She shivered as she shifted uncomfortably on the couch. Even under her thin long sleeve, she could feel the goosebumps rise at the lack of heat. Turning to face the other occupant of the room, she found him staring intently back to her with his deep curious eyes of his.

As she felt her heart skip a beat, she quickly turned away before her resolve broke. Why was she submitting herself to something as childish as this game of silence? This was not what she wanted; she wanted to be on good terms with her boyfriend, she wanted normalcy.

She shivered once again, and the first tear was let loose. Any indication that she was okay playing this game quickly crumbled. She hastily scrambled out the door, but not before the first of many sobs escaped her lips.

--BREAK--

He lay on his bed, a dense feeling of guilt layering his already heavy heart. Had he really caused her this much pain? He could see it in her eyes every morning during rounds; she was tired, hurt and more or less annoyed with his arrogant self. This was not what he wanted; he wanted her back in his arms, he wanted everything to be normal again. Why had he submitted himself to something as inanely foolish as this game of silence?

As he repositioned himself, another wave of guilt washed over him. She was out there cold and hurting and he was here on this bed.

No, he had to fix this. He couldn’t keep dragging her onto this emotional roller coaster without intending to hold her tight afterwards. He needed to make it all better again.

He climbed out of bed and slowly made his way to the door.

--BREAK--

She was breathing so fast she couldn’t actually breathe. Why couldn’t he just care like he used to?

Breathe in, breathe out.

Did he not want her anymore? He hadn’t said he didn’t, but he hadn’t said he did either. In fact, he hadn’t said much of anything at all.

She knew most people thought she wasn’t good enough for him, but she believed they had gotten past it, that they were equals. Stifling back a sob, she tried to hold down the hurt that was engulfing her inside out.

She just couldn’t take it anymore.

--BREAK--

He opened the closet door and quickly pulled her into his arms. Feeling her body stiffen, he held on even tighter until she completely gave herself to him.

“What are you doing?” she murmured into his chest.

Stroking her wild hair, he placed a gentle kiss on the top of her head.

As he released her, they cautiously look into each other, through the dense, awkward air.

“I’m sorry,” they both blurted, stuttering through their words at the same time. A small smile was creeping onto both their lips when the door flung open, and a short black woman appeared. Ignoring her presence, they fell back into each other’s arms, and the door closed, a smirk blatantly visible on the woman’s lips.