South15

fiona • she/her • a03 da pitt • bridgerton • jane austen's regency • true crime docs • romcoms

[japril]

mel king and frank langdon scenes archive ↳ s01e01, part three

[sweetpimento]

Langdon: But, we're friends, right?

Robby: You're my best resident, big difference.

[Mel approaches Langdon's direct line of sight. Ignores Robby.]

Mel: I have a lethargic 4-year-old in south 15. Also... I'll be your friend.

[mikesseleven]

spider-man pointing meme

[sweetpimento]

Day 24 – Premiere

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

495 words | Rated G | Established Friendship, Angst, Fluff | Warnings: Discussion about Violence

Read on A03

The King sisters were trying something new and Mel was grateful for it. Becca’s newfound independence seemed to inspire her to push beyond her comfort zone. Mel’s eyes were open to finally seeing her sister as an independent being. After many arguments and some distance between them, they were finding their way back to each other, learning how to set clear boundaries and communicate better, and establishing a new standard for their relationship as almost 30-year-old women. It was a work in progress but they were both excited about it.

Mel and Langdon sat in the break room for a quick respite. He listened intently as she described her Friday night plans with Becca. They were calling it Premiere Night—starting a new tradition of watching movies that neither sister had seen before. (Old favourites would be sprinkled in periodically for the sake of comfort).

Mel opened up the Google Sheets app on her phone and handed it to Langdon. The list was broken into separate genre tabs. Each tab had colour-coded columns for Title, Rating, Run Time, Cast, Summary/Review, Rewatch (Y/N), Recommend (Y/N).

Langdon immediately clicked into the Mafia/Gangster tab. All the classics were there—The Godfather Trilogy, Goodfellas, Donnie Brasco, Reservoir Dogs, The Untouchables.

He perked a brow. “You’re okay with violence?”

“It’s the unfortunate state of our world that we’ve become somewhat desensitized to it, particularly on screen,” she shrugged.

Langdon hummed, then went back to scanning the list. “A Bronx Tale. Good addition. Very underrated film.”

Mel smiled at the endorsement.

“You’ve never seen Scarface?”

“Nope,” she shook her head.

“Tony Montana? Say hello to my little friend?”

Mel’s brows pinched. “I don’t know what any of that means.”

“You will. It’s a cult classic. Once you see it it’ll be scorched into your brain,” he chuckled. “So what’s on the bill for tonight?”

“I’m going to let Becca pick,” Mel replied. “She’s being really good about the let’s try something other than Elf experiment.”

Inviting Langdon was on the tip of her tongue but she’d have to ask Becca first out of respect for their long-standing Friday night tradition. Plus, Mel didn’t want to invite any friction when they were getting along so well. Inviting him for another night was a possibility, but she couldn’t ignore the bright red flag being waved at her—his precarious family situation. He was putting in so much extra time, never seeming in a rush to go home, but he was still wearing his wedding ring. And Mel’s feelings for him were pushing unhealthily beyond a simple workplace crush.

Langdon played with the wrapper of the granola bar he just inhaled. “I’m curious to hear what you think about all these classics.”

“I can share the list with you and you can read our reviews as we watch them,” Mel offered. This was definitely the safer option. Creating a boundary. Keeping him at a comfortable distance. “We can compare notes.”

“Deal,” he grinned.

[sweetpimento]

Day 23 – Milestone

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

423 words | Rated T | Tennis AU | Warnings: Mentions of Addiction and Narcotics Anonymous

Read on A03

Waking up with Frank was wonderful. So was kissing in bed—him cupping her chin and brushing his thumb over her cheek, Mel’s insides fluttering, desire coursing through her, urging her to touch him lower but stopping herself. She wasn’t sure they were there yet. Yesterday he was just her coach.

They kissed until their lips were swollen and it was time to get up and start the day. They could at least pretend to maintain their professionalism in the wake of this new arrangement. They were prepping for Wimbledon after all.

“That Spanish omelette from Ivy’s Cafe is calling my name,” Mel said, enjoying his thumb tracing the mole under her eye.

Frank hummed. “And some coffee.”

“Donnie wants to focus on footwork drills after breakfast.” This in preparation for her afternoon practice session on the notoriously slippery Roehampton grass courts.

“Sounds good,” he sat up, stretching his arms above his head. “Um—I think I want to catch a meeting before your training.”

Mel sat up, mirroring him. “Okay.”

They were quiet for a few beats, just studying each other.

“Um,” he started carefully, “you can sit in if you want? The virtual meeting. It’s just a bunch of addicts talking about steps and their feelings.”

This was her new normal—kissing Frank, NA meetings and sharing in his recovery journey. Another milestone moment.

Mel’s eyes went wide. “Really?”

“Yeah,” he smiled. “If we were in Pittsburgh I’d invite you to an actual meeting. They’re nothing special—a lot of cringy religious talk in a musty old building that smells like rotten apples and stale cigarettes.”

She knew he was making a joke to clamp down on the intensity of the moment.

“It’s not that I feel bad and that's why I need a meeting,” seeing her expression shift, brows pinched. “I feel good, Mel. It’s um—it’s good to keep up with regular meetings, you know, to stay on the path. Besides, if I tell Dana I haven’t been, she’ll yell at me.”

Mel smiled, tracing her finger over his chin divot. “Well, we wouldn't want your sponsor to yell at you.”

“No,” he sighed at the sensation. “You can sit off to the side—off-camera. No one would have to know you’re there watching.”

She realized she hadn’t confirmed yes or no and he was nervous about her answer.

“I’d love to sit in on your meeting, Frank.”

His eyes lit up. “Yeah?”

“Mm-hmm.” She pulled him close, kissing along his stubbled jaw, then finding his lips. “Thank you for asking,” she whispered against them.

[sweetpimento]

Day 22 – Connect

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

484 words | Rated G | Established Relationship, Hurt/Comfort

Read on A03

It took a few days of Tanner and Penny being withdrawn around baby Oliver for Frank to connect the dots. Even though Penny was the more outgoing of the two, in this instance she deferred to her big brother and followed his lead.

Penny had been a fairly seamless addition. Tanner was excited to have a younger sibling to play with and boss around slash assume seniority over. He soon learned that his sister may have been smaller but she was no pushover.

Oliver’s arrival brought a different set of challenges. Tanner and Penny didn’t quite understand the concept of half-siblings or blended families yet but the distinction that Mel was Ollie’s mother and not Abby was clear from the beginning, and that seemed to fill them with unease.

They loved Mel and she loved them as if they were her own, but they acted tentative around her those first few days, seeing how preoccupied she was feeding and caring for Oliver—they couldn’t help but feel pushed aside and left out. Mel, being a sensitive person, could see them struggling internally. She anticipated that the initial fascination with a new baby might be replaced with jealousy, anger or even sadness, but she didn’t overstep and gave Frank the space to talk to his children without judgement.

“I’m gonna need you to look out for Oliver.” Frank sat them down while Mel and baby slept. “Of course he’s always going to have me and Mel to take care of him… but you’re his big brother and sister. He’ll need you too, especially when he gets bigger, to teach him things, set an example… love him. It’s a big responsibility but I know you can do it because you’re great kids and you have a lot of love in your hearts. What do you say? Can you do that for Dad?”

He watched their heads nod, Tanner’s more tentatively. “Yes Daddy,” Penny said. “I love Oliver already.”

“That’s my girl,” Frank smiled. “He’s gonna love you two like crazy. He can’t tell you right now, but he will soon.”

“When?” Tanner asked, still non-committal.

“Every baby is different. You started talking around a year old. Penny was a little earlier. She started talking at 10 months.”

“She never stops talking,” Tanner whined.

Frank laughed, looking over at his daughter who wasn’t offended, clearly proud to be a talker just like her Dad.

“There’s a lot going on right now with the new baby, but you’re just as important to me and Mel,” he said. “We love you so much. Don’t ever forget that. Okay?”

Frank let out a woah as they collapsed into his arms, getting so big they almost bowled him over. “Love you Tan. Love you Nellie.” They both mumbled love you Dad into his neck. He held onto them for as long as they’d let him, grateful to be a father of three.

[kmsk8r]

(when harry met sally x kingdon)

[sweetpimento]

Day 21 – Lounge

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

492 words | Rated G | AU, Minor Mohabbot, Fluff

Read on A03

On their last night in Las Vegas, Samira convinced Mel to venture outside of their hotel to check out the strip. Their EM Acute Care Workshop had concluded and they more than deserved to decompress with a few drinks.

From all accounts, the strip didn’t seem like a place for Mel to decompress, but when would she ever be back in Sin City? So, she took the opportunity to get spruced up (if gray slacks and a Uniqlo polo counted as that), stood giddy as a goose watching the fountain show at the Bellagio choreographed to Perfect by Ed Sheeran (she could tick that off her bucket list) and relaxed at the Skyfall Lounge which Samira found on Yelp—a rooftop bar with a panoramic view of the city.

They were finishing off their first round of drinks and nibbling on appetizers when Mel saw a familiar figure sitting by the window.

“That’s him,” Mel squeaked.

“Who?” Samira asked, following Mel’s eyeline.

Mel leaned in and whispered. “The doctor from the plane. Frank.”

“The one you drooled all over?”

“Didn’t drool, just slept on. Inappropriately. Apologized profusely afterwards.” Mel knew her friend was teasing, but still.

“Hmm.” Samira was staring at him. “Give me the deets again?”

“Emergency Attending at Presby. Two kids. Was gracious about me using his shoulder as a pillow without asking first. Bluest eyes you’ve ever seen. Unmistakable ring on his finger.”

Samira turned back around. “He mentioned his kids but not his wife?” Mel nodded. “Maybe he’s separated? Or… he’s a widower like Jack who still wears his ring?”

“Or you’re forgetting a third possibility,” Mel posited.

“Okay?”

“He’s a shameless philanderer who picks up women on airplanes.

Samira burst out laughing. “What’s in your drink? I should have ordered that instead.” It was a Tomatini and it was delicious. “Mel, he’s sitting alone with his laptop open and nerdy glasses on. It’s not giving cheater.”

“What does a cheater look like?” Mel asked, slightly offended.

“Not that,” Samira said.

“I thought I would have seen him at the conference, but—” Mel sounded wistful.

“So you were thinking about him?”

Mel shrugged. “He was nice and a good listener.”

“There was a vibe?” Samira asked

“Whatever that means.”

“First you meet on a plane heading to the same medical conference,” Samira started, “and now out of all the lounges we could have gone to tonight, he’s at this one? I think the stars have aligned.”

“I think you’re being overly romantic,” Mel said.

“Maybe I am but since Jack and I are currently in a cooling off period, I must live vicariously through you,” Samira said. “I’m so bummed I had to take a different flight and miss your little meet cute.”

Mel rolled her eyes. “If you’d been there I wouldn’t have fallen asleep on him.”

“I take that back then.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Mel sighed, “we’re going home tomorrow. To Pittsburgh.”

“Where he also lives,” Samira grinned.

Notes: This is a standalone fic. For the meet cute, please read Chapter 6: Laughter | The Tomatini

[audreyvoilax]

You believe, I believe too

That you are the river of light who I love

—

The King-Langdons

[sweetpimento]

Day 20 – Stargazing

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

357 words | Rated T | Character Ensemble, Angst, Hurt/Comfort

Read on A03

“Hey Sunshine, I know your head probably looks very pretty in the clouds, but maybe join us down here on solid ground?”

“Dr. Garcia,” Al-Hashimi scolded.

“What? She’s stargazing in my trauma like she’d rather be somewhere else.”

“Your trauma?” Langdon said incredulously.

Mel realized they were all staring at her, Al-Hashimi and Langdon both worriedly. “No, I’m fine,” she assured, shaking off the cobwebs.

“And she’s back,” Garcia teased.

“Lay off, YoYo,” Langdon hissed. And then in that concerned voice without a hint of condescension she appreciated from him, “You okay, Mel?”

“Yes,” she nodded unconvincingly.

The ruptured spleen patient was stabilized and Garcia followed them up to surgery, shaking her head the entire time.

“Dr. King, you need a break.” Mel frowned at Al-Hashimi to fight her on it and then at Langdon for back-up. Neither budged. “This isn’t up for debate. Go take ten and clear your head.”

Langdon eventually found her in the ambulance bay, in the spot that had become theirs.

“Sorry, that was very unprofessional,” she said.

“You don’t have to apologize to me, Mel. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Between the ongoing malpractice suit and Becca pulling away, she most certainly wasn’t okay. She could easily say yes and deflect, but he was so in tune to her microexpressions and little tells he’d see right through the lie. Besides, she wanted to talk to him. He’d become her touchstone.

“I don’t want to weigh you down with my problems.” His transition back to the ED had been rough, distrustful eyes following him everywhere. And there were those rumours about his marriage.

“Not to sound insensitive, but I could use the distraction.”

It had no business being a funny moment, but she laughed and he grinned, very proud of the growing blush on her cheeks.

“Was it something I said?” He chuckled.

“It wasn’t even one of your good ones, Captain Scurvy,” she giggled.

“I’ve set a new bar then. Make Mel King laugh with the random shit jiggling around in my head.”

Their laughter echoed around the bay and for a little while Mel forgot what she was distressed about.

[sweetpimento]

Day 19 – Heels

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

208 words | Rated G | Established Relationship, Fluff

Read on A03

Mel was admittedly being stubborn but she would continue to dig her heels in to preserve the sanctity of properly naming the only child she might ever give birth to.

“Do I even have to ask?”

“Connor after the best hockey player living,” Frank said. “Lennon after the greatest Beatle.”

Mel sighed deeply. “Can you also explain your obsession with double consonants?” She had already vetoed Gunnar and Finn for obvious reasons.

“What?” He postured. “It exudes strength. Why have only one when you can have two?”

“O-kaaayyy.” She parsed that explanation through her brain. “Isn't it enough that you named your dog Jagger?”

“Our dog, and that wasn’t for Mick, it was for Jaromír Jágr.”

Because that was different somehow. Mel suddenly imagined Abby having this same conversation when they were naming Tanner and Penny.

“Frank, I love you.”

“And I love you—”

“But… I would really love it if our child wasn’t named after some famous person. I’d prefer something unique to our family.”

“Baby, my parents named me Frank,” he groaned.

“A strong name symbolizing authenticity and integrity,” she countered.

Frank grinned proudly because only Mel could make his stupid name sound exceptional. “Alright, Melissa King-Langdon, love of my life—what names were you thinking of?”

Notes: Zoom in (photo) for the name they chose. Frank will most definitely refer to their son as the O.G.

[sweetpimento]

Day 18 – Parade

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

374 words | Rated T | Mel POV, Angst, Hurt, Pre-College AU

Read on A03

Abby showed up to the graduation party sporting a ring on her finger. It wasn’t an engagement ring—did people still give their intended promise rings?—but it might as well have been the way it felt like a dagger to Mel’s heart.

Abby strutted like a peacock, flaunting it to all of their friends like a well-earned trophy as if she was in her very own ticker-tape parade.

Look what Frank gave me.

You know what this means in a few years. Wink, wink.

All she needed was a float and some damn confetti.

It sucked for Mel but it was just the reminder she needed that going to a different school was the right decision. Frank would be out of sight and thus out of her mind, and she could try to go on as if she’d never fallen for him and his sapphire blue eyes that followed her everywhere and his spikey, wayward hair that needed a cut, and his long fingers that cradled over hers perfectly as he pulled her into the water.

She could go into full denial that they finished each other’s sentences so seamlessly, and even though literal telepathy didn’t exist (although wouldn’t it be awesome to be actual vampires from the Twilight series) they were pretty sure they’d perfected the art of mind reading.

How could she forget the day he told her you’re the sun to my moon—without your light I don’t shine. He’d said it so easily and it had been seared into her insides with a figurative cautery pen ever since. Would his light dim with her being 800 miles away?

“Mel, you haven’t said anything about my ring.” Abby had a tinge of disappointment in her voice, dangling her finger right under Mel’s nose as if she needed it to be that close to see it. “Well, what do you think?”

“It’s beautiful Abby,” Mel placated, studying the white gold band. Or maybe it was sterling silver. She wasn’t sure. “It suits you.”

Mel took a long look at Frank, who was huddled in the corner talking to one of his track teammates. She caught sight of a ring similar to Abby’s on his finger.

God she couldn’t wait to leave for Northwestern.

[sweetpimento]

Day 17 – Crowd

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

499 words | Rated T | Established Relationship, Fluff, Dinner with Mohabbot | Warning: Mentions of Addiction and Rehab

Read on A03

“I would have never guessed about you and Mohan.”

Mel and Samira had popped into the restaurant bathroom, leaving their men at the table.

“Why?” Abbot scoffed, shaking the ice in his tumbler. “Because of my age?”

“Nah, not that. How old are you again?” Langdon asked.

“Forty-nine.”

Langdon whistled. “I hope I look that good at 49.”

Abbot cocked his head. “Thanks?”

“No, seriously. You’re a fit, attractive guy. At Tanner’s soccer games, all the men do is complain about their divorces and Dad bods.”

“I thought Dad bods were cool?”

“Apparently that trend fizzled out after Covid.”

“You’re in good shape.”

“I’ve always been a lean guy and I try to stay active.”

Abbot tracked back. “You still haven’t given a reason why you didn’t see Sam and I together.”

“Oh, right. I dunno, you just don’t seem like each other’s type.”

“Speak for yourself kid,” Abbot huffed a laugh.

“I know,” Langdon rolled his eyes. “The entire state of Pennsylvania wants to know what Mel’s doing with me.”

“It takes nothing to join the crowd. It takes everything to stand alone,” Abbot said poignantly.

“That’s deep man.”

“I didn’t write it,” Abbot shrugged.

Langdon snorted. “My reputation precedes me but Mel sees past the bullshit. She’s so patient and supportive. She gets me. She’s the best.”

“Well, that’s also my answer to you. Sam and I get each other.”

“That’s fair. It’s a beautiful thing when another person sees you so clearly. Sometimes it’s unnerving.”

“Sure,” Abbot agreed, “nothing beats not having to say a word and you’re completely understood.”

Langdon nodded. “Think you’ll ever get married again?”

“I don’t know—” Abbot trailed off. “You?”

“I’d go to the courthouse tomorrow. Big or small wedding, I’m down for whatever Mel wants.”

“Very noble. Seems like you’ve got your head on straight.”

“You mean since getting busted and going to rehab?”

“Sure.”

“Well, I didn’t have much choice if I wanted to keep practicing medicine.”

“You had a choice. You made the smart one this time.”

“Thanks,” Langdon smiled sheepishly.

“But if you hurt Melissa King—”

“Don’t worry, there’s already a long list of people who’ve threatened to slice my appendages off, most of them doctors who know how to work a scalpel.”

“Just saying,” Abbot said.

The ladies arrived back at the table, laughing mid-sentence. Samira tucked in next to Abbot. Mel did the same beside Langdon.

 “You two getting along?” Samira asked.

“Always.” Abbot had a cheeky grin. “Although, Langdon admitted he was surprised about us.”

“That we’re dating?” She asked

“I didn’t see it at first,” Langdon shrugged. “Don’t listen to me. I don’t know anything.”

“Mel, are we sure about this self-deprecating routine?” Samira teased. “I think I preferred when he was an asshole.”

“I’m not sure who this asshole is that you speak of,” Mel shrugged nonchalantly. “I’ve never met him.”

Langdon beamed at her.

Abbot raised his glass. “You kids make me feel young. A toast to more nights like this.”

[sweetpimento]

Day 16 – Glitter

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

268 words | Rated T | Established Relationship, Hurt/Comfort | CW: Mentions of Death and Cancer

Read on A03

The first time Mel watched Beaches was after her mother died. C.C. Bloom, driving through a literal monsoon to get to her best friend Hillary before her body succumbed to cancer, reminded Mel of arriving at her mother’s bedside just in time and being told I waited for you Melissa, and Mel telling her mother you can go now Mommy.

It was the quintessential film about best friends—female friendship—something Mel had never experienced. She had Becca of course, but she’d never had a chosen best friend, someone who didn’t share her DNA. A best friend who had to learn all about Mel from scratch, about her peculiarities and eccentricities and willingly chose to cultivate their friendship, despite growing up in different families, going to different schools, maybe even living in completely different cities.

Mel imagined having a friend like C.C. Bloom, someone so different from her. A friend who was sparkly and bubbly and wore dresses with glitter, sequins or feathers, who had a fiery hot temper and the voice of an angel, and was there for her friend whenever she needed her.

Mel hadn’t even thought about the film until it popped up on her Because You Watched algorithm on Netflix. She hesitated on the remote, eyes fixed on the preview. Memories flooded back with all that had been lost as Wind Beneath My Wings played in the background.

Frank, sprawled out on the couch with his head in her lap, felt her hesitation. “You wanna watch this?”

“No,” she said assuredly, carding her fingers through his hair. “It’s too sad. Let’s watch something else.”

[kingdoncomes]

i too would post a thirst trap if my crush looked this good

[sweetpimento]

Day 15 – Silk

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

498 words | Rated T | Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Kingdon Romcom, Background Becca/Adam

Read on A03

Mel climbed into the passenger seat of Frank’s car looking tense.

“What’s wrong?” He knew something was off watching her hands wringing tightly in her lap. “Where’s Becca?”

“She went to meet Adam,” she said.

“Are we all still going out for dinner?”

“She’s upset,” Mel shook her head. “She discovered her dress wasn’t made ethically and she refuses to wear it.”

In fact, Becca wanted to abandon the silk charmeuse dress that took months to find and perfect, forty-eight hours before her wedding.

Brows pinched, Frank thought he may have misheard his girlfriend. “What?”

Mel cleared her throat. “She’s distressed that thousands of silkworms were murdered to make her dress—yes, murdered—her words—don’t look at me like that, Frank!”

“Are you kidding me right now?” He huffed a laugh so hard, he almost choked. “Mel, baby, please tell me this is a joke you two made up. Ha ha, the King sisters are so funny, pulling a prank on ol’ Frank.”

Mel groaned. “She said it would be wrong to marry the man she loves, profiting from the killing of innocent moths who were deprived of being with their loved ones.”

Frank was incredulous. “The dress has already been made.”

“But wearing it would desecrate their memory,” she sighed.

He suddenly felt very tired. “Apologies to the poor silkworm community, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but those worms are worm food.”

“Frank!”

“Maybe we can make a donation to the silkworm society of Pittsburgh. I’m sure there is one.”

“You’re being ridiculous now.”

“I’m—I’m being ridiculous?” He chuckled. “We really should have hid her phone.”

“Be serious. Yes, Becca is in the middle of an ethical crisis but she's also getting married in two days and we don’t have a dress!”

“I remember watching this film about silkworms actually. Keira Knightley was in it—”

“Frank, this is not the time. Help me!"

“Okay, okay. Sorry baby.” He pulled one of her hands into his lap, squeezing it to calm her. “So… the issue is that Becca’s dress wasn’t ethically made.”

“Right,” Mel nodded.

“So we need to find an ethical alternative.”

“Correct.”

“And we're in a serious time crunch.”

“We have a solid day and change to source a new dress that won’t require any major alterations and can be picked up right away.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“Let me do a Google search,” Mel brightened. 

“That fucking search engine is precisely why we’re in this mess,” Frank quipped.

Mel rolled her eyes at him and Becca’s incoming text—Mel, I’m not wearing that dress! She pulled up a list of ethical fabric options, keeping in mind they’d have to be suitable for the occasion and more importantly feel comfortable against Becca’s skin. A huge task but nothing the team of Mel and Frank couldn’t solve.

When Becca married Adam in ethical ivory, none of their guests were the wiser. Mel and Frank may have looked a little weary but seeing Becca happy was well worth the trouble.

[sweetpimento]

Day 14 – Cake

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

160 words | Rated G | Frank POV, Best Friends, Angst

Read on A03

They’re at the bakery Dr. Toomarian used for her wedding. Nazely recommended the marble cake with dulce de leche frosting, but Frank knows Mel will choose something simpler.

He wonders why he’s even here when her fiancé or Becca or one of her bridesmaids should be, but they're all mysteriously busy and Mel seemed very happy that it would just be the two of them—you’re my best friend Frank and I value your opinion the most.

It broke his brain for a few seconds, because why isn’t the guy she’s marrying her best friend? It’s a question that’s been cauterizing a hole inside his heart for months and now he’s at his breaking point taste testing decadently sweet wedding cakes.

“What do you think?” Mel smiles, her beautiful brown eyes locked on his. “The lemon with lavender frosting or the vanilla bean with strawberry buttercream?”

What Frank thinks is he can’t let her marry Chase, who’s not her best friend.

Notes: Inspired by the cake testing scene from the Wedding Singer.

[sweetpimento]

Day 13 – Smoke

for @kingdonmicrofic Challenge

327 words | Rated G | Character Ensemble, Squint for Emotional Infidelity

Read on A03

The usual suspects were at the charge desk. Dana, tuned into everything at once, had her gaze fixed on a couple of residents huddled together near Central 7.

“You seein’ this?” She mumbled, peering over her glasses, careful not to mention names.

Perlah didn’t have to follow her eyeline. She could see their figures in her periphery, nerding out and giggling. “Way ahead of you.”

“Oh I clocked that a while ago,” Princess countered smugly.

“He still wearing that ring?” Perlah asked her.

“Yep,” Princess nodded, popping the ‘p’ for added effect, “although it’s hanging on for dear life.”

“What’s the deal?” Perlah eyed Dana. “You know the wife. Are they still together?”

Dana shrugged, regretting that she’d initiated this gossip session and delicately tried to walk it back. “She’s a good woman. Been through a lot is all I’m gonna say.”

“Probably been to hell and back based on what happened,” Perlah grunted. “You’d think he wouldn’t be so obvious about this.”

“You’d think, but they can’t all act like a certain Attending and his favourite protégé. All I know is where there’s smoke there’s usually fire,” Princess crooned in sing-song, “and those embers are burning hot.”

“Okay you two,” Dana tutted, signalling that this conversation had reached its expiration.

Robby walked up to the desk, looking curiously between the three of them. “How are we doing? Anyone need me?” He also had eyes like a hawk and there was no way he hadn’t peeped the show in front of them.

“We got a handle on things, Chief,” Dana replied. “We’ll call if we need you.”

Robby hummed, eyes laser focused on Mel’s fingers fumbling with the friendship bracelet around Langdon’s wrist, a move that appeared a lot more intimate than it should. Robby cleared his throat with a loud ahem. They both heard it, keenly aware that they were being watched, prompting brief goodbyes before scurrying off in different directions to attend to their patients.