Chapter Text
The first rays of sunshine were already gracing the streets and the green leaves on the trees. One of the best things of summer. Bright early mornings, pleasant temperatures and beautiful dawns!
Love smiled as she made her way on her roommate’s creaky bicycle that served her well during her temporary stay in New York. Thanks, Christian!
The old vehicle sometimes made her think it was going to fail her, but it was as hard-headed and stubborn as Love herself.
Her long, red hair waved behind her as she approached The Walters. After New Zealand, France, Canada, and various other epic places, the specific restaurant had become a close contender as one of her favorite places on earth. Like seriously.
Owned and managed by four brothers who took over from their uncle and aunt, the family restaurant was already in business for decades, serving a variety of vegetarian dishes and overall good vibes.
Most of all… a certain restaurant owner had gradually reserved himself a special place in her heart over the past couple of months.
“No way. Were you waiting for me?” Love asked when she saw him stand outside the restaurant where he eagerly rewrote some things on their menu board.
At 6’6, Hank Walters was hard to miss. Broad shoulders. Half-long brown hair. And… He turned around when he saw her approach and grinned. Yeah. Beautiful dark eyes and a smile to die for.
“What, me? Just working on our sign.”
Love snorted. “Yeah. At five thirty in the morning.”
He shrugged. “Busted.”
Before Love could climb off her bicycle, Hank already approached her and bent down to kiss her lips. His huge hands covered hers on top of the bicycle handles, holding them tenderly while his lips reminded her of the addictive taste of him.
“Such a nice welcome,” Love purred.
“Everything for my favorite person, Ms. Miller.”
“You’re such a goof, Mr. Walters.”
They both chuckled while Love finally parked her bicycle outside the restaurant, and she entered the place for her usual morning cleaning shift. Her favorite.
Dressed in merely a T-shirt and shorts, with her sweater tied around her middle, Love entered the restaurant.
The comforts of her summer clothing and the tender way Hank held her hand reminded her of how different it was when she first came here. Months ago, when the mornings were still cold and dark, and when Christmas songs spammed every place in the city, including The Walters.
A funky cover version of The Jingle Bell Rock was heard when Love entered the crowded restaurant where her older brother was already waiting for her at the bar. She squeezed herself through the crowd – was this a restaurant or a club? – and finally reached him.
“Better late than never, sis!” He gave her a hug and squeezed both her sides to bully her, making her giggle and smack him.
“Tom, you’re evil. You said it was near our old house but, gosh!” Love said breathlessly. Her entire face had been freezing from the cold.
Tom shrugged. “You were stubborn and wanted to go by bike. I offered to pick you up, didn’t I?”
“Which doesn’t change the fact that you suck at giving directions,” Love retaliated. With her 5’6 she barely reached her older brother’s shoulder. Tom Miller was easily the tallest person in the building right now.
Even taller than… “Hank! She’s here. Meet my little sister, Love. I mean, meet her again. I know she’s barely grown, but she’s changed just a bit since the last time you saw her.”
Tom introduced her to his best friend Hank, who did look like how Love remembered him. Except… older, bigger, more mature?
“Hi Hank. It’s been a while. I’m Love,” she said, shaking his hand, and she glared at Tom, adding: “I know I’m the ‘little’ sister when it comes to size, but I’m 26 by now. Don’t let him fool you~”
Hank chuckled. “Love, it’s good to see you. How have you been? Well, I’m Hank. Obviously. You knew that.” His hand was huge compared to hers, but his grip was somehow gentle, and his hand felt especially warm as it held hers, which was still cold from her bicycle ride.
They both snorted at the awkward reunion. Love thought it was scandalous how little she’d interacted with her brother’s best friend, but in her defense, she had quite the busy and adventurous life which she mostly spent abroad.
Although Tom wasn’t her only brother, he was the only one who still lived in New York where Love spent most of her childhood, and all of her brothers’ friend circles just weren’t a part of her life back then.
“Don’t worry, I’ll take us upstairs. You show her the way, Tom? I’ll go get us some food,” Hank said when another loud Christmas hit triggered a group of customers to burst into song.
“Any dietary wishes?” he asked Love, but before she could answer, Tom pulled her against him and tickled her side playfully.
“This little gremlin you mean? She’s an everything-eater, right Low? She’ll eat anything you serve her.”
“Hehehey!” Love punched her brother’s shoulder and finally turned to Hank.
“Anything is good indeed. Thanks,” she said, a little out of breath. That beast Tom!
Hank smirked at her and nodded before turning around to head towards the restaurant kitchen.
Giggling and humming along with the catchy Christmas song, Love followed her brother up the stairs to where Hank apparently lived, in an apartment right above the restaurant.
Not just Hank. He lived here with his three brothers, who were all part of the team running the restaurant, with Hank being the oldest and most experienced.
“Cozy,” Love chirped when Tom guided her into the kitchen on the first floor. The small space offered a tiny kitchen and dining room combined. Love smirked and approached the wall that was decorated with various photos of the brothers, their staff, and of course Tom.
“You still had a proper haircut here,” Love said, pointing at one of the pics on the nostalgic photo wall.
“Watch it, Low,” Tom warned jokingly.
Hehe. Love rolled her eyes with fondness when he said the old nickname once again.
Low was a nickname that was used exclusively by her brothers, basically short for:
L = Little
O = One Brain Cell
W = Wild
Or… just low. Close to the ground. They already called her that since she was little. The creative jerks. She loved them for it.
Before Love could respond to Tom, Hank already came in with a tray that carried delicious looking bowls of curry, instantly filling the kitchen with the lovely aroma.
“Our trademark cauliflower curry. I hope you guys are hungry.”
“Starving!” Love exclaimed, jumping into one of the seats, and she eagerly accepted the meal. So tasty!
“So, as discussed,” Tom said, getting down to business mid-lunch. “Lowlow here will join and take over some of my shifts starting next week. It’ll help her prepare for the few months when she will fully take over. She’s a cleaning pro with quite some experience so there should be no issue with that, only…” Tom gave her a judgemental look.
“She may need a little ladder here and there. No offense sis,” he laughed.
“None taken,” Love replied. She took another bite and only because she was busy eating, decided not to mention that not being Tom-style 6’9 actually had its conveniences for cleaning jobs.
Such as crawling under and behind tables, scrubbing the floor, and she could easily climb on top of chairs and tables if she needed to reach anything.
Already for years, Tom ran his own company for cleaning, repairs and other handy jobs he might fit into his schedule.
His services were offered to a variety of businesses, but Hank was one of his most important customers.
The two had been best mates for a long time and although the brothers paid him properly for his services, Love was aware this restaurant was like the one and only place on Tom’s priority list.
His business had always been like a one man show. Something he managed himself successfully for years in a row, building up a good reputation and expanding his client base all through word of mouth.
However, now that Tom and his wife Natalie were expecting their first child, he longed to spend less time on his busy company, and more time on his upcoming fatherhood.
Love was still miles away at her oldest brother Matt’s place in New Zealand when she heard the news of Natalie’s pregnancy.
Although her initial idea had been to travel to Brazil next, she canceled those plans and chose to offer her help to Tom. So that was that. After years, she was now back in New York!
The reintroduction to Hank Walters had been nothing but nostalgic. Love was still a feisty 16 year old when they first met in the past, but they never had in-depth conversations.
Just like Tom, he was about 8 years older than she was, and although she would see him from time to time at birthday parties or other gatherings, she didn’t know him well.
Now ten years later, she truly appreciated the man who always had Tom’s back when he was a rough high schooler himself, and of course she was pleased to help with keeping their restaurant clean while Tom would gradually take time off work to take care of his pregnant wife, and soon, his son Tommy!
How much time had flown by since she started taking over Tom’s shifts.
By now, little Tommy was already 6 months old, upbeat summer hits had long replaced the repetitive Christmas songs, and Hank…
Love smiled when he followed her to where the restaurant’s cleaning materials were stored, and then to the bar where she stalled out everything she needed.
Hank Walters had become someone very special to her.
In the months they spent together, he had reshaped her love life in a way she couldn’t have ever expected.
“What’s this, Boss? You gonna clean with me?” Love asked, turning around and looking up at him. Hank chuckled and placed both his hands on her hips, pulling her closer.
“If you’ll allow me,” he said politely.
Love shrugged and slowly stood on her toes, reaching up. “Well… Only if-“
They both jumped apart when loud stomps could be heard coming down the stairs. Josh Walters barged in, Hank’s younger brother, the one in charge of cooking at the restaurant.
“My charger, I think I left it here,” he said breathlessly. Hank eyed him.
“Josh, calm down. I thought you said you packed everything for the trip,” he said. His hands were no longer on Love’s hips.
“I did, no I thought I did. I just- hi, Love- I think I… Let me go check.” Josh rushed into the kitchen. Hank sighed.
“Josh…” he growled. Love chuckled and she reached for his lower back and patted it soothingly.
“He will be fine,” she whispered. Today was the day Josh would leave on his trip to Europe, together with his boyfriend Axel.
Not just a trip. The first time Josh would go abroad. Away from their tight family, for over a month.
Although Hank had told Love before that they hadn’t always been as close as they were now, the four brothers had been inseparable for years. Literally.
Living together, working together, keeping the restaurant running with just their own family and a small team of dedicated staff members.
Their parents had abandoned the brothers when the three youngest were still in high school, exchanging their life in New York for London without ever turning back, and all the guys had was each other.
So yes, Love understood Hank’s conflicted feelings about Josh flying to another continent for the first time. It wasn’t just as simple as seeing your brother off. In this case, Hank took the role of a parent, and of course he was worried, anxious, and excited for Josh at the same time.
“It’s not here,” Josh said, walking out of the kitchen again, and he ran his hair through his short, brown hair.
“Josh? You can take my charger~” Next to appear was James Walters. Josh’s twin, but apart from their faces, they were nothing alike.
Usually with a messy man-bun, although currently just a cute bed-head, the restaurant manager’s hairstyle, personality and entire vibe had always been completely different.
James had an overall cocky attitude but was still very charismatic and adored by the customers, while Josh was more quiet and less open in public, even though he had become quite popular recently through a vlog series he starred in, led by his influencer boyfriend Axel Michaels.
Apart from being generally shy, Josh showed off some more of the typical brotherly jerky behavior when he was with his family, especially when it came to James and their youngest brother Theodore, and… speak of the devil.
“Josh, I think I took yours last night, I’m so sorry,” Theo said, arriving in the restaurant as well while holding up a phone charger.
“Ah, thanks baby. I think that’s mine indeed. No problem. I’m busy right now so I guess we’ll save your punishment for later,” Josh said, making Theo yelp.
“Josh~!” he whined.
Theodore Walters, despite being just two years younger than the twins was often referred to as ‘baby’ or ‘baby brother’, and Love actually agreed.
In a positive way.
He was always the cutest baby. Such a gentle person.
A sweetheart, just like his cute boyfriend Luca Valley. A college student and just slightly taller than Love, which meant… not very tall. He was also a sweetheart.
Love smiled at the sight of Theodore in his PJ’s. She was used to seeing him in his work outfit. He was a chef in charge of the food, together with Josh.
“Good morning Theo, James, Josh,” she greeted merrily.
“Ah, good morning Love,” Theo said, looking at her with his beautiful green eyes.
“Morning Love! But hey Josh, why don’t you take my charger still? My spirit will be with you if you do~” James said to Josh.
His twin brother eyed him, then looked at the charger and he scrunched up his nose.
“Sure I can take it if you want to be rid of it, but I’ll only use it if I feel like setting the hotel on fire,” he said.
“Hey! Nothing’s wrong with my charger!” James whined, looking at it, and the cable was indeed quite worn-out.
Hank laughed. Such a soft, charming and low sound that instantly made Love’s insides burn. Damn.
“Well, good morning everyone. Up early aren’t we?”
“Of course. I need to finish packing. I woke up suddenly realizing I didn’t remember packing my charger, and I believe there’s some other things too so I need to unpack again and double-check,” Josh sighed.
“Today isn’t any normal day, Boss. Joshy’s going to fly,” James said dramatically.
“Right, I know I’m not the one going abroad, but I felt so excited I couldn’t sleep,” Theo admitted.
Love felt privileged to peek into the brothers’ sweet, unfiltered interactions.
While they would mess around behind the scenes every now and then, they were usually well-behaved at work, taking care of their customers and staff with grace and charm.
“Hank, why don’t you make them some breakfast upstairs so you can all eat together before Josh leaves, hmm? You’re all up anyway,” Love suggested.
They all looked at her.
Hank smirked. “That’s her style of saying we’re in the way, right?” he joked, looking down at the cleaning supplies which Love didn’t even use yet.
“That too,” Love replied, smirking back at him.
“I think it’s a good idea. Aren’t you joining us, Love? You need to eat plenty so you can grow,” James said, earning a playful shove from Josh for making that remark about her height.
Love giggled and shook her head. “I need to get work done here.”
“Really? It’s not that dirty,” Josh said, looking around the restaurant. Theo nodded.
“She can join us for breakfast, right Hank?”
Love and Hank stared at each other for a moment. She could see he wanted her to join, but he would leave it up to her.
“I’m good. Tom trusts me with this responsibility, remember? You guys go ahead. Besides, I already ate.” Love winked at them, and finally they all nodded.
“Alright, see you later Love,” Hank said, and the others greeted her as well. Then the four tall men finally moved up towards their apartment, leaving Love alone in the restaurant.
Phew.
She sighed and finally did her job. She put on her favorite music and focused on making sure the entire restaurant was clean.
Meanwhile, she continued to smile, feeling giddy and filled with happy vibes from that funny and chaotic encounter just now. Such a nice family.
Hank’s brothers actually didn’t know he and Love were a thing. Not yet. To them, she was just the temporary cleaning staff, Hank’s friend, and Tom’s sister.
They all knew Tom well and loved him. That was adorable. They even called him Super-Tom sometimes, because he would solve and fix anything for them rapidly, like broken windows, any property damage, and so on.
Actually, Tom and his wife Natalie were the only ones who knew about their relationship. Not even Love’s parents and other brothers knew about it either.
Truthfully, the way Love and Hank started dating was still hard to explain in words. It wasn’t the ‘would you like to go out with me’- sort of thing that suddenly made them official, giving them a day to celebrate being an official couple and a desire to announce it to their family.
It just happened gradually, and although Hank did not mean for it to be kept a secret from his brothers, and Love felt the same way about her own family, they preferred to just keep it subtle while they worked out their feelings and figured out how their relationship would take shape.
After all, they were both each other’s first loves and first romantic relationship, and also… Love was still going to leave New York again in September, which was already… next month.
Her flight was booked long ago, plans and promises were made, and they already agreed she wouldn’t suddenly cancel everything to stay with Hank, so yes…
What then?
For that reason, while their feelings for each other were definitely confirmed and mutual by now, they also both chose the careful wait-and-see approach. Which worked fine actually!
Enjoy their time together, live in the moment, and whether they could remain a couple afterwards or not, or whether Love’s departure would put an end to this special connection they had, well… That was a thing to worry about later.
“Love?”
Love was so caught up in her thoughts, surrounded by happy music, she didn’t even notice Hank, huge as he was, standing behind her. Until he tickled both her sides, making her jump up and screech.
“HAHAHANK!” she squealed, dropping the mop she’d been using and spinning around to poke him back. Hank did not even twitch. He simply caught one of her wrists, holding her steady while he tickled her again.
“How didn’t you even notice I was here? Should I be offended?”
His fingers continuously grazing against Love’s lower side and waist in a lazy tickle attack made her go weak. Such little effort, yet so ticklish!
“Hehehe you wehehere s-supposed to eheat with your brohohothers!”
“I did. It was breakfast, not a three course meal,” Hank said calmly, still tickling her.
Ah, time had gone by so fast then. It always did when Love was cleaning.
“Then y-you should hehelp too- ahahahack!“
“Sure will. Just came to check on you to see if you’re almost finished. You know Tom will be here later hm? To drive us to the airport and see off Josh. Would you like to come with us?”
“Ahahahalright- l-let me fihihinish fihihirst!”
Love pried at his hands, but he was strong and firm as ever. He only stopped tickling her when he decided to, and not because her wild struggles and attempts at pushing him off did anything useful.
Pffft. It was always like this. Hank loved to tickle her, and well, she loved it just the same.
She would never forget the first time she felt his fingers on her. Brief, light, and quick, yet turning her weak, crazy, and hysterical already.
And why? She almost literally asked for it.
“Are you ticklish?”
The question was innocent and random, aimed at Hank only because he reacted slightly when her arm brushed against his side.
He had been in her way already, hopping around while she had one of her first cleaning shifts. A little annoying, actually.
She knew Hank didn’t do this during Tom’s shifts, and Love had already told him she didn’t need any help, even though it hadn’t been long since she started the cleaning jobs without Tom.
Her brother taught her well, and she could find her way easily without the restaurant owner shadowing her all the time and asking if he could assist.
Oh well.
“Huh?” Hank stared at her.
Love giggled. “I asked if you’re ticklish.”
“I heard that.”
“So? What’s your answer?”
Hank smirked. “I’m not going to answer that.”
Love glared at him. She could always ask Tom, he would most likely know. There was no way Tickle Monster Tom didn’t ever try to tickle his best friend Hank.
But it was a lot more fun to find out this way…
“If you’re not going to answer, I might wanna try it,” she admitted, slowly reaching for his side. He didn’t even flinch.
“Trust me, you don’t want to do that,” Hank said, sounding quite playful and threatening. She raised her eyebrows and instead of one hand, reached out with two, her fingers wiggling eagerly.
“Oh? Challenge accepted~”
Well, he wasn’t bluffing. She could barely touch his side before he turned the tables big time. Love ended up caught like a little rabbit.
One of Hank’s hands held both her hands, trapping them together. His other hand clawed gently at her defenseless sides, switching rapidly between right and left to show off how big and flexible his hand was, and how little she could do about it. Tch.
“EEHEEE! AHahahack okahahay! Wahaha!” Love squealed. Children who play with fire will get their fingers burnt, something like that? This was a pleasant fire though.
Hank didn’t tickle her for long. But he seemed to think it was enough to prove his point.
Love stumbled backwards and giggled when he feigned another attack. “I warned you,” Hank sang.
Well yes, but Love never expected him to actually…! She rubbed her sides that were still feeling ticklish, and she shook her head.
“Alright, alright,” she sighed. “But you didn’t tell me no. Which means you might be ticklish. I’m intrigued,” she admitted.
Hank shook his head. “I was being gentle just now. It’s better not to try again,” he warned kindly.
Didn’t he have any idea of how inviting this sounded?
Besides, finally the last bit of awkwardness slipped away from between them, and with this new challenge lingering in the air, Love couldn’t help but feel this certain fire inside her.
A mission. A goal. A purpose.
Tickle Hank Walters, and make him giggle.
She smirked. “You don’t know me well enough Hank, so I can’t blame you. But if there’s one thing you should know… I never back down from a challenge.”
And that had been the first baby step of many in the direction of their blooming love that would change her life forever.