Work Text:
Lighter ends the day feeling accomplished and productive.
He had a great time earlier, going on a fun little adventure to find the doors, and he had a good, filling meal before returning to his duties.
What’s more, he got to spend a bit more time getting to know the Proxy, who he’s found to be…very pleasant actually. Wise is pretty laid-back in the day-to-day, and he has a dry sense of humor that Lighter appreciates.
He’s also extremely competent at getting things done, which he admires for many reasons. Going from leading them safely through Hollows to managing a run down old diner while barely batting an eye? Good stuff.
He’s not bad looking either.
Whether he would be open to Lighter making a move on him, he’s not sure. But it never hurt to try, right?
It’s with that in mind that he directs himself back towards the diner, the smells of cooking food stirring his appetite after all the errand running. The lights are still on, but he’s pretty sure they’re closed for the day, so he hopes they at least have leftovers they’d be willing to give him.
As he approaches, he sees Wise behind the counter and Kasa nowhere in sight. Hmm. Usually it’s the other way around. He walks up the steps and pushes the swinging doors aside.
“What’s a guy gotta do to get some food here?” he asks teasingly.
Wise looks up from his paperwork and gives him an exasperated smile.
“Sorry, sir. We’re closed for the day.”
Lighter places a hand over his chest, feigning a wounded expression. “You’d leave a man to go hungry after a hard day’s work? Gotta say, Manager, that’s pretty cruel.”
“It’s Wise, thank you,” he puts down his pen, “And hardly. They should still be in the back, you can ask them if they can make you something.”
He glances in the direction of the door. “They wouldn’t mind me stepping back there?”
“Don’t the Sons of Calydon technically own this place? Pretty sure you can do what you want.”
He’s not wrong. “Feels a bit presumptuous, though.”
Wise sighs and lifts himself away from the counter, walking around him and off to the back. Lighter watches him go, a little surprised, as he hadn’t meant to make Wise go check instead. The door reopens after a few moments and Wise waves at him.
“Come get something,” he smiles, “Before you starve.”
He grins and shakes his head. Who is he to refuse?
He sits at one of the tables with a helping of tacos and stuffed peppers, and watches Wise as he eats. The other man is meticulous, and he thinks again how lucky they were to bag such a catch. Surprising enough that his brother had recommended and then delivered the legendary Phaethon, but then that they turned out to be very ordinary, down to earth people. He’d thought a Proxy from the city with such prestige would be more stingy, but then he guesses they wouldn’t have become so famous if they were snubbing jobs over minor details.
Once he finishes his meal and deposits the dishes back in the kitchen, he approaches the counter again.
Wise doesn’t even look up, but he smiles teasingly. “How was your meal, sir?”
“Pretty good. The stuffed peppers are a nice touch. Who’s idea were they?”
Wise frowns. “Not sure. They might have been part of the original menu. You’d have to ask Kasa.”
“Speaking of, how come you’re doing all the paperwork? Isn’t that her job?”
“It is, but someone came in near closing that needed her help with something. It’s not that different from what I do at the video store, so I told her I’d handle it.”
Lighter leans against the counter, propping his head on his fist. “Gotta say, you’ve taken this whole thing pretty well.”
Wise raises an eyebrow at him. “What’s that mean?”
“Didn’t they basically dump this whole thing in your lap? I get wanting your advice as a business owner, but food and movies are pretty different, right?”
Wise gives him a curious look. “They are. What’s your point?”
“Just figured you might’ve pushed back a bit more. Asking you to manage a fledgling restaurant seems like asking a lot, especially when you’ve got work of your own to handle.”
He seems to contemplate those words and Lighter waits patiently. In the end, Wise just shrugs.
“I could’ve said no if I really wanted. It seemed like an interesting challenge. And as allies of the Sons of Calydon, you could say I have a vested interest in making sure you guys have a good setup here in Blazewood. Plus, considering the struggles of the Outer Ring, this feels like as good as any means of helping the community.”
Lighter whistles. “So you’re saying you’re an altruist then? How generous of you.”
Wise rolls his eyes. “Hardly. As it happens, it’s a good business practice to stay in good standing with your neighbors. Sixth Street is the same way. We’re all a bunch of small business owners crowded on one street. We want to make sure traffic stays high, for all of us. The easiest way to do that is to support each other.”
“Hmmm,” Lighter looks him over, “You’re shrewder than I thought.”
“I don’t think I need you judging,” Wise says flatly, “Your only contribution has been a door. And you demanded meals for it. Twice.”
“It’s a special door. Word of it will help bring in more customers.”
“Sure, keep telling yourself that,” Wise mutters, shuffling the papers. “Now give me some space. I’m working. Unlike some.”
Lighter frowns. “Don’t you think you could stand to be a little nicer to me?”
Wise heaves another sigh, deep and exaggerated, before he raises his arm and pats his head. Lighter is so surprised all he can do is blink.
“Good job, Lighter. I couldn’t have done it without you. Now quiet down for a bit, I need to finish this.”
With that he retracts his hand and turns back to the papers, flipping a sheet as he glances over the numbers. Lighter can only stare at him. This cheeky…
“Wise,” he calls, pulling off his sunglasses.
Another sigh as Wise briefly closes his eyes before turning. “What now?”
He doesn’t answer, instead pushing into the other’s space as he leans forward until their nose to nose. The startled look of Wise’s face is worth it, and he pauses very briefly to give him a chance to draw back. He doesn’t, so Lighter closes the distance and kisses him. He feels Wise jerk slightly, as though he still hadn’t expected it, but even then he doesn’t pull away, so Lighter reaches a hand around to grip his nape and pull him in deeper.
Wise gives a little gasp against his mouth, and he uses that advantage to steal a taste. He can feel Wise shiver at the flick of his tongue, and he wants to go further, but decides he shouldn’t get too ahead of himself, so he breaks off. Wise chases him, and he presses another kiss to his mouth, and then another, short but firm, before they finally pull back completely.
Wise stares at him for a moment, wide eyed, a hand creeping up to his mouth. “Holy shit.”
Lighter snorts a laugh. “That good, huh?”
“You kissed me!”
“I did,” he nods, “Should we consider it payment for the meal?”
Wise raises his fist in faux threat. “I’ll hit you,” he threatens, “And wasn’t the meal your payment?”
“Point taken,” he concedes, “Anything else to say?”
Wise looks away, faintly red and pressing his hand over his mouth. “ You kissed me. What do you have to say?”
“I’d say I’d like to take you out sometime,” he smiles, “How about it, manager?”
He sees a smile creep onto Wise’s face under his hand.
“It’s Wise,” he reminds him, “And…I’d like that.”