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Brad knew, he wasn’t stupid; sure Aaron’s a bit of a mess and a fuck up, but if there’s one thing that he is, it’s he’s a good friend, so he takes notice of Aaron and his mannerisms. He took notice of the hickeys, his shirt inside out, and the smell of grease and skittles that surrounded Aaron, not to mention the guy suddenly got a lot more chicken, beef, and lamb to snack on. Sure, the guy managed to wiggle himself into the kitchen (something about insulting Ruby’s tattoos, Nico being a nepo baby, and Joey’s E.D. medication), but meat was expensive, they wouldn’t give him extra meat... unless he was dating Pickles.
Now, Brad never actually asked, he just... watched... he’s also sure Harold knew, considering the guy came out grumbling about “face sucking morons”, and Amber was at the Hostess stand and Joey was in the back, Nicole was working the floor and Ruby was also in the back, Clint was at the bar and Deb had called out sick, Trick and Bridgette were on the floor, Oscar was cleaning tables, and the only one not present was Aaron (and Terry, but Clint is Terry’s type). Sure, it could have been Nico and Pickles, but Nico liked women, and had made that very clear with every comment said to Nicole.
So, he’d see Aaron stumbled out of the back with food, his lips red and swollen, and his eyes glazed over, and his curls messed up, meaning he and someone (more than likely Pickles) was getting freaky near The Pit, and had traumatised Harold.
It was nice, Brad was happy for Aaron, the guy deserves a win every once in a while. He’s not had much luck with anyone in the past, nor with customers, or his bike, or his house, so Brad’s happy Aaron finally has a partner, even if the guy hadn’t told anyone.
This day in particular had been long and boring, really quiet and really slow. Tim and Pam had, yet again, come in for the Santa Fe Chicken and Burger, and Poppy and River were in as well, annoying Nicole, but those were the only regulars, the rest were first timers, some douche at table 15 in Aaron's section, and a hottie and her friend at the bar, with a couple in Bridgette’s section.
Aaron stumbled past him, heading to the POS, putting in an order and mumbling under his breath, “medium rare, medium rare, medium rare...”
Brad smirked, “is it medium rare?” He asked teasingly, knowing Aaron had a bad memory so would mutter certain things under his breath to try and remember what was important.
Aaron looked over with that wide eyed stare he sometimes had, and said, “oh, uh yeah... and the guy was very insistent... said my tip depends on it...”
Brad grimaced, ugh he hated guys like that. Equally, medium rare steaks are hard to cook, and the douchebag will 100% complain if it's so much as one degree off, you could tell by his tie and combed back hair he was that sort of customer. “At least you sold a steak,” Brad said, shrugging. Hey, the guy usually only sells Santa Fe Chickens, it’s an improvement.
Aaron grinned slightly, “oh yeah, said it was a tender grass-fed, 28-day aged filet, I said it melts in your mouth, and it's incredibly buttery, even said there was a hint of nuttiness from the aging.” He shrugged, and Brad let out an impressed laugh; Pickles is good for Aaron, he’s getting confident.
“My man,” grinned Brad, pointing at him, impressed and, admittedly, proud.
“Managed to upsell him on a Oregon Pinot Noir as well,” Aaron laughed awkwardly, as if he had done something wrong.
Brad’s mouth fell open into a wide smile, “Aaron, look at you... you’re getting tipped big tonight.”
“Yeah, so long as it’s medium rare,” sighed Aaron, shrugging, and walking into the kitchen.
Brad let out a breathy laugh, impressed. Pickles is doing wonders for Aaron, and he’s upselling now! All he needed was a bit of confidence! And a boyfriend! He frowned - wait what’s with servers and staff always going for the chefs? What do they have that Brad doesn’t? Is it the hair? The food they can make? The attitude?
Noticing Tim and Pam having finished, he walked over, “evening guys, anything else I can get you?” He asked, knowing there would be some desert and another drink, as he picked up the plates.
“Just another Budweiser,” Tim said, looking Brad up and down, finishing off his beer.
Oh not this again. Holding back a sigh, Brad gave a tense smile, "Budweiser coming up.” He turned and went to the kitchen, moving to Harold to dump the dishes in the gross, soapy water, ugh, he does not miss being a dishwasher.
“Pickles! Where are ya?!” Yelled Joey, as Nico dropped the fries, and Ruby was sautéeing the mushrooms. “Pickles!”
Pickles suddenly shuffled out of the walk-in, one hand behind the wall and was smiling with this ditzy look on his face, and a slight flush on his cheeks and nose, “I was cleaning the walk-in chef!”
Joey stared, “I didn’t fucking send you in the walk-in! Get over here, or your steak is gonna be overcooked!”
“Heard!” Pickles walked forward, sounding slightly disgruntled.
Brad stared, and shook his head, really?! Aaron and Pickles, making out in the walk-in?! Those freaks! Stealing Nicole and Ruby’s spot!
“What the fuck are you staring at?!” Joey snapped, his attention now on Brad.
Brad rolled his eyes, “nothing, jeez.” He walked off, ringing in the order to get Tim his “Budweiser” from Deb. Honestly, he had no idea how Aaron managed to sneak into the walk-in, and he had no idea how he’d sneak out, but ever since he and Pickles began seeing each other (about six months now, maybe... he’s almost certain given it was six months ago that Aaron had showed up to work with a large hickey, poorly covered with makeup), Aaron has gotten better, like he’s realised his worth.
Brad walked over to the bar, and grabbed the glass of beer from Deb, “thanks Deb.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Deb said, moving onto the next drink for the girls at the bar, “tell me honey, what else you thinking of?”
Brad walked back to Tim and Pam’s table, setting the drink down, and picking up the empty bottle, “anything else? Could I get you dessert?”
“Nah, she’s intermittent fasting again,” Tim said, grabbing the glass, and taking a swig, his eyes squinting as if judging Brad.
Pam nodded, “I’m aiming to lose ten pounds in about a month,” she smiled with that wide eyed delighted stare, “so I gotta stay off the cake and ice cream,” she laughed.
Tim rolled his eyes, “yeah, an’ she ain’t given up her afternoon snack still.”
Brad held back a sigh, he knew she wouldn’t; Pam couldn’t stick to diet no matter how hard she tried. He smiled, “well, can I refill your water?”
“Yeah, thank you Brad,” grinned Pam.
As annoying as they were, Pam was the nicer of the two, Brad could secretly admit. He nodded, walking off to grab the pitcher of water, as Aaron walked past him with the steak.
Brad grabbed the pitcher of fresh water, and walked back onto the floor.
“I told you I wanted this steak, medium rare!”
Brad paused and looked over, seeing Aaron at the douche’s table, looking nervous and confused, “oh, well I definitely put in medium rare — ”
“No, you clearly put; well done!” Snapped the customer.
“Oh,” Nicole sighed, slipping next to Brad, “Aaron’s fucked up again.” She grinned slightly, living for the drama as usual.
“I can get the ticket,” Aaron said quietly, looking reserved and nervous, unlike how he was moments ago. “The chefs just made a mistake — ”
“Oh the chefs?” Laughed the man, sarcastically, “how funny! Blaming the chefs, when you clearly fucked it! I told you your tip depended on this - you know what? No, here’s a tip; do fucking better, or get a different job!”
Brad’s eyebrows raised, and looked at Nicole; last time something like this happened Nicole had gone to get Joey. But, no... no he’s not going to stir the pot, he’s not going to pull a Nicole.
“Sorry, I’ll go ask them to fire a new one,” but Aaron sounded so upset, so disappointed, and yeah, Aaron fucks up the most, but this time, he genuinely didn’t fuck up. Brad saw, Brad heard, he put “medium rare” on the POS, right?
“Yeah you do that,” snapped the customer.
When Aaron came past with the plate, Brad cursed silently and walked over to Aaron, “hey, hey Aaron.”
Aaron paused at the kitchen door, his eyes that same wide eyed look he had, but his voice was quieter than normal, “yeah?”
“Let me take that,” Brad said, taking hold of the plate. At Aaron’s confused look, Brad shook his head, “I need a break from Tim and Pam, the waters for Pam,” he said, handing the pitcher over.
“Oh... okay,” said Aaron, confused, and Brad walked off with the food.
Guess he’s pulling a Nicole.
“Hey,” said Brad, setting the food on the pass, “this steaks meant to be medium rare, it’s well done.”
Joey looked at the steak, “what’s the problem?” He asked, grabbing a fork, and stabbing a piece of the cut up steak, “that’s medium rare!”
Brad scowled annoyed, huffing through his nose. Right, they never admit their mistakes, “there’s no pink, anywhere.”
“I don’t know what you want me to do, that’s our medium rare!” Joey snapped, shrugging, taking the plate.
Brad scowled more, “really? See the issue is, Aaron managed to upsell the steak finally, and now he’s not got a tip.” He said deliberately. The chefs never cared about the servers, or their tips, or what happened, but... Pickles?
“That’s Aaron’s ticket?” Asked Pickles, and Brad held back a smirk.
“Yeah, the guy is pissed, I mean if Aaron forgot to put it on, or if that’s our medium rare...?” Brad trailed off, shrugging, trying to see if they’d actually own up to their mistake.
Pickles’ eyes were wide, “yeah, I messed up the steak...”
“Pickles!” Snapped Joey, looking at Pickles, his arms out in shock at being thrown under the bus that they had, in fact, fucked up the order.
Nico laughed, a grin on his face, “oh, man... feeling guilty, huh bro?”
Ruby rolled her eyes, unimpressed, “you had one job, Pickles.”
“What’re you doing with Aaron’s plate?” Asked Pickles, ignoring the other three.
Brad shrugged, as if nothing was happening and was just sharing information, or just doing Aaron a favour, “well I was just coming to say that he’s blaming Aaron, and the only tip he got was; “do fucking better, or get a different job”.”
Joey scoffed, “sounds like an arsehole,” he took the plate. “We’ll drop another, but next time don’t take the heat away from Aaron — ”
“Is the guy still here?!” Asked Pickles with wide eyes, “he’s better fucking not be!”
Brad held back a grin; Pickles swore! “Yeah, the guy’s still here!” Brad said, jabbing his thumb to the door, “waiting for his new steak.”
“Oh, he can forget it!” Snapped Pickles, and walked out from behind the pass.
“Pickles!” Snapped Joey, “Pickles!”
“Woah,” Ruby watched in shock.
“Pickles is angry for his bro,” mused Nico, nodding.
Brad grinned, watching Pickles storm through the double doors. ‘Oh, I’m such a shit stirrer,’ he thought to himself and rushed after Pickles, moving to stand at the bar and watch the show.
Aaron had noticed Pickles by this point, heading to his table, and frowned, walking over after him, confused.
“You!” Snapped Pickles, in that friendly high pitched voice of his. Honestly, Brad could admit it was slightly jarring, this friendly voice, and the nicest person to exist, getting angry. “You’re the guy who ordered the steak?!”
“Pickles,” whispered Aaron, grabbing his arm and trying to pull him away.
“Yeah,” the douche said.
Nicole slipped over to Brad, confused, “what’s happening — ”
“Shush!” Snapped Brad, grinning, wanting to listen to the very loud argument.
“No, no, no,” Pickles waved Aaron off, who was trying to stop him. “I heard you’re giving out tips, and I thought I’d come here and get one too!”
“What?” Asked the douche, confused, scowling. “I’m just waiting for a new steak — ”
“Oh no,” whispered Aaron, looking between them, and facepalm, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“What?! You not got anything for me? Just Aaron?” Pickles asked, gesturing to Aaron, “you told him to do better and get another job!” He snapped, voice rising in disbelief.
Nicole’s mouth fell open in shock, as if not expecting this to be the reason that Pickles was yelling at a customer, and Brad grinned, entertained; this was better than cable. Deb walked over, and handed a bowl of nuts over, watching under her eyes.
“Pickles,” Aaron tugged on Pickles’ arm desperately.
“No, no,” Pickles held up his hand, looking at Aaron, his voice calmer when talking to the server, “it’s okay.” He looked at the customer, “did you originally want the steak?”
“Well, no I wanted the Santa Fe Chicken — ”
“Oh! So... Aaron did his job!” Pickles yelled, “and got your dumb ass to order more expensive food and wine, and yet you tell him to get another job?!” He scowled, “now why would he get another job, when I’m the one who fucked up your food?!”
The customer scowled, “is that what this is about?”
“Yeah!” Smiled Pickles with this manic look in his eyes, as Aaron looked like he wanted to die. “If fact, I have a tip for you; get the fuck outta my restaurant!”
Aaron’s mouth fell open, and looked up at Pickles like he was insane.
Brad choked on the nut he was eating, and Nicole smiled like a maniac. Ruby, Joey and Nico gaped from the window of the kitchen, and Amber and Bridgette were looking over from the hostess stand with wide eyes, entertained.
“What?!” Yelled the customer.
“Get the fuck out! Never come back!” Snapped Pickles, “don’t call here! Don’t sit here! Don’t eat here!”
Terry came out from the managers office, confused at the ruckus, but paused upon seeing Pickles yelling at a customer, and Brad noticed the shocked look of “why is Pickles yelling at a customer”, and “someone is yelling at a customer”.
“Hell! Don’t even look at him!” Snapped Pickles.
The customer stood up and threw his napkin down, “I’ll be leaving a review!”
“Oh no! A review! Use the right fucking title; Arsehole Customer Gets a Black Eye!” Snapped Pickles, fist raised, as if intending to punch the guy in the face.
“Hey! Hey!” Yelled the customer, backing up, his eyes wide and his hands raised in defense.
Nicole gasped in delight at the drama.
Aaron grabbed his fist in a panic, his eyes wide, “no! No!”
“You’re so fucking lucky I have a record!” Snapped Pickles, “fucking get out!”
“Fine! Fine! I’m going!” He snapped, and stormed off, walking out the main doors.
Terry walked over, cautiously, “everything alright — ?”
“Oh yeah, we’re fine,” Pickles smiled, back to normal.
“I get it, I get why everyone’s with a chef,” Brad said, his arms crossed with a grin, shaking his head, amused.
Aaron looked over with wide eyes, hearing him in the now very quiet restaurant, “Brad!”
“Brad,” scowled Pickles, walking away, going back to the kitchen.
Nicole gaped with amusement, her eyes wide, looking between the kitchen and Aaron and said, “you and Pickles?!”
“Oh...” Aaron stared at Nicole, his eyes wide, “well, I, he... we... yeah...”
“How long?” Grinned Nicole, leaning closer as if waiting for the details. Brad couldn’t lie, he was also interested, he estimated six months, but it didn’t mean it was true.
“Oh... about a year...” Aaron mumbled.
Brad’s eyes widened in shock, “a year?!”
“Yeah...” Shrugged Aaron, and at Brad’s shocked look, he said, “what? He’s a good kisser.” He then walked off into the kitchen.
Nicole watched Aaron walk away and said in excitement at the drama, “Pickles and Aaron!” She looked over at Brad, “how did Pickles know what that guy said to Aaron?”
“... might have told him,” Brad shrugged, in a noncommittal way.
Nicole’s eyes lit up, “you shit stirrer!”
“Fuck off,” scoffed Brad, walking off.