A/N : (SPOILER WARNING FOR S18)

This prompt is set around season 18. There is mention of Austin (Hayes' son) having panic attacks and Minnesota (without the appearance of Nick).

Prompt : Meredith introduces Hayes to one of her intern rituals.

Thank you for reading and always leaving lovely comments that cheer me up. Hope you all enjoy :)

"You paged?"

Legs sprawled out on the love seat, Meredith's head rears up at Hayes' startling Irish lilt filling the space, motioning for him to enter the patient room. "Get in! Hurry! Before anyone sees you. And shut the door."

Brows wrinkled in confusion, he obeys, entering the room and closing the door behind him. Noticing the drawn blinds, Hayes can't help the question from spilling out, "Mind telling me what we're doing here. I thought we were having lunch in the cafeteria. What's with all the cloak and dagger?"

"Just thought it'd be nice to have lunch in peace," she hedges.

"In a clearly-sedated patient's room?" Hayes asks, head tilting to the side, the lines between his brows deepening even more.

"This is Really Old Guy's room," she replies, as if that answers everything. It was especially confusing since the patient in question was clearly a woman.

Making his way over to Meredith, Hayes lifts her legs, plunking himself down right next to her before enfolding her limbs on his thighs.

"You're going to have to give me more details than that, Meredith. Don't want to have to report you to HR."

Pushing her foot lightly against his thigh, she chuckles at his reaction before explaining, "When I was a resident, a few of us used to eat lunch in here. It was quiet, away from all the hospital drama. A good place to hide. We called it "Really Old Guy's room" until we found out his name was Charlie. Scared the crap out of us when he woke up. Now, it's Cybil's room."

"That doesn't feel remotely strange to you? Still not sure why I shouldn't inform HR about this," Hayes teases, one hand stroking and patting her legs mindlessly while the other rested against the backrest of the couch. His friend had some clearly odd habits.

"Now that you're here, you'll be considered an accessory to my crimes," she volleys back, twinkle in her eyes.

Hayes pinches her calf, eliciting a giggle out of her. "Trying to turn me on to your bad ways, I see."

"You could use a little more excitement."

"One of us should at least try to stay out of jail."

Pursing her lips in contemplation, a teasing glimmer lighting her eyes, Meredith smirks, "I don't know... I think you'd look good in orange scrubs."

"Lord help me! You're a bad influence, Meredith Grey," Hayes exclaims.

"Little old me? Never..." she chortles out. "We'll make a felon out of you one day. You'll be bending the rules in no time, if I have anything to say about it."

"You'll find the Irish will is far stronger than anything you can throw at me, Meredith."

"Never met a doctor who didn't end up breaking a rule or two once I got my hooks into them."

Bantering for sport is akin to a life source for her. A trivial sport for some; an endless energy boost for her. Verbal sparring with Hayes is quickly becoming one of her favourite pastimes. Someone who gives as good as he gets.

As their laughter fades out, Hayes asks, "What are you doing in here, really? Blinds closed and all?"

Shrugging her shoulders in a practiced move of fake nonchalance, Meredith mumbles, shaking her head in exasperation and keeping her voice as casual as possible, "I... maybe... might be... hiding from the residents."

"That makes much more sense," he states, chuckles bubbling out of him.

Smacking his shoulder, Meredith snorts out, "You would be too if they hounded you with every little stupid question. I'm teaching them to be more independent. Doing them a favour, really."

"No more harassment from Helm?"

"Harassment's a strong word!" Meredith defends her resident. "She's been respecting my boundaries since our little chat."

"Mmhmm. Good! How are you liking that new residency director gig now?"

"I don't think I have the stomach for it. Or the patience, really. I never noticed how needy residents are. What was Bailey thinking?"

"She wanted to keep you at all costs. She values your experience, your knowledge and your grit. You have to remember... This crop practically lost a full year of training because of COVID. A year behind doesn't even come close to covering it," Hayes reminds Meredith.

"I guess... I just really don't have the energy to get them back up to snuff. I want to focus on other stuff."

"Minnesota?" Hayes voices aloud.

Meredith loudly puffs out a breath, laying her head down against the couch arm. Peering up at him solemnly, she rambles, "Am I crazy for considering this? So soon after surviving COVID. Getting my life back in order, my kids settled. Finally operating again. Us... Do I really want to throw myself into this huge, life-consuming project that will take years. In neuro, no less. It makes no sense."

Quiet for a beat too long, Meredith nudges Hayes' side with her foot. "Well? You're awfully quiet. You don't think I should take it, right?"

Holding her gaze for a few seconds, Hayes stuns her. "I think you'd be crazy not to."

"Seriously?" Meredith exclaims, surprise marring her features.

"Truly. I'll admit I'm not too keen on you going to Minnesota so often, but this is the research of a lifetime, Meredith. Every medical professional will learn from your successes, and your failures."

"Why do you have to be so level-headed?" Meredith huffs out.

"One of us has to be," notes a cheeky Hayes.

The budding couple shares a smile, basking in the few moments they can steal together. It's been challenging lately.

"I miss you," Hayes lets slip, his voice dropping an octave.

Shuffling her legs to the side, Meredith inches closer to Hayes, putting an arm around his shoulders, her other hand tilting his face to look at her. Eyes softening, she offers sincerely, "I know. I do too. How's Austin?"

"The same." A frustrated sigh escapes from his chest. "I've no idea what to do. We stopped dating, and nothing's changed." The powerlessness invades him once again at the thought of his son in pain.

"These things take time. You're there for him. That's the best thing you can do right now." Meredith grabs his hand, interlocking their fingers together and giving it a squeeze. "Maybe ask Bailey if the boys can hang out. Tuck comes from a split family. There's a chance he can offer a different perspective to the boys."

Irritated that his feelings for her were in such conflict with his paternal instincts, Hayes sighs deeply. "I absolutely hate hiding my feelings for you. Every time I look at you, every time we talk, I feel myself falling deeper, my heart ready to finally run wild. I just want to grab your hand and never let go."

"We'll get there... Eventually." Brushing her thumb against his palm, she says, "I'm not in any rush. You waited for me. I'm not going anywhere, Cormac."

They might not be in any rush, but they both know things can go sideways in a flash. Waiting, delaying the inevitable, no longer feels safe or comforting. Torture, really, for people who have had the rug pulled out from under them, time and again.

"It doesn't feel right asking you to wait, when I don't know how long this will take."

"You're not asking. I'm offering," Meredith insists.

Their heartfelt moment is interrupted by Cybil's rumbling exhale. Hayes' shoulders jump slightly at the noise.

"That happens sometimes," Meredith remarks casually. "Don't worry about it."

Looking down at his would-be girlfriend, eyebrows quirked in amusement, Hayes muses, "You're a bloody strange one, Meredith Grey."

She tips her head up to meet his gaze, boldly saying, "You'll learn to love that about me."

A faint smile settles into his features, lightening his whole facade. "I'm beginning to see that." His palm slides up her arm, leaving a warm trail of shivers along her skin. Kissing her forehead and enfolding her deeper into his embrace, they stay like that for a while; settling into a comfortable silence, not feeling the urge to fill it with incessant chatter. She rests her hand on his chest, close to his heart, hoping to ease his burdens in any way and seeking comfort in his enveloping cuddle.

Their peace is disrupted by the frantic, heavy steps right outside the door. "Dr. Grey!" They both hear emanating from the hallway.

Burrowing her head against his chest, Meredith groans, muffled sounds coming from deep in her chest, "Argh! Save me."

Hayes pats her on the back, chuckling despite the interruption. "I can go see what they need."

"No, no. Enjoy the food. Hopefully, it will be quick. They probably just need their diapers changed," she says sarcastically.

Disentangling herself from him, she feels strangely bereft, no longer in his warm, safe embrace.

Grabbing her lab coat and making a beeline for the door, she turns to him. "Cormac?"

"Aye?"

Holding his gaze for a few seconds, desperately trying to convey the depths of her emotions, Meredith finally whispers, breaking the quiet spell, "I'm not going anywhere. Trust me."