Dusk&Summer

11.

Something was wrong with Derek. He had no idea what was up with his best friend but something definitely was. He was quiet. Derek Shepherd was never quiet. Okay, he got quiet when he was sulking about something but right now he didn't actually have anything to sulk about. At least Mark was pretty sure he didn't have anything to sulk about. Who know what Shep could come up with in his head.

Shep was pathetic like that. For all Mark knew, Derek had chosen today of all days to mourn the end of his relationship with the redhead. It had been three months but Derek really was that lame and pathetic. He should probably bring it up. Probably should point out that staring at pancake batter wasn't going to make it turn into pancakes.

Not that Shep would give him a straight answer. He'd probably say some deep philosophical shit that had nothing to do with anything and then manage to avoid the rest of the subject. Not that that bugged Mark, it wasn't like he wanted to have some heart to heart with his brother. But Derek did look down for no reason at all and he should at least try to do something to snap him out of it.

"So I'm thinkin' we should check out the locals tonight," he offered.

"Sounds good," Derek nodded.

"Get some hot ass."

"Hot ass...definitely good," Derek nodded quickly.

"Since when?" Mark frowned. Shep never talked about girls like that. Ever. He was all about respecting them and needing them for more than a one night stand. Which Mark got. He respected girls too. But he happened to understand that some girls just liked some hot sex.

"Since yesterday," Derek muttered under his breath and then sighed. "It's my last summer as a free man."

"You gettin' married and can't screw the nurses?" Mark laughed. "Thanks for letting me know, Shep. When's the big day?"

"Don't be an idiot," Derek groaned. "You know what I mean."

"We're not going to have time to have sex? Doesn't seem worth it then."

"Saving lives doesn't seem worth it?"

"Not without sex."

"Of course not," Derek sighed.

"You're saying you're planning on going without sex for the rest of your life just so you can save some lives?"

"I didn't say that," Derek groaned.

"Hey, I'm just saying," Mark shrugged.

"Yeah, I know."

"But you're with me on the hot ass tonight?" Mark asked, watching his best friend. "I heard Grey got some action at a bar."

"What?"

"Just a kiss," Mark shrugged, trying not to smirk as Derek's body tensed.

"A...a kiss?" Derek breathed.

"I think that's what I heard them saying when they came in last night."

"That's...Mer can kiss people," Derek nodded quickly. "Why would I care? Why would I care if Meredith kissed someone?"

"I didn't say you should," Mark frowned and then smiled as Meredith came into the kitchen, dressed in a long t-shirt. "Morning, Grey."

"Morning," Meredith sighed and then looked down. "Morning, Derek."

"Morning," Derek mumbled, staring at the pancakes in front of him.

"Shep's making pancakes for breakfast," Mark smiled, watching as Meredith poured herself a cup of coffee, not even looking at Derek.