December 12 2020
Camilla was leaning against the vending machine in the resident's lounge, scrolling through her phone, when Gabriel stormed in. His hair was a mess, his scrubs wrinkled, eyes wide like he hadn't slept in days.
Gabriel - Camilla
he blurted out.
She didn't even look up.
Camilla - Judging by your face, you either botched a patient note, or you finally combusted from thinking about Medusa for too long.
Gabriel ran a hand down his face.
Gabriel- I need to ask you something.
Now she looked up, amused.
Camilla- This should be good.
He stepped closer, lowering his voice.
Gabriel - Do you think... if I kissed her... I could get closure?
Camilla froze, then blinked.
Camilla - I'm sorry — *what?*
Gabriel's chest rose and fell rapidly, words tumbling out before he could stop them.
Gabriel - I know it's insane, okay? I just—this crush, it's eating me alive. I can't stop thinking about her. Maybe if I... if I kissed her, just once, I could move on.
Camilla stared at him like he'd just declared he wanted to juggle scalpels. Then she burst out laughing.
Camilla - Oh my God, Luiz. You've *completely* lost your mind.
He flushed.
Gabriel - I'm serious.
Camilla -Serious?
Camilla snorted, shoving her phone in her pocket.
Camilla - You're talking about kissing *Dr. AJ Brewster*. Head of Neuro. Married. With a kid. In what universe is that closure and not career suicide?
Gabriel - I wouldn't actually—
he started, but his voice faltered.
Camilla raised her brows.
Camilla- Wouldn't you? Because I've seen the way you look at her. You're one stress fracture away from doing something stupid.
Gabriel sank into the chair opposite her, burying his face in his hands.
Gabriel -I just want this to stop. I can't—God, I can't breathe around her. And knowing she knows? It's worse.
Camilla's smirk softened into something more sincere. She leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees.
Camilla - Listen, golden boy. Crushes on attendings happen. They burn hot, and they burn stupid. But you don't fix it by kissing her. You fix it by remembering who *you* are.
He peeked at her between his fingers.
Gabriel - And who's that?
Camilla- An intern who worked his ass off to get here. A brother who's raising his little sister. A guy with too much potential to throw it away over a woman who will never be yours. Even if she wasn't married, even if she wasn't Medusa, she's your boss.
Gabriel groaned.
Gabriel- So you're saying I'm doomed.
Camilla grinned, leaning back.
Camilla - Doomed? No. Heartbroken? Absolutely. But at least you'll survive it. Kissing her?
She shook her head.
Camilla - That's how you turn heartbreak into a hospital scandal.
For the first time, Gabriel laughed weakly.
Gabriel - You're brutal.
Camilla- That's why you like me
Camilla teased, patting his knee.
Cqmilla - Now go splash some water on your face before you say something to AJ that lands you in HR.
Gabriel sighed, dragging himself up. As he walked out, Camilla muttered under her breath
Camilla - Closure, he says. Boy's really out here trying to kiss Medusa.
