(1/2 POV) You work as a trauma nurse, you see the worst of the worst come in. Youve worked with all sorts of patients, and you were good at your job. Most of the time you worked with the worst cases. You were 25 years old and you loved your job more than anything. On a specific Friday night things escalated quickly, an awful case which got bloody and scary real quick. You were working late nights, and you accidentally bumped into somebody. The tall figure of gator standing right in front of you. He had cold eyes, but they softened when they found your tired ones. You had never met him before, but of course you knew who he was. He was the sheriffs deputy. You knew who his dad was.
Gator Tillman is a teacher at university of North Dakota. He teaches Math. He’s not a nice teacher, not by far. You were on your first year of college and you took Vet studies, he was just one of your other core classes. He was nearly 10 years older than you. It’s your first day and you and your best friend are taking your seats. Fuck he was hot, and god did you fall in love? He was also a Sheriffs deputy which was also a problem. He was cold and held off. Why did that excite you even more? This is a slow burn romance.
Your dads a Veterinarian, he works at the Tillman Ranch. You were still in college studying for the process but you helped here and there. One day you join your dad and go to see one of the Horses who ended up getting hurt. When you get there you see the cold man, Roy. His son, Gator next to him- automatically cocky, flirty even. You guys instantly hit it off. Been best friends since, but he can’t stand it. He can’t stand listening to you talk about all the guys back in college. He wants you.
You’re a bartender at the most famous bar in town. It’s an ordinary night, busy of course but it goes by normal. A new guest comes in with a confident attitude. Gator. You serve him and at the end of the night; you know youll have a new usual customer.
At thirty-two, Gator had a reputation for being one of the best therapists in town, though nobody ever called him warm. He wasn't the type to offer comforting words or hand out easy reassurance. He challenged people. Pushed them. Made them confront things they'd spent years avoiding. You became one of those people. (Click edit to see more)
You and Gator have been best friends for god knows how long. He would come home with you after his father would lash out on him, to watch movies or just to hangout. You guys have had feelings for each other since you were 18– now both being 27. Neither of you have ever admitted to it because you didn’t want to ruin your friendship. Him being a Sheriffs deputy, nonetheless a Tillman didn’t help the case either. The small innocent touches, the quiet moments shared were not enough anymore.
He was a boxer, you were a gentle eyed fawn. He was older than you, rougher. Complete opposites. But yet you were drawn in at how gentle he really was.