all we need is a moment

The air fryer had been a sort of accidental purchase, she had been looking for things to spice up the kitchen at the fire house and actually encourage the guys to cook rather then the end less take out that seemed to stream its way through the doors, several gadgets had been ordered but when the air fryer had arrived she realized very quickly it was going to do nothing to serve the numbers that were in the fire house and had instead she had decided to gift it to Gio - an offering of health. 

Why she had chosen to pester him today would remain a mystery but she had just needed some time aware from the fire house and all the noise that seemed to be around today and Gios was always a quiet gift. “You will do no such thing, the lack of grease is good for you I promise, you’re getting old now G, those muscles can only hold on for so long.” 

As they walked back to the kitchen, he shook his head. Memories of the young O’Riley scolding him after a long night popped into his head. “Ophelia, I feel like you only think of that one time I deep fried Oreos.” Gio doesn’t remember much about that night. All he knows is that he got high with some colleagues, somehow deep fried Oreos, and then started drinking. The details were missing. This was a few years back. The important thing is, no one wound up dead. At least he hopes so. If anyone was gone no one had told him about it. “I appreciate you caring about me and calling me old in the same sentence. If you check my fridge you’ll see my meals for the next few days do not include any fried foods.”

Gio pulled up another camera feed on his laptop, sliding it over to her side of the counter. Emphasis on her side. His kitchen is sacred to him. No one is allowed to go near his stove or oven while he’s in there. “Take a look at this.” The feed showed one of their properties a couple of days ago. A few seconds in, someone appeared to be walking around the perimeter. Luckily, they didn’t bother hiding their face. “Do they look familiar?”

Though she was still in contact with her family back in New York, Alessia found that most of her time was dealing with Richie’s family. Not that it was an issue, in fact, she enjoyed it. She didn’t have to deal with the ridicule of her choosing to be the medic as opposed to a gunman like her family wanted. 

Still though, she felt like she needed to be responsible for just about everyone that was involved in their side of things, blood or not. If they were an ally, they were her responsibility to keep healthy. Which led her to Gio’s door. “Hey.” She greeted back before moving inside. “I just wanted to check in, see how things were going. I know things are getting rough with the other groups in the area, so I just wanted to make sure everyone is okay.” She offered a polite smile as she finished. 

At the moment, Gio was working on renaming his bar. A name kept playing over and over in his head. Saoirse. It felt like a distant memory to him. One that radiates warmth and happiness. Like being close to a candle that smelt like fresh baked chocolate chip cookies. If he renamed the bar Saoirse would have to be spelt Sersha since people can’t pronounce things if they used one of the two braincells they had.

He didn’t know what to think when Alessia decided to check on him. Gios used to being the one to check on people. For the most part, he keeps a lid on any negative emotions. It’s a poker face his father taught him many years ago. If no once can read anything there’s nothing to fear. For a moment he stared at her in silence. Gio prides himself on being a private person. Anything about his life is on a need to know basis unless he trusts a person with everything. He can count those people on one hand. “I’m okay. Just picking out a new name for the bar. Is everything okay with you? Do I need to hunt someone down?”

{OPEN} Taking a drag from his cigarette, Xander leaned his head back against the wall behind him, closing his eyes as he filled his lungs. Feeling someone approach, he exhaled slowly, though he made no move to turn his head or open his eyes. “I’m on my break.” He announced, using his free hand to gesture to his chef’s whites and apron. “So, this had better be important. And frankly, unless the building is burning, my guess is it probably isn’t. But, you’re here already. So, speak.”  @indulgencerpgstarters​

Gio normally wouldn’t bother with lower ranks but today he was in the area. Xander was one of the smart ones. He had a life outside of the O’Rileys. It’s a balance that some members aren’t lucky enough to have. Plus the two of them would talk food from time to time so stopping by wasn’t a bad thing. He found the bonebreaker outside on a smoke break. As the words crossed his lips, Gio stopped in his tracks. Unfortunately, he wasn’t as smart as he sometimes exhibited. One of the biggest things with Gio is respect. That includes how one talks to their superiors. “Talk to me like that again and you won’t have a fucking job. Understood?” 

Caprice took a short sip of her drink, planting the glass back onto the bar counter as her percipient eyes peered at the man. She gave a shrug of the shoulders before offering a response. “I don’t particularly mind them much, tried myself and it got pretty stale. I can somewhat see the oversaturation, but honestly it’s just whatever works for that person, overdone or not, it’s still a method that gives results. Also makes it easier to weed out the foolery a.k.a the killer,” she vocalized a short chuckle, using her nails to shift her hair over her shoulder.

To avoid another incident like the other night, Max ordered a water. Moderation is key...right? “Are you the type of person that believes in meeting people in person? I’m sorry for all the questions. It’s hard to turn work brain off.” He said with a small smile. Max had always been curious. His father called it data collecting. It’s the thing that got him far in the industry so he can’t be too mad at it. “I’m Max by the way. I’ve seen you around a couple of times.”

After what felt like one of the longest days of her life, Bryer had made a beeline for the nearest bar, seeking the quickest wind-down she could get her hands on. She was halfway through her fourth beer when a voice pulled her from her thoughts. “What?” She asked, brows furrowing as she gave the man a once-over. “Uh, too oversaturated I guess? I wouldn’t bother, personally. Not like any of them actually work, anyway.” Glancing down at her phone, she reminded herself not to unlock the screen- of course she didn’t want the man to see the three she had downloaded. “I mean sure, occasionally you’ll hear a cute little story about a couple who was fated to meet, they go on a date, and it’s happily ever after from there. Stories like those fuel the hype but…There aren’t enough happy endings to make any of it worth it, if you ask me.” Bryer shrugged, taking another swig of her beer. “But, that’s just one woman’s opinion. Why are you asking?”

Her response was expected. Not many people find their happily ever after through a dating app. It’s the in person encounters that tend to hit harder. Friends to lovers, enemies to lovers, even the messy sleeping with coworkers can end happily. “I can see where you’re coming from.” Max leaned against the bar, debating whether he wanted a real drink or water. After his last night out maybe water would be best. “Your opinion matters. It’s not the first time I heard something like it. To me I think apps are a stepping stone. It opens the doorway for interaction but the relationship shouldn’t solely exist in the app.” It’s true. To Max, the apps should only be used to test the waters before the first meeting. Afterwards, what’s the point of them if phone numbers exist. “Colleagues pestering me with questions about whether or not I’m working on a dating app.”

Lilian had to do a double take when she heard her brother’s voice. Chuckling, she turned  to face him. Hand on her hip giving him a once over, “ Oh no, did big brother not figure out how not to get a hangover.” she tsked a smirk on her face as she turned back around towards the barista. “ Listen honey, just give me a tall macchiato no sugar. And whatever my good Judy over here wants.” she said giving the other patron next to her a wink. “ Oscar the grouch over there is going to take care of the drinks today.”  Dropping a fifty into the tip jar before she walked towards her brother. Now she wasn’t one for messing with him too much. She did look up to him ever since they were kids but she couldn’t help but poke a little. Especially when he was being dramatic. Rolling her eyes she, came to stand next to him. “ Please, my behavior is the same as it’s always been. What’s got your panties all knotted up anyway? Is this your walk of shame?” 

He shrugged his shoulders. “I forgot what moderation is.” Max had to admit he consumed more coffee than alcohol in his lifetime. When offered a drink with coffee and alcohol he couldn’t turn it down. He lost track of how many he had last night. All he knows is that it was too many. “I’ll take a cold brew. Thank you.”

Lilians right. Her behavior has been like this since they were younger. That’s probably why him and his father got along so well. They were both quiet yet strong willed. Sudden noises put them on edge. “Why do you think I moved out first chance I got.” he joked. Lilian knew the real answer. His scholarship got him out of the house and onto a bright future that his parents never shut up about. “I didn’t hook up with anyone this time Lili. Too much coffee vodka and rumchata. What do you have going on today?”

For some odd reason Gio felt like taking a journey down memory lane. Which in his case, is a bad thing. Anyone with a past like his would say the same thing. Sometimes it’s hard to believe that he once wanted out. This was in the early days when he started from the bottom of the O’Riley ranks. When his own father was breathing down his neck to not fuck it up. At the time, all he wanted was normalcy. Instead he received a life when his parents focused on him learning about drugs. Eventually he gave up hoping for something different. That’s because he didn’t want an out anymore. The O’Rileys became more of a family than his own. Holding a gun to someones head gave him a rush of euphoria that nothing else did. 

When he meets new members for the first time, the first thought that pops into his head is how did they end up here? That’s the one time he gives a shit before they become nothing more than a pawn in his eyes. They don’t matter until they climb the ranks and reach his radar. The same thing happened with the medic that stood in the doorway of his office. Except, she was no longer a pawn. She’s an integral part of the O’Rileys now. Not just because he knows Richie is the biggest simp when it comes to her. 

“Good morning, Alessia. What can I do for you?” he motioned for her to come in before leaning back in his chair.

Max approached the stranger at a bar. This is purely for research purposes. Employees have asked him this question so many times. People have asked him if he’s going to come out with a dating app as well. “Okay so random question. What are your thoughts about dating apps? Do you think that the market is too saturated? I personally believe that oversaturation is an excuse to not pursue what could be a great adventure.”