Manstead (Dr. Natalie Manning x Dr. Will Halstead) one-shots; requests are open.
Warning: may contain spoilers for any of the four "Chicago" shows. One-shots' lengths vary.
🏅ranked #3 in #manstead
🏅ranked #1 in #nataliemanning
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Disclaimer: I do...
"He said, 'I got me a nice new apartment In the city; wouldn't you have hated that? I've been getting by with the broken heart You left me with'; he hangs up the phone And turns the radio off, sayin', 'Missing you like this is such sweet sorrow Won't you come back to me? I'll be here today and here tomorrow In dark blue Tennessee'" .....................
"I have decided to transfer."
The words ring endlessly in Natalie's head. Will's leaving, and she really can't stop him this time.
"Why?" She asks, agitated. "Why would you choose to do this?"
Wide brown eyes blink slowly in front of him, and he can see faintly that she's holding back her tears.
"I have no future at Med." No future with you.
"Yes, you do!" Her frustrated hands gesture to the ER. "You are a leading doctor who is wanted by everyone, but please, please, Will, don't do this to everyone." Don't do this to us.
"Nat, c'mon. Mercy Hospital is offering me competitive pay, and you know I have to take it after the debt that trial left me in. I still haven't rebounded from that." I'm still on the rebound from you.
His want is clear to her. "Okay," she says, stepping back. "I understand." She smiles, although not out of happiness. "When do you leave?" Her tone is only a little flat, but he notices.
His own brown eyes are sad and reluctant. "I leave after shift today. I'm moving in to my new apartment over in westside Chicago." Westside. I'm so sorry I'll be so far from here.
"Dr. Manning, Trauma Four!" Maggie yells as the receiving doors open, the ER flooded with the red lights of a dire emergency.
The shift passes, Natalie trying to avoid saying too much to him, for fear of not being able to let him go. The last moments approach at 8:02 that evening.
"So this is it?" She asks, grabbing a stashed jacket from her locker, then looking directly into his eyes as he retrieves his bag from a table. This is the last time I'll see you.
"Guess so." I'm sorry.
"Are you and Nina going to work this out, or...?" Her brows furrow questioningly.
"Oh, um, actually," he pauses and breaks the casual eye contact briefly, "Nina and I broke up."
"Oh, Will," she breathes, half out of relief and half out of heartbrokenness for him. "I'm really sorry."
"No, it was me." He decides to say it. "I told her I'd lied about having-" He swallows hard. "Having a thing for you. And I have to know before I leave, Nat, I have to know: did you feel something?"
She crosses over to him, gently laying her belongings on the table. "I did, and I still do." She embraces him gently, laying her head on his shoulder and deliberately laying a hand over his heart. "Please don't go."
He says nothing, only wraps his arms around her and tries to pour every ounce of comfort he has into her.
A/N:
My heart is so full. I just got caught up on Med & wow I love Manstead. Also (trying not to spoil anything here) can we talk about Dr. Charles??????????
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