He started here about a month ago and had to hire on a completely new kitchen staff. The last cook got into a huge fight with the owner and quit taking the kitchen staff with him. I am not sure who was right or what the fight was about but Carol had been there that day and said it was bad. About a week later we had a new head cook who was tasked with hiring a completely new staff. 

I had never actually spoken to the man outside of work or even about anything work related. He was not from what I had experienced a patient man often getting worked up and yelling about stuff. Usually that would be enough for me to not like someone or to avoid them as much as possible but that man knew how to cook. On his first day he had come in early and made the whole staff breakfast and I am not sure what he put into those pancakes and eggs but it was the best food I had ever eaten. Customers were happy and business was booming. There were a few regulars who had been friends with the old cook who complained out of loyalty. That didn’t last very long as they kept coming by and eventually stopped complaining. 

As I brought a table of four their drinks and took their order a group of what was probably 10 or so people walked into the diner. Ania sat them as I rushed around re-filling waters and making my way to the kitchen to punch in the orders I had gotten. The kitchen was chaos but also the most organized I had ever seen it. Angron and Theo rushed around  calling out orders and plating dishes at such a fast rate it was almost as if a team of 10 was working tonight and not just two. 

“By the way guys a 10 top just got sat!” I called out to the two of them. The only response I got was the sound of a pan hitting the grill extra hard and loud.

“FUCK!!” Screamed out at no one in particular. I gave a small smile as I left calling back to them.

“Sorry!” Leaving one chaos for another I greeted the 10 top and took their drink orders floating about the diner making sure everyone was happy and satisfied. The rest of the night was a bit of a blur. It hit midnight and cheers erupted through the diner and as the night went on people started filing out. Leaving only the few stragglers and the regulars who were here at 2 in the morning. My shift wasn’t going to be over for another 3 hours but I was finally allowed to go on break. Making myself and the cooks a cup of water I headed back into the kitchen.

“Happy new years boys.” I called out placing the water onto the counter. I got a quiet nod from Angron as he flipped some eggs and theo walked over to me taking a cup.

“Thanks y/n, On break?” I gave a small nod as I took a big sip of water. The water here was probably the best part of the job, it being so crisp and cold. “Is it still crazy out there or you think it will be just the regulars for the rest of the night?”  I gave a small hum.

“Probably going to be a bit busier than normal with a few drunk teens popping in for breakfast at stupid hours but right now there is only Dave in his usual seat and a few tables. Yall should start taking your breaks now while we are slow.  Don’t want to get blind sided by a rush when there is only one of you in the kitchen.” 

“Ya your probs right.” Theo nodded at me as I headed past him. Moving quickly through the kitchen I made it to the back door. Pushing it open it took a bit of effort cause it had partially frozen shut. Making my way out into the small back alley I pulled out the pack of smokes from my front pocket. My shitty little lighter took a few tries to start up as my hands shivered in the winter cold. Finally getting my cig lit I took a long slow drag feeling the satisfying burn at the back of my throat. Letting it out in small oh rings. I had learned how to do that from my dad. It had been his favorite party trick. 

Looking around the ally, if you could even call it that. The only way into this space was the back door to the diner. There was a fence on the far side leading to the street and the two buildings on either side. It was where we would store the kegs of beer and empty crates and bottles to get picked up each Monday. I took another drag of my cigarette watching as the little smoke rings floated up into the night sky. A shiver ran through me as I watched thick snow start to fall again. By the time we are leaving in the morning the city will probably be under a thick blanket of snow.  This uniform was not made for the cold and I kind wish I had brought my jacket. But I had 15 minutes left of my break so I was not gonna bother going back inside. 

Sitting down on the stack of milk crates that look like they have been here for decades I let out a content sigh. My feet were killing me. I can’t wait to get home and curl up warm in bed and sleep the rest of the day away. I have all tomorrow off and I needed to do groceries. Pulling out the tiny note pad from my front pocket I started making a list. 

Cat food 

Cheese 

Bread 

Cucumber 

Sausa—

I stop midway through writing my list as the door beside me bursts open with enough force that it slammed against the wall. Angron stormed out into the ally letting the door fall shut behind him. I don’t think he noticed me cause as he stood in the middle of the ally gripping his head I could see a single tear leak out of his eye.  His shoulders tensed as I gave a small cough. I wanted to let him know I was here without startling or upsetting him. We all knew of his head injury and how it affected him sometimes. It was the main reason for him not coming to work parties or out drinking afterwards. I think he is selfconscious about it and the symptoms he suffers from. 

As he turned towards me I saw him wipe the stray tear from the corner of his eye. I made sure that I was looking up at the sky watching the spoke rings lifting off again. Not wanting to make him feel judged or watched. We locked eyes for a moment. 

“Sorry.”  His gruff voice warbled as he looked away. I gave a small shrug and another drag from the last embers of my cig before I dropped it to the ground. Pushing the large crate with my foot I gestured for him to sit. 

“All good man…” There was a small moment where I hesitated but when he accepted my offer to sit  I continued. “Rough night?” 

He only gave a grunt and a small nod as a response bringing his large hand back up to his head trying to massage the pain away. Letting out a small hum and lean back against the cold wall of the building letting my head rest against it. Another chill runs through me as a gust of wind gets stuck in the ally. 

The silence was nice, there was the quiet bustle of the people in the diner and the sound of the occasional car rolling down the street. Looking down at my watch I had about 5 minutes left of my break and I was going to savor them. Looking over to my right Angron sat on the large crate fiddling with his hands. We were not that close but I could practically feel the heat coming off of him. And he was blocking some of the wind which I was eternally grateful for. Watching him again he looked over at me opening his mouth as if to start speaking but no sound came out. He quickly looked away before shooting his head back to me. 

“I am sorry about earlier!” He rushed the words out like it took him all the courage in the world to say. I was taken off guard unable to form a sentence as he stared at me with the saddest biggest eyes I had ever seen. 

“I– What?” Was the only thing I could get out. He quickly looked down and away from me with what almost looked like a hint of blush dusting his cheeks. 

“For yelling at you earlier.” His gruff voice was filled with such regret almost like he has done something unforgivable. There was a small pause before we both spoke at the same time.

“Honestly it isn’t a big deal, don't worry about it.” “It was not meant to be directed at you but it was cruel”

I give a small laugh looking up at him with a smile.

“Angron it is okay. I promise.” he stares so intensely into my eyes as if trying to suss out if I was lying or not before tension releases from his shoulders. A visible puff of air floats up into the sky. 

“We all have rough nights.” I give a small laugh at the memory that pops into my head.

“Just last week Theo found me sobbing in the walk in for god knows what. Gave the poor kid a good fright too. When I threw an onion at him when he opened the room.” I laugh quietly to myself and my heart almost stops when I hear a soft deep chuckle from beside me. “So don’t sweat it man we all have rough nights and with the rush we had I would have been swearing if I was in your position too.” 

Looking down at my watch I realize I had already taken 2 extra minutes on my break. Standing up, I and probably the rest of the city heard my knees popping. I gave a small laugh headed towards the door. 

“Y/n.” I heard him call out as I grabbed onto the door handle. Humming in response as I look back at him. 

“Thank you.” I gave him a soft smile and nodded, pulling open the door. The bustle from inside fills the alley way as I locked eyes with him.