Chapter Text
The low hum of conversation surrounded them as they sat at a corner table in Joe’s, the soft glow of string lights overhead reflecting in the half-empty glasses between them. The bar was alive with the steady rhythm of a Thursday night, neither too loud nor too quiet, just enough to make the world around them feel distant.
Maya leaned back in her chair, her fingers tracing idle circles along the condensation of her beer glass. She glanced at Carina, who seemed absorbed in the swirl of red wine in her hand, her expression unreadable but calm. It was the kind of silence that felt precariously balanced, not uncomfortable but not entirely easy either—a silence waiting to be filled.
“You’re not much of a beer person, are you?” Maya broke the tension, her lips curving in a wry smile.
Carina’s gaze lifted, meeting hers. “Not particularly. And I tried to embrace the American experience.” Her accent softened the sarcasm, making it sound almost playful. “Not the must successful experience…”
Maya chuckled, a quiet sound that seemed to settle between them. “I didn’t realize craft beer was the pinnacle of American culture.”
“Well,” Carina tilted her head, her smile almost teasing now, “it’s a start. You’d have to guide me through the rest of the American ways…”
There it was again—that spark of something unspoken, an undercurrent that neither of them seemed ready to address. Maya swallowed hard, her fingers tightening momentarily around her glass. The kiss was still there, lingering in the space between them like a phantom. She knew they’d have to talk about it eventually, but not here. Not yet.
Instead, she shifted the conversation. “So, you came all the way from Italy to end up in Seattle. How’s that working out for you?”
Carina leaned forward slightly, resting her elbow on the table as she cradled her wine glass. “It’s... different. Sometimes I miss the chaos of Italy, the way the streets hum with life at every hour. The food! But I like it here. It feels...” she hesitated, searching for the right word, “manageable.”
“Manageable?” Maya echoed, her brows lifting.
“Yes,” Carina said with a light laugh. “The pace, the people. It’s different than I’m used to, but it has its charm. And the work is rewarding. Intense, but rewarding.” She gesticulated with her hands as she spoke, and Maya thought that was impressively charming.
Maya nodded, her smile softening. “It’s not exactly a nine-to-five job.”
“No, but I didn’t come here for easy,” Carina said, her gaze holding Maya’s for a beat longer than necessary. “Did you?”
Maya opened her mouth to respond but hesitated. She took a sip of her beer instead, letting the silence stretch just a moment too long before answering. “I guess not. I don’t know how to do easy either.”
Their eyes met again, and for a fleeting second, the din of the bar seemed to fade. It was Carina who looked away first, her attention dropping back to her wine. She swirled it again, slower this time, her fingers light against the glass, and she brought it to her lips, to sip on.
“And my baby brother is here, I missed living close to Andrea,” Carina explained casually.
“What does your brother do?” Maya asked curiously.
“He’s a doctor at Grey-Sloan.”
“So it’s a family thing…” Maya mused while Carina chuckled and nodded.
The warmth of the whiskey coated Maya’s throat as she took another slow sip, her gaze drawn back to Carina, who was swirling her wine glass with a casual elegance. The buzz of the bar provided a steady hum in the background, blending seamlessly with the low jazz that spilled from the speakers overhead.
“You know,” Maya began, her voice light but her curiosity evident, “it’s hard to believe you left Grey-Sloan for... this.”
Carina’s eyes flicked up, one brow raised in amusement. “You mean for running into burning buildings and climbing ladders instead of delivering babies?”
Maya smirked, her lips curving around the rim of her glass. “Something like that.”
Carina chuckled, a sound that felt richer than the wine she sipped. “Grey-Sloan was... formative. Intense, rewarding, chaotic—but also predictable in a way. The firehouse?” She gestured vaguely, her movements fluid. “It’s unpredictable. Alive. And maybe I needed that.”
“You delivered miracles every day,” Maya said, her tone softer now. “Why trade that for chaos?”
Carina’s fingers paused against the stem of her glass. “I wanted to be there in the moment of crisis. Not just for what comes after. Do you know what it’s like to look at someone and know you’re the last hope they have?” Her gaze held Maya’s, unwavering. “I wanted to feel that.”
Maya nodded, her expression thoughtful. “I get it,” she said, her voice quieter now. “Being on the front lines... there’s nothing else like it.”
Carina smiled faintly, the corner of her mouth tilting upward. “Exactly. Though I’m sure you thought I was just a doctor who wanted to play hero.”
Maya’s eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of a grin forming. “I didn’t think that.” She paused for effect. “Not entirely, at least.”
Carina tilted her head back and laughed, the sound drawing a few glances from nearby tables. “Well, I’m glad I exceeded expectations, Lieutenant.”
Maya’s gaze softened, and she swirled the remaining whiskey in her glass. “You did more than that.”
For a moment, their eyes lingered on each other, the unspoken tension crackling like static electricity. But the moment passed, and Maya glanced away, setting her glass down with a quiet clink.
“So,” Carina began, leaning forward slightly, her playful demeanor returning, “do you regret letting me into the team yet?”
Maya tilted her head, considering her answer. “Not even a little,” she replied, the honesty in her voice grounding the words. “Though you do have a knack for keeping things interesting.”
“Interesting?” Carina echoed, her smile widening. “I think that’s a compliment.”
“It is,” Maya said, raising her glass. “To you. For keeping us all on our toes.”
Carina tapped her glass gently against Maya’s in an amused toast, as the both of them laughed, the clink of crystal echoing softly between them. “To keeping things interesting, then.”
By the time they left Joe’s, the air outside was brisk and damp, the kind of chill that seeped through coats and clung to skin. Maya shoved her hands into her jacket pockets, glancing sideways at Carina as they adjusted their jackets. Their conversation had taken on a looser, easier rhythm by the end of the night, helped along by the drinks and the comfort of shared company.
“Walk me home, Lieutenant?”
Maya hesitated, the question catching her off guard. But then she nodded. “Sure.”
The walk to Carina’s building was quiet but companionable, the cool night air brushing against their flushed skin. When they reached the door, Carina turned, her gaze meeting Maya’s under the soft glow of the streetlamp.
“Thanks for the drink,” she said, her voice low. “And the company.”
Maya’s smile was small but genuine. “It was nice. Talking. Drinking. Getting to know you a little.”
“We didn’t really talk about…” Carina began to speak but Maya shook her head, which made the brunette stop mid sentence.
“We don’t have to, Carina…” Maya hesitated, the weight of the moment settling over her like a second skin. She could feel the pull between them again, that same magnetic energy that had been simmering all night. It would be so easy to step back, to say goodnight and walk away. But she didn’t want to. She saw that Carina was ready to protest, so she continued. “We can just enjoy the moment.”
The Italian looked puzzled at the statement, so Maya decided to take a leap of faith and not let the opening slip away. She took a half-step closer, the movement instinctive and deliberate all at once, her heart pounding as she looked up at Carina. “If you want to,” Maya said softly, but her tone made it sound like an invitation. “We could just…” she started, the sound barely a whisper, her gaze dropping briefly to Carina’s lips before meeting her eyes again.
Carina didn’t respond, not with words, but she didn’t step back either. Instead, she leaned in, closing the remaining distance between them. The space between them seemed to shrink, charged with an intensity that neither had the will—or desire—to resist. When she kissed her, it wasn’t tentative or cautious. It was unsteady and urgent, it deepened quickly, fueled by the unspoken tension they’d been skirting all night.
When they pulled apart, both were breathing hard, their foreheads nearly touching. Maya’s hand lingered on Carina’s arm, her pulse pounding in her ears. Carina swallowed, her voice barely audible. “Do you want to come up?”
Maya’s eyes searched hers, and for a moment, Carina thought she might say no. But then she nodded. “Yes.”
The elevator ride to Carina’s apartment was quiet, their breaths still uneven from the kiss they’d shared outside. Maya stood close enough to feel the heat radiating from Carina’s body but kept her hands tucked into her jacket pockets. The tension between them was palpable, a thin thread pulled taut, ready to snap at any moment.
Carina’s gaze flicked to Maya’s reflection in the mirrored elevator doors, her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. Maya caught her looking and offered a small, hesitant smile, one that didn’t quite reach her eyes. She was nervous, and Carina could see it. But underneath the nerves was something else—something that mirrored the quiet yearning Carina herself was trying to keep contained.
The elevator dinged softly, and Carina stepped out first, leading Maya down the hallway to her apartment. The sound of her keys jingling filled the silence, and when the door clicked open, Carina pushed it gently, stepping aside to let Maya in.
The apartment was warm and inviting, bathed in the soft glow of a lamp on the far side of the room. Maya paused just inside the doorway, her eyes scanning the space. It was distinctly Carina—comfortable yet stylish, with shelves lined with books, framed photos, and a faintly sweet, floral scent that lingered in the air.
“Do you want something to drink?” Carina offered, her voice soft, almost hesitant.
Maya shook her head, stepping further inside as she slipped off her jacket and draped it over the back of a chair. “No, I’m good.”
Carina nodded, watching Maya as she moved toward the window, her silhouette framed against the city lights outside. She set her keys down on the counter and hesitated before joining her, her bare feet padding softly against the hardwood floor.
For a moment, they stood side by side, staring out at the city below. The silence between them wasn’t heavy, but it carried the weight of unspoken thoughts. Maya’s hand brushed against Carina’s, the touch brief and unintentional, but it was enough to make both of them glance at each other.
“I don’t know what I’m doing here,” Maya admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Her gaze dropped to their hands, where her fingers now lingered against Carina’s.
Carina turned toward her fully, her eyes searching Maya’s face, but then she smiled amusedly. “I thought you’d been with other women,” she teased. “I’m flattered to be your first.”
“That’s not—” Maya quickly said, panicking, but when her eyes landed on Carina, she realized what the woman was doing, teasing her. It helped to ease the tension. “Very funny, DeLuca.”
Carina was laughing, quite amused at herself. “I don’t know, your face was pretty funny!”
Maya was smiling too, as she reached out and tugged at Carina’s shirt, the air quickly shifting to something sexier, more intense. The laughter between them softened, fading into an unspoken tension that hummed louder with each passing second. Maya’s fingers tightened slightly on the fabric of Carina’s shirt, and the faint sound of the city beyond the window seemed to dissolve into the background. All that was left was the shallow rise and fall of their breaths and the magnetic pull that neither seemed able to resist.
Carina’s teasing smile faded as her gaze locked onto Maya’s, the warmth in her brown eyes giving way to something deeper, more vulnerable. She reached up, her fingertips brushing along the edge of Maya’s jaw, her touch featherlight but electric. Maya leaned into the contact, her lips parting slightly as if to speak, but no words came. Instead, she stepped closer, her body aligning with Carina’s, their proximity charged with the kind of urgency that felt impossible to contain.
This time, when their lips met, it was neither tentative nor cautious. The kiss was fierce, unguarded, a culmination of every glance, every unspoken word, every charged moment that had passed between them. Maya’s hands slid from Carina’s shirt to her waist, her fingers pressing into the soft fabric of Carina’s sweater as if grounding herself in the sensation. The warmth beneath the material was tangible, a reminder of the reality of the moment, and yet it felt almost unreal.
Carina responded in kind, her hands threading through Maya’s hair, her fingers curling gently at the nape of her neck as she tilted her head, deepening the kiss. The angle allowed her to claim more, to draw Maya closer until the space between them disappeared entirely. Her movements were deliberate, confident, but there was a softness to her touch that belied the intensity of her desire. She wasn’t simply taking; she was giving—meeting Maya’s unspoken need with an openness that felt like surrender.
Maya groaned softly against her lips, the sound vibrating through her chest and mingling with the rhythmic cadence of their shared breaths. The noise was swallowed between them as Carina pressed closer, their bodies molding together like puzzle pieces finally finding their fit. The heat radiating between them was almost overwhelming, a steady, growing burn that refused to be ignored.
Maya’s fingers slid upward, finding the hem of Carina’s sweater, and she hesitated for only a fraction of a second before tugging it upward. The action was clumsy, rushed, but Carina raised her arms, allowing the fabric to lift over her head. As the sweater fell to the floor, Maya’s hands found her skin, the warmth of her touch searing against the smooth planes of Carina’s back. She traced the lines of her spine, her palms exploring with a reverence that made Carina shiver.
Carina didn’t falter, her lips leaving Maya’s only to press against her jaw, her neck, the hollow of her throat. Each kiss was slow but firm, her mouth lingering just long enough to leave an impression before moving on. Maya tilted her head back instinctively, her pulse hammering beneath Carina’s lips as her hands roamed upward, her thumbs brushing the edges of her ribs.
When Carina pulled back, her gaze locked onto Maya’s, her pupils dark and dilated, her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath. She reached for the buttons of Maya’s shirt, her fingers deft but unhurried, as if savoring the anticipation. Maya stood still, her eyes never leaving Carina’s face, but the slight tremble in her hands betrayed the intensity of what she was feeling.
The shirt slipped from Maya’s shoulders, landing in a heap at her feet, and Carina’s hands found her bare skin. Her touch was light at first, tentative, as if testing the boundaries of the moment, but it quickly became more insistent. Her palms slid over Maya’s arms, her shoulders, her waist, her breasts, memorizing every curve, every line, every detail.
“Bedroom,” Carina murmured against Maya’s lips, her voice breathless yet steady.
Maya nodded, her own breaths coming in short, uneven bursts. She allowed herself to be guided, Carina’s hand warm and firm against hers as they moved through the dimly lit apartment. The hallway felt like a blur, the walls and furniture mere shadows in her peripheral vision. All she could focus on was the woman in front of her—the way Carina’s hair spilled over her shoulders, the curve of her back as she led them toward the room, her beautiful ass.
When they reached the threshold, Carina turned, her gaze searching Maya’s face. “Are you—”
Maya didn’t let her finish. She stepped forward, closing the distance between them and kissing Carina with a fervor that left no room for hesitation. Her hands found Carina’s body, pulling her with a sense of urgency that made Carina laugh softly against her lips.
“Impatient, aren’t we?” Carina teased, though her own fingers were just as quick to cup Maya’s breasts again, her movements deft and precise. She was impressed, how firm and how full they felt—perfetta, she thought to herself.
“You have no idea,” Maya replied, her voice low and husky as the cold fingers pressed against her heated and sensitive skin—the most remarkable feeling.
The room was cast in a soft, golden glow from the bedside lamp, its light catching on the curves and contours of their bodies as they tumbled toward the mattress.
Maya leaned in again, capturing Carina’s lips with a kiss that was slower this time, more deliberate. Her hands found Carina’s hips, guiding her backward until her legs hit the edge of the bed. Carina let herself be pulled down, her hands gripping Maya’s arms as they followed, their movements seamless despite the chaos of their emotions.
The mattress dipped beneath their combined weight, and Maya found herself braced over Carina, her hands on either side of her head. Their eyes met, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. There was no sound, no movement, just the quiet acknowledgment of what was unfolding between them—a moment suspended in time, fragile and electric.
Carina reached up, her fingers trailing along Maya’s jaw before pulling her down into another kiss. This one was different, deeper, slower, a silent promise that neither could put into words. The tension between them coiled tighter, threatening to snap, but neither was in a hurry to let it break. They had time—or at least, they wanted to believe they did.
Carina’s hands roamed over Maya’s skin, her touch equal parts reverent and possessive. She explored every inch of her with precision but carried an intimacy that was purely personal. Maya shivered beneath her touch, her own hands tracing the lines of Carina’s body as if committing them to memory.
Their movements were uncoordinated but passionate, driven by the kind of hunger that couldn’t be tamed. Lips found skin, teeth grazed collarbones, and fingers tangled in hair as they gave themselves over to the moment. Maya’s breath hitched as Carina’s lips brushed over the curve of her cleavage, leaving a trail of warmth in their wake. She snapped off the bra with such ease that made Maya gasp. She ler her hands roam over Carina’s sides, tracing the smooth expanse of her ribs before settling at her chest, squeezing them with a need that felt all-consuming.
Carina let out a soft, breathy half-laugh half-moan as her fingers deftly slid along the waistband of Maya’s jeans, her touch both teasing and deliberate. The sound was intoxicating, a low hum that sent a ripple of heat coursing through Maya’s veins. “You’re making this very hard to focus,” Carina murmured, her voice thick with amusement and desire.
“Good,” Maya managed, her voice rasping as she pressed her lips against the delicate skin at Carina’s throat. “I don’t want you to think.”
Carina’s response was a low groan, her head falling back to give Maya better access. Her hands worked with practiced ease, undoing the button and zipper of Maya’s jeans, her touch sending sparks along every nerve ending it met. Maya kicked them off impatiently, along with the panties, her movements hurried but not clumsy, her focus entirely on the woman beneath her.
As the cool air hit her skin, Maya shivered, but it was nothing compared to the fire that spread through her when Carina’s hands slid over her hips, guiding her closer. She felt vulnerable for a second, realizing she was the first one fully naked. But then a rush of heat consumed her, leaving her cheeks flustered when she saw the hungry look Carina laid on her.
Maya quickly worked on removing Carina’s pants and underwear, along with the bra. Her gaze of admiration made her stop to appreciate every inch of the Italian. The perky breasts, the toned abdomen, the strong arms and those beautiful thighs. Carina was absolutely delicious.
Their bodies aligned, the heat between them almost unbearable as Maya’s lips found Carina’s again, the kiss deep and unrelenting. Her fingers tangled in Carina’s hair, tugging gently to tilt her head back, her teeth grazing the edge of her jaw before trailing down to her collarbone.
Carina gasped softly, her back arching as Maya’s lips left a path of gentle bites and kisses along her skin. Her hands clutched at Maya’s shoulders, nails digging lightly into her skin as her breathing quickened. “You’re—” Carina began, her words breaking off as Maya’s hand slid up her side, brushing against her ribs before resting just below her breast, teasing. “Maya…”
The sound of her name on Carina’s lips was enough to send Maya spiraling, her self-control fraying at the edges. She pulled back just enough to look down at Carina, her eyes dark and filled with unspoken emotion. “Tell me if it’s too much,” Maya whispered, her voice low and unsteady.
Carina’s gaze locked onto hers, her expression soft but intent. “It’s not nearly enough,” she said, her voice steady despite the rapid rise and fall of her chest. “I want you, Maya.” She reached up, cupping Maya’s face in her hands and pulling her down for another kiss. This one was slower, deeper, a deliberate melding of mouths that felt more like a promise than a demand.
Maya’s hands slid confidently down Carina’s body, fingers skimming over soft, heated skin. Her touch grew firmer, more deliberate, as she mapped the curves of Carina’s waist and the lines of her thighs. The soft gasp Carina let out spurred Maya on, her movements bold and sure as her hands pressed against Carina’s hips, anchoring her in place.
Carina’s leg hooked around Maya’s, pulling her closer, the shift causing their bodies to align in a way that sent a sharp jolt of heat through both of them. Maya’s lips trailed downward, brushing over Carina’s collarbone and settling on the hollow of her throat, where she sucked lightly, earning a low moan from Carina. Her teeth grazed the edge of Carina’s jaw before moving lower, marking her way across Carina’s chest with kisses that deepened with every passing second.
Carina’s fingers tangled in Maya’s hair, tugging gently to guide her back up. Her own hands were quick and assertive, sliding down Maya’s back, fingers curling at her hips before skimming lower. The faint scrape of her nails against Maya’s skin sent shivers coursing through her, their bodies shifting closer as Carina’s touch grew bolder.
The room was filled with the sounds of their breaths, uneven and quick, mingling with the rustling of sheets as they moved against each other. Carina’s hand slid between their bodies, fingers trailing over Maya’s abdomen before finding the heat at her core. The contact was electric, the pressure deliberate as she explored with practiced precision. Maya gasped sharply, her head falling forward as her grip on Carina’s hips tightened.
Maya’s response was just as direct, her hand slipping down to mirror Carina’s movements. Her touch was firm, confident, and unrelenting as she sought out the places that made Carina gasp and arch beneath her. Their rhythm built quickly, the tension between them sharp and unyielding as they drove each other higher. Carina’s head fell back, exposing the long line of her throat, which Maya was quick to claim with her lips and teeth, leaving faint marks against her flushed skin.
The mattress dipped beneath their movements, their bodies tangling and shifting as they found an unspoken rhythm. Maya leaned forward, her lips brushing against Carina’s ear as she murmured something low and urgent, her voice thick with want. Carina’s response was immediate—a whispered curse in Italian as her nails raked lightly down Maya’s back, spurring her on.
Their movements grew faster, more insistent, the tension between them winding tighter and tighter. The soft lamplight cast golden shadows over their entwined bodies, highlighting every flex of muscle and curve of skin. There was nothing hesitant or tentative now, only the shared urgency driving them forward. Every touch was deliberate, every sound coaxed from one another an affirmation of the fire that burned between them.
As their pace quickened, their shared breaths turned to sharp gasps, the only sounds filling the room alongside the quiet creak of the bed. Maya shifted, her body pressing Carina’s further into the mattress, her hand never faltering as she brought Carina to the edge. Carina’s grip on Maya’s shoulders tightened, her back arching as her body responded, her moans spilling into the air between them in quick succession.
Maya didn’t let up, her focus unwavering as she guided them both toward release, their bodies moving in perfect, urgent harmony. Every motion was deliberate, a culmination of tension that built and built until it finally snapped, leaving them breathless and trembling in the aftermath, their bodies still pressed together in the dim, golden glow of the room.
When they finally collapsed back against the pillows, their bodies slick with sweat and their breaths mingling in the quiet space between them, the reality of what they’d done began to seep in. They were still for longer than expected, breathless and in utter pleasure.
And then, just when it felt like they might break under the weight of it all, Carina looked at Maya, her hand finding Maya’s face and holding her close. She looked at her, her expression open and vulnerable in a way that made Maya’s heart ache. “Stay,” Carina whispered, her voice barely audible.
Maya nodded, her own voice failing her as she leaned closer, pressing her lips softly to Carina’s. This kiss was different—not fierce or urgent, but tender, a quiet acceptance of the moment and everything it meant. The tension eased, replaced by a warmth that spread through both of them, grounding them in each other and the quiet promise of the night.
Maya stared up at the ceiling, her chest rising and falling as she tried to steady her breathing. Beside her, Carina propped herself up on one elbow, her gaze soft but unreadable as she studied Maya’s profile.
“You’re thinking too much,” Carina said gently, her fingers brushing a strand of hair away from Maya’s forehead. “I can tell by how your eyebrows look fierce.”
Maya turned her head to meet Carina’s eyes again, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her mouth. “And you’re not?”
Carina shrugged, her expression almost playful. “No, bella. I’m just enjoying the moment,” she said the words from before with a smile.
Maya’s smile softened, her hand reaching out to trace the line of Carina’s arm. “I don’t regret it,” she admitted, her voice quieter now. “I just… I don’t know what this means.”
“It doesn’t have to mean anything right now, Maya,” Carina replied, her tone soothing. She leaned in, pressing a kiss to Maya’s shoulder. “It can just be this.”
For now, that was enough.