Characters - Skizz + Joel ft. Tango, Jimmy & Gem
Words - 1,148
Time - 45 mins
Content - Diner AU
It’s late night by then, and all Skizz can think about is closing up shop and hitting the hay for the next decade. He can hear the dying sizzles and the clanking pans, and outside, the diner is quiet aside from the radio and the game replays. He throws a towel over his shoulder, piling up some pans and throwing some utensils into the water, in time for the back door to swing open with a loud yawn.
He turns to see Tango walking in, the same exhaustion down his face.
Shortly after, Jimmy walks over, leaning into the kitchen window with a droopy smile and equally tired eyes.
“Day’s over,” Jimmy yawns, rubbing his eye with the heel of his palm before straightening and stretching. He pats the counter, giving them the nod to start cleaning up. Not that they need to be told twice, seeing as the place is empty and the clock is dangerously close to two in the morning.
They fall into a classic rhythm, turning up the radio to motivate themselves into staying awake. Their singing is off-key and sharp, playing up to stay aware, laughing. Soon enough, Jimmy joins them, shaking his head with a sigh, grabbing a rag to wipe down counters as Tango washed the dishes and Skizz cleaned up the stove.
After refilling their immediate fridge, Jimmy rubs the back of his neck, kicking the empty box against the fridge. When he speaks, they can all tell he’s fighting off another yawn, “Oh, also, there’s like, a guy still outside. Guy and girl, I should say.”
Tango raises a brow, looking at him over his shoulder. His lips quirked into a smirk. “What? Trouble-makers?”
Jimmy shakes his head.
“A’ight, a’ight, no fighting,” Skizz jumps in, waving his hand. “I’ll tell ‘em to get off our property—”
“And clean the toilets,” Tango adds quickly, giggling.
Jimmy stifles a laugh behind his fist, giving Skizz an innocent shrug.
“And clean the toilets,” Skizz sighs, shoulders dropping.
Skizz tosses the towel against Tango’s shoulder, his laughter echoing as he leaves the kitchen through the swinging doors. The dining area is empty, though it doesn’t take long to find the pair, easily following their giggles and chatter. Tucked in the furthest booth, both of them hunkered down onto the table, giggling like children with a chocolate milkshake and a strawberry milkshake half-drank.
“A’ight, buds, start headin’ to the door soon.”
The pair looked up at him, nestled in their crossed arms, like they didn’t hear what he said. Despite looking down at them, Skizz felt like he is under them, being watched and examined. He clears his throat, trying again to get an authoritarian air to his person.
“We are closing in twenty minutes. And if you don’t want to be locked in, I suggest you grab your milkshakes and head out now.”
The girl of the pair tucks orange curls behind her ear, whispering like he isn’t standing in front of them, “Whaddya think?”
“Bossy,” the guy with brown hair replies. The girl nods, curling onto her arm a little more. “And beefy.”
“You are so gay,” she scolds in a monotone voice, and Skizz swears they are blinking at the same time. Something about them makes his skin crawl, but he stays in place as they do. “So very gay, Joel.”
“Shuddup.”
The guy, Joel, hisses which makes the girl break into a couple giggles. She closes her eyes, sighing as she drags herself up, sliding off the seat onto her feet. Though he tries to not look, he notices the black books and ripped jeans, some jacket tied at her waist and a white singlet.
“Heading to the toilet, be right back,” she hums, tapping her fingers on the table as Joel faceplants on it, groaning before dragging himself up too. She hops on her way, stopping just a step from Skizz, and looks up at him with a wide smile. “The burger was very good, by the way. The milkshakes, though, are way too sweet.”
Skizz watches her shadow leave, stunned into silence before looking back at the table, only to see Joel half-sitting up, mostly perched on his arm. His cheek was full on the heel of his palm, brown eyes staring right at him.
“I’m not gay,” Joel offers unprompted, which makes Skizz drop his mouth without words. “She is, though,” he continues, tilting his head into his hand a little more, “bi, or whatever. Swings both ways.”
“I—” He manages finally, flustered at his pathetic attempt.
Joel chuckles, amused. Then he pulls himself out of the booth, grabbing his milkshake glass by the rim, dragging it along to the edge of the table. He slides himself on the edge too, leaning against it nonchalantly, rolling the glass by the base, head tilted slightly.
And then, Skizz notices the mirror outfit on him from her.
He sucks a breath in, clenching and unclenching his fists by his side before breathing out. And Joel watches meanwhile, entertained with his hesitation.
“I don’t care,” he manages to say eventually, which drives no reaction from Joel. Not quite indifference, but there is a distinct lack of reaction from him. He sighs, shaking his head as he rubs the back of his neck. “Look, you two, I don’t particularly care who you are. New faces, I know. Whatever you’re here to do, don’t make trouble, a’ight?”
Joel chuckles, resting the apple of his cheek on his shoulder, eyes closed and a small grin on his lips. He looks peaceful, almost charming like this. No biting words or attitude, rather approachable, even cute.
Huh.
“I’ll be keeping an eye on yous,” he adds in, trying to sound threatening but his voice cracks. And Joel peeks an eye open, curious. “Yeah! Small town, we in everyone’s business so I will hear if yous cause trouble.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it,” Joel hums, bringing the milkshake to his lips. He catches the straw with his tongue, holding his gaze as his lips wrap around it, taking a long sip before resting it on his knee, giving way to watch his Adam’s apple bob up and down with a gulp. Skizz subconsciously copies, his lips dry and his tongue heavy. “We’ll be outta your hair soon.”
Joel’s eyes flicker behind his shoulder, and the footsteps follow shortly after. Joel places the glass back on the table, pushing himself onto his feet with a playful smile, like the tense air between them didn’t exist.
“Well then,” Gem chirps with a clap, and Joel walks around Skizz to the door, and he follows them to keep to his word. “Did ya get his number?” She laughs, and Joel pushes her shoulder out.
Joel follows behind her, looking behind his shoulder, flashing Skizz a quick wink and a smile before letting the door close, the bell cutting the interaction.
requesting some skizzlebeans.... or just anything skizz
It's not easy being the new kids on the block. Whilst they're not complete strangers to the hermits, there's a bond that forms when you're new together.
That bond is a lot of complaining about being new, and also something that very quickly becomes 'hey, so you wanna kiss?'
It's a hard bond to explain. But hey, neither of them are complaining.
May I request a Joel smallishbeans && a skizzleman.. Perhaps... I'm desperate 🦭 ough... Not force tho! :3
desperate? arent we all </3 fun fact, my laptop died literally as i finished writing it lol
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📧 Day 113 (b) -
Characters - Skizz/Joel
Words - 674
Time - 30 mins
Content - Modern AU
Skizz exhales until his shoulders drop, tugging his tie loose as he takes a seat in a high stool. The bar is mostly empty, but for once, he is glad for the quieter atmosphere. He places his phone face down on the counter, eyes drawn to the incoming reflection. The lights are blocked by a silhouette, blurry outline but the familiar uniform eases his mind.
He looks up, blinking quickly, taken aback by the new face.
The bartender smiles with a raised brow, eyeing him up and down. “What can I getcha? I can get you another server too.”
He huffs a laugh, “Nah, brother, just get me a beer.”
“A beer?” The bartender looks back to the bar, then back, scoffing. “I’m gonna poison it, just so you know.”
Skizz is taken aback, blinking perplexed. He watches him walk away, grabbing a beer mug to fill it. The foam reaches the top and spills, and Skizz cannot draw his eyes away from the hand on the handle.
When the bartender comes back, placing the mug in between them, Skizz looks at him straight. He is cute, very expressive as his neutral expression shifts to a curious one. His arms casually rest on the counter, inching forward to hold his gaze.
Suddenly, the tables turn and Skizz loses his ground.
He smiles, though, already victorious. “I was joking about the poison, you know. Drink you, big guy. No one likes warm beer, and no one likes someone who drinks their beer warm.”
Skizz chuckles. His smile widens, more points for him.
Leisurely, he takes the mug, sliding it closer but not quite going for a drink yet. “So, what’s your name?”
“You couldn’t afford me, either way.” He smirks, friendly but conceited. Skizz is not sure how to make heads or tails of him. “Not that I’m an option.”
“Humor me.”
He raises a brow, then tilts back his head slightly. He eyes the bar then he is back center of Skizz’s attention. He leans forward again, resting his chin on his perched right hand.
“Buy me a drink?”
Skizz scoffs, “Drinking on the job?”
“Humor me.”
Skizz’s mouth falls open with objection, wanting to wipe the smug smirk from his lips. But the longer he stares, the more he finds them appealing. He finds himself staring at every movement and curve, the subtle glistening of them and the plumpness.
Skizz does not think of his wallet, so he gestures to the bar with a nod.
The bartender walks away, pouring himself some whiskey on a glass with ice cubes, grabbing a coke on his way back. He lifts the tab, the fizzing filling the space around them. Skizz’s eyes flicker from his hand to his face, nearly jumping back to find him already staring back.
“I’m Joel,” he says as he pours the coke over the ice, staring at his drink with fondness. “Just started yesterday. Gem got me the job.”
“Gem? Where d’ya know her from?”
Joel gives him a funny look, then looks back at his glass, gently swirling to mix it. “Doesn’t matter, does it? I thought we were talking about me.”
“Sure, sure,” Skizz rolls his eyes, and finally takes the first sip of his beer. The chill lasts little on his tongue, but he bites a reaction back to not give him any satisfaction. “It’s all about you, Joel, sure, bud.”
“Well, then, what’s your name? You’re a regular, right? Oh, wait. You’re a sales guy, aren’t you? Are you Skizz, then? Gem’s talked about you.”
“Good things?” he asks on the edge of his glass.
“If that makes you sleep better at night.”
Joel takes a swing of his drink, and Skizz’s eyes draw to his Adam’s apple. Flicking up to catch Joel’s eyes again, the corners of his lips quirked into yet another smirk. At this rate, Joel is synonymous with smug, and Skizz finds that he does not mind it all too much.
Which is, obviously, bad.
Very bad.
And Joel knows it with certainty.
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SKIZZ DAY :D
on other news, ive successfully acquired a mouse, so... yeah, transfer time. though im still posting on tumblr because yes. more work