Realistic or Modern | healing flames

[captain_bumblebee]

HEALING FLAMES - | 1x1 Anaxileah & captain_bumblebee​

In the bustling city of Los Angeles, where the sounds of sirens and the sight of blazing fires are a regular occurrence, two individuals find themselves drawn together by fate. Muse A is a dedicated and hardworking college student, working towards her doctorate, and known for her unwavering focus on academics. With her structured life and ambitious goals, she appears to be the epitome of a "good girl". As part of her degree, she works part-time at LA General Hospital as a compassionate nurse. However, deep down, Muse A yearns for a taste of rebellion and a break from her predictable “perfect student/nurse”-routine. She recently got engaged to her partner, Muse C, who is a cop on the rise. He supports Muse A's college endeavours, though makes sure to keep her on a tight leash in order not to have anyone ruin his image and reputation. To Muse C, it is important that Muse A keeps her focus on her studies to become a doctor.

Enter Muse B, a fearless and selfless firefighter in the LA Fire Department. He’s a charismatic and enigmatic rebel who seems to have mastered the art of breaking the rules. Muse B is well-known for his devil-may-care attitude, motorcycle rides, and disregard for authority. Beneath his tough exterior, though, lies a troubled past that haunts him.

What happens when Muse C starts showing his true colors? What happens when one night, Muse B is brought into the ER, and Muse A needs to work to save his life? Since when are firefighters getting shot on duty?

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: Focused
Location: Downtown LA, Residential Area
Outfit: Firefighter Gear

”

old - deleted

 

[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Stressed | Determined

outfit

Light Purple Scrubs

location

L.A. General > Downtown L.A.

interactions

Jessie, Capt. Nathaniel, Connor

notes

This firefighter is so cuuute!

Inhale.

The sharp scent of disinfectant and new packaging filled her nostrils, coupled with sanitizer and fresh scrubs.

Exhale.

Counting the seconds going by along with the rhythmic beeping from the patient room next door, listening to the repetitive sound of life reduced to nothing more than a machine and its mediocre measurements of the heart. The organ most people associated with love, with passion, yet only capable of pushing blood to and fro throughout the human body.

Inhale.

The dampness of her hair against her neck made her shiver reflexively, exhaling earlier than intended as goosebumps spread across her arms, forcing her to shift in discomfort. Unfocused, pale blue eyes flickered open, blinking rapidly until her vision sharpened and she could make out the dark flecks dotting the ceiling panels.

The woman's icy gaze turned to the adjacent window, her pale hand reaching up to tug at the strings dangling beside it, one of them frayed and missing the plastic cone that the other still clung to by a few worn threads. She wrapped the cords around her hand briefly to lift the blinds, wincing as her vision had not been properly adjusted to the bright burst of fluorescent light mounted outside. With a furrowed brow and a couple more blinks, she managed to look out the window properly, her face scrunched up in irritation. The sun was setting. She turned her head groggily, reaching her other hand up to rub at her eyes, her damp hair inconveniencing her as her lips uttered a small groan. She released the weathered blinds, allowing their sun-bleached strips to return to their natural state of being in the dust-covered windowpane. She let out a small cough as she brought her wrist close, glancing at her analog watch as the minute-hand just ticked to the 12, marking the new hour: 8 o'clock. This time a groan made its way past her lips as she pinched the bridge of her nose, her eyelids shutting tightly as she let out another focused breath.

In Los Angeles General, it was quite common for doctors and their nurses to undergo excessively long periods of time without sleeping, whether they were in a surgery, on call, or simply getting carried away with the endless array of tasks that needed doing in the towering, multi-story structure she referred to as her "second home." Damp tendrils of hair dangled on the fringes of her eyesight, bangs threatening to block her vision with their measly attempt at separating from the mass of freshly cleaned hair no longer than shoulder-length. A sharp intake of breath through her nostrils preceded her arising from the cot she sat upon, the imprint of her body weight leaving an impression in the cheap material designed solely for moving patients and not for comfort. White sneakers squeaked against the tile, still carrying some of the moisture of the evening shower that had been accompanied by fecal matter and urine - not her own, of course.

Light purple scrubs clung to warm skin as she walked, the worn soles of her shoes squealing against the bland, checkered tiles of the storage hall that exited into the main corridors of the silent, palliative wing. Soft sobs could be heard from a room nearby, while the solid blare of a flatline echoed from another. Biting her lip and keeping her head down, she passed the small, melancholy commotion of grieving mothers and daughters, glancing at the attending nurses and doctors with pity before reaching for her belt and pulling on an identification card that was clipped to her belt, attached by a plastic, circular clip, unique only by the copious amounts of glitter sprinkled onto it. Swiping the card against the hard plastic reader mounted to the wall, she watched as the light flickered from red to green and opened the doors ahead of her automatically, exposing her to the busier life of the Intensive Care Unit (I.C.U.) and, eventually, the one portion of the hospital: the Emergency Room.

It was like flipping a switch - the E.R. was bustling with all sorts of activity, ranging from screams of pain about broken limbs to women like 'Karen' boasting cold symptoms and complaining about the care they received the "last time they were here," giving the desk clerk as much trouble as possible to avoid bills higher than the building itself. Already, she could feel her anxiety rising. "Haywood, quickly, we need your assistance." One of her superiors, one whose name always managed to slip her mind, grasped her shoulder with hers, well-manicured nails digging through fabric and into flesh with urgency. Her brow furrowed once more:

"What do you need? I'm going home."

Haywood muttered, giving the woman an annoyed glare, but nothing more, as she valued her position more than her pride. The woman stopped, sighing with visible exhaustion written in the wrinkles of her usually stern face. The fact that she looked more devastated than anything else is what stopped the young nursing resident in her tracks.

"There's been a fire, Kara. We need to dispatch everyone available to the scene - it's bad." The severity of the flames were carried by the graveness of her low, gravelly voice, vocal chords damaged from years of smoking cigarettes. Kara's icy gaze widened as the information soaked in, her heartbeat loud in her ears. If this woman - Angela, that was it - was this shaken, it must have been bad. Adrenaline and panic forced the limber, dirty blonde into movement as she nodded and rushed towards one of the overstocked supply cabinets, grasping as much of the gauze, bandages, alcohol wipes, catheters, and anything else she could carry in one of the E.R.'s vacant totes before rushing towards the cab of an ambulance waiting outside the sliding glass doors, its sirens already lit and prepared to wail through the sun-cast shadows on streets of the City of Angels. One pale hand grasped the translucent bin while the other gripped one of the cabin's metal rod handles, a light coating of sweat forming on her palm as she fretted, focusing on swallowing her anxiety and putting her brain in hyperfocus-mode.

Though it was really only ten minutes or so with the light jostling of the ambulance swerving through late night traffic and running traffic lights, it felt like years, lifetimes - how many people were dying right now? How many people could they have been helping? Endless scenarios flitted through her mind, accompanied by an incessant tapping of her foot on the floor of the truck bed. "Kara, it's alright. We're less than a minute away." Jessie's voice entered her mind, eliciting a confused expression. Since when had she been there? An exasperated sigh left her lips as she ceased her nervous habit and nodded.

"Sorry, Jess. Just worried."

Kara murmured softly in apology, her gaze locked on the back doors rather than her best friend. As soon as the whining vehicle came to a complete stop, Kara burst from the back doors, undoing the latch and immediately landing on her feet, most of her dirty blonde locks dried and swept back as her worrisome gaze drank in the sight.

It was chaos. There was beauty in the flames, as they licked at the similarly hued sky with a dangerous flicker, promises of unfathomable heat and destruction soon to follow. Much of the apartment complex was already charred and falling apart, a whole level beginning to cave in as her stare came to reach the rooftops. Shouting came from all directions - some to aid the injured, others to command those still inside, some arguing with nearby police about the causes of the blazing fire itself. Fortunately, the encumbered nurse knew where she was needed, and rushed immediately to where the victims of the disaster were being treated by doctors and nurses from other nearby hospitals, all of whom were focused on helping as many people they could in as little time as possible. As Kara rushed to the medical tents, a firefighter stopped her, someone who looked official. "Ma'am, one of my men is about to-" His words were cut off by an ash-covered firefighter exiting the building in a rush, his soot-stained boots slamming against the ground with a sense of urgency. "I got her, Captain!" He called out, bringing the unresponsive girl to the white medical tent nearest them, laying her across a freshly vacated cot.

"What's her name?"

Kara asked urgently, quickly placing two fingers against the child's jugular to feel for a pulse.

Nothing.

Her own pace quickened as she gently nudged the firefighter aside, murmuring a soft,

"Please."

Austin nodded in understanding, rejoining the others in the L.A.F.D. force with words of concern for someone named 'Connor.' Kara immediately began chest compressions while another nurse wiped ash and debris from the poor child's face. Using two fingers, she pushed with enough force to bruise the poor girl's sternum a total of thirty times, replaying the song "Stayin' Alive" in her mind as she counted each shove to the young child's lungs.

After a couple hasty attempts at resuscitation, the girl began to breathe on her own, coughing and hacking as globs of ash splattered from her lips and onto the rigid blue cot as she turned over, gasping desperately for air. Kara immediately retrieved one of the masks hooked up to a portable oxygen tank and helped clean up her mouth, speaking calmly and reassuringly to the child in hushed whispers.

"Hey, hey...it's alright, you're okay. Just breathe, sweetheart. It's Lena, right? Your mom is here, you'll be alright."

She smiled warmly, helping the girl focus on breathing as tears streamed down her small, heart-shaped face, embracing her mother with a choked sob. The father stopped Kara briefly, asking with distress in his voice. "Wh-what about my son? W-will Sylas be okay?" Kara glanced up at him, still focused on Lena. She opened her mouth to respond, hesitation on her tongue, before the shattering of glass interrupted her, and her head snapped towards the sound, suddenly more aware of what was going on around her.

A man plummeted from the fifth story, his body curled up as gravity took him towards the awaiting jumping cushion, herself and many of the onlookers around watching with mouths agape and hearts stopped until he landed in the safety of the massive cushion in front of the building, hopefully with nothing more than a few bumps and bruises.

Is he insane?

Her heart leapt to her throat as a myriad of people scrambled towards them, from other firefighters to the father of the girl beside her, eager to check on the status of his young boy. Other paramedics approached the two and handled Sylas with the utmost care and concern, while the reckless firefighter got his bearings and began speaking to his team members, their tones weighted with worry. "Haywood! Patch up the firefighter, then we need to move!" The supervising resident barked out her orders, busy herself with getting an older man with severe burns to start breathing again, patches placed over the worst of the burns. Nodding again, the petite dirty blonde made her way to the adrenaline filled man, her eyes still wide from the shock of his brave, daring stunt. Her stare didn't leave him as he removed his helmet and jacket, obliging to his coworkers' pleas for him to take better care of himself.

"S-sir. Please take a seat so I can get you looked at. That was a large drop - you might have some serious bruising, even with the help of the inflated cushion to break your fall."

She spoke softly and with kindness, her melodic tone soothing to the ear as she lifted a small, handheld flashlight out of one of her back pockets, her other hand open and outstretched.

"I'm going to check for a concussion, alright? Take a moment to breathe and let the adrenaline wear off. Do you feel any soreness, any pain?"

Her gaze was genuine with care and warmth, showing her kind smile while her lips formed the words of a professional-in-training.

"What's your name?"

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: Focused
Location: Downtown LA, Residential Area
Outfit: Firefighter Gear

”

old - deleted

 

[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Stressed | Determined

outfit

Light Purple Scrubs

location

Downtown L.A.

interactions

Capt. Nathaniel, Connor (Austin)

notes

ily Connor

A charming smile paired with a luxurious voice forced her to stop in her tracks, bright blue eyes fleetingly catching the gaze of sea-blue with the reflection of the flames in them, startling her back into her usual triage routine. It didn't matter whether or not he believed himself to be alright - the likeliness of injury was much higher than his nonchalant behavior and its lack of concern for the severity of his own risked well-being. Allowing her muscles to perform her duties as she had hundreds of times previous, she shined the light in his eyes, quickly checking for signs of a concussion as well as any signs of occipital damage.

Damn.

The dirty blonde continued her medical examination thoroughly, working her way down as she returned the flashlight to its original resting place in her back, right pocket, feeling the familiar thud as gravity nestled it at the bottom of the fabric's grasp.

"Body's a little sore." She raised an eyebrow at the hint of humor in his stoic words, knowing full well that once the adrenaline fully wore off, the ginger would feel more than a 'little sore.' Noting which side of his body he braced against the impact of the landing cushion, gloved hands gently grasped his arm and turned it over, her scrutinous gaze determining there would be a significant amount of bruising soon - not unexpected, after such a steep drop with the daring velocity he'd been plummeting at. Through the fabric of his white shirt, tainted by the scraps of leftovers discarded by the hungering flames, she could tell that some of his skin appeared darker than the rest, causing her already prominent frown to deepen. Her silvery gaze returned to meet with his, wondering how she should go about asking this man to remove his shirt without sounding unprofessional. The unnecessary thoughts that forced their way into her mind made her blank, barely listening as he told her his name, the dulcet tones of his voice prolonging her speechlessness.

Connor.

Before her lips could form the timid response she scarcely had the thought process to utter, an urgent plea came from the building Connor had just leapt from, originating from another firefighter, a hurried panic in his words as he brought forth a burn victim that hardly looked like anything more than a charred corpse. Any thoughts preceding the situation dissipated as Kara removed the gloves she had been wearing and snagged new ones from a nearby table, her determined eyes acknowledging Connor's quick actions with respect and appreciation as what was left of a man was gingerly lowered to the uncomfortable cot, Kara's body thrusting into action the moment he was safely secured. Deft fingers rushed to wrap around her tools, making quick work of the man's injuries as best she could. All she needed to do was stabilize him - she placed protective patches on his burnt flesh to help keep it from peeling and exposing the vulnerable tissue below, provided him with water to moisten the area around his lips and mouth, then situated an oxygen mask atop his face, focusing on his breathing all while speaking soothing words of comfort to the man.

"Shh. Everything will be alright, sir, please focus on breathing. Can you tell me your name? Can you follow my finger with your eyes, please?"

She performed the necessary checks to determine if his brain needed any attention, most of her focus set on his well-being. Once again, she had cut off the outside world to focus on the task at hand, doing everything she possibly could to make sure the injured man would make it in the ambulance trip back to the hospital, understanding his stability would be more fragile than the charred skin on his exterior. Her heart continued to pound restlessly as the adrenaline rushed through her arteries, bolstering the exhausted nurse as she did what she knew best and had practiced for time and time again. With a mind running on no rest for the last 24 hours, she did what she could, glancing around at the overwhelming amount of victims from the voracious flames to her east, the blistering heat emanating from them finally starting to die down as the firefighter she had been observing left amidst the chaos.

With furrowed brows, she managed to secure the male patient lying before her enough for the next set of paramedics to transport him without worsening his condition, providing them with his status and his name.

"This man is a high priority - if he doesn't get proper medical treatment soon, he will die, that much I can guarantee. Name's Tom Owens."

The two experienced EMTs nodded at her, wheeling the cot from the medical tent over to the nearest ambulance, where he was transferred to a bright orange gurney and immediately placed in the wailing vehicle, which took off a mere minute or so afterwards. Her nostrils flared as she breathed hard, trying her best to calm herself down as the blinding glow of the multi-story fire began to die down, the emergency situation finally ceasing at the hands of the L.A.F.D.

Her mind idly wondered if her fiancée had been on duty that night, pale blue orbs searching the deployed L.A.P.D. members as her mind became numb to the cacophony around her. Eventually, she was reminded of her duty as Connor came into view, back in the shining, white armor of the fire department that he so recklessly injured himself in. Her brow furrowed as his resistance brought her tired mind out of its fog, her feet leading her towards him with a purposeful gait, lips pursed in annoyance. No longer was she shy nor hesitant, placing one hand on her hip as she reached him, his partner, and his Captain, conveniently communicating with one another about the fire and its origin. Despite her short stature, she stood defiantly beside the three men, interrupting whatever stage of conversation they were at with the clearing of her throat.

"Pardon me, Captain Nathaniel, but your firefighter here needs to go with me to the hospital, regardless of protest."

The petite woman added the last few words quickly, her steely stare briefly moving to Connor with a faint hint of satisfaction when his dismissive air deflated.

"He has a concussion, visible bruising, and I am concerned that he may have injured his ribs. Had he not left so promptly, I would have been able to finish my exam, but as that is not the case, I insist he ride back to the hospital with me and get checked out by proper professionals."

Of course, she respected his desire to continue to protect and serve, but she did not want to be responsible for an injured soldier going to war, per se, and remained adamant as she stood before them, almost an entire foot shorter than the resistant man in question. It was clear she wasn't going to take no for an answer as she crossed her arms and put her weight on one leg, leaning to the side as she cocked her head impatiently.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: Exhausted, and a little irritated
Location: Downtown LA, Residential Area
Outfit: Firefighter Gear

”

old - deleted

 

[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Stressed | Determined

outfit

Light Purple Scrubs

location

Downtown L.A.

interactions

Capt. Nathaniel, Connor (Austin)

notes

ily Connor

Obviously quite perturbed by her information, Kara watched as Captain Nathaniel regarded her words with consideration, throwing the restless firefighter a sideways glare that felt more like a playful scold than anything else - she wished they would take the situation more seriously, but settled for the fact that the captain agreed to let Connor go. Her chilling glare moved from the captain to the injured firefighter, once more raising a slender brow at his reluctance to admit he was injured and in need of medical attention, unappreciative of his dismissive attitude towards her. A small scoff escaped her as he claimed to be 'fine,' slowly shaking her head back and forth as he came to the realization that he was, in fact, dealing with a concussion and other potential conditions. "Fine, fine. I'll come with you." Smiling with satisfaction at his resignation, she pivoted on her outstretched foot, offering a small wave to the captain and Connor's coworker, her shoulder length hair whipping around with her momentum as she began to march for the ambulance, calling back to Austin with a hand raised in the air as acknowledgment.

"I'll keep him 'til he's in working condition, sir!"

Amused by the interaction between Connor and this other firefighter, her smile remained on her lips, a brief yet pleasant distraction from the horrors she had just witnessed and the amount of exhilarating adrenaline still in her circulatory system. The rest of the occupied ambulances began to depart, leaving just the one intended to accompany Kara and any other victims - now including Connor - back to L.A. General, her usual place of refuge. She allowed the towering male to enter the metal container of a vehicle first, permitting him to make himself comfortable while she hopped in with ease and turned to shut the door, latching it closed before finding a seat herself and grasping one of the metal handles like before.

"Ready to go!"

She called ahead to the driver, who in turn started the ignition and began transporting the two professionals towards her main workplace. Once the two of them were settled, Kara could feel the adrenaline finally subside, her heart still pounding in her chest as she let out an exhausted sigh, briefly releasing the vehicle's handle to cup her face in exhaustion.

Feeling a set of eyes on her, she glanced up, her expression demonstrating almost as much exhaustion as she felt as she locked eyes with Connor, trying hard to focus on his words rather than the way his gentle lips curved up into a smile when he spoke. Opting for silence, she nodded, her cheeks turning a light rosy shade in embarrassment as he commented on her nervousness, her face returning to its buried state as she made a small groan, wishing for the long 26 hours to be over with. The compliment that followed suit, however, was worth lifting her head again, as it was rude to completely ignore the man. Plus - he was being genuine, and she appreciated it. When was the last time she truly got a compliment? Her lightly-glossed lips curled up in a soft smile as she watched his face again, exhaustion keeping her from speaking too much. Her train of thought was much too derailed to think straight after everything that happened, so she settled with watching him and making sure everything was alright. With him rubbing his temples, her back straightened, and she watched him more keenly.

"By the way, you never told me your name." His question startled her, and she gave him a stern look, pursing her lips together as he laid on more charm, being playful and teasing all at once. Under normal circumstances, she might feel swayed to play along, but his careless actions were the culprit in this matter.

"I would have told you earlier, but someone decided to wander off and go play hero while he was injured."

She smirked, unable to hide her amusement as she teased him during the ride. "Oh, come on. I thought I was fine. I usually listen pretty well." Kara rolled her eyes, enjoying the back and forth as it helped to calm her nerves.

"For your misdeeds, you can call me Haywood. Only actual good listeners get to call me by my first name."

Her lips widened into a large grin, enjoying the light bit of banter as the ambulance coasted down the road, not blaring its siren, but still flashing its lights so people understood it carried some urgency on its way to L.A. General. With the fire site being rather close to the hospital, their ride would not be too long, hence the lack of urgency. All she needed to do was verify that Connor would not fall asleep nor pass out in the metal cabin, and all would be well. "Haywood? Hm, then I reckon you'll need my surname, too. O'Neil." Her expression turned thoughtful as she repeated his name back to him with a cheeky grin.

"Connor O'Neil. Sounds pretty nice altogether. Now, I know you're recognizing the concussion and bruising, but are you feeling any other symptoms, now that your adrenaline is dying down?"

She focused on getting back to business, grasping a nearby clipboard to hopefully record any information he could provide. Scribbling down the concussion and bruising, she listened intently, writing down the symptoms he provided. "I feel a little dizzy, little nauseous. Body's still quite sore." Her pen moved furiously across the paper as she progressed the conversation,

"Obviously when we get there, you'll have to change into a patient gown, which will allow for better examination of your wounds."

"Ah, a patient gown. Very sexy, really brings out my best features." She snorted softly as she placed the pen back on the clipboard, looking up at him with a slight shake of her head.

"Are you always trying to be so witty?"

Without missing a beat, the ginger responded and threw in a wink, "Only around pretty nurses." Her cheeks burned a brighter shade of pink as she scoffed, shaking her head at him once more. Before she could reply, he asked about the children he had leapt for. "The kids - Sylas and Lena - will they be alright?" Clearing her throat before her voice could have the opportunity to crack, she nodded, focusing back on the clipboard.

"They will, yes. Without you, Sylas likely would have died from oxygen depravation. While I disagree with your methods,"

she grumbled, putting the clipboard to the side before looking back up at him,

"You were incredibly brave."

"Not brave. Just doing my job." His playful grin was contagious. "But I'm glad. Must also be because you took care of them so well." She shrugged him off, leaning forward to rest her elbows on her knees.

"What I did was nothing out of the ordinary. I did what any medical professional would have done."

She smiled warmly at him as the ambulance lurched to a stop - they had arrived at L.A. General. "Guess we were both just doing our jobs then." She rolled her eyes once more - something she could see turning into a habit, before getting out of her seat and reaching for the door handle, clipboard grasped tightly in the other hand. "You going to walk me in? I don't know the way." She scoffed at him, also for the second time already.

"I will be handling you personally, Mr. O'Neil."

She unhinged the door and hopped out as the metal sheets swung open, revealing the entrance to the medical personnel entrance to the E.R., grinning back at him with a beckoning shake of her hand.

"Let's go, Romeo."

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: Exhausted
Location: LA General Hospital, ER
Outfit: Firefighter Gear

”

old - deleted

 

[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Stressed | Determined

outfit

Light Purple Scrubs

location

Downtown L.A.

interactions

Capt. Nathaniel, Connor (Austin)

notes

ily Connor

The petite dirty blonde made her way through the hospital, passing by a number of occupied rooms designated for the severely injured and incapacitated as she led him through the chaos, nodding at a handful of preoccupied doctors and exhausted nurses as they turned corridor after corridor, dodging computer carts and portable I.V. drips. After a few more moments of searching, she brought him to a vacant room, preparing some sheets for the cot as well as a patient gown, placed delicately on the awaiting cot.

"Yep, a more thorough checkup can be done here."

She confirmed his inquiring nature, this time laughing out loud as he called her cheeky for requesting he get changed from his current attire - it had been a while since she'd laughed. Rather than responding, she simply gave him a grin and proceeded with her duties by taking his vitals, wrapping his arm with the blood pressure cuff, placing a device on his finger to record heart rate, and so forth. She tested his mental acuity, observed his eyes once more, and smiled as he asked about his well-being.

"Yes, I believe it's a mild concussion, but I also believe your oxygen levels are low. Breathed in a little smoke, have we?"

She grinned as she scribbled some notes on her clipboard then temporarily left the room and returned with a small, wheeled oxygen tank with a clear mask attached by a long, clear tube, dangling it in front of his face as he groaned. She gave him another grin, shrugging as she placed the mask aside.

"Correct. I value my patients' lives and make sure to check all my boxes."

She spoke matter-of-factly, feeling quite proud of her attention to detail and her passion for caring about the people she treated.

"Now, I plan to walk you through some full body X-rays, a CAT scan to make sure there's no lasting damage, and we'll get you started on treatment for the concussion. It might be a while until I can fit you in for the X-ray and CAT scan, but I'll see what I can do."

She offered a warm, apologetic smile - it was still quite busy in the emergency room, as many of the fire victims were being treated here at L.A. General. Thankfully, they were a large hospital and had multiple machines for every need.

"Fine, Haywood, do whatever you want to me. I'll even wear that ugly hospital gown for you." Her lips curled back into a grin as she mocked him playfully, rolling her eyes and lifting the back of her hand to her forehead.

"Oh, woe is you. Grab the gown and use that bathroom there to get changed. Holler if you need any help."

She teased, appreciating the man's sense of humor and acceptance of her care. "I think I'll be able to get dressed by myself, Miss, no need to worry." Chuckling softly to herself, she left the room to retrieve a warmed blanket, knowing full well how chilly the hospital could get, especially when wearing just a gown. She lingered outside his room for a couple minutes, wanting to give him the privacy he needed before she would enter again.

"You decent? I'd like to get a better look at your side and leg."

After hearing a small amount of rustling about, likely him climbing onto the cot as she instructed earlier, she heard him call out: "Being cheeky again, are we?" Again, this complete stranger brought a smile to her lips as she pushed aside the curtain and entered the room.

"Guess you bring out the worst in me. Please remove the upper part of your gown so I can see your side and place a couple electrodes on your chest to monitor your heart."

Noting the soft, "Alright," that left his lips, she moved quickly, hoping that good news would help him to avoid the feelings of isolation or alienation in the massive, sterilized hospital. Deft, gentle fingers placed the electrodes in the necessary locations on his bare skin, her gaze wandering the expanse of his bare chest before clearing her throat, making sure to do her job well. After placing the electrodes, she asked him to roll over slightly so his side was more exposed, showing the expanse of bruising along his side. A myriad of violet shades blossomed beneath his skin, trailing down in patches from his lower ribcage to his hip. Frowning, she told him he could go back to lying on his back, now shifting her gaze to the side of his leg. It had significantly less bruising, which was a good sign - this meant that he would be able to walk and move without much issue, mostly some soreness. The worst of it was the hip and rib regions, and he wasn't going to like the answer.

"It's tough to determine what the issues are now, before the tests, but I will say what's most likely, since you're also a professional and I like you."

She offered a friendly smile that soon faltered as she took a breath and continued to speak.

"You probably have a fractured, if not broken, couple of ribs, and it's also possible that you have an impact fracture in your right hip. Your shoulder and leg have less bruising, thankfully - you'll likely just experience a lot of muscle soreness over the course of your healing process. With that, I'm afraid you won't be cleared for duty for another couple weeks while you recover. Can't have you going into burning buildings when your own body has its fractures."

She attempted to make light of the situation, clearly feeling awful for having to relay that information. His obvious distaste for her answer was evident by the tone of his voice alone. "Oh, please, you have to be kidding. I feel fine. I can rest a day or two and then go back to work. I don't need a few weeks to regain my health, I promise-" Her frown deepened and her brow creased as she insisted, placing both hands on her hips with a terse expression on her face.

"Mr. O'Neil, you need to rest a couple days for the concussion alone. Please listen to me and take the couple weeks off. You need the rest, you need to heal."

At this point, he appeared desperate for her to change her answer or diagnosis. A frown crept onto her face, her tiredness instantly catching up to her.

I'm way too drained for this right now.

With a huff of annoyance, she raised a finger, showing it to him, then poked him in the side, not hard enough to cause any damage but with enough force to bring some pain.

"That feels fine?"

Connor instantly winced, squeezing his eyes shut and scrunching up his face in pain, gasping for a few moments before glaring up at her with a look of bewilderment. "Holy shit woman- are you insane? That hurt like shit!!" She expected nothing less but still snapped at him as she leaned closer in her frustration.

"Then I don't want to hear another complaint out of you, or I will tell your captain myself not to give you work for a month. Got it?"

She hated being this firm and unpleasant, but getting through his thick skull was vital at this point. He muttered a reluctant, "Got it," back to her, settling down just as another nurse came to stop by, knocking lightly on the glass door. "Hey Kara, we're ready for his tests."

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: Exhausted
Location: LA General Hospital, ER
Outfit: Hospital Gown

”

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[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Excited | Embarrassed

outfit

Seafoam Green Scrubs

location

L.A. General Hospital

interactions

Jessie

notes

ily Connor

~A couple weeks later~​

---

Today was the day she could finally catch a break.

It had taken a lot of planning and covering of other nurses' shifts to guarantee she leave work at a decent time, including finishing all of the scut work she had been assigned and discharging the few remaining E.R. cases as soon as possible. Normally, her shifts either ended exhaustingly late at night or unbelievably early in the morning, restricting her availability to see her own fiancée, even though they lived with one another. Truthfully, even when she was off at a decent hour, he always appeared to be working at the office - some days she swore he even slept there. Most mornings had been rather lonely as of late, which hurt her heart, but nothing could be done. Dylan always seemed to get a call to leave before she awoke and came home after she fell asleep. On the off chance that they did see one another, their interactions would be sweet and tender, oftentimes including a meal at a fancy restaurant like tonight.

Thinking to the outfit she had prepared in her personal locker, a smile crept to her face - she had saved up to buy something new and was positively delighted with how it looked on her, a sight she was eager to share with her fiancée tonight. It was a dark, navy blue, cocktail dress with ruffles lining the top, baring her shoulders for an added sultry look. With excitement for the evening in mind, she grinned through her work, improving the moods of everyone around her as she completed her tasks. "You seem to be in a happy mood, Kara. Made some fun plans?" Kara's gaze flicked up from her computer, bringing her out of the daydream-like state she was in as she filed a medical report. It was Jessie, her best friend, smiling widely at her. Jessie stood at a tall 5 feet and 8 inches, considerably taller compared to the fun-sized Kara at 5 feet and 4 measly inches in her seafoam green scrubs. Her pale blonde hair cascaded in waves down her back and over her shoulders, draping over the deep blue scrubs that matched the hospital's usual dress code.

"I'm finally going out with Dylan. It's the first time we've been out together in months - we're both finally free."

Kara beamed, glancing back at her computer to continue typing away, her gaze flickering back to her with a gleeful smile. Jessie, however, had a disapproving expression on her face, causing Kara to stop and tilt her head in annoyance.

"Jessie, please. I'm not in the mood today."

Jessie's mouth gaped open, and she raised her hands in dismay. "You didn't give me a chance to say anything! And you know how I feel about him, Kara. You deserve better. What about that cute firefighter you met a while back? You practically gushed about him that day - wouldn't he be better?" Jessie teased, her facial features manipulating as quickly as a light switch being flipped, instantly making Kara turn a bright shade of pink.

"Jessie!"

She glanced around in a slight panic, hoping no one overheard.

"He was a patient! As fun as it was to talk to him, he was only being cheeky as a defense mechanism to being nervous in the hospital, nothing more."

She brushed Jessie's teasing comments off, focusing on her tasks. She only had to include the follow-up information for James Pyle and provide him with his discharge papers, then she would be ready to clock out and head to the nurses' locker room to change. Jessie's silence, however, began to concern her, and the dirty blonde's pale gaze flickered up to her coworker, whose lips curled up at the corners. "You said he was a cute, tall ginger with a birthmark by his eye, right?" Jessie inquired, a teasing tone to her voice as her own gaze went somewhere past Kara, causing her heart to drop.

Oh no.

Glancing behind her, Kara saw the firefighter loitering around, appearing to have escorted someone to the emergency room. She quickly whipped her head back around, her eyes wide in shock.

"Jessie, do not-"

She began, about to threaten her friend with some sort of blackmail or violence, but she was too late. "Hey fire boy, you looking for Kara? She's right here!" Jessie raised her hand and waved, eager to get Connor's attention. Kara slowly turned to look, her cheeks red in utter humiliation as the taller woman deliberately tried to tease Kara, and there he was: clad in his firefighter gear from the waist down and a tight, white, cotton T-shirt for his upper body, quite a marvel to see. His most lethal weapon, of course, was his dazzling smile as he noticed them and made his way toward the two women with long, graceful strides, as though he hadn't been injured a mere handful of weeks earlier.

Well, shit.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: Excited, Flirty
Location: LA General Hospital, ER
Outfit: Firefighter Work Pants + white T-Shirt

”

​

​

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[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Excited | Embarrassed

outfit

Blue Cocktail Dress

location

L.A. General Hospital

interactions

Jessie & Connor

notes

ily Connor

The petite blonde wished she could shrink to the size of an atom and disappear completely, but the first damn law of thermodynamics would not allow such a thing to occur. Hiding desperately behind her computer monitor and typing away furiously, Kara focused her gaze on the screen, her face burning as Jessie waved the handsome firefighter over, trying desperately not to get caught up by his enchanting smile. Her pale eyes watched him interact with Jessie through her peripherals, focusing her breathing to try and calm down as he introduced himself and shook hands with her best friend. The sound of his voice made her shiver with its low tones and exuberant confidence, even when he didn't speak directly to her at first. However, his enunciation of her name made her smile reflexively, unable to control herself as her gaze wandered to him, watching as he placed his arms on the cart and leaned on them enough to demonstrate the way his muscles rippled beneath his skin, strong enough to grasp her attention.

"U-um..."

She stammered, the pale blue of her eyes flickering back up to meet with his gorgeous cerulean, not knowing how to respond in the moment, as her cheeks retained their rosy hue and she immediately averted her stare, blushing deeper as he complimented her.

"I-I'm doing well, thank you for asking."

She had no idea how to respond to him - on the one hand, he was attractive enough to steal the breath from her lungs and cripple her usual defenses when it came to advances from patients, and on the other hand, he had been her patient before, rendering those thoughts completely immoral and worth being fired over. Still, she couldn't help but grin wider as he continued to grace her words with his mischievous behavior, making her laugh as he mentioned being a model for Victoria's Secret all because of the hospital gown she had forced him to change into. He must have some sort of superpower to make people laugh, as Jessie herself was chuckling beside her, shaking her head and focusing on her own duties, for once.

Kara's train of thought had been struggling to remain on the tracks of completing her duties until Connor leaned closer to her, enough for her to smell his cologne or whatever scent he had upon him, mixed with the lingering smell of smoke from the flames he fought everyday and something else, something she couldn't quite place. At that moment, the train had been completely derailed, thinking only of Connor and just how close he was to her. The way he whispered, the way his lips moved as he spoke, it took everything she had for her knees to keep her upright and not buckle beneath her. "Cap may be adamant about us never going past those glass doors, but when our shifts draw to an end, he'll always find a way to persuade us to venture inside. It's because Cap's husband works here. He's just a simp who can't resist the opportunity to surprise him." Upon hearing this, Kara raised a brow, wondering who it was here that was married to Captain Nathaniel, her mind temporarily held in the clutches of curiosity.

"Are you free? Would you like to join me?" Connor's request made her heart leap into her throat, her eyes going wide as she looked at him with a mixture of awe and panic.

Did...did he just ask me out? Like...on a date?

She thought to herself, perplexed. Sure, they had been flirting mildly, but she thought it was all mostly for temporary amusement, not genuine! She forced herself to breathe, focusing on the question as he made sure to also include Jessie, as she had been listening in.

No...it wouldn't be a date, it's with his coworkers. It's just a friendly offer.

She convinced herself, now breathing easy in the moment.

"U-um...I appreciate the invite, but I have plans tonight. I'm actually supposed to be heading to the locker room to get changed now."

She offered shyly, pressing 'Enter' on her keyboard to submit the final changes to the last report, setting it up to print.

"Jessie, if you could take that to Mr. Pyle and discharge him, I would greatly appreciate it. Connor, if you'll excuse me."

She smiled softly as she moved past him, brushing against him briefly before heading deeper into the hospital and out of Connor's line of sight, disappearing into the crowds of the rather busy emergency room.

In the meantime, Jessie had been staring at her computer screen, occasionally glancing at Kara and Connor before the cute ginger realized she was still there and invited her as well. She raised her hand to stop him smiling as she bowed her head at him a moment in respect. "No worries, dude, no need to invite me." She nodded to Kara as the small blonde left the situation, leaving Jessie with Connor - probably her biggest mistake. The moment Kara was outside earshot, Jessie placed a hand on Connor's shoulder. "Listen, my guy, I'm going to need your help. Kara is in desperate need of someone who gives her the kind of attention and affection she needs, not the trash heap she's with right now." Jessie spoke bluntly, patting his shoulder reassuringly. "Right now she's getting dressed, and if tonight goes how I expect it will, she might need some support. I'm gonna give you my number, and I expect you to listen to me about this. I can tell you've already got the hots for her - I mean, who wouldn't - so I'm gonna try to help you out. Got it?" The tall platinum blonde smirked as she finally gave Connor some room to speak, withdrawing her hand and grasping a nearby piece of paper to scribble her number on before stuffing it in his right pocket.

A few moments passed, and Kara re-emerged, returning only to check in with Jessie and make sure she finished tying up the loose ends of her last patient's papers certainly not to see Connor's response to her new look and attire. She had taken a moment to apply some makeup, including black eyeliner, some mascara, completing the look with a light pink, glossy lipstick on her full lips. Truthfully, she would have liked to join Connor and his team, but she wanted to take advantage of the one free night she had that aligned with Dylan's schedule. Silvery heels complimented the dress as she walked towards Jessie and Connor, her shy smile back on her petite face.

"Got everything figured out, Jessie?"

"Yep, all set. You're ready to go, Kara, and looking fabulous. What do you think, Connor? How does she look?" Kara immediately reached over to lightly smack Jessie on the arm, her expression portraying the uneasiness she felt when Jessie assaulted Connor with her loaded question, making the her shift awkwardly.

"You don't have to answer her, Connor."

She wrapped her arm around her waist as a habit, covering herself slightly in self-consciousness. At around the same moment, Dylan arrived at the entrance of the hospital, standing not too far from the E.R. entrance, knowing Kara usually left through the back.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: Confused, Disappointed
Location: LA General Hospital, ER
Outfit: Firefighter Work Pants + white T-Shirt

”

​

​

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[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Mixed Emotions

outfit

Blue Cocktail Dress

location

L.A. General > Restaurant > Bar

interactions

Jessie, Dylan, & Connor

notes

ily Connor

Gazes that lingered too long always made her self-conscious, just as Jessie's and Connor's had, knowing full well that this was not something she wore often and that it was very flattering to the slight amount of curves she portrayed. She wasn't particularly blessed in the bosom department, but the rest of her figure made up for it, with the tight-fitting dress accentuating her hips and rear as she had made her way to the two awaiting her, appearing thick as thieves with something to hide. She pursed her lips together, shifting in discomfort after Jessie's question, but was quickly put at ease by the tall redhead's bumbling words, sweet with intention and earnest emotions. "Wow, you are just... so incredibly beautiful. You look amazing." The words that left Connor's lips made her pale blue eyes widen in surprise and her ears burn in bashfulness, her heart aflutter with the raw admiration she felt from him. It occurred to her then that she hadn't felt this way in some time.

Her piercing gaze watched him with curiosity and mild amusement as he also expressed a twinge of embarrassment, his hands immediately seeking his pockets in an effort to bestill his beating heart, forcing a smile to tug at the corners of her lips. "Very, very pretty." The soft murmur made her giggle as the shy smile widened into a pleased grin, feeling delight bubble up inside her.

He really does think I'm pretty.

Her cheeks retained their warmth as her gaze shifted past him, her smile faltering for but a moment as she watched Dylan approach, a displeased expression on his features. The moment his long strides reached her side, one of his hands wrapped around her thin waist, gripping her side a tad bit too tightly as he moved her closer to him, almost causing her to stumble in the silvery heels she clearly hadn't adjusted to. He lowered his head to hers, whispering softly in her ear.

"Hello, honey. Looking a bit much, are we? I thought we agreed you should only look this good in private." A smirk adorned his rather handsome features, his smile charming as his poison-laced words seeped into her ears, the danger in them undetected to her oblivious nature as she nodded obediently, her warmth dissipating to the cool façade of maintaining appearances, as if out of habit. Connor's introduction startled her out of her blank reverie, a mixture of emotions hidden behind the curtain of a smile that graced her decorated features. Connor's outstretched hand hung between the redhead and her fiancé, the awkward tension almost palpable as Dylan refused to take his hand, only just then acknowledging Connor's presence, only to correct him. "Fiance." His voice was curt, a micro-expression of disgust flashing across his chiseled visage as Connor offered his half-hearted congrats, earning a soft expression of sympathy from the small Kara, dwarfed beside the tall, alpha male.

Jessie remained silent, having turned back to her laptop as she continued her work, resolving any unfinished business while she refused to acknowledge Dylan's presence. She threw Connor a pitiful glance before turning to Kara and smiling, expressing genuine concern for her friend whilst still ignoring Dylan. "If you need anything, Kara, let me know. I've got my plans tonight, but I'll text you." She pursed her pale lips together as Connor bid them adieu, her own gaze demonstrating her frustration and her sympathy for the redhead before she walked off, nodding politely at Connor as they both walked off, leaving Kara standing still beside Dylan. "Jeez, is she ever going to get over what happened last time? It was only a joke." Dylan scoffed as his hand left Kara's waist immediately, instead slipping into the crook of her arm as she led him through the emergency room, most people steering clear of the 'power couple' gossiped about with hushed whispers in places one usually wouldn't think to look twice. Kara frowned, wincing slightly as his grip, once more, was too tight for her taste.

"You basically called her a slut, Dylan, of course she's upset."

Kara tried to keep up as best she could, stumbling slightly as they stepped through the automated doors to the adjacent parking lot, adorned by the glittering beams of sunlight across raindrops scattered atop most of the vehicles in the lot, including her own small, light blue Chevy Spark, its familiar dent in the passenger door visible all the way from the staff entrance they hovered in. Steering her towards his own vehicle, a sleek, convertible Mercedez-Benz that shimmered in the sunrays, chirping as he unlocked it with his free hand. "Come on, Kara, it wasn't that bad. And hurry it up, I want to make our reservation in time." He released her arm at the car, turning his head to look back at her with a frown and his brow furrowed. Dropping her own gaze to the ground, she nodded with a mumbled apology and made her way around the vehicle to the passenger side, attempting not to step in the puddles that riddled the old lot before yanking the heavy door open and slipping into the smooth, leather seat.

Dylan entered the vehicle at around the same time, situating himself with a sense of urgency as he started the car and buckled himself quickly, Kara echoing his actions with the same sense of hurriedness before attempting to engage in conversation.

"S-so how was work? You won't get called in tonight, right?"

She smiled up at him expectantly, folding her hands in her lap as she awaited his reply, watching him glance towards his phone as he docked it on the plastic arm attached to his dashboard. He continued to focus on his phone, tapping away at it silently before he grasped the wheel and began their drive, bullying his way into the street and ignoring the tirade of car horns that blared at him as he swerved into the street. He took that moment to reply to Kara as she clung tightly to the secure handle above the door, her knuckles white. "Of course, darling, I told them I would be busy this afternoon and only to call me if they had any leads on the new case." He flashed his pearly whites at her before his phone began to ring, interrupting her chance to speak. Of course, it was a work call, as he began to chatter away about his latest caseload and Kara sighed into the soft cushion, her icy stare watching the buildings and the occasional tree pass by during their commute, a wallflower in her own relationship.

---

~Some time later~​

---

The sleek convertible pulled up to Dylan's restaurant of choice, wheeling into the parking lot slowly with regard to the undercarriage of the vehicle, taking its time to go over the divot in the curb that allowed entry to The Capital Grille. It was known for being a fine dining steakhouse and always served good food, though it was a little bit too refined for the blonde's tastes. Still, she was excited to get some quality time with Dylan, excluding the car ride to the extravagant eatery he had chosen for them. As Dylan shifted the vehicle into park, he finished up his conversation with his Lieutenant, their discussion topic mostly addressing late reports and large amounts of paperwork. The brunet let out a disgruntled sigh before he exited the driver's side and closed the door gingerly, running his fingers through his hair in a moment of frustration. He wore a grey suit jacket with a white button up beneath it, contrasted by navy blue slacks and sleek, black Oxfords, all of which enhanced his overall appeal, earning him a couple stares from some fancied up dames passing by.

Her 3-inch heels clacked against the asphalt noisily as Kara hurried to keep up with Dylan, her small strides struggling to match his lengthy ones as he headed to the restaurant entrance, briefly holding the door open for Kara as he slid his phone into his back pocket, allowing her to clumsily scurry inside, grasping her arm again as she almost stumbled on a lip of rug that separated tile from carpet on her way in. "Jeez, Kara, I can't take you anywhere!" His laugh at her maladroit composure made her skin flush a deep red, garnering stares from those around them, making her duck her head in embarrassment as she straightened up, hovering just behind his large stature. Her chin quivered slightly as she trailed behind him, listening in hurt silence. "Reservation for Thompson, table for two. We'll have a Chianti, please." Sulking, the dirty blonde followed slowly, her arms crossed across her bosom as they reached their pristine seating arrangement, a small, square table with a seat on either side, allowing the two of them to sit across from one another and chat while they enjoyed their meal. It was equipped with a salt shaker, a pepper shaker, and sugar packets for tea, much like most cuisine establishments.

Lowering herself in her chair, Kara shook off the thoughts brimming at her lips and smiled, shifting until she was comfortable before placing her arms on the table.

"So, what do you want to talk about?"

She asked politely, fumbling with the engagement ring on her left ring finger that still felt out of place as Dylan sat and looked at the menu, responding while he perused the entrees. "Well, your dad called me again this morning, says you've blocked his number. Is that true?" His tone was polite, but the weight of his words forced her to sag in her seat, her face blanched.

"Dylan, I...I really would rather we discuss something else..."

She stammered, clearly taken aback as he thanked the attentive waiter for bringing their wine and proceeded to pour it into their wine glasses, his expression unchanged. He continued without hearing her.

"You know, all he really wants is what's best for you, Kara. Becoming a doctor with such a renowned history would guarantee you better work than what you have now and would actually be worth doing." Normally, one would react with anger, but all she could do was feel smaller and smaller, as though she was nothing more than the child her father bore his excruciating teachings into day after wretched day. She fought to swallow the painful memories that surfaced, her pale gaze hesitantly flickering back up to him as he began to order, selecting something meaty for him and a salad for her.

"I...I like what I do, Dylan. I get to work closely with my patients and get to know them and their struggles. I love being there when they make their recoveries, and I cherish being able to hold their hands when they need support."

Her chin began quivering again, her eyes avoiding Dylan's as he peered at her, almost throwing her a glare. He opened his mouth to continue to push, but was interrupted by the a sound that was becoming grating to the ears as he reached into his back pocket and retrieved the rectangular device, letting out a soft, 'Hmph,' before answering it.

"Yes, sir? I'm not on call right now." He began, his expression rather annoyed, though with whom Kara couldn't tell. After a mere few seconds, his air changed entirely, now rigid with determination. "Sir. Right away." He promptly hung up the phone, glanced at Kara, and for a moment, a sliver of apology alighted his chiseled features. "I'm sorry, Kara, I have to go back to work. It's incredibly important. I'll call you a cab, you can go ahead and eat without me." He offered an apologetic smile that would be enough to woo any woman with before dashing from the table in a hurry, leaving her alone at the table with her mouth agape in disbelief.

"I guess we're not that important..."

She muttered under her breath, irritated but also feeling tears threaten to flow as she remained in her seat, grasping the sides of her seat tightly so as to avoid lashing out. She steeled herself after a couple teardrops has already fallen, not knowing how much time had passed since Dylan had left. A couple minutes? Longer? Her food had been placed in front of her, a measly salad that looked light in appearances and even lighter in calories.

Making a noise of frustration, she rose from her seat and stormed outside the restaurant, stumbling slightly once again on that damn rug. The dam that contained her feelings began turning faulty as more streaks of mascara made their way down her face, with only her emotions to blame as the night was still and cloudless, the moon shining above in a starless sky thanks to the amount of light pollution present in the city. Waving the cab driver off, she walked along the sidewalk, smearing her tears away as she listened to the bustling nightlife, wishing that hers hadn't ended almost as soon as it began. She sighed, losing her sense of focus as she crossed the streets without a care in the world, passing one, two, three lights until her legs began to quiver, tears wracking her body more violently than before. Crouching down, she remained curled up, balanced on her heels as she wept, her figure trembling until she calmed herself again, knowing very well that she looked a mess at this point.

Unwilling to go home so soon, she glanced around, her eyes searching for an escape that would allow her to think about something other than the disaster of a dinner and her relationship that was in shambles. Finally, her eyes settled on a small, well-lit sight nearby, right next door to the Stillwell Hotel: Hank's, it read, with "delightful, dining, & drinking," in blocky, black lettering below. Sniffling, she pulled out her phone, texting Jessie as she wiped the remaining tears from her face.

'Dylan bailed, going to a bar. I'm sorry, you were right.'

She tapped away before straightening up once again, marching her way to the bar with another idle sniffle, trying to hold in her despair.

I should have taken Connor up on his offer.

She bit her lip, regretting that she had taken so much time and effort just to clear the damn night just to be abandoned by Dylan to his work, yet again. She pushed the glass door open with one hand and wiped at her mascara with the other, determined to drink off the night's events, when a familiar redhead came into view, standing a mere five feet ahead of her.

"...Connor?"

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: Relaxed
Location: LA Downtown, Hank's Bar
Outfit: blue Jeans + off-white shirt

”

​

​

old - deleted

 

[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Overwhelmed | Cheerful

outfit

Blue Cocktail Dress

location

Hank's Bar

interactions

Connor & Crew

notes

ily Connor

As fate would have it, the petite dirty blonde came upon the exact same hole-in-the-wall bar that Connor and his team were celebrating Connor's return at, where he had invited her. She had stood there, a sniffling, sobbing mess, in front of Connor and all of his close coworkers, dumbfounded and a wreck from her fiancé's determination to work as much as humanly possible. To her surprise, rather than chastise her for crying and ruining her makeup, Connor had demonstrated a kindness she hadn't anticipated, embracing her and allowing her to weep, her emotions pouring past the broken remnants of her stone façade. The gentleman walked her outside, giving her the time and support she struggled to find on a regular basis with one whom she had almost sworn her life to, and still planned to. Yet it wasn't that man here that was giving her a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen to — it was a flirty, red haired firefighter she had met a couple weeks prior and fought to treat, only to be swept off her feet by his charming personality and devilishly good looks. He even offered his shirt to appease her tears when she had little to no choice of how to hide her tears.

Even as she expressed her struggles and her pain, Connor demonstrated a kindness and understanding that she had only ever really experienced from Jessie, and her attempts at cheering Kara up usually came with cheesy movies and wine. Somewhere in the back of her mind, the information that Connor was single had taken root, as well as his offer to be there and talk to her whilst her fiancé remained absent from her life. Guilt filled her heart as she contemplated pursuing such a relationship, but the loneliness that lived their consumed any guilt she felt after seeing Connor's warm-hearted sincerity light up his appearance. How could she say no to the man when her mascara had already stained the white article of clothing clinging to his midriff? Smiling at his question, she asked for a Long Island Iced Tea, appreciating his amicable nature. She followed him through the bar similarly to a child following their parent, timid and afraid to stray too far as he spoke with the bartender, offering him a military I.D. Intrigued by his possession of such a card, she raised an eyebrow, peeking around him briefly to potentially gain a better view, but remained silent, following him as best she could in the heels that were starting to ache around the ankles.

The wave of silence that passed over Connor's firefighter coworkers made Kara's nerves worsen, as the stares were both unsettling and concerning. She glanced Connor's way as they walked forward, worrying that she may have been intruding or that they may already dislike her. Kara recognized Captain Nathaniel and Austin, giving half-hearted waves of greeting until Ophelia, a gorgeous woman with dark hair tied back in a braided bun, tan skin, and deep brown eyes gasped, causing Kara to freeze. "Oh my, is that Kara?" The brunette woman grinned as she asked, her playful tone causing Kara's brow to furrow as she looked Connor's way, noticing the red tinge in his cheeks and the hint of embarrassment in his voice as he told her to shut up. Pale blue eyes wide in surprise, she glanced back at Ophelia, blinking rapidly as she tried to properly absorb the situation. He's talked about me? Her face slowly began to burn a light pink as she pondered that thought, listening and nodding as he introduced her to his crew one by one, providing her with a brief list of names to memorize — as a nurse, it wouldn't be difficult — whilst appreciating the bar's low lighting and atmosphere as it mostly concealed her blush.

She thanked Charles with a nod for offering her his seat beside Ophelia, a shy,

"Thank you,"

barely leaving her lips before the cheerful woman beside her asked about her previous plans, causing Kara to still once more and glance at Connor in a panic. Thankfully, he handled the situation in her tensed moment of anxiety, and she broke out into an appreciative smile as her grateful eyes met his. When Chi-han perked up, Kara's gaze shifted, taking in the other woman's appearance as she, too, teased Connor for, once again, talking about Kara. A brief flicker confirmed that Connor was, as Chi-han stated, just as red as she claimed, indicating it carried some truth, only to be confirmed by Charles, who somehow knew she was a nurse. Flustered, she laughed lightly, shifting in the cushioned bar chair while she cleared her throat.

"Um, I...well nurses get to work more closely with patients, and I...I really like to help them through what they're coping with. Doctors are only ever really around for providing diagnoses or major test or surgery results, while nurses help the patients more consistently and provide the food, medication, and anything else a patient would need. It's like a more complicated form of caretaking, and I enjoy that."

While she spoke, her attention shifted to her fingers as she fumbled with them, feeling rather awkward after being put on the spot, but still talking about her career with a passion. Charles nodded, one of his hands placed thoughtfully on his chin. "Being a paramedic is quite stressful, but very rewarding work." Ophelia piped up beside her, quickly adding with a warm smile, "But we're glad to hand off our patients to nurses like you." Kara beamed back at her, appreciating her friendly behavior and Charles' inquiry — it made her feel included, which was an unfamiliar sensation.

"That and being a paramedic is too stressful for me,"

Kara chuckled, smiling abashedly before glancing towards Chi-han, her shy demeanor returning.

"Um..H-he's talked about me?"

Her tone embarrassed, but piqued by curiosity as she analyzed the woman's face intently. A wicked grin spread on her angular features as her eyes turned to Connor, his blush beginning to spread as he shifted his drink in his hands. "Oh yeah he did, didn't you, big boy?" Kara watched as Connor attempted to shrug off Chi-han's teasing remark, dismissing it with a nonchalant, "I just mentioned that you were my nurse." She lifted his glass to his face, attempting to hide it as he sipped his drink and Austin chimed in, "And that you were pretty." Edmundo swallowed his gulp of whatever colorful drink he had ordered, pointing at Kara. "Oh, and he kept telling us today that he would get injured just to see you again." At that, her lips parted, genuinely shocked at Connor's behavior. He pulled the glass away from his lips for a moment and rolled his eyes, offering a small shrug through his embarrassment. "What can I say, she's just a very good nurse."

Kara burst into joyous, lighthearted laughter at their banter, genuinely amused by their interactions. She envied this, wishing that she'd had an experience similar to this at some point in her life, but grateful to be witnessing one now.

"You...you guys act like a family, you know that? It's pretty rare to see a bunch of coworkers so close to one another."

She wiped at another tear, this one born from humor, as she commented on their work relationship, looking between the lot of them. Captain Nathaniel perked up, providing his contribution as their commander: "Well, we are a family. We may all have our personal lives and our own little families, but the fire house and all its members are one big family, as well." His comforting smile helped Kara feel a sense of what home should feel like with Connor's gang, filling her with a warmth she hadn't anticipated. Tears began to threaten her again, until Chi-han added with a not-so-hushed whisper: "And Connor's the annoying little brother," making the dirty blonde laugh again while Connor gave Chi-han the finger accompanied by a devilish, lopsided grin.

"Well, for what it's worth, I'm glad Connor told you about me. You guys seem like a really fun bunch of people. Also saves me from having to tell you I'm a nurse or that I'm pretty."

Kara added with a small amount of snark that made both Ophelia and Chi-han snicker, as well as add to Connor's beet red complexion. The atmosphere became more relaxed as they conversed, growing comfortable with one another and getting to know each other. At some point, Austin asked about how long Kara had lived in L.A., while Edmundo asked why she decided to join the crew with Connor being such a weirdo, both ending with laughter and more drinks as they proceeded to enjoy the night. At some point, Kara scooted a little closer to Connor, giving Ophelia space to wave her arms about as she told some entertaining story from their earlier days of firefighting, and briefly glanced up at Connor, her cheeks warm from the amount of alcohol she'd consumed and her proximity to the attractively well-built man.

"Thank you for letting me join you guys. They're a lot of fun."

She whispered up at him, her arm brushing against his as she leaned towards him slightly, taking advantage of the fact that the others were quite engrossed in Ophelia's storytelling or their own alcoholic beverages. She herself was on her third...or perhaps her fourth...and was certainly feeling the effects, her mind fuzzy and her heartbeat loud in her ears as the warmth in her chest made her shiver slightly against Connor. as his soft words graced her ears, she watched him with a smile, listening more to him than to Ophelia. "You're always welcome here with us." His smile was comforting and polite, though his gaze shifted to their arms shortly after and his cheeks once more became speckled with a darkish tint, making her smirk up at him.

"You know, you look really cute when you blush."

The moderately intoxicated blonde leaned closer to him, watching him eagerly with her pale, sky blue stare, her lips widening into a grin as his blush deepened and his cerulean gaze met hers. "Am I?" His bashful whisper made her giggle against him, leaning her head against his shoulder while she looked up at him. His angelic smile was radiant as he returned the compliment, his flirtatious nature showing. "I guess you look pretty cute, too."

A soft scoff escaped her lips as she shifted slightly, continuing to peer at him with a mischievous smirk on her lips once more.

"Pretty cute, huh? I remember you saying incredibly beautiful and amazing and very, very, veeeery pretty. I think that's more than pretty cute."

She pouted her lips playfully, gently poking his chest with each compliment he had given her earlier that day, watching with satisfaction as he chuckled, his gaze locked with hers, the smaller woman unable to read the emotions hidden within them. "Well, I do think you're very... very beautiful." Her heart leapt as she barely heard him speak, her smirk falling as she analyzed his features for any hint of trickery, her blood pounding in her ears. She broke the stare and sat up straight after a moment of being unable to look away, forcing her breathing to regulate as she moved to finish her drink in one go, asking for yet another whilst blushing furiously.

Damn it, what am I doing?

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: Slightly tipsy, nervous, flirty
Location: LA Downtown, Hank's Bar
Outfit: blue Jeans + off-white shirt

”

​

​

old -deleted

 

[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Cheerful & Embarrassed > Sick

outfit

Blue Cocktail Dress

location

Hank's Bar

interactions

Connor & Crew

notes

ily Connor

As it passed through her lips, the warmth of the tea-colored alcohol spread down her throat and into her chest, tingling her insides with an almost buzzing sensation as she allowed the drink to mellow her out, calming the anxious panic that had briefly overtaken her mind in the moment of vulnerability in front of a man she had no business flirting with. She was taken - engaged, no less - and she was here, flirting with another man, spending time with people who were essentially his family, and enjoying their presence more than she deserved to. Guilt wracked her heart as she finished the beverage, the waiter coming around to replenish it as Connor called for them with a sense of urgency that gave her a small sense of relief - he was as nervous as she was. The moment Austin returned the table's attention to the two flirts, Kara's crimson blush spread to her ears as she shoved her face in her glass, desperate to hide it from view. She wanted nothing more than to find a hole to crawl in so she could avoid all of the teasing that was going on, even though it was directed at Connor more than her. However, when Connor blamed his attraction on the booze, she felt a small twinge of hurt in her heart, making her ache as she tuned out of the conversation, her eyes flickering up only when she heard her name mentioned.

Of course, being the stubborn woman she was, she declared she could hold her own when it came to alcohol, her eyes meeting Connor's for a brief moment before she turned away again, the scarlet stain upon her face unchanged as she began drinking her fifth drink, feeling her mind slowly give in to the mellow, relaxed sensation of being entirely drunk. She lightly swayed from side to side as she listened to the music playing towards the back of the bar, closing her eyes and focusing on the melody to help relax her mind and body before she was asked another question, this time by Ophelia, regarding animals. Immediately, her mind was enraptured by the topic. She loved animals, and made that point very clear, resulting in some laughter from the others as well as an amused comment from Edmundo, though his words were a tad bit fuzzy. Ophelia grasped her attention once more after Kara was so rudely interrupted during her ramble, mentioning something about a party and her wanting Kara to attend, as well as the fact that there would be pets present. Enthused, Kara asked quite obviously, expressing her glee at the potential for meeting fuzzy friends.

"You want me to come?!"

Ophelia's matched excitement made Kara bounce and dance with excitement, turning to share her delight with the man who had so easily captured her attention and was slowly encroaching upon her walled-off heart.

"Connor, you have the best friends. Makes sense, cause I like you, too."

She smiled warmly up at him, all sense of inhibition completely absent from her personal atmosphere, replaced with a bubbly, happy-go-lucky aura that was rather contagious. The dirty blonde beamed up at Connor, giggling softly as he nearly choked on his beverage, but rather than saying a snarky, playful comment, he leaned closer to her, his soft whisper and kind eyes genuine as he responded, warming her heart more than the alcohol or Dylan ever had. "Yeah? I'm glad. I like you, too." Kara's pale blue gaze locked onto Connor's soothing look, her heart beginning to race once more - or had it been racing this entire time? A tapping on her hand distracted her from Connor's softness, directing a confused, furrowed expression towards her hand, then towards the person who had reached over to tap it. Chi-han pointed at Connor, offering Kara another tidbit of his personality with a kind expression. "Did you know that he's really good with animals?" She prompted, making Kara's eyes go wide in astonishment.

"Oh, that's true! He actually helped me out with my reactive dog, Layla." Ophelia added on, furthering Kara's amazement. She turned to look back at Connor, her mouth agape in surprise as her inebriated mind tried absorbing the information. He quickly moved to dismiss the praise, his bashfulness taking over once again. "No, really, it's not a big deal. When I was younger, we had a dog for a brief period. He had some behavioral issues, so I spent my time training him, working on reducing his reactivity and such. Just a small thing, really." Despite his attempts to downplay his experiences, Kara immediately harped on his explanation, placing a hand on his arm excitedly.

"That's so awesome!! Do you think you could help me try to do that with my cat?! Is that something you can do with cats? That's so cool!"

Her ebullient behavior took over the conversation as soon as the other women turned it to Connor, Kara's fervor livening up the table once again.

"I... have never heard of reactive cats, but ehm- I guess?" Kara's brightly lit features quickly drooped into a disappointed expression, her lower lip jutting out slightly in a pout.

"Oh...okay. Maybe not."

She sighed dejectedly, sipping once more on her fifth and probably final drink, her brow furrowing as she looked at the amber-colored liquid, her very-full bladder suddenly making itself known as she was reminded of her liquid intake by the icy beverage sweating on the table in her grasp. Her absentminded hand still on Connor's arm, Kara mumbled softly to herself,

"I need to pee."

Shifting out of her seat, she attempted to put all of her weight down on one foot to steady herself as she got off the chair, but failed horribly as her knees buckled beneath her, eliciting a small yelp from her as she plummeted to the ground, shutting her eyes tightly as she braced herself for the impact that never came.

Feeling a warm grasp about her waist, she blinked one eye open, her arms curled up in front of her from the panic as she realized Connor had caught her, and that she was feeling his large, strong hands on either side of her, holding her upright. Realizing that he must have jumped from his seat to keep her from collapsing, she offered a dry laugh as the world spinned, murmuring a soft, "Oh God," as he helped her stand steadily, offering his arm to her. "You okay? Hold onto me." She nodded, obliging as she grasped his strong forearm, using it to root herself until the world started spinning. Ophelia had also risen from her seat, offering a sympathetic smile. "Bathroom?" The brunette asked with a soft chuckle, to which Kara nodded. She smiled shyly up at Connor, embarrassed but grateful for his aid.

"Thank you, handsome. Veeery muscley~"

She teased as Ophelia gently tugged on Kara's arm, leading her away from the table of talkative firefighters to the womens' restroom, kept impeccably clean despite its public status.

The moment Kara entered the restroom, she immediately stumbled into a stall, abandoning Ophelia's arm for the sweet release of her bladder - she hadn't had a chance to eat earlier, so the alcohol was the only thing filling her growling stomach. The petite blonde groaned, urging a concerned response from Ophelia. "Everything alright in there, Kara?" Her voice was laced with a hint of worry, to which Kara physically waved off, not realizing Ophelia couldn't see it.

"Mmm...fine...just hungry. Haven't eaten since lunch...?"

The drunk woman attempted to focus on the events from earlier in the day, but quickly gave up as she finished her business and stumbled out of the stall, reaching the sink to wash her hands. Sadly, that was not the only use she would make of the porcelain dish as she quickly began to vomit, emptying part of the contents of her stomach. Ophelia lurched forward, words of panic and distress coming from her, but most of it was muffled to Kara's ears as her mind spun and her body heaved against the counter.

She wasn't sure how long the two of them remained there, Kara hunched over the running sink with Ophelia holding most of her hair back, only feeling relieved when Kara could finally regulate her breathing despite her sluggish body language and drooping eyelids. Ophelia's voice floated back into existence in Kara's mind as she heard her soft voice ask in a motherly tone, "Kara, honey, let's get you home. Where do you live? We can take you there." Her gentle behavior and thoughtfulness made Kara feel warm once more, cherishing the care that she showed for the stumbling woman.

"Um...erm...I...don't...know."

Kara murmured between staggered breaths as she leaned into Ophelia, her arm draped over the taller woman's shoulders as they left the bathroom and headed towards the table with all of Connor's friends. "Hey Connor, we have a slight problem."

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: concerned
Location: back seat of the cab on its way to his apartment
Outfit: blue jeans + off-white shirt

”

​

​

old - deleted

 

[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Drunk & Sleepy

outfit

Blue Cocktail Dress > Black Bra & Shorts

location

Hank's Bar > Connor's Apt

interactions

Connor

notes

ily Connor

Overlapping voices reduced to hushes fell on overwhelmed ears as the noises of the people surrounding them and the music overhead quickly took over her senses, as well as the smell of the very alcohol she had just vomited. The burning sensation of her gastric juices lingered in her throat and mouth despite sipping water, but not much could be done about it in her current state. Her sight of the bar spun, her head tilted as she struggled to see straight and make her way successfully back to Connor's table - thankfully Ophelia knew the way and could guide them safely. Connor briefly appeared in her vision before melding back into the blurry background, still managing to make her smile just by being there. Ophelia's voice barely escaped her understanding, but the collective groan that ensued from the table made her giggle softly in amusement. Maybe Ophelia told a really bad pun?

In what felt like seconds, Kara felt Ophelia's presence leave and a large warmth replace it, murmuring softly in Connor's voice: "C'mon, lean onto me." Obligated to do what she was told, she leaned into the comforting embrace, feeling it anchor her to the Earth from where her mind floated above, still holding onto the buzzed feeling of the alcohol in her system.

"Oh, you smell so good."

She whispered softly, giggling as the firefighter took her, holding her close and giving her the resolute support she needed to continue to stand in place. A pinching sensation began to emanate from her feet, and, glancing down, she noticed the redness on the backs of her feet and at her toes, frowning deeply as she tried to understand why her feet were changing color.

"Hmm..."

She mumbled, holding on tightly to Connor, gripping his shirt tightly as she made sure not to topple over.

The conversation had between Connor and his coworkers passed Kara by entirely, as she focused on the way he smelled, the bright colors of the bar, and how exhausted she was feeling. Connor's arms felt so comfortable that she considered dozing off, but the pain in her heels made it difficult to lull to any form of sleep. "No, I don't...I'm just taking her back to my place....I'll sleep on the couch. It's the best option we have for now." She heard the redhead's voice intermittently, her lips curling into a grin as he mentioned where they would be going.

Ooooh, Connor's rooooom.

She snorted softly in a fit of giggles as Connor guided her to the bar door, the chime sounding softly now that they crossed over from noisy bar to quieter streets, the only noises occupying them consisting of cars driving to and fro and people chattering outside of late night establishments.

As the boys wrangled up a taxi, Kara smiled, following Connor's lead as he helped her into her seat, which felt quite wobbly to her, and began to fasten her seatbelt for her, to which she giggled.

"So tall." So handsome.

She wore her affection for him clear as day on her pale face, giggling as her cheeks remained that steady shade of pink.

"You're so nice. And pretty."

She complimented him with no intention of holding back any thoughts that came to mind, her pale blue gaze somehow fixated on his, despite the swimming vision. She watched his attention shift down slightly, and her brow furrowed as she looked down at her chest, misinterpreting. She looked back up and narrowed her eyes at him, crossing her arms in front of her chest defensively.

"Hmph,"

was all she could manage to mutter as he settled into the seat beside her and said something about something to the taxi driver before handing him some cash.

"You know, you don't need to stare at my chest - they're just boobs. Staring is very rude, you know."

She sniffed indignantly at him, before leaning her head on his shoulder. "WHAT? I'm not staring at your boobs, Kara-" Despite the muscular firefighter's protests, his words fell on deaf ears as she slid one hand between his torso and his arm, wrapping around his arm as she hugged it to her for better pillow purposes.

"Mm... 'sides, I took you for an ass man, myself."

She mumbled as she leaned against him, giggling after she said it. The words he muttered after this comment, however, came through to her, making her blush deepen as she simply continued to giggle. "And well, I don't exactly have a preference myself. Both are good." She squeezed his arm in response, closing her eyes for what felt like a moment after her giggling subsided and she focused on his scent: a mixture of fire smoke from his uniform and what smelled like pine trees.

The quiet taxi ride to Connor's apartment wasn't too long, though it passed by rather quickly for the two of them as Kara began to doze on Connor's arm, snoring softly due to her congested nose from all of the crying several hours prior. The protective redhead watched her intently, occasionally glancing out of the taxi cab's window to keep track of where they were and ensure her safety. Several minutes passed as they drove from the center of L.A. to the nicer neighborhoods, to the suburbs that were only about half an hour from the station Connor worked at, conveniently nearby Long Beach. As the taxi reached its destination, Connor thanked the driver with a charming smile before attempting to retrieve Kara from the vehicle, unbuckling her and enveloping her petite figure with his arms, carefully lifting her from the cushions with as much tenderness as possible. With one arm beneath the crevice of her knees and the other clutching her back, he made sure she was securely against him before heading into the complex, climbing a flight of stairs to reach his single bedroom apartment, walking with stronger strides than the blonde would have been able to manage in her state. Stirring awake in his arms, Kara looked up at Connor with mild wonder in her hazy vision, smiling lazily upon seeing him.

"Well hello, handsome. If you weren't so far away, you would be veeeeery kissable right now."

She murmured, giggling softly in her sleepy stupor. The redhead physically paused, whether it was due to her words or because they were in front of his front door, she wasn't sure, and hesitated. "Let's get you to bed before you do anything stupid." He helped set her feet down on the ground, frowning as he noticed the blisters on the backs of her heels, but remaining silent as he helped her steady herself. She snickered softly in response, hugging him close as he helped her to her feet, enjoying the warmth and scent of him being so close. Her eyes closed as she leaned into his arm again, holding it tightly once more while she listened to the jingling of keys and eventually the opening of the door. Heavy eyelids opened up again with resistance as she moved in the direction Connor led her, appreciating the silence that followed - it was a much calmer environment than the bar, especially in the middle of the night.

The décor was quaint - it was simple, not very personalized - with sheets already on the couch, likely from when Connor had been injured, across from a TV on its stand, with a small dining table nearby and some chairs tucked beneath it. The table was very neat with only a couple pieces of mail on top of it, and a couple doors off to the side led to what she could only assume was the bedroom and a bathroom, or something of the sort. The tall, attractive man tossed his keys into a nearby bowl on the kitchen counter before continuing to guide Kara through the apartment, explaining its layout. She more or less understood - probably less - and simply wanted to collapse hear and there. She could feel the wooziness of the alcohol shift into exhaustion as he helped her plop onto the bed, giving her an opportunity to glance around the room.

The large bed was located in the center of the room, with a bedside table on one side and a bookshelf on the other. A couple guitars were nestled in their stands beside the bookshelf, while on her left there was a closet and another couple shelves containing what looked like photographs and trinkets. It was certainly more homey than the rest of the apartment. While she looked around, he spoke softly to her, kneeling down to remove the shoes that were causing her so much pain. "I can get you some clothing to sleep in and hopefully wear tomorrow. We'll see how things go from there." His care was nurturing and kind, making her smile instinctively. A nasty thought shoved its way into her skull, planting a seed of doubt in the marriage she was intending on going through with.

Why can't Dylan be like this?

Grumbling softly beneath her breath, she stood as soon as Connor helped her out of the high heels, beginning to unzip her dress and shimmy the fancy fabric off while he rummaged through his spacious closet for something she could sleep in.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: concerned --> sleepy
Location: his apartment
Outfit: blue jeans + off-white shirt --> black briefs

”

​

​

old - deleted

 

[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Panicky / Embarrassed

outfit

Connor's T-shirt & shorts

location

Connor's Apartment

interactions

Connor

notes

ily Connor

Rushing water woke her, startling the slumbering woman to rouse from her sleepy state, blinking in confusion as she reached up to rub at her eyes, brushing away the dry, crusty remnants of dreams. A pounding headache pulsed beneath her skull, forcing the petite woman to emit a small groan of pain as she stirred, already regretting the amount of alcohol she had consumed the night previous. Moments from the evening out came back in waves, along with her hangover, reminding her of the series of events that led to her consuming that much alcohol: Dylan walked out on her, she wandered the streets of downtown L.A. in tears, and just so happened to come upon the exact same bar Connor and his coworkers were celebrating at, so she ended up confiding in the attractive redhead and joining them in their gaiety. Her brow furrowed as she raised her hands from her eyes, holding them up in the air - she was without her ring, and her sleeves were not her own.

The blonde swung up from her resting position with a panic, trembling hands immediately going to her bosom to grasp at the shirt she had fallen asleep in. Frantic, she pulled the collar away from her figure, glancing down at her bare chest and feeling her breath become caught in her throat.

Oh dear God. No.

Beginning to hyperventilate, the petite woman looked around the room with wide eyes, not recognizing any of her surroundings - but recalling some of the faces in the photographs on the shelves beside her. She scrambled out of Connor's bed, tangled in sheets as she almost plummeted to the floor, and rushed over to the shelf, grasping at one of the frames gingerly, her heart pounding in her head. It was of Connor and his firefighter team, most of whom she recognized: Ophelia and Chi-han were among the freshest in her mind, along with Captain Nathaniel and Austin. The other two were somewhat fuzzy, but she knew their names started with C and E. Or was it A?

Shaky hands returned the frame to its rightful place, her chilly gaze roaming the rest of the shelf beside her, noticing the knickknacks that took up most of the remaining space, such as shells, rocks, a purple medal that seemed somewhat familiar, and...guitar picks? Her eyes wandered around the room once more, this time much less panicked as she soaked in her surroundings. His room was quite comfortable, with a large window opposite the bed, a filled bookshelf beside it, an acoustic guitar resting on a stand, and a mirror mounted on the door of a closet that was slightly ajar. The small woman idly stepped forward, overwhelmed with shock and panic when her toes hit a small metal bucket placed delicately by the head of the bed. She exhaled sharply with her brows furrowed as she realized Connor's kindness knew no bounds, her lower lip beginning to quiver as she struggled to think of what to say to Connor upon leaving his room.

Hugging herself shyly, the dirty blonde opened his bedroom door gingerly, peeking out at the remaining space of his modest apartment, spotting Connor at his dining table, sipping what smelled like freshly brewed coffee in a mug that appeared lovingly worn, even from a distance. Her pale blue eyes focused on Connor for a few heartbeats, realizing that he was wearing nothing more than a pair of boxers and that he was stunningly attractive, making her pulse race as she pushed the door open with her foot, her heart filled with a mixture of guilt, fear, and a small twinge of excitement. A small clearing of her throat startled Connor out of his early morning reverie, reminding him of her presence while she offered a nervous smile, panic bubbling up inside her once more.

"Uh...um. G-good morning..."

She felt so unbelievably small as her anxiety consumed her, approaching the dining area with a hesitant stride.

"Um...C-Connor, did we...? I'm so sorry, I shouldn't have joined you last night, I...I don't know what I'm going to do now... I can't stay with Dylan if I've slept with you, it wouldn't be right, and, and what will Jessie say?"

As soon as she began to outwardly express her dread, Connor sprung from his seat, immediately closing the distance between them - in her worried state, his actions were practically negligible.

"Are we an item now? Is that how this works? What should I-"

Her voice began to heighten in pitch as she wrung her hands together, interrupted only by Connor when he raised his voice at her, forcing her to flinch and cower slightly from his presence. "Kara, calm down!!" She immediately froze, her face twisted in a flicker of agony before she listened to him continue to speak. "Nothing happened. Nothing happened between us!" Her lips formed a disappointed frown for a fraction of a second before her face visibly relaxed, the tension relieved as he explained, gesturing at the couch covered in bedsheets. "I slept on the couch. I brought you here because you were too drunk to remember where you lived. Calm down, please." His clarification helped relieve the worry that weighed on her shoulders as she slowly nodded, her face turning crimson in embarrassment.

"Th...then why am I wearing your shirt...? Did you help me get changed?"

She fretted, realizing just how close he had become and turning an even deeper shade of red as she avoided looking at the rest of his toned figure, despite the desire she felt to do so.

"I technically only helped you take off your shoes. But ehm...you did change in front of me." The redhead quickly turned a shade that matched his hair, clearly feeling as bashful as she felt about the matter, quickly attempting to reassure her that he hadn't looked. Her hands immediately reached up to cover her embarrassed face as she muttered,

"Oh dear God, I am so sorry."

She briefly glanced at her injured feet, appreciating his kindness in helping her with her shoes. Upon his mention of seeing something he wasn't supposed to, she partially uncovered her face cleared her throat softly, too embarrassed to say anything, as she glanced down at his near-naked state, eventually meeting his cerulean eyes with a soft hint of laughter in her eyes. She watched as his brow furrowed in response and he glanced down at his scantily clad self, his head snapping back up to look at her. "Oh fuck, my bad!" Without giving her a chance to say much else, he sprinted to his room, shutting the door behind him with a moderate 'slam!' A soft giggle escaped her throat at the hilarity of their situation, the petite woman taking a seat opposite from where Connor had been drinking his coffee mere moments earlier.

Upon his return, Connor would see her curled up in the chair, her heels resting on the tip of the chair's seat as she hugged her legs to her chest and burrowed her face in her knees, feeling more and more like a child as she strove to come to terms with her emotions. Feeling just as awkward as she about their situation, he cleared his throat, bringing attention to his presence. "So ehm...do you want coffee? Breakfast?" He offered politely, his face still a light shade of pink as he walked towards the kitchen, one hand outstretched to the coffee pot while the other browsed his cabinets for a mug for her. Peeking out from just above her knees, she looked over his new choice of attire, noticing the way his T-shirt clung to his muscular build and how the sweatpants left very little to the imagination. She cleared her throat again as well, sitting up to address him properly.

"U-um...yes please. Connor, I'm...I'm so, so sorry you had to witness and deal with all of...that...last night. You even brought me here to your apartment and I..."

She sighed, her guilt overwhelming her.

"I feel terrible."

Expecting complaint, she reluctantly lifted her gaze to meet his, only to be met by confusion.

"Don't apologize, please. What should I have done? Just left you there?" He asked incredulously, laughing softly and shaking his head at her, the sound of his voice soothing her concerns. "It's all good. Don't worry about it." Pursing her lips together, she nodded, then added:

"Did I say anything stupid? I can hardly remember most of the night."

Rather than respond right away, he poured her a mug of coffee, serving it to her how she liked it after she gave him timid instructions, watching as he reached for his own coffee and wondering how he liked his own. "No...no, nothing really. Though you do need to drink some water, the alcohol didn't sit well with you last night." Groaning softly, she buried her face in her knees again, feeling embarrassed once more, this time for her drunken behavior. Still, she did as he requested, and sipped the glass of water he provided as well as the mug of fresh coffee, enjoying the energizing scent wafting from the blue and white polka-dotted mug. The two continued their leisurely chat as Connor began to make breakfast, refusing Kara's aid when she offered, determined to do the job as her host, which elicited a smile from her calmed visage.

While Connor made the usual breakfast foods - pancakes, bacon, and eggs - her curious gaze wandered the rest of his apartment, occasionally lingering on him as he made their meal, her heart pounding louder than usual the longer her stare remained on the skilled redhead. Aside from his bedroom, everything seemed rather...simplistic. Deciding to voice her inquiry, she finished another gulp of coffee and asked softly,

"Um...if you don't mind me asking, why is it so...bare out here? Your room feels much more lived in, but this,"

she gestured to the living room and dining area,

"feels very...minimalistic, for lack of a better term."

She lowered the mug to the table, smiling as he placed a "smiley breakfast" in front of her and sat back in his own seat with a plate of food not nearly as cute in presentation. A soft, "Oh," came from his lips as he glanced around, giving her a small shrug. She instantly regretting asking, her stomach knotting up as she realized the possible implications. "I guess I'm just...still getting used to the fact that all of this is mine, and I'm able to be myself all around my apartment, and not just my bedroom." The smile on his lips as he began to eat felt different than the other times he had grinned at her, feeling...empty.

He quickly added, "My parents are just very neat-freaky," before taking a bite of his food, as if to quell her further confusion. Not wanting to press him for personal information, she glanced back at her food, eating in silence, except to thank him for the food. After lowering her legs from the seat, however, she winced, realizing her ankles and toes were still quite sore from the heels she'd worn the night before.

"Could I trouble you for some Band-Aids and ointment?"

Her feet ached, but with some proper care, they would heal rather quickly, as long as she took it easy. Without a second thought, the redhead instantly rose from his seat, nodding in confirmation before taking his long strides towards his bathroom and quickly returning with the first aid kit that would soothe her pains. "I doubt you need some help with that, but I'll offer it anyway." His joking mannerisms returned, making her smile shyly in relief and appreciation.

"If you don't mind, I would be grateful for your help. I'm still a little woozy."

Again, his soft laughter rang through the barren apartment, like music to her ears. "I can imagine." Accompanied by a wink, his flirtatious atmosphere returned, making her scoff as he joked about her not drinking a lot and then forgetting where she lived.

"Is that why you brought me here?? I'm so sorry! And no...I don't really drink. Last night was just...rough, as you know. But thank you for letting me join you."

She covered her face again, mortified by her idiocy in her drunken stupor. The sensation of gentle fingertips on hers startled her as Connor's outstretched hand slowly pried her hands away from her face, meeting her frozen fears with the comforts of the ocean. "Please, Kara. Stop apologizing. It's really all good. I get it - feel free to join us whenever. And hey..." He'd smiled, pausing for a moment as his earnest gaze turned serious. "My offer still stands. If you wanna talk... you can talk to me." The blonde's lip quivered slightly as she could feel her walls start to crumble bit by bit, choosing to embrace him rather than speak further, knowing full well that she would break down if she tried to say anything about how she felt. Her arms wrapped around him, resting atop his shoulders while her hands splayed across his toned back, holding him close.

"Thank you. You too,"

was all she could muster, hugging him tightly regardless of the mixed feelings she felt, wanting nothing more than the warmth and comfort he provided her in her moment of weakness last night.

♡coded by uxie♡

 

[captain_bumblebee]

Connor O'Neil — 23

“

Mood: content
Location: his apartment -> corner shop
Outfit: olive drab t-shirt + grey sweatpants -> tank top + shorts

”

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old - deleted

 

[Anaxileah]

scroll

nurse

Kara

mood

Embarrassed > Happy / Curious

outfit

Connor's T-shirt & shorts

location

Connor's Apartment > Shop > Park

interactions

Connor

notes

ily Connor

Her heart hammered so forcefully against her chest that she swore he could feel it, too, as she hugged him close, swallowing back the flow of tears that threatened in the corners of her eyes. She sighed into the hug as he held her back, his warm embrace allowing her to relax as she felt his strength envelop not only her body but her heart as well. Despite their difference in height, she felt her body fit perfectly against his caress, her awareness of his fingertips on her back making her shiver despite the warmth of the sunrays that fell across their combined figures. In his arms, she felt at ease, as though nothing could harm her and nothing could go wrong. Thoughts of Dylan flooded her mind at that moment as she recalled the evening prior, instantly making her withdraw from Connor's embrace and avoid his gaze, clearing her throat softly, eager to fill the intimate air with something other than her conflicted emotions.

"You wouldn't happen to like morning runs, would you? I obviously don't have the shoes, but... I'm itching for a jog. Do you know where I could go?"

She hugged herself tightly, rubbing her arms with the opposite hands as she tried to shake off the delightfully chilling sensation she got from the feeling of Connor's skin on hers. She was eager to return to some semblance of normalcy by recalling her usual morning routine, even though it was late in the morning. "Oh, I always go for a morning jog, too. Wanna go together?" The way the word 'together' struck a chord in her heart made it skip a beat, a smile subconsciously fluttering to her lips as she beamed at him, her heart filling once more from the joy she felt at his side.

"I would love to! We might have to stop somewhere so I can buy a pair of sneakers, though."

She laughed softly as she gestured to her bandaged feet, relishing in the fact that she had made him laugh as well.

"There's a small shop just around the corner; they have a variety of items. I'm sure they'll have shoes too." A gentle nod of agreement from Kara indicated her understanding as Connor excused himself from the room, undoubtedly to change into clothing more suited for exercise. Kara raised a brow at him in intrigue, wondering what kind of clothing he wore on his runs before looking down at herself, her thin fingers grasping at the hems of the oversized T-shirt, a small frown on her lips.

This is only going to make running difficult, and I'm not wearing a sports bra... Hmm.

Contemplating her conundrum, Kara reached for the small clutch she had carried out with her, containing her phone, a couple of hair ties, and other assorted items helpful for going out - her I.D., some cash, and so on. Ignoring the '7 Notifications' that illuminated her phone screen, she reached for a hair tie and bunched all of the loose cloth of the T-shirt in the front, deftly tying it together with the spare hair tie with enough of it loosened so she could move freely. The black shorts she wore beneath hugged her figure very closely, the fabric clinging to her skin but stretchy enough to allow her legs to move quickly without generating too much friction while she ran.

Bzzt. A sigh escaped Kara's lips as she reached for the sequined clutch once more, this time retrieving her phone from its silken interior, using her thumbprint to unlock the device and grimacing as she saw the number of missed calls. 5 missed calls. 2 voicemails. 2 text messages from Jessie, Dylan. A groan escaped her lips as she listened to the voicemails, one of which was from Dylan, the other from Jessie. Determining that Jessie was the more important of the two, she listened to her short, cheerful message with a small smile. "Hey girl, you know who it is! I wanted to call and make sure you were okay, since I didn't hear from you last night or early this morning. I really hope you're just asleep and not dead in a ditch somewhere! Dylan called and asked where you were - of course I told him you weren't feeling well and came to sleep at my place, like any good bestie would, but please, let me know you're alive, girlie! Love you lots!" Kara closed her eyes, thanking the universe for gifting her with such a good friend before listening to the other voicemail, bracing herself for the worst.

"I am honestly really disappointed in you, Kara. You know how important my work is to me - the restaurant called and told me you didn't even eat the food I paid for. I didn't see you at the apartment when I came home last night, either, so where are you? I called Jessie, she said you weren't feeling well and that you spent the night at her place, but if you were feeling sick, you should have said something to me. Call me." Pale, shaky hands quickly hung up on the voicemail program, ignoring the automated voice that instructed her on how to save, delete, or replay the message, her trembling fingers tapping away in frustration as she replied to Jessie and Dylan's texts, ignoring whatever they may have said, giving them the same message:

'I'm safe, I'll be heading home in the afternoon to get some more rest.'

Huffing softly in irritation, she returned the slender, rectangular device to the smooth confines of her clutch, which she deposited on the counter beside her just as Connor emerged from his room. Her breath caught in her throat as he strode over to her, his figure accented by the form-fitting top and his shorts, both sporting bright green and blue accents on the black expanses across his chest and thighs. The curvature of each and every muscle ranging from his deltoids to his obliques, his rectus femora to his gastrocnemii, his biceps brachii to his triceps brachii, all of it was outlined and taut with perfection, forcing a bright red blush to creep up her face as she admired him, her mouth slightly agape.

"Alrighty, let's go." His voice startled her from her entranced reverie, eyelashes fluttering from the sudden shift of ogling to understanding that they were heading out the door. She quickly retrieved some cash from her clutch and tucked it into her waistband, nodding as she followed him along obediently, exiting his silent apartment before him so he could lock the door behind them, her bare feet warm on the sunlit concrete outside his door. While he locked up, she took a moment to note their surroundings, glancing around as she absorbed their environment. The neighborhood was relatively quiet, in a suburban area near other apartment complexes and homes with children playing in the yards in front of them, decorating the sidewalks along their homes and shrieking in laughter as they chased each other with water balloons and other toys of varying colors, too difficult to make out from their distance. The corner of the blonde's lips curled upwards as she admired the lifestyle, watching as parents and other adults conversed with one another, keeping a watchful eye on their children but also discussing things that only grown families could while the kids were out of earshot. A small part of her heart ached as she watched, longing for a childhood similar to those that squealed through the freshly cut grass, staining their feet with dirt and grime as the soil tainted their shoes and clothes.

Connor's footsteps returned her to her reality, her soft smile turning into a thin, focused line as she made sure she avoided any stray branches or seeds as she traversed the sidewalk with bare feet, following Connor's immense shadow as he led them to the corner shop, not more than a two-minute walk from the complex. While they walked, she commented idly on the weather, smiling as she glanced up towards the sky:

"It's really a beautiful day. I'm surprised it isn't hotter."

Glancing sideways at Connor, she raised a brow as he smirked, offering a teasing remark in return to her peaceful statement. "It'll get hotter after I've taken off my shirt." In response, Kara snorted in laughter, immediately covering her face as she tried to stop from embarrassing herself further, shaking her head at him in amusement.

"Always a flirt, you are."

The store he led her to was rather quaint - a small shop that claimed to have 'Everything you'd need in a store half the size!' With advertisements for various items littering the windows, blocking most of the merchandise from being seen outside of the shop. The familiar jingling of a bell from their entry chimed throughout the store, leading to a warm yet gruff voice to greet them from behind a few displays.

"Welcome, welcome! Come to the counter when you're ready to make your purchase, and let me know if you have any questions!" The welcoming voice, likely from the store owner, helped direct Kara towards where a man shorter than Connor stood behind the counter, his warm smile surrounded by a bushy mustache and beard of Italian origin. His hair was mostly silvers and greys with scattered bunches of his original brunet shade throughout his head of hair. He wore glasses, had warm, almond-shaped eyes, and a long, straight nose that turned downward as he noticed the petite woman's shoeless situation.

"I'm sorry sir, my shoes broke so we're just buying new ones. I'm a size 6 and a half, I just need some basic sneakers and socks. Do you take cash?"

"Ah, well we can't have that, can we? Good morning, Connor!" The jovial man waved to Connor with a familiar smile, recognizing the redhead from many early morning or late night trips for a quick beverage or snack. Connor piped up behind her, smiling at the shopkeep as he gestured with his own wallet, "I'll pay with card." The Italian man nodded at Connor before guiding Kara down the aisles, who furrowed her brows at him as she glared playfully, picking out a pair of sneakers where she was offered them, as well as a pair of light-colored socks with a fun, polka-dotted pattern.

"I can pay for it myself, Connor. You don't have to."

His fit physique shrugged at her, his ever-charming grin breaking past her hardened exterior. "I'm just being a good host. Don't worry about it." She fought not to roll her eyes at him, instead focusing on gingerly slipping the socks onto her feet as well as the shoes after Connor insisted on paying for them, claiming the store "didn't take cash," even though she could clearly see the signs that stated otherwise.

After donning the footwear, she began stretching outdoors, making sure her muscles were prepared for the jog ahead - if one didn't stretch properly, the muscles could become damaged over time without the right care - while she waited for Connor to finish his purchase. After a couple moments, she felt someone's gaze on her and stood, turning back towards the shop to see Connor standing there, watching her lithe figure for a couple moments longer than necessary. She turned a light pink, but took advantage of the situation, speaking bolder than normal.

"Enjoying the view, Mr. Firefighter?"

She smirked at him, enjoying the flicker of embarrassment on his chiseled features before it shifted into his own lopsided, cocky grin. "Very much so, yes." His flattery made her grin reflexively, making her shake her head as she finished her stretching and he did the same, the two of them preparing together for their jog through suburban L.A. The late morning air prickled her skin as they began their run, the heat settling in as the sun reached its peak in the bright blue expanse, dotted here and there with feathery wisps of clouds stretching across the endless sky.

Connor led Kara through the streets of the surrounding neighborhoods, their jog taking all sorts of twists and turns until they eventually came upon a few parks, more densely populated by trees and other vegetation, all of which shimmered in the sunlight around them. The golden rays beat down on the two joggers as they moved at a steady pace, one much slower than Connor was likely used to due to Kara's height and injuries. Appreciative of his consideration, she attempted to converse while they jogged, not only admiring the foliage that made up the scenery around them. She cleared her throat awkwardly before turning to glance at Connor, attempting a friendly tone rather than her previously flirty one.

"Urm...I know our interactions so far have been...far from normal, to say the least. Would you, uh, be interested in becoming friends? Maybe? We could start b-by getting to know each other better?"

Her timid voice was quickly met by Connor's confident one, a wide smile on his features. "I thought that was what we were doing already." He winked at her once more before continuing, making her heart flutter each time. "So, you wanna get to know each other? Ask away."

Slightly baffled, she laughed softly, an embarrassed blush creeping across her cheeks.

"I didn't mean to imply that we weren't, I just meant... Why don't you tell me about yourself and I'll tell you about myself? Maybe you can also tell me what you do for fun?"

Kara fumbled her words, trying desperately to not appear as an idiot as their feet continued to pound against the concrete, the petite blonde becoming slightly out of breath as she tried to talk and jog. She glanced over at Connor a few times as he tilted his head and pinched his eyes a little bit as he thought, his eyes wandering above them as he tried to think. "Oh. Well- I'm not sure where to start and what to say." Kara quickly interjected, reassuring him that anything he told her would be fine. A tender smile graced his lips as he contemplated his words, then continued, "I'm from Alaska, moved to LA about... well, the timeline is a little confusing. Let's just say I officially moved here a little more than a year ago." His smile widened more as he tried to summarize his life and struggled to do so, focusing more on his more recent experiences. Noting that he must not like discussing his past, Kara kept quiet, listening intently as he continued. "So it definitely took me a while to get used to the hot summers. But I love the ocean." Kara chuckled softly as he focused on the ocean, something most people who came to California seemed to enjoy.

"The beaches here are definitely nice, that's for sure!"

He laughed along with her before he paused again, this time thinking about the question she had added on.

"What I do for fun? Hmmm... I'm an avid surfer. And I like staying in shape, so I go for runs, and frequent the gym as well." His cerulean gaze flickered to her for a moment, catching her lingering stare on his figure as her pale blue eyes snapped up to meet hers, the redhead sharing yet another dazzling smile before listing his hobbies to her, laughing sheepishly as he mentioned some of the more unexpected obsessions. "Other than that? I like to read, especially poetry. I like museums, especially science ones. Oh, and I game. Probably a little too much, sometimes. I play the guitar, and lately I've been crazy about baking bread." His laugh rang out as he ran, his breathing heavier as his body had to compensate for the need for oxygen. "I'm not very interesting. Tell me about you." Even as he downplayed his own fascinating history and hobbies, he was all the more attractive to the smaller female, making her laugh softly in reply.

"I beg to differ! It's intriguing that you enjoy poetry and museums, as well as staying fit. It's nice to know you're not just a jock."

She stuck her tongue out at him and giggled before she started to slow down slightly, a soft "Hm," coming from her as she thought of how to explain her background, waving off Connor's teasing remark, "Hey, what's wrong with just being a jock, hm?" with a dismissive,

"Oh, nothing, nothing.""

"Hm... Well, I was born and raised here in L.A. with my mother and father, don't have any siblings. Lived here most of my life, so I'm used to the beaches and don't really go all that often."

She smiled tentatively, shrugging off any suspicion.

"I love to drink coffee and find new cafes near me, and I sometimes even go sing karaoke with Jessie."

Realizing her admittance of such a thing, Kara blushed, quickly trying to dissuade Connor from thinking anything in particular would happen.

"Th-that's rare, though."

"Well, you should join me for a coffee then. There's some really nice cafés here." The blonde couldn't tell if her heart was racing because of Connor or the jog, but she continued to run, her blush spreading as she smiled at him happily.

"I would love to go to some cafes with you!"

"And you mentioned karaoke? Next time you go, take me with you. I'd love to hear that." The redhead certainly knew what he was doing, making her even more flustered as she shook her head at him.

"Oh, not at all, nope. Jessie teases me enough, haha. Otherwise, I really only spend most of my time with Jessie, at the hospital, or with... Dylan."

Her lips curved into a small frown as her overall ambience became more reserved and she sped up her jog.

"I cook, I cuddle my cat, and I listen to music a lot. That's about it for me, I think. That, and running."

She attempted to bring back the humor in their conversation, offering a sideways smirk and appreciating Connor's soft laugh. "You have a cat? What's your cat's name? And how long have you known Jessie for? You guys seem really close. She cares about you a lot." His interest in her cherished ones made her smile as she gushed about her feline,

"I do! His name is Nimh. He's been a pain lately, though, wish I knew why. And Jessie? I've known her since I started medical school - she's been my friend ever since. She's like the sister I never had."

Kara smiled fondly, thinking back to when her and Jessie first met. It was quite awkward, definitely a story for another time when she could embarrass Jessie just as Jess did to her.

At this point, their jog began to slow, the two of them taking a moment to catch their breath as they wiped the sweat from their brows. By this time, the sun was at its highest, beating down on the pair as well as others spending their day outside, such as the children playing in the nearby field, kicking about a soccer ball and cheering happily when one of them kicked the white and black patterned ball into the white, metal-framed net. Smiling at the sight of kids enjoying themselves, she turned back to Connor, shielding the sun from her eyes as she smiled up at him. "Nimh is a really nice name. Does it mean anything? And aren't pets always a pain in the ass?" He laughed softly, his shoulders shaking as he recuperated during their small break, adding, "I'm happy for you. Friendships like that are rare." Chuckling along with him, she nodded.

"Nimh is from a movie I watched as a kid, The Secret of Nimh. It was one of the few movies I got to watch when I was little."

"I don't know that movie. Maybe I should watch it one day." A bitter smile crossed her face before she shook her head slightly, focusing on the pet comment and pointedly avoiding meeting Connor's gaze.

"He's my first pet, so I'm still kinda new to the whole thing. And hopefully... this is the start of another kind of rare friendship?"

She asked suggestively, her cheeks flushed. His soft smiles, subtle glances, and playful winks continued to make her heart leap, even as he teased her. "Ah your first pet? That's always super exciting. My first pet was a dog, but we couldn't keep him for more than a few years. And hasn't this friendship already started?" Without giving her room to respond, he poked fun at her breathlessness, making her roll her eyes as she leaned on her knees, feeling her ankles ache. "Tired from the run already? Gotta work on that endurance, hm?" His tone was laced with humor, quite clearly joking as he nudged her, also out of breath as he laughed.

"Ha. Ha. Ha."

The petite woman focused on her breathing as he sighed, offering to go someplace together. "Let's take this path. It'll take us through the park, where there's always many dogs - and we'll pass a café we can stop at to grab a drink." Finally having a moment to calm herself and shift her feat in her brand new sneakers, she nodded.

"Sounds good, I would love to take a break and get something to drink. I'll pay this time."

Connor began to explain the direction of the café before she claimed she'd pay, causing him to roll her eyes at her, their playful banter continuing back and forth made her giggle, especially as he began to protest, only to interrupt himself with a sharp gasp, startling Kara before she turned to follow his gaze. A small, incredibly cute German Shepherd pup was playing around in the grass, held back only by the light pink collar that kept her connected to her owner, a young man who was gushing just as much as Connor was beside her. "Look at that! Oh it's so small. So fluffy. Look at those stubby, little legs. Those floppy ears! God, I love German Shepherds. They're just so much fluff and cuteness, how can anyone handle this?" Kara was completely and utterly flabbergasted at Connor's immediate shift in attitude, as he dropped his flirtatious, confident air and replaced it with something akin to a child in a confectionary shop. Unable to hold it back any longer, the blonde woman burst out into laughter, doubling over as she held her stomach, unbelievably amused at his behavior.

"My God, Connor...you are not at all what I thought you would be. I'm starting to love that about you."

She spoke breathlessly, wiping at a tear before she regained her composure and realized the words she had uttered, shyly avoiding his gaze and starting to walk in the direction of the café.

♡coded by uxie♡