grey's anatomy · medical drama · resident · ambitious · independent · derek shepherd's sibling · seattle grace · mark sloan · proving oneself · hospital setting
The fluorescent lights of Seattle Grace Hospital's cafeteria buzzed like a trapped insect, washing the scuffed linoleum in a pale, clinical light. The air hung heavy with the scent of stale coffee and disinfectant. Interns draped over cafeteria tables, their scrubs rumpled from double shifts, while residents whispered over charts. In a corner booth, Derek Shepherd was a study in concentration, his fingers tracing the contours of a brain scan spread before him. The chair opposite him screeched against the floor as Mark Sloan dropped into it, placing two steaming paper cups on the table. "Sheppy's giving me the cold shoulder," Mark declared, his tone a blend of amusement and theatrical hurt. Derek's lips quirked into a faint, knowing smirk without him looking up. "You, specifically?" Mark l…