what makes a man?

“Stick to medicine, my love. I just don’t see an Oscar in your future.” Michaela let out a laugh, shaking her head at him. “Yeah with almost a year into this thing I thought it was time to bring other people into the mix. Been getting kind of bored of the whole monogamy thing.”

“You’re underestimating me. Not wise,” Brayden shook his head at her. “Has it been that long? It’s about time I think about trading you in,” he twisted his lips. “But for now what couple you thinking? You wanna make the first move or should I?”

“Even when you don’t mean it it still sounds romantic,” she fluttered her lashes before laughing. “I don’t know… All these games seem kind of like one step away from a swingers party.”

“What do you mean I don’t mean it?” Brayden clutched his chest, letting his head shake after a moment. “Is that why you brought me here? Trying to throw some hints?” He played it with a straight-face, glancing around the room.

@brayden-eberle​

“You know, I sometimes doubt that there is an afterlife, but then I have to see you outside of work too and I just know that hell does really exist.”

“So what you’re saying is I inspire you to believe in something greater.”

@brayden-eberle​

“How much are you hating this?” She hugged his waist, looking up at him with an already amused look before he answered.

“I could never hate anything with you by my side,” Brayden let out in an obvious sarcastic monotone. A subtle smile hinted up his lips, barely there as he looked back at her. “Where to next, boss?”

“I never really worried about it because even if you didn’t have that, there would still be twenty different things in its place,” she said confidentially and though he was joking he wasn’t completely off on her side of things. “Please, once I let her in on all your other attributes that smile won’t be able to win it on its own.” 

“Baby, I’m not that far out of your league,” Brayden pretended to reassure, a feigned sincerity to his voice. His smile turned up a bit after a moment or two. “You’re not afraid of coming off like a jealous psycho with that?” He posed, brows rising.

Michaela looked up at him with a smile. It was sincere because she loved that she came home to him, but there was a sadness that she had been fighting all night still lingering. “Oh, but you, Doc. Have always been a very picky man.” She didn’t know how to answer his question and that probably showed as she took a second to think about it. “It was good. Fine,” she quickly corrected but didn’t want to elaborate so she moved on. “Do you want to know the best part of it?”

Brayden wanted to ask questions, but he didn’t really even know what those questions were. Nor did he think she was particularly fit for much of a conversation in the moment, but he sensed... something with her. “That is true,” he nodded, pulling her in closer. “So you’ll come?” He asked with a tilt to his head. “In pretty late for it to just be fine,” he poked a bit, brows rising. “What’s that?”

“Oh,” she seemed surprised when the light did indeed help her find the remaining things she had knocked. Scrambling to her feet there was a worried look in her eyes. “Did I wake you? I’m so sorry, baby.” She reached for his face but more so stumbled into him. She had more to drink than intended. Some for the original plan of depleting her anger but also for the guilt that she felt for even getting emotionally involved in any conversation with Zach. “Go back to sleep. Pretend like I’m not here.”

“You’re fine,” he shook his head, a little laugh falling as he caught her, hands resting on her sides to hold her in place up close to him. “I’d prefer you come to bed with me, but I don’t want to be too picky here,” he shrugged, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Did you have fun tonight?” He was a bit curious as to what made her drink like this. Did she just need to let loose? Did something happen?

@brayden-eberle​

Michaela was trying to be quiet as she got home. After Zach she decided to drink more, not wanting to come home angry and have Brayden notice. The good intentions failed as she bumped into the side table. While she was able to catch the lamp some other items fell. “Whoopsies,” she moved to the floor crawling to find what had fallen to be met halfway seeing Brayden. “Hi,” she gave a cheeky smile, looking up.

It wasn’t really like Michaela to stay out so late, but Brayden didn’t think much of it. The trust was there and didn’t waver, still he tried to stay up to know she got home alright, falling in and out of sleep until he heard the crashing, rising up from bed to see her crawling. “Hi.” Some confusion met his features, but he let out a little laugh, flicking the light switch on. “That help, drunky?

“See? I knew I was right about you. Such a player,” there was a playful disappointment in her voice. “Pretty sad that you have to go to such desperate moves because you know that it won’t be so easy to accomplish. I’m pretty damn likable.”

“That’s always just been your hope. Not wanting my relationship status to stand in the way of us,” he teased, though deadpanned. “You don’t think I could turn her against you in five minutes with no bribery? Did you not see her melt at this smile?”

@brayden-eberle​​

“So have you told your girlfriend that you have another girlfriend on the side?” Cobie teased as they left the younger patient’s room, her little crush on Brayden evident as they followed up on her.

“What she doesn’t know won’t hurt her,” Brayden deadpanned, slipping to a little smile after a moment. “Think I’m gonna sneak her some cake after my shift, get her even more on my side. Maybe try and turn her against you while I’m at it.”

“Oh God, you’re one of those, aren’t you?” Andrea shook her head. “Don’t pretend you wouldn’t be annoyed if someone repeatedly bumps into you and spills their drink all over.” 

“One of those calm, rational people... yes,” Brayden nodded. “You’re in a crowded bar, maybe the onus is more on you than you think,” he shrugged, really just enjoying needling her a bit.

“Fuck,” Andrea muttered as she wiped down the drink that had spilt all over her shirt. “People need to fucking watch where they walk. It really isn’t that hard.” 

“Damn. Angry one aren’t we?” Brayden spoke, bit of amusement in his features.

“Yes, sir,” she chuckled. With the rush being over she didn’t argue it, happy to settle in next to him. “Hmm, I don’t know… Maybe just going on the love that we have and believing in me could have just been an option,” she said casually. Rolling her eyes at him, a scoffing laugh came. “You are seriously overestimating the amount of times that I have gotten hit on. It happens on occasion but your numbers are ridiculous.”

Brayden pretended to give her words some thought, eventually shaking his head. “You knew I was a practical man going into this. Can’t blame me now,” he shrugged. He was happier with her around, and that in itself felt impractical. He’d never been someone that got caught up in emotions, but everything felt lighter, better with her. “I think you’re just slow to pick up on these things, babe.”

Mich: What don't you pride yourself on? You say that I can feel the emotions I feel but you sure do have a lot of opinions on them. No, I don't. Cause I will say them and you'll see me differently. You put me in it!

“Yes, boundaries between us has never been your strong suit.” Cobie gave his face a playful push as he leaned in. “Get out of here.”

“We’re here together too much to have boundaries,” he shook his head, laughing at the little push. “Scared you’re gonna kiss me if I keep leaning in, huh?”

“I’m not on my break yet,” she verbally argued while still letting him pull her down next to him. a little laugh escaping. “And I’m sorry… Testing me? Where is the trust, Doc? How many guys do you think are trying?”

“You are now,” he smiled, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “How am I supposed to trust completely without fully vetting it? Now I know,” he shrugged, arm wrapping around her. “I’d say one in every ten customers tries to fuck you in some way.”

Mich: Real mature. Oh wow you are so generous. How could I be upset? I just told you, you can't hear it. You'll never be left the same. Oh you are going to start needing it real soon here. bud.