Work Text:
After so many years, one would think that their weekly shopping list would be pretty much set. They were creatures of habit, after all, and at certain places, they even had certain standing orders.
But occasionally an adjustment would randomly be made to the list that Quinn still insisted be sent with whoever was tasked with the shopping and such changes were often written in capitalized, clearly printed handwriting. Usually in red ink as well, when Quinn was particularly irritated as he was writing the list up.
Fred stared down at the list, wondering about the latest change.
Shampoo and Conditioner (WITHOUT AVOCADO OIL)
There had to be a story about that.
And didn’t they just buy shampoo and conditioner a couple of weeks ago?
But try as he might, no one seemed to know.
Harry didn’t know. Theo didn’t know. Charlie didn’t know. Neither did Ethan or Bran or Hadrian or—the list went on.
By the time it finally came to pick up the various orders they had waiting and to shop for the miscellaneous items, Fred could only shake his head. He passed the list over to his escort for safekeeping for the afternoon—Devrim, he noted.
“Do you know why avocado oil suddenly isn’t allowed?” he asked the Gheyo Prince, since he was one of the few that Fred hadn’t asked yet. “And is that seriously a thing?”
“Recently, yes, that’s the latest trend. Everyone’s been changing their products and recipes to accommodate it.” Devrim’s nose wrinkled slightly. “And probably because Minh’s allergic to avocados.”
“You’re joking.”
“I really wish I was.”
Fred stared at the Gheyo. “But he’s eaten them before. They were in the salad that Quinn made last week!”
“No, he’s made me eat them before,” Devrim corrected. “Right before he turns up his nose and decides he doesn’t want to eat or gives some excuse to leave and eat elsewhere.”
Fred took a minute to think over the most recent occasions where something like that had happened and—yep, avocados had been served at every meal.
Huh.
“And he never bothered to tell anyone about this before now? Not even Quinn? Wait, is that why he had all those headaches and rashes last week?”
That had been a terrifying time. If one Gheyo was in a bad mood, all of the others usually were as well and Minh had been downright miserable to deal with. It had been so bad that there had even been questions about possible poisoning, even though it was Minh and most poisons and toxins didn’t bother him.
And then he’d come down one morning smelling like pure cinnamon and one problem had been exchanged for another, with Brishen and Wikhn griping about Minh stealing their shower supplies.
Fred stared at Devrim, wide-eyed. “That’s such a weird allergy,” he whispered, slightly horrified, before shaking his head and starting to walk towards the area set aside for ‘porting.
Then he stopped in his tracks, suddenly realizing something. “It’s not a recent allergy, is it?”
“It’s something he inherited from his Third, so no, he’s had it since he was born.”
“And Quinn’s just finding out about it?”
Devrim shrugged.
“We’ve all been together for years and Quinn’s just finding out about it?”
Another shrug.
Fred winced. That would have been one impressive lecture and he was definitely glad he’d missed it.