Shooting Stars

CHAPTER 74

Aria stirred awake to the faint glow of morning light slipping through the curtains. The bed was warm, wrapped in the familiar weight of Alex's arm draped across her waist. She shifted slightly, stretching beneath the covers, only to feel him tighten his hold, pulling her back against his chest.

"Where do you think you're going?" Alex's voice was rough with sleep, his lips brushing against the nape of her neck.

Aria smirked, settling back against him. "I was going to get up and make coffee."

"It's Valentine's Day," he murmured, pressing a lazy kiss to her shoulder. "Stay."

She let out a quiet laugh, turning in his arms to face him. "Since when do you care about Valentine's Day?"

"I don't," Alex admitted with a grin. "But I care about a morning where we don't have to rush out the door for work. So, just stay a little longer."

Aria studied him for a moment, his messy hair, the way his eyes were still heavy with sleep. He looked softer like this, all the sharp edges dulled in the quiet intimacy of the morning. She reached up, tracing her fingers lightly along his jaw.

"You're getting sappy on me, Karev."

Alex rolled his eyes, shifting so he was hovering slightly over her. "Shut up," he muttered before kissing her, slow and unhurried. It was rare that they had moments like this—no pagers, no surgeries, no chaos, just them.

When they finally broke apart, Aria let out a contented sigh. "Fine. I'll stay."

Alex smirked in victory, pulling her even closer. "Happy Valentine's Day, Grey."

She huffed a laugh. "Happy Valentine's Day, Karev."

And for once, neither of them was in any rush to start the day.

The emergency room was in a rare moment of quiet—no traumas rolling in, no monitors blaring, just the four of them leaning against the nurse's station, sipping on mediocre coffee as they waited for the inevitable chaos to return.

"I don't get it," Alex muttered, stretching his shoulders. "Why does anyone care about Valentine's Day? It's just an excuse for overpriced flowers and terrible restaurant reservations."

Aria nodded in agreement. "Right? It's a completely pointless holiday. Everything's suddenly heart-shaped, and for what?"

"You guys are so cynical." April shook her head, looking between them. "What's wrong with celebrating love?"

Aria shrugged, taking a sip of her coffee. "Alex and I are probably just getting takeout and beer after this."

"And then studying," Alex added, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Jackson frowned. "Studying? For your boards? Already?"

"Yes," Aria, Alex, and April all answered at once.

Jackson blinked. "You guys are actually studying? Now?"

"Yes," Aria repeated slowly. "Why wouldn't we be?"

"Because it's February?" Jackson scoffed. "The boards are months away. You guys are insane."

Aria arched a brow at him. "You have started studying, right?"

Jackson hesitated, shifting slightly.

"Jackson." April's voice was sharp with disapproval.

"I mean... I was going to start soon," he admitted, rubbing the back of his neck. "But there's time."

Alex smirked, shaking his head. "Yeah, you're screwed."

Jackson rolled his eyes. "I'll be fine. I work best under pressure."