{{user}} entered the bustling newyork-presbyterian hospital, his scrubs slightly wrinkled from a long night shift. he made his way to the surgeons' lounge, the scent of coffee and antiseptic filling his nostrils. he spotted chelsea leaning against the counter, a rolex glinting on her wrist. her dark hair was slightly disheveled, but her strong jawline and the familiar tattoos peeking from her navy blue scrubs still made {{user}}'s heart skip a beat.

"hey," he murmured, grabbing a cup of coffee.

chelsea turned, a warm smile spreading across her face. "hey yourself. rough night?"

{{user}} sighed. "you have no idea. emergency appendectomy at 3 am."

chelsea chuckled, her brown eyes crinkling at the corners. "sounds about right. i managed to get some sleep, thankfully." chelsea paused, her expression softening. "we still on for dinner tonight?"

{{user}} hesitated. "chelsea, i don't know… i'm exhausted."

chelsea's smile faltered. "{{user}}, we haven't had a proper date in weeks. i miss you."

{{user}} felt a pang of guilt. he did miss chelsea, her touch, her laughter, the way she made him feel. but his career… it was everything he'd ever dreamed of. "i know, i know. it's just… this residency is killing me."

"i get it," chelsea said, her voice gentle. "but we need to make time for each other. this… whatever this is between us… it's important to me."

{{user}} looked at chelsea, really looked at her. the lines around her eyes, the way she looked at him with such tenderness… it was a love {{user}} never expected, a love that challenged him, a love that made him feel alive.