaching behind him to grab his coffee.

Jackie crosses her arms. “So?”

He looks up. “So what?”

“You’re not going to get some sleep?”

He pinches the bridge of his nose and knocks back what’s left in his cup. The coffee is lukewarm. “I need to check on Keiki and give her an update. And I know the Valentines are on their way, so I should get in contact with them, tell them Case is still alive. At least I have some good news for them.”

Jackie grabs his shoulders and steers him out of the break room. “And you’ll have more soon. We can’t confirm anything yet, and you need to rest.”

“Jackie, I —”

She stops and moves to stand in front of him. “You’re not the only person who cares about her.” She gestures vaguely around the hallway. “Why else do you think we stayed up all night to synthesize a cure? Why Aurora brought her colleagues from Mass Ken? Why Tobias and Ethan set aside their differences to work on this?” Jackie glances over her shoulder and leans closer. “Dude, Sienna was crushing hard on Danny, and he died, and she still continued to work on this cure to help Casey.”

He nods and bites his thumbnail. “No, I know. I know how close you all are, but—Jackie, she’s the love of my life.” It comes out easier now, now that Casey knows. “I can’t stand not knowing.”

“Well, you’re in the same boat as the rest of us. Text your sister and Casey’s family, give them an update, then get some rest. I’ll personally make sure Sienna knows about this, too.”

Bryce chokes out a watery laugh and holds his hands up in surrender. “I give up, you win.” He holds up his index finger in Jackie’s face. “But the moment we have something definitive on Casey, you come get me.”

Jackie sticks out her hand. “Deal.”

***

From: Bryce

Stayed w Case all night

Wore a hazmat suit, dw

Gonna still be at the hospital until we know more

How were you last night?

From: Pest

are you okay??? hows casey????

and dw about me

From: Bryce

I’m fine just a little tired

We found a cure?? We think?? We’re waiting to know more

Also I’m your guardian, I’m legally obligated to worry, how were you last night??

From: Pest

well get some rest ig

and thats good!!!! rooting for her (tell her i said hi)

alright fine it was a rough night but thats bc of you and casey and i was worried

From: Bryce

I will soon, just need to update the Valentines (same for telling Case you said hi)

Did you eat??

From: Pest

no i photosynthesized

From: Bryce

Dick

From: Pest

all that was in the fridge was ur chicken from hell and it was late so i asked mrs zimmerman for food

love that woman to death

she gave me lasagna and cookies

…

also i watched tv until late and slept in your bed lol

From: Bryce

Wow

I go through a crisis

Discover I’m in love with my dying girlfriend

And you steal my bed and insult my cooking

From: Pest

oh pls

you got food poisoning from it too

From: Bryce

Ughhhhhh

Just go to school, I’ll keep you updated on Casey

And don’t try and argue your way out of it, I can’t be responsible for you committing truancy

…

But depending on how she’s doing, I’ll try and get you to visit Casey asap

From: Pest

how can i concentrate in school when my favorite sibling is deathly ill

From: Bryce

Do you want me to tell Case that you tried to use her as an excuse to get out of school

Bc I will

From: Pest

fine!!!! getting ready

[middle finger emoji]

***

Two hands grip his shoulders, and he starts awake, looking around wildly, hands forming into a fist. His eyes land on an overjoyed Jackie, who’s bouncing up and down. “It worked! Bryce, it worked!”

He sits up straight. “Casey’s alright?”

Jackie nods quickly, eyes welling up with tears. “She’s alright! I mean, of course, she has to recover, but the maitotoxin’s not going to kill her.”

Bryce grins and springs out of bed. “I’ve gotta go see her!”

“What, you’re not gonna update her folks?”

He stops in his tracks at that, fishing his phone out of his pocket. “You know what, fair.” With one hand, he pushes his hair away from his face while he scrolls through his contacts for Mr. Valentine’s contact.

From: Bryce

Good news!! Casey’s improving!!! The cure the diagnostics team administered to her is working, and she should be on the road to recovery by the time you get here.

[Message not delivered!]

He groans. “They must be on the flight.” Shaking his head, he tucks his phone back into his pocket. “Doesn’t matter. I need to go see her.”

Jackie waves her hand. “Go see your girl, lover boy.”

Bryce sprints upstairs, breezing quickly past Harper and Takana. He can’t help the smile on his face, so when he catches Harper’s eye, she physically relaxes and gives him a nod. Tanaka stops him briefly to shake his hand and to congratulate him.

Normally, Bryce would prioritize this kind of conversation with Takana. It’s not just congratulating him that his girlfriend is still alive and hope is alive and well — after all, he did get through the most difficult part of Kyra’s surgery and essentially left Tanaka to close. His career could catapult with this conversation.

And it will. It can just wait a few minutes.

Bryce excuses himself and bounces on the balls of his feet while he waits for the elevator. Maybe he should text Keiki. She should be getting out of school soon. He glances at his watch. In twenty minutes, actually.

The elevator dings before he can fish his phone out of his pocket, so he slips inside, presses the button for the seventh floor, and taps his fingers against his thigh during the agonizingly long elevator ride. Once the elevator doors begin to slide open, he squeezes past them and sprints to her room.

Before he reaches her room, he slows to a stop and pushes his hand through his hair. If he cranes his neck, he can see her through the glass. She sits on her bed, swinging her legs back and forth, staring outside while biting the inside of her lip.

The glass. It separated the dying from the living, but now, it separates the living from each other.

He strides through the decontamination tent, knowing that there is absolutely no way that he can erase the smile off his face. Opening his arms wide, he locks eyes with Casey. “It worked!”

Her jaw drops and her eyes widen. She straightens.

Bryce lets out a watery laugh, brushing the tears away from his cheeks with his thumb. “I told you it was going to be okay. I told you —”

Casey streaks across the room, launching herself into his arms with such force that he stumbles backwards.

Immediately, he wraps his arms around her, pressing one hand to the small of her back to pull her closer. With his other hand, he cups the back of her neck. She tucks her face into the crook of his neck, and he can feel her tears dripping hot and fast against his neck.

He rests his chin on her shoulder. “Couldn’t wait for me to cross the room, huh?”

She shakes her head quickly. “No.” Stepping back, she grabs the front of his scrubs and pulls him into a dizzyingly deep kiss. His arms wrap around her to hold her close.

When they finally break apart, he rests his forehead against hers. She lifts her hand to brush her fingers across his cheeks. “I love you,” he says.

Casey stands on her tiptoes, capturing his mouth in hers again. “I love you, too.”

Bryce cups her face in his hands and kisses her once, twice, three times. “Thank you,” he whispers, eyes fluttering shut.

She wraps one arm around his neck, keeping one hand on his cheek. “For what?”

He kisses her forehead. “For being alive.”

[jerzwriter]

At this stage of the game in my initial playthrough, I thought for sure he'd be Casey's endgame. He is adorable.

[myglassesareinkansas]

The two of them had been sleeping in the same bed since the night after she was free to leave the hospital. At this point, they practically lived together.

Hi yes, don’t mind me crying

Weather the Storm

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x MC (Casey Valentine)

Summary: Bryce and Casey go on a vacation to Hawaii a few months after the attack on the Senator.

Author’s Note: It took me a while, but here it is. This will probably be one of my last fics for the next little while, since I recently started my fourth year of university and things are just overall not very fun. Sorry for any potential typos! I’ll try my best to write a little bit, but can’t make any promises, unfortunately. Hope anyone who takes the time to read it enjoys!

Taglist: @anotherbeingsworld @aylamreads

Word Count: 1,260

—

Water lapped against the shore, soaking the sand beneath her feet.

Casey stood by the ocean, arms crossed over her chest, trying her best to ignore the dread that settled deep in the pit of her stomach. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she listened to the sound of the waves.

Sienna’s sobs echoed in her mind. The image of Rafael laying down in a hospital bed burned into her memory forever.

Danny…

The tears started before she had a chance to stop them, and she covered her mouth with one hand to muffle the sobs. It was too much. The wound too fresh.

Keep reading

[storyofmychoices]

Harmony of Hearts

Pairings: Bryce x Olivia, Ethan x Merida (@lilyoffandoms), Tobias x Casey (@jerzwriter) Book: Open Heart Word Count:>800 Rating/Warnings: general (only warning is bad song writing, I'm not a song writer 🤷‍♀️)

Synopsis: Tobias, Ethan, and Bryce surprise the ladies with a song they wrote for them.

"Not so fast, Ramsey–" Tobias's arm shot out in front of the head of diagnostics, blocking his path to the door.

"We all agreed to this," Bryce added, folding his arms as he leaned against the wall, a playful smirk playing on his features. "For what it's worth, I think you sound good."

The blue-eyed doctor's brows narrowed, and his lips pulled into a frown, although the corner of his lips betrayed the sentiment. "It's not too late to book a spa weekend."

"You know this will mean more. And, isn't today about celebrating them?" Tobias turned Ethan back toward the living room. Bryce followed closely behind as Tobias led the way, keeping Ethan trapped between them.

The guys gathered together, each holding a worn piece of paper as they stood in front of the couch where the girls had gathered. Their light-hearted conversation quieted as their attention curiously shifted. 

"It was your idea, Lahela—" Tobias nudged him forward. "Would you like to do the honors?

Warmly, Bryce stepped closer, his eyes filled with warm affection for his wife and their friends. "Today is not just any day—it's a day dedicated to celebrating the strength, grace, and brilliance of women around the world, but we couldn't let it pass without expressing our love for the incredible women in our lives."

Ethan's stoic expression softened to offer a nod of agreement with his colleague's words.

Bryce continued, picking up the ukulele that had been lying on the coffee table. "So, we've prepared a little something for you."

"It might not be Grammy-worthy," Ethan added, attempting to lower any expectations. "Songwriting wasn't covered at Hopkins."

Tobias couldn't resist a teasing grin, his eyes sparkling as he glanced at Casey. "Don't expect Taylor Swift-level lyric writing or an Era's tour performance. No outfit changes here! We're more like... 'shower karaoke on a Tuesday' level."

Casey shot Tobias a playful smirk, crossing her arms as she relaxed on the comfy couch. "Well, if it's shower karaoke on a Tuesday, then I expect nothing less than a chart-topping hit."

Bryce skillfully strummed the ukulele strings, each note resonating with a gentle warmth, the instrument itself echoing the affection he felt for Olivia. He nodded to Tobias, signaling he was up.

With a confident grin, Tobias cleared his throat, placing his paper on the end table. He knew the words well enough. His voice, smooth and melodic, filled the room:

🎶 "In a world of puzzles and diagnostic charts,

Casey, you're the melodic beat in my heart.

With your brilliance and laughter, you light up the day,

Here's a little song to say, 'I love you' in my own way."🎶

Casey's eyes sparkled with delight. She had always loved his voice when he sang along to songs they loved, but to have him write this for her—it was something altogether different, something she couldn't believe how much she needed (and now wanted more)

Ethan was next. He carefully adjusted his tie before stepping forward. The world-renowned physician wasn't used to such nerves. His fingers trembled slightly, holding the paper tightly in his hands. His gaze flickered between it and Merida.

🎶 "Merida, my love, you were once a mystery to me,

But in your eyes, now, all the answers I see.

Your brilliance and grace cannot be denied

My love for you, I could never hide."🎶

Merida, usually composed, had a soft smile drawing on her lips. She reached for Ethan's hand, squeezing in gratitude. "I love you," she mouthed the words quietly. His thumb brushed over her fingers.

Bryce looked at Olivia, his warmed with affection for her. His gentle touch on the ukulele continued:

🎶 "Olivia, my partner in this life's beautiful dance,

In the realm of hearts, you're my favorite chance.

With a scalpel in my hand, and every healing word,

It's our symphony of love, forever to be heard." 🎶

Olivia's eyes misted at the beautiful song. Her hands clasped over her heart as she marveled at the men and their song as they continued:

🎶 "Hand in hand, through thick and thin,

Together we stand, let the melody begin.

For the women we cherish, our hearts take flight, 

In the symphony of life, you're our greatest delight.

To Casey, Merida, and Olivia so dear,

With love, laughter, and the occasional tear.

With this song for you, our voices combine,

Forever grateful, forever thine." 🎶

The simple melody filled the room and the hearts of the girls. Olivia, Casey, and Merida exchanged surprised glances. Their initial amusement at the idea of them writing a song turned into genuine appreciation.

"Never again," Ethan grumbled to Tobias.

"We'll see about that," he offered with a wink. "Thursday's Karaoke night—I already signed us up!" 

Their conversation was cut short as Casey, Merida, and Olivia showered them with praise, offering each their own affections of gratitude for the thoughtful gesture and the words of admiration they'd forever hold dear.

[lilyoffandoms]

When Husbands Become Prey (Tobias x Casey, Ethan x Merida, Bryce x Olivia)

Thank you for all you do to support writers and creatives in our fandom. Thank you for participating in this little event and sharing your stories with us! Don’t at me for the title! I told you I used it and I just couldn’t help myself 😂

Warning & A/N: Olivia belongs to @storyofmychoices. Only warnings would apply to anything said and written about Tobias x Casey. And while I don’t title my drabbles I had to for this one after seeing this. So shout out to @ladylamrian for making this title, and by extension, this drabble possible hehe

“They look bored,” Olivia said, taking a sip of wine, as she looked out across the room at the three standing near the bar.

Merida and Casey followed her gaze.

“Agreed that Tobias and Bryce do,” Merida laughed. “But that’s just Ethan’s face.”

Casey choked on her drink as Olivia hid her giggle politely behind her hand.

When Casey had recovered with a few pats on the back from both Merida and Olivia she asked with a smirk, “Want to liven things up for them?”

“Oh I’m in,” Merida matched her smirk.

“You don’t even know what she has in mind,” Olivia glanced around Casey between them to smile at Merida.

“It could only be one thing.”

“Rhys, I’m insulted!” Casey said mockingly. “Get your head out of the gutter.”

“Tell me I’m wrong,” Merida challenged.

“Okay, you’re not. But still, pretend. Occasionally. For my sake,” she smirked at Merida. “You in, Liv?” Casey asked turing to face her.

“I want to hear the plan first.”

“Nope. Decide now. In or out,” Casey smiled.

“I think it’s in AND ou-“

“Merida!” Olivia gasped.

“Tell me I’m wrong.”

“How much have you had to drink?” Olivia asked.

“A glass. This is just me, darling. Anything to keep me entertained at these snooze-fests.”

Olivia smiled brightly at her friend, “In and out?”

Merida nodded with a grin.

“I think that’s what Tobias has in mind right now judging by the look he’s throwing Case.”

“That’s just his face around her,” Merida responded between giggles.

“Okay, fine. I’m in,” Olivia gave in.

“Excellent,” Casey broke off looking at Tobias and clapped her hands. “I have a little wager. Point system as usual. Chaste public kiss, one point. Less than chaste public kiss, two points. Bit of public action, three points. Other behind closed doors action, four points. Anything that could or does get you arrested, automatic winner. Tally points at the end of the night and lowest buys dinner next group date night. Deal?”

“You’re on!” Merida clasped Casey’s offered hand and both looked to Olivia.

“Oh you’re both going down! It’s a deal,” Olivia smirked and clasped both their hands.

“May the best woman win,” Casey said as she squeezed both their hands and they broke for the three men across the room.

——————————

All Choices Tag: @storyofmychoices @peonierose @aallotarenunelma @inlocusmads

[genevievemd]

Have you been reversed Uno'ed yet?

I'd love to know Ethan/Gen's favorite Christmas Movies, as well as your other pairings too!

I have not been! (And I still need to respond your answer to my question lol)

Gen's favorite is The Year Without a Santa Claus. Ethan never really had a favorite, though he did enjoy the classic claymation movies and Home Alone

Nat's is The Santa Clause, Bryce I have no idea lol

Sienna's is Love Actually, Casey's is How the Grinch Stole Christmas (The Jim Carrey version)

Camila's is the original Miracle on 34th Street, Tobias idk what do you think? You're our Tobias Carrick expert.

Thanks for the uno reverse bestie

[zoe-is-amazingg]

You're just not my type Prt 3

Jock!Ethan Landry X Guitarist!F!Reader

W/C - 1.5 K

Summary - Ethan definitely has an idea about what you think about him

Warnings - just making out.

A/N - I'm so happy i'm trying to finish this rn. im also done wit the flashbacks sooo

Last part * Next part *

Request rules * Taglist request *

You slowly walk into school, your headphones over your ears, it's been a week since you've last seen Bryce and you're living for it. You practically wanted nothing to do with him and recently, someone else was definitely trying to get in with you.

Ethan, that is.

He has been interacting with you all week, talking to you, flirting with you, he even has been asking you about your guitar. You weren't used to all this male attention surrounding you. Ethan's friends were slowly talking to you, finding you interesting and asking things about you too.

But out of all of them, Ethan is the one that you seem to like the most. He seems caring and kind and nice. He was cute as hell, but you really didn't want this to be another Bryce situation where he ends up being a dick to you in five days.

You're walking and just minding your own business when someone pulls off your headphones and you turn around. Of course, it was Ethan.

"Ethan give them back!" You huff as he puts them on his head. You really wanted to go to art early. He nods his head and hums to the tune of the song just a little bit before he takes them off and puts them around your neck.

"Is that...Your own music?" He asks you, looking deeper into your eyes than anyone else ever has before. He had this strong cologne on and on top of how his hair looked it the sun, it was intoxicating to you. You wanted to rip the varsity jacket off and kiss him.

"Uh, yes, actually. It's just something I've been working on for the moment, nothing too special." You state and He nods. He smirks at you and then steps back.

"That's really good," He states, and you blush, what the hell was happening to you. In a minute you'll start giggling like a fucking schoolgirl. "Can I meet you in the music room after this class. I really want to hear you play in person." You shake your head, and he sighs. You look into his eyes for a moment and groan. "Fuck it, sure, I'll see you there."

You slowly walk away and sigh as you put your headphones over your ears. You arrive at art, being a bit over 5 minutes late, you were never late and by the way everyone was looking at you, you could tell their thinking the same. You take your headphones off and take your seat at the back.

"Gentlemen and Gentlewoman, I really want this next piece for your portfolio to really tell me about your emotions." The teacher says. You weren't one for emotions really, but maybe these new feelings for your browned haired friend could bring out some good work. "I want this to reflect what the past month has been like in about three to five paintings, show me your emotions and the journey that your emotions go through."

"What the hell." You mumble. This month for you has been terrible, except for the past week. Your friend, Casey, looks at you. He was a great artist and an even better friend; he calls you constantly.

"I know you're not good with your emotions, but you should really use your feelings for Ethan. Their only blossoming into new for you, Bryce was a shit dude. Ethan seems like he's good for you. You seem happier." That was deep as hell. What the fuck.

You will admit to yourself that you do seem happier ever since Ethan's come into your life. So maybe that party was worth it. "I don't know, he asked me to meet him after this class to get him to watch me play. I don't know if I should go." You mumble.

"Y/N. I swear to god. If you don't go, you'll wish you did because I'll legit kill you." Casey says and you groan. "Fuck you, fuck it. I'll go!" You groan.

"Yessss! Please do! He loves you! It's so obvious." Casey rolls his eyes. You roll your eyes and get up and walk away. You put on your apron and grab 3 paint brushes, a cup of water and some light blue, pastel purple and pink and yellow. That's what you felt like doing at the time anyway

You go back to your desk and sit down. You place all the objects onto the table and slump back down into your seat. You turn around with your chair and grab a canvas and paint palette.

You turn back around to your desk and place the canvas and palette down. You squeeze a little bit of each color onto the palette and wet the smallest paint brush you grabbed. You dip it into the pink paint, someone in the corner of the classroom catches your eye. You slowly take off your headphones and put them into your bag.

"I'm here for Y/N." Ethan says. Your jaw drops. What the fuck is he doing? You don't come to his basketball practice. You were painting, you're not packing up because you just started. "Why does Y/N need to come with you?"

"Something important has come up and I really need her to come with me Mrs Warner." Ethan says. He looks at you and you shake your head. "Sure, go ahead, take Y/N. I'm not fighting with 21-year-old about a girl leaving class early."

"I'll pack up your stuff." Casey smirks at you. You grab your bag and leave with him. You both walk in silence for a moment, you're finding the right words because in your head, everything you wanted to say was mixed together.

"Where are we going?" You ask. He shakes his head at you and chuckles. Fuck. He is not taking you to the studio. "By the way your face expressions are, I think you just realized." He chuckles at you. You didn't want to play for him, you were planning on not showing up. But what's the worst that can happen?

You walk with him for a moment and then you both arrive at the studio. You really weren't keen on playing for him. He opens the door and there's your guitar, in all its beauty. "Y/N. Look, if you don't want to play for me, that's fine, I don't want you to feel like you have to." He says to you, clearly it was obvious that you were nervous to play infront of him.

"No, I want too. I just haven't really played my own music in front of someone before." You mutter, you both go inside the studio, and he closes the door. You pick up the electric guitar and set it up so it can make noise from the speakers. Ethan looks at you and slowly pulls the guitar out of your hands and lightly rests it on the wall.

He grabs your hands and looks at you directly into your eyes. He slowly rubs circles into the back of your hands. He drops onto his knees, and you can't even believe this is happening to you. "Are you okay?" He asks.

"Fine, fine. Don't worry about me." You whimper. He nods, clearly not convinced with your answer. He hands you back the guitar and you turn the volume up on it lightly. "Just pretend I'm not here."

You close your eyes. Fuck why is the this so damn scary. You start playing a little bit to see if it's tuned. It is and now you can't waste any more time. You slowly start with a hammer on and start playing. You play for about two minutes before you stop. Ethan's jaw is wide open and shocked.

"That's really fucking good." He mutters. You didn't know what to say. He did not just say your good. It felt like a praise. It was a praise. God, you wanted him so bad. You hand him the guitar. "Sit down, I'll give you a lesson." You say and his eyes light up. "Really?"

"Yes, now sit down before I change my mind." You sigh. He nods and sits down. The guitar is placed on his lap, and he picks it up the way you did before. He puts the strap over his shoulders. "What next ma'am?" He asks jokingly. You walk over and stand over him. You grab his hands and use your hands lead where his are going.

You let him play a little riff and then stop. He looks up at you and says "Fuck it, I cant pretend anymore." He mutters and you tilt your head.

What is he on about? Your thoughts are cut short when his lips connect with yours. Your lips move and fit perfectly together. He slides the guitar off him and places it onto the floor. You slowly move your body so you're standing basically on top of him. You slowly get pulled onto his lap and you hook your hands around his neck.

Someone opens the door, and you break the kiss to look at the person. It's the one person you did not want to talk too.

Bryce.

Taglist - @idky5

[choicesfandomappreciation]

Summer Secret Pal Masterlist

Thank you to everyone who joined the Summer Secret Pal event! I hope you had as much fun as I did! It was so wonderful to see the fandom come together, share their talents, and make others smile with their gifts.

Alphabetical by recipient

☀️ To: @aesthetic-aag 🏖️From: @peonyblossom

Gaius x Adeeba (Edit)

☀️ To: @bri1234 🏖️From: @coffeeheartaddict2

A Letter to My Beloved: Trystan x Emily (fan fiction)

☀️ To: @cadybear420 🏖️From: @aesthetic-aag

Aiden x Evie (edit)

☀️ To: @choicesmc 🏖️From: @peonierose

Rin (Art) Jiahao (Moodboard/Aesthetics)

☀️ To: @choiceswithmika 🏖️From: @zhoumeyourlove

Zig x Mikaylyn (Art)

☀️ To: @coffeeheartaddict2 🏖️From: @moominofthevalley

Aailah (COP MC) and Casey (Oph MC) Moodboards

☀️ To: @eadanga 🏖️From: @oh-so-youre-a-nerd

Chris Powell (Art)

☀️ To: @gaiuskamilah 🏖️From: @tveitertotwrites

Ellie (edits and art)

☀️ To: @jerzwriter 🏖️From: @ladylamrian

Sweet Mornings: Tobias x Casey (fan fiction + moodboard)

☀️ To: @kilvalir 🏖️From: @rosesnink

Uluvalir: Tyril x Asphodelus (Fan Fiction)

☀️ To: @ladylamrian 🏖️From: @lover-also-fighter-also

Ernest Sinclaire x Clara (Aesthetic)

☀️ To: @lilyoffandoms 🏖️From: @kilvalir

Maiele (Edit)

☀️ To: @lover-also-fighter-also 🏖️From: @jerzwriter

Anitha (Moodboard)

☀️ To: @moominofthevalley 🏖️From: @choicesmc

Emily Rose (Moodboard)

☀️ To: @oh-so-youre-a-nerd 🏖️From: @thosehallowedhalls

Discovery: Martin x Wind (fan fiction)

☀️ To: @peonierose 🏖️From: @pulpitude

Bryce x Luna (Edits)

☀️ To: @peonyblossom 🏖️From: @cadybear420

Ajay x Matty , Ethan x Sydney, Thomas x Jackie (Edits)

☀️ To: @pupitude 🏖️From: @lilyoffandoms

Euphemia ‘Mia’ Labelle x Amalia de León (Art)

☀️ To: @rosesnink 🏖️From: @storyofmychoices

Kate O'Malley Geometric (Art) May O'Malley (Moodboard)

☀️ To: @storyofmychoices 🏖️From: @gaiuskamilah

Thomas Hunt x Alex (Art)

☀️ To: @thosehallowedhalls 🏖️From: @eadanga

A Paris Proposal Gabe x Quinn (fan fiction)

☀️ To: @tveitertotwrites 🏖️From: @bri1234

Thomas Hunt x Brooklyn (art)

☀️ To: @zhoumeyourlove 🏖️From: @choiceswithmika

Aiden x MC , Trystan x MC (edits)

[jerzwriter]

OK, so if given the choice of crab rangoon and spiders, one should ALWAYS pick crab rangoon. I would judge otherwise (but this was not a test! lol)

Now... LMAO! I love this! They are so adorable. Poor Bryce, it was like ... Bryce vs. crab rangoon... and Bryce lost! And here comes Casey being all cheeky and I'm here for it! You know she planned this with Bryce in the car/walk back, lol. And there should be warning signs around when Jensen is hungry! lol

Thanks so much for doing this!

Bryce, Jensen and Casey

Crab Rangoon (or spider… you pick)

i picked crab rangoon bc i almost got it for lunch <3

~~~

Jensen practically ripped the bag from Bryce’s hand as he set it down.

“Aggressive, much?” Bryce said, Jensen waving him off and practically throwing out all the other bags and containers to get to what he was looking for.

“Where are they?” he asked, dumping the bag over and letting Bryce narrowly catch a few containers from sliding off the counter.

Bryce looked like he was going to ask what he was talking about when Casey finally followed in behind him, parchment bag in hand. Jensen had an ounce more patience with her, at least letting her set her purse on the counter before sticking his hand out to set the bag in.

“They’re gone,” she answered, crumpling up the empty bag of crab rangoon. She only lasted a beat when his expression changed. She laughed and pulled out another bag.

“That wasn’t funny.”

“You look like I just kicked your puppy,” she said, now laughing at the unamused expression he gave her.

He grabbed a handful of them, ignoring the way the first burned his mouth and said, “It’s basically the same thing.”

[choicescommunityevents]

Thank you for joining our first Choices Picnic! It was a lovely event!

Here is how our picnic turned out:

10 fandom members contributed to

28 MCs, OCs, and LIs joining the event who brought

15 different types of food

10 different types of drinks

21 different types of desserts

15 different games/activities

[Event prompts and info] [Full list of community prompts, polls, and quizzes]

Who joined the picnic? [x]

@cadybear420

Aiden x Evie

@dr-colossal-pita

Ethan x Oliver

@gutsfics

Noah x Devi

Thomas x Avalon

@jerzwriter

Ethan x Kaycee

Tobias x Casey

@lovealexhunt / @theartoflovingthomashunt / @storyofmychoices

Bryce x Olivia

Keiki

Mal x Daenarya

Thomas x Alex

@masked-alien-lesbian

Aislinn x Verity

Hana x Raelyn

@peonyblossom

Ajay x Matty

Emmett x Brooklyn

Ethan x Sydney

Thomas x Jackie

@pulpitude

Mia

Lia

Joss

Linc

Abel

@trappedinfanfiction

Ethan x Celia

Trystan x Sophia

@tveitertotwrites

Derek x Charlie

Ethan x Claire

Thomas x Brooklyn

Tobias x Adelaide

What will we be eating + drinking? [x]

Food

Banana Chips with light maple syrup

Buttermilk Fruit Scones

Charcuterie Board (2)

Chips

Fresh Baked Bread

Fresh Vegetable Quinoa Salad

Gamja-Salad

Grilled Meat Skewers

Ketchup Chips

Korean Fried Chicken

Pasta Salad

Pizza

Pineapple

Sandwiches (2)

Strawberries

Trail Mix

Drinks

Alcoholic Drinks

Cabernet Sauvignon

Chocolate Milk

Coconut Custard Pie

Fruit Salad

Nanaimo Bars

Non-Alcoholic Drinks

Orange Infused Cold Brew

Sodas

Strawberry Lemonade

Sweet Cocktails

Sweet Iced Tea

Wine selection

What are we eating (desserts) [x]

Apple Pie

Berry Pinwheel Pasteries

Coconut Cake

Cookies

Fresh Fruit Popsicles

Fruit mixed in pudding, yogurt, whipped cream

Golden Griddle milkshakes

Haupia

Honey Cake

Lemon Cake

Mint Ice Cream Sandwiches

Pie

Pup Cups

Red Velvet Brownies

Red Velvet Cupcakes

Rum Cake

Strawberry Cheesecake Parfait

Weed Brownies

What are we playing/doing? [x]

Badminton

Capture the Flag

Charades

Drink Mixing

Enjoying flowers

Frisbee / Disk Golf

Frisbee with pups (2)

Horeshoes

Karaoke

Kite Flying

Lawn Chess

Nature Crafts / Flower Crowns

Paint and Sip

Toss + Catch

Volleyball

What's our picnic playlists? [X]

What 3 things are a picnic must? [X]

How will a little rain impact the event? [x]

How did MCs, OCs, and LIs document the event? [X]

What else was submitted?

I was going to make a masterlist, but since most entries were just reblogs to the community posts it seemed silly... especially since all the extra entries were mine 🙈. Felt weird making a masterlist for just me! If more individual works are added, I'll make a separate masterlist.

@lovealexhunt / @theartoflovingthomashunt / @storyofmychoices

Bryce x Olivia picnic (art)

Bryce x Olivia beach picnic (edit)

Mal x Daenarya beach picnic (edit)

A Late Night Picnic (Mal x Daenarya) (writing)

Thomas x Alex Hollywood sign picnic (edit)

@peonierose : Art on the Beach with Bryce x Luna

[jerzwriter]

Somewhere out there, @icecoffee90 is saying, "SEE! I TOLD YOU HE WAS THE BETTER LI!" lol

I have to admit, Bryce is a hell of a guy!

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Open Heart F/AtoW: Nov 10 - 16, 2024

✒️ = Fanfic | 📱 = Text Fics/Edits | 🎨 = Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🏳️‍🌈 = LGBTQIA+

BRYCE LAHELA

Forgotten Paintbrush 🎨 | Bryce Lahela x F!OC - @lilyoffandoms

Red Face ✒️ | Bryce Lahela x Reader - @stanathanxoox

ETHAN RAMSEY

Child's Play - Part 2 ✒️ | Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @liaromancewriter

We're Not Doing That ✒️ | Ethan Ramsey x Reader - @stanathanxoox

OPEN HEART MC

Casey, Olivia and Merida 🎨 | F!MC, F!OC, F!MC - @lilyoffandoms

RAFAEL AVEIRO

Love In Every Heartbeat (Series) ✒️ | Rafael Aveiro x F!MC - @rafasgirl23415 Chapter 6: You'll Always Be a Part of Me Chapter 7: I’ll Look After You

SIENNA TRINH

Three Month Celebration 📱 | Sienna Trinh x M!OC - @liaromancewriter

TOBIAS CARRICK

Just Catching Up ✒️ | Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

Merida & Tobias Attend Fashion Week 🎨 | Tobias Carrick & F!MC - @lilyoffandoms

Main F/Atow List: Nov 10 - 16, 2024

[storyofmychoices]

Hii 😍

What if your MC / LI sent the wrong picture to the wrong number? It can be a fun or spicy pic

Hi lovely, sorry for replying forever late! Thank you for the request.

Texting Gone Wrong

[Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist]

Pairings: Bryce x Olivia (F!OC), Tobias x Casey (F!MC)

Book: Open Heart

Rating: Teen (sexual content)

Synopsis: Olivia accidentally sends a picture meant for Bryce to Tobias. [text fic 📱]

This is a silly exchange between Olivia + Tobias and Olivia + Casey. The lovely @lilyoffandoms created a fun little AU with their Merida x Ethan, my Olivia x Bryce, and @jerzwriter's Casey x Tobias are all friends. I am setting this fic in that little universe since the other two pairings love making Olivia uncomfortable. (I hope that's okay!!!)

Olivia to Tobias

Olivia to Casey

Olivia to Tobias (and Casey)

I swear Instagram suggests the random content to me. 🙈

[lilyoffandoms]

Choices Open Heart - Tobias x Casey, Bryce x Olivia, and Ethan x Merida

For @choicesoctober from best friend prompt.

Warnings & A/N: Alcohol mention (tipsy characters). Thanks for the idea last night Elsa hehe (I took notes lol). Casey belongs to @jerzwriter and Olivia belongs to @storyofmychoices.

“Okay okay what about that one?” Merida subtly pointed out a middle aged woman in a skintight blue dress.

They all considered her for a while as she talked animatedly to anyone that came within range of her.

“Bryce,” Casey and Merida said in unison.

“He’d be the only one able to handle her…, I don’t know,” Merida waved her hand.

“Clinging? Neediness?”

“Agreed,” Olivia nodded and giggled as both women turned their attention to her taking the seat beside them.

“You made it!” Merida squeezed her hand with a grin and flagged down the bartender and ordered them all a round.

“I had to say hello to Bryce real quick.”

Casey gave Olivia a quick hug and then passed out the drinks the bartender slid onto the polished bar for them.

“But we know you can’t stay away from us for too long,” Casey teased.

“Well yes,” Olivia giggled, “that and Bryce was trapped in a conversation I really didn’t want to be sucked into so….”

The other two laughed and raised their glasses together.

“Cheers to tonight and letting our partners fend for themselves,” Merida smirked.

“Now that one,” Olivia nodded with a grin to a man sidling up to the bar a few bar stools down from them.

They watched as the man ordered the most pretentious cocktail.

“Ethan,” they all agreed.

“Though he’d probably argue there is a better one out there,” Casey countered.

“So Tobias? Though he would probably just tease the poor man about how pretentious that drink order was.”

“Yeah, Ethan,” Merida confirmed. “He’d order one that was even more pretentious just to one up the guy.”

The game went on and on. Drink after drink. Plate after plate of appetizers. And much laughter.

“How about that one?” Casey pointed out a woman who had drunkenly draped herself across the piano to flirt with the musician.

“What are you gorgeous ladies up to?” Tobias saunter up behind Casey and kissed her forehead as she looked up to smile at him innocently.

“Catching up,” Olivia said.

“Having some fun people watching,” Merida said.

“Deciding who we’d pair you boys up with around here,” Casey smirked.

“Nice,” he grinned. “Who are we focusing on right now?”

They all pointed not at all subtly in the drunk woman’s direction.

“I think she needs to meet Ethan,” Tobias smirked and with a rather deep and lingering kiss with Casey went over to the woman.

The ladies watched as he greeted her.

“Is he?” Olivia said in shock.

Tobias led her across the room until they were standing in front of Ethan.

“Oh my god! He is. This is the best thing to happen all night!” Merida giggled and leaned back in her seat with her drink in hand to watch it play out.

“Did you expect anything less?” Casey smiled into her drink.

They lost it when Ethan paled and the woman looped her arms through Ethan’s and leaned heavily against him and Tobias patted Ethan’s arm with a wicked smirk and some teasing comment and walked back toward the three friends.

Merida called the bartender back and ordered a drink which she handed to Tobias upon his return.

“For my hero,” she said and clinked her drink to his.

“Bryce next!” Olivia clapped her hands together, her face flushed with the warmth of the room and a few drinks.

“Have I mentioned that tipsy Olivia is a ton of fun?” Casey beamed at Tobias.

“You have not but I got to start spending more time with you three,” he said between swigs of his drink before turning to Olivia.

“Liv, my dear, who shall it be?”

——————————

Choices Tag: @storyofmychoices @peonierose @aallotarenunelma

Other Tags: @choicesficwriterscreations

[genevievemd]

Hey love please choose your pairings :)

2, 3, 7, 15 and 18 😘

Thanks best friend 💕

2) who says “I love you” more?

Ethan and Gen: G does, but only slightly more than Ethan. Tobias and Cam: Tobias for sure. That man has a decade of ILYs saved up lol Bryce and Natalie: Natalie Sienna and Casey: Sienna

3) who has trouble sleeping alone?

Ethan and Gen: both Tobias and Cam: Cam Bryce Natalie: Bryce Sienna and Casey: Casey

7) who steals the duvet in their sleep?

Ethan and Gen: lol Gen. Ethan calls her his little blonde burrito Tobias and Cam: Tobias Bryce and Natalie: Natalie Sienna and Casey: Sienna

15) who isn’t afraid to embarrass the other in public?

Ethan and Gen: Gen Tobias and Cam: Tobias Bryce and Natalie: Both Sienna and Casey: Casey

18) who finds it impossible to stay angry at the other for long?

Ethan and Gen: Ethan Tobias and Cam: Tobias Bryce and Natalie: Usually Natalie Sienna and Casey: both

Send me an OTP + a number and I’ll tell you…

[jerzwriter]

Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am FREAKING OUT. I love this so much! It's so damn adorable, and OF COURSE, it's Casey and Joshua who are clowning around. lol

No matter how much PB drives us crazy, I am going to be forever grateful to them for helping bring us together. And hey, I think we agree on 50% of things, just never, ever LIs lmao.

I simply love this. It's like a commemoration. 💖

I love this. I love you. This made my day. (PS we need a TV date soon!) @bayleedrawsx, you're AMAZING! Thanks so much for creating this! :)

Huge thank you to the amazing @bayleedrawsx for this beautiful commission of my and @jerzwriter's Choices OTPs! I only asked for a (silly) art of the MCs catching snowflakes with their tongues and their LIs looking at them lovingly.. And she turned the idea into this masterpiece! 🥰

I hope you love it just as much as I do, E! 😊 Since PB (and Open Heart in particular) played the integral part in us becoming friends in the first place, I thought it was only right to include Tobias and Casey in this commission alongside Bryce and Joshua. I like to think of this piece as a little parallel universe in which our MCs would be friends despite not having much in common - just like the two of us, lol.

Submission for @choicesjanuarychallenge day 24 "friends"