(no subject)

[detectivetroll]

Who: Nick, Monroe, Yuji, Ray, John, Kotetsu, and Barnaby
What: Thanksgiving! A really, really nontraditional one, but it still counts
Where: Nick's apartment
When: Thursday and possibly into Friday



This'll be the first time that Nick did something for Thanksgiving that wasn't just him and Yuji grabbing food while working, or an awkward dinner with distant relatives, in years. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't looking forward to it.

After he'd sent out interest gauging texts and received mostly positive answers, he'd sent out a mass text to everyone involved giving the address of his apartment and an approximate time to be there, along with the message: 'If you want to bring a dish or something, you can, but don't worry about it. Alcohol'll be available, but some people coming don't drink, so please be respectful. Anyone who wants to stay the night is welcome to crash here.'

Although he's already told a few people about Monroe's current difficulties, he'd send out individual follow up texts mentioning that Monroe'd gotten a complicated pulse and was still trying to get a handle on it, and requesting that no one wear red.

He hadn't decorated or anything, but he had cleaned, so the apartment's all but spotless. He's in charge of the turkey, and it's roasting away in the oven, with the rest of the kitchen available for anyone who wants to use it to make side dishes or dessert or whatever else. A number of them are already made, and either on the table awaiting dinner time or scattered about the apartment for snacking on before dinner's ready. Non-alcoholic drinks are set out on the coffee table, while the alcohol's in the fridge, should anyone want to grab themselves a drink.

(For reference, Nick's apartment looks something like this, but with a much smaller loft area - just the sitting area to the left above the stairs, which doubles as a guest space. And the double doors to the right of the stairs would be closed, since they lead to his bedroom. XD)

Comments

[sassymaru]

He wasn't wearing red. He was wearing purple. His hair was several obnoxious shades of teal and purple and had been so for a while now. At least his coat was a dark grey, but the rest, scarf included, was all striking shades of purple. Right down to the pants and boots. Okay, no, the boots were black. But still.

He didn't knock. He let himself in as if he owned the place, carrying a plastic grocery bag, and waltzing straight into the kitchen.

"It's tradition!" was all he would say, if questioned as to why he was pulling out a sad little packet of Top Ramen from the bag, and banging around until he located something to boil it in.

Yes, embarrassingly enough, this was his contribution to the holiday.

[grimmopedia]

Hey look one of the two people Monroe knows at this part. And More importantly someone Monroe doesn't want to eat. Monroe is at his side in a second, relived for someone to talk to. Well someone who already knows how bad he is at this stuff and hasn't run off into the night yet.

He doesn't comment on the top ramen. He jumps to the more important part. "Don't burn the apartment down."

[sassymaru]

"How could I? It's an electric stove!"

There's a beat of awkward silence, as one of the burners, decidedly not electric, sends up one of those little orange flames, as they usually do. He stares down at it, then over at Monroe.

"... I know how to boil water, all right."

[grimmopedia]

Monroe looks at the fire. Then back at Yuji and just snorts. He should tell Nick to change his stove to electric.

"Then why am I always the one that makes diner?"

[sassymaru]

"Because half the time we're working cases? And who has time to cook? You or us?"

He settles a hand on his hip. The better to gesture with the other.

[grimmopedia]

"I work," he protests but really he knows it's true. "But I've seen you two after working. I don't want either of you near my kitchen then."

[grimmopedia]

Monroe took the part of the message that said don't worry about bringing food as no one will bring food so he should bring everything. If he was being honest with himself he'd admit he keep making food so he wouldn't have time to think about how nervous he is about being with a group of people he doesn't know and who he might end up wanting to eat. But he's not being honest with himself. So screw that.

He hovers by the food, snaking on everything. Maybe if he's full things will be alright and Nick won't have to explain why his boyfriend bit one of his dinner quests. Like filling up on bread so won't be hungry for dinner. But in a good way for once.

[sassymaru]

"So..."

He's gotten the boyfriend relaxed. And inside, which was kind of a feat, all things considered. There's a glass of wine in one of his hands, and his expression is set in one of calm neutrality.

Even if his tone doesn't really get the message.

He approaches the other man in a quiet moment, when it seems most everyone else is occupied.

"Quite the scene at the door, wasn't it?"

[grimmopedia]

He knew this was coming. He just knew it, too bad he still hadn't come up with an excuse yet. Well a convincing excuse.

Monroe knows he can't lie well, but it's even worse if he has to make eye contact. He starts filling up a plate with food, even adding some of Yuji's ramen to his plate. Maybe that will put Yuji in a better mood.

"Yeah that guy yells a lot." At least that was an honest answer. That jerk did yell a lot.

[sassymaru]

"Mm, so he does."

He doesn't move, however, nor does he back off. He leans against the wall beside the food, arms casually folded.

"But seldom without reason. Or, at least, what he perceives to be good reason..."

He trailed off, as if to let the words sink in. He doubted Monroe would misunderstand what he meant. What he was implying.

What did you do?

[grimmopedia]

Monroe would really like to keep dancing around this. And with most people he would keep doing it. But he knows it won't help with Yuji. Why does he have to hang around people who's job it is to get information out of people?

He sighs. This isn't going to go well. Maybe Nick explained already and Yuji is just checking the facts. He's never that lucky. "Nick told him not to wear red."

[sassymaru]

"Of course," he allowed, inclining his head a little. "But, we all already knew that."

He didn't move. Not yet. His weight shifted a bit, eyebrows arched. Everything in his body language suggested patience. As if he fully intended to wait Monroe out.

[synonymouswithdookie]

Ray almost backed out at the last minute. Almost. It had been a couple years since he'd even done holidays with his own family, the idea of spending it with people he reeeeeeally didn't know beyond like Yuji and Nick didn't exactly sound all that great. Especially since he was pretty sure half the network wanted him to jump into traffic at this point.

But free food was free food and Yuji probably would have nagged him into going anyway. Either way, he didn't want to show up looking like a mooch. He threw together some kind of fancy blue cheese broccoli noodly casserole thing, threw on the least red shit he owned, and before he knew it he was staring down Nick's door and second guessing leaving his apartment in the first place.

Okay, a quick cigarette while he knocked. This wouldn't be too bad. Maybe.

"Hey, asshole! Open up!"

[grimmopedia]

Monroe hears the knock and the rude comment. Really man? He looks around hoping this will be someone else's problem, namely Nick's, but there is no sight of him. So Monroe heads to the door grumbling under his breath about having to put up with this.

When he opens it all he sees is red. His eyes turn bright red. The part of his brain that thinks goes quiet. All he wants to do is to rip and tear and bite until the guy goes still. And then eat. He didn't notice just how hungry he was before this. Monroe suddenly lunges forward growling and grabs for Ray's arms.

[synonymouswithdookie]

Okay so Ray really hadn't expected this guy to be here. Was this going to be awkward? This was going to be awkward, wasn't it. Well okay, Ray could fix this. He'd just apologize for being a little prick before and everything would be great. Right?

"Oh hey it's yo-hey HEY HEY HEY!!!"

Um well okay this wasn't going quite as planned. Ray can't really react too quickly because one, WHAT THE FUCK, and two, his poor casserole was about to meet pavement. He managed to balance it on one arm while mister crazy got all grabby on him, but fuck.

"DUDE WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM!?"

[allinvein]

So one minute, John's standing there in the kitchen, wondering how the turkey's going to turn out, and the next, there is all this yelling coming from the front door. Interested to see what sort of train wreck commotion is going down, he ambles over before his ambling quickly turns to a power walk and he's reaching for... What's his name again? Marvin? Monty? No, no... It's Monroe.

Yeah, Monroe.

Anyway, he reaches over and claps the guy on the shoulder because growling and grabbing people isn't really normal behavior at parties. Well, not out in the open like this at least. What happens behind closed doors is none of his business, thank you very much.

"Hey, hey, easy now!" he says, applying just a little pressure to Monroe's shoulder. "What's the problem?"

[grimmopedia]

Monroe really doesn't care about the yelling, and he really doesn't care about the casserole. He going to eat something much better. Finally.

But then someone is grabbing him by the shoulder. Monroe tightens his grip on Ray. Go find someone on your own. He caught this one. Monroe turns to snarl at whoever who's encroaching on his hunt when he catches the man's scent. It's something predatory enough that it kicks something back into place in his mind. He shakes his head while his mind catches up with what he's doing. The red color fades from his eyes, leaving him looking like a normal person. Well as normal as someone can be right after assaulting someone.

Right he's hanging on to someone. Monroe drops his arms back to his side, and tries to come up with an excuse. "I- uh."

He's got nothing. Fall back on denial. "Nothing."

[synonymouswithdookie]

Once he's free, Ray jumps back a good few feet, sputtering incoherently for a few seconds and almost losing the casserole. Nothing!? THE AUDACITY OF THIS DOUCHEBAG.

"NOTHING MY ASS!! THIS LUMBERJACK MOTHERFUCKER JUMPED ON ME! This is Nick's place, right!? Where is he!? NIIIIIICK!! THIS IS BULLSHIT ALREADY! I'M GOING HOME TO MY CAT WHO ISN'T AN ASSHOLE!!"

Because yelling and screaming and causing a scene was a really good idea and was the epitome of maturity.

[allinvein]

One of the best parts about living so close is that John has decided to bring multiple trays of food to the party--namely baked goods. There are lemon meringues (of course!), a slightly lopsided (but perfectly delicious) pecan pie, and for some odd reason, he's also decided to bring pigs in blankets. (That one's a spur of the moment idea that possibly involved watching the Food Network for a little too long one night.)

In any case, bringing all of that food means that John is running between their apartments for a while before finally settling down. He's pointedly avoiding the fridge and happily nursing a cup of apple cider, gaze flicking about the apartment and toward all the guests he... doesn't really know! Still, it doesn't seem like a bad group, even if one person brought ramen to the party, and hey, there's food. John's not going to turn down free food, even if he does kind of want something else to drink as well.

He's just going to continue ignoring that part of this brain though, okay? Okay.

[detectivetroll]

When he isn't in the kitchen checking on the turkey or poking at what other people are making, Nick's pretty much just wandering around, chatting with people and grabbing things to snack on or drink as he goes. It feels... strange, with this many people in his apartment, but it isn't a bad strange.

It's a strange he could get used to, having this many people he actually cares about.

When he spots John, he heads over immediately, pausing only to doublecheck that the drink he's holding isn't alcoholic.

"Hey," Nick greets, smile wide and clearly happy to see him. "Thanks for all the food, man, it's fantastic."

Not that he's already snuck a few meringues or anything.

[allinvein]

"It's the least I could do," he replies with a smile, focusing on his friend. "What with all the help you've given me recently?"

John reaches over and gives Nick a gentle shove against his shoulder. Seriously, this move would not have gone nearly as smoothly without his friend's help, and he's genuinely thankful for it. To top it all off, they're neighbors now. How fantastic is that? "And it's not like I won't be eating my share of the feast you've got going there."

He tilts his head toward the kitchen. "How long have you been working on putting all of this together anyway?"

[detectivetroll]

Nick ducks his head a little, but grins back at him. "Any time, man."

He means it - he's still grateful for John's friendship, especially since it came when Nick was still new to all this network junk, and really needed it. And especially since John'd been pretty much the first friend he'd actually had, outside of fellow cops. Not that Nick will admit any of that outloud. "You better. That turkey's going to be awesome."

At that, he glances over to the kitchen, smiling slightly. "A week or two, I guess. Normally we work on Thanksgiving, but we were off this year, so - I don't know, I wanted to do something."

[allinvein]

"A week or two!?" he exclaims, face cracking into a wide smile. "Look at you!" John reaches over and claps Nick on the shoulder before just pulling him into an one-armed hug. Belatedly, he realizes that this isn't a good decision, and he pulls away a little sooner than he normally would--something he hopes Nick doesn't notice.

Either way, he tries to focus on the good of this conversation.

"You could've asked me for help. I would've come, you know."

[detectivetroll]

There's a huff there, partly startled and partly amused, but Nick hugs him back without hesitation and releases when John does. Fortunately, Nick notices nothing about the duration, considering that his usual experience with hugging is drunk or sick friends who tend to hang on a little too long.

"I know." He actually sounds not-quite delighted at that, that he does know that John would've come to help if asked. Not that it's actually a realization, but still. It's nice. "But you were busy with moving, and stuff-" There's a very slight emphasis on stuff, because he still knows there's something wrong, John. "-and besides, I sort of did ask you. All of the side dishes are from you guys, I just did the turkey."

Late in the night - Barnaby, Kotetsu, and Nick

[detectivetroll]

Despite the mishaps, near violence, and awkwardness, it'd been a good night. Pretty much the best Thanksgiving that Nick'd had in years, though whether or not he'd admit that depended on how much alcohol he'd had to drink at the time.

It's late, now, around that time where anyone who hadn't decided to just stay the night at Nick's is heading home. Which means that the sober among their party are making sure that those who've had more to drink have a way to get home safely.

And that's why - well, one of the reasons why - Nick's outside in the cold with Kotetsu and Barnaby, heading towards the nearly abandoned street where their ride home awaits them.

"Thanks for coming, you guys."