Saturday // Peterick Oneshots

32. Night Shift

Don't forget to check you my fic, Fireflies!

Based on a prompt. Technically this is supposed to be at Denny's but I'm making it Waffle House because Waffle House is the bomb. IOH era.

It's three in the morning, and Pete is at work.

Yes, you heard right, working, at three in the morning.

It's not like he was going to be sleeping anyway, so why not? The twenty-four hour Waffle House a block from his house was hiring, and he was the only one willing to take the night shift.

Unfortunately, it's boring as hell.

Pete thought that more people would come in, drunk and ready to confess their sins to the man making their omelette, but so far the only exciting thing that's happened was an old lady came in and tried to pay for her pancakes with chocolate coins.

It gives him time to write, which he appreciates, but come on, he's going crazy! He's all alone! He's pretty sure it's illegal to only have one person in at a time!

Tonight is no different.

He's staring in to space, contemplating existence, when the door bell rings. In walks a five foot tall ginger, hair askew, wrapped in an oversized hoodie and looking for all the world like he's dead inside.

Pete decides right then and there that he would die for this tiny dude.

"Hey man, what can I get you?" he asks as the boy sits down at the counter.

"Hi, uh," the boy squints at his name tag, "Pete, can I get a cup of coffee and a plate of eggs and sausage?"

"Of course, coming right up." Pete flashes a smile at him and gets to work.

When he first started, he thought it would be awkward cooking in front of people, but the more he's worked he's realized that they don't care how he looks. It's three a.m., their life is falling apart, and they just want their food. They don't care about the emo guy who happens to be there.

He pours the boy a cup of coffee, and he says "Thank you," with a little smile. Pete returns it, then turns to the stove. "Are you here alone?" the boy asks from behind him.

"Yeah, I'm the only one willing to work the night shift," Pete says, cracking two eggs.

"You're willing? I'm up late studying and I want to die."

"I'm an insomniac." Pete turns around and makes eye contact with him. "This is better than laying awake in bed wondering why I'm alive."

The boy's eyes widen. "Oh."

Pete grins. "It's okay, I've had it forever. It's a minor inconvenience at this point."

The boy snorts. "I'm Patrick, by the way."

"Nice to meet you, Patrick." Pete turns back to the stove. "What are you studying for at this fine hour?"

"Civics test this week. I wouldn't care about it except it's my worst class, so I have to improve my grade or my parents will kill me."

He shakes his head. "We've all been there, man. I was actually pretty good at government stuff though."

"Yeah?"

"Yep. I'm majoring in poli sci at DePaul right now."

"You wouldn't want to help a tired sophomore out, would you?"

Pete laughed, plating Patrick's food. "Bring your textbook tomorrow night. I'll be here."

He turned around and slides Patrick his plate. Patrick's eyes are wide. "Are you serious? Because I could use all the help I can get."

Pete shrugs. "It's not like I have anything better to do. Plus it's good review for me."

Patrick grins. "Thank you."

Patrick eats, they talk, and soon enough Patrick starts yawning again.

"I guess my caffeine boost didn't do much to help," Patrick says sheepishly.

Pete smiles at him. "Get some rest. I'll be here tomorrow."

Patrick smiles back. "Do you have a pen?"

Pete blinks, looking around. "Um, oh! Yeah." He grabs the one in his apron. "Here."

Patrick takes the pen, grabbing Pete's arm before he can pull it away. He clicks the pen open and scribbles his number on Pete's wrist. "In case you ever want to talk outside of work," Patrick says softly.

"Cool," Pete says, skimming the numbers on his skin. He glances up at Patrick. "See you tomorrow?"

Patrick nods, handing Pete a twenty. "See you tomorrow. And, uh, keep the change."