#Open heart 2

[bryceslahela]

guys i remember back during oph2 when kyra was sick and people wanted kyra to die so that bryce’s ego would be knocked down a peg.

[hopelessromantic1352]

Lockdown

This is based on OH 2. After I replayed it, I realized how I would’ve actually liked to see the book progress through the maitotoxin attack between Ethan and MC. I’m thinking I’ll try to post one or two more that follow the same storyline. Maybe a mini series? We’ll see. Also, hello Tumblr 😆 it’s been a minute.

Warnings: mentions death, poisoning, sickness

Word count: 2,068

Tags: @perriewinklenerdie @shelivesinthewoods @miss-indecisive-says @alj4890 @naffeesaa @hija-del-universo @confessionsofabrokegirl @usuallyamazinglyaverage @radlovedreamland-blog @lilyoffandoms @cordoniaqueensworld @carreraleigh @ethanplaysfavorites @amillionmoonsred @princess-geek @lapisreviewsstuff @aworldoffandoms @paisleylovergirl @llamasgrl @flyawayboo @timmagicktoad-blog @isabella-choices @ihclipse @sparklinglilac @whenyourheartskipsabeat @desmaranj

The drizzle out the window beats slower than her heart. Her breaths come in ragged gasps, the plastic rustles against the air vent it covers, and the only other faint sound is the steady beep of machines outside the quarantined room where she paces.

Beeps that remind her, Raf is still there.

The nausea has increased tenfold, but Casey refuses to sit down. The numb sensation in her feet and hands tingle with every second, but her stubbornness keeps her upright.

“Case, why don’t you rest for a second?”

The usual bravado in Bryce’s voice is gone, replaced with something she hasn’t heard before.

Fear.

Still wearing the mask around his neck, and bloody scrubs, her eyes try to focus on his expression.

Was the fear because of Kyra or herself?

“You’re here. Does that mean..” The raspy whisper that leaves her mouth is unrecognizable.

The young surgeon looks at her with pure anguish. “She made it, everything went good and she’s resting now. Which is what you need to be doing. You can hardly stand, let alone pace around your room.”

As if on cue, her whole body sways and she grabs the foot of the bed, holding still for a moment before her head and eyes clear again.

Only seconds later, the rest of her friends and the diagnostics team arrive. Faces full of fear, pity, and some anger. She knew why they were angry, she was angry too.

“I can’t sit still, I feel like that’s giving up.” Casey tries to keep her voice as even as possible.

“Dr. Ramsey and I found Travis, he gave us a few more symptoms to go off of before he…” Sienna trails off, biting her lower lip as her eyes shine through the glass.

“He died.” Ethan walks in first, leading Baz and June behind him. “But thanks to Danny, we know what was in the canister and we’ve got people working on an antidote as we speak.”

Casey looks to Sienna, seeing her lips purse and eyes begin to water at the mention of the young nurse’s name. The red head’s heart clenches at her friend’s pain, pain she hoped she and Raf wouldn’t be adding to.

Swaying slightly without realizing it, Casey reaches out to Ethan. His arms encircle her, steadying her as June takes her vitals. The ocean blues behind the hazmat mask seem more dull than usual, or maybe it’s her eyesight, but they don’t break eye contact. Somehow, feeling his covered hands and arms around her soothes her. Just being near him calms her and seems to take away the pain for just a moment.

“Her blood pressure has dropped in the last hour, heart rate is elevated.” The no nonsense tone of June’s voice cuts into Casey’s welcomed distraction.

“Why wouldn’t my heart rate be elevated? I’m having the time of my life in here.” At the attempt of a laugh, coughs take over, wracking her frail body and causing Ethan to tighten his grip on her.

“I can’t stand here and watch this. Are we going to go find a cure for this?” Jackie’s fist rests against the window, her face contorted with anger as she watches her friend writhe in Ethan’s arms.

“Hell yes we are.”

Tobias Carrick’s voice carries down the hall as a group of footsteps echo behind him. With Aurora next to him, the Edenbrook doctors look upon the Mass Kenmore group cautiously.

When Casey’s coughing fit finally dies down, the silence doesn’t stretch long.

“Carrick, why are you—“ Ethan can’t hide the surprise in his tone, or on his face, but Tobias waves him off.

“This is bigger than our competition. No one is letting Valentine die.” Ethan’s old friend eyes Casey with sympathy, internally noting the way Ethan holds her gently and protectively.

“We brought all our best doctors with us, they’re at Edenbrook’s disposal.” Aurora walks to the glass, softly placing her palm on it and worrying over her friend and roommate.

“I can’t thank you all enough.” Shaking, Casey tries to stand on her own, but the arms holding her don’t budge.

Her group of friends all start talking at once, saying their goodbyes and words of encouragement. June and Baz excuse themselves as well, telling Casey to hang in there. But the one steady thing in her world at that moment stays put.

“Casey, I—”

At the despair written on her face, his words die on his lips.

“I’m scared, Ethan. I don’t know— I’m not—”

All the tears she held back since the attack, since Bobby, Danny, and Raf, they rush to the surface and flood down her pale, sunken cheeks.

“Shhh,” the suit crinkles loudly as Ethan pulls the frail woman into his arms. “I am beyond terrified too. The one person I care about more than anything in the world…”

Her sniffling pauses at the meaning hanging in the air, but he begins to move them towards the bed, momentarily distracting her.

“Ethan, please if I lay down I don’t know if I’ll get up.”

He grunts a response as he lays down first before gently guiding her down next to him. “You will get up. Some of the best doctors in the world are fighting for you and Rafael, Casey.”

She weakly nestles into his embrace, silence stretching between them as he stares pensively at the ceiling.

“What were you going to say?” Her quiet question makes his muscles tense next to her, and she worries. “If it’s something you're not telling me about this maitotoxin, it’s not easing my mind.”

“No, no, the reason I cut myself off is the fact of the matter is,” he repositions himself so he can look into her glistening brown eyes. His gloved hand reaches up to cup her cheek softly, urging her eyes to close. “Casey, please look at me.”

The yearning and warmth in his voice pulls at her heart, and with no hesitation, she does as he says.

“When I say you are the most important thing in this world to me, and I care for no one more than I care for you, I mean it.” Fresh warm tears pool in her eyes and her bottom lip trembles. “I love you and looking back at how I’ve treated you… us, it has made me realize how much of a fool I was for pushing you away. I have never been able to deny my feelings for you and I believe I fell for you a long time ago. I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to acknowledge what has been in my heart.”

Tears falling, she closes her eyes but her lips spread into a warm smile, dimming the paleness on her frail body for just a moment.

“I’ve waited so long to hear you say that and now I can’t even kiss you to make you feel how much I feel the same. I’ve loved you for a really long time, Ethan. I wasn’t sure you’d ever feel the same.”

With the hazmat suit between them, Ethan embraces her as tightly as he can without hurting her. Wanting to feel her body and wishing this was taking place in his bed, after a perfect evening together instead of a quarantined room after the harrowing events of the day.

“As soon as you’re healthy, I’m taking you in my arms and never letting go.” The finality to his voice, mixed with the adoration and warmth, it causes Casey to shiver at the intensity.

“I can’t wait to kiss you.” She nestles back into his arms, exhaustion beginning to take over as he simply smiles softly and holds her tight.

As she falls into a deep slumber, Ethan can’t help the mist in his eyes or the deep hope that she’ll wake up to a cure.

The next morning, Ethan is startled out of thought as Casey lurches awake and rolls on her side, crying out in agony.

“What is it? What’s wrong, Casey?” He’s on his feet, pushing his chair back, and takes a strong hold of her hand.

The bed shakes under her violent writhing, one of her arms wraps around her stomach as she cries tears of pure pain. “It hurts so bad.”

After what seems like eternity, the pain subsides and Casey is left panting and sweaty, still gripping Ethan’s hand.

“That was new.” Her voice is weaker and her body shakes from exerting so much energy.

She slowly takes her hand away and sits up, still shaking, but watches as Ethan paces away angrily.

“I absolutely hate not having any control over this. There’s nothing I can do to help you and seeing you suffer, it makes me—” He groans and runs his hand through his hair in frustration.

She isn’t looking at him, her eyes are shut and her fingers dig into the bed. “Ethan, I’m not sure how long I can do this.”

That sentence, just a whisper, is enough to break him out of his rant. Enough for him to realize how selfish he is. Enough for him to realize if they don’t find an antidote, he could lose her.

“No, no, no.” He hurries back to her side, holding both her hands in his, engulfing the coldness. “You need to keep fighting. Please.”

His forehead settles on the edge of her bed as he sits back down, his hands holding hers still as he closes his eyes and begins to pray silently. Desperation coursing through his veins.

“We’ve got it!” Tobias is sprinting down the hall with June and Baz, the rest of Casey’s friends following behind quickly. The sounds urge Ethan to stand.

“But Raf, he needs it more—” her whisper is cut off by a violent cough.

Within minutes, the other two members of the diagnostics team are in Casey’s room, donning hazmat suits and carrying a small syringe.

“Don’t worry, we’ve already given him his dose. So save your energy, you’re going to need it.” June grins triumphantly at her sick colleague and then looks to Ethan who’s red rimmed eyes show their utter surprise. “Would you like to do the honors?” She holds the syringe out towards him.

“Absolutely.” As soon as he has the antidote, he steps over to Casey’s bedside and holds her hand for a moment, gazing at her lovingly. “Are you ready?”

A simple nod is enough answer for him. Gently, he finds her vein and injects the liquid, removing the needle when the syringe is empty.

12 HOURS LATER

“Get up.”

Ethan strides into the quarantined room without a hazmat suit and leaves the door wide open behind him. He grins, and despite the exhaustion in his eyes, he looks happy and at ease.

“You mean…?” Carefully standing, but feeling near normal for the first time in the past 32 hours, Casey looks at him, her eyes trailing over every inch of him.

“Your last few blood tests have shown a slow decrease in the maitotoxin and the very last results showed nothing. It’s gone, so—”

His scientific rambling is cut off by Casey’s small body ramming into his. Her arms wrap around him tightly and she buries her face into his chest, breathing him in deeply. “So I can do this finally?”

A simple nod is his only answer, and when she pulls back to look at him, she understands why. His eyes are full and glisten with unshed tears. His large hand gently cups her cheek, his thumb traces her cheekbone.

“And this.” Before she can question what he means, his lips softly press to hers, his free hand slipping down to rest on her hip.

The silent embrace lasts for just a few seconds before he forces himself to pull away. His other hand slips up and cups her cheek so he’s holding her face. The piercing eyes roam over her face, as if he’s memorizing her.

“I didn’t know if I’d ever feel your lips again.” Her voice quivers and her bottom lip trembles when she sees his eyes glisten in the light.

In answer, he leans forward, pressing a firm kiss to her forehead before pulling her against his chest once again. “I love you.”

His voice is so quiet, she nearly misses the sweet phrase. Her voice is muffled, but she responds as her arms tighten around his waist. “I love you too, Ethan.”

[theartoflovingthomashunt]

Love & Scotch: dx: Friendship & New Beginnings

Masterlists: [Thomas Hunt x Alex Spencer] || [Ethan Ramsey x Ellie Shepherd] || [Love & Scotch Crossover]

Characters: Thomas Hunt (HWU), Ethan Ramsey (OpH) Pairings (mentioned only): Thomas x Alex ; Ethan x Ellie Book: HollywoodU + Open Heart Word Count: ~650 Synopsis: Hunt and Ethan share a drink before Hunt's wedding.

Series Background:This takes place in my Hollywood U AU. Alex and Thomas are engaged. Ethan is an old friend whom the couple reconnected with. Alex is the biggest shipper of Ethan and Ellie(MC), and is thrilled Ethan finally took  her advice to do something about his feelings. [Catch up on Love and Scotch]

Chapter Background: This takes place after dx: healing, as well as after Ellie has her PTSD better managed.

The famed Hollywood director stared at the amber liquid in his tumbler, watching as the light enhanced the brilliant color in the glass, causing a beautiful glow. His attention shifted to the esteemed doctor beside him as he slowly sipped his drink. "Thank you for being here, Ramsey. I appreciate you flying out again. It means a lot to have a drink with you before tomorrow."

"It's the least I can do. Your friendship has meant a lot, even more so recently, with all that has happened," Ethan replied thoughtfully. "I'm not sure we would have gotten through the attack without you and Alex there." His voice trailed away as a shiver racked his spine, reminding him of that dreadful day. He tried to brush the thought away. "Plus, I could never turn down an opportunity to enjoy some of your top-shelf scotch." He lifted his glass of the 60-year-old Macallan toward Hunt. "To your last night as a bachelor."

Hunt reciprocated the gesture, lifting his glass toward his friend's before taking another sip. The corner of his lips pulled into a subtle smile. The creases around his eyes told of the joy he felt inside. It was a look he couldn't seem to shake recently, no matter how much he tried.

It wasn't that he hadn't seen his friend happy before, but Ethan knew this was different. This was something deeper, something true, and something that would last a lifetime. He felt his own heart quicken in his chest at the notion. He tried to shake it away; could he really be considering it? He turned his focus back toward his friend, hoping to focus on his upcoming wedding instead. "Can't believe you're getting married tomorrow, Hunt." He shook his head, still in mild disbelief. "I never thought I'd see the day."

Hunt stifled a soft chuckle, bliss filling his every feature. "Nor did I." He let the moment linger as he reflected before continuing. "Isn't it something, how one person can change the entire direction of your life in a way you never anticipated, and yet, somehow, it becomes the best thing for which you could hope."

"Yeah," the doctor nodded thoughtfully in consideration. "I suppose it happens when you aren't looking and when you least expect it."

"It appears to be as such," Hunt paused, offering his friend a knowing look. "I trust you feel the same."

His brow rose a moment as he pondered the question. It was a question that had been on his mind a lot lately. Not that it hadn't been a flicker in his mind earlier, but the attack changed everything. "I suppose I must," he relented. "But that's for another day. This weekend is about you!"

"Unless it could be more than that," Hunt suggested.

"And take away from your day?" Ethan shook his head, hoping to put the conversation to an end.

"Alex would find it as more adding to the merriment." He brought the honeyed liquid to his lips, savoring the taste. "In fact, she might consider it the best wedding present."

Ethan contemplated his words. It wasn't the first time he had considered it. It was something he had thought increasingly about, but was she ready? Was he? Was now the right time? She'd been through so much. His thoughts drifted to the velvet ring box buried in his suitcase. He had no plans when he packed it, yet he felt the need to bring it. But what if she said no? He couldn't ruin Hunt's special day. He shook away the thought. It wasn't the right time. This was about Thomas and Alex, not them.

The pair relaxed comfortably, sinking further into the lounge chair, savoring the top-shelf liquor. They sat in a comfortable silence, relishing the warmth in their chest—a warmth that went deeper than the drink in their hands.

A/N: I wanted to write a longer fic but my brain is still working on getting over it's writer's block so this is all I've got, but I still am happy to have ANYTHING for this series since it's been on hiatus for so so long!

I hope you enjoyed this fun little look at Ethan and Hunt's friendship!

[storyofmychoices]

Otterly in Love 🦦 ❤️

[Ethan Ramsey x Ellie Shepherd Masterlist]

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x Ellie Shepherd (F!MC) Book: Open Heart (Book Two) Word Count: text fic 📱 Rating/Warnings: General, fluff

A/N: I have not written Ethan and Ellie in probably two years? But when I saw @jerzwriter's post about World Otter Day, I had to put something quick together.

Background: Ellie's canon journey stops after the attack in book two. She has severe PTSD. One of the things that helped her get through it was just holding Ethan's hand through the nightmares. She decided in "No Longer Adrift" that Ethan was her sea otter because he helped keep her from getting lost in the darkness. So otters are a symbol for them.

Ethan also got this little plant + otter pot for her desk:

[randombook4idk]

MC to Rafael in B1 diamond scene: What about my family? Well, I have a brother

MC's brother's existance when in B2 his sibling got poisoned with a toxin that had no cure and could've died:

[alwaysmychoices]

Vending Machine Confession

Synopsis: Having decided to also leave Edenbrook, Ethan is now racing against Charlie to see who can leave the hospital first. But as they're barreling towards self destruction, they have a chance meeting by the vending machine...

Chapter 40 of the “with and without” series

Previous Series: “a weekend with dr. ramsey”

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x MC (Charlotte “Charlie” Greene)

Words: 3.0k

Rating: Teen (language)

Also available on AO3 & Wattpad (link in Masterlist)

Ethan hated goodbyes.

He hated drawn out farewells and lingering endings. He’d never been one to hesitate when it was time to go. Ethan hadn’t noticed the change until now – the hesitance in his limbs and the dread in his chest. He wasn’t comfortable on the precipice because he had too much to lose now.

Or maybe he had too much to lose.

Perhaps for the first time since he’d met Charlie, Ethan was free from the shackles of indecision. He knew exactly what he had to do, and as he barreled towards self-destruction, it felt like the only right thing he’d done in a long time.

Naveen told Ethan to give it a few days before acting on his decision to leave Edenbrook. You might regret it, Naveen politely cautioned. Until now, Ethan’s devotion to Edenbrook had been unrelenting, unforgiving, and undying. He sacrificed everything to the altar of his career.

He'd sacrificed Charlie in the name of saving her.

It was a cautionary tale as old as man’s arrogance.

But now it had an ending.

The final chapter had been written, and there was ease in certainty. Even if the conclusion was devasting, at least he knew when it would happen. His ego destroyed him, and now it was a quiet, sneering companion in his grief – reminding him of all he could have achieved if he’d been brave.

Faced with mutual destruction, Ethan had the pleasure of pulling the trigger first. As long as Charlie maintained her corresponding threat to destroy her career, Ethan would gladly do the same. It was a small consolation, but it was his to seize. A final sacrifice – his magnum opus of self-sabotage and poor conflict resolution. Ethan ruined Edenbrook for Charlie, and if he could do nothing else, he owed it to Charlie to give her the dream back.

Stubbornness was their chosen vice. Together, they’d buried themselves in the name of burying the other. Now, there was no escape.

The worst part was that, despite the fights that preceded these lonely nights, they’d never stopped loving each other. Neither saw the other as irredeemable – foolish, inconsiderate, and frustrating, maybe, but not irredeemable. Circumstances ruined them, but the relationship itself was still painted in streaks of gold.

Gold that seeped into the red rage and gray despair.

Gold that kept Ethan up late into the night – pacing a lonely apartment until he could no longer look at the space he once shared with Charlie. Ethan was a man on the run, but he didn’t know where he was going. So, he worked until he didn’t have enough energy to think.

Ethan gazed at the Boston skyline and wondered if any other skyline would feel so lonely. New York? Chicago? San Diego? Dallas?

He had offers from every city. All it would take was a mild display of interest, and he would be whisked away to a new life. His Rhode Island roots recoiled at the possibility of life in the blazing heat, but the broken pieces of his soul longed for anything unfamiliar and untainted. Change could be good, he thought, if for no other reason than it would let him sleep at night.

Idly, his eyes drifted to his laptop screen – waiting for the email he knew was coming. He’d sent out his interest. Now, he just had to wait for an eager recruiter to claim the fist interview. Wherever it was, he’d go – sunny, dark, rainy, hot, whatever. Selectivity required too much from his frayed mind.

For a moment, he imagined a world where the email never came. What would feel worse – the blow to his ego or his failure to make the grand sacrifice?

But of course, the email arrived. To those followers lucky enough to admire him from afar, Ethan was still a god. By the luck of the draw, a hospital in San Diego was the first to claim him. Only a few minutes later, it would have been a medical school in Chicago.

Hot and sunny, Ethan frowned. Not his comfort zone. But who was he to challenge fate?

When Ethan finished reading the email, he didn’t feel relieved. It just felt … final. Sad, even. Like the final chapter of a book he never wanted to finish.

For a moment, he allowed himself to picture a new life in sunny San Diego, but the vision was just as cold as a bitter Boston winter – colder, even. Because she was here. And nothing could ever come close to the warmth he felt when she stood by his side.

Ethan pressed “reply” but typed nothing. Again and again, he started to draft a polite yet brief acceptance, but no words came.

Ethan frowned, wiping his face with exhaustion. It was too late to write, he thought. It was too late to do anything. Realistically, he should have been home hours ago. A wise man would have tried to get what little sleep remained before he commuted back to this dark office, but Ethan recoiled at the thought of going home alone. So, he decided to stay. Hopefully, he’d work himself into exhaustion and be too tired to think.

Encouraged by the promise of something sugary to get him through the slump, Ethan gave himself a well-earned break to visit the vending machine. He traced the familiar path quietly, appreciating the gentle hum of the night shift. He liked how the hospital ignored him at night. It was a welcome reminder that Edenbrook would outlive his legacy.

Even on an empty night like this, Charlie was a specter lurking in every corner, but he never expected to actually see her there – tiredly straightening a crumpled dollar bill so she could trade it for a box of Sour Patch Kids. The same candy he’d intended to buy, a bad habit inherited from many a long night by her side.

Ethan froze, watching with wide eyes as she just … existed. How long had he been standing there? A second? A lifetime? Danger prickled at his skin, reminding him of the sins they’d shared in these hallowed halls.

“For fuck’s sake,” Charlie groaned, ignorant to her observer. Giving up on her unsalvageable dollar bill, Charlie pounded her fist on the glass, hoping for a miracle. Of course, the machine stared back at her, unmoved. Her candy was still out of reach.

Without thinking, Ethan stepped toward.

“Let me.”

It wasn’t until Charlie turned around that Ethan realized he’d been the one to speak.

Charlie stood, mouth agape as Ethan placed a crisp collar bill in the machine and punched in the code for her favorite candy. When he turned to hand her the box of sugary gummies, Charlie still hadn’t moved. Equally shocked at the sudden proximity, neither stepped back. She was so close he could smell the coconut on her hair…

They were silent – consumed by the closeness. Charlie breathed him in, cataloguing every new line on his face. It didn’t occur to her that he was doing the same. What would it feel like years from now, when the contours of their faces had changed without the presence of the other?

Finally, Charlie spoke, “I can’t.”

Ethan chuckled quietly, “Yes, you can.”

Charlie’s lips parted, prepared to put up a fight, but then she decided she wanted the candy more than she wanted to yell at Ethan – though, admittedly, it was a close call.

“Thanks,” Charlie mumbled as she clumsily accepted the cardboard box. Once it was in her hands, she knew it was her turn to leave, yet she lingered. The longer she stayed, the harder it was to pull away.

Ethan felt her growing absence like a bleeding wound. Just before she was out of earshot, he blurted out, “I’m sorry.”

Charlie froze.

Accept it, a voice demanded, let this be the end.

But she didn’t. Instead, she bitterly coughed out, “You should be.”

“I know.”

Charlie whipped her head around, unsure if she was shocked or angry. Could it be both?

“You know?” she repeated quietly.

Clearing his throat, Ethan awkwardly explained, “I’ve always respected you and your career, Charlie. I just… I just wish my actions showed that.”

Charlie’s jaw tightened – of course he was fucking self-righteous enough to give a speech like that. Ever respectful Ethan who couldn’t fathom her making her own decisions about her career. A thousand angry retorts populated her mind, each fighting for the honor of being the biting remark to remind him of his sins. Yet, she delivered none of them. They were each too vulnerable, touching a part of her too raw to unleash without opening a door to her soul. She’d found safety in distance, and she didn’t trust herself to test the depths.

“You’ve been an asshole,” Charlie crossed her arms.

Despite himself, Ethan chuckled.

“I know,” he smiled bitterly, “I’ve always been an asshole, but I never meant to be one to you.”

A sharp, sudden intake of breath. And an unmistakable smile creeping across her lips. She stared at himself for a long time, so long that Ethan almost forgot they’d been engaged in a conversation moments earlier. How could she respond to that? She didn’t want to punish his apology with cruelty, nor did she want to reward it at the risk of undoing all her hard work to distance herself. And could that even be described as a real apology?

“I know,” she whispered to both of their surprise.

She didn’t absolve him, just acknowledged him as something other than a mythical enemy – rather a misguided and damaged man bumbling through unfamiliar love. And fuck that might have been worse.

He is close enough to touch, she thought. She indulged in the fantasy where she ran into his arms. It doesn’t have to mean anything, a tempting voice whispered, You can still hate him in the morning.

But she wouldn’t. It was a dangerous game – one she would always lose.

One she was probably already losing.

Charlie was caught between a desperate desire to forgive him and an insistent shame that she was so easily drawn back to him. With equal measure, she wanted to curse his name and drag him back to her bed. Before she could do either, she turned on her heels and raced through the halls – retreating to her hidden corner where she’d been working late into the night to avoid the memories haunting her empty bed.

Ethan watched her go. It wasn’t a surprise, yet some part of him expected her to turn around. When he realized she wasn’t coming back, he gazed at his reflection in the vending machine light. It was the same empty expression that followed him back to his office, where he spent an ungodly amount of time trying to will himself into productivity. Any attempt to work himself into a stupor was ruined when she broke through his haze.

He left the hospital in defeat, entering his apartment like a fallen fighter. A drink in hand, Ethan milled about his home, touring a thousand possibilities of what could have been.

This is the end. So why doesn’t it feel like it?

He heard the clock tick, but only now did he realize that it had always been lurking in the wings. Ethan was always going to fuck this up, if just because he didn’t trust himself to do anything else.

A lifetime of “what if”s flashed before his eyes – what if he hadn’t pulled away in Miami? What if he’d picked her over Edenbrook the first time? Or the second time? Or any of the days that followed? His many regrets flashed before his eyes in a torturous but fleeting succession. But one remained, whispering his deep-held shame until his ears rang.

When he couldn’t handle it any longer, Ethan downed the rest of his glass and dialed a familiar number.

“Ethan?” Naveen’s voice was tired on the other line. For a brief moment, Ethan was embarrassed he’d woken his friend at such a late hour, but curiosity killed any courtesy he may have bestowed by letting Naveen go back to sleep.

“Hey, sorry to wake you,” Ethan grimaced.

“No worries… is everything okay?”

“Yes,” Ethan swallowed.

Just ask, he hissed at himself.

“I wanted to warn you,” Ethan began, ignoring the angry roar when he evaded the real reason he’d called. “I’ve been offered interviews. I’m going to accept them.”

“Oh…” Naveen’s voice fell.

“I wanted to tell you first. I know how gossip spreads.”

“Right, of course,” Naveen murmured.

“Well… I should let you sleep then,” Ethan cleared his throat uncomfortably.

“Oh, I suppose,” Naveen’s voice was detached. He didn’t know how to be present in such an unexpected conversation. It was one thing to lose his friend of ten years. It was quite another to watch Ethan march himself to exile and ruin the best relationship he’d ever had. Despite all the theatrics, Naveen never thought it would come to this.

Ethan didn’t hang up.

His heart pounded.

His chest ached.

His throat tightened.

If I don’t ask, I’ll never know, he thought.

But maybe it was best that way.

“Actually, that wasn’t why I called,” Ethan blurted out.

Naveen’s eyebrows raised, too shocked to mutter out a polite response.

“A year ago, if I’d come to you and said that I was in love with Charlie and wanted to be with her, what would have happened?”

“A year ago?” Naveen thought carefully. His friend deserved honesty. Brutal honesty. “I would have asked if you were sure. Told you to think about it for a few days. The board would have hated it. The legal liability, not to mention the public scandal, would be debated for weeks. But I would have been at every meeting, fighting for you both. In the end, I think I could have talked them into a compromise – Charlie reassigned to different supervisors. On a good day, I could have kept you both on the diagnostics team. On a bad day, one of you would have had to step down.”

“But we would have been together?”

Naveen knew he should have hesitated. Softened the blow. But Ethan needed full impact.

“Yes.”

Deep down, Ethan already knew. That’s why he never asked.

“Even with Bloom?”

“You can never plan for Bloom, but with the right HR paperwork, I don’t see what he could have done.”

Ethan winced.

“Do you think… Would it have ruined her career? To be marred by my scandal?”

“Maybe,” Naveen confessed, “But it’s a long career, Ethan, and people have survived worse.”

“Ten years ago, would you have let me do it?” Ethan clenched his glass, “If I’d been Charlie, would you have let me risk it?”

“Ten years ago, no.”

A bit of redemption, but it felt hollow.

“But ten years ago, I made a lot of mistakes. I built a champion, but if I had to do it over again…” Naveen sighed, suddenly weighed down by decades of mistakes, “I wouldn’t have made you in my image, Ethan. And if I have any parting wisdom, I beg you not to make Charlie in yours.”

Ethan flinched.

It was one thing to know that he was a monster made by his own hand. It was another to hear another acknowledge it.

A lineage of damaged mortals begging to be gods. It was fitting that they rose so high only to fall from the stars.

Then there was Charlie – the last of their line. Still growing. Still forming. Still making the mistakes that would fracture her. Perhaps Ethan would be one of them.

“You always said we’re insatiable,” Ethan shook his head, “You. Me. Charlie, too. We always need more. Do you think we could be satisfied with anything less?”

“Maybe not,” Naveen frowned, “But I like to think so.”

A long, clouded silence enveloped the duo.

“You still have time, Ethan,” Naveen’s sentence was more of a plea than a reminder.

Stay, he urged, Stay for her.

Ethan shook his head, “I’ll assign Tobias to my cases in the morning. I’ll stay for the transition, but…” I have to go, he thought.

Naveen didn’t try to hide his sigh, “Alright. Good night, Ethan.”

A few moments later, when Ethan contributed nothing else to the conversation, Naveen ended the call, but Ethan remained still. Seconds dragged to minutes. Hell, they probably dragged to hours.

A lifetime in each passing moment.

A better ending to the story.

Devastated but finally convinced of his role as the villain in Charlie’s epic, Ethan sent an email accepting and scheduling an interview in San Diego at the end of the week. He spent the rest of the night shoving his current life into a suitcase, praying that there was some semblance of a new life on the other side.

Separated by more than distance, Ethan and Charlie wandered through the dark night, evading their grief and wishing they could have one more night together. One more call. One more smile. Longing and grief went hand in hand – lovers in a past life.

If Ethan had gone quietly into the night, Charlie still violently stumbled through it. All she could think about was Ethan. Seeing him awakened something she’d purposefully tried to bury. She didn’t trust herself to be close to him, and she certainly didn’t trust herself to spend one last night in his embrace. But the idea consumed her. She needed him like she needed air. It was a punishment and a pleasure. She had to have him close to her, if just to scream in his face.

Losing but the battle but perhaps winning the war, she abandoned the safety of her secluded nook and marched straight to his office. With only a moment’s hesitation, she knocked twice – once insistently, once timidly. No answer.

Twice more – both insistent.

No answer.

Frustrated by his apparent silence and their continued separation, she barged into his office and found the space empty. He had already left…

Embarrassment and rejection stung Charlie’s eyes, blurring her view as she hurriedly closed the door behind him and retreated to the safety of her quiet, empty bedroom miles away.

As she showered off the feeling of his presence, she told herself this was a single moment of weakness. She’d be gone before she had her next relapse. Yet, even as she climbed into bed, she knew that wasn’t true.

They were inevitable, for better or worse.

Unless one of them ran away first.

[headoverheelsforramsey]

Love Again

Book : Open Heart (Book 2)

Pairing : Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Meera Bose) || Feat. Tobias Carrick

Category : Angsty Fluff

Summary : He is watching his best friend fall in love for the second time and desperately praying that it doesn't lead to disastrous consequences like the first time. (Aka Open Heart Book 2 told from Tobias Carrick's point of view)

Warnings : Mentions of the maitotoxin attack

Rating : General

Word Count : 1569

Trope : Third person POV, People find out about them, Traumatic Event

A/N : This is my submission for @tobias-carrick-appreciation-week Day 3 : OH 2 and @aprilchallenge : Love is in the air. Some of the quotes have been taken directly from Pixelberry's Open Heart Book 2. Hope you guys enjoy it, happy reading! ❤️

Chapter 6

Tobias Carrick didn’t expect to meet his long lost friend turned foe today, certainly not under the humongous roof of the third richest man in America, competing against him for the sake of saving his hospital. Yet, here he was, staring at Ethan Ramsey in flesh and blood. He looks like he hasn’t aged a day, though the beard and glasses make him look more matured than he acts to be.

Hirata and Mirani following Ramsey like puppies as usual. He recognises the other doctor, from their encounter at the deli a few days back. He did not learn her name, but was shocked to see her as a part of one of the most prestigious diagnostic team in the country. A resident in her second year missing out trivial diagnosis like cyanosis, did Edenbrook and Ethan Ramsey forget how to teach?

He was enjoying this little arrangement that Bloom came up with, never missing out on a chance to one-up Ethan Ramsey. But when his “friend” stormed out the heavy wooden doors he was not surprised but disappointed. He was rather shocked when his protege followed him without thinking twice.

Before following Mr. Bloom inside he could see Ramsey and Bose in a heated argument through the glass panels. He was surprised further because in all the years he had known Ethan Ramsey he had never seen an attending talk to him that way, much less a resident, had his “friend” changed that much? His surprise continued when Ramsey came back for a chance to crack this case, but he didn’t let his face show. Does this mere resident have special persuasion powers? He decided to put his head in the game instead, because he was playing to see his “friend” lose.

Chapter 8

The sun shone brightly, the smell of hot dogs and beers engulfing the atmosphere this was one day in a year, Tobias pretends he followed his childhood dream of playing softball professionally. The doctors from both the hospitals mingled about, he had so many people to greet but in the sea of known and unknown people he certainly didn’t expect Ethan Ramsey to be there.

He has been going against Edenbrook for almost half a decade and never in all those years had he ever seen or ever expected the infamous Dr. Ramsey to grace them with his presence. What changed? He thought and almost immediately saw Meera Bose beside Ethan.

She was a decent player he thought, throwing the first pitch and being responsible for Tobias Carrick’s out was enough proof of that. But he couldn’t ignore the small smile at the corner of his “friend’s” lips whenever Bose threw a perfect pitch.

Old habit’s die hard and Tobias thought rubbing the case of Stephanie Hill while grabbing a water was the perfect plan. He raised an eyebrow when the young resident said “paitent care isn’t a game.” Good to know Ramsey passed down his virtues to his residents. But the fire he saw in Bose’s eyes on mentioning her friend’s betrayal mirrored the fire he had witnessed in his own “friend’s” eyes more than ten years ago due to a different betrayal.

The fight had grown heated but when Ethan took a protective stance in front of Meera giving Terrance a death threat Tobias was astounded. He had known this man for a very long time, was Ramsey falling for her? Because he hadn’t seen him this defensive since… before he could finish that thought, chaos broke free.

The final innings could have gone better, but one thing that always set Carrick apart from Ramsey was the ability to accept defeat. He watched as Bose ran towards the Edenbrook clan, her friends and colleague wrapping her up. As he turned to leave he watched Ethan join the crowd his eyes soft on Meera’s browns a playful smile on his lips, hands brushing lightly. Tobias’s earlier suspicion returned and as a diagnostician he thought he had an answer, but as one of Ethan Ramsey’s oldest “friend” he could do with some more evidence.

Chapter 9

Logging into his tablet, Tobias looked suspiciously at the recent activity. Ethan Ramsey, at Kenmore? He didn’t have any ongoing research projects and Ethan is not the type of man who likes to take an afternoon walk around the neighborhood.

“Doctor, the patient is ready for you,” the nurse called. Tobias nodded, opening his new patient chart and getting to work, making a mental note of catching up with Ramsey before he leaves the premises.

Tobias stopped Dr. Simpson in the middle of his presentation, was that Meera Bose? He rushed out of the patient room following her still not believing his eyes. But when he saw Mirani with her he knew something was up. Three members of the Edenbrook diagnostic team cannot be behind enemy lines at the same time co-inccidently. Calling security Tobias makes a run for it.

The two doctors make a narrow escape and he comes out just in time to see his “friend” zoom away from under his nose.

“Well played Ramsey, we’ll get you next time.”

Chapter 11

The news of Senator Ed and and his aide had spread like wildfire. Transfer patients from Edenbrook kept Tobias fairly busy, but he didn’t know why his thoughts drifted back to Meera.

“How was she doing?”

“Did they have any answers at all?”

“Is she not going to make it?”

“How was… how was Ethan doing?”

Tobias found himself choking on his own breath. In need of fresh air, he put down his tablet and took shelter in a supply closet. He doesn’t remember when was the last time he was here. More unpleasant thoughts circled his brain, Tobias punched the door out of frustration and helplessness. The door opened, and Aurora came in, the frustration and helplessness reflected on her face made Tobias decide that it was time to set aside all the age-old differences between him and Ethan and their respective hospitals.

Nothing less than a crowd was formed in front of the patient room. All of Meera’s friends, family and well-wishers stood by her side. All of them dejected and crestfallen. Ethan Ramsey stood at the forefront his heart burdened with melancholy, but too stubborn to show it in his face. Tobias had known his “friend” long enough to see right through the facade.

Tobias straightened his face, “and you won’t be alone.”

Ramsey’s face shifts from shock to thankful in a mili second and Tobias stops him right there. Everyone says their goodbye one by one and follows Baz and June into the lab. Tobias notices his “friend” not making a move.

“Shouldn’t we call Dr. Ramsey?” one of the doctors suggest.

“No. He should be there with her,” Tobias smiled. “This is where he will do the most good. Besides, I know what I am doing.” He flashes his signature smile only to receive an eye roll from Hirata.

Tobias monitored the sodium-potassium level, no this won’t work, he shaked his head. Facing another dead end, he decided its better to take a small break before getting back to work. He exited the lab and walked towards Meera’s room. The corridor lights had been dimmed, he felt like a ghost wandering the halls. He stopped in front of the window, only to see Ethan all suited up, holding Meera as close as he humanly could with the plastic barrier in between them.

He needed no more confirmations. He was sure his “friend” had fallen head over heels for Meera. It had been a long time since he had been this candid with someone, it had been so long since someone had broken all of his walls and reached for his heart and it had been so long since Ethan’s heart had shattered. Tobias was immature back then and partly responsible for what had happened but today he was not going to let that happen a second time. With renewed determination Tobias walked back towards the lab.

Just like Tobias had guessed, Ethan was still there in his hazmat suit helping Meera vomit into a basin when they returned the next morning. The child-like grin on his face on hearing about the antidote was unlike him. Tobias explained the chemistry behind their discovery, expecting atleast a couple questions from Ethan but the absence of that made him realize that he was a changed man. The sheer delight on Ethan Ramsey’s face as he administered the serum was one of a kind. He and Meera locked eyes, a silent understanding between them.

The waiting part was the worst, but once the latest lab results showed no trace of toxin in Bose’s bloodstream the entire team gathered around the patient room. Ethan sprinted through the doors, and Meera flew into his arms, tears breaking free. Ethan looked outside holding Tobias’ gaze for a little longer than necessary, while Tobias returned his signature smirk.

Chapter 17

The rumor mill had a field day with the news that the great Ethan Ramsey had kissed a resident, Meera Bose in an atrium full of people. While the betting pool regarding how long they were dating and whether Meera slept her way to the top were the hottest topic in and around the hospital, Tobias Carrick was just content that his diagnostic skills remained undefeated and he still knew his "friend" through and through.

Thank you so much if you have read till here, it means the world to me. Hope to see you go on other different adventures with me, Ethan and Meera, till then sending love and hugs your way! ❤️

Perma : @starrystarrytrouble @quixoticdreamer16 @coffeeheartaddict2 @liaromancewriter @tessa-liam @gryffindordaughterofathena @crazy-loca-blog @zahrachoices @bex-la-get @potionsprefect @schnitzelbutterfingers @a-crepusculo @custaroonie @aishwarya26 @jamespotterthefirst

Ethan x Meera : @jerzwriter @wanderingamongthewildflowers @takemyopenheart @mvalentine

+ @choicesficwriterscreations , @openheartfanfics , @tobias-carrick-appreciation-week & @aprilchallenge

Please let me know if you want to be added or removed. 💜

[misadrawss]

Hello everyone!

Commissions are open! Commission me please 😍

[choicesfanaf]

Let's Make Dinner

Late submission for Day 19 of Choices January Challenge 2023: Kitchen

A moodboard based on Open Heart Book 2, Chapter 9 when MC accompanies Ethan to their place to cook dinner.

Tagging: @choicesjanuarychallenge for Day 19

Perma: @jamespotterthefirst, @quixoticdreamer16

Moodboards: @burnsoslow

[justcallmefox89]

Irresistible Force Paradox - An Open Heart Fic

Rory O’Shea begins his first day at Edenbrook and learns that whoever coined the term ‘never meet your heroes’ was absolutely right.  Dr. Ethan Ramsey butts heads with the strong-willed intern, and battle lines are drawn as both men ready themselves to work together for the next three years.

September 13th.  11:30 a.m.

I hate him.  What a smug, condescending, arrogant, handsome… ugh!  How is someone with a personality that repulsive so attractive? He’s definitive proof that God really does have favorites -

“What are we staring at?” someone whispers in my ear, their warm breath tickling the side of my neck.

I let out a startled yelp and drop my charts, drawing the attention of the object of my ire.  Bryce chuckles and bends down to retrieve them while Jackie tries to hide her smile behind her own charts.  Dr. Ramsey glances over at us impassively, meeting my eyes for the briefest moment before turning away.  I continue glaring at him even as I swipe my charts out of Bryce’s hand, trying to telepathically implode his brain with my eyeballs.

“Why are we staring at Dr. Ramsey?” Bryce stage whispers again.

“We are not staring at him. I am trying to explode his big, stupid head with the power of my mind,” I mutter.

“Wow… he really got to you, didn’t he?” Jackie snickers.

I bristle, remembering the emergency thoracotomy in the waiting room earlier that morning and Dr. Ramsey’s subsequent condemnation.  “He did not get to me!  He’s a pompous asshole and I hate him.  I despise him.  I loathe him and his perfect jawline with every molecule of every fiber of my being.”

Jackie arches one eyebrow and smirks, clearly unconvinced.  “You sound like a supervillain right now, Rory.”

Bryce’s eyes light up.  “Dr. Ramsey could be your very first nemesis!”

“And Aurora my second,” I grumble, mentioning the prickly intern I’m partnered with.  

They both make a face.

“How’s that going?” Bryce asks.

I shrug half-heartedly.  “She went to her aunt’s office right after the initial consult with our patient and I haven’t seen her since.”

“Nice to know Princess Nepotism is already living up to her name,” Jackie says snidely, looking down as her pager beeps.  “My test results are in.  See you guys later.”

“So how long are we going to stand here and stare at Ramsey?”

I snort and fight back a laugh.  “You’re ridiculous, Bryce.”

“I’m not the one trying to set my boss on fire with my brain.”  The surgeon smirks at me, brown eyes glittering with laughter.

“Explode, Lahela.  I’m trying to explode him.”

We stare at each other silently for a few beats before we break into a fit of the giggles.

****************************************************************************************

11:30 a.m.

Ethan stands at the nurses station, pretending to look over his charts as he covertly watches the young man who is staring daggers at him from a little further down the hall.  Ever since their encounter that morning as they’d worked together to save the patient who collapsed in the waiting room, Dr. Rory O’Shea had been a distraction.  An insidious little wisp of smoke that continues to invade Ethan’s thoughts in his downtime.  

O’Shea is one of those people cursed with a face that perfectly expresses whatever they’re feeling, and right now he’s looking at Ethan like he wishes the older doctor would be hit by a bus.  Ethan remembers how the intern had look after saving that woman, his cheeks flushed and eyes bright with excitement, and how his expression had fallen after Ethan’s harsh criticism.  Hurt, then disappointment, and finally anger flickered over the young man’s face, before he was able to get control over his emotions.

“Maybe you can give me private lessons…”

Ethan’s lips twitch up as he fights to repress a smile at the memory of O’Shea’s words.  He’d flipped the switch from angry to flirty so quickly he’d nearly given Ethan whiplash, and the sultry look in his eyes that was clearly meant to catch Ethan off-balance had nearly drawn him in instead.

Such unusual eyes.

They stand out from behind the round wire-rimmed glasses O’Shea wears, those large, pale green eyes, the same color as the sea glass Ethan used to collect with his father when they would go to the beach.  

A crashing sound draws Ethan’s attention, and he turns his head slightly to watch as one of the surgical interns bends down on one knee and hands O’Shea a pile of charts with a charming smile.  An uncomfortable feeling begins to form low in Ethan’s stomach, but he quickly writes it off as hunger and hurries back to his office for a quick lunch before continuing his rounds.

******************************************************************************************

2:45 p.m.

“Argh!  Stupid, stupid, stupid!”  I aim a kick at a low shelf in the supply closest, nearly breaking a toe when it connects.  “Gah! Motherfucker!”  I swipe angry tears away from my face, still mentally berating myself as I remember Ramsey’s words.  

You need to have a long, hard think about whether or not your ready to be here…  Whether this girl lives or dies is on you…  Nearly killed her…

A sudden wash of fluorescent light interrupts my brooding.

“I feel like I’m interrupting something.”  Bryce says, gazing at me in curiosity and concern.

“In or out, Lahela!  I’m trying to have an existential crisis in peace and you’re distracting me,” I snap.

He steps into the supply closest and pulls the door shut behind him. “Hey, hey, hey.  What’s going on?”

I tip my head back and try to stem the flow of tears, internally cursing myself for being an angry crier.  And a stress crier.  And a sad crier.

Not the time for this.

“Nothing.  I just got reamed out by the man who used to be my medical hero and inspiration for the second time today and I almost killed my first patient.”  The words come out in a rush.  “Maybe he’s right.  Maybe I’m not cut out for this.  Maybe everything that I’ve been working for since I was twelve was all for nothing and I’m going to be the biggest failure Edenbrook has ever seen.”

Bryce blinks.  “Wow. You managed four years of med school, but four hours here and you’re surrendering?  Didn’t take you for a quitter.”

“You just met me.”

“True.  But if every hospital employee who ever hid in a supply closet quit, there’d be nobody here but the patients.”

I narrow my eyes.  “No offense, but what do you know about it?”

“Let’s just say this isn’t the first supply closet I’ve found a stressed out doctor in today.”

“Alright then, scalpel jockey.  What am I supposed to do?”

Bryce grins.  “You’ve got two options.  One, breeze through life with an unshakeable self-assurance like me.”

“I don’t think this hospital would survive two Bryce Lahelas. What’s option two?” I dryly reply.

“Ride it out,” he says, shrugging.

I stare at him blankly.  “That’s not quite the pearl of wisdom you think it is.”

Bryce places his hands on my shoulders and shakes me a bit.  “Of course you’re overwhelmed.  You’re a doctor.  It’s one of the toughest jobs there is, and you’re on your first day.  If you don’t give yourself a chance to make mistakes, to get better… nobody else will.”

I let out an enormous sigh and use the hem of my scrubs to wipe my cheeks dry.  “Fine.  I’ll try.”

“Good.  Because I’d hate to lose you so quick.  Is there anything I can get you?”

“A hug?” I ask tentatively.

“Alright, get over here.”  Bryce smirks and holds out his arms.  He has to stoop a little bit to match my much shorter height, but I manage to lace my arms around his neck and squeeze him gently, resting my head against his chest.  He wraps his arms around my waist and holds me tightly, the slow thumping of his heartbeat and the warm, comforting scent of his amber and sandalwood cologne soothes my frazzled nerves.

“This is nice,” I murmur.  “You’re a pretty good hugger.”

“One of my many talents.”  Even though I can’t see his face I can tell he’s smiling.  “Hey, wait a second.  Was this just a ploy of yours to get me in here alone?”

I tip my head back to look at him, taking in the cocky smirk on his face and the genuine kindness radiating from his warm, brown eyes. Before I can second guess myself, I pop up on my toes and quickly press my lips to his.  His eyes momentarily widen in surprise, but then he’s kissing me back hard, his hands gripping my hips as he pushes me against the shelves, knocking a few boxes to the ground.

“God you’re incredible,” he whispers against my mouth.  Suddenly he lifts me up, urging me to wrap my legs around his waist as he uses his body to pin me to the shelves.  I nip lightly at his lower lip and grind against him, earning a low groan. Bryce’s hands cup my ass, pulling me tight to him as we writhe together, our erections rubbing against each other through the thin fabric of our scrubs.  His tongue slides against mine and one of his hands creeps under my scrub top, warm against the skin of my stomach.  

The door suddenly swings open, light from the hallway spilling into the closet.

“Could we get some privacy, man?” Bryce snaps, turning his body to keep me shielded from whoever has interrupted us.  

“Oh, by all means.  I’m so sorry to intrude.  I’ll just wait out here ‘til you’re done,” an equally irritated male voice retorts. “Or, if I may be so bold… might you hand me a suture kit?”

Still holding me up with one hand, Bryce reaches out and snags a kit from the shelf and tosses it over his shoulder to the other man.

“Much obliged.”  The door slams and we’re alone once again.

Bryce slowly slides me down his body until my feet are back on the floor.

“Maybe we should get back to work,” I say, nervously adjusting my glasses.

“That guy did kinda kill the mood, huh?”

Feeling awkward, I repeatedly tug on a piece of hair at the back of my head as Bryce straightens his scrubs and runs a hand through his hair.

“Hope I cheered you up a little,” he says as he prepares to leave.

“Just a little,” I whisper, praying that the dim light in the supply closet hides my blush.

Bryce gives me wink as he exits the closet, leaving me alone to ponder my future at Edenbrook.

*****************************************************************************************

 9:15 p.m.

I didn’t let him beat me.

I follow Dr. Ramsey out of Annie’s room, grinning to myself.   “So, I’ll fill out a prescription for some extra-strength antihistamines -”

“Don’t bother.  I already have.”

I skid to a stop, my sneakers squeaking against the linoleum. “Beg pardon?”

He hands me a printed out prescription order for the exact medicine I was about to request.  My grin fades and I tilt my head back to stare up at the taller doctor.  

I swear to everything that is holy, his brain will be goo by the time I finish this internship.

“How long have you known?” I manage to grit out between clenched teeth.  “And when were you planning on telling me?”

Dr. Ramsey checks his watch.  “I’d planned to give you another forty-five minutes.  I pulled up Annie’s chart to diagnose it myself, in the likely event you blew it.  But I wanted to give you the chance to right the ship first.”

I am calm, I am a peaceful breeze, I am calm, I am a peaceful breeze… 

“You should have treated her right away.”

He scowls down at me.  “I was giving you an opportunity - ”

“I don’t give a shit about your opportunities,” I hiss, stepping closer to him until we’re toe to toe.  “And I definitely don’t want your charity.  I want my patients to get better.  So next time, take care of the patient first, doctor.”

We’re both breathing quickly, our eyes locked together, neither one of us wanting to be the one to look away first.  I’m intensely away of how much larger he is, and I can feel the heat of his body even through his lab coat and button-down shirt.  Something in his gaze softens and the tension in his body fades a little.

“Rookie…” he says, his voice soft.  “I respect how much you care about you patients’ wellbeing.  But if I don’t push you to grow, then how many lives will be lost down the line because you’re not ready?”

I hate to admit it, but I can understand his reasoning.

I’ll choke and die before I tell him that though.

“Believe me when I say this was not for your sake.  I need good doctors by my side.  There’s only one of me, after all,” he continues.  “But you showed potential.  Not to mention maybe the most important trait a doctor can have.”

I raise my eyebrows, silently prompting him to finish his thought.

“You listened.  You took the time to get to know your patient.  Their story, their hopes, their fears… Sometimes those are the key to saving their life.”

I nod along as he speaks, captivated by the intensity in his blue eyes and the deep timbre of his voice, unknowingly leaning even closer to him.  Aurora suddenly rushes up to us, looking flustered.  Realizing how close we’ve gotten I spring away from Dr. Ramsey, nervously shoving my glasses further up onto the bridge of my nose.  He, on the other hand, seems to be completely unaffected, which sends an irrational spike of annoyance through me.

She looks into the room and sees Annie sitting up and smiling, then turns and glares at me.  “What the hell?  You went ahead and presented without me?”

I widen my eyes and stare at her.  “Excuse me?  In case you - ”

“Annie was your patient as well, Dr. Emery,” Dr. Ramey interrupts me, his voice frosty.  He eyes Aurora with disdain.  What the hell have you been doing while Dr. O’Shea was making a diagnosis?”

Aurora hesitates, glancing over at me.

Oh, I know she doesn’t think I’m going to cover for her.

I clamp my mouth shut and stare her down as she squirms under Ramsey’s glower.  

“That was not a rhetorical question,” Ramsey barks.  “One of you needs to answer me.”

I smirk and continuing silently staring at her, refusing to be the one who breaks first.

Finally Aurora cracks.  “I was in Chief Emery’s office,” she admits sullenly.  “She paged me this morning after we examined Annie.”

“And you’ve been there all day?”  He looks deeply unimpressed.

Aurora gives him a short, stiff nod.

“Dr. Emery, patient assignments are not optional.”  Ramsey scowls at her one final time before stalking off, leaving Aurora and I standing in awkward silence.

“That’s really what you were doing all day?  Just sitting in your aunt’s office?”  I eye her curiously.

Aurora’s expression hardens.  “What do you care?  You clearly didn’t need my help.”

I allow myself a small, pleased smile.  “No I didn’t, did I?”

She whirls around, huffing in annoyance, and stomps away from me.

****************************************************************************************

10:00 p.m.

 After my shift ends I hurry to the locker room, taking just enough time to quickly shower and slip into a clean sweater and pair of jeans, before rushing to meet Sienna in the atrium.  

“You survived!” she exclaims with a big smile.  “Ready to hit the bar?”

“You have no idea,” I sigh, dropping my head onto her shoulder.   An easy feat since we’re roughly the same height.  

She pats my back soothingly.  “Let’s go then.”

Just a few blocks from the hospital, Donahue’s is dingy, dim, and completely packed with Edenbrook staff members.  Sienna confidently leads me through the throngs of people to a booth where Landry, Jackie, and Elijah are waiting for us.  

“Come on!” Landry urges.  “There’s still sixty-seven seconds left in happy hour!”

Elijah rolls his eyes good-naturedly.  “Who cares?  We’re all a hundred-k in debt anyway.”

“Relax, Landry.  I put in quite a few orders before the buzzers.”  Jackie grins as a barback arrives bearing a huge trays of shots.

“You are a goddess.  We lowly beings are not worthy of you,” I praise her as I reach for a shot.  I toss it back and sigh as it burns its way down, erasing some of the stress of my day.

I grab a second glass and the others join me.  We all raise them in the air.

“To the end of our first shift!  And ten hours off the clock!” Elijah proclaims.

We clink our glasses together and throw back our shots.  

Landry gags as his goes down.  “Don’t we have any salt?  Or limes?”

“Doctor up, Landry.  Lime and salt are for wimps,” Jackie retorts, pushing another shot glass into his hand.

We all raise another toast.

“How about… To new friends!” Sienna ventures.

Once again we clink and drink.

Jackie points at me.  “Your turn Rory!”

I grab another shot and raise it above my head.  “To the start of an amazing career, despite Ethan Ramsey’s best efforts!  And in a few years, we’ll take the jobs of every attending who ever treated us like dirt!”

My new friends and I whoop and tipsily giggle as we down another tequila shot.

******************************************************************************************

10:20 p.m.

Ethan quietly nurses his drink at the bar and unobtrusively observes O’Shea pound shots with a booth full of other interns.  Whatever they’re drinking has caused O’Shea’s normally pale cheeks to flush, and he’s taken his hair out of its neat bun, allowing the inky waves to flow over his shoulders and around his face.  The sweater he’s wearing may have been black at one point, but has been washed so many times it’s a faded grey and looks incredibly soft to the touch.  

“See something you like, Ethan?” Reggie asks, leaning over the bar and following the doctor’s gaze.

“Don’t you have other customers to bother?” Ethan responds, downing the last of his scotch.

Reggie just chuckles as he looks at something over Ethan’s left shoulder. O’Shea bounces up to the bar and takes a seat on the stool next to him, legs dangling and feet swinging aimlessly as he waits for Reggie to finish up another customer’s order.

Ethan takes the time to study Rory out of the corner of his eye, noting the way his jeans show off the litheness of his body and the faint smattering of freckles running over the bridge of his nose, making him look even younger than his 28 years.  Then those green eyes flit over to rest on him.

“Can I help you with something, Dr. Ramsey?” Rory asks, blinking at him owlishly through the thick lenses of his glasses.

“Just noticing how… different you look out in the real world.”

Rory leans a little closer, nearly tipping over into the older man’s lap.  “Do you like it?” he whispers playfully.

Ethan’s eyes widen in shock.  If he’d had any doubts before, now he’s absolutely certain the intern is at least mildly intoxicated.  But he can’t deny that the warm weight of Rory leaning against his arm and the smell of his grapefruit and vanilla shampoo is intoxicating.

“What’ll it be?” Reggie asks, tossing his bar rag over his shoulder.

Rory glances over at Ethan’s empty liquor glass, then beckons Reggie closer with a mischievous smile.  He balances precariously on the bar stool, stretching so he can whisper into the bartender’s ear.  In a rare moment of weakness Ethan glances at Rory’s back, admiring the flow of his dark hair over his shoulders, the smooth curve of his spine, and the way the denim of his jeans perfectly frame his high, tight…

Ethan is startled out of his thoughts as Rory’s thumps back down onto his barstool with a self-satisfied smile.  Just a few moments later he learns the reason for Rory’s smirk as Reggie sets down two colorful cocktails in front of them, each garnished with a paper umbrella, an orange slice, and a maraschino cherry.

Ethan physically recoils from the drink as Rory tries to hide his snickering behind his hands.  “What is that abomination?”

“A Sex on the Beach.”  Rory pulls his own drink closer and tastes it with a contented sigh.

The air around Ethan ratchets up a few degrees as he watches Rory’s full lips close around the tip of the straw.  “That’s not what I was drinking.”

“I know,” Rory replies, coming up for air, half of his drink already gone.  “You were drinking scotch, but scotch is gross.  So I ordered you something delicious instead.  You’re welcome.”

“You know I can’t be bribed into favoring you,” Ethan says, eyeing the cocktail with distaste.

Rory’s expression darkens and he visibly struggles to control his delicate features.  He eventually gives Ethan’s a crooked smirk.  “Don’t worry, Dr. Ramsey.  I already know exactly what you think of me.  Enjoy the rest of your night.”

By the time Ethan recovers from his shock Rory has already slipped off of his barstool and rejoined his fellow interns.

“Busy making friends, Ramsey?” Reggie asks, eyeing him curiously.

Ethan is momentarily lost for words.  “I don’t… I… I’m not sure what just happened.”

“I don’t believe that young man likes you very much.”

“I’m his boss.  He doesn’t need to like me.”  Despite his words Ethan feels a pinprick of something… disappointment? at the thought of Rory not enjoying his company.  Belatedly he also realizes that at some point during the evening he had start to think of the younger man as Rory, not just O’Shea.  

Reggie hums non-committally, clearing not believing his words.  Exasperated, Ethan signals for another scotch, hoping to chase away the lingering sense of uneasiness Rory has left him with.  Reggie sets the drink down in front of him and silently moves away, leaving the doctor to his own thoughts.

“Traitor!”

“Get it Lahela!”

Ethan looks towards the far side of the bar, back by the dartboards, just in time to see the handsome surgical intern from this morning dip Rory backwards and kiss him.  The kiss becomes more passionate as Rory threads his fingers through the other man’s hair, and the surgeon, Lahela, presses even closer, until there is no space left between the two.

The same stomach unsettling feeling from this morning comes roaring back, and Ethan turns away, grabbing the drink Rory had bought him. He takes a sip, the fruity drink leaving a bitter taste on his tongue, much like the sight of Rory wrapped up in Lahela’s arms does.

[myautumnrose]

I mean…

Big credit to: phantomqueen_13 on Reddit for the edits of Pbs faces…

[hopelessromantic1352]

In book 2 when he finally lowers his walls halfway. This is why I love him so much 😩

[llovely]

here's a fake interview about my me & my girlfriend that i transcribed from my head. enjoy!

[storyofmychoices]

Our Little Pumpkin

[Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist] 

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC) Book: Open Heart Word Count: >700 Rating/Warnings: general, no warnings, all the fluff

Synopsis: Olivia and Bryce are on the quest for the perfect pumpkin.

This absolutely perfect and precious art is by the one and only, ArtbyAinna. She always captures my babies so beautifully!

Bryce and Olivia's footsteps crunched softly over the fallen leaves as they wandered through the enchanting pumpkin patch. The air was crisp and carried the scent of the autumn, a blend of earthy soil and the rich, warm aroma of ripening pumpkins.

At almost eight months pregnant, Olivia glowed, her hands lovingly caressing her round belly. The setting sun cast a warm, golden hue over the patch. Her fiery hair was set ablaze by the lighting.

"What about this one?" Bryce knelt beside a tall, reddish-orange pumpkin. Olivia's head tipped to the side, studying it. "Still not quite right."

"Are you sure?" He used his sleeve to wipe a patch of dirt off the top. "It would clean up nicely."

"Nope, it's not the one," she decided, continuing down the row of pumpkins. 

Bryce followed his wife. He knew not to argue over a pumpkin, even if she had turned down twelve perfectly good ones already. Maybe the thirteenth would be the charm!

"That one!" Olivia pointed to a wide, robust orange pumpkin buried partially in the dirt. 

"Are you sure?" He squatted beside it, pushing back the dark leaves that hid some of the beautiful pumpkin.

"That's the one!" She smiled, still cradling her stomach. 

Bryce carefully clipped the pumpkin from the vine, lifting it by the base. "What do you think?"

"This is perfect," she whispered, her eyes sparkling with delight as she reached for the round pumpkin.

Bryce chuckled, his love for her radiating in his gaze. "What makes this one the right one?"

"Our little mermaid said so." She held her hand out to him. 

His brow rose curiously. He shifted the pumpkin into his left arm, carefully holding it by its base. He let her guide his right hand over her stomach. He smiled as his daughter shifted beneath his fingertips. "You like this one?" 

Their daughter kicked gently as if in response. Olivia's face lit up with joy. "Did you hear that? I think she likes the pumpkin and she likes your voice, Daddy."

"I guess that settles that then!" He smiled wide. "I can't argue with our little girl. She knows what she likes, just like her Mama!" 

He leaned forward, attempting to brush a kiss on her forehead, but the pumpkin in his arms bumped against her belly, keeping them apart. The happy parents couldn't help but laugh, their daughter still kicking happily at the sound of their joy.

Bryce held the pumpkin against his stomach, mimicking Olivia's pose. "What do you think of this?" 

Olivia giggled, her laughter a cheerful melody carried in the gentle breeze. She held her belly, leaning toward Bryce. "Will you be carrying that around for the next 6 weeks too?"

"If it would make you and our little girl smile, absolutely." He rubbed his fingers along the cool, smooth sides of the pumpkin. 

"As adorable as you'd look with a pumpkin in your arms for the next month or so, I think I'd like you best without it. There's only room for one little pumpkin between us, and that's this one." She pointed to her stomach. 

Bryce placed the pumpkin on the ground between them, his arms wrapping around Olivia as he drew her closer. Without the pumpkin between them, Bryce's lips found Olivia's forehead. His lips were warm against her cool skin as he brushed a tender kiss there. "I can't wait to meet our little mermaid... or pumpkin. Whatever she is, she'll be ours, and that's perfect." 

"Soon." Olivia smiled as she shifted her head slightly from side to side, rubbing her nose against his. "Soon, we'll have a lifetime of adventures ahead of us with our little one." 

Bryce smiled, tears of happiness glistening in his eyes. "I'm still amazed every day that we're going to be parents."

Olivia leaned in closer, her voice a gentle whisper filled with love. "And you'll be an amazing dad, Bryce, just like you are an amazing husband."

"I'll try to be the man you believe me to be."

"You already are," she smiled, kissing him softly. "I know it, and so does our little one. Now, let's get this little pumpkin home." 

Bryce scooped up the pumpkin in his arms. "Can't forget our little pumpkin's first pumpkin." 

"No, we can't!"

And in that moment, amid the autumn's embrace, they knew that every pumpkin they picked, every laugh they shared, and every kick from their unborn daughter was a promise of the beautiful journey awaiting them.

Thank you so so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed this! Ainna did an absolutely gorgeous job capturing my vision. I'm absolutely obsessed with the art!!!!

[ceeejus]

looks like my summer vacation is… over.

[silver-rings-and-rabbits]

Replaying open heart 2 (which still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth), and if you tell Naveen and the governor not to go that way in chapter 2, MC says this:

…is that foreshadowing?