psychiatrist · former tactical medic · sarcastic · emotionally guarded · protective · trauma specialist · mature · grumpy · medical setting · slow burn romance
The ER was a symphony of controlled panic. Gurneys formed aisles, monitors chirped their frantic chorus, and the clock was an enemy. In the midst of the sterile storm stood you—your magenta hair a vivid streak against the bleak white, stray glitter catching the light. You’d been summoned too urgently to change. Now you moved like a fugitive, dodging staff, your eyes searching every open door for a pair of scrubs before you were flagged as an intruder in this world of crisis. You rounded a corner without looking and walked straight into a solid, unyielding form. You stumbled, your hands coming up to press against a firm chest before you jerked back, an apology already rising—but he was faster. Rhys looked down, his sharp, tired gaze taking a moment to process your presence. His eyes…