Nick Burkhardt (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
detectivetroll) wrote2012-08-11 02:29 am
detectivetroll) wrote2012-08-11 02:29 am
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[Closed Commentlog]
[It takes Nick a little while to figure out what's going on, because it didn't actually change much about him.
But once he does, it's not long before he's out of his room and going next door to Monroe's. If everyone here is human, then it's probably affecting Monroe, and Nick needs to be there.
He knocks on the door, not bothering to say who it is at first, because he's used to Monroe knowing. And then it occurs to him that Monroe might not be able to smell him.]
Open up, Monroe, it's me.
But once he does, it's not long before he's out of his room and going next door to Monroe's. If everyone here is human, then it's probably affecting Monroe, and Nick needs to be there.
He knocks on the door, not bothering to say who it is at first, because he's used to Monroe knowing. And then it occurs to him that Monroe might not be able to smell him.]
Open up, Monroe, it's me.
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No, he didn't mess things up. Just changed the conversation from one awkward, tense subject to another. Nick snorts, but doesn't say anything to that. Right, clearly that's what Monroe meant, too.]
Right, except for the part where I can't ever tell her who I am, or what I do with my time, why I'm always late and missing things, why people are attacking me in my house or kidnapping her out of it, and if she ever does accidentally find out, she'll probably lose her mind.
[No, but really, how did this subject happen? Monroe was right the first time, when he said this was a conversation they needed to be having at midnight over a lot of beers. Definitely not when Nick's concern was Monroe being stuck human.]
Nice try. Come on, man, you know I'm always going to drag you places. We're still doing Tai Chi, and maybe now I can get you to go running with me.
[Nick raises an eyebrow at that. Wait, now it means something, more than just Monroe using one of his senses?]
Usually that's when you step in and tell me I'm stupid, and then explain what Blutbad thing I'm missing. What does it mean?
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Sorry man. He's not a good liar but he tried.]
You can't just blame it on detective work? You had to have kept weird hours before you started seeing faces woge out.
[They can go get more beers. Monroe will even go with him since he doesn't have to worry about hurting anyone. And Monroe like the attention being on Nick.
He starts to say no to the running but cuts himself off. He doesn't have to worry about instincts and running for now. He could go with Nick.]
Yeah sure. At least while I'm a boring normal human.
[Uh no it doesn't. And he just said a lot more than he was planning on saying. There's no chance Nick is just going to drop it right. He shifts awkwardly.]
It's sort of like a way to communicate. You know like the fence thing. Things that belong to you smell like you.
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Yeah, Nick knows that really well.]
I did. I don't know, she's - not as okay with it, any more. That night, at the Lowen Games? That was our anniversary, and I pretty much missed it. I made a choice, and it's one I'll have to make again. And I'm almost always going to make the same decision. The fact that I have to hide everything from her isn't helping at all.
[Or they could just be done talking about this. Nick's really good with not talking about how his relationship might be unsalvageable. Particularly not while there's nothing he can do about it. Don't worry, it'll go back to Monroe soon enough.
Yeah, that was pretty much Nick's plan. Then maybe he can get him to continue.]
That's a start. But I got your meds, for when you're back to being you again.
[There's zero chance that Nick's going to drop it. Especially with a comment like that. Nick raises an eyebrow.]
'Belong to you,' is that how we're defining this relationship now?
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He'll work on it?
And now Monroe feels a little bad about the anniversary thing. Not that he would have wanted Nick to do anything differently. He just didn't mean for Nick's relationship to suffer. And he feels bad for having no clue what was going on.]
Oh, sorry dude. I didn't realize.
[Oh Monroe is stopping. He has nothing useful to say other than maybe Nick should just give up. But Monroe can't say that for hundreds of reasons. Nick if you wanna drop this, consider it dropped.
That's pretty sneaky Nick.]
Thanks again for getting those.
[Damn it. Monroe's eye's go wide.]
What? No! that's not what I meant! It's just that, like this room is mine. So it smells like me, but it smells like you too since you're in here all the time. But that's ok since it's you. If it was someone else then I'd have to do something about it.
[Did that make things better or worse?]
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Good boy.
Nick's relationship'd be suffering anyway, the anniversary thing was just one part of many. And the only reason he has no clue what's going on is because, well, Nick hasn't wanted to talk about it. He's not stupid, he knows that if he actually talked to someone about everything that's been going on with him and Juliette, pretty much the only response would be '...yeah, dude, you guys need to just break up.']
Don't be sorry, man, you didn't do anything but what I asked you to. I don't regret the choice I made. And like I said, it's - everything.
[But now that Nick's actually talking about this, it's like he can't stop. Maybe because Monroe's the only one who actually knows about the whole Grimm thing being a problem in a relationship, because Nick's already come to Monroe about this once or twice. Though granted, that'd been before things were this bad. He pushes his hand through his hair.]
I proposed to her, that weekend in the woods. She said no. Said she couldn't, not as long as I kept hiding things from her and keeping myself distant.
[Nick is awesome at being sneaky. On occasion.]
Not a problem. Of course, pretty sure the doctor thinks I'm unstable.
[But who cares about that, right? Especially not when Monroe's apparently flustered now.]
...so if the scent thing is like you marking your territory, then me being in here all the time and making it smell like me is basically saying that I belong here? Or, what, it's mine, too? But that's okay because...I'm me?
[Because what? Monroe's used to Nick shoving his way into things? They're friends, so it's okay? Or is it some Blutbad thing?]
What would you have to do?
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Grumbles.
Well maybe Nick and her should break up.]
Everything is a lot of stuff, man.
[Ok Monroe has no idea what to say to that. While thinking of what someone who understood relationships and social interactions, Monroe grabs two beer, and hands one to Nick.]
That's rough, man. I'm sorry.
[That's what he's supposed to say right?
Monroe snorts.]
Well better you than me. And if things go right then you won't be seeing her much.
[He's not flustered. He's... He's... shut up.]
Yeah pretty much.
[Close enough and it Monroe says yes then they he won't have to explain anything else or accidentally reveal anything he shouldn't. Full sarcasm mode activated.]
Get better at locking my door.
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Nick couldn't even if he thought it was best, man. It's not like she's here.]
Yeah, tell me about it.
[It's not midnight, but beers are more than welcome. One out of the two counts, right? Nick takes it with a smile that's partly grateful, partly self-depreciating.]
Story of my life lately. But thanks.
[And then his smile turns amused, and his tone switches to sarcasm.]
Thanks. And I don't know, she's just a prisoner like us, who happens to be a doctor. Apparently the doctor that's supposed to be on staff has pretty much disappeared.
[He's flustered. It's kind of hilarious, but also endearing.
Nick's response to all of that is an eyebrow raise.]
You know, the more you hedge and try not to actually answer me, the more I think you're hiding something bad. 'Yeah pretty much' to all of that means, what, your room is our territory and we need to keep other people out of it?
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Oh right. Well never-mind?]
I'm sorry man. Maybe she won't lose her marbles if you tell her?
[Yup that was definitely the wrong thing to say. His bad. Just go back to ignoring him. Or not asking him for his opinion. Or encouraging him to talk.
Monroe nods at Nick instead of answering. He has nothing useful to say. other than 'you should dumb your girlfriend and date me'.]
Oh great. That's comforting!
"I'd say yeah, pretty much but I've got a feeling that'll just make things worse."
He takes a breath and a moment to think before starting.
"This isn't something I'm used to explaining. This is my territory, especially with how off my control was when we got here. You're safe. I know you. If anyone else kept invading in here I'd be freaked."
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Yeah. That makes it pretty awkward.
Nick doesn't even bother to reply to that at first, just raises an eyebrow at Monroe. Yeah. This from the guy that frequently warned him about how bad it could be?]
It doesn't matter, anyway. There's nothing I can do about it now.
[He'll just go back to being in denial for a while, since even if he makes a decision, it won't do him any good. But also, no. Nick likes asking Monroe for his opinion, and encouraging him to talk. It's what he does.
And then return of the raised eyebrow.]
You think?
[But Nick falls quiet at the explanation, considering. Yeah, he gets that, about knowing him and being safe. It's one of the reasons Nick had been glad Monroe was there, slightly guiltily, because having the one person he trusted implicitly there was making this easier to handle.]
Yeah, okay, I get that. You're the only one I trust with a lot of stuff, too. So in Blutbaden terms, that means, what, this is a pack?
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He ducks his head slightly at the raised eyebrow. Yeah he knows. He drums his fingers on his pants legs. Come on Monroe!]
Sorry dude.
[Yeah that would probably be the smart thing to do. And probably what Monroe would do in his position.
Also Monroe is just going to ignore that comment Nick.
Return of shocked face. It's clear from his facial expression that Nick hit the nail on the head. Shit! How does he do that.]
Uuuuh...
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Me too.
[He's also ready to be done talking about this, though apparently Monroe isn't at all thrilled with the change of subject.
So unthrilled that he's just staring in shock, and not saying anything.]
I guess I should take that as a yes.
[His eyebrow's raised again, but it lowers, brows furrowing, as he processes that.]
That's not bad, is it? You said there could be trouble, if you got into packs.
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How does Nick always figure this stuff out?]
That would probably be wise.
[Ok he can do this. And he can do this without saying more than he should. He just has to keep positive. He's doomed.]
No it's not. Unless you think it is. Which I'd get. No one wants to get sucked in a pack without their consent. It just there's not much I can do about-
[He's rambling and slightly panicking. And getting close to saying something he shouldn't. After a pause he get's himself back on track.]
There won't be any trouble, ok? You're not a Blutbad. And so long as you encourage me to start hunting people we'll- I'll be fine.
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Nick stays silent while Monroe explains, even when he rambles a bit, because it's pretty obvious that this isn't something Monroe's comfortable talking about, and he doesn't want to say anything that makes it worse.
Or that makes him stop explaining, because this is something Nick really needs to know about.]
It's fine, man. I don't exactly know how it works, or anything, but you know I trust you.
[That's probably not enough, is it? Nick should say more, he can tell Monroe's freaking out a little. He shrugs slightly.]
We always have each others' backs, right? As far as I'm concerned, you're the closest thing to family I have. So no, I don't think it's bad.
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Nick is welcome to interrupt. Monroe would welcome it. Especially if he interrupted with a change in topic. That would be awesome just saying.
Actually that was probably the best thing to say right then. Monroe breaths a sigh of relief.]
Yeah, I know man.
[Monroe tries to hide his surprise when Nick casually mentions them being like family. Nick has no clue about anything.]
Alright. Yeah. And look nothing is going to get out of hand.
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But hey, at least he did something right, there.]
Then we're good.
[Or maybe not, since Nick can pick up on that surprise. What'd he say that warranted that? ...yeah, Nick doesn't really have a clue about much, here.]
Get out of hand?
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Yeah dude we're totally good.
[Shit! He knew he'd say something wrong!]
No, nothings going to get out of hand.
[Yup, he's pretending like he didn't understand. It's nothing to worry about Nick.]
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He gives Monroe's shoulder a squeeze at that, smiling at him.
But it turns into a look of confusion, along with a slightly raised brow, because really, Monroe's going to go the route of not understanding?]
But there'd be something that could get out of hand?
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Shut up. This is awkward dude. But thanks for the shoulder grab thing.]
Well if you got attacked or something. I'd have to get involved. But that probably would happen anyway.
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Yeah, all right, it is a little awkward. If only because Monroe is awkward about it. But he's still not moving his hand.]
Oh.
[Nick considers that, remembering Monroe's level of involvement when protecting Aunt Marie, his anger at Nick and Holly being threatened by the hunters, concern over Nick going to face Adalind alone, reaction to Waltz threatening Nick and Rosalie. He shrugs a bit.]
Not exactly unexpected, man. It's not like I don't get involved when you get attacked, or otherwise put in danger.
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Good. Monroe likes it where it is.
Phew. Nick's shrugs means it's alright.]
Exactly. So we're good?
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He does have to let go at some point. But not yet. Nick smiles at that.]
Always, man.
[Okay, that's enough serious talk for the night.]
Let's see what we're going to do about dinner.