💞Tags/Warnings💞: Fluff, slight age-gap relationship, veterinary!reader x veteran!Jack Abbot, also known as *drum roll* sunshine x sunshine protector!
💞Plot💞: Jack’s finally starting to get mail at Y/N’s place, one letter leads to a very fun night and a drunken confession..
💞Characters💞: Jack Abbot x Fem!Reader
💞Title💞: The Gala
💞A/N💞: I’ve been sitting on this idea for awhile, it’s just your basic fluff, lol. I hope you all like it! Requests are always open
Also!
Want more “Vet AU”? Here’s more.
Masterlist
Jack Abbot had one rule after a shift was over..
No one talk to him.
He needed that moment of silence to truly decompress after a night shift.
It could get crazy working the ED from 7pm to 7am, so he’d usually hide away on the roof until he felt ready enough to order an uber. Then he’d make a big show of having his headphones in so the driver knew not to speak. Then he’d go into his apartment, all the lights off, the curtains still drawn, and he’d just lay on the couch. Letting the darkness seep into his pores as he thought back on every detail of his shift. Every patient he helped…
Every patient he couldn’t.
Every mistake he made.
Living with Y/N had changed a lot in that way.
Now, when he’d get home, it’d be to her half asleep on the couch.
She said the bed was ‘too big’ without him there. He’d carry her to it anyways, lay her under the sheets and whisper how he was gonna go shower real quick.
He really would try and make it fast.
He knew she’d get antsy waiting. But he’d always smell the sweet scent of coffee halfway through his showers. Along with breakfast cooking. In usually just his boxers, he’d head over and hold her from behind as she tried getting herself away for her shift at the veterinary office.
There was no darkness around for Jack to get lost in.
Only light.
Y/N’s light.
And it was so blindingly sweet, it made him want to stay right there.
As of recently, Y/N’s ‘Paws Across Pittsburgh’ foster organization had sent her a bulldog in need of emergency housing while they tried looking for a free spot at a shelter. The apartment was usually housing at least one or two animals at a time.
Once, they’d even been given a whole litter of 4 Pit Bull pups saved from a street gang raid.
Another time, three cats and two dogs who were brothers and couldn’t be separated.
Y/N’s heart always bled for those animals, and Jack found himself actually doing the same. So any time they had to share their bed with an anxious Doberman, or he had to get into a bath with a not so ready to be wet Minx Cat, or he had to stay up on nights off to bottle feed a weakened Ferret, he did so while knowing he was exactly where he wanted to be.
This morning went no different.
With a heavy sigh, Jack opens the front door of the apartment and smirks as he sees the black and white bulldog ‘Hades’ already in a play position. Front half low to the ground, bottom half sticking out, tail twitching with anticipation.
“Come here, boy!” Jack smiles as he braces himself, laughing as the grown dog almost jumps on him. He manages to catch the dog, grunting as he lifts him, carrying him inside while using his foot to shut the front door. Y/N smiles from the kitchen. She’d gotten better at being up and ready by the time Jack came home.
“Morning..” She says as he sets Hades down on his mat and then walks over to her.
Sunshine, here he comes.
With a content sigh, his arms wrap around her waist, attempting to lean in, but Y/N’s excitement finally breaks.
“Guess what?” She smiles wide as she inches her head away.
“Mm… Hades is actually royalty and we’re rich now..?” Jack jokes as the dog looks up at his name being mentioned. Y/N snorts.
“Funny. Don’t quit being a doctor, baby, comedy’s not for you…” She teases as he pretends to be hurt by that.
“Your mail’s coming!” She announces as she pulls away to show Jack his first few pieces of mail, making him chuckle.
“Oh, wow.” He says with a soft smile, more so at her excitement over it. She bounces excitedly as he gently takes the mail from her hands. “Let’s see what we got here..” He decides to play along as he moves to lean against the kitchen counter, eyeing the first envelop.
“Credit card… Bill.. Bill.. Oh, look at this one,” He lifts the third envelope for Y/N to look at. “Bill.” He says in mock astonishment as Y/N rolls her eyes playfully.
“That’s not the exciting one.” She says before nodding to the last one. Jack raises an eyebrow and sees the label on the envelope.
“Oh. These geniuses..” He snorts, already knowing.
Y/N pauses. “It’s a medical gala, baby. Sounds fun.” She says as she hands him a mug of coffee.
“Fun? It’s stuffy suits and doctors and residents trynna out do each other with big words. I went with Robby a year or two back? God, it was hell.” He snorts.
Y/N slowly pouts at the reveal. “I think you didn’t have fun because I wasn’t there.” She finally says sweetly as she stands right next to him to rest her chin on his shoulder. Jack laughs softly at the big puppy dog eyes she’s already pulling out.
“You might be right about that.” He notes. “But, come on. You really wanna spend the evening at some hotel ballroom, dressed up, with a doctor on your arm?” He raises an eyebrow.
Y/N blinks at him slowly. “I think you just described ‘nine year old me’s diary entry perfectly..” She finally states in a dry manner. Jack chuckles a bit at that.
“I gotta get a suit…” He tries to continue his complaining. “Can’t we spend the night eating takeout and getting drunk in the privacy of our home?” He smiles hopefully as Y/N gives him a playful dirty look.
“Nope!” She says simply as she backs away. “Better find a suit, baby!” She cheers before grabbing her to go mug and kissing Jack’s cheek in an aggressively, wet, and sloppy manner that makes him laugh in disbelief.
She dances out of the kitchen, eager at the thought of going out. Jack playfully groans and eyes Hades. He looks up from his resting position.
“You didn’t help me at all..” He mutters to the bulldog who blinks at him slowly before going back to resting peacefully.
*
*
*
“Hey. Just the man I wanted to see..”
Robby quickly turns to glance over his shoulder, his pace slowing as he smiles warmly at Jack. “Hey, brother. What’s going on?” He asks.
“Got your little invitation in the mail yesterday..” Jack notes as Robby begins to laugh.
“Getting mail at the house. That’s big. Real big.” He says, playing dumb.
“Why did you sign me up for that?” Jack asks bluntly, and Robby smirks as if proud of himself.
“Hey! If I have to go and represent the Pitt at some random table, then I’m taking someone with me…” Robby jokes. “Gloria thought it was a great idea that the head of this ED show up with a veteran doctor. Might get us more funding.” He shrugs.
“Yeah? Well this ‘veteran’ isn’t showing up alone.” Jack snorts as he gets into stride with his best friend. Robby pauses though, turning to him.
“I don’t follow.” Robby admits, and Jack rolls his eyes.
“Y/N. She wants to be my plus one for the evening..” He explains.
“Oh? Miss. Veterinarian wants to rep the Pitt?” Robby teases and Jack snorts.
“Not funny. I’m forced into a tie now because you can’t put on your big boy pants and go to these things alone..” Jack complains openly and Robby laughs at that.
“Maybe. Or maybe I just wanna see you in that suit, my man..” He says proudly before walking off, leaving an only slightly annoyed Jack Abbot in his path…
*
*
*
“Y/N! Uber’s on its way.” Jack calls from the living room as he flattens his tie in his hands. Y/N had pre-tied it last night so she could focus on getting herself ready and not waste any time.
Yet, here he stood, ready to go in the living room with Y/N popping out every now and again to show off a dress she’d instantly second guess the moment he stared a little too long at it.
There was the strapless red one, the spaghetti-strapped black one, the white sweetheart lining one with a floral pattern on it. Each one just ‘wasn’t right’ the longer she stood in front of him though.
“I’m almost done!” Y/N fusses from the bathroom as Jack makes sure his watch is fastened around his wrist.
His suit and tie was the classic black with a white button down. Shoes Italian leather, hair slicked back.
He felt like a monkey in a tux.
It all felt so out of place, but Y/N was giddily listening to music on her phone as she barricaded herself in the bathroom among dresses, shoes, and makeup.
And that somehow made him feel better about being forced into this night out…
“Sweet! I’m telling you, this car is gonna come and go if we’re not careful on the time..” He lectures after another three or so minutes.
Sweet.
The nickname he’d dubbed her about a month into dating. Started off as ‘Sweet Cheeks’, but after fussing at him while red in the face that he needed to stop calling her that in public, it had been shortened to just ‘sweet’.
In ‘retaliation’, as she’d made very clear, Y/N took to calling him ‘Sour’. Something Robby had not let slide the first time he heard her say it over the phone when he thought he was safely alone to have her on speaker in the break room.
“I’m coming! I’m coming!” Y/N fusses as she hurries out of the bedroom, quickly putting on some gold earrings with her heels still in hand and a necklace that’s tight in her grasp as well. Jack turns to eye her, and feels his jaw go slack at the view…
Y/N is wearing a beautiful lilac fitted gown. The dress has thick straps and a square neckline. The fitted bodice cinches at the waist with a subtle twist detail, accentuating the feminine figure in a flattering corset-like style. His eyes descend lower without meaning to…
The dress transitions into a mermaid silhouette, gracefully hugging the curves of her hips and thighs before elegantly flowing out into an asymmetric high-low hem.
“There? Happy?” She asks, not noticing the way he stares at her.
She sets her heels down on the floor in front of her, and tries putting on her necklace. He walks over slowly and her movements take a pause, curious over what his next move might be.
With no hesitation, Jack kneels in front of her, hands tenderly grabbing her left leg first. She stares down at him, breath hitching as she watches him calmly put the strappy heel on her, his hands rough against her soft skin.
He rubs his hands along her calf before moving to the other foot. She lets him, her face heating up as he focuses solely on slipping her shoes on for her.
“Very happy…” He finally whispers as he looks up at her. She shifts a bit on her footing and tries looking away to stop from melting fully.
“Thank you…” She says politely, and he gets up to grab her matching shawl. He puts it around her upper arms before leaning in to steal a kiss. She smiles sheepishly.
“You’re gonna ruin my lipstick..” She mumbles bashfully as she makes sure he doesn’t have a stain on him. He only chuckles softly, arms going around her waist with ease as he pulls her close.
“Sorry, sorry. Let’s head out before I change my mind…” Jack jokes. Y/N smiles brightly up at him.
“I love you, sour..”
“Mm… I love you, sweet..”
*
*
*
The chicken was dry.
The jokes were dry.
The stories were dry.
The people were dry.
But Y/N… Y/N made it worth it.
She was talkative to everyone who came to the table, making Robby and Jack’s job a whole lot easier.
Every year, Gloria sent Robby, and at least two other chief attending, to be ‘the face’ of Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center.
Every year, she hoped Robby’s, as she put it, ‘selective charm’ would help get donators. And every year, she was more than let down by the results. But at a certain point of the night, she’d walked over to make it clear that Y/N would be doing the talking for all of them.
Jack was more than okay with that…
He liked hearing her speak.
They’re sat at the table when servers begin walking around with trays of fancy looking drinks that had fruit in them.
Y/N had happily taken one, and with a singular sip had declared it ‘juice’ and ‘sweet’.
So that one glass had turned to two before Jack knew it.
And two had turned to three..
Jack didn’t realize how strong they were though until Y/N set down her sixth glass, and began laughing out loud at something some investor was in the middle of saying.
“Oh boy..” Robby mutters and Jack freezes as he realizes the look on Y/N’s face. Cheeks flushed, eyes glossed over, huge smile on her face.
“You’re funny!” Y/N smiles at the investor, moving to hug him happily. Robby covers his mouth as to not laugh as the older man pauses in surprise.
“Oh, well, thank you..” The man chuckles a bit, still thrown off by the sudden affection. Jack gently moves over and tugs at Y/N’s waist. She lets go and smiles brightly at Jack, moving to hug him next.
Robby is quick to lead the investor away elsewhere while Jack sits Y/N down. He’d only seen her like this once before. He’d taught her some old military drinking game at his apartment two months into dating. She’d gotten completely drunk and god it was adorable, but here and now?
He knew he had to watch her.
“Helloooo…” Y/N giggles up at him while playing with his tie.
“Hey, Sweet. Ready to call it a night?” He asks, already grabbing his phone so he can order an uber.
“What?! No! I wanna dance some more!” Y/N says as she shimmies a bit to show she’s ready to let loose.
Thats what Jack was afraid of.
The first time he saw her drunk, they were in the privacy of his apartment. And he was able to happily watch her dance on his coffee table from the comfort of his couch. Until she began to strip. Then he quickly and respectfully got her into bed.
There were stages.
First was a burst of energy. Then it’d be followed by a moment of honesty. And then the exhaustion would hit.
Y/N gets up from the table fast and snatches Jack’s phone from him with a laugh. “You want it?” She joyously teases. Jack fixes his jaw so he won’t laugh as Y/N playfully twirls away from the table.
“Y/N. Give me the phone..” He says calmly as he steps closer. She laughs at the attention and puts his phone in her dress, safety snuggled against her chest.
“Catch me, old man..” She mocks before turning fast and running out of the hotel ballroom. Jack smiles at the few who sent a questioning glance his way.
“That’s just… My date for the evening..” He mutters politely at the few who are in earshot of him before quickly walking out of the ballroom. He loosens his tie slightly, looking around before walking towards one hallway.
She couldn’t have gotten far…
That assurance is cut short when he stumbles across her heels left at the end of the hallway. “Oh no..” He whispers, chuckling a bit. He takes off his blazer, knowing he’s in for a chase now…
*
*
*
“No fair! Redo!” Y/N complains as she hangs like a ragdoll over Jack’s shoulder. Robby is standing outside for some air when he sees his friend walk out, one arm around Y/N’s waist to hold her firmly over his shoulder and his other hand holding his phone.
“Gavin Quinn is 5 minutes away.” Jack says pleasantly and nods over at Robby as a greeting.
“Boo! You got lucky!” Y/N complains.
“Do I even want to know?” Robby asks humorously as Jack walks over to stand next to him.
“I wouldn’t ask.” Jack snorts.
“Your friend cheated!” Y/N slurs a bit.
“I caught you fair and square, sweet.” Jack states. He’d found her in the stairwell trying to ‘hide’. He uses that term loosely because she was giggling the entire time.
“Best two out of three!” Y/N begs and Jack laughs.
“As much as I’d love to chase you all around the streets of Pittsburg, I’m calling it.” Jack says sarcastically.
“You are sour…” Y/N smirks as she starts to swat at his butt from her position over his shoulder. Robby laughs at that as Jack tries to move her a bit to get her to cut it out.
“Need help?” Robby asks, already backing away. Jack takes note.
“Nah, I’ve got her.” He assures. Robby nods.
“Get home safe, brother.” Robby says before giving him a side hug.
“Bye Robby!” Y/N sings happily. Robby chuckles.
“Get some rest, Y/N.” He calls back before heading inside. Jack somewhat moves Y/N to be more bridal style in his arms and she smiles wide at him, arms wrapping around his neck.
“I bet you can bench press me…” Y/N says happily and Jack laughs and shakes his head in amusement as they wait for the car.
“I love you…” She continues as she lightly pokes at his nose. “And I love Robby..” She sighs before gasping. “Where’s Robby?!” She asks fast.
“Going home and sleeping. That thing we have to do too.” Jack smiles warmly at Y/N.
“He should sleepover again!” Y/N points out excitedly. “I know you’d like that…” She sings as if enticing him.
“I’d much rather snuggle into you, Y/N…” Jack says simply as she plays with his ears and nose. He lets her, not minding the poking and prodding.
She dramatically sighs as she hangs in his arms. He doesn’t let her drop though. “The stars are out..” She says excitedly. “Ugh, I wanna be a star one day..” She continues. Jack chuckles at that.
“And then you can be a star too. Right next to me…” She smiles brightly at the thought, and Jack smirks softly. It’s silly, but..
He hopes she’s right about that..
The car pulls up and Jack is able to get her in with no issues beside her tugging at him. “Get in, get in..” She fusses, wanting to be on his lap and in his arms again.
“I’m getting in..” He assures.
“Don’t leave me..” She pouts as she continues to tug at his arm.
“I’m not, I’m not. I’m right here…” He says assuringly as he gets into the car and allows her back into his embrace. The driver eyes them through the rearview, looking amused at the entire exchange before he begins driving. Jack settles in and Y/N is silent for a moment before leaning in close to his ear.
“Jack. I think I’m a little drunk..” She whispers like it’s a big dark secret, her breath smelling sweet of strawberries and stale of champagne. Jack tries not to laugh as he realizes she’s in the ‘honesty’ part of her drunk-ness.
“Oh?” He whispers back as he eyes her. She bites her lip sheepishly and nods before quietly giggling behind her hand, as if it’s so bad. “You’re hiding it well…” He compliments, playing along. She laughs more.
The ride is quick, full of Y/N talking to the driver about all her new ‘patients’. Jack listens even if the driver seems to be tuning her out.
The minute they get into the apartment, Hades is waiting by the door. “My baby!” She cheers as she moves away from Jack’s grasp to kneel in front of the excited bulldog, kissing his head and nose as he excitedly licks her. Jack takes that time to shut and lock the door behind them.
“Ready for bed? I’m calling it.” Jack announces as he reaches down and hooks an arm around her waist to tug her up on to her feet.
“Wait! I wanna say goodnight to Sal!” Y/N gasps as if remembering before quickly rushing over to the sunflowers Jack had gotten to sit on their balcony in memory of Y/N’s first patient who had to be put down earlier this month. Jack stands back, allowing her to say her goodnight to the flowers before he walks over and scoops her up.
“Say goodnight to Sal!” Y/N says as Jack carries her inside.
“Night Sal!” Jack calls from over his shoulder…
He sighs as he’s able to finally drop Y/N on the bed, moving to strip down. He was just relieved to finally be out of this suit. Y/N snuggles into the pillows, heels kicked off already.
“No no. You’ll kill me tomorrow if you wake up still in your dress and makeup.” Jack says as Y/N groans, letting Jack tug at her ankle to get her back to the edge of the bed.
“Your shirt.” Y/N finally settles on, and Jack gives in, going to grab a t-shirt from his drawer for her. She stumbles off the bed a bit and giggles, swaying to the bathroom.
After she’s comfortable, Jack helps take off her jewelry and hesitantly eyes the facial care, deciding he’s better off just using her makeup wipes to clean her.
She sits on the bathroom sink, eyes half lidded as he glides the wipes across her face, removing her perfect handiwork.
“Mm… I love you, Jack Abbot…” She smiles adoringly at him.
“I love you, Y/N Y/L/N…” He says simply back as he finishes up.
“No. Call me Y/N Abbot!” She fusses.
Jack pauses at that.
“What?” He asks softly.
Y/N yawns. “I wanna be Mrs. Jack Abbot…” She giggles. “Sooooo bad.” She adds shamelessly. Jack feels his heart beat pick up at the confession.
He’s never thought about it. Marriage. That was a big thing. A scary thing. But.. He used to think that about relationships too, and his therapist has told him that being with Y/N has helped him get far. He didn’t need that told to him, though. He could see it.
Jack Abbot… Was in love. Totally, completely, unapologetically.
It’s as if the universe had realized one day that it had given him too much all at once. And sent Y/N as an apology. An apology that he gratefully accepted…
“Bed…” Y/N finally mumbles, getting to the third stage of her drunk-ness.
Exhaustion.
With a soft chuckle, Jack grabs Y/N to carry her to bed..
*
*
*
“Hey, Champ.”
Y/N winces at the softly spoken greeting, but still waves a hand as if to say hi back. Her eyes can barely open, her head is throbbing, and she feels exhausted still.
“Coffee?”
With a soft groan, she manages to open her eyes, smiling tiredly at an attentive looking Jack. ‘Thank you…’ She mouths as she gratefully takes the cup from him.
“Pain meds are on the nightstand with breakfast..” He says as he gets comfortable against the headboard next to her.
“Mm.. How bad was I last night?” She finally whispers after letting a few sips of the warm liquid soothe her throat.
“Oh, it was bad.” Jack notes in a deadpan manner. “About.. four buildings were knocked down, a six car pileup…” He says sarcastically as she giggles quietly.
“I’m sorry. I hope I didn’t ruin last night for you..” She finally says gently as she turns to look at him. Jack takes a moment to really look at her.
The girl who brought him in from the dark.
The girl who made him break his ‘one rule’.
The girl who he’d, just this morning, began looking at engagement rings for…
“You made it perfect…” He settles on simply, honestly.
Y/N smiles warmly before softly kissing his cheek…
!!The End!!
