Work Text:
It was a normal day at Bistro Huddy. The place was packed, most of it was running smoothly, most. There were a few mess ups here and there, but nothing that the team couldn't manage. Yeah. Terry was doing paper work, sometimes getting bored and checking around the "restaurant". He would move around, not in front of the eyes, sometimes linger around the kitchen before Joey, the fucker, scolded him and sent him away, being all "HEY! This is my kitchen, get the fuck out!" and everything that annoyed Terry. He would storm out of the kitchen every time, huffing and cursing under his breath, gaining understanding gazes from Trick, who knew the routine way too well. He had grown around it, after all. He sighed, giving a disappointed look to his dad even though Joey avoided his gaze. Just like every time. A gesture all too familiar to the son. But he didn't say anything. He never did when they were at the restaurant. Amber didn't know Terry and Joey's history, which wasn't really too important since it was pretty clear that none of the two had anything for each other, except for annoyance. Trick could tell from every gaze. He knew how Terry used to look at his dad back when he himself was a pre-teen, and he recognized nothing from it now. At least when Terry looked at Joey. That was the main reason he figured out the manager's crush on Clint before anyone even told him. He knew the emotions in Terry's eyes all too well. Seeing it mostly got Trick mad at his father. He got snapped out of his thoughts when Bridgette suddenly reached him.
"Hey, Trick! Amber said that a couple was sat at your section. I suggest you check on them!" She informed, a soft smile on her face as she fiddled with her curls. Trick mirrored the expression. Bridgette was a pleasant change of subject.
"Thanks, Bridgette." He thanked, his hand squeezing Bridgette's free one before he walked off. Bridgette never failed to bring his mood up..
Back to the kitchen, Nicole was around there, waiting for her table's food to come out and also chatting with Ruby, taking advantage of the situation. They were chatting about a new True Crime they discovered, making Pickles very timid and scared. Of course, the guy wasn't a damn infant, but he was still sensitive. He didn't like violence. When the food came out, Nicole rolled her eyes, grabbing the plates. Joey yelled out "86 SANTA FE CHICKEN!" as she left, which was met with "Heard!" From both Nico and Pickles. After Nicole served the plates, going over all the "do you need anything else?" Routine and getting the best answer-which is a polite "no", by the way- she was walking to the kitchen to grab the other orders, when she paused. She started at Terry, who seemed lost in thought and staring at Clint. This time, he genuinely seemed to be zoning out instead of checking the blond out, which was.. Unusual for him. Nicole sighed, deciding on not to leave Terry like that since he was just standing there in the corner, his board looking like it'll slip off his hand. She touched his shoulder, making him flinch as he snapped out of his spacing out state.
"Huh?" The senior man muttered, looking at his employee.
"What the hell is wrong, Terry? Why are you just standing there all.. Distant?" Nicole asked, the frustration mask she used to cover her concern failing miserably, but thankfully, Terry was too disoriented to notice.
"I wasn't- that's not-" Nicole held her hand up, something she never really did unless it was serious.
"Go get some water, Terry. I'm serious." Terry, who normally would've grumbled about his authority being challenged or some bullshit like that, didn't protest. Just took a few steps backwards before turning on his heel and walking to the kitchen to get water. She looked back, noticing that Clint was just staring at the door that Terry just walked through, god, they were a mess. She went inside, just to "grab the plates", except, she didn't. She walked up to Ruby, asking where Terry went and learning that he was in the walk in the walk in fridge. Of course. Nervous manager + cooler = calmer manager. How didn't she thinks of that sooner? She walked into there, seeing Terry sipping his water. "Terry." Her voice made the man look back. "What the actual fuck is wrong? And don't start with the it's nothing bullshit."
Terry swirled the water in his glass, just like Clint did whenever he was drinking alcohol. Watching the bartender had it's "downsides", after all. He had started to mimick the man's actions. "It's.. Nothing yo should worry about."
"Just tell me."
"Nicole, look, it isn't something you could relate to."
"What do you mean by that? Getting old?" She threw lightly as a jab.
"Haha. So funny. But no. If you must know, it's about being gay."
"Oh, damn." The woman mumbled, she probably couldn't get the struggle of that. Not because she's straight, she wasn't. But she probably couldn't console Terry in this.. But she knew someone who could somewhat relate to..
The day went by like that with Terry giving up and staying in his office. Nicole noticed the way Clint's eyes searched the restaurant every minute that passed without Terry approaching him. This was way too weird for the manager to do. He didn't even see Terry when he clocked out, like, damn..
Nicole had somehow gotten Brad and Aaron to cancel out on closing, forcing Terry to close himself with Ruby. Both of them being quick workers, the things around the restaurant were done quicker than when the others closed. Terry was checking if the plates and stuff, organizing them a bit before everything was done. Ruby was leaning against the counter, watching him do that. She counted her cigarettes before taking one out, making Terry turn back.
"What are you doing?"
"Smoking."
"You shouldn't do that in here, you know."
"I know. I don't really care. No one will be here for hours, no one will notice."
"Well-"
"You want one?"
...
"What the hell.. Give me one.." He mumbled, taking one and lighting it up. The two smoked in silence for a moment, Terry sliding down on the newly mopped floor, not quite wet but not exactly dry. Ruby slid down next to him before opening her mouth.
"What happened today? All the zoning out and giving up? You didn't even tell Nicole to quit congregating." She asked before she took a drag off her cigarette. This was what Nicole wanted her to, after all.
"It's just- aw- I don't know how to explain it.. It's just the thought of never being a biological dad with the person I'll love.. I don't know. It's stupid, I don't even want more kids-"
"What do you mean by more?"
"Oh.. Well, damn. Guess gotta tell you, huh?" He took a drag off his cigarette. "I have daughters. Two."
"What?? Terry, who knows about that?"
"Only Joey, maybe Amber if he told her. I don't talk to them, though.. They probably hate me after the divorce with their mom." He took another drag out of his cigarette, spinning it between his fingers
"Oof.. That's rough, man. Why did you and your wife- ex wife.. Get a divorce? If you don't mind me asking."
"Nothing like a fight or anything. I realized I was gay, she realized that before I did and all.. But the kids are still mad because I wrecked the family or something.. They're religious and homophobic, as a cherry on top. They really hate me. It hurts but.. Not as much.. They're adults after all, they don't need me." He took another drag off his cigarette before putting it out.
...
"Man, look, I know I don't say this too often, hell, no one really does.. You're doing a great job. I mean, i wouldn't be able to handle it. What I'm trying to say is- talk to us. I'm serious about that, Terry.. You've known us for a long time, we're basically all friends, you know?"
"Hah, I wish! I'm just a loser who likes his employee and is stuck at a dead end job for them. I can't even get anything together.."
"That's-.. That's not entirely true. We might give you shit, yes, but we don't think you're a loser."
"Hard to believe, but, alright.." He looked at Ruby, watching the sous chef put her cigarette out. "Hey.. The guys aren't giving you too much trouble, right? Being in the same space with Joey for long amounts of time can suck hard."
"It sucks, but, I manage. I like what I do, and seemingly, most people do, too." Terry laughed, then asked.
"What's everything with Nicole? I know a lot happens but.. I don't know. I want you guys to be happy, you know?"
"Actually.. Nicole wanted me to talk to you."
"What?"
"Yeah. She was worried about you. I guess she thought I could relate to you on sexuality based stuff, not liking the opposite gender and all."
"Oh. Well, thank you.."
....
...
"Wanna close?"
"Yeah.. That'd be fine.. Want me to drop you off? I totally can."
"Nah.. My house isn't too far away. Still, thanks."
"Well, alright.. Take care. Go carefuly.."
He dusted himself before adding.
"And thank you."
Ruby nodded.