hannabanana-6

[hannabanana-6]

Best Friends

Bryce and Casey, through Sienna’s POV.

“Bryce! You’re here!” Casey squealed, her face lighting up as she catapulted herself out of the Donahue’s booth their group was crowded into, and launched herself into his arms.

“Woah, Case. Good to see you too.” Bryce laughed as he easily lifted her up and spun her around, gently placing a soft kiss on her forehead as he set her back down, and subtly playing a steadying arm on Casey’s lower back, which made Sienna smirk; Casey notoriously had awful balance after a few drinks, yet completely refused to admit it.

“Hey, guys. I’m gonna go and grab a drink. Anyone want anything?” Bryce asked the table, his eyes barely flickering away from Casey to give them a nod in greeting.

“Shots!” Jackie cheered.

“Excellent idea. I’ll get a round.” Bryce laughed.

He picked Casey up and plopped her back into the booth, giving her a soft smile that was different from the signature smirk he usually gave everyone else, before he turned to head to the crowded bar.

Sienna, Jackie and Elijah smirked at Casey, but she was oblivious, tipsily humming to herself and nursing her drink, the bright smile that had appeared the moment she caught sight of Bryce still lingering on her lips.

“You are so down bad for Scalpel Jokey.” Jackie said, somehow seeming simultaneously disgusted and gleeful.

Sienna knew that although Jackie pretended to be disgusted by Casey and Bryce’s (admittedly way too common, and often irritating) public displays of affection, Jackie actually didn’t mind - as long as she could tease Casey mercilessly about it.

“We’re friends.” Casey replied as she always did, earning an eye roll from Jackie.

“Me and you don’t make out.” Jackie scoffed.

“Only in your dreams, Varma.” Casey batted her eyelashes flirtatiously towards Jackie, who threw a napkin at her in response.

“Jackie’s right, Case. You like him, like him.” Sienna giggled, imitating her best friend’s lovesick face.

“We’re just- I don’t know. He’s my best friend. I don’t want to screw that up. If things aren’t serious, it’s easier.” Casey admitted, anxiously starting to ball up the napkin Jackie had flung at her.

Sienna threw an arm around Casey and gave Elijah a look, trying to convey that it was time to change the subject.

As Elijah started to ramble about the latest video game he was playing, Sienna let her mind wander to Danny. She got where Casey was coming from, after all, wasn’t that what she was doing with Danny? He liked all the same things as her, he was so kind and sweet, they were such great friends. Sienna knew she wanted more with him, she thought maybe she could be really happy with him. Wayne had hurt her though. He’d seemed sweet and perfect for her once too, but it turned out she’d just been seeing what she wanted to see because she didn’t want to be alone. Maybe some things weren’t worth the risk, maybe she shouldn’t lose the good thing she already had going with Danny.

As Bryce swaggered over, confidently balancing a tray full of tequila shots - way more than one each, Sienna noted - Sienna looked at the way his eyes instantly locked on Casey’s, and they way Casey’s eyes practically seemed to glimmer with joy as she looked at Bryce. She thought of the easy way they joked together, the way they challenged and pushed each other but also the way they unconditionally supported each other and sought comfort in each other, they way they seemed entirely, truly comfortable around each other in a way Sienna thought was really rare. They were each other’s best friend, in the best way possible. A smile tugging at her lips, Sienna pulled out her phone to text Danny.

#open heart #bryce lahela #bryce x mc #choices #choices fanfic #open heart fanfic #sienna trinh #jackie varma #elijah greene

[hannabanana-6]

Not a rookie anymore

Ethan gets back from the Amazon. To be honest, I don’t really like Ethan, but I love the angst.

“Rookie.” Ethan nodded at Casey, a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Casey felt a deep rage start to simmer, but there were too many people around to let it show. She smiled, a tight-lipped smile that didn’t reach her eyes, without a hint of the warmth and radiance that used to emanate from her when she looked at the older doctor.

“Too late. As of one minute ago, I’m not a Rookie anymore.” She replied, calm and collected. There was no sign of the anger or the extreme anxiety she was feeling, except that one hand was clutching Sienna’s so tightly under the table that Sienna was beginning to wince.

“I’ll be expecting no more Rookie mistakes, then.” With one last nod, Ethan walked over to a table of attendings without a backwards glance.

Casey downed her drink and headed to the bar to grab another, ignoring Sienna and Elijah’s concerned glances. Aurora, Jackie, Bryce and Raf didn’t notice that anything was wrong, not having known that Casey slept with Ethan two nights before he departed for the Amazon without so much as a goodbye text. Casey had allowed herself to wallow for one day, spending it sobbing under copious amounts of blankets in the darkness of her bedroom, before getting up and piecing herself together. No man, not even Ethan Ramsey, was allowed to have that much power over her, Casey decided. So she’d decided to act completely normal, throwing herself into her work, and when she wasn’t working, hanging out with her roommates as much as possible; distracting herself was key, she’d realised. Day by day, the Ethan shaped hole in her heart seemed to shrink. Casey had always been just fine by herself, and an arrogant doctor who was hot and cold, all over her one day and freezing her out the next was not going to change that. Though the ache in her chest never fully subsided, Casey learned to live with it, and most of the time she was even happy, she really was. She knew, over time, she would be completely over Ethan Ramsey.

So, why was he back here, looking at her like no time had passed, like he didn’t just abandon her without a word, and why was Casey feeling those familiar butterflies that surfaced whenever she looked at him? Yes, Casey knew things between them were complicated, especially with her new position on the diagnostics team, but she thought that they were going to figure that out together. At the very least, Ethan had owed her a conversation before just disappearing.

She felt someone slide into the space next to her by the bar, and stiffened as she realised it was Ethan. He looked her up and down, his eyes widening slightly with desire as he took in her low waisted jeans and her snug, low-cut ballet wrap sweater. She wished he didn’t look so good. She wished she didn’t still want him, but it was hard not to, especially when he looked at her like that. She wished her body and her emotions could catch up with her brain.

“Hey.” He said, softly. “Can we talk?”

Casey laughed, a cold bitter sound ringing out into the bar.

“You want to talk now?”

“Yes.” Ethan said simply, ignoring her sarcasm.

He always said he was never one for playing games, which was interesting, because to Casey, their whole relationship seemed like a game of push and pull. He kissed her in Miami - he had made the move on her - and then pushed her away, saying it could never happen again. Then he kept inviting her out on little outings, giving her soft lingering touches, casual brushes of the hand that seemed accidental, but Casey knew better. They made out at the opera, and for Casey, that meant something. They had finally slept together when Ethan quit, and they’d realised there was nothing holding them back anymore, and then they slept together after the trial, though they both knew he would soon be her boss again. For Casey at least though, there wasn’t any going back after that. She couldn’t go back to being without Ethan Ramsey, even if it was difficult, even if they had to figure out exactly how things could work. Ethan clearly had felt differently, disappearing instantly to the Amazon.

“Look, Case-”

“Dr. Valentine.” Casey corrected harshly.

“Dr. Valentine.” Ethan corrected, a hint of frustration creeping into his tone, “You’re being childish now. You know I had to go, as a doctor-”

“Don’t fucking patronise me, Ethan.” Casey jabbed his chest with her pointer finger, practically shaking with rage, “I don’t care that you went. I’d have been happy for you, if you’d have had the courtesy of letting me know. I thought we were figuring things out together. I had to find out from Harper, Ethan. Of all people.”

“Please.” Ethan pleaded, his voice breaking slightly. “I know I should’ve talked to you. I was- I was scared, to be honest.”

“Of what?”

“My feelings. I’ve always been unable to think rationally around you.”

“You’re a grown man. I’m sure you could’ve communicated that.” Casey snapped. “I thought I meant something. You said I meant something. You’ve never once acted like it. I guess I was just a star-struck intern you thought would be easy to get into bed with.”

Ethan looked at the floor, devastated and hurt. Casey did know that the last part wasn’t true, that that wasn’t who Ethan was. She wondered if she had gone too far. Selfishly though, she wanted to hurt Ethan, just like he had hurt her, and she knew saying that would do it. Before Ethan could reply, the bartender was asking Casey for her order. Angling her body away from Ethan, Casey ordered a round for her friends. As soon as the bartender pushed her drinks over, Casey picked them up and turned to walk away. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Ethan raise a hand, as if to stop her, but he changed his mind and let it hang limply at his side. As Casey left, she made sure to put an extra swing in her step. She was done with him, she decided, but it didn’t mean he shouldn’t regret his actions.

The next morning, Casey woke up in an unfamiliar bed, a headache already creeping in. She looked over, frowning as she realised she’d gone home with a surgical resident. She felt mildly hungover, and still dissatisfied. The sex had been nothing compared with Ethan. Casey sighed. She grabbed her phone from the nightstand next to her and saw a single text from Ethan.

‘I’m sorry Casey. I missed you every single day. More than you can imagine.’

Casey brushed away a single tear that spilled down her cheek. She was fine on her own, she knew that. She just wished that for once, she didn’t have to be.

#open heart #choices fanfic #choices #open heart fanfic #ethan ramsey #ethan x mc

[hannabanana-6]

It’s a date.

Casey gets ready for her first official date with Bryce. I decided to give a bit of background to Casey, and why she would be fine taking so long to make things official with Bryce, beyond just the fact that residency is temporary and they’re both workaholics.

Casey was fidgeting nervously, and she got up to check her reflection in the mirror again. She didn’t know why she was this anxious. She’d been on plenty of dates before, and to be honest, she knew she was a great date. She was never normally nervous about a simple date, and really Bryce and Casey had been on a few almost-dates. They were just always spontaneous and they had never defined them, simply telling their friends they were just hanging out when they were pestered with questions. This was an official date-date.

Admittedly, she never usually had feelings for the guys she went on dates with, and she usually let things fizzle out after the initial excitement of the first few dates died down. She had always been this way, knowing that if feelings weren’t really involved then you couldn’t really get hurt. Casey had seen how her mum was when her dad left them, and she never wanted to feel like that, ever. This view was only reinforced when her first (and only) serious boyfriend - who she’d broken her no-commitment rule for - cheated on her during her first year of med school. At first, Casey had believed him and felt guilty when he blamed her, saying she was always busy and never had time for him anymore. Casey knew she’d been wrapped up in the pressures of med school, unlike at undergrad when she had been pretty wild and always been ready to drop her studies in favour of a fun time. Med school was different though, and for the first time ever she couldn’t just coast by with minimal effort. She wanted to be top of her class, she wanted to be the best doctor she could possibly be. Maybe she did put that above her relationship, but her boyfriend had never once brought that up or tried to talk to her about it. Instead, he started replying to her messages less and less, and sleeping with one of their mutual friends. When Casey found out, she ended things instantly, ignoring his pleas for another chance, despite her initial guilt at the situation. She blocked him, and decided to concentrate on her studies, keeping things as casual as possible with any guy that asked her out since. This was what Bryce and Casey were meant to be doing, but Casey knew this was different. She didn’t think she could stop feelings getting involved, and she didn’t even think that’s what she wanted anymore. Not with Bryce. Still, even if it didn’t feel casual, she liked that he was in no hurry to define things. She knew he had his own family reasons, and she didn’t push him about this just like he didn’t push her for her reasons. It worked for them both, especially considering how career-driven they both were; first year of residency barely left time for a relationship.

Shaking off the memories, she gave herself a once over in the mirror. Her emerald dress matched her eyes, and was just tight enough, with the neckline just low enough that she still felt classy, but knew that Bryce wouldn’t be able to take his eyes off of her. Casey went and knocked on Sienna’s door, doing a double take when it swung open and Sienna and Danny were sat on top of her bed, with a pile of snacks between them, watching The Secret of Nindarell.

“Oops, sorry guys!” She grinned, not seeming sorry at all.

She knew Sienna said her and Danny were just friends, and she wasn’t entirely sure what was going on with Sienna and Wayne - she’d stopped asking since it always seemed to make Sienna upset and uncomfortable, and she shut down her housemates concerns - but she really liked Danny. Sienna deserved someone who appreciated her, saw what a talented doctor she was, but above all saw how kind and caring she was towards everyone - not just her friends, but anyone in need of some help or friendly advice.

“That’s okay, we’re just having a movie marathon, but I should probably head out soon anyway.” Danny smiled at her.

“You look nice! Are you seeing Bryce?” Sienna practically squealed.

“Thanks, Si. Maybe.” Casey said, a smile tugging at her lips. “Would you mind helping me put my necklace on?” She asked.

Sienna practically leapt out of bed, bounding over to fasten Casey’s necklace.

“Thank you.” Casey smiled.

“You’re welcome. Have fun! You guys are really cute, Case. I’m really happy for you about this.” Sienna smiled warmly at her friend.

Casey was touched. Sienna cared so much about her, and all of her housemates.

“I’m looking forward to it.” Casey admitted, “But really, we’re just-”

“Yeah, I know. You’re just ‘friends’.” Sienna rolled her eyes, her voice teasing, doing dramatic air quotes around the word friends.

Casey smirked and closed the door gently as she headed out of Siennas room. Sienna was one to talk.

Before Casey could sit and overthink any more, she heard a faint knock at the door. When she opened it, Bryce was on the other side, grinning widely with a bouquet of peonies, her favourite flower.

“Wow.” Was all he said at first, his eyes trailing up and down her body before landing on her face, looking at her in awe. “You are gorgeous. You know what, I’m having second thoughts. Let’s just stay here tonight, so I can show you how much I love that dress.”

“Easy, Lahela. I want to be wined and dined first. You promised me classy.” Casey smirked.

“Hey! Where was my compliment?” Bryce pouted.

“Needy much?” Casey rolled her eyes, before adding “You look very handsome.”

It was true, Bryce looked amazing, as always. Casey didn’t think she had ever been so attracted to someone. She couldn’t look at Bryce and not want him. Bryce pulled Casey in for a soft kiss, which he then deepened, leaving her dizzy when he finally pulled away.

“Thanks for letting me take you on a date, Case.”

“Thanks for asking.” She smiled.

“I’ve been really looking forward to this.” Bryce admitted, taking Casey’s hand.

“Me too.” Casey replied sincerely.

Casey looked up at Bryce, and he leaned down and planted a kiss on her temple. She knew she didn’t have to be nervous anymore. It was Bryce, after all.

#bryce lahela #bryce x mc #open heart #choices fanfic #choices #open heart fanfic

[hannabanana-6]

It’s over

Casey and Bryce argue over him pushing her away. Takes place sometime in Open Heart book 1, because I find it hard to believe Casey wouldn’t have an issue with Bryce still being so secretive with her when they’ve been seeing each other for so long.

“Casey, wait!” Bryce chased her down the corridor.

Case rolled her eyes and kept walking, until she felt Bryce’s hand on her wrist trying to stop her. She whirled around to face him, shooting him a sharp glare.

“Don’t cause a scene at work.” She muttered, as harshly as she could whilst trying not to draw any more attention to them.

“Please, Case. I miss you.”

“No you don’t, Bryce. You said this means something. I never pushed you further than that, I’ve been happy with what we have. But I still thought we were close. You haven’t acted like this means something to you at all. One minute you act like this is serious, like we actually have something, the next you’re pushing me away and ignoring my texts for a week. It’s giving me whiplash.”

“You’re my best friend.” Bryce pleaded.

Casey flinched. She knew they weren’t together, not really, but this hurt.

“You don’t treat a friend like this.” She spat, shaking with anger as she tried to hold back tears. She knew everyone was looking at them, everyone would have something to say. The highest ranked internal medicine intern and highest ranked surgical intern, yelling at each other in the middle of the hospital. Rumours already swirled around the two of them, and Casey knew they weren’t all kind. Half the hospital wanted to be sleeping with Bryce, and they all wondered why he chose her, of all people. Casey often wondered that too, when she wasn’t absolutely livid with him. The rumours about her also sleeping with Ramsey had made things worse recently. Casey didn’t mind a few odd rumours, but she had worked hard for this career, working her way through med school whilst also studying every spare minute, and the idea that she didn’t earn this spot hurt her, especially when she couldn’t even fully deny the rumours. Of course, she hadn’t slept with Ramsey, but she felt that he wanted to sleep with her, and it constantly worried her, making her question whether it was really her talent that got her where she was. It also caused everyone who was wanting to go out with Bryce themselves to resent her more, thinking she was sleeping around, not that it would’ve been any if their business if she was. Then there was the other half of the hospital, who thought Bryce was arrogant and cocky, and wondered why Casey put up with him. Bryce notoriously took what he wanted, and while Casey had always admired his drive, those who didn’t see how sweet, kind and caring he always was were jealous and bitter at how quickly he was making a name for himself at the hospital.

“I know, Case, I’m sorry. Things have been intense lately. I’ve needed to study.”

Casey scoffed. “Things have been no more intense for you than me. You used to tell me when you were stressed. I find it so hard to believe that you couldn’t reply to a single text.”

“Case-”

“No, Bryce. I’m done. Whatever this is- if this was even ever something, it’s over.”

Casey walked away, trying to keep her footsteps steady and avoid running into a supply closet and breaking down into tears. This was already embarrassing enough. She didn’t look back, refused to look back. If she did, she would’ve seen the devastation plainly written on Bryce’s face, seen Bryce grab a doorframe just to hold himself up as he watched her walk away.

That evening, Casey settled herself onto the sofa, piled under fluffy blankets. She had no intention of ever leaving the apartment again, she decided.

“Casey, you’re coming with us tonight.” Jackie commanded.

Casey groaned.

“I’m ill.” She moaned, nursing a hot chocolate bursting with marshmallows and pretending to watch Greys Anatomy.

Sienna looked at her sympathetically, but Jackie rolled her eyes.

“No, you’re wallowing, and you’re scared of seeing Lahela out tonight. It’s a girls night, and you don’t have a choice right now.”

Casey glanced up at Jackie, and realising she really didn’t have a choice, groaned again and padded over to her room to change.

“Put something hot on!” Jackie yelled after her.

An hour later, Casey was on her sixth - no, maybe seventh - tequila shot, and she had to admit she felt better. Her head felt light and fuzzy, and she was still thinking about Bryce, but it was nice to be distracted. She had briefly seen Bryce across the room when they’d walked into the bar, but she’d turned away immediately, and he seemed to have the good sense not to approach her. Sienna and Jackie were good friends, she thought happily. She really loved them.

“Aw, we love you too, Case.” Sienna grinned.

“Did I say that out loud?” Casey mused, slurring slightly.

“Unfortunately, yes. I forgot party Casey is sometimes soppy Casey.” Jackie groaned, looking equal parts irritated and affectionate.

“You love it.” Casey laughed.

“Look, Case! That cute guy is looking at you.” Sienna pointed - very unsubtly - to an attractive, slightly older man across the bar.

“Go over there.” Jackie ordered.

“Noooooo. I’m not ready. It’s girls night. Besides, Bryce would be annoyed.” She moaned.

“I thought you and Bryce were just friends anyway. And that you’re done.” Jackie replied, not very gently in Casey’s opinion. Tough love was not always best. Casey decided to glare at Jackie.

“Come on, he’s so cute. Just get his number.” Sienna giggled.

“Fine.” Casey relented, “But I want you to buy me an extra large cheesy fries on the way home.”

Sienna and Jackie practically pushed her out the booth. Casey went to the bar under the pretence of ordering another drink, and feigned surprise when the cute man next to her introduced himself. She smiled at him, chatting about herself and asking him questions about himself, trying her best to listen and seem interested, although her heart wasn’t really in it. He seemed nice enough, but he wasn’t really nearly as cute as Bryce, and he wasn’t as funny either, despite how many tequila shots she had downed. After a while, she excused herself, but not before giving him her number and agreeing to a potential date. She deserved to have fun and maybe this would help her forget Bryce.

On her way to the bathroom, Casey felt a hand grab her wrist, and she paused, stomach dropping.

“What are you doing?” Bryce growled. He sounded quite drunk too. He wasn’t normally the jealous type, but then he usually knew Casey would be going home with him.

“Having a night out with my friends.” She replied, trying to brush him off.

“Are you trying to make me jealous?”

“No, Lahela.” She snapped, “You have no reason to be jealous now anymore anyway, we’re nothing.”

Bryce ran a hand through his hair, desperately.

“I guess that’s fair. Look, I know how I’ve been acting- well, I know I’ve been off with you. Just let me explain, please.”

Casey could feel tears beginning to prick at her eyes. She couldn’t stay here much longer.

“Your time to explain is done, Bryce. I don’t care anymore.” Casey tried to speak with confidence, but her voice betrayed her, cracking mid-sentence. A tear rolled down her cheek, and Bryce reached forward as if to brush it off, but thought better of it and dropped his hand, letting it hang limply at his side.

“Look, Case. I hate myself for making you feel like this right now.”

“Then don’t make me feel like this.” Casey was dangerously close to full on sobbing now, and a tear ran down Bryce’s cheek as well, something Casey had never seen before.

“Look, Case, I’ve had so much family stuff going on. It’s been a lot, and I didn’t want to burden you with it. I know it was shitty, I should’ve told you, I just don’t like to talk about them. We’ve never been close, and I try not to think about them.” Bryce admits.

“I’m sorry, Bryce.” Casey replied softly, a hint of sympathy in her eyes. “That’s horrible. But you shouldn’t have pushed me away like that. You should’ve said something. You don’t need to tell me everything if you’re not ready, but I can’t feel like that again. I’ve been trying so hard Bryce, but I’ve needed you this past week, and I needed you to need me back. I can’t be doing this with someone that can’t communicate with me.”

Tears were streaming down both of their cheeks at this point, and Casey knew people were looking. She felt a hand gently grab her shoulder, and felt Sienna pulling her away.

“Come on, Case. Let’s get home.” Sienna said gently.

“Case-” Bryce began, but Jackie cut him off.

“Leave it, Bryce. You’re both drunk, just go home.”

Casey blindly followed her friends to the exit, allowing herself to glance quickly back at Bryce, who was staring back at her, a look of gut-wrenching agony on his face.

The next day, Casey was completing her rounds, admittedly slightly hungover. Finally, after what seemed like forever, her shift ended and she headed to the changing rooms. She sighed as she saw Bryce in there - just her luck. He smiled tentatively as she entered, holding out a single red rose. Casey rolled her eyes.

“It’s not that easy, Bryce.”

“I know Case. But I know we have something great. I’m not giving up, I’m going to win you back, I promise.”

Casey carefully kept her face straight, and looked down, refusing to betray any emotion. Bryce looked slightly disappointed, but unsurprised.

“I‘ll see you tomorrow.” He smiled at her again, sadly but sincerely as he headed to the exit.

It was only once he’d left that Casey allowed a small, private smile to appear on her face.

#bryce lahela #open heart #bryce x mc #open heart fanfic #choices fanfic #choices

[hannabanana-6]

Jealous

Bryce flirts with a surgical intern at Donahues.

Gosh, Bryce was pretty. Casey gazed at him across the bar, chatting to the surgical interns. He looked great, in his loose fit dark wash jeans and forest green sweatshirt, which was just tight enough to highlight the taught curves of his arm muscles. He was laughing easily with a pretty surgical intern, which bothered Casey more than she cared to admit. She knew this girl had a crush on Bryce - to be honest, most of the women and probably half of the men in the hospital had a crush on Bryce. She couldn’t blame this girl; after all, she was definitely gazing at Bryce with the same starry-eyed look that this girl was right now. Bryce could sleep with this girl if he wanted.

It was nothing to do with her, really. They weren’t official. But at this point, Casey had stopped sleeping with other people as her feelings for Bryce were growing. To be honest, she hadn’t really wanted to sleep with anyone else at all after Bryce stayed at hers after the housewarming party she had with her housemates. She’d been half-heartedly joking when she said he had ruined sex with anyone else for her, but actually it was true. Sex with anyone else couldn’t even compare to Bryce. It just wasn’t the same with anyone else. Casey frowned. She should go over and interrupt them, she decided. Her head was fuzzy, and several tequila shots had given her courage. Yes, she should go over and make Bryce forget that pretty surgical intern.

“Earth to Casey?” Sienna giggled.

“Huh?” Casey questioned, slurring slightly.

“Sorry, wouldn’t want to interrupt you thirsting after Scalpel Jockey over there.” Jackie joked, her nose curling in slight distaste, while the rest of the group fell about laughing.

“We’re just—” Casey started.

“Friends!” the rest of the group chorused back, further dissolving into giggles.

Casey gave them the finger.

“I’m going to get another drink.” She stated, swaying slightly as she rose to her feet.

“Maybe get some water babes.” Sienna laughed.

“Wimps. All of you. Casey, get more tequila.” Jackie commanded.

As Casey waited in line at the bar, a strong pair of arms wrapped around her from behind. Casey leaned back into Bryce, inhaling his musky, piney scent.

“Saw you practically eye-fucking me, Valentine. It was a little distracting.” Bryce smirked.

“You and that ego.” Casey groaned, “And here I thought you were thinking of taking that surgical intern home.”

Bryce twisted her around to face him, and put a finger underneath her chin, tilting her face up.

“Jealous, Valentine?” He murmured.

“Take me home and I’ll show you.”

“Don’t have to tell me twice.” Bryce grinned, grabbing her hand and pulling her towards the exit.

On their way out, Casey stopped to tell her friends goodbye.

They all smiled knowingly, while Jackie feigned a look of outrage and asked who was getting her shots.

After, they lay tangled together in Bryce’s bed, sweaty and satisfied. Bryce stroked her hair tenderly, a soft smile on his face that Casey knew was reserved just for her.

“That was incredible, Case.”

“Best sex ever.” Casey mumbled drunkenly, before gasping and clapping a hand over her mouth.

Bryce laughed and pulled her on top of him.

“Yeah? Say that again.”

Casey rolled her eyes at him and attempted to roll off him, but his arms circled around her, keeping her trapped.

“No chance, Lahela. Your ego barely fits through the door anyway.” Casey mumbles.

“It shouldn’t, if I’m the best you’ve ever had. I should have a sign. I should win a medal. You’ve had lots of sex.” He teased, grinning widely.

“You’re one to talk.” Casey laughed.

Bryce looked at her, seeming serious for a moment.

“Do you still have lots of sex?” He questioned.

“Bryce, we have sex nearly every day, so I’d say yes.” Casey rolled her eyes again.

“You know what I mean.” Bryce whispered, a smile tugging the corners of his mouth.

“Who else would I possibly have time to sleep with?” Casey laughed.

Bryce’s eyes were still looking at her searchingly so she sighed.

“I’m only sleeping with you Bryce.” She admitted shakily, “I’ve only wanted to sleep with you since the housewarming party.”

Her heart sped up as she awaited a response. Was that too much? It was Bryce who’d asked, although she had been desperately wanting to ask him herself for a while. Maybe he was asking because he was sleeping with other people though, maybe her jealousy was too much. Casey realised Bryce hadn’t answered. Her still slightly inebriated brain scrambled for a way that she could take this back, sort out this situation.

“I don’t want to sleep with anyone else either, Case.” Bryce breathed, his voice sounding slightly awed.

“Really?” Casey was practically beaming, her eyes sparkling as she finally looked him in the eye.

“I haven’t wanted to sleep with anyone else since we made out in the supply closet. I think you’ve ruined sex with anyone else for me anyway as well.” Bryce admitted bashfully.

“What about that pretty surgical intern?” Casey asked, pouting as she remembered her earlier jealousy.

Bryce gave her his trademark dazzling smirk.

“I just wanted to see you all jealous, Valentine. I guess it worked.” He winked.

“I wasn’t jealous. I don’t get jealous.” Casey grumbled stubbornly.

She expected Bryce to keep teasing her, giving her their usual flirty banter and sarcastic jokes.

“I won’t flirt if you don’t want me to, Case. I like what we have.” Bryce said softly, his voice laced with genuine emotion.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Casey burrowed her head into the crook of his neck and wrapped her body around him.

“Me too.” She sighed happily.

#bryce x mc #bryce lahela #open heart #choices #choices fanfic

[hannabanana-6]

Casual

Bryce and Casey are keeping things casual, for now.

Bryce smiled down at Casey, tucking a strand of her light blond hair behind her ear. She grinned up at him, eyes sparkling.

“Dinner at mine later?” he asked, trying his best to seem detached and casual.

“Since when could you cook?” Casey smirked, one eyebrow raised pointedly.

“Frozen pizza at mine later?”, Bryce amended, smiling bashfully.

“It’s a-”, Casey cut herself off, a subtle blush coating her cheeks “Yeah, I finish work at 7, so I’ll be at yours by 8.” She replied.

“Alright, well I have to go scrub in. I’d say wish me luck, but we both know I don’t need it.” Bryce smirked cockily, and gave Casey a wink, while she rolled her eyes and tried to act as though his seemingly unshakable confidence thoroughly annoyed her, rather than acting as a turn on.

“I won’t give you a good luck kiss then.” Casey laughed, turning and beginning to walk away, before Bryce grabbed her wrist and spun her around to face him, tugging her close to him gently. He smiled lazily at her through hooded eyes.

“A little extra luck never hurt anyone.” He murmured, brushing his lips against hers.

Casey leaned into Bryce momentarily, before she remembered her surroundings and pulled back.

“That’s all I get?” Bryce teased, “This is a major surgery, just so you know.”

Interlinking their pinkes, Casey blushed again, muttering “we are at work.”

“I think we’ve done much worse here. Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten what we did in that supply cupboard.” Bryce laughed as he gestured to the nearest supply cupboard.

“Ace this surgery, and we can do it again.” Casey breathed, not bothering to act like Bryce simply mentioning the last time they were in there didn’t make her heart begin racing.

Bryce smirked again, and pressed one more quick kiss to her lips.

“I’ll see you later. I’m looking forward to my reward.” He said, turning and walking down the corridor.

Casey checked her chart, ready to get back to her rounds, but before she could, Sienna bounded over, grinning widely.

“You really like him, don’t you?” She questioned.

Casey shrugged. “We’re friends.” She said, trying to sound casual.

Her and Bryce were casual. They spent every minute possible together including lunch breaks and night time naps in the on call rooms (both literal naps and ‘naps’), she slept at his five times a week, and they both sought comfort in each other after losing patients or having shitty days at the hospital. Casual.

Bryce was holding a part of himself back, Casey had always known that. Casey had to focus on residency anyway, on being the best doctor she could be, on earning that spot on the diagnostics team. She wanted to earn it fairly, rather than because of a bias Ethan has towards her which Casey, alongside other residents, was beginning to suspect was less to do with her skills as a doctor and more to do with the way she looked. She knew there were rumours about her sleeping her way to the top intern position, especially after Miami. What hurt the most was the way Landry and Jackie were beginning to look at her, like they believed them too. Casey supposed she couldn’t blame them; she knew what it looked like. She had a sinking feeling that Ethan would have kissed her in Miami if she hadn’t excused herself for bed. She had spent the night tossing and turning; did Ethan really see her for her potential as a doctor as she initially believed, or was sit all just an act to charm her and get her in bed?

So really, Casey couldn’t afford anything other than casual, not when she had so much at stake with her career. And Bryce was a casual type of guy, Casey knew that. Residency was only temporary, so why get feelings involved in something that couldn’t last, with someone who didn’t seem to want to fall in love anyway?

“I like him for you. Bryce, I mean.” Sienna stated, snapping Casey out of her thought.

“We’re just friends with benefits, Si.” Casey said, more firmly this time.

“I know. But I think he really likes you Case. He’s always looking at you. And I heard he called in loads of favours amongst the surgical residents to swap his day off tomorrow so he could have it with you.”

“Our schedules just happened to match.” Casey frowned.

Sienna simply smiled, not bothering to push Casey any more.

The next morning, Bryce and Casey lay curled up on his sofa.

“What do you want to do today?” Bryce asked, “Go-karting, check out a new lunch spot, maybe see if there’s anything on in the evening?” He listed suggestions.

“I just want to lie here all day.” Casey sighed, humming contentedly as Bryce smiled, and wrapped his arms around her tighter.

“Bryce?” Casey said hesitantly, after a few moments had passed.

“Casey?” Bryce replied.

“How many favours did you call in to get this day off?” Casey asked.

Bryce blushed, caught off guard.

“I just said I’d work Lola’s New Years night shift for her.” He replied, unusually embarrassed.

“You gave up New Years?” Casey breathed.

Bryce’s eyes fluttered closed. This was too much. Taking a new years shift just to score a day with Casey. They spent as much time as they could together anyway, but with their hectic schedules they barely managed to have a full day together. Still, this was too much. She was probably horrified. They were casual; she wanted to focus on her residency. He wasn’t good at being anyone’s boyfriend anyway, and Casey deserved a great boyfriend, certainly a boyfriend who wasn’t hiding entire parts of his life from her. Bryce knew she could do better. He saw how Raf looked at her. Hell, he saw how half the hospital looked at her, even Ramsey, which bothered him. Casey deserved better than a boss who saw her as anything other than the incredibly talented doctor she was; hospital rumours weren’t always kind to young, successful and gorgeous women.

He opened his eyes, and realised Casey was still looking at him, waiting for an answer. He wanted to say it wasn’t a big deal, that New Years was just a night and that it didn’t mean anything that he gave it up to spend time with her, but the lie caught in his throat.

Still, they were just casual. Casey was easily becoming the best thing in his life right now and Bryce didn’t want to scare her off by being too much too soon. He didn’t know how to handle these feelings, as usually Bryce was the one enforcing the no-strings-attached rule, not the girls he was seeing. Something about Casey made Bryce want to break all his rules.

“Yeah, I gave up New Years to spend time with you.” He responded finally, so softly it was practically a whisper.

Casey smiled softly, and her eyes lit up. She pulled him in for a slow, tender kiss, laced with emotion. It’s casual, they both reminded themselves.

#bryce lahela #bryce x mc #open heart #ethan ramsey #choices fanfic #choices