[ Oblivious to the glances the two of them are earning, Mel leads the way across the department, and pushes the door open once she reaches the staff room, holding it for Simon until he's in too. It smells of fresh coffee, and sure enough someone has already made a fresh pot. Must have just missed them - it's only them, and that large, glorious box of fresh donuts on the side counter.
As she talks, Mel puts her lunch on the table for the moment, and opens the box up - a wordless invitation for him to help himself - before she goes about making him a coffee. It doesn't occur to her to let him do it himself, as if she's hosting him in her apartment as opposed to being at work still. ]
A patient brought them in about half an hour ago for Dr. McKay - usually they're gone in record time but you came by at a good time. Last week, we treated the owner of that Italian place round the corner, and the next day, that whole table was covered in breadsticks and pizza, total morale booster.
You, um- [ As she puts the mug down in front of him, ] you like a little creamer, right? No sugar? [ She's sure that's how he took it when he first came in, when he'd calmed a little. Enough to answer her questions, let her in a little. ]
[ Simon follows closely behind, slipping into the staff lounge. Once the door is closed, he breathes a quiet sigh of relief as the noise from the ED is muted. It's not that he's got anxiety about being there; all the sounds layered on top of one another set his teeth on edge.
The box of donuts is a welcome distraction, and he sidles over to peruse. After careful consideration, he goes with a chocolate covered with rainbow sprinkles. Can't beat a classic. ]
Patients do that very often? [ As if he hadn't done the exact same thing by bringing her flowers- a mix of sunflowers and German chamomile- warmth, adoration, calmness, and gentle healing. Things that were easier to say in a language meant for subtlety. ] Who doesn't love a pizza party in lieu of cash?
[ The question catches him off guard, and his eyes widen in disbelief, flicking between her and the cup she sets down in front of him. ] You remembered how I take my coffee?
Not always, but sometimes! It's been sandwiches before, and the night shift have been gifted fancy coffee a couple of times apparently.
[ Simon's coffee question just gets a smile and a nod, a soft 'Mhm!' before she sits down. She can't take the curiosity anymore, she needs to know what he's brought her. There's a slight worry that it'll be something she might not like - or worse, something with a Bad Texture - but that worry leaves her just as quick.
It's an assortment of things; a bag of Dorito's, a couple of chocolate cereal bars, a pack of Reece's cups, a snickers bar, Oreo's, a packet of gummy worms, and more besides - all things that say 'I don't know what you like, so I got a bit of everything'. All quick, easy, things that'll keep her going when she doesn't have time to sit and enjoy a proper meal. Which, really, is all the time as soon as she steps foot into the ED.
Needless to say, as she processes everything, her smile widens in delight. ]
There's so much! You didn't need- [ Mel stops herself; they already had that conversation. But, still. ] This is awesome. Thank you. This'll keep me going the next few shifts at least!
Huh. That's nice of them. [ He takes his coffee with a quiet thanks, wrapping his hands around the mug to leech its heat.
Simon watches her open the bag, intent on committing every reaction to memory so he knows for next time. He'd wanted to do something nice for her, but the problem was that he didn't know much about her, but knew she'd probably not get much time to eat a full meal. He's also not the best cook, so he didn't want to bring her something he'd fucked up.
At least these things won't go bad. He's relieved when she seems to like them, offering a quick smile that he actually means. Not that he hasn't meant them before, but with Mel, it doesn't feel performative. She's already seen him at his worst and wasn't turned away by it. ]
I tried to choose only the good stuff. [ He pauses to take a sip of his coffee, humming with contentment. Of course it's perfect. ] You'd tell me if I got you something you didn't like, right?
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Date: 2026-05-25 02:32 pm (UTC)[ Oblivious to the glances the two of them are earning, Mel leads the way across the department, and pushes the door open once she reaches the staff room, holding it for Simon until he's in too. It smells of fresh coffee, and sure enough someone has already made a fresh pot. Must have just missed them - it's only them, and that large, glorious box of fresh donuts on the side counter.
As she talks, Mel puts her lunch on the table for the moment, and opens the box up - a wordless invitation for him to help himself - before she goes about making him a coffee. It doesn't occur to her to let him do it himself, as if she's hosting him in her apartment as opposed to being at work still. ]
A patient brought them in about half an hour ago for Dr. McKay - usually they're gone in record time but you came by at a good time. Last week, we treated the owner of that Italian place round the corner, and the next day, that whole table was covered in breadsticks and pizza, total morale booster.
You, um- [ As she puts the mug down in front of him, ] you like a little creamer, right? No sugar? [ She's sure that's how he took it when he first came in, when he'd calmed a little. Enough to answer her questions, let her in a little. ]
no subject
Date: 2026-05-26 01:44 am (UTC)The box of donuts is a welcome distraction, and he sidles over to peruse. After careful consideration, he goes with a chocolate covered with rainbow sprinkles. Can't beat a classic. ]
Patients do that very often? [ As if he hadn't done the exact same thing by bringing her flowers- a mix of sunflowers and German chamomile- warmth, adoration, calmness, and gentle healing. Things that were easier to say in a language meant for subtlety. ] Who doesn't love a pizza party in lieu of cash?
[ The question catches him off guard, and his eyes widen in disbelief, flicking between her and the cup she sets down in front of him. ] You remembered how I take my coffee?
no subject
Date: 2026-05-26 01:48 pm (UTC)[ Simon's coffee question just gets a smile and a nod, a soft 'Mhm!' before she sits down. She can't take the curiosity anymore, she needs to know what he's brought her. There's a slight worry that it'll be something she might not like - or worse, something with a Bad Texture - but that worry leaves her just as quick.
It's an assortment of things; a bag of Dorito's, a couple of chocolate cereal bars, a pack of Reece's cups, a snickers bar, Oreo's, a packet of gummy worms, and more besides - all things that say 'I don't know what you like, so I got a bit of everything'. All quick, easy, things that'll keep her going when she doesn't have time to sit and enjoy a proper meal. Which, really, is all the time as soon as she steps foot into the ED.
Needless to say, as she processes everything, her smile widens in delight. ]
There's so much! You didn't need- [ Mel stops herself; they already had that conversation. But, still. ] This is awesome. Thank you. This'll keep me going the next few shifts at least!
no subject
Date: 2026-05-26 09:01 pm (UTC)Simon watches her open the bag, intent on committing every reaction to memory so he knows for next time. He'd wanted to do something nice for her, but the problem was that he didn't know much about her, but knew she'd probably not get much time to eat a full meal. He's also not the best cook, so he didn't want to bring her something he'd fucked up.
At least these things won't go bad. He's relieved when she seems to like them, offering a quick smile that he actually means. Not that he hasn't meant them before, but with Mel, it doesn't feel performative. She's already seen him at his worst and wasn't turned away by it. ]
I tried to choose only the good stuff. [ He pauses to take a sip of his coffee, humming with contentment. Of course it's perfect. ] You'd tell me if I got you something you didn't like, right?