#open heart fan fic

[storyofmychoices]

Happy Birthday to my beautiful Bryce Lahela 💖

October 23 is his birthday in my AU so I'm happy to finally have been able to post something. It's not much but it's all I had time for!

A/N: The first post references the fic "Will You?"; The book featured in the second post is a customizable book by Wonderbly.

[Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist] 

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Open Heart F/AotW - Apr 7-13, 2024

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

BRYCE LAHELA

It's Delicate...📱| Tobias Carrick x F!MC, Bryce Lahela, Sienna Trinh - @jerzwriter

Shining Through the Shadows ✒️| Bryce Lahela x F!OC - @storyofmychoices

ETHAN RAMSEY

A Chance Encounter 3/3 ✒️| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @cariantha

Eclipsing ✒️Ⓜ️| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @cariantha

The Taco Constant ✒️| Ethan Ramsey, Tobias Carrick - @thosehallowedhalls

When Life Has Other Plans 16/16 ✒️Ⓜ️| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @coffeeheartaddict2

OPEN HEART MC

Casey x Jessica Fanart 🎨Ⓜ️🏳️‍🌈by @rosefuckinggenius (C: @jerzwriter)

It Is Time ✒️| OH F!MC - @snoopdogcone

Six Times (Series) ✒️🏳️‍🌈| OH F!MC x F!OC - @jerzwriter Part 1: Think About It

RAFAEL AVEIRO

Moving In (Series) ✒️| Rafael Aveiro x MC, Sienna Trinh - @rafasgirl23415 Chapter 31: Sienna's Weekend in Paris Chapter 32: Mama's Big Night Out

SIENNA TRINH

It's Delicate...📱| Tobias Carrick x F!MC, Bryce Lahela, Sienna Trinh - @jerzwriter

Moving In (Series) ✒️| Rafael Aveiro x MC, Sienna Trinh - @rafasgirl23415 Chapter 31: Sienna's Weekend in Paris

TOBIAS CARRICK

It's Delicate...📱| Tobias Carrick x F!MC, Bryce Lahela, Sienna Trinh - @jerzwriter

The Taco Constant ✒️| Ethan Ramsey, Tobias Carrick - @thosehallowedhalls

MAIN CFWC F/AotW LIST

[coffeeheartaddict2]

Everybody hurts Sometimes (10/18)

Fall from Grace

Book: Open Heart (AU)

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x f!MC Casey Valentine

Category: Angst

Rating: Mature

Warnings: Language, mentions of sexual activity, workplace bullying

****trigger warning- this series deals with issues of abandonment and addiction****

Word count:2971

Summary: Casey returns to work part time. June’s scheming and harassment of Casey is found out and punished.

Disclaimer: characters belong to Pixelberry

Authors note: For those who have been baying for June’s blood this is your chapter.

💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋💋

It was the first day back for Casey. She was a tumult of emotion. She was excited to be back at work, nervous about being back especially on the seventh floor but the main thing that Casey was most nervous about was being open about their relationship. It had already been HR approved, Naveen approved and her and Ethan had agreed to go public but she still could not help but feel nervous. The biggest source of nerves was coming in the form of what June Hirata would do.

It started off as a normal day, morning announcements, rounds, then a team meeting. Casey had gone better than she thought she would mentally, she did wonder if having no patients on the seventh floor was the main reason but it did not shake a sense of foreboding. The team had a few cases they were working on when Casey had returned so Ethan and Casey decided to wait until they had cleared the cases until they disclosed to the rest of the team but every time she saw June she felt that she was under more scrutiny than before.

Casey survived the few days she was working. She went to Ethan’s at the completion of the shift.

“You have seemed troubled the last few days Casey” said Ethan as he handed her a glass of scotch. “Is everything ok?”

Casey took a sip before she spoke.

“Work has been fine, in fact I think I have gone better than what I thought I would but June has me feeling, well, uneasy.”

“What about June, if you want to put off telling the team…”

“No Ethan, let’s not, the longer we wait the more intelligence she can warp to her own agenda. She just seems to be scrutinizing me more than normal this week, it is just disconcerting.”

He kisses the side of Casey’s head, “is this why you have not stayed with me the last few nights?”

Casey kissed him, deeply, “I could never tire of staying with you but I also wanted to be with my friends and yeah a small part of me was not wanting to give June any reason to suspect anything.”

She kisses him again.

“Well I am glad you are here�� he whispers before kissing down the column of her neck. They go multiple rounds and Casey falls into a deep sleep. Ethan felt bad for missing June appearing to being more attentive to Casey but he hoped that there was not too much she could do.

The second week of back to work begins, the team have cleared their cases. At the beginning of the meeting Ethan stated

“Myself and Casey are in a serious relationship. When Casey had her return to work meeting we disclosed it to HR. I have been approved by HR and Naveen to still oversee Casey’s work.”

Baz congratulated them both and June remained silent. They discussed some new cases and went on with their day.

June was shell shocked. At least she knew what the deal was with them now but him being her supervisor, well that was really pissing her off. It was HR policy that if there is a relationship with a subordinate there had to be alternate reporting in place. She wondered if Naveen was too biased to make such calls. Ethan was well entruly under his wing when she started at Edenbrook and she was shocked when there was no punishment for Ethan secretly treating Naveen which also irked her. She knew this would put a dint in her leadership ambitions but if she could make Ethan’s calls look bad by making Casey look bad….

Her mind was ticking. He may have ended their arrangement but she messaged Tobias.

“You will never guess, the relationship is legitimate but that is not all. She still gets to report to Ethan? Naveen must be too biased.”

Tobias received the message, intended to delete it but then he read it. She did not say anything of what she may get upto but he knew June and she had to be upto something. Instead of replying, he screenshot the message and sent it to Ethan.

“She does not say what she is upto but she seems pissed at this arrangement. I meant what I said the other week, you deserve all the happiness.”

Ethan was surprised to see a message from Tobias but was not surprised at what Tobias had surmised about June. He thanked him for the heads up.

Meanwhile, in an on call room near HR, June met with Kelly, an assistant in HR whom, like June was appalled that such a reporting arrangement existed. June was showing her appreciation for the file when Kelly asked if there was anything she could do. June doubled down in her appreciation and when Kelly recovered June stated, “I will let you know. Thank you for getting me this file.”

“My pleasure” said Kelly.

June left the room and had thoughts. There was still the photo she had but she still felt she needed more.

A week later, the team was seconded to Dagger Mountain. They were there for a patient whom the local doctor felt he could not help. All the physical signs appeared to be altitude sickness but they were not at an overly high altitude. They all decided to keep an eye on Paula in shifts. Ethan went first. Casey and Baz made s’mores while June watched her at the bar. Ethan then came down and approached Casey. It was also Baz’s turn to watch over Paula. Ethan and Casey made their way to Ethan’s room. Whilst walking Ethan vented more frustration about his dad and how he would not contact his mother. Casey asked him why his dad’s opinion about what he is not doing is bugging him. Ethan pauses. He knows confronting his past will enable him to move on and let go of the anger towards Louise but at the same time he does not want to find out she left because of him. He already spent much of his life feeling unworthy and afraid of love, not because of the highs but the painful lows and he knows that he could not bear it if she left because of him. He states that he feels disrespected and misunderstood. Casey smiled and nodded. She felt that Ethan was holding back but she left it there, after all if Ethan wanted to tell her more he would in his own time.

They enter the suite. He places his hands around her waist and starts kissing her neck.

“Alone at last” he whispers into her ear before continuing to kiss her.

Casey can already feel a familiar sensation pooling at her centre.

“It is so pretty, despite the storm.”

“Stay with me Casey”

“Afraid of storms?”

“No, I want to be with the woman I love.”

“I have a few hours to my shift, what do you want to do to me?”

He walks her over to the bed, taking her dress off in the process. He turns her around and places both hands above her head against the post. He kisses her hungrily.

“I want to make love to you and worship you as you should.”

Casey’s breath hitches and he kissed her again. He kisses down her body, the sensations causing Casey to moan. He finally works his way to her core and wastes no time. The first contact elicits a moan mixed with a scream. He keeps one hand on her waist and the other massaging her breast. Casey is so sexually stimulated that she can not form words. The onslaught with his tongue becomes relentless and Casey gets light headed and starts to clench. She mewls in protest when the hand massaging her breast stops but when he inserts two fingers all she can do is mutter fuck under her breath before moaning. His tongue moves to her swollen clit. Casey starts to clench hard. Ethan tells her to come and she does, screaming. She goes limp and Ethan catches her. He lays her on the bed to let her recover. He makes love to her twice before she has a nap before her shift with Paula.

Unbeknownst to them June had slipped into the room next door and had recorded what was happening. June’s mind went to replicating the recordings and playing them and making false complaints. She smiled and messaged Kelly and told her the plan.

The next day came and they were back at Edenbrook . The altitude sickness symptoms seem to have disappeared. They run tests. Casey makes some extra observations about how attentive her son is. Casey checks in on her patients while she is waiting for the test results.

Meanwhile June meets up with Kelly. She listens to June’s recording. She states that it is doable. They make plans to meet up to replicate some of what they heard. Kelly also states she could also circulate some rumours also which would play into the plan for June to get the team. June smiles and makes plans get the plan into action.

The test results for Paula come back and Casey notices Lithium in the blood work. She spoke to Timothy. He told her how her moods were quite varied and unpredictable but his mum would not see a doctor about it. A friend of his at school, who suffers bi-polar cut his medicine and Timothy hid it in the food or in her tea. Casey explained how the lithium interacted with the ibuprofen. They then went to Paula to explain to her what was happening. Paula was relieved to know what was happening and Casey gave her information for mental health support services and a referral for a doctor.

Casey finished up and finishes her rounds for the day and heads back to the office. June and Baz are there and Casey fills them in. Casey was exhausted and June noticed that she looked tired. Casey stated that she was fine and left. Later that night June and Kelly did the recordings for their plan. June had not been so satiated sexually in a long time, that coupled with her plan to bring down Ethan and Casey, well she was euphoric.

The plan was a simple one, pre-recorded sex noises to be played on wireless speakers in random on call rooms where people whom were skeptical of Casey’s abilities would frequent. June would also monitor any downturns in Casey’s patients or when there appeared to be an intern doing her work more than normal and generate fake complaints from that. June also decided to use the photo that she took and anonymously send it to HR as a complaint.

Over the coming weeks Casey started to receive a few odd looks from various staff members. She found it odd but she was feeling good and was about to enter talks into coming back full time so she hoped that it was it. With all the odd looks there was gossip, and none of it was flattering towards Casey and also Dr Ramsey. Nurses were jealous that Casey was getting plenty of sex from Dr Ramsey, other attendings were jealous at the quantity and the quality. Complaints were slowly making their way to HR and June was ecstatic. What she had not counted on though was the gossip making its way to the gossip king of Edenbrook, Naveen. He was shocked at what he was hearing. He knew that they had been together for awhile and only disclosed recently but he knew Ethan would not partake as regularly as gossip was stating on hospital grounds, not because he valued his privacy but because he had his boundaries and so did Casey. He contacted Anita in HR. She told him about the complaints she had received. She had looked into them but could not find any evidence to back up any of the claims. He looked at the times and days and who the complaints were coming from. He also saw the photo of the kiss. He found the allegations with that complaint rather dubious also. Naveen was able to work out the next complaint was due and roughly where. He made his way to the fourth floor. He spotted Dr Rochford and heard the noises coming from the on call room. Naveen knocked loudly. There was no sign of any noises of covering up coming from within. He was surprised to find the door was unlocked but called out anyway. The room was empty except for a phone and some speakers. Naveen was appalled that someone would do this. He paged Anita down. Kelly saw Anita leave, she messaged June as she followed. She made her way to the fourth floor and spotted Naveen and Anita looking at the speakers and phone. Kelly messaged June stating the plan is up.

June was with patients so she missed the messages. It was not until she got a page to go to Naveen’s office that she began to think something may have been up.

She made her way to the admin floor and Kelly was outside. June was surprised to see her. Kelly tells her that Naveen and Anita found the set up on the fourth floor. June sat down. We are screwed aren’t we.

“I think so.”

Naveen’s assistant states that she can go in. They enter, Naveen looks pissed, Casey and Ethan are there, Ethan has his poker face on but CSey is upset.

Naveen launched straight in, telling how he had heard some unfavorable gossip. How he then went to Anita and saw the complaints and how there was very little to substantiate them. He then looked at the times and the locations and went to the fourth floor and that is where he found the phone and speaker. He went to to the other locations in the complaints and found similar set ups.

“What does this have to do with me, Naveen?” Interjected June.

“Funny you should ask me. I went to security to see if we could find anything suspicious. Not long before all the complaints, either yourself or Ms Anderson here were recorded entering and leaving the on call room and on several occasions, both of you were seen entering and at a much later time were seen leaving, somewhat very satisfied and disheveled I might add.”

“That does not prove anything Naveen, you know that.”

“Oh so the disdain you have shown Casey since she started on the team, the scheming to find out the deal with them, involving Dr Carrick in your scheme…shall I…

“How the fuck did you know Tobias is involved?” Exclaimed June.

At this point Ethan spoke. Right so you did not message Tobias after myself and Casey disclosed to the team that the relationship is legitimate and accuse Naveen of being too biased?” Ethan showed June with the message from Tobias. She could not form words.

“Ethan and Casey have told me that you have been questioning the legitimacy of any calls that have been made in regards to Ethan and Casey. What you have been doing June is a form of harassment. All calls I made, from instilling Casey onto the team, to giving my overall approval into keeping Ethan as Casey’s supervisor were my own decisions. Before Ethan’s sabbatical I even offered to oversee Casey’s work so they could continue in a relationship without ending it to avoid you overseeing Casey.”

“Why was I not asked to oversee Casey initially!” Asked June.

“June, you know how rabid the I slept my way into the team camp was when Ethan went on sabbatical. I also knew you were in that camp June, how would I know that you were going to be impartial?”

“And Ethan is?”

“Yes,” said Ethan, “Despite our secret relationship and treating Naveen, I was able to keep it out of the results for the competition. You know the solves Casey has done, and how many of them had minimal help from me. So I ask you, how have I been biased?”

June was stunned into silence.

“I am angry June, despite you stalking your way onto the team you did do well but this persistent campaign against Ethan and Casey, it is harassment and dare I say bordering on sexual given the nature of the recordings you used. I know you are ambitious but this has been grossly unprofessional.” Stated Naveen “There is no room for such conduct in this hospital. You, Dr Hirata,effective immediately are terminated from your employment.”

“And before you can ask where are my warnings,” said Anita, “there is written into policy exemptions and what yourself and Ms Anderson have been doing is an exemption. Both of you are terminated. We will be in touch to sort out paperwork.”

June is shocked.

“Get out of my office and Hospital please.”

June leaves and Casey finally let’s go of a breath she had been holding.

“Thank you Naveen for not believing the worse,” said Ethan. “It means more to me, and I presume Casey that you have our backs.”

“Of course Ethan, now you two get back to work.”

“With pleasure," says Casey.

Not long after June was contacting Kenmore to see if she could work there but she was told that there was no position for her. She was annoyed and went home to figure out her employment.

That night, Casey was at Ethan’s. Casey was relieved that June was gone, she was appalled too at the lengths she was willing to go too. They enjoyed just being, because neither knew how soon it would be before Ethan was confronted by his past and neither know how that was going to impact not only him but them.

————

Authors note: the pain and the gist of the request that this series is born from will be from the next chapter onwards. I wanted to set up a different universe where things were appearing great between them and how the lack of closure can catch up.

Tagging: @jerzwriter @genevievemd @jamespotterthefirst @cariantha @potionsprefect @liaromancewriter @alj4890 @youlookappropriate @a-crepusculo @crazy-loca-blog @bex-la-get @peonierose @trappedinfanfiction @tessa-liam @ofmischiefandmedicine @schnitzelbutterfingers @binny1985 @lucy-268

@openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

[starlooove]

“Ekkos the most psychologically mature character in the show” yes but also imagine how you’d treat a black character behaving the way jinx does

[alj4890]

OK, OK, OK... your assignment, if you choose to accept it:

An alternate version where Ethan bursts into the photo booth between pics 3 and 4.

I want this, but I'm shivering in fear that it will impede my beloved T/C. Of course, the original is canon in my mind; this would be sliding doors... and I still hope T/C end up together! lol)

GIRL, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME TODAY!!!! lol

*rolls up my sleeves and digs deep into my angsty bag of tricks all while cackling*

Alright @jerzwriter , I wasn't sure where this one would go when I started it, but here's where we ended up. I think this is how it would have gone down with Ethan bursting in. Some things are inevitable after all.

Original Version of Processing and Developing

Song Inspiration for this (since I'm a sucker for a good angst driven song): Without You by Henry Nilsson

Masterlist

Processing and Developing: Interrupted

Ines and Angie's Wedding reception...

They didn't take any props.

Ethan eyed the photo booth that Tobias had pulled a more than willing Chris into.

There were only a couple of reasons two people went into a photo booth together, and the one he suspected had him walking over to either prove or disprove his theory.

The first picture showed Tobias and Chris laughing.

That's not too alarming, Ethan thought. After all, they are the only two people I know who manage to always find humor in the most mundane things in life.

The second one revealed the pair actually posing for an average, smile filled picture.

Normal reaction to a camera flashing, Ethan thought with relief.

The third one revealed the couple looking at one another.

Wait. Tobias is looking at her like he might be falling for her. And Chris...she...are they going to...

The curtain being jerked back caused Tobias and Chris to jump apart. Ethan stood a touch breathless in the opening. He didn't know why he reacted like this. He only knew some previous, unknown fear was about to manifest itself.

His eyes darted back and forth between the two.

Were they about to kiss?

"Ethan?" Tobias asked. "Is something wrong?"

"I changed my mind." He declared after a few seconds of mad scramble for a reason for bursting in on them. "Let's, um, let's get that team photo you wanted."

"Hold on!" Chris reached out to stop him before he could go find Harper. "You're really willing to do a goofy picture?"

"We can do both." Ethan decided. "One for you two and one that Harper and I wouldn't mind hanging in the office."

Tobias chuckled over that compromise.

"Are you saying the goofy one won't be part of our officer's decor?"

Ethan rolled his eyes. "I have no doubt that someone," he glanced at Chris, "or some people, will find a way to have it hanging in a different spot each day."

"And multiple copies of said picture in case someone throws it away each day." Tobias added.

Chris snorted on her laughter. She had no doubt that Tobias would come up with new and ingenious ways to keep the picture they originally wanted in place.

Her partner in crime smiled at her while waving Ethan out of the booth.

"Go grab Harper. Chris and I will make sure to keep the booth occupied."

Ethan's jaw spasmed at the mere thought of leaving them alone. After what almost occurred, he didn't trust Tobias to make another move on Chris. With the way she was looking at Tobias in that picture, Ethan doubted she'd offer any resistance.

She might even encourage him.

"Why don't you go through the box of props while I find Harper?" He countered, doing his best to avoid his real reason for getting them out of the perfect spot to share an illicit kiss. "I'll let you choose what we're to wear."

Tobias's jaw dropped. He could hardly believe Ethan would give him that much power after all he'd done to him during their college years.

Still, who was he to argue with this unexpected gift?

"Sounds like a plan." Tobias rose off the bench.

He held his hand out to Chris.

"Ready to make this the best picture ever, Valentine?"

Her delighted smile made Ethan feel both relieved and slightly guilty. He tried not to notice that not only did she readily take Tobias's hand, but also kept it there as they exited the booth. He also noticed that it took all of his own willpower to walk away from them to find Harper.

He glanced back at the pair a couple of times as he made his way through the wedding guests. They were eagerly going through the various wigs, clown noses, and oversized glasses. Their laughter drifted over the music and buzz of conversations.

"I see you decided to join me." Harper said once he reached her side. "Want me to order you a drink?"

"No." His eyes remained on the pair. "I actually came to--"

Damn it.

He shouldn't have left them alone.

Chris was trying on a curly green wig. She placed a hand on her hip, sticking it out to one side while placing her other hand behind her head. Playfully fluttering her eyelashes, she said something that Ethan didn't doubt was flirtatious. If he was to go by Tobias moving closer to study her, he knew what she said was working.

Tobias's teasing smirk softened as he leaned down to look directly into her eyes.

Even from where Ethan was, he could see the blush cover her face and neck.

Chris blinked and asked what he was looking at.

Ethan knew what it was. Those gray-green eyes of hers could cause anyone to pause. He'd found himself momentarily tongue-tied a time or two, especially if she wore something green. That color set her eyes off to perfection.

Though it was a cheap, bright green wig, he knew it must have done the trick in capturing Tobias's attention.

"We're going to take a picture." Ethan muttered when Harper tugged on his sleeve to get his attention.

"We are?" She asked in utter disbelief. "But I thought--"

Ethan grasped her arm and pulled her away from the bar.

Wide eyed, Harper was struck speechless over his unusual behavior.

As they approached, they heard the last bit of Tobias's compliment to Chris.

"...not only mesmerizing, but absolutely gorgeous."

Ethan silently cursed. He was forced to watch as the praise of those incredible eyes made Chris shy. A hint of a smile played about her lips as she averted those very eyes from Tobias.

"I um, thank y--"

"Are we doing this or what?" Ethan demanded.

All three stared at him in surprise. His harsh tone was difficult to ignore.

"Are you sure you want to?" Chris asked.

Ethan looked at her. Grimacing over being unable to hide his irritation over seeing her flirt with another man, which was ridiculous since he'd been the one to keep her in the colleague/friend zone, he gave a curt nod. He didn't trust himself to actually answer her and reveal how much he wanted her.

Harper glanced back and forth between him and Chris. Her brow furrowed the longer she studied Ethan. She couldn't recall seeing him so agitated over taking a simple picture.

Chris mentally groaned. She didn't know why Ethan was being more moody than usual. She was tired of never knowing what would set him off. In the past, when she tried to get closer to him, he became irritated. When she stayed away, he became sullen. She wished she knew the appropriate relationship to have with him so she could stop walking on eggshells every single time he was around.

Reaching up, she tugged the wig off her head and did her best to smooth her hair down.

"We'll just take a professional picture." Chris decided. "We won't make you and Harper miserable."

Harper opened her mouth to argue that she didn't mind getting a little silly.

Ethan spoke up before she did.

"Let's get this over with."

Tobias snorted. "No need to sound too excited, Ethan."

Ethan glared at him. He knew he sounded like an ass right now. He didn't need any snarky remarks pointing that fact out. What he wanted, he couldn't have. Wasn't he allowed to be human and regret what he'd done?

With a clenched jaw, Ethan walked into the photo booth and sat down on the bench.

He then noticed the new problem the four of them would have.

There wasn't enough room for everyone to sit down.

"Hmm?" Harper squeezed in beside him while eyeing the lack of space. "I don't think we'll fit.

Chris stepped in next followed closely by Tobias.

"Uh oh." Chris mumbled as she glanced back at Tobias. "Now what's the plan?"

Tobias grinned as he sat down, almost squishing Harper between himself and Ethan. He reached up and pulled Chris into his lap.

"There." He brushed her hair back off her right shoulder and placed his chin upon it. He reached over to hit the start button. "Everyone, smile!"

Ethan couldn't do it. His blood boiled to see Chris sitting in another man's lap. He could do nothing but stare straight ahead.

No, he thought to himself. That isn't it.

It wasn't the fact she was in some random guy's lap. It was the fact that she was being practically cuddled by a man that Ethan felt could steal her away.

For good.

What is my end game here? I've been saying I couldn't be with her because of her career. She's soon going to take the boards and be done with her residency. Was I subconsciously planning to try and finally be with her?

Do I have a right to do that to Chris? Expect her to forget three years of rejection? Fall into my arms? Want me after all that?

Ethan's frown deepened as the camera flashed a third time. He couldn't think of anything he'd done to deserve her forgiveness for constantly telling her they couldn't be together after occasionally succumbing to temptation.

Chris glanced over at Ethan and noticed that he wasn't smiling. She reached past Harper before the final flash to poke his stubbled jaw.

He looked up at her.

Her smile, a ghost of the one she'd given him that long ago night in Miami appeared.

"Show off those famous Ramsey dimples." She ordered.

Unable to stop the smile creeping up at having her attention along with a reminder of how she'd once said his dimples could make a girl melt, he turned back to face the camera.

"One of those is bound to be good." Harper said once it was over. "I already have the perfect frame in mind we can use for it."

Chris eased out of Tobias's arms to see how their pictures turned out. The others followed her, each peering over her shoulders to see which one they looked the best in.

"It took five tries," Tobias teased, "but our fearless leader was finally able to remember how to pose in front of a camera."

Ethan rolled his eyes as he studied the images. He ignored himself and Harper to see how Tobias and Chris looked.

One picture had Tobias turned towards Chris. His lips were pressed to her cheek.

Ethan felt his heart sink to see that Chris had her eyes closed in that particular photo as if relishing the feel of his lips upon her skin.

"That last one is definitely the best." Chris declared, beaming at all of them.

She tore off the fifth one and handed it to Harper to frame once they returned to Boston.

Tobias reached over and plucked the remaining photos out of Chris's grasp.

Winking at her, he tore off the second picture and placed it in the inside pocket of his jacket.

"How about a dance?" He asked, taking Chris's hand once more.

"Love to." She waved goodbye to Ethan and Harper as they walked out towards the dance floor.

"I had no idea they were together." Harper said once they were out of earshot. "Did you?"

Ethan attempted to swallow the bitter lump forming in his throat.

"No. I didn't."

Harper looked up at him, seeing the pain etched in his handsome features.

"Ethan? Are you in lo--"

Her jaw dropped when he walked out on the dance floor to cut in on the beginning of Tobias and Chris's slow dance.

With a friendly smile, Tobias stepped back and let him take his spot.

Ethan placed one hand at the lower part of Chris's back while taking her hand in his other. On the beat, he guided her in a slow box step.

Chris's smile began to dim as she noticed how serious he looked.

"Ethan, what's--"

"Don't." He pleaded. "Please, don't say a word."

He pressed her closer to him, fingers tightening around hers.

"Just let me have this moment." He whispered in her ear. "And then I'll let you go back to Tobias."

Chris's steps faltered for a moment. As if knowing how much it would hurt Ethan if she stopped dancing to question the current mood he was in, she got back into rhythm with him. Lacing her fingers with his, she gently squeezed his hand while resting her cheek against his.

She knows, he thought, that this is the end.

Ethan closed his eyes. He knew if he'd only given in to what they'd once both wanted, this dance would simply be one of many they would have shared. There would have been stolen kisses as their bodies brushed against one another's. He knew Chris, being her affectionate self, would have insisted on remaining in his arms the rest of the night.

And he knew he'd never have let her go.

As the last chords played, their steps stilled.

Ethan swallowed before forcing himself to lift his head away from hers.

Their eyes met. As much as he hoped to see that old flicker of desire in those green depths, he felt a little relieved that there was nothing but a somewhat sad understanding reflected in them. He was for once not the one to push her away from what could be.

She somehow managed to smile at him as she stepped out of his arms.

The small space between seemed to widen with what he knew was inevitable.

"Thank you for the dance." She said softly.

"I should be thanking you." He replied, longing to pull her back for another.

Before he could say anything else, she turned around to search the crowd.

He felt his heart sink into what would be its now permanent state when Tobias appeared to ask her if she'd like to take a walk with him down on the beach.

Chris nodded, her smile once again returning to its former joy, and took his offered hand.

Without looking back, the pair disappeared into the night.

A little while later, Harper joined Ethan at the bar.

Noticing the grim set of his lips, she wondered what would help him in this moment.

"Ethan?"

"Hmm?"

Harper placed her hand over his. "Why didn't you tell Chris?"

Not meeting her concerned gaze, he merely shrugged.

"It's too late for anything like that."

Harper shook her head. "It's never too late."

"This time, you're wrong." He replied. "Whatever Chris once felt for me is nothing compared to what she now feels for Tobias."

She grimaced. "From what he was saying earlier, he has fallen for her pretty hard."

Ethan's eyes widened. "Tobias actually talked to you about it?"

"I asked him about their relationship. He was more than willing to talk about what she means to him. Tobias told me that the more time he spent working with Chris, the more he realized she was the only one for him."

Ethan closed his eyes against that information. Taking a deep breath, he finished off his glass of scotch and got to his feet.

"Then it's just like I said." He turned to leave. "It's too late to tell Chris how I feel."

With that, he made his way back to the hotel.

[zealouscanonindeer]

Together.

Synopsis: The aftermath of the attack comes with a waterfall of feelings.But is it enough to stop pretending?

Ethan's POV

Category: Angsty fluff. I can never resist a happy ending

Sunlight peeked through the blinds at the blissful couple nestled in sleeps abode. I was the first to stir, stretching as consciousness returned, slowly opening one eye, then another before opening both to stare at the back of the woman who occupied every inch of my soul.

Her body moved rhythmically, even breaths for which I was grateful, ever since the attack seeing her felt like mercy on my heart. I would have died inside had she not made it. I loved her, with every fiber of my being, I did. And I would show her just how much I did, every single moment that we spent together.

I smiled, closing my eyes and sleep lulled me back into its abode.

**********

"Ethan? Hey. " A gentle nudge against my shoulder followed by a kiss on my forehead roused me. I pulled her hand in mine.

"Penny."

"Wake up, sleepyhead. It's almost noon. "

" Perfect time to come back to bed. " I turned to my side, pulling her hand with me, her body following.

"Who are you and what have you done to my Ethan? "

"It's you Rookie, what are you doing to me? "

She giggled, sitting by my side, bending over me. Suddenly water slapped against my face, making me jerk back, my eyes flying open.

"Oh, sorry. "

Aspen moved her wet hair back over her right shoulder. I looked up to see her smile sheepishly at me, leaning down to peck my lips lightly. I held her against me, her bathrobe soft against my skin, not allowing the kiss to end. Her lips moved in a perfectly synchronized manner, tasting of honey. Needing air, we broke away.

I laid back, staring at her as she brushed my hair back, her fingers running through them, instantly relaxing me.

"Why are you looking at me like that? "

"Like what? "

"With that wierd look in your eyes. " I couldn't in that moment fathom how I had ended up finding her, how I would treasure her forever.

"I was just thinking"

"About? "

I wasn't gonna tell her just yet but she meant everything to me, how I would never hurt her again. I flipped us over so that she was under me. I hovered over her, kissing her once more.

She smirked at me.

"As much as I would like to, you have a shift. At a hospital you work at, as a doctor. " She teased.

**********

Reluctantly, I picked up my belongings and car keys, giving Penny a lingering kiss, hugging her tightly.

"Someone's all lovey dovey today. " She pecked my clothed shoulder. Ignoring her astute observation, I quickly steered the conversation in a different direction

"When are you coming in again? "

"At around 7. I have a night shift today."

Noticing my slightly deflated look, she chuckled. I bade her goodbye, walking out to another day at Edenbrook.

The day continued like always, annoying interns, diagnostic cases and a couple of hours at the clinic. It was time for my shift to end, packing up my stuff I headed out, popping into the resident quaters to greet Aspen where I was informed she wasn't in yet.

I called her but she didn't answer, which was usual, and utterly annoying. I walked out to get into my car, winding through Boston traffic when the car bluetooth pinged with Penny's name.

"Hey. Where..." Her hoarse gasp shut me up.

"Ethan. Where are you? " Her laboured breath hitched as she gasped into the receiver.

My heart clenched with fear, breaking into a cold sweat I calmed my rising anxiety.

"Darling? What's wrong? "

"I need you to come quick. "

"Hold on, I'm almost there. Just hold on. " I prayed and begged her.

********

"Rookie "

"ROOKIE" Jenner barked frantically, running towards me.

"Here." A whisper called out to me from the kitchen floor.

I knelt down by Aspen's weak form, helping her into a sitting position, supporting her weight. She had a pretty bad bruise on the side of her shoulder, already turning black and blue. Jenner stood by my side, worried at the scene before him. She looked up at me and smiled weakly, trying to put on a brave face so I wouldn't worry.

" Don't worry, I just felt dizzy and blacked out. I hit the counter on my fall." She moved her arm, wincing.

"It's probably due to the anemia. You'd warned me it was a common after effect of the toxins I was exposed to. "

" You're right. I'll drive you to the hospital and get you set up. " She nodded as I picked her up.

*********

I pulled the car into the parking space, getting my seatbelt off and ready to open the door when she stopped me.

"Wait! "

"What? " I scanned her, noticing the alarmed look in her eyes.

"You can't take me inside and somebody might see me get off from your car. Drop me at the back entrance and then go home. Your shift's done, it will be suspicious if you return five minutes after I'm here. "

"Have you lost it! I'm going nowhere. "

"But, Ethan everyone will know.. about Us. " My insides fluttered at her words.. Or one word in particular. Us. I didn't care anymore.

"Then let them. " I looked at her earnestly. The way her eyes lit up at my decision had me wishing I had done it long ago.

"Let's go in, together. " I offered.

"Okay." She pushed the seatbelt off as I opened the door for her and helped her out. I steadied her, walking her in through the hospital doors.

**********

"Dr Ramsey! Um.. You're gonna..? " Marlene startled seeing me walk into Penny's room.

"Yes Marlene, I'm gonna sit by my sick girlfriend for the entire night. "

"Of course. " Marlene smiled a genuinely happy smile, leaving as she completed her last call, ready to hand over the floor to the next nurse on duty and head home.

The hospital was in quite a stir now. Hushed whispers and shocked indiscreet looks, everyone trying their best to hide their surprise and failing. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose, we weren't exactly parading being together, we just weren't hiding it anymore. I was tired of it.

Knowing how precious time was, knowing how much of it was already gone, not knowing how much was left, a chill ran down my spine just thinking about having regrets. This... Us it wasn't something to be kept like dirty secret. I wanted people to know I loved this woman and she deserved nothing less than that.

I sat lost in my thoughts when a small voice called out to me.

"Ethan."

"Rookie, hey, what's wrong? "

"Nothing.Could you just get the bed into a sitting position. " I turned the lever, pushing her slightly up.

"Thank you. For tonight. "

"What do you mean? "

Her eyes turned warm and glazed, she had beautiful eyes, the chocolate orbs stared at me with so much understanding, I couldn't help but fall in love all over again. Man, I had it bad.

"For showing how much this means to you. Us"

I simply kissed her forehead, words leaving me. I was done living safe. This was definitely a risk but when it came to her...She was worth every risk in the world.

**********

@liaromancewriter @potionsprefect @jerzwriter @cariantha @peonierose @rookiemartin @kyra75 @queencarb @genevievemd @tessa-liam @coffeeheartaddict2 @openheartfanfics @choicesficwriterscreations

[seventh-district]

was about to lowkey pat myself on the back for having the most liked playlist for Big Red (YuuriVoice) on Spotify but. after further searching i believe it may be the only Big Red (YuuriVoice) playlist on Spotify 😭

[jerzwriter]

A Swift Reaction

OK, so enjoy this little crack text fic that is helping me and the lunatics in my home cope with the Taylor/Joe news. 😂😂 Hey, I say OWN your crazy. And here is mine.... 😭

Book: Open Heart (post-series) Pairing: Tobias x Casey Summary: Casey reacts to the news.... A/N: This is happening in live time, and in my HC, Casey is VERY pregnant right now, at home on maternity leave. Tobias is at work when she gets the news. Luckily he has Ethan there to support him. In the great minds think alike category - @genevievemd I am STILL DYING! lmao 😂😂😂 Thank you for promising to NOT start a hate blog! lol

Forty-Five Minutes Later...

[orcelito]

The longer I spend in trigun fandom the more sure I am that it makes me happier than p5 fandom. Like I vaguely thought about making a discord for fans of my p5 fic but did away with the thought bc I did NOT want to deal with all the bullshit of interacting with the fandom so directly

But I've had a trigun server for 2 months now and I like it a lot actually. It's so nice! I love my server a lot!

And genuinely, trigun fandom is not without its faults. I get skeeved out so much by That entire part of the fandom, but I've generally made it manageable by blocking anyone who makes me see that shit in the tags :p. Within my pairing of choice, it's almost peaceful! Still not without fault, but most of the worst shit I generally see is bad mischaracterization. It's nothing like the worst shit I've seen with akeshu fandom.

So like. Vashwood vs akeshu. I love both pairings very much. But holy fucking SHIT vashwood fandom is so much more tolerable than akeshu fandom. Oh my Fucking god. Yeah there's some very good reason aside from general hyperfocus stuff as to why I've been playing around with trigun so much more than p5 lol

[shivunin]

I'm curious - what is Maria's relationship like with her family members? Out of the Kirkwall crew who is she closest with? Other than Fenris ofc 😊

Oooh thanks for asking! c: I am going to answer them in reverse order because the family section got long.

I think Maria spends the most down time with Isabela and Merrill. Of course they're the perfect duo in and of themselves, but I also think they best balance the traits she struggles with. When Maria gets too inside her own head/serious, Isabela pulls her back to the present. When she starts to feel like everything is hopeless, Merrill reminds her that there is wonder and beauty in the world, even if you've seen it a hundred times before (also Merrill is, like, really really smart and I like to think they spend a lot of time talking about the differences in magic technique between the Dalish and how Hawke does things, which is also not the way the Circle does things).

But beyond that, she really loves each of her friends in their own way---she and Varric will tell stories over each other, and he helps her take a step back and see things from another perspective. I don't know if she would have made it after Leandra died without Sebastian (who would understand better than him?), and Aveline refuses to be taken care of by Maria, which is something she needs. Their weird Thing aside, I think she likes debating with Anders (when he will still debate with her) and she deeply admires his compassion.

(And Fenris, of course, who she really tries---she does!---to stop seeing as anything but a friend, over and over, and she can never quite manage it. She loves his wry sense of humor and how blunt he can be, even before she loves him)

Once Carver is able to be on his own and develop his own personality/strengths/weaknesses, they get along well! The handful of times he visits after joining the Wardens are full of more good-natured ribbing than hidden barbs and they write to each other as often as they can. When she lets go of the idea that she has to take care of him, they can finally develop a friendlier relationship.

With Leandra---she makes a lot of little comments that seem to blame Hawke for Lothering/losing Bethany/their current status, and I think Maria just accepts them as the truth. It doesn't even occur to her to question this until well after Leandra dies. Of course she could have saved everyone if she was faster/stronger/paying better attention---personal failure is easier to accept than the fact that the world is just cruel sometimes. I like to imagine that they would have figured things out eventually (because they did love each other, so so much) but they never really got the chance.

Likewise, Maria blames Gamlen for all the family ills when they live together and comes to appreciate him more after she moves out. Once she realizes he isn't actually being malicious when he's being an ass, she's free to be snarky back and they're quite comfortable with that. They see each other at least once a month after Leandra dies, and they spend the whole time arguing, hug, and promise to do it again next month.

(I don't know if this is within the scope of the question, but she also eventually has four kids---though I've only spent time thinking about the eldest, Leander---and of course she loves them wholly)

[storyofmychoices]

A Date to Remember

[Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley Masterlist] 

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x Olivia Hadley (F!OC)

Book: Open Heart

Word Count: 360

Rating/Warnings: general, no warnings

Synopsis: Bryce has a very important question for Olivia. (iykyk)

Her focus was on the patient file in her hands. She flipped through the pages, searching for the biopsy results. The breath she had been holding released as her eyes settled on the two words she had been hoping to find: "not cancerous." Her heart fluttered in her chest. There was nothing she loved more than being able to share good news with a patient and their family.

Her steps quickened as she headed to share the good news. Not taking care as she turned the corner, she was met by a strong chest in pink scrubs and a familiar set of arms.

"Someone's in a hurry." 

"Bryce! I didn't see you." Her surprised expression faded, giving away to delight. 

"I noticed." He grinned, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Where are you heading in such a rush?"

"I just got incredible news for a patient." She held the file close to her chest. "I was on my way to share it!"

"Then, I won't stand in your way." He brushed a feathery kiss on her forehead and stood to the side, watching as she flitted down the hall. 

"Oh, Liv, just one quick thing." He leaned against the wall, his arms folded in front of him. 

She turned back to him, her eyes bright as she met his gaze.

"What day is it?" 

Her brow pulled in confusion for a moment, not expecting such a question. She glanced down at her watch, a smirk growing as she read the date, now understanding his insistence on wearing his pink scrubs this morning even though it wasn't Wednesday. She took a step back toward him. "It's October 3rd."

"Ah," he nodded his approval, shifting closer to her. "Indeed it is." 

"You came all the way up to the peds ward for that, didn't you?"

"You know I had to do it," he offered with a light chuckle. 

"Have you been waiting all year for this?" 

"I mean, not the whole year," his voice trailed away.

Her brow rose challengingly as a smile spread across her features. "Bryce!"

"Yes, Liv, the whole year. This year and every year." His words trailed away as she met him with a kiss. 

Just a quick pointless drabble I wrote. It's nothing exciting or special but it's the first thing I've written in a month? Maybe more? so I figured I'd share it. 💖💖💖

[choicesficwriterscreations]

Open Heart - F/AotW - Oct 15-21, 2023

✒️= Fanfic | 📱= Text Fics/Edits | 🎨= Fanart Ⓜ️ = Mature Content 18+ | 🔥 = Explicit/NSFW 18+ 🦄= Bisexuality Awareness Week | 🏳️‍🌈= LGBTQIA 🎃 = Halloween

BRYCE LAHELA

Tour Guide ✒️ | Bryce Lahela x F!MC - @chocopeppermintcake

ETHAN RAMSEY

Fall in New England 📱| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @liaromancewriter

Halloween Kisses ✒️🎃| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @liaromancewriter

Hunger Pains ✒️Ⓜ️🎃| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @cariantha

Monthly Photodump 📱| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @zealouscanonindeer

Unexpected Encounters ✒️🏳️‍🌈🦄| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @choicesfanaf

A Very Scary Halloween ✒️🎃| Ethan Ramsey x F!MC - @jerzwriter

What Could Ever Go Wrong? ✒️| Ethan Ramsey, Tobias Carrick - @coffeeheartaddict2

OPEN HEART MC

Twin Shenanigans: Java Edition 📱| OH F!MC, M!OC - @liaromancewriter

TOBIAS CARRICK

Pumpkin Love ✒️🎃 | Tobias Carrick x F!MC - @jerzwriter

CFWC Main F/AotW List Blades F/AotW List

[kirbyddd]

i want to jump forward in time to when my fic is finished

it's so agonizing having to wait days at a time for an hour my brain actually functions coherently so i can continue

[deceitfuldevil]

Just got on a 19 hour Amtrak train ride to Colorado for the Denver Fan Expo where I’m going to meet Charlie Cox!! I’m very excited… and also very behind on writing and posting (because my work situation still hasn’t gotten better, worse in fact.) so please keep me away from boredom during this trip and fill my inbox!

Sleepover Night!

fuck marry kill

tell me about your crushes!!!!!!!!!!

make me chose between two things

tell me about your day

confess some secrets u.u

recommend stuff to me

ask me weird things

ask me personal things

do you need help with your drama?

truth or dare

ask me for song recs

unpopular opinions

Vent to me

ASK ME ANYTHING PLS!

okay on or off anon it makes no difference pls talk to me!!!!

[alj4890]

Mixed Signals

(Dr. Tobias Carrick x F!MC *Chris Valentine) (Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC*Chris Valentine) (Dr. Bryce Lahela x F!MC*Chris Valentine) in an Open Heart Fan fiction.

Masterlist

Chapter 1

"Wow!" Sienna exclaimed when Chris stepped into the living room. "You look gorgeous!"

Chris grinned as she obediently did a slow twirl for her roommates. The off the shoulder gray dress she had on not only highlighted her gray/green eyes but also hugged her lithe figure like a glove.

"Trying to make the rest of us look bad, Chris?" Aurora teased.

"Nope." Chris sat down next to her. "Just felt like dressing up tonight.

"You look great." Elijah told her.

Jackie snorted. "You look like someone who is going to be doing a walk of shame come five in the morning."

Chris rolled her eyes. "No walk of shame tonight. I've got an early morning at work to worry about."

"What a waste." Jackie pointed out. "That dress is meant for only one thing and hanging out with your coworkers isn't one of them."

Chris shrugged. "Tonight, this dress is meant to celebrate the fact that I'm still here."

"Amen to that." Sienna swooped behind her for another hug. "Let's get this night started!"

It didn't take long for the group of five to make their way over to Donahue's. By the time they arrived, the bar was packed with doctors attempting to destress before heading home for the night.

Chris smiled, exchanging a few words with those who called out to her, as she made her way to the bar. Squeezing between two men, she yelled out her group's drink order.

"Look who finally decided to show their face again!" One of the men next to her exclaimed.

Chris glanced up and found herself genuinely smiling. "Hey Mike!"

"Hey yourself. So you singing with us tonight or what?" He asked. "The crowd goes wild every time you join us for a few songs."

"I don't know." She glanced at the stage over in the far corner to see his band setting up for the night's entertainment.

Chris was known for having an amazing voice. She'd even been offered chances by producers during her college years to record some songs. Her heart though had always belonged to medicine. As much fun as she had performing, nothing gave her more satisfaction than trying to solve the mysteries of the human body.

Mike heard her singing karaoke one night and begged her to join his band. When she told him she couldn't possibly with her work schedule, he then pleaded with her to at least sing a few songs whenever she felt like it. Her roommates demanded she sing their favorite songs and so she usually spent at least one night every week or two performing for the patrons of Donahue's.

Singing had always been cathartic for Chris, especially in dealing with the two doctors who seemed destined to leave her in constant uncertainty. All she needed to help get over them pushing her away again and again were a few heartbreak songs. Then, she was good to go for the next round with them.

"Sienna told us what happened." Mike added. "It's good to see you're back to your old self."

"Thanks Mike."

He leaned closer to her. "Look, you can't tell me no about getting up there. That dress alone will make Reggie give us a bonus for performing tonight."

"She'll be up there." A man said over her shoulder.

Chris whirled towards the familiar voice on her other side only to find Tobias.

"I will, huh?" She asked, fighting back a smile.

"Uh huh. You owe me a chance to find out why this guy is begging you to sing." His eyes drifted down her figure. "I've been dodging Edenbrook staff left and right waiting on you to show up. You owe me one song for that sacrifice alone."

"And here I thought the chance to hang out with me was worth the effort." Chris shook her head in mock sadness.

"That too." He winked at her. "But you can't expect me to hear something like this and not demand a demonstration."

She bit back her laughter. "Okay. One song."

"Four." Mike pleaded.

"Not you too!" She playfully pushed the musician away. "I'm still recovering."

"Three." Tobias countered.

"You literally saw me on my death bed a few weeks ago." She reminded him.

"Yeah, I did. But looking at you now," his lips slowly curved, "I'm starting to doubt you were ever near Death's door."

Chris tried to remain firm but found herself capitulating with the full force of his smile directed at her.

"I'm only doing one song tonight, two if I feel up to it." She bit down on her bottom lip to keep from laughing. "Some of us aren't too sure our lungs are completely healed yet."

"I'd be more than happy to take you somewhere private and do an examination." Tobias offered with an unrepentant grin.

Chris playfully swatted his arm.

"I bet you would."

Mike watched their interactions quietly. With an understanding smile, he told Chris to come find him when she decided which songs she wanted to perform.

"I'll make sure she does." Tobias told him. "No way I'm leaving until I hear her sing."

"You're lucky I'm in such a good mood." Chris said once Mike was gone. "Normally I would have fought against caving under pressure."

He nudged her with his elbow, chuckling as he took a long sip of his drink.

She nudged him back.

It felt good to simply joke around with someone again and not be wondering what it all meant.

The two continued to tease one another as they discussed their day. Chris found herself forgetting about being there for a party as she listened to Tobias discuss a new mysterious case he was working on. He asked for her opinion, then offered his own with a patient she'd been given.

It was eye opening how different he was compared to the diagnostic team she worked with. Though he was just as intelligent as they were, he wasn't above admitting he hadn't thought of something. There was genuine admiration she could detect when he thanked her for a new possibility with his patient.

Granted, Ethan would usually give her a special smile when she came to a conclusion that he, Baz, nor June came to, but this was different. Maybe it was because she didn't feel like she was in a race to hurry and be the first to diagnose a patient.

Once the tray of drinks was set between them, Tobias helped her carry them to the table her friends were sitting. Chris was not really that surprised to see Bryce sitting with them. He usually left his fellow surgeons after a few drinks and remained with her and their friends the rest of the night.

The one that nearly floored her sitting there though was Ethan.

Chris couldn't recall a time when she'd ever seen him join anyone at the bar, much less the group she typically sat with. He'd never been one to purposely socialize.

She noticed Sienna squirming a bit beside him. Her eyes darted back and forth between Ethan, Tobias, and Chris.

Sienna was clearly in a panic over the fact that she practically yanked the doctor down to sit at their table as he walked past. She'd been determined to have everyone who loved Chris there to celebrate. She simply forgot about the possible animosity between him and Tobias.

Chris broke the tension first that seemed to leave everyone unusually silent.

"Here we go." She set the drinks out. "Sorry, Ethan. If I'd known you'd arrived, I would have ordered you something too."

The silence unnerved her as Ethan narrowed his eyes upon her and Tobias. His eyes remained on her a touch longer as if trying to discern what was truly going on between them. Chris could only handle the scrutiny for so long before she tried to escape.

"I'll, uh, I'll go order you something."

She whirled around and plunged back into the crowd, ignoring the multiple voices who told her not to worry about it and the offers of taking care of it for her.

Crap. I don't know why I thought this night would be fun. When has that ever been the case when the men in my life are added to the mix? The sexual tension alone never ends well, at least for me. Should I have invited Tobias out somewhere more neutral where I wouldn't run into Ethan, even if I want to just be friends with him?

Once she reached the bar, she took a deep breath and waited to get the nearest bartender's attention.

Chris nearly jumped out of her skin when she felt a hand touch her back.

"I told you I would get my drink." Ethan grumbled, sitting down beside her. "Besides, why are you paying for everyone's drinks tonight?"

"I'm celebrating life." She mumbled, wondering if he was even aware he still had his hand along the small of her back.

"We're the ones meant to celebrate that." He replied, settling his gaze on her profile.

Chris knew if she turned towards him, meeting those blue eyes of his, and saw any type of warmth in them that she'd weaken her stance on remaining romantically uninvolved with him.

She'd go back to longing for something she knew he'd say was difficult or impossible or whatever new argument he would use to keep her from getting closer to him. With this second chance at life, shouldn't she go for something new instead of something that usually leaves her heartbroken?

She glanced back at the table. Tobias was sitting in Ethan's vacated spot, talking easily to Bryce and her roommates.

At least that's going well, she thought.

"So?" Ethan drew her attention back to him. "Tobias was invited."

"He did save my life." Chris reminded him.

"That he did." He mumbled. "I didn't realize you two had gotten close since then."

"We've become friends." She explained.

"Friends?"

"Yes," Chris turned towards Ethan. "You know what a friend is?" Her eyes widened as if shocked. "Don't tell me that one of medicine's most brilliant minds has yet to learn what a friend is." She clucked her tongue in pity. "If you're still not sure, Google it."

Ethan rolled his eyes in response.

Chris grinned at him. She always got a thrill out of annoying him to the point he'd roll those blue eyes of his. It was an action she took a great deal of pride in causing. She knew if he didn't respond with a quip of his own that she'd won the round of banter.

"You two get together often?" Ethan asked after a few blessed seconds of silence.

"I think we will." Chris decided. "After all, he and I have a lot in common."

"Such as?"

"We're both doctors." She began.

"Which you have in common with nearly everyone in this bar." Ethan pointed out.

"We both have a sense of humor." She added.

"Once again, many here have one." He said, a tad impatiently.

Chris looked up at him. "Tobias and I have one more thing in common that I don't have with anyone here."

Ethan quirked an eyebrow in question.

"We both somehow manage to get under your skin faster than anyone else."

Before Ethan could respond to that, she paid for the drink that was set in front of him and began to edge her way back to her table.

"Chris!" He grasped her arm to stop her. "Wait a second."

She glared at his back as he pulled her towards the dark hallway where Reggie's office was. The owner's private room was behind a cleverly hidden panel that Ethan, Chris, and a few others had been given special access to.

"What do you want, Ethan?" She asked, once she shut the office door.

The desk lamp was the only light source and cast the room in shadows. Ethan's eyes had an almost glow to them as he stared at her. The room was a little larger than a typical book room, yet with the intense way he was looking at her, she felt the space shrink. Chris could only recall one other time he'd ever looked at her the way he was doing so in the dim light.

Miami.

Before she could blink, she found herself trapped between the door and Ethan's body. His lips crashed against hers, drawing a startled moan from her. Her body automatically arched against his as if determined to feel every inch of him.

She clutched him close, returning every bit of his kiss. When his mouth moved down her neck, she breathlessly asked him what this meant.

"I thought," she gasped when he kissed her once more, "I thought you said we couldn't be together because you're still my--"

"I know." His breaths were coming in and out quickly. "I still think that it is more complicated than either of us realize."

His hooded blue gaze held her gray eyes.

"I didn't want to fight against it anymore." Ethan admitted.

Chris's head dropped back against the door as she tried to control her racing heart. It was hard to think clearly with him not only this close, but also with his hands and mouth still caressing her.

"Ethan?" She whispered, closing her eyes. "What do you want from me?"

"You already know the answer to that." He kissed her once more, silencing any other questions she might have.

She did know. She also knew why this might not be such a good idea. If she didn't know his arguments by heart now, she never would. She understood he was still allowing his moral code over her career to keep him from fully committing to her.

The question was: could she continue to exist with him in this gray area of love?

Chris knew if he'd say the word, she'd commit to him without a second thought. Once he allowed it, she'd love him with every piece of her heart.

But he wouldn't say it. He wouldn't allow the chance to happen. He couldn't let them finally be together, out in the open, in every single way.

Even if he'd suggested they be together in secret, exclusively and on a regular basis, she'd give herself to him without a second thought while she worked out a way to make it so in their world.

And yet here they were again, giving into temptation, without any hope for the future.

"We should," she cursed herself for her voice shaking, "we should get back before anyone notices we're gone."

"You're right." He stepped away, his fingers caressing her cheek.

She opened the door and glanced back at him. "Would you like to talk about us later tonight? Maybe drive me home?"

His visible hesitation made her heart clinch.

Deciding she didn't want to hear his answer, she hurried back into the bar.

[zealouscanonindeer]

Dangerous Games 3

Synopsis: If you win, good. If you don't, even better.

(Yes, they are tired but they simply can't keep their hands off each other for an entire night) .

Rating: NSFW Strictly 18+ Minors DNI. You have been warned.

Category: Smut. Pure absolute filth. (This mini series is slowly transitioning onto a full fledged smut show and I'm officially headed for sin city. )

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I let out another moan as Ethan continued slamming into me, his grunts music to my ears as I clenched onto his bicep with enough force to leave a bruise. He skillfully guided us to the magical crescendo, falling over the edge together, a flood of sinful thoughts leaving his mouth.

His heaving slick chest pressed against mine, both moving in tandem with his rapidly beating heart. He slowly pulled out and pushed himself off me. Taking my hand, he pulled me up from the dining table.

"Told you I could keep you up all night if I wanted to. " He smirked, clearly pleased with himself. I swiped my thumb against his lower lip, swollen after all those rough kisses, and wiped my lipstick staining it off.

"Fine, you win. " I accepted my defeat. Two seconds later, I had a new plan. I smiled coyly at him.

"But it's only 12:45, the night is far from over. " I threw him a wink which caught him off guard.

"Rookie.. "

"I know I've got work early tomorrow and I've a long day and I need the rest and yada yada yada. It's never stopped you before... Or are you afraid you've grown too old make it through the night? "

"You should know better than anyone I was never one to back down from a challenge. "

"I would expect nothing less. "

No sooner were the words out of my mouth, I jumped off the table, pulling his tie, and making my way to the bedroom. He grabbed my hand, spinning me towards him and locking me in a tight embrace. I opened the door of the bedroom and after we were in, Ethan closed the door with a loud bang behind him.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, pulling him in but he gently removed my hands off him.

"Ethan, I want.." He quickly interrupted me.

"I know, but I am soaking wet" He opened the bathroom door and walked in.

I sighed, plopping onto bed as Jenner hopped on and snuggled next to me. I ran my hands through his soft fur, rekindled the memories of not long ago.

*********

The door opened as we fumbled into the apartment, unwilling to break the kiss. I kicked my shoes of as Ethan grabbed me from under my thighs. Wrapping my legs around his waist, he began walking to the bedroom and almost stumbled over an excited Jenner.

He put me down, sternly scolding Jenner who was still chewing on Ethan's pant leg.

"He's just hungry. Poor boy. " I cooed.

"You never seem this concerned about me. I'm starving. For you. "

"That's because you're insatiable. "

"Again, only for you. "

He hastily kissed me, entering the kitchen, retrieving the dog good of the cabinet as Jenner continued hovering around his legs. I retired to the bedroom, where I usually left a few of my clothes including a pyjama set. Changing, I readied myself for bed.

Wanting to grab a glass of water, I walked out to find Ethan filling Jenner's water bowl. He had discarded his blazer, his shirt buttoned up criss cross after our detour and his tie hung loosely around his neck.

I filled up my glass, bringing it to my lips, the cold water pleasantly trickling down my throat when I felt eyes on me. I turned to meet Ethan's darkened gaze, the desire unmistakable.

"Those shorts are rather short. "

"Well, good thing it's just you. " I quipped back, rolling my eyes, silently hoping for more after the interruption.

"Hmm." He placed the glass on the counter gently, taking my hand and holding me flush against him, his hands grabbing at my ass. His arousal was evident,pressing against my belly.

" Weren't you so tired in the car? " I teased.

"Bet I can keep you up all night, if I tried. "

"Calling your bluff, ain't no way. "

"You'll lose. "

"I'll believe it when I see it. "

With that he grabbed me, placing me onto the dining table and yanking my shorts off and throwing them behind him. He unbuckled his belt, undoing his pants and letting them fall, leaving him in his boxers.

" Oh, Penny the things I will do to you now, you won't be able to sleep for weeks. " Excitement coursed through me at his promise, my pussy clenching at his words.

He threw his tie over his neck, lowering himself to my core, his breath felt hot against me. Eager for his touch, I made a grab at his hair but she stopped me.

"Ah ah. No touching. It you do, I'll stop. Do you understand? "

"No fair. "

"Well, since I'm the one making the rules.. "

His tongue lapped against my slit in one single motion. He teased my nub with a swirling motion before going for another lick. I gasped, clutching onto the sides of the table with both my hands.

He continued with his expert lapping, sucking at my clit, keeping me down with his large hand over by lower belly.

"Eth.. Ethan! ETHAN!! " He stood up as I climaxed. Smirking, he ran his fingers over his lips, cleaning them. He picked up another glass, filling it with water and slowly bringing it to his lips.

" Don't be a jerk.. Come back and finish what you started. "

"I'm completely certain you finished. "

I groaned as he enjoyed the sight before him. That smug bastard. I reached for my half filled glass, splashing him with the remaining water. I hit him right in the chest, his shirt turning completely wet.

" Fine, I'll just use my fingers. " I knew it was useless to think that that could ever satisfy me the way he did but I needed to get a reaction out of him.

I slid my digits over my wet folds, ready to plunge them inside when he grabbed my wrist, all his playfulness gone.

"Don't you dare. "

He pushed his boxers off, holding his dick in his hand, spreading his precum over his length pumping himself a couple of times.

"Tell me how you want it. "

"You know exactly how I want it. "

He lined himself, entering in one go, the delicious stretch causing me to moan. He was quick to set the pace and before I knew it I was admitting defeat.

Revenge is best served cold but I was gonna give it to him blazing hot.

*********

I came back from my reverie, the shower running inside the bathroom. I coaxed Jenner from beside me, letting him out of the room.

The door opened and Ethan walked out with a towel around his waist and another one in his hand. He was wiping his hair dry. He walked over towards the bed.

"Ready? " I questioned.

"For you, always. "

With those words, I tugged at the towel around his waist letting gravity do it's job,allowing Ethan to stand before me in all of his naked glory. He sat down beside me. I straddled him, pushing him onto the mattress, tantalizing moving over him.

"My turn. See how I win this one. "

"Let's see you try."

***********