(log) It's Thanksgiving Time!

[forethinking]

Who: Ren and You
When: Thanksgiving Day
Where: ADI's cafeteria
Summary: A little thanksgiving party for everyone.
Warnings: Alcohol, but other than that, none!



(It's finally the day! Ren's spent the day in the canteen, from the early hours of the morning with the help of Kate, until just close enough to the arranged time.

Several tables in the cafeteria are taken by the food, but there's still plenty of room to sit and spend time with your fellow ADI employees. After the previous month everyone has had, it feels much needed. Available is the following menu:

Deep-fried Turkey + Stuffing;
Ranch-Seasoned Roast Turkey + Stuffing;
Mashed Potatoes + Gravy;
Green Bean Casserole;
Cranberry Sauce;
Pasta alla Norma;
Sicilian Rice Balls;
S'mores Cupcakes
Pumpkin Pie;
Apple Pie;
Sweet Baked Potato;
Pecan Pie;
Roasted Vegetables;
Stuffed Mushrooms;
Squash Soup;
Garlicky Green Beans with Crispy Onions;
A selection of alcohol;

Ren's tried his best to recreate what the Internet and other folks have told him, and without him tasting the original flavors, some of the dishes might have an unexpected twist of spice. Kate has also helped with putting things together, and at the previously arranged time, Ren opens the doors with a smile from ear-to-ear.

Once everyone's settled, he'll ask for a moment to, gasp, speak:)

I'd like to thank everyone for coming today. I know it's been tough, but I'm still thankful we can spend good moments like these together. I hope you enjoy the food.

(And just like so, he'll bow, and hand plates to those ready to eat. Time to dig in!)

Comments

[forethinking]

"I'm going to make you a mix of teas to help--"

And he's almost going, until he remembers that no!! It's a party. He can do that afterwards, right? It's not like Malcolm is going to sleep right now...

"Mhm? Grape soda, they taste a little funny... Maybe cultural taste difference... Oh, shit."

Yeah, he sees the label now. Most specifically, the alcohol content. Ren never swears, so Malcolm has been blessed with the first swear Ren has uttered in this world aside from when he's with Akechi.

[abrightboy]

"Yyyyyeah," Malcolm sympathizes. "I did notice the grape sodas I brought haven't been... opened," he points out, tilting his head towards the box he left on the beverage table. "Do... you want me to get you one?"

[forethinking]

"... I could swear that was it."

That what you get from being a tired airhead, Ren. He's even trying to reread the bottle, as if the words would magically change into another label. Goddamnit.

"... I can go. I'm fine! It's fine."

[abrightboy]

"Or, how about you sit down," Malcolm says, steering him into a chair. "And I go?" He holds a finger up to signal Ren to stay there. "And I'll be right back."

[forethinking]

His little hand grabs the air, as to ask him not to leave, but it soon gets forgotten when he sees that, indeed, he's getting grape soda! Isn't this just great?

[abrightboy]

Malcolm soon returns with the soda, setting it in front of Ren - even opening it for him.

“There. The rest will take time.”

cw warning alcohol, forgot to cw it....... sorry!

[forethinking]

"What rest? What rest? Woa--"

Yeah, maybe turning his head abruptly was a bad choice. Ren's hand touches Malcolm's shoulder to recenter and ground himself.

[abrightboy]

“There’s nothing that will sober a person up but time,” Malcolm gently informs him.

[forethinking]

"... Am I drunk? I only had three."

And those three will surely get him near-death as soon as they all hit.

[abrightboy]

“Three is enough to get most people buzzing. You’ve never had it before and you have a low body mass. You’re drunk, Ren,” Malcolm informs him.

[forethinking]

"... Oh, no."

Shit. Maybe he should go home, right? Before he says anything stupid. Attempting to stand-up, however, was a bust, and he falls right back on the seat.

[abrightboy]

“Drink your soda,” Malcolm tells him. “You need time and dilution.”

[forethinking]

Fine. He'll drink, not because he's being told at all, but because he really loves grape soda.

After a sip, his now unusually cold hands both go to Malcolm's cheek, and Ren gives him the brightest smile he has in store.

"You're a good person."

And they drop, as Ren once again moves to pick up his soda, humming a song.

[abrightboy]

“I try, but I don’t know that I’m there,” Malcolm tells him.

[forethinking]

"Why not? I think you're great."

Reads: Malcolm won't change his mind. He's great and that's it. He'd say it sober, too.

[abrightboy]

“I appreciate that,” Malcolm tells him. “I feel like basic kindness should be a low bar, but considering how many people fail to clear it…” He shrugs.

[forethinking]

"Oh. That's not why."

Ren looks like Malcolm just grew a second head.

"When we first met, you were very upfront about your struggles, even though we had barely spoken. It takes a lot of courage not only to admit them but also to allow someone else to see them... And even with those issues, you're still here. I think you're very brave and very true to yourself. I'd never be able to just talk like this."

And this is the most Malcolm will ever hear Ren speak in one go.

[abrightboy]

“You’ll go through things in your life that use up all the fucks you have to give,” Malcolm tells him. “I promise.” A beat. “And I’m sorry.”

[forethinking]

"Why are you apologizing? You've done nothing wrong."

[abrightboy]

He shrugs in concession.

“Someone should apologize to kids for the crap lottery that life is,” he explains.

[forethinking]

"If life was perfect, nobody would grow. It's okay."

[abrightboy]

“Well, I hope you get one of those ones that’s only not perfect,” Malcolm tells him. “With lots of grape soda.”

[forethinking]

"See? Good person."

And then he remembers.

"Have you eaten?"

[abrightboy]

Malcolm smiles faintly.

“I’ve eaten.”

What passes for eating for him, anyway. A small bowl of soup. Winter even talked him into a tiny sliver of apple pie.

[forethinking]

"I hope it tasted okay."

He knows some things came out a little off.

"I've never tried most, so I don't know how it's supposed to taste."