My first prompt for the TF Rare Pairing Fest 2022, Day 1: Hot Drinks / Leftovers, and my goal for this fest is to paddle the JuneOP canoe up this river by myself if I have to!

This fic is a missing scene from my fic Father of the Spark, so some things won't make sense unless you read that one. Hope you enjoy!


June couldn't help the sigh of relief as she entered the warm apartment. Despite living most of her life in the state, she'd never quite gotten used to how cold Nevada got after the sun went down, especially in the winter. Oh, she knew it had nothing on the snows her brother Thomas got on his ranch in Montana, but that was why she avoided visiting him in winter (luckily their parents were ever willing to play holiday hosts for the Darby children).

As she hung her coat on the rack, Orion stuck his head out of the kitchen, his long black hair loose and blue eyes twinkling the way they always did when he looked at her (at least according to Analise, whose opinion June hadn't asked for). "Welcome back, June. How was your shift?"

"Mostly quiet, thankfully, though I had to assist in a surgery and skipped my last break," June said, taking her scarf and gloves off, dropping them into their box before rubbing her hands together. "Christ, it's cold out there."

"Maybe this will help." Orion walked towards her with a steaming mug. She eagerly took it, and smiled as the aroma of hot chocolate hit her nose.

"You really don't need to do this every night, Orion," she said, even as she raised the mug to take a sip. The perfect temperature, and he'd used the french vanilla creamer instead of milk, her favorite way to make it.

"It's no trouble, June," Orion said. "I've also got food warmed in the oven. Just some of our leftovers thrown together, but I think it turned out alright."

"That's why it's so warm in here." She kicked off her shoes and followed him into the kitchen. She sat down while he got their dinner, and noticed the closed binder next to his plate and mug. "More dreams?"

"Reviewing the ones I've had before," he said, pulling a frying pan from the oven. "A new character appeared this week. A doctor, actually, named Ratchet. He was apparently a semi-famous war hero, and I asked him questions about the work he did. He answered, very grumpily, and smacked me with a wrench when I revealed I'd allowed my injury in the hope to be treated by him."

June laughed. "Oh, how I wish I could do that with some of the people who come into ER. I swear, we've had at least three men this week who came in just to try and flirt with us." Analise handled hers with her usual cool "I'm not attracted to men" line, which was true. Erika simply smiled and flashed her engagement ring, and June herself just grinned and bore it, since she had no ready made excuse.

The pan was set on the table, and June could see it was a mix of the sweet and sour chicken and rice they'd had two nights before, as well as the kale, carrots and onions from the salads she typically took to work. That had been a day or two away from going off, so that was a good choice.

"That looks delicious, Orion. You sure you weren't a chef before you showed up here?"

"Considering the 'Fried Egg Incident', it's probably a safe bet that I was not." Orion dished some onto both of their plates before sitting himself. They started eating, and Orion told her about the book he'd finished reading, and some of his thoughts on the author's intent with some elements. In turn, June told him about the surgery she'd assisted with, a simple appendectomy that she was pulled in on cause the nurse who was supposed to assist had to leave early. It hadn't been bad, though Dr. Phineas had made a pass at her which she'd gently deflected.

After she finished, Orion was quiet for a moment, then spoke. "Those men at work… Are you certain they aren't bothering you?"

"I'm a big girl, Orion. I can handle a bit of inappropriate flirtation," June reassured him. That was something she enjoyed about Orion, he asked things like that out of genuine concern. He was never patronizing or thinking she couldn't take care of herself, (and had even mentioned a chill of fear down his back at the very thought), but also never dismissive of when she did have a worry. "Besides, you put up with that at your work too."

"True. I've caught several women watching me as I restock the books. Even had a high schooler make a pass, though I think it might have been a dare the way her friends giggled about it." He grimaced at that, and June completely got why.

"Maybe we need a way to deflect their attentions." She scooped up a forkful of stir fry, and thought. "Maybe a fake boyfriend for me and fake girlfriend for you. Might throw some of them off."

Orion thought a moment, then smiled. "Never hurts to try, at least. But what should we say about them?"

"Well, what traits would you want in an ideal partner?" June asked. "For me, definitely tall. At least half a head taller than me. And well built, I like a bit of muscle." She smiled at the mental image.

Orion thought for a moment, then said "Shorter. Someone I can tuck around and be reassured I can keep them safe. Their body type, I don't really care about, but I would hope they'd be kind."

June's smile softened, slight lechery replaced with sweetness. "Being kind is definitely a requirement. And smart; no way would I ever date a man dumber than me."

Orion snorted. "Oh certainly. And I would hope she would indulge my ramblings about whatever new book I read, and how I think it connects to the authors other works in universe or in meta-contextual sense."

"Of course! Just like I'd want mine to let me rant about the unusual patients or when the doctors are being particularly frustrating."

"She should enjoy spending quiet moments together."

"Walks in the park."

"Watching movies."

"Dancing in the living room."

"Be able to talk about anything."

"Makes excellent hot chocolate," June raised her mug and drank the last of hers.

"Blue eyes."

June almost choked, but swallowed around the lump in her throat and looked at Orion. His blue eyes were still sparkling, but there was an intensity behind it now, completely focused on her.

She nodded, not breaking eye contact. "Definitely blue eyes. And long hair."

"Long black hair." He reached out and brushed away a strand that had fallen from her ponytail. She leaned into the touch, and he cradled her cheek. "The most beautiful woman I've ever seen or met."

Her breath hitched, and unconsciously she leaned in. He met her halfway, and when their lips met, there was just sense of right. This was it. What she'd described and dreamed was in front of her.

The kiss was short, but she was breathless when they separated. She looked up at Orion, and couldn't help a happy giggle, which Orion echoed with a soft chuckle, resting his forehead against hers.

"Orion, would you be my 'fake' boyfriend?"

"I will. Will you be my 'fake' girlfriend?"

"Yes." And they sealed their agreement with another 'fake' kiss.