Chapter Four

The shift stretched long into the night, the usual chaos of the ER fading into an eerie calm. Jason was finishing up his last round of paperwork, the rhythmic clicking of his pen being the only sound in the quiet room. As he gathered his belongings, his gaze drifted, catching sight of Dr. Maloney a few feet away. Vincent stood hunched over his tablet, his posture as rigid as ever.

Jason watched him for a moment, curious as always about the man who seemed so determined to keep everyone at arm’s length. How could someone be so engrossed in their work, so entirely absorbed in their own little world? Even now, at this late hour, Vincent radiated that same cold intensity, his sharp features illuminated by the glow of the tablet.

Jason’s mind wandered back to their earlier conversation, if it could even be called that. Vincent had almost admitted to being worried about distractions, a rare and uncharacteristic slip for someone as guarded as him. Jason replayed the moment in his head, the way Vincent’s icy demeanor had softened, if only for a second. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to plant a seed of curiosity. What was he so afraid of?

Shaking his head, Jason packed up his things and made his way to the nurses’ station, where Vincent was still engrossed in his work. Leaning casually against the counter, Jason tilted his head. “Long night, huh?”

Vincent didn’t bother looking up. “Miller,” he muttered in acknowledgment, his tone clipped as usual.

Jason grinned, unbothered. “You know, you could try ‘Jason’ just once. It wouldn’t kill you.”

No response. Vincent’s focus remained glued to his tablet, the slight furrow of his brow indicating he was deep in thought. Jason sighed dramatically. “You really take this too seriously, you know.”

Finally, Vincent glanced up, his piercing blue eyes narrowing. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Nothing,” Jason said, shrugging. “Just… do you ever relax? Or let loose a little?”

Vincent scoffed, his gaze returning to the screen. “I’m perfectly capable of relaxing, Miller.”

“Oh really?” Jason teased, his grin widening. “I’d like to see that sometime.”

To Jason’s surprise, Vincent’s gaze flicked up again, holding his for a little longer than expected. Was that… a smirk? No, it couldn’t be. But there was something in his expression, something that made Jason’s pulse quicken.

“Is that a challenge?” Vincent asked, his voice low and steady.

Jason chuckled, leaning in slightly. “Maybe. Think you can handle it?”

For a moment, neither of them said anything. The tension between them rose like static electricity, Vincent’s sharp gaze locked onto Jason’s. Then, as quickly as it had appeared, the moment passed. Vincent straightened, his expression returning to its usual stony detachment.

“Shouldn’t you be off by now?” he asked, his voice strict.

Jason shrugged, playing it off. “I don’t mind staying a little longer. Perks of having no life, I guess.”

“Maybe you should work on that,” Vincent muttered, almost as if speaking to himself.

Jason laughed, shaking his head. “Thanks, Dr. Maloney. I will add ‘get a life’ to my to-do list.”

To his astonishment, Vincent’s lips moved upward in what could almost be described as a smile. It was faint and fleeting, but it was there. “Good idea,” Vincent said quietly.

Before Jason could respond, Bella appeared at the end of the hall, strolling toward them with a curious expression. She raised an eyebrow at Jason, then shot him a knowing look before disappearing around the corner. Jason rolled his eyes, a blush creeping up his neck.

Vincent seemed to notice. “Looks like you’re making friends,” he remarked, his tone almost… envious?

Jason smirked. “Oh yeah. Everyone loves me around here. I’m surprised you haven’t noticed.”

Vincent raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. “Is that supposed to impress me?”

“Not in the slightest,” Jason shot back, his grin playful. “But I think you secretly enjoy it, don’t you? All my annoying questions, my inability to stay out of your way…”

“Maybe,” Vincent admitted quietly.

Jason blinked, caught off guard. There it was again—that glimmer of vulnerability, that tiny crack in the armor Vincent wore so carefully. He searched Vincent’s face, wondering if he’d imagined it. But Vincent didn’t look away. If anything, he seemed just as suprised by his own admission.

The moment stretched, heavy with unspoken words, until a sudden shout broke the spell. From the far end of the hall, one of the nurses called for assistance with a patient. Vincent straightened immediately, his expression hardening as he turned toward the commotion.

“Duty calls,” Jason muttered, watching as Vincent walked down the hall, his footsteps quick and purposeful. Jason followed a moment later, his thoughts still tangled in their strange interaction.

The rest of the shift passed uneventfully, but Jason couldn’t shake the memory of that brief, fleeting moment. As he walked to his car at the end of the night, the cool air biting at his skin, he found himself replaying Vincent’s words over and over.

Maybe.

It wasn’t much, but it was something. A crack in the wall Vincent had built around himself, small as it was. Jason couldn’t help but wonder what else might be hiding behind that stoic facade and whether he would ever get the chance to find out.

---

Author's Note: Hi readers, do you think Vincent is starting to soften up, or is it just a passing moment? What do you think Jason should do next? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear from you.