Morning light spilled lazily through the curtains, soft and golden, settling over rumpled sheets and warm skin. Ethan had been awake for a while, though he hadn’t moved. How could he dare when Lilac was half draped over him, her leg tangled with his, her head resting just beneath his collarbone.
She stirred slightly, breath evening out as she began to wake.
“You’re awake,” he murmured, fingers tracing idle patterns along her back.
“Mmm,” she hummed, not bothering to open her eyes. “Unfortunately.”
A faint smile ghosted across his lips. “It’s a day off.”
“All the more reason not to move,” she countered, tightening her hold on him just a fraction.
“I was planning on going for a run.”
Her response was immediate—a groan, dramatic and deeply offended, as she buried her face further into his chest. “Absolutely not.”
“I didn’t say you had to—”
“You were about to,” she cut in, lifting her head just enough to fix him with a sleepy glare. “And then you were going to give me puppy eyes to convince me.”
That earned a quiet laugh, low and warm against her hair. “I don’t believe I’ve ever given you those.”
“Fine,” she allowed. “More like ‘disappointed physician slash stern physical trainer’ eyes.”
Another laugh from him before kissing her forehead. “Stay here and sleep, love. I’ll be back in an hour.”
“I should go back to my apartment,” she said, voice softer now. “I need more clothes.”
Ethan stilled.
There was nothing out of the ordinary about the statement. Yet, he disliked it.
Lilac shifted, pressing a distracted kiss to his chest as she started to push herself up. “I’ll be quick. I can grab coffee on the way back. Oh, and breakfast from that cafe—”
His arm tightened around her waist before she could get far.
“Don’t go.”
She blinked, caught off guard, then smiled faintly. “Ethan…”
“I mean it.”
Something quiet and heavy coated his tone.
She searched his face. “I’ll be back in like an hour.”
“That’s not the point.”
Her brows knit. “Then what is?”
Ethan remained very still, careful not to rush his words.
“I don’t want you going back and forth like this,” he said finally. “Like you’re… visiting.”
It was Lilac’s turn to go very still.
“You’re not visiting, Lilac. In fact, you’re the only thing that makes this place feel like home.”
She said nothing, breath held as she hinged on every word.
Ethan held her gaze, steady now.
“Move in with me.”
She blinked at him, processing. “That’s—”
“Big,” he finished for her. “Yes.”
She let out a soft, incredulous laugh. “You just… drop that casually?”
“I don’t do anything casually.”
“Clearly.”
She studied him, really studied him, like she needed to be certain this wasn’t just a fleeting thought.
“You’re serious,” she said.
“I am.”
Another beat. Then—
“Okay.”
Ethan blinked once. “Okay?”
She smiled, softer now. “Okay. I’ll move in with you.”
Something like utter relief settled in his chest. He leaned in, kissing her slowly, like he needed to anchor the moment.
When he pulled back, her eyes were still on him, warm but thoughtful.
“You know I might be difficult to live with,” she said.
“I doubt that.”
“No, really,” she insisted, shifting slightly so she could face him fully. “I have odd habits.”
“So do I.”
“I hate the dishwasher.”
“I know.”
She blinked. “You know?”
“I’ve watched you avoid it like it personally offended you.”
“It’s a Mexican thing,” she said with a small laugh. “Growing up, we used ours as storage. We washed everything by hand.”
Ethan’s mouth twitched. “Yes, your sister told me all about how often you had to do that job because of all the bets you’d lose.”
“That’s because she was a filthy cheater.”
Ethan chuckled.
“Back to my weird habits. I also leave drinks everywhere,” she continued. “Half-finished coffee, water, and juice. Sometimes all at once.”
“I’m aware.”
“You’re being suspiciously calm about this.”
“I’ve been living with it already,” he pointed out.
“That’s different. That’s temporary chaos.”
“And this would be permanent chaos?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll survive.”
She huffed a small laugh. “You say that now.”
“I mean it.”
Lilac paused. Then, with a suspiciously casual tone, she said, “I also want a cat.”
Ethan didn’t even hesitate. “Absolutely not.”
She gasped, offended. “You didn’t even think about it.”
“I did. The answer is no.”
“Ethan—”
“No.”
“It could be a nice cat.”
“They all start that way.”
She shoved at his shoulder lightly. “You’re impossible.”
“And yet,” he said smoothly, pulling her back against him, “you agreed to move in with me.”
The truth of the statement seemed to finally hit her. A smile that was pure sunshine broke across her face, followed by a giddy laugh. Unable to help herself, she flung her arms around him and kissed him. Ethan, without hesitation, kissed her back.
“We’re really doing this,” she said breathlessly when they pulled apart.
“We are,” he assured her with a final kiss.
After a moment, her voice softened again. “I’m going to miss them.”
Ethan didn’t have to ask to know she meant her roommates.
“I know.”
“I don’t know how to tell them.”
Ethan took her hand and kissed it reassuringly.
“They’ll be happy for you.”
“They’ll also never leave us alone.”
“That, I fully expect.”
She laughed quietly, settling back into him. Their bodies conformed to the warm tangle of sheets. Ethan, his heart a hundred times lighter, kissed the top of her head and pulled her closer.
The run could wait.
Note: Thank you so much for reading! I already wrote the next part where Lilac tells her roommates she's moving out. Can't wait to share it soon!
Premise: What if it’s Cassie in the fMRI machine responding to Ethan’s probing questions? Reimagining of the premium scene in 1x6.
Fandom: Open Heart
Pairing: Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Cassie Valentine)
Rating/Category: Teen. Fluff.
Words: 1,435
A/N: It only took me 3 years since I first said I wanted to write a switch of this scene. But, I finally did it! Yay, me. lol
@dr-colossal-pita Ended up using your question. So, thanks!
Cassie Valentine had never thought herself claustrophobic. And then she opened her big mouth and agreed to let Ethan Ramsey slide her, headfirst, into an fMRI machine, all in the name of efficiency.
He’d been too impatient to wait for radiology to test the machine. Why was he in such a hurry? She didn’t know and probably should have asked before saying yes.
She was already nervous that her body would give away her secret crush on him as he studied her neurological responses—the man was a world-famous diagnostician, after all, and she was lying flat on her back in a narrow cylinder that might as well be a lie detector.
Okay, so she knew rationally and practically, courtesy of med school, that an fMRI wouldn’t actually reveal her innermost thoughts. It also wasn’t her first time in an MRI suite.
When she’d torn her ACL in college during a ballet leap gone horribly wrong, she had spent months in and out of hospitals, undergoing treatment, surgery, and scans to track her recovery.
But her head had been outside the whole time, and she’d often been bored, staring morosely at the ceiling, grief and anger mingling at the reality of losing something that had been so integral to her identity until then.
Back then, she’d barely noticed as the machine hummed and buzzed and clanked around her. Now, as the machine slowly came online, every sound was magnified, adding to her unease.
Cassie shuddered from the cold and the nerves she couldn’t seem to shake.
She wondered anxiously what type of questions Dr. Ramsey would ask. Her low ranking in the fellowship competition and her handling of Mrs. Turner’s case last night didn’t exactly inspire confidence.
She could handle one or two things going wrong, but when everything piled on, she froze.
“Starting scan. Try not to move, Valentine,” Ethan’s voice boomed in the confined space.
Cassie exhaled slowly and forced herself to relax, mentally reviewing each of the five ballet positions until she felt the calm spread.
Here we go.
Ethan’s eyes shifted from the scan appearing on the screen to the smaller monitor beside it. Cassie had been fidgeting earlier—not surprising, as most people found the experience disorienting—but now she lay perfectly still inside the machine, her expression giving nothing away.
“Initial brain scan complete,” he said into the microphone. “We can begin.”
“How does it look?” she asked.
“Like an intern’s brain. In other words, nothing special.” He rolled his eyes, safe in the knowledge that she couldn’t see him.
“Gee, thanks,” she shot back sarcastically, making him grin.
“Focus, Valentine. Let’s try a softball question. What’s your fondest childhood memory?”
“Decorating the Christmas tree with my brother.” She smiled before continuing. “My mom said we could use whatever we wanted. It was the most ridiculous-looking thing, a hodgepodge of toy cars, action figures, and papier-mâché ornaments we had made in school. But it was ours, and we loved it.”
Cassie chuckled at the memory, and Ethan noted how her hippocampus lit up, the response spreading to her amygdala. It might have been a long time ago, but the memory was clearly still important to her.
“You wake up in prison. What did you do?”
“I shot a man in Reno.”
Ethan bit back a laugh at the quick response, delivered with relish.
“Be serious,” he said gruffly, clearing his throat.
“I am. He had it coming and only had himself to blame,” Cassie continued, steely-eyed. “If you’d have been there, if you’d have heard it, I bet you would have done the same.”
His eyes narrowed at the familiar words. Broadway musicals weren’t really his thing, but even he knew those lyrics.
“Are you reciting lyrics from a musical?” he demanded.
“Huh. I didn’t peg you for a musical fan.” She smiled mischievously. “After our frog rescue mission, I was positive you only listened to dead composers.”
Ethan ignored the implied insult. Really, she was too irreverent for an intern competing for a spot on his team.
“Moving on. I was surprised you didn’t ask me about your fellowship ranking when you chased me down earlier.”
“You wouldn’t have told me anyway,” she said, not even waiting a beat. “Besides, it’s irrelevant. I know I have to do better, so it’s not on you if I rank low.”
Ethan’s brows rose at her answer, and he wondered if she was telling the truth. He kept his eyes on the changing colors on the screen, tracking her neurological responses. A part of her believed it to be true, but it wasn’t the whole answer. She appeared conflicted.
He wanted to push further, but a glance at the clock had him reconsidering. They’d already been here too long, and he had an outpatient clinic starting in half an hour.
“Last one. Why did you want to become a doctor?”
“According to my brother, the role of Mother Teresa was taken.”
Ethan stared at the 3D map of her brain, but her wry response had him turning to the monitor. The corner of her lips twitched in a small smile before her expression became serious.
Her hypothalamus flared briefly, and he wondered at the reaction as she stayed silent.
“That’s it?” he probed, dissatisfied with the incomplete response.
“I’m thinking,” she replied, her words coming out slowly. “It’s a complicated question.”
“It’s really not, Rookie,” Ethan shot back.
“It was your research that inspired me to go into medicine.”
Scan forgotten, Ethan crossed his arms as he continued watching her on the monitor.
“I told you earlier to save the ass-kissing for someone it works on.”
“Oh, please.” She glared directly at the camera now.
“I’m not sucking up. I told you this last week at the baseball game, after I helped you win over those insurance execs. Which you never even thanked me for, by the way,” she said, disgruntled. “You really are the reason why I became a doctor. I want to help people the way you and the diagnostics team do. The people with nowhere else to go.”
Ethan turned his attention to the screen and saw several areas intensify as she repeated the team’s mission back to him, her tone signaling offense at not being taken seriously and passion for a cause that, until now, he believed only he and Naveen truly shared.
With his mentor gone, Ethan had lately begun to wonder how long he could keep Naveen’s legacy alive if there was no one else to pass it on to.
As much as he hated Harper forcing this fellowship competition on him, he could see the reasoning and the potential upside of finding someone who believed in the team’s purpose as much as he did.
Forgetting the time, he opened his mouth to ask a follow-up question, but the shrill sound of a pager interrupted his thoughts. Her white coat was draped over the back of the chair, and a green screen briefly lit up in the pocket.
“Is that mine or yours?” she asked.
He sighed. “Yours. We’re done anyway.”
A few minutes later, he pressed the button and watched her slowly slide out of the machine. An awkward silence passed between them as his blue eyes met hers, the green contemplative and shimmering under the fluorescent lights.
He looked away after helping her off the table, giving her privacy as she adjusted the flimsy hospital gown before pulling on her white coat and reaching for her clothes on the corner table.
“I’ll let you finish getting dressed.”
Ethan started to walk away, but the words left unsaid had him turning to watch her over his shoulder.
“Cassie, I…” He wasn’t sure what he wanted to say, and her wary expression had him second-guessing everything. In the end, he just shrugged.
“Thanks for your help, Valentine.” He smiled briefly but sincerely. “For today and last week.”
Cassie nodded, clutching the bundle of clothes against her. “You’re welcome, Dr. Ramsey.”
He stared at her for another moment, and then, because there was nothing more to say, he marched off, closing the door silently behind him.
Once outside, he leaned against the wall, closing his eyes and reaching for the self-control he valued so much. Breathing slowly, he centered himself and took one step, then another, until he was far enough away from the fMRI suite to feel like himself again.
He had more important matters to concern himself with. Naveen had agreed to let Ethan run some tests. It had been a hard-won battle, and what came next required his complete focus.
AUTHORS NOTE: When Ethan returned from South America 6 weeks ago he had every intention of keeping his distance from Valerie Valentine. But, intentions falter and emotions take over. In this one-shot story Ethan and V convince themselves into having a friendly movie night with definitely no ulterior motives... right? This is 'More Than Friends' and I hope you enjoy! :)
Ethan
The day had been long and arduous, and with summer drawing to its close the days were starting to get shorter, I prepared myself to enter into an evening that was dusted in a subtle chill.
I pulled on my coat as I made my way to Edenbrooks quiet atrium, the cold white lights was definitely something I was dying to escape from. The plan for this evening was quite simply to go home and enjoy a sip or two of the vintage bourbon sitting on my kitchen shelf; a book in hand, not a sound, not a soul other than myself to break the tranquillity -
But as I came to the atrium floor, I realised that that plan might have to be put on hold.
There sitting in the atrium waiting area was Valerie. Not another person around but maintenance staff heading down the corridor that led to the ER, she sat alone with her bag on the seat next to her, simply watching her heels glide back and forth on the floor.
Her thick curls still perfect even after what I can only imagine had been a tumultuous day- as always she looked....beautiful. And naturally, as I have been since returning from South America, I have been drawn to her inexplicably.
...or maybe not so inexplicably.
I raised a brow as I approached her and said "V?"
She looked up startled a moment before relaxing into a smile "Hi Doctor Ramsey."
I checked the time and said "It's late, are you heading home?"
She sighed "Just waiting for the T. The times get a bit sparse this time of day and since my friends aren't around it's a lot safer waiting here than at the station."
The idea of her travelling alone at this time idea was enough to make me cautious - but undoubtedly the feelings that remained for her were the reason that I decided to abandon my evening plans altogether.
I leaned over and picked up her bag "Come, I'll take you home."
Her eyes widened "Ohno I couldn't ask you-"
I raised a brow "Well luckily you aren't asking. Boston is a relatively safe city but I'd feel much better if I took you home myself."
She smiled softly as her shoulders relaxed, her beautiful brown eyes shining as she said "Well if you're insisting."
She stood up and picked up her coat that was behind her and I stepped closer to her once it was on to adjusted it on her shoulders "I do insist."
"....That's very sweet of you... but my place is an awful long way out of your way. "
I raised my brow as I untucked the hair from her collar "Not at all."
She tilted her head a little "It is. Driving back on yourself to go back through the city at night.... It's a lot of effort."
I chuckled lowly "And what exactly would you suggest alternatively?"
Raising on her tip toes to see behind me before stepping closer "Well... We haven't spent much time together outside of this hospital recently have we? Not since you've been back from South America..."
I dropped my voice and said "Because V the last time we were alone together outside this hospital, we... I couldn't keep my hands off you. Not a good idea, all things considering."
"You're right... And because of all things considering, I was thinking... There's hospital rules about having romantic relationships with colleagues... But nothing about Colleagues being friends."
"Friends?"
She nodded and repeated "Friends. And friends hang out together... Watch a movie together... And stay the night so they don't have to go home alone... Or inconvenience the other by having them drive to other side of the city."
I thought for a moment "So you want to...watch a movie. As friends."
She played with my tie "Ofcourse it will involve going to target and getting movie snacks."
"Oh of course."
She pulled me closer by the tie and smiled "So what do you say? You could of course just take me Home... But where's the fun in that?"
I sighed "You like getting me into trouble, don't you?"
"I'm your friend Ethan I would never do that..."
We were very close now, lips a brush away as I spoke lowly "We could never be, just friends."
She angled her lips over mine "We can pretend, like role play..."
We shared a smile and she placed her lips together before stepping back and holding out her hand "interested?"
I took her hand and said "Only if you play fair. And choose a decent movie."
She gasped "my choice?"
"Your choice."
Once we were side by side I leaned down to her "The sleeping arrangements mean I'm on the couch. Understood?"
"Friends can sleep in the same bed Ethan..."
I chuckled "Not the type of friends we are Rookie."
------
Valentine
It's lucky that Sienna knows about Ethan and I because it's one less friend I have to cover things from-
And ordinarily I wouldn't suggest Ethan and I spending a night alone together, but it's been so long since we were just... Us, the moment I saw him tonight I just wanted nothing more than to be with him.
Even now as I look up to him while we're walking across the target car park I find myself...in admiration of him. I am totally head over heels for this guy and there's not a thing I can do about it...
But importantly, his time in South America did very little for putting a pause on... whatever it is we have. So little I almost feel bad about it. All that distance between us for all of that time, and for the past 6 weeks or so we've been back in each other's lives there's been nothing but constant flirting between the both of us.
But then again... there's nothing too wrong about flirting between friends.
Especially when it's outside of work.
Once we were through the doors and into the warm Ethan said "Okay, I've taken us to this consumer trap nightmare, what are we looking for?"
"Take that back! Target is a wonderful place full of all the things you need and all the things you didn't know you needed!" I said as I looked up to him
"More like the things you don't need." he replied as he picked up a basket
I laughed "Now I'm concerned. You must eat? get groceries, yes?"
"Of course, but I can't say beef jerky is on my list..." He said as he inspected a nearby packet
I smiled "Okay even I don't food shop at Target, but it is good for movie snacks. And you have a sweet tooth so I'm going to take advantage of that."
"You are such a bad influence..."
"I see it as a good thing I'm hour bad influence... Helps you live a little honey." I said
He smiled as he looked down to me "Late night runs to target and a movie night is living a little?"
"Oh yeah compared to what you were probably planning, definitely. And I think that was a glass of bourbon and a book- Was it not?"
"....how did you know it wasn't scotch?"
I smiled "You have your bourbon face on."
He rolled his eyes at that and I laughed "Okay moving on to serious important topics: popcorn."
I started to put a few different flavours in the basket and he raised a brow "How much of this do you expect us to have?"
"How much popcorn do you have at home?"
"I don't have any-"
"And that's your problem! You need to be prepared for other impromptu movie nights with friends!"
"Valerie I don't have friends."
I smiled up go him "Apart from me."
He chuckled "Sure, if we're going to keep calling this a friendship."
I picked up some twizzlers and said "What about your... other friends like me? Ever watch a movie with them?"
He picked up a packet and inspected the back of it "I haven't had a friend like you before. But I can't say I've had a movie night like this with another woman before."
He put it in the basket "Besides. Those days where I had...the type of 'friends' you're referring to ended when we... became friends."
I felt my cheeks warm. There was a sweetness at the sentiment but also a sadness as we couldn't have the one thing both of us wanted...
We looked to each-other and shared a glance before I said "Well...looks like me and you will have to have more movie nights then."
"Looks like it."
I smiled and placed a curl behind my ear before saying "Okay, we have popcorn, we have sweets. Gotta have a little bit of fruit to balance things out."
I took the sleeve of his coat and guided him to a different side of the store as he asked "is this not going to make us feel sick?"
"When you live with my friends your stomach is prepared for these kind of nights! You on the hand might want to rake things slow."
He chuckled "dually noted."
As we came to the fruit section I put a mango and a box strawberries into the basket and Ethan cast me a glance "Is this what a regular evening for Valerie Valentine looks like?"
I smiled as I looked up to him "Yeah, when I'm not studying or working... So actually very rarely. But I do enjoy it. Either a corny comedy series or a wonderfully romantic black and white. It's nice to escape from the outside world for a little bit."
He put some blueberries and blackberries into that basket too "And that's why a book and bourbon was my plan. "
I smiled" Yes but that was alone. You can escape reality with someone else you know.. It's even better"
"Every time I'm with you like this it has to be escaping reality. Reality doesn't allow it."
I pursed my lips and nodded "You're right. But at least there's no rules... Just us."
We shared a smile and I said "Come on, we have a movie night to get on with."
------
Ethan
We drove through the city a buzz with people taking on the night whereas Valerie and I were planning to enter the world that just contained the two of us.
I held open the door for Valerie as we entered my apartment, two target bags in hand with more food than two people could eat in one night- but naturally I hope this won't be the last night she's here.
I flicked the light on and said" Do your friends know you're okay?"
She turned around to me and said "Sienna knows I'm with you and she said she'd cover for me with the others... Although she doesn't entirely trust you or think it's a good idea I'm with you... "
....Understandable. I wouldn't think my friend going back to someone who abandoned them for two months without word to go to South America was a good idea either.
I cleared my throat and raised a brow "Well that makes two of us."
She placed the bag on the kitchen counter "ButI reassured her it was nothing more than a friendly movie. And anyway... "
She turned to me and leaned against the counter as she continued to say "I always know the risks that come with being around you. "
I stepped closer to her "Likewise. For example... Being around you has put my coffee at great risk."
" Explain? "
I raised a brow "A few days after I came back I noticed my coffee tasted dreadful. Upon checking my coffee machine I found that my usual beans had been replaced with-"
I lifted up the shopping bag and put it on the side next to her " a rather subpar house blend that I can only guess was bought from Target. "
She giggled, holding her hands to her face as I said "Now I do know it wasn't you, so I think your friends might have had something to do with it."
"I had no idea. I will have to talk to them about that."
I smiled a little" Really, I admire the ingenuity, breaking into my office? Not so much. But it's not like it wasn't deserved. "
She tilted her head" Maybe. But I'll talk to them about that. I have my own way of getting my own back on you without taking it out on coffee beans ..."
Shamelessly flirting and driving me insane apparently
We were close now and after a moment I said "...Feel free to shower and take what you like from the wardrobe. "
She leaned up and pressed a kiss to my cheek" Thank you. "
She dropped in height once her heels were removed and she went around to my room... And I couldn't help but watch longingly after her. Her beautiful hair... Her elegant way of tip toeing in bare feet-
I wanted nothing more than to hold her in my arms just like the first time all those months ago...
But I can't.
I sighed and started to unpack the shopping "Friends. Nothing more than friends."
The biggest lie I have ever told myself....
---
"Oh, my, God! You still have it!!"
I looked up from where I was pouring two glasses of bourbon, Valerie evidently finished with the shower and rummaging through the wardrobe.
Something had perked her interest, which led me to ask "Still have what?"
There were some giggles and after a moment she came out wearing my old sweater that reached just across the mid of her thighs above the knee
"The sweater! The Ethan Ramsey sweater! It always gave sexy nerdy professor." she smiled as she ran her hands over the material
I rolled my eyes, fighting my own smile. "Funny. I thought it was giving warmth."
She held the sleeves in her hands as she sat at the island opposite where I stood "oh it's definitely giving warmth. And it smells just like you... I like it."
I cast a glance to her before sliding a glass and clearing my throat "Keep it if you like. The last time I washed it, it shrunk a little... Besides, it certainly looks better on you."
She smiled "really?"
"Really. Friends can give each other clothes."
"I see you're coming around to my way of thinking." she laughed
"Only when it makes sense to do so. Now, what movie are you thinking? Don't make me regret saying it's your choice."
"I was thinking a classic black and white... Hepburn, Bogie, Holden-"
I chuckled "Sabrina? Of course you'd like Sabrina."
"it's beautifully romantic! What isn't there to like?"
"the fact that Hepburns character ended up Bogart when they had very little in common. It made little sense to me they end up together."
"Perhaps you say that because Bogart and Hepburn didn't like each other in real life- Or maybe you're right. Because why would a young, lively lady fall for an older, grumpier, emotionally unavailable man who is very work orientated?"
I looked up to her as she sipped from her glass with a raised brow" That would be just pure craziness..."
I smiled" Well, it is when there's the Bill Holdens out there that match Hepburns energy. Textbook says that they would be the right match. "
" Mm but texts books are too general. If the lively girl likes the broody man more than anyone else... Then it makes all the sense in the world that she ends up with him."
"....maybe I need to watch it again with a new perspective. "
" I agree! Come on then. "
My father grew up on the classic black and white movies so naturally he passed that experience on to me. He used to collect the VHS tapes of them wen I was a boy and then he moved on to DVDs... A collection which I now own.
And Valerie in her familiarity knew of this box and flicked through until she found the one she wanted.
I smiled a little to myself before putting the fruit in a bowl and bringing that over with her choice of popcorn- the rest of the sweet things already in-front of the couch.
As I sat down I said "If this was a movie night with your friends, what would you be watching instead? I doubt bogart very much."
she smiled as she looked up from the disk in hand "You would be right. Probably some corny romance that makes us cringe but laugh hysterically. something feel good."
she placed the disk in and continued to say "But certainly nothing horror or thriller. I'd be too scared."
I chuckled as I moved to sit lower down on the Couch "I doubt that very much. The fearless Valerie Valentine?"
she came over and sat beside me, her legs curled under her as she said "are you telling me you a fan of the scary?"
I turned my head to her side with a raised a brow "Depends. 'Night of the Hunter' is a scary movie..."
she laughed "Yes but 1955 scary. I could get through that just about... if there was someone to hold my hand."
I smiled a little "Is that so?"
With a nod she smiled too, tilting her head "Yep."
"Then I think when I choose the movie for the next movie night I know what we're watching..."
We were close now- too close.
Close in a way I could smell her lingering perfume...
Close enough that I couldn't help but just stroke a stray curl from her face.
and she held my hand there a moment, our fingers playing with each-other... as absentmindedly we moved even closer...
But I sighed and stopped myself, speaking low between us "....We can't."
She placed her lips tight together and opened her eyes before speaking just above a whisper "Because friends don't kiss, huh?"
"Not the kind of friends we have to be. No."
Our fingers still playing with each other, she smiled softly "Is it crazy i miss you when you're right here next to me? I can feel you... I can see you and hear you but..."
"I know..." I said as my brow creased
she sighed, a comfortable brief silence falling between us before she said "Don't frown. It will give you wrinkles."
I couldn't help but smile at and she returned "Lets just focus on the kind of friends we can be. Because if you didn't already know.... i want to be in your life. not just as 'Rookie' or Doctor Valentine your intern.... more than that. And I'm happy for that to be in any shape or form."
"...I would like that." I spoke as I watched her eyes, knowing anything more than professional between us was dangerous but...
I simply cannot help it.
"Good. In that case we are friends with undeniable sexual tension between each-other but don't speak about it." she said as she leaned forward and picked up the remote.
I chuckled "I might be able to work with that."
"Good. now-"
she handed me the remote before getting up, and before I knew it she was back in the bedroom "I do know that friends can definitely be cosy together on the couch watching a movie."
She came back out carrying a blanket from the wardrobe and I rolled my eyes "Naturally."
a continuous temptation.
I lifted up my arm and she slid close to me, laying the blanket over both of us "Okay. Now I'm ready.
"Good, I'm eager to watch this with the Valerie perspective." I said as I pressed play
she tilted her head back "I'm sure it will be your new favourite."
We shared a smile and with that the credits rolled on.....
and even after she had looked back to the screen, I was yet to take my eyes off- her realising all our futile efforts...
Because friends just don't look at each other like that
but I cannot imagine looking at her any other way.
Book: Open Heart, Book 1
Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Sawyer Brooks)
Rating: General
Category: Fluffy Angst
Word count: 1.8K
Prompt: From @jerzwriter, “An intern year fic where someone leaves a heart-shaped box of chocolates for Sawyer, and Ethan tries to find out who it is… without anyone realizing he's doing it, and of course, he fails!"
Song Inspiration: Stupid Cupid by Jenna Raine
Ethan’s ears perked up when he heard the crinkling of plastic, light footsteps, and soft sniffling just outside the door of Naveen’s secret location. When Sawyer pushed her way through the slightly ajar door, he took one look at her face, then two urgent strides forward to block her entry into the room. She stared up at him with a red-tipped nose, watery eyes, and swollen eyelids, and his hand immediately went to her forehead to check her temperature.
“You can’t be here if you’re sick,” he admonished, his strong fingers now delicately massaging the underside of her jaw to check for swollen lymph nodes.
She subtly shook her head, with his hands still cupping the sides of her neck. Her voice hoarse and nasally, she replied, “I know. I’m not sick.”
Sawyer’s skin heated and flushed, but not from fever. Ethan’s intense gaze was too much for her itchy, burning eyes, and a tear trickled down her cheek. A swipe of his thumb caught it just before it rolled off her face.
“Did something happen? Did someone upset you?” he asked, unable to hide his protective instinct where she was concerned.
It had been a couple of weeks since their trip to Miami. The guilt of his actions weighed heavily on him. Guilt for allowing her to help in his desperate quest to save his mentor’s life, and especially for losing his control on the hotel room balcony. If Sawyer were to be harmed in any way, from gossip, accusation, or disciplinary action, because he had been too weak to resist her, he would never forgive himself.
“No… it’s just the roses,” she answered breathlessly, overwhelmed by his concern.
“Roses?” he repeated softly, his eyes lowering to her lips when she spoke.
“Yeah, I’m allergic. A few bouquets were delivered to the nurses’ station. They got to me when I was charting. That’s all.”
A loud, dry cough startled them. Ethan dropped his hands and took a large step back. Their attention snapped to the apologetic man lying in the bed with a handkerchief held to his mouth.
Naveen shook his head, disappointed in himself. “Sorry, kids,” he wheezed, “I didn’t mean to interrupt.”
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Ethan stopped at the nurses' desk midday, barking orders. He demanded that the floral arrangements decorating the countertop be removed immediately, reminding the nurses behind the desk that patients can be highly sensitive and that they were taking up too much space.
Maureen apologized to the grumpy doctor and started toward the staff lounge with a vase full of red roses and baby’s breath. Danny was called to assist a patient, leaving Ethan alone at the circular desk to review his charts.
“Excuse me? I have a delivery for Dr. Sawyer Brooks. The receptionist in the lobby directed me to this floor.”
“She’s tied up with a patient at the moment.” Too curious to stop himself, Ethan offered to sign for the delivery. “I can make sure she gets it.” He signed the man’s tablet and was handed a large heart-shaped box of gourmet chocolates. “Who should I tell her they’re from?” he tried.
“Sorry, sir, they don’t give me that info. But there’s a card attached.” The delivery person nodded to a small envelope taped to the box before returning the way he came.
Sawyer suddenly appeared out of nowhere, reaching for a tissue to blow her nose. “Hey.” When she noticed the box of chocolates he was holding, her stomach twisted into an uncomfortable, jealous knot. “Treats from your Valentine?”
“No, they’re actually for you,” Ethan answered.
“Really?” Sawyer beamed brightly and came around the desk to stand in front of him. She removed the card from the envelope and read the note.
Since you are allergic to roses…
From a secret admirer
Her stomach was still twisted up, but now from an entirely different emotion. It felt a lot like hope.
Sawyer tucked the card back into the envelope and slipped it into her lab coat pocket. Her fingers appreciatively grazed Ethan’s as she took the box from his grasp. “Thank you…”
“Sorry to interrupt, but can you tell me where I can find room 510?” a young woman asked. "I have a delivery for…… Theresa Martinez.”
Maureen intercepted as she returned. “I can take them to her,” she said before catching herself and turning to Ethan. “That is, if it’s okay with you, Dr. Ramsey?”
Ethan grunted his approval and marched away.
“I’ll move these others, Maureen,” Danny offered, having caught the tail end of the exchange.
Sawyer turned to the nurses, reaching for another tissue. “What’s his deal with the flowers?”
The nurses looked up at her blotchy face and then at each other with knowing smirks. Maureen looked back to Sawyer and answered, “He wants us to get rid of the flowers because some people are highly sensitive.”
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Mid-afternoon, Sawyer took a break in the lounge with her roommates. Sienna and Jackie picked their favorites from her enormous box of chocolates.
“A secret admirer? I bet they’re from Bryce,” Sienna quickly guessed. “That boy has it bad for you.”
“The scalpel jockey?” Jackie rolled her eyes. “Please. He’d more likely give her a coupon book offering his services.”
“Oh, what about Rafael? He’s such a sweetheart,” Sienna gushed. “When was the last time you guys went out?”
“It was before the holidays, and it’s not like that between us. We’re just friends.”
“My money is on Landry,” Jackie said, popping a truffle into her mouth, “that weirdo puts off serious secret admirer slash stalker vibes.”
Sienna laughed out loud, and Sawyer rolled her eyes.
The air shifted when their attending stomped into the room to wash his coffee mug, giving them a menacing get-back-to-work glare. Sienna and Jackie promptly got the message and scurried away, but Sawyer just rolled her eyes again. He didn’t intimidate her anymore.
“Eth- I mean, Dr. Ramsey, do you want a chocolate or two before I put them away?”
“No, thank you.” The thought of eating something another man had gifted her made his stomach sour.
“Are you feeling okay today?” Sawyer teased as she put the lid back on the box. “You never turn down chocolate.”
He didn’t answer.
“O-kay, then. I’m going to return these to my locker and get back to work. See ya later, boss.”
When Ethan finished at the sink, he turned and spotted the lab coat left behind. Even if he hadn’t known Sawyer was sitting in that seat, he’d have known it was hers from the subtle hint of beach-scented body spray. It was a scent that now tortuously conjured memories of a moonlit ocean, swaying coconut palms, fresh sea breeze, and the subtle taste of salt in the air. And on her lips.
It was a night he regretted. However, he couldn’t decide if he regretted it more for what did or didn’t happen.
Ethan draped the coat over his arm. He would catch up to her in the locker room. But as he stepped toward the door, a little devil appeared on his shoulder with another idea, and giving in to temptation, he reached into the pocket of the white coat.
Despite the impossibility of their situation, the thought of her affections shifting to another was a hard pill to swallow- a pill that no amount of vending machine candy could make better. Hesitating, with the small envelope pinched between his fingers, he silently debated with the evil voice whispering in his ear.
As he was about to lose the argument, Sawyer appeared in the doorway. “I forgot my lab coat…”
When her eyes fixed on the card in his hand, he passed it to her. “I found this on the floor. Must have slipped from of your pocket,” he lied.
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At the end of her shift, Sawyer snuck behind the plastic entrance of the construction zone. She brought her box of chocolates to share with Naveen, knowing the small treats would brighten his day. Finding him napping, she set her things down and left to find fresh bed linens.
Ethan entered the off-limits hospital room a few minutes later. While he was checking Naveen’s vitals, something behind the patient monitor caught his eye. It was that taunting heart-shaped box.
Glancing at Naveen to ensure he was still asleep, Ethan stepped up to where the box sat atop the overbed table. The corner of an envelope peeked out just underneath. He began to lift the box when he was startled.
"You can have a piece if you want," he heard from behind.
Sawyer stood smiling in the doorway, a stack of clean sheets and blankets in her hands.
"Oh, uh... thanks… I was just checking to see if they had nuts," he lied for the second time today. Trying to spin up a joke, he added, "Given your allergy history, I just wanted to know if I should track down an EpiPen.”
"You and I both know neither of us is allergic, so..."
Shit. He should have said he was looking for the descriptions of what’s inside each chocolate. “Fine. You caught me. I was curious to know who they were from," he confessed.
Disappointment painted her face. "Oh. I thought they were from you," she said, digging for the card in her pocket. The card on the table was a friendly Valentine’s Day card for Naveen that Sawyer had picked up in the gift shop.
“Why did you think that?” Ethan asked, trying not to sound like a jerk.
“I mean, you handed me the box and said they were for me, and when I read the note… I just assumed…” she trailed off, confused. She pulled the card from the envelope, reread it, and handed it to Ethan.
As his eyes scanned the notecard, Sawyer caught Naveen cracking an eyelid open just enough to spy on them.
"You! You little stinker," she laughed, grabbing his foot and shaking it gently. “Are you my secret Valentine?”
Ethan spun around to see his mentor shrugging.
After changing the bed linens and helping Ethan get Naveen settled for the evening, Sawyer said her goodbyes. When she asked Ethan if she’d see him later at Donahue’s, he answered with a disappointing “Maybe.” A stiff drink was what the doctor ordered, but he wasn’t sure it was worth the torture of watching other men hit on her all night.
Naveen studied Ethan as he sank into the bedside chair. His mentee closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose, and sighed deeply.
Ethan grumbled in annoyance, “Why would you do that?”
“Do what, son?”
“Get her hopes up…”
“Because Cupid made a perfect match for you,” Naveen smiled. “I was just encouraging it.”
“Yeah, well, don’t.”
“Why not?”
Ethan stood up and walked to the door. Before closing it behind him, he glanced over his shoulder and said, “Because Cupid fucked up. He brought me someone I can’t have.”
Tag List: @choicesficwriterscreations @openheartfanfics
A/N: With my interests shifting, any more OH fics I write will be for personal enjoyment and escape moving forward. While I sincerely appreciate each and every ❤️ and reblog I've ever received, especially when I first started writing, it's not about that for me anymore. And as much as I want to continue supporting other OH writer friends by reading and reblogging, I want to be honest and admit that my heart's not in it as much. From this point forward, I will only tag the Choices and OH fanfic directories for those who still enjoy reading new OH fics or have yet to fall in love with a grumpy doctor and find their way to this little corner of the world.😊
