#probably both and naveen was being boring

[0thefrogprince0]

🐸NAVEEN SINGH ||

EVERMORE WINTER MASQUERADE 2023 🐸

[stygianflood]

Like the Shoreline and the Sea (Ethan x F!MC)

Summary- Ethan is asked out on a date right after Miami in Book 1. Ethan’s PoV

Genre, rating, words- Angst, teen, 2k

Open Heart fanfic tropes- birthday, office.

March Challenge Day 13 prompt Someday; April Challenge Day 9 prompt Smell of the Rain 

A/N: nor’westers-  violent thunderstorms in northern plains of India, before the onslaught of monsoon.

Title inspired by Leonard Cohen’s Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye.

‘This will improve our understanding of adiposity and sarcopenia in this population, help identify thresholds predictive of metabolic risk, and ultimately prevent or ameliorate… ’

Better prevent than ameliorate.

‘...ameliorate the long-term impacts on health and…’ 

Twenty five years should be long enough.

Hers is a singsong voice, the warm, trilling kind. Mellow sun dances on the frills of her dress. The yellow one. 

The man at her side twirls her on the empty kerb. Dips and kisses her. Her laughter is all that is pure and golden.

A child follows them, embarrassed. She bends down to kiss him, and he is furious. 

The scene shifts.

The child is on the front porch, eyes set somewhere beyond the wild bergamot bushes. 

Tear tracks on pink cheeks mingle and dry with dust from his afternoon’s exploits. Something like a steely resolve troops in his eyes.

Ethan Ramsey has been staring at the same sentence for fifteen minutes now.

Whoever coined the term ‘nostalgia’ from the Homeric nostos and algos was speaking of anguish caused by an inability to return. But they failed to discern the inevitable tethering of reminiscence with habituality.

That is more or less the case with him. Louise Ramsey walked out on her husband, and eleven year old son some twenty five years ago right before his birthday. For a very long time now, home is not about apple crisps or kitchen gardens. 

About this time every year, a crevice in his mind he likes to call the amygdala dwells on the same days. 

Almost as a ritual. 

He is a scientist. A rationalist. And like every year, he reminds himself there is work to do.

Unless there’s a knock at the most unpleasant hour.

He never returns to the article. Never manages a come in. The distraction walks in, messy hair knotted with a pencil. Probably because she has lost another hair tie. 

He mustn’t be that aware. 

But she talks too much. 

‘Dr. Mukherjee.’ He sounds gruff. They’re supposed to be redrawing their boundaries, even if he is the only one making an effort. ‘I thought your shift ended-’

‘Two hours ago.’ Rigours of a sixteen hour shift mark her visage. Her smile is a little too conniving for his comfort. ‘I had work afterwards.’ 

She starts shuffling papers on his desk, permission be damned. He pinches the bridge of his nose, and manages an exasperated sigh. Since when have interns started walking into his office with… birthday cakes?

‘What do you think you’re- It’s not my-’

‘I heard rumours that Dr. Ramsey had to cancel a date.’ She sounds amused. He does not miss the split second glance she shoots his way before continuing. ‘On his birthday, too. Such a shame.’

He scoffs.

‘No one knows it’s my birthday.’

‘Oh, they do. They’re just too afraid to… ah, invoke the wrath of Dr. Ramsey.’

Of course, she is not one of them. She has absolutely no regard for the immutable drill he has observed for nearly four decades. And why must she, when her sole intent is to swivel the rusty axis of his life.

Ethan has never known the first shower of an Indian monsoon. It is sudden and torrential, just as it is feared and revered. It smells like summer, and mango blossoms. 

Ethan has never known one until this year.

‘I’m thirty seven, Rookie,’ He manages weakly. 

‘And I would’ve bought the candles accordingly if I knew that.’ 

The tealights she arranges look so much better, he thinks. The cake is a simple blue and white affair. Not the ones that have more icing than cake, he notes. Not the ones he disapproves of.

Happy Birthday, Dr. Terminator

‘I could’ve whipped something up without sugar,’ She rambles, suddenly starting to blush. ‘Or ordered one. But I only just came to know it’s your birthday. And there wasn’t a lot of-

‘Thank you, Apu.’ Tresses of warmth curl about his chest and the gravel of his voice.

Ethan has avoided birthday cakes for a decade now. Unless it’s Naveen’s birthday, he thinks with a pang.

In his time with Harper or his brief involvements in med-school, no one has ever convinced him to do birthdays. He checks himself. This is just an intern being kind.

But interns aren't kind to Dr. Ramsey, are they. 

She assures him the photos are not for social media. They settle on the couch, it’s his first birthday cake in over a decade. 

He is glad for an innocuous reason to look at her, laugh at jokes that in any other company would draw his scorn. She is oddly comforting. Unlike most interns who avoid his office at all costs, she moves about it as if she was meant to be here all along. 

He must have stalled birthdays worth twenty years only to spend it on a couch with her. 

The plates are disposable. It is nothing like the restaurants that come with his status, for there is an endearing simplicity about it. 

It almost feels like… home.

He steals occasional glances at her. It has been four agonisingly long days after their return from Miami. And for all his attempts to redraw their boundaries, it has been a non-return of sorts. 

Aparna drives him to distraction, flouts each and every one of his rules. Seeks him out in supply closets and muddled dreams. And every time he breaks her heart a little more, he finds himself floundering in his own squalor.

The German counterpart to the English ‘nostalgia’ is ‘sehnsucht’. Like ‘nostalgia’, it has the charm of what has been. But unlike it, it also has the enigma of what has never been. Miami will remain the swansong to an ideal that slipped through Ethan’s fingers. 

A surge of anguish ripples through him as he realises all of this is his for the asking, and he will have none of it. 

‘It wasn’t a date,’ He blurts out.

He wouldn’t tell her that if he wants her to move on. Not truly.

‘You don’t have to-’

‘She is Declan’s associate in Panacea. She suggested signing the contract with the Diagnostics Team over dinner tonight. So…  just business.’

Claudette Wilson is the most promising young face of Panacea, and Ethan needed less than a minute to know why. 

Sleek, dark hair styled at her nape played up her high cheekbones. The ruby of her pliant lips, almost risqué for a meeting such as this, always lingered a little longer on the rim of her coffee mug. Even the measured spoons of her laughter came with an all too enticing lilt.

Ethan has met the other type. Vacuous and synthetic. But the steely glint in her eyes came with a weighty intelligence. An unfaltering wit. And when a perfectly manicured hand brushed the contours of his cuff, he knew it was never meant to be just business. 

She was irresistible. And so was he.

That afternoon, the bitterness in his mouth had nothing to do with coffee. He learnt he would refuse Claudette even if her pay checks did not come from Panacea.

Aparna falls silent, almost as if discerning in his words everything he left unsaid.

They have run out of jokes and topics for a harmless chat. He is getting terribly comfortable with her again, he realises alarmed. And she is fidgeting with the ring on her finger.

She’s nervous too. He knows. He could define every twitch and turn of those fingers. 

Somewhere in their conversation they have edged so close that her knee juts into his thigh. The couch is surprisingly small for two people. Minutes pass, and despite himself, he does not want her to leave. 

His fingers rest on her flustered hands, it’s a deep-rooted reflex. Looking down, she weaves his hand in both of her own. Even as the adrenaline surging in his blood incites him to flee, the delirious part of him emerges stronger and more naive.

He thinks she is leaning in. Soaking up the mayhem in his eyes. The slight movement causes wisps of errant hair to slip from the messy bun. There’s new growth around her brows, a faded scar on her forehead. But it’s her eyes that still hold sway over him. 

They stroked him with a strange, silent awe on a balcony on the shores of the Atlantic.

She is nothing like interns that hover around him year after year. Sucking up for recommendations. Sometimes more. She can devour him, and just as easily cast him aside without batting an eye. 

And yet she is here. Snuggled in his office while her friends call it a night with cheap beer and rowdy escapades. 

But she is different tonight. The quiver in her eyes tentative, even wary.

His hand rises of its own accord, tucking strands of hair behind her ear. Inadvertently, it brushes her face, lingers a little longer against her cheek.

She caressed his face as the ocean crashed around him. It was like falling from the top of a precipice. Tumbling into the amorphous, a terrifying weightlessness. He waited.

‘It’s getting late.’

She smells like the hospital, muted shades of honeysuckle, and like herself. 

The cool breeze hummed a steady rhyme against the tumble of her midnight blue dress. Bits of the moon bounced off the dark curtain of her hair, plunging into her eyes. Ethan had never seen such fathomless eyes.

‘I should go.’ She leans into his palm, eyes fluttering close. 

‘You should.’ 

And then she caught him. It was the hollow of her neck. It was soft. Like the rest of her. 

Neither of them move today, silently imploring the other to charge. Or retreat. The battle drum in his chest is a dull ache. Throbbing and inconsolable.

The ridges of her collarbone bore traces of his ruin. Traces she covered every morning and stripped every night, like the rites of a godless liturgy.

His free hand is still laced in hers, the other drawing her face nearer. 

Her lips are inches from his own as he draws a languid finger across them. Her warm breath spills on his lips, warring and mingling with his own ragged ones. 

Her mouth was stained with wine. Numbing and inciting. He was battered, and bruised. Marooned at her side. And she was warm. So warm.

His hand traced the pummelling of her heart, kneading the softness of her chest. Her tongue jousted with his own as the ocean lapped at its shore. Tireless and persevering.

She was wild. Like her Gangetic nor’westers on a sultry afternoon. He was bewitched. She was doing something good to him.

Suddenly the air around them is ripped by the sound of his phone. 

It’s his father.

The two of them recoil to their own spaces, Ethan horrified that he let himself stray so far yet again. Silencing the still erring device, he faces Aparna bracing for another apology.

‘I know.’ 

Her smile is placid, all traces of vulnerability gone. He is vaguely aware of the gentle pressure on the hand still clasped in her own.

‘Happy Birthday, Ethan. I’ll see you tomorrow.’ 

She is gone before he can marshal his thoughts.

Ethan flops back into the couch, shivering and alone. The incandescent glow from the solitary lamp drenches the office in a soft, ethereal haze. She might not have been here at all but for the little things she scatters around him every time she forays into his life.

Today she leaves with him a caesura. It thwarts the cadence of a life he has been putting together since Miami.

After a minute, or perhaps a staggering nightmare, when he rises to pack the rest of the cake, he sees it. 

She must have forgotten her hair tie was in her pocket after all. 

It stares up at him from the floor, the silken, mute witness of his transgression. He gingerly picks it up, and turns it in his hand as though it houses some ancient sorcery. 

Laying it on his desk, he considers texting her. But scarcely does he scroll down to her name when he stops himself. And pockets it. 

Somewhere in the Atlantic, waves still crash upon the rocks, moistening, but never quite lingering. 

The waves are relentless. Someday, the rocks crumble into fine sand.

Thank you for reading this! Let me know if you’d want to be added or removed.

[schnitzelbutterfingers]

To Someone Special (Ethan Ramsey x f!MC)

notes: happy holidays! please take the time to celebrate with your family and friends. 2020 was an egregious year, but let’s thank god for letting us survive through the whole COVID pandemic. let’s pray for everyone to get through this. 

anyways, here is my christmas present to you all, wrapped with some angst and fluff! ethan’s ex-girlfriend from his med school days who cheated on him with another ‘friend’ (and no, it’s not tobias :)) makes an appearance hehe. forgive me if there are any spelling mistakes and grammar errors, and as always enjoy! (ɔ◔‿◔)ɔ ♥

(i felt like this was similar to @jamespotterthefirst ‘s fic ‘Fake Husband/Wife’, so i asked permission to write this, and she gave me it. shoutout to bree!)

summary: On Christmas, 10 years ago, he gave his heart to a girl. The very next day, she gave it away. This Christmas, to save him from tears, Ethan will give it to someone special.

pairing(s): dr. ethan ramsey x f!mc (dr. abigail ‘abby’ chacko) || mentions of past dr. ethan ramsey x dr. aubrie zavala

warning(s): angst (mentions of cheating) and fluff (mentions of proposal)

word count: 1999

** i suggest you listen to ‘last christmas’ by wham! :) **

_______________________________________________________________

‘The most wonderful time of the year.’

If it were years ago, Ethan would chuckle at the preposterousness of this statement. 

To everyone else, the Christmas season is full of jubilation, nostalgia and generosity. Giving and donating had become a peculiarity of the days neighboring the observed holiday, street-corners crowded with Santas ringing golden bells. 

Houses twinkled with multi-colored and pulsing lights, bouncing off the crystalline white snow. Inside the houses, trees glimmered with more colorful lights and various decorative ornaments. Christmas colors added sumptuousness. Classic poinsettias are tied, and candy canes add some idiosyncrasy, dangling from the mouths of exhilarated children. Joyful music and golden bells can be heard from everyone’s car.

To the senior doctor, it’s dissimilar. Christmas means more work to do at the hospital. Emergency rooms are filled with injured patients who were looking forward to blithesome moments with their friends and family. The roads are slick with shiny ice, vehicles slipping across the road to hit the one next to it or a broad tree. And the mistletoe. On one occasion, he had to escape an elderly grandmother with wrinkly skin and gray hair, who was convinced that he was Bob Dylan. Yet he wasn’t even an accurate replica and they didn’t sound the same.

Seeing other interns and derisory people kiss under the mistletoe makes him turn away with disgust. He cordially hated PDA. Well, that is, until he met her.

When Ethan met Abigail, however, he felt some sort of attraction to her, something he couldn’t escape from, no matter how hard he tried. Her compassion, her wit, her charm, her intelligence, her everything. 

It felt like some sort of grip she had, her usual chocolate aroma, big brown eyes, wavy hair, and her milky skin all holding on to him like a police officer would do to a criminal. And it’s addicting.

But now, looking at his Rookie from across their luxurious bedroom, getting ready for the Christmas Gala hosted by Bloom Edenbrook Hospital, he started to look forward to the breathless moments under the mistletoe. On second thought, why does he need to kiss Abby under the mistletoe when he can kiss her anywhere? They are officially dating, after all.

He wanted to satisfy her and hear her singing goofily along with the carols in their cars. He wanted to see her tastefully decorate their penthouse with stockings, ornaments, a garland. He wanted to see her making sticky toffee pudding and her longtime favorite gulab jamuns, even if he claims he doesn’t like sugar. She, in return, would constantly mock him, prompting him of the day when he focused his eyes on the delicious chocolate bar in the vending machine at the hospital. He wanted it all with her.

Abby was adorning a long sleeve crimson velvet dress, strikingly showing some cleavage. She wore a generous split from her right thigh down, parading her creamy legs. She looked divine. She looked like heaven. The red gown made her look scandalous. 

She cleared her throat, smirking at him staring at her. “Are you finished?”

“You look...” The more conventional doctor was at a loss of words, looking at her up and down. He started from her soiled velvet heels, moving up to her wavy cafe hair.

“...sinful.”

Abby flashed him a sly grin. “Why, thank you, Doctor. You don’t look too bad yourself.”

Indeed he doesn’t. Ethan sported a matching outfit, a suit with a red velvet coat black shirt and a crimson bowtie.

“I can’t wait to come back after this gala. You’re making me lose my patience.”

She chortled, lovely music to his ears. “Then what are you waiting for? Let’s go!”

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The gala invited all the hospitals in Boston, including Mass Kenmore. It was being held at The Seaport World Trade Center, one of the largest venues in the city. Ethan and Abby arrived at the front of the venue, walking towards the entrance. Inside, a waiter took them to the very front table, the one where their seats were reserved.

They were recognized as the ‘rich couple’ and the ‘power couple’ of Edenbrook. It was no surprise that some of the doctors decided to gossip about them, stating how they match and look excellent together. Some women were jealous, and Abby could feel covetous eyes burning behind her back. The male doctors were also envious of Ethan, that he got to be with the young graceful doctor. In return, Ethan winded his protecting arm tighter around her slim waist, a clear mark that she is his. Only his. 

The front table additionally included Naveen, Harper, Tanaka, and Tobias Carrick. When Ethan and Tobias faced encountered other at the front table, the Mass Kenmore doctor somehow took his hand out, waiting for the famous diagnostician to shake it. Ethan was stupefied at first, but then he remembered what Tobias did for them, saving his Rookie from the maitotoxin. After a rare moment Ethan shook it, sending the latter a faint smile, to which he returned. Abby beamed at their interaction, glad that they finally cleared the air that had been surrounding them for more than a decade.

Naveen greeted both of them with a hearty hug, and Harper sent both of them a pleasant smile. The Chacko looked around the decorated room to discover her friends, all relaxing at a table. When she spotted them, she gave them a huge wave, to which they imitated back. It relaxed her to have Ethan and her friends in the same room, forgetting about the upcoming discussions with the money-eating scumbags who only care about wealth and not for the wellbeing of their patients.

Tobias and Ethan sat between Abby, and all the seats were filled except for one.

As if interpreting her thoughts, Tobias sought a confused question. “Are we expecting someone else at our table?”

“I believe we are,” Naveen answered.

The young doctor wanted to talk to her friends for a little while. Otherwise, everyone was roaming around, mingling with people.

Ethan seemed to detect this because he leaned in to whisper to her ear. “If you want to hang out with your friends, you can go ahead. It’s understandable, if you’re bored, as am I. Besides, I’ll just talk to Tobias.”

Abby sent him a grateful smile, not only for excusing her, but because he wanted to talk to his old (former?) friend. She was genuinely happy that their relationship is getting better and better.

In return, she bestowed him a kiss on his cheek and went to the table across the room, where her colleagues are. 

Her friends said the usual. Bryce and Kyra are dating, and they adopted a puppy after moving in together. Sienna doesn’t think she will move on from Danny, and that her heart will always belong to him, but the enormous pain had subsided. Elijah and Phoebe went on another date which had gone really well. Jackie’s debt is under control, and she said that she felt at peace and tranquility. 

After she had finished socializing, she looked back to her reserved table, where she saw a woman, a rather charming one, probably in her 30s. She had raven hair and porcelain skin, and was assuming a royal blue dress with an elegant split across her left thigh, displaying her beautiful legs. Standing next to her boyfriend. Being too touchy with her man. Abby was ordinarily not the type to be jealous, but looking at the woman made herself feel ugly.

Her eyes went to Ethan, who had a horrified look on his face. They moved to Tobias who had a similar expression. Naveen and Harper both had uncomfortable looks.

The latter captured her eye and came up to her.

Abby was confused, so she decided to convey this confusion to Carrick. “Is everything alright at our table? Is that woman the last person to occupy the empty seat?”

Carrick sighed deeply. “She... is Dr. Aubrie Zavala. Another famous diagnostician... She is also Ethan’s ex-girlfriend.”

That’s when she glanced back at their table and saw both of them arguing.

Tobias must have noted this because he replied, “Ethan and Aubrie are both arguing now. Back in Hopkins, she cheated on with another med student named Dillan, I think. And it was at Christmas. Now Aubrie wants him back.”

The cacophonous racket heard in the auditorium drained away from the ears of the young doctor, and the sounds of warning bells replaced it. 

What the hell am I supposed to do to grab her butt off the table?

Suddenly, an idea popped into her head. She examined her bag and found a fake diamond ring. Her mother gave this to her; she saw this at the store and found it pretty. Abigail always kept it in her bag, a reminder that her mom loves her. It looks real, so this can work. The Chacko placed the ring on her left ring finger. Tobias, knowing what Abby was about to do, gave her a wink. She smiled back and walked over to their table.

“Babe? What’s wrong?” Abby asked innocently. Ethan’s oceanic eyes widened as he saw the mischievous gleam in her coffee eyes. 

The woman, who was now dubbed Aubrie, turned around to look at her with a grim expression. 

“Babe?” Aubrie threatened lowly, “Who the hell do you think you are, calling my Ethan ‘babe’?” Oh, this girl has it coming.

Abby offered her a fierce smile, showing off her properly ‘engagement’ ring. “Well, I’m pretty sure I called my fiancée babe, right Ethan?” 

Instantly, Ethan understood. She wanted to play as his wife-to-be now, did she? Well, that can be easily arranged, Ethan smirks, deciding to play along.

“Well, you see, Dr. Zavala, you do remember how I love hearing the opera, don’t you? I took Abby to one of my favorite operas named Carmen, and I proposed to her there. She cried happy tears and said ‘yes’.”

Aubrie’s furious face slowly drained of color, as she realized they are engaged. She now has to live with the regrets from the past. Her violent hands started to shake a little as she realized who she was arguing with the whole time.

“Wait, are you Dr. Abigail Chacko? One of the youngest doctors in America, Sister of the famous surgeon Sebastian Chacko, the youngest member of Edenbrook’s diagnostic team, and the person who cured Dr. Naveen Banerji?” Zavala asked slowly, her shrill voice starting to grow tense.

Abby, on the other hand, was having too much fun with this. “Bingo! You got it right!”

Right away, when she said that, Aubrie reluctantly left the whole table, stomping on the way like a teenager. Naveen and Harper both had amusing smiles on their faces, Tobias tried not to choke on his wine, and Ethan had the biggest smirk ever. 

Abby took off her fake ring and placed it in her bag. At once, Ethan gave her a sounding kiss on her plump lips, not minding anyone any attention. 

“How did you know I had a pretty rough time here?” Ethan asked curiously. 

She smiled triumphantly. “Well, I saw all of your uncomfortable faces at the table when Aubrie was here. Tobias saw me and gave me an explanation to what was happening. I’m so sorry you had to go through that during your med school days.”

Ramsey gently stroked her smooth and delicate cheek. “It’s fine. Besides, I got an even better woman right here.” 

Tobias cleared her throat. “I’m sorry, but can you please just continue this later at home? I’m tryna drink some good wine here.”

Everyone snorted, but Ethan’s mind went back to the actual engagement ring he bought for her at their penthouse, stored inside one of his worn-out shoes. He was actually planning to propose to her tomorrow, on Christmas Day. 

Taking her to one of my favorite operas named Carmen, proposing to her there.

Oh, he can’t wait for this chaotic day to be over.

_______________________________________________________________

notes: if you’ve made it this far, thank you!

 tags:@missmiimiie @aylamwrites @starrystarrytrouble @udishaman @caseyvalentineramsey @queencarb @choicesstan1 @newcolonies @arcticrivers @angela8756 @takemyopenheart @rookie-ramsey @ohchoices @ohvamsey @ohramsey @natureblooms24 @drariellevalentine @maurine07 @lucy-268 @thanialis @drakewalkerfantasy​ 

@openheartfanfics​

@choicesficwriterscreations​

[fearofffear]

show me the places where the others gave you scars

A/N: soo...hi. i’ve never posted a fanfic about choices but sadly, given the circunstances... i did this to wash the bad taste off my mouth after ch. 8. so my mc gets blamed, he gets screamed at and humilliated, but ethan is the one who gets all pissy and for what? he fucked up, he shouldn't be mad. but my mc who was innocent gets the worst end of the stick? and worst HE has to console this mf? screw that. i'm writing my own version of oph. anyways, i didn't want the bondage outfit for a scene with jackie, i wanted my mc to come home to jackie and TALK y'know. so that's exactly what i wrote. congrats pb, i promised myself i was never going to write again yet here i am. hope you enjoy!

pairing: jackie varma x m!mc (george valentine)

rating: t (some cursing, nothing too heavy)

summary: George feels crushed and angry after the showdown at the hospital, luckily for him, Jackie offers him a shoulder to cry on.

The sound of a slamming door pulls Jackie out of her concentration as she looks up from her stack of papers on the table to the front door. She leaves the pencil next to them as George walks in, and he looks like he’s about to explode.

“Heey...what happened?” George drops himself on the couch, burying his face on his hands. She raises an eyebrow when he doesn’t answer.

She stands up, leaving her paperwork behind (she can finish it later) and sits gently next to him, putting a reassuring hand on his knee. As George finally lifts his head, Jackie feels a sudden rush of anger and worry at the sight of his red nose and red trimmed eyes.

“George what…”

“They don’t trust me.” He says, sniffling softly as he toys with the end of his shirt. His eyes far away as Jackie leans closer, her eyes worriedly searching his face.

“Who? George please talk to me.” She tries her best to keep the desperation out of her voice, but her eyes betray her.

George sees the worry in her eyes and shakes his head, offering her a sad smile. “Harper...and it’s all Ethan’s fault.” He finishes with clenched teeth, the sadness in his eyes replaced by a raging fire. “He not only risked Elijah’s hard work…” Jackie raises her eyebrows at that. “But also refused to tell the entire team which led to Harper believing I was the one who who did it ”

“I’m sorry George, but i’m not understanding what you’re talking about.” She raises her hand from his knee to his cheek, softly stroking it with her thumb.

So he explains everything, from Elijah’s research, to Michael’s disease, to Ethan putting Michael in the human trials for the drug behind everyone’s back, and Jackie resists the urge to roll her eyes, because of course Ethan Ramsey didn’t care about the consequences of his actions.

“So you told me they don’t trust you, why?” She feels angry, because even if it was stupid, whatever happened made George miserable and while she feels the need to punch someone on the face she also wishes to take George in her arms and hold him until he feels better.

“Harper came in this evening, pointing her finger at me because she found out about Michael being in the human trials for Elijah’s drug, which is illegal by the way, and of course if there was someone to blame...it was me.” Jackie shakes her head, she cannot believe Harper would immediately blame George, especially since he has been nothing but friendly to her. But at the same time, a small part of her brain tells her that Harper isn’t George’s friend, she doesn’t know him, and she did the best with the facts she had. “And Tobias actually defended me, but it wasn’t enough, she kept going on and on saying about how it was obvious that it was me, because of the whole Ms. Martinez thing.” She clenches her eyes shut, because she knows how sensitive George gets about that.

“I tried to defend myself, but it was too late, without any evidence Harper ratted me out to Naveen.” Jackie feels her heart drop and a cold chill run down her spine, because there’s no way this is happening again. George can’t risk losing his licence again. She won’t allow it again.

“Thankfully, Ethan came in and heard everything. He told Harper that it was him, and that i had nothing to do with it, so if anyone was going down, it was him.” Despite her current anger, she lets out a small sigh of relief, she was ready to go deck Ethan if he didn’t take action and let George take the fall, but since he didn’t, the punching could wait.

“So, what happens now?”

“Ethan will probably be suspended, put on trial and…”

“And?”

“And the team will fall to either Tobias or Harper.” George reaches a hand and Jackie takes it, his fingers interlacing strongly with hers.

“But i don’t care about that. I care about the fact that Harper was so determined about how i was guilty…” There’s a small edge to his voice, most likely upset. “She told me she admired me, y’know? A couple of days ago.” He laughs dryly, no humor to it. “What a load of bull.”

“I get that you’re mad, you have every right to be, but she doesn’t owe anything to you, and neither do you.” Jackie speaks strongly, meeting his eyes fiercely. She squeezes his hand in hers. “You’re an amazing doctor, she doesn’t get to take that away from you.”

George smiles, perhaps for the first time he arrived, a true genuine smile that reaches his eyes, and raises her hand to his lips, placing a soft kiss. “You’re the amazing one, you know that right?”

Jackie smiles bashfully. “Dumbass, I'm already sleeping with you, you don’t have to try to get into my pants.”

“I know, and i don’t wanna take that for granted.” He reaches and grabs her chin softly, bringing her lips to his for a kiss. Jackie smiles against his mouth, placing a hand on his neck.

After a moment, he breaks the kiss and rubs his thumb close to her lips, staring at her eyes intensely. “Look, I know you care about your co-workers, it’s perhaps your biggest flaw.” She says, never breaking eye contact. “You want everyone to get along but sadly, not everyone will trust you. And you don’t have to put so much faith unto others.”

George sighs, and lowers his eyes. But Jackie places her other hand on his cheek and forces his eyes to meet hers. “You have an amazing heart George, and even though this gets you in trouble, you wouldn’t be the George I love if you didn’t have it.” There’s a hidden message there but both of them know they aren’t ready for those three little words yet. So it remains unspoken.

He smiles stupidly, reaching to put a strand of hair behind her ear. “You give amazing pep talks, I think being Chief Resident has made you soft.”

Jackie rolls her eyes, slapping a hand to his shoulder as he laughs. “Shut up.”

George's eyes move from her to the stack of papers behind them and his mouth opens in surprise. “You were working? I’m sorry i didn’t mean to interrupt”

“It’s okay, I was bored and I needed a break. But now i need to return to it.”

He kisses her cheek and stands up. “Okay, don’t let me hold you.” He says with a small smile, turning to leave and it’s kind of annoying, Jackie thinks, how she can’t stop smiling when he’s around, she didn’t use to be this soft, but George always brings out this side of her.

“Before you leave…” George turns around, his eyes finding hers immediately. “Are you okay?” Jackie asks worriedly, her eyebrows pinched together.

“Better than okay. Thank you for helping me.” He says with a soft voice, reaching down to kiss her forehead, and Jackie can feel her cheeks flush, but she doesn’t say anything, she just rolls her eyes and watches him leave, her heart feeling fuller and weightless at the same time. She stands with a wistful sigh, walking over to finish her work.

Meanwhile, in his room, George closes the door behind him and his eyes find the picture he has on his mirror. A picture of him and Jackie, taken on the day of the baseball match past year. They both have a beer in their hands, her arm slinged around his shoulders as she laughs at something he said, her head thrown back and her face scrunched up adorably, while George looks enthralled at her, his eyes and smile soft as he stares at her, an arm around her waist.

Sienna took that picture (right before it all went to shit) and he remembers how she came to him and showed him the picture, she kept awwing, saying how cute they both looked. At the end of the day she sent it to him, and despite Jackie not knowing about it, he printed the photo and it has been on his mirror ever since. Of course Jackie saw it (she’s been in his room enough times) and he remembers her nodding her head at the picture, mumbling something along the lines of ‘looks good’ but right before he could answer, she kissed him sensless, the photo the last thing on his mind, and she never mentioned it again, and never asked for George to put it down, so he guessed she liked it.

As he looks at the picture he comes to the realization that no matter what happens next, he’ll be okay, as long as he has her by his side, he can get through anything.

[simptasia]

ok! does sayid + k and b work? ✨

yes that will do nicely ^_^

Kinks

ya know, the most i've thought about What Sayid Is Into is that bit where shannon makes an innuendo towards him that implies she wants to do rope bondage with him. and sayid makes a face that is both surprise at her bold statement and being Agreeable To The Concept... so that's interesting. yes i promise that actually happened. also sayid would be great at tying knots, wow

other than that, i haven't thought about sayid much in the context of kinks. hm. hmm. i shall ponder on this more but as it is, it doesn't seem like he'd be especially kinky. but please don't ever mistake that for boring. this man is for sure passionate, we all know this

Body part

(Their favourite body part of theirs and also their partner’s)

i'm not sure sayid thinks of his body in that way. not that i think he's insecure or anything like that, i'm sure he knows he's attractive, i mean, i don't see sayid looking in the mirror and being like "wow, i have great arms" or whatever. so i don't see him having a Fave part, you get me? also sayid probably seeing his body as a tool of pain and death probably doesn't help, haha yikes! moving on because this is sexy time. anyways this question reminds me of when the lost actors were asked what their fave body parts are and naveen said "what do you think?" with an amused "come on" face. implying his dick, in case it wasn't clear fshjfsuh. so i just think that's Fun

as for partners, well it varies from person to person, blah blah but let's be general here and i'm gonna say... i think sayid is a leg man. am i being influenced by the fact that shan has great legs? yes, unabashedly, yes. but also being yowza for legs just Suits sayid

enjoy the mental image of sayid running his hands along shannon's legs because i am 😍

[utterlyinevitable]

I’m bored and you’re headcanons are honestly so quality omfg but anyways write a headcanon of ethan and MC having a high school, slow burn love/not love (angsty ✨✨✨ kinda like us with our muses 💀 I’m not sure if Ethan ends up coming out as gay at the end tho-honestly if he did I’m living for it) love you lots! 💖 your tumblr niece

AHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAH no no nope Ethan will not come out as gay 🤣 But I am going to take full on creative liberty with this and you’re just gonna have to deal 😘

Ethan and Becca Meet in High School 

Ethan Ramsey was 26 years old and a TA for the school’s science department. He took the part time role on a year’s contract to help pay off some of his student loans before he started residency. 

At 17 years old, Becca was a senior at a small-town high school. 

Becca was an interesting student - very quiet but intelligent. She surrounded herself with the strangest group boys. Those boys were her lab bench mates, and were incredibly subpar. 

More than once Ethan caught the three boys playing games on their laptops and scrolling their feeds instead of paying attention. 

He watched her carry them all on her back through the course. And ask for nothing in return. 

It made his blood boil - they were clearly taking advantage of their friend. 

The next week Ethan persuaded Ms. Cook changed up the seating arrangements. 

Ethan took great pleasure in marking the boys Cs instead of the B+ they were used to getting with Becca’s help. 

Second Semester, AP Bio was kicking Becca’s ass. She needed help preparing to get the 5 she needed on the exam in order to rank Top 15 in her class before graduation.

So she attended Ms. Cook’s after school sessions. 

It seemed half the class needed extra help, so they were split up into groups. Half with Cook and half with Ramsey. Becca was assigned to Ramsey. 

As the days and weeks progressed, the after school group dwindled. 

After a choose-your-partner lab that day, Becca ended up with the same group of useless individuals. 

At study group that afternoon, Ethan confronted her about it: “I don’t know why you let them take credit for your work. Be proud of your accomplishments.” “Being proud gets you enemies.” “You’d rather have friends and compromise your integrity, than showing everyone what you’re capable of?”

That made her think. 

“I’d rather come out of high school unscathed.” “You can’t make everyone love you. The sooner you learn that, the sooner you’ll come into your own.”  “And who are you, Dr. Ramsey?”  “Someone who took every opportunity I could. I advise you do the same.” 

Over the next few weeks they got to know one another better. Ethan becoming her somewhat mentor and encouraging her to speak up more and assert herself. 

She took all his words to heart. 

He was proud and a little taken aback when she found a fallacy in one of their labs and called Ms. Cook out on it. It resulted in it being postponed to fix the errors.  

Being a high school senior meant having to choose what college to go to. 

She was getting acceptance letters left and right but she had absolutely no clue what she wanted to to with her life. 

“Did you always want to be a doctor?” she asked one afternoon.  “No. But it’s what I’m good at.”  “How did you know it’s what you wanted to pursue?”  “As much as I regret saying this, it felt like a calling.”  “Hmph. Okay.”  “You don’t agree with the notion?”  “I don’t know what I want to do. I’ve applied to so many schools and different programs. How do I know which one’s right?” 

They talked about what she’s passionate about and what makes her happiest and what careers she thinks she could pursue.  

That got her to think. Think long and hard and over a few days. 

She had a new outlook on life - she was on a new quest to find her eternal happiness. 

May came around and she took her AP exam. She got a perfect score.  _

Becca has eyes. She notices how attractive Dr. Ramsey is. Tbh everyone notices - he’s the thirst of the school district. Her girl friends even ask her about him multiple times a week. All she does is roll her eyes and say he’s too old for them.    

Becca had been all but dating Bryce Lahela for the last year and a half. 

They were friends. 

Friends who kissed and touched and spent almost every Friday and Saturday night together with the gang. 

It wasn’t a secret that Bryce was completely enamored by her. 

He wanted her. Officially. And he was tried of waiting. 

One day after school, Bryce was waiting outside Ms. Cook’s classroom for her. 

He nodded at and dodged every student that passed him as he waited. She was the last one to leave. 

“Hey,” he gave his megawatt smile.  “Hey, what’re you doing here? Don’t you have practice?”  “Ended early.” 

They exchanged small talk and Bryce finally began to lay everything out in a young, round about way. He kissed her to butter her up. 

“Be my girlfriend?”  “What’s wrong with what we already have?”  “C’mon, Becks,” he pulled her in closer by her beltloop.  “No.”  “No?”  “What’s the point? We’re just going to break up before college.”  “You don’t know that.” 

She rattled off all her reasons why: they aren’t going to the same school, they’re young, she doesn’t want to resent him, she doesn’t want to fall in love with him just for it to end badly. 

Bryce went to fight for her but was interrupted by the slam of a door. The two looked up and saw Dr. Ramsey and Ms. Cook locking up for the evening.

She pulled away from him and turned on her heels. 

At the bus stop, Becca sat with her head in her hands. 

Ethan came up next to her.   “For what it’s worth, I think you made the right decision. You’re going to change immensely over the next few years.”  “I know,” she grumbled into her palms. “It just hurts.”   _

Becca went to Stony Brook and double majored in Chemistry and Biology. 

She then attended Med School at UCLA. 

Her second year, a familiar name stared back at her from her required internal medicine textbook: Dr. Ethan Ramsey. 

Becca couldn’t help the smile as she remembered him. She’d almost forgot about the TA that impacted her life more than she could ever know.

Out of curiosity she consumed all his research. And when she finished everything, she found his direct email at Edenbrook. 

She spent an entire weekend wondering if she should email him - Ask if he remembered her and that she followed his advice. She found her calling and it was helping people, just like him. She thought about throwing a joke in there but figured it had been too many years and it probably wouldn’t translate. 

When residency came, she only had applied to Edenbrook. 

And that’s when she emailed him. 

She hadn’t gotten a response for months. 

Actually, she didn’t hear anything until her decision letter came. 

That same evening she found an email from him at the top of her inbox:  Glad to see you’ve found your voice. We look forward to welcoming you to the team. 

Ethan vaguely remembered Becca. 

Honestly, he blocked the whole TA part of his life out. 

Though, once he received her email, he personally vetted her application. And he was blown away. She wasn’t some naïve teenager. 

Becca started working at Edenbrook and wanted nothing more than to learn from Ethan himself. 

But he was different - jaded and cynical and not as approachable as she remembered. 

He pushed her to reach her potential and she pushed his buttons. 

They grew closer, especially with Naveen’s case. Basically the slow burn in canon happens. 

These two get together, officially, once their jobs at the new Bloombrook Diagnostics Hospital were instated and they were definitely both staying in Boston for the foreseeable future.  _

Becca didn’t particularly want to go to her 10-year high school reunion. She went because she was being recognized for her accomplishments with a few other alum. 

She brought her boyfriend Ethan with her.  “If I have to sit through this, so do you.”  “I can honestly say I’ve never been to a reunion.”  “Well, you’re my excuse to leave early. Gotta put the old man to bed,” she winked. 

She was grateful for him playing along instead of taking another shift at work, and it would be nice to just be a couple for once. Without expectations hanging over them as the heads of their respective departments at work. 

They had been in the ballroom for less than 15 minutes before they heard the loud whispers circulating. 

Seems like Becca wasn’t the only one who remember the sexiest TA in all of high school history and of teenage dreams. 

There were a bunch of intrusive questions being thrown at them and people coming up to them for the low down. 

They tried not to be rude in their admonishments but the whole situation was awkward as fuck. Maybe it wasn’t a good idea to bring him with her.... 

But there was no going back now. 

And then Bryce sauntered over. 

They hadn’t spoken to one another since senior prom when he took her best friend as a date and then hooked up with someone else at the after party. 

“Rebecca, you look amazing,” he came in for a hug.  “Thank you, Bryce.” 

They had awkward catch ups at one side of the table as Ethan sat at the other end fending off questions from other girls and a select group of boys that remembered him. 

Bryce and Becca talked about what they’ve been up to, how he’s now a surgeon and what brought him back home. 

They lamented about how it’s strange they’re both in medicine and never spoke of that as a career path way back when. 

In their long, flowing and unawkward conversation, they settled that it was best they went their separate ways. 

They settled on the agreement that they didn’t think they’d end up at the schools they went to if they did date. They assumed love would reign and they’d choose to stay close by, and New York and California were not close by. 

With all the long awaited closure finally out of the way, Bryce motioned towards Ethan; “So, you and that guy? How’d that happen?” 

She knew what he was thinking and was quick to squash any rumors from starting.

“We work together. Didn’t mean for it to happen, it just kind of fell together.”  “You look happy.”  “I am.” 

Bryce was bold in his next assumption. Knowing Becca as the girl who always spoke about never getting married and being a free bird as her main reasons for never committing to a boy, he wanted to catch her of guard:   “Is it love?” 

He wasn’t prepared for her answer.

“Yes.” 

People change and are allowed to evolve. But it’s hard to imagine someone you once loved as anything other than who they were. And it’s even harder to see them in love with someone else. 

[eleanorbloom]

When You’re Ready Ch. 09

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x f! MC (Eleanor Bloom) x Ethan Ramsey.

Word Count: 4.1k

Warning: Angst? And Ethan kinda psyco 🤣

A/N: It took me ages to finish this chapter because, to me, the plot is kind of boring and it was made just for story progression (and I just couldn’t leave it behind nor reducing it to a paragraph for the next chapter), but I have to admit that with the adjustments that I made yesterday, it’s now pretty decent. Fortunately, next chapter is way more interesting.

A/N2: Special thanks to @aylamwrites​ for helping me with some of my writing/translation issues and for her advices.  Gracias gurrrl 💜💜💜

Hope you enjoy it!

Taglist @utterlyinevitable​  @shanzay44​ @choicesficwriterscreations​ @laiba-the-person​ @starrystarrytrouble​ @lahellacute​ @lucy-268​ @aylamreads​ @binny1985​ @romewritingshop​ @cinnamonspongecake​ 

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

________________

Chapter 9. The Less I Know The Better.

Then I heard they slept together

Oh, the less I know the better.

Eleanor made her entrance into Edenbrook with confidence she never felt before. Not even last year, when she was starting the residency program of her dreams at Edenbrook, she had felt this proud of herself. It was her first day both as a second-year resident and as Junior Fellow Member in the Diagnostics Team, directed by her medical hero, Dr. Ethan Ramsey. And well, yes. The person she had feelings for.

But today was also the first day where she would leave all that in the past, to truly be over him. She would face him, talk to him, and make his presence something so usual in her life that after a few weeks he wouldn’t mean anything but a mentor, a colleague, and hopefully, one day, a friend. But not more than that.

She knew it would be difficult. The night before had been hard enough not falling into his spell again. Her lips were thirsty for his kisses, her skin aching for his touch and her mind only wanted to float into the sky of his eyes once more. But she wasn’t blind anymore. She knew it wouldn’t do her any good.

Bryce had opened her eyes. Even if Ethan had the most selfless intentions pulling away from her to not jeopardize her career, he had hurt her consciously. He had ignored her even when she was drowning. And what Bryce had done just in a few weeks? He treated her like the most precious thing in the world. Like a queen. In the way she always wanted to be treated by someone, but she thought it was just stupid ideas romantic love had put in her head. He had listened to her, respected her space, consoled her when she needed it, and even when she didn’t think she needed it. He had made her his priority. The less she could do at that moment was putting him as her priority over anything she might be feeling for Ethan.

And now, there she was, facing her first obstacle, standing outside the Department of Diagnostics. Big glass walls, and a sliding door before her. She took a deep breath and with a smile on her face entered as the doors slid softly to let her in.

The office was quiet and illuminated by the natural lighting of that summer morning. There was the faintest scent of bergamot and mandarin in the air, probably traces of Ethan’s perfume left early in the morning.

She observed the place taking short steps around. A big desk in front of the entry, a circular table on the right side with a big whiteboard behind…

“I’m here, I’m really here”

“Hey, me too.”

…And a couch between the table and the entry, where it was a man reclined, reading a medical journal.

A tanned man with tiny eyes and a grown beard stood up and approached her. He seemed familiar, but the big smile on her face made her think she might be wrong.  

“Um, Zaid? You’re on the diagnostics team?”

“Ah, I take it you’re one of my twin brother’s residents.”—He answered extending his hand to the confused resident.—“Baz Mirani’s the name, immunology’s the game. Game-slash-specialty.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t even know Zaid had a twin brother.”

After a few moments talking, her mind raced to the smirk Ethan had given her the night before. That’s why he didn’t want to talk about the team members. It wasn’t about bias, he just wanted to keep it a surprise the fact that Zaid Mirani had a super friendly twin brother that made them look the personification of the yin and yang in terms of niceness and well, in term of twins. While Zaid was King of Sarcasm, Baz had no ability to perceive it. While Zaid was grumpy and serious, Baz was amicable and talkative.

Then it was the time to meet the last member of the team, June Hirata. June was a very intense-looking woman with a British accent and a self-assurance that exuded from her pores.

Eleanor felt a little intimidated by the way the attending was scrutinizing her, but she thought it was normal for a neurologist and psychologist to examine a new colleague not only on a physical level but in terms of corporal language too, just like she was doing it.

After a few minutes of chatting with her new colleagues, Ethan appeared through the sliding doors.

“Introductions done? Great. We’ve got work to do”—He said, while the three took a seat in the table.

She couldn’t help but feel a little twist of nervousness inside her stomach, but she tried hard to suppress any emotions she might feel, and just focused on trying to be just as stoic as her mentor always appears. She put her best professional face and started to observe how the team worked and took notes of all the things they were saying.

June and Baz started asking questions to Ethan, who had all the information about the new patient. Eleanor remained silent, witnessing the exchange, trying to absorb all the information possible. She was a bit intimidated because that level of confidence and questioning was really out of her league, but she tried to convince herself that it was a normal response for a first day.

The team divagated through some symptoms, theories, and diseases until June gave the final idea: Cutaneous Kikuchi disease. With that, Ethan asked her to run a biopsy on the patient's rash to confirm the diagnosis.

Once the team was dismissed, both attendings returned to their other duties, leaving Eleanor and Ethan alone.

“After you’re done with our patient, you can see Ines and Zaid for further assignments.”—He said as he was taking a seat by his desk—"You’ll be balancing your work here with your usual resident duties. Now that you’re a second-year, that will include rotations at the free clinic.”

“Yes Dr. Ramsey”— She replied standing up from the chair—“We will always diagnose patients without seeing them?”

“No, but we’re often asked for help by hospitals all over the country, so it’s a good habit to keep our blind diagnosis skills sharp.”

Eleanor was about to reach the door when she stops in her tracks, hesitating. 

“Is everything alright, Eleanor?”

“Actually, could we talk?”

Ethan gazed at her for a few moments before answering.

“About the job or about us?”

“The job. That’s why we are here.”—Eleanor replied with obviousness, but it sounded harsher than she intended. As if it would never cross her mind talking about them.  

His eyes betrayed him for a split of a second as he addressed the coldness in her response, but then he just got up from his desk and moved to the circular table. Eleanor sat beside him a moment later.

“I’m all yours”

She couldn't help but shook her head to herself, not missing the ulterior motives in Ethan’s words for the second time straight.

“I’m just surprised how well and how quickly you worked that out. How are you sure you made the right diagnosis?”

Ethan took his time to explain to Eleanor how the team proceeded, the normal way they work, and gave her some tips to be more involved next time. He assured her that it was normal that the first days she would be feeling lost and ignorant, but once she started to obtain more knowledge from medical journals and research, she would improve her involvement in the team. 

She nodded at every advice, and when he was done, she kept staring at him inquisitively.

“What is it?”

“Your glasses, I’m not used to see you with those on.”

“Oh, yes. I use them when I work on the computer. Now that you’ll come to the office frequently, you’ll see me a lot like this.”

“They make you look smart”—She teased, trying to diffuse the tension she still sensed on Ethan after her cold response.

“You've caught me. The illusion behind my status. Without these, I’m a simpering moron.”

That seemed to relax his shoulders a bit. They both laughed for the first time without the tension of their actual status, where recriminations wouldn’t be involved this time. Her eyes shined, happy for sharing that moment after so much discomfort.

“So, Zaid had a twin brother and you dared to not tell me.”

Ethan chuckled

“I wish I was there when you saw him for the first time. I can only imagine your face.”

“Haha, very funny. You’re such a trickster, Ethan.”

They had lean close to each other without noticing, their knees touching, and his fingers just an inch away from hers.  Her composure stiffed, her will power was once again being challenged.

She couldn’t give in. She had to keep playing the cold Eleanor that didn’t feel a thing about his mentor.

She swallowed hard.

“Well, I should get those test run.”—She informed, taking the notebook in her hand, and then standing up in one swift motion—"Thank you for your advice, Ethan.”

“You’re welcome, Eleanor. Anytime.”—He responded, caught off guard by the abruptness of her reaction. 

Eleanor left the office quickly, sensing how his eyes were following her as she passed through the door. She released the breath that had been holding a few steps away from the office.

She had made it.

The interactions during the day weren’t any different. She ran the tests, informed her discoveries to the team (with the help of her intern, Esme Ortega), and then she made quite an impression with the Governor by diagnosing her son was sick; which granted her an invitation to have dinner with Naveen, Harper, Ethan, the Governor, and her staff that night. She had become the best card Edenbrook had to secure important funds to keep the hospital afloat.

After dropping Harper home after the dinner, Eleanor couldn’t suppress the memories of the last time she was alone with him in that car. The night before he left. The night of their last kiss, of the last time they made love. The last time they consciously and voluntarily stared at each other as lovers.

She was in the exact same place where everything had ended and after two months it still hurt.

Eleanor turned to her left, wondering if Ethan might be thinking the same, but his face was serious, without traces of knitted brows or troubled eyes. The streetlights were framing his features in different shapes as the car moved down the streets. She fixated her eyes in his grown beard, which still felt a bit odd to her, but to some extent, it would be useful as a fresh start. He wasn’t the Ethan she knew and wanted. He was the Ethan that left for two months to start over and be the boss and colleague she needed.

Then she looked away, coming back into her senses. She clenched the silk material of her pine dress in her fists until her knuckles were white

“What. Are. You. Doing?” —She asked herself, pressing her fists into her knees harder at every word she said on her mind. 

The car stopped before the red traffic lights and she felt Ethan was turning to her, staring.

“Don’t look at him. Don’t.”—She ordered in her head, her composure tensing even more.

But after a few moments, she gives up.

Amber connects with the sky and the earth stopped spinning. She was so lost in him that didn’t notice he had brought his right hand to hers, taking it gently.

“We’ll be okay.”

His thumb caressed the knuckle of her middle finger, and that’s what it took to feel a shiver down her spine. He knew what she was thinking.  He was touching her. No. It wasn’t anything. It didn’t mean anything.

She had to look away, but if the first time had been hard, now it would be impossible while he was staring at her. She couldn’t just look away. She wasn’t that brave, at least for now.

From the corner of her eye, she perceived a change in the lights. Her way out.

“It’s… It’s green now”—She said in a tiny voice, his eyes desperate for a moment.

Ethan glanced back to the street, clearing his throat. The air returned to her lungs.

He drove the rest journey in complete silence and he barely looked at her when she got off the car outside her apartment.

“Thanks for the ride Ethan, see you tomorrow”

“Goodnight, Eleanor.”

She had made it again.

--

The next day, Ethan and Naveen were sharing their remarks about the dinner the night before when they spotted Eleanor, Bryce, and Sienna entering the hospital after their lunch break. Ethan tried to avoid looking at her, not wanting to expose his mixed feelings about her in front of Naveen, but the old had mastered at reading him after so many years.

“Rumors says Dr. Bloom has been doing good these past weeks”—Naveen said as he finds Ethan following her, reluctantly.

“Mmmh?”

“In the company of a surgical resident”

 “You mean with that scalpel jockey?”—He inquired, pointing out the resident who was walking beside Eleanor with a brief motion of his head.

“Yes, precisely”

“I doubt it. They are just friends. Besides, I don’t think she’d like someone like him.”

Naveen didn’t miss the bitterness in his last words.

“What do you mean? Just because he is a surgeon?”

“Yes.  He is arrogant and shallow.”

“Shallow? To me is quite interesting. I’ve heard plenty of praises from Harper. Very promising, bold, intelligent, and ahead of most of his fellow second-year residents, even some third-years.”

“Hmmm, well, the point is I don’t think Bloom would have that bad taste dating a jock like him.”

“Well, they have been seen pretty cozy. I, personally, have seen them while having lunch or going t-.”

“I’ve seen them too.”—Ethan interrupted—"You say cozy, I would say he’s a harasser who likes to touch women, that’s why he might have his hands all over Eleanor. I don’t know why she lets him.”

“Am I sensing jealousy in your tone, my friend?”

“Jealousy? For Christ’s sake Naveen. Why would I be jealous of a scalpel jockey? And there’s nothing between Eleanor and me to have the right to feel jealous.”

Naveen chuckled.

“Whatever you say, my friend. But to me, they make a nice couple, she looks very happy around him.”—The Chief commented with a smirk full of malice, waiting for his reaction.

“Of course she’s happy around him, he acts like a goddamn clown all the time.”

Ethan turned around and left with his head steaming with anger.

He didn’t believe Naveen’s words. He didn't want to believe his words. He was convinced that Bryce and Eleanor were just friends, or maybe they were having a fling as all resident do, but nothing more than that.

But he couldn’t ignore such information much longer and against all his self-control and dignity, he started paying attention to her interactions with the surgical resident. However, at first, he didn’t find anything extraordinary. They would have lunch with her roommates as usual, hang out at Donahue’s like always, and chat through the hallways of the hospital as all colleagues do. Maybe Bryce acted flirtily and a bit handsy with her, but it wasn’t different from what he has always been with her.

The idea of them having a fling made him feel a pit in his stomach, but at the same time, it relieved him that it was just that. She was sleeping with Lahela so she could to move on. And he couldn’t blame her. But a relationship? Love? With that jock? That was beyond his comprehension.

While he was observing him, Ethan wondered what Eleanor would see in him. He had listened, without no other option, that many residents, even nurses, found him very attractive— ‘hot” was the most used word in fact—, while other residents, mostly men, would say he was cocky and arrogant, but Ethan was sure that even when he agreed he had a cocky way to conduct himself all over the hospital—all over the world— he wasn’t arrogant without fundaments.

He indeed was an outstanding surgical resident, he had heard many praises from Harper the last few months, so he just knew his worth and how to use it, and Ethan couldn’t condemn him for that. And if he was honest about it, he also had to be honest about the fact that he was an outstanding doctor too. He was always kind and nice to patients, always on time to prep them for surgeries, and always had the time and patience to explain for the umpteenth time how would be the procedure to any patient or family who would ask to him. And that was actually an important trait. That said, Bryce Lahela wasn’t so despicable after all, but he was a scalpel jockey and probably was sleeping with Eleanor, and that was enough to Ethan to despise him.

A few days later, th attending was accompanying a patient before her heart valve replacement when Bryce came into the room to prepare her for the surgery.

“Good morning Mrs. Montero, how are you today?”—He greeted in a joyful voice and then he nodded to the attending—"Dr. Ramsey”

“Dr. Lahela”

“I’m not gonna lie, I’m scared.”

“You have nothing to be scared for.”—He assured—"Dr. Tanaka is the best doctor you could have to repair anything that involves your heart, so everything will be fine.”

“That means he could fix how broke my heart is after my husband passed away?”

Bryce stared at her with a sad smile.

“I’m afraid not. But with the new valve, you’ll get plenty of years to make new memories and adventures, so you’ll have enjoyed your time to the fullest before you left this earth to be with him."

“I like the sound of that.”

“I’m sure you do. And let me say you that you will have the best resident by his side too, so you'll be in the best hands Edenbrook can provide.—Bryce winked warmly at her.

Ethan suppressed a scoff at his words and stood up from his chair.

“I believe you, my boy.”

And then Bryce grinned. A broad smile with his nose wrinkled paralyzed Ethan in his tracks for a second.

The same grin Eleanor had done that night at Donahue’s and that he had found odd and new in Eleanor, but for some reason, it was familiar.

And it was familiar because he had seen it in Bryce Lahela many times when he prepared patients for surgery. That sincere and knowing smile.

“Dr. Ramsey, thank you so much for your company.”

“You’re welcome, Elena. You’ll be in good hands now. I’ll come to see you when you have your new valve, alright?”

“Alright.”

“Lahela”—He nodded before leaving the room with his head racing incessantly.

He had read a while ago that expressions are contagious between people, even at the moment they are displayed, as a show of empathy and to recognize other people’s feelings. He did know too that couples after some time would imitate their expressions and laughs. But it also could happen with friends, family, and whoever you share a place to live with.

Maybe it was normal and Eleanor not only had expressions from Bryce but also from Sienna, Jackie, and Elijah, as they would see each other  throughout the day and they shared an apartment. 

But there was another option that could explain the fact that Eleanor had acquired a smile from Bryce. But he was so in denial that he didn’t even want to put it into words.

That realization changed everything in Ethan. His focus was now on Eleanor. On study how different she was compared to the months before he left. And in their daily meetings or just in their encounters through hallways of the hospital, he found that she was again the same happy and sweet resident he had met last year, with a calm demeanor, her sunny smile, and firm disposition to help whoever needed it. But he also noticed that this 'start over' between them had been taken seriously by her. She was completely focused on the work and never talked about anything that wasn’t work-related with him, and he never found her looking for his eyes or his touch like she used to, but he could tell she used to grow anxious when she had to be alone with him in the office.

A few days later, Eleanor found Bryce, Rafael, and Ethan on their way to their morning gym session so she joined them in a heartbeat. When she got into the room with her workout clothes on, the three buddies were in the treadmill warming up. She went to the fourth machine and started to run beside Rafael.

“What made you want to workout with us this morning, Ellie?”—He asked

“I always try to find a moment to make any physical activity but I hadn’t had the chance these few last days so I’m taking the chance now. I want to stay healthy,”

“That's a very good reason. The body is a machine. When it goes without use, it rusts.”—Ethan conceded, at the other side of the room, in the first treadmill.

“Don’t think that’s medically accurate, Doc”—Bryce pointed out, running between Ethan and Rafael.

“I know surgeons don’t know how to read a book, but that’s called a ‘metaphor’”—Retorted Ethan. Even if there was a teasing smile on his face, the bitterness of his words was evident to everyone in the room.

“Geez, I’ll tell Jackie to send you an invitation to the hate group for scalpel jockeys, Ramsey. You would love it”—He said, not missing a bit, his confidence not even remotely shaken.

Ethan observed Eleanor, whose smile had fainted with disappointment. After a few seconds, as she observed Bryce was smiling as usual, she quickly shook it off and ignored the attending for the rest of the routine.

Ethan knew there was something there and just the fact that he might confirm the rumors made him angry. At himself and at Naveen. Why he had to tell him? It would have been so much better not to know what Eleanor was doing with her life. It was not his business and he had no right to snoop into her life like he had been doing these few weeks.

---

The unusual bitter comment the attending had said to Bryce, made Eleanor sense that maybe he was suspecting about her relationship with the surgical resident. The multiples times she caught him observing her in her lunchtime, at Donahue’s, and anywhere he would spot her with Bryce were making sense now.

Maybe there were rumors. Maybe Naveen had told him, he surely knew every gossip in the hospital—not just because he was the Chief, but because he liked hospital gossip—, and of course he would deliver this information to Ethan to wake him up. The old man had always been pretty honest about his support toward Ethan and her.  

Or maybe he just knew. He just figured it out because of her coldness towards him and because even if she and Bryce tried to keep it lowkey, there was always the chance that he could have caught them the times theye couldn’t help but holding hands or kissing when they were close.

Either way, she didn’t care.

At least not as much as she cared the day before he was back, but now she felt relieved that Ethan might have some clues of her situation. She still didn’t want to confirm it, she wanted to know if he was bold enough, if it affected him hard enough to approach her and ask her about her relationship status.

But she knew him. Ethan was never a man of facing emotions or tough conversations. He was a master at avoiding feelings and people and maybe he would wait for something or someone who would confirm the rumors. The problem was if he was emotionally prepared for that moment.

 ______

[dearlazerbunny]

On Frogs and Other Matters

Pairings: Kyoya Ootori x Reader

Genre/Rating: G, angst-to-fluff

Words: 4,200

Summary: a request from Anon for a family friend reader whom one of Kyoya’s brothers has a crush on! I know technically this isn’t canon-compliant because Yuuichi is married in the manga but let’s just ignore that, k? Enjoy! :D

“Kyoya.”

“Kyooooooooyaaaaaaaaaaa.”

A socked foot slowly sneaks over the top edge of Kyoya’s laptop, wiggling enticingly. To his credit, the boy studiously typing away doesn’t even acknowledge the intrusion-that is, until the toes attached to said foot decide to start erroneously pressing keys here and there.

“What.”

“I’m bored.”

“We just started the movie ten minutes ago.”

“I know, but you’re not even watching it!”

“I have seen this movie approximately eleven and a half times. I think I can spare missing another viewing.”

“But it’s a masterpiece!”

“So you’ve said.”

You sigh and hug a pillow to your chest, squishing your chin down into the top of it as you watch Tiana kiss Frog-Naveen. Absently, you wonder what it might be like to kiss the boy across the couch from you- only for your waking mind to squash that thought into a bloody pulp and toss it back where it came from. Kyoya and you are friends. Best friends. And you’ll be damned if you ruin over a decade of being partners in crime just because you’ve developed some… interesting feelings over the past year or so.

“The whole point of putting on the movie was so you would stop working.”

“I am an excellent multitasker.”

You groan and let your head flop back onto the arm of the sofa you’re leaning up against. “Maybe the club should do a Princess and the Frog theme day.”

That statement warrants an eyebrow quirk. “Oh really?”

“Yes really. Tamaki would be Naveen, obviously, he’s all-” you wave a hand in the air- “-schmoozy. Aaaaaaaaand Renge could be Charlotte.” You gasp. “Nekozawa as Dr. Facilier! It’s perfect!”

Kyoya makes a noncommittal noise. “And who would I be?”

“Well Tiana, of course.”

This time you get an eyebrow raise and he actually looks at you. “Tiana.”

“Well yeah! You’re both always running yourself into the ground.”

“I do not-”

You neatly close the lid of his laptop with your foot, trapping his fingers underneath. “Do too.”

He glares at you, though it lacks fire. “I haven’t saved that.”

“Come on Kyoya, just an hour or two of no computer, no fielding crazy phone calls from Tamaki-”

“-if I don’t answer he’s likely to set himself or his house on fire, or both-”

“And no complaining!” You fix him with your signature look, the one that convinced him to let you buy out a whole store’s worth of donuts on national donut day when you were seven. You made it though fifteen before you were ready to hurl- during which Kyoya dutifully held your hair back and got you some water afterwards.

Kyoya stares at you for a moment, the look in his eyes unreadable behind the glint of his lenses. Then he adjusts his glasses on the bridge of his nose and sighs. “Fine. One hour.”

“Yes!” You lightly smack him with the pillow you’re cuddling as he sets his precious baby laptop on the floor. “The twelfth and a half viewing is the best, I promise.”

“Somehow I highly doubt that.”

By the time Ray is crunched under Dr. Facilier’s boot, you’re sniffling (this part always gets you) and also curled up next to Kyoya. His arm is thrown lazily around you, and you have to resist the urge to reach up and tangle your fingers together. No sense in making it weird- the two of you have been close, including physically, since you were kids. You even share his bed during sleepovers half the time. But it always remains platonic. You’ve given Kyoya plenty of time to make a move, and he never has- which means he doesn’t think of you that way at all. So you’re content, if a little sad, to keep the closeness between you free of anything romantic.

“Knock knock, I’m coming in. If you’re doing anything unseemly I suggest you stop now.” Kyoya’s brother Yuuichi cracks open the door to the den you and Kyoya are currently occupying.

Though you can’t see his face, you know Kyoya is rolling his eyes, and you scrunch up your nose playfully at the newcomer. “Hi, Yuuichi.”

“Y/N.” Yuuichi nods his head at you. “Will you be staying for dinner? Father already told the maids to set an extra place.”

“Did you just insinuate I might miss the two of you arguing about business-whatever?” You put a hand to your chest in mock-surprise. “You wound me.”

“I thought so.” His voice is warm. “The food will be ready within the hour.” He pauses as he studies the images on the screen. “The Princess and the Frog? Again?”

“It’s a masterpiece!” You and Kyoya both say, as in sync as the Hitachiin twins, though the enthusiasm is on completely different levels.

Yuuichi shakes his head as he leaves the door ajar, and you turn your attention back to the film. Though you keep up a consistent string of commentary, Kyoya is noticeably silent. “Hey. Something wrong?”

“I- no. It’s nothing.”

Well you’re certainly not going to let that one go. You shift away so that you can face him, and give his shoulder a poke. “C’mon. Out with it.”

“My family likes you.”

“Well, yeah. What’s not to like?”

Kyoya looks sideways at you with a hurt look on his face. “Y/N, you know what I mean. My family doesn’t even like me.”

“Oh, Ky.” You brush a piece of hair out of his eyes. “They love you, I know they do, they just…” you wince a little. “…have an interesting way of showing it.” The two of you sit for a moment in the dark room, credits rolling on screen. Your hand lingers where it tucked his hair behind his ear. If you were brave enough, this would be the moment where you’d lean in and kiss him, just once, so he’d know that even though he’s never enough for his family he’s more than enough for you.

But you’re a coward, so you let your hand fall away and tug him off the couch instead. “C’mon, I’m starving. And I’ll even let you tell me all the ways your father and brother are messing up the company after we’re done eating.”

The smile that ticks onto his lips almost makes you sign in relief. “You know me too well.”

“It’s a gift.”

…

Dinner with the entire Ootori family is always an interesting affair. Whereas you’re used to just quietly raiding the fridge with Kyoya and taking your spoils back to his room, a proper supper is a very formal event. The dining room is laid out with china and utensils that most likely cost more than your house, and there’s enough food to feed their private army, much less the five of you. Plus, you never know what sort of mood Yoshio will be in. Luckily, Kyoya’s observation was a bit of an understatement- his family doesn’t just like you, they love you. You’re usually able to diffuse whatever tension is at the table with a joke or a story and get Kyoya out alive and without bursting a blood vessel before the dishes are cleared. Prepping something mildly witty in your head that will hopefully put Yoshio in a good mood, you wander the hallways, in no rush to get to dinner. Kyoya stepped away to answer a call from Tamaki- you hadn’t heard anything but incoherent shrieking on the other end so loud it made him pull the phone away from his ear. You shake your head- hopefully Kyoya can talk him down within the next ten minutes, or else you’ll be facing the family alone.

In your contemplating, you walk right into someone’s side, almost knocking the two of you over. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry- Fuyumi!”

Kyoya’s sister turns, and her face immediately brightens when she sees you. “Y/N!” The both of you crash together into a hug, giggling like school girls. How are you, imouto? It’s been so long!”

You laugh and straighten her hair from where your hug mussed it up. After Kyoya, Fuyumi is probably your second favorite person in the world. You’ve spent plenty of nights painting each other’s nails and gossiping when Kyoya burying himself in his work and being too much of a git to hang out with you.  “We called just last week!”

“My statement stands,” she says with a wink. “Are you staying for dinner? We have so much to catch up on!” You nod in affirmation and she grins. “Good.” She slips her arm through yours and locks the two of you side by side. “So, what have I missed?”

You sigh and shrug a shoulder. “Not much, really. School is fine, the boys are crazy as usual. Hikaru and Kaoru are fighting over god knows what and actually dyed their hair different colors to differentiate themselves.”

“Hm.” There’s a twinkle in her eye. “And how are things with Kyoya?”

“Fuyumi!” You frantically glance over your shoulder, making sure no one is around to hear the two of you. “Hush, seriously!” You’d been forced to confess your burgeoning crush when she’d called you out for acting weird a few months ago. She made it abundantly clear she approved of the idea, and has subtly been trying to nudge the two of you together ever since, much to your dismay. “Everything is fine how it is, thank you very much.”

“If you say so,” she says in a singsong way, pulling open the door to the dining room. “Oh, you two would just be so cute together-”

“MR. OOTORI!” You practically scream, effectively overshadowing Fuyumi’s words. “Thanks for inviting me to dinner!” You shoot the other girl a death glare before putting a nice face on for Kyoya’s father. “It’s very kind of you.”

“Of course, of course, it’s no trouble at all.” He smiles at you warmly before extending a hand for you to shake. “Anything for our dear Y/N. How are you? Keeping up with your studies?”

You chat with him pleasantly as everyone else filters into the room. Fuyumi takes a seat to your right, leaving the chair next to you but farthest from Yoshio for Kyoya. Yuuichi is already seated next to his father, tapping something on his phone, and finally Akito filters in, a medical journal tucked under his arm. He waves at you, and you give a salute back.

“Did Kyoya abandon you again?” Akito sits primly on the edge of his chair across from you. “Honestly, I don’t know why you stick around with him like you do.”

Internally, you sigh. You like Akito well enough, but he’s always ragging on his brother, and it grates your nerves like nothing else. “No, he’s just talking Tamaki down from some harebrained scheme.”

The boy harrumphs in disapproval. “That club will be the death of him. He should be focusing on his studies.”

“He does! He’s top of our class for heaven’s sake. If anything, I think the host club keeps him sane most of the time.” Out of the corner of your eye, you keep track of Yoshio and Yuuichi’s conversation, hoping they’re too busy to notice Akito’s topic of choice. If his father starts railing on him as well, there’s no stopping it, and Kyoya doesn’t need to walk into a room where everyone is discussing him.

Luckily, the conversation dies down when Kyoya tugs open the door and slips though. “My apologies for being late, everyone. I had some business to take care of.”

“It’s fine,” you say quickly, before anyone else can argue. “We just started.” You pat the chair next to you and he gives you a grateful look before sliding into his seat.

Thankfully, dinner proceeds fairly mundanely. You and Fuyumi chat about girl stuff, with Kyoya chiming in every so often in between texting the host club group chat under the table. You nudge his leg with your knee whenever his father or brother asks him a question so it looks like he’s paying attention, and Akito thankfully goes back to his reading.

“Well, another excellent meal!” Yuuichi folds his napkin delicately and places it next to his plate. “I’m afraid I have to run soon, but first, I have something of an announcement to make.”

You glance at Kyoya, who looks just as confused as you are. No one else seems to know what’s happening either, except for Yoshio, who sits back in his chair expectantly with a pleased look on his face.

Then, Yuuichi turns to you.

“Y/N, you have been a treasured family friend for years now, and I have had the distinct pleasure of watching you grow into a lovely and witty young woman. And I must say, if I may, that I have found myself quite taken with you over the past year.” He pauses to take a sip from his glass of wine, seemingly considering his next words. “After much consideration… Y/N, would you do me the honor of accompanying me out next Saturday night?”

Throughout his mini-speech, you’ve been staring blankly at him with an affable smile on your face, not really taking in his words. It isn’t until Yuuichi looks at you with a confident, hopeful smile that his intent sinks in.

For a few long moments, it feels as though everything has frozen in place.

Yoshio is looking on like he’s already envisioning you walking down the aisle. Akito seems surprised, his thumb paused over the next page of his book. Fuyumi’s eyes widen almost imperceptibly, and you catch her gaze with an absolutely frantic look.

And Kyoya goes… cold.

It takes a second for you to realize that everyone is staring at you expectantly, and you brighten your voice, trying to shake off the heavy coat of fear that has just been draped over your shoulders. “Oh, Yuuichi, that’s… wow, that’s so unexpected-”

“I know it must seem sudden.” He gives a gentle shrug. “But I found myself unable to wait any longer.”

“What an excellent idea!” Yoshio beams at the small gathering, placing one hand over his son’s in an encouraging gesture. Simultaneously, your hand is latched onto Fuyumi’s knee under the table, trying to steady yourself. “What a beautiful couple the two of you will make! Don’t you believe so, Akito, Fuyumi?”

Akito murmurs his assent, but Fuyumi stutters as your grip tightens. “Um, yes, well.. I suppose it is up to Y/N, isn’t it?” She finds your fingers under the tablecloth and gently squeezes back, as though she’s saying sorry she can’t help you out.

What do you do?

Yuuichi’s declaration is not something said lightly. If you accept, you’re basically agreeing to a marriage. Sure, not right away, but a few years down the line… if you say yes, there’s no way you could ever break it off without severing the relations between your family and the Ootoris, which would be suicide. The media would be all over it; the business community would hound you for years. You can’t say no. You can’t.

And yet, you find yourself about to do exactly that. Because deep down, you know your heart belongs to Kyoya. And even though being cut off from him and his family will hurt like hell, it won’t hurt nearly as bad as watching him from afar for the rest of your life while you stand beside his brother.

“You should accept.” Kyoya’s calm voice shatters your thoughts like shards of ice. “I… what?”

“You should accept, of course.” He doesn’t move as he speaks, and his words are as emotionless as a smooth lake on a clear day. “It is a generous proposal, one that would benefit both of our families.” He pauses for the span of a breath. Two. “And, from what I’ve seen, you do not have any other propositions coming, yes?”

Your heart stills.

He doesn’t mean that.

Does he?

All these years of being attached at the hip… and these last few months, when you’ve desperately hoped that he might want something more… it all comes crashing down about your ears in a thunderous cacophony of heartbreak. If he’s so willing to see you given to his brother… you don’t mean anything to him, not really. He’s perfectly fine seeing you live your life so close, yet so far away. Something in you steels and hardens. Well then. If he’s fine with it, why shouldn’t you be?

Without looking at the boy next to you, you bow your head. “You’re right, of course.” You give Yuuichi a genuine smile that does nothing to lighten the dullness in your eyes. “I am flattered and honored, Yuuichi. Of course I will accompany you.”

“Excellent!” Yoshio waves for a butler, who emerges with a tray of something bubbly. “Such a happy occasion calls for a toast! To the new happy couple!”

Your fate is sealed in a matter of seconds. You watch your future flash before your eyes, and the chains of the accompanying life wrap around your wrists like vices.

Somewhere in your subconscious, you crystallize the part of your heart that belongs to Kyoya- his smile, his quick wit, the spark in his eyes as he laughs at your jokes- and shatter it, willing it to spread amongst the stars like fireflies in the night. No matter what happens, nobody will ever be able to claim they have all of your love. Some of it will live on, quietly, reminding you of what could have been every time you look at the sky.

“If you’ll excuse me, I believe I’ll go tell my mother the good news.” Your voice is impressively even as you push your chair back and stand. “Please, enjoy yourselves. I will be back shortly.” Crystal glasses clink amongst themselves as you leave the room, shoulders straight and head held high.

The façade lasts as long as it takes you to hide amongst the cherry blossoms blooming in the back gardens of the Ootori’s mansion. As you press your back up against the trunk of a tree, tears begin to stream down your cheeks, and you shove the heels of your hands at your eyes, willing yourself to get it together. You only succeed in letting a sob escape from your chest and out into the night air. You stand there curled in on yourself, with only the whispering branches above you for comfort, as you let out muffled cries and wrap your arms around yourself in effort to keep yourself from falling apart completely.

Eventually, you find yourself laid back on the ground, head tucked amongst the roots of a cherry blossom, watching the stars waver between flowering branches. You’ve completely forgotten about your promise to rejoin the group- you’ve forgotten pretty much anything requiring conscious thought. Everything is just… numb. At least the breeze is warm as it dries the salt on your cheeks.

“Y/N? Are you out here?” Soft footsteps disturb pebbles somewhere behind you.

Quickly, you wipe your face and clear your throat. “Yeah, I’m here!” You make sure to keep your voice light. “Just got off the phone, sorry. Didn’t mean to keep everyone waiting.”

“Father sent me to find you. He says you have a lot to discuss…” Kyoya trails off, and shuffles a little closer to you. “Are you… okay?”

“Juuuuust peachy.” You can’t keep the bitterness out of your voice. “These are tears of happiness, you know? ‘Cause I’m just so… happy.”

“You’re… not happy?”

There’s genuine confusion in his voice, like he can’t believe you wouldn’t be thrilled with this sudden arrangement, and the anger that flares up in your chest at his words is enough to get you standing and facing him.

“Of course I’m not happy, you ass! Why would I ever…” Your voice breaks. “Never mind. I’ll go… talk to your father.”

You go to brush past him, almost shoulder-checking him on the way, but he catches your wrist before you can get far. “Wait. Why aren’t you happy? Tell me.”

“God, for someone so smart you are such an idiot!” You whip around, yanking your wrist from his grasp. “Maybe because I’m not, have never been, and never will be interested in your brother?! I mean, he’s nice enough, but…ugh!”

“Why wouldn’t you be?” Kyoya’s voice rises, and you take a step back. It’s rare he actually raises his voice, much less shouts. “He’s perfect! He’s the firstborn son, he’s inheriting the company, he’ll get everything he ever wants-!”

“Because I like YOU, YOU ABSOLUTE ASS!” Mindlessly, you shove his shoulders, forcing him away from you. “I could care less about the freaking Ootori Group! They could drop off the face of the earth for all I care! I just want to watch stupid movies with you and fall asleep doing homework at 2AM and make up ridiculous themes for the host club and… but you don’t even care, I should have known…” you back up, tripping over roots you can’t see in the dark. “I just… I need to go. Tell everyone I’ll- I don’t know, make something up.”

Walking away from Kyoya in that moment is the most painful thing you’ve ever done. Whoever said confession makes the heart feel lighter clearly hasn’t ever been in love, because admitting your feelings to his face just makes you feel like death.

“Y/N.”

You sigh, trying to ignore even more tears threatening to escape. “What, Kyoya?” A gentle hand reaches up and brushes remnants of your breakdown from your cheek, causing your heart to flutter against your ribcage. “Wha-?”

“I’ve loved you for so long,” he whispers. “But hearing Yuuichi- it was just confirmation that it doesn’t matter what I want, what I feel- I could never have you. You’re too good to be wasted on me.”

“Ky, stop it. I mean it. You’re- you are exactly good for me; you’re so much more than enough. Just because your father is blind, deaf, and dumb doesn’t mean that your friends- that I- don’t see it.” You cover his hand with your own and let yourself be drawn closer to him. You’ve played with him in the ocean, cleaned his glasses for him when you got caught in the rain, even shared a bed- but in this moment, pouring your heart out in the hopes that he might finally get it… this is the closest you’ve ever been.

Somewhere in the background, amongst the trees and flowerbeds, fireflies blink into the night.

Moonlight glinting in his eyes; his gaze that still looks so hopelessly lost, you don’t know what else you could possibly do to convince him-

-except desperately press your lips to his. And, miracle of miracles, Kyoya kisses you back.

Behind the sweetness, and the hesitancy, there’s a fire and hunger that is so much more than you ever could have imagined. He tastes like champagne and cherry blossoms on the night air. He tastes like love. He tastes like a future.

After a moment- or a minute, or it could have been hours for all you can tell- the two of you are still in each other’s space, foreheads together, trying to catch your breath. Kyoya is studying you with an intensity you’ve never seen before, and the light brush of his fingertips along your cheekbones makes you shiver.

“Well. You don’t seem to have turned into a frog.”

It takes a second for your brain to come back online. Then a laugh burbles out of you, happy and pure. “Are you- are you serious right now?”

“Why, are you disappointed?” There’s a wry grin in his voice that you absolutely adore. You’d do anything and everything to keep that smile on his face.

“Not at all.” You brush your nose against his, scrunching it up just to make him laugh. “It just confirms you’re already my prince.”

“I think Tamaki might object to that.”

“Oh please, you’re three times the prince Tamaki will ever be. He’s just going to have to get over it.”

…

Across the garden, hidden amongst the shadows, Kyoya’s three siblings are simultaneously sighing in relief.

“Finally, Jesus. Took them long enough.” Akito stretches and gives a yawn. “Are we done here? I’m going to bed.” As he wanders off towards the house, Yuuichi and Fuyumi give each other a glance.

“That… didn’t quite go how we expected.”

Yuuichi snorts. “We should have known. When has Kyoya ever not subverted expectations?”

His sister shakes her head. “True enough. What will we tell father?”

“Oh, I’ll tell him in a week or so that the daughter of the Ito family approached me. Considering their family owns significant stakes in our leading rival’s company, I’m sure he won’t mind the change of heart.”

Fuyumi sighs, watching the two of you laugh together like you did when you were children. They still are, she reminds herself. Old enough to fall in love yet still young enough to feel everything that love brings. Yuuichi slings an arm around his sister’s shoulder and gives her a little squeeze. “We did good today, sis. How long do you think it would have taken them on their own?”

“Given that the only person that rivals Kyoya in stubbornness is Y/N? Never.”

“You read my mind.”

A/N: No clue why Princess and the Frog was stuck in my head for this fic, but I just decided to go with it 🤷🏻‍♀️

[omgjasminesimone]

How to Make a Family

Bryce x Casey

Author’s Note: Warning: Mentions of miscarriage

Summary: Casey and Bryce decide to start a family, but the road to parenthood isn’t as smooth as expected.

Rating: PG-13

Word Count: 3000

“Mmm….this is the best way to wake up.” Bryce mumbles, returning Casey’s lazy kisses with impassioned ones as he wakes.

Casey smiles against his lips and lets her tongue slip into his mouth. “I missed you.” She reveals when she pulls away a few moments later.

Bryce smiles sleepily, rubbing her back gently through her clothes. She’s still in her business casual from attending the morning session of the medical conference. “Not as much as I missed you. How was the conference? I thought you weren’t coming back until Tuesday. You didn’t leave early because it was boring, did you Dr. Valentine?”

“They moved Dr. Ramsey’s panel to this morning, so I came home early. I learned a lot, but I won’t bore you with the details. Not when we have catching up to do.” Casey slowly kisses down his bare chest. She gets to his lower abs and is about to pull down his pajama pants when he pulls her back up. She’s draped over him, staring into his brown eyes which shine with desire.

“Casey, as much as I hate to stop you, and believe me, I really hate to stop you, we can’t. I’m not supposed to ejaculate for 48 hours before my appointment. I can take care of you though.” He flips them so he’s on top, pushing her pencil skirt up over her hips.

“Wait, stop.” Casey interrupts, sitting up and pushing her skirt back down. “What appointment?”

“A good friend from high school, Wendy, she and her wife are having a baby. She asked for my sperm.” Bryce responds casually.

“What the hell Bryce?”

“What?” The fact that he honestly seems confused at her irritation makes her even more irritated.

“Don’t you think that’s something you should have talked with me about?” Casey asks, standing from the bed to put some space between them.

Bryce still looks flabbergasted, sitting up and running a hand through his hair. “Is it?”

Casey whirls around. “Yes, Bryce! It is!”

“Why are you mad? Do you not want me to do it? I already told her I would, everything is set up.”

“It’s not that I don’t want you to do it necessarily, but if I didn’t want you to do it, I feel like you should have at least considered my feelings before agreeing.”

“How does it even affect you beyond this 48 hour no sex thing? I didn’t even think you were going to be here.” Bryce reasons.  

“How does it affect me?! Are you serious Bryce?”

Bryce gets up from the bed, pulling her into his strong arms. Annoyingly, being in his arms always makes her anger fade. It’s really an unfair move that he always pulls when they’re fighting. After a few moments of silence, he pulls his other move, tracing circles in her back to further soothe her. “Hey…just tell me what’s wrong so I can understand why you’re upset. I love you, and I never want to hurt you Casey.”

She hugs him back which lets him now he’s somewhat forgiven, so he loosens his hold so she can pull back far enough to look up at him. “It’s just, I’m your girlfriend. We live together. We’re….we’re moving in the direction of marriage. And …babies.” Casey fights down her blush at being so vulnerable with Bryce. They’ve never talked about marriage, probably because they’re both a little emotionally stunted. After all, it took them a full year of hooking up before they even mustered the courage to officially date. But she wants him to understand why she’s upset, so she’s going to talk about her feelings, despite how uncomfortable it makes her.

“This baby you’re having, they would be half siblings with my kids….if we ever get there. I think we will. I guess….I just would have liked to have some input in you becoming a dad.” She looks down, it’s less embarrassing to look at her feet than his expressive brown eyes.

Bryce buries his hands into her hair, tilting her head and forcing her to make eye contact. “Hey, I’m not becoming a dad. I’ll be his or her biological father, and if they ever want to know me, of course I would write, call, have lunch, whatever, but this is Wendy’s and Jaclyn’s kid. Not mine. And they live in Hawaii, so it’s not like they’re going to be around a lot. I’m just doing a favor for a good friend Casey, that’s it.”

“Have you donated sperm before?” Casey asks. He sounds so comfortable with it that she’s starting to think he might have several sperm donor babies running around.

“Nah, they pay very little at the sperm banks. And look at me, hot, smart, tall. Wendy clearly knows what’s up. I’ve got prime stuff, so I’m not selling it cheap.” Bryce responds.

Casey snorts, hitting his chest lightly. “Moron.”

Bryce smiles fondly at her despite the insult, kissing her softly. “Don’t worry babe, when you’re ready to have my babies there will be plenty of sperm left for you.”

…

..

.

“Mhmmm….my favorite wake up call.” Bryce murmurs as Casey pulls away from his lips, kissing down his neck. He opens his eyes and checks the clock, 5:12 am. “Isn’t it our day off? What has you so frisky so early in the morning?”

Casey stops the kissing, opting to sit on him instead, her fingers delicately drifting over his abs. “I had a dream.” She replies.

“Ooh…a naughty one?” Bryce asks, hands wandering up her bare legs.

“No perv.” She teases, draping herself on top of him, fingers tangling into his messy morning hair. “I dreamt that we had a baby.”

Bryce has not so subtly hinted about how much he wants to start a family ever since they returned to Boston from their honeymoon in Fiji, and Bryce and Casey have been married for a little over a year now.

Wendy and Jaclyn send him pictures and videos of their daughter occasionally, and she’s beautiful. She’s 3 now, and it’s such a fun age. She calls him Uncle Bryce, and she seems to almost comprehend that he’s her biological father. She talks so well, (not that he’s surprised she’s smart, he and Wendy both have great genes) and his heart melts every time he speaks with her.

It makes him long for a child with his wife. But until now, Casey has been resistant. Her objections lie in her worries about her career. They’re attendings now, which allows for a better schedule but more responsibility at Edenbrook. And although it’s not fair, a baby would likely impact her career trajectory more than his. The most successful female physicians at Edenbrook like Dr. Harper Emery, have no children. (But then again, the most successful men, like Naveen or Ethan, also have no children, no spouses, they’re married to the job.) She’s worried she’ll end up like Dr. Delarosa. When Ines and Zaid had a baby last year, her hours were reduced dramatically while Zaid returned after paternity leave full time.    

“Really? It was a good dream, right? It wasn’t some horror ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ situation? Are you ready to start trying?” Bryce shoots the questions off in rapid succession in his excitement.

Casey laughs, kissing her husband softly. “I’m ready to start trying.”

…

..

.

Bryce holds Casey on their bathroom floor as she cries, stroking her hair. He wants to cry too, but he won’t because she needs him to be strong right now. They’ve been trying to have a baby for a year, and they’ve just suffered their third miscarriage.

They’ve seen countless specialists over the year, and no one can tell them what’s wrong. Why she can’t carry the baby to term. She’s started to obsessively research possible causes, hoping to diagnose herself so they can fix this. It’s starting to take a toll on their marriage, he’s starting to wonder if it’s worth it.

“Casey, maybe we should consider surrogacy.” Bryce says. The specialists they’ve seen have all brought it up, but they, mostly she, wanted to keep trying. But now, maybe they’ve tried enough.

“But Bryce, I want all those little moments. The food cravings, feeling our baby kick, having control over what they’re exposed to in utero.” She pulls her face away from his now tear stained shirt. “I wanted you to massage my swollen feet, and to kiss my belly…..I don’t understand why I can’t do this. Why my body can’t do this…I feel broken.” She whispers that last part.

Bryce cups her cheeks, she had been looking down at the tile floor with tear filled eyes, so he makes her look at him. “You’re not broken Casey. This doesn’t mean you’re flawed in anyway. You’re perfect, and I love you.”

“I love you too Bryce. You’ve been so patient through all this, I want you to know how much I appreciate that.”

Bryce places a kiss to the top of her head. “There’s not one way to start a family Casey. We tried this way, maybe it’s time to try another.”

“But surrogacy is so expensive.” Casey complains.

“Good thing we’re both attendings with well-paying jobs and amazing insurance then.” Bryce counters.

Casey sighs, running out of excuses. “Okay, let’s look into it at least.”

…

..

.

When Bryce operates, it’s almost like he’s asleep, in a different, separate consciousness. He’s very focused on his task. It’s not until it’s over, the organ successfully repaired, that he feels like he’s back in the real world again, awake.

“Dr. Lahela, Dr. Valentine is here and would like to talk to you.” Dr. Delarosa announces over the intercom into the operating room.

“Dr. McGuire, would you like to close?” Bryce asks, stepping away from the table and giving the intern a chance to learn something. Francine McGuire nods enthusiastically, taking his place at the table. Bryce leaves his senior resident to supervise, throwing off his mask and gloves as he heads out.

Casey is waiting just outside the door, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Kate called.” Their surrogate, a single mother who lives in New York. She sends them updates on her belly bump, videos of their son kicking in her stomach. Casey always cries when they get them, but nowadays she reassures him they’re mostly happy tears. “She’s in labor!”

“Holy shit. She’s early! Is it too early? We were supposed to have another 3 weeks!” Bryce exclaims.

“Hey.” Casey wraps her arms around his waist, pulling him into a hug. He calms almost immediately. “We’re ready.” She promises, straining to press a firm kiss to his lips. “And I got us plane tickets, so let’s go before we miss our son’s birth.”

..

.

It’s a little strange to watch a woman you don’t know very well give birth to your child. Bryce isn’t sure if he’s supposed to hold Kate’s hand, or if he should be holding Casey’s. Eventually, Casey takes Kate’s hand, serving as an anchor when the contractions get bad. “Breathe Kate. You’re doing so great. Thank you so much. We love you.” She repeats these four phrases like a mantra, or a prayer.

Kate’s labor is long. Much longer than when she had her own daughter, she’ll tell them later.

(“It’s because he has such a big head. He’s smart, he needed the extra space for his brain.” Bryce tells Casey later, his arms wrapped around her as they watch their newborn sleep in his crib.)

After 8 hours, Eric Lahela (Legally, Casey took Bryce’s last name, although she still practices under Casey Valentine, so no need to hyphenate Valentine-Lahela) makes his grand entrance to the world. Bryce and Casey get to cut the umbilical cord together, and then after cleaning him off, the staff hand the baby to his mother.

Casey’s eyes well with tears as she takes in their baby. He mostly looks like Bryce, but Eric has her eyes.

…

..

.

“Bryce, wake up.” Casey whispers impatiently, but her voice is excited.

“What?” Bryce whispers back, not wanting to wake up their 18-month-old who’s sleeping between them. They really need to be stricter about getting him to sleep in his own bed.

“We did it. Today marks fourteen weeks. We’ve never made it to 14 weeks….” Her voice trails off, full of emotion.

He kisses her passionately, Eric stirring slightly as he accidentally jostles their son in the process.

They’ve suffered two more miscarriages since Eric was born. They weren’t actively trying to get pregnant, but they also weren’t actively doing anything to prevent getting pregnant either. But the miscarriages were always early. 6 to 8 weeks along. Bryce honestly thought they were in the clear this time when 10 weeks rolled around, but Casey was less convinced. She didn’t want to get her hopes up, she didn’t want to tell anyone unless she made it through the first trimester.

“So I get to do this now.” He mumbles against her lips, pulling her shirt up to expose her belly and placing adoring kisses over her skin. That’s something else she wouldn’t allow, worried they were going to jinx themselves and lose the baby if they were too happy, too excited about it. “I love you.” He whispers against her slightly rounded stomach.

“Me, or the baby?” Casey asks, running her hands through his hair.

“Both.” Bryce responds.    

Casey smiles. “I’m going to make a 16-week ultrasound appointment. I want pictures, and to find out the gender.”

“I hope it’s a little girl. I hope she looks like you.” Bryce reveals, kissing her belly again to seal the wish.

“I bet Eric wants a brother.” Casey replies, eyes shining with merriment. “Should we tell him he’s going to be a big brother?”

Bryce grins, shaking the toddler awake. “We have amazing news buddy.”

…

..

.

“That is really cold.” Casey complains as the technician puts the gel on her belly.

“But worth it to see your baby.” The cheery tech insists, turning on the machine and working on getting a clear picture.

Bryce squeezes Casey’s hand in excitement as the blob on the screen starts to take form. The tech moves the transducer around, stopping when she spots something. “Well, that’s definitely a penis. It’s a boy!” She reports.

“Another boy.” Casey says softly, but with no disappointment. She’s still in disbelief that she’s carrying this child, getting to experience every moment of pregnancy.

“And I think there’s another one.” The tech reports, moving the transducer.

“Another one?!” Bryce exclaims, Casey squeezing his hand this time in her surprise.

“Yep, there’s another one. Baby B is a girl!” The tech reveals, grinning at the stunned couple.

“Twins?” Casey says in disbelief.

The tech nods, wiping the gel off and printing their ultrasound photos for them. “I’ll give you guys some privacy.”

“Twins.” Bryce parrots.

“And a girl too.” Casey adds, hands resting over her belly protectively. “Wow, twins. You think I get double maternity leave for two babies?” Casey jokes.

Bryce laughs, pressing a quick kiss to her lips. “I know we get a discount at the Edenbrook Daycare Center. With two kids enrolled, the third is half price.”

…

..

.

“AAAAHHH!” Casey yells, sweat slicking her forehead as she pushes.

Bryce is posted at her shoulder, wiping her forehead with a cloth every few minutes. “You’re doing amazing baby. Keep breathing.”

“This hurts so fucking bad! I can’t believe you did this to me!”

“Casey, it was definitely a team effort.” Her answering glare is murderous, but then her eyes squeeze shut as she’s hit with another contraction.

“Give me your hand.” She demands through clenched teeth.

Bryce hesitates. “Are you going to break my hand?”

“I don’t fucking know Bryce, just give me your fucking hand, coward!” Casey never curses like this, especially not at him, it’s off putting.

“I’m a surgeon baby, I kind of need my hands.”

“Aaahhhh!” She screams again, doubling over in pain. He finally gives in, gripping her sweaty fingers. She squeezes really hard, and he’s worried she is actually going to break his fingers. He manages to pry her off his hand, giving her his strong bicep to squeeze instead. Let’s see her break that.

“You’re almost there.” Their OBGYN encourages, positioned between Casey’s legs. “Just a couple more pushes mama.”

“We’re never doing this again Bryce! If you want another baby, we’re adopting.” Casey insists, squeezing his bicep and pushing again.  

“Three is plenty babe. Although I’ve always wanted to adopt.” Bryce replies, pressing a kiss to her sweaty forehead.

“I see the first baby! Keep pushing!” The doctor orders.

Casey pushes, letting out another loud scream. Their baby’s cry fills the room soon after. “It’s the girl!” The doctor announces, handing her off to be cleaned up after cutting the umbilical cord. “Just one more mama. You’ve got this.”

Casey pushes again, (Bryce’s bicep is definitely going to bruise) and their youngest son is born, crying just as loudly as his twin sister.

“Would you like to do the honors?” Their doctor asks, handing Bryce the scissors to cut his son’s umbilical cord.

Bryce cuts, and their son is whisked off to be cleaned up.

“Sorry for cursing at you.” Casey apologizes, turning to look at him.

Bryce smiles, kissing his wife softly. “Sorry for getting you pregnant.” He apologizes with a wink as he pulls away.

“Haha.” Casey says sarcastically, rolling her eyes. Her momentary irritation with him is immediately forgotten when her babies are placed in her arms. “Oh my god, they’re so beautiful. Where’s Eric?”

Bryce gently runs a finger over his daughter’s soft cheek, and then rustles the few strands of brown hair on his son’s head. “With Sienna in the waiting room. I’ll get him.”

..

.

Eric meeting the new babies isn’t as cute as his parents envisioned. The toddler is rather standoffish. Casey still gets pictures though. 

Eric is very skeptical of these new babies. Being an only child was pretty great. And these things don’t seem to do anything, besides cry and poop. He’s not really sure why his parents are so enamored. 

(They do grow on him eventually.)

...

..

.

Taglist:

@octobereighth  @sibella-plays-choices  @hazah  @akrenich  @lovehugsandcandy   @professorortegasstudent  @regina-and-happiness  @brightpinkpeppercorn  @choicesarehard  @lizeboredom   @desiree-0816  @hellooliviaolivia @dreaming-of-movies  @friedherringclodthing  @weaving-in-words  @fairydustandsarcasm  @goldenjellyfish12   @pessimystic-fangirl  @mimikoasahina  @srta-give-me-my-jax-rl   @god-save-the-keen  @caroldxnvxrs  @cora-nova @emceesynonymroll @lady-dianelewis 

[pbriandj]

Princess and the Frog Klance

Keith~ Naveen

Lance~ Tiana

Hunk~ Lewis

Allura~ Mama Odie

Lotor~The Shadow Man

Coran~ Ray

Pidge~ no character screams Pidge to me so let’s make her her own character

Romelle~ Charlotte

Shiro~ lawrence

I’m probably forgetting people but this is the main crew I can think of.

So like my camp rock AU this is the same premise in the sense that it’s the plot plus tiny changes. Also changes in the characters that I want to make in the characters because I think it’s cute.

So for starters it’s gonna still be in New Orleans but it will be more present day. Lances Mom is the cook for Romelles mom and they became best friends because they would always hang out in the kitchen when they were kids and when to school together because romelle is rich but not rich™️.

Keith maybe isn’t a prince but he is

Rich

And he goes to a fancy rich school in California so him and lance never meet until they do. Kieth is kinda a dick to people but also is the flirt in this dynamic for no other reason than I like it like that. He knows he’s gay but hides it by flirting with girls bc maybe his dad is homophobic or something like that and kieth has to follow in his dads foot steps. He doesn’t really want to but whatever he has to listen to his dad.

So kieths dad sends him to New Orleans over the summer before college to live with Shiro and maybe get some act right in him. So he does and it’s cool for a while but he’s bored and while out with Shiro they run into lotor and Shiro has never been a believer in voodoo so he’s like whatever I’ll let Keith have a little fun. One thing leads to another and kieth is a frog and Shiro is possessed.

In the mean time, growing up Lance and his mom had a dream of owning a restaurant but his mom passed before they can. His dad is already dead so lance and his older sister work like crazy to support their siblings. Lance works two jobs on top of school to also be able to save for a restaurant like his mom dreamed. He gets his big break when Romelle asks him to make some sort of something for her debutante ball or something where she would pay him a ton of money.

So he does that and is really happy something happens and he can’t end up paying for the restaurant.

So a lot of things happen and now lance and kieth are both frogs and they have met up with hunk.

So they meet up with allura and she’s like hey y’all need to open your eyes and realize that the cure to the curse is right in front of you but lance is dumb and kieth is stubborn so they don’t listen.

In the end lance and kieth are in love and live happily ever after Shiro is no longer possessed and allura saves lotor bc he was being influenced by his voodoo queen mom.

There are a lot of things I need to figure out in this and if y’all like it I might allaborate on some things.

Also this is very important to me

LANCE IS SHORTER THAN KEITH.

[entamewitchlulu]

Ralph Meets the Disney Princes

commission for @princeasimdiya12!  Thank you for your commission and I hope you enjoy!

Commissions || Ko-fi

“Hey, Vanellope!  Geez, where’d ya go, anyway?  Vanellope — oh, sorry, sorry.”

Ralph ducks beneath something or someone zooming past him, and then wheels his arms as he stumbles backwards around another crowd.  The Internet’s crazy huge and crazy busy.  Getting to Vanellope is such a pain — and after all the work he did getting them the money for that steering wheel, she can’t even be bothered to pick up a call?  Now he’s gotta go all the way to that Disney fansite and see what’s up.

“‘Scuse me, comin’ through.  Sorry, sorry, yea, I know, I don’t fit, I don’t ever fit anywhere, ‘scuse me.”

He tries at the very least to be polite about the way he’s pushing through the crowds of people running from one website to the next, but he’s not totally sure if he’s succeeding.  Well, whatever.  He’ll apologize later, if he sees any of them ever again, that is.

Oh, there we go, there’s one of those doorways to the fansite.  He’ll just pop in real quick, see what’s holding up Vanellope, and get the two of them back to eBay before the auction ends.  Easy peasy.

He forces his way through the little data port — the feeling of getting popped from one website to the next is still pretty disconcerting, and when he pops out on the other side, he trips.  

His arms wheel wildly and he feels his wrists hit something, which goes flying away from him, before he goes face first into a rather scratchy carpet.  The impact is followed by a soft shattering sound that probably means whatever he hit just broke.  Oops.

A little yelp and a chorus of intaken breaths sounds all around him, and he groans, sitting up and rubbing his forehead.  He doesn’t even have a chance to process where he’s ended up, though, before there’s — oh.  Oh that’s a sword in his face.

“Whoa!!” he says, automatically smacking it away.  “Watch where you’re pointing that!”

The owner of the sword, a tallish, handsomish man (though Ralph feels a little miffed to acknowledge the handsome part, because honestly, this guy is that kinda boring, generic handsome that’s always annoyed Ralph) with fair skin and brownish hair wearing a fancy white and gold shirt stares open mouthed at him for a minute, and then looks down at his hand where the sword was.  His and Ralph’s eyes both move over to where the sword is now, which is embedded in a wall three feet away.  Oops again.  Ralph forgot his strength again. He hopes he doesn’t have to pay for that, too.

“Fiend!!” cries another voice behind him.  “What foul realms do you hail from?”

“Whoa, no need for that kinda language,” Ralph says, getting himself back to his feet and turning around.

There’s actually a lot of guys in this room, all in varying degrees of generic handsomeness.  He kinda feels like he might’ve seen ‘em around somewhere before, but he can’t put his finger on it.  Three of them have got swords of their own, there’s a muskt and an arrow drawn to a bow pointed at him, someone’s holding a frying pan in the air, two guys are holding a loaf of bread and a ukulele like they are swords, a guy in a puffy winter coat has his fists raised, and one of them is just some kinda giant furry...monster thing, and he’s growling at Ralph.

“Whoa, hey,” Ralph says, throwing up his hands — and smacking into a small coffee table on the way up, accidentally overturning it on its side.  “Sorry, I think I might have taken a wrong turn.  This the way to the Disney fansite?”

“This,” says one of the more genericly handsome guys, a tallish guy with swooped brown hair who’s holding a shield along with his sword, “is a prince-only zone, I’ll have you know.”

A small chorus of agreement sounds from the other guys rises up, along with a small thunk as the darker haired handsome guy behind Ralph pulls his sword back out of the wall.

Ohhh, wait.  Ralph knows where he is now, and why these guys look familiar.  He left Vanellope with the Disney princesses so these guys...these guys must be the princes.  Yeah, he remembers them now, from when he was looking in at the site before Vanellope went in.

“Right, you aren’t allowed to be in here,” says a tall, blond, white guy in some kinda armor.  Right, that one’s John Smith.

“Hey, now,” Ralph says, suddenly irritated.  “That’s kinda rude, don’t you think?  How do you know I’m not a prince just by looking at me?”

A long, uncertain silence meets the question.  A few of the princes look at each other and shrug, the guy with the sword and shield’s face slackens with total surprise, and Aladdin, the guy wielding the loaf of bread, starts nodding, as though Ralph’s said something really smart.  Aladdin nudges Kristoff beside him, who nods back.

“He’s got a point,” says Eugene, the one with a frying pan.

“Maybe we should give him a chance?” says Eric, lowering his sword.

The princes look at Ralph, and then at each other.  The swords all go down, and for a moment, all their heads turn in, making a huddle.  Ralph rolls his eyes, folding his arms.  He almost taps his foot, but the first time he does he puts a dent in the floor, so he stops.

The princes all turn back to him.  Phillip, the guy with the sword and the shield, now stowed away at his belt and on his back, folds his arms and gives Ralph a sharp nod.

“We’ll have to ask you a few questions,” he says.  “We have to be sure, you understand.”

“Sure, whatever, I don’t really have time for this,” Ralph starts.  “Do you guys know where —”

One of the princes grabs his arm and leans in, startling him out of his sentence.

“Is there a girl you’re trying to find?” asks Prince Charming.

“Oh, hey, yeah, actually there is —”

The...other Prince Charming — do they have names?  Is Ferdinand the other one? —  swoops in front of him, holding a glass shoe dramatically over his head.

“Do you have only a single token of the single night you saw her with which to find her by?”

Ralph blinks, mouth hanging open for a second.  Then he remembers the medal in his pocket.  Hey, maybe these guys can help him find Vanellope.  They’ve gotta know where the princesses are at, right?

“Well, I’ve known her for a lot longer than that, but yeah, I’ve got this —”

Eric slides up in front of him so fast that Ralph almost drops the medal.

“Are you heroic?” he asks.

“What?  Well, I dunno, I mean, I don’t like to brag, but I did totally —”

Ralph almost falls backwards from the princes all crowding him now with enthusiasm, and he trips, smacking back into something furry.  He manages to lurch forward and turn to see what he hit, only to find the Beast hanging over him with a decidedly unreadable face.

“Do you have anger issues?” the Beast growls at him.

Ralph gapes for a second.

“Oh, wow, yeah, actually, but ya know, I’ve been working on them recently and —”

“Have you had a near death experience?” John Smith calls over the commotion.

“Oh, gosh, yeah —”

“What about being cursed to turn into some kind of animal?” Naveen shouts from behind the Beast.  The Beast let out a growl of agreement.

“What?  Why the heck would I —”

“Ever had a reindeer friend?” asked Kristoff.

“What the heck does that have to do with —”

“Have you ever commanded an army?” Shang asks with a nudge of his elbow.

“Uh, define army —”

“Taken down an evil megalomaniac?” Aladdin asks.

“Oh, wow, yeah, and it was the worst —”

A clatter of other questions that Ralph doesn’t even hear crash around him like a wave.  Are they even listening to his answers?  He feels like he’s giving a lot of answers that they want to hear, but clearly they aren’t picking up on them.

“I’ll tell you how we know you’re a prince!” Phillip shouts over the commotion, and for just a second, the wave of questions pauses, and all eyes turn towards him.  “Any prince worth his salt can complete this task!”

“Gosh, guys, I really don’t have time to do tasks — ” Ralph tries.

“It’s only a simple test of skill!  Any prince is more than capable!” Phillip says.

“Oh, here we go again,” Eugene says with a roll of his eyes.

“Beast!! Open the gates!!”

Ralph stumbles back out of the way, knocking into the overturned coffee table once again as the Beast lumbers past him with a grunt.  Ralph’s about to try again to tell them how he’s on a timetable here when the Beast yanks on a lever.

Ralph’s mouth drops open when the whole wall falls away.  Instead of just another room, there’s a ridiculously huge cavern on the other side.  When Phillip snaps his fingers, the dark cavern alights with flames lighting up the obstacle course.

Ralph can’t even process the whole thing.  There are rings of fire, springboards, swinging ropes, axes swinging back and forth, massive chasms, a metal dragon head spewing fire at random intervals, arrows shooting out of walls, and spiked floors shooting up and down.  At the very top of the multi-layered obstacle course, is some kind of straw dummy that might be supposed to be a princess, judging by the poorly sewn pink fabric slung around it and the blonde wig on the top.

“What the heck is that?” Ralph gapes.

“It’s a proper prince training course, of course,” Phillip says.  “Watch — I’ll show you!”

“Uh, wait — ” Ralph starts while Phillip crouches down to stretch each leg, and then gets back up, crackling his knuckles.  Then he leaps forward.  Ralph tries to follow it, he really does, but he can’t stop flinching and gasping and covering his eyes every time Phillip dives through a fiery ring or ducks underneath a volley of arrows.  Somehow, Phillip makes it to the top.  He doesn’t even look like he’s broken a sweat.  With a very princely sort of grin, he scoops the dummy princess under one arm, grabs a rope, and swings smoothly back to the start.  He smiles and bows to a smattering of applause, but it looks like most of the princes aren’t paying attention to him anymore.

“There,” Phillip says, only the faintest flush on his cheeks as he gently sets aside the princess dummy.  “Your turn.”

Ralph just gapes.  Ignoring the part where he doesn’t have time for this, there’s no way he’s gonna be able to do that.  Do they all really expect him to do that??  He looks over his shoulder at the rest of them.  

Shang nods approvingly, arms folded, and John is tapping his chin with a slow nod of his own.  The Prince Charmings both roll their eyes at each other, Ferdinand waving a hand as though they thought it was only a passable performance.  Naveen isn’t even paying attention anymore, humming to himself as he strums something on his ukelele while the Beast hunches over and listens.

“Well?  Aren’t you going to give it a go?” the Prince Charming who’s not Ferdinand says.  “If you want to prove you’re a prince and all.”

“Are you crazy??” Ralph said.  “What does this have to do with being a prince?  What does anything you guys just said have to do with being a prince?  Don’t you ever just, I dunno, relax?”

Everyone looks up at him.  A few of them look at each other.

Ralph jumps a little when someone claps him on the elbow, and he looks down to see Eugene grinning at him.

“Oh, I like you,” he said.  “Ignore the rest of them, really.  Especially Phillip.  He’s always like that.”

Eugene sends a pointed nod at Phillip, and Ralph looks over to see Phillip currently in the middle of posing dramatically with his sword and shield, flexing his arms while both Prince Charmings very obviously judge him.

“Anyway, besides, there’s really only one thing you gotta have to be a real prince,” Eugene says.

“Oh, geez, what now?” Ralph says.

Eugene just smiles and nudges him with his elbow.

“Well, a princess, obviously.  You got yourself one of those?”

“Oh!  Yeah, I do!!” Ralph breaks out into a grin.  “I’m looking for her right now!  Her name is Princess Vanellope and she’s my...she’s my best friend.”

He clutches the medal in his hand when he says this, suddenly wishing he hadn’t separated them for this adventure in the first place.  Eugene smiles.  He reaches up on tiptoe to pat Ralph on the shoulder.

“Well, there ya go.  You’re a prince.  What’s your name, anyway, kid?”

“Oh, right.  I’m Ralph.”

“Nice to meet you, Prince Ralph,” says Aladdin.  “Welcome to the squad!”

“Yeah!  Prince Ralph!  Prince Ralph!” Naveen shouts, punching the air a few times.

A whole chant overtakes the room, and almost all of the princes start chanting it along with Naveen.  Ralph blushes, rubbing the back of his neck.

“Oh, geez, guys, thanks,” he says.  “I’ve actually never been called a prince before.”

“Well, you’re always welcome here!” says Aladdin.

“Yeah, whenever you feel like joining the crazy crew,” Eugene says.  “Anyway, you said you were looking for someone, right?  Maui over there can show you the way to the princess side.”

“Oh, thanks, perfect!  Thanks, guys!”

“See ya, Prince Ralph!”

“Later!”

“So about that ‘relaxing’ thing....you need to do that, Phillip.”

“There is no time to relax when there are princesses to save and dragons to fight!”

“There aren’t any of those around here, dude.”

“Prince Ralph looked like he was ready to relax.  We should find some comfy clothes like his.”

“I’ll ask Genie if he’s got anything.”

Ralph chuckles as he leaves the chatter behind, making his way over to where Eugene pointed.

The guy laying on his side with his head on his hand while he pokes through a smart phone with the other is almost as big as Ralph is — actually, when he looks up and grins, Ralph feels surprisingly dwarfed.  Not a common feeling for him.  He’s not sure how he feels about it.

“Yo, newly minted Prince Ralph,” Maui says. “Looking for your friend?  She should still be through here on the princess side.”

Maui sits up on crossed legs and pulls back a curtain.  It looks perfectly dark inside, but it must be another data tunnel.  Ralph breathes a sigh of relief.  He still has plenty of time.

“Perfect, thank you!” Ralph says.

“You’re welcome,” Maui says with a wink.

But then Ralph hesitates just a second, one foot through the data tunnel as he looks back at Maui.

“Hey, just wondering...why weren’t you over there asking me all those weird questions too?”

Maui cocks an eyebrow at him and grins.

“Well, not to downplay your coronation or anything, Prince, but I’m not like the rest of ‘em,” Maui says.  “‘Prince’ is a little amateur when you’re already a demigod and all.”

“A what?”

“Better hop to it, princey, you’ve got yourself a princess waiting.  And don’t try singing, okay?  I deal with enough from the rest of them.”

And before Ralph can say anything word, Maui’s given him a rather solid tap with his big fish hook, and shoved Ralph forward.  With a yelp, Prince Ralph falls face first into the darkness, and zips off on his way to find Princess Vanellope.

[theonceoverthinker]

RIP Dr. Facilier and Shadow Queen (A Look Back and Mourning for What Might Have Been)

Last night’s episode was one hell of a ride (I didn’t even get to watch it as it aired because I got to see the soul of Disney ALAN FRAK-A-LAKIN MENKEN in concert), and I have a lot of thoughts. 

But one - nestled beside my Knight Rook, Golden Hook, and Curious Archer feels - stuck with me, and left me profoundly sad. I realize that I’m pretty alone in this regard - at least on Tumblr - but fuck it. I’ve got feelings on this and now’s the time to mourn.

I genuinely loved Dr. Facilier and Shadow Queen.

And let me be clear about this: I don’t hate other Regina ships (Many of them I like and ship myself) and I respect those other ships as adored parts of the fandom, but damn.

I loved Shadow Queen and I mourn as his character passes.

Facilier was only introduced as Regina’s love interest in Episode 12, but by that point, the news had already been spoiled for me. While I was initially rooting for Regina to end up with Wish Hook after “Pretty in Blue” showed off their amazing chemistry, I found myself excited as I saw the spoiler pics of Regina and Facilier together.

While they hadn’t been shown together on screen at that point, Facilier’s one appearance did a great job as establishing himself as a character. He was mysterious, powerful, passionate, but fallible.

Was that promise ever fully touched on? No, and that’s sad. This season has had strengths and flaws alike, but one of their biggest flaws had to be the overwhelming amount of villains. Counting last night’s revelation of Wish Rumple as the final villain, our total came to six villains. While that has happened in the past seasons, a lot of what helped with them was that they were often working in teams (Ex. The Queens of Darkness) or were already established characters (Ex. Rumple and Zelena). However, nearly every villain here was new (All depending on how you perceived Wish Rumple), and on top of that, we needed to develop and feature roughly ten heroes, with only two of them having already been established beforehand (Three if you count Wish Hook, and I’m not sure if I do). Unfortunately, this led to Dr. Facilier falling through the cracks and only allowed him to have a handful of scenes.

But damn, did make the most of them.

Daniel Francis absolutely nailed every scene he was in. Facilier/Baron Samedi was charismatic, charming, intelligent, and surprisingly not without compassion. His performance was really something to see and his chemistry, whether it was with Tiana, Lucy, Rumple, or yes - Regina - was through the roof.

Okay, so I’m about to gush about Shadow Queen. Fair warning.

I never cared for any of Regina’s canon romances. I found that Daniel was simply a boring nice boy and while it made sense for Regina to want to be with him, it didn’t really help to make him all that compelling. With Robin, it got a little better. They made him a bit more of a reformed villain (Granted on a much, MUCH smaller scale) and threw compelling ideas his way. However, the problem came from not giving Robin a voice and letting him react to things and not adding nuance and an interesting follow through with those ideas. (I can go into more detail, but not here.)

Because of my apathy for the two of them, Facilier came like a bolt of day through a cloudy sky. He could challenge Regina. One of my favorite scenes between them is in the bar with the tarot cards. Facilier challenges Regina to find a way to have it all. He believes in her, but acknowledges that he doesn’t have the answer to her problem and that she has to figure it out for herself. I’m honestly sad we never got their backstory. I feel like whatever it was was unique and special. I’ve a personal headcannon and maybe one day I’ll put it to paper.

In addition, Facilier was genuinely kind to Regina. He gave her his last bits of magic, something that while he was planning on getting more of it, there was no guarantee that that would succeed. He took her out on dates (I’ll never eat a bowl of chowder the same way again) and had unwavering faith in her abilities. He dropped everything when Lucy brought up the possibility of him being her hero for helping to break the curse.

But at the same time, he was a villain, and that was an obstacle. He killed at least one person and imprisoned Naveen (And later Tiana and Ella).

For me, that’s what made Facilier compelling. He was a downplayed Rumple in a lot of respects. His sins were not insurmountable as far as the audience could tell, and that made redemption possible, so there was always this mystery alive as to whether or not he could change. One could definitely argue that it was quite similar to Zades, but I think an ambiguous love story does have it’s place, and separates itself from the common “Will They, Won’t They” trope.

Now, I knew for a while that his and Regina’s love story was doomed, but I decided to love it fiercely. Was I delusional? Sure. Many others far less deserving of that title for their feelings on ships had it thrust upon them. I can take up that mantle.

But I loved and hoped for it anyway.

Am I upset at the writing staff? Yes. Facilier’s death was a fucking joke. Truthfully, I’m a little angry, a lot sad - nothing that would ever make me yell at any of them, but enough that I was saddled with the feelings to write this piece. 

I guess I’m just grateful for what we got.

My wish is that part one of the finale has Regina acknowledge his absence with a brief explanation from Rumple, but being realistic, I think this is the best I can hope for in that regard.

That said, I know I’m going to move forward from this. Going in, this was kind of a win-win for me. Shadow Queen may have become my favorite Regina pairing, but Dragon Queen or Hooked Queen 2.0 is always possible too now.

However, I wanted to make this post as a way to mourn and look back on what a fascinating love story that we got in just a handful of episodes - one probably never intended to be canon, but one that at least one person appreciated, if only for the chance to admire both it and what might have been. 

Thank you for reading, and I hope that - whether you shipped Shadow Queen or not - this connected with you in some way.

[descendantshh2]

Stay - Harry Hook X Reader

A/N Did ya’ll miss me? I know some of you probably hate me because I’ve been so inactive on this account and I’m so so so sorry school this year is so stressful and I am a Junior in High School so my schedule is pretty packed. Plus I have cheer practice as well as soccer season that is slowly approaching so please please be patient with me. Anyways I had an amazing idea while on the couch on day and just decided to write a little something for you guys. But I genially want to hear your guys opinion oh this. I kinda want to step outta this Descendants bubble and write about other people. Lately I’ve watched Spider Man and OMG GUYS TOM HOLLAND SO ADORABLE. If you guys want to see me write about Tom Holland or Peter Parker I’m totally down for it. Just send me message I enjoy talking to ya’ll. Lots of love -Vee 

Stay Pt.2

"Chad what do u want?" You rolled your eyes are u ex boyfriend as you shoved your books in your locker. 

"Common Y/N just talk to me," Chad pleaded, "it didn't mean anything to me." 

You huffed. You and Chad had been together for 5 months and you thought everything was going great. That was until he cheated on you with Audrey and you had to say you weren't slightest surprised but it still hurt you deep inside. You knew well that u weren't gonna handle a cheating loser so u immediately broke up with him and never looked back. Like every break up this one was hard especially since you gave yourself to Chad. Biggest mistake ever. 

"Hey Y/N," called out Ben as he approached you and Chad. 

You mentally thanked Ben for saving you from this dreadful conversation with Chad. 

"Am I interrupting something?" 

"No!" You said too quickly but you didn't care, "Chad was just leaving." You faked smiled. 

Chad shook his head, "This isn't over," he stared at you then walked away. 

"What's his problem? Last time I checked he's the one that threw away your guys relationship." 

"Yea," you breathe out, "anyways whats up King Ben what kingly duties do u have do today?" 

Ben laughed at your attempt to lighten up the conversation. You and Ben were pretty close friends ever since u were little. Being princess Tiana and Naveen's daughter and all. 

"You know the new Villain Kids that came to Auradon?" Ben asked and you slowly nodded your head before responding. "The scary pirates? Yea sure." 

You weren't gonna lie those pirates were pretty scary with their eyeliner and hooks. 

"Yea well my pal Harry needs a tutor for Chemistry and I know chemistry is one of your favorite subjects so I was wondering if you could help him out?" Ben asked. 

"I don't know Ben," you sighed, "don't get me wrong I love the fact that your giving these villains a chance but Harry? I don't think he could be turned good, I don't wanna waste my time on him." 

It was true Harry Hook had a tendency of being a womanizer. He flirted with all the girls and frankly didn't care about school and on tops of that he practical skipped class everyday and was always in detention. 

"Come on give him a chance I know he isn't evil he just needs someone to crack that goodness in him," Ben stated giving a small smile. You closed your locker after you grabbed your chemistry book and nodded. 

"Okay I'll do it but I swear King Ben you owe me."

You were now sitting down on the desk in the library waiting for the famous Harry Hook to show up. Your tutoring session was at 5:30 and it was currently 6:00. You began to grow bored and decided to do your own homework as you waited. 

You expect him to be late after all but you didn't expect him to not show up. 

"Are you Y/N." you heard a bad Scottish accent come from in front of you. You slowly looked up to stare into the pirates piercing blue eyes. You saw a small smirk plastered on his face. 

"Yea?" You nodded, "hi Harry your late." You rolled your eyes keeping a serious face. 

"Well darling a pirate has duties," he smirked out and took a seat across from you, "so princess what are we going to be learning today." 

"Don't call me princess Harry." You huffed and opened up your chemistry book to the periodic table. 

This is going to be a long tutor session.

"Oh my god Harry how can u possible be getting all this right when we just started the session?" You questioned him. 

You decide to give Harry a blank periodic table for him to fill him so you see what he needs the most help on. Once he was done he handed you the paper for you to review and surprisingly he got everything right. This confused you because Ben told you he was failing Chemistry, which in fact he was but it didn't make sense since he basically knew everything. 

He shrugged, "you can search me in you think I cheated." He stood up and surrendered his hand up with a smirk. "Common princess I know u want too." He winked at you. 

"Harry don't be a pervert and sit down," you glared at him which caused him to let out a small laugh as he took his seat. 

  "Why are u failing chemistry if you clearly know how to do it?" You looked up to question him and he shrugged again. "You don't expect a villain to be smart don't you?" He huffed a little offended. 

"No, I'm sorry I didn't mean it like that," you reassured him, "Harry your so smart why are u grades so low? I mean you can be so much more." You said looking into his bright blue eyes. 

He looked back at you and you swore there was a moment between you guys. You never noticed how incredibly visible his jawline was, or the way his eyeliner bold those blue orbs. 

"I don't know school isn't for me, ever since I got here I don't fit in, yes I got my crew but I'm not use to school." He admitted turning his head and clenching his jaw. "people here don't like me because I'm a stupid villain they think I'm trash because I'm not royalty." 

"Well Harry let me tell you something," you said placing your hand onto of his. When u did that he immediately shot his eyes towards you. 

You continued, " I don't think your trash. A flirty pervert yes but trash no." You both laughed a little at your comment. "But I know that if you show how smart you are you can prove everyone wrong. Half these royalty bimbos think that being smart isn't a big deal cause they live in a castles. But my mom and dad always told me that hard work gets you somewhere. I believe in you Harry and I can tutor you daily if u want but I don't think you'll need it." You smiled at him.

Oddly enough Harry return the smile and nodded his head. Your hand was still on his as you awkwardly coughed and took your hand off. "Then we got a lot of work to do." You stated as you flipped through the pages of the chemistry book.

From then on Harry and you had many study sessions and he was early to most of them. Sometimes you guys would study till the library closed which resulted in moving the studying to your room. Even tho Mal and Evie where your roommates they didn't mind Harry Hook just as long as he was on your side of the room. But you and Harry didn't study the whole time. At times you guys would take breaks and get to know reach other a bit more. Soon you guys were best friends (of course not as close as Uma and him were) and you guys spent a lot of time together. 

"Common Y/N you like Harry we can all see it." Squealed Evie and you and Mal walked to your locker to retrieve your books. 

"I do not Evie just because I'm his tutor doesn't mean I like him." You shook your head laughing a bit. It was true tho you were taking quiet a liking in Harry. You knew that Harry didn't like you back, after all he had all the girls in the school practically begging for him to take a turn with them. 

"Look at you Y/N lying to us how dare you." Said Mal as she placed a hand on her heart making you and Evie laugh. The laughing slowly died down when the girls saw Chad approached them. 

You rolled your eyes as Evie pointed out, "Y/N Chad alert." You huffed and closed your locker. 

Chad stepped towards you, "can we talk please." 

You turned too Evie and Mal, "I'll be fine guys I promise." They both smiled weakly at you before glaring down at Chad and leaving.

"This better be good Chad," you stared down at him. 

"Common Y/N what's it gonna take for us to be a thing again," Chad looked at u searching for answer. 

"Well you should've thought about that before cheating on me you manipulative asshole." You spat pushing him away and attempting to walk away. 

You felt a strong arm pull your wrist back as Chad pinned you roughly on your locker. You were surprised at his actions you were lost for words. 

"Common," Chad leaned down to your ear, "you can tell me you don't miss that night I took your innocence." He kissed down at your neck. 

"Chad stop.." you tried to push him off but he gripped your hips tighter, "stop your hurting me!" You cried out with teary eyes. 

"You heard the girl! Leave her alone!" You heard a growl before recognizing who it was. Chad turned to met eyes with Harry Hook. You see his hand turn into fist, knuckles white from how much pressure he was applying. 

"What are u gonna do about it pirate," Chad laughed stepping forward letting you go causing you to slide down the locker. You legs were giving out. 

"I'm gonna give u warning Chad cause let me tell ya mate going against a pirate isn't fun business," Harry spat. "Make one wrong move and I'll eliminate you." Harry held his Hook toward Chads neck slicing a small piece of his neck. Chad winced in pain and shook in fear. What a baby. 

"She's all yours buddy, she was nothing to me anyways." Chad spat looking at you dead in the eyes before pushing passed Harry leaving. Harry hurried to your side helping you up. You breathe heavily at Chad's words. How could he do that to you after all you did for him. 

Harry helped you to your dorm as tears spilled down your cheeks. You'd hope that Evie and Mal were in your dorm so you could talk to your best friends, but when Harry opened the door no one was in sight. 

"Common darling lets get you to your bed," Harry calmed you down slowly taking you to your bed. He carefully sat you down and you immediately laid your head down on the pillow tears still coming down your face. "I'll get going if u want to be alone," Harry smiled softly towards u but u grabbed his wrist quickly causing him to turn towards you. 

"Stay please" you whispered out softly sitting up your bed. 

Harry nodded sitting down and taking you in his arm. Your wrapped your arms around his neck and laid your head on his shoulder. Harry set his hook besides you carefully so the tip of the hook wouldn't hurt the two of you. He rubbed circles on your back attempting to calm you down. Once you were okay you let go of him. 

"Sorry for all that," you apologized for hugging him so long. Wiping your eyes which were probably all red and puffy. 

"No worries love, did he hurt you?" He questioned towards your waist since Chad's grip was on them tightly. Harry slowly placed his hand on your waist looking at you for permission to lift of your shirt a tad to look for any bruising. 

You slowly nodded and Harry lift you shirt to see a bruise on each side of hips where his fingers dug into you. You winched in  pain as he touched your bruised waist.  "He's gonna pay for this." Harry glared down at the floor. 

You shook your head. "No harry I don't want you getting into trouble please." You begged him and Harry slowly looked at you. 

He placed his hand on your cheek and wiped away a single tear. Your faces were so close to each other you could almost taste her breath. "Thank you for saving me," you whispered slowly leaving in as Harry followed your action when you lips met you felt fireworks. 

The kiss was slowly and passionate. You pulled away staring at him as he stared down at you. 

"I'm sorry Y/N gotta go," Harry quickly stood up and walked outta the dorm leaving you alone with a confused look in your face.

A/N comment down if you guys want a part two or message me in my inbox or message if you want to see some Spider Man or Tom Holland imagines also. Lots of love xx

[utterlyinevitable]

Hurricane (Part 4)

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3

Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Rebecca Lao) Word Count: 2.1k Warning: Small bit of cussing Summary: A hurricane is falling over Boston. Edenbrook has been evacuated and some very different doctor’s end up seeking shelter together.  

A/N: This series was inspired by an anon prompt request for “protection”. I hope I did it justice! This is a multi part story.  ALSO I love Gatsby and Fitzgerald and so self-indulgent in this chapter 🤣

________________________________________

Once Becca and Ethan brought order back to Naveen’s kitchen, she bounded back into the dining room with a bottle of pinot noir in each hand for them all to share much to everyone’s elation. Ethan hung back during the first bottle, opting to gather blankets and towels for the guests. 

The group of gossips played card games and continued letting the conversation flow as freely as Naveen’s hand. Running out of hospitable things to keep him occupied, Ethan poured himself a generous glass and observed the people around him. With much convincing from the group he eventually gave in to the pressure and joined the game of ‘Bullshit’. When that got boring they moved rooms in the name of tranquil comfort. 

They all sat in the living room watching Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby as the storm raged on outside. Naveen was quick to make sure everyone had copious amounts of wine and cheese before retiring to bed. Without the scrutiny of his father figure Ethan felt he could be a little more carefree. 

Under the cover of darkness Ethan let himself drape his arm behind Becca against the back of the love-seat, making sure to keep his touch a distance away, the soft cushions dipped under the weight of his muscle. She felt the warmth of his presence along the base of her neck. The short invisible hairs stood up at the electricity emitting off him, igniting her senses in the best possible way. Becca smiled to herself, moving a bit closer to him so their sides were completely touching. She leaned into him just enough that the fabric of their clothes were pressed flat against the other.  

Her eyes darted around the dark cabin. Elijah had moved from his wheelchair and to the edge of the three-seater sofa. Sienna sat next to him in the middle and was now lounging out over Naveen’s deserted seat with a throw pillow cuddled deep in her small embrace. 

The coast was clear. Everyone was too engrossed in the film to pay any mind to the diagnosticians on their left. 

Boldly, Becca rested her head gingerly on the curve of Ethan’s shoulder. Her friends were none the wiser. 

Pushing their luck a bit further Ethan slid his arm closer to her shoulder blades. She reciprocated their game by placing a hand carefully on his muscular thigh. 

Ethan’s enchanting blue eyes did their own quick survey of the scene to make sure Sienna and Elijah were still oblivious. When he was certain her friends were too caught up on the imagery, Ethan cupped his free hand over hers. The corner of Becca’s lips noticeably perked as she laced their fingers together. 

“I love this story,” she whispered into his ear. 

“Why? It’s a tragedy. There is not one likable character in the whole plot,” he whispered back.  

“That’s what makes it so compelling. They’re flawed and real.” 

Before Ethan could rebuke, her favorite line was about to be said. 

“Gatsby? What Gatsby?” she mimicked looking over to Ethan. 

Her eyes held the same adoration reflecting from Daisy Buchanan’s character. It was hopeless and all-consuming, fiery and full of… something Ethan couldn’t place. All he knew was when that line fell delicately off her tongue he couldn’t help but parallel the feeling of him and Becca being the only two people in the universe. Ethan had that smile - that one smile reserved only for her. That one smile full of eternal reassurance and pride, making it as if his whole world revolved around her in that soulful moment. A glimpse into who Ethan was and not who Dr. Ramsey needed to be.  

Becca was mere inches away. One movement and it would all be over. Her eyes flickered down to his lips and back to the large television screen, ever so enchanted by the modern classic playing out before them. Ethan was thankful for her lack of focus. He let out the breath he was holding in he held onto her hand just a bit tighter. 

As the evening passed on Ethan let himself fall a bit more into comfort. 

For a brief moment he thought maybe, just maybe, everything could be this simple. They could be together and the people in their lives could all know, and no one would care. No careers could be in turmoil by the mere mention of their romantic relationship. 

No politics. Just love. 

Unfortunately, that’s not how the world works. 

Ethan was far too well-versed in cynicism to let himself fall any further than this moment. Holding hands in the darkness was all they could ever have with others around. He let the moment last, trusting her word that her friends wouldn’t destroy their ephemeral happiness. 

No, that was destined for them. 

Once the credit scene began to roll Sienna was the first to disturb the peace. 

“Come on I think it’s time for bed,” she sat up and tapped a dozing Elijah on the shoulder. 

Sienna dared to glance over at the love-seat - doing a double take to make sure it was really, truly happening before her very eyes. There in the warm glow cascading off the television was Becca curled up against Dr. Ramsey. Ethan was cradling her against him with his right arm securely at her waist as his left held up a book. He began reading the closest literature he could find towards the end of the film when he was sure Becca was asleep and wouldn’t castrate him. Neither diagnostician made an attempt to move. 

“Yeah, you’re probably right,” Elijah agreed, lazily moving back into his chair while Sienna made sure to put the pillow back where she found it. “Night Becca, Dr. Ramsey,” he called as Sienna wheeled him to their room for the next few days.  

“Goodnight, Dr. Greene. Trinh,” Ethan acknowledged without breaking focus on his book. 

Once the friends were safely in their room with a click of the door Ethan began to migrate, casting the book aside and reaching for the remote on Becca’s armrest to shut the television off. 

“No,” she whined as his small motions rock her gently to disturb her slumber. 

With a smirk Ethan scoffed, “You’re basically asleep.”

Becca grumbled back as she threw her arms over her eyes, “I don’t care.” 

Ethan took the challenge and swiftly rose to his feet. Becca’s cheek immediately met the crater in the cushion as she flopped down without her supporter. 

“Hey!” her objection was partially muffled by the old paisley printed cushion.  

Ethan couldn’t help but chuckle at his resident. Her legs were still awkwardly folded under herself and he’d imagine they’d at least be tingly with pins and needles by now, she still had her jeans on and her top exposed the pale skin of her midriff, and her brown locks were wildly strewn about. With a bemused shake of his head he brought the remainder of the dishes into the kitchen. 

When he came back Becca hadn’t moved an inch, her body still lolled to the side where he was previously sat. 

In four long strides Ethan was back in front of her. Becca heard his shallow footsteps yet was too comfortable to acknowledge his presence. Suddenly the couch flew out of under her and Becca was in free fall. Before she could open her eyes taut muscle and bone made contact with her rib-cage. 

Ethan had slung her over his shoulder. 

“Ethan!” she hissed. Normally Becca would appreciate the delicious view of this new position however the generous amount of wine mixed with the blood rushing to her head was not working in her favor.  

“Shush, you’ll wake everyone up.” Becca’s bottom jiggled from Ethan’s playful smack. 

She argued back, “You woke me up!”  

“It was that or have a stiff neck tomorrow,” Ethan began to rationalize as he took each step carefully so as to not to lose his balance. “And I’m not dealing with your complaints.”

Naveen’s master bedroom was large with glorious vaulted ceilings and exposed wooden beams. It was much too big for one person. Keeping with the cabin theme, the bed was wooden with four tall posts, the outer wall was lined with windows looking out over the river, and the adjoining bathroom led right into a modest yet bare walk-in closet. 

Ethan placed Becca down on the soft springform mattress conscientiously. She reveled in the waft of cinnamon and cedar of the quilt and deep red cotton sheets. Becca appreciated how Naveen also had an affinity for pillows - four medium firm and two down were waiting patiently for her noggin. Becca was too enticed by sleep to rummage for pajamas in her bag. Instead she began to unbutton her jeans haphazardly from her horizontal position. 

Ethan watched as she fumbled continuously, not quite grasping the button enough to pop it through the hole. After the fourth try he swatted her hands away, taking the reins. Ethan expertly flicked the button, dragged the zipper down and freed Becca’s legs from the thick day-ridden material. She sighed as the cool air met her clean-shaven skin. Her toes then hooked and flicked off her socks while she sat up and pulled her shirt off.  

 Sitting cross-legged on top of the duvet in just her nude bra and purple lace panties she asked, “Staying or going?” 

Her jeans were now folded on top of the wardrobe where Ethan stood with a cocked eyebrow, “What do you think?”

BOOM! 

A close clack of thunder rattled the wood causing them both to jump. 

CLACK! 

TSS

“Fuck!” she screamed in exasperation as quietly as she could. “Do you think a tree fell?” 

“Rookie, are you scared?” 

“No. I’ve been through loads of hurricanes,” she asserted, moving up the bed to crawl safely under the covers. “There's just a lot of wood around here. One wrong bolt and we’re all up in flames.” 

Ethan perched himself at the edge of the bed next to her nearly nude form. “I highly doubt that will happen.” 

“But it could happen.” 

“Theoretically.”

The covers sat around Becca’s waist. Her supple curves of her exposed breasts called to him. Ethan began to reach for her but the rational doctor did all he could to stop himself from caressing the addictive skin. Instead his hand rested on her inner thigh, just the thin duvet separating their warmth. Her hair was a frizzy halo around her rounded face and her lips stained deep indigo from all the red wine. And yet she was still - always, so beautiful. 

She watched as his eyes trail over her and his chest rose and fell a tad quicker.   

“You should stay. I know you want to.” 

“You know I can’t.” 

“You know they already think we’re dating anyway.” 

Ethan was taken aback at the brazen accusation but not enough to remove his hold on her, “We are doing what?” Instinctively his calloused fingers tightened their grip slightly. 

“Don’t look so surprised,” she all but rolled her eyes at his idiocy. After a beat, her brown eyes fixated on his expert hand, she added, “Ethan… are you single?” 

Her small voice was full of shaken vulnerability. She yanked the covers up higher, releasing his hold on her, and curled herself further into them, shielding herself from his answer. Or lack thereof, there were too many seconds hanging in the space between them.  

He reached out to tuck a few strands behind her ear. The wait was killing her. 

“No… I’m not.” 

Those words. Becca felt like the air had been stolen from her lungs. How long had she been waiting to hear them? How long has she been hoping Ethan Ramsey would commit to only her with a promise of forever? She couldn’t recall anything other than him at this moment moving in closer to her. Their noses brushed every so slightly, his affirming and hopeful words lingering warm against her flushed cheeks. 

“Stay,” she breathed. 

The way she was imploring him could crumble the Great Wall of China. Every ounce of Ethan’s resolve came crumbling down as he finally admitted his feelings to the universe. He thought she knew by now how he was irrevocably hers without words needing to be shared. Dr. Ethan Ramsey would continue living a solitary life until he could freely be able to love Dr. Rebecca Lao and without fear of completely destroying her bright future. 

Ethan wanted so badly to dive into the covers with her and never come back up - her sweet embrace was all the sustenance he needed to survive. But the little voice in the back of his head told him not to cut the line just yet.  

“Only until you fall asleep,” he agreed. “Wouldn’t want Naveen thinking we were being indecent in his bed. He’d never let me hear the end of it.” 

________________________________________

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