The Space Between Us | Chappell Roan

Chapter 4 - Boundaries Blurred

A/N: Hey guys! Just wanted to say thank you so much for all the love I've been receiving on this fic! We've alr reached 100 reads hehe, and I'm so so thankful for all yalls support! I'll try to be more frequent with my updates, but until then, please enjoy this new chapterr. Also I can't wait for Christmas season to start LOL. The tension is realllyy building in this one hehe, but it'll be a slow burn as always ;) I hope you enjoy it!

Chapter 4: Boundaries Blurred

Astra stood at the edge of Chappell's hospital bed, arms crossed as she tried to focus on the routine exam. She was usually methodical—clinical, even—but today everything felt off. It was the way Chappell kept looking at her, like she saw through every careful defence Astra had built over the years. Like every time their eyes met, she was daring Astra to slip up again.

And, worse, it was working.

"Any dizziness or nausea?" Astra asked, flipping through Chappell's chart to avoid her gaze.

"Nope," Chappell said with an innocent grin that was anything but. "But maybe I could get a second opinion? You know, just to be extra sure."

Astra fought the urge to roll her eyes. "I think my first opinion will suffice." Chappell leaned back on the bed, crossing her arms behind her head. "So serious all the time, Doc. Do you ever have fun?"

Astra felt her lips twitch despite herself. Don't engage. Keep it professional. But Chappell's playful tone was impossible to resist.

"Sometimes," Astra admitted quietly, surprising even herself.

Chappell's eyes lit up, and the way she smiled—wide and genuine—made Astra's pulse flutter in her chest. "That's a start."

For a moment, neither of them spoke. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, but it was charged with unspoken possibilities.

Then, as if drawn by a force she couldn't control, Astra reached for Chappell's wrist to take her pulse. She told herself it was part of the exam, that it was necessary—but her fingers brushed over Chappell's skin with a touch too soft, too lingering.

Chappell's breath hitched. "You always this thorough Doc?" Chappell asked, her voice low.

Astra tried to pull back, but Chappell's hand shifted, her fingers brushing lightly against Astra's. The touch was fleeting, accidental—or maybe not. Astra couldn't tell anymore. For one dizzying moment, Astra didn't move. The air between them felt impossibly heavy, crackling with tension so thick it was hard to breathe. And then, just as suddenly, Astra stepped back, her professional mask snapping back into place.

"That's enough," Astra said, her voice sharp with self-restraint. "You're good to go."

Chappell's expression flickered—something between confusion and frustration. "What's your deal, Astra?" she asked, sitting up straighter on the bed. "You act like you care, but the second I get close, you pull away."

Astra's heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her face neutral. "I'm your doctor. That's all."

Chappell scoffed. "Right. And that's why you've been doing more than you need to, checking on me when no one's watching. You think I don't notice?"

Astra's throat tightened. She's right, a small voice whispered in the back of her mind. You're in way too deep.

"I'm just doing my job," Astra repeated, but even to her own ears, the words sounded hollow.

Chappell stared at her for a long moment, blue eyes searching Astra's face as if trying to unravel the contradictions in her. "You're lying," Chappell said softly.

The accusation hit Astra like a punch to the gut. She opened her mouth to deny it, but no words came out. And then, as if to drive the point home, Chappell reached out again—this time not by accident. Her fingers curled gently around Astra's wrist, holding her in place.

Astra's pulse raced beneath Chappell's touch, and she knew Chappell could feel it.

"Tell me I'm imagining this," Chappell whispered, her voice barely audible. "Tell me you don't feel it too."

Astra's breath caught in her throat. She wanted to say no. She needed to. But the truth burned on her tongue, and for once, she didn't know how to bury it. "I can't," Astra whispered back, the words slipping out before she could stop them. For a heartbeat, they stayed like that—caught in a moment that felt both terrifying and inevitable.

Then, slowly, Astra pulled her hand away, the loss of contact leaving her skin cold. "This can't happen," she murmured, more to herself than to Chappell. Chappell's jaw tightened, frustration flashing in her eyes. "Why not?" "Because it's... complicated," Astra said, hating how weak it sounded. "We're from two different worlds. This—whatever this is—it wouldn't work."

Chappell shook her head, a disbelieving laugh escaping her lips. "That's bullshit, and you know it."

Astra clenched her jaw, forcing herself to stay calm. "I have a responsibility to keep things professional."

"Professional?" Chappell echoed, her voice thick with disbelief. "You're not a robot, Astra. You care. I can see it."

Astra closed her eyes, willing herself to stay strong. But the truth was, she was crumbling. Every moment spent with Chappell made it harder to hold on to the distance she'd fought so hard to maintain. And Chappell knew it.

"Tell me you don't want this," Chappell said softly, her voice a challenge wrapped in vulnerability.

Astra opened her eyes, meeting Chappell's gaze head-on. The answer was right there on the tip of her tongue—but instead of saying it, she turned and walked toward the door. She needed to leave before she made a mistake she couldn't take back. But just as her hand touched the doorknob, Chappell's voice stopped her.

"This isn't over, Astra," Chappell said, her tone a mix of frustration and something softer—something dangerously close to hope.

Astra's heart twisted painfully in her chest.

"I know," she whispered, and then she was gone.

A/N: Aaandd that's a wrap! Thanks for taking the time to read thiss hehe :)) As always, please leave a vote and comment if you'd like it or if there's any direction you'd want this story to takee, have a great week ahead yalls. 

₊˚⊹♡