Imagine Book 2

A Night of the Unexpected- Harvey Bullock (Gotham) Pt.2~ The Hospital

Fem Y/N

The antiseptic smell of the hospital corridor assaulted Harvey Bullock's nose as he made his way to Y/N's room. His arms were laden with a bouquet of flowers, a stack of books, and a paper bag containing her favourite pastries from the bakery down the street from the precinct. He'd spent the last three days buried in paperwork, processing the would-be burglar and fielding questions from Internal Affairs about the shooting. But now, finally, he had a moment to breathe – and more importantly, to see Y/N.

He paused outside her door, suddenly feeling nervous. The kiss they'd shared in the heat of the moment still burned in his memory, but doubt gnawed at him. What if she'd changed her mind? What if the whole thing had been a product of adrenaline and fear?

Taking a deep breath, Harvey knocked softly before pushing the door open. "Y/N? You up for a visitor?"

Y/N was sitting up in bed, her injured leg propped up on pillows. Her face lit up when she saw him, and Harvey felt his anxiety melt away. "Harvey! I was hoping you'd come by."

He shuffled into the room, awkwardly juggling his armload of gifts. "Sorry it took me so long. The vultures down at IA were having a field day with this one."

Y/N's brow furrowed with concern. "You're not in trouble, are you?"

Harvey set the flowers on her bedside table and placed the books and pastries within her reach. "Nah, don't you worry about that. It was a clean shoot – or it would have been if I'd actually fired the gun. They're just doing their due diligence."

He pulled up a chair next to her bed, taking in the sight of her. She looked pale and tired, but her eyes were bright as ever. "How're you feeling, sweetheart?"

The term of endearment slipped out naturally, and Harvey felt his cheeks warm. But Y/N just smiled, reaching out to take his hand. "Better now that you're here. The doctors say I'll make a full recovery. I might even get to go home tomorrow."

Harvey squeezed her hand gently. "That's great news. I've been worried sick about you."

A comfortable silence fell between them, both acutely aware of the shift in their relationship but unsure how to address it. Finally, Y/N spoke up. "Harvey, about what happened that night..."

"Yeah?" Harvey's heart rate picked up, bracing himself for the worst.

Y/N met his gaze steadily. "I meant what I said – and what I did. I've had feelings for you for a long time, and nearly losing you made me realize I couldn't keep pretending they didn't exist."

Relief and joy surged through Harvey. He brought her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to her knuckles. "I'm glad to hear that, because I've been carrying a torch for you for years. Never thought a gal like you would look twice at an old beat-up cop like me."

Y/N laughed, the sound music to Harvey's ears. "Well, this 'gal' happens to think you're the bravest, kindest, most honourable man she's ever met. Even if you are a bit rough around the edges."

Harvey grinned, some of his usual swagger returning. "Rough around the edges, huh? I'll show you rough around the edges."

He leaned in, capturing her lips in a tender kiss. Y/N responded eagerly, her free hand coming up to cup his cheek. The kiss deepened, filled with all the longing and affection they'd both been holding back for so long.

When they finally parted, both were slightly breathless. Harvey rested his forehead against hers, marvelling at how right this felt. "I could get used to this," he murmured.

Y/N smiled, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. "Me too. Though maybe next time we could skip the near-death experience?"

Harvey chuckled, pulling back slightly but keeping hold of her hand. "Deal. How about a nice, boring dinner date once you're back on your feet?"

"Sounds perfect," Y/N replied. Her gaze fell on the paper bag he'd brought. "Are those from Gino's?"

"Only the best for you, sweetheart," Harvey said, reaching for the bag. "I got an assortment. Figured hospital food couldn't be doing you any favours."

As they shared the pastries, Harvey filled Y/N in on the case. The burglar had turned out to be a small-time crook named Eddie Lawson, who'd been desperate for cash to pay off a gambling debt. He'd thought Y/N's apartment would be an easy score, not realizing she'd be home – or that she'd have a seasoned detective for company.

"Poor guy never stood a chance," Y/N commented, licking a bit of chocolate from her fingers in a way that made Harvey's mouth go dry.

"Yeah, well, he's lucky I didn't do worse," Harvey growled. "When I saw you bleeding..." He trailed off, the memory still too raw.

Y/N squeezed his hand. "Hey, I'm okay. Thanks to you."

Harvey shook his head. "I should have reacted faster. If I'd taken him down sooner-"

"Stop that," Y/N interrupted firmly. "You saved my life, Harvey. You were amazing."

She tugged on his hand, pulling him closer. Harvey went willingly, meeting her halfway for another kiss. This one was slower, deeper, filled with unspoken promises. When they parted, Harvey felt lightheaded in the best possible way.

"You know," he said, his voice rough with emotion, "I've faced down mob bosses, serial killers, and corrupt politicians. But nothing's ever scared me as much as the thought of losing you."

Y/N's eyes shimmered with unshed tears. "Well, you're not going to lose me. I'm tougher than I look, remember?"

Harvey smiled, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "That you are, sweetheart. That you are."

They spent the next hour talking, laughing, and stealing kisses whenever the mood struck them – which was often. Harvey regaled Y/N with stories from the precinct, carefully edited to avoid the grimmer details of his job. Y/N, in turn, caught him up on the library gossip he'd missed while she'd been hospitalized.

As the afternoon wore on, Harvey could see Y/N starting to tire. He was about to suggest he leave when a nurse bustled in to check Y/N's vitals.

"Visiting hours are almost over, Detective," the nurse said pointedly after finishing her examination.

Harvey nodded, reluctantly rising from his chair. "Guess that's my cue. You get some rest, okay? I'll be back tomorrow to spring you from this joint."

Y/N caught his hand as he turned to leave. "Harvey, wait. There's something I need to say."

He turned back, concern etched on his features. "What is it, sweetheart?"

Y/N took a deep breath, as if steeling herself. "I love you, Harvey Bullock. I think I have for a long time, and I'm tired of pretending otherwise. Life's too short, and I don't want to waste another day not being honest about how I feel."

Harvey felt like the wind had been knocked out of him. For a moment, he just stared at her, wondering if he'd heard correctly. Then, a grin spread across his face – not his usual sardonic smirk, but a genuine, joyful smile that took years off his weathered features.

"Well, now," he said, his voice thick with emotion. "That's a hell of a thing to spring on a guy."

He leaned down, cupping Y/N's face in his hands. "I love you too, Y/N. God help me, I love you more than I ever thought possible."

Their lips met in a passionate kiss, pouring all their feelings into the connection. The nurse cleared her throat pointedly, but they ignored her for a moment, lost in their own world.

When they finally parted, both were breathing heavily. Harvey pressed one last kiss to Y/N's forehead before straightening up. "I'll be here first thing in the morning," he promised.

Y/N nodded, her eyes shining with happiness. "I'll be waiting."