Affliction ( woman x intersex )

3.

"Fuck! Wait! Wait!" The train doors shut, coffee spilling onto Celeste's shoes causing her to hiss and drop her bag. Her books flew across the platform, people staring as she groaned in pain. She was late to class again, her professor making it clear that if she was late again she'd be dropped.

The tears streamed down her face as she did her best to pick up her books. Her glasses fogged up, snot seeping from her nose as she sobbed quietly. Stuffing everything in her bag, Celeste stood when a hand touched her shoulder causing her to jump.

"This slid across the platform. I believe it belongs to you." Celeste looked up and then up again to see amused gray eyes staring down at her. Her mouth dried, Celeste grabbing the notebook and slowly slipping it into her bag. The androgynous person smiled down at her before handing her a napkin causing Celeste to smile sadly.

"Thank you."

"Slow down next time. You're like a bumble bee. Chaotic. The train won't go any slower just because you're running."

"I'll take that into account for next time." Celeste chuckled before blowing her nose. Her scrubs were stained with coffee, Celeste sighing with defeat before looking at the stranger who just continued to stare.

"What?"

"You have pretty eyes."

"Thanks. So do you. I'm Celeste."

"Robin."

___

"It's a slow day today-"

"Sh. Don't. Don't say that." Celeste whispered to the nursing student that sat at her station. The other RN's chuckled, Celeste smirking before taking a sip from her coffee. It's been a few days since the gala, Celeste using her work to distract herself from Robin being in her mind.

Everything about her haunted Celeste, Celeste wanting nothing more than for her to go back where she came from. She didn't need this floodgate to open. She got her life together and made it work and didn't need anyone to ruin it for her.

Especially Robin.

"How about you go get some lunch? You've done great today." Celeste assured the student, the chipper young woman standing up and walking off.

"How was your anniversary? Did anything special?" Denise asked. Denise was one of Celeste's closest friends and also the head nurse in the ER department. They've been friends for a few years, Denise always trying to convince Celeste to work full-time since she was one of the best nurses in her department.

"Mm, no. He got shit faced after the gala. Had to use ol' reliable." They both bursted into laughter when EMS called to let them know incoming patients were arriving. Celeste sighed, standing up and grabbing her supplies before making sure there was enough room for when the ambulance arrived.

"All hands on deck, people. Let's go!" Denise yelled, the emergency room flooded with staff as EMS rolled in multiple gurneys. The nurses worked, Celeste on autopilot as she followed doctor's orders and made sure patients were where they needed to be.

After suturing a few wounds and checking vitals, it finally calmed down in the ER. It was almost time to go home, Celeste doing her rounds and making sure everyone was okay. She loved her job, sometimes considering the offer Denise gave her. She also knew she didn't have to fully commit, her husband wanting her to be home since he worked long hours.

"Celeste, room fifteen. It's superficial." Denise muttered while handing Celeste a chart. Celeste walked over to the room, reading the chart over and stopping in her tracks at the name before sighing harshly.

Robin Val Jean.

"Mmm, nurse I don't feel so good." Robin muttered causing Celeste to huff before closing the privacy curtain.

"You're fùcking annoying." Celeste muttered before grabbing her tools and looking at Robin who just smirked. Celeste checked her vitals, their faces close as she flashed her light in her eyes to make sure she was okay.

"You really made it. I'm proud of you."

"I don't need your praise. What are you here for?" Robin lifted her hand, her knuckles swollen and bleeding with cuts causing Celeste to scoff.

"Some things clearly never change."

"Please enlighten me."

"Still getting into bar fights and breaking into shit?" Celeste asked as she started to clean Robin's hand. Robin hissed in pain, Celeste smirking as she dressed her wounds before starting to wrap her hand. They were quiet, the room buzzing with intense energy as Celeste worked on Robin's knuckles.

"Still the same feisty bumble bee."

"Stop calling me that."

"Why, eh? Are you not?"

"No. I'm a grown woman that you can't take advantage of. I'm established. Now go on with your life and leave me alone." Celeste huffed. Before she could walk off, Robin grabbed her hand, Celeste pulling it away harshly before glaring at her.

"I just want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry for the way things went."

"I don't want to hear it, Robin. Just leave me alone, okay? Stop showing up everywhere. I meant it when I said I was done with you. I'm married and I'm happy." Celeste whispered harshly. Robin nodded, smirking as she leaned back against the bed railing while gesturing toward the curtain.

"Go on. I'll leave you be."

"Thank you."

Celeste pushed the curtain aside before walking over to the nurses station. She let out a deep breath, her eyes squeezed shut before grabbing her things and clocking out.

"Denise, I'll text you okay?"

"Okay baby, be safe."

Walking out into the cold air, Celeste zipped up her sweater before pulling out her phone. She called for an Uber, her legs shaking as she trembled while glaring down at the concrete. Her mind drifted to Robin, her eyes rolling automatically as she huffed before getting into the car and slamming the door shut.

"Easy."

"Sorry."

She hated that the woman still managed to trigger her emotions. She hated that she was around and wished she never had met her. Some things could never be forgiven. It didn't matter how many apologies were said. The damage would forever be there and it would never go away. It didn't matter that Celeste could still feel the way her lips felt against hers, and all the good things that happened in between the bad.

What's done was done, and Celeste had better things ahead of her.