"Just so you know," Thea said, her voice steady but laced with a hint of nervous energy, "I might be a virgin… but I'm not clueless. You don't have to treat me like I don't know anything."
Ray let out a quiet breath, unsure whether to laugh or take her seriously. There was something about the way she said it. She was confident on the surface, but there was a faint tremor underneath her voice that showed how nervous she was.
"I always thought my first time would be different," she continued, a small smile tugging at her lips. "You know… some reckless bad boy, someone unpredictable."
As she spoke, her fingers moved to the thin hospital gown. Slowly, almost deliberately, she slipped it off her shoulders, letting it fall.
Underneath, she wore simple black underwear, nothing extravagant.
But in that moment, it didn't need to be.
Ray's throat went dry. He swallowed hard, his gaze instinctively shifting away before returning again, as if he couldn't decide whether to look or not.
Thea then stepped closer.
Before he could react, she took his hand and gently guided it upward, placing it against the side of her neck. Her skin was warm… but there was something else beneath it… something tense, like her pulse was racing faster than it should.
"I think…" she said softly, her voice dropping, "I'd like it a little rough."
Her eyes met his.
"There's something about it that just…" she trailed off, exhaling lightly. "It makes me feel alive. Just thinking about being choked, it… turns me on."
Ray's heart started pounding. He couldn't believe that this was happening so fast.
He let out an awkward chuckle and slowly pulled his hand away, his fingers lingering for just a second before retreating completely.
"Yeah… I, uh…"
He rubbed the back of his neck, avoiding her gaze.
If only she knew.
The "bad boy" image she had in her head?
That wasn't him.
The tattoos and earrings he had—they were just for show. Something he picked up over time to look tougher than he really was.
When in reality… he had zero experience. Not even close.
Thea tilted her head slightly, studying him, as if trying to read what was going on behind his awkward reactions. But instead of pressing further, she simply turned away for a moment.
Reaching into the pocket of her gown, she pulled out a slightly crumpled pack of cigarettes.
Ray blinked.
Of all things… that wasn't what he expected next.
She tapped one out and placed it between her lips with casual familiarity.
"Got a light?" she asked, glancing back at him.
For a second, he just stared.
Then he shook himself out of it and moved toward the side of his bed, grabbing his wallet. He flipped it open and pulled out a small lighter.
It wasn't just any lighter.
A knife-lighter combo.
Something he'd bought on impulse a while back, thinking the blade might come in handy someday.
Funny enough… it was the lighter that got used first.
He handed it to her, and for a brief second, their fingers brushed slightly.
She lit the cigarette, inhaled, then exhaled slowly, the smoke curling lazily into the sterile hospital air.
For a moment, everything felt strangely calm.
Ray watched her, conflicted.
The medical student in him was practically screaming.
Smoking is bad for you.
You're in a hospital.
You shouldn't be doing this.
But he said nothing.
Because right now…
He didn't want to sound like a lecture.
He doesn't want to ruin this fragile, strange connection forming between them.
Especially not when this might be the first… and last… moment like this he'd ever have.
Keep it together, Ray…
Who cares about smoking in a hospital when the world is already falling apart? And health? That doesn't even matter anymore…
I can't let her think I'm some clueless guy. If she wants a bad boy… then I'll give her one.
Before he could overthink it any further, Ray grabbed the edge of his hospital robe and pulled it off in one smooth motion.
The fabric dropped to the floor, revealing a well-built frame, defined chest, firm abs, the result of discipline he never really talked about. The tattoo on his arms were now very much visible.
Thea blinked.
For a brief moment, she was genuinely caught off guard.
Her eyes lingered, taking in the unexpected sight, a faint spark of interest lighting up her expression.
"…Well," she murmured, clearly impressed, though trying not to show it too much.
Ray didn't say anything, but there was a subtle shift in his posture, like he was trying to play into the role he'd just created.
Now, I've upped her.
Thea then stepped closer slowly.
She reached up, her fingers brushing against his jaw before gently holding his face. Then, without hesitation, she leaned in and pressed her lips against his.
The kiss caught him off guard.
It was warm, and he had just opened his mouth to take in the kiss when a smoke slipped into his mouth. It was so sudden that he didn't even realized what was happening.
Ray pulled back almost immediately, coughing lightly as the unfamiliar sensation hit his throat.
"Damn…" he muttered under his breath, clearing it.
Thea laughed softly, a playful grin spreading across her face.
"First time?" she teased.
Ray shot her a look.
Yeah… she definitely noticed. This is what my inexperience and years of being locked up reading, causing me.
Thea seemed to be enjoying it.
But that smug smile on her face? Yeah, he wasn't letting that slide.
Without warning, he reached forward and pulled her closer, her body pressing lightly against his.
Ray held her still, his confidence was a little more solid this time. Thea's grin softened slightly, her eyes meeting his again. The sudden shift had made her pause and get curious on what was about to happen next.
And that's when he moved. His hand slid lower, fingers tracing slowly along her back until they settled on her waist.
Then, in one fluid motion, he lifted her up effortlessly.
Thea let out a soft gasp, completely caught off guard by the sudden movement. Her body reacted instinctively, her legs lifting slightly as a small, surprised laugh escaped her lips.
"Ray—!"
But he didn't falter.
With steady control, he carried her and gently laid her down on the bed.
The mattress dipped beneath her as she landed, her hands pressing lightly against the sheets for balance.
For a moment, she just stared up at him… eyes wide, a mix of surprise and intrigue flickering through her face.
"…Okay," she said softly, a faint smile forming, "I didn't expect that."
Ray stood over her, his earlier hesitation fading, replaced by a quiet confidence that hadn't been there before.
And as if she understood what he was about to do, Thea shifted slightly, her movements subtle but intentional. She spread her legs as she leaned back against the bed, her gaze fixed on him, anticipation flickering in her eyes.
But just as he stepped forward, he suddenly paused. And then turned away.
Thea blinked, confused, watching as he walked to the side of the bed. He bent down and pulled out a small bag, rummaging through it before bringing out something folded neatly inside.
A white lab coat.
He stared at it for a moment.
Thea watched him, curiosity replacing her earlier expression.
Ray exhaled slowly, and then slipped it over his shoulders. The familiar weight settled over him.
For a second, everything else faded… the chaos outside, the tension in the room, even Thea's presence behind him.
It was just him…
And what he used to be.
"This might be the last time I wear this," he thought.
His fingers adjusted the sleeve slightly, almost out of habit. Then he turned back to her.