Burn in Hell | C137cest AU

Wanna Party? - Chapter 26

       Rick was grinning from ear to ear every day at his club, having one more trick up his sleeve. He knew nobody could trump this one, he just hoped it didn't fall through. If he knew Morty, he'd know the kid was too timid to consider such an action.

       So Rick did what he deemed best. It was nearing Thanksgiving, and he knew folks were gonna start calling in and taking off for the weekend. So this Thursday was a half day, and it was mandatory for everybody to be present at least at noon. There was an important announcement to be made.

       Rick watched as Gary gathered everybody in front of the stage, ensuring he had all of the dancers. Really, they were the only people Rick needed, including the bartenders and a few new bouncers. Everybody seemed eager to get out of the joint, but Gary made it very clear that they were expected back by next Thursday, no if's, and's, or but's about it.

       "Alright, folks," Rick could hear through the door, checking for the umpteenth time that he looked presentable.

       "I know we've had issues lately. Morty lost his memory, the club lost Morty again. Some of youse have seen him around, right?" There was a collective, halfhearted 'yeah' that sounded through the club now as Rick listened, making sure Gary didn't leave out any important information. 

       "Well, we're making one change to the club, alright? Boss's orders."

       If the collective groans of uncertainty weren't enough for Rick's cue, he had no idea what the hell was.

       "He's right," Rick called out, exiting the back room with a cigarette to ease him a little bit. Everybody seemed to stop, all eyes on the man. "I'm tired of hearing all this shit that goes on, and seein' it too. If me being up front babysitting you puts a stop to it, I'm doin' it. That bein' said," Rick chuckled, taking a long drag before removing the cigarette from his lips momentarily, "have a happy Thanksgiving, folks." The man laughed as people began to depart, seeing that it was mostly a joke and he wasn't in as sour a mood as he portrayed, but the wide-eyed glances tossed over shoulders towards Rick were enough to have him reeling with laughter. He never thought he'd drop the terrifying act of unknown suspicion that surrounded him until now.

       "You sure this is a good idea, boss?" Gary asked, watching as Rick locked the back room, having already cleaned up for the week.

       "It keeps me occupied, Gary, and I'm tired of sulking back there all by my lonesome. It'll be just like old times." 

       Gary smiled warmly, obviously glad to see that the man was working on improving himself. He just couldn't shake the feeling that Rick had something more up his sleeve.

       "Just like old times," the bouncer muttered, glancing towards the now vacant bar as a frown tugged at his lips before he turned it around and bid Rick a happy Thanksgiving, heading home to Gene as Rick went to do whatever he did for the holiday. 

       Morty was well on his way to finishing up his stocking duties when he saw Rick wandering down the aisle-way with a cart full of random items. "Heyo," Morty greeted softly, continuing to put boxes of stuffing in their place before he stepped down from the stool. "Sh-Shopping f-f-for the holiday?" he questioned, seeing Rick's basket. The man gave a chuckle, "Yea. Got Thanksgiving with Gary and Gene. No family to have over anymore."

        Morty felt that tug at his heartstrings a bit, glancing over at the man apologetically. "What about you?" Rick asked. Morty furrowed his brow as he tucked the stool beneath his arm. "Wh-What are you asking, ex-xactly?"

        "You got any plans?" the man asked again, Morty's curiosity and suspicion only furthered by his tone. "N-Not really, no. I do-on't want to go t-t-to my parent's, but I don't have anyth-thing else to do, s-s-so I might. Or I'll s-s-stay home and ea-eat TV dinners." Morty cringed slightly. He still didn't really know how to cook, and he may have let that embarrassing fact slip. He knew how to make Ramen, and anything virtually instant with clear instructions on the side, but that was it.

       Rick hummed in slight understanding, following the brunet as though not ready to give up. "Well, I mean, if you don't wanna do that - -" The man stopped as though rethinking his words. 

       Morty tucked the stool away with a chuckle. He'd gotten to know the three quite a bit, honestly, and found himself rather fond of the small gathering. They had accepted him, and none of them asked about his stutter. They were really polite and kind, too. Morty honestly considered them his closest friends at this point, being that the only other person he ever talked to was Joel, but they were nowhere near friends. Just acquaintances of sorts, talking and occasionally spending a lunch break together when they both were at McDonald's out of pure coincidence.

       "Wh-What was that?" Morty questioned, tucking his pencils away and grabbing a new roll of price stamps.

      "Well, if you got nothing to do, the three of us are gathering at my place. Gonna hang out for a bit."

       Now Morty was fine with the sounds of that, but he wasn't really sure. These guys were older than him, at least by ten years. At least. Rick looked young, but he spoke like an older man, and Gary and Gene were both just noticeably older. Would they want a twenty year old there to possibly ruin the fun?

       "I d-dunno. I don't wa-wanna interrupt your plans." Morty rubbed his arm, waiting for his moment to go punch out. He had a half day, the store - thankfully for Morty - closing for Thanksgiving weekend. Most stores he knew of stayed open up to, and even on, the holiday. 

       "Oh, trust me, they'd love to have you around. We consider you part of our circle, you know." Rick stated matter-of-factly, smiling warmly. Morty instructed him to wait a second, grabbing his phone and jacket from his locker, before he wandered back out, ensuring his wallet was still in his pocket and his house key in his jacket. 

       "I mean, i-if you do-on't mind. B-But, re-real-eally, I don't wanna interrupt if you ha-had someth-thing planned or anything."

       "Nah. Just a couple of guys watching tv, hanging out. That's all. Plus I could use some help cooking, if you wanna give that a go. Those two lovebirds never leave the couch once they're over." Rick grumbled his last sentence and Morty chuckled, though he knew he was cursed with an inability to cook. 

       "Well, I d-don't really know h-how to cook," Morty admitted sheepishly, warmth flooding his cheeks as he stared at the ground. "Well, there's no better chance to learn," Rick offered with a smile. Morty recently found the man was fairly easy to talk to, though it was odd. He had this sense of . . . familiarity around him. He almost felt like home to Morty.

       "Sure," Morty responded after a moment. "I g-guess it couldn't hurt to lear-learn. And that'd b-b-be pretty fun."

       Rick seemed elated at that, and Morty felt flattered that the man wanted him over this badly. He supposed it couldn't be too bad as he swapped numbers with Rick, giving the man his address as well, though completely missing the man tossing the paper in the trash. He already knew everything, telling Morty he'd swing by his place to pick him up around noon that Saturday.