A/N: I've had this headcanon ficlet thingie on my hard drive for some time without knowing what to do with it, until I remembered that I actually did create this placeholder story here on for this kind of thing. It offers very little in terms of story (I'm sorry I am so boring but I love writing these kinds of things) but I guess that posted here, at least it has the ~potential to not just be a waste of space
Part 2: The One With The Mornings
The six of them have a long tradition of having breakfast or brunch together. Phoebe, after she moves out, has the longest way to travel and usually only shows up on the weekends. Ross' tendency to come over had been directly proportional to how his marriage with Carol had crumbled, and once he moves to his own apartment he ends up having breakfast with his sister at least four days out of seven. At first, it is a thing of comfort; eventually, it becomes a habit and no one really begrudges him it.
For Joey and Chandler it is a bit different. They have minimal travel time and they hang out at each others' apartments quite interchangeably (or admittedly with a heavy focus on Monica's) either way. Once Rachel moves in it usually becomes the four of them. Only, during the first couple of years Rachel's schedule is quite varied, and Joey never really has a dependable schedule.
Some mornings, it is just Monica and Chandler. A core breakfast group of sorts. It stands true even when Monica is between jobs, because if there are some things that Monica needs during those times, it is routine and productivity.
It can be oddly quiet between them on those mornings. Chandler is not a morning person, especially not before he gets some coffee into him, and he is never happy about going to work. Joking about it is a technique that has proven to encourage him somewhat, but with just Monica he can sometimes allow himself to simply be grumpy about it.
Sometimes it is dark outside and the rain will patter against the windows. They will huddle over their coffee cups together, keeping their conversation soft to avoid the misfortune of awakening the beast also known as Rachel. Sometimes they will solve the crossword puzzle together. Sometimes, Chandler will sigh, leaning forward, resting his elbows on the table, hunched over, and genuinely ask Monica to skip work with him.
Monica will laugh, ruffle his hair as she stands up and offers him a refill.
Chandler will grimace at her but accept the offer, and they will steal just a couple of more minutes together in the calm, warm, dry apartment before they both head off to work.