"You are so full of crap."

"Good morning, Doc Chloé," Marinette drawls out, placing her shoulder bag on her desk and proceeds to putting on her white coat.

"You are not going to stop playing, are you?" Chloé continues, gazing at the other doctor incredulously.

It's eight in the morning and Marinette cannot believe that this is how her colleague greets her the second she enters their office.

Marinette huffs, "What did I do wrong now?"

Chloé could only roll her eyes at her.

"Also," Marinette continues as she fixes the collar of her coat before taking a seat on her chair to review her patients' charts, "when have you cared about my moral compass?"

Chloé starts out seriously, "What are these talks of you and Nurse Adrien going out three nights ago?"

Marinette, to the blonde doctor's surprise, lets out a laugh in relief. "I thought I did something wrong. Thank God, it's just this."

"Really?" Chloé spits out and grabs her chair for her to sit right beside Marinette. "I find it wrong, Mari."

"He happened to ask me out for a second date tomorrow tonight, excuse you. He's a pretty cool person."

The other doctor scoffs and crosses her arms, "I know that. I just cannot believe that you're not taking any of this seriously."

"Well, he isn't."

"He is," Chloé emphasizes. "He has been taking almost all of the 24-hour shifts to appease your demands of him."

Marinette frowns, turning all defensive. "I'm not asking him to take all those shifts. That's all on him."

"He clearly wants something out of your relationship. He's basically working hard on it."

Marinette shakes her head. "And I'm not looking for a relationship with Adrien."

"Then tell him that!" Chloé exclaims, throwing an arm to the air, "Don't lead him on out of your selfish desires."

"Hey!" Marinette furrows her brows in growing anger. "I am not selfish."

"Then why are you doing all these things?" Chloé counters and stands from her seat to lean on the desk of her colleague. "Casual dates?" She utters the words in mockery. "Don't tell me that you're going to dump him after."

"And why not?"

Chloé's jaw drops in disbelief. "Oh my God. Are you serious? I don't want you inflicting pain on someone else. If this is because of-"

"Stop it," Marinette immediately snaps before Chloé could even continue. Then she grumbles under her breath, "I knew you were going to bring it up."

"Great to know that we are on the same page," the other utters sarcastically.

"Him and I were different. He has nothing to do with Adrien," Marinette states and avert her gaze from her colleague's.

"Oh, is that so?" Chloé presses on, "Because from my perspective, it looks like it has everything to do with him."

"Chloé," Marinette strictly utters the name of the other, turning her head to face the woman standing across from her again.

"His sister was admitted in this hospital," Chloé utters, raising an eyebrow.

"I know." Marinette shrugs it off. "I treated her professionally."

"And did she tell you that her brother has plans in going back to working in this hospital as our new head of the department?"

Marinette's eyes widen in shock as she freezes while sitting on her chair. Her hands go cold as she grips onto the armrest tightly. "W-What?" She whispers.

"There is still no definite date," Chloé continues, her voice going softer as she starts to feel sorry for the other doctor, "but there is a big chance that it will push through."

"He's going to work here again...?" She breathes out, her chest starting to clench in pain. I'm going to see him, again?

The doctor does not know what to feel. Should she be happy? Excited? Frustrated? Worried?

The man who made her feel all kinds of love and who accompanied her during her darkest times is the same man whose heart she broke and in turn, had hers broken too.

And now...he's coming back after three years of not hearing from him and what he has been doing.

Marinette does not know what to do.

"So how is it going to be for you, Doctor DC?" Chloé distracts Marinette from her wandering thoughts. "Will you continue to lead Nurse Adrien on knowing that your heart still beats for only one man?" She exhales softly and hands the now silent doctor a few of the charts she needs to study from the side of her desk.

Marinette takes them and holds them tightly against her chest. "Chloé..." she murmurs, "I did not know."

The blonde doctor purses her lips and walks back to her own desk, bringing her chair with her. "I did not want to say anything. I was waiting and preparing myself for the perfect time to tell you. But since I've been hearing this rumor going around with the nurses and you eventually made my teasing into a reality, I knew I needed to tell you."

"...Are you sure that he is really coming back?"

"I can always clarify with the-"

"Yes, please," Marinette utters in haste and stands. She keeps her gaze on the ground and lets out a shaky breath, keeping her hold on the charts. "Oh, my God. This is exhausting."

"So let me repeat my question, what's your plan now?"

Marinette looks up, meeting the eyes of her colleague. She bites the inside of her cheek for a moment then shakes her head. "What I'm sure of is that Nurse Adrien and I will never be a thing."

"Okay," Chloé drawls out. "So to reach that, will you clear things out with him?"

This was what Marinette was dreading. Call her selfish, and she'll admit that she really is. The reason why she's been warming up to the nurse is because she just wanted someone who would listen to her even if it be the most random of things.

The fact that the nurse likes her even before she warms up to him was a bonus for her.

Just like she said, she is not looking for a new relationship. She just wants a friendly companion; a listening ear.

To be in a new relationship is erasing whatever she had with him. She can't erase those memories, those fleeting moments where she remembers his touch and kisses. Truth be told, Doctor DC cannot find it in her to move on from her old relationship. She still holds on to this possibility that she and him might work things out.

As much as she wishes for that, she's also still scared.

"I'll continue to hang out with the nurse," Marinette starts. "He also seems happy with it. I'll make sure that I'll draw a line between what he wants from me and what I can't give. That should be done before..."

"Before?"

Marinette exhales deeply before replying, "Before he comes back."

Chloé hums then clicks her tongue, going back to sitting on her chair to go through her patients' current data flashing on the screen of her PC. "Just promise yourself that you won't break one's heart to mend yours. We wouldn't want a mess like that in our hospital."

------------

"Thank you so much, Doctor DC."

Adrien could only flash a half smile at the doctor as Céline shows her gratitude.

The nurse has been accompanying the doctor as she does her rounds with the patients in the department. And the last patient she wanted to visit for tonight is Céline, who is still recuperating.

"And for the nth time, you are absolutely welcome." The doctor bends forward a bit to meet the patient at the same eye level. "I'm happy to see you getting better every day. Though, I'll have to ask you to stay here for another week of constant monitoring."

Céline nods eagerly, beaming at her. "Of course. I'll work hard on getting better." She shifts her gaze between the doctor and the nurse standing by her bedside. "You...seem closer now," she comments, a hint of a tease in her tone of voice.

Adrine immediately feels a blush forming in his cheeks yet chooses to stay quiet.

"Who do you mean?" Doctor DC asks, confused for awhile until she notices the silent reaction of the nurse beside her. A smirk forms on her face, placing the puzzle pieces together. "Oh..." she drawls in realization, "you mean Nurse Adrien and I?"

Céline giggles softly then nods. "Look at him," she says, referring to the blushing nurse, "he's so red."

"Céline," Adrien murmurs, pouting at her.

Doctor DC nudges him with her elbow. "Are you going to let a patient's words get to you?"

Nurse Adrien looks down, turning more red by the minute. "Depends on what they say," he admits causing the doctor to lightly laugh.

"Watching the two of you makes me miss Matthias," Céline chimes in.

"I heard that he went out to get you some food for tonight."

Céline grins at the doctor. "Classic aligot," she whispers, sighing dreamily then clears her throat and lets out a nervous laugh when she remembers that she is in the presence of other people. "He's making my favorite, but I'll make sure to not have that much."

Doctor DC waves a hand at her in dismissal. "Enjoy your food tonight. There are not that much things you can't have. What's completely out of your diet are fried food, but other than that you are free to eat your classic aligot." She places her hand on top of Céline's. "You'll get well especially with constant medication and a change of lifestyle. I'm glad to see you feeling better now. Nurse Adrien and I will go ahead for the night. Do not hesitate to call for help if you need it, okay?"

"Don't worry about me, doctor." With a glint in her eye, Céline glances at the nurse standing beside her then back at the doctor. "I know that you are both busy. I'll wait for Matthias to come back."

"Great to hear that," Doctor DC utters and gently shakes the hand of Céline. "We'll go ahead." She waves at her patient. "I'll see you again, tomorrow."

Céline waves back. "Yes, doctor. Thank you for checking up on me."

The doctor flashes a smile at her and heads to the door. Nurse Adrien follows right after but pauses in step when Céline gently calls for him.

He turns to face her. "Yes?" He inquires, "Is there a problem?" He takes a few steps toward her just as Doctor DC leaves the room, closing the door behind her.

"I just wanted to say that you don't seem like you're treated as a 'newbie' anymore."

"Céline, you keep on teasing me," Adrien grumbles. The patient hears it clearly and lets out a light laugh.

"I get bored here and I'm turning more observant by the minute. So, of course, I can see changes."

"At least keep quiet about it when the doctor is with us. You make me more embarrassed than I already am."

Céline places a finger between her closed lips. "It's our secret, then," she says after.

Adrien grins at her. "Great to know that before you let me blush like crazy again."

"You really like her, don't you?" Céline whispers.

Adrien looks down, feeling his cheeks flush for the nth time today. "She's a really great person," he confesses then looks back up at the patient. "But I'm not pushing for anything...or something in line with that," he trails off then blinks, recalling that he's in the presence of a patient. "A-Anyway," he stammers, "I don't want you to worry about any of that. Think of getting better first, okay?"

"I am doing that, but I also have the capability to wish the best for you." Céline shoos him away. "Go! I bet she's waiting for you outside."

He nervously chuckles, rubbing the nape of his neck. "I doubt that."

"You'll never know," she says then winks at him. "See you tomorrow, Nurse."

"Don't hesitate to call us if you need help," The nurse says back as he heads to the door. Right as he opens it, the back of the doctor is the first thing that makes him almost jump in shock.

He immediately closes the door behind him while stuttering, "D-Doctor!"

She turns and glares at him. "Took you long enough to exit her room."

"Did...did you wait for me?"

She scoffs, "Wait for you? We have a departmental meeting together. Don't expect that much from my 'waiting for you'. Don't be assuming."

Adrien had to hide a frown threatening to show on his face. One thing he must never forget: never be assuming. "Oh yeah...that meeting."

"Come on." She juts her chin towards the direction of the department's main area, keeping her hands in her coat pockets. "I don't want to be late for the meeting."

The pair arrives just in time for Nurse Mylene to start the meeting with all nurses and doctors under the cardiology department. Adrien makes sure to stand with the nurses while at the other side of the round meeting table, Doctor DC stands beside Doctor Chloé.

"Thank you for taking the time to gather here tonight. As promised, I'll make sure to keep this brief since we all have patients to go back to."

The rest nod or say words of gratitude regarding the arrangement.

"Now," Nurse Mylene starts, "this is mainly for our schedule for this week and the next since two of our nurses will be on leave starting tomorrow."

Nurse Rose then adds, "We want to fix more on the schedule of our nurses and for our doctors, you might have different nurses for your patients."

Nurse Mylene brings out a chart with our schedules clip on top of it. "Nurse Nath," she begins and takes a look at his schedule before looking at him, "you won't mind doing four evening shifts starting the day after tomorrow?"

Nath nods. "I can do it."

"Great. Let's move on to the rest. Two might have to continue with their morning shifts..."

The meeting follows through with fixing the schedule of each nurse in the department. Some doctors voiced out their preferred schedules with some of the nurses, especially those who were taking care of particular patients. Finally, it arrives to Adrien's schedule for the next two weeks.

"Nurse Adrien, can you do a 24-hour shift tomorrow? And then you will have the morning shifts for every day of next week," Nurse Rose informs him.

"T-Tomorrow?" he asks then swallows down a lump in his throat. Tomorrow night was supposed to be his second date with the doctor. He was looking forward to spending time with her again, but who is he to turn down a shift given to him? After all, he is still an employee of the hospital and it is his job to tend to the patients more than himself.

"Cross out that shift," Doctor DC suddenly commands from the other side of the table. Everyone's attention turns to her. All of them grow confused.

"Why, doc?" Nurse Rose questions her, tilting her head to the side.

With a smirk, the doctor answers, "Nurse Adrien and I are having dinner that night."

"H-Huh?" Nurse Rose gasps. Everyone else reacts out of shock, some gape at the two of them. The nurses even start to whisper amongst themselves.

Adrien's breath hitches in his throat, instantly losing the ability to breathe. Though his heart has gone crazy, beating hard and fast to the point that he might be the next patient admitted in the cardiology department. Looking at the reaction of his colleagues and doctors, he grows flustered as he is suddenly placed under the spotlight. It is only Doctor Chloé who did not have the emotion of shock written on her face. She looks disturbed especially as she keeps her low key glare on Doctor DC.

Despite the reactions of the rest, Doctor DC walks smugly around the table to reach Adrien's side. She smiles at the nurse who could only stare blankly at her. The doctor takes ahold of his hand and intertwines their fingers together. "Yes, the rumors are true." she continues, looking at her colleagues and coworkers, "We happen to have started casually dating. There should be nothing wrong with that. Treat him like as usual," she finishes, flashing a wink at the nurse and nonchalantly starts to walk away the meeting area to go back to the office.

Nath, still in a state of shock, whispers, "The rumors were true all along."

"Oh my God! The Warrior did it!" one nurse cheers out loud, causing the others to follow suit.

"Congratulations, Warrior!"
"You're so brave!"
"I can't believe you did it!"

Adrien could only flash a bashful smile at them as they continue to cheer for him, even Nurses Mylene and Rose who could not stop themselves from doing so.

Adrien finishes his shift for the day and is ready to go home for the night. The thought of his bed waiting to engulf him with dreams of the doctor he is absolutely fond of tempts him so much to just run back home. His tired legs would not allow that, though.

Nurse Rose met him, personally, to fix the schedule. And he was beyond embarrassed when she would ask if he had any scheduled dates with the doctor during those shifts. He assured her that there are none for now and even gave a heartfelt apology for what happened during the meeting. He promised that nothing like that will ever happen again since work always comes first before personal endeavors. Nurse Rose told him to not worry about it. She did not want to tell him that everyone in the department have been waiting for such a moment for the Devil.

Just as he steps out of the hospital, Adrien stretches his arms behind his back. "Another early shift tomorrow," he mutters under his breath and makes sure to keep the sling of his bag over his shoulder. "I might as well get something fast to eat then I'll immediately sleep right after."

"You should walk home with me, first." The doctor suddenly appears in front of him from hiding behind a post.

"D-Doctor?" Adrien stops himself from asking further. She just said to not assume anything, but seeing her stand in front of him with a gentle smile grazing her features and her hands tucked in the pockets of her jacket make her seem like she was...

"...did you wait for me, doctor?" he gains the courage to ask.

"Aren't I Marinette when we are not working?" she utters, smiling widely at him. She starts to walk in the direction to their apartment building but pauses on her third step to look back at him. "The Devil would not wait for you, but Marinette would."

Adrien breaks off into another shy smile for the day and rushes to stay beside her as they both walk home.

Marinette keeps it lively for both, doing most of the talking since Adrien is always tongue-tied when it comes to her. His heart melted finding out that she waited for him and all the more it could melt because of Marinette's sweet smile directed at him.

"Adrien," Marinette starts, "did you ever tell me what you got to do before becoming a nurse? Nursing is your second degree, right?"

"Y-Yeah." Adrien nervously fiddles with her fingers. "My first course might seem crazy for you."

Marinette suddenly brings a hand out of one of her pockets and loops it around Adrien's arm. "Try me."

Adrien clears his throat. "Well," he cocks his head to the side, making sure that he does not move his other arm too much since the warmth from the doctor is pleasantly comforting, "I graduated with a degree in Fashion Design."

"Fashion Design?!" Marinette exclaims, turning all excited which shakes Adrien a bit. "Can you design a new doctor's coat for me?" She starts to ramble, "I know I should keep it mostly white but maybe you can slip in a few details that make it unique. Maybe some patterns on my collar or by my cuffs. But maybe you're more comfortable with designing more, I won't mind that. I just really want to look nice in front of my patients and..." she trails off, meeting the gentle eyes of Adrien who quietly listened to her rambling with a grin on his face. And for a second, because of his eyes, the doctor gained a new love for the color green.

"Sorry," she murmurs, turning shy - something that she has not felt in a long time. "I got..."

"Excited?"

"Yeah," she breathes out. "It's amazing that I know someone who got to pursue Fashion Design as a course. I'm more immersed with people from various fields in STEM."

"Well, you're amazing too, Marinette," Adrien compliments her as they turn left, approaching the front steps of their shared apartment building. "The way you handled Céline's operation was top-notch."

"Aren't you late in saying that?"

Adrien shrugs playfully as they both go up the stairs that will lead them to the second floor of the building.

"Better late than never. You did a really great job with that operation."

"Of course," she exclaims then playfully nudges the man, "I got a great scrub nurse."

Adrien's heart flutters right after she said that. He wouldn't mind dying this instant. He has achieved everything he had worked hard for - a real compliment from the doctor who stole his heart.

It hurts for him to know that they have arrived in front of each other's doors leading to their own apartments. Marinette had to separate her arm from holding his to grab her keys.

Adrien does not want to go in just yet. That's why he is acting that his keys are buried deep in his bag when he knows that they are just in his pocket.

"Talking to you is nice. I'm glad I've discovered that," Marinette says, holding the correct key in her hand. "Alya is not here tonight so I need my key."

"Nino, too," Adrien says back. Then purses his lips trying to find what else to say. "You can always talk to me, Marinette," he starts, sincerely. "I promise that whatever you share to me will be kept only between us. M-My friends also said that I've got a good listening ear."

Marinette looks taken aback, the smile on her face slowly disappears into a blank expression. Adrien does not know why her mood suddenly shifted to something of the opposite. "B-But I'm not forcing you or anything!" He immediately clarifies.

Marinette forces out a smile and averts her gaze from his. She keeps her attention on the door in front of her. "You're cute," she breathes out, "I'll...uh, I'll keep that in mind. Good night." She unlocks her door and instantly pulls it open for her to enter her apartment in a rush.

Adrien could not even say 'good night' to her back. Her leaving came as a surprise because he thought that she was starting to warm up to him.

Maybe she is right. He should never assume even with the most simple of things.

Because if he does start to assume, he'll never get to know who Marinette truly is at all.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

In my other book, I mentioned that I'm on a writing break. It's half the truth and half a lie hehe I'm really just taking more of my time to study and my breaks are for writing.

I feel like Marinette is playing with Adrien ngl nyahahaha

I hope you liked this chapter :)

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