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impala_chickTitle: What She Said Crawled Inside Me
Fandom: Doctor Odyssey (TV)
Pairing: Max/Avery/Tristan
Rated: Teen
Word Count: 2,293
Summary: After Avery tells Tristan about her conversation with Max, Tristan spirals and feels like he needs to walk away from both of them. Avery convinces him to wait until he can talk to Max again. A fix-it for the finale.
A/N: Written for Yuletide. My second Doctor Odyssey fic!
Fic on AO3
Tristan retreats to his cabin, confident that his patients will be okay without him for the time being. He flops down onto his bed face down, his whole body aching.
Relationships aren't a competition, and Avery sure isn't some victory prize. He knows that. But he can't help that he feels hurt and angry and like he lost. Max went behind his back to talk to Avery without telling him. Without including him.
Max is in love with her. Max is in love with HER. Nothing to do with him. Even though he's been there since the start. He's known Avery longer than Max, he's been in love with her longer than Max.
And Max is… god, Max is beautiful and infuriating and so hard to read sometimes. But he's in love with him too.
Tristan had been stupid for ever thinking he was a part of something, for thinking the three of them were a part of something. He's not going to be able to sleep feeling like this.
He wants a fucking drink. He wants booze to quiet the buzzing in his head, make him feel less like a fucking failure. It would be easy enough to find a bottle, because he knows where they packed them up. He could find some quality whiskey. Or gin. Or just a beer, even.
He's wrung out, he's exhausted, he knows he's in so state to be making a clear-headed decision. But it's not like he could sink much lower. What difference would one drink make.
And he's fucking worried about Max. At least he's alive. At least they know he's alive.
He rolls over on the bed, and looks up at the ceiling. He doesn't know how long he stares, long enough for his skin to start itching and for his throat to feel dry.
He thinks about finding a bottle again.
A knock on his cabin door interrupts his thoughts.
"It's me," Avery calls.
He doesn't even want to get up off the bed. It doesn't seem like there's anything left to say. He gets up and unlocks the door anyway.
"I"m not really in a chatty mood," he grouses.
She glances around the room and then falls heavily into the chair in front of his vanity. She crosses and uncrosses her arms and doesn't look him in the eye.
He huffs and flops back onto his bed.
"It didn't feel right before, when you left."
Tristan sighs heavily. His first instinct is to reassure her. That's been his move. He generally enjoys being the comforting one, because he genuinely wants the best for Avery. And for Max. But he doesn't have much reassurance to give, at the moment. He's still mad. It's unfair that he's always the one being so accommodating. He's been feeling lately like they both take him for granted. He doesn't want to say anything he'll regret, though. So he waits.
"I'm freaked out about Max, and I've never had this many patients on my own before. But that isn't a good excuse. I… Tristan, please. Can you just look at me for a second?"
There's a softness to her voice, a vulnerability that makes Tristan sit up.
When he meets her eyes, he sees tears welling there, threatening to spill down her cheeks. All he wants to do is reach out for her, gather her into his arms. But he refrains. He should know his place.
"Max saying that he loves me, and not saying anything about you… it just doesn't make any sense."
She says it like she's sorry, her hands twisting in her lap as she speaks.
The tightness of his chest lessens just a little bit and he scoots to the edge of the bed, so that his knees nearly touch hers.
"Avery, c'mon. This happens. People fall in love. And Max has always been the guy who shoots his shot."
"No, I mean. Max isn't being honest with himself. And what all this means to him. What we mean to him."
Tristan sighs. "Okay. I can't force him to do anything."
"Of course you can't. But just, can you give me time? I have to talk to him. I have to know if -"
She stops herself from finishing the sentence, the unspoken question hanging in the air between them. Here Avery is, offering him hope.
He's probably a fool. He's been burned many times. But he reaches for her hand anyway.
"Don't put your life on hold for me, Aves. If you're asking if I'll wait for you to talk to Max, I will. If you're asking if I'll wait forever, I won't."
She turns his hand over with both of hers, and tenderly kisses his palm.
"Okay. Thank you."
She leans forward to press a kiss to his cheek. She smells like blood and sweat and antiseptic. He doesn't mind. He wraps her arms around her and holds her tight.
"We've got to catch some sleep," he says in her ear. "We won't be any good to anyone if we pass out on our feet."
She exhales so heavily that it all comes out in a woosh.
"You're right. I just have one thing to check on," Avery says as she stands up.
"Please promise you'll sleep tonight," Tristan chides.
"Let's pinky promise that we'll both catch some sleep," she says with a small smile.
It's childish and she's probably only doing it because she's about to melt down from all of the stress of the day, but he crosses her pinky with his anyway.
When she leaves, Tristan gets under his covers just to keep his promise.
He practices some positive affirmations. He's going to see Max again. And he's going to wait to find out whatever Max and Avery decide. He is not going to panic. He repeats these things like a mantra until he feels asleep.
The next day is, somehow, even worst then the day before. At least he feels sharp enough to help Avery with a complicated emergency procedure. When Avery completes it successfully and the patient is okay, he's barely able to celebrate because that's when they find out Max has gone radio silent. No one on the ship has been able to reach him.
They've got no idea if he's okay. Tristan refuses to think the worst, though. Max is smart and resourceful. The radio probably just ran out of batteries.
As soon as there's an opportunity to go find Max, Avery takes it. They both can't leave, and Tristan knows she's the one person who will be able to help Max if he's in serious medical trouble. But he still hates to see her leave. Thankfully he's got too many things to focus on, to many patients who need him, to dwell on what-ifs.
He has an unexpected physical reaction once she's gone. His two favorite people in the world are both in trouble, and he is powerless to do anything to help them. Tristan's whole body locks up, and his chest starts to feel tight, like someone is sitting on him. His hands start to shake and his pulse pounds in his ears. He thinks briefly of the sweet oblivion of alcohol, but he casts that thought aside just as quickly as it came up. It takes a few moments for him to realize he's having a panic attack and escapes to Max's office to take some deep, steadying breathes. In through his nose, out through his mouth. He runs his hand over the edge of Max's desk, just to feel his presence.
It's a comfort that he only indulges in for a moment, long enough to feel his body return to something close to normal. He's got other people's well-being to focus on.
He has to trust in Avery's judgement. Avery will come back, with Max safely in tow. Anything else will be confetti.
Later Tristan gets word, via the Captain, that Avery and Max are okay. They're coming back to the Odyssey. Tristan finally feels like he can breath again.
He runs around with renewed pep in step. He has the absurd thought to decorate the medical suite with flowers and balloons. But of course there isn't time or supplies for that, and he has patients to care for.
He looks out the portal and sees them coming on the small boat sent out to rescue them. They look fine. Tired, sure. But god, they're alive and they're mostly unhurt and Tristan feels so damn lucky.
He runs through the ship. Once they've cleared the atrium, Tristan is there to meet them. Tristan is smiling so wide he can't even feel his face.
"Tristan," Avery says, beaming. Max is smiling too, his eyes crinkled at the corners. Tristan scoops them both into his arms, and does a very good job of not crying.
"So, so glad to see you. Both of you."
"Yeah?" Max says quietly, his mouth close enough to Tristan's ear that he can feel his breath.
Tristan squeezes them tighter before he lets go. They smell like the earthy sent of mud just starting to dry, and it hits Tristan just how long Max must have been hunkering down in that coastal town with no one to help him, with no way to know if the Odyssey would even come back for him.
"You need a shower. Perhaps some coffee? Or a bed?" Tristan teases gently as he pulls away. Laughter has always been the best medicine.
Avery catches his hand as he steps back and gives him a meaningful look.
When Tristan looks over at Max, he's studying his face. He takes a deep, steadying breath. "I do need a shower. But I want you both to come to my suite. Please?"
Tristan doesn't know what that means. He doesn't know if Max has had a change of heart. But Max's small, shy smile is enough to buoy Tristan, keep him from saying no. He wants Max close, he wants Avery close. And right now, that's good enough.
Tristan quickly makes the rounds, ensures that the people in the medical suite can survive a few minutes without any of them, and leaves them in Matt's hands. Along with a promise from Matt to call him directly if anything changes for the worse.
Then he knocks on Max's cabin door.
It's Avery who ushers him inside, her hand pulling him towards Max's couch. The one that they'd all had sex on. Tristan feels strange, like he's walking through water. He sits down anyway.
"Max will be out in a minute," Avery says.
"I'm just glad you're both okay, Aves. We don't have to talk right now," he murmurs. His hands itch to reach out for her.
She shakes her head. "No, we really do."
Max emerges from the bathroom with comfortable sleep shorts and a white t-shirt on. Tristan hasn't seem him look so casual since they fucked on the very couch he's sitting on. His hair his wet and sticking up in the back, and he's got bags under his eyes. The bags are different, at least.
Tristan tries for levity. "I'm no Doctor, but I'd say you need some sleep."
"This is more important," Max says without a hint of humor.
That certainly gives Tristan pause. He tries not to let his treacherous heart beat right out of his chest as he watches Max walk towards him.
"It's been made clear to me," Max says as he shoots a sideways glance at Avery. "That I've been obtuse about a few things. It was hard for me to categorize how I felt. I don't think I'm gay."
Tristan thinks about making some wise-ass remark but then Max sinks to his knees at Tristan's feet.
"When I saw the Odyssey sail away, and when I thought for just a moment that the earthquake was going to kill me, I just kept thinking about both of you. About how I'd missed my chance."
Max reaches out and puts his hands on Tristan's knees. He ducks his head a little, almost like he's praying. Tristan puts his hands on Max's. Then he feels the weight and warmth of Avery's arm wrap around his shoulder.
"So I'm sorry if I made you feel cast aside. I want all of us to be a team again. And not just at work. I want you."
Tristan bites his lip, and squeezes Max's hand. That's as good as a declaration of love, coming from Max. It's a huge step forward from a guy who has absolutely refused to talk about his sexuality up until that very moment. Tristan takes a deep, steadying breath and feels like, finally, things are looking up.
"So will you forgive me? Please say something."
"Yeah Max, I can forgive you. Although I don't love that it took a devastating earthquake for you to admit how you feel," Tristan teases, his voice light.
"Ha ha," Max deadpans. Avery huffs a laugh near Tristan's ear.
Then Tristan is hauling Max up to his feet so he can wrap him into a warm hug. Avery wraps her arms around them both.
"Bed now?" Tristan whispers into Max's ear.
He feels Max nod. "Stay?"
Tristan kisses Max's cheek in answer. It takes both Avery and Tristan to gently guide Max to his bed. They curl themselves around either side of him, and he falls asleep almost immediately.
"Thanks," Tristan whispers to Avery. "For bringing him back."
He sees her small smile, and catalogues the way her eyes shine with hope.
"That wasn't all me, but I'll accept your thanks."
Tristan reaches across Max, and Avery clasps his hand. They stay that way, with their hands on Max's belly, until they fall asleep too.
Fandom: Doctor Odyssey (TV)
Pairing: Max/Avery/Tristan
Rated: Teen
Word Count: 2,293
Summary: After Avery tells Tristan about her conversation with Max, Tristan spirals and feels like he needs to walk away from both of them. Avery convinces him to wait until he can talk to Max again. A fix-it for the finale.
A/N: Written for Yuletide. My second Doctor Odyssey fic!
Fic on AO3
Tristan retreats to his cabin, confident that his patients will be okay without him for the time being. He flops down onto his bed face down, his whole body aching.
Relationships aren't a competition, and Avery sure isn't some victory prize. He knows that. But he can't help that he feels hurt and angry and like he lost. Max went behind his back to talk to Avery without telling him. Without including him.
Max is in love with her. Max is in love with HER. Nothing to do with him. Even though he's been there since the start. He's known Avery longer than Max, he's been in love with her longer than Max.
And Max is… god, Max is beautiful and infuriating and so hard to read sometimes. But he's in love with him too.
Tristan had been stupid for ever thinking he was a part of something, for thinking the three of them were a part of something. He's not going to be able to sleep feeling like this.
He wants a fucking drink. He wants booze to quiet the buzzing in his head, make him feel less like a fucking failure. It would be easy enough to find a bottle, because he knows where they packed them up. He could find some quality whiskey. Or gin. Or just a beer, even.
He's wrung out, he's exhausted, he knows he's in so state to be making a clear-headed decision. But it's not like he could sink much lower. What difference would one drink make.
And he's fucking worried about Max. At least he's alive. At least they know he's alive.
He rolls over on the bed, and looks up at the ceiling. He doesn't know how long he stares, long enough for his skin to start itching and for his throat to feel dry.
He thinks about finding a bottle again.
A knock on his cabin door interrupts his thoughts.
"It's me," Avery calls.
He doesn't even want to get up off the bed. It doesn't seem like there's anything left to say. He gets up and unlocks the door anyway.
"I"m not really in a chatty mood," he grouses.
She glances around the room and then falls heavily into the chair in front of his vanity. She crosses and uncrosses her arms and doesn't look him in the eye.
He huffs and flops back onto his bed.
"It didn't feel right before, when you left."
Tristan sighs heavily. His first instinct is to reassure her. That's been his move. He generally enjoys being the comforting one, because he genuinely wants the best for Avery. And for Max. But he doesn't have much reassurance to give, at the moment. He's still mad. It's unfair that he's always the one being so accommodating. He's been feeling lately like they both take him for granted. He doesn't want to say anything he'll regret, though. So he waits.
"I'm freaked out about Max, and I've never had this many patients on my own before. But that isn't a good excuse. I… Tristan, please. Can you just look at me for a second?"
There's a softness to her voice, a vulnerability that makes Tristan sit up.
When he meets her eyes, he sees tears welling there, threatening to spill down her cheeks. All he wants to do is reach out for her, gather her into his arms. But he refrains. He should know his place.
"Max saying that he loves me, and not saying anything about you… it just doesn't make any sense."
She says it like she's sorry, her hands twisting in her lap as she speaks.
The tightness of his chest lessens just a little bit and he scoots to the edge of the bed, so that his knees nearly touch hers.
"Avery, c'mon. This happens. People fall in love. And Max has always been the guy who shoots his shot."
"No, I mean. Max isn't being honest with himself. And what all this means to him. What we mean to him."
Tristan sighs. "Okay. I can't force him to do anything."
"Of course you can't. But just, can you give me time? I have to talk to him. I have to know if -"
She stops herself from finishing the sentence, the unspoken question hanging in the air between them. Here Avery is, offering him hope.
He's probably a fool. He's been burned many times. But he reaches for her hand anyway.
"Don't put your life on hold for me, Aves. If you're asking if I'll wait for you to talk to Max, I will. If you're asking if I'll wait forever, I won't."
She turns his hand over with both of hers, and tenderly kisses his palm.
"Okay. Thank you."
She leans forward to press a kiss to his cheek. She smells like blood and sweat and antiseptic. He doesn't mind. He wraps her arms around her and holds her tight.
"We've got to catch some sleep," he says in her ear. "We won't be any good to anyone if we pass out on our feet."
She exhales so heavily that it all comes out in a woosh.
"You're right. I just have one thing to check on," Avery says as she stands up.
"Please promise you'll sleep tonight," Tristan chides.
"Let's pinky promise that we'll both catch some sleep," she says with a small smile.
It's childish and she's probably only doing it because she's about to melt down from all of the stress of the day, but he crosses her pinky with his anyway.
When she leaves, Tristan gets under his covers just to keep his promise.
He practices some positive affirmations. He's going to see Max again. And he's going to wait to find out whatever Max and Avery decide. He is not going to panic. He repeats these things like a mantra until he feels asleep.
The next day is, somehow, even worst then the day before. At least he feels sharp enough to help Avery with a complicated emergency procedure. When Avery completes it successfully and the patient is okay, he's barely able to celebrate because that's when they find out Max has gone radio silent. No one on the ship has been able to reach him.
They've got no idea if he's okay. Tristan refuses to think the worst, though. Max is smart and resourceful. The radio probably just ran out of batteries.
As soon as there's an opportunity to go find Max, Avery takes it. They both can't leave, and Tristan knows she's the one person who will be able to help Max if he's in serious medical trouble. But he still hates to see her leave. Thankfully he's got too many things to focus on, to many patients who need him, to dwell on what-ifs.
He has an unexpected physical reaction once she's gone. His two favorite people in the world are both in trouble, and he is powerless to do anything to help them. Tristan's whole body locks up, and his chest starts to feel tight, like someone is sitting on him. His hands start to shake and his pulse pounds in his ears. He thinks briefly of the sweet oblivion of alcohol, but he casts that thought aside just as quickly as it came up. It takes a few moments for him to realize he's having a panic attack and escapes to Max's office to take some deep, steadying breathes. In through his nose, out through his mouth. He runs his hand over the edge of Max's desk, just to feel his presence.
It's a comfort that he only indulges in for a moment, long enough to feel his body return to something close to normal. He's got other people's well-being to focus on.
He has to trust in Avery's judgement. Avery will come back, with Max safely in tow. Anything else will be confetti.
Later Tristan gets word, via the Captain, that Avery and Max are okay. They're coming back to the Odyssey. Tristan finally feels like he can breath again.
He runs around with renewed pep in step. He has the absurd thought to decorate the medical suite with flowers and balloons. But of course there isn't time or supplies for that, and he has patients to care for.
He looks out the portal and sees them coming on the small boat sent out to rescue them. They look fine. Tired, sure. But god, they're alive and they're mostly unhurt and Tristan feels so damn lucky.
He runs through the ship. Once they've cleared the atrium, Tristan is there to meet them. Tristan is smiling so wide he can't even feel his face.
"Tristan," Avery says, beaming. Max is smiling too, his eyes crinkled at the corners. Tristan scoops them both into his arms, and does a very good job of not crying.
"So, so glad to see you. Both of you."
"Yeah?" Max says quietly, his mouth close enough to Tristan's ear that he can feel his breath.
Tristan squeezes them tighter before he lets go. They smell like the earthy sent of mud just starting to dry, and it hits Tristan just how long Max must have been hunkering down in that coastal town with no one to help him, with no way to know if the Odyssey would even come back for him.
"You need a shower. Perhaps some coffee? Or a bed?" Tristan teases gently as he pulls away. Laughter has always been the best medicine.
Avery catches his hand as he steps back and gives him a meaningful look.
When Tristan looks over at Max, he's studying his face. He takes a deep, steadying breath. "I do need a shower. But I want you both to come to my suite. Please?"
Tristan doesn't know what that means. He doesn't know if Max has had a change of heart. But Max's small, shy smile is enough to buoy Tristan, keep him from saying no. He wants Max close, he wants Avery close. And right now, that's good enough.
Tristan quickly makes the rounds, ensures that the people in the medical suite can survive a few minutes without any of them, and leaves them in Matt's hands. Along with a promise from Matt to call him directly if anything changes for the worse.
Then he knocks on Max's cabin door.
It's Avery who ushers him inside, her hand pulling him towards Max's couch. The one that they'd all had sex on. Tristan feels strange, like he's walking through water. He sits down anyway.
"Max will be out in a minute," Avery says.
"I'm just glad you're both okay, Aves. We don't have to talk right now," he murmurs. His hands itch to reach out for her.
She shakes her head. "No, we really do."
Max emerges from the bathroom with comfortable sleep shorts and a white t-shirt on. Tristan hasn't seem him look so casual since they fucked on the very couch he's sitting on. His hair his wet and sticking up in the back, and he's got bags under his eyes. The bags are different, at least.
Tristan tries for levity. "I'm no Doctor, but I'd say you need some sleep."
"This is more important," Max says without a hint of humor.
That certainly gives Tristan pause. He tries not to let his treacherous heart beat right out of his chest as he watches Max walk towards him.
"It's been made clear to me," Max says as he shoots a sideways glance at Avery. "That I've been obtuse about a few things. It was hard for me to categorize how I felt. I don't think I'm gay."
Tristan thinks about making some wise-ass remark but then Max sinks to his knees at Tristan's feet.
"When I saw the Odyssey sail away, and when I thought for just a moment that the earthquake was going to kill me, I just kept thinking about both of you. About how I'd missed my chance."
Max reaches out and puts his hands on Tristan's knees. He ducks his head a little, almost like he's praying. Tristan puts his hands on Max's. Then he feels the weight and warmth of Avery's arm wrap around his shoulder.
"So I'm sorry if I made you feel cast aside. I want all of us to be a team again. And not just at work. I want you."
Tristan bites his lip, and squeezes Max's hand. That's as good as a declaration of love, coming from Max. It's a huge step forward from a guy who has absolutely refused to talk about his sexuality up until that very moment. Tristan takes a deep, steadying breath and feels like, finally, things are looking up.
"So will you forgive me? Please say something."
"Yeah Max, I can forgive you. Although I don't love that it took a devastating earthquake for you to admit how you feel," Tristan teases, his voice light.
"Ha ha," Max deadpans. Avery huffs a laugh near Tristan's ear.
Then Tristan is hauling Max up to his feet so he can wrap him into a warm hug. Avery wraps her arms around them both.
"Bed now?" Tristan whispers into Max's ear.
He feels Max nod. "Stay?"
Tristan kisses Max's cheek in answer. It takes both Avery and Tristan to gently guide Max to his bed. They curl themselves around either side of him, and he falls asleep almost immediately.
"Thanks," Tristan whispers to Avery. "For bringing him back."
He sees her small smile, and catalogues the way her eyes shine with hope.
"That wasn't all me, but I'll accept your thanks."
Tristan reaches across Max, and Avery clasps his hand. They stay that way, with their hands on Max's belly, until they fall asleep too.