Chapter Text
“So, what do you do for a living, Merlin?
“I’m a history professor at UTSA.” Merlin said, his English lilt making an appearance. He took a sip of his coffee and smiled softly, his dark hair shining in the sunlight streaming from the window.
T.C. had bumped into him in the very same coffee shop that they both sat in now a week earlier, the both of them mumbling their apologies before the other man looked up at T.C. A name tumbled out of his lips. Gwaine. Why had it seemed so familiar? It felt... right. But that wasn’t his name. His name was Thomas Charles Callahan. He’d never even met a Gwaine before. Strange. The other man was handsome. Tall, dark haired, blue eyed, just all around beautiful. Something within him urged him to ask the man if he could buy him a coffee which lead the both of them here.
“What about you?” He asked, his eyes sparkling with a new sort of light. As if it had been snuffed out for years, only to be finally relit. T.C. smiled.
“I served three tours in Afghanistan as a medic and when I left, I found myself at San Antonio Memorial.”
“Thank you for your service.” He said, the small smile not having faded. T.C. smiled back, about to reply when his phone buzzed.
“Damn. My shift starts in ten.” T.C. sighed sadly. “I’m sorry to cut this short.”
“No, it’s fine, I should probably get back to the university. I need to prepare for my next lecture.” He smiled, wider this time, his cheeks slightly nudging the frames of his glasses. “Keep in touch.” T.C. smiled and nodded once.
“Will do.”
~~~
T.C. arrived back at the hospital and quickly changed before beginning his shift.
“You’re later than usual. Usually you’re here early enough to go for a round of bumper pool.” Drew noted, walking alongside him.
“I met up with a friend at the coffee shop down the street.”
“I didn’t know you had friends, Tee.” He smirked playfully.
“Ha ha ha. Hilarious. Anyway, I’m glad I’ve been able to meet someone from around here. He’s really sweet.” He smiled slightly.
As Drew went to say something, two new trauma patients were wheeled into the ER and the both of them snapped into action, each taking one.