The Space Between Us | Chappell Roan

Chapter 5: Cracks in the Armour

Chapter 5: Cracks in the Armor

Astra leaned against the counter in the break room, absently stirring sugar into her tea. She'd stayed late again—long after her shift officially ended—but the hospital halls were quieter at this hour, a solace she wasn't ready to leave behind.

Her pager buzzed on the table. A message from Chappell.

Chappell: Surprised you're still up, Doc.
Chappell: Wanna keep me company? These walls are boring as hell.

Astra exhaled a laugh, shaking her head. She could practically hear Chappell's teasing tone in the text.

Astra: Shouldn't you be resting?
Chappell: I'll rest better if you're here.

As Astra read the message, her heart unknowingly fluttered in her chest. What the hell was that??  Astra knew she should maintain some distance—she'd already crossed too many lines. But before she could stop herself, she was on her way back to Chappell's room.

When she pushed open the door, she found Chappell sitting cross-legged on the hospital bed, her hair messy from sleep, the blanket draped lazily around her shoulders.

"You really don't know how to take it easy, do you?" Astra said, a wry smile tugging at her lips.

Chappell grinned. "What's the fun in that?"

Astra tried to suppress her own smile as she crossed the room, settling into the chair beside the bed, Astra sneaking glances at Chappell when she thought she wasn't looking. For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, the soft hum of machines the only sound between them.

"You always this serious?" Chappell asked eventually, breaking the quiet.

Astra gave a small shrug. "I guess I'm... focused. I don't let loose often."

Chappell tilted her head, studying Astra like she was trying to solve a puzzle. "I think you could, if you wanted to."

The warmth in her voice was unexpected—gentler than Astra had expected from someone as brash and carefree as Chappell. It made Astra's defenses waver, just for a moment.

"I used to," Astra admitted quietly, more to herself than to Chappell. "I was different in university."

Chappell leaned closer, curiosity dancing in her blue eyes. "Oh? What were you like?"

Astra hesitated, unused to sharing pieces of herself. But something about Chappell made it hard to keep everything locked away.

"I played the cello," she said eventually, a soft smile tugging at her lips as the memory surfaced. "It's how I got into Oxford. I thought I'd be a musician before I switched to medicine."

Chappell's eyes widened. "No way. You're telling me you've got doctor skills and music talent? You're a whole package doc" 

Chappell says with a lazy grin that was so unfairly attractive. Astra felt her heart skip a beat but chose to ignore it. Astra's cheeks flushed at the compliment, and she looked away, embarrassed by how easily Chappell disarmed her. "It's just a hobby now."

"You should play for me sometime," Chappell said, her voice dropping just enough to make Astra's heart stumble.

Astra shook her head, though there was no real conviction behind it. "We'll see."

Their eyes met again, and for a moment, the air between them shifted—something unspoken passing between them, fragile but undeniable.

Chappell's hand rested casually on the bed, her fingers just inches from Astra's. Without thinking, Astra let her own hand drift closer, their fingertips brushing in the slightest, most fleeting touch.

The contact was barely there, but it sent a spark down Astra's spine, her skin tingling where they connected.

Chappell didn't pull away. Instead, she tilted her head slightly, her gaze softening. "You're not as hard to figure out as you think," she murmured.

Astra felt her breath hitch, but she kept her voice even. "And what do you think you've figured out?"

Chappell's grin turned mischievous, though there was something warm beneath it. "That you care more than you let on."

Astra's chest tightened. Of course I care, she thought, but saying it out loud felt too dangerous.

Instead, she let the moment linger, allowing herself to bask in the quiet closeness between them. No words, no pressure—just the simple, comforting presence of someone who saw through her walls and chose to stay.

It was reckless, Astra knew. But for the first time in a long time, she didn't feel the need to pull away.

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AAAAAHHH THESE two just needa get tgt ASAP IDC, im loving the slow burn but we'll see. ALSOOO can we just talk abt how good the giver is, I thought I wouldn't like country music but Chappell made me change my mind. ALSO I'm so proud of my girl holyy, 6 nominees for the grammiesss <33 Ughh she deserves the worldd, maybe I'll even give yall a double update nxt week to celebrate hehe. As always, please lmk what you think and how yall want the story to continuee!! Love yall lots 😋