#chocopeppermintcake

[choicesficwriterscreations]

CFWC FotW - August 20-26, 2023

Ⓜ️ = Adult/Mature Content 18+ 🔥 = Explicit Material/NSFW 18+ 📱= Text Fics/Edits 🎨= Includes Fanart

BLADES OF LIGHT AND SHADOW

Chosen by Light | Mal Volari x F!MC - @storyofmychoices

CRIMES OF PASSION

Crimes Drabble | Trystan Thorne x MC - @lilyoffandoms

Save it for Desert | m! Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @a-cloud-for-dreams 📱

Take Me Out | m! Trystan Thorne x F!MC - @jerzwriter 🎨

Tides of Change | f! Trystan Thorne x Juliana Grogescu, Sebastian Thorne x Juliana Grogescu - @coffeeheartaddict2 Ⓜ️

IMMORTAL DESIRES

Snow in Crimson, Starlight in Gold (Series) | m! Cas Harlow x m! Gabriel Adalhard x nb!MC - @aria-ashryver Chapter 35: Sink Your Teeth In, Part 2 Ⓜ️

IT LIVES WITHIN

Love by Any Other Name (1 / 4) | Amalia de Leon x F!MC - @professor-abeloved

OPEN HEART

RED CARPET DIARIES

That Boleyn Girl (Part 1/2) | Thomas Hunt x F!MC - @tveitertotwrites

THE ROYAL ROMANCE

Baking Memories | Liam Rhys, Constantine Rhys - @kristinamae093

Black Silk (Series) | Liam Rhys x F!OC, Drake Walker x F!OC - @aussiegurl1234 Chapter 16: The Steer Ⓜ️

Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Series) | Bertrand Beaumont x Olivia Nevrakis - @alj4890 Chapter 3: Olivia's Ballroom

Mosquito | Maxwell Beaumont x MC - @chocopeppermintcake

The Royal Heir's Royal Romance | Drake Walker x MC, Royal Heir x OC - @whatisreggieshortfor

...Sometimes Not (Series) | Liam Rys x F!OC - @ao719 Part 8: Turn a Blind Eye

Through Hell & Back (Series) | Olivia Nevrakis x Anton Severus - @queenmiarys Part 1: First Impressions

Turning the Page (Series) | Liam Rys x F!MC - @tessa-liam Chapter 2: The Sacrifice Ⓜ️

[openheartfanfics]

Newly Added Fics

Dec 9 - 15, 2023  

🎭 Angst  |  🦚 Angsty Fluff  |  🛸 AU  |  ☁ Fluff  |  ♥ NSFW  |  📚 Series  |  📷 Edit  |  📱 TextFic  |  Ⓜ Mature

Bryce x F!MC

It’s a date. - @hannabanana-6 ☁

Casey gets ready for her first official date with Bryce. [Date]

It’s over - @hannabanana-6 🎭

Casey and Bryce argue over him pushing her away.

The hangover - @hannabanana-6 ☁

Just random hangover fluff.

Thunderstorm - @chocopeppermintcake 🦚

Casey has a bad day at work. [Hurt/Comfort]

You are in love - @hannabanana-6 ☁

Bryce realises his feelings for Casey. An addition to the wedding in Open Heart book 3. [3.11]

Bryce x M!MC

Halloween - @mydemonsdrivealimo 📚

[extended: wip] A collection of moments throughout Jensen’s life, focused on his struggles and accomplishments.

Part 1

Part 2

Ethan x F!MC

Dangerous Games - @zealouscanonindeer 📚♥

[extended: wip] If you win, good. If you lose, even better.

Part 6

I gave you my heart - @coffeeheartaddict2 ♥🎄

It is Christmas time and Ethan finds himself alone for the holidays. An unexpected visit leads to a change in status. Feat. F!OC [Young Ethan]

Not a rookie anymore - @hannabanana-6 🎭

Ethan gets back from the Amazon. [Broke Up]

Paws of Love - @amortentiaopenheart 🛸

Jenner takes a liking to a stranger.

Talk is Cheap - @cariantha 🎭

What would have been the outcome if Sawyer had discovered that she was pregnant whilst Ethan was in the Amazon?

Part 1

Turning Red: A Holiday Tale - @jerzwriter ☁🎄

The usual mayhem ensues when Kaycee and her friends head out to do some holiday shopping at a local mall. She finally finds the perfect gift for Ethan. Feat. OH Gang

Under The Mistletoe - @liaromancewriter ☁🎄

Ethan Ramsey is not one to kiss anyone under the mistletoe, but he’s willing to make an exception just once.

When life has other plans - @coffeeheartaddict2 📚🛸

[extended: wip] A competition has commenced for the interns at Edenbrook hospital. A horrid first day leads to an unexpected test of a new machine but what is Dr. Ethan Ramsey hiding?

CH 4: Crime and Punishment

Jenner Ramsey

Paws of Love - @amortentiaopenheart 🛸

Jenner takes a liking to a stranger.

Platonic / OH Gang

Turning Red: A Holiday Tale - @jerzwriter ☁🎄

The usual mayhem ensues when Kaycee and her friends head out to do some holiday shopping at a local mall. She finally finds the perfect gift for Ethan. Feat. OH Gang

Rafael x F!MC

We Belong Together - @rafasgirl23415 📚

[extended: wip] It’s the end of intern year. Casey and Rafael are ready to start the next phase of their relationship.

CH 25: A Blast From The Past

CH 26: Remembrance

Tobias x F!MC

One Step… - @jerzwriter 🦚

It's a month after the chemical attack at Edenbrook; Casey leaves her apartment for therapy, and her recently reunited friend, Tobias, has been playing chauffeur.

_

SUBMIT OPEN HEART FICS & WRITERS HERE

[choicesmonthlychallenge]

Week Three: August 14 — 20

[August Prompt List] || [August Masterlists]

⟢Blades of Light & Shadow:⟢

Chosen by Light [Mal x F!Human] by��@storyofmychoices

⟢Crimes of Passion:⟢

That's a Bet [M!Trystan x F!MC] by @jerzwriter

⟢Open Heart:⟢

High Seas [Tobias x F!MC] by @jerzwriter

Rocky [F!MC, M!MC, platonic] by @jerzwriter

Sadie's Self Care Sunday #38 [Ethan x F!MC] by @peonyblossom

That's One Word [Tobias x F!MC, Bryce x M!MC] by @jerzwriter

What Could Have Been (7/?) [Ethan x F!MC] by @liaromancewriter

⟢Red Carpet Diaries:⟢

Coffee and Dinosaurs [Hunt x F!OC] by @theartoflovingthomashunt

⟢The Royal Romance:⟢

Mosquito [Maxwell x F!MC] by @chocopeppermintcake

[choicesjanuarychallenge]

Week 2 Masterlist

Fanfiction

A Little Delay - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

A Modern Romance - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart) (Light NSFW / Mature)

A Perfect Date - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

A Winter's Walk- @storyofmychoices (Open Heart)

Chasing The Sundown - @chocopeppermintcake (Open Heart)

Just A Kiss - @jerzwriter (Wake The Dead)

Pick Your Poison - @lilyoffandoms (Guinevere)

Polo! - @karahalloway (The Royal Romance series) (NSFW / Mature)

Regret - @lilyoffandoms (Guinevere)

Second Chances: Ch 23 - Racing Hearts - @missameliep (Desire and Decorum)

Stating The Obvious - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart)

What Happened in Vegas: An Interlude - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

_

Fanart

A Winter's Walk- @storyofmychoices (Open Heart)

Eli's Family - @jerzwriter (Wake The Dead)

_

Headcanons

Their First New Year's - Kind Of - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

Happy New Year: 2020-2023 - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

_

Moodboards & Edits

A Day In The Life - @potionsprefect (Open Heart)

A Day To Relax - @choicesfanaf (Rules of Engagement)

Double The Fun - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart)

Happy 31st Birthday to Meera - @headoverheelsforramsey (Open Heart)

_

Text Fics

Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing - @jerzwriter (Open Heart) (Light NSFW / Mature)

Build-a-Bear: After Dark - @storyofmychoices (Open Heart) (Light NSFW / Mature)

Heartbreakers - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart)

New And Improved - @jerzwriter (Open Heart) (Light NSFW / Mature)

_

Thank you to everyone for participating this week.

Check out all the January prompts.

Remember, you don’t have to participate daily or in order. Feel free to use the prompts as and when you get inspired. Check out the guidelines.

All submissions will be reblogged as received and included in a weekly masterlist. Tumblr tags can be unreliable at times. If your submission isn't reblogged within 24 hours, contact @liaromancewriter

[eleanorbloom]

Moonlight: Part One.

Disclaimer: Open Heart and most of the characters are owned by Pixelberry. Matilde is a creation of mine.

Book/Pairing: Open Heart / Bryce Lahela x F! MC (Matilde Luna)

Word Count: 1.9k Warnings/Rating: Few curse words/Teen.

Author's Note: I must confess I'm scared AF of sharing this with you. First POV is a challenge. Matilde has a whole different personality compared to Eleanor. And with her I'll share some of my deepest struggles and insecurities. That's why it took me so many months to finally realease this story to the world. Anyway, hope you enjoy it ❤

Taglist: @dalishessence @curiousconch @chocopeppermintcake @utterlyinevitable @secretaryunpaid @kachrisberry @romereadingshop @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics

Let me know if you wanna be added to my taglist!

______

Part One. Encounter with the Sun.

When you spend so much time in the darkness, it's inevitable to feel blinded by the light.

It’s dazzling.

You don’t see anything at first, your eyes hurt. They burn.

Then, when you’re able to detect the things around you, you feel good, even amazed by the new perspective, the colors, the depths, the lengths, the shining. The new world before you.

After a while, however, you feel overwhelmed by it. By the spotlight that gives you. How observed and judged you feel and how out of place you realize you are.

So you miss your old friend, the darkness. The intimacy of it. How it covers your flaws, your fears, your insecurities, your lackings. Your secrets. The secrets you don’t even know you’re keeping.

When you're invisible it's just you and your deepest thoughts and desires. No exposition, no need to cover your flaws, or make an effort to fit in.

You're safe from the constant awkwardness for feeling different.

That’s what happened to me when I met Bryce Lahela. His light dazzled me. It made me see the world bright, as I'd never seen it before.

But soon I realized it wasn’t for me. I belong to the darkness, and there’s not so much a person from the darkness can do with a person with so much light like him.

Or that's what I thought.

It was my first day of Residency when I met him, walking hurriedly to the locker room, covered in blood and lost in my thoughts. Orientation with the new interns was about to start in five minutes, so I couldn’t show up with my scrubs stained with blood from the Thoracotomy I just had done.

I was so deep in my thoughts and worries that I didn’t realize there was someone around the corner of the lockers until I bumped directly into him, my face almost burying on his toned, bare chest if it wasn’t because he had quicker reflexes than me.

“Woah there,” he said, surprised, and then his firm hands grabbed me by the arms.

“Sh…” I stopped instantly, reminding myself I was in my workplace, so I couldn’t be cursing as I pleased, much less in front of a person I hadn't met before.

“Damn, I’m…” I tried to say instead, but as I looked up, my words choked in my throat.

Damn indeed.

A pair of brown eyes looked at me curiously but warmly. But damn, damn, damn. He was handsome, so handsome it seemed like a hallucination.

Fuck, people can be this handsome in real life? I thought, as I was taking in the sight of him: dashing broad smile, eyes wrinkling in a playful grin. And all that was complemented with toned, perfect abs, illegal triceps, and divine hair. I could swear my hair never looked that gorgeous.

But the way he looked at me, even casually, was disarming. Just one look and he had me all inspected. And for some reason, I couldn't stop staring at him. There was something hypnotizing about him. Inevitable.

“Are you okay?” he asked a few moments later, as he noticed my speechlessness.

I blushed instantly. Oh my god, how much I stared at him like an idiot?

“Or are you already getting all the fun without even starting your shift yet?”

I sighed, thanking internally that he was talking about the blood on my scrubs and not about my embarrassing loss for words because of his appearance.

“I’m sorry, yes,” I said, shaking my head as I kept walking toward my locker, my cheeks flushing in a beet red in a matter of seconds, “Just a thoracotomy in the waiting room, that’s all.”

He chuckled as I was opening my locker to put my things inside, ignoring the anxiety washing over me slowly.

“Way to start the year, are you new too?”

“Y… Yeah,” I stuttered, begging internally he wasn’t looking directly at me at that moment. I didn't dare to check if it was the case.

By this point, I was used to changing clothes in front of lots of strange people, but it was always difficult doing it for the first time in a new place, so I tried to overcome my self-consciousness and simply tugged my stained scrubs out, ignoring the fact that he could see my curvy body in my simple black underwear.

After a lot of effort, I was a couple of years past feeling embarrassed by my body. I had finally accepted it the way it was -way off commercial beauty standards: chubby, fluffy, full of stretch marks and cellulitis-, but coming to terms with the fact that other people wouldn't think the same is completely different. There are always looks and awkward smiles, sometimes opinions. So this time I couldn’t help but feel a little shy about it, much more considering how handsome and sporty he was. It made me feel judged even if he wasn’t even judging me at all.

“Internal medicine?” he asked once I was with my fresh scrubs on. I turned around and found him with green scrubs instead, leaning against the lockers with a relaxed smile. There wasn't anything uncomfortable about his features.

“Yup,” I said sharply, giving him a quick glance before sitting down to lace up my black Chuck Taylors.

But then I felt the strange need to say something more.

I don't know why.

Any other day I would've replied and then acted like that conversation never happened. I hate small talk. But there was something that persuaded me to ask him something in return. Maybe it was the fact that I wasn’t expecting he would keep talking to me. Maybe I just wanted to repay the kindness. He could've just ignored me but he didn't.

“You?”

“Surgery,” he said grinning, fixing his hair with enviable naturality.

Oh, of course. Of course the living embodiment of Adonis would be a surgical bro. I should've known.

I couldn't help but chuckle as I shook my head.

“What?” He asked, with a puzzled look.

“Nothing,” I assured, still smirking while I was closing my bag before putting it back inside my locker.

“If you say so,” he shrugged before standing straight and checking his watch, “Are you ready? We can go to the Atrium together if you want. Considering we’re going to the same place.”

I froze in place for a moment.

I never expected something like that.

First, to interact with someone in my first hour at the hospital. Socializing wasn’t my forte so this felt like I was doing my first friend at playschool, even if this would bethe first and last time I'd talk to him in my life.

Second, to keep interacting with him after the usual pleasantries. He could’ve just greeted me and then done as nothing happened. Like I would’ve done it if it wasn't because my brain was pushing me to talk to him.

Third, that he would want to keep interacting with me despite how weird I acted and that I somewhat laughed at his face a few seconds ago.

“Y-Yeah, sure,” I said trying to conceal the slight shaking in my voice, and followed him outside the room.

“I’m Bryce Lahela, by the way,” he added, extending his hand to me as we started walking towards the exit.

“Matilde Luna,” I said in response, shaking his hand. His caramel skin felt smooth and warm on my palm.

“Nice to meet you, Matilde Luna. You have a really beautiful name.”

“Your name is pretty nice too,” I said without thinking too much of it, in my effort to hold the conversation even if I didn’t know what else to say.

When I turned to look at him, I could swear the ghost of a sad smile was concealed behind his -seemingly- signature smirk.

I frowned, wondering why that was. It was just a compliment to his name, how could I be wrong about something so simple as that?

But a moment later, that sadness was gone. As if it never happened, he grinned at me again.

“Do you have any friends or acquaintances from Med School here?” he broke the silence again, as we were reaching the stairs.

“I… I actually don’t know much,” I confessed, looking directly on the staircases before me. I couldn't care less about my classmates, honestly, but at that moment I felt bad for not knowing. Maybe guilty for my indifference. “I think a guy is in Peds and another girl is in Neuro?”

“Where are you from?”

“U-Dub. Washington.”

“Ah, cold and rainy. You won’t suffer too much with the climate here then.”

“Yup, I like it rainy.”

“You’re nuts!” He exclaimed, with an overacted shocked expression.

“Oh, let me guess why the gratuitous insult, you're from California, right?”

Bryce turned to me, perplexed, “Guilty as charged, what gave me away?”

“Mmm besides your tan and your surfer highlights?”

“Ouch, talk about gratuitous insults!”

“Just payback, ” I laughed heartily, “No, actually it’s your accent. I did my undergrad in Berkeley.”

“Oh,” he chuckled, “Makes sense.”

“Which part of Cali?”

“Stanford.”

Surgical bro from Stanford. La crème de la crème. Why was he even talking to me?

Just he replied, we entered the Atrium and found interns of all sorts of specialties gathered around place, waiting for the Chief to make her appearance.

My stomach churned at the huge amount of people before me. All these new people I'd have to meet and work with. To deal with.

But it didn't matter. If this was the price I had to pay to do what I love, to make her proud, so be it.

I took a deep breath, psyching myself to what was about to come, “This is for you, mama.”

And just the thought of her seemed to soothe whatever anxiety I was feeling at that moment.

“Well, Matilde Luna,” Bryce announced, after both observed the crowd in silence for a couple of seconds, “Time to meet my competition now. Good luck with yours.”

I looked up at him instantly, surprised by the slight tremor concealed in his voice. But there was nothing there. Bryce was already grinning at me, his caramel skin glistening against the morning sunlight. Melting as if they were just the same thing. But I could tell his smile wasn't reaching his eyes as before.

“Thank you, you too, ” I said as I watched him striding toward a group in green scrubs, each step taken with resolve.

But after a few feet, he stopped and slowly turned in my direction, a twinkle of honey piercing directly at me, “See ya later? ” he quizzed.

I arched an eyebrow at his question.

See ya later.

And made an effort not to snort.

With the sea of interesting people in this hospital, you won’t even remember my face by the end of the day, so don’t bother.

But I played along, it was the least he deserved for being so friendly with me that morning.

“See ya later,” I promised, convinced it was in vain. This would be the last time I would exchange words with him.

At that moment, though, I couldn’t even imagine how wrong I would be.

----

Thank you so much for reading!!!

[lahellacute]

rules: tag people you want to get to know better

Thank you for the tag @ariondevereux 💕

Favorite color: blue, red, black, purple. 

Currently reading: Welp, I'm not reading any actual book currently. The last one i read (and didn’t finish) is “The Duke & I”.

Last song: Doja Cat - Rules.

Last movie: Corpse Bride. 

Last series: Bridgerton.

Sweet, savoury or spicy? Depends, but i think i’m a lot more in the mood for smth sweet.

Craving: A KFC burger and ice cream lol

Tea or coffee: Tea !

Currently working on: Some edits and also moodboards. 

Tagging: @somin-yin @chocopeppermintcake @keikilahela @kitteria Sorry if you’ve already done this, and no pressure to do it if you haven’t !

[romance-club-daily]

We can balance!

Thank you @deepcheesecakecloud and @chocopeppermintcake 🙌🏾

Here's the comment:

Hey, apparently, we can balance The Desert Flower and The City Kid points? Is this true? Did the author confirm this somewhere?

I'm on Rebellion + City Kid path, my li is Adil. People keep saying that The Desert Flower path would suit Adil better and now I'm concerned, I really need to know if I can balance these points. Should I do a full replay instead? 🤔

I haven't seen the confirmation yet, but if it's true it's very good!

If anyone has the source of the info I'll share it here.

[wackydrabbles]

Wacky Drabbles Prompt 101

hOn June 27, 2021, a challenge was issued to write a 1,000-word or less wacky drabble using the prompt: Were you ever going to tell me?

Yes. We were going to tell you Sunday morning when this posts!

@thegreentwin - Coming Home: An Engagement

@sirbeepsalot - Hello Fella - Part 8: Pets and Home Projects

@kat-tia801 -  Acceleration (Part 17)- When the sky is falling, I’ll be your Atlas

@chemist-ana - Fractured

@chocopeppermintcake - Hiccups

@bebepac - A Little Prince 👑

@burnsoslow - One Rainy Day in Valtoria Part 33: Wildest Dreams

@queenrileyrose - Downward Nobility: Wolverines, Perhaps

@phoenixrising308 - The Promise (Part 3c): What they stole from us

@callmeellabella -  You Are The Reason (Liam x MC)

@lucy-268 - Moving On

@zaffrenotes - [TRR] Kairos

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Open Heart F/AotW - Dec 10-16, 2023

✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🏳️‍���� = LGBTQIA | 🌟= Holidays 2023

BRYCE LAHELA

All Is Merry & Bright ✒️🎨🏳️‍🌈🌟| Art: Tobias x Casey by @rosefuckinggenius Fic: Tobias Carrick x F!MC, Bryce Lahela x M!MC - @jerzwriter

Halloween (Series) ✒️🏳️‍🌈| Bryce Lahela x M!MC - @mydemonsdrivealimo Chapter 2

It's a Date ✒️| Bryce Lahela x F!MC - @hannabanana-6

It's Over ✒️| Bryce Lahela x F!MC - @hannabanana-6

The Hangover ✒️| Bryce Lahela x F!MC - @hannabanana-6

Thunderstorm ✒️| Bryce Lahela x F!MC - @chocopeppermintcake

ETHAN RAMSEY

Dangerous Games (Series) ✒️Ⓜ️🔥🌟| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @zealouscanonindeer Part 6

Ethan Ramsey Fanart 🎨🌟 by @bayleedraws-sometimesx

Ethan Ramsey x F!MC Fanart 🎨🌟 by @bayleedraws-sometimesx

I Gave You My Heart ✒️🌟| Ethan Ramsey x F!OC - @coffeeheartaddict2

Not a Rookie Anymore ✒️| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @hannabanana-6

Paws of Love ✒️| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @amortentiaopenheart

Ramsey Family Fanart 🎨by @bayleedraws-sometimesx

Talk is Cheap 2/2 ✒️| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @cariantha

Turning Red: A Holiday Tale ✒️🌟| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @jerzwriter

Under the Mistletoe ✒️🌟| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @liaromancewriter

TOBIAS CARRICK

All Is Merry & Bright ✒️🎨🏳️‍🌈🌟| Art: Tobias x Casey by @rosefuckinggenius Fic: Tobias Carrick x F!MC, Bryce Lahela x M!MC - @jerzwriter

Main CFWC F/AotW | BOLAS F/AotW TRR F/AotW

[openheartfanfics]

Newly Added Fics

Oct 28 - Nov 3, 2023  

🎭 Angst  |  🦚 Angsty Fluff  |  🛸 AU  |  ☁ Fluff  |  ♥ NSFW  |  📚 Series  |  📷 Edit  |  📱 TextFic  |  Ⓜ Mature

BRYCE X F!MC

Generous - @chocopeppermintcake ☁

Casey runs into Bryce in the hospital corridor, already flying on cloud nine. [1.9]

ETHAN X F!MC

Birthday Wishes - @jamespotterthefirst 📱

It's Lilac's birthday and the group chat is blowing up. [Birthday]

Dress Up - @jamespotterthefirst 📱👻

It's Halloween, and there are superhero costumes on display.

Night at the Ballet - @liaromancewriter ☁

It’s World Ballet Day, and Ethan organizes a special surprise for Cassie.

Pregnancy Brain - @zealouscanonindeer ☁

Aspen suffers from a different sort of pregnancy brain. [Domestic; Pregnancy]

Reminder… - @socalwriterbee 📱👻

Tessa has an important reminder for Ethan.

Reunion - @zealouscanonindeer 📷

The Ramseys visit Florida.

The Haunting of Edenbrook - @liaromancewriter ☁👻

It’s All Hallow’s Eve, and something wicked lingers in the air of Edenbrook Hospital’s hallowed halls.

OPEN HEART MC

Twin Shenanigans: Pandas Edition - @liaromancewriter 📱

Max teases Cassie with her spirit animal. Bonus: Ethan teases her too! Feat. Ethan Ramsey

RAFAEL X F!MC

I Can’t Lose You - @rafasgirl23415 📚

[extended: wip] It’s the end of intern year. Casey and Rafael are ready to start the next phase of their relationship.

CH 3: The Anniversary

CH 4: The Proposal

CH 5: Double the Joy

TOBIAS X F!OC

Untitled Text Fic - @genevievemd 📱

The Carricks are expecting and share the news.

_

SUBMIT OPEN HEART FICS & WRITERS HERE

[choicesmonthlychallenge]

Picktober Week Four Masterlist

[Prompts] [Full Masterlist]

—tober: ☁️ =fluff 🔥=kink/smut 🍁=fall 👻=spook 🎨=art 🌷=spring

Thank you to everyone who has participated in Picktober. I hope you enjoyed it! I definitely had a lot of fun seeing so much creativity in the fandom and for so many different books!

If I did not reblog your post or if I missed it on the masterlist, please message me and I will remedy it! Thank you for your patience and understanding this past week with Tumblr tags not working well.

⟢Blades of Light and Shadow:⟢

Threep Pompedorfin Art submitted by @storyofmychoices👻 🎨

⟢The Elementalists:⟢

The Haunted Halloween Predictions (Ch3) - A TE Halloween mini-series [Beckett x F!MC] by @sunnyshiftyy

⟢Immortal Desires:⟢

At Dawn, A New Horizon [M!Cas x NB!MC] by @aallotarenunelma ☁️ 🍁

Hunger Pangs [M!Cas x NB!MC] by @aallotarenunelma 🍁

⟢Laws of Attraction:⟢

Love Letters: Part 1 [Gabe x F!MC] by @gabe-ricci-simp

⟢Mother of the Year:⟢

Services Rendered [Levi x F!MC] by @storyofmychoices 🔥  [18+ only]

⟢Open Heart:⟢

A Modern Fairy Tale [Sienna x M!OC] by @liaromancewriter ☁️ 🌷

Bats, Leaves And The Foundation Of Friendship [Bryce x F!MC] by @chocopeppermintcake  👻 🍁🌷

A Visit Home [Ethan x F!MC] by @choicesfanaf☁️

Autumn Fluff [Bryce x F!OC] submitted by @storyofmychoices 🍁🎨

Boston Halloween Party Edit [Ethan x F!MC] by @potionsprefect

Caught [Ethan x F!MC] by @lem-20 🔥  [18+ only]

Clingy [Rafael x F!MC] by @lorirwritesfanfic🔥  [18+ only]

Grandparents Day Part 3: An Act of God [Tobias x F!MC] by @jerzwriter ☁️

Halloween Memories Edits [Ethan x F!MC] by @liaromancewriter👻

Just for Fun… Edit [Tobias x F!MC] by @jerzwriter ☁️

Labyrinth [Ethan x F!MC] by @liaromancewriter ☁️

Mornings Off Edit [Ethan x F!MC] by @liaromancewriter ☁️

Might Occupy The Universe Today [Ethan x F!MC] by @inlocusmads 💖

Night Adventures [Sienna x M!OC] by @liaromancewriter☁️

Picking a Winner Edit [Ethan x F!MC] by @jerzwriter🍁

Pumpkin Pie Edit [Sienna x M!OC] by @liaromancewriter🍁

Pumpkin Spice Edit [Bryce x F!OC] by @peonierose👻 🍁

Pink Sky Edit[Bryce x F!OC] by @peonierose 💖

Sadie’s Self Care Sunday #10 [Ethan x F!MC] by @peonyblossom ☁️

Sadie's Self Care Sunday #11 [Ethan x F!MC] by @peonyblossom ☁️

Soon (It's a relative term) + Art [Bryce x F!OC] by @storyofmychoices 🎨 ☁️

Stop While You're Ahead [Ethan x F!MC] by @jerzwriter ☁️

The Cat and His Lady [Bryce x F!OC] by @peonyblossom

Tricky Treats [Ethan x F!MC] by @jerzwriter 👻

⟢Perfect Match:⟢

The Prettiest of Them All [Damien x F!MC/you] by @reveluving 🔥  [18+ only]

⟢Red Carpet Diaries:⟢

The Bogart Diaries #35: The Painter’s Tape Challenge [Hunt x F!OC] by @theartoflovingthomashunt

⟢The Royal Romance:⟢

Draketober: Bad Omen (edit) by @the-soot-sprite 👻

Draketober: Pumpkins (edit) by @the-soot-sprite 🍁

Draketober: Tarot Cards (edit) by @the-soot-sprite 👻

Draketober: Forest (edit) by @the-soot-sprite 🍁👻

Draketober: Siren (edit) by @the-soot-sprite 👻

Draketober: Haunted (edit) by @the-soot-sprite 👻

Draketober: Magic (edit) by @the-soot-sprite 👻

Picktober Challenge: Falling for you [Liam x F!MC] by @phoenixrising0308 ☁️🍁  [18+ only]

⟢Wake the Dead:⟢

It's Witchcraft [Eli x F!MC] by @jerzwriter 👻🎨

A/N: Sorry for reposting, there seemed to be issues with the first post

[squid-princess-teach-swallow]

E: If you wrote a sequel to [insert fic], what would it be about?

H: How would you describe your style?

U: Share three of your favorite fic writers and why you like them so much.

E: Obviously I will write a sequel to Never Gonna Let You Go, as its series is still unfinished. I'm still not sure what to write tho, I have a basic idea of the ending but developing the story is hard for me 🥲 the next fic should be of MC feeling guilty for leading on Liam, but she's also scared to tell him the truth, something along those lines. I even have an idea for a sequel series after Came for the Prince, Fell for the Lord is completed. But it's still in the works, so I can't tell much about it.

H: Extremely sappy. Like A LOT. I'm a really emotional and sappy person, and my fics reflect that. Romantic, sappy, fluffy, slightly angsty, that's my style.

U: I already shared 3 of my favourites previously, so I'll share another three of em this time! @ladylamrian @angelasscribbles @chocopeppermintcake are all spectacularly talented writers, and I've really enjoyed their fics 💕

Thanks for the ask 😊

[weetlebeetle]

Commissions 😳

First two: @wishuponadragon

Third and fourth: from discord

5-9: @sad-atl-fan

Last one: @chocopeppermintcake

[choicesseptemberchallenge21]

Choices September Challenge

This masterlist is for Day 12 of the Choices September Challenge…

Prompt #12: Nature

Laws of Attraction

Light up the Dark (Gabe Ricci x F!MC) written by @curiousconch

Open Heart

Shooting Star (Bryce x F!MC) written by @chocopeppermintcake

[choicesjanuarychallenge]

Masterlist - Part 1

Thank you to everyone that participated in the Choices January Challenge 2023!

Masterlist - Part 2

_

Fanfiction

A Little Delay - @jerzwriter​ (Open Heart)

A Modern Romance - @liaromancewriter​ (Open Heart) (Light NSFW / Mature)

A Perfect Date - @jerzwriter​ (Open Heart)

A Winter’s Walk - @storyofmychoices​ (Open Heart) 

By Chance - @jerzwriter​ (Open Heart)

Chasing The Sundown - @chocopeppermintcake​ (Open Heart)

Coming Up Blank - Part 1 - @jerzwriter​ (Wake The Dead) (Light NSFW / Mature)

Crime Drabble - @lilyoffandoms​ (Crimes of Passion)

Dance It Better - @jerzwriter​ (Open Heart)

February Kiss - @lilyoffandoms​ (Blades of Light and Shadow)

Feeling Wicked - @liaromancewriter​ (Open Heart)

In Another Time - @jerzwriter​ (Open Heart)

Just A Kiss - @jerzwriter​ (Wake The Dead)

Last Stop - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

LoA Drabble - @lilyoffandoms (Laws of Attraction)

Mistletoe Magic - @headoverheelsforramsey (Open Heart)

New Traditions - @theartoflovingthomashunt (Red Carpet Diaries)

Off the Beaten Path - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

One Summer Night - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

Pick Your Poison - @lilyoffandoms (Guinevere)

Polo! - @karahalloway (The Royal Romance series) (NSFW / Mature)

Regret - @lilyoffandoms (Guinevere)

Return To Dagger Mountain - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart)

Second Chances: Ch 23 - Racing Hearts - @missameliep (Desire and Decorum)

Something New - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

Stating The Obvious - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart)

Summer Romance - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart)

Tension - @jerzwriter (Wake The Dead) 

The Elf Affair - @liaromancewriter (Open Heart)

Time Together - @alj4890 (Red Carpet Diaries) (Light NSFW / Mature)

What’s Forever For - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

What Happened in Vegas (Chapter 4) - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

What Happened In Vegas (Chapter 5) - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

What Happened in Vegas: An Interlude - @jerzwriter (Open Heart)

_

Contact @liaromancewriter know if your work is not featured in the masterlist.

Check out prompts from the @choices-february2023​ happening right now. Also @choicesmonthlychallenge is hosting To Be or Not To Be. 

[eleanorbloom]

Moonlight: Part Five

Disclaimer: Open Heart and most of the characters are owned by Pixelberry. Matilde is a creation of mine.

Book/Pairing: Open Heart / Bryce Lahela x F! MC (Matilde Luna)

Word Count: 4.3k Warnings/Rating: My girl curses a lot/Teen.

Author’s Note: It really wouldn't be a series of mine if I don't end up writing +4k chapters, right? So, yeah, it happened. I don't know if it will be usual, but today was totally worth it, hope you enjoy!

I know I haven't replied to some comments in the past chapters. I'm sorry, these last weeks have been madness that all the free time I've had, I've use it to finish this chapter. I promise to get there soon, but please know I am SO SO SO GRATEFUL for all your support and comments. Really ❤️ So thank you for joining me in this crazy ride! 😊

Edit: Thank you to the lovely @peonierose for making this beautiful moodboard for today's chapter ❤️ You're wonderful!

Moonlight taglist: @dalishessence @curiousconch @chocopeppermintcake @utterlyinevitable @secretaryunpaid @kachrisberry @romereadingshop @thegreentwin @blackcatkita @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics @peonierose

If you wanna be added to my taglist, let me know!

_____

Part Five: Gravity

The tranquility in my life for finally having a new place to live, and a comfy bed to sleep, only lasted for a few days.

Naveen Banerji resigned as Head of Diagnostics, Ethan Ramsey took his place, and now he was running a competition to choose the next Junior Fellow member of the team among the interns.

I hatecompetitions, but everything in this damned profession -life- was a competition. To get into College and Med School, to be accepted in the residency program of my dreams, to get the best cases from Residents and Attendings, etc. And now, to be part of the most elite team in the northeast of the country, I had to fight an even harder competition. Raw, implacable, even ruthless, much to my dislike.

Being part of the Diagnostics Team wasn't precisely my dream, but it was definitely the key to getting the best skills needed to help people. To be the best doctor I could and help the most people I could.

Of course I couldn’t turn down that possibility, even if I was terrified of competition. I knew -deep, deep down- that I had it in me to get the spot, but I wasn’t bold enough, confident enough to do whatever it takes to get it. The main goal for me wasn’t winning, but to be the best doctor I could; unfortunately, to get that spot I had to necessarily win, so I needed to overcome that fear and act.

In another time, overcoming that fear and believing in myself would’ve been plainly impossible. Nothing I could do, not even studying and working abroad, completely alone, without having anyone closer to rely on, would’ve been enough to feel worthy. But now I was starting to realize how capable I was.

Part of the reason was my own self-improvement, the natural consequence of growing up. The other was Bryce, who from the first moment he knew about the competition, he started showering me in praises, encouragement, and pep talks to sign in the competition. It was hard not to start believing in yourself when you had a personal cheerleader reminding you how amazing you are at least five times a day, and spamming your chat window with encouraging stickers, gifs, texts, even voice messages.

He was taking his friend spot -best friend spot, according to him- very seriously.

The last part of the reason why I was convinced to sign in the competition was my mama. I was sure she would’ve come to say hi in my dreams for the rest of my life if I didn’t take the opportunity just because I was afraid. “Nada de eso, mijita, eso sí que no!” She would’ve said. (No way, honey, no way!)

Just a few days after the beginning of the competition, I started feeling the consequences. Stress and anxiety, more than I already had. I was having trouble sleeping again, rethinking every damn decision I made all day. My mind couldn’t shut up at any moment, even with my earphones on and music playing -my infallible trick to ease my mind.

It was the perfect moment for old bad habits to resurface.

Smoking.

I tried to make it something circumstantial, maybe one cigarette before going to sleep, but I couldn't fool myself. I had been over that phase too many times to be different now.

Four in the afternoon and I was in my third, with a lot of self-control. That day had been especially hard after an office fire with several people injured, including a pregnant woman.

I let the smoke come out of my lungs as I leaned against the brick wall, each drag giving me a small sense of comfort, of artificial calmness. The smell of tobacco and the refreshing sensation of the menthol had never failed to ease my anxiety in the worst of times, and fortunately wasn’t the exception this time.

For a moment, there was no competition, no patients, no people expecting something from me. It was just me and my cigar, my trusted Marlboro.

A glimpse of relief to continue fighting the day.

Later that day, after a long and devastating shift, I was heading to the locker room when I saw Bryce sauntering towards me, his habitual effervescent smile brightening his features. The moment he noticed I wasn't returning it with my usual half-smile, his brows instantly knitted in worry.

“Hey, hey, why the long face, Tilly Pocket?”

I internally appreciated his effort to cheer me up, but not even his best jokes and nicknames could make me draw a real smile, much less make me feel better.

“Long day,” I sighed, containing the real extent of my feelings.

“Nuh, uh, if it was a long day, you’d be grunting or rolling your eyes at me. What is it?”

Fu…

I stopped mid-sentence in my head, regretting what I was going to say.

Thank you for reading me so damn well, Bryce, I thought instead.

How different things were compared to five weeks ago.

I let myself sigh with more liberty and pouted my lips to him, showing how I was really feeling while I was looking for the right words to express myself. Bryce's eyes widened for an instant before taking me by the arm and leading me to a side hallway.

“Tilly, what happened?”

I was sure I wasn’t going to cry, but the way he looked at me and made sure we were alone so I could speak, made me… feel things, like my heart was about to burst, but I didn’t know from what.

Trying to placate these unknown feelings, I leaned against the wall and I took a few breaths before speaking, “I’m treating a pregnant woman from today’s fire,” I started.

Bryce nodded, listening to me carefully.

“She’s 26 weeks and we found out she has preeclampsia,” I muttered, my voice barely holding my desperation.

“Oh god, Tilly, I’m so sorry.”

“Dr. Ramsey told her we had to deliver the baby but she won’t let us. I tried to convince her, but there’s nothing we can say or do to change her mind.”

Bryce nodded in understanding, “That’s how it is sometimes, Tilly, we have to respect and understand our patients' choices even when we don’t agree.”

“I know it, it’s just… she could risk her life and that baby could lose her mother and…” My voice faded, the idea of that baby losing his mother feeling too vividly because of my own loss, even if it were under very different circumstances.

“Nevermind,” I added, shaking my head, realizing I couldn't let my own feelings and experience cloud my medical judgment, "Ramsey is right, I'm not ready for this case. I better get home. What about you?"

“I was planning to hit up this concert in Somerville, why don’t you come with me?”

Without giving it a second thought, I shook my head, “Nah, thank you, Bryce. I just need to get home and forget this day ever happened.”

“None of that,” he snapped, putting a hand on my shoulder, caressing it softly with his thumb, “What you need is to have fun and think about something else but this disastrous day, and as the melomaniac you are, live music is precisely what you need.”

“Bryce, I told you…”

As I started to decline again, Bryce crossed his arms and shook his head in amusement, “Okay, okay, miss, you give me no alternative. If this is how things are gonna be, let them be.”

I gave him a puzzled look, "What are you talking about?"

“You owe me, remember? When I slipped you on the observatory deck.”

“Yes, of course I remember. A beer. Two, in fact, from the moving thing the other day.”

“Yes, but now I want to cash in the first debt. I want that beer tonight, so you’ll have to go with me.”

Fuck you, Bryce Lahela. Yes, I really mean it now.

“Fuck you, Lahela. Are you seriously going to use that beer now just to get what you want?”

“Nope, I’m gonna use my credit for your own good, because I’m 100% sure this is going to make you feel better.”

I felt that strange sensation again, something warm inside me about to burst. My stomach flipped and my heart started to beat really fast.

I know it was a simple beer that could cash in any day, that it wasn't a big deal, but the fact that he was using it just to make me feel better… It was just… so… cute. But at the same time, it made me feel so confused.

“So, what do you say?” he asked, pouting his lips and looking at me with the saddest, most infuriating puppy face I had ever seen.

Fuck you, Bryce Lahela. Why do I always end up surrendering to all your damn wishes?

But who I am fucking fooling, part of me wanted this, wanted to do something different to clear my mind instead of lock myself in my room to toss and turn all night thinking about Dolores, or end up the whole night on the rooftop smoking a whole damn box of Marlboro and probably two if I moved my ass to get another one in the liquor store near the apartment.

And yes, a part of me also wanted to spend time with him, just the two of us, without the gang. Why? At that moment I didn’t know.

“Okay, okay, you win,” I grunted, jaded, before smiling softly at him.

“Yes!” he exclaimed, raising his fist in victory, “I always win, Matilde.”

“Oh, I’m regretting this already.”

“There’s no point in regretting, you’re just paying your debt.”

“God, you’re annoying.”

Ignoring my scowl, he looked at his watch and commented, “I have some paperwork to do, but I should be ready in about ten minutes. Meet me in the Atrium at nine.”

Feeling a bit lighter, I continued my path to the locker room, now focused on making myself somewhat presentable to going to that damn concert with Bryce. I wasn’t still in the mood for that, but I had started to trust in Bryce's choices, so there was a chance he was right, and that night out was precisely what I needed to clear my head after that horrible day.

A few minutes past nine, Bryce stood beside me at the entrance of the Atrium, wearing a dark purple t-shirt and dark jeans.

“Woah, you look like you were planning to go to this concert for weeks,” he quipped, looking at me from head to toes.

I was wearing black skinny jeans, a graphite tank top, and my always trusted black Chuck Taylors. As it was a night out in a very different place, I decided to apply some makeup to conceal the disaster my face was after a 14-hour shift. Dark eyeshadow, cat eyeliner, and a dark mauve matte lipstick.

“Bryce, I dress like this every day.”

“I know, but for some reason, you look cooler today.”

I blushed, “Thank you, you too.”

“Must be the company.”

I snorted before following him outside the building.

The venue in Somerville was packed when Bryce and I got out of the T station. Lots of people chatting and rock and pop music playing in the background. After we bought some beers, he led me through the crowd for a few minutes until we managed to get a spot with a great view of the stage.

“How’s this?” he asked, flashing his radiant smile at me. The neon lights reflected on his hair and part of his face.

“Great!” I replied looking up at him, smiling genuinely.

The music was so loud I had to stand on my tiptoes so Bryce could hear me. The moment my face reached his neck, I felt suddenly intoxicated with his perfume. Even if I had smelled it a dozen times, at that moment it felt inexplicably different, like something in those notes were pulling me to stay close and be captivated by his addictive fragrance. There was something seductive about it, yes, but also something so… comfy, and warm, and lulling. It made me feel secure even when I was in the middle of a loud crowd.

“So… are you into this kinda music?” I asked after watching the crowd in silence for a while.

I felt like fifteen the moment the words left my mouth. The only topic I had back on that day to start a conversation with someone new, was asking them about music. Twelve years had passed and I hadn’t changed a bit.

“I guess we’ll find out, but seeing the public, it looks like it’s kinda alternative, so it’ll be great.”

“Wait, what? You don’t know the band?”

“Nope. I found out about the show online.”

“You didn’t even look them up to see if you liked them first?”

“That’d ruin the fun! I’m all about trying new things: new city, new music, new people. This is the way.”

I couldn’t understand why he’d do something like that. How it was so easy for him to throw himself into new things, new people, new places, and not feeling a bit scared about it. But I couldn't deny that part of me admired him for being like that and wished I could be at least one tenth as adventurous and fearless as he was.

“Okay… but what if we don’t like it?”

“We leave, we stay, who cares? I don’t worry about small stuff like that. Life and death is literally our job. If we can’t have some perspective, who can?”

“I guess so.”

“Besides, what’s more important is the company, right?”

I blushed, “Yes.”

“Exactly. So if this sucks, at least we have each other, “ he grinned at me before arching an eyebrow, “And you, Tilly, are into this kinda music?”

“You mean, if this ends up being alternative music?” I smirked.

“Precisely.”

I furrowed my lips, pondering my answer, “I've always been very into rock, punk rock, but over the years I've expanded my taste in music, so yes. Though 15-year-old music snobbish me would've never guessed I'd end up listening to pop songs like Adele or Taylor Swift from time to time.”

Bryce giggled, “That sounds so much like you.”

I smiled, even more blushed.

“Where did you study when you were a teen, by the way? You never talk about your life before college.”

Correction. I never talk about anything about me except when you ask, Bryce.

“In a public school in the south of Chile.”

Bryce choked on the sip of beer he was taking, “Chile? Chile as in that long and thin country from South America?”

“Yep.”

"Matilde, why only now I'm finding out you're Chilean?"

“I don’t know, it didn’t seem relevant to tell you.”

For the first time since we met, Bryce scowled at me. His eyes told me he was really annoyed with my attitude. I couldn’t blame him. But then, as if something snapped inside of him, he softened his features and arched an eyebrow, “That’s not what best friends do, you know?”

“Well, now you know, let’s not make a deal out of it. Besides, there’s plenty of other shocking things about me that you’ll find out over time.”

He chuckled.

“And how did you get here? Do you have relatives living here?”

“Nope.”

“So you just… came here to study?”

“Yes, I won a scholarship and as I’ve been doing good at school, Uncle Sam let me stay permanently.”

“And you don’t plan to come back with your family, or maybe bring them here?”

I shrugged, “I don’t have anyone important waiting for me there, so no.”

“But your mom...?”

Shit.

No.

No. No. No. You cannot escape this, Matilde. One thing is hiding you come from another country, that’s harmless, but lying about your mother? That’s unforgivable, Bryce doesn’t deserve it.

I looked away before answering, “She… um, she passed away.”

I could tell Bryce was taken aback by my confession because he was unable to say anything for a couple of seconds.

I thought the moment I told him this I’d feel lost, sad, ashamed, exposed, but instead, I was feeling calm, secure, like a big weight was taken off my shoulders. Maybe part of me wanted to stop hiding this and just tell him and be open for once in my fucking life about it.

“Shit, Matilde, I’m so sorry. What happened?”

Even if I wasn’t looking at him, I could feel his empathy.

“She got sick when I was fourteen. After that, I lived with some relatives, but I’m not close to them, really.”

There were dozens of people chatting, music blasting on the speakers, but for some strange reason, it felt like it was just the two of us there. Like we were sitting at the edge of the Mystic River, talking about life like two old friends, and sharing cheap beers while the moon reflected on the water.

“So you… you’ve been all by yourself here since college?”

“Pretty much, yes.”

When I finally turned to him, there was this glint of realization in his eyes. Like my revelation made him understand a lot of things about me, but it also transmitted to me that he could get me more than I could ever imagine.

The band appeared a few minutes later, so for the next hour, we only focused on enjoying the music and making comments about their songs and style. Much to my surprise, I liked them a lot. I even joined Bryce in getting loose and vibe to the music in a couple of songs.

By the end of the concert, we were breathless from all the jumping and dancing and laughing, so we headed straight to get more beers.

We were a few feet from the bar when a man staggered against me, almost sending me to the floor if it wasn’t because Bryce caught me first.

“Watchout, asshole!” he shouted before turning to me, “Are you okay, Tilly?”

I couldn’t respond for a couple of moments, completely lost in his embrace, in the way his arms were holding my waist, in the warmth of his breath so close to me.

In his amber eyes piercing mine.

After a couple of moments, I gulped, “Yeah, thank you.”

But it seemed like Bryce didn’t even hear me, because he just kept staring at me, without moving his hands off my waist.

And I didn’t want him to do it either. For some stupid reason, I felt so fucking good in his arms, so safe, so warm. I wasn’t a fan of physical touch, but I had no problem with Bryce holding me at that moment. It felt so right.

What the fuck is happening here?

My heart was beating so fast, my legs were wobbling. I couldn't understand what was happening, not until I realized Bryce’s eyes darted to my lips then back to my eyes.

Shit.

No. This couldn’t be happening. We were friends. There’s no way he could look at me like that. And if he was, it would probably be a game for him, and I wasn’t for games, especially with him.

But god, the way he was looking at me wasn’t even playful.

He was mesmerized.

And I didn’t know what to do with that.

My heart was still beating fast, but for another reason. I felt a shiver run down my spine. I was dizzy.

I felt how my face fell, and how Bryce’s fell a moment later.

“Shit, Matilde, I’m sorry,” he said, freeing me from his embrace, “I… I’m sorry, I don’t know what happened to me.”

I felt relief when he parted his arms from me, so I could take a step back. But a part of me was torn at the same time. It felt empty and cold for the absence of his warmth and touch.

I shook my head, “Don’t worry.”

My voice was tight, trying to contain my nervousness.

“Are you serious? Tilly, I’m sorry if I made you feel uncomfortable.”

Stop being so damn caring, for fuck’s sake.

“No, everything’s fine, really,” I insisted, giving him my best reassuring smile, ignoring my cheeks we beet red; before glancing to the bar, “I thought we were going to have my debt paid?”

Bryce forced a grin before responding, “Yeah, we were.”

For the next hour or so, we enjoyed our beers talking about music, local bands we met in California and Seattle, and the big concerts we attended.

Although the conversation flowed as easily as always, I couldn’t stop thinking about what had happened. Why Bryce looked at me like that and why it made me feel the way he did. Why I didn’t want to part from him and felt so sad when I did. What were those things I was feeling, because I didn’t have a fucking clue what they were. Fondness? Affection? Maybe it is something you start to feel about your friends after a while, and I’d discover it with time. Maybe it was the natural reaction to his nice gestures now that I wasn’t letting myself act like an asshole when he was “acting like a friend.”

Either way, it was confusing. But it was also scary, because I didn't want this to change my relationship with Bryce. Making things weird between us when everything had run so smoothly these past weeks.

I didn’t want to lose him.

On our way back to Boston, engaged in a sleepy chatter after so many emotions for the night, my pager went off. They had rushed Dolores into surgery, so I had to get back to the hospital. Once I got to the right station, and briefly said bye to Bryce, I sprinted to the line that would take me to Edenbrook.

The first thing I saw when I got to Edenbrook, was Dr. Ramsey with a somber look on his face, sitting in the waiting room. My heart skipped a beat.

Dolores had died and the baby had a fifty percent chance to survive the night.

My heart was crushing.

I knew the very moment Dr. Ramsey told me the baby was fighting for his life, that I couldn’t leave him to face it alone. I had to be with him. I knew Dolores would watch her son all night, wherever she was now, but I wanted to make sure the baby wouldn’t feel alone in his first hours on this planet. And I knew my mama would also be looking for him, knowing how much this baby meant to me.

A few minutes after I sat next to the incubator, I received a text.

“Hey, how everything’s going?”

It was Bryce. Even if I was completely focused on baby Ethan, I melted inside when I realized how worried he was about my patient.

“My patient died. The baby has a fifty-fifty chance to survive the night, so I’m staying here, so he doesn’t feel alone while he fights for his life.”

Bryce didn’t respond for long moments.

“I’m so, so sorry, Tilly. Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”

“Thank you, Bryce. I had so much fun tonight, by the way. I didn't have the chance to tell you because I was in a hurry, but you were right, that night out was exactly what I needed.”

“I'm glad. I had lots of fun too.”

The night went in a blur while thinking about Dolores, baby Ethan, and trying to avoid thinking about Bryce and what happened that night.

I didn't even notice I fell asleep until a soft pat on my arm woke me up.

“Tilly, Tilly, wake up.”

When I opened my eyes, there was someone in green scrubs sitting next to me.

“Bryce?”

“Good morning. I brought you coffee.”

“Uh?” I muttered, rubbing my eyes lazily, before opening them up again and finding Bryce holding a steamy cup of coffee before me. His dazzling smile was almost as blinding as the first rays of sunlight filtering through the curtains in the morning.

“I thought you’d need it before starting your shift,” he explained as I was taking the first sip of steamy coffee.

“Shit, my shift!” My eyes widened. Before I could even stand up to run through the hallways, Bryce stopped me.

“Easy, it’s still early,” he said, biting back the chuckle.

“Oh. What time is it? I have rounds at six.”

“I know. You still have forty minutes left.”

“Forty? And what are you doing here so early?”

“I usually come this early when I have a pre-op,” he said nonchalantly, shrugging.

Oh, no. No. Not again. No.

“Bryce…” I whispered, feeling how my eyes crystallized. I was still a bit sleepy, so I didn’t even have the required energy to conceal my emotions as I always do.

“I wanted to bring you some coffee, okay? What you did tonight was really sweet. And beautiful.”

For fuck’s sake, Bryce, stop it. Stop it.

“Thank you,” I said sheepishly, before taking another sip of the coffee. Black coffee, just as I liked, and, I don’t know how, but with the perfect amount of sugar. “This means a lot.”

He simply nodded, a tint of contemplation in his eyes.

The strength I had to use not to throw my arms around him and kiss him was monumental. I couldn't even explain why but that’s all I could think about. Hold him and kiss him.

Shit.

This couldn’t be simply affection for a friend. No. I may have not been a friend expert, but I very well damn knew you don’t feel inexplicable rushes to hold and kiss your friends. This was something else. This was bigger.

When I realized what this could be, I felt a pang in my stomach. I never saw it coming. But I knew, even though I knew so little about it, that there was nothing I could do to avoid it. It was too late.

Oh boy, this is going to hurt.

It was already hurting.

______

If you've made it this far, thank you sooo much for reading ❤️❤️