For The Rats (One-Shots)

The Gap Between Us

A Million Stories For A Million Ways It Could Go. 
My Secret Is Mine To Keep. 

x 

There's a place, nestled in the corner of a strip mall, where the world outside fades into a hazy blur. A sanctuary for some, a timeless drag for others. It was a place where the world outside faded into a hazy blur, off limits and unapproachable. Secluded from the hustle and bustle of life. It was a small store, too cramped for a full staff. The garage enamel peeled off the floors, the walls were cracking and stained. Half of the lights were usually kept off, creating a dim atmosphere. The air inside was hot and thick with the scent of fryer oil, a haze that floated to the front counter and escaped out the windows. Time stood still inside Fish n' Fry, allowing the outside world to pass by with only a glimpse to be seen through the ordering windows. This is where Deios worked in part time shifts. 

Deios was seventeen, with buzzed hair he was letting grow out on top. His eyes were brown, with a gleam of humor that matched the slight smile he always wore. His blue uniform shirt contrasted with his normal style, blue gloves covering his black painted nails. A barbed wire tattoo crept out from his thin shirt fabric and his ears were pierced, little spiders and ghosts adorning them. And though he had only been working here for a few months, everyone loved him already. And then there was Daniel. 

Daniel, with his wavy black hair that almost reached his shoulders and the mask he always wore to cover his beard. His brown eyes that matched Deios's, the eyes that seemed to know things. They held secrets just beneath their surface, they were deep and observant. 

Daniel was older, probably around 25, but maybe even 34 if Deios had to guess. He was Deios's supervisor, but Deios rarely saw him. He was always on side quests, disappearing often. Deios hardly talked to Daniel, he was a cashier most of the time and wasn't one to abandon post. They'd exchanged probably only a few sentences max, but Deios tried his hardest to spot his supervisor throughout the day. It sparked something in him, it made his day brighter. It was refreshing, Daniel was cute. He was the majority of Deios's thoughts, at least the most important ones. He couldn't help but imagine... but Daniel was older, it would be illegal. But Deios could swear that Daniel was attracted to him too. 

Gerontophile. 

"Gerontophilia is when someone is attracted to older people-- it's the opposite of pedophilia." 

I am a gerontophile. 

______________________

I know it's not perfect, and I know there's a gap between us. 
But the distance is giving me room to obsess over you. 
I see you walking alone at night, and I could be by your side. 
But we never really talk, and you know it's not right. 
x 

Tonight, Daniel was the closing supervisor for Fish n' Fry. There was no one else there, they were short staffed today. It was just Deios and his coworker Qmari, who was doing dishes down the hall while Deios scrubbed the floors. Usually, he never saw Daniel while closing, but tonight was different. He stood in the hall by the clock-in phone, talking with a lead while holding the time sheet. 

He still looks as good as he did this morning, fresh looking. He wore a green shirt today, like most of the other supervisors did in the other restaurants. Sometimes they would all color coordinate and wear a colored uniform shirt, which Daniel absolutely killed. But most days it was just black, which obviously appealed to Deios. The crew member had thought about trying to move up so he could wear all black at work, and his body felt light and giddy thinking that he'd get to spend time with Daniel.