The house was loud.
Not hospital loud — not the sharp chaos of trauma pages and rushing stretchers — but the messy, overlapping noise of too many exhausted surgical residents finally allowing themselves to relax.
Music pulsed quietly through the living room, something Cristina had put on earlier, but it was mostly drowned out by the sound of laughter, voices talking over one another, and April Kepner loudly declaring that the American Board of Surgery was a "soul-crushing institution designed to ruin good people's lives."
April was standing near the coffee table, clutching a half-empty bottle of tequila like it had personally betrayed her.
"I am going back to the farm," she announced dramatically, pointing a finger at no one in particular. "I'm serious. I'll raise chickens. Chickens don't judge you for failing the boards."
Jackson stood beside her, looking deeply exhausted.
"You didn't fail your life," he said patiently, trying to pry the bottle from her hands. "You failed one exam."
April clutched the bottle tighter.
"That exam determines my life, Jackson!"
From across the room Cristina raised her beer.
"To failing spectacularly."
Jackson groaned.
"Yang, you are not helping."
Cristina grinned.
"I'm building character."
Near the kitchen counter, Meredith laughed as she spun lazily to the music, clearly several drinks in and enjoying the rare night where none of them were on call.
Across the room, Aria stood with her back resting comfortably against Alex's chest.
Alex's arms were wrapped loosely around her waist, his fingers laced together just above her hips as he leaned against the wall behind her.
He was already slightly tipsy.
Not sloppy.
Just relaxed in a way that Alex Karev rarely allowed himself to be.
His chin rested lightly against her shoulder as he watched April's dramatic meltdown with clear amusement.
"Farm life might be good for you, Kepner," Alex called out.
April gasped.
"You're supposed to be encouraging me!"
Cristina lifted her drink again.
"We are encouraging you."
Jackson pinched the bridge of his nose.
"Please stop encouraging her."
Aria laughed softly under her breath.
The sound vibrated lightly against Alex's chest.
He tightened his arms around her instinctively, pressing a quick kiss into her hair.
From across the room Meredith's eyes landed on them.
Or more specifically—
On the glass in Aria's hand.
Meredith tilted her head slightly.
Her brows lifted in silent question.
What are you drinking?
Aria glanced down at the glass before looking back at her sister.
She mouthed the word silently.
Water.
YOU ARE READING
Shooting Stars
Fanfiction"But he's Evil Spawn." "Don't you think I know that. I didn't wake up one day and suddenly decide I was going to be in love with Alex Karev." Being the daughter of a world renowned surgeon was never destined to be easy. The first born of the Grey tw...
