Alright so, once again took a break from requests to write up my own little fic. I really like this one, minus a few doubts but the idea really jumped out at me. Also, plot twisttt maybe hm. You'd better just read to find out. :)
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"What'll it be on the menu tonight?" Your wild haired boyfriend asks you, standing almost contentedly in front of you against the kitchen counter.
For a second, the sentence takes you aback, before you offer back a warm smile and start thinking of your answer.
"Let me guess.... Paninis?" Rick raises a brow at you questionably.
"Oh you know I'm always in the mood for those," you respond, staring lovingly at the tall statured man.
"Something about you eating them three times a week gave me that idea. L-luckily for you they're not hard to make" He replies, before setting out the bread and grabbing the meats and cheeses from the refrigerator.
Earlier, you'd offered to make the two of you and the Smiths dinner as usual, but Rick decided to take charge after the Smiths declined to go have a family meal out.
It's not the kind of thing you'd typically call a "grand gesture", but after knowing Rick for so long, it's practically angelic behavior.
You felt elated by the progress that Rick has slowly unraveled to everyone in layers- so evident that you can almost pinpoint them all. The scowls that have become replaced with concern, the verbal blows that no longer flow like a river through his wicked tongue, the small but meaningful acts of compassion that seem to plough through the remaining malice in his mind.
But with all the positive development, you also feel uneasy; as if you shouldn't be too grateful. Rick is still Rick and you're a little quick to doubt whether he's capable of so much change. However, you know that you've got your own mental issues to weather, and that doubt always sits at the core of them- so you're able to push the thought aside.
"Auugh fuck! Just washed this." Your thoughts are broken by Rick shrugging off his white lab coat due to a large chipotle stain he'd managed to make on the bottom.
You start to snicker but immediately silence yourself as he turns to you with a blank look.
"S-sorry, is something funny?" He asks, tone flat and unamused as his face is hardened in the state you're used to seeing it in- stern and livid.
You give yourself an imaginary facepalm at your lack of self control over the situation, knowing you most likely ruined the nice dinner he was attempting to make you both.
You shake your head. "No, Rick, I- I'm sorr-"
You're looking him in the eye pleadingly as he begins to laugh quietly. "Just busting your balls. I-I could turn myself into a sandwich but can't make one properly, fuck. That is funny."
You open your mouth to respond but he chirps back up before you can utter anything. "Alright bitch, they're done!"
And you're dazed, but relieved and aching with adoration as he sets both of your plates on the counter with a small smile.
Later, you're regretting your poor decision of not buying a new heater to accompany a temperature drop in the winter.
You shiver in your bedroom and pace around in search for blankets as Rick lays on your bed playing with some sci-fi device.
Opening your closet, a pile of stacked up books and clothes fall to the floor and you groan in annoyance but start digging through the mess frantically.
You hear a small snort from the bed and then a shrill beep before poking your head from out of the closet in alert. "Rick, what wa-"
Ahh, heat. You feel it melt into your skin and mold the room, replacing the freezing condition it was just in.
"All you had to do was say 'Oh Rick, please make it warm in here'" He teases from his spot in the bed and you roll your eyes.
"We both know I'm not dependent on you. You literally tell me not to be all the time" You counter with calmness in your voice, sliding into your spot in bed and laying to face him.
An expression similar to hurt evades his face for a second before he looks away from your eyes. "Yeah. You shouldn't be."
Rick pulls your body closer to his with his arms and softly rests his head on top of yours wordlessly.
You wonder if he's okay- hesitant in fear to prod but aware that Rick is only more physically affectionate when something serious is playing out in his mind.
Taking your fingers between his hair, you gently tug a few knots out and smooth it back down. You hum as the blue waves bounce back into their place and pull your hand back.
Rick grabs it and holds it in place. You feel your face is as warm as the room must be now. The two of you have cuddled before, sure- but only once or twice had you gotten such sweet caresses from Rick and you never expect it when you do.
You feel sleep trickling into your body when Rick speaks. "L-listen, Y/N."
You open your eyes and meet his, noting how glassy they look- with a striking amount of concern dancing in them.
"Hmm?" You say, heartbeat now kicking a little at the sound of his voice.
"I- Y/N, I.. I love you."
You freeze completely at his words, now wide eyed and breath catching.
This can't be actually happening.
You start trembling under his touch as tears pool into your eyes. You cover your face and let out a wail of pain, shrinking into the covers.
Rick sits up now, panicked by your sudden change of emotions "Y/N? What's wrong? Why are you c-"
"You asshole!" You sob out, still not acknowledging him.
Rick reaches to hug you but you jerk away.
"You're not Rick!" You exclaim, the pain blurring your vision and crushing your chest like a weight.
"Wh-what are you going on ab-?"
Anger powers over your sorrow now and you shove his chest. "You're not Rick! He told me. He told me all that time ago, th-that it was true, b-but if he ever sa-said it again, it w-wouldn't be him."
The hurt clouds your brain as the room spins. "That it would be a copy of him."
The Rick beside you drops his face and looks down. "Y/N.. I'm really, uh sorry. It's not any less true. I do love you."
You stare at the wall emotionlessly now. "He never expected you to actually say it for me to find out. Because you're a part of him."
The newly found robot Rick sighs and looks at you with sympathy. "Y/N, I just-"
"Where is he?" You demand, cutting him off and glaring with rage. "Where is he hiding in his cowardice?"
Robot Rick sighs again. "He's under the garage."
