Night shift 🌙
Coffeeshop AU - getting a visit from Detective Smoker
This is day 4 of tropetember
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You're just a student with a job in a diner. You work the night shift because you like the calm of the night hours - and so does Smoker, a weary cop stopping by for a coffee and your company every so often.
Note: Mr 2's alias Bon Kurei was translated to"Bon Curry" in my country, so that's how I'm using it here.
Detective Smoker was a night-owl, and a regular at Bon Curry's diner. He usually stomped in around midnight, sat down at his usual spot and waited for Bon-Chan to bring him the usual - a strong coffee and a slice of the Diner's signature apple pie (contrary to the name, there was no curry on the menu).
His burly stature and grumpy demeanor were intimidating, so most waiters avoided him, except for your boss, whom everyone just called Bon-Chan. He was a lively and excentric person and the only one who was consequently delighted to serve the detective.
So when the door opened, ringing the bell and the big man with the dark coat entered the room, you waited for Bon-Chan to bring him the usual.
Smoker sat down with a groan and enjoyed his cigar. And waited. You continued to clean the counter. That old scary grump was not your responsibility, you told yourself.
Ten minutes passed. Smoker began to drum the table impatiently. Where's Bon-chan?
You looked around, he must be in the kitchen. You went looking - and smelled smoke - and there he was, fanning a burning something on the counter with this apron.
"I have a little bit of a situation here, darling" he said, waving you away.
"Uhm, the detective is here..." You told your boss, hoping he would take the hint.
"So? I'm busy here, you bring him the usual" he desperately continued to fan smoke out of the back window.
"He doesn't bite. He's actually a good guy. Just make a bit of smalltalk, he's a regular. You got this!" He gave you a thumbs up before taking care or the accident again. Bon-Chan was so cheery and positive, you couldn't refuse.
So you dutifully returned to the dining area, loaded a slice of pie and a coffee on a tablet and brought it to the detective's table.
"The usual" you said, a bit shaking, as you set the order down in front of him, already afraid what he might say. He was even more scary up close, but also strangely handsome. From afar, he looked much older - now you realised he must be in his mid thirties.
His angular face could only be described as masculine and stern. A nasty looking scar was above his eye. His nose looked crooked, like it had been broken more than once and never settled right. His stature was undeniably muscular and broad. Overall, not the qualities you liked on customers at all. He looked like the kind to make problems.
"Where's Bon-Chan" it felt more like an order than a question. He looked up at you through the tobacco smoke and you noticed his warm brown eyes, a stark contrast to his white hair and light skin.
"He is occupied, in the kitchen" you swallowed. His eyes may have been like warm chocolate, but you didn't doubt his stare could break any street thug's will.
"Hmph" He grunted as he sipped the hot coffee.
Just make some smalltalk, Bon-Chan's request echoed in your head. He prided himself to run the most welcoming diner in town, with an open ear and a Chat for everyone. You thought about how he often sat with customers, listening to their problems, easing their cares. It was a warmth you wanted to provide, too.
This man looked so weary, you had your work cut out for you. So you took all your courage and stammered out the usual question:
"So, had a long day?" You asked, hoping for the best. This man couldn't be further from your usual crowd.
"Long week." He rubbed the hunched bridge of his nose, looking unnerved.
"Must be tough out there" you said.
"You have no idea, miss" He squinted at you. "Can't you get Bon-Chan?" He asked, twisting his neck to scan the diner.
"He is fighting some burnt pie in the kitchen" you said, unprepared for the deep, guttural laugh that followed.
"Still clumsy I see, he doesn't change" Smoker laughed and his expression relaxed a little.
"Have you known each other for a long time?" You asked, now curious.
"Yes. We met through my work" He seemed engaged now. In a talking mood.
"He doesn't look like much, hell, before I met him I would probably not have taken him serious. But just let it be said that your boss saved my ass. Got a mean kick" He chuckled at your surprised face.
Your boss, that scrawny, skinny man with heavy make up, saving that hunk?
Smoker took a deep draught of his cigar and veiled himself in smoke.
"Now you have to tell me more!" You were intrigued, you didn't know much about Bon-Chan's past and he never told.
"Maybe another time, miss" Smoker raised his brow and leaned back in his chair, stretching.
His chest was so massive, it put quite the strain on the fabric of his shirt. You figured that he already wore the biggest size he could find. The stretched material revealed bulging pecs, the clearly defined muscles moving as he breathed in and out.
"Something wrong, miss?" He asked.
"No, not at all" you were ripped from the hypnotic moment, realising how athletic he was build. Rolled up sleeves revealed strong arms with thick veins stretching over his lower arms and big hands.
He leaned on the table again, robbing you of the sight of his chest - and instead treating you to a warm glance from his chestnut eyes.
"Why don't you tell me your story? You haven't been around long, miss" He dug into his pie and listened to you.
You told him why you came town and how you came to work at the diner, while he ate the slice of pie. He asked clarifying questions from time to time, remembering smallest details you mentioned. His eyes glinted with interest as he came to cunning conclusions about you.
You decided it was your time to ask and get him talking.
He told you how he grew up here, in a very bad part of town, actually not far from your flat. It was cheap living space, but not exactly the place with the best reputation. He seemed a bit concerned for your safety, but held back with overbearing advice.
"I bet you have your hands full, being in the police force around here" you said.
He nodded.
"There's a lot of great people here that deserve a safe town. I'm trying to do my part." He said it with such a finality that you didn't have a doubt about his conviction.
"Are you sure I shouldn't accompany you home?" He seriously looked at you.
"No, I've made it home for the past months, it will be OK." You told him.
He nodded.
"But if you ever feel unsafe, don't hesitate to ask" He said.
"Well, I'm off again" He said as he finished the last of his midnight meal.
"I hope to see you again, soon. Take care out there at night" He said in a warm voice.
As he put on his coat and got ready to leave, his demeanor hardened again, like he had to put on armor against the harsh world outside. He nodded towards the counter and left, vanishing into the foggy night again.
You looked over - Bon-Chan was leaning next to the coffee maker with a broad grin.
"Aw darling, he likes you!" His voice reminded you of your mom's, when she asked about the boys at school.
"I just chatted, like you asked!" You said, trying to play cool.
"He doesn't just like anyone. And he rarely smiles. You're on Smoker-duty from now on." He turned around to avoid further discussion.
When you cleared the table, you found a more than generous tip. Smoker-duty might prove exciting and profitable at the same time.
-----
Smoker
Over the years, he has become a little rough-edged, he knew that. The streets were tough and he saw a lot of horrible things every day. He couldn't save everyone and he often asked himself if he made any difference at all anymore.
He feared that he was getting like the old guys on the force - hopeless, bitter, disillusioned.
He returned to Bon Curry's diner as often as he did because it was a warm place, and there was always someone to keep him company. It reminded him of the good places of this town.
The waitress he talked to today was a welcome addition. He thought about her as he opened the door to his dark apartment.
He had noticed her before, standing silently behind the counter. He'd always found her to be pretty. And tonight he discovered that she was a good listener and a kind soul as well.
He hoped that she would be safe and would see her again. He looked forward to his next night shift.
--
Yes, I put Mr 2 in there because I love the thought of them running a small shop and providing shelter for lost souls. And yes, I would love them to be unexpected friends with smoker.
I like smoker in this setting, maybe there will be more parts.
And yes, he's a big, sexy daddy and y/n is a small, cute student.
Taglist @yeeeeezly @waitingmydemons @stariski @livwritesfics @violetmatcha
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