#theobel

In which a cliffhanger is resolved and an investigation is undertaken. [See previous chapter.] [See chapter one.]

At midnight, Mabel steps out of the shower and towels off. Her phone rings on the rim of the sink. She stares at the caller ID.

Theo.

It's not a FaceTime request, which they don't do anyway, so he probably just rolled over onto his phone in his sleep or something. It's nothing.

But there's a pit in her stomach. There's been too many murders. She expects them now.

She sits in her bed, towel wrapped around herself, and presses answer.

She says nothing, expects to hear shuffling noises or nothing at all.

"Hello, I'm calling from NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital, are you Theodore Dimas' friend, Mabel Mora?"

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Only Murders in the Building (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Theo Dimas/Mabel Mora Characters: Mabel Mora, Theo Dimas Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Soulmates, Light Angst, Friends to Lovers, Scenario - Character A Doesn't Want a Soulmate So Character B Hides the Fact That They're Soulmates Summary:

Mabel had never really believed in soulmates.

Okay, that was kind of a lie. It was hard not to believe in something that was, you know, technically a demonstrable fact of the universe.

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Only Murders in the Building (TV) Rating: Teen And Up Audiences Warnings: No Archive Warnings Apply Relationships: Theo Dimas/Mabel Mora Characters: Mabel Mora, Theo Dimas Additional Tags: Developing Relationship, Pre-Relationship, Mid-Canon, Missing Scene, Triple Drabble Series: Part 23 of june drabble challenge Summary:

In which books are read and a decision is made. [See previous chapter.] [See chapter one.]

"It's like castration for your nostrils," is how Oliver explains the procedure Charles got to stop his chronic nosebleeds, although Mabel had not asked. They are in Charles' apartment. Oliver brought dips 'for Charles' as a 'get well soon present.' 

Charles seems fine. She supposes when one gets to be over the age of 70, one has already gone through many nostril-castration-equivalent procedures. At his kitchen table, the conversation between him and Oliver devolves into an argument over something or other that doesn't matter in the slightest. Mabel tries to follow it, because she hasn't gotten enough time with them lately, what with Charles working long hours on the Brazos reboot and Oliver obsessed with his play, which has the stupidest plot imaginable. But she doesn't try very hard to follow it, and she has nothing to contribute, so she welcomes the notification from Theo.

Please read this book.

His message is followed by a photo of a hardcover held up by the window in his apartment. It is titled Why Fish Don’t Exist.

She's going to be really annoyed if she loses him down a conspiracy rabbit hole.

It's got murder in it, he adds.

In which several attempts are made to visit The Met. [See previous chapter.] [See chapter one.] Content warning: pet death (first scene only)

"Dearly beloved, we are gathered here today to mourn the tragic and unexpected passing of a dear—if highly annoying—member of the Putnam family."

Mabel passively rubs Winnie's ears.

"Would anyone like to say a few words?"

Mabel and Charles look at each other.

"Um, Bunny lived on through her," Charles concludes.

They all nod at that, except for Winnie.

"She grew on me," Oliver says wistfully, "like a wart you can't help but feel fond of."

He turns to Charles. "Would you do the honors?"

"What honors? Nobody said there was going to be honors."

Oliver pulls a rusted shovel out of the bushes.

They start arguing about Charles' shoulder and Oliver says something about his knees. Mabel is pretty sure if they do manage to bury Mrs. Gambolini, it'll be shallow enough that her grave will be rubbed by raccoons overnight. More likely, someone will notice the squabbling and the shoebox and shut the clandestine burial down.

Mabel bails before the situation escalates.