Work Text:
The broken AC had started to get to Guy after it hit hour five of his shift. He mopped the sweat from his brow with a well-used paper towel and replaced his company-branded cap. Not that it did anything to quell the warmth in the back room of the restaurant.
Could you call it that? A restaurant? He doubted it. The pay would probably be worse - Guy was no stranger to customer service and retail work.
“God, kill me now.” He mumbled under his breath.
God, the cocky Bastard, somehow managed to hear him, because the double doors to the front section slammed open and a disgruntled Rosa stormed through, curly hair severely frizzed from the humidity.
His self-proclaimed ‘workplace bestie’ walked past him, shoving a cig between her lips as she went.
“They want you up front, I’m going on a smoke break.”
Guy opened his mouth to respond, but the backdoor clacked shut before he could even fathom the words to use. Instead, he pursed his lips and dragged himself to his feet. Dahlia had been pushing 105 degrees in the central city the past couple of days, and he would do (almost) anything to escape to the coast for even a few hours.
After briefly checking his reflection in his front phone camera - I need a haircut. - Guy shoved through the double doors.
Somehow, it was even worse behind the counter. The vague breeze from the main door did nothing but taunt him, and business was slower than “molasses in January”, as his mom used to say.
Then, right as the clock ticked over to 2pm, and Guy had just about reached the end of his short and rapidly withering tether, the bell sang out its overjoyous tune, and they walked in.
They stood out from the crowd - something about the way they held themselves; uptight and a bit shrunken, like they didn’t want to be perceived at all. And yet, they came in almost every day, same time, same order, same headphones and worn converse.
They spoke clearly and shortly, oftentimes staring down the cashier at the till, but always tipped, and generously, too.
Guy was hesitant to believe that they had the money. He recognised the community college sticker on their laptop case as being the same one he went to.
But they tip anyway. Generous soul. The thought was a bit snarky, and he felt guilty for being so sarcastic towards this stranger.
They barely glanced at the menu up on the wall and came over to his station. He inhaled and prepared his customer service act.
“Hi.” They said.
His attention caught on their piercings. Dotted around their features, the sparkling metal drew his eyes in a ballet from their eyes, to their ears, then their nose, and landing on their lips.
“Hello?”
He coughed and smiled widely, falsely, “Hi! Sorry, what can I get started for you today?”
Instead of reciting their order - medium pepperoni with extra jalapeños and a diet pepsi - they pulled off their headphones completely and slung them around their neck, also adorned with jewellery.
Guy swallowed.
“You’re the guy from the ad, right?”
That fucking ad. Oh God, what do I say? Quick, lie! Yes, that’s the best option, surely. Gaslight them.
“Uh, what ad?”
“The one from a while back.” Instead of waiting for a fumbled reply, they rolled their eyes and continued, “It doesn’t matter, I know that you are. I was just wondering.”
He nodded, Duh, it has your face in it, of course they know.
“You’re in here all the time.” It was his turn to make accusatory statements, giving them the once over as he did.
“Yeah, so what? Bet you get loads of regulars.”
“Yeah, but I only have one favorite.” He grinned, leaning forward on the counter slightly.
This earned him a second eye roll, even more exaggeratory than the first.
“You say that to everyone?”
“Just you, honey.”
They almost faltered hearing that. Guy was glad he was the only one on till at this moment in time - Lord knows he would have died if Rosa overheard him.
“...Right, anyway-”
“I already sent your order through.” He added casually. It was a lie, but he was tapping it in as he spoke, so what’s the difference?
“...Thanks.”
He paused, “Uh, sorry if that’s creepy or anything-”
“It’s fine.” They cut him off, “Not creepy. Or...anything.”
An awkward silence fell between them.
Guy cleared his throat, and started to speak, but they did the same.
“So…how’d you know my order?”
“Hey, you’re in here every day-”
They both froze, before they smiled slightly, “Right, got it.”
“I pay great attention to detail!”
“Are you trying to impress me?”
“Hmmm, would it mean anything good if I was?” He batted his eyelashes, playfully.
They shrugged, “Maybe. I guess you won’t know unless you confess.”
He laughed, relaxing a bit, “Confess, huh? Take me out to dinner first.”
“Okay, sure.”
It was his turn to falter. His face warmed as he stared at them.
“W-what?”
“What time do you get off work?” they raised a dark eyebrow.
“Um-” He checked his watch, “In like a half hour?”
“Perfect.”
* * * * * * * * * *
“Screw a coffee shop meet-cute, right?” Definitely not his best opening line.
They nodded, “Yeah, those sound like real words.”
“Don’t be boring~” He bumped his shoulder against theirs as they walked along.
They had both decided on heavily avoiding pizza as a date food. Now the temperature had started to kill a bit, Guy could finally think about consuming real human food, instead of daydreaming about scraping off ice from the inside of the freezer door with his teeth and just chowing down.
Gross.
Gross but it would work.
“What course do you study? At the university, I mean.”
They tilted their head, “History, but I’m thinking of dropping out. My professors suck.”
He held back a small smile, “History’s cool! I’m a creative writing freak, so I guess my course barely counts, but…”
“What do you do?” They didn’t seem interested in the self-deprecating humour.
“Script work, mostly. Sometimes I write my own shit, though. In my spare time.”
“Huh. Nice.”
They continued on for a few more feet until Guy added.
“So, do you have any hobbies?”
“I stream. Like, livestream. On the internet.”
“Whoa! Cool!”
“You sound surprised.” Their tone was laced in delicate sarcasm, “I know, too much of a loser for that.”
“Not at all!” Guy shook his head hastily, “I just meant…uh, yeah. I was surprised.”
“Don’t worry, I was joking.” They glanced up at him. He stared down into their eyes, noticing how the smudged eyeliner hung off their waterline and creased over their eyelid. “It’s cool.”
“I’ll make sure to tune in some time.” He grinned, almost cheesily.
“Absolutely not.” The firmness was almost comedic.
It would take a while to wear them into his sense of humour, but Guy had a feeling they weren’t actually all that different from each other.
“Aw, honey, you’re no fun!”
The hard whack to his arm stung for a while after.