starter for. rowan fisher | @brutcllysoft location. the picnic table behind the diner. time. late, after the dinner rush.
In truth, Andy fucking hated working at the diner. The money wasn’t great, his coworkers were fucking annoying, and he hated getting through the dinner rush. But his annoying PO wanted him doing something more “legit” than working at the club, and he enjoyed cooking, so he reluctantly handed in the application. The last few months had been fairly predictable, with most of the other kitchen staff and waitresses/waiters opting steer clear of him. He couldn’t necessarily blame them -- It’s not like he was making himself particularly approachable, nor did he have any intention to do so. At least, that had been the case until a certain blonde entered his field of vision. His crush on Rowan was embarrassing, something he kept to himself -- It felt like he was fifteen again, sucked in because of what? Her flashing him a smile and saying a few words to him? Seriously? The last time he’d been in a relationship or even went out with someone had been years ago -- And he’d rather forget anything that had to do with his ex, Bethany. He wouldn’t be opposed to the idea of hooking up after a few drinks with Rowan, but Andy had a feeling he’d find a way to fuck that up. Instead, he ignores his own feelings, opting to put his focus in making greasy burgers and fries, rather than the way his heart skipped a beat each time she came back to the kitchen with a new order.
Once the dinner rush is over and he can finally breathe instead of barking kitchen orders, Andy sneaks out for a much needed smoke break. It was a nasty habit -- He could smoke a pack a day if it weren’t for his own better judgment. Instead, he sticks to his nightly ritual of two for his break, waiting until the dishwasher and his hostess girlfriend came back in so that he’d be left with peace and quiet. Letting the door slam behind him, Andy moves across the pavement and to the pitiful looking picnic table management left them for ‘the opportunity to get fresh air comfortably’. Wood creaks as he sits on top of the table, balancing his half empty pack of cigarettes on his knee as places one between his teeth. The first inhale he takes as it lights calms him significantly, washing away the frustrations from earlier in his shift. The sound of the backdoor can be heard slamming as he rolls his shoulders, just for them to tense up again. “Jeff, if you start bitchin’ at me about peeling potatoes again I’ll fuckin’ break your kn -- Oh.”
He stops dead in his tracks, having expected the annoying prep cook, only to find Rowan in his place. There’s a half moment where he pauses, immediately regretting the outburst. Instead of a proper apology, Andy takes another drag of his cigarette to calm his once again frazzled nerves. Her presence was something he quietly welcomed -- Mostly shown by not immediately telling her to fuck off and find a different spot for a break -- but she made him nervous enough that he couldn’t come up with anything to say. At least the cigarette helped, buying him enough time to string together something coherent to say. “You wanna smoke?” Is the best he can come up with, holding up his pack of Marlboro’s. Thankfully the nightfall covers the heat climbing up his cheeks.












