(TW - fire, death, a little blood)
"Why don't we ask Y/N what she thinks?"
. . .
You hoped that June might deny Ocean's request to prevent any more conflict, but instead, he turned to you expectantly. "Y/N?"
"I'm sure there's a compromise we can make here," You offered hesitantly. You were trying not to upset either June or Ocean, but it was proving to be harder than you thought.
"What do you mean? You're either coming to Penn, or you're not." You knew exactly what each answer would entail. Each option would make one of them happy. It was like having to choose between the two men themselves. "And after that, we should talk about you and Ocean."
You inhaled sharply, a little annoyed, but you didn't oppose. You were certain that June wouldn't let the topic go no matter what you said.
"I'm-" you started, but didn't continue. The internal dispute you were having with yourself was visible on your face, and both June and Ocean could see it. Ocean gave you a pitiful expression that almost resembled a sad puppy dog. June crossed his arms and clenched his jaw in irritation, noticing the look Ocean was sending you. The silence was suffocating as you tried to sort out your thoughts. What did you want to do?
"I'm sorry, June. I can't go to Penn with you," you said at last.
June's face contorted in disbelief, and he shook his head. "But you can."
"No, I can't."
"You mean you can't leave Ocean, right?" he snapped. "Because, what, you're in love with him?"
Ocean's eyes perked up at June's words. You had to refrain from raising your voice. The hallway you were in was still empty, but you could hear occasional footsteps in the corridor it connected to.
"No, nothing like that-" you glanced over at Ocean. It almost looked like he had taken a physical hit. You knew by now that you truly loved Ocean, but it wasn't like the way he felt about you... was it? You didn't have time to even contemplate that at the moment. "Is it so bad that I care about my patients?"
"Y/N, I thought- you do love me, right?" Ocean interjected quietly. June scoffed and threw his hands up in an I-told-you-so way. You squeezed your hands together, preparing for the worst.
"Of course I do-"
A "What?!" came from June. You went on, ignoring him.
"Just not in that way, and we all know what I'm talking about."
"Oh, please, elaborate," June prodded.
His entire stance softened when you responded, "The way I love you, June," without thinking. You and June hadn't been dating long enough for one of you to say that they loved the other, and June remained speechless for a second. Ocean, on the other hand, glowered.
"Then why won't you come to Penn with me?"
"I need you to trust me when I say I would, I really would," you paused. "If I knew Ocean was going to be okay."
"Since when does he dictate your life?"
"Since I took him on as my responsibility."
You saw him thinking it over, and then an idea seemed to strike June. "Well, what if he was referred to another doctor?"
"What? He's my patient."
"Not after I show Dr. Monroe everything Ocean's been writing."
"Don't you dare," Ocean hissed, taking a half-step towards June. He hadn't said much throughout the entire ordeal, but he was following every word. His fists were so tight his knuckles were turning white.
"Dr. Monroe doesn't get back until tomorrow," you blurted, also moving closer to ease the tension between June and Ocean. The last thing you needed was a physical altercation between the two.
Having made up his mind, June nodded nonchalantly. "I'll just do it tomorrow, then. The deadline for accepting those positions at Penn isn't until next week."
You weren't sure if it was out of spite towards Ocean or if it was genuine, but June suddenly pulled you to him and kissed you deeply. Immediately after he pulled away, you being a little short of breath, he turned to leave. You were stunned, and when you recovered, you realized that Ocean was gone.
You found him back inside his room, his hand bleeding. A few drops of red stained the wall where you assumed he had punched it. You frowned and took out a first aid kit, cleaning and bandaging the torn skin around his knuckles. Neither of you spoke. You couldn't make eye contact with him, but it wasn't like he was eager to do the same anyway. When you were done, you wet a paper towel and wiped the blood off of the wall. Then, you gave Ocean some space.
You paced around the hospital a few times. June had texted you to tell you that he would be leaving early to get a head start on preparing to leave for Penn. You were debating whether or not to go check on him. In the end, the part on you telling you to do it won.
The sun was hovering above the horizon when you made it to June's loft. You had found your way there relatively quick, as you had taken Ocean to see the bookstore's cat a few times. As you got closer the front of the bookstore, though, you realized something was wrong.
Smoke filled the entirety of the lower and upper windows, and a dim light was flickering inside. You dialed June's phone, and then the (the emergency number in your country) when he didn't pick up.
"Hello? There's a fire at, um, 206 Sierra Street. Yes. Yes, I need help quick, I think there are people inside. Okay, thank you. Please hurry."
After a minute, you decided that you couldn't wait for the firefighters. You shoved your phone into your pocket and went to check the fire escape. You felt a surge of panic as you saw that the ladder was still fully retracted with the latch still on. You rushed to open the door, the metal handle searing hot in your hand. A stifling heat hit you as you took a step inside, making you cough. It would have been too much if it weren't for the adrenaline running through you.
You scanned the store. The shelves that lined the floor had already been overtaken, and the path to the stairwell was nearly blocked by a fallen chair. The cat, Niko, was nowhere to be found. You had to squint your eyes as you made your way towards the back.
"June? Can you hear me? Anyone?" you shouted desperately, but you could barely hear yourself over the roaring of the fire. You continued to push forward, but the flames licked at your face and arms. "Hello? Any-" you tried again, until you were stopped by more coughs. You told yourself to keep going. The stairwell was right in front of you.
Just when you were beginning to feel lightheaded, someone grabbed you and dragged you out of the store. It wasn't cold out, but the heat was so intense inside that you shivered involuntarily. Your entire body was slick with sweat. You whipped around to see who had pulled you away when you could have made it to the stairs.
"Ocean?" you gasped, doing a double take. "What are you doing here?"
Ocean was still holding on to your hand, Niko in his other arm. "I'm sorry, Y/N. I saw you leave the hospital, so I followed you."
"I'm glad you came, but why?"
"I knew you were visiting June, so I wanted to see Niko," he answered innocently. You breathed a sigh of relief, partially because you saw the firetrucks in the distance and partially because you could finally breathe again.
"June won't answer my calls," you said, your panic resurfacing. Ocean didn't have time to say anything as one of the paramedics came up to you.
"Miss, you said you thought someone was inside?"
"Yes, my boyfriend-" Ocean's grip tightened on your hand, but you didn't notice- "June DeYoung. He lives up there." You pointed to the second floor. The paramedic nodded and went to tell one of the firefighters. You bit your thumb anxiously as they began to work on extinguishing the fire, a few looking inside for June. Ocean rubbed the back of your hand to comfort you.
Eventually, the fire had been reduced to embers. Smoke was rising from every part of the building, illuminated by the headlights of the ambulances, police cars, and firetrucks. You had unconsciously begun hugging Ocean's arm. You almost couldn't wait anymore when the paramedic approached you again.
"I'm so sorry, miss. There's nothing we could do."
"What do you mean?"
"Your boyfriend is dead."