Chapter Two

The weekend arrived, bringing with it a sense of liberation from the demanding pace of the hospital. Seiya's apartment was bathed in warm afternoon sunlight as she prepared for the evening ahead. Her friend Elena had convinced her to host a small get-together, despite Seiya's initial reluctance.

As the clock ticked closer to the appointed hour, Seiya's doorbell rang, signaling the arrival of her guests. Elena swept in with a grin, followed by Jake and, much to Seiya's surprise, Atlas.

Seiya's heart skipped a beat as her eyes met Atlas's, a mixture of irritation and surprise flickering in her gaze. She had reluctantly agreed to the gathering, but having Atlas in her apartment felt like an invasion of her personal space.

"Hey there, Seiya," Atlas greeted with a casual smile, his presence unsettling her more than she cared to admit.

"Hey," Seiya replied curtly, offering a strained smile.

As the evening unfolded, the apartment filled with laughter and the clinking of glasses. The group of friends shared stories, jokes, and drinks as they settled into a comfortable rhythm. Seiya found herself occasionally drawn into conversations with Atlas, their verbal jabs softened by the camaraderie of the group.

As the hours wore on, the alcohol flowed freely, and inhibitions began to fade. Seiya and Atlas found themselves sitting on opposite ends of the couch, the distance between them lessening with each passing moment.

Elena, sensing the tension between Seiya and Atlas, winked at Seiya and excused herself, pulling Jake with her. "We're going to grab some snacks from the kitchen. You two behave now."

Seiya rolled her eyes, her cheeks flushed from the drinks. "Don't worry, we're not about to start a brawl."

With their friends out of sight, Seiya and Atlas shared a moment of awkward silence. The tension that usually marked their interactions was replaced by a strange mix of vulnerability and curiosity.

"So," Atlas began, his voice softer than usual, "I guess we're stuck here together."

Seiya smirked, her guard slowly lowering. "Yeah, I don't think either of us planned for this."

As the night continued, the alcohol began to take its toll. Laughter became more frequent, and the space between Seiya and Atlas seemed to shrink. The walls they had built around themselves began to crumble, and the animosity that had defined their relationship lost some of its power.

Eventually, Elena and Jake excused themselves, leaving Seiya and Atlas alone in the apartment. The silence was filled with unspoken tension, their gazes locking as the realization of their situation set in.

"I should go," Atlas mumbled, his words slurred from the alcohol.

Seiya nodded, her heart pounding as the room seemed to sway around her. "Yeah, maybe that's best."

But before either of them could make a move, the room spun and the world faded into a hazy blur. The alcohol had done its job, and the two doctors found themselves overcome by an unexpected wave of dizziness and exhaustion.

In a haphazard attempt to make their way to separate sleeping arrangements, they stumbled and collided, ending up entangled in a heap on the couch. The laughter that followed was genuine, fueled by a shared sense of absurdity.