Work Text:
It's no secret that Mel’s struggled making friends. She’s awkward, self-conscious, struggling to read people. She gets overstimulated, developing particular preferences. She’s almost too in touch with her emotions, the intensity off-putting.
Seeking ways to connect, Mel learned people bond over common interests. Her peers all watched the same shows and movies, excitedly discussing them at school.
Mel’s family couldn’t afford cable. She didn’t understand references or recognize quotes. Just another way she was an outsider.
This continued in undergrad when, at 20, she became responsible for Becca. Mel no longer had time to huddle around the dorm TV with the handful of friends she’d actually managed to make. Sure enough, the invites slowed, then stopped altogether.
She didn’t blame them- college was for fun, not caretaking.
The weight of her responsibilities took a toll. It wasn’t Becca’s fault, Mel loves her sister deeply, but that didn’t prevent occasional anger and resentment, nor the ensuing guilt. She learned long ago that feelings don’t change reality. She had no choice but to handle it.
By residency, Mel’s made progress. She’s developed reliable coping strategies. Improved pattern recognition and reaction time helps her recover from missteps quicker. Still, her lack of pop culture knowledge persists.
One of the best parts of residency is her friendship with Frank. She felt an instant connection to him that first day. He checked in with her, reassured her, supported her. People kept clearing out around her, but not him. He stayed. For the first time in her life, she felt seen.
But then, like everyone else, he left. They’d only shared one shift, but it hurt nonetheless.
When he returned, she didn’t have any hope that he remembered her, that she’d mattered to him like he had to her. She was pleasantly surprised that she was wrong. He was convinced he’d let her down, but she quickly dispelled that notion.
Their friendship grew from there as they slowly opened up to one another. She supported him through his divorce. He helped her come to terms with Becca’s growing independence.
Additionally, Frank had taken it upon himself to help Mel close her pop culture knowledge gap. They’re currently working through Bones, a favorite of his despite the inaccuracies. Tonight’s viewing is season 4, episode 19. The victim has pieces of meteorite in her ear, despite no record of a meteor shower.
Mel’s never seen a female character like Dr. Brennan- highly intelligent, accomplished professionally, but still blunt, literal, and socially awkward. She’s also enjoying the growing romance with Booth, the charismatic jock falling for the socially awkward scientist.
She can’t help making comparisons. She’s be lying if she said it didn’t give her hope. Her and Frank’s relationship’s always been intense, but lately, something’s shifted.
Mel realizes he’s been slowly moving closer to her on the couch. He looks at her, wordlessly asking permission, before wrapping his arm around her, pulling her to him, sighing contentedly.
Life isn’t like TV. But everybody loves a slowburn, after all.