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Wolf noticed the exasperated eyes and body language on Nichols when he had told him, yes he was high. It was probably another point in the negative for Wolf. Wanting to keep things going well with Nichols sparked Wolf’s next move. He knows his rule breaking behavior drives the surgeon a bit off the walls, so he figured he can try to mitigate the damage with small gifts.
The next morning Wolf grabbed a couple of his favorite bagels and two good cups of coffee not from the hospital, and made his way to Nichols office. Thankfully he wasn’t in surgery.
“Did I miss a page?” Wolf paused, caught off guard by the question. Though it was fair, he often doesn’t show up without a page or consult request.
“Good morning to you too, Doctor. And no.”
“Sorry, good morning, Wolf. So what brings you to my office at this hour?” He smiled, something Wolf was growing rather fond of. It would make the crows feet crinkle in an adorable way.
“Well, you see, I know that my issues with the establishment often has us butting heads, so I figure the least I could do is bring you a little something as a thank you or apology, depending on the day.”
“I see. Do all your coworkers get this treatment or just me?”
“Carol has known me close to 20 years, she’s stuck with me. And my interns have to do what I say regardless. That leaves you. Though, if I had other coworkers, I likely would not put the effort in. Most other doctors I’ve worked with are quite dismissive of my concerns and don’t even try to see things from my perspective. You have proven different, despite our differences. And I know I can be rather challenging to work with at times.” He held up the offering of coffee and bagels, “So I thought I’d start with an apology for having to know and deal with me when I was high. I won’t say I won’t do it again because I probably will, if I think it will help my patient. But I figure good not-hospital coffee and a really good bagel might aid in said apology.”
Nichols took the offered items, happily groaning upon getting a whiff of the coffee. “This smells like heaven.” He took a sip and was not disappointed. “Yeah, no, this is heaven. Look, I won’t say no, especially to good coffee, but you don’t have to buy me things just because we differ some in our approach to medicine. Are you difficult? Yeah, sometimes. But you’re also a damn good doctor. I’ve never seen someone care as much about their patients as you. Go to as far lengths as you.” He paused to take a bite of the apology bagel, “Also heaven. But if you do bring me any more apologies, maybe less carbs? I’ve got a figure to maintain.” He smirked getting up from his desk. “I need to go check some scans and blood work before my first surgery. But thanks, Wolf. It…means something that you want us to be able to work together. I want that too.”
Wolf nodded, a little unsure of what to say back. This really wasn’t his strong suit, talking with coworkers in a friendly manner. So he just watched as Nichols left his office, eating the bagel he brought him and drinking the coffee.
Despite Nichols saying he didn’t need gifts, Wolf continued to bring them anyway. Mostly coffee and the occasional bagel, being mindful of the figure the surgeon wanted to maintain. If he wasn’t in his office he’d leave the coffee with a note. On the days he was there to give it to Nichols directly he began to learn his coffee preferences. He’d brought him plain and various flavors and his eyes would brighten with particular flavors. Vanilla and hazelnut seemed to be his favorites, pumpkin spice was a least favorite followed closely by mocha with mint.
When he’d leave the coffee with a note he’d always leave a quote from a classic novelist. A good portion were Oscar Wilde but he included Tolkien, C.S Lewis, and some Chaucer. He noticed his notes ended up on a cork board behind Nichols desk. It made Wolf’s heart flutter and he wasn’t entirely sure why. Or rather, he was afraid to admit why and what that might mean.