Choices Imagines

When You're Ready - Rafael Aveiro x Casey Valentine

A/N: Hi guys. This is my first time rewriting a chapter as my own short fiction. I don't see many fanfictions with Rafael and Casey (both male and female MC). I won't be quoting may lines from the actual chapters because my brain is a mess and I forgot to screenshot a lot of what's happened recently as I was so emotionally engaged in it all. But I thought it would be sweet to add this into the mix.

--- After they know the cure worked and they're both awake ---

Casey had just been told by a happy Sienna that Rafael had woken up, and she could go to see him. He'd been asking for her. Happily, Casey made her way to his room, but stopped in her tracks as she heard shouting coming from his room.

"Did you even think of me before you charged in there?!"

"I- No. I didn't"

"Just as I thought. Goodbye, Rafael. I'm glad you're okay but... we're not. In fact there is no 'we' anymore. This relationship is over."

"Sora-"

Casey watched as Rafael's now ex-boyfriend stormed out of the room, stopping and turning to look at her before heading off through the halls in a rush. Tears stinging his eyes. Taking a deep breath, Casey walked on hesitantly and entered Raf's room, poking her head in first. Rafael looked up and a smile graced his features. Even though he was still a little pale and clearly dehydrated, to her he still looked as beautiful as he did the first day she saw him. She entered and returned his smile as she sat in the chair beside the bed.

"Hey. Are you okay? I heard.. what happened just now."

"Oh. ... Yeah, I'll be fine."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah... Sora was right. I wanted it to work, but... my heart? It wasn't in it."

"I see." Casey said nodding, focusing on a wall before looking back into his eyes. "So... what does this mean for you now? Are you still going to Brazil, or...?"

Rafael looked at the door for a minute. Thought flickering over his face before he focused back on Casey.

"No. No, I don't think so. I told myself that moving would.... be good for me. A new frontier. But now that I think about it. I think I was just running away."

He moved his hand slightly, Casey noticed and laced their fingers together and he squeezed lightly.

"I'm going to stay. I need to. I wanted a change, and well.. I got one."

The two locked eyes and grinned at each other briefly. Casey scooted closer and rested her head on his shoulder, Rafael leaning his head onto hers and taking a deep breath. A ghost of a smile crossed his face as they stayed like that for a while. In that moment, a lot clicked into place. One of those things being that his break-up with Sora a few moments ago didn't hurt like it should have, because he wanted this. He wanted Casey. Then his eyes widened as the final realization came forward. He loves her, and wants to love her for the rest of their lives. But he shook the thought from his mind, forcing himself to enjoy the current moment.

--- Days Later ---

"Dr. Valentine? ... Casey?"

She turned round to face the other person in her room, still in a bit of a daze.

"Hm?"

"I'm discharging you."

"What? But."

Ethan stopped her by holding up his hand. "Don't even attempt to argue with me. I'm happy with your latest test results. I'm sending you home."