vaughn-markus

[vaughn-markus]

coraxclark​:

Was she losing it? Judging by the answer that had fallen from her mouth, it sure felt like every little piece of sanity was slipping away from her bit by bit quicker than she could keep it in. Why would she, in any sane state of mind, agree to attend a party with the man she had ignored for the last ten years of her life? Love always had a way of pushing sanity right out of the door, which is why Cora refused to believe that love existed at all. Yet, tiny memories of how it felt trickled into the cracks that her fleeing sanity left behind. “Um, how about I pick you up instead?” She offered quickly, knowing that there was no way she could ever let him pick her up at Gabriel’s house. Pressing her slightly sweaty palms to her thighs, she breathed out, continuing as she played off her nerves in a teasing manner, “I probably have a better car anyway.”

.

It was almost an unbelievable turn of events. He hated that it made him hopeful, because truly it meant nothing. He’d invited her to a party. Cora liked parties. Just friends went to parties, together, too, but something about also being at their son’s game inspired a hope that maybe, just maybe, the universe was trying to right what he thought they got wrong. “Uh yeah,” It wasn’t that he had a problem with being picked up, just that he didn’t understand her why at first. “Shit. You’re probably right.” While he was paid decently well, Markus was in a lot of debt from medical school. He was working on it, but it just took time. Time in which he couldn’t afford the new car he was long overdue. “So, does that mean you’re bringing the flowers?” He couldn’t help but tease. It’d been what felt like a lifetime since they’d shared a moment so light hearted, and yet no time at all.

[vaughn-markus]

aliciamillergarcia​:

It was definitely interesting to see all her workmates letting loose and having fun, not something they did every day. They would occasionally get together for a few drinks or a fun dinner, but there was nothing like a big celebration bringing them all together. Especially the new ones who were still getting used to the rest of the ER family. “Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying it. I also met your plus one. She’s a pretty girl.”

.

At the mention of Cora, Markus realized how potentially problematic intermingling his professional and very messy private life could be, but he was trying to be hopeful. Maybe it wouldn’t end bad with her again. He’d never know unless he tried, and Markus was definitely willing to try. He couldn’t deny that, even after all this time, he still felt something. Which had to count a little for the good, right? He might’ve asked Alicia’s opinion as a women clearly in love, but they weren’t as close as he’d come to her husband; Bennett. “She is, isn’t she? And you know, Bennett just said the same thing about you.” 

[vaughn-markus]

ximenaflores​:

Ximena was grateful to see a sweet, familiar face, though knowing she might have to give him some of the heavier details of her life soon did put a damper on their encounter. She chuckled along with Markus, nodding as he went on about his work, “I can imagine. A lot of people coming in.” She agreed, only able to envision how busy a hospital is, especially for someone working on their residency. “I get it. I’m pretty proud too, hijo.” She smiled at him. “The second most important thing in life is keeping your mother happy. The wife should come first.” She joked with him, “No pressure, god knows I definitely can’t lecture anyone on that subject.” She shrugged, barely having clue about relationships, let alone marriage. “Speaking of which, are you seeing anyone?” She questioned in her aunt-like manner.

.

It was something Markus had forgotten while living out of state. However endearing family was to have near, they somehow exactly knew how to bring up the hardest questions. Not to be a bother, he knew, but because they were things families talked about. Marriage was certainly a topic on his mind as of late, but not because he’d met anyone he’d thought about marrying. In fact, Markus had terrible luck in relationships. A few years ago he ended an engagement, and hadn’t found anyone right for him since. At least, no one new. “Oh tia Xi..” He chuckled. “Did mi madre put you up to this?” If anyone was more anxious for Markus to meet someone than Markus himself it was his mother. All of his sisters, save the baby, were married with children now, and he was certainly long overdue. “No, I’m not. Why?” He joked. “You know someone?”

[vaughn-markus]

nataliesltr​:

“Nice to officially meet you, Markus,” she replied.  She dealt with a lot of people but, generally, if she repeated someone’s name after their intro, she could remember it.  It may have sounded weird or goofy, but it was her trick and she was sticking with it.  She also appreciated that he’d let her off the hook so easily.  She definitely wasn’t going to confirm his job or his department after that, though she was only kind of sure she knew them. 

She laughed out loud, a sound that definitely would’ve been more robust if she were anything resembling fully awake.  “I don’t eat it, so I can’t comment on it.  That would be a short conversation.” 

Their silence was companionable enough, and short.  She really wasn’t sure why there was almost always a bar within walking distance of a hospital.  It was absolutely something she’d noticed in various cities she’d traveled to with Finn. Of course, she’d been in more than one hospital during those trips for something minor.  More than once, not always, they’d also found the bar afterward.  His double order, both the whiskey and the beer, made her smile.  She didn’t follow suit, though, knowing she was going to nurse a beer or maybe two and then need to be sober enough to drive herself home.  An Uber wasn’t exactly in her budget.

And, hey, they could talk about alcohol.  That would be a subject that wasn’t work-related. 

“Not sure I would’ve guessed whiskey neat for you, just based on looks,” she quipped, wondering what he would do with that statement even though it meant nothing and hadn’t even crossed her mind until it left her mouth. 

.

Markus knew it was a bold choice for 6 AM, but it’d been a long night. “The judgemental type, are we?” His delivery was dry and had he not flashed a half smile after the words might’ve come off as a little rude. “What would you have thought?” He was genuinely curious. While he usually didn’t give other people’s opinions or perceptions of him much attention, from time to time he liked to indulge someone. If only because it was 6 AM, and he was drinking beer and whiskey. 

[vaughn-markus]

[vaughn-markus]

coraxclark​:

“I know.” She muttered, his comment about not playing soccer something she already knew, though she hadn’t wanted to give off the impression of remembering any detail about him. It was bad enough that he was back in town and unavoidably back in her life, Cora wasn’t about to let over a decade of ignoring the man go to waste after just a few days because their his gaze had a habit of making her weak. Which is why, when he lifted his sunglasses, her attention focused back on the field and the son that wasn’t really their son and never would be, despite the fact that she almost split her body in two bringing him into the world only to hand him off. It was a decision she never regretted, or thought to regret, until the day Markus stepped back into town. Jonah was better off with his parents, she knew that, and she stood by the comment she made in the mirror maze, even if a little harsh. “You’re asking me… to go to a party? With you?” Her brow raised in interest, finally turning her head to meet his gaze, swallowing hard when she did. Weak. A feeling she tended to avoid, one she’d avoided for the ten years the man had been gone, and yet, she managed to fall back into the trap so quickly. “When is the party happening?” Cora bit the inside her her cheek, focusing on steadying her breathing even though it was long gone already, heart pounding against her empty chest. “You know what, nevermind. I’m free. I’ve been a little bored lately anyway, who’s going to say no to wine and dancing?” A party hosted by two successful doctors always gave her the perfect chance to find an opportunity to move on from Gabriel.

.

In the moments after he’d boldly asked out Cora, a women who had return four of his text messages in the last ten years, Markus’ heart began to raise. A man who was, mostly, cool under pressure began to sweat. He worked in emergency medicine everyday, staring death right in the face, yet he feared the words from Cora’s mouth more than anything that could walk through the ER doors. It felt like an eternity before she finally arrived at an answer. One he never expected. For real, he wanted to say but held back. He was worried about appearing too interested and scaring her off, although it felt futile to hide his feelings from her. They were too loud to just be ignored. “Yeah.. yeah. It’ll be a good time. I’ll pick you up?” It was a question and not a statement because he didn’t know where they stood, exactly. This was a good first step but on rocky ground. They had a lot of getting to know each other to do again. 

[vaughn-markus]

bennett-miller​:

Bennett did his best to understand the relationship troubles his friends had. It made him realize how lucky he and Alicia were to have only faced a few trial and tribulations along the way. “You have time to figure it out. You’re young. I think that you should really think about everything and if she’s willing to talk, you two should talk it out.” His advice only worked if the woman was willing to do that and if she wasn’t, then Bennett wasn’t sure what else to say. “Everything has a way of working out, Markus.” It was supposed to sound encouraging, but he feared that it hadn’t. Instead of pushing, he cleared his throat as a smile crept onto his lips. “I think we’re both incredibly excited. Nervous too. The reception after will be fun. We secured an open bar in addition to a few selections of wine. There’s food and there’s dessert. It’ll be fun. Do you plan on bringing someone?”

.

Wide, scrub clad shoulders rose and fell with a nonchalant shrug. “You’re right.” He always was. About medicine and life. There was much to learn from the man in front of him, and he was glad for the kind of relationship that allowed that. Coworkers didn’t always become friends, but it always made work (and life) a little easier when they did. “It’s a time thing, for sure. We haven’t really spent any together in...” The better part of a decade. “..awhile.” Markus didn’t need to burden Bennett with all the details. “Nervous? You?” He didn’t believe it, but then again... maybe he did. Markus knew what it was like to be made weak by the love of a woman. “It’ll go great. Better than. I can’t wait. And... yeah, maybe. I’d like to. We’ll just have to see. You know? How the figuring it out goes.”

[vaughn-markus]

aliciamillergarcia​:

Location: Alicia & Bennett’s Vow Renewal, The Grape Escape

Characters: Alicia Miller-Garcia & Markus Vaughn ( @vaughn-markus​ )

CLOSED STARTER

As expected, pretty much half of Providence Peak Memorial was in attendance for the vow renewal. Alicia and Bennett had been working at the hospital for years now, and they knew most people that worked there considering the fact that she dealt with almost everyone in the hospital and Ben was probably the friendliest person that worked there. Whilst doing the rounds she got around to the ER gang who were all looking their absolute best. Spotting Markus, Alicia moved over to him and offered him a grin. He hadn’t been there for long, having been one of the latest recruits, but she had been helping him settle into the hospital and the department. “Markus, hi! I am so glad you made it. Are you enjoying it? I hope you’re getting plenty of wine.”

.

There were many things to celebrate tonight. Rekindling of an ex flame, celebrating new friends, and their old love. Markus indulged himself in drinks and dancing all night, sharing a cigar with Bennett, but still had yet to see the bride. He was sure she was busy. At this party and at the hospital. He wasn’t sure he’d ever seen her sit down at work, or tonight as she played the graceful host and sought out him and a few others from their work crew. “Hey! Yeah. Yeah, I am. Congratulations!! May we all be as lucky as you too.”

[vaughn-markus]

aksel-polat​:

Aksel’s romantic life had been a string of dates since the end of her relationship with Tyler. Unfortunately, most of them had been little more than distractions in the healing process from the ache that had come when she ended things with Tyler. However, there had been a few that meant a little more than just a fling that even then finished in a bad way, a way Aksel didn’t want to rehash now. Now all she wanted to do was slip her hand out the jeep window to curve along the wave of wind while turning her attention to Markus; this date was a lot different than her usual bar finds and tinder hookups. Markus was an old friend. It was easy to say yes to him to let him take the lead on this date with rocks, air, dirt, and “Little cucumber sandwiches?” She smiled and tilted her head towards him, “Sounds delicious. And like it’ll be outside?” She asked, “A picnic?” Aksel asked. An inflection of excitement came with the question. She couldn’t recall the last time she had done something so unabashedly innocent. It was dark outside, but Aksel knew the direction they were driving. She knew the roads like the back of her hand. For a brief moment, she peered out the window, the stretch of the sky becoming brighter the further from the city they got, “I can see a little bit of the Sagittarius constellation.” She pointed as the sky moved by overhead. Settling back into the seat next to him, “I used to be able to chart all the stars. When I was a kid, before-” Before her dad went to prison and stained their lives. “We’d go on girls weekend, my sisters mom and me into these fancy cabins in Bighorn Hills and whoever could identify the most stars in the shortests time won.” Aksel explained, her head against her shoulder as she spoke.

.

A hum of confirmation resonated in Markus’ throat. “Mhmmm. Made ‘em myself.” Which was about the extent of his talent with cooking, but he knew enough to survive. “Correct again. Am I that obvious?” He asked jokingly. It wasn’t hard to guess what they were doing, as they traveled far from the city of Providence Peak; the only light left from the car and the stars themselves.

It was a relief that Aksel was excited about the date he’d planned. They hadn’t seen one another in a long time, and he didn’t know about her interests these dance. Hence, the date. To get to know her better. “Can you?” He knew enough about stars to navigate the night, although not as much as Aksel. “Fancy cabins in Bighorn Hills?” A chortle rumbled in his chest, and his dark eyes flashed from the road to Aksel and back again. He didn’t know what fancy cabins in Bighorn Hills were like, but maybe someday. When he dug his way out of a mountain of medical school debt. “Speaking of.. how’re your sisters doing?” The other Polat girls hadn’t interested him as much as Aksel, but he still wanted to be polite.

[vaughn-markus]

coraxclark​:

There was a lot she should have had to say to Markus and yet, Cora couldn’t muster a single word of it. They had history between them, history that people don’t just get past, that couples don’t just forget, and more so, history that couldn’t just be ignored, especially when the other pops back up after a decade and decides to stick around. Over text? It was easy to just delete them into a never ending cyber space and never think about it again, but in person? She wasn’t quite sure how to ignore the other when the moment she laid eyes on him at the fun fair she found herself being pulled toward him. “He’s good,” Cora motioned to the field where their son ran back and forth. “Must get it from you.” It wasn’t like she wasn’t physically fit or talented in the realm of sports, in fact their athleticism was one thing they’d bonded over as teens, often getting lost in the mountains of Bighorn, but with Jonah taking after her in looks, it seemed like the nice thing to offer. “Listen, I’m… sorry, about the fair. You caught me off guard.”

.

It turned Markus’ stomach to think about how watching their son play soccer could’ve been something they did together often. In the distant past, before any decisions were made, he had dared to imagine their future together. It went something like this in appearance only. Everything else was wrong. His mind was so lost in the past and a future that never happened that the sound of Cora’s voice almost startled him. He turned inwards, towards her, and finally pushed his sunglasses up. “I never played soccer.” Organized sports had never been his thing, but he was extremely active outdoors.

Markus didn’t respond to her apology right away. It took a moment to wash over him and settle into his bones, somehow, making their run in at the fun fair as well as the last ten years of unanswered texts all okay. “I understand the feeling.” Seeing Cora in that mirror maze still felt like a fever dream. It didn’t help that he went home to actually dream about her that night, and every few nights since. Something about being back in Providence Peak but her right back, underneath his skin, and he really didn’t know what to do about it. 

“Maybe.. we should do something less disorienting, next time..” He went on to make a suggestion. “..some friends of mine at the hospital are throwing a party..” A vow renewal party, actually, but he left out that little detail. “We could go. If you want. Eat some food. Drink some wine.” There was hope blooming in Markus’ chest, which he tried to quell. It was too soon. Too quick. Too reckless. And yet, a smile was already starting to form. “A little dancing..”

[vaughn-markus]

bennett-miller​:

Smile faded slowly as Markus spoke about the conversation he’d had with his ex. Bennett couldn’t imagine the pain that came from that dropped confesion. “That’s a lot to process. I don’t think I’d know what to say.” He wasn’t a selfish man and that was a selfish move. “I guess on one hand, you have to give it to her. She was being honest. That has to count for something.” Maybe not much, but it beat her lying to the man before him. “What do you think that you’re going to do with that? Just… let it go or is there more to be said?”

.

That was a point that Markus hadn’t stopped to consider. For better or for worse, Cora had been honest with him. Maybe he hadn’t been so honest with her the first go around. Opting to be silent in the foolish name of being supportive. Not expressing his real feelings about their son’s adoption, and then resenting the both of them for the next ten years. It was a heavy burden to bare for so long, and a part of him just wanted to be done. Another part didn’t know if he could be. “I don’t know..” He shrugged before finally taking a bite of his food but only so he didn’t have to say anything else right away. After chewing he switched topics. “You excited for the renewal ceremony? Can’t wait myself. Know you guys throw quite the party.”

[vaughn-markus]

nataliesltr​:

When Natalie had read the job requirements for the hospital online, and it had said one weekend of call per month, it had seemed manageable.  Now that she had worked her first weekend of call, the experience of it was something different.  The exhausted face of one of the ED docs said it all, but she felt the same way deep into her bones.  She’d been there all night for the last two in a row.  

“Natalie,” she said, stretching her name out with amusement.  It wasn’t like she could name him, either.  At least she knew he was one of the ED docs.  She’d also had to spend some time up in the ICU, and that was the only reason she could differentiate him as emergency. She’d seen him downstairs, not upstairs. 

And then they were going to talk about that weather, so that was great.  “Well, it’s not snowing, so it has that going for it.”  Having grown up in Seattle, she honestly had never fully adjusted to the snow in Denver.  She was hoping whatever happened here would be when she could afford the luxury of just not leaving the house for a couple of days.  “Did things finally clear out?  I had to go upstairs for a while so I never checked back in.  That’ll officially be my last work question because, you know, you already mentioned the weather.  You took the other safe topic.” 

.

Natalie. He’d been a little off, but it got the first letter right. That had to count for something, at least. Especially after a long, overnight shift. He was doing good to remember his own name. “Markus.” He extended the courtesy, not expecting her to remember him anymore than he had her.The hospital was big. Too big for any one person to know everyone. Besides maybe Bennett. That guy seemed to know everyone.

At the mention of snow Markus just shrugged. He’d grown up here and didn’t mind it. Every where he’d lived since had a grueling winter. He was accustomed as anyone could be to the cold, although much preferred the summer months. “It was alright.” He thought he’d heard a promise of no work talk, yet here they were, talking about work. Before he could say anything Natalie was clarifying the world talk, and he shrugged again. “Well.. there’s always the cafeteria food.” 

The bar was close. A few minutes walk. Once inside he ordered a whiskey, neat, but then said breakfast beer. Both felt well earned.

[vaughn-markus]

aksel-polat​:

@vaughn-markus​

Aksel reminded herself to push down this hopeful feeling fluttering in the pit of her stomach, it was just a date. A date that wasn’t with some tinder person she met online, but with someone she’d had known a long time. It brought a new wave of nerves, especially with how badly her last date had gone - she still couldn’t shake the things Ty said to her even tho she tried, even tho she wished they didn’t hurt. She reminded herself he had kissed her, he asked her- she wasn’t throwing herself at him, she was simply staying open, but cautious. Nodding at her reflection in the mirror Aksel twisted brunette waves behind her ear and smoothed the front of her dress down just as the telling knock came to her front door. A flurry of flutters and she stepped into her shoes, “I’m coming!” She called grabbing a bag and going to meet Markus at the door, “Any hints to where you’re taking me off to?” She hummed thoughtfully turning to look at Buttercup who had come to see what the commotion was about. The fluffy dog nudged between them for a greeting while Aksel let Markus in to settle her dog in before she was finally ready to go- for better or worse she felt this was a long time coming, from kids kissing in a barn to adults on a first date- no matter how she attempted to wrap her head around it Aksel couldn’t make too much sense of it, but at the very least she could enjoy it- “Okay, I swear I’m ready now. Lead the way.”

.

It’d been a long time since Markus has gone on a first date. After his engagement fell to shambles he chose to, primarily, focus on work. Then he moved again for his residency, which proved more daunting a task than he’d ever anticipated. The program pushed him, and he did little more than a string of one night stands with women whose numbers he never even saved. It wasn’t like him, to say the least, but it was a chapter in his life. This felt like a new one, even in an old setting with familiar face. 

The drive to Aksel’s was short, but not as short as it’d once been. He didn’t honk but got out of the car to greet her at the door. Her dog seemed the most excited, and he pet her before leading Aksel to his jeep. Where they were going had yet to be disclosed, and he was starting to wonder when she’d ask about the time she finally did. “Hints?” He would’ve flat out told her had she asked, but a senseless trail of hints seemed more amusing. “Rocks...dirt... air..” He was grinning in the dark of the vehicle’s cab, already speading towards the edge of town. “..little cucumber sandwiches..” He wasn’t joking but laughed. “Any guesses yet?”

[vaughn-markus]

ximenaflores​:

Ximena smiled at Markus, still can’t believing how much he has grown; his mom lived in America while she was in Mexico and banned from the United States so their visits weren’t frequent, but it was still a blessed time whenever they arrived. She was thankful to be a part of this family, even in the smallest sense. Apparently Markus felt the same, by calling her tía. “If you’re old, I belong in residencia de ancianos.” She joked with him. “Now you’re just being a liar.” She sneered, “How you’ve been? How’s work?”

.

There had been a lack of laughter in his laugh as of late. He didn’t want to burdened Ximena with tails of his failing love life, but he sure was glad to momentarily feel light again. “Never!” He assured, even though it was clearly a joke. “Feeling old in body but not in mind. Work related, for sure, but I guess I knew what I was signing up for..” If residency was any indicator of the wild ride that was a career in emergency medicine he was well aware of what was to come. A lot of long nights that turned into even longer days, but he loved it. He lived for it, truly. “It’s going well though. Mom’s proud her only sons a doc. Can’t complain about anything else when she’s happy, right?”

[vaughn-markus]

coraxclark​:

location: soccer field near a park, probably Claret Park. status: closed for @vaughn-markus​

She knew he received the same offer as her. Jonah’s parents mentioned that before she agreed to come, as something for her to consider before she agreed to the invitation to attend one of Jonah’s last soccer games of the summer. Stupidly, she didn’t think it mattered and hadn’t even expected him to show up - yet there he was, approaching her at her spot on the top of the bleachers overlooking the field; a position she often preferred when it came to visits with the son she gave up over a decade ago. At first, when her visits were lacking more than they happened, the boy was young enough to want to interact with her, a toddler’s curiosity pulling him to bring her his toys, ask about her hair or clothes or sad eyes on occasion. As time went on, he grew older, no longer showing that same interest in the woman that was sometimes around but more often not. She preferred it that way, feeling like observing was the right amount of getting to watch him grow into a successful young man without interfering in his life. “To be honest, I didn’t think you’d actually show up.” Cora muttered as the man approached, squinting through the sun as she glanced up at him. “I don’t… usually do this, but they said he seemed excited so.”

.

It wasn’t a question in Markus’ mind when Jonah’s adoptive parents (it’d taken him time to drop the word adopted before parents) invited him to watch his son their son’s last soccer game of the summer. While he’d been around for the big holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas this was the first time Markus had been in town enough to just stop by for a game. It was uncomfortable feeling, to only be attending his son’s first soccer game now, but then again Jonah wasn’t his son. Not in any way that would matter to the little boy. 

Even though Markus knew Cora would be there, he’d been informed prior, it was still hard to look at her as he walked up the bleachers. He left his sunglasses on after he’d sat down, so close their arms almost touched, to hide any emotion in his eyes. His face tight and controlled, feeling vulnerable around her after their hurtful run in and confusing string of text messages.

“Yeah?” Was all he said back. The only response he could muster from the chaotic storm of thoughts in his head. I’m surprised you showed up, and you don’t know me anymore were harsh truths begging to be heard, but he didn’t want to fight. Not here, not ever with her, if he could help it. “...nice.” He gestured to the game, suggesting that they should both just watch it.

[vaughn-markus]

bennett-miller​:

Bennett prided himself on the fact that the worst part of his life was over. No more chaos, no more terrible drama. However, as positive of a man as he was, he liked catching a bit of chaos through others at times. “Into the ex. That’s never good, right? I’m guessing that didn’t go all that well?” He’d never thought of Providence Peak as small, but seeing as how he always seemed to run into the same people, maybe it was. “Almost four hundred thousand people and somehow we’re always running into the people we’re least likely to expect. Funny how that works, isn’t it?”

.

“No. It didn’t.” There was obvious emotion in his voice. “We hadn’t spoken in almost ten years..” He left out the part about how he’d texted her happy birthday and merry christmas every single one of those years. “And in our first actual conversation she tells me she agreed to give up our son, so she could be free.” His head shook, still finding it hard to believe that had been her reason. “I’d always thought we were on the same page. We did what we did for our son. So he’d have a good life. You know? I wasn’t thinking about me or us.” It was hard for Markus to know what to feel. Disappointed felt like an overreaction, but he was. “Funny..” He mused but didn’t agree. No, Markus didn’t find unexpected run ins funny at all. 

[vaughn-markus]