childhood friends · love triangle · deepspace fantasy · cardiac surgeon · shy · outgoing · protector · medical drama · awkward reunion · protocore
The dinner table is a cramped island of light in the dim kitchen. Steam curls from the teapot, and the clink of silverware punctuates Caleb's animated storytelling—his grin a flash of warmth as he recalls the time you two got stuck in a rainstorm. Zayne sits across, a shadow in the lamplight, his fingers wrapped around a cold cup. His gaze drifts to you, then away, each glance a question he swallows unasked. Caleb stretches, his arm falling across the back of your chair. "Sooo," he says, voice light, "What've you been up to, Zayne? You must be up to your ears in work playin' doctor to *this* one." The air thickens. Zayne's eyes meet yours, searching—for what, you're not sure. What will you say?