A/N: Since Bryce has essentially been written out of OPH3, here’s a Bryce ficlet.
Bryce returns from work to a familiar sight as of late, Casey fighting sleep at her desk, medical textbooks strewn all over the dark mahogany surface.
She almost slumps over before catching herself, rubbing at her eyes furiously in an attempt to stay awake. Bryce just shakes his head, heading to the kitchen.
By the time Bryce has reheated some leftovers, eaten, and washed the dishes, Casey’s body has finally succumbed to sheer exhaustion. Her head rests on her folded arms atop the desk, finally in a fitful state of sleep.
Bryce carefully, and quietly, makes his way over to his girlfriend. He slowly hooks one arm under her knees, freezing when she stirs slightly. If Casey wakes up, she’ll go right back to studying for her medical boards, and Bryce definitely doesn’t want that. She needs sleep.
A few tense moments pass before she lets out a breath, still in a light state of sleep. Bryce lets out a small relieved breath of his own before he places his other arm underneath her back, lifting her bridal style.
Casey lets out a little murmur of something that sounds like “muscular dystrophy can be treated with...” as Bryce carefully carries her towards their bedroom.
He deposits her gently on their bed, not daring to try to change her out of the sweats and oversized Stanford t-shirt (it’s his, but she’s claimed it as her own) she has on. Bryce quietly changes into boxers before slipping into bed behind Casey.
He tentatively slips an arm under her, more confidently wrapping his other arm over her stomach when she doesn’t stir.
It doesn’t feel like he’s been asleep long when he suddenly feels Casey jerk. His arms tighten around her instinctively. “Bryce?” She murmurs, sounding confused. Lack of sleep will do that to you.
She momentarily relaxes into his embrace. She’s still in that blissful half dream state where the impending medical boards don’t exist.
But then, she remembers. She stiffens in his arms, and then she tries to get up. He doesn’t loosen his embrace.
“Let go Bryce. I have to study some more.”
He shakes his head slightly, Casey can feel the gesture. “You have to sleep.” He insists.
“The boards are only 4 days away.” Casey counters.
“And you’ve only slept, like, 5 hours in the last 4 days.” Bryce retorts.
Casey starts wiggling against his embrace more aggressively. “You don’t get it, your boards aren’t coming up. Let go, Bryce!”
“No, go to sleep.” Bryce insists.
“I. Need. To. Study.” Casey punctuates each word with a pinch to his arm.
Bryce doesn’t let the slight stinging deter him from his mission of getting his girlfriend to get the sleep her body clearly needs so badly. “Go. to. sleep.” He repeats, nuzzling into her neck despite the way she keeps pinching at him.
“I mean it Bryce, let goooo.” She whines, slapping at his arms now.
He doesn’t bother to respond, he simply throws his leg over her as well to keep her in bed. There’s silence for a few moments, and then, “....did you just bite me?” Bryce asks, tone full of disbelief.
“......I need to study.” Casey defends.
Bryce laughs, pressing a kiss to the back of Casey’s shoulder. “You’re lucky I love you.”
“.......If you loved me, you’d let me study.” Casey retorts after a beat.
“Nice try beautiful. Now stop fighting it, I know you want to sleep.” He’s proven right a few moments later, when he feels Casey slacken in his arms as sleep finally claims her.
Casey wakes the next morning feeling refreshed. She stretches, letting out a pleased little sigh. Bryce’s arms tighten around her as he wakes as well, and Casey rolls over to face him.
Bryce offers her a sleepy smile. “Hey.” He greets.
“Hey.” Casey returns before capturing his lips for a few lazy morning kisses.
“How’d you sleep?” Bryce questions.
“Really well. I feel a million times better.” Casey answers.
“Thought so. You’re lucky you have a hot doctor around to look out for you with sage medical advice like, your body needs sleep.” Bryce teases.
“Sorry for biting you. I blame the sleep deprivation.” Casey apologizes sheepishly.
Bryce shrugs. “I kinda liked it.” He admits, a familiar fire in his eyes.
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