Chasing Hearts (Robert Chase x Reader)

Chapter 5

Chapter 5
Delicate gestures

Chapter song: Delicate by Damien Rice

The fluorescent lights buzzed softly overhead, casting a cold, sterile glow over the lab. You squinted down at the microscope, adjusting the focus, but no matter how much you tried, the details blurred in front of you. The pounding in your head was relentless, and the dull ache in your lower abdomen wasn't helping.

"Long day already, huh?" Foreman's voice came from behind, startling you slightly. You straightened up, putting on your best neutral expression as you turned to him.

"Just one of those days," you said, your tone light but not entirely convincing. You felt the familiar, gnawing cramps pulling at your insides, making it difficult to concentrate.

Foreman gave you a once-over, not fully buying your answer but knowing better than to press. "Well, we need to prep those lab results. House is on his usual rampage."

You nodded and forced yourself to move, pretending the dull pain wasn't dragging you down with each step. Your fingers tightened around the edge of the counter as you shifted positions, ignoring the creeping sensation of discomfort.

"Something wrong?" Chase's voice cut through the noise, smooth but with just enough edge to make you feel like he noticed everything. He was hovering nearby, not too close, but just enough to be aware of you.

"Nope. All good." You shrugged, brushing off the concern, but as you started to gather up the reports, Chase didn't seem convinced.

"Right." His response was casual, almost detached, but his eyes lingered on you for a beat longer than necessary before he moved off to the other side of the room.

You found yourself at the counter again, flipping through lab reports and going through the motions, but you couldn't ignore the headache that was building or the cramps twisting your stomach in knots. Without looking up, you could feel Chase's presence. He wasn't in your line of sight, but you knew he was paying attention.

Minutes later, a cup of green tea appeared on the counter next to your elbow. You glanced at it, then up at Chase, who was now busying himself with paperwork at the far end of the lab.

"Subtle," you muttered, eyeing the cup.

Chase didn't look up. "Drink it. You'll feel better."

You hesitated, but the warmth of the tea and its familiar scent was too tempting. You took a sip, and for a moment, the discomfort ebbed away just enough for you to keep going.

Hours later, during lunch in the cafeteria, you found a quiet corner by yourself, thankful for the solitude. But, of course, it didn't last.

"Mind if I sit?" Chase asked, already sliding into the chair across from you. He didn't wait for your answer, just placed his tray down, flipping through some patient notes while casually munching on his sandwich.

"You're already sitting, so..." you trailed off, too tired to argue.

Chase glanced up briefly, a small smirk playing on his lips. "Figured I'd keep you company."

You raised an eyebrow. "Since when do you care about company?"

He shrugged, taking another bite of his food. "I don't, usually. But you've been off today."

"I'm fine," you said, a little too quickly.

He shot you a look that clearly said he didn't believe you but wasn't going to push it. "Sure."

The silence stretched between you, and you both ate in an oddly comfortable rhythm. You hated how easy it was to fall into this routine with him, how natural it felt even on the most exhausting of days. He didn't hover, didn't pry, but somehow managed to be there, noticing the things others didn't.