Summary: When Ethan reveals his feelings, Aparna’s response is far from what he expects. Continuation of the diamond scene in 3.11.
Words, rating, genre- 1.2k, general, fluff with the tiniest dollop of angst.
Tropes- And they were in love.
A/N: I hope everyone is well. Supposed to be on hiatus, but that’s a lie. This came to me as I awaited (and still do) the covid test results for the family. I hope it’s nothing.
A/N 2: gandharaj: Bengali for gardenia (just discovered all the similarities between Indian and Hawaiian flora); pua melia: Hawaiian for plumeria (garlands of it or just the flowers are presented to tourists)
Aparna pours herself a glass of water and sips the sight before her.
Shards of a midwinter moon drizzle across the vast expanse of water underneath. Impeded ever so slightly by the bay windows, they spill over the rugged expanse of Ethan’s chest. The ripple of his arm. One glorious thigh.
He’s beautiful. And strong, she thinks with a flutter in her core. And so calm he could almost be asleep. Almost oblivious of the chaos he courted only last week.
Almost. But then he stirs, a wandering hand searching the space beside him.
She leaves the empty glass on the counter before joining him. Looping his arm around herself, she lays her head on his chest. His other hand finds the duvet.
It’s quiet. Too quiet, but for the gentle whooshing of waves lapping at the shores. And the breeze. Sweet and brimming with the occasional gardenia. Or gandharaj as grandma called it back in India in what seemed a whole other decade.
Aparna isn’t sure if it’s middle school geography or sixteenth century anecdotes from a Ferdinand Magellan. (Or just champagne). But there’s a certain tranquility about the Pacific. Daunting in its vastness of course. But here in her sea view suite, the thrum of Ethan’s heart pressed to her ears, she settles for just tranquil.
It is certainly calmer than the Atlantic from two winters ago. Either that, or everything Ethan had claimed and renounced that evening in Miami had muddled her senses. In her mind, Miami is exquisite. Ethereal almost. Even life altering. But almost too surreal to be true.
And yet two years later he is engraving circles on the expanse of her arm, her bare shoulder, her back. At a friend’s wedding, too. Snipping away, little by little, at the millenary drill of his life before her.
As for the rest, Ethan never says. Never in so many words. And she never asks.
But it’s enough.
She half wishes they could linger. Hold on to her little fistful of warm sand. There’s more to Hawaii than the whiff of gardenia. Or rows of coconut palms. Or the plumeria blossom Ines tucked behind Aparna’s left ear.
There’s all of that, and Ethan Ramsey tossing his head with full throated laughter. Or mumbling sweet nothings into her hair as sleep overtakes her.
And it’s enough.
Until-
-Apu...
Somewhere above her, he sounds awake as she strains to open her eyes.
She has an arm around his middle. It’s warm. The bed. Or is it him. So warm. Her breathing softens against his chest.
-I've never felt this way about anyone.
Seconds trickle. It’s the sweetness of macadamia and their own scents. It hangs about them in a glorious mist.
He really is talking.
-And I don’t know, he says. I don't know if I ever will again.
Her eyes snap open.
There’s no meteor shower in the skies, or the sudden gust of wind in her hair. This is it. Ethan Ramsey is leaping with her. And all she feels is peace. An overwhelming sort of it. The sort that lulls you into sweet, sweet sleep.
Does he tense under her?
For a second, and then he chuckles, the deep rumble tugging at something inside her.
-And as always, he surmises, my timing is perfect.
She can talk now. She must.
And so she doesn’t.
-But... it’s probably for the best, he concludes. Kisses her goodnight.
She smiles and holds on to her little fistful of warm sand.
***
The boarding queue is at the gates when she stumbles in, looking around wildly.
Five more seconds and I would've boarded already.
Her smile is radiant as her eyes find him and she tells him he’s all talk.
Cheeky little minx.
And in a blur of time and shapes, she asks for his help. A case of misdiagnosis. They’d most definitely miss the flight.
He asks no more as he follows her out of the airport.
Not again, he groans, suddenly awake as sunlight assails him from what he assumes is a window shade she left open on their flight.
His attempt to rise is thwarted, his arm stuck under a sleepy tumble of dark hair. And it’s the bay window in her suite, the one he had pressed her up against last night.
Her breath hitches for a moment and her fingers quiver for the slightest spell of a dream. Slowly, slower than the fall of her breath, he draws it and presses soft, lingering kisses on her knuckles. The softest of sighs escapes her and she releases his arm to curl up to him.
All at once he’s reminded of last night. And he feels… not regret. None of that. Sheepish perhaps.
-Morning, she grumbles from under half open eyes.
-Coffee? He kisses her hair, a little glad her eyes are closed.
He didn’t botch it. She’d fallen asleep.
-’time is it?
-Little after six.
She snorts. As though she isn’t the one that forgot to draw the blinds. But again, he barely manages to rise.
-Stay.
She did fall asleep, right?
Ethan reclines against the headboard and picks up his copy of Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia. The one he didn’t make much progress with, thanks to her. And thanks to her, he doesn’t make much progress even now.
And what if she were awake all along. She wouldn’t do that to him, would she.
He exhales long and hard.
Perhaps it was too little too late. Inadequate even.
Beside him, she laces her hand with his own larger one. Traces the veins with her fingers.
He’d be there if time is all she needs.
He cups her face in his hand as she looks up. Twists a stray lock around his finger.
Hell, he’d always be there for her.
She props herself on her elbows and plants moist, open mouthed kisses on his palm.
-I feel the same way about you, Ethan.
He gulps, suddenly delirious. Then she kisses the length of his arm. Presses her mouth against his chest. His collarbone. And it’s maddening.
He needs to ask her now. Stop her first.
And he shudders as she bites and sucks the column of his neck. Despite himself, he presses one rough palm against the expanse of her back. Draws her closer.
She takes his bottom lip between her teeth with an unfamiliar zeal, and he finds his voice at last.
-Why now? He asks bewildered. It’s been what, five hours?
Incredulity etches her face. She might have withdrawn if not for the persuasive hand on her back.
-Gee, I don’t know Ethan, she says. Took you two years. Your five hours really put that into perspective.
It’s his turn to be dumbfounded as the faintest of smiles adorns her face.
It’s his turn to trace her lips with his own, grateful that she doesn’t withdraw. She kisses him softly this time. Tender and unhurried. And he winds a languid hand in her hair just as a soft whimper escapes her.
-Are you all right?
This is raw. Unfamiliar.
-Better than all right, she murmurs. She nestles under his chin, averting her eyes.
-I’m glad. Forgive me, I’m not the best at putting feelings into-
-Shh. Don’t, she pleads, eyes glimmering with the thousand little hopes of his own. Just stay.
And he does. Cradling her in his arms, his chin on her head, as the first honeycreeper of the day warbles its song to the ocean.
Forgotten, Ethan’s book had slid out of his hand and opened with a soft thud on the wooden floor. A single plumeria blossom pressed between its pages flutters to land beside it.
This is unfamiliar. But not unsettling. Not anymore.
This is happiness too. Untrammelled and wild.
Thank you for reading this. Love you all. Google says, a plumeria blossom over your left ear means you are taken and over your right ear means you are available ❤
Tagging separately. Let me know if you’d like to be added or removed.
Tumblr is full of OH weddings now that OH3 is over. Do you have any wedding HC or moodboards or edits for Ethan and beautiful Chiara?
Hey anon!❤ thank you for thinking of my babes!
I do not exactly have headcanon or any moodboard, because I swore I would never write a wedding fic😂 but I am very lucky because Chiara's beautiful FC did a photoshoot in a wedding dress and it fits my idea of their wedding perfectly
The wedding is small and it's on a beach, because Chiara loves ocean and Ethan doesn't exactly have a strong opinion on that. Only their loved ones are invited and it's very chill - they share their vows (I shared them already but I cannot find the post now), they laugh a lot. Ethan is wearing a dark blue suit trousers and white button up with his sleeves rolles up (that's very important) - he intended to wear the whole suit and all, but Chiara conviced him that many people see him being that formal, while only the closest ones know that in love, relaxed Ethan and so he doesn't have to be clothed formally on his wedding. It is all very nice and happy and full of love. They dance and talk to their friends and laugh, dance some more. The sand is everywhere and Chiara spends most of the day and night barefoot. No drama, no big deal, just two people and a handful of their friends and family wanting to celebrate that they are disgustingly in love.
Though I'd already seen this the first time you wrote it and shared the photos, I can't help myself when it comes to Ethan and Chiara ❤️ And you're so right, the photos are absolutely her. Also love the idea of relaxed Ethan in informal attire at their wedding 😍
Book: Open Heart 3, post Chapter 15
Pairing: Dr Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr Noelle Valentine)
Word Count/Rating: 3.1k, PG
Summary: The battle for his career is finally over, but an even bigger battle is waiting for Ethan around the corner.
Category/warnings: Hurt & Comfort / None
A/N: PB rid my girl of a chance to stand up for herself and tell Ethan exactly what she thinks of his behavior. This is me trying to make it up to her.
Just for the record: this is a tiny fraction of the hell ER would get from my girl, but unfortunately, my job is too demanding for me to fully elaborate on the matter (and trust me when I say it would’ve been loooong).
I'm sorry for the mistakes, this is very unedited & written in one sitting.
She was exhausted.
Just not in the way she thought she was.
Closing her heavy eyelids, relaxing tensed muscles, leaving the day - hell, the year - behind, the one thing she was certain of apart from death and taxes was the imminent sleep.
But her mind had different plans.
It’s ridiculous, Noelle thought to herself, that a relatively light pink mass located between her right and left ear is bossing her whole body around. A very tired body, mind you.
Trying to fight the feeling for a couple of minutes, the young doctor surrendered. Slowly, she peeled away from Ethan’s chest and left the bedroom, throwing one glance at the man she left behind. In all the time they knew each other, she couldn’t remember him sleeping so deeply, so peacefully.
As if all the yesterdays of last year never happened.
It made her jealous.
Heading for the bar, she poured herself a generous glass of scotch, one of Ethan Ramsey’s finest. Just as she started walking towards the living room, Noelle suddenly turned back and pressed the button on the front door of the fridge. Two ice cubes hit the bottom of the glass with a characteristic cracking sound caused by the sudden change of temperature.
It was satisfying.
And reminded her of a conversation that happened ages ago.
“Why neat instead of on the rocks?”
“The ice changes the flavor.”
“Right answer.”
She was trying to impress him back then, no two ways about it. And for some bizarre reason, she thought he’d be disappointed if he saw her with an expensive scotch and ice at any point after the exchange happened.
Well, fuck this, she thought. She always liked her drinks cold anyway. No more worrying about what everyone else thinks. Even the great Ethan Ramsey. She was done playing by the rules. Also, it felt oddly good to do something that the older doctor wouldn’t approve of.
The anger and frustration finally reared their ugly heads.
She took a long sip and stared at the glistening waters of Massachusetts Bay. The view was exactly as she remembered it from the first time she set foot in her mentor’s expensive apartment. It felt like ages ago, yet the panorama of Boston has hardly changed, bar for the few elements which, if anything, made it even more breathtaking.
It was comforting to know that some things never change.
Or that when they do, at least it’s a change for the better.
Which was something she couldn’t say about her own life.
Tears covered her emerald eyes like the morning dew covers the green sea of grass.
She was exhausted.
Of the push and pull, the ups and downs, the highs and lows. These roller-coaster-like relationships were only exciting when she was young and stupid; when she believed that thrill is the foundation of any lasting relationship.
But, as with everything else in life, age proved her wrong. She grew to understand that relationships surviving the test of time are more like boats, with two people balancing each side. Even if there are some storms, the sail itself is slow and steady.
And always forward.
No 180-degree loops, no back and forth.
Sobs made her body spasm and her face contorted with pain. It took a lot of effort to try and suppress them, it took strength she didn’t have. Not anymore. Trying to focus on holding the tears back, Noelle failed to notice that she wasn’t alone.
“I can’t count” - his voice deep and powerful, albeit sleepy, reached her eardrums and tickled them - “how many times I’ve been standing in this very spot, thinking of you.”
Noelle hasn’t even moved a muscle at the sound of this unexpected confession.
“Trouble sleeping? I was sure you’d be knocked down after such an emotional day.”
“That makes two of us.” She finally spoke up, still without a single movement. But for someone as skilled as Dr. Ramsey, five words were enough. His eyes went wide as the realization struck him.
“Elle, why are you crying? What happened?”
The question made her angry. Letting him find her in this mess made her angry. Somewhat unconsciously, she reached for the weapon. His favorite weapon.
Defensive.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
“Why, were you expecting something to happen, Ethan?”
The coldness of the response baffled him. Instantly, he felt a very unpleasant sensation that could only be described as a fist clenching his insides, holding them in a tight grip.
“If you’re wondering what I’ve been thinking about standing here, then you’re right, it was you.” She continued. “Just… not in the way you’d expect, I guess.”
The grip tightened even more. There was something in this voice he’s never heard before.
Venom.
“How do you mean?”
“I mean you were right, Ethan. Everything is going to change.”
Dr. Ramsey swallowed audibly. It made perfect sense when he said it, he knew why he said it. But the way she was echoing those words made him shiver inside.
“Elle…” He didn't know where this was going and it scared the living hell out of him.
“No, Ethan. It’s my time to talk. For months now I let you silence me, shut me down and play the game by your rules. Not anymore.” She finally turned around and thanked herself for only doing it now, because when Ethan’s troubled, terrified sight met hers, she knew there was no chance she’d have mustered the courage to finally say the things bottled up for months.
But it had to be done.
“You taught me most of the things I know about being a good doctor. You trusted me with your secret about Naveen being sick. You mentored me and pushed me to be better. You made me feel like a valuable member of the Diagnostic’s Team. During the attack, I’ve never seen you so frightened and powerless and although these feelings were tough, at least you let me see them. And at the time I thought it was because you cared about me and the thought I might be gone soon was far more terrifying than sharing your feelings with anyone would ever be.”
She paused to take a breath and have another long sip of scotch. Ethan stood in the same spot, transfixed, his sight not leaving her for even a second.
“After what happened with Senator and Travis you were… different. You slowly let me in. You let me help you with Louise and it was such a profound moment for me, being by your side and supporting you with what must have been one of the hardest things you ever had to face. And then, the gala… you can’t imagine how many times I have replayed your Oh, to hell with it in my mind… how many times I thought about the way you kissed me that night, as if we were the only people in the whole world. How…”
She paused, trying to tame her trembling voice and frantic feelings. The only thing she needed now was not to show Ethan Ramsey how vulnerable she was.
“But this year feels like all of this has never happened. Like we’ve not been through life and death experiences and some shit stuff. I don’t know who you are anymore, Ethan. It feels like the man I knew was replaced by an alien. I’m tired of this version of you. And I’m even more tired of missing the real Ethan Ramsey, the one I know and adore.”
One could tell her words had a real impact. Ethan’s face flickered with pain, she must have hurt his pride. God only knows what was going through his mind. But Noelle was like a wave now, rising for months; nothing could stop her from crashing at the coast with all her might anymore.
“I’ve tried really hard. I was there for you when you pushed me away. But it’s all been about you for a little too long now. You can’t tell me you never felt this way about anyone in one minute and act like an absolute dick the next one. It almost feels like the Boston cold is doing something to your brain because whenever we are far from here, you are like a different person. I could probably talk about it for hours, but I actually don’t want to. You’re an intelligent man, you can’t tell me this is all news for you. And the malpractice suit was just a cherry on top.”
His voice was silent and faint when he finally spoke.
“I was trying to protect you from the repercussions of all the bad things happening around me.”
“Oh please, spare me this bullshit Ethan! Throughout the whole ordeal, the only person you were trying to protect was Naveen. And that’s fine, it’s your choice. I just wish I’d known sooner.”
“Known what?”
“That Naveen is and will always be more important to you than me.”
“That’s not true.”
“Your actions speak for themselves. I have and will always have tremendous respect for Naveen. But he made his choice and you should have let him decide from the start. I admire this about you too, how devoted you are to Naveen and I am aware of how much he means to you. It’s a pity though, that my devotion and my feelings ended up ricocheting me.
And you know what the worst part is, Ethan? You did all this knowing it would hurt me, knowing I’d do anything for you and that I’ll give you the time, the attention, the sex. God, I feel so stupid for constantly coming back and running to you. You treated me like shit. I was the price you were willing to pay, so you could keep lying to yourself, telling yourself that your principles remained intact.”
“I… I never wanted you to feel this way and get through it with so many wounds. But I’m trying to understand, I need you to help me understand. Why? Why would you do all this?”
“Because I fucking love you, Ethan, that’s why!”
It wasn’t until the silence lingered that she realized she shouted every single word.
As for Ethan, all the colors drained from his face and the world stopped revolving. He could have sworn his heart skipped not a single beat, but rather a whole symphony.
“You were right earlier today. I need to focus on the future, on what I want to do next, where I and my friends will end up. After all, the world is my oyster, isn’t it?”
There was bitterness in her voice that stabbed him right to the core.
“And if I do leave Edenbrook, I suppose we’ll become those people who promise to catch up and have dinner together every time they bump into each other during medical conferences, but then never go through with it.”
He made a few tiny steps in her direction.
Then, something weird happened.
Something that has hardly ever happened before.
He didn’t feel the need to go into his defensive mode.
And not only this.
He also knew it’s his turn to show up and fight.
Oh, how the tables have turned.
“That’s… that’s not going to happen, Noelle.”
“What?”
“Us, not seeing each other again. This isn’t going to happen.”
“If you’re trying to sell me the cliche about how we’re going to stay in touch, I’m not in the mood for it.”
“I’m the last person I know that would do this.” The faintest smile tugged at the corner of his lips. God, she was such a sucker for all these tiny moments, reactions reserved for her and her only.
“What I meant is… you know how much I support you and your career. And what I said throughout your residency still stands. I would never do anything to jeopardize your professional development. But it doesn’t mean I’d just sit here and watch you walk out of my life. Once you made your mind up, I’d have made my move. If you’d decided to stay in Edenbrook, great. If not, that’s fine too. It’d have been a little more complicated logistically, but nothing I couldn’t handle.”
“I still don’t understand what you are trying to say.”
“I’m trying to say that if you left Boston, I’d have left Boston with you. I’d have followed you anywhere. Not in a crazy stalker way though. I was planning to talk to you about it first.”
“You wanted to talk to me? That’s breaking news.”
“I suppose I deserved this. The point is, I wanted whatever decision you made to be yours and yours only. But…”
“But what? That’s the thing, Ethan, you are acting like this is a bloody casino and you are the croupier, always dealing the cards. Will you ever understand that you were and would have always been a part of my decision because I wanted you to? Yes, I know that I’m gonna have options, provided I’ve done well on my exams. But the whole reason why I’ve applied to Edenbrook is that I wanted to work here, I wanted to stay here. Sounds familiar, Dr. Ramsey?”
“Before I answer this, I hope it’s ok if I finish my previous thought first. It’s true, I wanted this decision to be yours. But that being said, I need you to know it would have inadvertently influenced both our lives, yours and mine. Whether you like it or not.”
“Why? I’m sorry, but it just makes no sense to me at all.”
He moved a few inches more, entering her personal space.
“Because I fucking love you.”
Noelle was aware that her facial expression betrayed her straight away, but could only hope it was a fraction of what was happening inside of her right now. She opened her mouth to say something but Ethan silenced her with a gesture.
“I promise this is the last time I’m silencing you. Just please let me say this. I meant every single word. Hell, I’ll say it again. I love you. Even though saying it terrifies me, just like realizing how I feel about you terrified me. But losing you terrifies me more. Back then, during the attack, now and forever.”
He took a long, deep breath and continued.
“I know I’ve been acting like an absolute idiot. Do you know who helped me realize this? My dad.”
“Alan?”
“Yes... the other day, I called him because I felt like I was losing my grip. I needed to speak to someone impartial but who I wouldn’t have a barrier opening up to. We’ve been talking about you a lot. The majority of our conversation revolved around you. He chewed me out like he never did before. Then threatened to come and steal you if I haven’t sorted myself out.”
Noelle chuckled, quickly regaining her composure.
“The point is, I know I’m a mess and not the easiest person to be with, but for far too long now I’ve treated this as a convenient excuse. It’s my problem, not yours, but one I can only hope you can support me with because most importantly I’m willing to give it my all.”
His palm tentatively brushed hers. She didn’t withdraw from his touch.
“I wish I could say that it’s your call and I’m fine with whatever you decide to do about us. But that’d be a lie. Because the truth is you took it away from me. I love you so much that it hurts and I’m going to do everything I can to prove it to you. The ball is in your court and all I can do is show you I mean every word.”
“That’s where you are wrong, Ethan. The ball isn’t in anyone’s court. It’s not a game, we’re not opponents. We should be standing beside each other.”
“I’d very much like that. But I need something from you.”
“Making demands in your position, Ramsey? You’re pushing your luck.”
Her voice was still calm and sounded a bit distant, but lacked the bitterness and anger he’s heard before.
“I am. I can’t do this without you. I need you to call me out on my bullshit. I’m not expecting you to ‘do the do’ for me, but I will need some help. I am a work in progress and I know I will fall over and over again. But it’s no excuse to jeopardize my only shot at happiness.”
He took both her hands and brought her knuckles to his lips. In her mesmerizing eyes, he saw a glimmer of something he thought he lost.
Hope.
“I’m so, so sorry for doing this to you. I will be apologising to you every day. You are a queen and should be treated like one. And this starts now.”
He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her. Written on the card were a name, date and time.
Dr. Houston, Thursday, 18:45.
“What’s this?”
“After speaking to my dad we’ve both decided it’s time for us to get some counseling.”
“Are you serious?”
“Dead serious. He and I have issues to work through and I figured it’s going to help me in more than one way. All that happened with Louise… that’s where my issues stem from. And it’s time I put an end to my past ruining my present.”
“Ethan…”
He lied. He promised he won’t silence her anymore, but his promise went out the window the moment she looked at him with eyes so full of affection and he just couldn’t stop himself from pulling her close, holding her tight and swallowing her next words with the most passionate kiss he was capable of. Whatever he couldn’t say, he hoped the kiss would convey.
“You trickster.” Noelle said when the dizziness passed and all the shapes around weren’t blurry anymore.
Forehead to forehead, they stood in the symphony of their breaths and heartbeats.
“I love you, Noelle Valentine. And I hope you will let me say this to you every day, till the day I die. I love telling you that I love you, too.”
“Ethan?”
“Yes, love?”
“Say it again.”
He broke into a smile. “Pushing our luck, are we?”
“Always.”
“And I love you always.”
~~~~~~~
Thank you for reading and yes, the only way in which EJR can even begin to atone for his sins is by going to the shrink.
I only just got round to reading this, and, wow! 😳❤️
Ann, I must thank you especially for this. I never intend to finish the book. Therefore such a wonderful fic that also filled in the gaps PB never bothered to address is all that I needed.
She was done playing by the rules. Also, it felt oddly good to do something that the older doctor wouldn’t approve of.
Well, you're not alone there, Noelle. After everything, it felt oddly good to read that.
One could tell her words had a real impact. Ethan’s face flickered with pain, she must have hurt his pride. God only knows what was going through his mind. But Noelle was like a wave now, rising for months; nothing could stop her from crashing at the coast with all her might anymore.
This was so satisfying and I don't care if I sound petty. Book 3 put our MCs through so much shit and none of that was resolved.
I love your Noelle, her determination, her love and her fierce sense of dignity ❤️ I'm sorry Ethan, you left her no choice.
And the confession was brilliant in its uniqueness.
But I'm also glad Ethan is finally making an effort, acknowledging everything she's been to him, and admitting his own shortcomings.
Warnings; Rating: Mentions of an explosion, Angst; Teen+
Premise: The aftermath of Ethan seeing the news of the day that threatens to rock him to his core and change his life.
Author’s Note: Thank you to @choiceskatie for pre-reading!! I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading 💖
Part 1 Part 2
~ Monday, 2:20pm ~
Ethan tears his eyes away from the television and sprints the short distance to his desk. He grabs his phone and sees the two missed calls from Serena. He’s never hit the “call back” button faster in his life.
“Come on baby. Pick up pick up,” he mutters under his breath. Naveen stands in the middle of the office, eyes flicking between the news and Ethan.
“Hi, you’ve reached Serena! Leave—”
“Shit,” Ethan breathes out and tries calling again.
After the fourth call to voicemail, Ethan grabs his keys and begins to move towards the exit.
“What are you doing?” Naveen steps in front of his path.
“She’s not picking up. I’m going down there.”
“Ethan… all of the roads leading to and out of Harvard have been sealed off. You’re not going anywhere.” Naveen places a soft hand on Ethan's shoulder. He can see the glassy bewilderment in his mentee’s eyes: he’s beginning to spiral. “We don’t know anything yet, so let’s not jump to any conclusions. Take a seat and let's try to remain calm.”
Ethan stares at Naveen for a beat, then slowly lowers himself into the chair behind his desk. He runs his hands through his hair and bounces his right leg up and down. “Does anyone else know? Her friends?”
“I notified everyone on duty to prepare the ER and OR; we're the closest hospital. They’re watching in the waiting rooms nearby.”
Ethan grunts in response and reaches for his phone again. In his frenzy to call Serena, he never even noticed the “New Voicemail” notification. His hand trembles and he has to look away, turning his head slightly. His eyes land on a picture of the two of them, and Jenner, on his desk.
~ 3 months ago ~
He opens the door to his apartment and is greeted with the sight of Serena and Jenner curled up together on the couch, watching a show about Kim being convenient? He's not entirely sure, but she loves this show.
He watches silently by the door for a minute as Serena explains bits of the show to Jenner while stroking between his ears.
“See now, that’s Shannon. We’re rooting for her and Jung to get together.”
He’s filled with warmth at the scene before him. “Hi baby, I’m home.”
She perks up at the sound of his voice. She turns to face him with a wide smile, “Hi, sweetheart!”
Her radiant smile immediately melts away his tensions of the day. “Actually, I was speaking to Jenner…”
Her melodic laugh fills the room and his heart soars. Just the reaction I was hoping for. “You’re the worst. Go back to work,” she says, shooing him away with her hand.
Ethan shakes his head and walks over. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” leaning down for a kiss. She hums in agreement and pulls on his hand until he’s sitting with his arm around her.
“I love this shirt on you. It really brings out your eyes,” she says, absentmindedly playing with a shirt button and softly gazing at him.
“If you love it so much, maybe you should take a picture. It’ll last longer,” he replies cheekily.
“Selfie!!!” She excitedly grabs her phone and thrusts it into Ethan’s hand. He smirks and rolls his eyes good-naturedly, taking the photo just as she hoists Jenner up to be in the frame too.
A small smile quirks his lips at the memory and gives him the courage to press play. Her voice comes through the speaker and he closes his eyes, relishing in it. As he continues to listen, the world fades away and his heartbeat begins to pick up speed, blood thumping in his ears. A lump in his throat begins to form as he listens to her explain the situation. Eyes open now, tears well at the thought of her in a wedding dress, pushing their kids on swings, and they fall at her declaration of love. All he wants to do is tell her that he loves her so much too, that he wants her to be his wife too, that he wants to be the father of her children too. He feels like the oxygen is being stolen from his lungs, that the ground beneath him is falling through.
He sees a flash of color out of the corner of his eyes and jerks his head towards the TV. He gasps and his hand goes slack at the sight of flames and smoke, his phone falling to the ground, forgotten. He screams for her and for their future that may never be.
Summary: It's a perfect evening, and they are both in attendance at the gala. There is a romantic vibe in the air, but she isn't dancing with him.
A/N: This has been something I wanted to write for quite sometime now as Jealous Ethan is the comfort my OH drenched soul needs. Thank you so much @adiehardfan for your request of jealous Ethan, It gave me the push I needed to finish this🤎
Thank you so much to @helloayz for Pre-reading! Love you💕
Pairing: Ethan Ramsey X f!MC (Pooja Sharma)
Word Count: around 2.5K
Rating: General
Category: Fluff, total fluff
Warnings: 1 curse word
Title Inspiration: Dancing with a stranger - Normani & Sam Smith
The enthusiasm was in the air today. A clear sky dotted with a trillion stars, like whitish-golden beads on a purple-black drape. A few twinkle playfully, the others shine bright and strict. It was a delicately arranged handicraft of nature, with an aura of magic sprinkled in it. As blurry surroundings fly past her, her gaze focuses intently towards the light-ridden sky, vague lights gleaming in her irises, as she is lost in a childlike enigma of what lies beyond the reach of her hands.
The silver of the wheels of her ride circle in a hypnotizing motion, as she lay carefree in the comfortable quiet that inhabits the interior. It was a perfect relaxation after the busy week she had, new business deals signed and the progress of the ongoing projects crossing their marks under her efficient leadership. She was a lady of minimal talks and fixed focus, so socializing was never on the charts for her. Just a few drinks and a few flirtings.
Time ticks and yards to the venue become lesser and lesser until their existence is seized. With an almost soundless stop, the car comes to a halt. The black of its door gleams gleefully in the majestic setting. One pencil heeled foot comes down, followed by the other. Her tall stature increased by a few inches, she walks in through the mahogany doors with a sophisticated gait.
Celeste Macmillan, co-owner, Macmillan house of fashion, Los Angeles, USA. A big name like hers, carry a lot of weight with them. One mistake, that's all it takes for the house of cards they put together with years of pain and sweat to crumple and demolish. And that is something she always keeps in mind. Every occasion which has her in attendance always shines brighter than the others. If one had to pick a single word instead of verbose descriptions for her, it would be pulchritudinous.
The clicks and clacks of her Louboutin form a monotonous rhythm as she walks down the flamboyant hallway, an indication that no mark had been set on the expenditure for the decorations of the venue. Filthy rich is an understatement when it comes to Leland Bloom.
Finally, her steps slow down before they pause completely. Guards check her invite, before giving her a warm bow and signaling her to enter inside. There is a stark contrast between the atmosphere of the interior and the exterior, so sharp that one could draw a line at the place where the shift happens.
In multichromatic lights masterfully placed to make the hall glow like heaven in the evening dim, gentlemen and ladies dressed in exquisite couture laugh and converse, faces luculent. A string orchestra sits at one of the edges of the room, the mellifluous tunes played by them floating softly in the surroundings. Moved by the beauty of the place, a comely smile brightens her face.
As her green-gold orbs drift from out of the dreamy hues around her, it catches her eye that every gaze in the room was on her. Some appreciative, some awestruck, some intrigued. A hush fell over as people whispered either appreciatively or in the discussion of something. To be the center of attention in such a high profile fiesta, wasn't the first for her. But yet it baffled her every time.
The elegant ruffles of her ensemble shine in their golden glory as she strides forward. And as soon as she does, she is caught up in blithe conversations with a variety of people, topics ranging from her fashion line to her brief stay at Boston.
After excusing herself from the discussion of numerous paltry topics, she makes a beeline to the bar area to cool herself down after a month worth of socializing.
And that's when she notices him.
In a black tuxedo with silver cufflinks sparkling like a jewel, he sat with her back to her. Disinterest filled the air around him and his attendance seemed more of a compulsion than will. As she slowly, elegantly, passes him to take a seat, her eyes fall on his face. And like magnetic attraction holding her with a force much stronger than her willpower, she finds herself unable to looks away.
She imagines if she has ever been fortunate enough to lay her gaze on anyone as handsome as the man who now drank in silent sips, lost in a world she is curious to know about.
She orders her Dom Pérignon, never opting for anything less than the classy vintage champagne that rules her heart. Her voice seems to jostle him out of his reverie. He glances up at her for a split second, as if carrying out a search. Then he drops his gaze, his concentration back on the liquid poison his exquisite glass held. Sipping her own, she tries to figure out what exactly was the expression that he had quickly rubbed away at the last second.
After a few seconds of gear turning in her cerebrum, she finally figures it. It was... Disappointment.
She couldn't comprehend whether to be perplexed or upset at the revelation.
Celeste contemplates starting a colloquy. Turning pages in the book of her brain, she tries to decide on a topic that isn't featureless. But before she can make a move, she felt a shift in her surroundings. Another aura of silence formed and she could tell that someone who was not her, had become the cynosure of the fête.
It felt like a prophecy of the universe that the events that follow look like an exact replay of her entry, the only change being the one who caused it. Dressed in an ethereal oxford blue gown, delicate work of aureate sequins painting a gorgeous pattern on it, the lady looked charismatic. Her walk graceful, she held a poise Celeste hadn't seen in a long time. As her head turns, brown locks dancing delicately, she could clearly see the reason why everyone was enamored with her.
But realization and acceptance were two different things. Celeste Macmillan had never accepted defeat. She had realized it, but to accept it? Impossible. To accept that the woman who now stood amidst a congregation of onlookers dazzled brighter than her, was a defeat for her.
Determined, she turns her head away from the direction she had been gazing at, only to find the gorgeous stranger beside her looking in that very direction. Her eyes widened in surprise. Clear in her memory, she knew he had not even bothered to look up when it was her. What was different this time?
"Would you like a refill, Dr Ramsey?" The bartender asks all of a sudden, bringing her back to the present from her train of thought. The man simply nods.
Dr Ramsey, why was the name so familiar?
As the names shuffle in her mind, she also notices the woman in blue making her way towards them. Then she stops on her track. Standing in clear view, her amber eyes shift between the two of them. And then it strikes her. Dr Ramsey, was the leader of the famous diagnostic team at Edenbrook, wasn't he? Yes, it was Ethan Ramsey. Dr Ethan Ramsey.
Ethan Ramsey, she remembers, has always been know for two things (apart from his dashing looks, that is). Número Uno was his medical research and Número Dos was his stoicism. The stoicism presented itself as clearly as the waters of Peyto Lake. And yet none of these facts gave her the answer as to why he displayed a vagary when the woman came in.
Head still muddled with a haze of confusion, she turns back to find the young lady smiling to herself at the same spot, clearly amused. As she turns, her smile turns into a smirk, and if one is a masterful observer, they can undoubtedly make out the vague lines of a plan forming in her mind. She swiftly strides to the vivacious crowd, determined to put the said plot into execution.
This is what you are doing now? Her mind kept cajoling her out of the piqued interest with which she watched the lady in blue. But it was too late now. She felt like she had begun watching a film just to convince herself that it was bad, but in the end, it grabbed so much of her attention that tearing away from how scenes unfold was next to impossible.
As the symphony continued to enrapture everyone's hearts, people began pairing up for the dance. With every twirl of embroidered skirts, the cheer in the hall appeared to increase exponentially. Merry laughs filled the gaps between the music as soft kisses were laid by the partners on each other.
In the center, looking as enigmatic as ever, was the lady in blue with her dance partner. Her twirls synchronized with the tunes, she laughs at a stupid joke the man holding her by the waist utters.
And as she watches them, she also senses Ethan Ramsey, looking at the two of them, mostly the man, with the gaze of a predator. As the man tries to kiss her, she skillfully averts it with an elegant dance move. But at this very moment, Celeste hears her acquaintance let out a slow growl, his jaw tightened dangerously. The way he gripped his glass very well suggested just a few more newtons of force and what would be left of it was tiny shreds shining like tears.
Ethan Ramsey's eyes do not leave the woman and her partner for a split second, with every twirl, every smile, his hold on his drink growing tighter and tighter. The frown that stands majestically as the permanent resident of his forehead grows deeper with every passing minute.
This time Celeste easily pinpoints the two expressions vividly visible on her features. One was anger at the man's audacity and the other... Jealousy.
When he put on his best tux for the evening, he hadn't expected it to go as incredibly as it was going now. His dance partner, looking like an epitome of beauty, swayed nonchalantly, as the luminescence made her the most perfect being he had ever laid his eyes on. Love, at first sight, was a thing, wasn't it? That is what was happening to him. The urge to kiss her, intensified every time he laid his eyes on her.
Pooja Sharma, the name as beautiful as her expertly styled dark brown hair, was the one he wished to recite over and over again like a poem. As the dance move prompted her to move close to him, he leaned in again, determined not to miss his mark this time. But again all he could touch were those locks of hers. But this motion of his had caused a separate cascade of motions he was blissfully unaware of.
Rehan smiled to himself, as he pulled her close but the very moment he did so a loud slam! was clearly heard from the bar area. He was more than eager to ignore it, but his partner not so much. Her eyes drifted in the direction, and soon her bewildered expression was replaced by that of amusement.
God, this woman is gorgeous! His heart chanted in a sing-song manner. There was nothing that could take his attention off of her, not even the crystal clear taps of the heel that emerged from the background. As he decided on starting another conversation with the maiden, a loud, rude cough interrupted him.
Both of them turned in his direction and he foolishly let go of her. As soon as he did, the man took her by the waist and pulled her close, in a motion so swift that caught both her and Rehan by surprise.
What an asshole! "Excuse me," Rehan began, determined to make the fact clear to him, "the woman whom you are holding by the waist is MY dance partner" he cocked his eyebrow, folding his arms to stand his ground.
The man chuckles, but the expression is soon replaced by a frown. "She WAS your dance partner, she is mine now" Pooja looks up at him with a smirk, and Rehan is amazed that she is making no move to come back to him.
"Excuse-"
"Do you have an objection?" The man almost growls, his tone firm, stature towering and a subconscious shiver passes down Rehan's spine.
"N-No" He manages to murmur the words in a meek tone. What the hell are you doing? He internally scolds himself. After clearing his throat he tries again. "No." At this attempt, the word comes out consistently.
"Enjoy your evening, Mr Colleymore," Pooja adds with a sweet smile and all his resolve falters. He stands like an idiot, gazing at her until another cough echoes through his being and he strides off.
"Finally" Ethan exhales pulling her close to him. A euphonious chuckle escapes her and he is lost in her already. Her eyes clearly express her amusement as she struggles to stop laughing, and he cannot help but chuckle himself.
"Has anyone ever told you that you are evil?" He twirls her, followed by a pull at her waist and then the whisper of the question with child-like innocence while his head lay on her shoulder.
"Evil? I think it is more smart than evil. I am just talented, you know that."
"You are impossible."
"Isn't that why you love me?" She winks, and he finds himself striving hard to remember that they are currently at a public place.
Resting his forehead to her side turned head, he basks in the moments of pleasure that come from being near her and being able to hold her the way he wanted without a constant worry of someone watching, keeping an eye on them.
"Would you like an escape?" The question is posed too suddenly by her but the answer is crystal clear.
"With you, I will go anywhere."
Moving apart from him, she holds out her hand, "Let's do this, then?"
He takes it in a heartbeat, "Of course." And the both of them run out of the hall, hand in hand bidding goodbye to the flamboyant hues of the majestic hall.
As they reach the garden, their hands move to their destined positions with practiced ease. Hers around his neck and his around her waist. They sway under the silvery moonbeams, basking in serenity as their gaze never leaves the other. An invisible vinyl plays inaudible tunes to which they dance, too lost in each other.
"You know," Pooja speaks, after the minutes of comfortable silence envelope them, "Jealousy is a beautiful color on you. I should do it more often." She winks, before breaking into laughter.
Ethan holds a stoic façade, as he nods his head disapprovingly. She falls silent.
"Don't do that. I would hate to make such an embarrassment of those pompous people once again."
This time, both of their laughs are in sync, as they hold each other close. The next moment, they melt into a kiss, their hearts beating together in the rhythm of their love.
PS: If you are reading this, I am very grateful for you. Thank you for reading and I hope you have a great day🤎
Tags (Please let me know if you want to be added or removed or if I forgot you):
Series Summary: A fix it series where I try to fix the inconsistencies through out books two and three, by omitting certain plots and adding a few others. (Somewhat AUish)
✍︎Series Masterlist
Diana
"Speaking of the Diagnostic Team-", Elijah gestures towards the entrance of the beer garden, " He's here"
Diana only half hears what the rest of them say, she's transfixed on the man who steps into the dimly lit garden that smells faintly of rose bushes and beer and humanity.
A sharp pain in her palm brings her back to reality when she vaguely makes out her nails digging into her palm and Sienna's soft hand sliding into her other hand, concern etching her face.
She half hopes he wouldn't approach her, the other half that yearns to be held and swept of her feet screams in protest, reminds her of the man she has thought of in every waking second for the past two months.
Cruel cruel life.... Taunting her.... Hurting her.... He faces her...
᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽
Ethan
He hears her laughter before he sees her
She's laughing at something Varma said and suddenly he's envious
While there are so many in the world who elicited that trilling laughter from her, he has only been responsible for the tears.
But he never notices the way that smile never reaches her eyes, the way those deep browns seem hollow, the way they had stopped reflecting the fairy lights illuminating the garden, the way they only reflect sadness.
He walks up to her, "Rookie", the familiar nickname slips out of his tongue in the practiced ease of someone who has said that a million times.
" You are too late, not a Rookie anymore, as of the past sixty seconds I am officially a Resident "
Despite his rare smile towards her, he feels a pang of loss, indeed he is too late, he should have said something sooner maybe then he still would have the privilege of calling her, his rookie.... But it's futile to dwell in those thoughts, he moves away from her, their distance far more apparent with every step he takes away from her.
In his haste, he misses the way her heart clenches on seeing his retreating figure. He completely misses how her lips move silently as she holds back from calling him.
᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽
Diana
She should have rejected his invitation to join him past the last call.
She should have left with Sienna and Elijah.
But her questions needed answers
And his pull on her is impossible to resist.
᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽
Ethan
She calls him brave.
But he knows what he is, a fucking coward, someone who runs away from everyone he loves, someone who holds his one shot at happiness at an arm's length.
᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽
Diana
She calls him brave but in the heart of her heart she knows that she doesn't believe it and neither does he.
For a long moment he stays silent. And then he says, "It wasn't bravery", his voice so low that it almost gets lost in the country tune floating through the jukebox.
And then they stay silent, bathing in the presence of the other, drinking each other in.
And then the dam breaks, like a child denied of her favorite candy she asks him why he left, barely holding back her tears.
᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽
Ethan
He talks about them in past tense, he sees the hurt flash on her carefully composed face for one moment and the next moment it's gone.
Taking in a deep breath he tells her to consider themselves reset as if it was humanly possible to forget her but he has to try.
He regrets it from the moment she offers him her hand in a handshake.
He regrets it from the moment she calls him Doctor Ramsey.
He regrets it from the moment she turns her back towards him, her entire being slowly fading away in the darkness.
᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽᯽
Unbeknownst to him her tears finally breaks through the dam and her body wrecks in silent sobs all the way back to home.
That night two silent rooms stand witness to two souls slowly crumbling into pieces while the walls around them rises higher and higher through the claustrophobic darkness.
Dropping by on anon (so I don't have to login - you know who I am 😊) to say I love you and I hope you're thriving in your exams and life and everything else in between. Also I started reading The name of the rose and I thought of you and our chats. I still get my Aparna fix on Ao3 whenever I need to feel serene so thank you for your beautiful writing. So much love, always ❤️❤️❤️
This is so uncanny that I now 100% believe in our telepathic communication. I've been watching the India vs New Zealand WTC match today and even though you don't stay in Southampton or enjoy cricket, all I've been thinking of is our chat on cricket and how you'd react if I told you about the match 🤣🤣 And then I login to see this 😍😍 Can't even begin to explain how happy it made me!
I've been missing our chats so much that I read your entire masterlist again ❤️ And I did see the kudos on Ao3! I hope you're well and breathing life into your OCs ❤️ Do tell me how you find Tnotr when you come here next. Sending you hugs and good thoughts 😍😍❤️❤️
A smile tugs at her full lips, dressed in mauve lipstick, the color extracting the depth of her magnetizing eyes. It’s perfect for the occasion. Or at least it was before Ethan Ramsey ruined it.
Ruined all of her.
“What are you smiling at?” Genuine curiosity and carefree nonchalance color his voice, which is as surprising as it is captivating.
“Do you remember our first coffee at Derry’s? The people watching? How you’ve asked me to read a person and I ‘diagnosed’ the woman who walked in as having sex hair?”
“How could I ever forget?”
“Well,” - she shakes her head and fixes her hair dramatically - “you’re looking at one now.”
Alina was gazing at the dark sea from the balcony, an ocean breeze made her blonde hair sweep across her face. Everything on her body felt like it was freezing except for her lips. They were burning for his.
I am continuing with the absolute clownery and am - once again - going to post a snippet from bring me to my knees (lina x tatum) - I realized that that fic is, in fact, a smutty piece but I have so far only shared the parts that are not smut, so here’s something maybe a little but spicy under the cut (but yeah lets be real, this smut is going to be very soft and all and I can’t do graphic smut so maybe it’s not spicy at all)
tagging @utterlyinevitable @the-pale-goddess @starrystarrytrouble (i know you are not here Ruby but I miss you af and I need to try to get anything from you haha:D), @stygianflood & @alwaysmychoices and ofc anyone who wants to share anything! <3333
Hey!!! I just saw ur post and well, i have a request😊 how bout a fic where MC is enjoying hrslf with music fully turned on and Ethan walks in and he's like WHIPPED. if its shitty or u have made a fic similar to it, then completely ignore this. LOTS OF LOVE❤❤
Singin’ In The Bar
Pairing: Ethan x F!MC (Becca Lao)
Rating: Teen+
Summary: She’s having a grand ol’ time singing and dancing at Donahue’s with her friends, from his same ol’ stool Ethan watches desperately from the sidelines. Sometime in book 2.
Trope: Drunk; Pining; Musical; Ethan’s POV
A/N: thank you for requesting this ♥ i’ve had it in my wips for months, soo sorry about that
__________________
Ethan was sitting at his normal spot at the bar of Donahue’s. Something he’s done nearly every night since he became an attending at Edenbrook Hospital. The evening was less than his preferred quiet, white-noise of the bar. There were residents being rowdy by the darts board and dancing around the old jukebox.
He knew most of the faces and others he didn’t care enough to get to know. The ones he did know were a side effect of knowing Her. He smiled to himself, how could one woman stumble into his life and change almost every one of his ideals? Ethan had always made it a point to not form any sort of workplace acquaintanceship with any resident unless they did something notable, and even then they’d have to be at least a third-year. Or so that concrete rule was put into place right after she bought him a scotch that first day of intern year.
Sometime during his reverie her group of friends decided to turn the jukebox into makeshift karaoke. Ethan’s nose scrunched up in a disdainful grimace as some utter garbage with strong bass and high syncopation began blaring from the old speaker system.
He took a long swig of scotch.
In the distance he could hear the residents were not so subtly rapping to Anaconda. Ethan thought about how none of them probably realized the refrain’s from Sir Mix A Lot. He promptly rolled his eyes, the age gap apparent more than ever. That was certainly evident - especially with the unabashed way Lahela was pointing and coaxing everyone to “look at her butt”.
And Ethan did. Very briefly he looked over to see who exactly Lahela was referring to. Telling himself he wanted to see the ruckus and not the bright and weakening smile of his resident.
His.
Ethan finished his drink in one gulp.
In the short time it took, the girls began to girl-group to Bang Bang; another song Ethan didn’t care to know.
He stole a glance again, and their eyes met. Becca’s glowing features perked into a small genuine smile just for him.
Ethan couldn’t look away - she was the depths of a sea and he wanted to continue falling deeper and deeper. His full body shifted towards her, a sailor being beckoned by a siren. The rational Dr. Ramsey did a 180 and turned towards Reggie for another drink. Ethan needed to put as much distance as possible between him and Dr. Lao.
Even with his gaze trained on the bar top, hands wrapped around a double scotch and shooting her an indifferent shoulder, Ethan could feel her eyes on him. Could sense the flicker of pain he inflicted by snubbing her.
A slower song came on that pulled Ethan out of his stupor. But it wasn’t the song. It was the voice singing along to Mario’s Let Me Love You.
Ethan knew this song. He knew it rather well, actually.
He let the old R&B bassline circle around him and take him back to before he was the Great Dr. Ethan Ramsey. Back to a time when he was just Ethan, studying alone in his room and planning out the rest of his life meticulously. And how he’s come to learn these last two years - no matter how hard you try - it’s impossible to keep to plan. Everything is subjective. And maybe, just maybe, everything he’s told himself was leading up to this moment.
This moment when he finally needed to abandon them.
Ethan’s strict code was a coping mechanism all his life. Something to govern his habits to lead him to his greatest desires. Never could Ethan Ramsey ever have imagined what was actually waiting for him at the end of the fantasy. He always thought it was medical greatness but maybe it was… something else.
He glanced over his shoulder.
And there she was making an absolute fool of herself trying to do the old choreography. It had his heartbeat quickening and his grip on the glass tightening.
When she sang the chorus for the first time her amber eyes locked with Ethan’s. The intensity had him sucking in a breath through gritted teeth. He tried to look away - oh did he try - but couldn’t. She was captivating. She had a hold on him he couldn’t explain in any scientific words.
Ethan sat stone still, his deep gaze stuck on her movements for the next two minutes. His breath came and went with the sway of her hips.
“Someone turn this garbage off!” a bargoer shouted as the song closed and another Ariana Grande song came on.
Whatever spell Becca had him under was broken when the rest of her group shouted back “no” as they danced side to side.
His eyes flitted back to his drink. A burning sensation at the base of his neck had him swearing she kept looking at him. That she was telling him something through the unfamiliar and muffled lyrics. The way her hips talked were certainly saying something else.
Before this new song finished, after their eyes held one for seconds too long once more, Ethan abandoned his half full glass and exited the bar in a quick fury.
And Becca’s heart fell..
Before she knew it she was moving.
“Becks, where you going?” Bryce called after her.
“Really need to pee. Be right back!”
She made her escape through the side door out to the beer garden. He wasn’t there. Her head whipping back and forth trying to find his tall frame. Her feet moving to the darkest of corners he could be hiding in.
Out of the corner of her eye a figure paced in circles in the parking lot, the desolate lot in the distance for the beauty parlor storefront next door. His hands tangling in his hair, pulling at the strands. Carefully, cautiously, she moved towards him. The clacking of her heels on asphalt the only sign Ethan wasn’t alone anymore.
Closer and closer she moved, and he still moved back and forth.
As soon as she was within hearing range, ever so softly she spoke; “Hey...”
He stopped.
His head whipped towards hers. She was standing there looking like the heroine of every damned dream he’s ever had all his life. The streetlamp casting down on her like a godforsaken halo.
Ethan closed the distance in three long strides.
His hands met her first - cupping her cheeks seconds before their lips meet. They’ve done this a handful of times before and still it was as intoxicating - maybe more so - than the first time. Her hands trailed up his arms, clinging to the fabric at his bicep. The kiss was bruising, deep and stealing any rational breath they ever emitted in the past. Their liquor-lacked tongues tangled and glided in ways that sent sparks flying and their knees wobbling. In the dim streetlighting on this seemingly random weeknight the two figures melded into one.
Minutes that felt like seconds had their lungs clawing for oxygen. Both gasping, Ethan pulled away just enough to look into her eyes. His thumbs caressing the apples of her cheeks, as he searched her for any sensible reasoning.
“What are you doing to me?”
The whispered words brushed over her just before Ethan pulled her back in.
Warnings; Rating: Mentions of a cyberattack, Angst; Teen+
Premise: MC's perspective on the day that rocks Ethan to his core and threatens to change his life.
Author’s Note: I was going to wait to post this, but I'm loving the flood of content we're getting rn, so I thought I'd hop on too. I cried writing this... I'm so sorry 😭. Part 1 here. I hope you enjoy and thank you for reading 💖
~ Monday, 8:20am ~
"Good morning, Mike!" Serena greets the security guard right inside the door.
"Hey! How are ya? How's that Dr. Ramsey?"
"We're both doing well, thanks! How about you and the family?" She asks as she puts her phone in a cubby and unplugs the Wi-Fi enabler from her laptop.
"It was the wife and I's anniversary this weekend! We went to Martha's vineyard and saw the most beautiful proposal! You and Dr. R gonna get going on that soon? Aly has been talking about going to y'alls wedding since she met ya!" Mike gives a playful wink.
"Oh, congratulations! That's wonderful and send Aly my best wishes. But you'll have to talk to E on that one," she laughs before opening the door to a stairwell that leads to a classified area.
After keying in her pin, the door clicks open. She grabs a static protection lab coat, walks through the entrance, and is met with a plethora of state-of-the-art equipment. Floor-to-ceiling grey switch panels, curved monitors as far as the eye can see, and countless probes, clips, and wires.
She walks over to a few familiar faces. “Good morning! How’s it going?”
“Nice of you to finally join us! Dr. Ramsey keep you this morning?” Isla, one of the engineers, jests.
“I saw your check-in on the monitor — you walked in two minutes before me!”
“Those diagnostic skills at work, I see,” Isla retorts and they both laugh.
Isla had become a fast and faithful friend since Serena joined the project. They bonded quickly over both being minorities in the world of science and supported each other in every work facet. They had lunch together everyday and gradually, their work bond grew into a personal friendship as well. They’ve become so close that Isla now also regularly spends time with the original Edenbrook gang.
“Alright, enough chit chat. Let’s get this show on the road.”
The team nods and responds, “Yes, Doctor.”
~ 12:00pm ~
Serena exits the classified area with some colleagues and they all make their way to retrieve their phones.
"No new patients. Stuck in meetings and doing paperwork. I miss you and wish you were here."
She immediately breaks out into a large grin after reading Ethan's text and hits the dial button.
"Hey, ready for lunch?" Carmen, one of the lead scientists, asks.
Serena nods and moves her phone slightly away from her ear. "Be there in a minute. You guys go ahead."
She waits for a few more rings. He’s probably busy, I’ll call again later. She hangs up and makes her way to the cafeteria.
~ 12:40pm ~
"We did all the necessary prep work this morning to begin testing after lunch. Everything is looking good. We can begin running our tests since everyone is here. Are we all ready to begin?"
"Yes."
The system engineers are sitting at connected computer stations, inputting the required credentials to start. The rest of the team is standing behind them, waiting and nervously watching the screens. After a couple minutes of tense silence with nothing but the clack clack clack of keyboard keys, Vincenzo, one of the lead engineers, speaks up.
"This is weird… we're having some trouble accessing the necessary data. Did someone put up a firewall?"
Everybody looks around at each other, shaking their heads and muttering "no."
"Isla, are you seeing this? Can you get through?"
Isla continues to type, not saying anything. After a few more seconds, she turns to look at Vincenzo with a concerned expression. "I don't recognize some of the items in our system."
Just as she finishes her sentence, everyone's attention is pulled abruptly to a wall monitor on the right as it starts showing nonsensical images and patterns. Two seconds later, an alarm goes off and a red warning light begins flashing within the building. Everyone's eyes go wide as realization dawns on them: they've been compromised and shelter-in-place has been activated.
~ 12:55pm ~
Everyone begins to evacuate the classified lab area, grabbing their phones on the way out, and peering through the one-way windows. They can occasionally hear Mike speaking rapidly into the phone with a 911 dispatcher, when he's not being drowned out by shouts from colleagues.
On the descent to the bunker, the tension is palpable. Individuals clutch onto each other, others try frantically to reach loved ones, and some are in complete disbelief and shock. As they all descend the five flights of the winding staircase to the basement, windows are no longer available, but the ceiling bulbs keep flickering on and off. Each time it happens, everyone stops in their tracks, ducks down on instinct, and picks up the pace when the lights come back on.
~ 1:15pm ~
The entrance to the Harvard labs bunker is protected by a vault door that has a counter system. When the system is in place, the door can be opened once for people to get in. Once it's been closed, it can only be opened when there's one person on either side working together — it's futile with only one person. The only other way it can be opened is by shutting down the counter system from the outside, with the correct override pin, which only a handful of the most trusted team members know.*
As the vault door comes into sight, the wheel on the outside is turned, and the door opens with a whoosh. People slowly start filing in and head towards the back. However, not everyone can stay in the safety of the bunker. In case of an emergency, the project they’re working on must be erased, to protect it from falling into the wrong hands. Certain people have been assigned particular instructions to delete specific portions.
Serena is one of them.
She's walking next to Isla and their arms are looped together. As Isla enters the bunker, Serena lets go of her arm, stopping at the threshold. Isla whips her head around.
"What are you doing?! Get in here!" She reaches for Serena’s arm.
Serena shakes her head. "I'm the only one currently here who knows the medical codes."
Isla's eyes are frantic in realization. "I'll go back with you! I'll be your lookout! You're not going alone!"
"You'll be safe here. This is my responsibility."
Serena reaches behind her neck and unclasps her gold necklace for the first time in 7 years. She grabs Isla's hand and places the jewelry into her palm, closing Isla's fingers around it.
Serena stares at their clasped hands. "In case anything happens," they both flinch at another flickering of lights. "Promise me that you'll get this to E."
Their eyes are locked now, having a silent battle: Isla begging her to stay and Serena finding the strength not to.
"Isla, promise me. Please." Serena squeezes Isla’s hand that much tighter.
Isla realizes that there's no use in fighting Serena. Risking her life to delete the project is part of the job. They all made a commitment and if the roles were reversed, Isla would be the one fighting to go back.
Isla slowly nods. "I promise, Serena. I promise. But do your best to keep yourself safe. Try and stay near the corners, away from any large equipment that could have aftershock effects, and—"
Serena shakes her slightly. "I know, Isla. We did take the same training," she smiles, trying to make a joke to lighten the mood, but Isla just stares gravely at her.
A booming sound rattles the building and Serena knows it's time to go. She gives Isla a quick hug, before pushing her backwards into the bunker. Before Isla has regained her footing, Serena has closed the bunker door with a resounding thud.
~ 1:30pm ~
On the way back to the classified area, Serena takes out her phone. Ethan hasn't returned her earlier call. Her heart is pounding and with trembling hands, she hits the call button on Ethan's contact card for the second time in less than two hours. After a few rings, his voice comes through.
"You've reached Dr. Ethan Ramsey. I apologize for missing your call. Leave a message and I'll get back to you."
Just as she’s about to start speaking, the lights go down for good. "Hey E," she tries her best to keep her voice from shaking. She puts the call on speaker, places the phone out in front of her, and turns the flashlight on. "I don't know when this will hit the news, but we're currently under cyberattack. I don't know from who or what, but they’ve already gotten into our mainframe and power supply. Everyone has sheltered-in-place and is awaiting further instructions." She takes a deep breath as she inches down a corridor.
"Everyone except me, Vincenzo, and Carmen. We’re the only three here right now trained to completely delete the project in the event something like this happened. I'm walking back to the lab as I speak."
Serena rounds a corner and the lab comes into view. Thinking about what she has to say next, silent tears stream down her face.
"Ethan, sweetheart, I need you to know that the last eight months by your side have been the absolute best eight months of my entire life. You are the light of my existence and mean everything to me." She lets out a deep breath. "I wish I could hear your voice right now… I'm really scared. But I made a commitment, so I need to go back in and finish the job. If something happens, know that you are unequivocally the love of my life and the one for me. I know we haven't talked about it yet, but know that I want to spend forever with you as your wife and have you be the father of my children." She sniffs and continues, "you would be a fantastic husband and dad."
She comes to a stop in front of the keypad located right outside the lab and swallows past the lump in her throat. "But if the universe has other plans for me, I'll be waiting for you and I can't wait to spend forever with you in the next life. This isn't how I wanted to tell you, but until next time, whenever that is, I love you so much, Ethan Jonah Ramsey, more than words could ever properly convey."
She ends the phone call with tear-filled eyes, stashes her phone on a nearby workbench, punches in her key, and enters the classified area one more time.
~~~~~~
*Disclaimer: I have no idea if Harvard labs has a bunker and if they do, what kind of door/system they utilize. This is all purely AU!
Loved the intensity of this, and the palpable tension you've maintained throughout. And always love when a writer puts into those intricate technical details in scenes like this one. And Serena's words to Ethan were everything ❤️ Looking forward to the next part!
Summary: Ethan and MC spend the night at his apartment after his love confession. 3.16 missing scene
Book/Pairing: Open Heart/Ethan Ramsey x f!mc (Casey Valentine)
Category/Rating: A bit of smut, then lots of fluff/Explicit(ish) 🔞
Prompt: @wackydrabbles I wish we could do this all the time (will appear in bold)
Word Count: 1.5k
A/N: After 2 months of not writing for OH, it actually felt really good getting back into it! I had been planning on some angst, but the finale left me soft, so this contains a lot of fluff. The L word is used a lot and I'm not even sorry 🤭 Enjoy! 🥰
"The truth is... when I wasn't paying attention, somehow... I fell in love with you."
Ethan's words remain on a loop in her mind the entire journey back to his apartment.
She hasn't been able to remove the smile that has been etched on her face since he'd uttered the words she'd waited so long to hear.
When they eventually arrive at their final destination for the night she leaps into his arms the second the door shuts behind them. Her legs wrap around him and their lips crash together as he makes his way towards the bedroom.
They fall onto the bed, their hands roaming the others body, freeing each other from their clothes.
It's only a matter of seconds until they are completely naked.
"Say it again" she asks, breaking from their kiss.
"I love you" he smiles, the words falling so freely from his lips now.
"What do you love about me?"
"Everything," he states. He places his hands on either side of her face looking deep into her eyes, as though trying to channel all his feelings into that look alone and it causes her heart to flutter.
"I love your lips," he says pressing his mouth back into hers. The kiss starts slow and gentle, then deepens as he slips his tongue into her mouth. They grip onto each other as they roll on the bed, pressed together tightly as though they can't possibly be close enough.
As he pulls away, they are both breathless, but smiling so happily at each other.
"I love your breasts" he continues, pushing them together and swirling his tongue around each hardened nipple.
She moans with pleasure at the sensation and he gives a little smirk.
Moving to her arms, he slowly slides his fingers down taking her hands in his own. "I love your hands" he says placing them on his chest.
She lets him guide them down the toned muscles, enjoying every ripple beneath her fingertips. She's about to take hold of him when he gently places her arms back at her sides.
She watches intently as his hands travel to her stomach, then he starts to lower them—oh so slowly.
"I love..."
She holds her breath in anticipation of what's coming next.
"...your legs" he continues, separating his hands to glide them down each one. He smiles as Casey lets out a long shaky breath.
Not wanting to tease her for much longer, he gently parts her legs, resting his hands on her inner thighs.
"I love..." he grins as he moves his face down and runs his tongue between her legs "...tasting you."
"Mmm" she moans, before breaking into a giggle. "Now that one I already knew."
He looks back up into her eyes and they stare at each other for a moment.
"I love you so much" she says, her heart almost bursting with the intensity of her feelings for him.
He travels back up the bed to press his lips to hers for a soft kiss.
"I want to feel you Ethan. Show me how much you love me."
Without another word, he positions himself between her legs and pushes into her with ease. She lets out a moan as she feels his warmth and hardness fill her completely.
They keep their faces close as they move slowly together. Their breathing begins to accelerate, but they keep the pace steady, wanting to savour every second of being so close and connected.
Her sighs gradually grow louder as her pleasure starts to climb and Ethan pushes into her harder—maintaining eye contact—as he helps her to reach her peak. "I love you," he whispers, causing her to fall over the edge with a loud moan.
He continues to rock his hips as he presses his face to her cheek. "Casey, I'm so close," he sighs.
"Let go Ethan," she replies through her heavy breathing and after a few more thrusts he does.
He collapses next to her and they lie holding each other for a long moment as they both allow their breathing to calm.
"That felt different to normal" she says, tracing circles across his chest. "It felt like we were making love."
"Have we not done that lots of times already?" he asks with a quirked eyebrow.
"You know what I mean. It wasn't just sex, it felt more..."
"Intimate," he suggests.
"Exactly," she replies. "Does that make sense?"
"Yes. I know what you mean. I don't think I've ever felt that close to you before." He places a kiss on top of her head. "It felt amazing."
She smiles at him, tears suddenly forming at the edges of her eyes.
"Are you okay?" he asks, stroking her cheek.
"Yes. I'm just so happy that we're here now. Together. Officially."
"I never should have left it this long to tell you how I feel about you" he says, a clear look of regret on his handsome features.
"It's okay. I hadn't said it either, but it's been said now and there's no going back," she chuckles.
"I wouldn't want to," he replies.
She snuggles into his chest, feeling the most content she has ever felt.
After a few minutes of blissful silence, her mind turns to thoughts of their future. As much as it excites her, there is one particular aspect that causes her a little concern. She clears her throat.
"I don't want to ruin how perfect this night has been, but there's something I want to talk to you about, something pretty important."
"Go on" he replies, giving her arm a gentle squeeze.
"I know that you sometimes find it hard to let people in or you think you're protecting me by not telling me things—but shutting me out hurts."
He winces at that.
"I want to be there for you, through the good—and the bad. I'll always support you no matter what, but you have to let me."
She moves to prop herself up onto her elbows, looking him in the eye she continues. "As much as I'm happy to be there for you physically, it's more important to me to be there mentally and emotionally. Do you think that is something you could try? For me?"
He gives her a nod. "I admit it's a bad habit I've got into, but I'll definitely try. I want to be a better man for you Casey."
"Thank you" she responds placing a kiss on his chest, then snuggling herself back into him.
"What do you think you'll do now that you've completed your residency?" He seems almost nervous as he asks the question.
"I want to stay, if that's what you're asking. If there's a position for me that is."
She hears a small sigh of relief leave his lips.
"I'm sure you'll have no problem there. I'm happy that you want to stay."
"You didn't think I'd leaving you behind now did you? After everything we've been through, there's no way I'd throw it all away now I've finally got you."
His chest shakes beneath her as he lets out a little chuckle. "I'm glad to hear it. I'm not the only reason though am I?"
"Of course not. Even with all the crap with Bloom this year, I still love the hospital and I love the people, but most of all...I love you. Staying will give me everything I'm looking for."
She smiles to herself as she hears a hard swallow from Ethan.
They squeeze each other tightly as they slowly drift off to sleep—feeling happy, content and loved.
---
The next morning Casey wakes to the smell of coffee wafting from the kitchen. She follows the scent to find Ethan sitting at the kitchen counter, coffee in one hand, medical journal in the other. He looks up at her and smiles as she walks towards him.
"Morning," he says, grabbing the coffee pot and pouring her a mug as she takes a seat. "I'll make us some breakfast."
"Thank you," she replies as she watches him get to work.
"Did you sleep okay," he asks.
"Yes, it was the best sleep I've had in a while actually" she grins, "you?"
"Same, which was unexpected after everything that has been going on recently." He looks a little sad as his mind wanders to Naveen, but it's soon replaced with a smile. "I suspect having the woman I love in my arms was the reason though."
"I don't think I'll ever tire of hearing you say that."
"Good, because I don't plan to stop telling you."
She smiles to herself as she looks out at the beautiful view of the early morning sun lighting the bay. "I wish we could do this all the time," she sighs.
"There's no reason why we can't," he replies and it brings a grin to her face that she's sure will remain there for the rest of the day.
*****
Thank you so much for reading 💗
*****
I've used my cleaned up taglist (plus those who have asked to be added more recently), but I know that was a little while ago now, so please let me know if you wanted to be added/removed ❤
