Yay! another swap au
The kitchen of *La Gueule de Saturne* was quiet, the last patrons gone and the staff cleaning up in the back. Only the rhythmic chopping of vegetables and the sizzle of meat in a pan broke the silence, as Manon Vacher worked with surgical precision at her station. Her hands moved like clockwork, the blade of her knife reflecting the dim kitchen light.
Rody Lamoree had just finished wiping down the last table, his tall, well-built frame hunched slightly from the long day. His auburn hair clung to his forehead, and a tired yet satisfied smile tugged at his lips. Despite the exhaustion, his thoughts were filled with Vincent.
Vincent Charbonneau, Rody’s boyfriend, was the reason he managed to survive the endless shifts. The quiet moments after work, when they could finally relax together, made it all worth it. Vincent was waiting for him outside, likely leaning against the wall with that soft, distant smile that always warmed Rody’s heart.
Manon watched Rody out of the corner of her eye as he finished his tasks. There was something about him—something magnetic, something that pulled her in, like a moth to flame. She had always admired his determination, the way he threw himself into his work despite the chaos. She had always *wanted* him.
But Rody wasn’t hers. He belonged to Vincent, and that fact grated on her every single day. Vincent, with his gentle touches and quiet words, always pulling Rody's attention away from her. Vincent, who always seemed to stand in the way.
As Rody finally slipped into the kitchen, wiping his hands on his apron, he flashed Manon a grin. “Another crazy night, huh?”
Manon’s lips curled into a smile, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “Yeah... hectic as usual.” She paused, watching him closely. “Rody, can I ask you something?”
“Sure, Chef. What’s up?”
Manon set her knife down and turned to face him, her gaze intense. “What’s your favorite food?”
Rody blinked, surprised by the question. He chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Honestly? Anything Vince makes. He just... puts everything into his cooking, you know? His heart, his soul. I can taste the love in it every time.” His face softened as he thought of Vincent, and a tender smile crept onto his lips.
Manon’s smile faltered for a split second, something cold and sharp flashing behind her eyes. *Love.* It was always Vincent. Always him. The knife on the counter gleamed in the dim light as her fingers tightened around its handle. But her expression remained neutral as she forced a laugh. “He’s lucky to have someone who appreciates him that much.”
Rody shook his head, oblivious to the tension radiating from her. “No, I’m the lucky one, really. He’s amazing.”
Manon didn’t respond. Her mind was already racing, the disturbing idea creeping in like a shadow. Vincent. He was the problem. He was the reason Rody’s heart was never hers. And if he were gone...
---
The next night, Vincent waited in the small alleyway behind the restaurant, his dark hair slightly disheveled from the cool evening breeze. He leaned casually against the wall, hands tucked into his coat pockets, waiting for Rody to finish his shift. He had arrived early tonight hoping to spend more time with his boyfriend but Marianne refused to let Rody off early. A few stars blinked in the night sky above, and the faint sound of city life hummed in the distance. He looked forward to these quiet moments with Rody, to the time they spent together after a long day. The door opened and Vincent stood straight expecting to see Rody but saw Manon instead.
Inside, Rody was finishing up, his green eyes bright despite the fatigue in his limbs. He couldn’t wait to see Vincent. Vincent had arrived an hour ago but Manon didn't let him off. He really wanted to finish cleaning up as quickly as possible so he could leave with Vincent. As he grabbed the broom to start cleaning up the floor, Manon stopped him with an almost unsettling calmness. “Rody, I’ll finish up the rest. You can head out now.”
