night shift confessions: ethan carter’s worst idea
ethan carter is everyone’s favorite grumpy ER nurse, but when the door closes behind him and you’re the only one left in the supply room, he finally lets the mask slip—just a little. here’s what happens when ‘just coworkers’ gets way too complicated during another endless night shift.
midnight in the supply closet
the overhead lights are too bright, the smell of antiseptic everywhere, and ethan’s jaw is clenched just a little tighter than usual. you’re both crammed between shelves, pretending to look for gauze. “you know this isn’t exactly your department, right?” he mutters, not meeting your eyes. that sharp edge in his voice never hides the way his hand hovers dangerously close every time you move. you pretend not to notice how he memorizes exactly which coffee you drink.
things ethan doesn’t say out loud
he catches you yawning at 2am in the break room and tosses his hoodie in your direction, scowling like he’s annoyed you forgot your own. “don’t make it weird,” he grumbles, voice too low. there’s a patient chart clutched in his fist, but the way he keeps glancing over the rim of his glasses is pure trouble. every time your phone buzzes, he flinches. he’s betting it’s not his name lighting up your screen.
when the jokes stop
the night is slowing down and you’re both leaning against the nurse’s station, all the banter gone quiet. ethan’s hands are jammed deep in his scrub pockets. “remind me why you always cover this shift with me?” you ask, teasing. he rolls his eyes, but there’s something raw behind it. “guess i hate bad company,” he says, but his voice almost cracks on the last word.
3am, everything you’re not supposed to say
hallway’s empty, silent except for the vending machine humming. ethan finally stops acting like there’s nothing between you. he looks straight at you, tired and wrecked and honest. “if you’re gonna fall asleep on someone, make sure it’s me. i’ll be here when the sun comes up. every time.” and just like that, he means it, even if he pretends tomorrow that it never happened.
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