Using the gift idea from @kpquickndirty got sucked into week 2 somehow...
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The box - Part One
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Big stalked into his room and stopped when he saw the gift on the counter.
“Dammit”, he muttered, knowing exactly where it had likely come from.
He changed his clothes and got a drink, while continuing to side eye the box and the ribbons hanging down its side. Determined to just ignore it, he turned on the TV. Unfortunately continuing to raise the volume couldn't seem to shut out the buzzing in his mind.
“Dammit” he repeated finally getting up and walking over to it. He knew Porsche was up to something. Ever since the shootout with Tawan the infuriating man has been insisting they were friends.
He picked it up and gave it a gentle shake. It didn't sound breakable. A single tug on the ribbon made it fall off. Surely the idiot didn't wrap this himself.
He ripped open the paper and gingerly opened the box. Who knew what that demon could dream up as a gift. To his surprise, it was a tin of candy.
He had to smile, how did Porsche know peanut candies were one of his favorites. He didn't recognize the Peanut Brittle labeling but excitedly popped the top of the tin off.
He'd never been happier to have a single room than when he screamed as the first snake erupted from the canister.
“Dammit” he said again, picking up the two long snakes full of twisted wire. He shoved them back in the can and pushed on the lid storming out of his room; only to find Porsche doubled over in the hallway smothering his laughter.
“Dammit Porsche,” Big started.
“Ah come on Big. It's so funny. Who should we give them to next?” Porsche grinned.
“You know someones gonna get shot when those things explode don't you?” Big stared him down.
Porsche couldn't stop smiling and stepped over to sling his arm across Bigs shoulders. “Maybe so, you keep them then.”
Big hated that he couldn't shrug the arm away.
“Come on man, Kinn knows I'm taking you to Hum Bar for the night. You're off duty.”
Big tried to glare at the insufferable man in front of him, but even he knew in his heart that Porsche was trying.
“Ok, let's go”
“Yeah? That was easier than I thought. Wonder what I'll get you next time”
“Ai-Porsche. Don't you dare.” Big said as the two of them headed to the carport.
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The exploding snakes thing from a canister of peanut brittle is a real thing. Do a search on YouTube for "peanut brittle snake can" and enjoy. I got one for Xmas as a kid and it is still a memorable gift.
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I don't recall all the tags but @kpquickndirty and feel free to #remix this if anyone wants to.
I blame this entirely on @missbelvis. She is behind the scenes causing mayhem. (And I wouldn't have it any other way.). Anyways...I guess I did a #remix on my own ficlet? Is that a thing? @kpquickndirty I have no other explanation. Do read Part One first.
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The box - Part Two
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“Where is Big?” Chan asked as he walked in the meeting. Arm, like the other guards, immediately became fascinated with the paperwork documenting the upcoming week rather than make eye contact.
“Uh, sir, Porsche took him out last night,” Pol stuttered in reply.
Chan sighed and barked out, “Arm, check on him after the meeting and get him up to speed.”
Arm nodded, and the meeting continued.
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Walking down the hall carrying the paperwork, Arm pondered how Big was doing. Once he had recovered from the gunshot at the warehouse, he'd gotten much quieter. Even with Porsche determined to reassure him of how needed he was, Big just wasn't himself.
Raising his hand, he gently knocked on the door.
No answer.
Arm knocked again more loudly.
No answer.
Arm opened the door and called out, “Big, are you here?”
The crash that sounded out from the bedroom was accompanied by a loud curse.
“Yeah, I'm here,” Big hollered.
Arm waited a moment and heard Big shuffle to the bathroom. Standing there, he looked around the room. Big had always been more of a minimalist, not one to have lots of belongings. His seniority had garnered an envied solo room, but Arm figured that was earned now more than ever.
Arm shuffled the papers and set them on the counter next to the remains of a gift box. Peering over the edge, he couldn't figure out what had been inside.
“Sorry man,” Bug said as he walked in, rubbing the side of his head. “I don't exactly know how late we were out last night. Stinking Porsche started pouring shots and talking about…things.”
“Don't worry about it. Chan wasn't upset. He wanted me to get you this breakdown of the week.”
“Chan wasn't upset? That doesn't sound right.”
Arm knew Big hated being singled out more than anything else, but he wasn't sure how to convey that they all just wanted him to take the time needed to work things out.
Trying to change the subject, Arm asked, “what was in the box? It's not your birthday.”
Big smiled ruefully as he poured some painkillers into his hand. “Porsche. It always seems to come back to him, doesn't it?”
“Porsche got you a present?”
Big looked up and then away. He shrugged his shoulder towards a tin on the counter as he turned away to pull up his suspenders. “Yeah, some candy. It's good, have a piece.”
Arm didn't really care for sweets much, but thought it would be rude to not have a piece. He turned back to the counter and picked up the can. He was peering into it when he lifted the lid and jumped a foot as the snakes popped into his face.
“Dammit Big!” Arm said, whirling back around to find Big’s shoulders shaking with silent laughter. “This is so Porsche”. But he was also taken with the smile on Big’s face at the moment. Arm thought he would happily be spooked like this again if it would help Big back into the group.
Pushing his glasses back up on his face, Arm commented, “Let's go over this material and then figure out what we do with this canister next. Sound good?”
“Sure,” Big replied, sitting down at the table and starting to read through the upcoming week.
this is adorable but i’m still just stuck on ‘he keeps crawling into my lap and cuddling and nuzzling me, but i can’t tell if he LIKES ME-likes me, please help’
