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storiesofsvu · 3 years ago

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Saviour

Sonny Carisi x fem!reader Warnings: language, alcohol consumption, minor “stalking” (being followed through the streets)

One of the things you hated most about living in New York was every single time an old school/college friend (or even a past work colleague) decided to play tourist, you always got stuck giving more than enough travel guide advice. You were at least thankful that you lived in a small one bedroom apartment that lacked space for an air mattress (or so you claimed), avoiding unwanted house guests you hadn’t seen in years. More often than not they’d text you a couple of times during the trip to ask for last minute tips or directions that you’d end up replying to, and on the rare occasion they’d start to try and insist you come out with them. Which usually meant they wanted you to play in person tour guide which you hated even more, luckily you were able to use work as an excuse to not go.

Until now of course, some old Sorority Sisters were in town for a Stagette weekend and insisting that you join them for a couple of their nights out. You managed to barter with them until Kelly, the bride, accepted that you’d stop in on their pub crawl at one of the more upscale lounges that thankfully, wasn’t too far from your apartment. They were meeting for dinner first, and hitting a club right after, then swapping it up for a bit of a quieter atmosphere at Castell Rooftop Lounge where you’d meet them, hoping they weren’t too plastered already.

You dilly-dallied a little bit getting ready, expecting them to be behind schedule, and were pleasantly surprised when they were actually there when you arrived. The table had a few snack foods and desserts to share, along with multiple jugs of sangria. Kelly greeted you with a shriek, pulling you into a tight hug as you bid her congratulations, greeting the rest of the girls. Some of them you knew from school, some of them were Kelly’s newer friends. You reacquainted yourselves, relaxing over the drinks as you chatted over various things, mainly wedding involved.

Throughout the evening the table attracted more than enough attention from the other patrons, not only was it decked out in decoration, but the girls were all dressed up, and the bar had supplied a Stagette “scavenger hunt” of sorts to help keep the festive mood going. (An expensive yet highly unneeded add on if anyone asked your opinion). You opted to keep to yourself, not being anywhere near intoxicated enough to let a stranger autograph your boob, or have a twerking contest, none of this was really your style. A couple of the more shy girls at the table stuck with you and you were thankful for Kelly not insisting that everyone participate, at least you weren’t alone.

Naturally, this didn’t rid you completely of attention, a small handful of douchey men sauntering up to the table at random intervals. You politely declined all advances with an awkward laugh, suggesting they go talk to the other girls from the party. A man who introduced himself as Bryce, more than suggested that you join him for a dance, you declined again, but he stuck around a bit, trying to engage with you more until Kelly drug you up to the bar screeching about how hot he was and how you needed to give him a chance. She pouted like a toddler until you rolled your eyes, huffing in defeat and made your way back to the table where a round of shots had been dropped off, thankfully, Bryce seemed to have lost interest.

It was only temporary though, he popped up a few minutes later, grin on his face asking if he could at least buy you a drink. You tried to roll your eyes but Kelly was shoving you out of your chair faster than you could protest. As much as she thought it was a good idea, she was drunk, and you got a bad vibe from this guy, trying to stay out of his reach while you followed him up to the bar.

Opting for a tequila shot to try and get out of there as fast as possible, you tossed it back, internally grumbling when Bryce started to sneak in some small talk. Not wanting to piss someone like him off you did your best to be what you called ‘professionally friendly’ the type where you’re nice, but not overly smiley and you definitely stay away from any and all physical touch. He laid on the normal sleazy pick up lines, asking what such a pretty girl was doing out without your boy (it was a Stagette…), how you were the prettiest in the room, (not true..), that it was a shame he’d never seen you around here before (for a reason..and he certainly wouldn’t be seeing you again). He got another round of shots that you sighed over, but accepted, asking the bartender for a water while Bryce was busy checking out another girl’s ass. You tried to weasel your way back to the table but Kelly found her way back up to the bar, reminding you to ‘have a little fun’ urging you closer to Bryce before throwing back a shot and vanishing in a flurry of drunken giggles.

You briefly heard Bryce talking to the bartender while you distracted yourself with your phone, turning your back to the man hoping that he’d catch the eye of someone who was actually interested instead so you could make your escape. After a minute his hand curled around your shoulder to turn you around, you shivered, shaking his grip off you. He gave you a sleazy grin, sliding a pink cocktail toward you. You cocked a brow, there was no way you were this dumb, you shot him an apologetic smile, gesturing to your phone, saying there was an emergency and you had to run.

Before he could even get a word in you darted from the bar, grabbing your purse and saying goodbye to the girls who were paying enough attention to even realize. Kelly pleaded with you to stay but you feigned the same emergency, promising that you’d text her tomorrow about going to Times Square with them (you wouldn’t. Not that it mattered, they were all too hungover to move anyway).

Somehow being out in the fresh air of the city streets relaxed you, a sigh of relief escaping your lungs as you shook out of your club-goer personality, ready to head home and change into sweats. You never minded walking home at night, it wasn’t that late yet, the streets still had a number of people out and about and honestly, it was better than taking the subway or paying for a cab.

You headed halfway down the block before ducking into an alleyway, knowing cutting through it would save you at least ten minutes on your walk time. You jumped a little bit when a back door of a sushi restaurant flew open, the chef swinging a bag of garbage into the dumpster without even noticing you. Despite it being nothing, you couldn’t help but feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, quickly glancing over your shoulder you caught the sight of a few shadowy forms back near the street, it looked like they were just smokers from a nearby bar, so you shook it off. That didn’t stop you from hearing the footsteps echoing your own against the darkened walls of the building, you skipped a couple of steps, eager to at least be under the street lamps again.

It was half a block later you’d decided that the person behind you was definitely following you, conveniently avoiding the circles of light on the street. Every time you risked a glance over your shoulder they were nothing but a shadowy form, and of course, you were now in a more residential area, other people on the street far and few between. Not wanting to lead whoever this was straight to your apartment building you began a bit of a sporadic route, hoping to make it back to a main drag before he caught up with you. As you rounded a corner you checked out of the side of your eye and your heart jumped into your throat, he was in full view of a car’s headlights this time, your suspicions confirmed, it was Bryce, he’d clearly followed you out of the bar. Worse than that, he was catching up with you, and your damn stilettos were doing nothing to help with the situation.

You were doing your best not to panic, debating between ducking down a slightly darker side street that you knew would take you straight back to the bar street, or keeping going straight and stay more well lit but it would take three blocks longer. A laugh broke into your concentration and you spotted its source, a small blonde woman around your age, dog on leash no doubt for a late night pee break, and who you assumed was her boyfriend with her. They were a quarter of the way down the side street, Bryce was less than a block away from you now.

Darting down towards them you shouted,

“Oh my God! Katie! It’s so good to see you!” You launched against her, ever thankful that she didn’t hesitate to wrap an arm around you in return as you shakily whispered, “please help me this guy’s been following me since I left the bar. I didn’t realize it at first, it’s been like, six blocks. I don’t want him to know where I live.”

“Don’t worry honey, we’ve got you.” She whispered back, then raised her voice back to normal, the side street letting it bounce off the walls, echoing loud enough for Bryce to hear. “I’m so glad you caught me on my way out! Thanks for letting me steal your man for the night.” You did your best to not laugh awkwardly as the silver haired man wrapped you into a side hug, kissing your cheek, neither of them missed the way Bryce had followed you down the street.

“You have fun tonight sweetheart?” He asked, beaming down at you, and you swore, if you hadn’t been scared for your life, you would’ve melted at those baby blues.

“Yeah, it was great.” You muster up a smile. Sonny could feel you still shaking slightly, especially as the other man got closer to you. Amanda muttered quietly, leaning to scratch Frannie’s ears, as if she was talking to the dog,

“Walk her home Carisi, but don’t go direct.”

“Rollins, what about you?”

“I’ve got Frannie.” She shrugged, “besides..” she discreetly pushed back the side of her coat, the briefest glint of metal and gold reflected off her belt.

You let out a large shaky sigh of relief, not only had you managed to find someone to save your ass, you’d managed to stumble upon an off duty cop. There certainly was someone watching out for you tonight.

“I’ll see you for brunch tomorrow right?” The blonde smiled at you, knowing if she established confirmed plans for early the next morning, this creep would be less likely to try and track you down thinking you had someone waiting for you.

“Yeah! Nine at Sarabeth’s right?” She nodded.

“Night Sonny! You two get home safe!”

“Course.” He shot her a dopey grin, securing his arm around your shoulders. You jumped when Frannie started to bark aggressively, Bryce had reached where the three of you were. He scurried away from the lunging dog, shooting a half glare at Amanda that she returned with even more vigour.

Amanda crossed into the grassy spot meant for pets to use, her original intent, giving Sonny a nod and he directed you back to the street you’d come from. You simply followed his lead, hoping that if he was friends with a cop, you could trust him.

“Thank you.” You practically whimpered out when you’d reached a well lit street, your voice shaking as your resolve broke. He could feel your body tensing more under his arm, and directed you to a park bench, sitting you down on it while he crouched in front of you.

“Hey, hey…it’s okay. You did exactly what you should’a done, a lotta people wouldn’t’ve been that smart. Ya got good instincts.” He squeezed your knee and you took a deep breath.

“What about your girlfriend?” You nodded back towards the direction you’d come from and he laughed.

“‘Manda’s not my girlfriend, she’s my partner.”

“There’s a difference?” Your brow scrunched and he chuckled again.

“Work partner.” He pulled a business card out of the inside of his jacket pocket that you took with a slightly less shaky hand than before, “Detective Dominick Carisi, but call me Sonny.” God, there was that adorable grin again.

“Y/n.” You smiled.

“Well Y/n,” he pushed up to standing again, extending an arm toward you, “there’s a little café around the corner. What’d’ya say we grab ya a tea to calm down and then I’ll walk ya home.”

“You really don’t have to.” You protested as you accepted the help up, blushing when he kept his arm linked in yours.

“On the contrary, your chances of running into another dashingly handsome detective if I leave are slim to none.” You laughed, shaking your head at him, and he smiled at the genuine smile on your cheeks, the nervousness and panic having escaped your body

“Fine. But it’s my treat, I insist.”

Sonny admitted defeat, letting you pick up the tab for a couple of teas and cupcakes at the spoken of café. Honestly, you’d made it nearly full circle at this point, only a few doors down from the bar you’d started this whole ordeal at. Being the detective he was, your little coffee break started with him jotting down as much information as you had on your stalker, name, what he said he did for a living and a description. Sonny didn’t want to freak you out or anything, but if this prick tried it with you and didn’t succeed, there was a pretty high chance he’d try it with someone else. And at least this way they’d have a start if a victim popped up the next day.

Thankfully the cop talk didn’t last too long and he was quick to direct the conversation away from it, asking where’d you’d been earlier that night. You rolled your eyes as you retold the events and he laughed at the distaste oozing off of you at the idea of giant bachelorette weekends. You found it surprisingly easy to talk to him, he was super friendly and chatty, and now that you’d calmed down you were able to really appreciate just how cute he was.

It wasn’t until the lights began to flick off on the other side of the café that both your heads shot up, sheepishly realizing you were the only two people left and the poor teenager behind the counter just wanted to go home. You left a few bills on the table as an apology tip, hurrying out of the café. Sonny linked your arms through his again as you lead him the short walk back to your apartment. He insisted on walking you right to your door which didn’t surprise you and you didn’t protest, simply turning to him once you’d unlocked the door.

“Thank you, again. I really don’t know what I would’ve done if I hadn’t seen you guys.”

“Anytime Doll,” your cheeks heated at the endearment, “just doin’ my job.”

“Thank Detective Rollins for me too. If she had freaked over that hug it would’ve blown everything.”

“Nah, Frannie would’a had your back no matter what.” You both chuckled over that, a somewhat awkward but relaxed pause taking over before he spoke again, “uh-feel free to text or call if you need anything.” He said in reference to the card he’d given you.

“Well uhm…” you stalled, “I am a little short on groceries…”

“What, ya want a chaperone?” He teased and you laughed.

“I was thinking maybe more like lunch? If you happen to be free sometime soon?”

“Yeah!” He replied probably a little too enthusiastically, “I’d love to! Uh…Thursday?”

“Sounds perfect.” You smiled, “I’ll text ya. Get home safe Sonny.”

“I will. See ya Thursday.”

He waited until you’d at least stepped into your apartment before turning back down the hall, grinning when he glanced over his shoulder and saw you watching him walk away, blushing when he caught you. You gave a small wave before shutting and latching the door.

Sure, the Stagette had stunk, and your night had the risk to be even worse, but running into Sonny and Amanda had certainly turned your night around. You certainly wouldn’t have met someone like him at the bar, and now you had something to look forward to that would happily split up your work week.

_____

@bisexualcrowley @detective-giggles @teamsladsandgents @stardust-galaxies @glimmerglittergirl @beccabarba @itsjustmyfantasyroom @qvid-pro-qvo @thatesqcrush @altsvu @hurricanejjareau @lawandorderimagines @fandom-princess-forevermore @caracalwithchips @bisexual-dreamer02 @mrsrafaelbarba @lila-lola45 @pleasantunknownnacho @ssaic-jareau @barbasbodaciousbeard @alwaysachorusgirl @chasingeverybreakingwave @svushots @nocreditinthestraightworld @australiancarisi @rafivadafreddy @thestarrynightslover @disn3y7 @sia2raw

#Sonny carisi #sonny carisi x reader #law and order svu #svu #svu fanfiction #dominick carisi #law and order

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youcouldmakealife · 3 years ago

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SOTW: Bryce/Jared, Canucks; team’s a family

For the prompt: Bryce and Jared getting chirped to death by their team for their damage control puff piece article

Jared doesn’t know who finds it, alerts the team to its existence. Gabe knows of it, unfortunately, but Jared’s pretty confident it wasn’t him — if Stephen was on the roster that would be a whole other thing, but he knows Gabe wouldn’t. Mostly because he said ‘was it you?’ and Gabe blinked at him and said ‘what?’ without any guilt flickering across his expression, and then just laughed at Jared when he outlined the situation. If Gabe did it he would have owned up to it after.

Ditto Dmitry. He would absolutely do that, but there’s no way he’d keep quiet about it after, would have too much fun rubbing it in Jared’s face like a shaving cream pie.

It’s not like Jared can do anything about it now, the cat is thoroughly out of the bag, but it’d be nice to know. He could plot revenge if he knew. You can’t plot revenge against an entire roster. Well, you can, but it’s not particularly efficient.

It starts…confusingly.

“Hey Math, heard you went to Bullet’s wedding,” Stevie says, and Jared blinks while at least three Canucks snicker.

“Uh,” Jared says. “Are you confused about how weddings work, Cap?”

“Very confused, please tell me,” Stevie says, and Jared rolls his eyes, reminds Stevie that he was kind of legally obligated to be at his own wedding, then promptly forgets about it.

He overhears Bryce talking about Erin to Stevie later that day, but really doesn’t think anything of it, figures family came up, as it often does in the room. That someone brought up a story about a sibling, which turned into an avalanche of guys swapping stories about their siblings. It happens.

Erin’s the closest thing Bryce has to a sister — which is very far from having Erin as an actual sister, inasmuch as Erin’s actually nice to Bryce — and now that the guys know about them, he can talk about her as family without getting worried about something being misinterpreted, or worse, accurately interpreted. Jared doesn’t mention it to Bryce, because he doesn’t even think about it.

There’s an imaginary microphone shoved in Jared’s face. At least, Jared’s pretty sure that’s what the empty paper towel roll is meant to be, considering Simpson’s using a weird reporter-ish voice as he asks, “How do you feel about the fact you’re your sister Erin’s least favourite brother?”

“Validated,” Jared says. It’d be un-Brycelike to say he was Erin’s favourite, though he indisputably is, but sometimes his mouth runs ahead of his brain. Or who knows, maybe Erin blasted ‘JARED MATHESON IS MY LEAST FAVOURITE BROTHER’ from her instagram account. Jared certainly would not put it past her.

“And did it feel strange, going from a coach-trainee relationship to married?” Simpson asks. “Because that sounds fucking weird.”

“Wait,” Jared says, eyes narrowing. Mouth running ahead of himself or not, Bryce knows exactly how skeevy it sounds when put that way. “Where are you getting this information.”

“NHL dot com,” Simpson says. “Which is a pretty official source. That seems like a pretty official source, right guys?”

Murmurs of agreement from the room, and oh.

Oh fuck.

“I hear you two are practically family,” Simpson says. “Would you describe your relationship as ‘brotherly’?”

Jared groans as the room snickers around him, all far too pleased with themselves.

Jared was not aware just how much ammunition they were giving a bunch of people who had absolutely zero compunctions about blowing shit up with it. It is, apparently, a lot. So many off-hand comments about so many statements that seemed inane, and were inane, really, unless you know that the entire article is a load of shit. And then, apparently, they’re funny.

Jared does not find them funny.

“Brotherhood!” Dmitry cries as he steps onto the ice for practice, and at least half a dozen Canucks are yelling the same thing as they follow him. Fuck. That one’s probably going to stick. Jared just hopes it doesn’t make the jumps to games. People would just assume it’s some kind of ‘team is family’ shit, which is why it just might.

“Can you make them stop?” Jared asks Gabe quietly.

Gabe glances over at him.

“It’s upsetting Bryce,” Jared says.

“Bryce is literally laughing,” Gabe says. Bryce has his glove over his face. He could be crying for all Gabe knows. He’s not, hiding his dumb little giggles with his glove, but Gabe doesn’t know that.

“It’s fake laughter,” Jared lies.

“Math,” Gabe says, giving him a slap on the back. “Start sucking it up now, because I guarantee that this is going to follow you both for the rest of your time with the Canucks.”

“I want a trade,” Jared mutters.

“That’s the spirit!” Gabe says, and yells “Brotherhood!” when he steps out on the ice.

Jared skates onto the ice, silent and sullen, and does not appreciate the small chorus of boos he receives in return.

“Brotherhood!” Bryce says when he gets on, and Jared hopes no one figured out what he was saying through his giggles, but he doesn’t have much hope.

#fic snippet #SOTW #jared matheson #bryce marcus #gabe markson

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garrusknight · 2 years ago

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I just wanna know, why did you decided to create Nightbound game? It could have also been Elementalists, Foreign Affairs, Distant Shores... and you like Open Heart too. What inspired you to choose Nightbound?

Take care.

I talked a lot about my inspiration for doing a Nightbound sequel game here: https://garrusxnightbound.tumblr.com/post/685064379658649600/what-inspired-you-to-create-this-nightbound

Now let's talk about how I feel about other fan fiction sequel game ideas!

First of all a Distant Shores fan sequel game is in the works and I've even spoken with the founder and while I'm not working on it I fully support it and am super looking forward to this one!

And of course a lot you already know about the Hero Vol 2 project and the ongoing It Lives Within!

Now let's talk a little about Open Heart. As you may know from the brycebound blog, Bryce and Rafael are two of my most loved LIs and OH also has one of my most loved MCs and I do enjoy doing little fan fiction shorts both written and visually. That being said, I think since OH ended with Book 3, overall I think the story ran its course so I don't think I would pursue doing a fan fiction game for that. Not to mention I'm not really a medical expert.

Foreign Affairs having a fan made sequel would be fun and I'm a big fan of Tatum but at the same time such a sequel would have to give really good treatment to Ayna for me to support such a project.

The Elementalists is possibly one of the series that sparks the most joy possibly even more than Nightbound. If you've been following brycebound then you know that Griffin is one of my Top 5 LIs and I love the setting and escapism in that series. I love the MC and the magic customization, I love my brother Atlas and I love the whole Pend Pals group and learning all the spells and having fun with all the magic college life. Of course in a fan made sequel it would be important to balance the LIs and I would love to see some point of view switches with Atlas (sort of like how they did The Princess Swap). Of course there would be issues with carrying over setup choices since in comparison with Nightbound, TE had 2 books and a holiday special and a ton of player agency with questions so there would be quite a number of determinants to check off.

#anon asks #asks #nightbound #nightbound sequel #nightbound ii #nightbound 2 #distant shores #foreign affairs #the elementalists #open heart #playchoices #choices

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theinvisibledreamergirl · 3 years ago

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Waves of sadness

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x F!MC (Klaw Craig)

Word count: ~2.7 k

Category: Angst

Warning: Language

A.N: This is actually my first Bryce fic that I write, thanks to the comeback of @blazerina who inspired me. Anyways here I’ve described Bryce’s feelings about Klaw despite knowing she has feelings for someone else, but who? I’ve tried my best tho… and please forgive me if I didn’t portray him as you may have wished.❤️

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Seashore.

It reminded him of his home.

Where he felt his confidence higher than everyone else. Where he could forget all of his worries that were past the walls of his house that he hated so much. Where for once he could feel as himself. Acing the grades and keeping to himself the most beautiful ladies with his devastatingly handsome features. Everyone envied him and wanted to be like him in everything he did or say. He smiled sadly to that idiocy of copying someone else and swapping in his body. Truth to be told it was a reckless move and a wrong idolatry. He was considered as the only guy in his neighbourhood who didn’t have any other thoughts rather than being perfect.

Unbeknownst to his friends circle Bryce Lahela had a weakness that was growing slowly and painfully inside of him that brushed it off with his infamous megawatt smile.

A woman.

Who’s close to him but in the same time far away from his reach.

It’s like she had imprisoned him in a cage that he couldn’t find the key to escape. It haunted him every single night while drifting to sleep or when he was with another woman in his bed. This pain was constantly reminding him that things were going out of his control and he needed to find a way to fix it.

While his eyes are glued in an undefined spot in the sea, he was playing the little memories in his head that he always kept them safe like the pearl in its shell.

She clearly is a hard working woman. Every single day that passes she gets more and more recognisable by attendees and he is proud for her because he is in the same shoes and he knows what is that feeling. They both understand each other so well. He jokes to her when he remembers the first time they’ve met in the supply closet. She will always slap his arm and hide her face from blushing that he adores so much. He is rendered speechless countless of times when she would drink without even blinking many shots of tequila as a water. And not getting drunk after that. Well aren’t you something Craig? He admitted to himself. When they say ‘good night’ before separating to their streets and he receives that contagious smile of hers and right in that moment he wants nothing more than to pull his lips into hers.

Or how they’ve exchanged looks in the halls of hospital but always interrupted by a certain attending that everyone including him despised so much.

Ethan Ramsey.

Bryce couldn’t understand how strong Klaw was to keep up with the grumpy doctor who had terrified almost ten generations of doctors in his hands and yet she was still standing tall. Not that it was a problem, but he got a strange feeling every time they worked together. She was always busy especially with the Diagnostics competition and they hadn’t a little free time to spend together. He could spent with their other friends but not with her. Sometimes he had tried to talk to her by going to Dr. Ramsey’s office to give them both a minute much to the latter’s disapproval as if he was cutting off something important.

Even her closeness with another guy had raised to him many questions.

Rafael Aveiro.

It was without a doubt that the newest guy in their group had a crush on her- but did she? Whenever he would caught them laughing together for unspecific reasons he had felt a tightness in his chest like something that belonged to him was slowly falling from his hands. Bryce couldn’t call Rafael a bad guy or not a charming one despite his timidity character but when it was about Klaw Craig- he had to think every obstacle in front of him.

Jackie Varma was the first person who warned Bryce that he had to be careful of what he chose. She had seen his behavioural change since Klaw appeared in the closet room right after their sex. The playful glint that was obvious in his eyes once, was turned into affection and she was afraid of the consequences that would come after that, knowing fully well these two fools (as she called them). Even though it wasn’t her job to intrude into their lives, she felt as a friend to somehow fix this complicated thing that was going on, hopefully not ending in hurt.

Another scene that he played was of his latest conversation with her. Face to face. Nothing hiding anymore. As the sky was starting to get haze he closed his eyes this time for good.

“Bryce, I need to tell you something.” Her face remained passive and blank. This was the right time for her to tell him the truth. The harsh and the worst one.

“Go on.”

When she saw his wide smile she asked herself that how was he going to cope with it. Despite his high confidence especially in operations, Klaw knew damn well that he had a sensitive side and the mere thought of it would break his heart. Nonetheless her voice remained again court and distant, something that he noticed. “You’re a nice guy and I’m really but really lucky to have known you all this time.”

His heart was starting to beat fast and he was pleading that it wasn’t what he was thinking about.

Please Klaw don’t say it.

“Wait,” he asked with a mock confusion. “Are you leaving?”

“No.” That was a relief on his shoulders but that was only momentarily. “I don’t want to exceed my words unnecessarily so I’m going to be straightforward with you. Probably you’re going to hate me after this but I hate lying to you.”

Hate lying to me? It seems like you’ve enjoyed it.

“I know your intentions Bryce. You want me more than a friend,” the tension between them was hanging in the air as each second passed and they could understand it with their fixed gazes. “But I’m afraid that I can’t be more than that.”

Bryce felt a gulp on his throat and clenched fists while digging his nails in his palms. He wanted to be more serious and to solve this diplomatically but his mouth opened before his brain told him not to.

“Who is he?” He heard himself ask. Maybe it wasn’t the right question but he needed to know. How, when and where had she met him? And most importantly… his identity. He knew she wasn’t into women and that was undoubtedly something not new.

Her lips parted in shock and furrowed her eyebrows trying to find better words and to not end this conversation in a war. She didn’t want to hurt him but with that he hurt her.

“What I’m trying to say is-”

“Save it,” he gives up because he knows that he can’t handle it but in the same time he wanted to know it. God he thought everything was too much to him. “You don’t have anything to explain to me.”

“Yes I have to! Don’t you dare skip it because I know you need it!” She shouted and thankfully there was no one in the beach to hear them because it was well past midnight.

“No,” he waved his hand and his voice was much louder now. “I don’t need any details from your special boyfriend who makes you clearly happier than me!”

Her eyes were welling and her heart wrenched at his words that hit her so hard while seeing him in that state. And not long after that she heard his humourless laugh that made her even more concerned.

“When I first saw you I thought we could be a power couple. A couple everyone would be envied of. I would never hurt you Klaw and I would always make you happy. Whatever you wanted I would make that wish coming true. I wanted to take things slow with you… whenever you were ready to take the next step.”

That’s when Klaw understood that she didn’t deserve him. This sweet, generous and golden heart guy that would take any risk for her. But she didn’t forget a sad thing after those words.

“You said the same thing to Rachel and let me rephrase that: ‘We’ll take things easy and slowly my sugar just not to upset you’ and she said ‘Okay’. But what happened the other day? Huh? You fucked her brains out Bryce and you broke the promise!”

“That was different…”

“Is this your excuse for all of this? Please save it because you know it’s not different from the other girls you’ve been with and I-”

“It is fucking different! It is damn different because it’s you who makes it!”

“What?”

“Klaw you’re…” he sighed exasperatedly. “You’re different and everytime I am around you… you make me feel a different person. When I’m around you I’m not the Bryce Lahela or the Scalpel Jockey that everyone knows. I’m just Bryce but only with your voice when you call me.”

“Bryce…” she whispered while the tears were continuing to roll down on her cheeks.

“See?” He pointed with his finger to her lips. “That voice. Do you know what that sweet voice does to me?” Then whispered softly. “It makes me weak.”

Her lower lip trembled while clasping her fingers together not knowing what else to add up. Everything that he confessed to her came from such purity and honesty that he was only able to show. She looked up to the sky as if searching for the last help and finally she collected herself.

“I wish I could feel the same about you Bryce but… in front of me I can only see my best friend. I won’t apologise because we both know that this relationship didn’t even start. We’ll still remain friends right?”

“If you tell me the reason why or more specifically the person behind this… we can still be friends.” He said without blinking.

Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “Wasn’t this all convincing enough for you?”

“No,” he added in determination. “Because I want to know what that guy had more than me!”

She narrowed her eyes and warned. “Bryce watch out your words.”

“Or what? Are you going to call him and say ‘Honey, Bryce is harassing me please help me?’”

“Bryce stop it!”

“Then why goddamn it?” He reached forward and shook her shoulders while digging his fingers. “WHY?”

“Because I’m in love with him!” She grasped out of his hands and took a step back.

The last line hit like a brick in his head and he wanted nothing more than to throw it somewhere far away. Bryce Lahela didn’t know how to move a muscle in that moment because that confession was beyond his expectations. How in the hell did she fall in love? Wasn’t she the one who told her friends that love at first sight is nothing? That love and relationship wasn’t in her cards right now as she wanted to focus solely on her job? His face was showing mortification and defeat now knowing that the pearl wasn’t in the shell anymore. It was stolen by an unknown bandit.

“You should accept even rejections Bryce. Not every girl you face is going to stay with you. But,” she inched carefully closer. “I believe with all of my heart that you’re going to find your half who’s going to be much better than me.”

No one is going to be better than you Klaw. No one.

Whoever the woman was going to be in his arms in the future, she should be thankful. Even though he didn’t admit it now, he would do it later, Klaw thought. That she wasn’t the woman that he wanted to be with.

“Good night Bryce.”

When he opened his eyes rain was dropping rapidly and his clothes got wet.

Frustratingly he started to unbutton his shirt and his trousers and tossed them carelessly in the sand. He was running towards the sea without thinking twice until his body was dived into the depths of Nahant Bay. Every time he lifted his head above water her face would appear again; her laughs, her tears literally every thought of hers was distracting him.

And he did a mistake.

He turned accidentally his head to the wrong side and a big wave engulfed him inside of the water. At the moment his body was aching and everything was getting blurred. That was it he thought. Maybe he would have the same fate as many lovers who jumped in the ocean to leave forever the sad reality they had to face. As his breathing was nearly stopping, his quick instincts of a surfer came back reminding the rules he learnt when he was a kid. He pushed his legs and arms while fighting with the fast stream that wasn’t letting to get on the surface.

C’mon Bryce do it again. It’s not the first time.

Another attempted move and luckily the cold wind hit his face and if his ears heard well a voice called behind him in the shore.

“Bryce!”

While his eyes were spotting a figure he wiggled his earlobes and heard himself ask. “Is that Raf?”

“Bryce, get the hella out of there!”

Bryce made an affirmation sign and swam until he reached the top.

If someone would’ve told that Rafael Aveiro had gone pale no one would believe it. Not even Bryce and for instance he would’ve shrieked in laughter.

“Are you nuts or what? What were you doing out there? You got me freaking scared and I couldn’t call anyone because my battery ran out!And thanks to my fractured leg I couldn’t even swim.”

“Don’t worry about me. Look?” He motioned to himself. “I’m here and most importantly, how did you find me? Or let me guess,” he let out a snort. “Did your girlfriend tell you?”

“My girlfriend?” Rafael furrowed his eyebrows in confusion.

“Stop acting with me Raf. We both know that Klaw sent you here to check out for me.”

“I really wished it was true but I’m afraid it’s not.” Bryce blinked twice in a stunned expression. “I’m not her boyfriend Bryce and… I’ll never be.”

“What do you mean?”

“Like you my friend I was let’s say,” he tried to find the right words while letting a sad smile across his face. “Rejected. Apparently she has feelings for another man. You wanna know what I thought?” Bryce gave him a nod. “I thought you were her boyfriend. I mean seeing you two seemed like you were born to be together because you know each other so well and have such a good chemistry y’know… it made me realise that I don’t have a place in her heart. Especially after her introduction with my grandma…” he let out a chuckle. “Dude I thought that we were really deeply connected with each other like… something was linked to us. But what’s that saying? Good things must come to an end.”

Bryce locked his eyes thoughtfully again to the sea while listening to Rafael. “Whoever he is let’s just hope that he doesn’t break her heart.”

I’ll kill him if it’s necessary.

But Bryce knew it and couldn’t tell his friend about it. Not now. After listening to his confession he couldn’t help but feel bad about him. Just like he said in the first time Klaw Craig was full of surprises and now he realised she was very and madly in love with him. Maybe it was late to figure out but somehow it was better than never.

“I feel you man and I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For lashing you out before and for keeping a distance with you because I was jealous. And honestly?” He huffed. “I’m still jealous.”

Rafael sighed in understanding. “It’s quite normal Bryce. It happens to everyone of us but you should put this behind and take some days off. Trust me, it works.”

“I’ll keep in mind, thanks.” He patted on his shoulder with small smile while his friend did the same back.

“Anytime, Bryce. Anytime.”

————————————————————————————

P.S: now i think you can guess who’s the mystery man😉 TAGS IN A REBLOG!

#open heart #open heart choices #open heart fan fiction #open heart fan fic #my mc #klaw craig #bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #rafael aveiro #ethan ramsey #ethan ramsey x mc #my writing

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eleanorbloom · 4 years ago

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Eighth Deadly Sin (Bryce Lahela x F!MC) 🍋🍋🍋

Pairing: Bryce Lahela x F!MC (Eleanor Bloom)

Warnings: N.S.F.W content, graphic content not suited for minors.

Prompt: Day 3 of Kinktober. Hair Pulling | Office Sex | Swallowing

A/N: Bryce Lahela deserves all the good things in life, and that involves filthy filthy plotless smut and intense blowjobs in supply closets. This is very self-indulgent work because Bryce is such a giver and I only wanted him to receive something good and filthy. I had a lot of smut written that I realized it wouldn’t make the cut in my series, so I decided to divide it in three fics. This one is the secuel of day 25 and prequel of day 23.

Hope you enjoy it! 🔥🔥🔥

Eighth Deadly Sin

That Thursday had been a day like no other. Less hectic than usual, with good outcomes, and no Pitas. It was the middle of the afternoon when Eleanor got an unexpected text. The cherry on top.

“Hey hot stuff, do you have a moment? 😏.”

“In about five minutes, why?” —She replied. The emoji said it all, so it was unnecessary to ask why, but she had the hope that Bryce would give her some sneak peek.

“Supply closet on the fifth floor, near the new wing.”

But no. Eleanor had a feeling what was that about, though. The supply closet he was talking about was in a secluded area and most of the time Bryce convened her to meet there, they weren’t for the most decorous reasons. Well, a meeting in any supply closet would never be innocent, honestly.

After finishing with a patient, she took the stairs to the fifth floor. She hadn’t even confirmed her guess, but she already was feeling a pulse under her scrubs. Even a kiss, just a hot kiss would cause her those sensations. That amazing was her boyfriend and that foolishly in love she was with him.

She bit her lower lip as the door of the supply closet was in her vision, and sauntered carelessly, checking subtly that no one would see her getting in the room. As the door opened, she found Bryce with one arm leaning against the wall, and his signature flirty smile all over his face.

“Hey”—Mirroring the smirk, she closed closing the door behind her. The very sight of him made her mouth feel dry.

“Hey yourself”—He replied taking her by the wrist and pulling her towards his strong body in one motion, leaving her curvy body flush against his. Their faces were inches apart, eyes observing lips until none of them couldn’t resist it, and cut the distance in one intense and wet kiss.

His lips were warm and hungry, and Eleanor could tell he was already aroused before she got in, because when she slid her hands over his toned muscles, she heard a brief pant in his breath.

“I think my suspicion was right.”

“You would suck at your job if you weren’t right, honestly.”—It wasn’t necessary to ask what was her suspicion, the fact that they were tangled and kissing frantically in a supply closet was eloquent enough.

“And I probably would be the worst girlfriend.”

“Luckily you’re very far from that.”

When she sank her hand under his scrubs, she felt his skin blazing and slightly sweated, making her pull up his scrub impatiently to kiss his chest. Bryce assisted her by taking it off, her lips now traveling up to his shoulders and neck, leaving a trail of kisses in her way up to his jaw and down to his chest, devouring his skin avidly when she reached his pecs.

Eleanor slid the tip of her tongue over his nipple and looked up at him, expecting his reaction while the other hand was pinching and drawing circles in his areola.

Bryce whimpered and bucked his hips against her body, making Eleanor notice the protuberance growing under his pants.

She stayed there for a moment, delighted as if she was savoring the sweetest beverage she had tried, his pleasure adding a complex flavor to her drink, spicy ending. She swapped sides, sucking now the other nipple, while her finger kept pinching the wet and swollen nipple on the other side.

“You’re an angel with that tongue.”

“And I haven’t even shown you everything I’ve got” —She murmured in a sultry voice, her hands now raoming down his abs, sensing how his body shifted as she was approaching his bulge, completely incarcerated, begging for release and ease.

He gulped as her hand kept going down slowly, every move studiously executed.

Suddenly, she parted from him and pulled out her white coat and the top of her scrubs, leaving only her bra on. His eyes scanned her body in a second, remaining in her breasts, turgent under the indigo bra and making a cleavage that probably was one of Bryce’s favorites.

Before his hands could reach them, Eleanor got on her knees, her face perfectly aligned with his pulsing tight. She placed her hands where they had been just a few moments ago and went even more down.

Every finger was touching him with conscious premeditation as Eleanor planted a hand over his crotch, feeling the warmth exuding under the fabric of his clothes. Bryce groaned at the sight of his lover giving him a mischievous smile while her hand began stroking his swollen member in a consciously—and agonizingly—slow and soft way.

“What do you want me to do, my love?”—Her voice is soft and compliant as her hands were now skimming between his muscled tights and sharp hips, one hand returning to caress the prisoner and the other was roaming over his chiseled abs.

“You already know.”—He sighed, feeling how his patience was dropping as Eleanor wasn’t giving him what he wanted.

“Maybe, but I want you to tell me.”

“I want you to eat me out”

“Just that, just suck your dick?”—When she discovered where was the tip of his cock under his boxers, she drew circles and lines randomly with her fingertips, the touch tickling his skin as the fabric was making it feel rougher than it really was; all this without parting eyes from him.

“No…”—He groaned again”—I… want you to swallow me.”

“Okay…”—Her fingers were down, tracing all his length until she felt his balls.

“And drink everything I give to you.”

“Now we are talking about.”—In one swift movement, she tugged his pants down, leaving his boxers on and resuming her previous task, this time, closer to his skin.

The fabric was even warmer and a bit wet with precum. Eleanor couldn’t help but chew her lower lip at this view.

“Now tell me: how much you’ve wanted this?”

“Eh… Every day since you gave me the idea.”

“And where did you imagine it? At home? At the on-call room? Maybe at Donahue’s?”

“No, no, always in a supply closet, in this supply closet actually.”

“And here you have me.”

“And here I have you about to make my dream come true.”

He bucked against her once again when her hand gripped him a bit more firmly.

“What do you want, love?”

“I want you to touch me.”

“I’m touching you.”

“My dick. Not my boxers. I want you to touch me with your lips and tongue.”

Eleanor slid her fingers under the hem of his boxers, feelings the tip of his flesh viscous and soft, then she tugged it down and his penis, now free, exposed itself before her swollen, hard and erected, motioning straight to her mouth.

“Oh my god”—She gasped and watched it for about fine ten seconds, like a cat who found feast, before starting to plant feather-like kisses along his hips and pelvis, and teasingly just around his balls and cock. Then finally, she slicked her tongue in his balls, making him shiver at the contact.

“Fuck”—He sighed.

And she felt and saw how his length tensed even more with so little contact.

“I was waiting for this too.”

“You were?”

“Mmhhm—She hummed, giving short licks to his balls again, and then starting to go up the base of his member .— Is inevitable thinking about doing this to you…—And up—…when you’re looking so hot every fucking single day of your life—And up—You should be a deadly sin.”

Until her tongue found the wet tip of his dick, shiny with more precum, and it stayed there for a few moments, slicking it quickly.

“I’m… Oh fuck… I’m not an expert, but there is al… already one for that and it’s called lust.”

Eleanor chuckled at his effort for mantaining a conversation.

“Nah. This is completely different. Just seeing you it makes me hungry and horny and I can only be satisfied if I eat you out”—And now she went down, starting at the top, and going down to the base.—“A combination of lust and gluttony might be.”

He released a hearty laugh.

“You really know how to boost an ego, don’t you?”

“Actually yeah, it’s pretty hard to boost an ego as big as yours.”

And then up again, this time quickly.

“But I’m not interested in boost your ego, actually. I just want to make you cum.”

Eleanor took his glans between her lips, kissing him softly at first, until she began to add a bit of tongue, alternating with soft strokes with her lips, her and her cheeks hollowing out.

“More…”

“More what?”

“I want all of it in your mouth, baby”

Eleanor obeyed, and took all of him in her mouth, feeling his warm flesh all around her tongue and past her throat, back and forth, until she goes down again, but this time drawing random patterns with her tongue until she began to move faster, bobbing enthusiastically while she heard Bryce panting.

“Baby, you’re amazing”—He sighed with his hands placed over her head, stroking her hair gently.

Then she took it out of his mouth to look at him under her eyelashes and smiling smugly. She knew he would cum soon so she stopped to observe him from below.

“Are you enjoying yourself up there?”

“Very much, babe”

She went to his balls, taking all in her mouth while she stroked his shaft with one hand.

“Oh, god. God. Yes…”

“You taste so good, my love, that I want to eat you out every day.”

“And I’m not going to stop you, y’know?”

Then she started moving again, synchronizing her hands in circular motions with her tongue swirling around him, his skin feeling multiple sensations and pulsings each one different from the other. After a few more thrusts, she finally decided to go deeper and moved her head from left to right until she managed to feel the tip of his dick deep in the back of her throat.

He shuddered.

“Fuck, Eleanor stay just right there…”—Bryce pulled her hair roughly, keeping her just exactly where he wanted, his dick deep buried in her head, feeling her gagging. She nodded at first, but then Bryce saw her eyes glistering mischievously.

“Oggay”—The vibrations of her throat reached him, tickling the tip of her cock, and making him shiver instantly.

“Shit, you’re insane.”

As she realized the effect it was having in him, she couldn’t stop.

“GGes”

“You’ll drink all of me, you hear me? Everything I’ll give you”

“Mmmmhhmm”

Bryce started to rock his hips against her, pulling her hair more tightly.

“Yes, fuck me, baby, you’re doing amazing…”—His words faded as Eleanor picked up pace, moving hard inside him, while her hands were grabbing her butt strongly. Bryce stopped her and he began to thrust her instead.

She moaned unexpectedly. The vibrations made him groan, but he knew she wasn’t teasing him.

“What is it? Are you turning on?”

She nodded.

“What’s turning you on?”

She took his hand on hers, suggesting he should keep bucking against her like he was doing.

“Oh, you want me to conduct you just as I like it?”

She freed his cock for a second.

“I’m not used to this commanding side of yours and it’s making me so fucking horny.”

“Oh, damn, and you want me to boss you while you suck my dick?”

“Yes, please.”

She took him in her mouth again and sucked him hard. Bryce held her head still and resumed his thrusts. She had no choice in this, she was almost powerless, every move she was making was controlled by Bryce.

“If you want me to stop, just tell me, okay?”

The speed, the deepness, how much time she would stay there. Everything controlled by him.

She couldn’t help but moan again. She felt his dominance growing, and instantly knew the power her confession had made in him. He had never been like this. She looked up, his eyes fluttering, the muscles of her arms taut around her head.

She hummed, tickling his dick again. It was all she could do, she had no power over everything else, just the vibrations inside her throat.

“Fuck, Eleanor.”

“Mmmmmhh”

He growled deep and he intensified his movements, his hips rocking quickly against her mouth, always reaching her throat.

“Fuck. Fuck. Baby I’m ccggggo”—He yelped while his hips bucked unevenly against her, until his release streamed down her throat.

With herculean effort he managed not to scream, the sensations washing all over his body, leaving it numb.

But he wasn’t done yet.

“Open your mouth, you dirty sinner”—He commanded as he stroked his dick with his hand and placing it over her tongue.

Eleanor stared at him big eyes while swallowing what she had received just now, and then she opened her mouth, her tongue out and firm, waiting for the lusty liquid to drip into her taste buds. A few droplets went down her chest, but she kept swallowing and drinking everything Bryce was giving her.

When he was ready, he looked down her chest.

“Take it all”

Eleanor took the liquid with her index finger and suck it hard, leaving it clean.

“Good girl.”

“You taste so good, baby.”

“I can feed you whenever you want it, babe.”

“Even if it means to spend eternity in Hell, I’m all for it.”

After a few moments, Eleanor gets up from the floor while Bryce pulls his pants on.

“No uh”—He made Eleanor stop in her tracks, as she was taking her scrubs to put it on again. Bryce kissed her in the lips, feeling his own taste in her mouth

“I wanna know how much this turned you on.”

He took her by the hips and sank a hand under her panties

“Oh, fuck. You’re fucking soaked, babygirl.”

He captured her lips in his desperately, moving his middle finger in circles over her nub.

“Bryce…”—She whimpered lolling her head back— “I have to get back… soon. I’ve been away for too long and I have some pending with the Team.”

Bryce, pretending not hearing her, with his other hand tugged the fabric of her bra to one side and slicked his tongue over her nipple.

“Oh fuck, please let me go.”

"You don’t want me to make you cum just by sucking your tits?” —He sucked the other nipple, and then just made rapid moves, making her squeal.

“As if you have never done that before.”

“I know. And I want to do it again.”

Just has Bryce was about to unclasp her bra, her pager went off. She took her coat and checked the device.

“I have to go. It the DT.”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be fast.”—Bryce took her by the hips, kissing her jaw, and ignoring her again.

“No, if you’re giving me an orgasm like this, I want to enjoy it, savor it, so, it’s pending for tonight.”

Eleanor freed herself from his grip to put her clothes on as quickly as she could.

“Hey, wait a second”

“What?” —She turned to him.

“You were amazing, baby. You gave more than I could’ve hoped for. As always.”

She chuckled.

“I’m happy. You deserve more, but you don’t let me.”

She gave him a chaste kiss in his lips, and then disappeared behind the door, her cheeks still suspiciously flushed.

____

Taglist: @romewritingshop @utterlyinevitable @starrystarrytrouble @lahellacute @kiteplayschoices @lahamseiroshoe @lucas-koh @fuseboxmusebox @princesslahela @mckenzie-bae @choicesficwriterscreations

Let me know if you wanna be added or removed from this taglist, that it’s exclusively for Kinktober :)

#bryce lahela #bryce lahela x mc #bryce x mc #open heart #choices #playchoices #choices stories you play #oh choices #bryce x casey #open heart choices #open heart fanfiction #oh fanfic #choices fanfiction #cfwc kinktober

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crystalwillow · 4 years ago

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Fixing A Broken Heart, Part Two

Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x Casey Valentine (F!MC)

Mentioned: Bryce Lahela, Sienna Trinh

Included: Alan Ramsey, Casey’s mom

Word Count: 7.2K

Disclaimer: This will be the last part of this series. The ending may leave some of you wanting a Part Three, but there is just no way I could physically write one. I will try and give as much closure as possible, but please bear in mind this is the final part. I’ve loved taking this journey with you in going through a small window of teenage Casey and Ethan’s lives.

Sending you much love and many thanks for joining me on this journey 🥰✨

Lahamseiroshoe (Georgia) ❤️✨

--- Ethan & Casey, Current Location: Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur (French Region) ---

The first 2 weeks of their backpacking trip around Europe was difficult for them both. Casey had moments where her heartbreak kicked in so bad she didn’t want to move from the hotel room they had booked. And it was difficult for Ethan because he hated seeing her so broken over a guy who couldn’t give two shits about her and was probably with some other bleach blonde tramp who’s sipping a fruity drink because unlike Casey she can’t shoot a whiskey or a combo on the pool table. Today was one of those days, it was currently almost 2 pm and Casey hadn’t moved to go anywhere but the bathroom since she woke up at 7 am. Ethan was in the kitchen making her a sandwich with a few ingredients they had brought at the market the previous day, and as a treat, he had gone out earlier that day and brought them a cinnamon roll each. Letting out a deep sigh he cut the sandwich and placed everything on a chopping board, using it as a tray, and carried it to the bedroom.

When he entered he saw Casey crying at her phone screen, eyes even redder and puffier than when he had seen her roughly an hour ago. He placed the chopping board on the side and sat in front of her.

“Give me that.” He said in a kind yet demanding tone as he held his hand out for her phone.

Casey shook her head and continued crying. “WHY? Maybe he’d like me if I dye my hair and acted stu-”

“No!” Ethan exclaimed. “You are not dying your hair bleach blonde. And you are not acting like an airhead to get back some douchebag who broke your heart!” he continued with a softness to his voice as he slipped Casey’s phone from her hands, locking it and putting it in his pocket.

Casey looked at him through her tears before breaking down again. Sighing as his face fell, Ethan pulled her into a tight hug and felt his heartbreak even more as she clung to him tighter than she had before. He gave her back gentle rubs and whispered reassurances to her. But what he wanted to do was kiss the tears off of her face and her lips with the loving she deserves. Eventually, her cries subsided, and she pulled away from the hug.

“Sorry.” She sniffed, wiping his shoulder.

“No.”

“What?”

“Don’t you dare apologize for feeling and healthily processing your emotions.”

Casey blinked at him blankly. “You’re such an amazing guy. Why do people hate you?”

Ethan shrugged.

“And why have you chosen to let me in and see this side of you? why the new girl?”

“Wow.” He chuckled. “I don’t know. Probably something to do with the fact you didn’t grow up as a young child with me and don’t know the story of my mother leaving. And the fact you aren’t judgmental of the things I do others perceive as ‘weird’ because it’s not normal.”

“But I do unique things too. It’s what makes me so different and special. Like each batch of toys from a factory that has a unique batch code. But there aren’t batches of humans that do the same weird things. It’s only you. And I-” she rambled but cut herself off before she went too far.

Ethan gave her a kind smile. “I brought us some food through.” He explained, pointing over at it.

“Is that the kitchen chopping board?” Casey chuckled, squinting to get a closer look.

“Yes.”

She threw her head back and laughed loudly, Ethan breaking out in a large smile before laughing along with her. He was glad that had cheered her up a little bit. Together, they sat and ate the lunch that Ethan had prepared for them.

“Oh, when we reach our next place, Sienna needs me to call her,” Casey said as she finished her cinnamon roll, and Ethan nodded.

They spent the rest of the day snuggled on the couch watching movies on the TV until they woke up the next morning to the alarm going off on Ethan’s phone signaling they needed to get up and head to the airport.

“Where are we headed next?” Casey asked with a yawn as she folded the few pieces of clothing still on the bed she was sleeping in and placed them in her suitcase.

“We’re heading into Italy.”

“Our first week and a half long stop!” Casey perked up.

Ethan gave a soft smile and nod. “Excited?”

“Excited is an understatement.” She smiled, pulling her coat on.

Ethan continued smiling at her as he shrugged on his backpack. “Have you got everything?”

Casey double-checked her belongings and the room before nodding. “Yup.”

“Awesome. Let’s go and check out and get to the airport.”

Casey led the way with a pep in her step and Ethan was happy to see she was in a better frame of mind after some sleep. A taxi ride to the airport and plane journey later, they stepped out of the main doors of the airport in Florence, and Casey took in a deep breath of fresh air with a smile.

“Let’s get to the hotel as quickly as possible!” she enthused as she looked over at Ethan.

Once they were settled in their hotel room, Casey sat on the couch with her notebook, sketching the view she could see from the hotel room. Ethan was in the bedroom looking over their plans whilst they were in Florence and picked something out.

“Casey??” he called out.

“Yeah?” she answered, concentrating on her sketch.

“Do you want to go out for coffee tomorrow?”

“Sure!”

Ethan smiled to himself before replying “Cool!” then going to grab a shower.

Casey had already stated that she would shower before bed as she just wanted to give herself time to fully settle in as this was their first longer stop on their trip. She was finishing up the last of the shading on her sketch when he entered the room about 45 minutes later, rubbing his wet hair with a towel.

“You okay in here?” he asked as he sat down in the chair next to the couch.

“Yep. Just sketching the view.” She explained and turned her notebook to face him.

“Woah!” he gasped. “Could I take a closer look?”

“Of course!” she replied, placing the notebook in his outstretched hand as she stood to stretch. “I’m going to go and look at the room service menu, do you want anything?”

“No, I’m okay thanks.” He smiled, leaning back in the chair taking a closer look at her sketch. The more he looked at it, the more he noticed it was on a page quite far into the book. He knew it was wrong because he didn’t have her permission, but he flicked back a page and was amazed at what he saw. So he kept flicking back. A sketch of each place they had been so far filled the other pages, plus a sketch of her dog. Ethan was mesmerized, the attention to detail was amazing. He closed the book and placed it on the table as he heard Casey reapproach the living area of the room.

“All ordered. I got something for you anyway. You are in no way pulling a “No I’m okay thank but I plan to steal yours” on me Mr. Ramsey.” She chuckled as she reclaimed her seat. Ethan chuckled along with her.

“Have you called Sienna since we got here?” he asked curiously.

“No. I planned on doing it after I’ve showered and am getting ready for bed.”

“About that. I’m sorry about the mix-up and the fact we only have one bed.”

“It’s okay. Are you sure you’re okay taking the couch though? Because I’ll happily swap, you’re paying for this place so I feel like you should take the bed.”

“Casey. I would join you if it was a double, but it’s a single. I’ll be fine on the couch. It’s only a few days.”

“Well… if you’re sure.”

Ethan nodded with a kind smile as Casey packed her supplies away then patted the spot next to her.

“Come sit with me. We can watch TV whilst we wait for our food.”

“You just want a cuddle because you miss your plushies at home.”

“So what if I do? Is it such a bad thing you’re the current replacement?”

With a slight chuckle, Ethan took a seat next to Casey and she snuggled into him as he turned the TV on adding subtitles for them to follow along. Shortly after they had just settled properly, room service arrived with their meal, Ethan let them in and they placed the food on the dining table in the room before leaving after Ethan and Casey had both thanked them for bringing the food. Shortly after room service had left, Ethan and Casey sat around the table and were digging into their food, complimenting it by making little moans of satisfaction.

“Oh my gosh! … THIS, is the best cheesecake I’ve ever had. It might even beat my moms.”

Ethan raised his eyebrows. “It’s that good?”

“Try some.” Casey smiled, holding her fork at him with some cheesecake on it. Ethan leaned forwards and took the bite in his mouth, Casey slowly retracting the fork and watching as Ethan ate and processed the flavors.

“...wow,” Ethan said after a moment of silence. “That is….”

“Right?! It’s the perfect creaminess mixed with the perfect amount of tartness from the raspberries. It’s almost like food heaven.”

“Almost, not quite though. If you added a sprig of mint…”

“Oh my…” Casey gasped as she practically drooled, earning a chuckle from Ethan.

Before they knew it, it was time for bed and Casey still felt bad that Ethan was giving up the bed for her and slowly trailed into the living room and plopped herself in the chair.

“Are you okay?” Ethan muttered from behind his book

“Mhm.” Casey hummed as she wrapped the blanket around her and zoned out.

Ethan finished the chapter in his book and placed it on the table before looking at Casey who was now falling asleep in the chair. “Hey. Go to bed,” he whispered to her but got no response. “Casey….” he whispered, sitting up to look at her.

“Shhh,” she said lazily and a ghost of a smile crossed Ethan’s face as he got up to carry her back to bed. As he was pulling the covers over her to make sure she was tucked in properly, Casey opened her eyes and looked at him. “What are you doing?” she groaned sleepily.

“Putting you to bed,” Ethan explained with a quiet softness.

“But it’s not fa-”

“Nope. I won’t hear that. It’s perfectly fine. I’ll be okay.”

“Promise?”

“I promise. Now, get your sleep.”

“Okay. Goodnight Ethan. I love you.”

Ethan froze for a moment before smiling and pecking her forehead. “I love you too, Casey. Goodnight.”

Casey closed her eyes with a smile as she fell back into a deep slumber for the night.

The next morning, Casey was up early and replying to Sienna’s latest message with an apology, explaining that jet lag suddenly caught up with her and she fell asleep out of nowhere when she came online and started typing just as Casey sent her message. After a short while of messaging, it was decided that Casey would take a quick shower and then call Sienna. On the call, Sienna ranted about how she was now officially done with Bryce. He was officially nothing but a dumbass frat fuckboy who didn’t give a shit about anybody’s emotions anymore and had stood her up 5 times in the past week. Casey winced and replied with how she’s sorry he’s now acting like a complete idiot towards her, and how she wished she was in America right now because she would come and visit her for a while. One thing was now clear for sure though, Bryce Lahela was officially a FAH. A fake ass hoe. And Casey and Sienna both agreed they did not need a FAH in their lives. Both knew deep down when everything about Bryce’s new lifestyle crashed and burned in front of his very eyes, he would come crawling back to them groveling about how he was wrong and an idiot. But, Casey knew that by then she would hopefully be well on her way to being over him and she would have Ethan by her side to protect her. He’d promised that he would be, and Ethan Ramsey was not one to break his promises.

“Oi! Casey.” Ethan called from the bedroom doorway as he held out his hand.

“Yeah?.. Oh!” Casey smiled as she noted his outstretched hand, getting up from the bed and taking it in her own. “When did you wake up?”

“Whilst you were dissing Lahela on the phone.”

“You heard all that?”

“Not all of it. Just some. I’m proud of you though.”

“You are?”

“Mhm. You’ve come a long way, in a short amount of time. Most girls, or boys, would still be hung up on him and trying to get him back. But I’ve known you long enough to know that you, Casey Valentine, are not like most girls.”

Casey smiled at Ethan as they sat down on the couch together and he naturally wrapped his arm around her shoulders, tugging her to his chest gently. They looked out at the view together for a while before Casey sighed deeply.

“What’s up?” Ethan asked, still transfixed on the view.

“I’m going to the bedroom. I need to journal something real quick. I’ll be back soon.” Casey explained, quickly pressing a soft kiss to his jaw then speed walking to the bedroom and closing the door.

The kiss pulled Ethan back into the moment and he stared after her as she went to the bedroom, a ghost of a smile gracing his features as he softly strokes the spot she just kissed with his index finger.

Over the next week and a half they done everything from visit Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, to trying out local coffee shops in the area. After leaving Florence they flew all around Europe before making a decision that with the spare funds they had left over, to take a last minute trip to England and road trip from the south to the north, before catching their flight home. As they sat on the plane for the last two hours of the flight, Casey started to stir from her slumber. Ethan turned his head to make sure she was okay.

“Hey.” He whispered, kind smile on his features.

Casey smiled back in greeting and gave him a hug. Which he returned as best he could, given their confined space. A couple hours later as their plane taxied along the runway, Casey looked out of the window with a smile.

“Happy?” Ethan questioned

“Yeah. It’s going to sound weird…” she trailed off as she turned back to look at him, contemplating her next words, “... but I feel like I’m finally home.”

She braced herself for impact of him laughing at her, but it never came. Instead he gave an understanding smile and small nod as they were given permission to unbuckle their seatbelts. As they stood at the baggage claim, and old lady turned to them.

“You two make a beautiful couple.” She smiled

“Oh. No ma’am, we’re not-” Ethan stuttered, trying to correct her as kindly as possible.

“Oh and you’re American. What parts is that accent from? New York?”

Ethan stood there stumped and looking the Casey for help.

She smiled at the lady. “We’re from Boston.”

“Ahhh New England.”

Casey nodded, still smiling. “But we aren’t a couple. At least not yet…” she trailed off smiling at the befuddled looking Ethan.

“Oh! I beg your pardon. I thought you were together.”

“It’s okay.” Casey giggled, “I do want him to be my boyfriend. But he’s my best friend, currently helping me heal my broken heart.” She whispered leaning towards the lady conspiratorially as Ethan grabbed their bags as they came round on the conveyor belt.

The lady gave a her a knowing nod “Well, when you’re ready dear. Make sure he’s made aware, most men these days are oblivious to the most obvious of things.”

“Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind. Though… I don’t think I’ll need to do much with this one. He already has feelings for me and we’ve been on this kind of weird “date” thing a couple months ago when we graduated.”

“Oh, what are you doing when you go back to education?”

“Medical studies. We want to become doctors, diagnosticians to be more specific. Ethan will excel faster than me though, he’s more perceptive and observant than I am. I’m good, but… he’s better” Casey smiled up at him, and he smiled back.

“You ready to go?” He asked.

“Yeah. Just one second,” she nodded, turning back to the lady. “It was lovely talking to you.”

“You too dear. And uh,” she gestured for Casey to come closer, “when you have babies, they’re going to be beautiful.” She whispered and gave a kind smile as Casey stood back to her full height.

“Thank you.” She smiled, then with a wave over her shoulder, followed Ethan out of the airport.

Once they were outside, Ethan gave Casey an inquisitive brow and Casey smiled back. “What?”

“Nothing. Just… wondering.”

“About?”

“Nothing.”

Casey laughed. “I know you better than that Ethan Ramsey. There’s something on your mind. Spill!”

Ethan regarded her closely for a moment before finally choosing to speak, “It’s just. When we get home. Would you… Can I…”

Casey waited patiently as he stumbled over his words.

“I’d really like to take you out. On a proper date. An adult one. With meals. And wine. In a restaurant with dim romantic lighting. Because I really like you. And uh, you look gorgeous in dresses. I mean you’re gorgeous anyway. Smoking hot actually. Ugh no that’s cringe, forget that. You’re like the honey on my toast in the-”

Casey pressed a gentle finger to his mouth with a small giggle. “You’re too cute Ethan. But yes. I’ll let you take me out when we get home.”

“Really?!” He clamped his hands over his mouth as his exclamation drew in some stares, Casey giggled again with a nod.

On the flight over they changed their plans to just stay in London this time round and visit all of the historical sites they could, so they jumped in a cab and headed to the nearest hotel, in hopes they had a spare room for a couple of nights. It took them a couple of tries but eventually, before nightfall, they found a hotel room. It was a double, but it was okay for them. They were friends who could restrain themselves, unlike some people in this situation who would take it and then go at each other like rabbits in heat.

They entered the room and placed their suitcases in the corner of the bedroom, before sitting on the bed.

“Ethan?”

“Mm?”

“I’m tired and super hungry. Can we grab something quick to eat and then snuggle in this super comfy bed and sleep?”

“I couldn’t be hearing sweeter words formed into a suggestion right now.”

Casey chuckled.

“What?” Ethan asked, eyebrows raised

“You. You’re so dorky and cute.”

“And you’re not?”

“Oh. We’re playing that game huh?”

“Yes,” he smirked, “we’re playing that game.”

Casey shook her head lightly with a laugh, preparing her going out bag with her lipgloss, phone, pepper spray and wallet. She swapped her shoes for some comfier walking shoes as Ethan stuffed his wallet in his pocket, phone in the other. Casey stored their keycard safely in her bag and together they headed out into the streets of London to find some food. They don’t know when, but at some point along their route, they’re fingers had lightly intertwined. Ethan walked along watching Casey take in the sights with wonderment. She looked like a kid shaking a snow globe. The tip of her nose was turning red from the evening chill, he could see every exhale she made, and her eyes danced in the reflection of the street lights as light turned slowly to dark and the stars above them became visible. After a while, Casey spired a burger van and tugged Ethan over.

“Two of your largest burgers please. One with cheese, onions and barbecue sauce, the other with fried onions and ketchup.” She enthused without even turning to ask Ethan what he wanted.

“Would that be everything?” The vendor asked

“Ummm. Could I also get a medium portion of chips please. Salted, no vinegar.”

The vendor smiled as she rang up the total “That would be £11.78 please”

Casey rifled through her wallet and pulled out a £20 note from amongst other notes from other countries she’d kept. Ethan would be protesting right now if he weren’t so amazed by how at home Casey was looking right now. Giving over the right amount and accepting change without hesitation, smiling and being friendly as if she was of British descent, not American. The kindness and happiness that shone from her eyes like the sun blinded him, yet he was transfixed by it. Enamoured almost. Once the food was ready, they took it with thanks and walked until they found a park bench to sit on and enjoy it. The warmth was welcomed in the chilled air that surrounded them.

“Casey?” Ethan spoke, now half way through his burger.

“Mm?”

“How did you know?”

“Know what?”

“How I like my fries?”

“You mean chips?”

Ethan chuckled with a slight shake of his head. “Yes. I mean chips.”

“Simple. I observe.” She smiled back, popping one in her mouth.

“What do you want to do tomorrow?”

“Mmmmm,” Casey hummed as she took another bite of her burger. “I think we should start with the London Eye. Then from there, we can go anywhere that has free entry to the public.”

“Like a museum maybe?”

“I’d love to visit a museum with you.”

“Really? It’s not too… old man-ish?”

“Being interested in the history of the world? Heck no. It’s the most beautiful thing in the world today. Well… second most beautiful.”

“What’s the first?”

“Us.”

“Us?”

“Yeah. I couldn’t give myself the title, it felt wrong. Then giving you sole ownership felt biased. So I went with wrongly biased and gave us joint first.”

Ethan smiled as he swallowed his food and Casey beamed back. “What?”

“That’s so you.”

“So me?! What do you mean??!”

“I mean you’re predictable. Sometimes”

“Uh! A batda- uffn- ppfftt-!” She spluttered as Ethan started to chuckle and then full belly laugh at her.

“Hmph.” She sulked, eating more of her burger. “Fuck ya snuggles. Im sleeping on the floor.” She pouted as she chewed which only made Ethan laugh harder.

“You- oh gosh. Hahahaaaaa. Aw you’re too cute Casey Jane.” He said as he calmed down, wiping the tears from his eyes. Yet Casey remained pouting and mad.

“Predictable. I’ll give you predictable. Asshole.” She muttered to herself.

Ethan chuckled and they finished their meal in silence before throwing out their rubbish and heading back to the hotel. As they entered the room, Casey was still in a mood at Ethan for say she’s predictable so grumpily, she stomped to the bathroom and turned on the shower, locking the door behind her. Ethan chuckled and shook his head as he shrugged his jacket off and slipped off his shoes, placing them in the corner of the room. About an hour later, Casey suddenly screamed from the bathroom and came out wrapped in a towel, hair dripping a couple of minutes later.

“Casey!” Ethan shouted as he startled awake.

“I’m fine. The water just turned cold.”

“Casey.” He sighed, “I thought you were in danger.”

“No.”

“It’s been a while. Can you snap out of your funk now? You know I was teasing you.”

“Hmph.”

“Snuggle muffin.”

“No. You will not- Ethan I’m soaking wet!!” She yelped as he got up and in a couple strides was giving her a hug.

“I don’t care. You could be molten lava for all I care. I’d still hug you.”

She tried to resist his cuteness and charm but she was putty in his hands. She let herself melt and mold to his body. “But now you’ll need to change your clothes.” She spoke quietly.

“I’d need to have done it when I woke up anyway. So…”

Casey sighed contently as she wrapped her arms around his torso and squeezed slightly, breathing in his scent.

“What are we for now?” Ethan asked.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, we’re obviously friends. But…”

“We flirt?”

“Exactly.”

“Well, we’re exactly that Ethan. Friends who flirt. We have feelings for each other and we know they’re mutual. We respect each other’s boundaries and have the best times together. I have amazing memories with Sienna, but some of my best are with you.”

“Really?”

“Of course. Take this trip for example. Are you telling me you haven’t had fun?”

“No. Of course I have. I’ve had tons of fun with you. From Spain to Italy and all the way to where we are now. I’ve enjoyed every step. Well… apart from the handful of times we’ve argued.”

Casey stifled a chuckle, “yeah. They were…. not the best. Though. I still say you looked good in that blue and pink Hawaiian print shirt.”

“I looked awful.”

“You did not! You looked comfortable and happy and… well…” she trailed off as she got lost in his cerulean blues, gently placing her lips on his as she softly closed her eyes. Ethan was hesitant at first, but the longer Casey kept her lips on his, his hesitation melted away and he kissed back softly, drinking in every ounce of her delicate and loving affection. Noting how she smelt distinctly of delicate roses. When the pulled back, Ethan opened his eyes to be met by Casey’s forest greens looking up at him, the softest of smiles on her face. Neither of them said it, but it was conveyed in the matching gaze they gave each other.

‘I love you so much.’

/// Back In Boston ///

Four days later Casey and Ethan got out of a cab outside Casey’s house. They knew her mom would be at work, so they had planned to settle Casey in and store Ethan’s bags in the guest room as he was staying for a few days until the jet lag had worn off completely. As they took their bags from the trunk of the car, they laughed and joked before thanking the driver and watching him leave. Though neither of them were expecting to run into someone one the doorstep.

Ethan’s jaw clenched and he moved protectively in front of Casey who was now stricken with a mix of emotion, but the main one was panic. What was he doing here? Why was he here? How did he know when to come?

Casey could feel the fear starting to rise in her chest and so she reached forward to grab Ethan’s arm but he had already reached backwards for her hand with his. She quickly grabbed it as she swallowed harshly.

“Ethan..” she trembled.

“Shhhh. It’s okay petal. I won’t let him near you” he whispered over his shoulder. Casey gave a small nod, drawing herself closer to him.

Ethan kept his gaze on Bryce who was walking closer towards them. “Casey.” Bryce started but was immediately cut off by Ethan.

“Why are you here?”

“Who are you?”

“I think you know who I am.”

The two men stared each other down. Ethan squeezing Casey’s hand in reassurance as her trembling increased.

“Ethan.” Bryce spat.

“Got it in one. I should give you an award. Your could add it to your cabinet.”

“What?”

“You heard me. Fuckboy.” Ethan started to snarl.

“E.” Casey spoke in a small voice.

“Shh. It’s okay. I’m not gonna do anything rash.” Ethan reassured.

“No E. I… I feel sick.”

At those words his attention snapped from Bryce and he turned to her aid. “What is it? Jet lag? Hunger? Period related? Food poisoning?”

“I-It’s him. I. The memories. The pain. The.. the…” she stuttered, breaking down and shuddering violently.

Ethan nodded understandingly and took her into his firm embrace. “You need to leave. Now.” He hissed over his shoulder at Bryce.

“No way! I came to talk to Ca-”

“LEAVE. NOW!” Ethan boomed with authority in his voice as he held Casey close, covering her ears to lessen the volume of his voice.

“Fine. I don’t know why I’d wanna try and fix things with such a fragile bitch anyway.” Bryce spat.

Ethan’s muscles and jaw tensed as Bryce spat out his words and it took everything in him not to follow and punch him square in the nose as he deserved. But the shaking body in his arms was his anchor in that moment. Casey needed him more than Bryce needed a good face rearrangement. Soon Ethan had calmed Casey down enough to get her inside. They left their bags by the door and made their way up to her room. It was exactly how she left it, with the edition of some fresh flowers and small tupperware on her desk with a note. But for now she wanted to ignore it, Ethan dumped his bag, shoes and jacket in a heap on the floor, Casey halfheartedly doing the same as Ethan pulled the covers back.

“Come on. Let’s get some rest. We’ll read the note later.” He said softly.

Casey slid underneath the covers and snuggled into his arms. She sniffled as she settled down feeling safe in his arms. Slowly her nauseous feeling started to settle as she focused in on his breathing and the gentle rising and falling of his chest, which lulled her into a peaceful sleep. Later when they awoke it was the middle of the night.

“Wow. Jet leg must have hit.” Casey croaked, snuggling back into Ethan’s arms.

“Must have. But look. Food.”

Casey’s head popped up in a fashion similar to that of a meerkat making Ethan chuckle quietly as he pointed to a tray by the door. The room dimly lit by Casey bedside lamp.

“Mom’s homemade curry!” She gasped and jumped out of bed with a stumble.

“Careful.” Ethan warned.

“Sorry. I’m hungry.”

“Well I think both myself and your mom would prefer it if you stayed just hungry. Not hungry with a broken leg or arm.”

Casey giggled as she retrieved the tray and brought it back to her bed.

“Are you not going to reheat it?”

“And wake mom with the microwave. You know I can’t do that.”

“Then I’ll do it for you.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know. But I want to.”

Casey sighed with feigned annoyance at how insistent he was being, then waited as he took the tray to reheat their food. He returned 10 minutes later, the plates on the tray piping hot and glasses of water added to the tray. Casey’s eyes almost popped out of her head as she smelt the food.

“Gimme gimme gimme.” She enthused and Ethan laughed quietly.

“You that hungry?”

“Yes.”

“Well then I guess I should eat both of these.”

“Wait. What?!”

“I’m kidding. Let’s get comfy on the floor.”

“What’s wrong with my desk?”

Ethan looked at it and then back at Casey with a smile. “Right.”

“Midnight brain.”

“Huh?”

“You weren’t thinking properly. I call it midnight brain.”

“You might wanna um… think about changing that.”

“What? Wh- Oh Ethan!”

“What!?”

“Get your mind out of the gutter you dirty bastard!” Casey exclaimed, boshing him over the head with a cushion. Ethan laughed as he defended himself with his hand trying to grab the cushion from her as he balanced the tray on his forearm, but she tossed it back beside her and rose to her feet, making space at her desk for the tray.

They sat together and watched a movie on Casey’s computer in a comfortable silence, lowly muttering at each other occasionally. After the movie, Casey took the glasses and plates down to the kitchen on the tray whilst Ethan used the bathroom. They stayed up to let their food settle watching medical and true crime documentaries until the sun started to rise, peeking through Casey’s curtains. As he turned to look out of the window, Ethan let out a deep yawn and stretched his hands over his head.

“You can go back to bed if you want.” Casey smiled.

“Only if you join me.”

“Why’s that?”

“Because.”

“That’s not a valid enough reason.”

“Of course it is. Women use it all the time.”

Casey laughed. “You cease to amaze me Ethan Ramsey.”

“Why’s that?”

She could see what he was doing and gave him a smirk. “You’re always full of it. That’s why. And don’t think you can ever outsmart me but flipping the question back onto me again.”

“Why’s that?” He smirked, trying his luck a second time.

“Because you will never outsmart me. I know you too well for you to do so. I also know the reason you’ll only go back to bed if I agree to join you.”

“Oh?”

“You hate sleeping alone. You’ve slept beside me for so long, and you like me so much that you’re currently in the honeymoon phase of crushing. You don’t like spending a single waking moment away from me if you can help it.”

Ethan stared at her stunned. How could she tell this? Was he really being so obvious? He quickly regained his composure and cleared his throat, shooting Casey a smile.

“And what if you’re wrong?”

“Then I’m wrong. But we both know I just hit the nail on the head there. Don’t we?” she smirked.

Ethan sighed deeply, admitting defeat this time with a chuckle as he blushed red. A shy smile lighting up his features. With a shrug he tilted his head towards Casey’s bed, and after a brief smile, they clambered back into bed, snuggling together and fell back into their slumber.

As the days and weeks passed and eventually turned into months, Casey and Ethan were closer than ever. Bryce hung around Boston for a while longer, refusing to leave until he had spoken to Casey, but… Casey didn’t want to talk so until she was, she decided to file a restraining order against him so she could heal safely and not worry about having him turn up on her doorstep again. After he left, Casey got a job at the local ice-cream parlor, whilst Ethan got a job as a cleaner at the mall. Working around their work schedules they arranged their first proper date.

One evening after she finished work, Casey arrived home to find Ethan and his dad chilling in the living room with her mom.

“Oh! Hey. If I’d have known we had guests I would have tried to get home sooner.” She smiled apologetically.

“It’s okay, sweetie. You’re home now.” Her mom smiled back.

“Yeah. Uh. I’m gonna go and grab a shower quickly. Um..” she smiled, awkwardly backing out of the room.

“Okay. Come and join us once you’re ready.”

“I will, mom.”

Casey backed out of the room and then turned sharply on her heel, making her way upstairs.

“I’m gonna refill my water.” Ethan excused as he left the room too, following Casey.

“Babe?”

“Ah!” Casey screamed, covering her chest with her towel.

“Oh! Gosh! Sorry!” Ethan stammered, closing his eyes and Casey took the moment to tie her robe around her securely.

“What did you want?”

“To see if you’re okay. You were acting strange.”

“I’m tired. It’s been a long day.”

“Is that all it is?”

“Yes.”

“I don’t believe that somehow.”

“Well that’s your decision.”

“I guess so. Can I… open my eyes now?”

“Also your decision.”

Cautiously, Ethan opened his eyes and looked at Casey. His heart immediately ached at the tiredness on her face. “Why don’t we have a chill night tonight? Maybe hang with our parents and finally share our pictures we took in Europe.”

“Uh yeah. Yeah, that would be… nice.” she smiled, “I just need to uh… shower first.”

“Of course!” Ethan exclaimed, “I’ll be downstairs waiting for you.”

“Okay.”

Ethan turned and started walking out of her room when she called out to him,

“Ethan, wait!”

“Yes?” He asked, turning back around to face her.

“Could.. could I get a hug? Please?” She blushed

“Of course you can! You don’t have to ask for those, you can steal them. I’ve told you.”

Casey walked forward and stepping into his outstretched arms, the warmth and comfiness of his chest a welcome reprieve from the chaos happening in her mind. She inhaled deeply, breathing in his scent. “I missed you today.” She whispered into his shirt.

“I missed you too, pumpkin.” He said, kissing her temple gently.

After her shower, Casey collected the photos from their trip and headed downstairs now more relaxed.

“Hey.” She said, entering the room and taking the empty seat next to Ethan.

“Hey sweetie, feel better?”

“Yeah.”

“Hello, Casey.” Alan smiled

“Hi, Alan.” She smiled back, “Um… me and Ethan wanted to share our pictures with you. If that’s okay.” She hesitated

“Oh honey of course!” Her mom exclaimed, shutting off the television and they gathered around the dinner table.

“Okay. So as you know, our first stop was Spain.” Casey started. “And this,” she placed a photo down. “Is the first picture we took after we arrived.

Ethan chuckled, “you look so grumpy.”

“Well, you woke me up!”

“I couldn’t just leave you in the plane!”

Alan and Casey’s mom chuckled at their little debate.

“Anyway…” Casey continued, “this.” She laughed, “Is Ethan in an outfit I brought him and made him wear to the beach”

Alan gawffed picking up the picture. “That’s a nice colour on you son. Pink and blue is definitely your scene.”

“Ugghhhh daaaaddd.” Ethan groaned, covering his face

Casey laughed and they continued sharing pictures. They were having a fun time explaining their travels when Casey froze as something fell out from between the photos.

“Oh!” She exclaimed, scrambling to collect it but Ethan beat her to it.

“Casey…” he gasped, staring down at the piece of paper in awe, “this is…. it’s… me.”

Casey was blushing a deep shade of crimson, eyes fixed on the table in front of her as she nodded shyly.

“It’s-”

“Awful.” She said, cutting him off and snatching it from him.

“I-”

“Excuse me.”

Casey abruptly left the dining room and ran up the stairs.

“I should-”

“No, son. Give her a minute.” Alan said with a sad smile, gently grabbing Ethan’s wrist to stop him.

“But she-”

“Needs reassurance and calming down. I know. But I think this would be best done by her mother first. Don’t you?”

Ethan’s gaze flicked from his father to Casey’s mom before he sat back down and gave a nod. “Of course. I um- excuse my forwardness. I didn’t mean anything by it. I just… I care about her. Deeply.”

“I know you do dear,” Casey’s mom smiled, “I’m thankful that you do. I’ll just go up and speak with her, then hopefully she’ll see you.”

Ethan nodded and waited with his father in the dining room. The minutes ticked by in an agonising wait as Ethan continuously paced back and forth.

“Son, come and sit down. The time won’t pass any faster with you pacing than in would if you sat still.”

“I can’t dad. I’m.. she’s everything to me. Even though it’s just embarrassment, it’s still a big thing. Right?”

“Of course it is. The sketch was beautiful, we saw it but. She definitely wanted to keep it to herself. At least for now.”

Ethan nodded in enthused agreement. “And how do I ease her mind about me seeing it. I mean, yourself and her mom seeing it is one thing. But myself?”

“Be gentle. Don’t bring it up unless she does. Or gives you an opening to do so.”

“Is that all? Just… be as nice as I already am to her?”

“Even more so. Just, like I said. Be gentle.”

Casey’s mom re-entered the room as Alan finished speaking and gave them a somber smile, “She… said you can see her. If you want. But I must warn you, she’s still a little mortified.”

“Of course. Understandably so. But thank you.”

Ethan smiled gratefully at Casey’s mom before heading upstairs and knocking on Casey’s door.

“It’s open.”

Gently pushing it open, Ethan ventured inside carefully and found Casey on her window seat looking out over Boston.

“Pretty beautiful out there, huh?” He said barely above a whisper coming to a stop in front of her and pointing to the empty spot beside her.

She nodded. “Go ahead.”

He sat down and took her hand in his, tracing slow circles on her soft skin. “Are you okay?”

She turned to look at him, his bright blue orbs slightly dulled and filled with worry. Shrugging, Casey looked away. She felt a brief guilt in not being able to calm his worry. Ethan gently pulled her into his chest with a sigh. “You’re mom said you felt a little mortified.” He mentioned quietly, his voice vibrating gently through his chest, soothing Casey. He felt her relax slightly in his arms.

“Case?”

She relaxed some more.

“Do you want me to just talk?” He chuckled and Casey nodded.

“Can I talk about your picture?”

There was a pause, Ethan convinced he’d gone too far.

“I guess… yeah.” Casey muttered, fiddling with his shirt

“Well,” he breathed out, “first off, it’s gorgeous. You’re so talented.”

She smiled shyly into his chest, “thanks..”

“I only got a glimpse but your attention to detail looked amazing. Have you ever thought about applying for art school instead of medical?”

Casey shook her head. “Art’s my hobby. I want to keep it that way.”

Ethan nodded. “I see. That’s fair.”

Casey sat up and looked at him.

“What?” He smiled, curiosity in his eyes

“You’re not gonna make fun of me?”

“Honey, why would I do that?”

“Because everyone at school did.”

“You and I, both those idiots at school, were just that. Idiots. They like to tear the ‘weaker’ kids down. Make them ‘understand their place’ in the world. Society. But I’m not them Cass. You aren’t them. We. Aren’t them. We’ve had each other’s back since day one pretty much. Plus, I love you Casey. Anything time I ‘made fun’ of you, would be done in a loving way. Not to be mean.”

Casey looked into his eyes, a gentle smile breaking out on her face.

“What?” Ethan quizzed.

“Nothing, it's just… I love you too Ethan.”

He smiled back and they shared a soft kiss before resting their forehead together and giggling quietly between themselves. On the other side of the door Alan and Casey’s mom gave each other a knowing look and nod before they retreated back downstairs quietly.

There was still a way to go with trust, but she knew one thing in particular deep down, and Ethan felt it too.

He had fixed her broken heart.

#choices stories you play #playchoices #pixelberry studios #lahamseiroshoe writes #open heart #open heart: second year #ethan ramsey #casey valentine #sienna trinh #bryce lahela #alan ramsey #open heart fanfiction #choices fanfiction #ethan ramsey fanficton #ethan x f!mc #ethan x casey #open heart high school au

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satrangee-ray · 3 years ago

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Meet my MC: About the Present

Inara Hepburn (she/they)

More below the cut—

Career:

Inara has recently taken over as the Leader of the Diagnostics Team, Bloom Edenbrook, from the former DT head and current Chief of Medicine, Dr. Ethan Ramsey. Applications for the fourth open position has been received, (Landrat had applied, lol), and after a consultation with the Chief and the board, Dr. Aquino (immunologist), who had previously been considered for the same position has been recruited.

With Bloom's complete withdrawal of control from the functioning of any internal teams, Inara has brought back the voting procedure for selection of cases. So, unless there's any emergency in which the leader needs to make an immediate decision, all cases accepted shall now require the consent of majority members in the team. In case there's a 2-2 situation, the case which the leader sides with gets selected.

On days when she gets lesser or easier cases, Inara makes time to visit Baz and Elijah in the research lab and enquire about their latest mind-blowing discoveries. Though she will never consider shifting to full time research, she had had too much fun interacting with the mice on her first time there, and she wants to know more in that department.

Inara is also working on a third book, their first non-fiction one, specifically a memoir to document their 3-year long rollercoaster ride of a residency. The book is called 'Hepburn's Stethoscope'.

They have a verified, monetized YouTube channel, and a Pictagram page, where they post assertive, informative, and satirical content regarding the healthcare industry, myths and loopholes, as well as the queer community, its current socio-economic-cultural standing, practical ways to deal with queerphobia, and allyship. The full sum of money obtained from these are donated to a Boston based queer charity Inara works closely with.

Friends and family dynamics:

The only relatives in her bloodline, i.e. her aunt's family, occasionally converse with her virtually. Though she never goes into talking much about her feelings, they are more or less aware of her whereabouts.

Vaani and Ayan continue to remain thick as thieves with her. The three still obsessively share every single detail of their lives with each other in their group chat.

Apart from their two closest friends and a personal diary, Inara had always found small talk worthless, and most other people unsuitable for a meaningful conversation, let alone deep personal bonds. But after Edenbrook, everything has changed. Now Inara has a whole gang of friends comprising themselves, Sienna, Jackie, Aurora, Elijah, Bryce, Rafael and Kyra. They are all like a set of long lost siblings, somehow united by medicine, destined to share the most wholesome bond for an entire lifetime.

Naveen is the cool grandpa Inara didn't know they needed, and over music and teasing Ethan, they both have grown quite close. At work, the trio is often called the 'three musketeers of Edenbrook' by their colleagues. They are known for conquering mysteries that conquer humankind through generations.

Relationship with their LI:

There is no doubt that Inara's path to getting together with Ethan, or even initially forming an honest friendship, was rocky. There were too many walls built up around both of them, and disintegrating every single one took time. But by the end of Inara's second year, they both had managed to start officially dating. After a year now, they are in a committed relationship, co-parenting their pup Jenner.

Ethan had popped the moving in question at the end of her residency, and Inara was initially hesitant, cause as much as she wanted to stay with her partner, she didn't want to reside in someone's house free of any monetary contribution from her side. After several discussions regarding this matter, the couple decided to let Inara fund most of the domestic groceries, and hence they moved into Ethan's condo together.

As individuals, Ethan and Inara are extremely similar in certain aspects, and vastly different in others. Their morals, principles, limited social energy, outlook on the medical industry, and political views could easily align with each other; to some extent even their part time pessimism when it comes to themselves. But their go-to drink orders, general music taste and tolerance level for interns might qualify as some things that two might differ on. They try to keep up with the best of both worlds, though! Inara accompanies Ethan on opera dates, Ethan reads and marvels at translated lyrics of Rabindra Sangeet. They tried swapping their patent cosmopolitan and scotch neat at the bar one evening, only to spit out the very first sip they took, and Inara had conducted a whole orientation for Ethan on why intern wrangling is essential, enriching, and to be conducted with grace.

The nicknames they have for each other are oddly time, place, and mood specific, so here we go–

1. Ethan @ Inara: Darling, Love (on a usual day); Nars (when he's just so done with them), Rookie (on special occasions, when he can't help but be overwhelmed by their sheer brilliance, or the magnitude of his unadulterated love for them).

2. Inara @ Ethan: E (all day every day), Ramsey (posing a challenge or threat purposes); Baby (teasing purposes); literally any and every ethyl group compound under the sun (purpose of expressing annoyance, greater the annoyance, longer and more complicated the compound).

It is no secret that both Ethan and Inara have had a pretty troubled past, and the hurdles along their relationship have only resurfaced the trauma. So, they have mutually decided to enter therapy, and they both believe that moving forward, it would help them build a future together based solely on love, trust, and honesty, devoid of any baggage from the past.

That was it! My entry for today... tell me how you liked it. I'm enjoying this moodboard making way to much for my own liking, watch me be obsessed ya'll. Good day <3.

Tagging: @openheartfanfics @adiehardfan @barbean

#choices open heart #open heart fanfiction #mc x ethan #dr ethan ramsey #naveen banerji #open heart gang #meet my mc #Inara Hepburn

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ezekielbhandarivalleros · 4 years ago

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Food Addiction

Paring: Jake Tweneboah (MC), Jackie Varma and Bryce Lahela (Mentioned)

Summary: Jake finds out about Jackies eating problem

Taglist: @princess-geek @gamechoices-player @secretaryunpaid @arnikki-2406 @choicesficwriterscreations @riana-drarry @treasure-seeking-elf @lisha1valecha

Jackie Varma, from her charming smile to her curvaceous body, had always been one of the most eye-catching Doctors of Edenbrook though this title swapped hands now and again with the slim, leather-clad, Bryce. When Jake had first seen the perfect curves and inviting eyes of Jackie, and the fiendish, good looks of Bryce, he hadn't known which he liked more. Working at the Hospital had brought him closer to Jackie than he ever thought possible.

However cosmically lucky Jake felt that he had somehow managed to score Jackie as his life partner, there was something clouding his vision recently. Jackie wasn't perfect, and perhaps the worst of her imperfections, as Jake had recently discovered, was Jackie's eating problem.

Though she knew logically it wasn't smart, she had taken during the reopen and had been unable to quit since. No matter how hard she tried to hide it or how many times she tried to quit, the only thing to take the edge off her energetic, high-stress life was a nice meal at the nearby fast food place the end of the day before heading hoe. (And often after lunch, she sheepishly admitted).

"I just feel like myself when I'm stuffing my face," said Jackie.

"Babe, that's not true at all, in fact in some weird way it's kinda... hot," he added, looking a little lost in thought as Jackie screwed up her face in confusion. "But that's not the point Varma the point is, I know we can help you quit, together."

"How?" said Jackie in a small voice.

"Replace that urge with something else!"

"More Eating?" exclaimed Jackie, her eyes lighting up.

"No, an existing urge doesn't count," said Jake.

"Awwww..." whined Jackie, disappointed. "Well... what's something I love to do, that I could do all the time without any consequences?"

"How about Keeping a diary?" suggested Jake. "You can wirte about eating without, forcing yourself to eat"

"That's true," said Jackie. "I ate a ton in college, and I never gained a pound. I suppose, genetically, I'm very fortunate to have this body."

"So am I," said Jake with a wink.

Two weeks later (Jake’s Idea didn't work and Jackie picked up her eating old eating habits, for a while Jake didn't see a problem in it as she didn't do it much but after a while it started to take a toll on Jackie's life)

"Hey Jake, do you think these pants shrunk in the dryer?"

Jake looked up, and was momentarily shocked to see a very tight pair of Jackie's regular work pants, squeezing her quite a bit tighter than they usually did. An inch or so of hip fat was spilling out from either side Trying not to make his gaze

Holy crap. I think she's actually starting to get fat. Jake had not expected this, and clearly neither had Jackie.

"So, just out of the blue... how much have you been eating lately?" asked Jake nonchalantly.

"Oh, not a huge amount really... I had a few extra lunches over the course of the day and it totally worked! I haven't eaten that much since last moth!"

"A few extra lunches?" said Jake , astonished.

"Yeah, with some snacks in between to hold me over. Well, plus that cheesecake I picked up last night."

"Cheesecake?" said Jake quizzically. "I don't remember a cheesecake."

"Yeah, I ate it all," said Jackie, now blushing a little. "All by myself. I suppose that was a lot. I guess I really can put away a ton of food if I want to! I just wish it didn't stick to me!" She bent down to get am undershirt shirt from her drawer, and Jake noticed a larger than usual display of hip fat puffing out over her waistband as she did so. He peeked curiously around the side of her, and was met with a very unflattering view—the beginnings of a very soft belly spilling way over her waistband as she bent back up to put the shirt on.

"Jeez, do you think this shrunk too?" said Jackie, frustrated as she pulled the tight white undershirt over her body, looking down at the rather unsightly little bulge that was now visible stretching out the front of the shirt. "If I didn't know better, I'd say those extra lunches were getting to me!" She laughed. "But I'm pretty sure I haven't gained anything. I would know. Nope, the calories just roll right off me! You don't think I've gained anything, right Jake?" She sounded almost desperate, like she was trying to convince herself.

Jake took another glance at the soft new flesh pushing at Jackie's waistband, and gulped. "Nope! You look... slim as ever!" he lied through his teeth.

Well, whatever works, right? Happy wife, happy life.

One month later

"Jake, I'm a little worried about Jackie," said Ethan stoically. "Her early departure from work today is highly uncharacteristic."

"Well, she said she was feeling a little sick," said Jake. Probably because she'd already had two very greasy lunches by noon, he added in his head. But Ethan didn't need to know that.

"Still, that's highly unusual for her," Ethan insisted.

"What do you mean?" said Jake.

"You'd better go and check on her," said Jake. "She has seemed quite stressed recently, and, if you'll excuse the indecency, eating rather a lot."

"What? She's not getting fat," said Jake quickly.

"I... didn't say she was," said Ethan with a confused look.

"Oh," said Jake. "Did I say... getting fat? I meant, uh... getting fine. She's getting fine, just fine!" He turned his head to the side and shook it, as if to say What the hell did I just say?

"Well... be that as it may," said Ethan slowly, squinting at Ethan, "I thought you would leap at the opportunity to leave work early."

"Thank you Doctor! Jackie doesn't know I'll be coming home early. But she likes a good surprise, so I don't think I'm going to tell her."

"I'm not sure how the lack of information makes anything better," said Ethan in an almost robotic tone, "but if you must. Give her my regards."

"Will do!" shouted Jake over his back, already turning to run back to the bus stop. "I'm gonna have the happiest wife in the world!"

Jake giggled excitedly as he walked up to the front door of his house, knowing Jackie would love a good surprise.

"Honey, I'm home!" called Jake in a thick sitcom voice, as he grasped the door handle and pushed.

What Jake heard next was a scream of surprise... and what he saw, he was not prepared for.

A bloated, frosting-smeared Jackie Varma was laying on the couch by the open window, wearing nothing but a pair of panties, holding a donut in one hand, and a in the other. On the table in front of Amy was a mostly-empty box of donuts, and it was fairly clear this hadn't been a box she was slowly working on—she'd bought them and wolfed them all down that afternoon. Chocolate frosting was smeared across Jackie's lips and dotted across her breasts and stomach. And now that he was looking at her stomach, exposed to the world and filled with donuts, Jake finally couldn't deny that it was noticeably fatter than it had ever been. Even in her reclined position, it bulged several inches outward into a round globular mound, and it was even beginning to jiggle a little bit every time she hiccuped or burped... both of which she was now doing.

Jackie stuffed the rest of her half-eaten Boston Cream donut into her mouth. She sat up, which Jake couldn't help but notice caused her newly engorged stomach to bunch up into several ungainly rolls, and continued in a rather embarrassed and hopeless tone, "I definitely was not and stuffing my face with donuts..."

"What in the..." Jake began, but Jackie cut him off. She coughed hoarsely, a cigarette smell still ripe on her breath, and gestured vaguely towards the box of donuts. "This happened."

"Oh, babe," said Jake, trying to figure out how to handle this bizarre situation. "

"And now I'm fat," she moaned sadly, a tear rolling down her cheek.

"Oh honey, you're not—"

Jackie interrupted him with a raised-eyebrow look.

"Okay, so you got a little fat," said Jake delicately. "But honestly? I'm into it. I love you, big or small."

"You really mean that?" said Jake.

"I really mean it," said Jake. "Hell, seeing you like this is kind of hot. It's such a change from your normal strict self."

"That's why I hate it," said Amy quietly.

"Oh come on," said Jake, picking up the last remaining donut. "Here, just one more."

"I can't, Jackie, I'm already fat..."

"No way," said Jake "You're beautiful at any size. And you love donuts."

"I do love donuts," admitted Jackie, her eyes glinting. "Okay, one more."

"Once all this is done, I'll find some way to help you fix this chapter of your, you hear me?" Jake leaned over and give Jackie's open belly a kiss.

#open heart #open heart 3 #open heart third year #Jackie x MC #jackie varma #playchoices #choices #jake tweneboah

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checkurwindow · 4 years ago

Text

too late

Book: Open Heart

Warnings: Not the best fic I’ve written but I needed to get the idea out of my head so here you go. Once again, angsty as hell.

Rating: General

Pairing: Ethan x M!MC (ft. Bryce x mc)

Word Count: 1900+ words

Author’s note: BISEXUAL ETHAN RAMSEY!! My first male mc fic! And while you’re here, check out my masterlist!

The party was in full swing. With the sun setting and all kinds of alcohol being passed around, everyone was feeling warm and giddy. People were dancing in the middle of the room without a single care, others were sitting at tables, conversing and laughing freely. Near the stage at the front of the space, the top lights had been dimmed and instead replaced with soft flashing lights,

In short, it was the type of party Ben was not used to.

Once the ceremony was over, they moved indoors and he’d barely moved from his seat since, only getting up to enjoy and milk the open bar stocked with the most expensive liquor. Elijah had left the table long ago, and Sienna only came back to talk to him every half hour or so. And just like that, he was left alone at the table with his glass(es) of Gin & Tonic.

He was lost in his own thoughts when she heard the chair beside her scrape across the marble floor, making her jump in her seat.

“Some party, huh?” Ethan’s eyes scanned across the room as he sat down beside him.

Sitting up straighter in his chair, he felt a sudden wave of nervousness wash over him, “yeah, it’s uh...it’s great.”

“I bet you fifty bucks that he,” he pointed to Sothy, Elijah’s intern, doing rounds of shots with the other interns, “ends up belly-flopping onto a table,” he held back a laugh, “or something in that spectrum of dumb things to do.”

“I see your fifty and raise you to a hundred,” Ben challenged and a smile emerged from his tightly pressed lips as they both turned their attention to Jackie and Elijah, “that my dear friends and second year resident over there will make a catastrophically disastrous attempt at stealing that swan over there,” she pointed to where Jackie was suspiciously eyeing the ice-sculpture at the corner, whispering to Elijah and pointing accusingly.

He let out a chuckle, “y’know what, I don’t doubt that in the slightest, seeing as how they’ve somehow managed to drink the bar dry of whiskey,” he raised his glass that was unusually filled with brandy.

“You’re being unusually open tonight, what’s wrong with you?” Ben teased.

“I don’t really know, maybe it’s because we’re finally out of the hospital and all the work and problems are far far away from here,” he replied smoothly, taking the last sip of his drink.

“I suppose,” Ben said.

“So I was thinking,” he started but was quickly cut off by the burst of excitement from Harper, who sat down next to Ethan and held his hands so he would face her.

“I am loving this venue,” she said, looking around and admiring her surroundings, “I’m so glad we got to come here!”

Ethan looked up at Harper with a sweet and gentle smile, caressing her arm with his hand. He looked peaceful, his eyes locked on Harper, full of love and adoration.

Something he would never have with him.

Before Harper could continue her rambles and talk about her and Ethan’s future together even more (he was sure if he heard a baby name, he would’ve exploded), Naveen came over and clapped Ethan on the shoulder, Harper giving him a hug and a wide smile.

Ben gave him a hug, a wide smile planted on the older doctor’s face as they parted, “I’m so glad to see you could all make it,” he said, smiling brightly.

“Congratulations, this really is a beautiful setup,” Harper complimented.

Naveen chuckled slightly, “thanks, I thought it was a little bit much, but I don’t suppose the groom gets a lot of say in wedding planning,” everyone laughed, though his seemed to sound a little too forced, “but whatever makes the wife happy, makes me happy,” he was happy that Naveen had finally found someone to share the rest of his life with, but god, everything was so lovey-dovey and sappy, it made him almost want to throw up.

Screw love, why couldn’t he have what everyone else seemed to attain so easily?

Harper gasped as an upbeat song started playing, “I love this song! Ethan, babe, come dance with me,” she took his hand and pulled him onto the dance floor. He went easily, smiling at Harper with such passion.

Ben had to admit it, he’d never seen Ethan happier than now. Ever since he and Harper started dating, he had almost become a different person. His smile was wider and he was more enthusiastic and high-spirited when she saw him. He even started taking days off from work, could you imagine?

The look on his face must’ve been too gloomy and somber as Naveen placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder, “are you alright?” he asked worriedly.

He nodded, “I’m...fine, thanks.”

Naveen pursed his lips, but didn’t think much more of it and nodded nonetheless. He had long ago figured out Ben’s feelings for Ethan, or at least that was what he thought it was. To Ben, however, it was something that just grew more every time he looked at him.

It was something that made him wonder what his lips would feel like, if they were really as soft as they appeared to be. He imagined how he’d look in the mornings, when the sunlight would flow through the room and wrap around his skin. He wondered if he’d whisper sweet nothings tenderly into his ear when they were alone and the world was quiet.

He imagined what it would be like when he’d see him after work. Would he wrap his arms around his waist, pull him close, and inhale his familiar scent that he’d grown to love, or would he kiss his cheek and tell him all about his day.

Of course, he let these be what they originally were: thoughts. He didn’t dare to share these hopeful wishes with anyone. Not that it would matter in the end, he probably already does those with Harper.

“Well, I’m off to try and sober Doctor Yoeun up before he breaks something,” Naveen says, knocking him out of his daydreaming trance.

He called his name as he found a glass of water, “Congratulations, I’m really happy for you,” he returned his smile before walking away.

The upbeat tempo in the air was quickly swapped with a slow song, forcing him to keep his eyes on his glass, a desperate attempt to avoid seeing Ethan and Harper as they slowly swayed in each others’ embrace.

Despite that, temptation had found him soon after, and as luck would have it, the happy couple was in the middle of his sight the second he looked up. Ethan was resting his cheek closely to Harper’s, whispering into her ear. Her arms were wrapped tightly around his neck, pulling them closer to each other.

Moments passed and he was still watching them, a mix of envy and guilt building up uneasily inside his chest. Suddenly, his eyes locked with the deep blue ones of Ethan. He seemed to be entranced by her, staring for a while as he swayed with another person in his arms. As fast as it had happened, he realised exactly what he was doing and quickly looked away, pretending that nothing had happened.

Heavy footsteps approached him and he was greeted by Bryce walking over, waving softly at him, “there you are.”

“Hey, Bryce,” he sighed, hoping that he didn’t notice the drop in his mood, how his demeanor was completely different from before when they had met in the courtyard earlier in the evening, his sweet charm making her laugh.

“This wasn’t exactly the friendly welcome I was hoping for,” he joked as he sat down in the chair beside him, the one Ethan had previously sat in a mere 15 minutes ago.

“No, sorry, it’s just-” he rubbed her temples and let out a frustrated groan before looking up at him again and giving him a half-smile, “sorry.”

“No worries,” he assured him and leaned back, placing an arm around the back of his chair, “nice ceremony huh?”

“Yeah, it’s beautiful,” he’d never been to a beach wedding before, and while he didn't appreciate the sand in his shoes, the view and fresh air weren’t one to complain about.

He wouldn’t mind having a beach wedding one day, granted he finds someone who he could see himself spending the rest of his life with, someone who appreciates him, who listens and laughs with him.

And just like that, his eyes landed back on him, Ethan, and his head was clouded with the millions of possibilities about the wonderful life they could have led together. But he knew better, and so he pushed those thoughts away.

Bryce followed his gaze and cleared his throat, “would you like to dance?” he held out his hand, and he was hesitant but took it in the end. It wasn’t as if staring at a man he could never have would do him any better.

His big, gentle, promising hands that held his own with such care led him to the dance floor, his grip never faltering for even a second.

Bryce wrapped an arm around his waist and his hand with the other. Ben held onto his shoulders with his free hand, and for a while, they just held each other close and swayed in time to the music.

He could feel his breath near his ear, his fingers finally intertwining with Ben’s. It made his stomach flip, not used to the normally unfamiliar affection. He leaned against him and laid his head on Bryce’s shoulder, closing his eyes, feeling more peaceful and calm than ever before.

While others around them danced in a soft sway, they moved slowly in a circle, more focused on the warmth of the other than the actual dance. Ben buried his face into the surgical resident’s neck, hearing him swallow nervously as he did so.

Seconds passed, maybe minutes, or even hours. He couldn’t tell, too caught up in the tempo of the song and the steady beat of his heart to care, the safe feeling he experienced drowning out everything else around them.

Suddenly, Bryce pulled back, licking his lips and gazing at Ben with the entrancing dark brown eyes of his, “do you want to get out of here?” he asked.

He’d never heard him so shaky, his normal easy confidence replaced with the slight quiver in his voice with every breath, but he knew that he held promise. Promise of what, he was yet to know, but he’d like to find out.

“Yeah,” he whispered and he nodded firmly. He took their intertwined hands and led them back to his table, saying their goodbyes to the others.

As they headed for the door, Ben looked to the dance floor to find Ethan looking back at her. It made him pause, the look of uncertainty on Ethan’s face, his eyebrow raised and mouth parted slightly.

Ben liked to think that one day Ethan would try. One day, Ethan would stop distracting himself with work and worrying about what the future would hold for him. He had hoped that he would sit down and have an honest conversation about them and that he would let her see that vulnerability that he hides so well, the person behind the white coat, the sarcasm, the bottled up feelings. He liked to think that they would be the ones dancing closely right now, or even the ones sneaking out.

But it was too late.

He mentally shook himself as he blinked, looking away and walking out of the reception, leaving behind the look of heartbreak on Ethan’s face as tears escaped from the eyes of both parties.

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