carpe noctem// rick and morty

confessions

the tension was rising at the dinner table, rick was very obviously mad at summer, and the rest of the family wasn't of much help. morty was teasing summer, beth was trying to calm everyone down, and jerry could've not been of much help even if he wanted (fuck jerry lowkey).

aster felt partially responsible for the commotion. she wanted to help things, but felt as though the only way to do so was to expose herself. maybe she could only reveal enough to diffuse the situation, but not anything important.

"uhm, mr. rick? do you mean portals as in multidimensional travelling, or just teleportation?"

everyone turned to look at aster. there was suddenly silence, and as all eyes were on her, she began to sweat.

"only if you want to share, of course..." she added hesitantly.

"aster, you are aware of the multiverse?" morty was the first to speak, he seemed genuinely confused.

"what morty said..." summer stared at aster with her mouth open.

"kid, how much do you know?" rick seemed to be on guard.

"not much really, i just happened to stumble upon the term about two years ago, i thought it was interesting, so i just researched a bit. i mean, to be honest, it wasn't that hard to believe or understand, i already knew something like that probably existed..." aster paused, realising she had been talking too fast, "...sorry. my point is, i just know about random things that i thought were interesting, and the multiverse is one of them."

that seemed to calm down everyone, and soon enough they had settled back down and resumed eating. the only difference was that that time, aster and rick were sharing a light conversation.

"so you mean to tell me that a small shrimp like you has been reading up on complex theories all by yourself? and you believe you have understood them?"(r)

"i mean obviously my knowledge is only surface level because of a lack of verified reading materials, but i've been able to understand most of what i've read, yes" (a)

"what do you know about quantum physics?"

"certainly not enough that's for sure.." aster responds with a sheepish chuckle

it was a miracle, everyone else thought as they watched the new girl and rick share a laugh. well, it was more like aster was laughing awkwardly and rick chuckled.

"at least you are aware" (r)

"i may like studying obscure concepts, but it's a whole other thing if we are talking about formulas and implementation. i am guessing that is not the case with you, mr rick"

"well that's a given, you are talking to the smartest man in the universe"

"and that has been proven?" she asked jokingly. aster was aware she was very close to crossing a line she shouldn't have, but this was so fun she just had to take a risk.

rick looked angry for a second again, until he saw her playful expression. 'he held back' aster noticed, raising an eyebrow. she wasn't sure whether that was good or bad.

"i am not doubting you mr rick, but as you know infinite universes mean infinite possibilities."

"i am aware. however, kid, between the two of us i have seen more of the universe and beyond, so you'd be smart to not challenge me in that field. it'd be a definite loss on your part"

aster smiled, she got a warning! that meant rick had accepted the possibility of meeting again. she shot him a smile,

"i know to pick my battles, mr rick"

"atta girl" (that was said in a flat, uninterested tone. don't go thinking rick would actually praise someone lol)

rick stood up at that, wiping his mouth and looking at beth.

"im finished. beth, the food was amazing as always. ill be in the garage"

"aw thanks, dad"

aster finished eating as well, together with summer and morty. both summer and morty left immediately, leaving only beth and aster in the room (jerry had left a while ago, saying something about the tablet running out of battery)

aster began cleaning up the plates, stacking one on top of the other.

"oh no no aster, you don't have to worry about them, i will clean everything up." (b)

"no no, allow me to help you mrs beth" (a)

"... well, if you are willing, i would like some help getting everything to the kitchen."(b)

"ill help then"(a)

they stood in silence for a while as each was cleaning up their own side of the table.
suddenly beth spoke up,

"thank you... for today. this is the first family meal that was genuinely enjoyable, despite the arguing."(b)

"oh, im sure that had nothing to do with me. youve got a lovely family, mrs smith. mr rick seems to especially care about you."(a)

"id be glad if that were the case"(b)

"..."(b)

"i assure you, he might not look like it, but i could see how he treated you during lunch. he cares for this family, even if he doesn't show it often."(a)

"oh aster, you are such a sweet child, i wish you could just be a part of this family"

aster resisted the urge to say 'that was the plan from the start lol'

and so the two women continued their cleaning up in peace...