Chapter Text
June 2001, NYC
POV: Meredith Grey
The club is loud the same way Manhattan in summer also hits you with its humidity and clashing bodies; no matter how upscale the venue or neighborhood may be. The way Meredith and her best friend, Andrea, narrowly avoid walking into a couple of women stumbling out of the venue proves the point with their arms entangled around each other's sweaty torsos, and their laughter muffled by the bass that’s already thumping through its walls and into her chest.
The many veneers of NYC are still base, hidden beneath its shiny facade.
Honestly, all this does is heighten her adrenaline.
She smirked at the couple before smoothly skirting around them as they right themselves, continuing her way towards the club's door.
NYC is unapologetically animalistic by nature. Bare your teeth or be chewed up, or in this case, create your own space or be leveled by the hordes of everyone moving forward without you.
Exactly the kind of night Meredith needed. Tonight is about the freedom to create her own version of celebration without the weight of the world.
Tonight, Meredith has chosen teeth.
She flashed them at the bouncer before Andrea pushed open the door first, scent sharp and unmistakably Alpha, drawing curious glances from more than a few as they confidently walked in. She doesn’t seem to notice. Or care.
Meredith followed close behind her, rolling her eyes.
She passed a cursory glance around the club, smiling wolfishly, pleased with what she was able to see. Women pressed together in the shadows, dancing, laughing, flirting without hesitation or apology.
Meredith looked at her friend struggling to fix the collar of her black, military jacket. All black outfit and black boots contrast their current environment nicely - though she’d rather tease her friend, than admit. In a sea of color and rich fabrics, her own white button up, buttoned down low, and blue pantsuit seamlessly fit.
“You couldn’t have worn something less military-adjacent?” she muttered, nudging Andrea’s shoulder. “You look like you’re about to arrest someone.”
Andrea just smirked, tossing her hair back. “At least we aren’t sneaking into clubs anymore. We graduated yesterday. We’re adults.”
“We’ve been legal for a year, Andy.”
“All the more reason to dress how I want. We’re 22 and college grads now. Adults.”
“You punched your alarm clock this morning,” Meredith deadpanned. “Your definition of adult is… flexible.”
Andrea just laughed, the warm, rumbling sound that has always made Meredith feel like the world is briefly safe. “I hate waking up early and knowing we were flying today didn’t help.”
Meredith shook her at the words. Not in disagreement because well, fair. Bemused affection for her perpetually sleepy friend caused Meredith to laugh shortly. It’s no wonder they had wildly different degrees and planned career paths.
At present though, they had no academic responsibilities and untethered from parental expectations. They were adults that required a night out. Their futures were firmly planted in the present.
They’d caught an early flight to JFK from Chicago this morning. After landing, they’d quickly decided that the best way to celebrate graduating from Northwestern was finding the hottest club with a sea of women and booze.
Emphasis on booze.
“We need booze. Now.”
She grabs Andrea’s arm and plunges them into the crowd. The air is thick with perfume, sweat, and pheromones. Omegas follow their movement with subtle interest. Alphas shift posture just enough to acknowledge new competition. Betas barely look up.
Two Alphas entering a space always tilts the gravity.
Meredith pretends not to notice.
Andrea absolutely notices.
However, both couldn’t care less at the moment. Traditions must be upheld.
“Drink?” Andrea shouted.
“Something that won’t kill my liver,” Meredith called back.
Andrea snorted. “So tequila.”
“Beer,” Meredith amended quickly. “Light beer.”
She’s rewarded with a dramatic groan from her best friend. Although, they both pretend not to know her light beer would eventually lead to tequila and bad decisions. It’s a tradition at this point and one of the many reasons they’re best friends.
They reached the bar and were preparing to order standing next to two empty leather-backed bar stools. When the space around them suddenly feels fuller and charged and somehow, the room is rearranging itself around unseen power.
Meredith feels the shift before she sees its source. A subtle scent threads through the air, sweet and grounding in a way that steals her breath.
Her head lifts instinctively.
Andrea follows her gaze and stiffens.
She vaguely heard Andrea’s quick intake of breath but she’s too focused on the fact that her own has seemingly lodged itself inside her lungs, refusing to be moved so as to give her best friend shit for her own reaction.
Two Omegas have entered their line of sight with the kind of presence that bends atmosphere. A freaking gravity shift that has her but falling out of and into a new orbit.
The first is older - not so old to be out of place at a club - than her companion, hair streaked with silver. She walks like she designed the architecture of every space she occupies. Like gravity adjusts to her, though Meredith moved her gaze easily away, landing on her companion. While the older woman is commanding in her fashion-forward dress, demanding reverence with her icy demeanor…
Her companion is utterly, showstoppingly arresting. And Meredith is taken in immediately by the softness she senses around her obvious beauty.
Stunning and stunned.
The second is a tall redhead, WASP features and movement that lends to old money. Moving through the club and towards their spot at the bar like she owns not just this club, but any room she’s ever stepped into. Her black dress, flowing red hair and fuck-me heels are stealing her breath. Breathing deeply until her lungs are full. It’s her. Her gravity pulled her in. She knows she’s staring, but doesn’t care.
The Omega flashed her teeth in a bright smile for her friend before her head tilted back, exposing her long, elegant neck in what seemed like a full-bodied laugh. And she needs to be closer. Needs to know what color her eyes are. She needs to know what that laugh sounds like. Meredith’s hands are clenched tightly to prevent herself from pulling her over to where they are, or better yet, dragging her out of this club that’s suddenly lost all appeal.
Fuck. She’s in her orbit now.
Shaking herself free of it a bit, she looked at the two of them again, briefly and as a whole.
Striking. They complement each other so well it lends to years of friendship. They are elegance sharpened into danger. With their wealth worn like armor and confidence that borders on seduction, everyone is staring, but none more affected than Meredith and Andrea.
She has a feeling her best friend is also not immune to the forces of nature the two are. They’ve shared numerous nights out, family dramatics and study sessions enough to know that this night - this night is going to be life changing.
Andrea let out a low whistle. “Well. That’s trouble.”
“Which one?” Meredith asked, though her eyes remain locked on the tall redhead whose scent is now unmistakably aimed in her direction.
Andrea grin is borderline feral. “Both.”
“She’s going to eat you alive.”
Andrea scoffed before shrugging, “Yeah, but at least mine will give me a shot.”
She almost missed what her supposed best friend said before shoving a laughing Andrea away from the two open bar stools before spinning around to the bartender. “Four shots of your best tequila!”
Noticing what her best friend was trying to accomplish, Andrea quickly angled her body in a both protective and inviting manner around their space at the bar. “Embracing adulthood. That’s what I’m talking about, Grey.”
Sparing Andrea a quick look and a smile before turning back to the approaching women, to the woman that she just knew would change everything.
She murmured quietly when she’s just in reach of her, “More like finally embracing a future that’s not dark and twisty, Sachs.”