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"Oh you would not believe how stubborn that weed was. It was quite the challenge to unroot it why I almost broke a hip in the process. But it's all part of the gardening experience, don't you agree doctor? "
"I couldn't agree more Mrs. Normandy," you chuckled "although I do advice you again to be more careful next time. This is the third time I've seen you this month!"
Mrs. Normandy simply waved your admonishment with a small chuckle and you couldn't help but smile at her carefree attitude. You had been chatting with your patient for half an hour now while waiting for the radiology department to send her down for an X-ray and since you had no other patients to attend to, you decided to occupy her time and listen to her talk about trivial stuff.
It was past 7 am and the emergency room was relatively quiet now save for Mrs. Normandy's eager chatter regarding her herb patch. You listened attentively despite the over-all feeling of dryness and fatigue of having done four minor surgeries and a surprise major surgery the night before. Your consultant had run you absolutely ragged last night but you don't mind the learning experience. Doctor Cioccolata is an amazing tutor and deemed the best surgeon in the area. Although his character slightly leans towards the weird side to others, you reasoned that his eccentricity is merely evidence that he is passionate in his work. Also he frequently gushes to you about his dogs which you find really adorable, so he can't be all that bad.
"Good morning, doctor."
A deep smooth voice filtered through your sleep deprived head and you found yourself staring into sharp red irises. Risotto, the ER charge nurse, had slipped through the curtains to check on the last patient under his care for the shift.
As he entered the small space, you took notice of his combed silver hair, a few strands escaping his hairdo to rest just at the center of his forehead. The chestpiece of his stethoscope rested against his left pectoral and you marveled at the muscles that are practically straining against the fabric of his black scrubs.
How he maintained this level of freshness after the chaos that was yesterday, you could not understand. It almost always makes you feel insecure, even a little jealous at how effortless he seemed to stay presentable in all hours of his shifts. You were quick to look away lest he caught you staring; your eyes always did tend to get stuck staring on his muscular arms.
If Risotto was already up and about the emergency room then it must have been way past your clock out which means, the resident coming in is late again.
"The Rad department called and gave the go signal." He eyed your tired appearance, his eyes softening in concern.
"Thank you, Risotto." you flashed him a grateful smile.
"Heyoo~"
A nursing assistant on duty slipped through the curtains and greeted you with a cheery "G'morning doc" before approaching the bed with a wheelchair and began chatting with the old lady as he helped her on it.
"I'll take it from here."
Risotto took the clipboard from you and even in your tired state you didn't miss the brief brush of your fingers. Your cheeks warmed and you stuttered a soft thank you in response.
"You're tired," he stated softly noting the slight redness of your eyes "Go rest by the quarters for a while. I'll call you when another patient comes in."
Any other doctor would have been miffed at being told what to do but this was Risotto who you had a huge amount of respect for and an undeniably huger crush on. You were about to protest but stopped short at the intensity of his eyes. There was a certain quality in them that almost always threatens your legs to give out and this time they almost, almost, did. Luckily, you had the strength to right yourself and flash him a small smile instead. You mumbled an "ok" before excusing yourself not noticing how his eyes followed you as you made your way across the ER.
It had been a relief knowing that he happened to be working as a nurse in the hospital where you decided to spend your residency program in and even more comforting that his hours ran almost identical to your schedule. A familiar face always made you more comfortable in the workplace and you were glad that it had to be a former acquaintance.
He was three years ahead of you and was a frequently seen figure in student organizations in which you are also a part of. The way he ran things in the organization made him a model student for you to look up to and despite the usual loud and notorious company he has around school he was actually a rather fair and well-mannered individual and a gentleman to boot.
You had grown closer in med school when he was assigned as your senior study buddy, an event that you had simultaneously thanked and cursed the heavens for. Unfortunately, he quit just before the start of his third year and the start of your second, telling you that Medicine wasn't really for him and went to pursue his career as a nurse. You had been saddened by the news but he was quick to cheer you up telling you that you're a smart girl and that you'd do fine without him.
"I don't have as much passion in it as much as you do. I know you'll do great, (Y/N)."
That was the last time you talked to him. It took you years to hide your romantic feelings for your senior study buddy and his leaving left you with a deep regret of not even having to tell him how you felt. Med school left you little to no time for friends or family. You rarely even had time for yourself! The constant workload was a blessing though. It kept you away from fond thoughts of silver hair and the scent of mint and mornings kissed by rain.
You greeted the nurses that just came in running through their endorsements as you went by.
You really must have looked awful because one of them remarked at how tired you looked like and the other, like Risotto, told you to rest a bit assuring you that she will call you when needed.
You slipped into the small quarters and plopped down the small chaise lounge resting your head on your folded arms by the armrest. Not a minute later you were already asleep.
A few moments later, the familiar cool scent that could only be Risotto's cologne filled your senses. A gentle shake from your shoulder jostled you awake. You were absolutely horrified that you had awoken with a snort and tried hard not to look Risotto in the eye as you wiped the drool off your mouth and fixed your appearance.
"The results are out, " he had a look of amusement on his face which was evident by the charming dimple on his cheek "Dr. Ventura is also in so you can clock out after you've finished."
You stuttered a quick affirmative before making your way around his hulking form. A hand on your shoulder halted your way through the door though. You turned around and shot him a questioning look.
"Your hair is a mess."
He proceeded to turn you to face him to brush your hair with his fingers away from your face and into one side. The gentle scratches of his fingertips against your scalp had almost made you roll your eyes to the back of your head had your mind not have been racing a mile at what was happening right now.
The only times he ever deliberately touched you were times when he had to call your attention or had to wake you up. You reveled in the rare times his hands or any part of his body would brush your own. You made sure to commit the feeling to memory every time the heavens graced you with such opportunities.
What he was doing right now though made you wonder what you had done to be blessed with this view; a hunk of a man fussing over your hair and the lapels of your white jacket.
When he was finished, he tucked a portion of your hair behind your ear and finally met your gaze, his hand resting on your cheek. He was so tall, you thought and you wondered what it would feel like to be squished against his thick frame. His smell flooded your senses, all warm wood with a hint of mint, and for a moment you thought that maybe you were just in a really nice dream.
He smiled, if only you could see the adorably stunned look on your face. His thumb brushed your cheek softly and your lashes fluttered. Hmph cute.
"Go."
The sound of his voice broke you from your reverie, your face immediately heated up after that. You left the room before you got suffocated by your own embarassment. You quickly snatched the the manila envelope from the nurse's station and made your way to your patient.
You entered the small unit, the heat on your cheeks still evident as you explained to Mrs. Normandy that the X-ray came out fine and that she was set to go home. Mrs. Normandy observed you all this time taking notice of how your face turned red again when you took a glance at the handsome young nurse that accompanied her to the X-ray lab a few minutes ago.
"What's wrong dear? Your face is as red as a summer tomato."
You touched your cheeks and a look of distress flit across your face before chuckling sheepishly trying your best to wave off the old woman's curiosity. Mrs. Normandy wasn't having any of that.
"If you don't mind me asking," she started "are you and that young man over there an item?"
You spluttered, immediately denying the question. Mrs. Normandy laughed at your reaction and you internally groaned at how obvious you were.
"Oh I'm terribly sorry for being so forward, Doctor," she chuckled, "but I had caught him looking at you much like a lost puppy when you left. It reminds me of my dear husband, Henry, when we leave each other for work."
The implications of what she just told you made your heart skip a beat, or maybe two. It couldn't be-
You took another glance at him inside the nurse's table giving last minutes instructions. Mrs. Normandy catches the look of longing in your expression and chose her words carefully.
"There's only so much that longing looks can do, child. I think," she took your hand and you looked at her sweet face, her eyes crinkling "it's time for one of you to take the first step. Don't you think?"
You find yourself nodding despite yourself and the old woman chuckled again patting your hand. Oh young love.
~*~
After seeing Mrs. Normandy off, you were quick to clock out and take your belongings before Risotto could catch you. Mrs. Normandy was right when she told you that nothing was going to happen if both of you did nothing but you were honestly not ready for that kind of commitment just yet. You were probably going to regret this decision later when you're old and gray and petting cats but right now, right now you just need to hide yourself further from Risotto's gaze which was hard considering that the pole you were hiding behind from was barely hiding your form at all.
"You won't be able to get on a bus for another hour."
You feigned surprise when he approached you but somehow, you felt like he knew you were hiding from him judging from the small smirk he had on his face. You suddenly felt a little bit stupid for even attempting to escape him.
"O-oh, uhm I- uh" Curses! Speak dammit!
You stammered thinking of an excuse to decline the silent offer of him taking you home.
"(Y/N)?"
You looked at the source of the new voice and saw Prosciutto coming your way.
"Oh G-good morning, Prosciutto." you greeted.
He returned your greeting with a small smile glancing behind you to greet the taller man. Risotto's eyes sharpen, he knew Prosciutto wasn't in the morning schedule today which only means he had other plans for this particular morning. If he had to take a guess judging from his convenient timing and the cups he held in his hand, it was because of (Y/N).
"Risotto."
"Prosciutto."
He had a cup of coffee in each hand, one of which he handed to you. You accepted it hesitantly but you weren't one to reject a cup of coffee. Prosciutto's eyes took in your tired form and gave you a sympathetic smile.
"Rough night?"
"Yeah, Dr. Cioccolata was on a roll again last night."
"You must be tired then. I can give you a ride if you'd like. My shift doesn't start until this afternoon."
You looked at Risotto then and suddenly felt uncomfortable between the two. You had to make excuses quick.
"I just remembered that I have to go visit my grandma today." you cursed yourself, you hoped that none of them knew that your grandmothers live across the other side of the world.
"I'll take-" "Let me-"
Both men were quick to offer you a ride but stopped when the both of them talked, eyeing each other as if challenging the other.
"No no, that's okay um," you started to move away passing Prosciutto, "I need to run a few errands anyway. Thank you both for the offer though." you chuckled sheepishly before dashing off not looking back. The two men left behind watched you take off, their shoulders sagging.
Prosciutto glanced back at his taller colleauge "Making a move already, I see."
"You were taking too long to make a move of your own, I had thought you've given up." Risotto shot back.
"Not a chance, capo." Prosciutto only chuckled as he made his way towards the direction you went. "May the best man win?"
Risotto scoffed in response.