Work Text:
If Laurance was honest with himself, working at Olive Garden was FAR from his first choice. Did he enjoy cooking? Yes. But did he enjoy waiting and serving? No. And yet he was stuck with it, all because he was newly hired.
"You have to prove you can do simple, menial tasks before we'll let you ANYWHERE NEAR our food!" That's what the hiring people had said.
He'd already taken care of a few tables, not that he was really trying to keep count, and was taking a small break to rest his feet when a cranky voice called for him once more.
"Lorenzo! You got a table!" Countless times prior, the old man that was his boss had messed up name, and no matter how many times Laurance had corrected him - politely or otherwise - he still never got it right. At this point, it felt purposeful, so Laurance just ignored it as he grabbed a notebook and walked over to the table, lost in his thoughts as he forced a smile on his face and began the routine that came with this shit.
"Hello, I'm Laurance, and I'll be your waiter for tonight. Can I get you started off with some drinks-" As Laurance looked up to see how many people he'd be taking orders for, he practically froze as he saw Garroth Ro'meave staring wide-eyed back at him. It felt like they just stood there like that for a bit before the woman sat across from Garroth spoke up.
"Could we please get the wine menu?" Looking over, he recognized the woman rather quickly. It was Ivy Venena, one of the top students from O'khasis Prep who was now going to Falcon Claw University, where Laurance also went. Despite this, there was no sign of recognition in her eyes.
"Of course... Give me a second..." As Laurance walked away to grab the menu, taking it as an opportunity to regain his composure for Garroth's sake, he felt his... former best friend's... eyes follow him from behind.
Did they have a falling out? No. But college life had swept them both up and away from each other, and it admittedly hurt that, of all people, Garroth wouldn't tell him he was seeing someone. Knowing that Garroth had someone like that in his life... it made Laurance's chest feel heavier.
And I thought this night couldn't get any worse...
Eventually, his hand fell on what he was "looking" for, and he returned to the couple, face void of true emotion as he handed them the menu.
"Hm... I'm feeling like rosé, what about you, Gar-Gar?" Garroth seemed to jump as Ivy talked to him, though it wasn't like Laurance noticed. He was trying his hardest not to even catch a glance of those oceanic teal eyes. Regardless, Garroth didn't get to answer as Ivy made up her mind without him. "We'll get the Confetti rosé, waiter." She smiled as she handed back the menu, and yet he couldn't help but notice it was as fake his own. Still, he took it, restraining the urge to show hostility.
"I'll get on that, ma'am." Laurance turned, but let his eyes linger too long behind him as his eyes accidentally met Garroth's.
SHIT.
He immediately finished his turn and beelined for the kitchen, PRAYING that that... mistake... wouldn't ruin anything...
Eventually, he was given everything necessary for serving the wine, including a fancy ice bucket that the large bottle sat in and a fancy pair of wine glasses. He didn't say a word, keeping his eyes on the wine and mostly ignoring Ivy as she continued rambling on about shit Laurance was SURE was of no interest to Garroth. But what did it matter? Garroth was an adult by now. He could make his own decisions...
"Would either of you like some appetizers, or shall we cut right to the entrées?" Laurance held up his notebook, forcing his grin wider and his eyes further from Garroth's face.
"Of course we'll get some appetizers, right, Cupcake?" Ivy said, looking towards Garroth. "We'll get the calamari."
"Will that be all for appetizers?"
"Yes." Ivy was clearly peeved by this question, though Laurance could only imagine why.
"And for entrées?"
"I'll get the Calabrian Steak & Shrimp Bucatini, and he-"
"I'll get the Chicken Parmigiana, um, please," Garroth answered quickly, cutting her off.
"Are you sure that's what you want, Teddy Bear? Are you sure you don't-"
"Alright, I'll go tell the kitchen to get your food started." Laurance left as soon as possible, feeling the growing tension between the "couple." He stopped, of course, to put in their orders to the kitchen, and then suddenly felt the pit in his stomach deepen as he stood there, waiting with absolute terror for the appetizers to finish. He couldn't help but stare at Garroth and Ivy as they sat at their table, clearly disagreeing, and while Garroth was blatantly frowning, Ivy was trying to keep up their "perfect couple" appearance with a tight smile.
Laurance was startled from his staring with a sudden, somewhat loud noise that he was all too familiar with, telling him that the appetizers were done. He quietly grabbed the calamari, along with the parmesan grater and a stand, and stood before their table, grater in hand.
"Parmesan?"
Garroth opened his mouth to answer when Ivy snapped her head in Laurance's direction, giving a quick and snappy "No," much to her "Teddy Bear's" clear disappointment. With that, Laurance just set it on the table.
"Your food will be out shortly." And with that, he left to return to the outskirts of the kitchen.
He felt the pit in his stomach growing as he, somewhat unwillingly at this point, continued watching the pair. In an attempt to completely tear his eyes away from the scene, he speed-walked to the bathroom, locking himself in a stall for a second.
He was fine, he just... needed a break! That was all...
You know he's just a typical straight man. Why do you still care? Why can't you... have given him up by now...?
When he realized sitting in a bathroom stall, sulking was getting him nowhere, he forced himself out and to the sink, where he threw cold water onto his face. He looked longingly towards the paper towel... when someone entered. A blond someone.
As he entered, he looked over his shoulder into the world past the door, clearly trying to watch someone, only to turn and then see him.
"L-Laurance..."
"... Garroth..." Laurance bit his lip. Despite his... complex feelings towards the man at the moment, he hadn't actually considered what he'd do if he ever actually got the chance to talk to him one-on-one. "I... I should get back-"
"Laurance, wait!" Garroth called to him desperately. "P-please... It's been months since we last talked... I missed you."
Laurance couldn't articulate how much that pulled on his heartstrings to hear.
"Heh... me too... Hot date?"
"Ugh... I... I don't know..." Laurance raised his eyebrows, feigning surprise. "This is honestly my first time ever going on a date like this, and... it's weird..."
"Ha! How so?"
"Well... first things first... this was a blind date my parents set up..." And suddenly, everything seemed to shift.
"W-what?"
"Ivy... she's the daughter of one of my father's associates, and he managed to convince my mother that I was lonely and should see someone, especially someone who could benefit his company... I didn't get much of a choice in this..." Garroth looked away shamefully. "And aside from that... apparently she's known of me... longer than I've known of her..." His expression changed from shame to discomfort as he thought of his new "girlfriend."
"Garroth..." Laurance had to pause. This only made things more... complicated for him... Eventually, he settled on his response. "Garroth, you're an adult by now. I understand how your parents are, ESPECIALLY your dad, but at some point, you need to start standing up for yourself, whether against your parents or even just Ivy. There's nothing I can really do for you, especially not right now."
Garroth stiffened at Laurance's words. He clearly wasn't expecting it, but as he looked away, his expression seemed to be of consideration rather than anger. When he looked back into Laurance's eyes, there was a new spark of hope in his eyes. Regardless, his face was the happiest it'd been all evening, despite it being an also sad expression.
"I'm just... happy to see you..." Garroth said before turning and exiting the bathroom.
Laurance stood there for a moment, trying to figure out if what he just experienced was real or not.
"LARK! YOU'RE TABLE'S GONNA STARVE AT THIS POINT! GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE!"
"Coming... Boss..."
...
Laurance came over to check on Garroth and Ivy after they'd gotten their food.
"Will you folks be getting dessert tonight?"
"Ye-"
"No, thank you," Garroth cut Ivy off, a much more confident and comfortable look on his face as he kept his eyes entwined with Laurance's.
"W-what!? B-but... Gerroth, darling! You said anything I wanted was fine, and-" Ivy's face was turning more and more red by the second as she stared at him as if he had just hurt her puppy.
"No, I didn't," Garroth responded calmly, keep his voice and face level, despite the fact that Laurance could see his extreme anxiety only visible deep in his eyes. "Personally, I'm full. Aren't you?"
"B-but Gare-" Her face started to contort with full anger, and her voice raised slightly.
"One check, or two?" Laurance asked, mainly ignoring Ivy.
"One. I'll pay."
"Alright, sir. I'll make sure to get that for you."
As Laurance walked to get the receipt and mints, he had a bit more bounce in his step than he'd had since arriving to work.
He dropped off the bill, and Ivy suddenly got in his face, red as ever.
"YOU! THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT! YOU'RE ACTIVELY TRYING TO RUIN MY DATE! TO TURN MY GAR-GAR AGAINST ME! IT WAS ONLY AFTER HE WAS WITH YOU IN THAT BATHROOM THAT HE STARTED TREATING ME THIS HORRIBLY!"
Hm... she saw that... Lucky me...
"Ma'am, I have no clue what you're talking about-"
"DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM!? I CAN HAVE YOU FIRED FOR THIS! IN FACT, I WILL!" With that, she stormed off.
"And... what was that? What'd you say to her?" He quietly snickered to himself as he asked Garroth, who, he himself, was looking somewhat mortified.
"All I said was that the date was nice, but I don't believe things would work out between us... That wasn't so bad, was it?"
"Not enough to warrant... that..." Laurance responded, his laughter becoming a lot more audible.
"Good, I was afraid I was crazy for a second..."
"Want me to walk you out?" He gave a genuine smile as he looked at Garroth and offered him his hand.
"Why not?" Garroth took it.
They walked side-by-side, leisurely, as they caught up, laughing about stories old and new alike, just like old times. It wasn't until they reached the door that their bliss was interrupted.
"LUCAS!!!"
The boss came storming over, his face almost as red as Ivy's had been previously. From behind him followed Ivy, who had crocodile tears and a poorly hidden smirk.
Shit... guess she's a woman of her word at least...
"What's this I hear of you harassing our customers!? Especially this young lady and her boyfriend right here!?"
"Sir, I did no such thing."
"And where's your proof!? Huh!?"
"Where's her's?"
"DON'T ACT SMART WITH ME! WE HERE AT OLIVE GARDEN DON'T ACCEPT BEHAVIOR LIKE THIS! YOU'RE FIRED!"
Laurance's slight smirk dropped at that as a look of exhaustion and annoyance took its place. A horrible... awful idea for revenge formed in his mind... but he'd make it worth it.
"Hey Ivy! You want an ACTUAL reason to get me fired!?" Laurance grabbed Garroth's face tight and gave him a deep, passionate kiss that lasted at least long enough that he would make it obvious to Ivy that this was against her.
As Laurance pulled away from Garroth, he almost burst out laughing when he saw the absolutely flabbergasted looks on the boss's and Ivy's faces. Before either of them could react further, he grabbed Garroth hand tightly and pulled him away from it all, out into the cool, summer night breeze.
...
It felt like forever before they stopped running, and when they did, Laurance was laughing loudly. Garroth, meanwhile, was quiet, lost in thought. Once Laurance properly noticed, he ceased his laughter, cleared his throat, straightened his posture, and looked sincerely at the man he'd just locked lips with.
"Garroth... I'm sorry. I... I really shouldn't have done that."
"N-no... it's... It's something else..." Laurance didn't seem to notice the increasing red in his best friend's cheeks.
"What is it?"
"It might just be the alcohol talking... Don't be sorry... I liked it..." Garroth finally met his eyes. "I'm sorry if that's weird."
"No, not at all..." Now Laurance really wondered if this was real.
"I... don't know if this is really the right time for me to be getting into any relationships at all, but regardless... do you think we could keep talking?"
"... Of course."