Author's note: Well it looks like I'm back from my hiatus. Real life has this nasty habit of getting in the way with writing. Your patience and support means the world to me.

Rick wasn't sure what time it was when he awoke with a massive hangover. Somehow he had made it to his bed, or someone had brought him there. He didn't remember what happened or what led him to drink, but he did feel an odd sense of warmth in his stomach. With a groan, he dragged himself out of bed.

Every muscle and joint ached, the lights blinded him, and every noise felt like sandpaper against his ear drum, but his mood was considerably higher than it had been in a long time. He wondered if he was still partially drunk, but he didn't feel any of alcohol's effects as he made his way downstairs.

In the kitchen, he ran into Morty, who was pulling some leftovers out of the fridge. As their eyes met, he could tell something had changed. While he was drunk, he must have said something way too personal, because Morty was looking at him weirdly. "Hey, Rick," his grandson greeted him. "How are you feeling?"

"None of your damn business, Morty," Rick snapped, suddenly feeling very vulnerable. "Now why the hell are you looking at me like that?"

Rick saw the hurt and confusion flash across his grandson's face, and he scowled at himself. The boy was only trying to help, and it wasn't Morty's fault that Rick had gotten shit-faced and overshared. "Look, I'm sorry," he apologized quickly. "It's- it's just a really bad hangover. Nothing I'm not used to. I'll survive."

Without a word, Morty gathered a glass of water and an Aspirin for Rick. He smiled appreciatively at his grandson and quickly downed the pill and water. "You've been passed out all day," Morty explained with a frown of worry. "Maybe you should switch beers."

"If I want the weak -urp- shit, I'll drink Earth stuff," Rick replied with a snort. His coping mechanisms were toxic, but he was not about to change.

Morty softly bit at his lip, worry crossing his face. "Rick..." he began hesitantly. "Do you really think you're toxic?"

It felt like the wind had been knocked out of him as Rick stared down at Morty in shock. "Is... is that what I said when I was drunk?" A guilty nod confirmed Rick's fear. The kid had enough of his own issues without having to deal with Rick's. "Not sure why I said that, just don't think about it," he replied, trying to sound reassuring.

"You know I can't do that," Morty pushed gently. "Is that... is that the real reason you tried to kill yourself?" he whispered.

Rick bit down hard on his lip and closed his eyes in defeat. "I- I don't know, Morty," he admitted.

When he reopened his eyes, Morty was looking up at him in sorrow. "I'd be dead if you weren't here, remember?" he asked. Rick tried hard to forget, but he was never able to. "If you hadn't found me... if you hadn't cared about me, I wouldn't have stood a chance."

"Maybe you would've," Rick muttered. "Maybe Beth or Diane would have been better mothers without me."

Morty sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. "Mom wouldn't exist without you," he argued. "And I love her for who she is, and that is because of you."

Rick nodded, seriously considering Morty's words. "I was wrong when I tried to kill myself," he said. "I thought I did more harm than good. But I can see now that leaving would be the most harmful thing I can do, so as long as I'm still here, I'm going to make the best of every moment I have with my family."

His grandson beamed up at him. Life really was a beautiful thing, and he was going to make sure he stuck around for as long as possible not just for Morty, but for himself.