princessofphiladelphia

petal in the pavement 🫧 23

[princessofphiladelphia]

*･゜ﾟ*:.｡..｡.:*navigation*:.｡. .｡.:*･*

hiiiii i’m carrington ✧ 23 ✧ fanfic writer and aesthetics blog✧dr. abbot lover✧18+ pls✧puerto rican diva (mdni)

interests: the pitt ✧ animal kingdom ✧ ariana grande ✧ lana del rey ✧ hardcore and pop music ✧ fashion

masterlist (updated as work gets posted) ✧somewhere inbetween (jack abbot) i , ii , iii , iv , v , vi , vii , viii , ix, x, xi, xii, xiii

✧in the morning (emma nolan and jack abbot)

oneshot

[princessofphiladelphia]

somewhere inbetween (jack abbot) xiii.

summary: it's your boyfriend's first day as a resident at the pitt. little does he know that your ex is his attending.

contents: first year pediatrics resident!reader, age gap (duhhh), slowburn/situationship, medical inaccuracies (srry), established friendships with characters, sorta proofread, fc for the ex is infact drew starkey because the world is my fucking oyster, can be read as one-off, mentions of day and night shift characters throughout chapter :D previous chapters in masterlist

wc: 5,182

I woke up Monday morning almost twenty minutes before Drew and I’s alarm was supposed to go off.

For a while, I stayed exactly where I was, staring through the lace curtains as the early morning light slowly filled the bedroom. My mind immediately started running through everything I had to do that day. I had a full patient load waiting for me, paperwork I was already behind on, groceries to pick up after work, and laundry that had been sitting untouched in the dryer since Saturday.

Then I remembered, It was Drew’s first day in the emergency department. Almost immediately, a pit formed in my stomach.

I had been excited about it for weeks. I was still excited. Having Drew at PTMC meant no more planning our lives around train schedules or squeezing entire weekends together before one of us had to leave again. For the first time, our lives were actually beginning to exist in the same place. However, there was another part of my life waiting for him downstairs in the emergency department. A part Drew knew absolutely nothing about.

His phone alarm started blaring against the nightstand just as my thoughts began slipping into dangerous territory. Drew groaned beside me, blindly reaching toward his phone until he finally managed to silence it. Without opening his eyes, he immediately rolled onto his other side and pulled the comforter higher over his shoulders.

I rubbed my eyes before turning toward him. “Come on, baby. We need to get up.” I said quietly, placing a hand on his arm. He pulled the blanket completely over his head. “Give me five minutes,” he mumbled from underneath it.

A smirk tugged at my lips. I grabbed the comforter and yanked it off him in one quick motion. “Good morning, sleepyhead!” I exclaimed. Drew groaned dramatically, immediately covering his face with both hands. Even through his fingers, I could see the smile spreading across his face. “‘Mornin’.”

Before I could climb out of bed, his hand wrapped around my wrist. I let out a surprised laugh as he pulled me back toward him, my body falling against his chest. His arms wrapped lazily around my waist before he pressed a sleepy kiss against the top of my head.

“You excited?” I asked, lifting my head enough to look at him. Drew stared at the ceiling. “Hmmm…” He pretended to consider it. “Nope.” I laughed. “Not even a little?” Drew rubbed his eyes and let out an exhausted yawn. “Ask me when my vyvanse hits.” I sat up and groaned dramatically. “You’re the one who voluntarily applied there.” I said with a smirk. 

“Yeah, well.” He finally looked down at me. “Seemed like a good idea at the time.” I narrowed my eyes. “You moved across the state because it seemed like a good idea?”

“Among other reasons.” His hand slid lazily along my back. “Very compelling reasons.” I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t stop myself from smiling. “You’re sooo nervous.” Drew shrugged. “I’m chilling.” “You’re absolutely not chilling.” Drew stared at me for another second before pulling me closer against his chest. “I’m going back to sleep.”

The rest of our morning moved considerably faster. We took turns getting ready in the bathroom, constantly reaching around one another for toothbrushes, deodorant, hair products, and everything else we’d somehow managed to scatter across the counter. While Drew showered, I stood in the kitchen whisking my matcha together and packing something small for breakfast. By the time he walked back into the room in his fresh navy scrubs I was halfway through doing my makeup at the kitchen counter.

I looked over at him. For some reason, seeing him in scrubs made everything suddenly feel real.“Look at you,” I smiled. Drew glanced down at himself. “What?” I watched him, still smiling. “Dr. Starkey.” I cooed. He rolled his eyes as he reached for the coffee he’d made. “Don’t start.” I laughed to myself, setting my highlighter back down on the vanity. “Is it sinking in yet?” He took a long sip of coffee instead of answering me. I grinned. “That’s what I thought.”

By the time we finally made it downstairs, Drew seemed slightly more awake and significantly more aware of what he was walking into. He drove while I sat beside him finishing my matcha, occasionally glancing over whenever I noticed his fingers tapping against the steering wheel. He was nervous. I knew all of his tells.

“You’re gonna be fine,” I said eventually. “I know.” He replied. I watched his fingers tapping on the steering wheel.  “You’re a good doctor. Everyone’s going to like you and you’re going to love themm… especially Trinity and Dennis.”

“I know.” I stared at him. “Do you want me to stop?” I asked. Drew didn’t even react. “Please.” I laughed, reaching across the center console and resting my hand on his thigh. Drew immediately placed his hand over mine.

As the hospital came into view ahead of us, however, the knot in my stomach returned. Drew was nervous because he was starting over. New hospital. New attendings. New residents. New city. I was nervous for an entirely different reason. Somewhere inside PTMC, Jack was starting his morning too. And in less than an hour, two parts of my life that had remained completely separate from one another were finally going to meet.

The emergency department already buzzed with its usual morning energy by the time Drew and I walked in through the ambulance bay entrance. Phones rang from every direction. Nurses hurried between rooms carrying medications and lab specimens. Stretchers rolled past us toward CT while the overhead speakers announced another incoming ambulance. Drew looked around, taking it all in.

“So…” he mumbled under his breath. “This is where all the shit goes down?” He asked. I smiled. “Pretty much.” His eyes wandered around the department, trying to take in everything at once. “…It’s bigger than I expected.” He said softly. “Give it an hour.” He looked over at me. “Why?” I smirked at him. “You won’t even notice how big it is.”

Before he could answer, Dana spotted us from across the nurses’ station. “There you two are!” she called, waving us over. Drew quickly brushed the remaining lint of his scrub top. “Nervous?” I asked. “A little.” I gave him a reassuring smile. “You’ll be fine.” “I know.” He looked over at me and smiled. “I’ve got you.” Drew watched me, smiling. “I know you do.”

Dana walked over, coffee in one hand and a clipboard tucked beneath the other arm. “Morning.” I smiled back at her “Morning!” Her attention shifted toward Drew, but before I could introduce them, he stepped forward and held out his hand.

“Dr. Drew Starkey,” he said with an easy smile. “You’re Dana, right?” Dana raised her eyebrows slightly as she shook his hand. “That’s me.” Drew smiled as they shook hands. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Dana immediately glanced in my direction. “Hopefully nothing that’ll get me fired.” I rolled my eyes. “Oh my God.”

Drew laughed, dropping his hand back to his side. “Nothing too bad.” Dana laughed. “Good answer.” Dana took another sip of her coffee before looking him over. “You ready?” He took a deep breath. “As I’ll ever be.” Dana smiled before gesturing for him to follow. “I’ll show you around before Robby starts throwing patients at you.”

I watched the two of them start walking through the department. Just as I was about to head back upstairs, someone appeared beside me. “…So.” I turned. Trinity. She crossed her arms, watching Drew as Dana pointed out different areas of the department.

“That’s him?” I laughed quietly. “That’s him.” She was quiet for a second. “…He’s taller than I expected.” I nudged her shoulder. “That’s your takeaway?” Trinity shrugged, watching him talk to Dana across the ED.  “I’m observing.” I rolled my eyes. She looked back at me. “I still think you’re a little crazy for moving as fast as you did with him.” I looked back at him. “I know.” I said softly. “No.” She pointed toward Drew. “You spent three years playing ping-pong with that man.”

“I know.”

“And then you came to Pittsburgh.”

“I know.”

“And then Jack happened.”

I looked down. “I know...” She sighed. “I’m trying really hard to be supportive…” she said quietly. “You are.” Trinity finally looked back at me.  “No…” A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I really am.” I looked back toward Drew. “So?” She watched him laugh at something Dana had said.

“…You look happier.” The comment caught me off guard. I looked over at her. She shrugged. “I don’t know if it’s him, but you seem like you got that...” She trailed off for a moment, almost cringing at what she was about to say. “Got your sparkle back, I guess.” I couldn’t stop my own smile from growing. “…Yeah.” Trinity bumped my shoulder. “Thank god.”

She looked back toward Drew again. “I still reserve the right to threaten him if he acts up.” A laugh escaped me. “I’d expect nothing less.” I looked back at my watch and gasped. “Fuck, I gotta run.” I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder. “I’ll text you if I get a break today.” Trinity nodded, her arms still crossing over her body. I pressed the button to the elevator, the doors sliding open almost immediately. “And I’ll text you if there’s any tea between your boyfriend and your ex.” I looked back at her, mortified. I stepped back into the elevator, shaking my head. “And I’ll text Garcia that she needs to go to the emergency department ASAP!” I smirked back at her as the doors to the elevator closed.

By the time I saw Drew again, almost three hours had passed.

I had spent most of my morning upstairs, bouncing between rounds and checking on patients, but curiosity eventually got the best of me. I found myself back in the emergency department sometime before noon under the excuse of checking on one of my pediatric patients who had come through earlier that morning. At least, that was the excuse I gave myself. Truthfully, I wanted to see how Drew was doing.

I spotted him almost immediately. He was standing beside Robby at the nurses’ station, both of them staring at a CT scan pulled up on one of the computers. Drew had one hand resting against the counter while Robby pointed something out on the screen, speaking to him quietly. Whatever nerves Drew had been carrying with him that morning seemed to have disappeared completely. He looked comfortable. Almost annoyingly comfortable. I had spent the entire drive to work reassuring him that everyone would like him, and apparently, I’d been right.

His first few hours had been relatively forgiving by PTMC standards. He’d seen an older woman with abdominal pain, helped Dennis with a patient who’d dislocated his shoulder after falling off a ladder, and somehow ended up suturing a drunk college student’s eyebrow while the kid repeatedly tried to convince Drew that he was “totally fine to drive home.” He wasn’t. Drew had taken his keys.

By twelve-thirty, he’d already managed to make Dennis laugh hard enough that I heard it from halfway down the hall. Even Langdon seemed to like him, which I considered an accomplishment in itself. Robby, however, seemed particularly taken with him.

I watched from a distance as Drew pointed toward something on the CT. “What about that?” he asked. Robby leaned closer to the screen. “What about it?” Drew narrowed his eyes. “Right there.” Robby stayed quiet for a moment before a small smile appeared on his face. “…Good catch.” Drew shrugged casually. “Almost like I went to medical school.” Robby shook his head, but I could see him trying not to laugh. “Don’t get too cocky, Dr. Starkey.” I smiled to myself. Of course. Of fucking course Drew had somehow charmed Robby within three hours.

“You’re staring.”

I nearly jumped at the sound of Trinity’s voice beside me. “I am not.” She followed my gaze across the department. “You’ve been standing here smiling at him for like thirty seconds.” I rolled my eyes, looking towards the Pedes room. “I came down to check on a patient.” Trinity smirked, “Mhm.”

Trinity still hadn’t completely warmed up to the idea of Drew. When I’d first told her we were seeing each other again, she’d stared at me like I’d just announced I was voluntarily repeating the worst decision of my early twenties. She knew too much. several years of breaking up, getting back together, swearing we were done, and inevitably finding our way back to each other had given her more than enough reason to be skeptical. She’d supported me anyway. Mostly.

Her exact words had been, If you’re happy, I’m happy. But if he does some stupid shit again, I’m jumping him. So far, Drew had managed to remain un-jumped. And now Trinity was finally meeting the person she’d spent years hearing stories about.

“So…” I glanced over at her. “What do you think?” Trinity looked back over at me, crossing her arms. “I’ve known him for three hours.” I waited for her answer. “…And?” She shrugged at me as she stared at him across the ED. “And I’m observing.” I laughed. “You’re ridiculous.” She looked back over at me and smiled. “I’m protecting my investment.”

Before I could respond, Drew looked away from the computer and spotted us. His entire expression changed. A grin spread across his face as he excused himself from Robby and started walking toward us. “There she is.” He stopped beside me, briefly resting a hand against my lower back before looking toward Trinity. Then his eyebrows lifted.

“I’ve been so busy running around all morning that I haven’t introduced myself… You must be Trinity.” She stared at him. “…How do you know who I am?” Drew looked at me like the answer was obvious. “She never shuts up about you.” Trinity’s expression softened for approximately half a second before she caught herself. “Oh.”

Drew held his hand out toward her. “Drew.” Trinity looked down at his hand for a moment before shaking it. “Trinity.” Drew grinned as he shook Trinity’s hand. “I’ve heard good things.” he added before dropping her hand. “I’ve heard…” She glanced at me. “…things.” I immediately closed my eyes, looking down at my shoes. “Oh my God, Trinity.” I muttered. Drew laughed. “I’m sure it was all fair game.” Trinity smirked after he had made that comment, it almost seemed like he earned his first point with her.

Before Trinity could interrogate him any further, Langdon called Drew’s name from one of the rooms. He glanced over his shoulder. “Coming.” Then he looked back at me. “You staying down here?” I shrugged. “For a few more minutes… I need to catch Jesse up on the pedes case before I go back upstairs.” Drew nodded. “Cool.” His hand brushed briefly against mine before he headed toward Langdon.

Trinity waited until he was safely out of earshot. Then she looked at me. I raised my eyebrows. “…Well?” She pursed her lips. “He’s… okay, actually.” My smile immediately widened. “That’s huge coming from you.” Trinity rolled her eyes as she walked up to one of the computers. “I said I don’t hate him.” I watched her as she typed on the computer, still smiling. “Same thing.”

For the first time that morning, some of the anxiety I’d been carrying started to disappear. Drew was doing well. He liked everyone. Everyone seemed to like him. Maybe I’d spent the entire morning worrying over nothing. I should’ve known better. Because sometime around noon, Jack walked into the emergency department.

I didn’t see him at first. Robby did. He was standing beside Drew at the nurses’ station again, going over the plan for one of his patients when Robby glanced over Drew’s shoulder. “Abbot!”

Drew barely reacted to the name. I did. From several feet away, my attention immediately snapped toward them. Jack walked up to the station with a chart tucked beneath his arm, his attention still focused on whatever he’d been reading. “What’s up?” he asked. “Perfect timing.” Robby pushed away from the computer. “Have you met our new resident yet?” Jack finally looked up. And saw him. Drew.

For one brief second, Jack didn’t say anything. His expression barely changed. If I hadn’t spent months learning every microscopic shift in that man’s face, I probably wouldn’t have noticed anything at all. But I did. The slight pause. The way his eyes stayed on Drew for just a second too long. The almost imperceptible tightening of his jaw.

He knew. Of course he knew. I’d said Drew’s name around him before. I’d told him stories. Somewhere along the way, I had even shown him a picture. Jack knew exactly who was standing in front of him. Drew, meanwhile, didn’t have a fucking clue. Robby gestured between them.

“Dr. Jack Abbott... this is our new resident Dr. Drew Starkey.” Drew immediately held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.” Jack looked down at it. Only for a second. Then he took it. “Likewise.”

They shook hands. Completely normal. Completely professional. Drew smiled, “Robby’s been warning me about you.” Jack’s eyes flickered toward Robby. “Has he?” Jack asked. “Nothing terrible,” Drew added. “Yet,” Robby muttered. A faint smile pulled at Jack’s mouth. “Give it time.” Drew laughed. And that was it.

To anyone else watching, it was nothing. An attending meeting the newest resident. A handshake and a friendly exchange. Then everyone would move on with their day. But I stood several feet away, completely frozen. Because Drew had just shaken hands with the man I’d spent months trying to forget. And Jack had just met the man I’d spent years finding my way back to.

By the time Drew’s first shift finally came to an end, I was exhausted.

I had finished upstairs almost twenty minutes earlier, but instead of heading out to the parking garage, I made my way back down to the emergency department to wait for him. Drew was still sitting at one of the computers finishing his last few charts, occasionally stopping to ask Robby a question from across the nurses’ station. I leaned against the counter a few feet away, scrolling aimlessly through my phone.

“You waiting on him?”

My thumb stopped against the screen. I didn’t have to look up to know who it was. Still, I did. Jack stood on the opposite side of the counter, his backpack slung over one shoulder. He looked tired. His shift must’ve been ending too. For a second, neither of us said anything.

“Yeah,” I finally answered. “He’s almost done.” Jack nodded slowly. “Right.” The silence that followed was uncomfortable enough that I immediately looked back down at my phone.

It had been months since we’d spoken about anything that wasn’t a patient. Even now, standing only a few feet apart, it felt like there was some invisible line between us that neither of us was willing to cross. Jack adjusted the strap of his bag.

“How’ve you been?”

The question made me look up again. There was something almost ridiculous about hearing him ask it. Six months ago, he knew what time I woke up in the morning. He knew how I took my coffee, which side of the bed I slept on, what shampoo I kept in his shower. He could tell something was wrong with me before I even opened my mouth. Now he was asking how I’d been like we were old coworkers who hadn’t seen each other in a while.

“Good.”

My answer came out quicker than I intended. I think I just wanted the interaction to be done as soon as humanly possible. I also did not want to be seen talking to him anymore. “Good.” Jack mumbled. Another silence. I swallowed. “You?” I asked. Jack slowly nodded before answering. “Can’t complain.” I almost laughed. Of course. My fingers tightened slightly around my phone, trying not to look up at him, or god forbid make eye contact in that very moment.

“I heard you took some time off.” My expression shifted as my head shot up to meet his eyes. “Yeah. I did.” Jack watched me as I looked back down at my phone. “You okay?” There it was again. That stupid fucking question. I looked at him for a moment before nodding. “I’m better now.” Jack’s eyes stayed on mine. “I’m glad.”

Before I could respond, a familiar voice called from behind me. “Ready?” I turned. Drew was walking toward us, backpack thrown over one shoulder as he shoved his phone into the pocket of his scrub pants. “Yeah.” I smiled. “Finally.” Drew wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Robby was talking his ear off… I think he’s starting to like me.” Robby looked back at Drew from across the way, “I heard that,” Robby called from somewhere behind the nurses’ station. Drew laughed before finally noticing Jack standing across from me. “Hey, Dr. Abbot”

Jack’s entire demeanor shifted almost instantly. Not enough for Drew to notice. Enough for me to. “Dr. Starkey.” Drew looked between us before casually resting his hand against my back. “You heading out too?” Drew asked innocently. Jack nodded. “In a minute.” Drew smiled at him. “Nice.”

Drew looked exhausted, but there was still an unmistakable excitement behind his expression. “It was a good first day.” Jack nodded. “You did well.” Drew’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Thanks.” “I’m serious.” Jack adjusted his bag on his shoulder. “Good instincts. Just slow down a little.” Drew laughed under his breath. “Been hearing that my whole life.”

For the briefest second, Jack smiled. Then Drew’s hand slid from my back into mine. It was completely absentminded. Natural. He didn’t know there was any reason for it not to be. Jack’s eyes dropped toward our hands. Only for a second. Then they returned to Drew.

“See you tomorrow.”

“See you.”

Jack looked at me last. There was a pause. So small Drew probably didn’t even register it. “Goodnight.” I swallowed. “Goodnight, Jack.”

Then he walked away. I watched him disappear through the double doors before Drew gently tugged at my hand. “You good?” Drew asked. My attention snapped back toward him. “Yeah.” He studied me for half a second before accepting the answer. “Come on. I’m fucking starving.” I laughed quietly as he pulled me toward the elevators. But as we walked away, I found myself looking back toward the doors Jack had disappeared through. Just once.

By the time we got back to my apartment, whatever tension I had been carrying from the hospital had mostly worn off. Mostly.

Drew changed out of his scrubs almost immediately, throwing on an old band T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants while I started pulling ingredients out of the refrigerator. We had decided sometime during the drive home that neither of us had the energy to go anywhere for dinner, which resulted in Drew standing barefoot in my kitchen attempting to make spicy rigatoni pasta while I sat on the counter beside him with a glass of wine. For the better part of an hour, I listened to him debrief me on practically every detail of his first day.

"And then Ogilvie just leaves me in the room with this guy." I laughed, taking another sip of wine. "He didn't leave you, Drew." Drew shook his head, grabbing his beer from the counter. "He absolutely left me in there to fight for my life, baby.” My laughed again, "You're the doctor, not him." Drew took a swig of his beer before answering. "That's irrelevant." I watched him take a long sip of his beer before placing it back onto the counter. "Drew…"

"I'm serious." He pointed the wooden spoon at me. "The guy's shoulder is practically facing backward, he's screaming at me, and Ogilvie goes, 'You got it.' Then disappears on me." I shrugged, watching him walk back to the stove. "Sounds like Ogilvie." Drew grabbed some spices from the cabinet above his head. "Yeah… well, I figured it out." I laughed quietly to myself. "I'm very proud of you.", "You should be." I smiled as he turned his attention back toward the boiling pasta.

He'd been talking almost nonstop since we'd left the hospital. About Dana. About how terrifyingly efficient she was. About Trinity giving him what he described as an "interrogation disguised as a conversation." About Mel apparently having an incredibly specific way of organizing supplies that Drew had already managed to fuck up. Then there was Robby.

"I like Robby." I nearly choked on my wine. "Wait… what?" Drew shrugged. "Yeah. He's cool." My eyebrows lifted, and I stared at Drew in complete disbelief. "...Robby?" Drew looked back at me, confused. "Why do you keep saying his name like that?" I shrugged, picking up my wine glass. "I'm just… surprised. I don’t hear many people say that." Drew looked back at the stove before adding the ingredients into the pan below him. "He actually teaches." Drew stirred the pasta before glancing over his shoulder at me. "Doesn't make you feel like an idiot for asking questions." I smiled. "Yeah. I guess." Drew nodded. "And that other attending was cool too." I didn't think much of it at first. "Who? Al-Hashimi?” Drew shook his head. 

"Abbot."

My smile disappeared. It was subtle. At least, I hoped it was. "Oh." Drew didn't notice immediately. He reached over to lower the heat beneath the sauce. "Jack, right?" he asked absentmindedly. 

"Yeah."

"He seems cool."

I stared down at my wine. "Yeah." Drew watched the stove for a second before looking over at me. "I thought that he was kinda hard to read." A nervous laugh escaped me. "That's just how he is." Drew watched me as I tried to add to the conversation, then his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"You've worked with him before?" he asked. My stomach tightened. "Uh, yeah, a few times." It wasn't technically a lie. I thought to myself. It just wasn't remotely close to the truth. "Pedes gets pulled down there sometimes when kids come in," I added quickly. "Traumas and stuff." Drew nodded. "Makes sense." I reached for my wine again, suddenly very interested in the condensation running down the side of the glass.

"Why?" I asked.  "No reason." He shrugged. "You just sounded like you knew him." My eyes flickered toward him. "I mean... I know who he is." Drew studied me for another second before turning back toward the stove. "Robby seems to like him." I nodded, placing my wine glass back onto the counter. "Yeah, they've been close friends for years." Another thing I knew far too easily. I needed to find an out. I immediately slid off the counter.

"Do you want garlic bread?" I asked. Drew looked at me. "Hmm?" I lifted my arm in the air. "Garlic bread." Drew blinked. "Uhh, I mean... yeah." I nodded before quickly turning my back. "Okay." I opened the freezer before he could say anything else. Behind me, Drew laughed quietly. "That was abrupt." I turned my head back towards him. "What was?" Drew tried not to laugh. "The garlic bread." I stared into the freezer. "I'm just hungry."

"We're literally making pasta."

"And I want garlic bread." I muttered. 

"Okay." I could hear the amusement in his voice. "Jesus… we can have garlic bread."

Dinner eventually carried us into safer territory. Drew told me about one of the residents he'd met during orientation. I told him about the kid upstairs who had spent most of my afternoon refusing to take his antibiotics unless someone let him watch Bluey. Somewhere between our second glasses of wine and Drew nearly dropping an entire plate of pasta onto my kitchen floor, Jack disappeared from the conversation completely. But not from my mind. That bothered me more than I wanted to admit.

Hours later, Drew was already in bed when I finished washing my face. I stood in the bathroom staring at myself in the mirror, rubbing moisturizer into my skin while replaying the conversation from dinner.

You just sounded like you knew him.

My stomach twisted. I did know him. I knew Jack hated sleeping with the television on but would sometimes leave the police scanners on because it was some type of noise to fall asleep to. I knew exactly how much creamer he put in his coffee. I knew which cabinet he kept his pain medication in when his leg bothered him. I knew what his face looked like first thing in the morning and exactly how his voice changed when he was exhausted. And Drew thought I'd worked with him a few times.

I looked toward the bedroom. Drew was stretched across my bed, scrolling through Instagram Reels, completely oblivious as to what I was thinking about. I grabbed my phone from the bathroom counter.

me: are you awake santos: yeah  me: drew asked me about jack tonight santos: oh absolutely the fuck not

I covered my mouth to keep myself from laughing.

me: STOP santos: WHAT DID HE ASK me: literally nothing bad me: he was talking about his first day and said he liked him me: then asked if i knew him santos: so what exactly did you say 😐 me: that i've worked with him a few times santos: bruh

me: WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO SAY??? santos: IDK MAYBE NOT ACT LIKE YOU AND THAT MAN DIDN'T SPEND ALL OF FALL AND WINTER PLAYING HOUSE. HE WAS THE REASON WHY YOU WENT BACK TO PHILLY ON A MENTAL HEALTH LEAVE. LIKE. OMG. me: i wasn't going to tell him all of that in the middle of dinner santos: okay fair santos: but you know you're gonna have to tell him eventually right me: does he really need to know though santos: oh girl… me: what santos: nothing ❤️ me: trinity santos: go to bed ❤️

I rolled my eyes before locking my phone. When I walked back into the bedroom, Drew had finally put his phone down. He lifted the blanket as I approached, silently making room for me beside him.

"Who were you texting?" He asked. "Trinity." I mumbled as I slipped into bed with him. Drew smirked. "Talking shit about me already?" I shrugged, "Maybe." He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me against him. “Good. Tell her I said goodnight." I smiled despite myself. "I will." Drew kissed the back of my shoulder before settling into the pillow behind me.

Within minutes, his breathing began to slow. Mine didn't. Because Trinity was right. At some point, I was going to have to tell Drew. It was either going to have to come from me or through Princess and Perla, who, for some reason, figure out everyone’s business. I wasn’t going to let that happen to me. I also wasn't ready to figure out when. 

[princessofphiladelphia]

everyone catch up and #lock #in before the next chapter

[thewavesbreak]

Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner

[thehetfield]

[thedivinegirlyp0p]

i'm speechless

[aangelonearth]

⟡ ݁₊ . Cupcake! ୭ ᵎᵎ || The date

summary - jack and reader go on their date!

content warnings - black!fem!reader, but anyone can read it ofc!, reader is a nurse, age gap, she/her pronouns, cursing, suggestiveness, mostly crack

taglist - closed!

prev || next

y/nsbubbles

y/nsbubbles my heart is full!

liked by: jack_abbot, javaditori, trinsantos, d.whitaker, and 383 others

comments

jack_abbot My gorgeous girl ♡ liked by author

⤷ y/nsbubbles 🤭❤️

trinsantos u guys are so cute ♡ liked by author

samiramo my favorite people

⤷ y/nsbubbles aw I love u 🙁

kwon.joy ur so sexy (ignoring that jack is in this)

⤷ y/nsbubbles LMAO ur the sexiest babe

javaditori AWWWWW ♡ liked by author

john.s feels weird seeing jack like this

⤷ jack_abbot ???

˚⋆🧁༉‧₊˚.

a/n: this one was short but a longer part is coming soon!!

⟡ ݁₊ . Cupcake! ୭ ᵎᵎ

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[devinemist]

All i do is eat sleep & go on tumblr

[tammysneurosis]

artworks by David Lynch

[dinisaure]

you’re so smooth

@tankhall

[popebride]

FLESH IS THE LAW!

NSFW ⟡.· ft. jack abbot + fem. reader. he loves his babygirl. no doubt about it, but he’s always been strict about you not teasing him while he’s at work, you’ve always liked pushing his buttons though, and when you disobey, someone has to put you in your place. abbot mocks you through it, implied age gap, mean! jack abbot, brat taming, pussy spanking, daddy kink, dumbification, slight dacryphilia. 3.8k.

shawn hatosy hyperfixation is like an infection and i have been infected. first time writing for papa abbot, reblogs + comments are always appreciated. ^_^

abbot isn’t known for his patience. he wasn’t level-headed or calm; sure, he doesn’t crack easily under pressure—any feelings of unease or stress he keeps close to his chest. jack could offer advice; he could talk a resident through a complicated procedure because surgery was taking too long to respond to their page; he could talk about hard and complicated issues using his personal experience, but he wasn’t patient.

you’ve recently developed the frustrating habit of pushing jack’s buttons: you teased, you pushed, you wanted, and while he was more than willing to give, that sentiment only stood when you listened.

you knew better than to send him that. jack knows you do, but knowing doesn’t take away the want to do it.

jack had felt the vibration of his phone inside his pocket as he spoke to ellis, though he didn’t open it then. working night shift in the emergency room meant dealing with the shit you don’t see during the day. it was hard finding time to answer a message from his girlfriend mid-shift, but jack knew you well.

you got pouty if your message sat unanswered in his phone for too long. the last thing he wanted was to come home to see your doe eyes glittering with hurt.

once he finally had a moment to spare, he stepped away from the traffic of the floor, intending to check his phone quickly, expecting a sweet message from you. once his screen lit up, your notification sat on top of a mountain of unnecessary email notifications from newsletters, appointment reminders, and useless travel deals he wasn’t going to take. you had sent him a picture captioned with: ‘i miss you so much, daddy. i couldn’t help myself :(‘

that alone made jack’s shoulders tighten. while he was all for fun and teasing, he had always told you not to send him risky texts when he was at work. not simply because the lives of others sat on his hands; no, he could handle the weight of the world while making sure a person had the best chance to live. he was simply impatient, and if he got turned on while you weren’t there, he disliked the action of waiting.

if all goes to shit mid-shift, he would have to stay for much longer than intended to try and help the transition from night shift to morning shift, which meant spending more time away from you.

after a second of trying to think of what you could’ve possibly sent, he found himself opening the text, despite knowing it would just piss him off. once the picture loaded, the sight of your heavy tits spilling from under your shirt filled his screen, with your hand reaching down between your thighs.

jack felt his body heat up, warmth coming to his neck as he tightened his grip on his phone, jaw clenching tight as he stared at all the little details of the picture, noticing his sheets, your lack of panties, and the small smile curved on your glossy lips. with a frustrated breath, he typed back a quick response.

‘You know I don’t like it when you tease me at work.’

your reply came quick; you had learned early on that if you message him back fast enough, there’s a higher chance of maintaining a brief conversation another before he had to get back on the floor.

‘what are you going to do about it?’ your reply read.

an amused scoff left jack’s lips. who did you think you were? a brat, that’s for sure. of course you just wanted to irritate him; he could see right through you. jack knew you better than anyone else you knew, and he was no better, so your little bratty scheme was effectively working.

‘Just you wait until I come home.’

he typed back with a heavy breath, leaving his lips before shoving his phone back into his pocket, both hands moving towards the back of his neck as he laced his fingers together and rolled his shoulders before he spared a quick glance at the floor. trying to focus on his job while the mental image of you needily rubbing your clit remained in the back of his head felt like his own personal purgatory. he could imagine it vividly: you nuzzled against his pillow with your hand between your thighs, practically humping nothing to soothe the warm ache inside your belly.

bratty girl, eager for daddy, but painfully insolent.

you knew how to push jack’s buttons so well you could be considered an academic with the level of skill that goes into riling up your older boyfriend.

you only wished you could see him, with his jaw locked tight as he continued his work in the emergency room while the idea of you festered inside his brain. jack always looked so good when he was irritated; it only made you miss him more.

his bedroom was a constant reminder of him, from the prescriptions littered around his nightstand down to the yellowish-brown boots he wore when he volunteered for the pittsburgh swat team. with a soft sigh, you plopped down against the bed, curling up against his worn bed sheets before you moved to press your head against his pillow. the smell of his shampoo, sweat, and cologne occupied the air; you moaned to yourself. your delicate hand moved down your stomach before pressing between your thighs as you waited for jack.

already fantasizing about what he would do to you when he arrived back home.

“j—jack—!” you cried out, your tone high-pitched and desperate.

you lay on your side, his sheets rubbing against your sticky skin as the pad of his fingers worked vigorous circles against your sensitive clit, his touch making your body feel feverishly hot. jack lay behind you, his body warm against your back while his free arm lay beneath you, his free hand gripping your breast tight as he kept you pinned against him while he groped you.

his firm chest and soft belly pressed against your back as he nuzzled his face against the curve of your shoulder, his scruffy stubble rubbing against your soft skin as he glanced at your side profile. jack savored the sight of your pretty face while his fingers toyed with the sensitive ball of nerves between your thighs, feeling your body twitch and jolt against his, considering the proximity between you two.

his fingers were thick, his skin coated glossy with your slick, while your hips rolled against his hand desperately, from both the want you had for him and the desperate need you felt for more friction.

“you’re so wet, baby.”

jack cooed, squeezing your chest while applying more pressure against your nub, making your body jolt from the increased pressure applied to your poor clit. you let out a soft sound, barely a gasp, before a breathy moan left your glossy lips. “jack..” you whined; the sound of his name on your lips made his body feel hotter than it was.

“what’s wrong, baby? isn’t this what you wanted?” he taunted, watching you squirm as he continued to toy with your slick pussy, glossy from all of the attention it’s been receiving through the night.

your eyes were shining, sparkling under the dim yellow light of jack’s lamp, his curtains drawn to keep the sunlight out.

as you mewled, your hand moved to rest above his over your chest, fingers shaky as you tried—pathetically—to pull yourself together. the difference in hand sizes was painfully obvious at such a stark comparison. you babbled small words, mostly whimpers of his name, while he made more of a mess from your aching cunny.

jack knew you like the back of his hand; he knew how you bounced your leg when you sat still for too long, how you fiddled with your fingers if you wanted to ask him something but you were too shy, and how you bit your lip when you were deep in thought. he knows he knew you better than anyone, which meant that he knows exactly where to touch to make your brain feel fuzzy.

his hand remained firm, squeezing your chest, fingertips brushing against your hardened nipple to make you tense, before he pulled his other hand away from your cunt. the loss of touch earned an immediate sound of disapproval from you.

“w—what? — why did you stop?” you grumbled, squeezing his hand to accentuate your frustration.

“you really think you’re going to get off after not listening to me?”

jack rasped, the hand that left your clit moving to rest briefly on your stomach before he moved it towards the back of your knee, pushing your leg up to spread you open for him, his heavy dick sitting against your inner thigh as he shifted slightly from behind, angling his body to get better access to your drooling cunt. pushing his available knee up, he tugged you closer, moving his arm from beneath you to rest under the nape of your neck while his hand moved to tangle itself in your hair.

you kept yourself spread open for him as he threw his thick arm over your stomach.

“w—what?” you stammered, for a moment not understanding what he meant.

you were so turned on that it made your memories feel distant, and for a second you forgot how you had gotten yourself into this situation. the memory of your brattiness hours prior refreshed in your mind slowly, and before you could babble out an excuse for your behavior, a sharp spank hit your drooling cunny; the stinging pain that followed afterward made your body jolt.

“what?” jack repeated, drawling out his words mockingly.

“ow!” you yelped.

your thighs twitched; your first instinct was a meek attempt to close your legs to ease the lingering sting.

jack was quick to stop your motion, though. his strong hand caught the back of your knee, then forced your leg up as before.

“jack—!” you wanted to argue, telling him this wasn’t fair.

“what’s wrong, baby?” he mused. “i thought this was what you wanted?”

before you could think of a reply, another sharp spank was landed against your aching pussy, making you wince from the sting.

“please,” you whimpered; the words that had come to you just a second earlier were forgotten under the touch of his hand.

“please? for what?” he replied, uninterested in your whines. “what have i always told you?”

you frowned; he was scolding you, like he always did when you acted out of line. biting your tongue, you huffed, letting your silence be enough of an answer. you didn’t want to get scolded; you were a big girl, and despite wanting to act as if the resistance was because you wanted to seem independent, the true reality was that you wanted to egg jack on.

your little act of defiance didn’t impress the older man, which earned you another spank on your cunt, harsher than before. this time, your body acted faster, and as you cried out from the sting, your thighs slammed shut.

warmth came to your eyes as the sting made your nerves surge, jack tsked, his hand wrapping around your thigh once more before yanking your legs open.

“you asked for this, sweetheart,” he reminded, keeping his grip on the back of your thigh tight as you squirmed.

“m’sorry, daddy,” you said quickly, hoping to butter him up to lessen his tension.

daddy could be so mean sometimes.

“it’s too late for sorry now, baby.”

he crooned, moving his hand away from your leg, trusting you would keep yourself spread open for him, to wrap his fingers against his hardened dick, his hand working up and down his shaft in slow pumps.

his words earned a whimper from your lips.

he could be charming, clever, and pampering, but if jack wants to be mean—or if you push his buttons far enough—he can be really mean. while you loved getting out of your place by your daddy, you always seemed to forget how harsh he could really be.

feeling his dick press against your drooling cunt made your stomach flutter; his cock was big, almost too big. the first time he fucked you, he made you cum twice while he stretched you out, just to make sure your pretty little cunny was ready. the girth of his cock was almost unfair too, with pretty veins curling around his shaft that make your brain melt when they rub against your walls.

jack pressed himself against your back, making sure to keep you close as he peered over your shoulder to glance down between your spread thighs.

“what has daddy always told you?” he repeated, tone softer, though you knew better than to think he was going soft on you, the older rasp of his voice making you squirm.

finally deciding to stop misbehaving—mainly because you wanted to feel him inside you—you pouted, leaning your head back against his thick arm. you glanced to your side to look at him.

“you tell me not to tease you while you’re at work.”

your tone was muted, the words spilling behind your pouty lips, because you don’t like admitting when jack is right.

“and what did you do today?” he asked, clearly rhetorical.

“i teased you..” you answered begrudgingly.

“and what happens when pretty girls want to act like brats?” he continued, tone authoritative, as if he was teaching a kid a lesson, before leaning closer to press a kiss against the side of your neck.

“they have to be put in their place,” you replied softly.

“good job,” jack praised, voice rough despite his tauntingly soft tone, as you reveled in his praise—you let yourself believe maybe he would let your behavior tonight slide, settling to fuck you while babying you the way you liked. feeling jack slap his hardened length against your pussy, you felt a shiver go down your spine in anticipation.

those hopes of getting let off easy felt possible as jack brought the tip of his cock against your aching cunt, pushing your glistening folds apart before aligning himself carefully.

that hope came to a crashing stop as you felt jack’s thick, heavy cock slam deep inside you.

bratty girls don’t earn gentleness.

the sudden intrusion dragged out an involuntary cry from your lips. the force of his hips making your ass made your body jolt, his dick was girthy, pushing apart your warm, slick, walls to make room for him. as his cock settled inside you, the tip pressed against your spongy cervix, the fibrous organ warm and welcoming despite his force, your cunny has taken his cock too many times to count, by now your body was conditioned to take his length without much stress. though when you and jack first started having sex, he used to coax you gently, sliding in inch-by-inch while your eyes got glossy from the stretch.

a heavy groan left jack’s chest as he felt the firm grip of your walls around his girth, moving his arm to rest over your abdomen. jack caged you in against his chest before drawing his hips back and shoving himself inside.

his thrusts set the tone. his cock rubbed against your gummy walls as he pushed his hips back; you let out a breathy sigh before his length was shoved back inside you. jack’s dick hit your cervix again, and again, and again; his breathing became heavier, his eyes shutting tight, the creases of his crow's feet deepening at the motion.

you were putty in his hands; the idea of being silent was laughable as his cock battered your sensitive pussy.

the sounds that left your lips were a disarray of moans, pants, and cries of his name.

“ja—jack, m’so full!” you whined, lips parted in an ‘o’ shape while your body bounced with every sharp thrust of his hips. his cock made your brain numb; every ridge, every vein that pressed against your spongy walls made your toes curl.

at your cock drunken words, jack felt his stomach tighten hard, hearing you mewl such desperate lewdities turned him on more than he wanted to admit.

hearing his baby girl cry out because of him was one of the greatest pleasures he got when he fucked you.

“yeah?” he panted, his face pressing against the hollow of your shoulder, your skin sticky against his as he continued to slam his hips against your own.

“i thought you didn’t mind when daddy filled you up?”

he taunted, moving his arm from your stomach down to your slick clit, pressing his finger against your hardened bud to see you shudder. you nodded at his words, despite knowing he was actively making fun of you.

“that’s what i thought,” he crooned, sucking in a heavy breath as he continued to toy with your clit, your leg spread, making sure jack had access to your messy cunt as he fucked you.

your eyes felt warm as he continued to use you, your body shivering from the overstimulation that came from his attention. jack glanced over at you, shifting you so he could get a better look at your pretty face as your eyes glossed over with tears.

his lips curved. “what’s wrong, baby?”

you whined, your eyelashes clumping together from the wetness in your doe eyes. “it’s too m—much,” you babbled, words tumbling past your lips.

“too much?” he pressed. “poor baby, can’t handle daddy?”

you nodded, eyes glazed over as his cock battered your cunt, his tip knocking against your cervix over and over. “mmm,” you whine, too cock drunk to reply; you felt your mouth salivating while warm tears bordered your lash line.

jack’s hand moved from your overworked clit to your face, reaching over your body to turn your head to the side, making you face him properly. “use your words, baby; you know daddy likes well-spoken girls,” he cooed, voice soft despite the harsh shove of his hips. your tearful gaze met his, your eyebrows furrowed upward while your lips parted, trying to find the words to express yourself.

“you’re too big ‘n’ s’rough, my cunny can’t take it—!” you finally said, words slurring like a drunken sailor as he stared down at you expectantly.

fuck, you always sounded so pretty like this, practically incoherent from his cock.

“yes, you can. you can take daddy. you’ve done it before, haven’t you?” jack murmured, pressing a kiss against your tear-stricken cheek.

you whimpered, your walls tightening around his heavy dick at his softened words. while you loved when jack was mean, you couldn’t help but melt when he babied you while he shoved deep inside you. yours cunt tightened around jack hard, making the older man grit his teeth.

there was a knot in your belly you hadn’t noticed before, tight and warm, straining inside you with every push of jack’s hips against your ass.

gasping, your body tightened as a sudden push of his hips led to his cock pressing hard against that gummy little spot inside you that made you see stars. a long, drawn-out moan of his name left your lips as your back arched against his torso.

seeing this, jack let out a heavy breath, his grip on your body tightening to pull you closer as he continued to hit that spongy spot harder, harder, and harder, and before you could even try to mutter a warning about how close you were, that tight knot inside you snapped. your eyes shut, eyebrows pinching together as you cried out his name.

your already tight walls squeezed around jack’s heavy cock, the squeeze felt unforgiving as your hips rolled against him, your body instinctively twitching as you rode out your much-wanted orgasm.

locking his jaw, jack let out a grunt beneath you, pushing your hips forward to better his angle into your drooling cunt before working his cock past your tense walls.

“did i say you could come?” jack berated. “since when do brats get to come before daddy lets you?”

your eyes were half lidded, your body shaking from the aftermath of such a hard orgasm. your nerves were on overdrive, and your brain was foggy; the only reply you gave him was a shaky moan.

he moved his arm, the one he had under your head, to wrap around your delicate neck. putting you in a headlock as he continued to abuse your cunt.

his arm was heavy, his freckled skin brushing against your face as you rested your head against his forearm, your hands moving to pathetically grab at his muscular arm.

“is your head that empty?” he grunted. “can’t even speak, huh?”

you shook your head, a little whine leaving your lips as jack pumped himself inside you, your pussy milky from all the slick. the sight of you like that made jack’s body tense; you were so messy, so dumb over his cock, and seeing you like this—cock drunk and stupid made his body feel sensitive, his dick twitching inside your messy insides.

keeping your body molded against his own, jack chased his orgasm with more vigor than grace, his pace becoming less concentrated and more desperate with each pump of his hips.

with a choked groan, jack’s hips pressed against your ass, burying himself deep inside you as ropes of sticky cum left his twitching dick. his breathing shook as he rolled his hips against you slowly, savoring the feeling of his orgasm as he made sure to fill you up with every last drop of cum.

you moaned; the warmth that filled your belly made your stomach flutter with butterflies as your legs shook, jack’s arm loosened around you, and your hand found his, fingers intertwining as you felt warm in your belly.

jack let out a heavy breath, shuddering as he moved his hand to grip your thigh, keeping your legs spread as he finally slipped out of your cunt. finally he guided your thighs together before he pushed himself up by his elbow. his hand moved over your breast, guiding your body to lie on your back to see your glazed-over eyes.

“how are you feeling, baby?”

he softened, giving your chest a small squeeze before his hand pushed some of your hair out of your face.

you looked over at him, eyes half lidded and shimmering, before you nodded, still too drunk on his touch to think of a verbal response.

jack’s lips curved before he pressed his lips against your forehead, his kiss soft against your skin before he pressed his lips against your own. “you’re still a brat, y’know?” he mumbled against your lips, earning a soft noise from you before you reached up to rest your hand against his shoulder, squeezing the muscle before you kissed back.

“m’sorry,” you finally answered, words raspy after the cacophony of noises you made earlier.

jack pulled back, looking down at you knowingly. no matter how many times you whimpered apologies for your behavior, jack knew it wouldn’t last long. you were always finding ways to push his buttons, but he would be lying if he said he disliked it.

after all, jack would always love his bratty girl.

popebride, 2026 ⧽ i hope you enjoyed! ⋆. 𐙚 ˚ tags: @aangelheartt @xom4yy @tearsofjoyandsorrow1

[snortingpebbles]

Need Someone Older

summary: Luck did not seem to be on your side today. The entire ER had figured out your attraction to older men thanks to Trinity, and now it was coming to haunt you. All you could hope for was that Jack wouldn’t figure out that it was actually about him.

tags/warnings: jack abbot x fem!reader, yearning, reader gets assaulted, injury, angst, miscommunication, medical inaccuracies, fluff, age gap (reader is in mid-late 20s, jack is in late 40s) jealous!reader, trinity and dennis dont have boundaries, pitt crew appearances

wc: 4.7k

“The mystery man you've been crushing on is night shift attending Jack Abbot?!” 

Trinity bursts into the lounge whisper-shouting. Your eyes go wide and you abandon the yogurt you were eating to run over and clamp a hand over her mouth. “Shut the fuck up! Shut up. Please for the love of god, shut up.” Your heart was beating like crazy, and you felt like you were gonna throw up. She slowly nods and you finally let go. 

“What makes you say that?” You say with an almost threatening tone. She grins sheepishly at you before backing a few inches away. “Well I might have gone through your locker, and I might have taken a peek at your journal…” 

“Oh my god, that's a total invasion of privacy Trinity! How the fuck did you even get my combination?!” You were running your hands through your hair, this girl was unbelievable. “Huckleberry might’ve helped me,” she says while trying her best to avoid your gaze. 

“No, you know what, that’s great, I'm so glad I decided to move in with the nosiest people in Pittsburgh!” You clasp your hands together and start pacing back and forth. 

“Okay, first of all, Perlah and Princess beat us in that category, and second of all, you weren't telling us anything! No hint, nothing, so what better way to find out than snoop through your most prized possession? A book that you never let leave your vicinity. Don't worry though, we skipped all the emotional stuff and landed on the page that had a cutout picture of him with hearts around it.” She chuckles, and you feel like you could kill her. 

“I'm burning that goddamn book and the two of you with it. I can't believe you guys went through my journal!” Your cheeks burn with embarrassment, god, did they know anything about boundaries?

Yes, you had a picture of your night shift attending with hearts around him in your journal, but you weren't obsessed with the man. The topic of manifestation had come up once or twice with Trinity, so you decided to try it out knowing nothing would probably happen. You had a crush on him since you started working at the PTMC, feelings you knew he would never reciprocate, so that silly page meant nothing, not really.

“I'm sorry, we went too far.” Trinity walks over and puts a hand on your shoulder, the guilt finally catching up to her. “But I'm surprised I never caught on. Now thinking about it, your feelings for him are so obvious.” She almost sounds annoyed at herself.

 You scoff and remove her hand. “Obvious? Please.” 

“Oh my god, is he the reason why you make me or Huckleberry bring you in early and leave late?” she asks, her annoyance now directed at you. “N-No, don't be ridiculous.” You're a lying, stuttering mess. Of course he was the reason why. 

“And the way you hover, listening to every last word he says. I've noticed the way he flirts with you but he does that with everyone, so I didn't think anything of it. I just thought he was a mentor that you admired, but it all makes sense. Just know that I never caught on cause I didn't know you liked them old.”

“Likes what old?” Panic rushes into your chest as Robby walks into the room cutting you two off. “Her men,” Trinity says casually and Robby’s eyes go wide. “Oh?” 

You start shaking your head and fake laugh. “She's just joking, I don't like them old, that would be weird! N-Not that there's anything wrong with being old and liking older men but I definitely don't.” You were speaking so fast your brain couldn't catch up with your words. Horrified, you watch Robby look at you amused while Trinity holds back a laugh. 

Fuck, you were such a bad liar.

“Okay— I'm gonna grab an apple and head back out so you two can keep discussing your attraction to older men,” he teases, walking towards the fruit basket. You watch him grab his apple and chuckle before heading out. As soon as he's gone Trinity lets her laugh out and you smack her chest. “Ow, my boob.” She rubs her chest frowning.

“That wasn't fucking funny, why would you say that it was so humiliating!” You cover your face with your hands, your embarrassment being tenfold now. “To be fair your response was what made it humiliating, but you'll be fine babes, it wasn't that bad, and at least it wasn't the man himself.” 

You moan into your hands and look back at her. “We’re not discussing this further. I'm mad at you.” You state, while walking to throw your yogurt away, not being able to stomach the rest. “Hey, that's not allowed!” You flip her off as you exit the room, trying to leave your embarrassment behind as you reenter the chaos.

She follows, but it's not long before you freeze, almost causing her to collide with your back. You see Jack rush into Trauma One with one of his SWAT officers on a bed bleeding out.

“Maybe you should sit this one out,” Trinity says while passing you to head to the room. You nod and stay in place as you watch them get to work. Seeing him felt weird now that Trinity and Dennis knew, it made your crush feel more real, and completely childish.

“You doing alright?” A deep voice from behind you pulls you from your thoughts, making you jump. “Dr. Langdon, you scared me.” You turn to see him with his arms crossed and an eyebrow raised. “Yeah, you were completely zoned out there.” You see him glance at what you'd been staring at, and back at you. “You know them?” He asks and you shake your head. “No, I was just lost in thought, sorry, I'll get back to work.” He slowly nods his head. “If you need a break doc, take it.” He pats you on the back and moves past you. 

God, you'd be pathetic if you had to take a break over Jack Abbot.

The next time you saw Jack was right after they'd successfully saved the SWAT officer you saw him roll in with. You had come looking for Robby, wanting a second opinion on a patient you had just seen, when you heard Jack speaking with Dr. Al-Hashimi the new attending. “We should grab a beer sometime, share war stories” You felt a wave of jealousy pass through you. “I'd like that,” she casually replied, and walked out of the room. Trying to ignore your stomach you walk up to Robby. “She seems cool.” Jack says to Robby, both of them not noticing your presence “Yeah, maybe.”

You clear your throat, trying to catch Robby's attention and you watch the amused look from earlier reappear on his face as he turns to look at you. “You here to tell me more about how you're ‘not into’ older men?” You see Jack perk up in your peripheral vision and your eyes go wide. “Um, no, but if you have time could I get a second opinion on this patient?” You try to keep your voice steady even though your heart felt like it was going to explode. He chuckles and looks back at his laptop. “Yeah, I'll be out there in a second.” 

You nod and turn to leave. Once out you hear Jack’s voice through the door. “You gonna tell me what that was about?” Hearing him laugh makes you burn up at the thought of Robby telling him everything. You don't know if you could handle any more embarrassment today, so you were gonna try and focus on your charts for the time being.

While looking through your charts you hear someone clear their throat next to you. “You enjoying Dr. Al-Hashimi’s AI tool?” Your eyes go wide as you look up to see Jack standing next to your desk. “Oh, no. I'd rather write these up myself.” You say, turning to look back at the monitor, unable to hold eye contact with him. “Smart girl.” He says and moves closer, making your heart skip a beat.

“Sorry I couldn't help earlier, hope your friend’s doing better now.” You muttered, trying to ignore his closeness and warmth. There was some guilt there, you had froze, so Trinity moved for you. “He's gonna be fine, but it would've been nice to have my favorite resident there.” He says softly. 

Favorite resident?

The smile that emerges on your face is subtle but you know he can see it. He starts speaking again before you can respond. “But I think she was too busy staring at an older man.” You whip your head to look back at him, your smile instantly dropping. “W-What? He shrugs playfully while turning to walk away. Your heart was beating so fast, he definitely knew you were looking at him, but you hadn't even realized he noticed you earlier. You quickly get up abandoning your charts to busy yourself with something else, you were too worked up to sit at a desk right now.

The next few hours go by somewhat fast. You were able to avoid Jack the entire time surprisingly. You slipped into random rooms when you heard his voice nearby and would rush to find a patient when you'd see him. Were you being dramatic? Yes, but you needed to stay clear of him, his teasing would be the end of you. 

You had just discharged a patient, working on finishing their notes when you hear a familiar voice. “I'll pay for it.” You don't know how you heard him, he was borderline whispering, and you were surrounded by a noisy hospital. So you couldn't help the curiosity that crept in you deciding to walk by the room you heard his voice in.

He was sitting on the hospital bed shirtless with Dr. Mohan smiling behind him. You hear her say “Our little secret.” and the frown that was usually on his face was gone, replaced with a similar smile. As much as your body wants to stop in place, you don't and keep walking.

Jack was known for being a smooth talker, you knew that, but there was a small part of you that had hoped it was different when he flirted with you. Now witnessing it twice in one day with two different women, you couldn't help but feel stupid. I mean you had never gotten as close to him as Dr. Mohan just was, you could only imagine what else had transpired between them.

“Damn, where you headed to?” Trinity’s voice stops you in your tracks, you see her head emerge above a monitor. “To check on a patient Trin, where else?” You lie, but it's because you don't want to deal with her questions right now. “I don't know, it looks like you're running away from something, plus you have this horrified expression on your face.” She dramatically waves a hand over her face, emphasizing “horrified expression”

You groan and shake your head. “I'm not running, and I do not have a horrified expression on my face. Please just go back to doing your charts.” She opens her mouth to reply but you cut her off by walking away.

You make your way towards the ambulance bay and when you walk out you're instantly hit by a cloud of smoke. You look over and see Dana leaning against the wall. “Hey, kid.” You reply with a quiet "Hey" and walk over to stand next to her. “Don't look too good, you want a puff?” She holds the cigarette out for you to take and you sigh. “Fuck it.” 

Smoking wasn't really your thing, but right now, it didn't seem too bad. You grab it and bring it to your lips, inhaling slowly, then exhaling. You mumble a “thank you” and give it back to her. “No problem, although I'm surprised, you’ve never accepted before.” 

You let out a laugh because it was true, you never joined in drinking when the crew would ask you to after a rough shift, and the very few times Dana’s offered a cigarette you've refused. It's not like you don't partake. You used to in high school and college, but ever since you started working at the PTMC you haven't had the urge to, which is surprising considering the fact that it's the reason most people start and continue. 

“Today's been rough, nothing terrible, just mentally draining.” She nods at your words, understanding that feeling before you continue. “How bout you? How's your shadow, Emma doing?” You watch as she deeply sighs at your question. “She's doing real good. Yeah, she’ll be great.” You can hear the concern in her voice. “You're doing good too Dana, she’ll flourish under your wing.” You put a reassuring hand on her shoulder wanting to comfort her even though you know her concern will never fade.

“Yeah, here’s hoping.” She takes another drag while looking at the calm in front of you two. There's comfortable silence before she looks back at you. “You out here because of Robby's loud mouth?” A bitter chuckle escapes you, because of course he was going around talking about what had happened in the lounge. 

“No, not really, I didn't realize he was telling everyone.” He was your superior but that wasn't gonna stop you from killing him. “Oh yeah, word travels quick round here, everybody knows about your interest in older men now.” She was laughing now. 

You wanted to crawl in a hole and never come out.

“Ugh, it's all Trinity’s fault! She told Robby I like my men old, and then I word-vomited trying to save myself from humiliation. I failed miserably, if you were wondering.” You were reaching for the cigarette in her hand again, which she easily gave up. “Santos, really?” She asks and you nod your head while breathing in more smoke. “Eh, I wouldn't worry too much, I'm sure everyone will forget about it by tomorrow. They're so bored they’re grasping for any sort of gossip, something new’ll come up soon,” she says, putting her hand on your shoulder now.

“Honestly, I don't get what the big deal is. Why is it so crazy that I'm interested in a guy that's maybe a little too old for me? News flash, I'm a fully grown adult.” You can't help the irritation in your voice, this was all so annoying. “It can be a big deal, depending on the circumstance,” she says, and you sigh, taking another drag. She's right, HR would be on your ass if they found out all this ruckus was about Jack. 

“You're lucky no one else knows which older man you like.” She adds and you start coughing, choking on the smoke you inhaled. “Christ, I'm sorry kid.” You can hear the smile on her face as she speaks. She moves her hand from your shoulder and pats your back, trying to help you.

You catch your breath and look back at her. “Don't tell me you went through my journal too,” you say defeated.

She shakes her head. “I've known for a while now, I can see the way you look at him.” She hesitates before continuing. “And the way he looks at you. You need to be careful.” 

You can't help but scoff at that. “Dana, the man's a chronic flirt. There's no need for you to worry, cause nothing will ever happen.” You try to take another drag, but she grabs it from your hand and drops it on the ground, crushing it with her sole. 

You pout your lips at her, and she shakes her head. “Alright, no more cigarettes for you. How bout you go back in, I'll be right behind you, just give me a second.” You mutter an “okay” and start walking back into the ER, there was no point in arguing with her.

You’re only a few steps in the hospital before you hear a scuffle in one of the rooms. Walking over to see what was going on you witness a patient putting Emma in a headlock. 

Panic and pure adrenaline surge through you as you run into the room to get the man off her. You used all your strength to pull his arm, managing to free her from his grip, but now he was focused on you. He lunges for you, grabbing onto the sides of your head before head-butting you. As you fall to the ground you hear Dana yell and watch her tackle the man to the floor, stabbing him with a needle in the process. 

You close your eyes as you hear a bunch of footsteps rush into the room. “What the hell happened?” You hear Robby's voice, the noise making you wince. “He attacked them so I gave him a shot to settle him down,” Dana replies, her eyes wide with shock. 

You feel movement next to you before someone touches your face, knowing exactly who it is before he speaks. “Fuck, she’s bleeding, help me get her up.” You cry out as Jack picks your body up. Your head is throbbing, and your face is on fire. “That fucker got me good.” You open your eyes to see Jack in front of you, concern covering every inch of his face.

You look over at Emma wanting to make sure she was okay, and she's staring right back at you while being bombarded by questions. You notice the red ring around her neck, and you feel anger finally hit you. “Hey, focus on me, we need to get you to a different room.” You nod your head, and hear Robby grilling Dana as Jack leads you out of the room, your hand tightly wrapped around his arm. 

As soon as you sit on the edge of the bed, Jack is on you, checking your face and head. You weren't able to hold back your whimpers as he touched the inflicted areas. “I'm gonna kill him.” He mutters under his breath and you manage a smile. “I'm fine.” You’re breathless as you speak. He picks your chin up, eyes not leaving yours. 

“You could have a concussion.”

“I don't,” 

“Your nose could be broken.”

“It isn't.”

He sighs before grabbing an alcohol pad to wipe your face carefully, you hadn't even realized your nose was bleeding. 

“I didn't realize you could be this gentle, Jack.” You watch as he freezes, it was the first time you had said his name out loud. “I like the way you say my name.” You couldn't stop the bitter laugh that escaped you. “I wonder how many girls you've said that to.” 

You move to grab the wipe from his hand but he grips your wrist before you can take it. His touch was scorching, while the metal band on his ring finger was freezing. “I haven't used that on anyone.” He states, and you raise an eyebrow at him. “Really? Not even earlier on Mohan?” You don't know what had gotten into you, were never confrontational, maybe you did have a concussion. His eyes go wide and he drops your wrist. “What are you talking about?” He asks, confused.

“Our little secret? I'll pay for it?” and you watch as he figures out what you were talking about. “When I said I'd pay for it, I was talking about getting her an uber for supplies she wanted to send home with a patient. That's all.” He sighs before continuing. “And I was grazed by a bullet earlier, I didn't want to do the paperwork, so she helped and promised to keep it quiet. That's it, I promise.” 

Now you were the one looking at him with concern. You felt so stupid, you were so quick to assume things. “Are you okay?” You place a hand on his shoulder, worried. “I'm fine, don't worry about me,” He says while putting his hand over yours. All you could think about was kissing him, your jealousy from earlier completely gone, and you could tell he was thinking the same with the way he was staring at your lips. 

You start leaning in, only for him to back off. “You‘re not feeling okay, you're not thinking straight.” He shook his head, voice wavering, almost like he was trying to convince himself.

The rejection stung, and to make everything worse, your head was fucking killing you. “I'm fine.” You snapped, moving to get up, but as soon as you're on your feet your legs get wobbly. “Let me help you.” Jack grabs onto your waist and you push him off. “Jesus, get off me, I said I was fine!” Your own volume made you wince, and the hospital lights were only getting brighter. You stumble out of the room extremely dizzy, almost tripping before Jack catches you. 

The movement grabs Robby’s attention. “Is she okay? I need to ask her what happened.” Robby questions, but before Jack can answer you cut in. “The guy headbutted me, and I fell. I'm fine, I just need to rest, please.” Robby runs over, opening your eyelids to check your pupils. “Shit, did you evaluate her?” and Jack shakes his head. “I was going to, but she got up and ran out.” 

You remove Jack’s hold on you. “I'm a little dizzy and the lights are too bright, so if you need to give me a CT scan go ahead, but I'm telling you, all I need to do is rest. I'm coherent, I'm good, if anything I have a minor concussion but I doubt it. I'll answer any other questions you have, just get me in a fucking bed, and away from him,” You say, jutting your head at Jack. No one says anything, Robby just gives Jack a weird look before coming to your side to bring you back to the isolated room.

By the time Robby's done asking questions and evaluating you, you’re ready to sleep. “I'll turn the lights off so you can get some rest, but you're going home immediately after. You're lucky it was only a minor concussion,” Robby says and you nod slowly. “Is Emma okay?” You had been worried about her since Jack dragged you away from the room earlier. “Yeah, she's okay thanks to you. There are some red marks around her neck but that's about it,” he says, attempting to comfort you.

You let out a sigh of relief, what happened to her was awful, but you're glad nothing worse happened. “Okay, well Is Dana in any trouble?” you ask, remembering Robby's questions. He was asking if you had seen what she’d done, which you had, but you lied, because you know she shouldn't have had any type of sedative on her. “I don't know.” He sighs and you know not to prod. “I’ll be back soon, rest up,” he adds, and you mumble an “okay.” before you close your eyes, drifting away.

When you wake up, your head feels better but you're riddled with anxiety. Everything that had occurred earlier was immediately taking over your mind, so you get up and get ready to discharge yourself, not wanting to be stuck in this hospital any longer. You make your way to Robby and quickly debrief with him, making sure he knows you're okay, before you say your goodbyes and leave.

You didn't have a car, usually choosing to ride with Trinity or Dennis, but because they still had a couple of hours left you had no choice but to order an uber home. 

As you're walking out you hear your name being called. Turning to see who it is, you watch as Jack runs, trying to catch up with you. He stops a few feet away from you and you can see the sweat glistening on his skin. “I heard you were going home, how are you feeling?” You can't help but roll your eyes at him. “I'm okay,” you reply dryly. He sighs and steps closer. “Look, I'm sorry about earlier, I wanted to make sure you were all there.” 

“Save it, I don't wanna talk about this right now.” You glance at your phone and see that the uber was only a couple of minutes away. “No, please let me explain,” he pleads and you look at him frustrated, but ultimately nod giving him permission to continue. 

“I wanted to kiss you, I did, but I didn't want to while you could've possibly had a head injury. I wanted to make sure you were thinking straight and I didn't want you to regret it.” Your stomach was doing flips at his words.

“Jack—” You try speaking but he cuts you off.

“I really like you, sweetheart, and I have for a while.” He says softly, his eyes holding yours intently. “Jack, don’t say it if you don't mean it.” Your body was on fire, and you were squirming under his gaze. This all felt surreal.

“When I came in today, you were the first person I searched for only to see you already staring back. Later when Robby told me about the conversation he had with you, I couldn't help but wonder if it was about me. Then that feeling turned into certainty when I overheard Santos and Whitaker talking about the older men rumor and how it was specifically about me.” He chuckles, thinking about how the day unfolded.

He was saying all the right things, but couldn't help but cringe. “God, that's so embarrassing, I hate that you had to hear that from them.” You hide your face with your palms, but Jack clicks his teeth and moves them away. “Don't hide from me. And if anything, I'm grateful that I did, don't know if I would've had the courage to confess if I didn't.”

He shakes his head as he moves his hands to hold your face. “You scared me earlier. I don't know what I would've done if something happened without having the chance to tell you how I felt. I just needed you to recover before I did anything, before I did this.” He slowly inches towards you and stops, searching your eyes for permission. This was everything you ever wanted, and you didn't want to waste any more time, so you nod your head and move forward softly planting your lips on his.

The kiss is slow, gentle, and the taste of him was addicting. It was better than you ever imagined. You tilt your head, and wrap your arms around his shoulders, wanting to give him more access, but whimper when your nose brushes his a little more aggressively.

He pulls away instantly, checking to see if you were alright, making you giggle. “I'm okay, I'm still a little sore.” He pouts and brushes a strand of hair behind your ear, before resting his hands on your hips. “You need to rest. Please tell me you're taking a couple of days off,” and you shake your head. “I'm coming back tomorrow, I can handle it.” He squeezes your hips and presses his forehead against yours. “I'm gonna make sure you rest, you're not coming in tomorrow. I'll take care of you, don't worry.” 

“I won't argue with that. I guess some rest would be nice, especially if you'll be there.” You move to connect your lips again, but are quickly interrupted as a car honks behind you. You groan as you force yourself to look back at the car, “That's my uber.” He presses a quick kiss to your forehead before letting go of your body. “Go home, rest, and I'll be there after my shift.” 

“Okay, I'll send you my address. See you later?” you ask as you step away, heading towards the car. “See you later,” He replies smiling, and you light up. 

As soon as you're in the car you're messaging the group chat with Trinity and Dennis explaining everything that happened and that you'd have a visitor soon. You scold them, but also thank them for being insufferable today. Then you find Jack’s name and type in your address. You might be a little concussed and in pain but things finally felt amazing.

You shake your head in disbelief, you can't believe you managed to manifest Jack Abbot.

a/c: I was on vacation working on this and just got back so i can finally post it!! I wanted to do smth short but fun while i was away before continuing to work on the sammy bryant fic so theres not gonna be a part 2 but i hope you all enjoy!!

taglist: @vipervixxen

[highconsistency]

jack and reader coparenting <3

You and Jack used to hookup frequently. You guys met at the bar a few years back and had what you thought would be a one night stand but realized soon after you two couldn’t stay away from each other for too long.

You guys had attempted a relationship once or twice but realized you wouldn’t be able to make it work- you struggled to handle Jack’s long hours and he struggled to give his hours up. The two of you decided to keep it casual and let whatever happen, happen.

It turned out you guys put a little bit too much trust into the universe and a few weeks after a hookup, you started to wake up vomiting and nauseous at anything you’d smell.

Surely you were just sick, right? You and Jack were… careful to an extent and as you sat in the toilet with your head in your hands, pregnancy test on the counter, your last hookup flooded into your mind. Of course he had a condom on but you were insatiable.

Jack was the first person you called, obviously. You felt bad for doing it while he was at work, but if you had to deal with this knowledge now, so did he. He picked up the FaceTime with a giant smile, the smile nearly immediately falling as you held up the positive test in silence.

Maybe the hormones were already getting to you, but when he asked if it was his, you nearly flipped out on him. Well, you fully did but he was completely understanding, watching you with a smile as you apologized for telling him he was a stupid fucking idiot, you think I’m just sleeping around?

You had begged him not to leave work and that you just needed to tell him, but you should’ve known better after ending the call that the giant smirk he had on clearly meant I’ll be there in twenty.

He pulled up to your place as fast as he could and never left your side after.

Jack was there for every part of your pregnancy, he was there at every appointment, there for every early morning and late night puke, shaved your legs when you got too big to do it yourself, waited on you hand and foot during your baby shower (that the night shift had put together all on their own), and held your hand tight as you gave birth to your beautiful daughter.

He was there for you postpartum, took the time off of work and everything to make sure you were taken care of and had the support you needed. No matter how much you insisted he didn’t need to help, he’d wave you off with a crazed look as he did your laundry, cooked your meals, and cleaned your house.

By the time your daughter was six months old, you and Jack had become closer after all of the time you spent together. You guys were working so well that you decided to give each other another shot.

You tried the relationship again and it had gone much better than the first time around but then the late nights and midday work emergency phone calls started happening again. You were able to hold on just a little bit longer, but the stress and annoyance of still never knowing if he was truly available started to get to you. Jack always made time for your daughter and that’s really all you could ever ask for, just not in a significant other.

So, after a long fight when he got off of an unscheduled shift, you decided once again to break things off. The two of you realized your daughter needed happy parents and that’s wouldn’t be achieved in a relationship.

Once again you guys were single as her first birthday rolled closer and as always, it never changed a thing. You two were still two peas in a pod who just happened to have a kid.

Planning her birthday party was a feat of its own. Every balloon, birthday cake design, party hat, and streamer choice had you sobbing into your hands in bittersweet emotion. You couldn’t believe your baby girl was a year old already! Time had flown right by and before you know it she would be going into kindergarten and then graduating highschool and then going to college and then-

Jack had to stop the spiral before you flooded the grocery store with tears.

Jack was at your house for the few days leading up to babygirl’s party. Between setting up and making all the appetizers and a crazy baby who just learned how to use her own two feet, you were swamped and the only thing that helped you push through was Jack. He made all the calls and invitations, picked up whatever last minute supplies you needed, and even took babygirl out for a few hours when all you wanted to do was put up some streamers without the little gnaws and cries.

The house was soon a little wonderland of pink and sparkles and when the party finally arrived, no one was suprised to see Jack’s arm wrapped tightly around you as you greeted your guests.

The party was honestly a bit more lively than expected for a one year olds birthday, but everyone was having a great time. Your families mingled in one space, having grown closer since the birth of your little ladybug while what seemed like the entirety of PTMC gathered in every other space possible.

Thanks to Jack (and all of the other doctors who wouldn’t give up the baby for anything), you were able to actually enjoy the party yourself and celebrate your babygirl without having a million other tasks to do in between. You ignored all the knowing glances when it was time to blow out the candles and Jack held your weeping body, pressing soothing kisses into the top of your head as your daughter plowed through her little smash cake.

Soon, the night came to an end and the three of you waved bye to everyone between all of her new and exciting toys. You guys let her play around as you picked up what was left, laughing and reminiscing about the past year you’ve had with her. Your heart began to ache a bit as you got her ready for bed, thankful for the relationship you had with Jack but still wishing you could’ve made it work a little better.

You watched with fond eyes as he kissed babygirl’s temple and lowered her sleeping body into the crib. He snuck out quietly, shutting the door with a soft click.

The two of you had lingered by the top of the steps for a moment, his goodbye hanging heavy in the atmosphere. Your body must’ve known better than you about what was going to happen next because the was absolutely no element of surprise when Jack leaned in and locked his lips with yours.

His hands found your waist and yours locked around his neck right after. You only stood in the hallways for a few moments before your feet walked you right into your bedroom, the two of you hardly disconnecting from each other as you moved.

You know you should’ve known better and been more careful but the feelings that have been bottling and boiling up since the last time you slept together burst out at the same moment, and as you laid there after Jack took control of your body in the exact way it needed you couldn’t help but feel guilty at the lack of regret you had.

You woke up the next morning wrapped up in each others arms and finished cleaning up from the party, Jack giving your babygirl all the love he could before he had to leave and get ready for his next few shifts. He didn’t leave without placing a big, wet kiss on your lips, laughing at your groan as you wiped off the excess saliva from your mouth.

That kiss carried you out until the next time you saw Jack a few weeks later, this time holding your hand as you sat on your bathroom counter holding up another positive pregnancy test with big smiles plastered all over your faces.

[sleepingbeautiiies]

Confessions of a Night Shift Nurse - The Pitt SMAU - PT. 15

+18 MDNI

pt. 14 / pt. 16

summary: the night shift finds out about reader & jack. + a small heart to heart with robby.

content: nurse!reader, fem!reader x jack abbot, age gape (reader is late 20s/early 30s), jack abbot is an ass man? mateo and crus having little brother energy.

a/n: we're so back!!!!!! (for now lol). randomly felt inspired to write for jack and sunshine. no actual jack this chapter though? im already writing a sexting chapter for the two of them bc im literally always horny? anyway! who else is beyond excited for the emmy's next month? MANIFESTING A SECOND SHAWN EMMY.

୨୧ taglist: @popecodysgirl @longfulforlee @bornconfvsed @sunbonesss @olivia21blunt @velvetoctober @theory-saturn @mrsrobbyy @gigiwritess @pinkpantheressluver @yiiiikesmish @evysian @17th-sector @sea-eyed-dream @fortjackson @pxssygxblin @anyasthoughts @cyaziaa @nealla @eppytoken16 @itzpixiebabe @soapyspurnell @manly-man-whore @peachyfckingkeen @of-converse-books-and-chocolate @slut4jackabbottt @jaes-last-words @hzdhrtss @supernaturalsuperhero @suturettee @uncertainblissss @lillysbigwilly @tiddieshakeshownu @will-run-for-gin @hugospritzz @cheapvodkaangel @maddieee0415 @marauderslover2627 @kneelforloki @bsttwice @prettylittlelattesworld

[every-second-counts-bear]

MUSIC, FASHION, FILM!

jack abbot x fem!reader

genres: fluff, wedding

author's note: this is the BIGGEST projection ever, but i love it so much.

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JACK ABBOT, who - as he gets closer to retirement - begins to take every Tuesday evening off of work to join his local cinema club. He goes to this little run down picture house, after he’s had a day full of sleep and has managed to clean himself up to a human level - pressed denim jeans and a fresh shave - and lingers in the lobby for a little while, attempting to mingle with other movie lovers before they enter the theatre for whatever classic has been chosen to be shown that week. 

He spots you at every single showing. You always stand there, digging through the cardboard box of unwanted posters near the door, and you always leave with the most niche picks under your arm. 

He asks you about them, one day, when you’ve been staring at an unfurled cover of the 2008 adaptation of ‘Choke’, and he falls in love with you on the spot. 

JACK ABBOT, who marries his favourite film nerd, and proposes to her at that same cinema club that they met at, at a screening of ‘Muriel’s Wedding’. Sure, she’s a little tipsy from the wine they’d been sharing, and she’s merry from the constant sing-alongs to ABBA on the way over, but Jack doesn’t think she’s ever been more beautiful. Not from where he’s knelt on the floor, down on one knee like he’s been practising in-front of the bedroom mirror, his prosthetic clicked into place as he slips the popcorn-sticky ring onto her finger while Muriel and Rhonda sing ‘Waterloo’.

JACK ABBOT, who learns the wedding speech from the Princess Bride, and spends weeks memorising it from hand-written flashcards, having Robby or Dana test him daily at hand-off, and Shen and Ellis throw random words at him mid-shift. JACK ABBOT, who is so, unbelievably proud of himself for getting it all right while managing to keep the surprise, but is absolutely dumbfounded when you burst into tears at the altar as soon as the word “mawwiage” leaves his lips. Because your vows were about to say the exact same thing. 

Two cinephile peas in a pod. 

JACK ABBOT, who pictures his first dance to his second wife to be the famous ‘Dirty Dancing’ routine, because his first wife wouldn’t even let him attempt it when his amputation was fresh. But you shut him down straight away, sliding your speaker across the kitchen table like an Italian mobster, silent before you press play on ‘In Dreams’ when you return with your ‘Blue Velvet’ DVD in hand, and a shy smile. 

He folds instantly, of course, and the two of you dance, one of Jack’s legs slipped between both of yours, your arms around his solid neck as he smirks into the side of your face, swaying you side to side while the dulcet tones of Roy Orbison ring through the marquee. 

He spins you around in your Audrey Hepburn ‘Funny Face’ wedding dress, wearing matching rings engraved with ‘Your life will not go un-witnessed, because I will be your witness,’ and for once, Jack finds comfort in a world of make believe. 

Because, like the end of every cheesy rom-com that he’s endured with you, enjoyed with you, he has the girl of his dreams. 

His nerdy wife, who ends their beloved wedding night with a stack of new DVDs and a bottle of wine. 

To Jack Abbot, ‘it was a million tiny little things, that when you added them all up, they meant that you were supposed to be together.’

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MOVIES REFERENCED:

CHOKE - 2008

MURIEL'S WEDDING - 1994

THE PRINCESS BRIDE - 1987

DIRTY DANCING - 1987

BLUE VELVET - 1986

FUNNY FACE - 1957

SHALL WE DANCE? - 2004

SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE - 1993

[esotericcherub]

SOLAR POWER

reader is trinity and dennis roommate that is a resident at another hospital, but you transferred over to PTMC and quickly catches the eye of jack abbot. the team invite you to a day out at the beach, and jack takes this as his opportunity to get to know you.

pairing: jack abbot x f!reader

warnings: reader is slightly insecure about their body, age gap, reader is an r2, jack takes care of reader, kissing, smoking weed, pet names (sweetheart), y/n only used twice.

wc: 7.1k

a/n: the heatwave has passed in my country so i’m reliving those blissful couple of weeks through this one shot 😌 okay i know it’s unrealistic that the whole team would be able to go to the beach but just imagine there’s a whole other team covering for them OKAY??

You were rushing around the apartment that you shared with Trinity and Dennis, a slice of toast hanging out of your mouth while you stuffed everything you needed for the day into a purple backpack. Today was your first day at PTMC and it was safe to say you were nervous.

You had been working at Westbridge Memorial ever since your third year of med school, but you were transferring over to PTMC due to an incident that happened there and the fact that PTMC were severely understaffed. You had never been happier to see the back of Westbridge, the place brung you nothing but trouble.

“Relax, you’re going to be fine.” Trinity said from her spot on the couch as she watched you move around the apartment frantically. “Dude, our shift starts in half an hour and you’re just sitting there!” You exclaimed.

“With my driving, I’ll get us all there in ten minutes tops.” Trinity said smugly, you widened your eyes and nodded as you knew that statement was very true.

You sat next to Trinity on the couch, waiting on Dennis who was moving at an achingly slow pace in the bathroom. Trinity had shouted down the hall at him to hurry up a couple of times.

“Do you think they’re going to like me?” You asked, picking at the skin around your fingernails. “Stop,” Trinity said, placing her hand on yours. “The Pitt isn’t like Westbridge, the people here are actually nice. Besides, you’ve met the majority of them anyway.”

That was true, sometimes you got invited to the bar with some of Trinity and Dennis' coworkers after work if you were also finishing at the same time. Everyone always welcomed you with open arms, but you only really spoke to Trinity and Dennis and by extension the people they had roped into conversation. You knew Garcia pretty well, due to how many times you stumbled in the door after work and saw them laying up on the couch.

“Den, Hurry up!” You shouted, your patience was wearing very thin. “Yeah, and pick up your dirty clothes! I don’t want to see that shit.” Trinity added on.

“Jeez,” Dennis said, stumbling out of the bathroom with his dirty laundry in a ball in his hands. “It’s her first day, have some more consideration for others.” Trinity scolded, you stood behind her with your lips pressed in a thin line to stop you from laughing.

“Right. Sorry.” Dennis nodded, apologising to you but you just waved it off.

You remember the day Trinity brought Dennis home, you weren’t working that day so you were sitting on the couch tucked up reading a book, trying to distract yourself as the loneliness crept in.

The door opened and you put your book down, ready to greet Trinity with a smile and inform her that you stuck her dinner in the microwave, but your expression turned into one of confusion when you saw a guy trail behind her with the saddest eyes you had ever seen.

“Who’s the stray you dragged in, Trin.” You said jokingly, the guy rubbed the back of his neck, an anxious tic you recognised so well. “This is Dennis, I work with him. He needed a place to stay.” Trinity shrugged as she threw her bag on the couch.

You didn’t ask anymore questions but you understood. Dennis stood rooted in place, seeming unsure of himself and his place. Your heart melted and your expression softened, already feeling his presence in you and Trinity's life was going to be important.

“I’ve made too much dinner, so there’s enough for you and Trinity.” You said to him, also informing Trinity at the same time. He nodded and said a quick ‘Thanks’ and followed Trinity into the kitchen.

When he returned you turned around to him, lifting up the TV remote and speaking “I was just about to stick a movie on. Since you’re our new guest, the picks yours, if you want.”

“I’d like that.” Dennis smiled.

You still had a soft spot for Dennis, almost a year on and cringed anytime that Trinity was too hard on him. “Hey, leave him be.” You rolled your eyes and practically dragged everyone out the door.

Like Trinity said, you all made it to the hospital within minutes of your first shift starting. Trinity and Dennis led you to the locker room where you dropped off your bag and jacket, you stepped out onto the floor feeling overwhelmed already.

“Hon! So good to see you again, I am so happy you’re working with us.” Dana smiled, placing her hand on the small of your back and guiding you over to the hub to meet everyone.

“Thank you! I’m happy too.” You smiled, your nerves settling. “I heard about everything at Westbridge, I never liked them anyways.” Princess cut in, you smiled.

“Seems like that’s everyone from day shift now.” Trinity commented, sliding up beside you.

“Ready to start your first day?” Robby asked, walking up to greet you. You had met him a couple times, never chatting with him long enough to get to know him, but from the little conversation you had with Robby, he seemed nice enough.

“Yup.” You nodded, morphing your expression into one of confidence.

“Everyone listen up!” Robby announced, gathering the attention of everyone.

“This is Dr. Y/N. She has just transferred from Westbridge, please make her feel welcome!” Robby’s voice boomed as everyone’s eyes turned to face you. Immediately, everyone started introducing themselves and you smiled as you saw some familiar faces.

Just as you were about to open your mouth to start speaking to a couple of people, the doors burst open and incoming traumas rolled in. You jumped into action immediately, finding it oddly easy enough to slide into place and feel like you belonged there.

“Remember, two taps on my arm if you need help,” Trinity started, bringing up a little thing that you and Trinity shared whenever you both couldn’t articulate your words and feelings but you needed the other person. “Seriously. Don’t let yourself get too deep in this chaos that it’s impossible to pull yourself back out.”

You swallowed and nodded at the statement, shaking off the anxiety you were feeling and jumping into doctor mode.

The day had passed you by in a blur of chaos, you had acclimated well in this new setting and you were getting used to the way everyone worked. The way that everyone worked around each other in PTMC, was without a doubt better.

Right now, you were finally getting a chance to sit down and catch up on your charting for the day. Your feet ached and you were sure you were developing blisters on your ankles as you hadn’t fully broken in your shoes yet. Your back was stiff and tender and you had a pounding headache.

And to top it all off, despite the fact that it was only March, you were overheating, your scrub top was clinging to you and loose tendrils of your hair stuck to your forehead.

You plopped down on one of the rolling chairs with a sigh, swiping your ID and logging on to start charting. “How’s your first day been?” Dennis asked, as she did the same and also started chatting.

“Chaotic and busier than I expected. But, I can see myself working here for a longtime.” You said, a tired smile stretching on your lips. “This place has its moments.” Dennis explained.

“Yeah,” You sighed. A silence had washed over the two of you, the sound of keyboards clacking and the low humming of the ER that you had mostly drowned out could be heard.

You lifted your head and saw that the night shift had started to trickle in, you hadn’t gotten a chance to get to know any of the night shift. Mainly because they were all working whenever the day shift went out to the bar.

A few polite smiles were thrown your way as people passed by you.

You were spinning around on your chair, waiting for those eight minutes to pass so that you could finally go home. “You’re making me dizzy.” Dennis grumbled as he placed a hand on your chair to stop you.

“You’re no fun.” You pouted, it took a second for your vision to return back to normal as you did make yourself dizzy. You looked up and saw an unbelievably hot man that you could only guess was an attending for the night shift, leaning against the counter talking with Robby.

Your mouth was slack as you practically drank him in, his grey curls and the way he filled out his scrubs that you could tell he was buff underneath made your stomach swoop like you were a teenager again. “Who is that.” You asked Dennis, taking your eyes off the mysterious attending for a second.

Dennis stopped typing and followed your eyes, “Oh no.” Dennis scolded, looking at you disapprovingly. “Oh yes.” You echoed, a smirk curling up on your lips.

“That’s Dr. Abbot, he’s the nightshift attending.” Dennis clarified. You made a satisfied noise and returned back to your charting, Dennis shook his head and braced himself as he knew now that you had set your sights on someone, you would not shut up about them when you all returned home.

“Who are you eye fucking?” Trinity asked, settling down onto the stool next to you. “Abbot.” Dennis said simply. “Oh.” Trinity laughed and nodded her head.

“Why didn’t you warn me there were hot men at this hospital?” You hissed. “I don’t know if you’ve forgotten but I am in fact a lesbian. I don’t see men in that way.” Trinity rolled her eyes.

You swivelled around to face Dennis going to accuse him “Well why didn’t you warn me?”

“I’m not gay!” Dennis choked, defending himself a little too loudly that Princess and Perlah looked at him then started speaking in Tagalog. You and Trinity gave each other a knowing look and then went back to charting.

Across the room, Jack Abbot was staring at you but you hadn’t realised. You were talking in whispers with Santos and Whitaker, an occasional laugh from you breaking the otherwise hush tones you were speaking in.

Jack looked at you fondly, smiling when you smiled, he loved how your smile lit up your entire face. Robby slid up beside Jack, not noticing the way he was staring at you.

“I think that is everything ready to be handed over to the night shift, the day shift should clear out soon.” Robby murmured, pulling his glasses on and looking over everything on his tablet.

Truthfully, Jack hadn’t listened to anything that Robby said, only nodded slowly as he continued staring at you. Jack knew that his stare could be a little intense, he’s been told so by basically every person he’s met but he couldn’t pull his eyes off of you.

“Are you listening?” Robby sighed, placing the tablet down and putting his glasses away. “Who is she?” Jack asked, not bothering to answer Robby.

Robby followed Jack's line of vision and saw that they landed on you. Robby closed his eyes and sighed, he could not deal with Jack's lovesick shit again. “That’s the new doctor on day shift, she transferred from Westbridge, it’s her first day.” Robby said.

“She’s cute,” Jack smirked, glancing over at Robby to gauge his reaction. “Don’t even go there.” Robby warned, leaning against the counter and raising his eyebrow.

“Why? Are you jealous?” Jack teased, forcing himself to take his eyes off you. “You wish. No, she’s incredibly sweet and a very good doctor, I don’t want her to have any distractions,” Robby said pointedly.

“You mean me?” Jack gasped, feigning that he was hurt. “Yes. And do I need to remind you that she’s a resident and you are her attending?” Robby said.

“She’s not my resident.” Jack smirked. “Oh for fuck sake.” Robby sighed and moved to walk away.

“That statement about how she’s my resident and I'm her attending bullshit is hypocritical coming from you.” Jack teased.

“That was a low blow, brother.” Robby chuckled, giving him the middle finger and walking away to go round up the rest of the day shift.

Tonight was your last night shift, and you had to admit to yourself that you would miss this. The past week, you had been covering someone else’s shifts as they had switched to day shift temporarily.

You jumped at the opportunity to volunteer to take their shifts on. Mainly, because you wanted a change of scenery and to experience how night shift operated. And, partly because it meant you would spend more time with Jack.

You had been at PTMC for nearly four months now and hadn’t yet had the chance to have a proper conversation with Jack, you usually only spoke to him at handover. Filling him in on the events of the day and the patients that were still in the ER, and making light small talk that never came of anything.

Of course you had his number, mainly for communicating about hospital stuff and you had even been added to the night shift group chat and you were surprised to learn that the chat was actually quite entertaining. But, you deemed it unprofessional to start messaging Jack separately about anything other than work, so you held back like you always do.

“Piece of shit.” You muttered under your breath as you kicked the vending machine, trying to get it to dispense an energy bar that you needed badly right now. You needed this to power on through the last dregs of this shift.

“You need to do it like this,” Jack said, startling you a little as you didn’t even hear him walk up to stand beside you. Jack gave the vending machine a boot and your energy bar fell from its place.

“Thanks.” You smiled, bending down to retrieve it.

“So this was your last shift on nights,” Jack observed, you answered with a simple nod. “How did you find the nightshift?”

“Chaotic in its own unique way, but it was good chaos. I enjoyed it more than I thought actually,” You smiled. “So does this mean you’ll convert to nights?” Jack asked, a hopeful glint in his eyes as he leaned against the vending machine and crossed his arms. The gesture making his bicep muscles pop that you had to force your eyes off.

“No way. I value my sleep too much.” You joked, thinking about going home and crashing. “That’s too bad, I know you’ll be missed around here.” Jack pouted.

“Really?” You questioned.

“Everyone loves you, it would be a pleasure for us to have you permanently.” Jack smiled, his words made your cheeks flush a deep shade of pink. “Thank you, Dr. Abbot.” You said genuinely.

“Jack.” he corrected.

“Right, thank you, Jack.” You echoed. “But, I’ll still see you all at handovers.”

“True,” He nodded and then a comfortable silence fell over the two of you.

“I forgot to say, but we’re all going to the beach in a couple of weeks time. Would you like to come?” Jack asked.

Truthfully, you had known about this beach trip for weeks and even confirmed you were coming when Trinity asked if you were up for it. But, something about Jack asking you specifically made you giddy.

“I would love to!” You exclaimed. “Great! I’ll text you the details closer to the time.” Jack smiled as he took in how genuinely thrilled you looked at the invite. You swallowed nervously and nodded, he was going to text you personally.

“You’re free to go,” Jack said, glancing at his watch. “But, shouldn’t I stay to help out a little longer?” You frowned.

“Day shift is trickling in and most of the loose ends have been tied up. Go, get some sleep.” Jack ordered, placing a hand on your shoulder to push you lightly in the direction of the locker room.

“See you tomorrow, Jack.” You smiled, testing out how his name felt on your tongue. Jack nodded and waved you off.

You gathered your stuff and walked towards the exit, passing by Trinity and Dennis who were just coming in for their shift. You sent them a quick see you at home and left.

Once you got inside, you stripped off and stepped under the roasting heat of the shower. Washing off the smell of the hospital and any badness that clung to your skin.

You combed through your wet hair and got changed into a matching yellow soft cotton pyjama set and got settled in bed.

You pulled out your phone to text Trinity and Dennis, a cheeky smile already making its way up to your lips.

To: Trin 🍒, Dennis!

You: jack invited me to the beach!!!!! like me personally

Dennis!: but we already invited you?? and you already said yes.

You: i know but it means more coming from him

Dennis!: ok i see how it is

Trin 🍒: first name basis already i see ;)

Trin 🍒: did u embarrass yourself and crumple under his “intense stare” as u would put it?

You: i kept my composure !!

Dennis!: that’s a first

You: stfu huckleberry

Dennis!: wow.

Trin 🍒: both of u stfu before i remove you both because i have admin rights. i’m trying to work.

You smiled and put your phone down, turning over to sleep.

You were sitting on the couch, Trinity at one corner and you at the other. The TV hummed lowly in the background as you had turned it down slightly to speak to Trinity.

Trinity sat up straight, ranting about Garcia and how she only uses her. The longer the conversation stretched on, the further you slumped downwards, you gripped a cushion and lay your head down on it, occasionally humming in agreement with Trinity.

“I mean, isn’t using each other the whole point?” You questioned, you were confused about their weird relationship. “Yeah, but I didn’t think she would quite literally use me. I expected us to do things other than sex,” Trinity sighed, exasperated.

You hummed in agreement, she did have a point. “I rarely get aftercare.” Trinity admitted.

“No!” You gasped. “Trin, I say this with love, but you need to get your shit together and end this thing with Garcia.”

“I know, I know.” Trinity grumbled, stuffing her face into the cushion to conceal her embarrassment.

Your phone buzzed from its place next to you on the couch. You picked up the phone and scanned the message and your expression morphed into one of excitement when you saw who the notification was from.

Jack.

“Jack just texted!” You gasped. “Show me.” Trinity demanded, scooting closer to you so she could see the text thread.

To: You

Abbot: Hi, it’s Jack.

Abbot: This is the beach we’re going to. July 18th at 11am.

*Abbot sent you a pin.*

You: sounds like a plan!

Jack: Make sure you bring SPF 50. I’m not making any trips into the ER on my day off because you got sun poisoning.

You: already packed, don’t worry doc

Jack: Good.

Jack: Looking forward to it :)

You: me too !

You: can’t wait :))

*Jack heart reacted to your message.*

Trinity looked at you with a knowing smirk, feeling excited for you.

“He texts like such a grandpa.” Trinity laughed as you placed your phone back down.

“It’s charming!” You said, defending him.

You, Trinity, and Dennis took the subway down to the beach. Strolling onto the beach, majority of your coworkers were already there and had found a spot that was a sun trap.

You were wearing a royal blue bikini, but you covered it up with a graphic oversized tee that hung off one shoulder.

“Hey!” Mel beamed as she saw the three of you approach. You quickly greeted everyone and then zoned in on an empty spot next to Jack, you took this as your chance and put your stuff down.

“Hi, stranger.” Jack teased as you took a towel out your beach bag and placed it next to his. You shot him a quick smile and got yourself situated.

“Look I packed my sunscreen like you told me to.” You said, pulling out the Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen and lathering some on your arms and legs. You weren’t entirely comfortable with taking off your shirt just yet, it was acting like a safety blanket.

You now had the opportunity to really look at Jack. He was shirtless, his skin had started to tan nicely which meant his freckles had become more accentuated, his prosthetic leg was out, you knew he had one but you had never seen it before.

“Did you find this okay?” Jack asked, referring to your journey down to the beach. “Yeah! We just hopped on the subway, it isn’t that long of a journey.” You explained.

You both fell into a silence as you looked over everyone, the sound of music filtered through the area as you had brought your speaker from the apartment, connecting to Trinity’s summer playlist.

The air had a distinct smell of sunscreen, mixed with coconut and the smell of the sea. This was bliss, the fact that you didn’t have to worry about any patients for a couple hours.

The ER had felt weird without Robby, who had taken off on his sabbatical a couple weeks ago. His presence at the beach was missed but Al-Hashimi had filled in his place, and you had grown to like her.

She was sitting off to the side speaking with Samira, Trinity was sitting a little too close to Garcia, Mel spoke enthusiastically with Langdon, Dennis had been roped into conversation with Victoria, and Ellis was arguing with Shen like they always did. That just left you and Jack as the only silent ones but you enjoyed people watching.

“Beer?” Jack offered, opening a cooler and passing you an ice cold can of beer. “Thanks.” You smiled, cracking it open and taking a big gulp, the alcohol already seeping into your bloodstream.

“Jeez, it’s hot.” You sighed, fanning yourself and laying down on your towel as if it would somehow help. “You could take that large tshirt off,” Jack quipped.

You smirked at him, disguising the fact that you felt insecure about exposing your body.

“I—.” You hesitated, but Jack stared at you urging you to continue.

“I’m not the most… secure in my body…” You trailed off, trying to accurately think of a word that perfectly summed up how you felt.

Jack nodded, understanding exactly how you felt, his gazes landed on his leg. “If I take the leg off, would that make you feel better?” He reasoned.

“You don’t have to… It’s just me being stupid.” You said, shaking your head. “Don’t do that. Don’t try to diminish how you feel. It really doesn’t bother me.” Jack shrugged.

Jack reached down and took off his prosthetic, placing it next to him and massaging at his skin. “There.”

You gripped the bottom of your shirt and pulled it up over your head, tossing it to the side. You looked away, trying to make the action look nonchalant but also avoiding Jack's eyes.

Jack eyes trailed up and down your body, drinking in how the colour of your bikini contrasted nicely against your skin. You also looked hot.

“Better?” He smirked. “Better.” You echoed.

“Get my back?” You asked innocently, handing Jack the sunscreen. “Happily,” He replied as you turned to angle your back at him.

He squirted the sunscreen onto your back and gently rubbed it into your skin that was currently burning underneath his touch. You closed your eyes as it felt more like he was giving you a massage, but when you opened your eyes you saw Dennis looking over at you with a mischievous glint in his eye.

“I see what you did.” Dennis mouthed, you scrunched your nose up at him and discreetly sent him the middle finger.

Jack knew that the cream had been fully rubbed into your skin now, no white cast left behind but he couldn’t remove his hands from your back just yet.

You noticed that he was taking longer than it usually would take, but you didn’t mind his hands on yours. Infact, you leaned into his touch ever so slightly wishing that he could keep his hands there permanently and that it wouldn’t be a problem.

Jack took his hands off you and rubbed the excess cream off on his swim shorts, not wanting to raise any suspicion among your coworkers, especially Al-Hashimi who was already eying him weirdly.

“Thank you.” You smiled leaning back and propping yourself up on your elbows. You grabbed for the beer that he had given you earlier that had gone warm in your mouth, you grimaced as you hesitantly swallowed it lukewarm beer.

“Here’s a fresh one,” Jack offered, grabbing you a new one from the cooler. “Is there anything other than beer in there?” You asked, you didn’t like the taste of beer that much, only accepting the drink in the first place because Jack had asked you first. How pathetic.

“There’s some cocktail cans in here,” Jack started, rooting around in the cooler for a flavour he thought that you might like. “Pornstair Martini?” He offered, holding the can out to you which you happily snatched.

“My favourite.” You giggled, taking a sip and instantly relaxing. “I thought so, it’s sweet. Like you.” Jack smirked. “So corny,” You laughed.

You saw everyone start to head for the water, all trailing off one by one until eventually it was just you and Jack left. You looked off at the distance, desperately wanting to join them but not wanting to leave Jack. You tried to busy yourself with a book that you had packed, but you kept getting distracted.

“Join them,” Jack said, noticing how you kept looking at all your coworkers with a certain type of longing. “No! I’m fine here,” You smiled sweetly, clearing your throat and going back to your book.

“Sweetheart, if it’s because you're worried about how I’ll be sitting alone, I'm fine.” Jack laughed. “Are you sure?” You questioned, but your eyes kept landing on his prosthetic leg.

“Oh this,” Jack chuckled, observing how your eyes landed on his leg and what you really meant by hanging back with him. “I can go into the water with this, I’m just soaking up the sun and finishing my beer off.”

You nodded, making your way to stand up before Jack's hand shot up to stop you from leaving. He tipped his head back as he gulped down the last dregs of beer, and then he put his prosthetic bag on. You stared at him quizzically, wondering why he stopped you if he was so insistent on you going in the first place.

“Race you.” Jack smirked as he set off before you even had the chance to register his words. “Oh that is so not fair! You’re playing dirty Abbot!” You exclaimed as you bolted after him.

“Don’t let an ‘old man’ out run you!” Jack shouted back at you. You scowled and picked up the pace but Jack reached the water before you.

The water was freezing, your body was littered in goosebumps instantly, but the deeper you got the water became more pleasant and cooled your burning skin.

“Cheat,” You grumbled, kicking water at him. “That was cruel,” Jack pouted as he bent down and splashed water at you with his hand.

Somehow, after splashing around for a little you and your coworkers all managed to play a game that you hadn’t played since you were all children. Someone was nominated as the ‘killer’ and tried to chase everyone else, if you caught someone they joined you.

You realised how childish you must look to everyone else at the beach but you all were having too much fun to care. This was a nice distraction away from the blood and stress of the ER.

Jack was nominated as the ‘killer’ and of course he decided to relentlessly chase after you more than the others. You didn’t realise how fast Jack was, especially in the water which would normally slow everyone down, but not him.

After the game finished, you lazed around in the water chatting with Dennis, Victoria, and Samira while Jack spoke to Ellis, Shen, and Al-Hashimi. “Let’s play mermaids.” Samira announced as she let herself float back.

“Oh my goodness, yes!” Victoria exclaimed, you saw how she held back at first, not wanting to be deemed ‘childish’. “That would be super fun,” You smiled as you pretended to be a mermaid.

“You don’t even have tails?” Dennis questioned. “That is what the brain is for, we’re using our imaginations!” You defended.

“And, you’re the evil ruler of the sea.” You smirked. “So you’re comparing me to Poseidon.” Dennis said proudly. “Not necessarily a good thing,” You giggled, Dennis rolled his eyes at you and swam around for a little.

“This is healing,” You announced. “Agreed.” Samira mumbled.

You tipped your head upwards, the sunlight beamed on your face.

Fifteen minutes later, you decided your time in the water was finished. But, when you stood up you suddenly found that you felt dizzy, you lost your footing slightly as you stood up. “I got you,” Jack whispered in your ear, you were grateful that it was him that caught you and not anyone else.

“I feel a little dizzy,” You whispered back to him as you started trying to walk back to your towel in a straight line. “Not so fast,” Jack said, you looked at him with a furrow in your brow.

Jack scooped you up and threw you over his shoulder as if you weighed nothing. “Jack!” You exclaimed, feeling blood rush up to your cheeks at the thought of everyone else seeing you both.

“Oh please,” Jack started as he placed you back down on your towel. “There was no way you were making it back over here without stumbling over your feet.”

You grumbled but you knew he was right.

“Let me check you over.” Jack said, silently asking for your consent. “You don’t need to act like a doctor, not right now when we’re enjoying ourselves.” You frowned.

Jack waved you off and checked over you, placing the back of his hand over your forehead and pressing his fingers against your pulse points.

“You have heat exhaustion, you’ll be okay.” Jack said finally, reaching into the cooler and grabbing a bottle of water for you. “I know I will, thanks.” You said and chugged back the ice cold water.

“I am a doctor too, Jack.” You giggled as you finished off the water.

“So you’re fine then?” He asked, he was genuinely concerned for you.

Truthfully, you were far from fine. You were actually feeling sick and your body was so hot that it was practically uncomfortable to be in. You wanted nothing more than to shower and curl up in a ball.

“I actually feel a little nauseous,” You confessed, downplaying your symptoms. “Do you want to go home?” Jack asked, you didn’t want to put a damper on everyone else’s day but you knew that you could be honest with Jack.

You nodded and so did he. Jack started rolling up his towel and packing his bag. “What are you doing?” You said carefully, as you were packing your own bags.

“I’m taking you home, even though I didn’t drive today, I’ll take the subway with you.” Jack said finally. “But, I arrived with Trinity and Dennis?” You said in confusion.

“I don’t see them around.” Jack shrugged, gesturing over to the little area you were sitting in and at the water. You frowned and pulled your phone out of the pocket in your bag.

To: You, Dennis!

Trin 🍒: going home with garcia ;)) would’ve stayed longer but i’m too horny

Dennis!: ew i did not need to know that

Trin 🍒: Shut the fuck up— Garcia.

Dennis!: so now ur getting ur bodyguard on me?Dennis!: i’m also leaving early. amy needs me, said it was an emergency.

Dennis!: i’m sorry for leaving u y/n

Trin 🍒: i’m sure she’ll have so much fun with dr. abbotttttt

You: have fun guys!!!

You pocketed your phone again and said quiet goodbyes to the remaining people, walking and chatting lowly with Jack to the subway station.

You got to your apartment, Jack insisting he come inside to make sure he would be okay to leave you. You acted shy, but secretly you were thrilled.

“Why don’t you go for a shower and change into something comfortable, while I make you an early dinner.” Jack said, closing the door softly behind him.

“Jack, you really don’t have to. I’ll be completely fine and I can make my own meals.” You pushed back, him making sure you got home safe and sound was already a lot, you didn’t want to burden him further.

“It’s really no problem.” He said finally. You were quiet for a moment before nodding and giving in, it was nice for someone to take care of you when your whole purpose was people relying on you to take care of them.

“I don’t know what you’ll find in our cabinets to whip up a whole meal, we haven’t had a chance to go grocery shopping yet.” You laughed, it had totally slipped everyone’s minds to go grocery shopping as it was always too late by the time you left work or you were all too tired.

“I’ll make something work,” Jack winked, your brain short-circuited at the fact he had just winked at you. “Go shower! I promise whatever I make will be delicious.”

You smiled and thanked him and slipped away to your bedroom to grab a fresh pair of pyjamas and then to the bathroom.

You turned on the shower and stood under the stream of water, letting the boiling water batter off your sun-kissed skin and wash away all the sand, sweat, and sunscreen from the day. You instantly felt better now that you were devoid of all of that.

You worked your shampoo into your hair, massaging your scalp as the hair tie that was in your hair was pulled just a little too tight.

You stepped out of the shower, drying yourself off and doing your skincare before slapping aloe vera to soothe your skin and finishing off with a coconut scented moisturiser. You brushed through your wet hair, applying hair treatments and then deciding to leave it down to air dry naturally.

Initially, you were going to toss on a tshirt and sweatpants, wanting to be modest in front of your boss. But then you thought, fuck it, he’s already seen enough of your skin today why cover up? So you tossed on a skimpy tank and sleep shorts.

You stepped out of the bathroom, the smell of food instantly flooded your nostrils and made your stomach rumble. Whatever Jack had cooked smelled good.

You rounded the corner and seen Jack plating your food, and then you saw that he had made himself a bowl too. You were silently relieved that he was staying long enough to eat dinner, not wanting to be alone tonight.

“I whipped up a stirfry!” Jack announced as he saw you approach and sit on the couch, you pretended that you didn’t see his trail down your figure for a third time that day, you suppressed a smirk not wanting to give anything away.

“I’m surprised there was any ingredients to make a stirfry!” You laughed as he handed you a bowl, making himself comfortable next to you.

“It wasn’t that hard. Stirfry noodles, Chicken, and Soy Sauce. Although, you literally have no vegetables.” Jack said with an accusing tone. “Yeah, we forgot to eat our greens, sue us!” You exclaimed, lifted the fork up to your mouth and blew on the food.

“You’re a doctor! You should know better!” Jack said jokingly, you shrugged as you shovelled the food into your mouth.

“Jack, this is delicious!” You praised as you went back for more. Jack smiled, acting as though your praise didn’t make him secretly giddy.

“Do you wanna watch a movie?” You asked. Jack nodded and you scrolled through the movie selection on your streaming services. “How about How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days?” You suggested.

“A classic!” Jack exclaimed, you stared at him with your mouth practically hanging open. You did not peg Jack Abbot as a Romcom guy.

“So what, I like romantic comedys.” Jack shrugged. “Green flag.” You smirked and turned back to the movie.

You finished your dinner at the same time Jack did, you both placed your empty dishes on the coffee table and then got yourselfs comfortable to watch the duration of the movie.

You kept glancing sideways at Jack, debating whether or not you should rest your head against his shoulder. You were inching closer to him, trying to muster up the courage to do so.

“Come here,” Jack said, holding open his arm for you to crawl under, he sensed you building up the courage so he thought that he would make it easier for you.

Your heartbeat quickened as you crawled under his arm, resting your head on his solid shoulder. You felt Jack soften underneath you, his hand coming to rest around your shoulders as he tried to pull you further into him.

You peeled open your eyes gently, feeling disoriented and confused at the fact that you were waking up.

“I fell asleep?” You questioned pulling your head back to look at Jack. “Yeah, you’ve been out for a while or so.” Jack smiled softly, stroking a strand of hair out of your eyes.

“I’m sorry,” You apologised, stretching and glancing at the TV to see that another romcom had come on. “Don’t apologise,” Jack frowned. “Your body must have needed it.”

Your shoulders dropped in relief, as if your crush on Jack Abbot couldn’t get any bigger, he was one of the people that never judged you for falling asleep and always claimed ‘your body must have needed it’.

“I feel much better now actually.” You said in realisation, you didn’t feel nauseous or as exhausted as you felt a couple of hours prior.

“I have something that you might enjoy.” Jack said, getting up from the couch and retrieving items from his bag. “Oh?” You said, cocking an eyebrow at the mysterious things in his hands.

“Have you ever smoked weed?” Jack asked. “Yes, but I haven’t smoked it since… high school.” You said. You laughed as he pulled out a grinder that had weed in it and rolling papers.

“I had no idea you smoked weed.” You chuckled. Now that you thought about it, it didn’t really surprise you.

“It helps.” Jack said simply, you didn’t question what it helped exactly.

You watched as Jack placed the weed in the paper, rolling it up and then licking the paper so it stayed in place. He showed you the finished product and you were pleasantly surprised at his rolling abilities.

He walked over to the big window in your living room and opened it wide. “Wouldn’t want to piss off Santos.” He shivered, imagining her coming home and attempting to murder him as the smell of weed clung to the surfaces.

“Yeah you don’t want to get on her bad side.” You laughed as you stood next to him at the window. Jack lifted the joint up to his lips and lit the end of it, inhaling and then exhaling and tipping his head back in delight.

“That’s good shit,” Jack commented, passing the joint over to you.

You lifted it tentatively to your lips and inhaled, letting the smoke travel to your lungs, feeling the familiar burning sensation that hit the spot just right, then exhaling the smoke out.

“You weren’t wrong,” You nodded as you passed the joint back to him. You bent over slightly, hanging your arms out the window and admiring as the clear sky turned into a mix of yellow and red as night fell on the city of Pittsburgh.

You passed the blunt between the two of you, chatting about anything and everything as you felt like the world started to fuzz and your brain drift.

You observed Jack and saw how his eyes had begun to get red and the things he was talking to you about was utter nonsense, you had never seen this side of him. So chill and laid back.

“Let me try something,” Jack said, turning to face you, you mirrored him and did the same.

“Open your mouth.” Jack demanded, you were taken aback at that command. “Yes, sir.” You said, letting giggle slip past your lips as you hadn’t meant to say that out loud.

Jack inhaled once again and then inched closer to you so that your lips were practically touching. You understood what he was about to do.

Jack pressed his lips lightly against yours, exhaling the smoke into your mouth which you inhaled before blowing it back out again.

Jack grinded the end of the joint out and threw it out your window before turning back to you.

“Can I?” He asked as he got impossibly close to your lips again. “Please,” You said softly.

Jack smashed his lips against yours, you let out a noise of surprise before melting into the kiss. You had wanted this for so long that you grabbed at the curls at the nape of his neck, pulling him into you desperately.

Jack's lips were soft, kissing you gently just the way you liked it. His tongue darted against your lips, wetting them and silently asking to be let in. You opened your mouth without hesitation and let his tongue slip inside your mouth.

His tongue swirled around yours, moving in sync with you. Jack had the perfect amount of tongue and it wasn’t overwhelming at all.

He moved his lips away from yours and kissed the corner of your mouth.

Jack pulled back and looked at yours, his usually intense stare was something you didn’t mind right now.

“I think I could get used to making this a regular thing.” You laughed, Jack chuckled and then dove back in and kissed you again.

[elevated-human29]

[whatif-ialreadydid]

true blue juniper - j.a

pairing: jack abbot x buttercup!reader

wc: 1.3k

the pitt-verse masterlist | 2k celebration event (open!)

summary: your favorite regular at the farmer's market never fails to leave you weak in the knees

contains: implied age gap, reader has enough hair to fit into two braids but otherwise no physical description

a/n: new reader alert! i wrote this in a whopping 2 hours in a freckle-induced hallucinatory fervor. i hope you enjoy <3 | divider from @strangergraphics

A little girl and her mother thank you for helping them pick the ripest peaches in the pile, then leave you to your booth.

Around you the North Shore Market flows, spray from where the Ohio River meets the Allegheny making for a cool, refreshing breeze. It’s more than welcome in the June heat, which has yet to beat down on the bustling Saturday morning market. 

Customers flit from vendor to vendor, filling canvas totes with fresh produce, flowers, and other wares boasting attributes like ‘homegrown’ or ‘artisan’. 

For a side hustle, working the booth for your friend’s farm isn’t so bad. The canopy keeps you in the shade, the patrons are friendly, and you’re usually all wrapped up by one in the afternoon, leaving the rest of your Saturday ripe for the taking.

Of course, that typically just means a long, afternoon nap, but that’s beside the point. 

You should be reveling in the start of what is meant to be a serene Saturday, but there’s something holding you back.

It’s a buzzy, humming feeling in your chest. Not quite anxiety, not quite excitement, but it's been there all morning. As you set up the canopy and the folding table, stacked your peaches and tomatoes so the ripest end up on top, and even as you tied the crocheted bandana around your two braids — a necessary accessory to keep flyaway from escaping in the early morning breeze.

Anticipation. And as you swipe your hands over the apron looped around your waist, you glance down the aisle of booths, and spot the very person you’re anticipating. 

He strides toward you with purpose, ignoring the surrounding booths.

A black scrub top and mocha brown cargo pants, accompanied by work boots that have seen better days. He looks worn down, like he always does when you see him first thing every Saturday morning. But the lines on his face crinkle when he spots you, recognition lighting the smile that doesn’t quite reach his eyes. 

“Good morning, buttercup,” he says when he sidles up, eyeing the pints of strawberries. It's a simple booth: just a folding table filled to the brim with pints of berries, peaches, tomatoes, and a few jars of honey from a local beekeeper. “And how are you today?” 

Buttercup. You glance down at the fruit-centric logo on your apron — Buttercup Farms, a locally owned small batch produce farm, owned and operated by your friend just ten miles past city limits. A nickname born out of weeks of shy, sideways glances and small talk, exchanged both ways until it became too late to ask for your name. 

But you know his— well, his last name, at least. Spotted it on his hospital badge the fifth consecutive Saturday he came to see you.

DOCTOR, it said, in bolded white letters on a green background. Then, just barely readable from where his shirt covered it, a surname that you know but you’ve never been brave enough to test on your lips. Abbot. 

You've found your thoughts drifting on more than one occasion, daring yourself to say his name aloud. Wondering how he might react if you said it to him. Wondering how it might taste on your tongue. Dr. Abbot.

“Good morning!” You chirp, taking your post at the end of the table. There’s some familiarity here — you, standing in the same place each week, and him, making a show of selecting the best produce while making conversation. 

You tried to convince yourself he was just being polite, taking pity on the market girl running a booth all by herself every Saturday morning. But after two months of recalled details, week after week, you can’t help but think maybe he might like talking to you just as much as you like talking to him. 

“I’m good today,” you pause, daring yourself to insert a cheeky Dr. Abbot into the conversation, but instead suffer an awkwardly elongated silence. You clear your throat. “How are you?” 

"Oh, you know. Same shit, different day,” he raises his eyes from the strawberries to shoot you a winsome wink. “No blackberries today?” 

You glance at the folding table with a start. Oh, no, no no. He's right. There are no blackberries. 

“Shit!” You exclaim, hand flying to your forehead in a resounding smack. “Shit, shit, shit.” 

“Woah,” Abbot chortles, extending his hand, but not quite touching you. As if he’s not sure if he’s allowed. “What’s the matter, buttercup?” 

“I left the blackberries in the truck,” you drag both hands over your face. “I left the blackberries in the truck!” 

“It’s okay,” his voice comes out firm and assured, as though he’s already hatching a plan. “Where’s the truck?” 

“It’s—“ your hand flies in the general direction of the parking lot, all the way across the park. It’s probably half a mile, if you had to guess, it doesn't matter. You’re not allowed to drive in the grass. "Oh, my god."

Panic sets in as you rattle off context to the poor man trapped in a predicament he has nothing to do with. “One of the volunteers helps me unload the canopy and the table and all the produce each week, a-and it usually takes two trips, and I must have forgotten the blackberries!" Your voice comes out a puppy whine, reduced to uselessness when you're otherwise perfectly capable of handling things on your own. "Shit, and they’re so ripe, too.” 

But it’s the fact that this isn’t your business that will suffer because you forgot the blackberries that sends you down a spiral. It’s your friend’s. Her profits for the week won’t be nearly as high as expected, all because of your thoughtlessness.

“I don’t think I’ve ever heard you curse so much before,” Abbot attempts a joke, to which you crumple even more. An exasperated whine is your only response.

“Hey,” his voice evens out again, and before you can register what’s happening, his beefy, calloused hand cups your bare shoulder. You glance up, meeting eyes the color of a carnival kaleidoscope. You can't decide what the dominating shade is: blue or green or gold. “It’s okay. Will you take a deep breath with me?” 

With his free hand, he mimes a long breath in, then a sustained, steadying breath out. You follow his lead.

“There you go,” he murmurs, the rumble of his voice shooting electric shocks up and down your veins. “That’s a good girl.” 

Your jaw goes slack. It takes everything in you not to shudder.

“How many pints of blackberries are in the truck, angel?” He asks, providing a quick rub to your shoulder before reverting back to his own space. Your skin feels especially cold now that his hand is gone.

“Twenty,” you gulp, guilt clouding over any lust for the older man before you. 

Abbot reaches into his back pocket, tugging out a weathered, camo print wallet. “And how much are they going for this week?” 

“Five dollars.” 

He flips open the wallet, then tugs out two crisp fifties, and a twenty. He extends his hand to you, the bills poised between two fingers.  

“What are you doing?” Your brow furrows, eyes dipping to the money, then back to him. The sun peeks out from the bottom of the canopy, striking him over the bridge of his nose. He's all polka dotted with freckles.

“I’m buying your blackberries,” Abbot husks. You swear the sentence sounds a million times more provocative than it should. Your knees give a little wobble. “You can give ‘em to a food bank or something.” 

“What?” You blink. 

“My arm’s gettin' tired,” he shakes the money at you, though not impatiently. “Take it, buttercup. Please.” 

“What’s the extra twenty for?” You swallow, plucking the cash from him. You move with reluctance, your bones heavy with guilt.

“Whatever a pint of these strawberries is worth, and the rest you can use for a coffee or something,” he shrugs. 

“That’s fifteen extra dollars,” you mutter, dumbfounded.

“Aren't you smart? Even when you’re stunned,” he smirks. It takes you longer than you’d care to admit to realize that he’s teasing. “Coffee and a pastry then. On me, okay?” 

You nod, then shove the cash into the pocket of your apron. On him.

God, your thoughts are veering to a place that would rip the family friendly status away from this farmer's market.

Abbot lifts a pint of strawberries without looking at them, then cradles it close to his chest. “I’ll see you next week, alright, angel?” 

A hum vibrates through you. “Okay…” you pause, nibbling your bottom lip. The breeze picks up, ruffling his delicious, greying curls. “Thank you, Dr. Abbot.” 

The look of bewilderment on his face is enough to make you wish you forgot the blackberries every week. 

He throws his head back in a sharp, heart-shattering laugh. He says goodbye a second time, then stalks off, only stopping to throw you one last grin over his shoulder.

[princessofphiladelphia]

somewhere inbetween (jack abbot) xiii.

summary: it's your boyfriend's first day as a resident at the pitt. little does he know that your ex is his attending.

contents: first year pediatrics resident!reader, age gap (duhhh), slowburn/situationship, medical inaccuracies (srry), established friendships with characters, sorta proofread, fc for the ex is infact drew starkey because the world is my fucking oyster, can be read as one-off, mentions of day and night shift characters throughout chapter :D previous chapters in masterlist

wc: 5,182

I woke up Monday morning almost twenty minutes before Drew and I’s alarm was supposed to go off.

For a while, I stayed exactly where I was, staring through the lace curtains as the early morning light slowly filled the bedroom. My mind immediately started running through everything I had to do that day. I had a full patient load waiting for me, paperwork I was already behind on, groceries to pick up after work, and laundry that had been sitting untouched in the dryer since Saturday.

Then I remembered, It was Drew’s first day in the emergency department. Almost immediately, a pit formed in my stomach.

I had been excited about it for weeks. I was still excited. Having Drew at PTMC meant no more planning our lives around train schedules or squeezing entire weekends together before one of us had to leave again. For the first time, our lives were actually beginning to exist in the same place. However, there was another part of my life waiting for him downstairs in the emergency department. A part Drew knew absolutely nothing about.

His phone alarm started blaring against the nightstand just as my thoughts began slipping into dangerous territory. Drew groaned beside me, blindly reaching toward his phone until he finally managed to silence it. Without opening his eyes, he immediately rolled onto his other side and pulled the comforter higher over his shoulders.

I rubbed my eyes before turning toward him. “Come on, baby. We need to get up.” I said quietly, placing a hand on his arm. He pulled the blanket completely over his head. “Give me five minutes,” he mumbled from underneath it.

A smirk tugged at my lips. I grabbed the comforter and yanked it off him in one quick motion. “Good morning, sleepyhead!” I exclaimed. Drew groaned dramatically, immediately covering his face with both hands. Even through his fingers, I could see the smile spreading across his face. “‘Mornin’.”

Before I could climb out of bed, his hand wrapped around my wrist. I let out a surprised laugh as he pulled me back toward him, my body falling against his chest. His arms wrapped lazily around my waist before he pressed a sleepy kiss against the top of my head.

“You excited?” I asked, lifting my head enough to look at him. Drew stared at the ceiling. “Hmmm…” He pretended to consider it. “Nope.” I laughed. “Not even a little?” Drew rubbed his eyes and let out an exhausted yawn. “Ask me when my vyvanse hits.” I sat up and groaned dramatically. “You’re the one who voluntarily applied there.” I said with a smirk. 

“Yeah, well.” He finally looked down at me. “Seemed like a good idea at the time.” I narrowed my eyes. “You moved across the state because it seemed like a good idea?”

“Among other reasons.” His hand slid lazily along my back. “Very compelling reasons.” I rolled my eyes, but couldn’t stop myself from smiling. “You’re sooo nervous.” Drew shrugged. “I’m chilling.” “You’re absolutely not chilling.” Drew stared at me for another second before pulling me closer against his chest. “I’m going back to sleep.”

The rest of our morning moved considerably faster. We took turns getting ready in the bathroom, constantly reaching around one another for toothbrushes, deodorant, hair products, and everything else we’d somehow managed to scatter across the counter. While Drew showered, I stood in the kitchen whisking my matcha together and packing something small for breakfast. By the time he walked back into the room in his fresh navy scrubs I was halfway through doing my makeup at the kitchen counter.

I looked over at him. For some reason, seeing him in scrubs made everything suddenly feel real.“Look at you,” I smiled. Drew glanced down at himself. “What?” I watched him, still smiling. “Dr. Starkey.” I cooed. He rolled his eyes as he reached for the coffee he’d made. “Don’t start.” I laughed to myself, setting my highlighter back down on the vanity. “Is it sinking in yet?” He took a long sip of coffee instead of answering me. I grinned. “That’s what I thought.”

By the time we finally made it downstairs, Drew seemed slightly more awake and significantly more aware of what he was walking into. He drove while I sat beside him finishing my matcha, occasionally glancing over whenever I noticed his fingers tapping against the steering wheel. He was nervous. I knew all of his tells.

“You’re gonna be fine,” I said eventually. “I know.” He replied. I watched his fingers tapping on the steering wheel.  “You’re a good doctor. Everyone’s going to like you and you’re going to love themm… especially Trinity and Dennis.”

“I know.” I stared at him. “Do you want me to stop?” I asked. Drew didn’t even react. “Please.” I laughed, reaching across the center console and resting my hand on his thigh. Drew immediately placed his hand over mine.

As the hospital came into view ahead of us, however, the knot in my stomach returned. Drew was nervous because he was starting over. New hospital. New attendings. New residents. New city. I was nervous for an entirely different reason. Somewhere inside PTMC, Jack was starting his morning too. And in less than an hour, two parts of my life that had remained completely separate from one another were finally going to meet.

The emergency department already buzzed with its usual morning energy by the time Drew and I walked in through the ambulance bay entrance. Phones rang from every direction. Nurses hurried between rooms carrying medications and lab specimens. Stretchers rolled past us toward CT while the overhead speakers announced another incoming ambulance. Drew looked around, taking it all in.

“So…” he mumbled under his breath. “This is where all the shit goes down?” He asked. I smiled. “Pretty much.” His eyes wandered around the department, trying to take in everything at once. “…It’s bigger than I expected.” He said softly. “Give it an hour.” He looked over at me. “Why?” I smirked at him. “You won’t even notice how big it is.”

Before he could answer, Dana spotted us from across the nurses’ station. “There you two are!” she called, waving us over. Drew quickly brushed the remaining lint of his scrub top. “Nervous?” I asked. “A little.” I gave him a reassuring smile. “You’ll be fine.” “I know.” He looked over at me and smiled. “I’ve got you.” Drew watched me, smiling. “I know you do.”

Dana walked over, coffee in one hand and a clipboard tucked beneath the other arm. “Morning.” I smiled back at her “Morning!” Her attention shifted toward Drew, but before I could introduce them, he stepped forward and held out his hand.

“Dr. Drew Starkey,” he said with an easy smile. “You’re Dana, right?” Dana raised her eyebrows slightly as she shook his hand. “That’s me.” Drew smiled as they shook hands. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” Dana immediately glanced in my direction. “Hopefully nothing that’ll get me fired.” I rolled my eyes. “Oh my God.”

Drew laughed, dropping his hand back to his side. “Nothing too bad.” Dana laughed. “Good answer.” Dana took another sip of her coffee before looking him over. “You ready?” He took a deep breath. “As I’ll ever be.” Dana smiled before gesturing for him to follow. “I’ll show you around before Robby starts throwing patients at you.”

I watched the two of them start walking through the department. Just as I was about to head back upstairs, someone appeared beside me. “…So.” I turned. Trinity. She crossed her arms, watching Drew as Dana pointed out different areas of the department.

“That’s him?” I laughed quietly. “That’s him.” She was quiet for a second. “…He’s taller than I expected.” I nudged her shoulder. “That’s your takeaway?” Trinity shrugged, watching him talk to Dana across the ED.  “I’m observing.” I rolled my eyes. She looked back at me. “I still think you’re a little crazy for moving as fast as you did with him.” I looked back at him. “I know.” I said softly. “No.” She pointed toward Drew. “You spent three years playing ping-pong with that man.”

“I know.”

“And then you came to Pittsburgh.”

“I know.”

“And then Jack happened.”

I looked down. “I know...” She sighed. “I’m trying really hard to be supportive…” she said quietly. “You are.” Trinity finally looked back at me.  “No…” A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “I really am.” I looked back toward Drew. “So?” She watched him laugh at something Dana had said.

“…You look happier.” The comment caught me off guard. I looked over at her. She shrugged. “I don’t know if it’s him, but you seem like you got that...” She trailed off for a moment, almost cringing at what she was about to say. “Got your sparkle back, I guess.” I couldn’t stop my own smile from growing. “…Yeah.” Trinity bumped my shoulder. “Thank god.”

She looked back toward Drew again. “I still reserve the right to threaten him if he acts up.” A laugh escaped me. “I’d expect nothing less.” I looked back at my watch and gasped. “Fuck, I gotta run.” I adjusted the strap of my bag on my shoulder. “I’ll text you if I get a break today.” Trinity nodded, her arms still crossing over her body. I pressed the button to the elevator, the doors sliding open almost immediately. “And I’ll text you if there’s any tea between your boyfriend and your ex.” I looked back at her, mortified. I stepped back into the elevator, shaking my head. “And I’ll text Garcia that she needs to go to the emergency department ASAP!” I smirked back at her as the doors to the elevator closed.

By the time I saw Drew again, almost three hours had passed.

I had spent most of my morning upstairs, bouncing between rounds and checking on patients, but curiosity eventually got the best of me. I found myself back in the emergency department sometime before noon under the excuse of checking on one of my pediatric patients who had come through earlier that morning. At least, that was the excuse I gave myself. Truthfully, I wanted to see how Drew was doing.

I spotted him almost immediately. He was standing beside Robby at the nurses’ station, both of them staring at a CT scan pulled up on one of the computers. Drew had one hand resting against the counter while Robby pointed something out on the screen, speaking to him quietly. Whatever nerves Drew had been carrying with him that morning seemed to have disappeared completely. He looked comfortable. Almost annoyingly comfortable. I had spent the entire drive to work reassuring him that everyone would like him, and apparently, I’d been right.

His first few hours had been relatively forgiving by PTMC standards. He’d seen an older woman with abdominal pain, helped Dennis with a patient who’d dislocated his shoulder after falling off a ladder, and somehow ended up suturing a drunk college student’s eyebrow while the kid repeatedly tried to convince Drew that he was “totally fine to drive home.” He wasn’t. Drew had taken his keys.

By twelve-thirty, he’d already managed to make Dennis laugh hard enough that I heard it from halfway down the hall. Even Langdon seemed to like him, which I considered an accomplishment in itself. Robby, however, seemed particularly taken with him.

I watched from a distance as Drew pointed toward something on the CT. “What about that?” he asked. Robby leaned closer to the screen. “What about it?” Drew narrowed his eyes. “Right there.” Robby stayed quiet for a moment before a small smile appeared on his face. “…Good catch.” Drew shrugged casually. “Almost like I went to medical school.” Robby shook his head, but I could see him trying not to laugh. “Don’t get too cocky, Dr. Starkey.” I smiled to myself. Of course. Of fucking course Drew had somehow charmed Robby within three hours.

“You’re staring.”

I nearly jumped at the sound of Trinity’s voice beside me. “I am not.” She followed my gaze across the department. “You’ve been standing here smiling at him for like thirty seconds.” I rolled my eyes, looking towards the Pedes room. “I came down to check on a patient.” Trinity smirked, “Mhm.”

Trinity still hadn’t completely warmed up to the idea of Drew. When I’d first told her we were seeing each other again, she’d stared at me like I’d just announced I was voluntarily repeating the worst decision of my early twenties. She knew too much. several years of breaking up, getting back together, swearing we were done, and inevitably finding our way back to each other had given her more than enough reason to be skeptical. She’d supported me anyway. Mostly.

Her exact words had been, If you’re happy, I’m happy. But if he does some stupid shit again, I’m jumping him. So far, Drew had managed to remain un-jumped. And now Trinity was finally meeting the person she’d spent years hearing stories about.

“So…” I glanced over at her. “What do you think?” Trinity looked back over at me, crossing her arms. “I’ve known him for three hours.” I waited for her answer. “…And?” She shrugged at me as she stared at him across the ED. “And I’m observing.” I laughed. “You’re ridiculous.” She looked back over at me and smiled. “I’m protecting my investment.”

Before I could respond, Drew looked away from the computer and spotted us. His entire expression changed. A grin spread across his face as he excused himself from Robby and started walking toward us. “There she is.” He stopped beside me, briefly resting a hand against my lower back before looking toward Trinity. Then his eyebrows lifted.

“I’ve been so busy running around all morning that I haven’t introduced myself… You must be Trinity.” She stared at him. “…How do you know who I am?” Drew looked at me like the answer was obvious. “She never shuts up about you.” Trinity’s expression softened for approximately half a second before she caught herself. “Oh.”

Drew held his hand out toward her. “Drew.” Trinity looked down at his hand for a moment before shaking it. “Trinity.” Drew grinned as he shook Trinity’s hand. “I’ve heard good things.” he added before dropping her hand. “I’ve heard…” She glanced at me. “…things.” I immediately closed my eyes, looking down at my shoes. “Oh my God, Trinity.” I muttered. Drew laughed. “I’m sure it was all fair game.” Trinity smirked after he had made that comment, it almost seemed like he earned his first point with her.

Before Trinity could interrogate him any further, Langdon called Drew’s name from one of the rooms. He glanced over his shoulder. “Coming.” Then he looked back at me. “You staying down here?” I shrugged. “For a few more minutes… I need to catch Jesse up on the pedes case before I go back upstairs.” Drew nodded. “Cool.” His hand brushed briefly against mine before he headed toward Langdon.

Trinity waited until he was safely out of earshot. Then she looked at me. I raised my eyebrows. “…Well?” She pursed her lips. “He’s… okay, actually.” My smile immediately widened. “That’s huge coming from you.” Trinity rolled her eyes as she walked up to one of the computers. “I said I don’t hate him.” I watched her as she typed on the computer, still smiling. “Same thing.”

For the first time that morning, some of the anxiety I’d been carrying started to disappear. Drew was doing well. He liked everyone. Everyone seemed to like him. Maybe I’d spent the entire morning worrying over nothing. I should’ve known better. Because sometime around noon, Jack walked into the emergency department.

I didn’t see him at first. Robby did. He was standing beside Drew at the nurses’ station again, going over the plan for one of his patients when Robby glanced over Drew’s shoulder. “Abbot!”

Drew barely reacted to the name. I did. From several feet away, my attention immediately snapped toward them. Jack walked up to the station with a chart tucked beneath his arm, his attention still focused on whatever he’d been reading. “What’s up?” he asked. “Perfect timing.” Robby pushed away from the computer. “Have you met our new resident yet?” Jack finally looked up. And saw him. Drew.

For one brief second, Jack didn’t say anything. His expression barely changed. If I hadn’t spent months learning every microscopic shift in that man’s face, I probably wouldn’t have noticed anything at all. But I did. The slight pause. The way his eyes stayed on Drew for just a second too long. The almost imperceptible tightening of his jaw.

He knew. Of course he knew. I’d said Drew’s name around him before. I’d told him stories. Somewhere along the way, I had even shown him a picture. Jack knew exactly who was standing in front of him. Drew, meanwhile, didn’t have a fucking clue. Robby gestured between them.

“Dr. Jack Abbott... this is our new resident Dr. Drew Starkey.” Drew immediately held out his hand. “Nice to meet you.” Jack looked down at it. Only for a second. Then he took it. “Likewise.”

They shook hands. Completely normal. Completely professional. Drew smiled, “Robby’s been warning me about you.” Jack’s eyes flickered toward Robby. “Has he?” Jack asked. “Nothing terrible,” Drew added. “Yet,” Robby muttered. A faint smile pulled at Jack’s mouth. “Give it time.” Drew laughed. And that was it.

To anyone else watching, it was nothing. An attending meeting the newest resident. A handshake and a friendly exchange. Then everyone would move on with their day. But I stood several feet away, completely frozen. Because Drew had just shaken hands with the man I’d spent months trying to forget. And Jack had just met the man I’d spent years finding my way back to.

By the time Drew’s first shift finally came to an end, I was exhausted.

I had finished upstairs almost twenty minutes earlier, but instead of heading out to the parking garage, I made my way back down to the emergency department to wait for him. Drew was still sitting at one of the computers finishing his last few charts, occasionally stopping to ask Robby a question from across the nurses’ station. I leaned against the counter a few feet away, scrolling aimlessly through my phone.

“You waiting on him?”

My thumb stopped against the screen. I didn’t have to look up to know who it was. Still, I did. Jack stood on the opposite side of the counter, his backpack slung over one shoulder. He looked tired. His shift must’ve been ending too. For a second, neither of us said anything.

“Yeah,” I finally answered. “He’s almost done.” Jack nodded slowly. “Right.” The silence that followed was uncomfortable enough that I immediately looked back down at my phone.

It had been months since we’d spoken about anything that wasn’t a patient. Even now, standing only a few feet apart, it felt like there was some invisible line between us that neither of us was willing to cross. Jack adjusted the strap of his bag.

“How’ve you been?”

The question made me look up again. There was something almost ridiculous about hearing him ask it. Six months ago, he knew what time I woke up in the morning. He knew how I took my coffee, which side of the bed I slept on, what shampoo I kept in his shower. He could tell something was wrong with me before I even opened my mouth. Now he was asking how I’d been like we were old coworkers who hadn’t seen each other in a while.

“Good.”

My answer came out quicker than I intended. I think I just wanted the interaction to be done as soon as humanly possible. I also did not want to be seen talking to him anymore. “Good.” Jack mumbled. Another silence. I swallowed. “You?” I asked. Jack slowly nodded before answering. “Can’t complain.” I almost laughed. Of course. My fingers tightened slightly around my phone, trying not to look up at him, or god forbid make eye contact in that very moment.

“I heard you took some time off.” My expression shifted as my head shot up to meet his eyes. “Yeah. I did.” Jack watched me as I looked back down at my phone. “You okay?” There it was again. That stupid fucking question. I looked at him for a moment before nodding. “I’m better now.” Jack’s eyes stayed on mine. “I’m glad.”

Before I could respond, a familiar voice called from behind me. “Ready?” I turned. Drew was walking toward us, backpack thrown over one shoulder as he shoved his phone into the pocket of his scrub pants. “Yeah.” I smiled. “Finally.” Drew wrapped his arm around my shoulder. “Robby was talking his ear off… I think he’s starting to like me.” Robby looked back at Drew from across the way, “I heard that,” Robby called from somewhere behind the nurses’ station. Drew laughed before finally noticing Jack standing across from me. “Hey, Dr. Abbot”

Jack’s entire demeanor shifted almost instantly. Not enough for Drew to notice. Enough for me to. “Dr. Starkey.” Drew looked between us before casually resting his hand against my back. “You heading out too?” Drew asked innocently. Jack nodded. “In a minute.” Drew smiled at him. “Nice.”

Drew looked exhausted, but there was still an unmistakable excitement behind his expression. “It was a good first day.” Jack nodded. “You did well.” Drew’s eyebrows lifted slightly. “Thanks.” “I’m serious.” Jack adjusted his bag on his shoulder. “Good instincts. Just slow down a little.” Drew laughed under his breath. “Been hearing that my whole life.”

For the briefest second, Jack smiled. Then Drew’s hand slid from my back into mine. It was completely absentminded. Natural. He didn’t know there was any reason for it not to be. Jack’s eyes dropped toward our hands. Only for a second. Then they returned to Drew.

“See you tomorrow.”

“See you.”

Jack looked at me last. There was a pause. So small Drew probably didn’t even register it. “Goodnight.” I swallowed. “Goodnight, Jack.”

Then he walked away. I watched him disappear through the double doors before Drew gently tugged at my hand. “You good?” Drew asked. My attention snapped back toward him. “Yeah.” He studied me for half a second before accepting the answer. “Come on. I’m fucking starving.” I laughed quietly as he pulled me toward the elevators. But as we walked away, I found myself looking back toward the doors Jack had disappeared through. Just once.

By the time we got back to my apartment, whatever tension I had been carrying from the hospital had mostly worn off. Mostly.

Drew changed out of his scrubs almost immediately, throwing on an old band T-shirt and a pair of sweatpants while I started pulling ingredients out of the refrigerator. We had decided sometime during the drive home that neither of us had the energy to go anywhere for dinner, which resulted in Drew standing barefoot in my kitchen attempting to make spicy rigatoni pasta while I sat on the counter beside him with a glass of wine. For the better part of an hour, I listened to him debrief me on practically every detail of his first day.

"And then Ogilvie just leaves me in the room with this guy." I laughed, taking another sip of wine. "He didn't leave you, Drew." Drew shook his head, grabbing his beer from the counter. "He absolutely left me in there to fight for my life, baby.” My laughed again, "You're the doctor, not him." Drew took a swig of his beer before answering. "That's irrelevant." I watched him take a long sip of his beer before placing it back onto the counter. "Drew…"

"I'm serious." He pointed the wooden spoon at me. "The guy's shoulder is practically facing backward, he's screaming at me, and Ogilvie goes, 'You got it.' Then disappears on me." I shrugged, watching him walk back to the stove. "Sounds like Ogilvie." Drew grabbed some spices from the cabinet above his head. "Yeah… well, I figured it out." I laughed quietly to myself. "I'm very proud of you.", "You should be." I smiled as he turned his attention back toward the boiling pasta.

He'd been talking almost nonstop since we'd left the hospital. About Dana. About how terrifyingly efficient she was. About Trinity giving him what he described as an "interrogation disguised as a conversation." About Mel apparently having an incredibly specific way of organizing supplies that Drew had already managed to fuck up. Then there was Robby.

"I like Robby." I nearly choked on my wine. "Wait… what?" Drew shrugged. "Yeah. He's cool." My eyebrows lifted, and I stared at Drew in complete disbelief. "...Robby?" Drew looked back at me, confused. "Why do you keep saying his name like that?" I shrugged, picking up my wine glass. "I'm just… surprised. I don’t hear many people say that." Drew looked back at the stove before adding the ingredients into the pan below him. "He actually teaches." Drew stirred the pasta before glancing over his shoulder at me. "Doesn't make you feel like an idiot for asking questions." I smiled. "Yeah. I guess." Drew nodded. "And that other attending was cool too." I didn't think much of it at first. "Who? Al-Hashimi?” Drew shook his head. 

"Abbot."

My smile disappeared. It was subtle. At least, I hoped it was. "Oh." Drew didn't notice immediately. He reached over to lower the heat beneath the sauce. "Jack, right?" he asked absentmindedly. 

"Yeah."

"He seems cool."

I stared down at my wine. "Yeah." Drew watched the stove for a second before looking over at me. "I thought that he was kinda hard to read." A nervous laugh escaped me. "That's just how he is." Drew watched me as I tried to add to the conversation, then his eyebrows furrowed slightly.

"You've worked with him before?" he asked. My stomach tightened. "Uh, yeah, a few times." It wasn't technically a lie. I thought to myself. It just wasn't remotely close to the truth. "Pedes gets pulled down there sometimes when kids come in," I added quickly. "Traumas and stuff." Drew nodded. "Makes sense." I reached for my wine again, suddenly very interested in the condensation running down the side of the glass.

"Why?" I asked.  "No reason." He shrugged. "You just sounded like you knew him." My eyes flickered toward him. "I mean... I know who he is." Drew studied me for another second before turning back toward the stove. "Robby seems to like him." I nodded, placing my wine glass back onto the counter. "Yeah, they've been close friends for years." Another thing I knew far too easily. I needed to find an out. I immediately slid off the counter.

"Do you want garlic bread?" I asked. Drew looked at me. "Hmm?" I lifted my arm in the air. "Garlic bread." Drew blinked. "Uhh, I mean... yeah." I nodded before quickly turning my back. "Okay." I opened the freezer before he could say anything else. Behind me, Drew laughed quietly. "That was abrupt." I turned my head back towards him. "What was?" Drew tried not to laugh. "The garlic bread." I stared into the freezer. "I'm just hungry."

"We're literally making pasta."

"And I want garlic bread." I muttered. 

"Okay." I could hear the amusement in his voice. "Jesus… we can have garlic bread."

Dinner eventually carried us into safer territory. Drew told me about one of the residents he'd met during orientation. I told him about the kid upstairs who had spent most of my afternoon refusing to take his antibiotics unless someone let him watch Bluey. Somewhere between our second glasses of wine and Drew nearly dropping an entire plate of pasta onto my kitchen floor, Jack disappeared from the conversation completely. But not from my mind. That bothered me more than I wanted to admit.

Hours later, Drew was already in bed when I finished washing my face. I stood in the bathroom staring at myself in the mirror, rubbing moisturizer into my skin while replaying the conversation from dinner.

You just sounded like you knew him.

My stomach twisted. I did know him. I knew Jack hated sleeping with the television on but would sometimes leave the police scanners on because it was some type of noise to fall asleep to. I knew exactly how much creamer he put in his coffee. I knew which cabinet he kept his pain medication in when his leg bothered him. I knew what his face looked like first thing in the morning and exactly how his voice changed when he was exhausted. And Drew thought I'd worked with him a few times.

I looked toward the bedroom. Drew was stretched across my bed, scrolling through Instagram Reels, completely oblivious as to what I was thinking about. I grabbed my phone from the bathroom counter.

me: are you awake santos: yeah  me: drew asked me about jack tonight santos: oh absolutely the fuck not

I covered my mouth to keep myself from laughing.

me: STOP santos: WHAT DID HE ASK me: literally nothing bad me: he was talking about his first day and said he liked him me: then asked if i knew him santos: so what exactly did you say 😐 me: that i've worked with him a few times santos: bruh

me: WHAT WAS I SUPPOSED TO SAY??? santos: IDK MAYBE NOT ACT LIKE YOU AND THAT MAN DIDN'T SPEND ALL OF FALL AND WINTER PLAYING HOUSE. HE WAS THE REASON WHY YOU WENT BACK TO PHILLY ON A MENTAL HEALTH LEAVE. LIKE. OMG. me: i wasn't going to tell him all of that in the middle of dinner santos: okay fair santos: but you know you're gonna have to tell him eventually right me: does he really need to know though santos: oh girl… me: what santos: nothing ❤️ me: trinity santos: go to bed ❤️

I rolled my eyes before locking my phone. When I walked back into the bedroom, Drew had finally put his phone down. He lifted the blanket as I approached, silently making room for me beside him.

"Who were you texting?" He asked. "Trinity." I mumbled as I slipped into bed with him. Drew smirked. "Talking shit about me already?" I shrugged, "Maybe." He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me against him. “Good. Tell her I said goodnight." I smiled despite myself. "I will." Drew kissed the back of my shoulder before settling into the pillow behind me.

Within minutes, his breathing began to slow. Mine didn't. Because Trinity was right. At some point, I was going to have to tell Drew. It was either going to have to come from me or through Princess and Perla, who, for some reason, figure out everyone’s business. I wasn’t going to let that happen to me. I also wasn't ready to figure out when.