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The restaurant was loud and it's not just busy, cause it's very loud. Plates clinking, chairs scraping, people talking over each other like it was a family reunion instead of a "5 star dining experience" And in the middle of it all was a very very much troubled Kenny. Who was actually trying so hard.
"Hi, welcome, um-- what can I get you started with-- no, sorry, I'll come back, just give me two seconds-- " Kenny said as he pivoted, nearly colliding with a chair as someone from another table raised their hand.
"Excuse me! We asked for water?" One customer said.
"Yeah! Coming-- coming right now, just one second--" Kenny said as he turned again.
"Bro, where's our food?" Another table cut in.
"It's being cooked, just calm down" Kenny said.
"By who?" The guy shot back.
Kenny froze for a moment, because yeah.
Who was cooking it right now?
Chunkz had disappeared into the kitchen like five minutes ago and Kenny hadn't seen him since. Kenny had bet on it that Chunkz was probably somehow eating some of the plates they were supposed to be serving.
"By the chef..?" Kenny said, voice tightening but still polite, still trying to smile.
"Can we get more napkins?"
"Can we change our order?"
"Excuse me, excuse me-- hello??"
It started stacking with voices overlapping. Hands raised wherever Kenny pass by. There are people asking for his service left right and center.
"Can I have some water?"
"Where's the menu?"
"Can I order?"
"Can I have another fork?"
"Where's my drink?"
"Why is it taking so long?"
Kenny's smile didn't drop but it started to strain with the frustration that comes with every customer.
"Yeah yeah, of course. Just give me one second, everyone-- please" Kenny said as he moved fast, grabbing a jug, then forgetting which table asked for it. He placed it down anyway.
Wrong table.
"That's not ours" The person said.
"Sorry, my bad" Kenny said as he grabbed it again. Someone else tapped his shoulder.
"Bro" A voice called out.
Kenny turned already knew it was probably another request. Another problem. Another thing. And it kept going. While across the room, Sharky stood near the entrance, clipboard in hand, watching. At first, he was smiling. Amused. Entertained. Because Kenny being all professional? Trying to be proper? It was funny.
But then, he noticed it. The way Kenny's movements got sharper. Faster. Less sure. The way he kept nodding at everyone but wasn't actually finishing anything. The way his smile didn't reach his eyes anymore. Sharky's expression shifted. Just slightly.
Kenny is absolutely stressing.
When Kenny turned again, almost bumping into Sharky this time.
"Oh sorry" Kenny said.
Kenny didn't even properly look at him. Just tried to move past. Sharky caught his wrist to stop him from moving so quickly for a chat.
"Kenny" Sharky said.
"Yeah yeah, what do you need?" Kenny asked.
It came out rushed. Automatic. Like Sharky was just another customer. That's what made Sharky frown.
"I'm not a customer" Sharky said quietly.
That made Kenny blink. He looked at him properly this time. And yeah, he realized that he looked overwhelmed.
"Yeah, I know, I just, there's a lot like-- everyone needs something and I'm trying to--" Kenny explained.
"I can see that" Sharky said.
Kenny huffed a small breath, running a hand over his face.
"I'm good, though. I've got it" Kenny said.
He didn't, not really and Sharky knew it. It would take a solid five more minutes or two before Kenny absolutely gives up. Another voice called out behind them.
"Waiter!" A voice called from a far table.
Kenny flinched slightly, that did it. Sharky stepped a bit closer, lowering his voice just for him.
"Oi. Look at me for a second" Sharky said.
Kenny hesitated but he did. Just for a second.
"That's it, you don't have to answer everyone at once" Sharky said, softer now.
"I know, but--" Kenny said.
"They're not gonna die if they wait ten seconds" Sharky intervened smoothly.
"Feels like they might" Kenny said as he let out a breath, somewhere between a laugh and frustration.
"You're doing fine" Sharky said, assuring Kenny.
"No I'm not" Kenny said as he shook his head immediately.
"You are, you're just doing too much at the same time" Sharky said, firmer this time.
"Finish one thing then move to the next. Stop trying to be everywhere" Sharky added.
Kenny swallowed, because that actually made sense. Somehow helpful.
"Okay" Kenny said.
"Go on then. 5 star service, yeah?" Sharky said as he gave his wrist a small squeeze before letting go.
That got a real smile out of Kenny this time.
"Yeah" Kenny said, exhaling.
And as Kenny turned back into the chaos, he was still busy. Still running around. Still getting called from every direction. But this time, he slowed down just enough. And across the room, Sharky watched again. Not smiling the same way as before. This time it was quieter like he was proud but wouldn't say it out loud.
////_////_////_////
The corner he picked wasn't even hidden. Just out of the way enough. Behind a half wall near the kitchen, where the noise dulled but didn't disappear. You could still hear everything like plates, voices, complaints but it felt distant. Like it wasn't aimed directly at him anymore.
Kenny leaned back against the wall, hands on his knees, head dropped. He tried to breathe. In and out. But it didn't work. A laugh slipped out but it cracked halfway through.
"Everything in my life always just flops" Kenny muttered under his breath.
His hands dragged up his face, pressing hard like that might reset something. It didn't. Because all he could hear still.
"Waite."
"Excuse me"
"Hello??"
His chest tightened.
"Bro, I can't--" Kenny started, but there was no one there to hear it.
Or at least that's what he thought.
"You done crying or you gonna keep hiding?" A voice asked.
Kenny froze and slowly looked up. At Sharky. Of course. Leaning against the wall like he'd been there the whole time, arms folded, expression somewhere between amused and something softer he was clearly trying to hide.
"I'm not crying" Kenny said as he huffed, wiping at his face quickly.
"Yeah? Eyes look a bit glossy for someone who's 'not crying'" Sharky said as he raised a brow.
"Man, shut up" Kenny muttered, but there was no bite in it.
Sharky pushed off the wall, stepping closer.
"Whole restaurant's falling apart and my star waiter's back here having a moment" Sharky went on, tone teasing but quieter than before.
Kenny let out a breath, shaking his head.
"It's long, bro. Everyone wants something at the same time, I don't even know what I'm doing anymore" Kenny admitted.
Sharky tilted his head, studying him for a minute.
"Yeah, you look like it" he said simply.
"You're not helping" Kenny said as he shot him a look.
"I'm not trying to help. I'm trying to tell you that you look mad" Sharky replied instantly.
That got a small, tired laugh out of Kenny despite himself. Then Sharky stepped closer. Closer than before.
"Come here" Sharky said.
"For what?" Kenny said as he frowned slightly.
Sharky didn't explain, he just reached out, grabbed the front of Kenny's shirt, and pulled him forward. Not rough. But not gentle either.
"Oi" Kenny let out, startled but he didn't pull away.
"Relax, cameras are over there" Sharky muttered, glancing briefly toward the open area.
"You sent them away?" Kenny asked.
"Obviously, I'm not letting them film you having a breakdown, are you dumb?" Sharky said, like it was nothing.
That hit differently. Kenny didn't respond. Didn't need to. Because Sharky was right there, still holding onto him, eyes flicking over his face like he was checking if he was actually okay.
"You done?" Sharky asked, quieter now.
Kenny exhaled.
"Yeah. I think so" Kenny said.
"Think so? That's not convincing, you know" Sharky said.
"What do you want me to say?" Kenny asked as he rolled his eyes weakly.
He didn't get to finish. Because Sharky cut him off by pulling him in again. This time it's even more closer. Close enough that Kenny had to grab onto Sharky's arm just to steady himself.
"Sharky--" Kenny said.
"Motivation" Sharky said under his breath.
And then Sharky kissed him, quick at first. Like he was testing if Kenny would even respond. Kenny froze for half a second then kissed him back.
Because yeah.
He needed that.
Needed something that wasn't noise and pressure and ten people calling his name at once. Sharky's grip tightened slightly at his shirt, angling him better, turning it into something a bit more intentional. Still not long, couldn't be but enough to make Kenny's head go a little quiet.
When they pulled back, it wasn't far, they were still close. Still in each other's space. Kenny let out a breath, a small laugh slipping through.
"That's your solution, yeah?" Kenny asked.
"You complaining?" Sharky asked as he shrugged, lips twitching.
"No" Kenny said as he shook his head immediately.
"Thought so" Sharky said.
Then Sharky reached up, brushing his thumb quickly under Kenny's eye, wiping away something he definitely wasn't going to mention.
"Go on, you have customers waiting" Sharky said, voice back to that casual tone but softer underneath.
Kenny looked at him for a second, then nodded.
"Yeah yeah, I got it" Kenny said, steadier now.
"Good, Chunkz is probably looking for you now" Sharky said as he gave his shirt one last tug before letting go.
"You're the one running this mess" Kenny said.
"And you're the one saving it" Sharky said.
Kenny paused at that but Sharky had already stepped back, like he didn't say anything important at all.
"Go" Sharky added, nodding toward the restaurant.
Kenny took a breath, then another and this time when he walked back out, he didn't feel like he was about to drown.