you win or you die

"i've only had the first one before. and only like once. i'm up for trying a little bit of everything. from everywhere." lucas is still adjusting to the fact that he's not constantly some level of hungry and he probably eats more than he needs to most days, but everything smells amazing and he wants to try it all. "maybe we'll get lucky and have a new favorite place to eat."

“oh, maybe. that would make it a little more difficult for me to go wild like this when i panic about what to get.” he mostly just wanted to make sure there was something that at least sounded good to lucas. and sure, he could’ve just called, but that’s boring. “want me to make you a plate? or two? might need two plates for all this.”

"jesus," is all he can manage to say, because it's kind of overwhelming but like... in a good way. he's still adjusting to having this kind of security and comfort. he has a place to call home and a person to call home and they have food in the fridge and enough money to splurge and it makes his head swim if he thinks of it all at once. "what'd you get from the indian place?"

roarke sets the food on the counter as carefully as he can and turns to grin at lucas. “i got chicken tikka masala, chicken biryani, and saag paneer? never had it before but the girl working there swore by it when i said i didn’t know what to get,” he answers, reaching out to pull lucas in closer and press a kiss to his cheek. “i figured we could do like some of each. or whatever you want to do. not much i won’t eat.”

[text; brig] if i had plans i'd cancel them in a heart-beat for this. but lucky for us both, i'm completely free. have a destination in mind or do you want me to suggest a few? there are some places i'd love to take you.

[text: parker 💘] okay wow talk about swoon worthy. i hadn’t started to look at places, i didn’t want to plan too much in case it wouldn’t work out so i’d love any suggestions. and i am very excited to spend some time just the two of us.

"i think domestic life has made you squishy," she teases. "but it's a good look on you." she's happy for both of them, that they've managed to get out of the life and make something small for themselves. "i would never bring the cops anywhere near any of you. i don't think kit could have a civil conversation with them, even if he hadn't done anything wrong." she thought ri could probably manage, if mostly for their daughter's sake, but kit and authority were almost as bad a combination as kai and authority. "i'm glad she's crashing and you have a few moments of you time."

"we can blame it on bluey, but i'm glad it's working for me." she knows she's gotten soft. she's definitely not the girl she used to be. some days, it's easy to forget she was ever anything other than who she is now. "you're right about that, kit and cops will never be a good combination." she could probably manage, if she needed to, but she hopes like hell she can avoid it. it's not like they'd have to dig too far back to find things to get her on. "nap time is sometimes my favorite time of the day. i feel like an asshole when i say that but i can only chase her through the same two rooms so many times."

"it would definitely be nice to see under normal circumstances. and more than just, like, what? once every few months?" she pulls away from the hug and looks her friend over. "how long are you staying? you know we've got you for however long you need."

"ugh i know. we have got to start making an active effort to make plans, 'cause i swear our schedules don't line up at the last minute anymore and that's a true tragedy." she offers ri a bright smile, taking her in as well. there's no reason for anything to be wrong with ri, but old habits die hard. "i appreciate it, but honestly? just a couple hours. dana's gonna pick me up on her way home and i think things'll be good by then. but how've you been? how's the kiddo? cute as ever or finally entering the terror stage?"

“a very true tragedy. i can’t remember the last time i’ve done anything last minute. and of course i miss you. but that’s liable to make me very sappy, so we won’t go down that road.” ri can’t help but smile when she notices viv is checking her out as well. she supposes there are certain things they’ll never grow out of. “well, if they’re not, you can always just turn around and come back. as long as the cops don’t see you first,” she teases. “oh, she’s good, still cute. not quite at the terror stage. just a lot of energy. she’s taking a nap finally.”

"it would definitely be nice to see under normal circumstances. and more than just, like, what? once every few months?" she pulls away from the hug and looks her friend over. "how long are you staying? you know we've got you for however long you need."

"evan, i know whatever you've planned is going to be perfect. anytime i get to spend with you is best, especially when it's just us. what time should i be ready?"

"well, it's really only half planned right now if i'm honest, but it'll be fully there in time for dinner. and is six tonight okay? or do you wanna go a little earlier? enjoy some quiet time tonight?"

“six is perfect. gives me just the right amount of time to get ready. and evan, seriously, it’s going to be great. and if you play your cards right, it might be also be lucky,” she teases, hoping it’ll get him to relax just a little bit.

"i mean i'm still probably going to worry about it. but i will remind myself that no matter what, it'll be great as long as i'm with you. because it will. all i need is you to have a great night."

"evan, i know whatever you've planned is going to be perfect. anytime i get to spend with you is best, especially when it's just us. what time should i be ready?"