Shaun Murphy X Reader

Chapter 3

[Y/n] laid down in the hospital room, staring at the ceiling. She was so bored, so tired, so done. At least until the curtain opened and Shaun smiled at her nervously. "I got you something," he said shyly.

"Ooh." She pushed herself up with her right arm. "Gimme gimme." She reached out her hands and wiggled her fingers. Shaun laughed quietly as he handed her the Rue 21 bag. She opened it and pulled out the shirt, the same one that was now ripped and bloody. "Thank you, Shaun." She had such a happy little smile he couldn't help but smile too. Well, that answered his question. Smiling really is contagious.

"There's something else," he said quietly.

"Really?" She dug down farther and found a red choker with a silver heart. "Shaun... thank you so much."

"You're welcome."

"Hand?" He hesitated for a moment. "You don't have to..." He held out his hand as soon as her face fell. She took it, hardly gripping it.

"How are you?" he asked, sitting down in the chair next to her.

"I'm okay."

"You are lying."

"Okay, fine. I'm scared, alright?"

"You should not be scared. My coworkers know what they're doing."

"I know, but I'm still scared." Shaun wasn't sure what to do.

"It'll be okay?" he said uncertainly.

"I'm sorry, Shaun. We hardly know each other, and I'm trying to make you help me more than you need to."

"It's okay," he assured, actually certain.

"I'm still sorry." She rubbed her thumb across his hand.

"Why?" Shaun asked, genuinely confused.

"I don't know; you aren't the only one who doesn't understand how I feel."

After a long silence, Shaun asked, "How bad?"

"They had to take the bullet out. It was too close to the joint and might've moved if they left it."

"Does it still hurt?"

"Not that much. It feels better when I'm not alone."

"That makes me feel bad since I have to get ready for work soon."

"That's okay, Shaun. It helps that you care about me."

"You are nice to me even though I am different."

"I'm different too, Shaun," she assured with a smile.

"I have autism and most people think I am not like them. I can't understand social cues. I am not normal."

"Shaun, listen carefully. Everyone is fucked up the exact same amount. No one really understands other people anyway, so don't you dare feel bad that you struggle, okay? I think every other part of your brain is suffocating that part because you are really damn smart. Don't you forget that, okay?" She rubbed his hand with her thumb, her eyes sincere.

"Thanks," he said awkwardly.

"It's true, my darling." She laid back against her pillows. She smiled a simple, pure smile, and Shaun couldn't help but smile a bit more.

"I've got to get ready for work," he sighed and stood.

"Alright, just come see me if you can," she requested.

"I will," he promised. She let his hand slip from hers as he walked away.