I’m just here…

You glance up from the chart you’re reviewing. Collins is standing a few feet away, arms crossed and smirking after flicking a rubber band Robby’s way.

“That’s what you get for stealing my case.”

“It wasn’t labeled,” Robby replies, not even looking up. “Can’t steal what’s not claimed.”

“I was already standing there with gloves on.”

The corners of his mouth twitch. It’s not flirtatious, just familiar. Like they’ve done this a thousand times before. Because they probably have. “Too bad, then.”

Collins rolls her eyes and walks off, but not before tossing a parting shot over her shoulder. “This is not over, Robby.”

Robby just shakes his head, eyes on the monitor. He doesn’t see the way your expression shifts.

You look back down at the chart in your hands, eyes scanning the page but not really reading. That little twist in your stomach—jealousy? insecurity?—you shove it down, like you always do. Like you’ve taught yourself to.

Because Collins isn’t the problem. You trust Robby.

But sometimes you can’t help noticing how effortless it all seems with her.

You only notice even more things from there, and it doesn’t help your thoughts.

The inside jokes. The stories that start with “Remember that time when…” The unspoken rhythm between them—quick-fire, chemistry, just enough to make you feel like an outsider in your own relationship.

You try not to care. You really do.

You tell yourself that people have exes. That it’s been over for a while. And Collins has been the nicest to you since you joined. She’s kind. Smart. Easy to like. You’re just newer to the Pitt compared to them, you won’t know all the stories.

Yeah. That’s all it is.

You exhale and let your eyes close for a few seconds. Just long enough to settle the ache behind them. Then you someone standing behind you. A familiar presence. You look up and find Robby towering above your chair, a soft smile tugging at his mouth.

“You okay?” He hands you coffee in a paper cup. “Feeling lightheaded?”

You smile back. “Hi.”

He brushes his hand through your hair briefly. “Take a break if you need one, sweetheart.”

“I’m okay,” You say, “Just a little tired.”

He hums a low note of agreement. Then he leans in fast, pressing a quick kiss to your forehead before anyone can see.

And just like that, the air changes.

The tension in your chest—tight and coiled since morning—loosens just enough so you can breathe. Maybe it’s all in your head after all. Maybe you’re just tired and overthinking.

Robby walks off toward the trauma bay, sipping his own coffee, and you watch him go with something tender flickering behind your ribs.

You’re at the nurses’ station, tapping in vitals and scanning for labs. A trauma just cleared and your hands are still shaking from compressions. Robby drops into the rolling chair beside you without a word. He hands you a protein bar and cracks open a water bottle.

“…Thank you?” You blink at him.

“You looked like you were going to pass out in trauma two,” he mutters, taking a long swig. “Figured I’d preempt the whole catching-you-before-you-hit-the-ground thing.”

You peel the wrapper. “Romantic.”

“I do my best.”

You smile appreciatively and watch him in silence as he analyzes the board. He hasn’t changed out of his long-sleeve jacket since this morning, the same one you’ve seen on him for… years. Faded navy, broken zipper tab, sleeves always pushed to his elbows.

The air conditioning in the ER is always too much or not enough. Today, it’s freezing. You’re pulling the long sleeves under your scrubs, regretting not wearing something thicker. You can’t hide the way you shiver for a second.

Without saying anything, Robby starts peeling the jacket off and hands it to you. “Here.”

You blink. “What?”

“You’re cold.”

“I’m fine.”

Robby doesn’t argue. Just reaches over and drapes the jacket around your shoulders before you can protest again. The warmth of it hits immediately—trapped body heat, the smell of hospital soap and something that you can only describe as Robby*.*

He sits back in the chair like nothing happened, eyes on the vitals screen.

“Thanks,” you say, quiet.

“Yeah.” He winks. “Looks better on you anyway.”

And you try to hide your smile.

You don’t think about it again until hours later, nearing the end of your shift, when a nurse joins you in the break room, glancing at you with a small grin.

“Well, well,” He says lightly. “The jacket lives on.”

You blink. “What?”

He gestures vaguely toward you. “Oh, just… the jacket. Robby used to give that one to Collins all the time when they were—”

He cuts himself off, too late. Realizes what he’s said. “—I mean, it’s just… an old jacket. Nothing special.”

He tries to take it back, but you already heard him the first time.

Your smile wavers—just for a second—before you catch it and force a lighter tone. “Well, it’s just a jacket, right?”

“Yeah, yeah, of course.” He gives an apologetic half-laugh and mutters something to himself as he slips out of the room.

You sit there for a long second, heat rising behind your ears despite how cold you were moments ago. You stare down at the sleeves, suddenly aware of how they drape over your hands. Did Robby also say it looks better on her? Drape it over her shoulders? — you close your eyes, taking a deep breath. You need to stop overthinking.

It’s just a jacket. Just an old jacket. It just feels like a stabbing ‘not yours’.

You’re by the lockers, grabbing your things to go home when Robby joins you. Usually you’d wait for him to pass everything on to Jack, but he wonders why you seem like you’re in a rush today. He doesn’t say anything at first, just watches you for a second because he notices you’re quieter, doesn’t seek him out during the shift like you usually do.

“Hey.” Robby calls out, catching your attention. “Haven’t seen you in a bit.”

You glance up and offer a tight smile. “Been busy.”

He frowns when he sees his jacket neatly folded on the bench, and looks at you—you’re shaking. Still cold.

“You warm enough?”

You look down at it. “Yeah. I was gonna give it back, actually.”

Robby blinks. “You don’t have to.”

“I know,” you say too quickly. “Just—it’s fine.”

“Uh-huh.” He waits. “Did something happen?”

You shrug. “Nope.”

Robby exhales through his nose. “Okay. So I guess we’re doing that thing where you pretend everything’s fine, and I pretend not to notice that you’ve been silent all day.”

“I haven’t been—”

“You haven’t properly looked at me once since I got here.”

You bite your lip and close your locker.

“I’m not trying to pick a fight,” he says gently. “You’ve been off since this afternoon. Just… talk to me.”

You finally meet his eyes. Your voice is low, but the emotion behind it is impossible to miss. “I don’t want the jacket,” you say quietly.

That makes him pause.

He turns, brow furrowed. “What?”

“I don’t want it,” you repeat, still not looking at him. “You can take it back.”

Then he walks over, slow. “Okay… This is about my jacket?”

“A nurse saw me wearing your jacket today. And he made…a comment,” you say. “How Collins used to wear it. A lot. When you two were—”

Robby goes still.

“I didn’t know,” you continue. “I didn’t know it was… hers. Yours and hers. I didn’t know it had a history.”

“It’s just a jacket,” he whispers, hand hovering near your arm like he wants to reach out—but isn’t sure if he’s allowed.

You let out a bitter laugh. “Yeah. That’s what I told myself too.”

And then you pause for a bit, glancing up at him, eyes stinging.

“I see how you look at her sometimes, Robby,” you say, and now your voice cracks just slightly. “And I… I know you don’t mean it. I know it’s probably not even conscious. But I see it. And sometimes I just…”

You can’t finish your sentence, your throat closes.

Robby doesn’t say anything at first. His jaw tenses. He looks like he’s trying to form a sentence, trying to find the right thing—but nothing comes out.

And that silence is what makes your chest ache the most.

You sling your bag over your shoulder, tears brimming, and brush past him.

“Forget it,” you murmur. “It’s late.”

And you leave the locker room without looking back.

By the time Robby arrvies back home to his apartment, you’ve already showered, now in the kitchen preparing dinner from the takeout you got for both of you. The TV is on, volume low, something mindless playing just for background noise. You just didn’t want the apartment to be silent.

Robby steps in, keys dropped in the bowl, and for a long minute he just stands there. Looking at you. Or maybe trying to gather himself.

He moves slowly, toeing off his shoes. Walks over to you in the kitchen, and stops you.

“I didn’t know,” he starts.

You don’t respond.

“I didn’t know the jacket would feel like that to you.”

Still, you stay quiet. Not because you’re angry now—but because if you speak, you might cry.

“I’ve had it for years,” Robby continues. “Collins used to wear it a lot, yeah. We were together for a while. And after we weren’t… I never really thought about it again. It was just…my jacket.”

He runs a hand down his face, exhaling.

“I didn’t think. That’s on me.”

You glance over, slowly. He looks… wrecked. Worn down. His eyes are softer than usual.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” you say quietly.

“That doesn’t mean I didn’t hurt you.”

You pause.

Robby leans back now, still watching you. “When you said that thing earlier… about how I look at her sometimes—I haven’t been able to stop thinking about that.”

Your throat tightens.

“And the truth is,” he says slowly, “I don’t know what I look like when I see her. But if there’s even a part of you that felt like I wasn’t really with you—then I’ve fucked up worse than I thought.”

You shift, leaning against the counter next to him. “I know you don’t have feelings for her. It’s not that.”

“Then what is it?”

“It’s just…” You shake your head. “Sometimes… I think you miss her. The jokes. The memories. The way you two work so well together. And I’m still figuring out where… or if I fit in your life.”

“I’m not her, Robby.” You finally say.

Robby’s jaw flexes. “No, of course you’re not. You’re you. And I don’t want her. I don’t want you to be her.”

You don’t look convinced. Robby notices the way your arms fold across your chest. Like you’re bracing for something.

He steps a little closer, voice softer.

You look up at him. Your eyes are tired. But you’re listening.

“I know Collins and I have a history. I know that must be hard to watch sometimes. But it’s not something I miss. It’s not something I want back.” He reaches out, letting his fingers graze your arm.

“I want you. The way you show up when I’ve had the worst day. The way you care about people, even when you’re hurting.” He says. “And if I’ve made you feel like you’re in competition with my past… that’s on me. And I’m sorry.”

You shake your head, trying to will away the tears. “You didn’t do anything wrong.” You repeat.

“But I can do better.”

You blink up at him, eyes a little hopeful. “I just wanted to feel like I wasn’t second,” you admit. “Like maybe… I’m not the one someone settles for after someone else.”

Robby’s face softens even more.

“You’re not second,” he says. “You’re it for me. You’re the one I come home to. The one I choose. And I’m gonna keep choosing you, every day.”

You don’t say anything, only reaching for him.

He hugs you back, pulling you into his chest and wrapping his arms around your waist, burying his face in the crook of your neck.

“Thank you,” You whisper. “For listening.”

Robby lifts his head, leaving a soft kiss on your lips. “I love you, sweetheart.”

maxverstappengossip • instagram

liked by user, user, and others

maxverstappengossip a gossip page for max verstappen because hes actually a weirdo 👍🏽

♥︎ 29.6k 💬 4k ➢

maxverstappengossip 📌 92k IN A DAY??? HELLO???

➥ maxverstappengossip I have even posted anything guys omg

➥ maxverstappengossip weird of yall to start defending him as if he wasn’t found with human remains in his basement in 2013

user i’m so here for this page fr

user weirdo HOW?? you don’t know this man. you’re the fucking weirdo

➥ maxverstappengossip woah there buddy boy no need to be hostile 🙂‍↔️

➥ user i really hope you get exposed or worse. like fr

➥ user max verstappen fans are actually unhinged omg?? bc wym “or worse” 😭

user WAITT THESE MAX PHOTOS ARE SO 🫦

user this is so parasocial omg..

user where is this even coming from??

user he look high asf in the 2nd photo

user giving f1gossip a run for her money 😍😍

user this is actually so weird. gossip about a man who lowkey doesn’t bother anybody??

➥ user max verstappen.. doesn’t bother anyone?

user i’m employed what does this mean

➥ maxverstappengossip making naruto vs jjk edits is not a job babe

user MV33 HATE CLUB UNITE!!!

user YALL ITS A TROLL PAGE 😭

maxverstappengossip • instagram

liked by user, user, and others

maxverstappengossip the reason why we don’t see this dog anymore is because he ate him. ＠peta look into this plz

♥︎ 77.5k 💬 2k ➢

user now who is running this account 😭

user i thought he gave them away??

➥ maxverstappengossip that’s what he wants u to believe

user WHAT

user i told yall it was a troll account 😭

user source??

➥ maxverstappengossip i saw him do it

user i can’t believe he would do this… does yn know??

➥ user OMGGG SAVE YN

➥ user ＠yourusername GIRL YOUR BOYFRIEND LIKES TO EAT DOGSS RUNN

➥ user NOW WHY WOULD YOU TAG HERNSN

user ???? i expected actual gossip…

user TAGGED PETA??? THIS IS INSANEE

user #maxverstappenisoverparty

user i cant believe he would do this..

user “peta look into this plz” IM CRYINGG

maxverstappengossip • instagram

liked by user, user, and others

maxverstappengossip the real max verstappen died and what we’re seeing is a clone of him

♥︎ 104k 💬 12.3k ➢

user ho is he paul mccartney ??

user HOW DID HE DIE OMGG

➥ maxverstappengossip the real jimmy & sassy got tired of him and ate him. 100% real #trust.

➥ user wait so jimmy & sassy are clones too??

➥ maxverstappengossip yeah

user again, does yn know about this???

➥ user im surprised she hasnt followed this account yet

➥ user SHES PROBABLY RUNNING THIS ACCOUNT 😭

user this is the most unserious thing EVERR

user im over here thinking we’re gonna get juicy tea from this account ☠️

user so.. did clone max eat the dog or real max..??

➥ maxverstappengossip real max

➥ user awe man i had hope for real max ☹️

➥ maxverstappengossip well that was your first mistake

various users • twitter

yn &&. max! • imessage

maxverstappengossip • instagram

liked by maxverstappen1, user and others

maxverstappengossip k funs over 😒

♥︎ 366k 💬 20.4k ➢

maxverstappen1 “Fun” you almost ruined my career?!

➥ maxverstappengossip OHH BROTHERR

maxverstappen1 What’s with the jk photo??

➥ maxverstappengossip thats JUNGKOOK TO YEW. 🫵🏽 also he’s bae fr

➥ maxverstappen1 I don’t understand you

➥ maxverstappengossip skibidi rizzler gyatt 😍🙏🏽

➥ maxverstappen1 Delete your account

user I KNEW ITTTT

user “i’m doing it, are you?” HELLLOOOOO??

user jungkook photo is so real

user gorgeous girl doing unhinged shit

➥ user making sure max stays humble 🙂‍↕️

user PLEASE DONT DELETE THIS ACCOUNT 🙏🙏🙏

➥ maxverstappengossip TRUST I WONT.

➥ maxverstappen1 You said you would?

➥ maxverstappengossip well i’m a liar idk why you keep believing me

➥ maxverstappen1 🤦🏼

user this is such a random photo dump

user baby max eating fries ohnyhetayags

user rip maxverstappengossip… 2025-2025 💔

BONUS! • twitter