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Initially you would be fine seeing Zayne act differently with others. But the way he would give a gentle smile, several pat on the back and maybe hold a much longer conversation with the new head nurse. It had made you feel mixed emotions, you weren’t sure if you were happy or gutted to see him gentle with another woman.
Parts of you couldn't help but feel a bit upset with yourself, because you had fallen for him, and maybe you were just delusional thinking that he also felt the same way as you. You tried to remind yourself that Zayne only sees you as that annoying childhood friend who keeps bothering him and there will come a time that he'll be interested in someone else.
Right now, you are sitting outside his office waiting for him to arrive before he ends his shift since you both have decided to meet up this evening. Upon seeing him, you could see the head nurse tag along. Instead of your usual big hand wave and loud voice to greet him, you could only give him a smile and greet the nurse.
The man raised one of his eyebrows as he walks towards you, certainly a bit taken aback at how different you had greeted him. But he decided not to question it.
“Are you ready to go?” Zayne asked.
You nod, “I already reserved a spot at the hotpot restaurant.”
He nods, while the nurse looks up to him and reminds him about the board meeting for the next following day.
“Dr. Zayne!!!” Another nurse shouted as he hurried towards them “Patient 18 is under critical condition, he has to undergo surgery ASAP!”
“Dr. Zayne, we have to check on him.” The head nurse stated, as she placed a hand on his shoulder.
‘Aren’t there any other surgeons that could just take over? Zayne’s shift is over.’ You bitterly thought, and all you could do was look at the nurse’s hand.
But knowing Zayne well, you know that he would prioritize his patients first and that he’ll end up moving your dinner ‘date’ to another day.
Of course you know him very well as you guessed it right, Zayne nods to both nurses. “Prepare and secure the operating room.”
With that the male nurse nodded and quickly rushed out.
‘Why now?’ An upset feeling started to build up within, obviously upset on why this situation couldn’t just happen after you left the city.
You were supposed to treat Zayne for dinner, as tonight will be the last night you’ll be in Linkon City. You had planned to tell him about your incoming business trip. The headquarters decided to take you on a long business trip to a neighboring city, Changsia City, and this trip would take several months.
Zayne turns his gaze over to you, you could hear him sigh before he responded. “Sorry, but it seems we have to reschedule our dinner again.”
You shook your head and forced yourself to smile, the upset feeling was becoming a bit overwhelming for you. All you wanted now was to get out of the hospital before you end up giving Zayne a frustrated expression. “I understand, it’s an emergency. Go on.”
The man paused, a frown slightly appeared as he observed your expression before nodding. Before he could say another word, the nurse had whisked him away towards the direction of the operating rooms.
You know you shouldn’t get mad or pissy at him, as this is his job and he hasn't done anything wrong to you but stood you up for tonight in order to save another person’s life. And you know damn well that you'll do the same if a Wanderer attacked too.
Though that negative thought decided to grow, and tell you that it was not the same when there's an attack, because you know that Zayne wouldn’t leave you behind and he would fight by your side, just like the day you bought him that ‘Neon Night’ brooch as a gift. But for his case, you couldn’t do the same… you couldn’t support him inside the operating room. Again you try to calm down and think rationally.
Once they were completely out of sight, you were pretty sure that the sour expression you had tried to quell down earlier had now taken over your face before dejectedly turning away and all you could quietly say was “I understand, but it's just that I wanted your company before I leave…”
Maybe it was indeed much better to have some distance with him, to prevent you from falling further and spare you from any disappointment. Also if there was something blooming with those two, you rather stay away for the meantime.
‘Bye Zayne…’
The first two weeks, Zayne was understanding with the lack of messages and the usual phone calls that you would do. He thought maybe you were just really busy and couldn’t get back to him right away.
Though afterwards, despite he wouldn't admit it… this silence from you was definitely affecting Zayne. He didn’t want to go back to the days where you lost communication with him. He knew that it wasn’t like you to stay quiet. The usual pestering with you sending random chat topics to him stopped, the way you couldn’t respond right away to his messages, the calls that went from you ending his calls short due to you being on a ‘mission’, to now declining or leaving all his incoming calls unanswered. When the poor man tried to reschedule your dinner to make it up, you texted him that he didn't need to trouble himself about the missed dinner and that he should just focus on work instead.
Zayne was now sure that you were upset, but he did not expect that you were that upset. He noticed something amiss from your expression that day. Sure you had given him a smile but everything felt off, from the way you didn’t shout down the hall to greet him and how your smile did not light up your eyes as they usually do. Now he felt like he had to deal with how to properly contact you and make it up to you. Since your responses were now short and curt, and that you couldn’t even hold a decent conversation on the phone. There were times when you didn't even respond to his text, that he would end up ‘poking’ you on the chat to get your attention despite that it wasn't his thing to do.
A frown formed on his face, obviously affected by the sudden changes the last couple of weeks. It seems like he’ll have to confront you once your monthly physical checkup comes.
A shrill ringtone broke the silence of his office, derailing Zayne’s train of thoughts. On the screen of his phone it flashed:
UNICORN ALPHA Unit
Cpt. Jenna
Despite it not being you on the phone, he quickly answered the call hoping that there would be any news about you. “This is Dr. Zayne from Akso Hospital.”
“Good afternoon, Dr. Zayne. We would like to request that you send one of our hunter’s records to Changsia Hospital for their continuous physical checkup.” Jenna said firmly.
Zayne gets up from his seat and goes to his lateral cabinets containing each of his patient’s records. “Please advise the patient’s hunter ID number.”
“Deepspace Hunter Number 01182024.” The woman responded.
The man paused, because he knew that hunter ID number by heart and that it only belonged to you. He slowly pulls up the record, and indeed it was your file.
“She’s in Changsia City now?” It was unlike him to let a question slip out.
The sudden question also took the woman on the line off guard, as never did Dr. Zayne would question things.
“Did she not tell you? She departed last March.” Jenna stated.
A sigh escaped his lips. “When?”
“…March 28. She’s on a long business trip sent by headquarters.”
Now everything made sense, since you were supposed to have that hotpot dinner on the 27th. The silence stretched for a while before Jenna once again broke the silence.
“Dr. Zayne, please ensure to attention her files to Dr. Lucy of Changsia hospital. Dr. Lucy will temporarily be her attending physician while she is working in Changsia. That is all Dr. Zayne.”
With that the line ends, and Zayne slumps down on his chair staring at your file in his hand.
Two months have now passed by so quickly. You were assigned to assist in Changsia’s difficult missions, along that you had to train with several of the Deepspace hunters stationed there, and even teach some of them on how to do a proper report and research.
It was one hectic day, and you’ve decided to call it a day. Clocking out at exactly 5PM, all you wanted was to hit the bed.
Though something felt off after you came out of Changsia’s headquarters. It felt like there was someone or maybe something following you.
Before you could take out your gun, your phone rings. You glare at the direction you feel that you were being watched from, while now reaching your hand to fish out your phone from your pocket. You quickly turn your gaze to the screen of your phone and let out a sigh as your childhood friend’s name flashed on screen.
Zayne
Yes, until now you are still not in the mood to talk to him and hoping to maintain this distance. Instead you decline his call, and send him an automated text message telling him that you were busy.
When you look back up, you felt that whoever or whatever that followed you was now gone. You stayed for a while, making sure that the coast was clear before you continued back to your unit.
Zayne did not call you again afterwards.
The following day as you enter Headquarters, the captain tells you that your physician wants to do a physical checkup at the clinic. You looked at him with a confused look before nodding, as it was only a week ago that you had done it and even submitted the examination to them.
You hurried towards the clinic, you were still focusing on the report on your tablet as you entered the room.
“Dr. Lucy, don't you think it's a bit too early for my physical checkup?” You asked while you turned around to close the door.
“One of my troublesome patients had disappeared from me for two months without saying anything, that’s why you’ll be having your physical checkup earlier than scheduled.” A familiar deep voice was heard, and it did not belong to Dr. Lucy. You turn your head in the direction of the voice, and in front of you Zayne intensely looks at you with arms crossed.
You have already gotten accustomed to not seeing him for two months, and that you were able to successfully constantly avoid his texts and calls. It’s funny because you had actually thought that when you both see one another after this long period of time that it wouldn't affect you. But you were so wrong, because just the sight of him had all your feelings for him come flooding back.
Silence filled the air, neither of you looked away. You were still trying to process that Zayne was now in front of you.
Breaking the silence you greet him. “Dr. Zayne… Long time no see.” You slightly backed away, “Dr. Lucy called me for a physical checkup, I might have entered the wrong room.”
Before you could reach for the door knob, Zayne had frozen the door shut ensuring that you did not run away.
“Dr. Lucy is currently on leave. As your actual physician, I'll be taking over your physical checkups for the duration of your stay in Changsia.” He responded.
The checkup was a bit awkward due to the unwanted silence that would fill the room, but it goes on without a hitch. Zayne professionally handles you and asks several questions about your health.
After the checkup ends, Zayne breaks the silence. “It’s nice seeing you again.”
A small genuine smile spread on your face, “Likewise Dr. Zayne.”
“I’ll be staying in the city until June.” The man states as he continues writing down notes in his notebook. You paused for a bit, remembering that you will also be heading back to Linkon City in June.
You look up to him with a confused look on your face, and you could see his lips curved upward momentarily.
“It seems that I still need to make up for that missed dinner last March.” He gently said, now meeting your gaze.
Shaking both of your hands, “Dr. Zayne, I understand that you had to prioritize your patients first. There’s really no need for you to make up for that dinner.” You responded.
“I definitely need to make it up to you. Afterall you didn’t respond to any of my messages or answer my calls after that. I was sure you were upset.” Zayne now leans closer to you, his gaze more intense than the usual. In a low voice he asked “Or… You could make it up to me, since you declined my call last night saying that you were busy when I saw you going home.”
You flushed red in embarrassment, now finding out that it was Zayne who was following you yesterday night and on top of that he knew you had deliberately avoided him by declining his call.
“It- was you?” You managed to ask.
He nodded in response, before a smirk spread on his face. Your mind felt like it went haywire, his face now dangerously close to yours. His intense gaze was not helping you calm down.
“You know… I can hear how loud and fast your heart is beating now.”
You found out that Zayne had signed up to teach medics and share medical knowledge to Changsia’s hunters. Him and the medics he would be teaching, were also tasked to accompany you and the other hunters on the missions as well.
Since Zayne was indeed your actual physician, and you were the only one who knew him well. The captain had entrusted you to have him as your companion and take him around the city.
Currently Zayne was now sitting beside you, both of you cramped in your small office cubicle. Everytime you try to discreetly look at him, you would get caught as the man was already staring at you.
“You won’t be able to finish your task on time if you keep looking at me.” Zayne bluntly states.
“Dr. Zayne, how can I finish my task if you keep staring at me? I feel like you’re trying to freeze me alive.” You retort back. “If you have nothing else to do, maybe you should head back to your unit or just help me with this.”
He brings his chair closer to you, his face right next to yours as he takes a good look at your laptop screen.
“I won’t go back until you’ve finished your work. After all, I should still pay my debt to you by having dinner together tonight.”
Of course he won’t forget about it, he’s adamant to have dinner with you. With that Zayne assists and gives you proper advice on several things you were stumped on, and with that you were able to finish your report and clock out on time.
“Let’s have dinner at your place.” Zayne states as he takes your bag.
You paused, and gave him a conflicted look as he held onto your bag. The gut feeling that tells you that Zayne views you more than a childhood friend resurfaces and you try to quell down the feeling. Would it be fine with just you and him inside your apartment? Maybe you should tell him that you have no available ingredients to cook something, and take him to one of those hotpot restaurants along the way.
“If you don’t have anything to cook, let’s buy some ingredients from the market.” Zayne tells you, obviously hinting that he is not going to accept your idea of going to a restaurant instead.
You quickly walked by his side, “Wouldn’t it be exhausting to cook? Why don’t we-”
Zayne throws you a firm stare, and you decide not to continue with your suggestion. Instead you nod your head at him. Noticing how quick you were walking by his side, he starts to slow down in order for you to walk at a comfortable pace.
Arriving at your unit, Zayne looked a bit restless and you gave him a questioning look as you slide in your keys to unlock your door.
You let him enter first, while you close the door afterwards. When you looked back, Zayne was already towering over you before wrapping his arms around you.
So many different emotions suddenly came up. You were confused, you felt like butterflies started to swarm your stomach, and the conflicted thoughts that made you think if what was happening was okay or wrong.
“Za-Zayne?”
He hums in response as his arms tighten around you. “Let us stay like this for a while.”
You don’t say anything but let the bag of groceries drop onto the floor and reciprocate his hug.
Zayne was not a man of words, but would get the point across through his actions. You try not to look into it, but it felt like he was trying hard to convey to you that he has missed your presence for the last few months and that he was sorry that he couldn’t spend the last night with you before your trip to Changsia. Your hands brushed up on his back, slightly tightening the embrace while he nuzzled his head in the crook of your neck.
It felt like an eternity that both of you stood at the doorway, wrapped in each other's arms. It was until Zayne slowly pulled away, both of you maintaining eye contact. You see his mouth curve upward as he shyly looks away and picks up the bag of groceries that you dropped earlier on the floor.
“We should cook dinner.” He says, and all you could do was nod. Though deep down inside you just want to hold onto him a bit longer. His free hand wraps around your wrist and pulls you inside the unit and towards your kitchen.
You helped him prepare the dishes, you were tasked to either cut the ingredients or just stir the pot. Both of you were able to eat dinner after an hour.
Initially you thought that Zayne would leave after dinner, but he moves over to the couch and stares at you.
“What do you want to do?” You asked as you sat right next to him.
“Catch up with you.”
“There’s nothing interesting that has happened these past few months.”
“I don’t mind, I really find your stories… interesting.”
So then and there, you ended up prattling to him what you did the last two months. You even vented out to him on several things that got on your nerves. Zayne never interrupted, nodding occasionally as he listened to you ramble about your life, despite his usual expression you could tell he was happy by the way his eyes sparkled.
You suddenly remember the new head nurse that he was a bit gentle with back last March. It made you think, was it really okay to be this close right now with Zayne?
"I remember… You got along with the new head nurse before." You rambled on, Zayne gaze was still fixed on you while you tried to look elsewhere. "Did things go well with you two?"
Again he scoots closer to you, his brows furrowed for a moment and then gives you a gentle smile, “What do you mean?”
“I don’t have to spell it out for you? You know what I mean.” You respond.
“She got fired for malpractice.” Zayne nonchalantly said.
You looked surprised, and raised an eyebrow at him. Before you could ask him anything he cuts in.
“Why were you upset with me?” He asked, stirring the conversation back to you.
The sudden shift of topic back to you, causes you to pause for a while. You give him a small smile, “Didn’t I tell you, I’m not upset with you. I was busy with my missions.”
A helpless smile comes on his face, as he shakes his head. “You could still get back to me during your day off, and even on your break time. I’m sure you were upset with me.”
“I could never get upset with you. I should feel proud that I know a very capable doctor who would prioritize his patients and would take overtime just to save them.” You tell him.
He leans in, his face again close to yours “Then let me rephrase my question… why were you avoiding me? I’m not buying your busy excuse.”
The man intently looks at you, making sure that you would answer him properly.
You looked away, “I didn’t want to get in the way with you and that nurse. I thought if I kept my distance… maybe you might have a relationship blossom.”
A chuckle was heard “I guess, either you're dense or… you have a feeling but decided not to acknowledge my efforts.” and in a low voice Zayne adds “But by now… you should already know who I really like.”
You flushed red, as he gently pressed his forehead against yours while one of his hands is now at the nape of your neck to prevent you from attempting to evade his gaze.
“I’m sure, you also like me too.” He adds.
For a few seconds he looks at your lips, before catching your gaze. His other hand is now cupping the side of your face, thumb brushing along your lower lips.
In a low voice he asks "Can I?"
You did not answer him, but leaned in pressing your lips against his. It was just a slow gentle kiss, both of you savoring the feeling.
When both of you slowly pulled away, all you could do was place your head on the crook of his neck as you hid how flustered you were.
“Did I make it clear to you now?” He gently asks, as he rubbed your back with one hand while the other was still wrapped around you.
You nod, pulling yourself away to meet his gaze “Crystal clear.” you smile.
A smirk spread on his face, “I still believe we have many things to catch on.”
And in an instant he claims your lips again, this time more roughly as he pins you down on the couch.
All you know, you were in for a long night.