Finally another update, or an interlude that popped into my mind when a wonderful reviewer over on AO3 asked where Renard's and Nick's clothes went after their continued lending. Oh, and don't worry, the story is already finished and yes, I will get it online in full.

Interlude Socks (between January 15th and February 26th):

/I noticed at home that I didn't take off your socks before leaving, when do you want them back?/

/What do you mean, you didn't notice? Didn't it strike you as peculiar that it took you all of ten minutes to get into your trainers upon leaving that day?/

/Wrote that off to 'pop-sicling' my fingers earlier. You could have said something, you know?/

/Please, refrain from inventing new words. There are enough out there to express what you want. And I like to observe my Detectives' problem solving skills in the field from time to time./

/Double-haha. You just like to see me struggle./

/If I did, I would have made you wait outside that day or have withheld coffee for a longer amount of time after you attempted to go all puppy-eyed on me./

/You say that now. You simply couldn't resist me./

A pause, another message from the Grimm.

/Apropos resisting: When and where do you want to get your socks back?/

/I don't know. You could give them to me at precinct... in front of everyone./

Uuh, ohh, sarcasm spread as thick as butter on a scone. Well... choosing not to hear that ironic avalanche might be fun.

/Okay./

GRIMM GRIMM GRIMM

"Hey, Wu!"

Nick is just in the process of heeding out to interview some witnesses together with Hank but he has one last mission to complete beforehand. The Sergeant turns to face him, raised eyebrow and wryly quirked lips already in place.

"What can Master Wu do for you?"

Nick chuckles and shakes his head.

"Stop rhyming and catch this."

He throws a small bundle at the Asian, which upon catching turns out to be a pair of thick woollen socks. He stares at it in askance before focusing his inquisitive gaze back upon the Grimm.

"Can you give those to the Captain for me? He wanted them back."

The general noise level rises at this declaration, some of them thinking that this is a prank, some of them wondering why Dt. Burkhardt is in possession of a pair of Captain Renard's socks and if it is realistic at all, that their always impeccably clothed superior should own something like this.

"Errr, Nick..."

Before Wu can say anything else Nick is already halfway out of the room but by the doors he turns back one last time.

"Thanks for doing this for me, you are a true friend. Oh, and be sure to tell him, they are freshly laundered but sadly not ironed. There wasn't time for that."

And just like that Nick exits precinct's main office and hurries after his partner.

When he reaches the car where Hank is already waiting he receives a message on his phone:

/Dead man./

/Wise man, who is out investigating today... all of today. Next time you want to go all sarcastic on me send a voice message instead of a text./

/I cannot say I am amused./

/Spoil sport./

/It was work./

/It was socks and you asked for that one./

GRIMM GRIMM GRIMM

Needless to say, the next two and a half weeks Nick is not allowed to visit Renard at home. That man can hold a grudge longer than a harpy. He is well aware that he has hurt Renard's pride and put his defensive mechanisms to a test but his royal zauberbiest also needs to learn that sarcasm is something that can hurt and backfire. But Nick makes amends. He doesn't apologize in words but by throwing himself into work with fervour, going beyond and above what is required from a Detective.

He wants to show his boss and friend that their private relationship will not interfere with work. At work Sean is still his Captain and Nick is a dedicated Detective, who does heed his superior's orders, occasional exception none withstanding. The Grimm will never treat him with anything other than respect at work but that doesn't mean that a friend (and sometimes even a Captain) will not on occasion be subjected to a bit of good natured ribbing.

Renard for his part is a master in the art of silently showing his disapproval. At work he is clipped and aloof to the Grimm, not so much so that anyone else would notice but in fine undertones meant to let Nick and Nick alone feel his displeasure. In private there is no communication at all.

Nick takes it all in stride. He works, he jogs and checks up on his Prince as a silent sentinel and after some time – when he doesn't really expect it anymore – Renard asks if he wants to come up for coffee after finishing his round.

Despite his patience in waiting there is the slight fear that things will be awkward now, but somehow, when they meet at the door, there is a glint of something soft in the shrewd zauberbiest's eyes and without intending to they have managed to tear down another wall.

It is a lesson well learned: You can hurt, you can go wrong or be wronged but you can also forgive. It is what friends and family do, they fight and then they make amends.