Chapter Text
Gehrman Sparrow had a somewhat unique job. If asked by a public service clerk, he'd tell them he was a security guard. If it was a random person doing a survey, he would say he's a traveler for his company.
If it's his neighbors asking since he isn't usually home, he says that he's a consultant. Most would call him a merc, but really it should be more of a bodyguard. Private security agent sounds better to his ear. He's well-traveled but he wasn't really on vacation while on the field.
He had jobs to do, lives to keep safe, and it wasn't bad in terms of the numbers in his bank account. Explaining his injuries to his neighbors were bothersome though. Gehrman sighs to himself as he wipes his glasses clean before continuing with his walk.
Gehrman finally got a three-month leave from his work. Thankfully after that last intense mission regarding maritime security, his boss was generous to let him avail his stocked up vacation days. But who knows when he'll be called again for reasons such as lack of personnel.
He was determined to enjoy his well-deserved vacation. Where he doesn't have to worry about possible bad guys or life and death situations. The new sights weren't too bad per se. When he had time to just take in his new surroundings, he'd even take pictures.
Maybe he should finally resign and be a photographer. Become an owner of a photo studio maybe?
His co-worker Danitz was always talking about how his crush was currently working in a cafe. This got Gehrman thinking, what about a career related to food?
His other co-worker Anderson had always described him as being like a gourmet during their outings in-between jobs where they actually get to enjoy the new country they were in.
As he mulls over the thought, he accidentally bumps into someone. Before he could apologize, the individual does it first.
"I'm sorry. Are you okay?" The lady in the maid dress asks. She had long black hair, brown eyes and a slim figure.
"No worries. I should be the one offering you my apologies for not being careful on where I was going. Are you alright?" Gehrman ask. With the lady's build, he was worried that she was that could have gotten hurt with their sudden collision.
Klein, the said lady, was currently wearing his uniform while handing out flyers to promote the cafe.
He and Rozanne were partners this time as they walk around the shopping district. They decided to split up to cover more ground. Thankfully he only had a few flyers left in his hand.
Before, he felt really embarrassed having to actually revealing himself in public in uniform. But with his wig and makeup on, he learned to adopt a persona contrary to himself as Klein Moretti. He's "Kleine". Emphasis on the '-e' at the end on his name tag whenever someone asks.
Klein had to tilt his head up, admiring the man's height and fit build.
'Woah...this guy was fit. An athlete? But his expression and the way he carried himself in public, either a lawyer or a policeman.' Klein ends up staring at Gehrman, the latter ends up looking away at being faced with such a focused stare.
Gehrman clears his throat. "Excuse me?"
"Oh!" Klein snaps out of his stupor, becoming flustered as he realizes what he was doing. "Sorry. I was just, you're quite tall." he smiles.
"...thank you." Gehrman nods.
"Sorry for the trouble. You must have been in a hurry..."
"Oh no, I wasn't. I was just...looking for a place to eat." It had been almost six months since Gehrman came back from overseas and he saw there were new shops here and there in the district.
"Oh! Well, you can come over to our café. We're currently holding a special dessert buffet. Of course if you don't prefer sweets, we also offer a variety of savory dishes for you to try." Klein goes into promotional work mode as he hands the flyers to Gehrman who accepts it.
"Just mention my name and you'll be sat right away. I'm Kleine, with an e at the end." Klein smiles politely.
Gehrman accepts the flyers, his eyes now filled with interest. It seems he was fortunate. He's been craving sweets and wanted to buy some (or a lot) to take back home.
"I'm interested. I'll come by later, thank you." Gehrman nods.
Klein brightens up at that. Yes! Another bonus added with his successful promotion of the café. He smiles at Gehrman: "We look forward to your visit."
Gehrman glances at the flyer then at Klein, specifically on Klein's outfit. He thought of something and was about to ask when–
"Please let go of me! You're hurting my arm-"
Hearing the shout, Gehrman looks over to the direction it came from. He then sees Klein tensing before immediately turning around to rush towards the commotion nearby.
"Rozanne!"
Rozanne, who was dressed also in her uniform, was being crowded by a group of thugs. One of the men was leaning his face close to hers, his hand around her wrist like he was trying to pull her into his arms. Rozanne was trembling as she struggled to pull her arm away.
Klein could see their perverted expressions and while most bystanders weren't actively doing something, some were shouting for the group to let go of her or were starting to call the police.
Seeing Rozanne's frightened expression, Klein immediately takes off his shoes and throws one of them at the group. Missing by a few inches, he still catches the attention of the group as the shoe instead collides against a store's closed shutter. The metal bang echoing around the area as they then turn to who just threw a three-inch sandal.
"What the-"
Klein follows up with his other shoe, this time his aim wasn't off as it hits the thug holding onto Rozanne directly on the nose.
"Fuck! Who did that!"
They all turn to look at Klein, now shoeless. He'll have to bear Trissy's scolding later since his stockings are now dirty.
"Let her go." Klein glares at them, unafraid.
"Who's this girlie playing the heroine?"
"Hey want to play with us?" they all leered and started to step towards him. "We just want to make friends."
Klein scowled at that, about to take off his wig so he can properly kick their asses before suddenly stopping in place as he senses something behind him. Something then suddenly flies past him and aimed towards the group of thugs.
It was a large trash can, hitting not just the thugs directly but the contents inside also spilled over their heads. So, they were now covered from head to toe by all sorts of food waste.
Rozanne saw the opportunity. Using her right foot, she aims and hits the nearby man in the groin. The man yowls and releases her, Rozanne immediately rushes to Klein's side. He looks at her in worry, frowning as she holds her bruised wrist to her chest.
"You okay?"
Rozanne smiles, "Except for my wrist and just going through that which was really scary... yeah, I'm okay. I made sure to aim low." She winks while grinning proudly at herself.
Klein smiles back but also winces inwardly. He almost wanted to cross his legs just imagining that pain. He and Rozanne turn around to see who threw the garbage can.
Klein was surprised to see that it was the tall bespectacled man from earlier. Woah, he looked quite scary with that cold glare in his eyes.
Gehrman steps forward, his gaze focused on the group of thugs. "Sexual harassment. Public disturbance. Physical assault. I believe the police will be interested to know more once they take you in."
Within a few minutes, the area was eventually filled with shouts, grunts which then turned into cries of pain and finally begging. The forming crowd were looking at the scene in both disbelief and awe, especially when Gehrman stopped a metal pipe aimed at his back with one hand. And then proceeds to throw the man off his shoulder and slamming him to the ground.
When the local policemen finally arrived, they were all shocked at how orderly the thugs were lined up while kneeling on the ground with their heads bowed down in shame.
Klein watches from the side as Gehrman explains the situation to the officers, opening his wallet to show his ID card. He wonders what was this man's real occupation.
The policemen appear surprised as they then bow to Gehrman and thank him for his act of service. Klein accompanies Rozanne when she asked for her statement while also getting her wrist treated by an accompanying medical officer.
Klein keeps his eyes on Gehrman who was bowing his head down in apology to the old man who owned the thrown trash can. He was sincerely apologizing but the cheerful old man reassured him that it was alright and he did a good deed for helping and taking care of those unruly thugs.
Those same unruly thugs were now cleaning up the same garbage they were covered in under the supervision by the local police officers.
As the ruckus wraps up, Klein and Rozanne decided that it was time for them to return to the café. Klein especially wanted Rozanne to take a break and that he'll cover her shift so she can go home early.
"Excuse me." Gehrman turns as he then faces Klein and Rozanne.
"Yes?"
"Thank you for your help, Mr..." Klein forgot that he didn't get the man's name earlier.
"Gehrman. I'm Gehrman Sparrow. And it was nothing. It's good your companion is safe." He nods at the two, Rozanne smiling in gratitude as she bows to express her thanks.
Rozanne then quickly glances at both Gehrman and Klein before smiling, now with a certain glint in her eyes. "Mr Sparrow, would you like to come over to our café? We would like to thank you personally. Our dessert buffet is currently open, and a half of our savory dishes are prepared by Klein."
"When-" Klein winces as he feels a stroke poke on his back.
"You also cook?" Gehrman looks at Klein who was giving Rozanne a look with an eyebrow raised before turning to the older man and nodding in response to his question.
"I'm a server. But I'm also a line cook especially if its busy. I also helped with the desserts."
"Klein's being humble! He conceptualized most of them~" Klein found Rozanne's smile becoming mischievous being very suspicious.
Gehrman looks at Klein then smiles, "I see you're very talented. Actually, I was planning to escort you back to your workplace, if you may. Just to ensure both of your safety. Please, lead the way."
The three head back to the café together. Gehrman being personally served by Klein who also offered to cook the meals the older man held interest in.
For someone who looked stoic, Gehrman was a gentleman and quite the foodie. Klein thinks while chatting with the man on his thoughts about the desserts.
Who would then have thought that after three months, Gehrman ends up applying for the café and gets accepted without discourse by Miss Evernight.
Klein was shocked as he then faces Gehrman who offers his hand to him.
"It's a pleasure to work with you." He smiles.
Klein's handmade pudding may have sealed Gehrman's decision to start working for the café. And perhaps also the opportunities to get closer to a certain server...