#first responder reader

CW: Alcohol Consumption, Tipsy Whittaker

WC: 1,813

Requested by: @sportsnightnut

“Honey, you look amazing,” Michael reassured you as you smoothed out your dress outside the restaurant. You were wearing your go-to black dress that was flattering but not too revealing. He and Jack had rented out a back room of a nice Italian place near the pitt for a holiday party. It was only the first weekend in December, but you were well aware that there were no days off as a fellow first responder. This party was hard enough to plan, and the holidays hadn’t even officially kicked off yet. Jack took care of the restaurant reservation while he made the schedule for this week as fair as possible. The staff missing this party were simultaneously being delivered takeout, so they didn’t feel left out. Michael was among the day shift employees who were going to arrive late from the night shift handoff. Thankfully, you lived close enough that he was able to grab a quick shower at your apartment before you headed over.

“I know, I just want to make a good first impression, that's all.” You replied. You knew how important the people in that room were to him.

“Yah know, it’s not too late to stay in. I can think of a few things I’d prefer to be doing,” he said, leaning in, lips grazing yours, “Namely you.”

“Michael,” you scolded, hitting his chest with your clutch.

“They’ll love you.” He affirmed with a laugh, looking down at you with those dopey brown eyes that made you fall for him in the first place. You shared a brief kiss before he interlaced your hands.

“Ready?” he asked, giving your hand a squeeze.

“Yeah,” you responded with a smile, squeezing his hand back. He led you through the edge of the dining area after checking in with the hostess. You took a deep breath as he released your hand to open the door. There was a loud greeting at the sight of Robby in front of you, followed by a brief silence when people caught sight of you walking in next to him, holding the crook of his arm. Thankfully, the lull was quick. It ended in an instant after a blonde woman shot the group a single look. Based on that and Michael’s description, you had an educated guess that it was Dana. You smiled as she turned her gaze towards you and made her way over; you and Michael met her halfway.

“You must be the one lover boy’s been hiding away,” she said with a smile. You let out an affirmative laugh before supplying your name. A smile glossed your lips as you saw Michael’s neck begin to flush in your peripheral vision.

“Well, I’m Dana, do you want anything to drink?” she asked, “I’m heading over to the bar now.”

“I’d have to look at what they have, but I’m happy to join you,” you responded before turning to Michael, “Do you want anything, babe?”

“I’d take a beer,” he responded, with a smile.

“K, do you want something on tap or one of the IPAs you like?” you asked.

“Surprise me,” he said, his focus divided between you and something happening on the other side of the room. You glanced over but couldn’t see anything from your vantage point.

“’ Kay,” you nodded, following Dana through the crowd.

“So, what do you do for work?” she asked as you perused the drinks menu.

“Oh, I’m a 911 operator.” You responded, before ordering your drink and a local brew for Michael.

“Where’d you two meet?” she asked, after ordering for herself.

“At an independently owned coffee shop, we were both regulars. We actually have very similar work schedules. So even if it wasn’t on the same day of the week, we’d see each other there all the time from our scheduled intervals. We both always read when we’re there. I actually broke the ice because he was reading one of my favorite books that I absolutely love to talk about. I literally told him that he could tell me to shut up at any point. But, um, he never did.” You admitted shyly,

“I can see why,” she said warmly, making you even more flustered.

“Yeah, um, we kinda started a mini book club after that,” you responded.

“Just two people?” she asked with a laugh,

“Yeah,” you laughed in agreement, feeling warm as blood rushing to your face, “I’m apparently not very good at discerning when people are being friendly or hitting on me,”

“I’ll take an educated guess that Robby’s not the one you’ve done that to,” Dana responded with a knowing smile over the rim of her wine glass.

“Yeah, no, after Robby confessed, it was kinda like the end of The 6th Sense, where the main guy looks back and realizes they were all ghosts the whole time. Except for my version, it was people trying to get with me.” You admitted bashfully, “He had to be super clear without a shadow of doubt. We were three books in when he asked me out.”

“Christ,” She laughed, “Sorry, I’m not laughing at you, sweetheart,” she said, covering her mouth, “I just gave him too much credit. Here, I thought he had some semblance of game when you walked in, but you just confirmed my intuition. How long have you been seeing each other?”

“Official for about five months, but we’ve been talking since...” you trailed off, trying to remember exactly which month you had met.

“May?” Dana offered up.

“Yeah,” you nodded, confused, “How’d you know that?”

“Not to say he’s not a happy person, but his mood did a one-eight last spring, and no one could figure out why.” She confessed.

“Oh,” you said, slightly flustered as she gave you a knowing look.

You both shared a smile at that. Speaking of Michael, you hadn’t seen where he went. You scanned the room and found him with his arms crossed as he addressed a gaggle of younger doctors in the corner he was looking at when you left; you’d guess residents and students. Some of them were holding cash. If you had to guess, you’d say he was breaking up one of the betting rings he’d told you about. Not that that was your focus. You were too busy taking in the serious look on his face. You were too far away to hear them, but you knew what tone he’d taken with them. You were intimately familiar with it to the extent that you could feel a spark in your core at the mere thought of it.

Before Dana could say anything else, a waiter came out to announce that dinner was being served. Everyone not already sitting congregated towards the tables. Salad and bread were served as the waiters went around taking everyone’s orders for entrees from the set menu. Between appetizers and dinner, toasts were made first to the nursing staff (Dana was individually recognized along with the night shift charge nurse), next were the students and residents, and lastly, Robby and Jack (whom you had met briefly) individually acknowledged each other. You couldn’t help but smile as Michael’s face glowed red. Your hand found his when he sat down, and everyone cheered. The next hour of dinner was frankly overstimulating as you met and talked to everyone in your vicinity. You’d had mirrored conversations of the one you had with Dana with each new person you met.

Before you knew it, dessert was being served, and the night had begun to wrap up. You opted to get one last drink from the bar since Michael was driving. While you were waiting to be served, a younger guy with dirty blonde hair walked up next to you. You immediately clocked he’d had his share of drinks already by the slight sway in his walk.

“Hello,” he greeted mellowly, as he waited for the bartender.

“Hi,” you responded politely.

“Are you new to the ED?” he slightly slurred.

“No, I’m a guest.” You answered, slightly amused. You aren’t typically a fan of drunk people, but he seemed harmless.

“We weren’t allowed plus ones,” he offered up, clearly confused.

“Oh, I’m Michael’s date.” You responded as the bartender placed your drink down.

“You’re with Robby? But you’re not old,” he asked, with a stunned look you couldn’t quite place. Before he could say anything else, he was whisked away by one of the other young doctors.

“I didn’t get a drink!” he said slightly too loudly to her.

“Cool it, Huckleberry, this is your Christmas gift.” She responded firmly. You could only laugh to yourself, turning back to find Robby by your side.

“Was Whittaker hitting on you?” he asked.

“Maybe?” you laughed.

“I don’t know if I should laugh or be jealous.” He said with a grin.

“Love, he’s a fetus. I would only worry about people in your weight class.” You replied with a grin. He smiled down at you before placing a chaste kiss on your forehead.

“You ready to get out of here?” he asked, most likely clocking your fatigue.

“Only if you are.” You replied.

“I’ll take that as a yes.” He said, helping you into your coat before once again offering his arm. You instantly took it, sharing a content ride home, to what you thought would be a quiet night. You and Michael had both worked today. So, all you were expecting was your normal routine of changing into something comfortable, then spending a bit of time together before bed. But you were more overstimulated than you thought you were initially, too busy trying to make a good impression to check in with yourself. Robby noticed, though, immediately clocking it when you were slow to answer and became more withdrawn as the car ride went on.

So instead of immediately going to your bedroom for a change of clothing, Michael sat down on your couch, catching your wrist to pull him down with you. You blinked up at him dumbly as you sat straddling his lap, dress bunching up.

“How are you feeling, love?” he probed. He had already lost his jacket and was in the process of unbuttoning his shirt. You took a moment, but couldn’t form any cohesive thoughts. He cupped your face to force eye contact, only to find a familiar, faraway look in your eyes.

“Alright, I think it’s time to get my girl to bed.” He stated. Before you knew it, you were in your bed under the covers, surrounded by Michael’s scent as he held you close. You cuddled up against him, hiding your face in the hollow of his throat. Your eyelids soon grew too heavy to keep open. The last thing you heard was him humming softly into the crown of your head as you drifted off.

A/N: Sorry this is a day late, but better late than never i guess 😅 Decided to go in a fluff direction with this since the next request is just smut lol.