Chapter Six

The following days blurred together—long shifts, countless patients, and stacks of paperwork. But amidst the chaos, Vincent Maloney remained a constant presence. Whether it was a brief glimpse of him striding down the hall or catching his sharp profile at the nurses’ station, he was always there, his presence impossible to ignore. He was like the storm cloud that loomed over sunny skies, disrupting Jason’s otherwise bright disposition.

And yet, Jason couldn’t stop noticing him.

It wasn’t just Vincent’s cold demeanor or the perpetual frown etched into his features. It was something deeper, something unspoken that lingered in the spaces between their interactions. Jason hated how much he was drawn to him. Vincent was unapproachable, his frosty demeanor a wall Jason wasn’t sure he should even want to climb. But for some reason, he couldn’t help himself.

There were moments—fleeting, almost imperceptible—when Vincent’s mask slipped. Like the rare times their eyes met, and Jason caught a flicker of something vulnerable beneath the surface. It was a shadow, faint and transient, but it was there. And it intrigued Jason far more than he cared to admit.

He tried to stay professional, reminding himself that Vincent was his superior. But no amount of self-discipline could stop the flutter of frustration and curiosity that bubbled inside him every time Vincent brushed past without so much as a “hello.”

Today had been no different. The ER was quieter than usual, a rare lull that left Jason mindlessly cleaning the nurses’ station as he tried to stay busy. He was so lost in his thoughts that Vincent’s voice startled him.

“Miller.”

Jason froze mid-swipe, his pen hovering over the half-completed chart he’d been updating. There was something about Vincent’s voice—low and commanding—that always put him on edge. Not in a bad way, but in a way that made him feel exposed, like Vincent could see right through him.

He turned to see Vincent standing at the counter, his posture as rigid as ever, with his arms crossed and his signature scowl firmly in place.

“Dr. Maloney,” Jason greeted, keeping his tone as casual as possible. “What’s up?”

“I need your help,” Vincent said brusquely, skipping any preamble.

Jason raised an eyebrow but nodded. “Of course. What do you need?”

“I’ve got a patient who needs a follow-up,” Vincent explained, placing a thick file on the counter between them. “Their chart is a mess. I need it cleaned up and cross-checked with their lab results.”

Jason glanced at the file, then back at Vincent. “Sure, no problem.”

For a moment, Vincent simply stood there, watching him with an unreadable expression. Then, just as he turned to leave, he hesitated and glanced back over his shoulder.

“Thank you, Miller,” he said, his voice softer than Jason had ever heard it. “I know things have been... tense between us, but I appreciate your work.”

Jason blinked, momentarily thrown. Had Vincent Maloney—Dr. Cold himself, actually thanked him? The rare acknowledgment left him momentarily speechless, a flurry of emotions rushing through him. He finally managed a response, though it felt clumsy. “Uh, you’re welcome, Dr. Maloney. Glad to help.”

Vincent gave a faint nod before walking away, leaving Jason to grapple with the unexpected encounter. He stared after him, wondering what had prompted the sudden shift in demeanor. Vincent was like a locked door, and every time Jason thought he’d found the key, another lock appeared.

The rest of the day passed in a haze of routine tasks, but Jason couldn’t shake the memory of Vincent’s expression. His voice, though still clipped, had carried an undercurrent of something else. Gratitude? Regret? Jason wasn’t sure, but he couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Later that evening, Jason found himself in the break room, nursing a lukewarm cup of coffee as he waited for his shift to end. The hum of the vending machine filled the silence, a soothing contrast to the usual chaos of the hospital. He was alone for once, and he relished the brief respite.

But then, he heard it—the soft sound of footsteps in the hallway. Even before he saw him, Jason knew who it was. Vincent’s stride was unmistakable, purposeful yet unhurried, like he owned the ground he walked on.

Vincent appeared in the doorway, his tall frame leaning casually against the doorframe. His expression was neutral, though Jason noticed the slight crease between his brows. For once, he didn’t look annoyed—just... tired.

“You busy?” Vincent asked, his voice lacking its usual edge.

Jason straightened instinctively, setting his coffee aside. “Not really. Just trying to relax before my shift ends.”

Vincent nodded, stepping further into the room. “You should take it easy. These hours can wear you down if you’re not careful.”

The comment caught Jason off guard. It wasn’t much, but for Vincent, it felt almost... caring. Jason wasn’t sure how to respond, so he settled for a simple, “Thanks. I’ll keep that in mind.”

For a moment, they stood in silence, the air between them heavy but not uncomfortable. Jason found himself studying Vincent—really studying him. There was a weariness in his eyes that hadn’t been there before, a weight he seemed to carry alone.

“Dr. Maloney,” Jason began cautiously, breaking the silence. “Can I ask you something?”

Vincent’s eyes flickered to his, wary but curious. “What is it?”

“Why do you keep everyone at arm’s length?” Jason asked, his voice gentle but direct. “You’re clearly good at what you do, but it feels like you’re afraid to let anyone get close.”

Vincent’s jaw tightened, and for a moment, Jason thought he’d gone too far. But then Vincent let out a quiet sigh, his gaze dropping to the floor.

“Caring makes things... complicated,” Vincent said finally, his voice barely above a whisper. “In this job, letting people in only makes it harder to do what needs to be done.”

Jason frowned, his heart twisting at the vulnerability in Vincent’s tone. “But isn’t that the point? To care? To connect with people?”

Vincent shook his head, his expression guarded once more. “Not for me, Miller. Not anymore.”

Before Jason could press further, Vincent straightened, his professional mask slipping firmly back into place. “You should finish your coffee. Your shift’s almost over.”

And just like that, he was gone, leaving Jason alone with his thoughts.

As Jason sat there, staring at the empty doorway, he felt a strange mix of frustration and resolve. Vincent Maloney was a puzzle—complex, infuriating, and deeply guarded. But Jason couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to him than he let on. And for reasons he couldn’t fully understand, he wanted to be the one to figure it out.

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Author’s Note: Vincent’s cold walls are starting to crack, but will Jason be able to break through? What do you think is holding Vincent back? Let me know your thoughts—I’d love to hear from you.