Chapter Text
Pouring rain wasn’t ideal. Ruined hair, wet clothes, delayed traffic.
Of course Axel had an important appointment scheduled on this very rainy Friday afternoon and he did not want to be late. All he could do was leave early and move as fast as possible, and luckily that paid off.
The letters displaying ‘The Walters’ finally came into view as he rushed towards the restaurant. A trusted location already, and it wasn’t just the fact that it was warm and dry inside.
The moment he entered, a pleasant feeling immediately made him feel at ease, and the haste and stress that made his heart race already started to fade.
It wasn’t very packed for a Friday afternoon, but even then, he immediately noted the cozy atmosphere, the nice scents of hot coffee and delicious food, and the pleasant overall vibe.
He touched his blond wet hair and shook his head before slowly making his way inside.
Walking further, his eyes fell on the large group photo hanging on the wall. Axel was honored to be part of that photo, alongside the four brothers running the restaurant, together with their staff and friends.
Moving past the tables with an older couple and also something that looked like a business meeting, he made his way towards the bar where restaurant manager James Walters was talking to their blonde staff member, Dani.
Their conversation seemed serious, so Axel didn’t interrupt them right away.
He glanced at the menu board announcing the lunch special of the week: Crunchy Asian Broccoli Salad with Sesame Ginger Dressing.
Yum. Axel’s stomach growled when he read it, but he wasn’t here to eat, and Dani already noticed him.
“Oh, hi Axel! I’m so sorry, he was distracting me, the pretty waitress accused James immediately.
“You’re soaking wet,” she said, grabbing a towel and walking around the bar to help him.
“It’s fine. Just some rain. No umbrella and all,” Axel said, but he still accepted the towel and helped himself.
“Good to see you, Axel. Can we get you anything? Or let me guess, you’re here to see Josh,” James said, referring to his twin brother Josh Walters.
“Wrong,” Axel told him smugly, although he would love to say hi to Josh later. “I’m here to meet with Hank actually.”
James raised his eyebrows. “Oh really?” The guy looked as charming as ever, being the social restaurant manager with a flirty vibe all over him most of the time, but that was just his nature. He could simply talk to a plant and make people think he was flirting with it, while in fact, Axel knew there was only one person James would seriously flirt with, called Yuki Meyers. James’ boyfriend.
Although Axel had been used to seeing police officer Yuki around James, he didn’t seem to be here today.
Axel studied James. His brown hair was tied in a man-bun as usual, and it looked like it had been a while since he shaved, with his usual stubble beard just slightly longer this time.
He couldn’t believe he mistook James for Josh the first time he came to this restaurant.
Seeing James and Dani here together actually brought him back to that specific day. When he first met them, on a chaotic Monday morning at the start of this year.
The family business was just getting mentioned in a news report following a New Year’s Eve fireworks incident, and Axel saw a glimpse on the TV screen at a cafe where he was getting his takeaway coffee, for on his way to a meeting.
Suddenly drawn to the screen, he stood closer to hear part of the news report, as well as the statement from one of the staff members.
“It was quite an explosion. We have no idea why our restaurant was targeted. As far as we’re concerned, there have been no quarrels, threats, intimidation and no problems whatsoever.”
Josh?! Looked like Josh and sounded like Josh. Not having seen his old friend in years, not even his picture, it wasn’t too strange that Axel thought Josh had simply changed his style; growing his hair and a little beard.
Finally he found him. Josh fucking Walters! Axel’s precious childhood friend who disappeared into thin air.
The news report included the name of the restaurant: The Walters, which seemed to be reopening after a weekend-long recovery from the miniature New Year’s explosion.
Axel entered the name in Google Maps and saw it was about 35 minutes by public transport from where he was, 50 minutes on foot, or… less than 10 minutes by car. He checked the time and realized he would be able to make it if he hurried now.
“Excuse me? What’s your name?” he asked a random girl who was waiting for her order as well. She looked up from her phone and her eyes widened.
“No way. Axel Michaels?”
Of all people, he had to approach someone who recognized him.
“My name is Robin, are you recruiting me for a tasting?” she asked, delaying him with unncessary talk. Ugh. But as an influencer who literally lived for the follows, smiles and positive attention, Axel couldn’t be rude and shake her off hastily.
“I was actually going to tell you that when they call out the name Axel, you are free to receive my drink. Post it on your social media and tag @AxelMichaels, then I will definitely invite you for the next tasting,” Axel said.
He could’ve given her the drink for free easily. But he had to do it like this. Axel wasn’t Axel if he didn’t see this chance for extra exposure.
“Ohmygod, will do! Thank you so much! Can I get your pictu-” This time Axel had been rude as he rushed off in a hurry without taking a selfie with the girl, and without his Hazelnut Bianco Latte.
Outside, he was lucky to catch a taxi within seconds. He should’ve brought his car today, but of course he didn’t know this would happen. He preferred to be very mobile, and bringing his car and having to park it everywhere wasn’t his favorite thing to do in this big city.
“The Walters, please!” He gave the driver the address and they immediately started driving. But when he made his rash decision, he forgot about two important details: Monday morning traffic, and eh, checking the opening time?
He could literally smack his own head. Usually he calculated everything really well, but in this case he was just flustered and excited. He hoped it would be his chance to finally see Josh again.
So already later than scheduled, he arrived at the restaurant to find out they were still closed. “Sir please wait!” Axel chased after his taxi again like a loser, but the taxi already disappeared into the distance. Great!
The restaurant wouldn’t open in another hour, so Axel opened his Uber app and hesitated for a moment. He then decided to change his schedule.
He could’ve decided to go check out the restaurant later, because if Josh really worked there, then he didn’t have to go right now to find out. It could be later, or tomorrow, or the day after.
Axel couldn’t wait.
Now that he thought he would be able to find Josh, he wanted to hurry. Luckily he brought his laptop. So he rescheduled his meeting to an online meeting, sat down at a nearby breakfast cafe for a low quality video call with shitty WiFi, and ordered some plain coffee because he was too hasty to check out the menu.
“I’m so sorry, bad internet,” Axel apologized to the editor.
“I can see that,” was the dry reply while Axel’s head was probably pixelating charmingly.
The woman gave him a strict look. “It’s noisy too,” she said in a bossy tone. Axel looked around the crowded place where people were eating breakfast, mostly local breakfast meetings. In person, like how his meeting was supposed to be in person.
This morning meeting was all about the draft version of an article featuring Axel in the upcoming monthly 4-FOOD magazine publication and online blog. Somehow they twisted Axel’s words sometimes during interviews and he really preferred to write his articles himself, if only they would let him.
Sadly that wasn’t the case. He was merely featured, and he wasn’t one of their writers, so they just translated the interviews with him into articles of their own, which was fine if they didn’t make weird errors and little changes here and there, such as the statement that Axel preferred his pasta soft.
No. He liked it soft while most people were like al dente this al dente that. He just once said during an interview that in certain recipes, with certain sorts of pasta, soft pasta had its charms! It wasn’t bad! Al dente wasn’t always the way to go!
However, they phrased it as ‘prefers’ instead of writing he liked or tolerated it, so naturally ‘Axel Michaels the soft pasta preferrer’ got caught by some other food influencers who thought they were funny, and they jointly grilled him online, something that naturally escalated into the Italian YouTube landscapes as well. He even became a temporary meme. Oh well.
Luckily, that was already quite some time ago and the internet got over it, but some idiots still made jokes about it, even though Axel was sure that many people actually agreed with him.
Their editor never apologized for the slight mix-up. For her, liking or preferring something were the same thing, while Axel clearly disagreed.
Their current draft was actually quite fine apart from a few minor details he preferred them to change.
“I apologize. Is it alright if I send you my feedback by e-mail? It’s not much. I will make it up to you next time,” Axel said.
Karen, yes her name was Karen, stared at him for a moment, but Axel gave her his friendliest, most charming smile ever, and it worked.
“Of course. Send it by e-mail, if anything is unclear I will call you later.”
Preferably not, but Axel approved.
“Deal!”
He could finally end the awkward online meeting, paid for his unfinished coffee – he didn’t like it – and left in a hurry.
Secretly he was relieved that this was the outcome. From a physical meeting to a shitty online meeting to just… dealing with it through e-mail, which was fine for everything that could be dealt with by sending a simple e-mail.
If more of his partners saw that convenience, his days would be scheduled way more practically with less time spent on traveling around the city for exchanging some unnecessary yes’es and no’s.
The magazine 4-FOOD / FOR FOOD wasn’t even his favorite collaboration, but he needed them for more exposure, and they needed him for content and for approval of the content featuring him, so yes, it really had to work both ways.
Karen would have to deal with her deadlines and finding replacement without Axel, and without Karen, Axel would’ve put time and effort in this interview and collaboration for nothing.
Besides, this was already his 9th time getting featured in their magazine and online blog, which would always include a mention on their socials and helped improve his reputation, so he just wanted to keep working together for now.
Longlasting collaborations required effort to uphold them, but finding new partners was always going to be harder.
That was just his life as a writer and influencer in the world of food.
As 11 AM approached, he sprinted back towards The Walters and literally barged in. Breathless, sweaty, like a fool.
“S-sorry. I came – as soon as you were open! Geez, I should work out more!”
His irregular games of tennis were not enough to keep him in shape. If only he had more time and motivation to go to the gym!
“Can I help you sir?” the blonde waitress asked.
That was when he first met Dani, but more importantly… “Oh my god Josh!” Axel had been too excited and exhausted, he took one look at James and hugged him. While being all sweaty and gross. While hugging the wrong person.
“Missed you man!”
“Uh, uhm… You’ve got the wrong guy, dude.”
Oh. Well, that was embarrassing.
Axel often recalled the derpy mix-up whenever he saw James, like right now on this rainy day, months after their first meeting.
Or well, their first meeting was actually a reunion, but James didn’t really seem to remember him from the past. Which wasn’t too surprising. Axel would only hang out with Josh, and not with his twin brother James.
For today’s appointment at The Walters, Axel again didn’t show up at his best either. Wet and rained on, but at least he wasn’t sweaty and out of breath. He returned the towel to Dani and subtly sniffed his own armpit. Nope, not sweaty.
“Hank told me to meet him in his office, is it alright if I go up?” Axel asked James.
James shrugged. “Sure. If Boss said that, I won’t stop you. You know the way, right?”
Axel sure did know the way. He went into the door and up the stairs to where the brothers’ apartment was hidden.
Four adult men, living together the way they did. Miraculous. Axel loved that about them. Two floors with bedrooms, bathrooms, a living room and a kitchen, and an office where Hank Walters was currently working. The eldest brother and owner of the place.
“Come in,” Hank said after Axel knocked his door. Entering the small office, Axel saw the large man squeezed behind his desk, surrounded by paperwork. This office was even messier than Axel’s.
“Sorry I’m late,” Axel apologized.
“Just three minutes late, so that doesn’t count,” Hank said gently. “Drink?” he offered, but Axel shook his head.
“I’m fine,” he said, and he sat down in the chair Hank was gesturing at. Sitting down opposite him as if he came here for some kind of job interview, Axel made himself comfortable. It was anything but a job interview, although the two came quite close in comparison.
“Thank you for making time to visit at such short notice, I really appreciate it,” Hank said with a kind smile.
Axel nodded. “Of course, always happy to help,” he said. He didn’t bring his laptop, but he did have his phone with some notes in it.
A week ago when Josh and his twin brother James celebrated their 26th birthdays with a casual party at The Walters, Axel had visited them. The party was combined with a celebration for Theo, who turned 24 a few days before the twins’ birthdays.
Strange. When they were kids, Axel always saw Theodore as the tiny baby brother, but right now they were the same age. Not for long, hehe. Axel’s own birthday awaited him this summer, and he looked forward to celebrating it. He thought 25 was a beautiful age, and that it was totally going to be his year.
So at the party, as usual he hung out with Josh, but somehow with all the social gatherings going on that day, he also ended up talking to Hank Walters. During a brief talk about doing business, the restaurant owner admitted that their restaurant wasn’t in the best shape business-wise.
Having been involved personally, Axel knew all too well it was mostly because of the student party that had taken place about two months ago. The party had escalated into a fatal stabbing incident, which cost the life of the security guard who worked that night.
Axel himself attended to take some videos and photos, so he had experienced the tragedy first-hand.
More than that, he also saw the effect it had on their business. Within weeks, The Walters changed from a highly popular hotspot into a simple and quiet restaurant with lots of free tables, quiet afternoons and even quieter nights.
It was a relief when the topic came up during the birthday party, because it had definitely been on Axel’s mind. The restaurant before the party and after the party – the difference was too big, and too painful.
However, he had also been too hesitant to simply confront Hank or even Josh and James, about the visible decreasing success of their beloved family restaurant. He wanted to help them, really, but how to say ‘oh by the way, I noticed your restaurant isn’t doing so well,’ or something like that, and offer them his advice? Right, it would’ve been a little harsh and arrogant if they didn’t ask him about it in the first place.
Besides, Axel was slowly trying to catch up with Josh again, little by little. That included building trust between them, and he figured Josh wouldn’t confide in him yet about their business struggles either.
So when Hank brought up the topic by himself in a casual setting like last week’s birthday celebration, Axel could finally carefully share some thoughts he had, and even offered to come by sometime to have a chat in which he could share his advice for helping them boost the restaurant’s success again.
Now that he sat here, with his long list of notes in his phone and Hank’s gentle eyes focusing on him, he felt a little nervous and restless.
But he wanted to help Josh, he wanted to help the restaurant he and his brothers cared so much for, and sharing the ideas and thoughts he had from his own knowledge and experience in the food industry seemed like a great start.
“Before I start talking about my suggestions, I was wondering if maybe you could tell me a little bit more about your restaurant?” he asked.
Hank Walters nodded. “Oh, of course. Well… The Walters, this place has already been in business for decades. Before us, our uncle ran it together with his wife and a small team. He took over from his father. It was the family’s passion, and gradually grew to be mine as well,” he explained fondly.
He held up his hand and started counting. “Vegetarian menu with international inspirations, a small but dedicated team to connect with our customers, open every day of the week in the year – with the exception of Thanksgiving, well… Those used to be our main USP.”
Axel nodded. He already heard this part from Josh, but it was still an impressive story. In his field, he had visited many restaurants and had never encountered any place like theirs. A family business with their passion, dedication and values was unlike anything else he had seen so far.
Not to mention, his surprise to find Josh Walters there, but he shook his head to get rid of that thought. He was here for a talk with Hank, not with Josh.
“It’s incredible,” Axel said. “I think these are still your strengths.”
Hank shrugged. “The bad publicity changed some things, of course. I’ve been trying to find a way to attract more customers again, but we’ve never had to invest this much in marketing. Our true investments have always been our staff members and the quality of our products.”
Axel heard that from Josh as well. Their staff earned some serious money for the work they did. On top of that, they had a warm and loving team to work with, so he could understand why it was always such good vibes here.
“Comparing different strategies, I haven’t been able to think of a solution that works well for everyone. For both our restaurant and our people. And also…” Hank said, and he sighed.
“Ever since New Year’s, we haven’t been open everyday anymore. Obviously we needed to take some breaks.”
Axel listened carefully and nodded again. “Is that really a bad thing? In my opinion, the quality of your restaurant and your staff is not determined by your business hours. To be frank, I don’t know of any other restaurants your size with such business hours. Of course that is what would make yours unique, but the question is if it’s what you actually need to be successful.”
“So in other words, shorter days, hmm?”
“And a day off, possibly. It’s common, and I don’t think it will decrease the quality you have to offer. In fact, taking a day off might do you some good. I know continuing a legacy is hard, and changing the concept might be difficult too, but think about it,” Axel suggested. “Sometimes change isn’t so bad. Times are changing too.”
Hank nodded slowly. “Maybe you’re right.”
“But that wasn’t the most important thing I wanted to discuss,” Axel said. He didn’t need his notes, actually. He remembered everything he wanted to say.
“I’m all ears,” Hank said gently.
“Hiring specialized staff for marketing campaigns to attract more customers, longlasting and effective advertisements, hiring external promotional services, teaching your brothers how to run social media accounts~”
Summing up some of the options, Axel expected those exact facial expressions from Hank he was currently making, and he smirked.
“They’re not ideal, right?”
Hank shook his head. “Preferably not,” he said. “But I also realize, a time will come when beggars can’t be choosers.”
“Well, you’re not beggars yet, and let’s make sure that won’t ever happen, right? Actually I have an idea and would like to help you with it, if I may,” Axel said.
Hank made a face. “Really? I wouldn’t dare to accept your help again, especially after you already helped us so much,” he said.
“What if it’s not just my help, but a collaboration? I would benefit from it too,” Axel offered.
“Well…” Hank didn’t seem fully convinced yet. “I would like to hear about your idea.”
Axel told him in detail. Hank listened and nodded, and sometimes asked a question, but mostly Axel was talking. He knew from Josh and James that Hank could be critical at times, and maybe a little old-fashioned, so he was nervous about his response to the ideas he came up with.
At the same time, he knew that Hank treasured the restaurant more than anything. If he had such a strong sense of responsibility towards his business, staff and family, he wouldn’t turn down Axel’s suggestions immediately.
Indeed he didn’t. Convinced by Axel’s initial proposal, he was mildly positive and suggested to ask the people who would potentially be involved in such a plan, if they went through with it.
Theodore Walters, or the person Axel had actually in mind: Josh Walters.
Without at least one of them agreeing to do it, this idea would get nowhere and Axel may have to turn to one of his other alternatives. But this one really was the best idea he had.
Hank invited the two to come up. The youngest came in first: Theodore Walters, short brown hair and green eyes. Axel knew him the least well of all brothers, but he seemed very nice although a little timid. Axel especially saw Theo come out of his shell when Luca was around, Theo’s boyfriend.
After Theo, Josh came in, and Axel immediately smiled. There he was. Josh Walters, his childhood friend. It was a crime that Axel thought James was Josh back then. No offense to James. But despite being twins, Josh was just so much different.
Shorter hair, same face but his vibe was completely different. James radiated arrogance and confidence. Josh… Axel wasn’t sure. He seemed less timid than Theodore, but he always had an attitude as if he was hiding things. A mysterious aura and a shield that kept his real feelings and emotions protected. More than before, there was something mysterious about him.
Axel grinned. He was determined to unfold that mystery. He used to be Josh’s best and only friend, he was sure he could do it again. With time, and effort.
They all sat together in the kitchen where Hank gave them a brief summary of the idea, with help from Axel. Both Theo and Josh nodded as they listened to them.
“That sounds… wonderful, actually. But I don’t think I could do it,” Theo said. “I’m sorry.”
Axel expected such a response and turned to Josh. “Josh, we’ve known each other since we were kids. We used to make videos all the time, remember? I can help you through it,” he said.
Josh hesitated. If he would accept, that would include stepping into the spotlight. Something Axel knew was going to be hard for a person like Josh who didn’t even use any social media.
But he also knew how much Josh valued their restaurant, and he might do anything to help them improve their reputation.
Axel’s idea was quite a good shot at a win-win for both of them, and besides, they were friends.
“I’m not sure,” Josh said shyly. “I don’t think I can do it either. It’s not that I don’t want to. But I don’t think I can.”
“With my help, trust me, you’ll be a star in no time. Look what happened to Sora,” Axel said proudly, even though that had mostly been his younger sister Mia’s work. Sora, part-time waitress at The Walters, was featured in one of her vlogs and the two went seriously viral.
Long story, but not important now. Axel wiggled his eyebrows at Josh.
“I’ll help you in every way I can. That is a promise,” he said.
“….But what if I ruin it? Won’t I make our reputation even worse? And drag you along with it?” Josh asked. Hank looked like he wanted to say something, but Axel held up his hand.
“Now that won’t be possible Joshy. You know what? Why don’t we see right now?” He took out his phone and aimed the camera at Josh.
“Test, test. Josh, tell me about yourself.”
Josh stared at him. “Huh? Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
Hesitating for a moment, Josh awkwardly gazed at Hank and Theo. He seemed to be shy to do it in front of them, but didn’t appear willing to send them away either.
“Well, uh…. My name is Josh Walters. I’m 25, no, 26. Since last week. You uh, you were there, at my birthday. I cook. I’m a cook. I like to cook. And, hm…”
Hank and Theodore stared at Josh in horror. Axel stopped filming and lowered his phone.
“I told you I wouldn’t be able to do it,” Josh told them, blushing. Hank shook his head.
“I actually think you can, Josh. You just need to loosen up a little. Get more comfortable.”
“Maybe we’re with too many people here. I think I’d mess up too,” Theo admitted.
“You’re right, if it’s just Josh and I, maybe he can get used to it? I’ll help him,” Axel said. Hank nodded.
“Sounds good. So, Theo and I will go down. But before that…”
Axel watched in surprise how Hank walked up to Josh, and without warning… “HAh-Hahahank! W-w-whahat ahare you- nohoho!”
Bright, loud laughter filled the room. Axel was astonished to see Hank Walters tickle his younger brother to help him loosen up.
“Just making you relax a little, it’ll help,” Hank reassured.
“I d-don’t think it- oh no, Theheo d-don’t you dahahare!” Josh giggled when Theodore also stepped closer and helped Hank tickle him. Their fingers attacked Josh expertly, tickling his sides and tummy without giving him any chance to escape.
Axel couldn’t remember the last time he heard or saw Josh like this. His eyes were squeezed shut, and the smile on his face huge.
As if in a trance, Axel found himself holding up his phone again and started recording. It wasn’t even a fully conscious decision. Smiling at the playful display, he just continued to film how Josh was forced to laugh and giggle at his brothers’ mercy.
Axel felt himself blush a little but didn’t say a word. He wasn’t sure what was so flustering about this. Maybe just seeing Josh laugh like that when he barely ever made such a loud voice.
Or perhaps because Axel was quite ticklish himself, and not only that. It reminded him of the tickle fights they used to have when they were young. He loved tickle fights and controlled himself not to interrupt the brotherly moment. It would be too random to join them now, but secretly, he would love to be in Josh’s place and get tickled mercilessly as well.
“H-Hank! Hehe- t-thahat’s- plehease stop! Ahahaxel is still- ehehehe!”
“Don’t worry. You two have known each other for years. I’m sure he’s seen you getting tickled before,” Hank said.
Indeed, the two of them shared plenty of tickly memories from their childhood, but as far as he knew, those memories stopped after high school. Unfortunately.
“Ahahalright! I’m relahahaxed! G-guhuhuys!”
Hank and Theo finally stopped their joint tickle attack, and Josh dramatically sank on his knees.
“Unfair,” he mumbled tiredly, still smiling. Axel chuckled and quickly put away his phone.
“So, we’ll leave Josh to you. If somehow it still doesn’t work out, I’ll gladly discuss Plan B or any of the other plans you briefly mentioned, alright?” Hank said.
Axel nodded, excitement filling him once again. “Yes, Hank. I won’t disappoint you!”
Now that was fearless to say, but Axel cared about Josh, which meant he cared about his brothers and about the restaurant they worked at. So that would mean he would give it his all to help them make their restaurant back into the success it was, and hopefully, even better.
Hank and Theo both left to go downstairs and work in the restaurant, leaving the two of them alone in the small kitchen.
“Did that loosen you up?” Axel asked playfully as he helped Josh back on his feet. Josh nodded.
“Sorry you had to see that. But I guess it worked,” he admitted, stretching his arms for a moment.
“Should we try again?” he asked. “Just a test I mean, not actually film anything. My hair’s still…”
“Your hair looks great, Josh,” Axel said genuinely, and he ruffled Josh’s hair, making him cry out.
“Hey!”
Still laughing, Axel finally stepped back and grabbed his phone again, but he placed it on the kitchen table.
“But you’re right. We’ll practice again, I won’t film it. Just talk to me. Tell me about yourself, as if I’m meeting you for the first time. Don’t think of any camera recording you, because there won’t be.”
Josh seemed confused at first, but then he nodded.
“Alright, I think I can do that.”
To make things even easier, Axel invited Josh to sit down. They both sat at the kitchen table again, Axel opposite Josh.
“Well Joshy, the floor is yours,” he said. Josh smiled and started again.
“Hi, I’m Josh. I’m 26 and I work as a chef at The Walters.”
That already sounded a lot better and way more natural. Smiling, Axel listened while Josh continued to practice his introduction. And besides the practice for the video project, Axel actually really liked to get to know him all over again.
After all, he had missed a couple of important years in Josh’s life, and during this upcoming project, he looked forward to spending more time together. It could help them pick up their friendship again, better than ever, and also… Axel hoped to find out where they went wrong in the first place.