Title: Table for Four
Author: AnnieVH
Summary: According to Therapy Milo started liking Alison after they shared the same side a table and ended up talking all night. Yes. That easy. Except, it really wasn't.
Rating: PG.
Genre: humor, friendship
Characters or Pairing: Milo/Rick, Alex/Alison, mentions Alex/Robin
Prompts: hardboiledbaby wanted Rick and Alex talking about Milo. So here it is. Also, drabbles100 058. Dinner.
Words: 480.
Warning: none.
Spoilers: for Alex's love life in general, also based on a line from Therapy, but no book plots discussed.
Disclaimer: don't own, just burrow.
"Move."
"What?"
"Move. Move. Move!"
Rick urged him by pushing him with his hips and Alex complied. Once they were settled, he smiled under his mustache. "Hi."
"Hi. Don't you rather sit with Milo?"
"Not tonight."
Alex squirmed on his seat, trying to fit in it. Even though Rick was lean they would likely be bumping each others thighs all night. While it wasn't exactly uncomfortable, he'd much rather have Alison pressing against his body.
Alex tried, "No offense, but I was hoping to sit with Alison."
"Not offended." He said, rubbing his hands together. "But tonight we're making Milo like Alison."
Alex stared at him. "I beg you pardon?"
"Tonight, I'm making so Milo stops acting like a stubborn little kid who's parents just got divorced and accepts the fact that you and Robin are grown ups able to make your own decisions and date whoever you see fit."
"And your plan is to make him share a booth with Alison?"
Rick grinned, proud of himself.
"I do hope you have a plan B."
"We could try therapy, but we don't have that kind of time."
"What a criminal master mind."
Rick snapped his tongue. "You underestimate my powers of manipulation over my partner, Alex."
"You can't force him to like Alison. Either he does or he does not, and it doesn't matter-"
Rick held up a hand, "Alex, there're only three things I can't convince Milo to do, and those are eating properly, quit smoking and exercise. You give me a couple hours, she's gonna be his new best friend. And look who's here!"
Milo stood by his side, wearing his wrinkled green suit that somehow matched the puzzled look on his tired face. First, he looked at Rick. Then at Alex. Then at the empty side of the booth. Then back at Rick for an explanation. When there was only a shrug, he asked, "What, I got too fat to fit in?"
Rick feign innocence. "How do you mean?"
"Never mind." Milo grumbled, but took a seat opposite to Alex. If Milo had any idea of what was going on on Rick's mind - and being a detective, just as well his partner for the past twenty years, that was more an obligation than a possibility - he didn't let show.
Once Alison arrived, Milo offered, "And here comes your lady friend. Want me to swap seats?" And Alex managed to hum a "hn-hn" and shake his head, then controlled his gentleman impulses and kept still on his spot so Milo wouldn't force a change of seats. Rick just observed everything with a pleasant smile as Alison took her spot by Milo's right. Milo squeezed himself away against the wall as if Alison could break if he dared to come too close. "How about we order? I could use a drink."
Plan B wasn't looking so bad.