Tʜᴇ 5-Pᴏɪɴᴛ Cᴀғé

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

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[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

The morning breeze tore at Ruby’s clothes as she wove through the crowds of commuters, one hand balled into a fist in her jacket pocket whilst the other kept a cigarette pressed against lips. She’d been chain-smoking since the early hours in a last ditch attempt to sober herself up for the day of work ahead. Ruby supposed it served her right for staying out all night, the time had run away with her and before she’d known it was six am and she was meant to be at work. Ruby tossed the cigarette into the gutter and wiped a hand over her face, stifling a yawn. She knew she looked rough, the remnants of last night’s make up smudged around her eyes, her face gaunt and that white blonde hair stood up on end. Ruby made a conscious effort to flatten it down as she turned the corner, pausing by a street vendor to buy a cup of coffee and some gum.

The coffee helped and by the time Ruby reached The 5-Point Cafe she was at least starting to feel human. The diner was easily recognisable by it’s dark paint job and flickering neon lights, Ruby blinked away from the luminous sign and she slipped through the front door, letting it slam shut behind her. Inside, the place was empty - but the usual overplayed music was blaring through the speakers and there was a light on in the back room. She shrugged out of her jacket, and hastily combed through her hair once again, happy to see it at least looked passable in the reflection of the window. Her phone said forty-five minutes till opening time, which if she played her cards right meant a free breakfast and maybe a nap in the staff office. Sighing Ruby pushed open the office door, only to start as she almost ran straight into one of her colleagues, "Dammit Jos, you scared the shit out of me!"

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

Josiah had been up since five in the morning. Or well, since five yesterday. Sleep had taken a back seat to work yet again. And he had to deal with Lila or whatever the hell her name was calling him during his shift. He was pretty sure he'd been clear about a number of things which included not calling during his work hours ( in her defense, he wasn't supposed to be working last night, but it was an extra shift which meant more money ). Running a hand through his hair, he considered stepping out for a smoke or maybe to buy some coffee. But he didn't have time.

His shirt was partway off when Ruby walked in, a flurry of white blonde hair and--those were the same clothes as yesterday. At her profound statement of the morning, his brow quirked upward before he snatched the nearly empty cup of coffee from her. "Good morning to you, too," he greeted just before chugging the rest of the coffee. "And it looks like you had a good night, too." There was no trademark smirk to match this statement, but no judgment either. Just the slightest droop in his features as the first waves of disappointment hit him. She likely hadn't slept, either, and not for the same reasons.

"I'm not gonna ask, just make sure you can work today."

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

It took Ruby perhaps half a second to clock on to the fact that Jos wasn't fully dressed, her eyes gave him a quick once over before they reached his face. It was nothing that Ruby hadn't seen before, but after the night she'd had he certainly was a sight for sore eyes. Lounging against the door frame, she was about to ask Josiah to put some clothes on, when he snatched the coffee from her grasp. Ruby swore and made a grab for it, but Jos was already out of her reach. "Hey! That's m--" she huffed, no energy left to complain, "--Yours. Now it's yours...." She watched him upend the rest of her drink, half-hoping he’d choke on it, before stepping into the room and slinging her bag on top of the lockers.

“I did have a good night thank you very much,” Ruby replied flatly, reaching for the garish 5-point apron that was bunched up in the bottom of her locker. It was an awful combination of vibrant red and luminescent green, the kind of colours that made her already dizzying headache rocket into full clarity. She closed her eyes and sighed through her nose, yanking the thing over her head and tying the cord around her waist. When she opened them again Jos was looking at her with an expression that seemed almost...disappointed. It took everything Ruby had not to roll her eyes at the words that followed. “I’ve got it covered, it’s just waiting tables Jos, you should thank your lucky stars I don’t have to cook anything….” a sheepish grin flitted across her face as she kicked the locker shut and leant against it, her hands tucked behind her back, “Now what would it take to tempt you into making me breakfast?”

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

Josiah had sworn he would never wear the apron and he never did. The colors were far too distracting, even if it was supposed to be a branding for the cafe. And like with most things, he got away with it. The smirk that settled over his lips as Ruby put it on was a simple reminder that he didn't have to suffer the same fate as she. Besides, the only time he left the kitchen was to piss and ward off his siblings when they showed up to bug him.

Oh, he had a smart remark for her. But this wasn't the same as talking to one of is kid sisters, so he kept his mouth shut around whatever he'd likely regret later. Instead--still sans a shirt--he crossed his arms over his chest and pretended to ponder an answer to her question. Loose hairs fell into his face as he lifted a shoulder lazily in the semblance of a shrug. "Depends on what you have in mind," he replied. Of course, he wasn't going to mention there were already eggs fried, pancakes stacked, and bacon sizzling on a plate under saran wrap in the kitchen. As bad as it was, he wasn't going to eat just yet and the food had been made a pretense to get his boss off his back. But Ruby didn't need to know that.

"So why don't you get over here and show me what you got, Blondie." His voice was as inviting as his figure leaning against the wall.

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

Ruby didn’t miss the look Josiah gave her, that smug little grin that said he was free to do as he pleased - unsightly uniform and just about anything else. She swallowed, absently toying with the ties on the awful apron, lucky bastard. And why couldn’t he just put a damn shirt on? Ruby glanced down at the material in her hands, pursing her lips as she knotted and unknotted the strings. The shaking was evident there, tiny tremors running through her fingers - she closed her hands into fists and she mirrored Jos’ position, arms across her chest. Ruby couldn’t understand how it all came to him so easily, the casual confidence, the no care attitude and the inability to be affected by anyone or anything if he so chose. Stood across from her now, bare chested, eyes burning - it was taking everything Ruby had not to shrink under his gaze.

She chewed on the inside of her cheek, trying to replicate that same indifference as his voice filled the space between them. Her brows lifted ever so slightly, “I thought that was only a one time thing,” she replied, tilting her head to look at him. She was certain it had been. But still, Ruby dropped her hands and took a step forward, closing the small distance that the staff room allowed. She felt something close to shame in the back of her head, Ruby was going to him - of course she was - Jos wasn’t a guy that came to you. Heat flooded her chest as she tried to keep her gaze on his face, but Jos’ eyes didn’t make that any easier - it was like he was seeing through her, and Ruby didn’t quite know what to make of it. Her eyes shuttered, she glance down momentarily and aware that her hands were very very cold - hooked her fingers over his belt, brushing the taut skin underneath. Ruby’s gaze flicked up to his face, “Think you can make me forget about last night?”

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

Another lazy shrug met her statement. "It's a whenever-we-want-thing." At least, that was how he'd seen it. There was a quality to Ruby that he quite liked. She was hopeless in a very obvious way, but it was honest. No trickery, no games. He could see it all. Maybe it was because he could recognize it, but it was apparent enough for him to not be worried. He might have also been projecting, but that was beside the point. Underneath the obvious hot mess that she was was something he'd couldn't put a name to, but something that felt familiar. Familiar enough to weigh on him whenever she looked at his as she did now.

Her fingers brushed over his skin, ice cold. He hissed softly, muscles just beneath his skin clenching up for a moment before relaxing. The digits of his left hand traced the shape of her hips through her shirt, around to her back and slowly up her spine. "I could make you forget last week if I wanted to." His right hand found a resting spot over her collarbone; God, she had nice collarbones. Nice enough that he wouldn't mind biting them. A heavy-lidded gaze pinned her down as he awaited her next move. This was, after all, her choice.

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

A sigh left Ruby’s lips as his hand went around her waist, her back - gentle and warm even through the thin cotton of her shirt. A-whenever-we-want-thing. That’s what Josiah had said, and the words held some truth. Ruby did want to - it had taken her weeks to stop thinking about the last time they’d done this, and even now she was yearning to touch him, with her hands, her lips. Those wide hazel eyes of hers gave everything away, and she suppressed a shudder as Jos’ hand ran up her spine. Last week…Ruby’s throat bobbed and she murmured, “I don’t doubt that.”

She reach up with one hand and dared to run her fingers from his cheek, down his neck, resting her hand at the hollow of his throat. His skin was like heated silk beneath her fingertips, heart beat pulsing under her palm. And that gaze he held her in, that sultry, burning gaze - god, the things she wanted him to do to her - the things he would do to her. Something tight in her chest eased as she rose onto her toes and brushed her lips against his, her heart beat thrummed in her chest but Ruby remembered herself enough to say, “We should lock the door.”

She winked at him, and stepped away to click the lock into place, shedding that god awful apron in the process. With the door secured and no chance of anyone walking in, Ruby reached for Jos once again, her hands splayed against his chest. A fiendish grin crossed her face as she leaned up and nipped his lower lip, a sharp, wicked bite, “Don’t be gentle,” she muttered, before her lips crushed into his.

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

Jos saw no qualms in obliging her request. His hand slid down to her thighs, cupping the sweet spot at the cusp of her rear. lifting her easily up, he carried her over to the table in the corner of the room before plopping her down unceremoniously. All this, though, was done without breaking the kiss. His lips worked against hers, their breath intertwined and mingling. His teeth caught her bottom lip, biting down lightly before he began a trail of butterfly kisses. Fluttering and light, his teeth brushed against her neck, lingering over her pulse for a moment longer before reaching her collarbone.

He didn't bite down hard enough to hurt, but enough to leave a very noticeable mark. His hands danced over her skin, soft as satin sheets beneath his fingertips. They traveled down to her belt as he placed kisses gradually lowering. Quick work was made of her belt and tugging down her shorts ( correct me if it's something else! ). The last kiss brushed against the edge of her underwear, forefinger probing the hem that rested over her thigh.

Jos took that moment to look up, the beginnings of a smirk pulling his lips up. Whatever else was on his tongue, breath hot against her skin, was lost at the thundering knock at the door and a brusque complaint of the cold.

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

Ruby gasped softly as his teeth grazed her collarbone, marking the skin there. She lifted her hands to his face and dragged her fingers into his silken hair, body arching as she felt the heat of his mouth against her skin. Jos’ lips were firm, but urgent and his hands even more so as unbuckled her belt and tossed it into the corner. Ruby lifted her hips to help him out with the shorts, and heat scorched through her as those teasing hands came to rest at the top of her leg.

She sighed breathlessly, her fingers curled over the edge of the table as she leaned into him, begging for him to touch her again. Ruby wanted desperately to wipe that smirk off his pretty face, but just as she was about to try, there was a resounding knock on the door.

Ruby’s head snapped up. “Shit!” she hissed in a low whisper, rolling off the table and making a grab for her shorts, “Shit, shit, shit!” She tugged them on and retrieved the apron from where she’d chucked it. Ruby was just about to pull it over her head when a voice sounded on the other side of the door. Impatient, female and not someone Ruby knew.

“Jos? Jos are you in there?”

Ruby paused, lowering the apron and raised a brow at her colleague. “Sounds like it’s for you…” she said, as something close to a smirk touched her lips, “Good luck.”

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

Josiah had been walked in enough times for it not to bother him. He was, though, frustrated by the interruption. A groan left his lips as Ruby got up, rolling his eyes. Just his luck. He ran a hand through his hair as he glanced over at the door. The internal debate on whether to answer or not was evident in the furrow of his brow and the set of his jaw. If he didn't set things straight now, she'd just come back later. It would have been a whole more awkward if it had been one of the kids barging in before school. He kind of wished it'd been them right about now. At Ruby's words, he responded only with a sneer before taking a step towards the door.

"Yeah," he drawled, finally deciding to put on a shirt. He sniffed, opening the door to stare down at the dark haired woman. Ah, he remembered why he'd liked her in the first place, though that was tampered down by the fact that this was the second time she'd shown up at work. "What do you want?"

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

Ruby buckled her shorts again, trying to hide her disappointment as the knocking persisted and it became clear that whatever had been about to happen - was not going to. She turned her back on Jos as she retied her apron, and used the mirror on the inside of her locker to remove the last traces of smudged make-up from her face. Ruby stayed there whilst Jos opened the door, watching in the mirror as he confronted whoever stood on the other side. His question was a harsh one and Ruby was glad she wasn’t on the receiving end of it.

“You didn’t answer my calls,” came that same female voice, and then, “Why was the door locked?”

Ruby swallowed tightly, suddenly feeling sick. She pretended to keep herself busy, fixing her lipstick, toying with her hair - but then a pretty female face peered around Jos and locked eyes with Ruby in the mirror. The girl’s expression faltered, and those perfectly arched brows shot upwards.

“Who’s she?” the girl demanded.

Ruby felt her cheeks heat. She took a deep breath, tried to arrange her features into a picture of innocence and turned to lean against the lockers. The girl shot Jos an expectant look, and Ruby was annoyed to see that she somehow still managed to look stunning, even when her face was screwed up like that. From the glossy brunette hair to those impossibly dark eyes, she was the kind of girl that wouldn’t have looked out of place in magazine. Ruby ground her teeth as that voice came again, questioning.

“Well?”

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

He had a feeling of what would likely go down, seeing as it wasn't the first time something like this had happened. He could have taken a nice approach or just been forward about it. Either way, it could end with him getting slapped. He frowned for a moment, brows knitting together as he put his words in place. His voice was seemingly sympathetic as he spoke, his hands engulfing hers. Damn, they were cold.

"I was working. You know I work and I've said not to call me while I'm working because I'm trying to keep the lights on for the kids and myself, also so that we don't freeze to death in our apartment, yeah?" He flashed her an easy smile before continuing, words slowing to be sure she got every bit of his meaning. "The door was locked because I was about to fuck her." He gestured back with his head at Ruby, not quite as apologetic as the situation would've called for if it were anyone else.

"That's my co-worker. Ain't she cute? Anyways, I'm gonna need you to chill out Lila. Maybe step outside again. Or better yet, go wait in your car until opening and I'll make whatever you want ( that I have the ingredients for )."

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

Ruby couldn’t remember the last time she’d felt so uncomfortable. The other girl’s gaze was locked on her now and Ruby was suddenly very aware of the bruise that was blossoming beneath her collarbone. She bit her lip and absently tugged her shirt a bit higher, wishing the ground would swallow her up. The other girl turned back to Jos, scoffing at his explanation, “But you’re always working-” she interrupted, letting out the most hideous whine Ruby had ever encountered. Yeah it’s called a job dumbass… Ruby had to check herself to make sure she hadn’t actually voiced that opinion aloud. She was impressed at Jos’ ability to keep it together though, granted Ruby couldn’t see his face but even as he continued his explanation she saw the girl’s emotions change, her features soften at least until--

Fuck. Ruby actually balked at the word and she was certain the other girl flinched. There was something so raw about it, harsh, dirty word. Some far off part of Ruby’s mind begged her to say something, to tell Jos he couldn’t speak about her like that, but then he wasn’t lying. That was exactly what they had been about to do. And so Ruby remained silent. But the other girl - Lila - wasn’t about to do the same. She raised her chin looked Jos right in the eye -- and then her hand shot out and smacked him clean across the jaw. Ruby winced as the sound echoed off the walls.

“You can’t be serious!” Lila spat, throwing up her hands, “You’d give up all this, just to bone some coked-up waitress in the back of a diner? Classy Jos real classy - I’d suggest you get yourself tested. Jesus, what is wrong with you!?” Lila paused to take a breath and Ruby took that as her queue to leave, escape before she actually made a move to hit the girl. Ruby hated to admit that Lila’s words had struck a nerve - but they had, her eyes were stinging and she needed to get out. Gritting her teeth, she took her chance and slipped past the other girl into the hall.

“Hey!” Lila called after her, “Think you’re clever do you, going after someone else’s man?” Ruby paused in the hallway, sighing as she took a long, hard look at her shoes. Glancing over her shoulder, she looked past Lila to where Jos was still stood in the doorway and said, “When you’re done taking out the trash I’ll be in the kitchen.”

“Oh fuck you!” came Lila’s response.

Ruby merely gave her a vulgar gesture and slunk through the kitchen doors.

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

Jos would count himself lucky that she didn't punch him. That might have been worse, considering the ring on her finger--which he did not give her. He wasn't in any position to get angry, but then again he was. He sighed, brows raised as the two girl exchanged words for a moment. He had told her from the beginning that this wasn't an exclusive thing, so there was no real reason for her to be upset. All they really did was screw around whenever they felt like it, anyways. There wasn't anything serious going on, not in his opinion, anyways.

He disguised a laugh in a cough at Ruby's parting words. It was looking a lot like this was the end of another would-be girlfriend. Expression turning serious, he waited for Lila to calm down a moment before he did anything else. It was a shame, really; she was pretty and had a certain way with that mouth of hers, but she wouldn't be putting it to use in a way other than talking with him anymore.

"If I wanted all of this," he gestured to her easily, "I would have put a ring on your finger. But, I didn't, so I don't. You want something to eat or not?"

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

“Do I want something to eat?!” Lila’s voice carried through to the kitchen, “For fucks sake Jos! No I don’t want something to eat, get over yourself! Fuck this, I’m done! Don’t call me.” There was an angry huff, the sound of high heels clacking across the patent tiles and then the door slammed with enough force to make the windows shake. Ruby who was halfway through getting the saran wrap off the bacon, jumped slightly at the sound. Feeling just a little smug she crossed the room, opening up the serving hatch to watch as the brunette gunned the engine of her jeep and sped off out of sight. Something close to a smirk touched her features as she plucked a rasher of bacon from the plate and tore a piece off with her teeth. Trying not to groan the minute the food touched her tongue, Ruby chewed thoughtfully and then went back to the kitchen door, cautiously pushing it open.

Jos was still in the hallway, and Ruby tried to keep the sheepish look off her face as she peered her head around the door to look at him. “You gonna explain or shall we just to pretend that didn’t happen?” she asked, taking another bite of the bacon, “And—“ Ruby swallowed her food and pointed towards the door, “Was she actually married? You shit-head,” she laughed, half cackling as she finished the bacon and licked the grease off her fingers, “Shame she didn’t stay for breakfast, food’s goods.”

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

It was funny, because she'd always been the one to call. It wouldn't be like he was doing anything different from the usual. It'd just be one more number to delete from his phone. He did, though, hope he wouldn't be getting drunk calls and texts from her in the coming days. Josiah made sure she actually left and didn't do anything that would have him losing his job ( like a brick through the window like Patricia; she wasn't as delightful as her name had implied ).

He shrugged, turning to look at her. Seems she found the food. "I didn't ask, she didn't tell, but I met the lucky guy once by accident." The same night he'd met her, too, considering they came as each other's date for the wedding he'd catered for. The only reason he'd been there was because the other cook got food poisoning and they were afraid everything might have not been up to the standard they needed. But hey, it got him two bathroom quickies and five numbers. One could only guess how that added up. "It's not my business if her man isn't doing it right." This was followed by another shrug as he draped his arm over her shoulder.

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

Ruby guessed she couldn’t argue with that logic, she tucked herself comfortably under his arm and rested her cheek against his shoulder. The general atmosphere of the room indicated that the moment was almost certainly gone, and the clock on the wall only confirmed that notion. She gave an absent sigh and closed her eyes, rolling her head back to rest against the wall. Not long now and the first wave of breakfast-seeking city workers would be upon them, Ruby wanted to gag. “Don’t let Johnny crucify me today okay?” she muttered, casting a sideways glance at him. If there was one thing Jos was good at (aside from sex) it was getting his own way, and if he could keep their notoriously fastidious supervisor off her back, then Ruby might just make through the day without vomiting on a customer.

“You know if you’re free later, my housemate is in Chicago till Wednesday,” Ruby said, turning to face him. She didn’t let on how much she actually wanted him there, after their almost-encounter she was craving every inch of him. And the thought of going back to that darkened flat on her own didn’t exactly fill her with joy. She shrugged and pushed herself off the wall, “Offer’s there if you want it?”

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

The breakfast rush couldn't be considered much of a rush, but it was something. Nightshifters and early birds generally ambled in during the early hours, more of a wave than a rush. But it would still be busy as the morning opened up. Pinching her cheek, Jos scoffed. "When have I ever let him?" It was a fair point. He had gotten her the job, after all.

"If I'm not hallucinating, it sounds like you're inviting me for a booty call." His brows rose as he tilted his head to the side, lips somehow maintaining a thin line of seriousness despite the amusement dancing in his eyes. He placed a hand on his chest, leaning back slightly as he feigned indignation. "You make me out to be a cheap hooker; you better be making dinner or something." He was certainly game for a continuation of their interrupted moment.

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

The corner of Ruby's lip twitched, "That's exactly what it sounds like," she said, lifting her shoulders in the semblance of a shrug. There was something coy about her expression, the devious flash of her eyes and the now upturned curve of her smile. She toyed absently with a piece of white blonde hair that had fallen across her face, twisting it between her fingers. "But I mean if you don't want to..." She let the words hang there for a moment, her lips parted slightly as she waited for his answer. The thought that he might actually turn her down, made Ruby's insides turn to lead. She tried not to let that show on her face as she leant against the wall again, in a gesture that was perhaps overly casual.

"Well I don't have anything in, save alcohol - so it's either take out or liquid dinner," Ruby shrugged as if she didn't mind either way. As grim as it was, she could probably get by on just the drink. She thought back to what he'd said before and snorted, "Cheap hooker," she said, giving a shake of her head, "You do make me laugh Jos."

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

Josiah weighed his options carefully. He could go back home to his own bed and sleep after over twenty-four hours of not doing so, or spent a few more awake and between Ruby's legs. Both were easily pleasing options, but still hard to differentiate which one he wanted more. There was the alternative of passing out at her place, as well. "I do aim to please." In more than one way, of course. "I'll bring something; we just gotta swing by my place first." Hand on the small of her back, he brought her closer--about as close as they had been before being interrupted by Lila.

"You might wanna plan on another sleepless night, yeah?" He winked, a smirk proudly displayed on his face before he pulled away. He sauntered into the kitchen, glancing back at her with the smirk still on his face as he started to prep the kitchen for the day.

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

"I'm counting on it," Ruby breathed, her lips close to his ear. She kept her gaze on that smirking mouth of his as he pulled back and then winked at her. The action itself was enough to make her knees weak and Ruby ground her teeth together, trying to look anywhere else but his face. Even turning his back on her didn't help. Ruby's eyes went straight to those wide shoulders -- and her mind went straight to the idea of dragging her fingernails across them. Some distant part of her conscience snapped at her to get it together. Ruby gave herself an internal shake - and finding Jos looking back at her, returned his smirk with a slightly delayed smile.

When the door swung shut behind him, Ruby released the breath she didn’t realise she’d been holding and cursed in a near silent whisper. What had she gotten herself into now? Giving her head a slight shake, she retrieved the mop and bucket from the storage cupboard and backed her way through the kitchen door. Jos was in the midst of prepping the kitchen for the day as Ruby squeezed past and plonked the bucket into the cleaning sink at the back of the room. She turned on the tap and then sought out the radio amongst the mess Johnny had left on top the storage unit. It crackled to life with a burst of white noise, followed by…“and next up, news on a suspected viral outbre-“ Ruby twisted the dial and the serious report was drowned out by whatever song had topped the chart that morning. Ruby shrugged, and returned to the bucket, humming under her breath as she leant against the sink.

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

Josiah had a bad habit of beating himself up. Not in a way people would notice, though. His eyes scanned the screen of his phone as he scrolled through the timeline, a cigarette burning between the fingers of his free hand. Oh, look, baby pictures of a nephew he'd never meet. It seemed like Valencia was doing well. And like she would never mention her actual family again. He wondered what like she fed her wonderbread husband about them in the first place. Taking a drag of his cigarette, he let himself off the hook and switched to one of the games he must have mindlessly downloaded on his phone.

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

Ruby resisted the temptation to say something as the group of three housewives dumped a handful of loose change on the table, gathered up their squalling toddlers and swanned out of the dinner. She smiled sweetly after them, but the expression fell from her face the second the door clanged shut. Uttering a sigh she swept the crumbs off the table, straight onto the floor - since Johnny wasn’t in view - and made her way towards the back. She didn’t even reach the staff room before the supervisor appeared in the hallway, hauling a crate of drinks in from the stock room. Two beady little eyes swept her up and down. “Weren’t you wearing that yesterday?”

“Oh, piss off Johnny,” Ruby snapped, making a face as she shoved past him. The supervisor merely laughed, as she threw open the back door and flounced down the steps. Outside the air was freezing and Ruby suppressed a shudder as she raised a cigarette to her lips. Her hands shook as she pulled the lighter from her pocket and tried, unsuccessfully to get the damned thing to light. “Come on,” she muttered, around the cigarette, jamming her thumb against the lighter multiple times in a desperate attempt to get it going.

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

( twas shitty )

Jos' attention left the tiles on his screen for only a second as the door opened, glancing up a second time as he spotted the blue streak in Ruby's hair in his periphery vision. He watched her struggle with the lighter a moment longer, lounging back against the cold brick wall. He'd already finished his cigarette but had been far too engulfed in his game to get back inside. That aside, he needed a few minutes anyway to push the thought of unfavorable things from his mind. He slid his phone back in his pocket and kicked off the wall in a motion so easy it was like one movement.

His fingers slid over Ruby's. "Easy there; don't wanna burn yourself." He took the lighter from her gingerly. A few more clicks from lighter and a flame flickered into fruition. The rise of his brows and slight widening of his eyes were all that were needed to complete the smug purr, "There we go." He lit her cigarette and then returned the lighter to her, slipping it into the pocket of her apron.

"Johnny said something, didn't he?" The stout manager had a way of getting under people's skin. People not Josiah, anyways. He had a knack for dealing with him quite easily and with very little effort. Plus it was a little funny to see the man sputter and backpedal.

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

Ruby closed her eyes as she took a long, slow drag on the cigarette - using those few seconds to collect herself after her run in with Johnny and The Real Housewives of Seattle. Finally looking up at Jos, she muttered a thank you and moved to prop herself up against the wall. “Of course, he said something-” Ruby grumbled, and then more quietly, “-he always says something.” She sniffed, and pressed the cigarette to her lips once again. In truth, she’d grown pretty accustomed to Johnny’s snide remarks and frequent underhand comments. His favourite one - to remind Ruby that the job was only hers because the hiring manager wanted to sleep with Jos. And yet, it wasn't Johnny that had riled her that morning. It was just about everyone else.

The way those suburban house wives had looked at her, the screaming kids, the teenage boys who'd thrown item after item onto the floor just to watch her pick each one up. Ruby breathed out, the tightness in her chest beginning to ease. Of all of them the housewives had been the worse. What with the gossiping, and the furtive glances they kept shooting at her. She'd seen something of her own mother in each of them. Maybe it was the look of resentment or the raised eyebrows when she'd stumbled over their order, maybe it was because they were all pandering to a screaming child. Ruby wasn't sure.

"It's not just him, it's everyone," she muttered, looking past Jos towards the parking lot behind him. Ruby was still yet to open the envelope her mother had sent her, it had been sat in the mailbox for the last week. But she knew what was inside - an ultrasound image of the sibling she'd probably never get to meet. "It doesn't matter anyway," she continued bitterly, shuddering against the wind. "I just need this shift to end." Ruby finished the cigarette and dropped it next to her foot.

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

"Everyone has that effect." Perhaps a dull statement in retrospect, but true. Jos was generally unaffected by people and the things they did. It was probably the only ting he could really thank his parents for. Their stubbornness to futilely prove their own innocence had been enough to make him lose some expectations of others. His sisters had been the cherry on top to make everything clear when they left. And as far as he was concerned, or at least pretended, good riddance.

People were lousy. Unreliable, selfish. People were basically no better than animals--probably worse because they could actual reason through their decisions and somehow justify the things they do. Jos sucked in a breath, cold air flooding his lungs. Lord, he needed to sleep. But the next wave of customers would be coming in and he had no time to nap. He gingerly rubbed sleep from his eyes before sniffing and moving to open the door.

"Just gotta push through." His words were almost lost in a yawn, one of many that had plagued him since earlier this morning. His fatigue would catch up to him eventually, he supposed.

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

She supposed Jos was right - it was his round about way of telling her not to let others get to her down. Ruby loosed a sigh and flicked her hair out of her eyes, feeling a little less morose as she tailed Jos through the door. “Easier said than done,” Ruby murmured, sounding equally tired. She gave him a gentle nudge with her elbow once they were in the hallway, and kept her voice low as she said, “Sure you’re going to be on form tonight?” This was followed up with a shrug, as if it didn’t worry Ruby either way - and giving Jos a lazy smile as she backed into the kitchen, holding the door open for him to follow.

Johnny had scrawled the lunchtime menu up on the blackboard and Ruby glanced over it, before making a point of erasing several letters from the word bananasplit. Much better. What remained was a rather rude word (take a guess?) and Ruby snickered before turning back to Jos. The look on her face might have been considered suggestive but she followed it up with, “Don’t get any ideas.” Grabbing her order notes off the side she leant forward against the counter and stared wistfully through the service hatch - only a few more hours till freedom.

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

"I'm always on form," Jos objected, tone indignant. All he really needed was an hour or two; he'd perfected the art of getting no sleep a while ago. A lopsided grin marred his features for a moment as he looked over Ruby's selective erasing. For not being told not to get any ideas, he already had a few in mind. But, rather than saying anything on the matter, he held his hands up in defense and ambled back into the kitchen.

( so sorry; today is just not a good day >.< )

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

The rest of the day passed in a blur of whining customers, shattered plates and screaming toddlers. Ruby had been rushed off her feet for the most part, dashing back and forth between the kitchen or dealing with multiple complaints about her waitressing. The few spare seconds she'd had were spent shooting snarky comments in the supervisor's direction or pausing on her way through the kitchen to whisper naughty things in Jos' ear. By the time the clock ticked over to five, Ruby was more than ready to go home. Gathering up the empty plates and remnants of food from her last customers, Ruby tottered back to the kitchen and dumped the lot in the sink.

Thankfully it was only Jos in there - stood with his back to her - as Ruby slumped against the work surface and let out a heavy sigh. "People are the worst," she grumbled, shuffling over to where he was stood and looping her arms around his waist. Closing her eyes, she buried her face between his shoulders blades and muttered, "I'm glad that's over." The entire shift had really taken it out of her, and what Ruby needed now was a long shower and a nap...at least until Jos came over. She had a feeling she wasn't going to be sleeping particularly well once he joined her at the apartment.

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

Jos ad been on his feet all day, but that was nothing new. By the time is shift was over, he'd fooled himself into some semblance of consciousness. All that was left to do was clean off the stove, which he was currently doing when he felt Ruby's arms slipping around his waist. He glanced back at her over his shoulder, a lazy smile on his lips. "You and me both," he murmured.

He'd have to make sure the kids were good for te night, but they usually were so he never saw much of a problem leaving them. It was more so a habit to reassure himself that he wasn't completely fucking up.

[E L L E, We are the Walking Dead]

Ruby managed a half laugh, her hands lingering against Jos' side as she disentangled herself from him. Leaning on the counter next to the stove, she stifled a yawn and folded her arms across her chest. "I'm gonna shoot," she told him, "But I'll stop by the store on the walk home, so text me if you need anything." She reached behind her back and untied the cords of the apron, slinging it over her arm. "Come round anytime after seven," Ruby shrugged, and raised up onto her toes to kiss him quickly on the mouth. She pulled away, shot him a wicked grin and then made her escape from the kitchen.

Thankfully Johnny wasn't around so he couldn't make any qualms about her leaving the second her shift ended. Ruby tossed the apron back in the locker, retrieved her bag and scurried out the back door before the supervisor so much as noticed her absence.

[sucre'd fiend, save america 2k17]

The dark haired man nodded, watching her disappear through the doorway. The bang of the door was the only indicator that she was gone, quick as that. Johnny would likely not be pleased, but that wasn't Jos' problem at this point. Finished with his tasks with ease. No one around to distract him, the kitchen was cleaned and everything was in place in less than half an hour.

He was out the door and into the cold, mind already working on a list of what to check on when he got home.

( late and crappy; you want me to post/make the apartment? )