Work Text:
It was a slow day today. Usually there's a steady stream of people, but not today. It was just me behind the register, and only Kore in the back. It's almost like Mr. Malhotra knew it'd be a ghost town- he only scheduled us for the day.
It was a slow day in the sandwich shop. I always liked sandwiches, especially when I was a kid. My parents and I would drive past this place and I'd point to it and say "When I'm big, I'll work there!"
Now I'm big, and I work here. It's not as magical as little me imagined, but it's a good gig. Mr. Malhotra is chill, he doesn't mind us playing cards when there aren't many customers. He pays us well above minimum wage too- he's generous. Said during the interview that this was his retirement project, but since his arthritis is getting worse, he can't make the sandwiches himself anymore. He was happy to "see someone as young as myself" take interest in the "art of sandwich making". I didn't have the heart to tell him my flame for the food was nearing it's end, but since I started here, I can feel it slowly growing. Knowing how much pride he had in this little restaurant made the hours easier, and I wouldn't be lying if I said my love for the craft is returning.
Kore's an even bigger sandwich fiend than me. He could name you any style, any bread, any dressing, any topping. The man could make a sandwich the height of Mount Everest with his arms tied behind his back and a blindfold on his face. It's no wonder why he got hired; he was a bit of a legend.
It was a slow, card-game-in-the-back type of day. The odd person came in every hour. Guess sandwiches weren't on too many minds.
There was this one guy, though. I don't think I'll be forgetting him anytime soon.
I had never seen him before. He had to have been from out of town, because he himself looked a bit lost. Stared at the menu for a good five minutes straight- it almost seemed like he was doing calculus in his head. When he finally walked up, I got a better look at him.
I didn't mean to pick the guy apart, but I almost couldn't help it. I had taken in the sight before I could stop myself, and was a sight he was.
He was a bit tall, maybe four or five inches taller that myself at 5'6". He looked strong. Not bodybuilder strong, but muscles were absolutely visible through his black bomber jacket and crewneck. He had a waist pack strapped around his chest, and a dark blue phone in his hands. His blond, curly hair was short, and had noticeably grown out brown roots. There was a glisten in those square green eyes, not to mention that they put spring grass to shame. His skin was a light olive and decorated with occasional marks and moles, and he had the most trademarked dimples I had ever seen.
He was pretty, that's for sure. I almost wanted to tell him, but I wasn't supposed to flirt with the customers. Can't be unprofessional, no matter how many times Kore and I had played "Who can throw the giant cheese block further".
When he finally walked up and ordered, he was so casual it gave me whiplash. Was he from around here and just getting something new? Did he usually come in when I wasn't working and his schedule changed? Where did that confused guy go?
His order was simple enough. Standard toasted BLT on brown bread with light mayonnaise. We had gotten it a thousand times; it was child's play for the master chef waiting in the kitchen. I almost forgot to ask, but I'll always be thankful I did.
"Is that all, sir?"
His eyes lit up so bright I was nearly blinded. His dimples pressed into his cheeks as he spoke, voice excited as he rambled like a little kid. I could've sworn I saw tinges of pink growing under his eyes.
"No- no, I'm getting a sandwich for my boyfriend too. He actually found this place, and we were gonna come here together, but then he had to work. I told him I wouldn't go without him- since it wouldn't be fair to him and I didn't really want to- but then he insisted and, hell, I couldn't say no. He wanted a-"
He launched into the order. I barely had time to register all of it. Ham and mozzarella on white bread with lettuce, bacon, cucumber and light mayonnaise- not toasted. I read the full order back to him, and the grin he shot me was probably the reason we have global warming. I pointed him to the seating area, and he immediately got on his phone.
He flashed that heart-melting smile at the screen, and like a psychic I knew who he was texting. His boyfriend; a guy who so clearly made him ecstatic with a mere thought. He had to be real special- he had this guy head over heels for him. I waved him over once the sandwiches were done. He quickly grabbed two soft drinks from the fridge, setting them on the counter for me to see. I saw him eye the cookies as I rang him up, but the request never came. I knew we had extra in the back. I knew Kore wasn't a snitch. I knew Mr. Malhotra wouldn't mind.
"Damn, we're out of napkins up here. I'll go grab you some from the back."
"Oh- sweet, thanks."
I hid two cookies between a fistful of napkins, hastily shoving the secret into the bag before he could notice. I walked back out, smiling to myself as I handed him the goods.
He tapped his card on the reader, face almost scared before the screen lit up green. He smiled at me again, thanking me as he strode out the door.
When I turned around, Kore was standing at the window between the kitchen and the booth. He just looked at me, a knowing expression painted on his face. I sighed, shaking my head a bit. I kind of had to ask, didn't I?
"Did you recognize that guy?"
Kore let out a shaky breath, dropping his head a bit. Leaning on the metal order window, he spoke.
"I dunno his name, but he's new around here, apparently. Dutch said he lives in the same building as them with his boyfriend." He glanced down at his watch, then out at the front window. "Said he got some kind of deal with the unit manager."
"What, are the two of them refugees?" I asked, crossing my arms and resting against the countertop. All of a sudden, this guy and his life became the only thing I wanted to hear about. A meteor could've crashed outside and I'd be asking what kind of flooring he and his lover had in their place. It was none of my business, yeah, but I still found myself desperate to invest.
"In a sense, I guess." Kore scratched his chin, looking past me for a second. "They ran away from something, that's for sure. Dutch said they heard something about them 'escaping'. Something about a school, or a- a compound," he continued. "Maybe it was a house? No, no it was a person. Or-"
"It's alright, man," I interrupted, laughing a bit. "They ran away from something, right?" Kore looked up at me, shoulders relaxing.
"Right. They're runaways. Probably."
I glanced at the door, as if there was any chance he was still standing there.
"Holy shit," I muttered, turning around and fixing my gaze on the floor. I laughed to myself again, breathing out hard through my nose. "Guess we'll be seeing more of him."
"And his boyfriend, if we're lucky."
"Lucky is right." I raised my eyebrows, nodding my head. "He's absolutely the lucky one here," I droned, dramatically turning to face Kore again. "Did you see the way his whole face lit up when I asked if he wanted anything else? Just the mention of that..." I trailed off, at a loss for words. "That guy has him locked down."
Kore chuckled, turning away from me.
"Well, I wouldn't say locked, that almost implies he doesn't want to be there."
I nodded, lips pressed into a tight frown. I looked back to the front window. Still empty.
"That's true," I called behind me. "He didn't fall for that guy, he laid down."