Asher Wolke stood in front of the large windows of the hospital's break room, staring out into the night sky. The city lights flickered below, a sharp contrast to the quiet and sterile environment of the hospital. He sighed, running a hand through his curly hair. It had been a long day—a series of complex cases, one after another, and the weight of his decisions hung on him like an invisible cloak. But it wasn't just the cases that were pressing on his mind. It was Jerome Martel, the hospital's confident, sometimes cocky, surgical nurse, who had been occupying his thoughts.

Jerome had a magnetic presence, always with a sly smile on his face and eyes that seemed to see right through Asher. From the moment they'd met, Asher knew Jerome was different. There was something about him—something dangerous, alluring, and irresistible. Like a flame pulling in a moth. And Asher was the moth.

He had tried to stay away, tried to keep his distance, but Jerome always found a way to draw him back in. Every casual glance, every teasing remark—it was a game, one Jerome played effortlessly. And Asher, despite himself, was losing.

The door to the break room swung open, and Jerome strolled in, wearing his signature smirk, his scrubs clinging perfectly to his toned body. He looked over at Asher, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "What's up, Doctor Wolke? You look like you're trying to solve the mysteries of the universe over there."

Asher stiffened slightly but didn't turn around. He kept his gaze on the skyline. "Just thinking. Long day."

Jerome walked up behind him, close enough for Asher to feel his presence but not quite touching. "You always think too much, Asher. Relax a little."

Asher finally turned, his eyes meeting Jerome's. There it was—that familiar tension, the invisible thread that connected them, even though Asher tried so hard to sever it. "Relaxing isn't really in my nature," Asher replied, his voice quieter than usual.

Jerome grinned, taking a step closer. "I've noticed. Maybe I can help you with that."

Asher swallowed, his heart beating faster in his chest. He was trapped in Jerome's gaze, unable to break free. "I'm not sure that's a good idea."

Jerome raised an eyebrow, his voice teasing. "Why not? You scared?"

Asher narrowed his eyes. "I'm not scared of you."

"Good," Jerome said, his smile widening. "Because I don't bite. Not unless you want me to."


Asher could feel the heat rising in his cheeks, and he cursed himself for the way his body betrayed him around Jerome. He was always so calm, so rational—except when Jerome was near. With Jerome, everything felt out of control, like he was constantly teetering on the edge of something dangerous.

Jerome, noticing the effect he had on Asher, took another step closer, their bodies almost touching now. His voice dropped, becoming more serious. "You know, I've seen the way you look at me, Asher. You try to hide it, but I'm not blind."

Asher's breath hitched slightly. He wanted to deny it, to push Jerome away, but the truth was out there now, hanging between them like a dark cloud. "Jerome, I—"

"Relax," Jerome said, cutting him off softly. "I'm not here to push you into anything. I just… I know you feel it too. This thing between us. I can see it in your eyes. And I know you're fighting it."

Asher closed his eyes briefly, trying to gather his thoughts. He wasn't supposed to feel like this. He had rules—boundaries he'd set for himself. He had left behind his former life, the strict confines of his past, and he had promised himself that he wouldn't get involved with someone like Jerome. Someone who could consume him, overwhelm him.

But Jerome was persistent, unrelenting. And Asher knew deep down that he was losing the battle. "I don't want to get hurt, Jerome," Asher said finally, his voice barely above a whisper.

Jerome's expression softened, his playful demeanor shifting to something more sincere. "I'm not going to hurt you, Asher. I know I can come off… intense. But with you, it's different. You're not like the others."

Asher's eyes flickered open at that, searching Jerome's face for any hint of insincerity. He found none.


"Different how?" Asher asked, his voice tinged with vulnerability.

Jerome smiled gently, lifting a hand as if he were going to touch Asher's face but stopping just short. "Because you actually make me want to try. To be better. I don't know, man… something about you just gets under my skin."

Asher didn't know what to say to that. He had always been so guarded, so careful about letting anyone get close. But Jerome had slipped through those defenses without even trying.

"I'm not… good at this," Asher admitted after a beat, his eyes dropping to the floor. "I don't know how to just… let go."

Jerome tilted his head, his expression thoughtful. "You don't have to know how. Just trust me. I'll show you."

Asher looked up again, meeting Jerome's gaze, and in that moment, something shifted inside him. He wasn't sure if it was the way Jerome looked at him, like he was the only person in the room, or if it was the gentle sincerity in his voice. But Asher felt himself take a step forward, closing the small gap between them.

"I'm scared," Asher whispered, admitting the truth he'd been trying so hard to ignore.

Jerome's expression softened even more, and this time, he did reach out, his hand lightly resting on Asher's arm. "It's okay to be scared. But you don't have to be scared of me."

For a moment, Asher just stood there, letting the words sink in. It was so hard for him to trust, to let himself be vulnerable. But Jerome had been patient, and as much as Asher tried to deny it, he wanted this—wanted him.


The silence stretched between them, heavy with unspoken emotions, until Jerome finally spoke again, his voice low and filled with intent. "I've been waiting for you to make the first move, Asher. But I'm done waiting."

And with that, Jerome closed the distance completely, his lips crashing into Asher's in a kiss that was as intense as it was electrifying. Asher's mind went blank for a split second, and then, instinctively, he kissed Jerome back, his hands gripping the front of Jerome's scrubs as if holding on for dear life.

The kiss was filled with all the tension that had been building between them for months, a mix of frustration, desire, and longing that neither of them had fully acknowledged until now. Jerome's hands moved to cup Asher's face, pulling him deeper into the kiss, and Asher felt a warmth spread through his body, an undeniable connection igniting between them.

When they finally broke apart, both of them were breathing heavily, their foreheads resting against each other as they tried to catch their breath.

"See?" Jerome whispered with a grin. "Not so scary, huh?"

Asher laughed softly, shaking his head. "No. Not scary at all."

Jerome stepped back slightly, his fingers still lightly trailing down Asher's arm. "You just need to stop thinking so much, Asher. Let yourself feel."

Asher nodded slowly, his heart still racing from the kiss. Maybe Jerome was right. Maybe he had been overthinking everything. But in that moment, all Asher could feel was a deep pull toward the man standing in front of him—a pull he wasn't sure he could resist even if he wanted to.


As the night wore on, they found themselves sitting side by side on one of the hospital couches, their legs barely touching as they talked quietly, the world outside the break room fading away. For the first time in a long time, Asher felt like he could breathe, like he wasn't carrying the weight of his past or the fear of his future.

Jerome leaned back, his head resting against the cushion as he looked over at Asher with a smile. "You know, I wasn't lying when I said you're different. I've been with a lot of people, but none of them made me want to slow down. With you… it's like I don't want to rush anything. I just want to be here. With you."

Asher felt a warmth spread through his chest at Jerome's words, and for the first time, he let himself believe that maybe this could work. That maybe, despite everything he had been through, he could let someone in.

"You're not what I expected," Asher admitted, his voice soft but sincere.

Jerome chuckled. "Yeah, I get that a lot."

"No," Asher continued, his eyes meeting Jerome's. "I mean, you're more than I expected."

Jerome's playful smirk faded into something softer, and he reached out, taking Asher's hand in his own. "And you're exactly what I was looking for."

Asher smiled, a rare, genuine smile, as he squeezed Jerome's hand. "Maybe we're both exactly what we need."