ep 2

(Police Officer x Doctor, Slow Burn, Developing Connection)

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The next few days passed in a blur for Leo. He couldn’t stop thinking about Cole. The tall, brooding police officer who had walked into his ER, injured but proud, had taken up far too much space in his mind. Leo tried to focus on his work, but every time he caught a glimpse of Cole’s figure from across the hospital or heard his name being mentioned, his heart would race.

They hadn’t spoken since that night in the ER. Cole had left after Leo had patched him up, leaving a simple “Thanks, Doc” hanging in the air. But Leo couldn’t shake the feeling that there had been something unspoken between them, something that both scared and intrigued him.

Then, as if the universe had conspired to make sure they crossed paths again, Leo found himself at the local coffee shop after a particularly long shift. He was standing in line, rubbing his tired eyes, when he heard a familiar voice behind him.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Dr. Evans.”

Leo turned to find Cole leaning casually against the counter, a half-grin on his face. He looked just as handsome as he had the other night, but there was something different this time—his posture was more relaxed, almost as if he wasn’t carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.

"Officer Mason," Leo replied, a small smile forming on his lips. “Didn’t expect to see you here.”

“I could say the same about you,” Cole chuckled. “I come here every day after my shift. You should join me more often. Seems like you could use a break.”

Leo raised an eyebrow. “You offering to buy me coffee?”

Cole’s grin widened. “I could. If you’re lucky.”

There was something playful in his voice, but it was laced with an undertone that made Leo’s pulse quicken. For a second, they both just stood there, neither quite sure how to proceed. But then Cole pushed off from the counter and stepped a little closer.

“Look, I know I’m not the easiest guy to get along with,” he said, his voice quieter now, more serious. “But I’d like to get to know you better, Leo.”

Leo’s heart skipped a beat. There it was. The invitation he hadn’t expected, but had secretly hoped for.

“Alright,” Leo said, his tone light but genuine. “I’ll take you up on that coffee.”

Cole’s eyes softened, a rare moment of vulnerability passing through them. “Good. I think we could both use it.”

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They sat down at a small table by the window, their coffee cups between them. The initial awkwardness of their conversation faded as they began to talk, first about small things—work, the weather, mutual acquaintances—and then, slowly, about more personal matters.

Cole told Leo about his life as a police officer, the late-night shifts, the adrenaline, the moments of danger. But it was clear that his job weighed on him. There was a tiredness to his eyes, a sadness he didn’t want to admit to.

Leo listened carefully, offering small words of reassurance. He had always been good at reading people, and he could tell there was so much more to Cole than the tough exterior he projected.

“What about you?” Cole asked, breaking the silence. “What made you become a doctor?”

Leo smiled softly, the question catching him off guard. It was rare that anyone asked him about himself, and when they did, he often found it hard to answer.

“I guess I just always wanted to help people,” Leo said quietly. “I’ve always had this need to fix things, to make people feel better.”

Cole looked at him thoughtfully. “I get that. I mean, I try to protect people in my own way, but... sometimes I feel like I’m not doing enough.”

Leo could see the conflict in Cole’s eyes. The weight of his responsibilities, the pressure of always being strong for others—it was all too familiar. He reached across the table, placing a hand on Cole’s, offering him the quiet comfort he could provide.

“You’re doing more than enough,” Leo said softly. “You can’t always save everyone, but you’re making a difference. Trust me.”

Cole’s gaze flickered to their hands for a moment before meeting Leo’s eyes. For the first time, Leo saw the walls around Cole start to crumble, just a little.

“Thanks,” Cole murmured. “I needed to hear that.”

Leo smiled, his heart fluttering in his chest. There was something magnetic about Cole, something that pulled him in, made him want to be there for him in ways he hadn’t expected. And from the way Cole was looking at him now, Leo knew that Cole felt the same way.

They lingered over their coffee for hours, talking, laughing, and slowly letting down the walls that had kept them apart. When they finally stood to leave, the air between them felt charged, like there was something more, something they hadn’t said but both knew was waiting.

“I had a good time tonight,” Leo said, his voice quieter now.

“Me too,” Cole replied, his hand brushing against Leo’s as they stepped out into the night air.

Cole hesitated for a moment, then turned to Leo, his expression serious. “I know I said I’d take you out for coffee, but... how about dinner sometime?”

Leo’s heart skipped a beat. “I think I’d like that.”

Cole’s lips curved into a soft smile. “Good. It’s a date, then.”

Leo felt his breath catch in his throat. He didn’t know where this was headed, but for the first time in a long time, he was excited about the possibility.

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To be continued…

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