Morty entered his grandfather's garage with one goal in mind, today he was going to get closer to Rick. Unfortunately for Morty, getting closer meant taking the absolute least conventional way possible. Rick was a hard case to crack, and an almost impossible character to understand. That's how Morty had concocted his plan to go back in time, to a moment where hopefully he was a little less bitter and jaded than he was now. He wanted to have the chance at seeing eye to eye with his old man.

He cleared his throat, "H-hey Rick? I um...I lost my math work and- and I was wondering if maybe you had like... a time travel gadget to find it?"

Rick didn't even look at him, responding with a snap, "W-why don't you just redo it? Instead of being an irresponsible *burp* little shit?"

Morty frowned, "Aw Geeze, c'mon Rick, please? If I have to ask my teacher f-for another paper Jessica will see! I- I want to seem impressive and smart to her!"

Rick seemed almost injured by that comment, "Fucking dammit, fine. Take the stupid thing." He twirled around tossing it to Morty before returning to his work.

It looked like Rick's usual teleportation gun, but to prevent failure he clarified, "How do- how do I use this?"

Rick growled, "Holy shit, put in the time a-and press the red button."

Morty winced, "O-ok Geeze you'd yell at me if I broke it!"

Rick quickly retorted, "And then I'd- I would just make another one like it was a paper fucking airplane."

Morty wondered if Rick had always been this way, if he had it would be a very short trip for Morty. Morty looked at Rick, wanting to tell him that he truly cared but not really knowing how. He ran to his bedroom inputting the date and time for when Rick was exactly his age. He walked through and the first thing his eyes were greeted by was Rick walking home from school. Rick had always been handsome, but was uncharacteristically so young.

Morty could hardly even believe his eyes, "R-rick?!" He called out. Rick paused and glanced to Morty in confusion as Morty ran up to him excitedly.

Rick looked pensive, "W-who are you?"

It hit Morty that this Rick wouldn't recognize him at all, "Oh...I- I'm Morty! Morty Smith! It's r-really awesome to meet you!" Morty held out his hand almost prepared to be called an idiot for being excited over a stranger. However he was surprised to see Rick take his hand, even if it was cautiously.

Rick let go from their shake, "H-how'd you know my name?"

Morty panicked, he hadn't thought about that when he called out to him. He rubbed his arm, "Oh...um...I'm a transfer student and the counselor s-said I might get along with you...so.." he knew Rick would see right through his lie. He always did.

Yet Rick only nodded, "Transfer student. Ok...so where are you from?"

"I live out of state," that part was true, "I've always wanted to see where you- um..this place! Stroke of l-luck that we moved here...anyways! You- you look so young! It's nice!"

Morty realized he was an idiot the second Rick chuckled out his response, "Y-yeah I'm only fifteen, so...kinda young." Morty wanted to call it off right there. He couldn't possibly embarrass himself more if he tried.

"How old are you?" Rick asked politely.

Morty smiled, "I'm fifteen too! S-same age! So we might have a lot in common after all!" At least Morty hoped they did more than what they had in the future.

Rick looked equally as nervous if that was even possible, which comforted Morty a bit, "Do you...like science?" Rick asked softly.

Morty smiled, this was familiar to him, "N-not as much as my grandpa, but yeah. Seeing new things and being out in the universe makes me feel like less of an idiot." Morty could have slapped himself when he realized how close he had been to saying "grandpa Rick". He knew he needed to be way more careful than what he had been.

Rick smiled at Morty's answer, "I love science. I'm gonna be the greatest scientist in the universe and I-I'm gonna find a cure for all- every disease!" Rick spoke passionately which was extremely unusual for Morty to hear, even if Rick did love science. As an older man he acted as if it was just the most logical field. However to know Rick had loved it for so long was heartwarming to him.

Morty grinned, "That's..um..so moral of you. Hey d-do you wanna go grab some pizza with me? M-maybe hit the arcade? If it's too late I understand. I don't know what curfew is."

Rick laughed, "Um. I'm good, m-my parents wouldn't notice. Hadn't had pizza in a while actually." Rick began walking the opposite direction with Morty trailing behind. Morty could hardly believe how smoothly everything was going. Rick hadn't said not one insult to him the entire time.

Morty felt flustered at that, "S-so you really want to hang out with me?"

Rick smiled, as if he wasn't used to his attention being sought after, "Y-yeah you seem cool. And..it's..it's nice to have a friend actually."

Morty nearly fainted, did Rick call him his friend? He frowned, "I take it that m-means you don't have many?" He hoped his assumption on that was wrong.

"You said 'any' wrong. But um. It's ok, I have one now." Rick assured with a smile. Morty felt honored to be considered Rick's friend. Getting on his good side was a feat of its own, though it seemed a bit easier than he had anticipated.

Morty blushed, wanting to return the compliment, "I-i'd gladly be your friend. Not that you need them I mean you're, you're a genius! I mean you- you have the vibe um appear to come across smart." Morty could have screamed at himself.

They arrived at the pizzeria and Rick had simply grinned as if Morty had actually given a worthwhile compliment. Morty adored Rick's grin, this one seemed different, more genuine. As Morty ordered their pizza he recognized his grandmother Diane across the way, staring at Rick as her friends giggled. Rick didn't even seem to notice it which brought Morty to the conclusion that it was his job to set their relationship in motion. Maybe with some guidance it wouldn't turn out so bad in the end?

Morty smiled, "Th-those girls keep looking at you. Like any of them?"

Morty had expected Rick to point out Diane but to his surprise he shook his head, "No not really."

The waiter put the pizza down in front of them. Morty couldn't believe Rick wasn't already head over heels for Diane. He would have to rectify that was his thought as he dug into the pizza. Rick watched him eat, careful not to glance too long. He couldn't believe some one especially an adorable some one wanted anything to do with him. He had closeted himself for years, the rumors flying despite his arguments to the contrary.

Morty looked up happily, "Y-you know if you ever need a- a wingman I'm your man!"

Rick repositioned himself in his chair, "Oh...no it's ok...I think I'll just be alone and stick with science."

Rick took a few bites of his pizza, his comment making Morty smile wider, "Lady science. Sh-she's a cruel mistress Rick." Morty laughed at his own joke, the sound of it making Rick laugh himself. They had walked to the arcade after they finished eating but to Morty's dismay it was closed up for the night.

He pouted, "Aw man...I- I wanted to try pac man in an arcade.."

Rick shrugged, "M-maybe we can go tomorrow?"

Morty beamed, Rick wanted to keep hanging out! However it dawned very suddenly that Morty had zero places to sleep in this timeline. He squeaked out timidly, "C-can I stay with you? That would.. that would make going tomorrow easier right?"

Rick nodded, heading home, "Yeah that's ok. My room's in the garage anyways."

Morty felt shocked, "The garage...um do you choose there or?"

Rick laughed, "Y-yeah I choose there. I can experiment and don't have to hear my parents fight."

Morty frowned, "I- I actually understand that. You seem to be a creature of habit." Rick seemed to be miserable from the word go. Morty vowed he wouldn't leave until he set Rick's life on a better path. He smiled, if all went well he'd return to a kinder and more loving Rick.

When they entered Rick's room they could hear muffled shouting from inside the house, "Should we..should we tell them I'm here?" Morty asked nervously.

Rick waved the question off, "Nah they won't notice. Want to see what I'm working on?"

Morty was practically glowing, the beginning of Rick's genius for him to witness. His excitement burst as he spoke, "Yeah Rick! I'd love to!"

Rick smiled as he pulled out a dimmed down version of his portal gun, "it's a teleportation gun...it's not done."

Morty held it reverently, "This young and already...you're amazing Rick."

Rick blushed deeply as he took the gun back, "I might scrap it though it only seems to disintegrate everything."

"No!" Morty shouted. He grabbed Rick's shoulders, "You can't give up! One day you'll get it a-and you'll see amazing things!" Morty cleared his throat, putting distance between their bodies, "A-anyways you're lucky. I don't even have lady science to love me."

Rick chuckled running a hand through his hair timidly, "Y-yeah I guess."

Morty yawned, noticing there only was one bed in the room, "Where do...I sleep?"

Rick blushed again, "I um. I've never had a friend over so I guess we can share? If that's ok? I-I'm not like that or anything."

It was Morty's turn to go red in the face, "Oh no! I wasn't um..if you were that's ok, n-not that I'm implying that- no. Sharing is fine. I'm fine with it- with sharing. I mean the bed. Aw Geeze." Morty felt a nervous wreck, not having expected to have to share one full size bed with the young version of his grandfather. Morty wondered why he was even nervous about it at all, they were still family right?

He sat down on the edge of the bed as Rick joined him, "Plus nothing we haven't seen," Morty continued, "N-not that I'm saying we'll get naked or...oh god.. um im sorry, you want the w-wall side?"

Rick giggled at Morty's nerves. He figured he would never meet anyone this adorable and kind for the rest of his life. He laid down by the wall feeling Morty's body beside him, "Hey Morty?"

"Y-yeah?"

"Thanks for being my friend." Rick said softly.

Morty instantly relaxed at his words. He was slowly drifting into sleep when he unknowingly mumbled out, "Y-you're special to me."

Rick smiled, trying his best to calm his excitement. He'd never been called that by anyone before. He looked over at Morty's sleeping face, "Y-you are too." He whispered before drifting away himself.