Work Text:
Fandom: Grimm
Main Relationship: Friendship – Nick Burkhardt and Hank Griffin
Side Pairings: background mentions of Nick Burkhardt/Adalind Schade; and background mentions of Hank Griffin/Ellie Spencer
Warnings: alternate universe; het; original character (Ellie Spencer); post-series; and mentions of crime and murder
Prompt: (Word) Swim
Summary: In which Nick Burkhardt and Hank Griffin enjoyed breakfast before work called them away.
What Makes Family?
Walking into the coffee shop, Hank Griffin glanced around before he spotted his partner, Nick Burkhardt, seated at a table with two cups of coffee, a blueberry muffin, and a piece of coffeecake. Nick was busy looking at something on his phone. Knowing his partner, it was a text from Adalind.
Hank headed over to the table, dropping into the seat across from Nick. Without a word, he picked up the piece of coffeecake, pleased to find it warm. Offering Nick a smile, he took a bite.
Across from him, Nick rolled his eyes, picking up his coffee drink. “Yes, please, Hank, help yourself,” he said sarcastically. “That couldn’t possibly be for anyone else .”
Grinning, Hank put the coffeecake down to pick up the cup of coffee. “Last I checked, I was still your favorite partner,” he said before taking a sip of his latte.
“You’re no blutbad,” Nick muttered.
“Just your standard homicide detective,” Hank offered, “with a gun and a badge.”
“Why, detective,” began a female voice from the left, “is that a gun in your pocket or are you just happy to see me?”
Nick laughed into his coffee as Hank turned to look at the speaker.
Ellie Spencer smirked at him, her brown eyes filled with mischief. She was dressed in a pair of black pants with a white blouse and blue apron. Her dark hair was pulled back in a messy bun.
“I’d be happier if you were there in the morning,” Hank replied, offering the waitress a raised eyebrow.
Ellie flushed. “I’m not exactly the relationship type ,” she muttered before hurrying away.
Hank watched her go with a sigh. He did like that woman, but she was hard to read. Turning back to face Nick, he found his partner staring at him with a look of surprise.
“You and Ellie?” Nick asked, gesturing between the woman and Hank.
“Kinda,” Hank answered with a shrug. “It’s complicated.”
“Since when?” Nick turned his phone off and put the device down.
“A few weeks,” Hank replied with a small smile. “Since the Burns case.”
Nick grimaced at the mention of the Burns case. It was hard case, and it was one that continued to hunt the pair of detectives. The nightmares weren’t helped by the fact the suspects were human, not wesin . It was plain, ordinary humans.
An awkward silence fell over the pair.
“So, how ‘bout that Blazer game last night?” Nick asked, taking a drink of his coffee.
“Lillard had a great game,” Hank answered.
Nick frowned. “Did you even watch the game?” he asked.
“I planned to,” Hank said, “but Ellie came over.”
Nick nodded, not needing a further explanation. “Lillard didn’t play last night,” he said.
“Injured?” Hank eagerly ate another bite of his coffeecake.
“No,” Nick shook his head. “He’s taking a few games off for the birth of his child.”
Hank nodded. He vaguely remembered an interview about Lillard mentioning his girlfriend’s – or was it fiance’s – pregnancy a few months ago. “Good man,” he said. It was amazing to see the man prioritize the birth of his child over playing basketball, despite the team being in the running for the playoffs.
Silence fell between the pair again.
Hank finished the piece of coffeecake, and he leaned back with a content sigh. He loved Ellie’s cooking. She was a great baker, and an even better chef.
“Can I count on you to babysit tonight?” Nick asked, picking up his cell phone.
It took Hank a minute to remember he agreed to watch Diana and Kelly for Nick and Adalind. The pair had a double date planned with Renard and the captain’s new girlfriend. “Yeah,” he agreed. “I won’t miss time with my godchildren .”
Fondly smiling, Nick shook his head. It was an ongoing debate between Hank, Monroe, Wu, and Bud over the status of godfather to Diana and Kelly. Each man claimed the honor for themselves for some reason or another.
“What does Uncle Hank have planned?” Nick inquired, looking interested.
“I got a macaroni recipe from Ellie,” the man began. “I know Diana loves cooking, and Kelly loves orange foods.” This phase of the toddler was driving his parents insane because Kelly only wanted to eat orange foods. At least it was better than the stage where he would play with his food and make things ‘swim’ in his juice. “I figured Diana and I would cook, and Kelly could get orange.”
A dopey smile crossed Nick’s face at the mention of his children. He loved those two, and he couldn’t imagine his life without them or Adalind.
Hank’s smile turned a little bitter. He wanted that for himself. The closest thing he had to a family these days was his divorce lawyer. Three divorces later, and the man was still with Hank.
Actually, Nick, Adalind, and their two children were his family – and everything that came with them, like Trubel.
As if on cue, Hank’s cell phone started to ring. Glancing at the screen, which read Wu , he commented, “Work is calling.” Hitting the green button, Hank lifted the phone to ear, saying, “Griffin.”
Nick nodded.
Standing up, the men dropped their plates in the dirty dish bin and took their coffee drinks with them.
“Where are we headed?” Nick asked as they approached Hank’s car.