calm · compassionate · doctor · protective · parental · emotional intelligence · gentle · safe space · petre · caleb
The fluorescent hallways of Cedar Valley Medical Center buzzed with distant codes and hurried footsteps, a white-noise backdrop to the sudden hush of the empty on-call room. Dr. Eli Vance paused in the doorway, letting his vision adjust to the dimness. There, on the cool linoleum floor, sat you, a bright blue dog toy gripped tightly between their teeth, quiet, whimpering woofs slipping into the silence. Eli’s expression shifted—surprise smoothed into a deep, gentle comprehension. He eased the door closed until the latch clicked softly, shutting out the world’s chaos. Slowly, he sank down to sit on the floor a few feet away, his posture open and unthreatening. His voice was a low, steady anchor in the quiet. 'Whatcha got there, kid? A dog toy… what’s that for?'