I'm back again, this time with a little piece I've written based on last night's episode and how a conversation with Fletch and Ange could've gone had Jeni not walked in at that point. I have Amy to thank for the inspiration and the conversation we had after the episode last night that prompted this oneshot. This is a little experimental in style and I haven't been overly confident in my writing ability lately so reviews and shares are appreciated. Trigger warning for mentions of cancer. The title of this is taken from the song 'Hugging You' by Tom Rosenthal.
Silent tears poured down both their faces, the former couple reeling from the events that had occurred that day. They were closer than they had been since the breakup, aside from after Dom's accident, but Ange refused to think about that, for fear that she would be even more of a sobbing mess than she was to begin with. Truth be told, she loved Evie like her own, and saw a lot of herself in the teenager, obviously not the whole becoming-a-teenager-mother-twice-in-the-space-of-two-years part because heaven knows that Fletch would have a fit if Evie ever ended up in that position but Evie's tenacity and resilience at such a young age was admirable. Ange blinked back the tears that were welling in her eyes, knowing that any attempts to appear strong for Fletch were futile as they had seen each other at their worst. She tentatively reached out, ready to put her hand over his, mirroring what he did to support her all those months ago after Dom…
The door swung open, revealing Jeni Sinclair. What that woman actually does is still a mystery to everyone, besides poking her nose into other people's business and the glare that she shot Ange told her that she wasn't over the moon to see the pair stood next to each other.
"It's ok… It's alright… I need to get back downstairs. Will you keep me posted?" her hurt and upset at this woman interrupting was evident in her voice, a solitary tear fell as she turned to leave, not wanting to argue.
"Ange…" Fletch's voice was weak, as though he was scared to ask for her to stay and wait for some news.
She span around to face him, looking up expectantly as she waited for him to regain his composure.
"Can…can you stay… please... just until we know more?" his words were punctuated by small sobs, like putting it into words brought home just how terrified he was.
"Are you sure you want me here?" she questioned nervously, despite knowing the answer already: he had been there for her after everything with Dom, it was only fair that she remained with him whilst Evie rested.
He nodded, and that was all Ange needed before she enveloped him in a hug, his tears finally falling freely and soaking through her scrubs, not that she cared though.
Jeni took the pair's embrace as her cue to leave, depositing the cappuccino and almond croissants that she had bought from pulses on the table, and shutting the staffroom door behind her. Neither Fletch nor Ange noticed Jeni's swift exit, for they were stood in the almost silent staffroom, save for both their quiet sobs, holding onto each other as if it the world would end if they didn't. Ange didn't think that in the whole time they had dated she had ever seen Fletch so distraught, not even when he received his cancer diagnosis and that was devastating for them both to go through. She tightened her hug, silently reassuring him that she wouldn't leave, that she would be there for them both, no matter what.
The news that Evie had taken their breakup badly hadn't shocked Ange, but nor was she expecting it: it had been difficult to form a connection with Evie, treading the thin line between not wanting to replace Natalie and wanting to be a form of maternal figure in Evie's life. She had succeeded eventually, even bringing Chloe and Dom round to the idea of potentially having stepsiblings despite only just getting to know each other properly. Her relationship with Fletch hadn't lasted as long as she had hoped though, but their time as a somewhat family unit was enjoyable and she loved the kids, she still does love them. Part of her wishes that she had stood up for herself more, fought for their relationship but it was over. It had been for a while. Part of her says that having a long-term relationship had given her a sense of normality and happiness after everything regarding Dom and Chloe unravelled, someone who she trusted properly for the first time since she had moved from Glasgow ten years prior, leaving behind all her friends and family to join Chloe who had, much to Ange's annoyance, moved to London for university.
Fletch's sobs subsided somewhat, and Ange took this as her cue to wipe her own tears, admitting to herself that she was affected by this, that she felt upset about it, finally giving herself an opportunity to acknowledge how Evie's injuries had affected her emotionally. Ange passed Fletch a tissue from her pocket, a simple action that he appreciated more than he could put into words. She squeezed his other hand, praying that she hadn't overstepped, her gesture simply showing her support, that she wouldn't leave.
Eventually, they sat down on the sofa, picking up the coffees that Jeni had abandoned and split the singular pastry that was in the paper bag, giving them a much-needed energy boost to get through until after Evie had been to theatre and back. Ange had messaged Hanssen and got emergency time off, it wasn't like she had recently used any of the annual leave she had built up, giving her a guarantee that she could be there for Fletch and for Evie for the rest of the day. They sat and sipped their coffee, an occasional sniff or concealed sob from one of them interrupted the muffled sounds of the busy ward that filtered into the staffroom. It reminded Ange of the time that she had spent waiting for Theo to wake up after Amira had kidnapped him, her and Fletch sat in that very room, their emotions then were polar opposite to their feelings now: relief then, fear now; they flirted and were content then, however, are afraid of overstepping and unhappy whilst sat sipping coffee, anxiously awaiting results for Evie. Despite all of that, it was the only place that Ange could imagine being in at that time, she knew that if she had gone back to the ward, she could never have concentrated on work at all, her mind too cluttered with fears for Evie and Fletch.
When alarms sounded from the ward, the pair instantly thought the worst, however, when a nurse appeared, her face showing relief instead of fear, and told them it wasn't Evie, the two slumped back down on the sofa, tears streaming down their faces once more and Fletch threw his arms around Ange. Their hug felt like coming home.