Asclepias Blossoms
A collection of short stories set in the universe of Atlus's Trauma Center games.
Title: This Dance
Rating: K
Summary: Gabe and Maria exchange pillow talk for wedding whispering. Now with dancing!
Author Notes: Originally published on my Tumblr for Traumusical's 2012 Trauma Center/Trauma Team Secret Santa Gift Exchange. This was my gift to Tumblr user The-Grim-Squeaker (Samira) who requested a piece with Maria and Gabe.
"Did you know Esha gave the bartender special instructions saying that I'm only allowed to get two drinks?"
"To be fair, we all remember your… lovely rendition of 'Jingle Bell Rock' at last year's Christmas party."
Maria gave a loud hmph! as she plopped down next to Gabe.
"I didn't know how fricking strong that eggnog was!" she said incredulously as she leaned over to adjust the hem of her cocktail dress. "Besides, this is a wedding! How the hell am I supposed to have fun at Esha's wedding without a little booze?"
Maria's question went unanswered as Gabe watched the couples on the dance floor.
"Are you a little, you know… sad?" Maria asked quietly.
"Why would I be sad?"
"Because, you know."
"I know what?!"
"Jesus, Gabe! Do I have to spell it out for you?"
"Spell what out?"
"Your history with Esha!"
Gabe's hand flew straight to his forehead with a soft smacking sound. "Me? And Esha? Where the hell did you hear that?"
Maria rolled her eyes. "Caught the deadliest virus at the hospital: nurse gossip."
"Oh god, no! No. No no no, Esha's practically my sister," Gabe said, shaking his head. He gave a loud guffaw that made Esha's grandmother two tables away look over disapprovingly. "I'm glad to see her married. Maybe that will finally get her off my ass about the little stuff. Anyway, since when did you believe all that hospital gossip crap anyway?"
"I didn't say I believed it!" Maria replied indignantly. "Jeez, can't someone just make conversation anymore?"
"That's some pretty heavy conversation, Maria."
Maria scoffed and snatched his scotch from him. "That's your opinion."
"Cranky tonight, aren't we?" Gabe said after a moment.
She pointedly turned away from him, taking a long swig of his drink.
They sat in silence for awhile, the soft sounds of a love ballad from the sixties playing in the background. Esha, glowing in her wedding gown, was dancing with her new husband a fair distance away. Out of the corner of his eye, Gabe saw Emma and Darnell laughing at something Hank had said. Alyssa was dancing on Navel's feet while Naomi looked on with a smile. Everyone's favorite (cleared, former) convict was being pulled and coaxed towards the dance floor by Tomoe.
All in all, there were worse ways to spend a Saturday night.
A loud sigh from Maria broke Gabe out his stupor. He traced her line of sight to see where she was looking. Realization dawned slowly.
"Hey Mariiiiia," Gabe asked in a singsong.
"Hm?" she said.
"Are you maybe feeling some bridesmaid's envy?"
Maria's head snapped up. "No!"
Gabe raised his hands in mock disbelief. "Sure you aren't."
"Shut up, I am not. I'm perfectly happy for Esha!" Maria said quickly. When Gabe looked unconvinced, she shot him a frosty glare. "God, who wants to wear one of those frilly, fluffy dresses anyway?"
"I want you to know I totally and completely do not believe you," Gabe said, a smirk creeping on his lips.
"You can be such an ass," Maria said. "Why do I even put up with you?"
Without skipping a beat, Gabe said, "Because who else will tell you that you look beautiful tonight?"
Unconvinced, Maria crossed her arms defiantly. "I know I do. And FYI, there have been, like, six guys who've asked for my number tonight."
In the dim light, Gabe swore he saw Maria's turn the slightest hint of pink.
"And where are all these suitors?"
"Off getting me drinks like gentlemen instead of annoying me," Maria said, pointedly shaking Gabe's now empty glass at him. "Speaking of which, if you want to make yourself useful…"
"I have a better idea."
Gabe grabbed the glass from her and set it down on the table. He stood and extended a hand expectantly towards Maria.
"What?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?"
"It looks you're asking me to dance."
"Good to know your PhD is well deserved, Dr. Torres."
Maria blinked up at him.
"Gabe," Maria said slowly. "I don't dance. Well, okay, I do, but not with you!"
"Sweetheart, there is a first for everything."
A flash of eyes meeting and ten seconds later, Gabe triumphantly held Maria's hand in his own.
Post Author's Note: I have a lot of short, flash fiction-esque Trauma Center fics. A lot. I have finally decided to clean some up and post them for your reading pleasure. Reviews are very much appreciated. I hope you enjoy this series.