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Jerry flips it over again, then stares at it. He feels like there’s a question he forgot to ask. Oh, right, Mooch’s Rick asked about his dimension number! Although he probably won’t ever travel the multiverse like his son and father-in-law do (again), it’s good to just know. Just in case.
The man turns, and hopes Rick hasn’t gone downstairs yet. He gets out the door, and finds Rick on the first step of the stairs.
“Wait, Rick!” Jerry exclaims. Rick pauses, a foot hovering, and his unibrow raising curiously. “Come here for just a moment?”
“Don’t tell me what to do,” His father-in-law glares at him harshly, but gets off the stairs and walks towards him. Well, I sure used up all my talking time with him today, Jerry thinks sarcastically.
“What is it,” Rick states. They both know it’s not a question.
Awkwardly, Jerry begins with, “Rick, if-“
“…Are you trying to make small talk with me again?”
“What? No?” Jerry yelps, baffled. “It’s just a question.” He raises his hands up, hoping it portrays innocence.
Rick studies him for a second, weighing his options. Jerry shifts uncomfortably under the intense scrutiny, but keeps his gaze up. There’s a staring contest, and when Rick sighs reluctantly, Jerry knows he won. He mentally pats himself on the back and tries not to let a smile show.
“Fine, shoot,” The older man says finally. Rick seems to have been calmed. “It better be quick.”
“Right,” Jerry smiles awkwardly, a hand coming up to scratch his neck nervously for a moment. “So, hypothetically-“
“‘Hypothetically’ my ass, Jerry. I know when you say that, the hypothetical already happened,” Rick interrupts flatly, unibrow twitching.
“Hypothetically,” Jerry continues as if his father-in-law hadn’t said anything, leveling a finger at him and a dry stare. Rick smirks, a small tug at the corner of his mouth. “If someone were to ask what dimension I’m from, what should I say?”
The older of the two hums a surprised note, “Huh, I’ll admit it, I wasn’t expecting that question.”
“You’ll answer it, though?” asks Jerry hopefully.
“Jesus, Jerry, I’m not a priest,” Rick grunts, much to his son-in-law’s confused stare. “Anyway, if someone were to— quote— ‘ask what dimension you’re from’ you should say ZV-456.”
Jerry repeats the name rapidly under his breath a few times. Rick looks on impatiently.
“Is that it?” Rick asks the split second he’s done, clearly also done in a different way.
“Yep, all I needed from you. Thanks, Rick,” Jerry smiles hesitantly, but the other man is already walking off.
“Yeah, yeah,” Rick throws over his shoulder. He feels better now, because knowing his number feels like protection.
Jerry exhales silently, tension leaving his shoulders as he watches Rick walk down the stairs until he’s out of view. The man isn’t glad Rick’s gone, he’s glad because the conversation ending feels like it’s a door closing on his adventures. He doesn’t want to do that again any time soon, or ever. Morty’s stronger than him, he doesn’t think he can do adventures as frequently as he.
Though, he looks back at the room, hesitating.
…Nah, he won’t flip it. Jerry is content with what he has. He smiles, then makes his way downstairs to hang out with his family.