Vincent tapped his foot impatiently as he stood at the check in counter. Rody was 15 minutes late. Unbelievable. He hadn't expected much, but come on, atleast one week of being on time seemed like the bare minimum at any job.
His clipboard with today's menu and an explanation of the ingredients tapped the counter rhythmically, though the sound only became louder and more aggressive as Vincent got more annoyed.
The audacity, he thought, nearly grinding his teeth with irritation. I hire someone like him despite that ungodly resume of his and this is what he does. Incredulous didn't even begin to describe his feelings on the matter. At this point, it would be better if Rody just didn't even bother showing up at all, because if Vincent sees that lazy little plouc now-
Suddenly the front door swung open with the sound of rain and an indignant yelp at the coldness of the restaurant.
"Sorry I'm late-" Rody called, trudging inside.
Vince's eye twitched at his gall, ready to rip him a new one. "Sorry? Sorry doesn't cut it. It's only your second day and you're already-.." he trailed off, staring at the man before him that looked more like a wet dog had come in to escape the rain rather than a waiter in a professional setting. His red hair hung in his face, dripping streams of water onto the dining room floor, and his clothes were positively soaked.
"-Why do you look like that." Vincent asked bluntly with an almost imperceptible sigh, so taken aback that his anger drained away with every pathetic drip of water.
Rody laughed nervously, "Well I uh... I thought biking really fast through the rain would dry me as I go.. But turns out it just soaks me faster."
For the second time in two days, Vince was momentarily speechless. It was just so... Dumb. It was just such a genuinely stupid thing to say. But he had said it so sincerely, like it was a fool proof plan that just didn't work out this time.
The insane desire to laugh bubbled up in him, but he instead just shook his head. This wasn't funny, it was stupid. And Rody was still late.
Sighing deeply and grabbing a towel, Vince motioned for Rody to sit at a table before setting to work drying his hair.
"Dry off. You can't be seen by customers looking like this. You do know umbrellas exist for a reason, yes?" He questioned, his tone dripping with sarcasm as he worked.
Rody's hair gave off the smell of hair gel, but he imagined most of it had washed out by this point. Vincent wasn't sure why Rody would have even bothered putting in hair gel if he had no way of keeping the rain from just washing it out, but as a result the red locks felt surprisingly soft through the towel.
Rody fidgeted underneath Vincent's frown and he found himself staring at the ground to distract from the intimate situation. When was the last time someone dried his hair for him? Surely not since he was a child.
"Don't own one.." Rody said shortly, stating it matter of factly as if he didn't see why he'd ever waste money on something like that. It's not like a little rain would kill him or anything.
Vincent paused momentarily at that, before sighing softly and continuing.
"... I'm giving you mine for the ride back so this doesn't happen again." he says, his resolute tone leaving very little room for discussion.
Rody blinked in surprise, trying to glance up and make eye contact with Vincent before the taller man pushed his head back down to continue drying his hair. "Oh uh- Thanks, really, but um... Then how are you going to get home without one?"
"I live here." Vincent responded curtly, focused on his task.
Rody's smile was confused and concerned, "Like... In the restaurant..?"
YOU ARE READING
A Loveless Meal
ФанфикWhat if Manon had soundly broken up with Rody and didn't rebound with Vince? Would interest have begun to develop between the two organically rather than Rody forcing himself through work for Manon while Vincent's interest in him was tempered by hi...
