Work Text:
And while I'm in this body
I want somebody to want
And I want, what I want, and I want
You to love me
You
- I Want You To Love Me, Fiona Apple
Friday
It started, as most moments of miscommunication do, with an overheard conversation.
Langdon had just finished up with a patient, tossing his gloves in the wastebin, before swiping his hand under the sensor to dispense a dollop of sanitizer. His eyes instinctively darted around the ER, taking in the board, Dana giving orders, the bodies rushing around. There was a swath of voices and beeps surrounding him, but two voices from inside the room to his left drew his attention.
“How’s packing going for you guys?” Dr. Mohan, their newly senior resident, posed to the mystery person inside. That title change had taken some adjustment when he came back from his months in rehab and he’d be lying if he said it didn't still sting, even if she was an incredible doctor. It was hard to lose so much of the progress he’d built, the trust of those around him, his marriage…
But he’d gained some great things too. Sobriety for one thing, forgiveness from those around him was another. He’d bonded with Mckay more as she and Mel were the only ones who hadn’t stared at him like he had three heads when he first came back. And most surprising of all to everyone, including himself, he’d found a friend in Santos of all people. His apology and “thank you for calling me on my addiction because even though this sucks I was wrong and would have ruined my life even more” conversation had initially been met with icy silence and a very harsh glare. He couldn’t fault her though, and slowly but surely she seemed to warm up to him in her own way. She started making jokes not just about him, but with him too, and that’s when he knew she’d forgiven him.
He’d also gained a best friend in Mel (well he considered her his best friend, he wasn’t sure if it was reciprocated), the now third year resident, who had walked up to him his first day back with outstretched arms. She’d later taken a moment to reintroduce herself in case he didn’t remember who she was. What he didn’t tell her was that he had never and could never forget her.
At that moment, none other than Dr. Melissa (but everyone calls her Mel, he remembered, of course he did) King’s voice responded to Samira’s question.
“Oh well I’ve finished everything that I needed to get done. I think Becca’s having a harder time with it, she doesn’t like change very much, even if she likes the result. She’s still very excited though.” There was some rustling, presumably from the two cleaning up from the last patient. Slower days allowed for longer turnover time and he wasn’t surprised that the two of them were using that time to help out the cleaning staff.
“And how are you doing with it? I know it’s going to be a big change for you.”
“I’m…okay? It’s definitely going to be hard, but I think it will be good for both of us.” More rustling and the sound of a waste bin opening followed.
“What day is the big move? If I’m off I’d love to help you guys if you need it, actually I’m sure you could ask like anyone and they’d pitch in.”
Big move…?
“It’s next Saturday! I’ll check with Becca but an extra set of hands would be great, thank you Samira.” There was the tell tale sound of latex being pulled off hands and before he knew it, Frank was speed walking in the opposite direction, not wanting to be caught loitering by the doorway.
What did Mohan mean by big move? Mel was moving? How far? Was she leaving him PTMC?
~~~
Tuesday
He was fidgety the rest of the day…and the day after that…and the day after that. He was unsure of what to do or say. He couldn’t approach her about it right? Because then she’d know he was eavesdropping. Not to mention the fact that whatever it was, she clearly didn’t want him to know about it. She’d told Mohan and not him and he tried really, really hard not to let that hurt his feelings as much as it did.
But “big move” had to be, well, a big move. Right? So Mel was moving and he had to try and get over it and be happy for her.
It was just so easy to work with Mel as the two of them had fallen into a pattern his first day back. Her handing him a pair of gloves and him trailing behind her on instinct. In the months since then, it became their routine, working together on most cases when possible. It had also gotten him quite a few jokes from Mckay, Santos, Garcia, even Dana, all about him being a “lost puppy” around her.
Today though, he stayed across the room at all times, walking out of rooms she was in, and refusing to even look at her. He knew it was wrong and he was sure it looked bad, but he couldn't help but wonder how much worse he would make it if he actually did speak to her.
It wasn’t until Robby pulled him aside at the end of a shift, days after the initial conversation he’d overheard that he realized his behavior must have seemed suspicious, him suddenly bouncing as much as he used to while snapping at people more and of course avoiding the person everyone had grown accustomed to seeing him attached to.
“You wanna tell me why the hell you’re acting like a hyperactive puppy while knocking one of my best residents off her game?” His voice was stern and Langdon could immediately tell he suspected the worst.
“What?” His face fell, not concerned with what Robby was implying of him, but at the mention of Mel’s well-being.
“You need to be honest with me here Frank.” Robby’s voice cut through his internal worry.
“I’m not, it’s not what you think. I’m clean, Robby I swear, I’ll piss in a cup right now. It’s not that, it’s just-” He cut himself off. Robby had to know Mel was moving right? He was their boss. But if he told him he knew, or asked him about it, he’d have to admit how he knew.
This was so convoluted his head was hurting, which could possibly be because of the four hours of sleep he was running on.
“It’s…personal. But I’m not using again, I swear on my life.” He met Robby’s gaze. The gaze that was once filled with pride that he blossomed and grew under. He could remember the hatred behind it though the day he’d found out, that gaze still finding him at night as he replayed it over and over. Now though he just looked worried, for him or for Mel he wasn’t sure.
“Ok. I believe you. But if there’s something else going on that I need to know about, or you need to talk about anything, you can come to me, no questions asked.” He clapped a hand on Langdon’s shoulder, the grip warm and heavy. It took him back to successful saves, well-timed jokes, and mentoring moments. It helped him think those were possible again.
“I will. I’ll do better, just um, is she ok?”
“Look I’m not going to play messenger between you two, I don’t know the situation, but just sort it out ok?”
With that, Frank was left alone at the lockers, blinking at the now empty space in front of him. He wasn’t sure how long he stood there, thoughts jumbled in his head before he grabbed his things and stepped out the exit.
He could fix this. So what if Mel was moving? He would just enjoy the time they had together until then. His
favorite co-worker
best friend
Mel.
He could be nonchalant, he could be cool, she wouldn’t even know anything was wrong.
~~~
Wednesday
Frank Langdon was not nonchalant.
He’d truly given it his best effort. Sidling up to Mel in the morning, asking her how she was doing, making small talk. So what if he laughed too hard at a joke she made that really wasn’t that funny? And so what if he was super overenthusiastic every time they made a save, holding his hands up for high-fives and relishing in the contact. He drank an extra Redbull in the afternoon, held every door open for her, didn’t rise to Santos’ bait, saved a four year old from dying with Cassie and Whitaker, stared at Mel when she wasn’t looking, stitched up a 60 year old man, imagined what Mel looked like with her hair down…
Overall a very productive, very normal day if he did say so himself. He didn’t dwell on why he was so upset at Mel leaving. He definitely didn’t admit it was because of anything more than perfectly normal coworker reasons. He refused to acknowledge that something he’d come to rely on was going to be ripped from him so suddenly. He absolutely didn’t-
“Are you ok?”
“What?”
“You’ve um, you’ve just been standing there for a few minutes, just kind of staring at the wall.” A blond braid, glasses, a matching Littman Classic III stethoscope in black.
“Yeah, yeah I’m good.” He tried for a smile, but it felt more like a grimace splitting across his face. “Any fun plans this weekend?” He tried to make it sound light, tried to loosen the strain on his voice.
“Not really, just spending time with Becca. What about you?” She closed the door to her locker, turning to face him more fully. Was she intentionally keeping it from him? Did she simply plan to leave with no warning?
“Not much, Abby has the kids so I’m working both days.” His locker closed with a click, meeting her eyes as she glanced down at his hand (barren of his wedding band) and back up at his face, brows pinched together before loosening in what looked like realization. Her mouth formed a soft O shape and she just blinked at him for a beat before her face slowly grew into a cautious smile.
“Well, have a good weekend, I- uh- Do you know if Samira is still around?”
That caught him off guard.
Her voice was suddenly high pitched and sounded sort of strained and she began to twist her fingers together, wringing her hands in front of herself.
“Mohan? No idea, but maybe?”
“Ok! Cool, I’m just gonna go…check for her…have a good night Frank.” At that she backed up before turning on her heel and speedwalking back into the central hub. All he could do was watch her leave, infinitely confused, but fixated on the smile she’d sent him.
That day he left work with a warmth growing somewhere in his chest, that smile in the back of his mind whenever he closed his eyes.
~~~
Thursday
“Why are you so happy?” Santos slid next to him, easily falling into step as they went to meet the incoming ambulance, a 43-year-old woman who’d been in a crash on her way to work.
“Can’t I just be happy?” He snapped his left glove against his wrist, spinning to face her before turning back to step through the automatic doors.
“Yeah but it's like nauseating. You and Little Miss Perfect have been all smiley at each other all day.” She nudged him with her elbow before continuing. “Is there something-“
“No! What no, no, can’t we just both be having good days?” He threw his hands up in defense as if to deflect the accusation. “I could be asking you the same about Yo-Yo because-“
“Finish the sentence and I will put you in Trauma 1 myself Langdon.” Her glare was sharp and he’d be lying if he said he wasn’t intimidated by her.
“Whatever Narc.” (That was the nickname he’d taken to calling her post-rehab. The first time Robby heard it he actually had to sit down as he claimed he was going to pass out. But to be fair she called him a lot worse, a lot more often.) Right on cue the ambulance pulled up and the chaos began again.
Later in the day, after many more patients and many more jokes at his expense (Santos and Garcia really knew how to push his buttons, especially together), he finally had a moment to breathe. He took to the ambulance bay, hoping some fresh air would do him some good, but the universe had other plans. Behind the pillar he was leaning against, he heard two very familiar voices once again strike up a conversation he didn’t think he was intended to hear.
“Have you thought anymore about what I said last night?” Mohan’s voice was light, but in the assertive way only she could accomplish.
“No. No, in fact I am trying not to think about any of…that conversation.” He could picture the gesture Mel would be doing alongside the description of “that”, arms waving away the topic she didn’t want to discuss.
“You mean when you finally realized that he was available? And that your weird, telepathic bond relationship wasn’t some form of emotional infidelity and that your pining is potentially returned?”
“Would you be quiet! The last thing I need is someone to hear you and report back to him or the rumor mill.” At Mel’s statement, Samira let out a laugh, though it wasn’t unkind. “Ugh I wish I just realized earlier! Did everyone else know about this but me?”
“I mean…”
“Oh come on! So what did you think all of my worries about…you know…having feelings for someone unavailable were about?”
“I just thought you were worried about stepping on toes! You tend to do whatever you can to not bother anyone or stir up issues, so I thought you were being abundantly cautious.”
Mel let out a frustrated groan and he could picture how she’d be clenching and unclenching her fists repeatedly.
“Okay, okay, take a deep breath. Do you want some time alone?” Mel must have nodded because she added, “Just promise me you’ll talk to him? We can talk more on Saturday when I come over to help you guys, but until then, just think about what I said.”
“Yeah alright.” Mel’s voice sounded worn down, but still had a teasing edge when she continued. “But you need to promise that you’ll talk to Jack-” And that was when Frank ducked back inside, hoping they didn’t see him, and feeling like his eavesdropping quota for at least the next year had been finally used up.
That was fine, everything was fine! Mel was moving and also seemed to have a secret infatuation with someone, but that was fine! He was happy for her, assuming it all worked out. Of course it would work out, she was Dr. Mel King, anyone would be lucky to have her like them. Langdon himself could attest that–
Oh.
Okay.
He ducked inside the break room which was thankfully empty, burying his face in his hands as he stood in the middle of the room.
Fuck. He liked her, he liked Mel. That’s why he’d been so upset at her moving and leaving PTMC. Not only was she a brilliant doctor whose skills would be sorely missed, but she was Mel. She was the woman who had welcomed him back all those months ago with open arms, who’d defended him from murmurs at his return, who remembered every detail he told her about Tanner and Grace, who loved her sister with a fierceness he’d never seen before, and who took care of her patients in a way no one else could.
How had he not seen it before? He had just thought of her as a friend, a good friend sure, but a friend. So what if they texted frequently about recent journal publications (funny medical tiktoks they found)? And so what if he always kept an extra protein bar she liked in his locker? Or if he always got a little warm inside when she asked him about his kids? Or if they sometimes got food after shift at the pizza place a block away? Or if his hands always itched to smooth the end of her braid?
He heard the door open behind him, not bothering to turn to see who it was.
“Rough day?” Garcia’s voice held both sarcasm and concern to it, matching the expression he was faced with when he pivoted to look at her. “Oh shit, you good man?”
“Uhm…yeah, fine.” He swallowed back the emotion threatening to come out.
“Did something happen? Did you– oh. Wait. Don’t tell me you figured it out.”
“Figured what out Yo-Yo?” His tone was snappy, but in his defense he was speedrunning through a pretty heavy realization.
“I think you finally realized how you feel about a certain 3rd year resident.” She wiggled her eyebrows at him as she stepped closer.
“Wait how did you–” His confusion was cut off by her laugh as she clapped her hands.
“I didn’t! I was just guessing based on the existential crisis happening on your face but holy shit Langdon! It took you long enough.” She pulled out her pager and furiously typed a message across it.
“What are you doing?”
“Calling for reinforcements, I can’t deal with this on my own, no way.”
Just on time, Santos threw open the door, speed walking inside while slightly out of breath. She froze when she saw him.
“What the fuck? Did you invite him to third-wheel our makeout sesh?” She threw her hands up in exasperation while catching her breath. Langdon gagged at the mental image.
“No! I just had to get you here ASAP. Langdon here had The Revelation.”
“OK you don’t have to make it sound like some biblical prophecy. I like Mel! There, happy? I like Mel, and I just need to get over it because it would never work and she probably doesn’t like me because who would? I’m a fuck up addict doctor and she’s perfect and I think she’s moving? And I heard her talking to Mohan about some other guy and I just can’t ruin this.”
His monologue was met with blank stares from the woman standing in front of him. They turned to look at each other, before turning back to him.
“Well that was…a lot.” Garcia broke the silence, looking slightly alarmed at his rambling. He took a deep breath, gearing up to defend himself further when Santos butted in.
“Look, you’re overcomplicating all of this. You like her, she looks at you like you’re some sort of godly superhero, you two need to just talk or fuck or something already!”
His face reddened as he blanched.
“Woah what the fuck? That’s not- wait she looks at me like that?”
“Holy shit he’s hopeless. Langdon you’re hopeless. Just talk to her ok? No pretenses, no dancing around it, just talk to her.” Garcia’s pager beeped then, causing her to pull it out to see the message. “They need me back upstairs, so much for raiding the ER snack stash.”
She moved to leave before pausing in the doorway to turn back and look at him.
“I think you’re good for each other, don’t mess this up by not even trying.” And then she was gone.
Santos cleared her throat, reminding him that she was still there.
“Look I know we still have a past and I give you shit for a lot of stuff, but I agree with Yo. I really think you two could be happy and could make each other happy.”
“Thanks Trin.” He smiled and she grimaced.
“Ugh ew, tell anyone about this and you’re done for ok? No more feelings.” With that she quickly left, scurrying away to join the incoming trauma.
~~~
Friday
By the time he could clock out Thursday evening, Mel had already vanished from The Pitt. He wasn’t sure if he would have even said something other than goodbye to her, but he regretted missing his chance. Especially since he was apparently running out of chances.
He was still hurt that she had yet to mention the move to him. When he thought about it too long, his chest began to ache deep inside. Not only was she leaving, which on its own was also terrible, but she made no move to say goodbye or inform him of the change. He supposed that she didn’t truly owe him anything, but he’d like to think that they were friends, and close friends at that. The fact that she was seemingly going to just up and vanish on him was bafflingly out of character for her, so much so that it made him not even want to bring it up, for fear of what it could mean.
Because of all of this, he had spent the day zoning in and out in between cases. Cases that he’d mostly worked with her. He could tell he was getting more distracted than usual, closing his eyes and taking a breath when she stepped into his personal space, going to speak but trailing off, nervously dodging looks and comments from both Garcia and Santos.
By the end of the day he’d made up his mind.
He was not going to talk to her.
Tomorrow she was moving, she was leaving. As much as he wanted her to stay there, stay by his side forever, he couldn’t truly wish that for her. He wanted the best for her and if that meant leaving, well then he’d have to get over it.
If he told her about his revelation then it would just complicate things. Either she miraculously returned his affections (and then promptly left town), or she didn’t. Both options ended in awkwardness and disappointment. It was easier to keep things how they were. Maybe he could even play it cool and text her occasionally.
Frank Langdon wanted Mel King in his life, in any way she’d let him have her.
That was what was important to him. So he didn’t tell her.
But that didn’t mean he couldn’t at least say goodbye.
He’d caught up to her at the locker, wincing from bending over to grab his stuff from his locker. He joked that he’d kill for some benzos at that moment, a joke that was decidedly kept as an inside thought of course.
Mel had just called “Bye Frank!” over her shoulder when he hastily stood up. Distantly he wondered if that was the last time she planned on seeing him, simply waving goodbye like an ordinary day.
“Wait! I’m coming, I’m coming.” He quickly slung his backpack over his shoulder, slamming his locker, and slightly jogging to catch up with her. “So uh, how was your day?”
“We’ve spent practically the whole day together. I think I worked two cases with someone other than you.” She scrunched her nose up slightly and he wondered what it would be like to kiss it away-
“Oh right, well how did those cases go?”
“Good! One was a new mom who was really anxious about a bunch of stuff. She had a list of things for us to check which were all thankfully fine, but Kiara talked to her and we got her some resources for postpartum anxiety. Her little boy was super cute though. I got to hold him for a bit. Oh and the other was just a dislocated shoulder that needed to be popped back in.” She gripped the strap of her shoulder bag with one hand, gesturing with the other. Frank kept glancing at her from the side, drinking in the sight of her.
“Nice.” He couldn’t think of anything else to say really. It also wasn’t really nice at all seeing as though he’d maybe never see her again, which made him feel like he was slowly drowning. But he couldn’t say that, so he settled for the polite lie of “nice” that burned his tongue as he said it.
Before he knew it, they had reached her beat up green Jeep that she swore up and down would run forever. She paused in front of the driver’s side door and turned to look at him, to dismiss him from her life forever.
“Do you maybe want to grab a bite to eat?”
He flushed as he spoke, realizing he probably sounded like a desperate child. But he was desperate, not to mention both confused and hurt that she still hadn’t and wouldn’t tell him anything.
“Oh! I’m so sorry, I would love to but Becca and I have plans. Normally we’d love to have you, but she’s been kind of stressed out recently so I think something more routine would be best.” Mel gave him a small smile that had a hint of disappointment behind it as her eyes darted down to her hands.
“Yeah, of course. Raincheck then.” His smile was plastered on, not reaching his eyes that were firmly fixed on her face, tracing the outline of her features slowly as if to catalogue them into his memory. Sure he had photos of her from post-work hangouts and movie nights, but there was something about her that the photos couldn’t capture properly.
Frank reached his hand out impulsively, gently touching the braid that had come to rest on her shoulder. He smoothed over the end of it before dropping his hand to his side. Part of him felt like he’d crossed a line, the touch and moment too charged to be boiled down to the casual touches they’d exchanged before.
This wasn’t a high five after a save, or a shoulder bump as they walked to their cars after work. This had made him feel like a strike of lightning had consumed his body.
He cleared his throat, taking a small step back, putting space between them before he did anything else impulsive. Her eyes were filled with something he didn’t recognize as he went to speak once more.
“Goodnight Mel. Get some rest.”
“You too Frank.”
And with that he turned, walking to his car parked further down the lot. He didn’t dare look back, lest she catch a glimpse of the tears in his eyes.
~~~
Saturday
Frank floated through the day, saving lives, treating patients, and feeling like shit. After getting home the night before, he couldn’t sleep, running through every possible thing he could’ve said, or thing he could’ve done differently. Apparently, he was pretty good at multitasking since he hadn’t lost anyone that day, and none of his colleagues questioned his decisions.
That didn’t mean they weren’t shooting him concerned looks when they could, his usual purposefully disheveled appearance looking truly disheveled from his few hours of restless sleep. Dana had slid him an extra Redbull, and even Santos had toned down the aggressive attitude.
Robby had checked in on him, and Frank had to bite back an angry remark about how he didn’t warn them – warn him – about one of their residents leaving. But Robby was perfectly nice, worried about him, but not accusing, so Frank felt even worse about his frustration.
It wasn’t until 4 pm that the world seemed to come back into focus around him. He’d just finished flushing out a kid’s ear canal when Samira walked in through the entrance with Mel.
Her arm was slung over Mohan’s shoulder as she limped along, barely putting pressure on her left leg. Frank was by her side in an instant, going to support her other side as they sat her down at one of the charting stations at the main desk.
“Jesus Mel, what happened?” He was immediately on the floor ignoring the twinge of his back as he rolled up the leg of her jeans and examined the dark bruise blooming across her ankle.
“I tripped down some stairs and fell weirdly on it. We’re pretty sure it’s just a moderate inversion sprain, but Samira insisted we come in and make sure that’s all it is.” Mel sighed and winced as he examined the area.
“She wanted to just run to the store and get a brace, but I’m pretty sure she also hit her head, and I’m not going to risk anything.” Samira piped up from beside Mel, frowning at her friend’s lack of care for her health. Frank shared a similar displeasure at her statement, eyes darting around to find an empty room.
“North 7 is open, get her checked out kid.” Dana appeared behind Mel, ever the vigilante charge nurse. “Good to see you King, though not my favorite circumstances.” She smiled and winked at her before darting off to attend to something else.
He and Samira got her to North 7 before ordering her a CT and X-RAY just to be safe. Both had come back clean and he’d gotten her the proper boot for her Grade 2 sprain in no time.
It was only when Samira had left (to ride with Jack after his random day shift appearance) and Mel was getting ready to drive herself home since they’d taken her car there, that his confusion hit him full force.
Why was she here? What was she doing in order to fall down stairs? Why did they come to PTMC?
“Wait, what were you doing to fall down the stairs?” She was finished saying goodbye to their coworkers on shift and was standing with him in the ambulance bay, preparing to brave the sudden rain shower to get to her car, but his voice caused her to pause.
“I was carrying a moving box that I couldn’t really see around well. I think I just misstepped, but it was enough to send me down three or four steps.” She sighed, blushing slightly as she brushed away a stray strand of hair that had fallen across her face.
“Moving box?” He tried to play oblivious.
“Becca’s moving to the care center more full time. She really likes it there and she wants to stay there more, have some more independence you know? She’ll still come with me most weekends, but we had to set up her room and move a lot of her stuff there. Samira was helping me and I was lucky she was there when this happened.” Mel gestured vaguely to the grey boot now encasing her foot.
Meanwhile Frank’s brain was putting together all of the puzzle pieces. So she wasn’t moving, but Becca was. Meaning Mel wasn’t leaving, meaning he’d been so worried for nothing.
“That was why I couldn’t hang out last night, which I’m still sorry about, by the way. She was just really nervous and excited and we had a whole night planned out-”
“Hey hey hey it’s okay. I get it.” He cut off her rambling to reassure her, sensing that she would keep spiraling if he didn’t. His hands found her shoulders and ran down to her elbows and back up, squeezing once before returning to his sides.
She smiled up at him, stepping even closer to him.
“Thanks…for always being so understanding. I don’t say it enough, but I really appreciate it.”
Frank was pretty sure his brain short circuited as she rose on the tips of her toes to press a fleeting kiss to his cheek. He stood there, jaw open as walked away after throwing a goodbye over her shoulder. His eyes followed her retreating figure as she walked farther and farther from him.
“You really going to stand there while she walks away?” Santos stood behind him, arms crossed across her chest.
“Yes.” He swallowed thickly, brain trying desperately to catch up.
“You shouldn’t.” She fixed him with a knowing stare. “Go after her idiot. It’ll be like super cheesy and romantic and a perfect culmination for you two with all your pining looks.”
He paused only to tell Santos to cover him for a few before taking off into the rain. It was coming down aggressively and he was almost instantly soaked head to toe.
“Mel!” He called behind her a few times as he drew closer, until she turned to face him.
God, somehow she looked even more beautiful in the pouring rain.
“Frank? What’s wrong? Is everything ok?” Shit he didn’t think very far into this plan.
“I uh- everything’s fine, I just- Why didn’t you tell me about the move?”
“What?”
“I heard you and Mohan talking about it last week and since then I’ve just been…freaking out about you leaving. I thought you were moving and leaving the Pitt and leaving me and I just felt fucking sick everytime I would think about it.” He brushed the wet hair out of his eyes. “I thought you were just leaving without saying goodbye and it broke me Mel. It made me realize that I wanted more of you in my life, and I thought I was about to lose you completely, sweetheart.”
“Oh. Frank I’m- I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. I guess I was trying to protect you because you told me how you hurt your back the first time and I knew you’d offer to help and I didn’t want you to hurt yourself again. I felt terrible about keeping it from you and it was stupid to do.” They were both nearly shouting over the cacophony of raindrops on asphalt around them.
“No god I’m sorry for listening in and for not talking to you about it. I guess I got in my head? I was so sure that I needed to let you go, that it was what was best for you, and then Garcia and Santos talked me through my realization of why I was so upset about it.” He laughed at her confused expression. “I’ll tell you all about it later, I promise.”
He paused, heart bursting at the sight in front of him, at the smile on her face.
“Just to be perfectly clear, Mel, I really really like you. That’s why I was so worried about you leaving.” She laughed slightly, though not at him, simply at the moment happening around them.
“I really really like you too. That’s why I was so worried about you hurting yourself again.”
Frank let his impulsivity win once more as he surged forward, pausing at the last second to let her close the gap between them. His hand came to cup her cheek as her hands gripped his scrubs top. Her lips were wet and cold, but soft and warm at the same time. His other hand rested on her hip, pulling her in closer, letting their rain soaked bodies meld into a singular form.
Eventually the both pulled away, laughing in tandem disbelief.
“How about we get into some warm clothes, make sure your boot isn’t ruined, and then I drive you home myself? My shift is over in 20.” He grinned at her, giddy inside as his anxiety from the past week began to dissolve slowly.
“I’d like that.”
Mel’s boot was in fact ruined from the rain, and he had to sheepishly retrieve another one from their supply to swap it out, all while Santos smirked at him from across the room. He was sure the gossip about them would spread like wildfire, but he couldn’t really find it in himself to care though as looked at the woman in the passenger seat next to him.
“So, who was the guy you were talking to Samira about? The one you didn’t know was available?”
“Oh my god! How much eavesdropping have you been doing?” She buried her face in her hands, but not before blindly swatting at him.
“It was me right?”
“Yes Frank, it’s always been you.”