Candy Hearts (Ethan x F!MC)
Pairing: Dr. Ethan Ramsey x F!MC (Dr. Meredith Grey)
Word count: 900
Premise: Meredith spots an unusual patron at Donahue's on Valentine's day.
Tags: @jamespotterthefirst | @myusualnerdyself | @paulfwesley | @aworldoffandoms | @agent-breakdance | @ethandaddyramseyx | @openheart12 | @nooruleman | @queencarb | @theodorepjames4 | @tefigranger | @an-urban-witch-ig | @trappedinfanfiction | @ethxnrxmsey | @x-kyne-x | @oofchoices | @rookie-ramsey | @edgiestwinter | @mvalentine | @utterlyinevitable | @aestheticartsx | @eramsey28 | @choicesaddict5 | @romereadingshop | @stygianflood | @toadfrog26 | @sophxwithers | @lsvdw-blog | @quixoticdreamer16 | @uneravine | @mercury84choices | @dorisz | @tinkertailorsoldierspy | @jerzwriter | @adiehardfan | @thegreentwin | @choiceskatie | @rosebudde | @shanzay44 | @rookiemartin | @coffeeheartaddict2 | @cokesbetterthanpepsi | @lilypills | @anonymousrookie | @youlookappropriate | @genevievemd
A/N: Inspired by this prompt list (the one I used is in bold in the story).
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
“So, you forgot it was Valentine’s day, didn’t you?”
Meredith’s tone is infused with amusement as she leans her elbows on the bar beside Ethan. Paper hearts and cupids dangle from the ceiling and small glass dishes of candy hearts have taken the place of the usual olives and peanuts along the wooden surface before them. Pink string lights frame the mirror behind the bar, where Reggie pours bright red, foamy concoctions into tall glasses.
“Yes,” Ethan mutters with a cringe as Ed Sheeran’s Thinking Out Loud begins issuing from the jukebox. “The hospital has been decorated for so long—”
“Less than a week,” Meredith interjects, eyes twinkling with mirth again.
“—it was impossible to determine when the accursed day was actually occurring.”
“Or, you know, you could have looked at a calendar. A Broken Heart special, please, Reggie,” she adds to the bartender, who acknowledges her with a jerk of his chin.
Ethan grimaces again. “Please don’t make me watch you drink that poor excuse for a drink. And why would they reference broken hearts on a day allegedly about love?”
“Just catering to their audience, I think,” Meredith says with a shrug. “People with a date tonight are probably at a nice restaurant or a show. Those out getting drunk at a bar are most decidedly single.”
Their eyes meet, and Meredith doesn’t look away as her drink appears front of her, pulling it closer and taking an exaggerated swallow from the straw. It’s meant to be a snarky response to Ethan’s disparaging comment about the fruity cocktail, but when Ethan’s gaze falls briefly to her mouth, she feels something tighten in her stomach.
“Happy Valentine’s day!”
Meredith takes the excuse to break eye contact, turning to see Bryce grinning jauntily at her and wearing a Kiss Me, I’m Irisht-shirt. “Okay, first, you’ve got the wrong holiday, and moreover you are not Irish,” she points out with a snort.
“I was hoping people would focus mostly on the first part,” Bryce explains smoothly. “But hey, Sienna told us you’re going home after this?”
“Yep,” Meredith confirms. “My plans include three boxes of chocolate, a bottle of wine, and a show I’ve been meaning to watch.”
“Really? What happened to celebrating being single?”
“That is celebrating! Besides,” she indicates herself and Ethan, “we have an early flight tomorrow morning, and I learned my lesson in college about flying while hungover.” She shudders at the memory.
“All right,” Bryce allows with a drawn-out sigh. “But come say goodbye before you leave?”
“I will.”
“What show?” Ethan inquires once Bryce is gone.
“What?”
“The one you’ve been meaning to watch.”
“Oh, there’s this Netflix documentary on ancient empires from around the world that I’ve heard is good.”
“Really?” Ethan asks, looking almost impressed.
Meredith grins wickedly. “Of course not. I’m catching up on season four of Vanderpump Rules.”
“Am I supposed to know what that means?” Ethan regards her with a narrow-eyed expression.
“It’s a reality show, so I’m sure you don’t.”
“Trash all around for you tonight, then?” he sums up, gesturing at her drink.
“Hey,” Meredith laughs, nudging his shoulder. “This is for a patient, actually. Mia Ekunno? It’s one of her favorite shows and she kept bugging me to watch it. It’s actually pretty entertaining, and Mia seems to enjoy having someone to gossip with about it.”
At that, Ethan’s expression betrays mild surprise. “I see. Meaning your Valentine’s date is technically work? That’s worse than even I usually achieve, Grey.”
“You heard the part about the chocolates and wine, right?”
“Is that the best you can manage? At least buy yourself dinner as well.”
“Wine and dine me, you mean? Is that what you would do?” Ethan’s eyebrows shoot up, and Meredith flushes as she hears the implication in her words. “If you had a date tonight,” she clarifies.
“I’ve never been out with someone on Valentine’s day.”
“Never?”
“Never,” he repeats.
Meredith sips her drink thoughtfully. “Wow. You’re one of those assholes who dumps the girl the weekend before, then?”
Glaring in the face of her mischievous grin, Ethan utters a short, “No.”
He doesn’t elaborate, and they lapse into a brief silence. Meredith plucks one of the candy hearts from the bowl in front of her and wrinkles her nose at the message printed on it: Smile. “Rude,” she declares, showing it to Ethan who responds with a half-smirk. Grabbing another, she sets it on the bar with a triumphant, “Ha! That’s more like it.”
Ethan leans over to read the text printed on the candy. Hot Stuff. “Hrm,” he grunts, but Meredith could swear his ears are redder than they were before.
“Let’s see what the fates have in store for you,” she continues, taking another heart-shaped piece and letting out a chuckle. “Text me,” she quotes, holding it for him to see. “Unlikely, I assume.”
“Not unless you’re late to the airport tomorrow.”
“I’m having a responsible night in, remember? I’ll be on time.”
“Good.” Noting her now-empty glass, he adds, “I’ll see you then.”
Meredith gathers her purse and pushes her glass to the other side of the bar. “Happy Valentine’s day, Doctor Ramsey.”
He rolls his eyes, but dutifully responds in kind. “Happy Valentine’s day, Rookie.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A/N: Happy Valentine's day! I hope you all find a bit of love today, in whatever form that takes 💕💕💕
Kelseyyyyy!!! Why is that everything that you write becomes canon for me?🤩🤩🤩
Loved how Meredith was playing with Ethan on that documentary part.😂 You've portrayed this simmering tension between them so well, all of their conversations feels like they're leading to that Miami kiss..I don't if I'm able to explain this correctly.
Thanks for writing this lovely fic!!💕💕
P.S. Now I want to know if he texted her when she was late.😛
