Chapter Text
Simon had a very predictable morning routine. He would wake up, do his stretches, eat a quick breakfast and go on his morning jog. People always said they could set a watch by his comings and goings, and they were probably right.
He yawns, and shivers slightly in the morning air before beginning his run. There was only a slight change in his normal route, road construction pushing him a street over for the past week or so.
Simon feels a slight blush come to his face, and he runs a bit faster. There was this one particular house along the road with the lavish mansions. It stood out to him for an...embarrassing reason. There was a really pretty guy he saw outside sometimes. He had only seen him from the side walk sure, and only for a very brief moment but he knew a cute guy when he saw one.
He looks both ways, and crosses the street. He squints a bit at the approaching house and sees two figures on the porch, instantly bringing a smile to his face.
Simon slows down slightly, trying not to to be super obvious and stare. But as if on instinct the man looks up from where he is sitting next to an older gentlemen, directly at Simon.
He feels a hot flush come to his cheeks, and without thinking he raises a hand and waves.
After a moment the man gives a small wave back, and just like that Simon has passed the house. The rest of his jog loops around the block and back towards his apartment complex so he doesn't pass the house again. Before long he's running up the stairs to his apartment. Almost slamming the the door on the way in.
"He waved," Simon mumbles to himself as he runs his hands over his face. He was overreacting. The guy was being polite and just waving back to a random runner on the street who was staring at him.
Still, he can't get over the odd twisting in his stomach and the warmth on his cheeks. His coworkers would tease him for sure.
Speaking of, Simon sighs and finishes his morning routine. Showering and arriving at work uncharacteristically early.
So much early that North raises an eyebrow when he walks into the back.
"8:42? Simon I can't believe this...two whole minutes,"
He rolls his eyes and ties on his apron.
"My run went faster than expected," He says simply, ignoring the knowing look she gives him.
---
And that's how his routine has been going for the past few days. He jogs past the house, and every time the man is out there they wave. Its dumb how much he looks forward to it, and how it brightens up his mornings.
"Hey Simon can you get table 12 for me? Its only three people and table 2 has like seven,"
Simon jerks out of his thoughts, and looks at Josh. He shouldn't be daydreaming now.
"Sure thing,"
He grabs three menus and makes his way over to the said table, "Hello I'm Simon I'll be your..." he trails off slightly when realizes who's sitting at the table, "S-server today! Can I start you out with anything?"
He quickly passes out the menus and hopes the men didn't notice his slip up. There he was, the pretty guy that's been dominating his thoughts. Thank God for table two
He smiles and subtly looks over at said crush, who was staring down at the menu thoughtfully. He looked even better up close, incredible handsome face with a slight stubble already growing in and bright green eyes.
"Yes can we get some chardonnay?" Simon quickly looks to the third man at the table, he looks weirdly familiar and has his hair in a douchebag man bun.
"Of course sir! Will that be all?"
There's a dismissive agreement and Simon hurries back to the kitchen to get the order.
"What's gotten you worked up? Someone slap your ass again?" North teases as he digs out the wine.
"No its....uh you know that guy I've mentioned?"
North tilts her head, thinking for a moment, "Yeah, the one you stalk right?"
"Its not stalking I just pass his house every day!"
North snorts and starts arranging whatever meals she needs to bring onto a tray, "So what about pretty boy?"
"He's at table twelve,"
North grins, and turns to gawk at table 12.
"Is it that old guy in the chair?"
"What the? No?"
"Ooooh so its the thirty year old fuck head with the undercut man bun combo huh?"
Simon sighs and turns away from her cackles to bring the wine to the table. The two others were deep in conversation while pretty boy listened politely. He had to slip him his number somehow, he would never get a chance like this again.
"Sorry for the wait," he says as he quickly pours the glasses. He sets a glass in front of pretty boy and when he looks up, a sudden flash of recognition when their eyes meet.
His right eye is blue, and just as bright as his left. Its unlike anything he's ever seen.
"Are you ready to order now?" He asks, looking away from the other in an attempt to hide what is probably a blush.
He quickly writes down the two mens orders before looking expectantly at pretty boy.
"I'll have...whatever you suggest,"
He has a beautiful voice, deep and soft. It made him a strange sense of comfort, and familiarity. He smiles nervously at the request.
"Oh do you have any allergies?"
The man smiles at the question, "No, not that I know of,"
Simon nods, and quickly retreats to the kitchen. He glances at the order, what would he even want?
After a few moments of thinking he writes down his favorite pasta and puts the ticket in for the cooks.
"Are you ok Simon? Your face is red?"
He jumps at the sound of Josh's voice. Turning around and giving a reassuring hand wave, "Of course! Never better!"
Josh gives him a knowing smirk, and pats his arm, "At least get his name,"
Simon tries to, but he can't really figure out what to say to him as he brings their food out and refills their drinks. It would incredibly unprofessional to flirt with him in front of...his dad? Employers? Whoever the other two were. He does get a few more smiles from him that make his heart flutter.
"We're ready for our check, sir. All together!" The older man says as he passes and Simon perks up.
"Of course!" he turns to leave, but pretty boy stops him.
"Thank you for the suggestion, " He says softly, who allowed him to have such a nice voice?
"Oh you're welcome! Its one of my favorites, the chef does an amazing job with it,"
The man opens his mouth to say something else, but man bun interrupts him in a teasing tone.
"Markus leave the kid alone. He's still working,"
"Sorry," He says and looks away. It takes Simon a moment to collect himself and leave.
His name is Markus. It fits him so well, in every way. Its a beautiful name.
Simon quickly prints the receipt and writes his number in neat legible script. He can feel his heart race and he wipes his palms on his pants. Taking a deep breath before returning to the table.
"I hope you three had a good evening," Simon says, managing to keep his customer service voice up as he states the price holds the receipt out. Subtly closer to Markus.
Just as the man reaches for it another hand snatches it away. Simon's blood runs cold as man bun holds the paper.
"My treat!"
"Kamski you don't-"
"Nope, sorry Carl its too late. You can get the tip!"
The man passes over his credit card and glances at the paper, raising his eyebrows. Simon really hopes he doesn't get a text from that guy.
He takes the card, and the man winks before deftly slipping the receipt into the pocket of Markus' jacket.
Simon smiles in relief and leaves to run the card. Maybe he misjudged man bun. He returns the card to the party, and wishes them a nice day before starting to clean the table off. He glances up to see Markus pushing the wheelchair of the man away, laughing at a joke. He looks down at the table again. He hopes he gets a text or something.
He's so lost in thought he almost misses the writing on the napkin his tip was under.
"111-555-XXXX Do you ever get tired from running through my mind every day?"
Simon bites his lip and shoves the napkin in his pocket. That was the worst line he's ever read, he wishes it didn't work.