Chapter Text
“Pa I'm tired, can we go home?” a sleepy Jesse complained and tugged on his father's pant leg, while rubbing his eye.
Jack sighed softly looking down at him. It was 10 but he still had another hour till his shift was over at the dinner. He picked up his 4 year old son and kissed his forehead. “We can go home soon Jesse. Did you already finished coloring those horse pictures?” he asked walking over to the booth in the corner he'd had set Jesse up in after he picked him up from preschool. Jesse nodded sleepily against his shoulder. Jack sighed but smiled softly seeing the somewhat messy colored horses. He set Jesse’s down. “Why don't you draw on the back, we can go home when Daddy finishes his shift.”
Jesse nodded smiling. “Ok papa, imma draw a cowboy” he said smiling happily flipping one of the papers over. Jack smiled and ruffled his son’s hair before sighing as someone called him over for a coffee refill. Jack walked back behind the counter grabbing the coffee pot from the small heater it sat on to stay warm and walked to refill the man's coffee. He almost groaned as the bell above the door jingled signaling another customer had arrived.
“I'll be right with you, sir.” he said topping off the first customer's coffee before walking over to where the new one had gone to sit. Jack relaxed, smiling somewhat after seeing it was a regular and one who wasn't rude at that. “Well you're here later than usual Gabriel.” he said setting the coffee pot down to pull out his order pad. “What’re you in for today?”
The Latino business man, rubbing his temple, sighed. He almost felt better after hearing Jack's voice and not the overexcited waitress that usually worked this shift. “The usual, Sunshine, and I'll just take the whole pot.” Gabriel joked looking up at Jack. Jack chuckled softly shaking his head, writing the order down. Gabe looked at him. “You're not usually on this shift.” he observed. “Usually I have to deal with Brit hopped up on speed, what gives?”
“Took a few extra shifts, rent’s due soon and it’d help to have a bit of extra cash in the bank. Not all of us are successful rich businessmen.” he teased, leaving the good looking thought that his brain supplied him with behind. He walked back to the window and slipped the order through. “Wake up Rein, got an order.” he called chuckled as the large German cook’s snore cut off abruptly when he jerked awake. Jack shook his head and walked back to check on Jesse. He sighed when he walked over to find his son asleep on the half drawn “cowboy”. Jack shifted and folded Jesse’s sweater into a pillow and moved his son to lay down against it, wiping the drool off his cheek. He felt eyes watching him and looked over seeing Gabe's eyes on him. He almost blushed till he saw Gabe point to the cooling coffee pot he'd forgotten there and he sighed walking over to get it.
“Growing forgetful already Jack?” Gabe teased.
Jack shook his head. “You did say you wanted the whole pot” he defended, “But sorry, I'll be right back with a steaming cup.” He took the cool pot of coffee and walked away heading back behind the counter, unaware of the dark eyes following his pert ass as he left.
As Jack started making a new pot of coffee he glanced over at Jesse who was asleep in the booth. He felt bad for not having him home already. Only half an hour left, he thought and ran a hand through his hair waiting for the pot to finish. When the coffee was done he filled a cup and knowing how Gabe liked his, picked up two creams and a packet of sugar and stirred them in. Jack walked back over to him setting it down.
“Two creams, one sugar.” he stated, pleased with himself. Gabe nodded and happily took it from him. “Mmhm thanks, Amorcito.” The caffeine helping his headache he'd forgotten he'd had.
Jack pouted slightly, “You know I don't know a lick of spanish, Gabe”
Gabe chuckled setting the coffee down. “All the more reason for me to speak it, mi sol”
Jack just rolled his eyes, preparing to retaliate until Reinhardt rung the order bell. “This isn't over Reyes,” he said, playfully glaring at Gabe. Gabe just laughed and smirked watching him go to get his order.
Jack took the plate, nodding thanks Reinhardt, and returned to Gabe. “Need anything else, smart ass?”
Gabe chuckled shaking his head “I'm good, gringo.” Jack rolled his eyes and walked back, getting called over to refill someone's coffee again.
For the next half an hour Jack refilled coffees and waited. He couldn't help but smile and hopped off his seat when Lena came into work the next shift. “Hey Lena,” he greeted. She adamantly waved back, smiling softly, as she walked back into the staff room. Jack waited till she came back out and handed her the coffee pot before heading into the back to grab his things.
When he walked back out Lena was cleaning up Gabe's booth. Jack shrugged seeing him already gone and walked over to Jesse’s sleeping form. He smiled and packed up his coloring pages and drawing into his little book bag and slipped it over his shoulder. He shifted Jesse, trying not to wake him, and slipped his sweater on him before picking him up so his head was resting on his shoulder. He relaxed when Jesse only mumbled and cuddled into his shoulder. He waved bye to Lena and Reinhardt before walking outside and sighed, somewhat deflated, before he started the trek to his apartment. “Another day down” he grumbled.