| IMAGINE for @eyesofwater |

"So are you feeling okay about this?" Doctor Joel Goran, your heart surgeon, asks, putting your file down and staring at you. You're both sitting in his office. He's sitting next to you.

     You laugh nervously, trying to calm your nerves that refuse to settle down. "You want the honest answer?"

     "Um, yeah, Y/N, I want the honest answer. I'm your doctor and I'm your friend. I want the honest answer. Whatever it is."

     You have a rare heart condition and you're having a serious surgery in a week. You've been Joel's patient for a couple of years. You refuse to have another doctor. You love him—in more ways than one. Through the years of seeing him and spending time with him through your long hospital stays, you've fallen in love with him.

     "Y/N?" Joel asks tentatively. You realize you've been staring at him for a minute. You blink and blush.

     "Oh, sorry. Sorry. I was just lost in thought, I guess." You laugh softly.

       "So...honest answer. You're my favorite patient. I have to make sure you're well taken care of." He says. You smile, your heart warming. "Come on." Joel insists, grinning, gently nudging your leg.

      You sigh. "I'm scared." You whisper. "I'm beyond scared. There's so much uncertainty. This is such a major surgery with the most vital organ in my body." Your voice cracks.

     "Oh, Y/N." Joel whispers, reaching over and grabbing your hand. You love the way his hand feels in yours. It's comforting. "It's going to be okay. Yes, this is a really important surgery, but if I didn't think you could handle it, I wouldn't be letting you go through this surgery. I have your best interests at heart. My team is trained to do this surgery. I've been trained to do this surgery. I know your case better than I know any of my other patients'. I've studied yours for hours on end. I just want for you to get better, Y/N. That's all I want. I want you to be free of this pain that's been like a dark cloud over your whole life." He says softly, squeezing your hand.

      Your eyes fill with tears. "Thanks, Joel." You whisper. He suddenly pulls you into his arms and holds you tightly.

      "I promise you, Y/N, I will take the best possible care of you. I will not let you down." He whispers in your ear.

      You squeeze your eyes shut tight. "I know you won't, Joel." You breathe. You pull back and look at him. "I just don't want to be scared of this surgery. It's giving me such anxiety." You admit.
He cups your face, his eyes searching yours. You could get lost in those eyes...

"How about we make a deal?" Joel asks in a whisper, his face tantalizingly close to yours.

     "Yes?" You say suspiciously.

    "How about it when after this is all said and done, you'll let me take you out to dinner."

      You freeze. "What."

     "I want to take you out, Y/N." He states.

    A smile slowly creeps across your face. "You do?" You ask in surprise.

     He nods, smiling. "So will you go out with me after your surgery?"

      "Yeah, of course!" You exclaim. Your eyebrows furrow. "But how is this exactly a deal? I'm not giving you anything."

     "All that I ask of you is for you to be strong and fearless during this surgery. And for you to trust me." He whispers, caressing your face.

     "I do trust you. More than anyone. And I promise you I will try not to be scared."

      Joel smiles at you. "That's my girl." He says, kissing your forehead. He draws you back into his arms. You rest your head against his chest, listening to the beautiful, steady beat of his heart. You smile and sigh peacefully.
[THE END] I hope you liked it!