#superjock

He was wearing clean clothes, and he found himself vaguely wondering when it happened- he had no recollection of changing. Then again, everything after his tenth (fifteenth?) drink was a blur. He was almost certain one of the other surgical residents had called a cab for him, at some point. And given the fact that he smelled like soap instead of booze, Rafael had probably made him shower before putting him to bed. 

“Just how much did you have to drink last night?” Rafael’s voice was light and amused, but he couldn’t help the hint of worry in his words. 

Bryce smiled to himself, right before he rolled on top of Rafael and buried his face in the crook of his neck. Raf always cared so much about everyone else (and about Bryce, most of all). It was one of his most endearing qualities, and the reason why Bryce never stood a chance- he was completely and utterly smitten for the paramedic.

“Hey, I was celebrating,” said Bryce in mock protest, and he gently nipped along the curve of Rafael’s neck to reinforce the concept. 

Rafael shuddered, his arms tightening around Bryce’s waist as he instinctively tried to pull him closer. “Celebrating… what, exactly?”

Bryce moved to meet his gaze. He wasn’t at his best, gaze groggy from sleep and his beloved hair, usually styled to look carefully messy, reduced to a dishevelled mane. And yet, when a smug grin lit up his face, Rafael felt his stomach flutter. 

“Being hot, funny and talented is always worth celebrating, don’t you think?” teased Bryce.

“Right,” laughed Rafael. The way the corners of his eyes crinkled every time he did drove Bryce crazy. His cocky statements usually earned him sarcasm and rolled eyes, and it was fine with him. But Raf didn’t have it in him to be anything but genuine. He laughed in joyful agreement, as if the idea of Bryce being the best person on earth was merely a fact and he was lucky enough to see it for himself. His full lips were still curved into a smile when he spoke, eyes glinting and voice smooth as velvet. “Well, if you told me we could’ve found another way to celebrate… Together.” 

He blushed a bit as soon as he said it, like always when he played the sultry card, but he didn’t look away from Bryce, whose smile widened until he was practically beaming.

“Now that would’ve spared me this headache.” Bryce snorted before surging forward and meet Raf’s lips in a sloppy kiss. His heart was beating so fast in his chest, it could almost rival the pounding in his head. “But we still have time, right?” he asked with a wink, and Rafael cocked his brows.

“Thought you were ‘all partied out’- that’s what you said before passing out in the bathroom, last night. I had to carry you to bed.”

Maybe it was supposed to be a scolding, but the warmth in his gaze didn’t do much for the effect. Bryce gave a small shrug.

“You don’t look like you mind taking care of me.”

Rafael bit down his lower lip, trying (and failing) to hold back a smile. “I don’t.”

“Good thing I’m dating Superman, then.” With another teasing wink and another kiss, Bryce rolled to the side, trying to untangle himself from the covers. “Aight, I’m gonna look for an aspirin. And possibly some coffee.”

Before he could win the fight against the cotton bedsheets Rafael pulled him back down, pressing his lips to Bryce’s hair in a tender gesture. “Don’t get up - I’ll do it.”

Bryce was moving fast, efficiently treating a patient after another, until the room gradually became less and less crumpled. He surveyed the few people left and strutted towards one of the nurses (a middle-aged woman with a stern look who Bryce was pretty sure was called Laverne). She was treating one of the paramedics, who had a particularly bad burn on his arm and shoulder. Bryce recognized him immediately. Even though he’d only been at Edenbrook for a week, the hospital gossip about Rafael Aveiro had reached Bryce’s attention.

He put on his best charming smile and addressed Laverne. “I can take it from here,” he said gently, and she gave him a nod before leaving. Bryce studied Rafael for a moment. Now that he was this close, the man looked even more gorgeous. He was tall, above 6’3, with broad shoulders and a muscular frame. Everything about him screamed ‘godly’, from the deep umber of his skin to his full lips and strong jaw… Bryce had to check himself before he started staring. He flashed Rafael a smile. “Hi there. How’s it going?”

“Hey,” chuckled back Rafael. The was a warmth in his voice, it sounded like mocha coffee and summertime. “I’m doing great, thanks for asking.”

Despite his injured arm, it didn’t seem like he was joking. He looked very relaxed, his expression friendly and genuine. It only made Bryce’s smile grow wider.

“Doctor Bryce Lahela,” he introduced himself, offering his hand to Rafael. “At your service.”

The paramedic shook it enthusiastically with his sane arm. “I’m Rafael.”

“Oh, I know…” grinned Bryce. “The heroic paramedic who looks like an action movie. Half of the nurses have a crush on you, did you know that? Probably a lot of the doctors, too.”

That made Rafael laugh heartily. “That’s, uh, quite flattering, I suppose,” he replied, and Bryce was pleased to notice that his cheek had darkened a bit as he sheepishly scratched the back of his neck.

Teasing Rafael was going to be fun.

“Handsome and humble,” commented Bryce, his tone casual as he pursed his lips to keep himself from smiling. Rafael’s eyes glinted in delighted surprise at that. He didn’t say anything and observed Bryce as he took care of his injury with meticulous care, the playfulness replaced by focused professionalism. After a while, he lifted his gaze to meet Rafael’s gaze. “Does this hurt?”

Rafael blinked, taken aback by the sudden question before realizing Bryce was talking about his shoulder. He offered a bright smile. “Not one bit. You must have a magic touch.”

Bryce cocked an eyebrow, then grinned wickedly. “Oh, you have no idea,” he said in a tone that couldn’t be described in any other way than sultry. There was a short silence, then they both burst out laughing. “I’m sorry, it was right there,” apologized Bryce with a flick of his hair, though he didn’t look very repentant.

Rafael chuckled and studied the doctor for a bit before asking, “You’re an intern, right?”

Bryce paused and looked up from Rafael’s shoulder, amused. “Worried I might mess up your arm? I can assure you, I’m entirely capable.”

“Nah, I was just thinking that I’ve never seen you before,” shrugged Rafael, still smiling.

“It’s a big hospital. Maybe you just didn’t notice me before.”

Rafael grinned. “Do people often fail to notice you?”

Bryce seemed to think about it for a moment. “Not since I was born,” he concluded with a wink, and Rafael huffed a laugh.

They chatted for a while, all while Bryce continued to patch him up, and when he was done Rafael got up to leave. “Thanks.”

“Don’t mention it.” Bryce dismissed with a flirty smile. “What kind of doctor would I be if I didn’t help a patient in need?”

Almost snorting, Rafael said goodbye and turned to leave, right before stopping himself and biting his lip, as Bryce stared back at him expectantly.

“Wanna, like– I mean, if you’re not busy… We could get lunch? Or even just coffee if you don’t have a lot of time?” asked Rafael after clearing his throat, just a hint of hesitation in his words (which didn’t go missed).