MP ...
MP What is this?
MP Some... charity? Is that what you're offering?
He sounds wary. It's understandable - if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. So, you try to nip that in the bud as quickly as possible.
Y/N Obviously, you're more of a steak guy than I am.
Y/N You'll appreciate it more. I don't want anything in return.
His eyes narrow. You haven't given any reason to doubt you before, but you've also never made grand shows of generosity before. So, you pick up one of the steaks you were looking at earlier and head towards check-out.
MP Hold on.
MP You're serious?
Y/N No, I'm going to turn around and put this back any minute.
Y/N I just really like doing laps across the store.
MP ...
Behind you, you can hear a set of footprints following yours. He mutters something under his breath about marbling, but he doesn't do anything else. Once you're done at the self-checkout station, you wait for him. His groceries are mostly pantry ingredients like flour, oats, and honey, as well as some kind of cereal you've never seen before. He stares at his receipt for longer than you did yours. Maybe calculating his budget.
As he walks to you, you hand over the steak with a smile.
Y/N Here.
MP ...
MP You could make a damn fine dinner with this, you know.
Y/N I wouldn't know where to start.
Y/N Help me out.
MP Tch.
He takes it, looks it over (the meat, the price, or the nutritional information? You can't be certain), then places it gingerly in one of the bags he's holding. When he looks back at you, the doubt is lingering, but the hostility has lessened.
MP Your loss.
Y/N Eh. I probably wouldn't get my money's worth.
Y/N I'd be better off spending that amount on cheaper stuff.
MP Idiot, you already spent the amount.
MP What are you talking about, acting like you made some big save?
Y/N I saved you from a night of cereal and chicken nuggets.
MP Shut up.
MP Like you eat a damn feast whenever you like.
Y/N You'd love it if I did.
MP I'd be worried about your neighbors from the smell and mess you make.
Y/N Hey! I'm not a bad cook!
MP You thought you would mess up steak. It's one of the easiest dishes.
Y/N I was trying to be humble.
MP Kah hah. Right.
He looks down at the bag again, now notably heavier. His expression is somber, like it's still dawning on him that something good happened to him for seemingly no reason.
MP You know who else would appreciate this?
MP Another idiot I know.
MP They'd tear this shit up. I could see it.
Y/N It's more than enough for two people.
Y/N You should invite them over. Cook for them.
He grimaces at the thought.
MP You make it sound so... domestic.
MP It'd just be a guy's night. Like any other night.
MP They're shit at cooking, y'know. So they eat out a lot.
MP I always tell them - a grown-ass man provides for themself.
MP Stop wasting your pay on sandwiches.
MP Never listens.
MP Might as well school them with something more exquisite than they deserve.
Y/N That's nice of you.
MP I'm a beacon of good-will.
Y/N You're a beacon of something, alright.
MP Fuck off.
There's a newfound excitement in his voice. It seems like the prospect of sharing a nice meal is more exciting to them than they let show.
Y/N Have they seen your apartment?
MP Of course they have. Fucker drops by without notice all the time.
MP Just because their job isn't the standard 9 to 5...
MP The audacity.
Y/N You sound pretty close.
He smirks and shakes his head, as if you couldn't possibly fathom the depths of their bond.
MP They're just someone who bothered to stick around.
Or maybe their bond is simpler than you thought? You're not entirely sure. Maple knows a lot of people from both his school days and his work, and he seems to give everyone the same stern treatment. But there's no mistaking the subtle softness in his tone as he talks about this mystery person. Someone who's bothered him long enough to remain a solid fixture in his life.
MP Not that they wouldn't be busy on a day like this.
Y/N What do you mean?
Y/N Don't tell me. They're in a relationship?
MP What? No.
MP Grosa forbid their dumb ass make that mistake again.
MP No, they just get up to all sorts of shit.
Y/N Good shit?
MP Yes, but the boring kind of good.
MP Stuff that has the news calling you a hero and shit.
Y/N Am I your hero?
MP Are you high?
He snorts and nudges you with his elbow.
MP Anyway. I'd elaborate, but it's supposedly confidential.
MP So all you need to know is that they always get called on a short notice.
Y/N But you've had guy's night before?
MP Fuck yeah we have.
MP Sorry. It's just our thing.
Y/N No offense taken.
He opens the trunk of his car (an old-looking, rusted vehicle, from the looks of it) and deposits the bags. Then, he takes out his phone and starts texting someone.
Y/N Another option?
MP Nah. Just seeing if they know if this dude's free.
MP Just in case.
Y/N Why would they know someone else's schedule?
MP They're close like that. Hell if I know why.
Y/N This isn't being close?
MP Tch. If only you knew.
MP They hated my ass when we were freshmen.
MP All because someone wanted to get chummy with me.
MP Unbelievable.
Y/N But... you're friends, now?
He puts down his phone, knitting his eyebrows in thought.
MP I guess.
MP I didn't expect it to happen, but...
MP They... kinda also stuck around. For some reason.
He does seem to be the kind of person who's rather passive in his socializing. Even if he approaches someone first, he plays it off really casually. You wonder how much he really cares, as well as how much he really tries.
Y/N Give yourself some credit.
Y/N I'm pretty sure people stick around because you're a good guy.
MP Tch.
MP Like anyone's ever thought that.
MP People only approach me based off of looks or what they can get from me.
Y/N You can't believe that.
Y/N C'mon. What about... that person you work with? Berenike?
MP Strictly professional.
Y/N That's a bare-faced lie.
MP Believe it or don't. It's the truth.
Y/N I know you hang out with her outside of work.
MP What, so she stops being my coworker off the clock? Give me a break.
Y/N Jenny, then?
Y/N You don't even work together anymore, but I know you still keep in touch.
MP We've got unfinished business.
Y/N ...
MP You wouldn't get it. It's a metalworks thing.
MP Why do you care, anyway?
MP Don't think you get to coddle me just because you got me a steak.
MP If you thought you could, I swear I'll -
Y/N Dude. It's fine.
Y/N I was just wondering. It didn't mean anything.
You were pushing it, anyway. You can only encourage so much personal conversation before he shuts down. He isn't genuinely angry, at least. His fists are clenched, but they show no signs of being aflame.
Y/N Besides. I'm not the one you're having guy's night with.
He manages a smirk.
MP It'll be a new one. That's for sure.
Y/N Especially today.
MP Why? What's today?
Y/N Did you miss all the hearts and love decorations around the store?
Y/N The ones that have been up since January?
MP Obviously, dipshit. I just didn't think it was today.
MP Fuck. Is it romantic if I'm inviting them over?
Y/N I thought that was the point?
MP Is that why you gave it to me? You're playing wingman?
Y/N You are overthinking this way too much.
He exhales.
Y/N Well, any day's a good day to have a nice dinner with someone.
Y/N So, best of luck with whatever superficial idiot you end up inviting.
Y/N Even if they only come for the food, it'll be the best they've ever had.
MP ...
MP Yeah.
MP You bet your ass it'll be.
THE END
(Ending 12/20: Reaching Out)
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