Chapter Text
It was a Tuesday night and Mel wanted a drink, alone.
She just got off work, picked her sister up from the facility, made them both some dinner (boiled some ramen), and made sure Becca got to bed okay. On most nights, after dealing with car accident victims, couples with risque kinks, and the other (ab)normalities of the ER, she craved a hot shower and her bed. However tonight, she glared at her clock as it flashed 10:00PM, leaning on her door frame as waterdrops trickled on her bedroom floor. Mel thought about her upcoming schedule day off tomorrow, followed by two early morning shifts, a late cover for Dr. Chen, and a long holiday weekend filled with early mornings and a plethora of patients. Tonight was her only free night for a while and though her bed beckoned her, her pair of boots and keys were louder. She’d be out for two drinks tops, beers at that. Actually, a beer and a water, so her hour wait before she thought about driving herself home would really be thirty minutes. She decided to put on her pair of relaxed jeans, a cotton white tee, clipped her keys to her belt loop, and grabbed her wallet. It was a breezy summer night and she wanted to enjoy it for once.
Mel drove to Roxanne’s, her favorite lesbian bar in Pittsburgh. She’d been a regular once she realized she enjoyed how clean their counters were, how cheap the drinks were, and how pleasant conversation with the bartenders had been every visit. She walked in and immediately smelled the Fabuloso— she was definitely in her second home. Sterile scents hiding bodily fluids began to smell as pleasurable as fresh sheets, enough shifts at a hospital will do that to you. The music was blasting a Chappell Roan song as it seemed like tonight’s theme was western, which only had colorful lighting to match. Tuesdays always have a theme, it slipped her mind since this is usually not her night out. People were singing, kissing, and doing everything in between throughout the bar.
She sat in the corner seat trying to separate herself from the crowd, just have her drink and leave once the hands on the clock read 11:45. Separating herself was useless as crowds of women continuously bumped into her. Bachelorette parties mixed with couples and first dates all colliding with one another. She tried to enjoy the music with its blissful blistering volume, but didn’t know enough country songs. She ordered her drink from favorite bartender and already had her beer in an ice cold glass, the way she loves it.
The sip from the glass was divine. Its chilliness hit the back of the throat like it was water after a pilgrimage through a desert. So good Mel had to tilt her head back and close her eyes. The moment was quick and her next one was met with a body running into her like a truck. The flailing girl ended up knocking Mel’s glasses off of her face. “Guys I’m fine, I'm fine! I’m so sorry for hitting you, I'm just a litttle drunk right now,” the girl yelled above Mel as she bent down to grab her glasses as giggles escaped her mouth. Mel placed her glasses back on her face and once she could see again, she was met by a pair of black platform cowboy boots on the most gorgeous legs.From the strong calves to the toned thighs, Mel’s eye made it up to the black mini skirt that hugged this woman’s curves in all the right places. From her hips to her chest, her body was so… so divine. These thirty seconds felt like she was staring at her for five minutes, noticing every inch of her body. She was curious about what face matched this body, but her fantasy was quickly over, since its owner was Dr. Trinity Santos, an intern at work.
“Again I’m so sorry, are your glasses broken? I can get them fixed for you, I think my new job has an optometrist?” She wailed until Trinity saw the face of the golden locks she’d been towering over.
“Melanoma! Melatonin, what are you doing here? I’ve never seen you here! Guys, this is one of my coworkers Melania, everyone say hi!” Trinity melodically introduced her to her group of friends. Diverse voices sung greetings to her as she confusingly said hello back to them. Well, Mel thinks she spoke, but she’d been in shell shock that not only was she hit in her face, but she oogled her new coworker in ways she only let her eyes perceive one night stands.
Mel never had the time to date anyone. Between med school, taking care of Becca, odds shifts to pay bills, and all the other costs that came with life, Mel's “dating life” was filled with femmes that were only unsaved numbers and twilights spent quietly sneaking out of apartments and dorm rooms. She was fine with this, it would just be like this until she secured her place at the hospital and aced her board exams. Dating was put on a pause, but it never really played to begin with. Besides, everyone was an ex of a friend or an ex of an ex of a friend, which got complicated in ways she didn't want to chart.
Seeing Trinity dressed like this made her brain short circuit. She was used to scrubs, with maybe an ironic t-shirt poking out. Tonight she had a fitted denim vest with a dainty gold necklace that dangled just above her cleavage. Not that she was looking at her cleavage, she’s just acknowledging cleavage is near the necklace, let’s just forget she even thought the word cleavage. Maybe the smack in the face was the reasoning for her mind wandering, or pre-destined karma for what she’s been thinking. “Dr. Santos. You look… wow,” Mel exclaimed.
“Wow? Is it that shocking to see a girl without her scrubs on?”
“No I-, that was not what I was trying to convey whatsoever. And sorry if I offended you, I just was trying to say—”
“I’m fucking with you, King. You’re so easy to fluster,” Trinity laughed.
“You always find a way to get me tripping over my words for the sake of comedy. When will you spare a girl for once?”
“What would be the fun in that?”
“There’s always fun in kindness Dr. Santos. That’s why we’re doctors right?”
“It’s Trinity. There’s no stethoscope around our necks, call me Trinity.”
One major strength Mel always thought she had was her ability to be calm in stressful situations, especially. Maybe it started with keeping her cool around her parents and continued as she took care of Becca and the nice social workers that would make their routine visits. She always got through her issues. This proved to be magic once she got to college and made a few moves on the femmes on campus. But right now… with Trinity… It was like her first day in the ER again. Her heart couldn’t stop beating and she knew she wasn’t tachycardic.
Mel sighed in relief and took a swig of her beer. More like a big gulp, as her throat ended up incredibly dry and her palms began to sweat. Thank goodness, the condensation from her drink masqueraded her new nervousness. “Wait, so what are you doing out tonight?” Trinity asked.
“I’m just here to get a quick drink after a long day, but I’ll be leaving soon. How about you? Though I take it you’re out with friends tonight.”
“Friends is a loaded term, but don’t let them know I said that,” she whispered towards Mel, “it’s my old college roommate’s birthday and I've taken it upon myself to celebrate her night to the fullest.”
“Straight girls that wanted to go to a gay bar?”
“Moreso a group of lesbians trying to get drunk and possibly laid.”
“Oh—”
“Not me though. I'm more focused on the former part of that sentence.”
“A lover waiting at home?” Mel’s chuckle broke the air.
“No lover, just a Dennis at home. A weird, annoying, lavenderial Dennis,” Trinity said with a bright smile. Trinity started to complain about the type of roommate Dennis was and the horrors of living with a man, especially with someone as awkward as him. Every annoyance kept her face beaming suggesting she may enjoy her new roommate more than she wants to lead on.
They began to exchange past roommate horror stories and pet peeves. Mel even admitted to her hatred of Elf. Throughout the entire conversation, Trinity’s eyes were fixated on Mel and it was reciprocated back.
Mel hates eye contact, unless they were eyes she had been accustomed with. The eyes of social workers, judges, professors. That’s what she liked the most about working in the Pitt, there was not enough time for eye contact, unless she were talking to Dr. Robby who always pierced the eyes of the medical residents or Landgdon who always worried like the big brother she never had. The lack of time on the floor never gave her a chance to stare at Trinity, really. It was… natural. Relievingly comfortable. Her green eyes twinkled, even under these colorful fluorescent lights. Her makeup only intensified their beauty. Her bronzy eye look and the slickest eyeliner she’s ever seen on a person’s lids. Mel couldn’t help but continue to stare at the canvas that was Trinity’s face— the sparkly glitter that highlighted her cheekbones. Her lips were so full, glossy, and puckered. Mel always knew how pretty Trinity was, but right now, with pink splotches all over her face from a mild alcohol allergy, and watching the residue of the gloss imprint on her cocktail glass, she saw how breathtakingly beautiful she was and had always been. If she weren’t buzzed, and Trinity wasn’t drunk, then maybe she would’ve—
“Anything else I can get you tonight, Mel?” The bartender asked as she clacked her long nails on the counter whilst batting her eyelashes.
“Nothing else for tonight, Tiffany. I’d just like to pay my tab please, thank you.”
“Of course, whatever you want,” the bartender spoke as she grabbed Mel’s receipt. “I see you come in with your badge on and a zip up from a hospital. You a doctor?”
“Not yet,” Mel smiled, “A second year resident, I work with Trinity here—”
Once Mel turned to her side, she saw Trinity had rejoined her friends on the dancefloor. It was for the best. She shouldn’t get home and spend the rest of the night looking up the employee handbook and seeing what the protocol is for looking at your coworker for so long that it probably made her uncomfortable. Tiffany began to talk Mel's ear off about a medical condition that she doesn’t have, but Dr. Google convinced her otherwise.
Mel’s thirty minute wait ended an hour and fifty-two minutes ago, but she just wanted to know if Trinity was getting home safe. Did she miss her leaving? She’d been sure she never saw her leave as she gazed at her gliding across the dancefloor all night (to ensure her safety, of course).She didn’t have Trinity’s number and Dennis wasn’t answering any of his texts. Either way, a text would’ve never satisfied Mel since she would go home with the prior knowledge of how drunk Trinity was and wouldn’t live with herself if something happened. What if she drove herself here, or their designated driver mixed up their drink and took a sip, or she got stranded? Pittsburgh was a safe city, but Mel wanted to say good night to Trinity before leaving, at the very least and to ensure her safety, as a member of their community. All butches that had came before her would shame Mel if they found out if she left a woman this late at night. With her friends. On a Tuesday.
Anyways, Mel went to search the dancefloor with her eyes, but couldn’t find her anywhere. She checked the booths, looked over the crowd of girls forming a dance circle, and didn’t recognize her in any of the couples locking lips. After checking every square inch of the bar, Mel decided to check the bathroom and found a stall door wide open with Trinity on the floor puking and her friend rubbing her back. A woman in a similar outfit as Trinity asked, “Is that Mel?” Trinity asked and turned around to catch a glimpse. Before she could see her, Mel ran out as quickly as possible to fetch her some water, the first step to avoiding a terrible hangover. She ran through the crowd with the same urgency she’d give a patient coming out of an ambulance. Mel found the pitcher of water and filled it as quickly as gravity would let her. Running through the same crowd, now with the obstacle of not pouring ice cold water on everyone, she made it back to the bathroom, cutting lines and accidentally hitting people when she opened the door back up. She knelt on the floor beside Trinity and her friend, passing Trinity the water. Mel greeted Trinity’s hair holding companion, “Hi, I’m Mel, we work together. Just thought this would help.” Mel held the cup for Trinity until she was able to hold onto it herself. Water began to trickle down and mix with the drool on Trinity’s chin. Mel instinctively used her shirt to clean up her face.
“Yea, Trinity told me all about you, thanks for grabbing water. I’m June,” The friend greeted.
“Pleasure. How’s she been doing?” Mel said in a soft tone, relieving June from her shift of back rubbing.
“She’s been puking for the last ten minutes. It’s mainly stopped, just drool coming out her mouth now. I just want her well enough to stand up so we can drop her off. It’s getting late and the others are waiting in the car, but we won’t leave until she’s good enough”. June’s tone was empathetic, but rightfully had a bit of annoyance. You can hear drowsiness and try to take over her voice.
“I got it from here if you gotta go,” Mel replied as she shook her head, giving all her attention to Trinity.
“Are you sure? I don’t have a problem staying and I may have heard of you, but this is my first time meeting you. I don’t want to leave either of my friends alone.”
“I’m positive. You can put your number in my phone and I’ll text you every update as it happens. If anything were to happen, you know where I work,” Mel replied with a slight chuckle. “I know you don’t know me, but trust me for tonight, please. I care about Trinity and just want to make sure everyone gets home safely,” Mel assured, while moving Trinity’s hair behind her ear.
“June, I’ll be fine. I know Muay Thai, I can protect myse—” Trinity couldn’t finish her sentence before coughing out more bile.
“We’ll be okay, just make sure you and your friends get home.” Mel relayed to the very tired friend.
“Updates as soon as you can. I have Carplay, I get instant notifications!”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay, thank you. Good night Trinity, feel better. I love you, get home safe.”
Trinity took a second from the toilet bowl to lift her arm into the closest thing resembling a hug and wished her a good night. “I love you June, bye,” she groaned to her friend.
“It’s funny that this is the most affectionate she gets, and it’s only when she’s drunk. It’s adorable,” June ran out of the bathroom with her keys ready in her hand.
Mel made Trinity finish her water and the two other glasses she asked local patrons to grab for her as Trinity finished her latest saga of vomit. Mel tried her best to get her up on her own two feet, but that meant a lot of pushing and denial on Trinity’s end. Followed by whining about how the ground was cold and nice. Trinity wanted to stay on the nice cold ground, and it would be sooo nice to just fall asleep there. If Trinity wouldn’t stand, Mel would have to carry her. Mel lifted her into a fireman's carry and even with Trinity’s flailing and the annoyed crowd of patrons, Mel was able to get her buckled into the passenger seat of her car. Before driving off, Mel called Dennis to see if he was up to let Trinity in. After listening to his lengthy voicemail greeting three separate times, Mel texted Trinity’s friend and began to drive off.
“Where are we going?” Trinity groaned.
“To my place.”