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Chapter Twenty-Seven
Last Updated:
2025-01-18 22:27:58
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BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Twenty-Eight
The week leading to Tracy's birthday party passed in a blur and the air was alive with excitement as Tracy’s birthday party kicked off. Balloons were all over the walls of her sitting room, and glow lights sparkled like stars, casting a warm glow over the room. Music played softly in the background as Jason mingled with his friends, trying to enjoy the atmosphere despite the underlying tension that had followed him here. Vincent had arrived earlier than expected, his usual cold appearance intact, though Jason saw the way his gaze lingered on him a little longer than necessary. Jason’s friends, especially Bella and Tracy, had been exchanging knowing glances all evening, clearly entertained by the subtle exchange between him and Vincent. The night had started lightheartedly. Drinks flowed freely, laughter filled the room, and the group decided to play a few games to loosen up even more. “Truth or Dare” was the first choice, and it quickly escalated into embarrassing revelations and pl
Last Updated : 2025-01-23BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Twenty-Nine
As the other guests finally left, the atmosphere in the room became light. It was just Jason, Bella, Tracy, and Vincent now, relaxing comfortably as the music played softly in the background. Vincent was still there, sitting in his usual silence, but Jason noticed his shoulders weren’t as tense as before. Maybe it was the company, or the fact that he had reassured him earlier.Bella leaned over to Jason, a smile on her lips. “So,” she started, loud enough for the group to hear, “Chris asked you out, huh?”Tracy immediately looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Oh, we’re definitely talking about this! What was that about, Jason? Poor guy looked crushed when you turned him down.”Jason groaned, leaning further into his seat. “I knew you two wouldn’t let this go.”“Oh, we’re not letting it go,” Bella replied. “And don’t even think about avoiding it. Spill everything, what was running through your mind when Chris made his grand declaration?”Jason rubbed the back of his neck, his chee
Last Updated : 2025-01-23BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Thirty
The car ride was unusually quiet. Jason sat in the passenger seat, his fingers drumming lightly on his thighs, while Vincent’s hands stayed steady on the wheel. Sunlight shone through the windshield, casting soft golden streaks on Vincent’s sharp features.Jason leaned back, his lips curving into a small smile. “You’re unusually quiet this morning, Vinny. Having second thoughts about driving me back?”Vincent didn’t respond immediately, his focus on the road unwavering. “Just thinking.”Jason turned his head, resting it on the seat to look at him fully. “Careful, Doc. Too much thinking might give you wrinkles.”A faint twitch of Vincent’s lips hinted at a smile, but he didn’t take the bait. Jason laughed softly, leaning closer to him.“You know,” Jason said, his voice teasing, “I can manage to get back to work on my own. You didn’t have to drive me.”Vincent finally glanced at him, his dark eyes unreadable. “I wanted to.”That simple statement sent warmth blooming in Jason’s chest. He
Last Updated : 2025-01-26BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter One
Jason's coworkers had just wrapped up a delightfully tuneless version of the birthday song, their voices harmonizing in a way that could only be described as endearing. They turned their heads in unison, eyes glued to the cake, where the words "Happy Birthday Jason" had been squashed and awkwardly rewritten in light purple icing. "That's my bad," Tracy chimed in, her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "My three-year-old slapped his palm on the cake." She paused for dramatic effect. "But don't worry, there was a double layer of wrapper over it, so no actual palm contact. "You know what? It's totally fine, Jason reassured her, a grin spreading across his face. Given how his life had been lately, a palm-slapped cake felt oddly fitting. "Blow out the candles already, Jason! They're melting away to nothing!" Bella exclaimed, her excitement infectious. He took a moment to gather his thoughts; he needed a wish. Once he had his wish firmly in mind, he blew out the thirty candles in one
Last Updated : 2024-11-17BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Two
Jason's first instinct was to laugh, but the sound stuck in his throat when he looked up to meet the icy stare of Vincent Maloney. There was no mistaking the anger in Vincent’s piercing blue eyes. Jason muttered under his breath, “Oh, hell! Of all the people in the hospital to have a mishap with, it just had to be Vincent. He had privately nicknamed him Doctor Cold, a reflection of both his cold demeanor and Jason's own exhibition for immature humor. “Shit, sorry! Jason blurted, rushing to help. He extended a hand, but Vincent ignored the gesture, pushing himself off the ground with a scowl. “Are you okay?” Jason asked, his tone wavering between genuine concern and an attempt to stifle another laugh. Vincent’s response came as a growl. “You’re a train wreck, Miller.” In the eleven months they had worked together, Vincent had never once called Jason by his first name. Jason doubted he even knew it, despite the ID badge clipped to his scrubs. Vincent snatched the frosting-strea
Last Updated : 2024-11-18BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Three
The day had started on a sour note for Jason Miller, but he didn’t realize just how sour it would get until he accidentally spilled cake all over Dr. Vincent Maloney. The incident replayed in his mind like a bad dream, leaving a trail of embarrassment that lingered long after the frosting had been cleaned off. Vincent’s piercing, cold glare had cut through Jason like a blade, and his clipped reprimand still echoed in his ears. Jason had gone back to the ER afterward, throwing himself into the rush of patients and endless paperworks in a futile attempt to forget about it. But no amount of adrenaline or distraction could erase the image of Vincent’s rigid frame, his jaw set in irritation, or the unmistakable hatred in his voice. To Vincent Maloney, Jason felt like nothing more than a nuisance, someone barely worth acknowledging except, of course, when he was scolding him. Jason hated how much that stung, though he would never admit it to anyone but himself. By the end of the shift,
Last Updated : 2024-11-19BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice 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
Last Updated : 2024-11-19BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Five
The morning after Jason’s shift with Vincent, the almost smile he’d seen lingered in his mind like an unresolved melody. It had been faint, nearly unnoticeable, but it was there, a crack in the icy facade Vincent wore like armor. Jason tried to brush it off as nothing, convincing himself that the Vincent he’d seen in that moment wasn’t any different from the aloof doctor he worked with every day. Yet, no matter how much he reasoned, the image refused to fade. It was as if he’d seen something beneath the surface, and as much as he hated to admit it, he wanted to see it again. When he walked into the ER for his next shift, the usual buzz of activity filled the air. Nurses shuffled in and out of patient rooms, their conversations drowned out by the beeping of monitors and the occasional overhead page. Jason scanned the room instinctively, searching for a tall, brooding figure. But Vincent was nowhere in sight. A strange pang of disappointment followed, unwelcome and unsettled. He quickl
Last Updated : 2024-11-19
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BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Thirty
The car ride was unusually quiet. Jason sat in the passenger seat, his fingers drumming lightly on his thighs, while Vincent’s hands stayed steady on the wheel. Sunlight shone through the windshield, casting soft golden streaks on Vincent’s sharp features.Jason leaned back, his lips curving into a small smile. “You’re unusually quiet this morning, Vinny. Having second thoughts about driving me back?”Vincent didn’t respond immediately, his focus on the road unwavering. “Just thinking.”Jason turned his head, resting it on the seat to look at him fully. “Careful, Doc. Too much thinking might give you wrinkles.”A faint twitch of Vincent’s lips hinted at a smile, but he didn’t take the bait. Jason laughed softly, leaning closer to him.“You know,” Jason said, his voice teasing, “I can manage to get back to work on my own. You didn’t have to drive me.”Vincent finally glanced at him, his dark eyes unreadable. “I wanted to.”That simple statement sent warmth blooming in Jason’s chest. He
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Twenty-Nine
As the other guests finally left, the atmosphere in the room became light. It was just Jason, Bella, Tracy, and Vincent now, relaxing comfortably as the music played softly in the background. Vincent was still there, sitting in his usual silence, but Jason noticed his shoulders weren’t as tense as before. Maybe it was the company, or the fact that he had reassured him earlier.Bella leaned over to Jason, a smile on her lips. “So,” she started, loud enough for the group to hear, “Chris asked you out, huh?”Tracy immediately looked up, her eyes wide with curiosity. “Oh, we’re definitely talking about this! What was that about, Jason? Poor guy looked crushed when you turned him down.”Jason groaned, leaning further into his seat. “I knew you two wouldn’t let this go.”“Oh, we’re not letting it go,” Bella replied. “And don’t even think about avoiding it. Spill everything, what was running through your mind when Chris made his grand declaration?”Jason rubbed the back of his neck, his chee
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Twenty-Eight
The week leading to Tracy's birthday party passed in a blur and the air was alive with excitement as Tracy’s birthday party kicked off. Balloons were all over the walls of her sitting room, and glow lights sparkled like stars, casting a warm glow over the room. Music played softly in the background as Jason mingled with his friends, trying to enjoy the atmosphere despite the underlying tension that had followed him here. Vincent had arrived earlier than expected, his usual cold appearance intact, though Jason saw the way his gaze lingered on him a little longer than necessary. Jason’s friends, especially Bella and Tracy, had been exchanging knowing glances all evening, clearly entertained by the subtle exchange between him and Vincent. The night had started lightheartedly. Drinks flowed freely, laughter filled the room, and the group decided to play a few games to loosen up even more. “Truth or Dare” was the first choice, and it quickly escalated into embarrassing revelations and pl
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Twenty-Seven
The tension between Jason and Vincent had been building for a while after the sleepover. It wasn’t just the usual distance between them anymore, it was something more palpable, something that seemed to hang in the air. Jason had always been able to joke around with Vincent, but now, every little interaction felt charged. It wasn’t just Vincent’s usual coldness anymore. It felt like he was pulling away in a way that Jason didn’t understand. And to make things even more complicated, Chris, a male colleague, had been around a lot more lately.Chris had always been friendly, a bit of a jokester, but recently, it felt like he was lingering a little too much at Jason’s station. He’d find an excuse to start a conversation, talking about things that didn’t really matter just to keep Jason engaged. But Jason started to notice that it wasn’t just idle chatter anymore. Chris would stand just a little too close, his voice a little softer, his glances a little longer than necessary.It was startin
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Twenty-six
The week had been dragging by, with Jason counting down the days until he could officially return to work. He had healed nicely, but the strain of staying away from the hospital and his little escapades in Vincent's office was wearing on him. When Bella and Tracy suggested a sleepover at Tracy's apartment to unwind, Jason rejoiced at the idea."I’ll bring the wine," Bella had declared, glancing at Jason with a knowing smirk."Count me in," Jason said. Then, with a mischievous grin, he added, "And I’ll make sure Vincent comes too.""Good luck with that," Bella said, shaking her head.Jason took it as a challenge.Jason found Vincent in his office, going through some files on the shelf. His usual cold demeanor was firmly in place, but Jason had learned to read him better."Hey, Vinny," Jason said, leaning against the door as he locked it behind him.Vincent didn’t even look up. "Don’t call me that."Jason chuckled. "Come on, loosen up. There’s a sleepover at Tracy’s tomorrow night. You’
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Twenty-five
The hospital buzzed with its usual energy, but Bella felt out of sync. Her thoughts roaming like a storm, replaying the kiss yesterday with Lucas. She had not been able to focus all day, and Jason’s unusually lively aura since morning only made things worse. It was as if he knew something was up, though she hadn’t told him a thing.Carrying a stack of files into the break room, Bella hoped for a moment of peace. But as soon as she stepped inside, Tracy’s sharp eyes locked into her.“Bella,” Tracy greeted, her tone carrying an edge of mischief. She closed the magazine she’d been pretending to read and leaned forward. “You look...distracted.”Bella froze for a second before forcing a smile. “Just tired, that’s all.”Tracy arched an eyebrow, clearly not buying it. “Tired, huh? Does this have anything to do with Lucas?”Bella nearly dropped the files. “What? No! Why would you say that?”Tracy smirked, crossing her arms. “Oh, come on. I’m not blind. The way he looked at you yesterday was s
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Twenty-four
Jason strolled out from the shower into the morning sun filled living room, his wet hair been dried off with a towel as he watched Bella laying on the couch with a steaming mug of coffee in her hands. The smell of freshly brewed coffee mixed with the faint aroma of breakfast pastries still lingering from their just concluded breakfast.Bella seemed lost in thought, her fingers absently tracing the rim of her mug. Jason sat down beside her, nudging her playfully with his shoulder.“Still thinking about Lucas?” he asked, his grin wide and teasing.Bella rolled her eyes, but her cheeks betrayed her with a slight blush. “You’re so impossible.”“I’m just saying,” Jason continued, leaning back with an exaggerated stretch. “The way you two were talking yesterday, I half-expected you to start planning your future kids’ names.”Bella glared at him, though there was no real hate behind it. “Lucas and I are just friends, Jason. You, of all people, should know that.”Jason smirked. “Sure, keep te
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Twenty-three
The evening breeze was cool as it drifted through the apartment, together with the sweet aroma of Bella’s cooking. Jason was balled up on the couch, flipping through a magazine he was reading, while Vincent sat next to him, scrolling through his phone. Bella roamed about in the kitchen, humming softly as she prepared dinner.The peaceful atmosphere was disrupted when Bella’s voice called out from the kitchen.“Jason,” she began, her tone teasing, “what do you think about Lucas?”Jason froze mid-page, then slowly looked up toward the kitchen. “What do you mean?” “Why do you ask?”Bella poked her head out, raising an eyebrow. “You know what I mean. He was here earlier. He’s been coming around a lot lately.”Jason smirked, closing the magazine. “Why? Do you like him or something?”Bella scoffed, though her flushed cheeks gave her away. “I’m just saying he’s… nice.”Vincent looked between the two, clearly intrigued but staying silent.Jason chuckled, leaning back on the couch. “Nice, huh?
BENEATH THE SURFACE : When fire meets ice Chapter Twenty-two
The morning went on lazily in Bella’s apartment. Jason sat on the couch with Vincent beside him, their hands occasionally brushing each other as they shared quiet smiles. The breakfast Bella brought earlier was on the coffee table, the pastries half-eaten. “You know,” Jason started, his voice light, “this place was so boring before you showed up.” Vincent raised an eyebrow. “I’m pretty sure Bella would disagree.” “Bella loves me too much to ever think I’m boring.” Vincent smiled softly, shaking his head. “You’re unbelievable.” The sound of dishes clinking together in the kitchen caught their attention. Bella had stayed in the kitchen after breakfast, claiming she needed to clean up and “let the lovebirds breathe.” Jason leaned closer to Vincent, his voice low in a whisper. “Do you think she’s still mad about this morning?” Vincent gave him a small smile. “Mad? No. But I think she enjoys teasing you.” Jason groaned dramatically. “Great. Just what I thought, two people g
