Read on Ao3 better format? And also for more chapters.
https://archiveofourown.org/works/76841246/chapters/201128376
You have always been in the background. A Quiet life, mind numbing routine with three minimum wage jobs that barely pay off your parents’ debts.
Eight in the morning, wake up, go to work on the first shift at a retail store, listen to people's complaints about prices. Clock out at five. Take a quick nap before the second shift at 9 at your local bar, serve drinks, deal with unwanted complaints from peoples lifes, sorrows and great achievements.
The third job? Mailman on the week ends. Dashing down the streets and getting chased by bloody mutts.(you enjoy the company of mutts if they were properly train and not wild off collars.)
You sighed, the bar was less busier tonight, Christmas holiday.
The quiet chatter filled the small bar along with the different whiskeys, cocktails and beer scents. Only those with no one to enjoy the holiday with came, someone like you; well except the fact that you came because you still had more bills to pay, pretty penny you suppose.
You heard the door bell chime as another man came in, you didn't even raise your head focused on not spilling your customers' drink. You didn't want the money to come out your paycheck again.
“Welcome in!” You greeted, a habit you built. ‘Keep the customers happy’ your manager said.
“Three whiskey shots” The man said, no greeting. Must be having a bad day, aren't we all?
“Coming right up.” You said as you handed the other customers their drink. They muttered a quick thanks before leaving to sit in the corner but well withing reach still. “Just the whiskeys?” You asked as you grabbed the small shot glass, filling three of them up.
You slide it towards the man, a quick glance at his face and you saw multiple scars all over him. Faded but still there.
“Rough night sir?” You said making small talk. Another quick glance and you noticed the dog tag neckless, either he was in the military or someone he knew.
His hand took one of the whiskey glasses and drank it quickly. “...something like that.”
You hummed not prying more even as you felt the need to know more. You continued to move around cleaning the bar areas here and there, removing the bar mat to clean the spills and placing the now clean one on the same spot.
“Are you the new employee?” The man asked, you looked back at him. His three shot glasses are empty now.
“Changed shifts time is all.” You replied walking over to where the man sat on the stool. “Need more?”
“Whiskey sour, thanks.” He mumbled, he watched as you turned your back to get working. He watched as you started to add whiskey, sugar syrup and lemon juice to the shaker.
“Are you a regular?” You asked as you continued to shake it.
You added ice into the shaker before mixing it again. “I'll take it as a yes.” You chuckled, you grabbed a glass heading back to where the man sat. Placing it on the mat and letting him see how you poured the drink into the glass, placing the shaker on the side and adding a cherry on the side as a garnish. You slide it towards him. “Enjoy.”
He nods as he takes a sip. “Name?” He asked, eyeing you, you seemed harmless.
You grinned cheeky “Its a nickname, the most ya will get from me mister…?” He huffed
“See you aren't willing to risk it either.”
“im just being fair.” He said, taking another sip of his sour whiskey. “An eye for an eye as they say.”
You snort out a laugh. “Sure okay.” He cracked a smile.
“Thirty one dollars.” You replied, “cash or card?”
“Cash.” He said gruffly placing down a fifty dollar bill. “Keep the change wings.” He stood up waving at ya lazily. “Cya around.”
The door bell chimed again, and he was gone.
You grabbed all the glass cups and went to wash them thoroughly, only for you to hear the horrible and most dreadful sound of someone gagging and then puking over the table while others laugh amd record.
Once again you have a mess to clean.
After Ghost's first visit at your shift he starter to show up more frequently. He wouldn't talk much but you?
God did you like to talk, chatting his ear off like a morning bird singing outside your window at 6 of the morning. It felt nice having someone to talk to, a friend.
Occasionally he would leave and not visit for a few weeks, and his excuse was that he just was busy. You didnt pry more into it.
It was like any other time, you serving drinks waiting upon the other mans daily visit. The door bell chimed, you look up from the drink you were preparing for another customer smiling before freezing seeing Ghost have a cast on his arm.
“Whay the fuck happened to you?” You blurted out rather rudely as you handed the drink to the other man
“Work” he grumbled, taking his seat on the stool like always. “The usual”
“You're getting way to overworked.” You comment washing your hands before getting to work
“could day the same about you Wings” he retorts, you shake your head with a light scoff
“Im just trying to live my life, kay?”
“I wouldn't say living is more like surviving” he pointed out.
You slide the drink towards Ghost with a smile “bon appétit!” He glanced at the drink. A vodka martini with a lemon twist as garnish.
“Not what I ordered Wings.”
“Its on me as a thanks for all the tips ya have been giving me geez” you grunt
“Arent you growing broke?”
“Shut it and be grateful” he just huffed out a laugh before taking a sip
“Not bad” he mumbled “still prefer my tea”
“Damn brits.” The man just smiled about to say another remark “hold on” you said as you headed to another customer. He watched as you started to cash out the man. The bar was busier, more chatty. He didn't mind since you were on shift.
People loved talking to you, a listening ear, a calming presence you had on the people around you. He waited for you to come back to him quietly observing the bar.
“Mannnn some people are rude” you whined waking back towards him “so you were saying?”
“There is a new restaurant open downtown, we should head over”
“Asking me out on a date, Ghost?” Your eyes shone in mirth.
“Didnt say its one” he grumbled
He sighed, rubbing his face “This saturday good?” He asked
“Sunday” you said “I'll call out on my other job for it”
“How many jobs do you have?” He said, he sounded slightly concerned but you brushed it off.
“Three, two for week days, one in the morning, another late at night , which is this one at the bar. Oh and my third is playing squeaky chew toy for the mutts in town..” He raised an eyebrow at that.
“And I am getting overworked?” He scoffed
“I need the money” you told him “so sunday, what time?”
“Six alright for ya?” You hum in agreement “fancy place, dress nice.”
“I always wear a suit to work” you deadpanned he shrugged.
He finished his drink and placed a hundred bill on the counter.
“Thought you said you weren't going to pay.” You said grinning, you still took the money however.
“Just dress nice will ya? Nothing too uptight nor lazy wear.” He said avoiding the subject, he slid a napkin toward you with his non broken hand. Phone number written on if. “Text me.”
“Bold of ya no?” You chuckled taking it as well.
“You're getting paid practically to go out with me, be grateful-” He got up "don't be late. I'll pick ya up.” The door bell chimed once more.
The following days were slow, you had to call off a week in advance for the date-not-date day to be off work. And yet you still haven't texted him, chalked it up to nerves…
Look, It's been while since you went to a date with someone. Usually when people ask for a date they want a quick fuck or you do a background check on them-(you can never to careful okay?)- and they are married with kids.
Even the phone number you were handed didn't have anything suspicious, a civilian named -Simon Riley- with nothing in the background of his parents of siblings. The most you could see is hair color and eye color. His 'job' was just part of a company. Didn't give specifics but you can guess he was a soldier of a kind by the dog tag he wore when you two first met.
You sighed as you scrolled through your sources to find anything remotely interesting or suspicious. Glancing at the corner of your laptops screen read- 1:30 AM.
You closed the laptop leaning back in the chair, the hinges squeaking in protest as you do. Pulling out your phone and the small piece of napkin with the phone number and staring at it for while biting your tongue before texting him quickly.
'Hey its Wings. Got the day off for Sunday, remember at 6?'
You stared at the text for a few seconds.
'was sup, its the bartender, restaurant at 6 right?'
Somehow that was even worse in your mind.
'Helluuu its the bartender guy, the date is at 6 tomorrow night, down town right?'
You click send before even thinking about it anymore. The message delivered rather quickly doing nothing to soothing your nerves.
You quickly turned it off and glanced around your small room to get your mind off things. You got up going to find some chicken to fry or something before you hear a ding ring out from your phone.
Pausing at the doorway you debating of immediately responding or waiting, you didn't want to look desperate or look like an asshole.
walking back to the desk you grabbed the phone,
'Yeah, don't be late. Reservation under my name'
You looked at the screen bewildered, you quickly typed.
'Do ya know who I am then Simon Riley?'
'Wouldn't be fair if you knew me and i didn't know you, Orion Moore.'
You honestly didn't know what to expect, then again, its really not hard to find names. You shook your head letting out a small laugh "fuck, what am i getting into?" You groaned before being interrupted by another notification from the phone
'Hope I'm not scaring you away, Orion.'
fucker proceeded to then send a cat emoji grinning
'Names are easy to find Simon.'
'Right. Dress nice, don't be late or your paying the tab.'
"Wow. How gentlemen like."
'Says the one that cusses like a damn sailor,heck not even them, Orion.'
You then sent the hand flipping birdie emoji
'I'm glad the dogs chase you down the streets on the weekends.' -was his reply
You placed your phone down after sending a quick 'goodbye' text.
You checked the time once more- 1:45 AM
Best to catch some sleep, run errands as soon as you wake and find a suit last minute like always. You stretched going to get underneath your bed sheets, making sure they are neat one above the other.
You liked the warmth and slight weight it gave, left nice. You pulled a pillow between your arms hugging it, slowing down your breathing subconsciously.
Before you knew it, the darkness consumed you vision.
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