Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

“Emma, I have an idea.” Trinity clasped her hands in front of her on top of the nurse’s station. “I know you do those TikTok challenges on Shark, and I had a suggestion for your next one.” 

Emma perked up at the sound of another TikTok trend—she was always on the lookout for new ones to prank Brendon with. “Ooh, what is it?” 

“So, I saw this one where you have to act like you’re calling someone, okay? And then you have to give the most horrible advice to them so you can get a reaction out of Shark. Maybe some bullshit about bones?” 

Emma smiled, giggling at the silliness of the idea. “He’s so not going to believe that, though. I mean, I am a nurse, and he knows I read those bone journals he has. He’s gotten pretty smart with detecting if something’s real or a prank.” 

With a sigh, Trinity drummed her fingers on a clipboard. “Mmm, I mean, you could do ones that are really niche to doctors? Maybe something not a lot of people would know?” 

“We’ll see. Expect an update from me within 3-5 business days,” Emma replied, turning her eyes back to the charting she had been finishing on the computer screen in front of her. 

…

Brendon was smart, Emma knew that. He was an orthopedic surgeon, for crying out loud. Sure, he can be a bit oblivious to social cues, but he’s been improving ever since he started dating Emma. But, she’s been dying to ragebait Brendon whenever she could. The man never seemed to actually get mad at her—even when they fought, he was always the one to end it with “I love you, Emma” to remind her (not that she needed one). 

Still, the second thing on Brendon’s list of favorites is bones. If Emma were to get a reaction out of Brendon for anything, it's have to be horrible bone advice.

So, on a night after their shift, the couple was relaxing on the sofa, Chinese takeout in hand as they watched a random true crime documentary on their TV. Emma occasionally called her mom in the evening for a small check-in gossip session. She decided that that would be her best best for the prank. 

She took out her phone, opening TikTok and hitting the RECORD button, and putting it up to her ear so the camera could record Brendon next to her. 

After a few moments, she said, “Mom! Did you have dinner yet?” This was her usual go-to greeting. Brendon briefly glanced at Emma, then slightly lowered the volume of the documentary so Emma could “hear” better. 

“Huh? What do you mean? You fell on your ankle?” Emma said with as much urgency as she could. Next to her, Brendon immediately turned his head to Emma with a concerned expression on his face. “Is it swollen?” She paused. “It is? Oh that's fine.” 

At that, Brendon’s face contorted to surprise as he whisper-yelled, “That is not fine, Emma.” 

Emma shushed him, swatting at the air to dismiss his concern. She slightly turned the phone inwards and covered the bottom of the phone, whispering, “Hold on, Brendon. I’m calling Mom.” She returned her hold onto the phone as normal, continuing her “conversation.” 

“Hm? Oh, your foot is at a weird angle? You think it’s broken? Nah, you know what, I think you’re fine. It’s probably just a little sprain! Just put a hot pack on your swelling and it should go down in a few hours.” Emma eyed Brendon, who was now sporting the most bug-eyed frown she’d ever seen. Stifling a giggle, she continued. “You wanna go to the doctors? Hmm, I think you’ll be fine. No, seriously Mom, it’s probably just a sprain. I mean, you said you could put weight and walk a little on it. That means it’s not broken.’ 

“Oh my God, Emma, please tell me you're not serious. What are you saying?” Brendon didn't seem to care to lower his voice anymore. “Give me the phone, I can talk to her.” 

He reached for her phone, but she swatted his hand away before turning back to continue talking. “Mom, no, don’t go to the doctor. You don't need to see one for just a sprain. Just rest and you’ll be fine.” 

At this point Brendon was on his feet, pacing in circles as he muttered to himself and grabbed at his hair. “Emma, what? No! That’s such bad advice, God, what? Do I need to force you to read more of my bone textbooks? Just give me the phone, Emma, I can talk to her. I’m and orthopedic surgeon,” he stressed the last sentence. 

Still, Emma wanted to prolong his torture. “No, it’s fine, Brendon. Mom just had a small sprain, she’ll be fine-” 

Brendon cut her off. “Yeah, no, we are not doing this right now. Emma, you said her ankle was swollen and it was twisted weird. That is so not good. I cannot stand here and let you give your mom bad medical advice,” he groaned. “Just please give me the phone,” he begged, holding his hand palm-up in front of her. 

Emma bit down a smirk but decided to play along. She placed her phone in his hand, watching him as he put the phone against his ear. 

“Hello? Hello?” Brendon’s brows twisted together as he heard no response. He took the phone from his ear and glanced at the screen, only to see his reflection on it. "What the…?” 

Emma burst out into a fit of giggles, choking out, “Oh my God, Brendon. Your reaction is too good.” 

Brendon replied with a loud groan. “Is this a fucking TikTok prank? Goodness, I actually thought you lost your mind and were bullshitting to your poor mom.” 

“I honestly thought you would see right through me,” Emma remarked once her laughter died down. “I mean, come on. Please tell me you didn't think I’d be that stupid.” 

“I don't know, sometimes we lose brain cells when we're tired after a shift. So naturally, I thought that happened to you.” He shrugged. 

“Should I be insulted by that?” Emma asked, crossing her arms in front of her chest. 

“Nope,” he popped the ‘p’. “And for that prank, you’re getting tickled,” he said before swiftly stepping forward and hauling Emma over his shoulder like he would a bag of rice. 

“Hey!” Emma yelped.

“Shh. Don't want the neighbors to wake up,” he hummed, heading towards their bedroom. 

…