In Good Hands

The first game

Emily stepped into the arcade, scanning the bustling, neon-lit space until her eyes landed on Y/N by the air hockey tables. She felt a thrill of excitement at seeing her there, looking so effortlessly confident in jeans and a worn T-shirt, tattoos peeking out beneath rolled-up sleeves. There was something magnetic about Y/N's easy stance and warm smile, and Emily found herself grinning as she walked over.

Y/N spotted her and leaned off the air hockey table, smirking. "Agent Prentiss," she said in a teasing tone. "You ready to lose?"

Emily raised an eyebrow, feigning offense. "Lose? You're clearly underestimating me, Dr. L/N."

Y/N chuckled, sliding a paddle across to her. "Alright, big shot. Show me what you've got."

They started the game, and right away, Emily noticed Y/N's sharp reflexes and the competitive spark in her eyes. The doctor wasn't giving her any easy points, and it only made Emily more determined. They went back and forth, Emily scoring one point, then Y/N hitting two back in quick succession.

"Oh, come on," Emily laughed as Y/N blocked her shot with an almost theatrical flair. "You're enjoying this way too much."

"Oh, definitely," Y/N replied, grinning as she tapped the puck back across the table. "But hey, it's not my fault you thought you'd have an easy win."

The game was close, but Y/N ultimately won, her triumphant laugh filling the air. "Victory!" she declared, raising her paddle in mock celebration.

Emily shook her head, trying not to laugh. "Beginner's luck," she teased. "Let's see if you can handle a real challenge. Skee-Ball?"

Y/N accepted the challenge eagerly, and they moved on, their laughter and lighthearted banter growing with each game. When it was Emily's turn, Y/N took the chance to poke fun, gesturing exaggeratedly with her hands. "Easy there, Prentiss. It's all in the wrist."

Emily rolled her eyes, tossing the ball with a flourish that landed perfectly in the top-scoring ring. "See that? All in the wrist," she mimicked, her smirk wide.

Y/N chuckled, pretending to concede as she lined up her shot. "Alright, alright. Guess you've got some skills."

As they played through the rounds, Emily noticed how easily they fell into rhythm with each other. The competition, the laughter, and the small, subtle touches made her feel like she'd known Y/N far longer than just a couple of encounters.

After a while, they wandered over to the claw machine, and Y/N's expression turned mischievous. "Care to try your luck?" she asked, nodding toward the stuffed animals inside. "Or do you think the legendary Agent Prentiss might need a hand?"

Emily gave her a playful shove. "Oh, I could do it... but I think I'll let you prove your skills this time."

Y/N grinned, taking up the challenge. She dropped a quarter into the machine and focused on maneuvering the claw with surprising care. "Alright, I'll win you a prize. But no promises on the quality," she said, eyes glinting.

As the claw lowered, Emily found herself caught between amusement and genuine hope that Y/N might actually pull it off. With one last nudge, the claw grabbed hold of a small, neon-colored dinosaur and lifted it with surprising precision.

"Oh, I don't believe it," Emily said, watching as Y/N deftly maneuvered the claw over to the prize chute. The dinosaur tumbled down, and Y/N reached in, retrieving it with a grin.

She turned to Emily, holding out the little plush dinosaur with a warm smile. "For you, Agent Prentiss," she said, her tone a mix of playfulness and sincerity. "To commemorate your bravery on the air hockey battlefield."

Emily laughed, but there was a hint of warmth in her eyes as she took the toy. "I have to admit, I'm impressed. You're more than just a trauma surgeon with a quick wit."

Y/N shrugged modestly. "What can I say? I'm a woman of many talents."

They shared a laugh, lingering close as they headed outside into the cool night air, leaving the neon glow of the arcade behind. Emily looked down at the little dinosaur Y/N had won her, a feeling of rare lightness settling over her.

They stopped by the doorway, and Y/N turned to face her, her expression softening. "Thanks for tonight, Emily. I don't think I've laughed this much in... well, a long time."

Emily met her gaze, warmth spreading through her chest. "Me neither," she admitted. "It's been... surprisingly fun."

For a moment, they just stood there, the quiet between them carrying an unspoken invitation. Then, Y/N took a step closer, her hand brushing Emily's lightly, almost as if testing the waters. Emily didn't pull back; instead, she found herself leaning in, her pulse quickening as Y/N's face came close.

In the soft glow of the streetlights, Y/N closed the distance, pressing a gentle, tentative kiss to Emily's lips. It was warm and sweet, a promise held in the quiet connection between them. Emily felt herself melt into it, her hand resting lightly on Y/N's arm as the kiss deepened just slightly, filled with unspoken hopes and possibilities.

When they finally pulled back, both of them a little breathless, Y/N's smile softened, her eyes shining. "I'd say that was a pretty good ending to our first date, wouldn't you?"

Emily laughed softly, feeling the warmth of Y/N's hand lingering on her own. "Yeah," she replied, her voice filled with rare warmth. "I'd say it was perfect."

As they said their goodbyes, Emily clutched the little dinosaur to her chest, watching as Y/N walked away with a last, lingering smile. The night felt full of promise, and for the first time in a long time, Emily felt like she had something real to look forward to.