Chapter Text
The contracts say that they're all suppposed to get two days off a week.
Since they all work on the island growing, harvesting, fishing, fermenting, grinding, poaching, processing - doing all the work that is required to hand make every single item that goes into all their food, that's ignoring the actual cooking of the food and the cleaning up afterwards - that leaves them only with six hours of sleep a day. That makes for a ninety-hour work week. Or at the very least, it should be about ninety-hours.
But Chef Slowik doesn't take two days off a week. He works the full week and only gets one day off every three years. The man was dedicated to his work, completely devoted and so every assistant and chef that worked with him wanted to prove that they could be just as dedicated as well.
They were supposed to have two days off a week.
Today is Jeremy's first day off in two years.
It's a strange thing, being in the outside world after so long.
Seeing other people in the world, doing things that weren't directly linked to food.
It was weird being in this world and not...
Not focusing on growing, harvesting, fermenting, cooking and following every order Chef gave him and carrying it out meticulously. Every hour of every day his thoughts were on the art of cooking. How to improve his skills, how to be more efficient. What new culinary creation he could come up with that could possibly earn the hard earned praise of Chef. The few moments he did spend not working at Hawthorne were spent with him excercising and even that was purely to make sure that he stayed in shape so he could more efficiently carry out his work.
Every conversation with the others on the island was about Chef's newest creation, the impending shipment of whatever new ingredient and different ways they could use it. On the odd occasion, they'd gossip a little with the servers about guests that came in to Hawthorne. Richard Liebrandt and his newest mistress, the angel investor - Doug Verrick - and his usual group of sycophants. Celebrities and politicians and Chef's growing irritation with these guests who ate but never actually tasted the food.
They never spoke of anything else. Then again what's there to talk about other than Hawthorne?
None of them have lives outside of Hawthorne. No friends or family.
With a one-hundred and twenty-six hour work week, how could they?
Cellphones were not allowed during work hours and who has the time to stay up on the phone, when they need to get up at five for work? Talking about relatives and lost friends didn't help with anything, it was only a distraction. Anna, an assistant chef, left her son back home with her parents. She hasn't seen him in three years. The last time she took a day off she simply went into town. Her family is back in Texas, meaning she'd spend more time on a plane than she would with her son anyway. It wasn't worth the trip. She kept saying that eventually she'd set aside more time to visit with family, see how they were doing, but even she stopped talking about them eventually. She didn't even take video calls anymore. They received her paycheck and as far as she's concerned - these days - that's enough. She has other things to do. Things for Hawthorne.
Things for Chef Slowik.
Focus, absolute attention to detail was needed for those who wished to find success at Hawthorne and they refused to be distracted. It was exhilarating, exciting, the pressure was near unbareable.
The competition was stifling.
They were all trying to impress Chef, trying to earn his praise. Be good enough to be named his successor, his protege, next in line to be the best in the world. Servers, cleaners, cooks - everyone. They all adored him, feared him, loved him, hated him.
Jeremy himself left his whole life behind in order to chase after the man in an attempt to be like him, to be the best in the world, and never looked back. He ended up with nothing else, only Hawthorne. He exists only at Hawthorne, they all do. They're all devoted.
He too adored Chef Slowik, feared him.
Did Jeremy love Chef, yes. Though not in the same obsessive all consuming way that Elsa did, or the bitter resentful way that Katherine did but he did love the man. He loved what Chef Slowik represented. Jeremy loved the fantasy of what he stood for and so, like everyone else, he was devoted to Hawthorne and all that it stood for.
He didn't really have too much of a choice.
He left his family behind. His friends and home.
All he had left was Hawthorne and Jeremy was determined to make it. He needed that sacrifice to be worth it.
So far he's managed to work his way up to the position of head sous chef, a position that everyone but especially Katherine has and will continue to fight him over for years to come.
But today is his day off.
It was mandatory.
They didn't do it often, but their angel investor did have human resources checking in on the island every now and then. They all needed to at least have one day off the island to make sure they weren't too obviously breaking labour laws. Apparently, the HR lady recognised him from her visits and had seen him more times than she knew was normal at the restaurant.
He has twenty-four hours to himself, away from Hawthorne and Jeremy chose-
He wanted something different. Something that didn't involve growing, harvesting, fermenting, gelling - cooking. He didn't want to do anything related to food. He didn't want anything that would remind him of Hawthorne. Just for one day.
No restaurants, he'd just end up scrutinising the quality of the food and comparing it to what they make at Hawthorne and how they make it. No, shopping since that would inevitably have him thinking about and comparing products in the shops to what they get at Hawthorne. No movies either. Chef Slowik went to the movies on his day off a little while back, supposedly, it was a day very poorly spent. The man came back less rested and more... enraged. Jeremy was hoping to avoid a similar experience.
What Jeremy wanted, was something different. Something to help him forget about Hawthorne for a while. Something that would help him switch off, actually unwind and relax. Something that he doesn't need to focus or obsess over, something he could just do.
Jeremy wanted - needed... a carnal experience.
His jacket was grabbed before he was pulled forward and their lips were joined in a kiss. Jeremy let out a chocked moan, hands gripping the other man's jacket just as tightly to pull him in as close as possible.
Its been years since anyone's touched him.
It's different from how it was on the island, hugs and handshakes, the occasional chaste kiss on the temple or cheek from Chef. They were supposed to be a family after all, and there are certain ways that you just can't touch family.
Its been years since anyone's touched him like this. Since he's touched himself. The shared dormitories don't allow for much space or privacy to take care of himself and even when he did get a moment alone, his thoughts were so consumed by Hawthorne that getting in the mood proved to be a difficult endeavour. Not when Elsa was always watching and ready to report on their weaknesses and failures to Chef Slowik, not when he had no doubt that Katherine would try to find some way of using it against him in her attempts at removing him from the position of head sous chef.
He's aware of course, of others who would give into the temptation, seeking comfort from themselves or others. And yes, Jeremy has been tempted as well. Tempted to give in to the urge to touch himself. Tempted by others. But Elsa was always watching and Katherine was always scheming and Jeremy just couldn't get his mind off of Hawthorne long enough for it to even matter.
There was never a moment, not really anyway.
But he has a day off, away from the island and Jeremy wanted to do something that would actually make him feel like he could breathe.
The hands on his jacket started tugging to pull it off, before slipping up under his shirt to feel over his chest while the tongue in his mouth licked and searched. Jeremy allowed the jacket to be pulled off before he cupped the sides of the younger man's face.
His name is Leo Dooley
They met a few months ago, at Hawthorne.
It was a family dinner for Leo and his family. His step-father Donald Davenport managed to get them a table after months of negotiations and thousands of dollars in 'investments' given to Doug Verrick.
Chef Slowik had not been pleased.
Donald Davenport was one of his least favourite types of customers.
A prestige eater. Someone more concerned with the status earned from dining at an establishment like Hawthorne more than he cared about what the food actually tasted like.
But their investor insisted and Chef reluctantly agreed to host the Davenport family.
It was a tense, awkward affair.
Jeremy would glance over to the table nearest to the window looking out over the lake every now and then. He noticed how tense it was, how quiet. Davenport was there along with his wife and four children. But the table still seemed to be divided into two.
Leo and his step-brother Adam, sat opposite to Bree and Chase. Donald sat beside his wife Tasha to one side of the table. Something seemed off, for a family dinner of an apparently affluent family. But Jeremy had no reason to pay too much attention to them, so he didn't.
It wasn't until their break that he found Leo, outside of the building between the third and fourth course. He was leaning against the wall, staring up at the night sky. As an employee at Hawthorne, as a member of the family, it's his responsibility to make sure every customer is happy and satisfied with their service. So-
"Is everything alright, Mr Davenport?"
The younger man jumped and looked up at him before letting out a sigh, "Davenport?"
"At Hawthorne we do our best to learn each and single guests-"
"Its not Davenport, its Dooley. Leo Dooley." He said clearly, though quietly, Jeremy resisted the urge to frown as he folded his arms behind his back.
"Mr Dooley, is something wrong?"
"No, everything's fine." He looked up at the other and gave a faint smile, "Everything here is perfect. Restaurant's great, food's great. Everything is great. Just great."
Judging by his tone things were not, in fact, great.
"Is there anything I can bring you?"
"No."
Jeremy glanced away for a brief moment before he spoke, "The next course will be served in ten minutes, it would be better if you went back to your table."
The only reason he even went outside was because he noticed someone slip out the door in the first place. It was clearly a guest, not one of the staff. It wouldn't be the first time a guest slipped out to smoke a cigarette. Chef Slowik despised the things. They interfere with the palate and have everything tasting vaguely of ash. If he found out a guest was smoking between courses he would be furious. Jeremy himself quit smoking a year before he started working at Hawthorne.
But Leo wasn't smoking, just standing there. Briefly, Jeremy realised that he may have preferred it if the other went out to try and smoke. That much is a problem he could at least attempt to solve. He doesn't know how to fix this.
The younger man didn't move, briefly he thought of telling Elsa and letting her handle it since guest wrangling is one of her main duties. He'll need to get back to the kitchen soon anyway.
Prep on the next course is finished, all that's really left is to finish off and get started on the next course after that. Under different circumstances he may have been worried about one of the other chefs sabotaging his plate but, this is Hawthorne. A bad plate reflects poorly on Chef Slowik and not on any particular chef. No one would dare to do such a thing. During service in the restaurant that is. During practice and tastings before, though, he wouldn't trust any of them.
The younger man let out a heavy sigh, "Yeah, sure."
He headed towards the door. Jeremy stepped aside to let him walk through first, holding the door open with one arm while the other stayed folded behind his back, only for the younger man to stop and hesitate before he could cross the threshold.
Jeremy frowned, "Mr Dooley? Is something-" He cut himself off when he realised that asking the same question over and over again was making him sound like a broken record. He clearly isn't going to get an answer, or at least, whatever Leo was struggling with wasn't something Hawthorne could deal with.
Instead Jeremy asked, "Is there anything I can help you with?"
Leo sighed again, rubbing a hand over his face.
"No, its nothing you could help me with."
"Are you sure?"
The younger man looked up at him just then.
Leo was just about a foot and a half shorter than him, dark skin, dark brown eyes, he had a slim build. From what he knows, Leo became Donald Davenport's stepson after marrying the boy's mother a few years ago. Apparently, since the Academy for Bionic Teens opened up and Leo began running it with his step brother Adam, there was talk of him taking on his stepfather's name before taking on the Vice President position at Davenport Industries. Hence Jeremy's slip up when referring to the younger man as Davenport instead of Dooley.
Leo's lips pursed and then he huffed out a breath.
Jeremy's eyes went wide and he tensed up completely when he was suddenly grabbed by the front of his coat and dragged forward. He had no time to react before Leo's lips suddenly crashed into his own and the younger man was suddenly kissing him.
...
Its been years since anyone has touched him like this.
So Jeremy froze, even as he felt Leo's hands go up to the sides of his face to turn his head and deepen the kiss. Jeremy stumbled forward, the door swung shut and he ended up bracing his hand on it when Leo's back hit the wall beside the door.
Its been years since he's been touched, so it was almost instinctual when his hands went up to Leo's arms and just stayed there, clenching tight enough to bruise just as the younger man let out a strangled moan as he broke the kiss. They were both breathing hard, Jeremy stared at the other with wide eyes while Leo looked away, taking in one long deep breath to try and catch his breath.
"So-sorry. I just needed to feel... sorry."
Jeremy's lips were tingling, he could feel the slick of saliva on his lips cooling slightly on the night breaze. A surge of adrenaline pulsing through him causing his heart to thump in his chest and left him feeling a little dizzy.
Its been years.
"I'm sorry. I'll-"
"If-" Leo tried to pull from his grasp only for Jeremy to tighten his hold to keep him still. Leo looked up at the other with a frown. Jeremy swallowed hard, "Do you need anything else, Mr Dooley?"
"What?"
"I... is there anything else you need?"
Jeremy didn't even know what he was saying. It's like his lips decided to move of their own accord and his hands refused to release the man in his grasp so he simply kept still. There wasn't a single thought in his head, save for the desire for more.
"Anything I-" Leo blinked, "Seriously? What kind of a... you know what, I don't care."
Leo leaned up to kiss him again and this time Jeremy didn't freeze up. He kissed the younger man back, hands going around Leo's waist to pull the other as close as humanly possible. He was wearing a leather jacket with a red shirt, dark jeans. Quite different from Jeremy's cotton chef's jacket and tailored pants and... god, the cotton is supposed to be breathable, so they don't overheat in the warmth of the kitchen. But right then Jeremy felt like he was radiating heat from his core. The warmth echoing the heat he could feel from Leo's body when he opened his mouth and their tongues tangled in together. Every touch was so foreign it sent a shiver down his spine. Leo's hands were on his head, dragging through his short hair. Cut short for reasons that he couldn't even remember right in that moment. Something about being careful of contamination-
Jeremy pushed Leo back hard against the wall, earning a grunt and a low moan when the younger man's arms went to wrap around his neck, only for Jeremy to let out a grunt of his own when Leo suddenly had them both turned around as his back hit the wall. Leo broke it and started kissing down Jeremy's jaw, down to his neck. The younger man is apparently much stronger than he looks.
"What's your name?" Leo asked and for the life of him Jeremy didn't know what he was talking, his hands went down to Leo's ass to grab and hold just as the other started to grind into him. Causing a spark of pleasure to go straight to his head.
"Ha...what?"
"Your name."
"Jeremy, Jeremy Louden - shit." He hissed after a moment of searching his brain for the information.
"Jeremy." Leo whispered and goddamnit, when's the last time anyone said his name like that? Jeremy doesn't know and he didn't care either. He felt Leo's hands go down to his waist to undo his belt, pull down the zipper-
"What're you-" He cut himself off when he felt a hand go in underneath his pants and into his underwear to grasp his length and tensed at the touch. Leo suddenly stopped.
"Is it O.K? Should I stop?" The younger man breathed and Jeremy shook his head.
"It's fine."
He tried to lean in to kiss Leo again, only for Leo to suddenly crouch down in front of the sous chef, to pull his boxers down a bit to free his member from his boxers.
Jeremy swallowed hard at the sight of the younger man knelt down in front of him.
"Sure?"
Leo asked and Jeremy nodded again. "Yeah."
He'd barely gotten the word out before Leo leaned to take Jeremy's cock into his mouth, sucking on the end of it before moving up a bit, his hand at the base of the other man's length. Jeremy's head hit the wall.
He was already painfully hard, feeling Leo's tongue licking around the head before he sucked down on his cock and then pumping him with his hand was not helping at all. He came in seconds, just as Leo lowered his free hand down to his own pants to palm himself through his jeans and the younger man let out a startled yelp. Jeremy's orgasm hit him hard and fast, he barely even realised that it had happened. He was huffing out panting breaths, spiralling down into a haze of static pleasure. For the first time in ages he felt his mind go completely blank, no thoughts, no ingredients, no cooking, fermenting, gelling, no Chef Slowik - nothing. It was blissfully quiet and hazy. It's Leo's coughing that brought him back.
He almost sounded like he was choking and Jeremy looked down to see the younger man with his head down as he tried to catch his breath.
The sous chef's eyes went wide and he went down to crouch beside the other, putting a hand on his back to pat him on the back before rubbing circles on it.
"Shit! Shit, I'm sorry-"
"That was fast." Leo croaked and Jeremy felt his face flush red in embarressment as the other coughed again.
"I'm sorry, I'll get you-"
"No, its fine. Relax." Leo then looked up at him and gave a wry smile. "Seriously though, I'm pretty sure I'm not that good. Been a while?"
Jeremy could feel his flush spread down to his neck, the younger man let out a chuckle.
"That's O.K. Its been a while for me too... A little warning would've been nice." He seemed to joke and Jeremy couldn't help but return the favour.
"I was a little distracted."
Leo laughed, wiping his mouth on the back of his hand. "Yeah, I bet. I should probably get back inside, though. Thank you."
"For what?"
"I just needed... a distraction. So, thanks."
Jeremy just nodded.
Leo got up to his feet, with Jeremy's hand still resting on his back, as he brushed the dirt off his knees. Leo cleared his throat, making a quick gesture to the sous chef's pants and Jeremy quickly tucked himself away, feeling his flush darken at the smile Leo gave him. There was an awkward pause, a moment of silence where he just looked away. Jeremy didn't know what to do. Didn't know what to feel, especially not when-
Leo leaned up to kiss him again, Jeremy kissed him back. It was an odd thing, an odd taste and Jeremy could feel his neck heat up again at the realisation that he was basically tasting himself on the younger man's tongue.
It was strange.
At Hawthorne, they eat all sorts of things, sample every delicacy. Chef Slowik insisted that they familiarise themselves with every taste known to mankind, but weirdly, Jeremy couldn't place what this tasted like. His hands went up to cup the sides of Leo's face, but-
Leo broke the kiss, "I should go."
"Right." Jeremy breathed, "Of course, Mr Dooley-"
"Just Leo's fine. Jeremy, right?" Leo stopped and noticed a pen in one of the sous chef's pockets and grabbed it. He took hold of Jeremy's arm and pushed up the rolled up sleeve of his jacket to start writing on his bicep. "If you ever have a day off and... you wanna see if you can go a little longer next time. You can call me."
Jeremy watched the other scrawl ten digits out onto his skin, before pulling the sleeve of his jacket back down to cover it. Jeremy looked at the other, Leo shrugged.
"They seem pretty strict around here. I'm guessing this isn't the sort of thing you guys usually do?"
"No. No it's not." Jeremy answered quickly since... Sexual interactions with guests? Chef Slowik would be appalled.
Leo scoffed, "So what? Am I just special? I mean I know I am but-" Jeremy let out a startled laugh - even that felt strange too. When's the last time he laughed? "I figured this should stay between us."
"I-" Jeremy didn't know what to say. The younger man pulled out of his grasp and went to open the door. The sous chef opened his mouth to say something only for everything to be brought to an abrupt halt when the door opened and Elsa appeared in the doorway.
As always her hair was up, every pitch black strand combed perfectly and shaped around her face. The light from inside of the restaurant causing shadows to fall over her dark eyes as her they immediately fell on Leo.
Jeremy tensed tremendously, hands immediately going to fold behind his back as he straightened out and swallowed hard. Leo jumped at the woman's sudden appearance.
"Whoa. You scared me." Leo laughed and Elsa gave him a pleasant smile. As always it was cold, palatable but reserved. The only person who could ever draw any warmth from those dark eyes was Chef Slowik.
"Mr Davenport, you shouldn't be back here. This exit is meant for employees only." At that last part her eyes went up to fix on Jeremy, who simply looked back at her without saying a word. Hoping he wasn't doing anything that could give him away. Something uncomfortably close to fear went through him and caused goosebumps to appear along his skin at the thought that she might know what happened and report to Chef about it. His flush immediately faded. He was fighting to keep his breathing steady, to not let his gaze waiver for even a second.
"I needed a little fresh air. This seemed like the closest exit." Leo said, "Chef... Jeremy, came out to check on me. I hope I'm not holding you guys back or anything."
"Not at all. The next course hasn't started yet." Elsa said bringing her gaze back to the younger man, "But it would be best if you return to your table, Mr Davenport."
"Right. Cool." Leo said as he walked around her to step inside, but not before casting a look back at Jeremy who kept his gaze steady and his form perfectly still. Once the younger man had disappeared inside Elsa looked back at Jeremy, that same cold, pleasant smile sliding onto her lips.
"Were there any problems?"
"No. It's just what he said, he wanted some fresh air. I noticed him slip out the door so I came to get him."
"Was he smoking?"
"No."
"Good." Her eyes flitted around him before she folded her hands down infront of her, "The next course is in five minutes. Chef is waiting."
She turned and walked inside, Jeremy followed quietly shutting the door behind him. He paused to take in a deep breath before letting it back out, his hand clenching on the door knob before he finally let go and got to work. First washing his hands before he went back to his cooking station.
Jeremy looked up at the dining room for a moment, his eyes falling on the Davenport table. Leo was slouched in his chair, Donald Davenport was talking but the younger man didn't really seem like he was listening. Just stared at his empty plate. It was then that he noticed Chase Davenport seemingly frowning at the other, saying something that Donald clearly didn't hear as he just kept going. Leo shook his head and folded his arms over his chest.
A sudden loud clap.
"Three minutes, ensure that your plates are finished for the next course."
Jeremy jumped at the sound of Chef Slowik's voice and his head snapped back down to his station.
"Yes, Chef!" They all called out, every sous chef and assistant immediately falling into place.
He took the tweazers from the side of his station and started plating, mind focused on precise placements and ensuring that every single piece of food was set in the exact place that it needed to be. His mind was back to focussing on food, though this time, his chest felt a little bit lighter.
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Leo jumped at the sudden clap.
He heard Chef Slowik say something to his cooks. Leo couldn't help but look over to the kitchen, his eyes falling on Chef Jeremy who stood hunched over his work station as he did... something. Blue eyes focused and hands moving with deft precision. Leo couldn't help but smile a little when-
"Leo."
He sighed, looking across the table to Chase.
"You're not answering my question."
"Which one?"
Chase's eyes narrowed, "Where were you?"
"I needed to get some fresh air. Its stifling in here." Leo muttered out that last part quietly, he paused when he felt Adam's leg gently bump into his underneath the table and he looked up at the other. The taller man giving him a look of concern so Leo sat up a bit, "I wasn't gone that long."
"O.K, well, did you think about what Mr Davenport said?"
"What's there to think about?" Leo asked arms folded over his chest and Chase sighed.
"You're being unnecessarily difficult. If you could just think about it then-"
"Are you tired of this yet? You wanna go?" Leo asked as he looked at Adam.
Adam paused glancing up at Chase for a moment before he spoke, "The food here is weird. I mean it tastes good but it's still... weird. Also, I'm starving."
"We can go."
"What about Mr Davenport?" Adam asked looking over to the man at the head of the table, who seemed to be telling some story about an experiment that he supposedly saved at Davenport Industries while both Bree and Tasha rolled their eyes at him, "Plus, you said you were excited about coming to this place."
"Was, past tense." Leo said looking directly at Chase who shook his head in annoyance before bringing his attention to Adam, "With the portions here I know you're going to want to grab pizza on the way home. We can just go right now."
"I-"
A sudden clap.
Leo jumped, letting out a sigh as he looked up and found Chef Slowik standing at the front of the dining room. Why does he keep doing that?!
All the guests turned to face him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, our next course-" The man started, he told some story about taking a trip to the mountains of Costa Rica, before making a joke about bugs and a lack of air-conditioning. Leo wasn't really paying too much attention, too busy glaring at his plate while he tried to ignore Chase's stare across the table.
Once the next dish was announced the servers swept through the room. Since their table seemed to have the biggest dinner party, the servers seemed to alternate and they got a different set of faces serving their food after each course. Only the wine guy stayed the same, Leo was still glaring at his plate when his dish was placed before him.
"Mr Dooley."
Leo looked up and couldn't help but smile when he noticed Jeremy standing beside him. The blonde wasn't looking directly at him, though, Leo could see the flush just barely visible under the collar of his chef's jacket.
"I hope you enjoy your meal."
Leo sat up a little, "As much as I enjoyed the last one?"
Chef Jeremy blinked, blue eyes finding Leo's for a brief moment before he cleared his throat and looked away.
"Hopefully, at least a little bit more than that."
"I don't know, it didn't last long, but I kinda liked it."
A soft scoff escaped Jeremy's throat only for him to clear his throat again. Leo noticed one fo the other servers staring at the blonde as they walked by and couldn't help but frown.
"I'll leave you to it."
He quickly straightened up and headed back to the kitchen. Leo watched him go, for a moment feeling odd, like something was off as he looked away from the blonde and let his eyes flit over the restaurant. Everything was pristine. Everything was perfect.
Something is weird here.
"Leo."
Leo looked back at Chase who was frowning at him.
"What was that?"
Leo rolled his eyes as he grabbed his fork to start eating, "Nothing."
Chapter 2
Notes:
A/N: Hey!
Thanks for the reviews
Warning for this one: unethical treatment of animals for food preparation. A little smut. Please be careful
Usual apologies
Disclaimer: See first chapter
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
For the last few months, chef Jeremy has been different.
He’s been distracted, less focused, less attentive to chef ’ s orders and demands. It seemed to start with a day off, which he only took because of human resources demanding that the sous chef takes a day off.
Nothing that they’ve never done before.
But that one day off seemed to cause some type of change in the sous chef. He’d suddenly started using his phone, something that none of them has done in quite a while. Chef Jeremy became distracted, absent minded. During tasting and plating he’d started making mistakes and suddenly what was supposed to be one off day to appease human resources, became two and then three until eventually Chef Jeremy was leaving Hawthorne at least once a week.
Katherine had been elated, she was sure that it would only be a matter of time until the head sous chef made the ultimate mistake. Until he ruined a plate during dinner service and embarrassed chef Slowik and all of Hawthorne. It would only be a matter of time until he was demoted and she could then become head sous chef. She was sure that it would be a matter of time.
Maybe the pressure has finally consumed him. Maybe he’s finally realised that he doesn’t have what it takes to be the great Julian Slowik’s protégé. Maybe he’s finally given up. That’s what all the chefs and servers were whispering and Katherine was just waiting for the day when chef Slowik would finally relieve the man of his duties and she could finally take her rightful place.
And now it seems that he’s finally done something to earn a dismissal from Hawthorne.
It’s a tasting day today.
Chef Slowik usually had them present a new dish to him once a week, to see if it was something that could be added to one of the menus for the restaurant. It was an opportunity to impress chef. To prove that they could not only mimic his dishes with perfect detail, but continuehis legacy by creating culinary creations of their own.
Normally, there would only be one or two chefs who would present on tasting days. They all wanted to be sure after all, that any dish or idea they presented to Chef was nothing short of pure perfection since Chef S l owik could , and would , be absolutely ruthless in his c ri ti que as he demanded nothing but utter perfection in every dish that was presented to him.
Katherine, herself, hasn’t presented on tasting days in months. She’d mostly pitch ideas to chef first , to see what he thought before even trying to waste his time with something that he could potentially hate.
Today is a tasting day and chef Jeremy has deemed it appropriate to present a dessert to chef. Quite the brave feat since he wasn’t a pastry chef. Of course , they all make desserts at Hawthorne, but only instructed pastry chefs ever had the nerve to try and present a dessert to Chef.
Where he got the balls to try that she has no idea, but it doesn’t seem to matter.
Katherine watched in satisfaction as Chef Slowik stopped at Jeremy’s station and tasted the dessert. It seemed to be some sort of parfait, multiple layers of different shades of brown and white, a few bright pops of colour here and there. For multi-layered dishes chef would reserve his critique until he reached the bottom of the plate. To give a comprehensive report on his opinion, but Katherine didn’t think it really mattered. You could already see the man’s verdict on his face.
The way his eyebrows furrowed slightly and his lips twisted as he ate. The obvious confusion every time he blinked and the subtle movements as he shifted his feet and then the hand he had braced on the table. In the middle he seemed to cough, before reaching for a glass of water. Katherine folded her arms over her chest in satisfaction while the other chefs whispered around them.
It was only slightly ruined by the stoic look on Chef Jeremy’s face as he watched the man eat. He kept his back perfectly straight with his arms folded behind his back, eyes steady and not giving away anything as to how he felt.
But then, right when chef reached the bottom of the ornate glass, Chef laughed. It was a soft scoff though his eyebrows still furrowed in confusion . He paused to stare at the empty glass for a moment , and suddenly Katherine felt herself waver.
“This is… a very interesting choice, chef Jeremy.” The man said setting his spoon down. He took in a deep breath and let it back out. “ It’s very… messy, confusing. I was struck with a feeling of restlessness as I ate, I wasn’t quite sure what to do with myself. There’s a taste in here that I can’t seem to place . Something bitter and salty – almost off-putting – especially for a dessert…”
Katherine smirked.
“And it would be were it not for everything else, but somehow the bitter plays incredibly well with the sweet.” His head gave a tilt, “Its somehow, very subtle and yet rich. It ’ s very very decadent but not in a way that’s overpowering. If anything you want to keep eating and once you get to the middle, there’s a kick. Unexpected heat with something spicy, that floods your body and heat s you through your core and then you reach the bottom where there’s a sudden freshness… a release from the decadence, the richness and heat and you feel relief in a way I’m not quite sure I’ve experienced before… Or actually, I think I may have.” He scoffed again, lips pulling into a slight smile and Katherine felt dread fill her stomach as her arms dropped.
“Ladies and gentlemen, it would seem Chef Jeremy has seen it fit to present to us with ; sex on a plate.” He scoffed again before looking up at the young man, “It ’ s an excellent dish. Congratulations.”
“Thank you, Chef.” Jeremy said and Chef Slowik nodded.
“What do you call it?”
At that the sous chef paused and glanced away, before giving a small smile.
“Lion’s heat.”
Chef Slowik arched a brow but otherwise didn’t comment.
“Very well. Lion’s heat, will be the dessert for next week’s menu. I think we should be able to come up with a theme that would adequately fit it. You’ll share the recipe and method, with the other chefs.”
“Yes, Chef.”
“Good, for now. We will have a break. Ten minutes.”
The room slowly emptied out, Katherine was stunned.
Not only did he get a dish onto next week’s menu , but chef Slowik planned to create a theme around the dish for next week ’ s menu.
How the fuck-
“Looks like whatever Jeremy’s been doing on his down time is finally paying off.” Another chef, Ana , suddenly said as she stood beside Katherine and Katherine frowned at her.
“What?”
“He just got a dish approved for the menu and he hasn’t even been here full time like the rest of us.” Ana shrugged, “Clearly whatever he’s been doing out there is working for him.”
Katherine looked back at Jeremy who was clearing out his station, handing the dishes to the cleaners standing by.
“What do you think he’s doing?”
“Who knows, whatever he’s doing, looks like he’s more than made up for his lack of focus these last few months.” Ana said nodded towards the blonde. Chef Slowik seemed to stop to speak with the young man for a moment. Saying something that made the younger man blink and then smile before he turned back to cleaning. And the head chef walked away.
Just then he reach ed into the pocket of his apron to pull out his phone. Fingers swiping over his phone before tapping. Seems like he’s texting someone.
Her frown deepened, “I wonder what he’s been doing.”
~ Flash Back ~
He almost didn't take a shower that night.
After their guests all left and they finished up in the kitchen before letting the cleaning staff take over, Jeremy almost didn't allow himself to get cleaned up himself. He was the first one into the communal bathroom. It was mostly a routine. After the dinner rush he'd clean up his station, arranged his utensils and put them away and headed to the communal bathrooms to get cleaned up before heading to bed.
Jeremy paused when he stepped into the bathroom, looked around at the gleaming white tiles, his toiletries in the bag under his arm, the same arm where Leo wrote his number under his jacket. For the moment, it was covered by a grey long - sleeved shirt he changed into before heading into the bathroom. He can't not get clean though, it wouldn't be sanitary. So Jeremy forced himself to get done as quickly as possible, trying not to think about Leo and failing miserably.
It's been years since he's been touched and so, as he stood under the warm spray of water that cascaded down onto him , he couldn't help but think about how the younger man touched him earlier.
Hands through his hair. Down the sides of his face and over his chest, the lips against his own were soft and full. The heat that vibrated between them was intoxicating. Jeremy hadn't expected Leo to... do what he did. So when Leo sank down in front of him, his brain may or may not have malfunctioned a little... completely.
It felt good, being touched again. Jeremy can't even remember the last time he'd allowed anyone to even come close. Sometime before he arrived at Hawthorne.
It ’ s been years and so, for the first time in years Jeremy actually fully felt and allowed himself to sink into the urge to touch himself. He shut his eyes, the feel of the water pounding down at the top of his head and down his back. Jeremy's hands went down from his torso to his groin.
Usually, he barely paid attention to what guests looked like, of course it ’ s important to put a name to a face but above but beyond that, Jeremy had no reason to pay attention to any of them. Leo's cute. Big brown eyes, full lips, a great smile. He has a lean build from what Jeremy saw and... felt during their encounter outside. Jeremy wondered what he would look like out of his clothes, all that skin that couldn't be seen under the jeans, red shirt and leather jacket. What it would feel like to have had the younger man pressed against him with just skin against skin. If Leo was right there in the shower with him. Would the younger man sink own to his knees and take Jeremy into his mouth yet again? Before Leo’s mouth wrapped around his cock the desire to come was almost incapacitating. He wanted to push Leo against the wall and sink into him. Hear him say Jeremy’s name over and over again as the sous chef thrust into him. It ’ s been ages since he’s heard anyone say his name quite like that. So breathlessly. So desperately.
‘Jeremy’
He could still hear Leo’s voice in his head. Jeremy came quickly, but not as quickly as earlier that night. The urgency of release driving him on as he clumsily pulled at his length. He didn't even have the presence of m i nd to feel embar r assed at the fact that even that much felt out of practice. The hand he had braced against the tiled wall clenched tightly as he remembered what it felt like to have a mouth wrapped around him. But surprisingly, his orgasm hit when he remembered the smile on Leo’s face when he went to serve the fourth dish. The teasing tone in his voice when their eyes met.
Once his release finally faded out, Jeremy slowly came down from his haze. Reme m bered where he was and he flushed anew. The sous chef looked around to make sure no one saw what just happened before he decided to get cleaned up and out of the bathroom as quickly as possible. He had to con s ciously move to clean off the number that Leo scribbled onto his arm, to make sure they were gone before he left the bathroom and got dressed.
So now Jeremy sits on his bed, the dorm is empty, most of the other chefs are only just getting to the bathroom to get cleaned up. Jeremy knew that Katherine stayed in the restaurant for as long as possible, trying to work her way into chef's good graces by pitching one dish and menu theme after another. He knew Elsa would only return to the dorms once she was sure that the cleaning was done and Chef was settled in for the night in his cottage.
After a deep breath he reached over to the stand beside his bed to open the top drawer, reaching right into the back of the small space until he found what he was looking for. It was sleek with a silver back and dark screen. Jeremy wiped the device down on his pants, it's covered in dust. He can't even remember the last time he used the thing.
The weight of it felt odd in his hand, unfamiliar. But Jeremy still remembered how to turn it on. For a brief moment he worried that the battery might be dead, but the screen lit up seconds later, with the welcome tone blaring so loudly it made him jump.
He made a mental note to put his phone on silent as it finished powering on, it took a second to remember his password. He'd set it as his birthday so thankfully he didn't have to think too hard.
It took a few moments before the screen came to life with... messages, missed calls, missed video calls-
Jeremy quickly put the phone on silent since the beeps rang loudly in the air.
He swallowed thickly.
Most of the calls and messages came from his father. A few from his cousins, old friends who... honestly Jeremy can barely remember what they looked like -
Jesus.
It has been years, hasn't it?
The sous chef started to squirm uncomfortably, briefly a bout of panic washed over him and he had to quickly squash the feeling. None of this is why he turned on his phone.
Jeremy dismissed the messages and calls and quickly opened up the messenger .
He washed the number off of his skin, but of course Jeremy has managed to memorise it. After years of memorising recipe after recipe, technique after technique and exact quantities of ingredients for dishes, he could certainly remember ten numbers.
Jeremy punched in the number and sent a quick text.
Jeremy: Did you enjoy your evening?
He mentally facepalmed.
God, that's stupid. That was stupid, right? How can he already be this out of practice with simple texting ?
It took a moment for the message to send, which is when Jeremy remembered to wonder if his contract with his service provider was even still working. His dad was the one paying for it right? There's a good chance he might've stopped. But a second later the message went through and Jeremy felt something odd settle in his chest at the thought that his dad was still paying for his phone.
Leo: Who's this?
Yeah, it was stupid. It probably seemed so creepy just sending a message like that right out the gate. Shit shitshit shit-
Jeremy: Jeremy Louden
There was a moment-
Leo: Chef Jeremy
Leo: Yeah, I'd say I had a pretty good time. I'd ask you the same thing but, I'm pretty sure we both know the answer to that question
Maybe it wasn't that creepy. Jeremy let out a deep breath of relief and a short laugh.
Leo: I wasn't expecting you to text me so soon
Leo: Most people wait a couple days
Jeremy paused.
Jeremy: Why wait?
Leo: LOL so what are you doing?
Jeremy: Getting ready for bed and you?
Leo: Not quite there yet, but I'm about to
Leo: Do you guys always finish this late?
Jeremy: Every night
Leo: Wow, must be exhausting. I mean, I have to stay out late for work sometimes but I think I'd go crazy if I had to do it every single night.
Jeremy paused at that, glancing around the room. He never really thought about that. Sleep is a necessity for optimal function, so necessary for them to have but he never really thought about that. About the fact that it wasn't normal. It was just one of the many things that they had to do for Hawthorne, one of the things they had to do for chef.
Jeremy: You get used to it
Leo: When's your next day off?
Jeremy blinked.
Leo: Maybe we could hang out sometime
Jeremy: I'm not sure. I'll need to check.
Leo: O.K
Leo: I need to go
Leo: I'll call you tomorrow, you guys get lunch right?
Jeremy: I'm busy during the day
Jeremy: I'll call you
Leo: O.K, goodnight Chef Jeremy
Jeremy: Goodnight, Mr Dooley
Jeremy was smiling at his screen when-
"What are you doing?"
He froze, for a moment a chill of fear running up his spine before he forced himself to take in a silent breath, quickly turning off his phone's screen to look up and found Elsa standing at the end of his bed. Hands folded in front of her and eyes as cold as ice.
"What?"
"I haven't seen you use your phone in years. What are you doing?"
"Just checking it."
"What for?"
"Like you said, it ’ s been years," He turned the device in his hands, "I wanted to see if it still worked."
"Why?"
"Why not?"
Elsa just stared back at him, she didn't seem to have a good response to that, her head tilted to the side.
"Chef wanted me to congratulate you. As always, your dishes were immaculate."
Jeremy nodded, giving a brief smile. "Thank you."
"I'm not sure he'll approve of you entertaining any... distractions." She said glancin g at his phone and Jeremy just held her gaze.
"There aren't any distractions."
She straightened out her already impossibly straight posture, "You're allowed to use your phone whenever you want, so long as it doesn't interfere with your work."
"It won't."
"Good, there are many others who would kill to be in your position, chef Jeremy. I hope you don't take that for granted."
With that she turned and walked away, just as the other chefs walked into the room, talking quietly amongst themselves. Jeremy took in a deep breath and let it out before he quickly put his phone in the drawer and shut it. Dragging his hands through his hair before falling back onto the bed.
What is he doing?
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Leo sighed in frustration as he walked into the mentor's suite. Hoping against all hope that Chase would get the hint and just leave him alone, but he knew that was unlikely. Instead he decided to try and relax before the inevitable confrontation. He tossed his jacket onto the couch in the middle of the room before flopping down himself, face first so he landed on the plush white pillows on the seat with one leg hanging over the side while the other went over an armrest.
Leo shut his eyes and took in a deep breath before letting it back out.
Adam's in the kitchen, warming up the pizza they stopped to get on the way home since he was still starving despite Hawthorne's six course meal. Leo couldn't help but scoff at the thought, though he couldn't blame the other. There's no way those portions would do anything against Adam's appetite, even if it tasted really really good . Leo actually still felt pretty hungry himself, but...
Donald and Tasha and Bree and Chase are still on the island and Leo wanted to do whatever he could to avoid them for at least a few more moments.
This night started off so good too.
Or, not good. No, Leo hadn't exactly been happy when they left through the transport and headed to the restaurant but he had been hopeful. Hopeful that if he could talk to Mr Davenport about things then maybe it would be O.K. But...
Leo sighed, opening his eyes to stare at the holotable in the middle of the room, almost wishing for a mission alert to give him some type of distraction.
Things aren't going the way he hoped they would.
And no, despite what Chase thought, none of this had to do with the fact that Big D wanted him to change his name before he could take over as VP of Davenport industries. Does Leo want to change his name to Davenport? No. But that they can negotiate, that isn't the issue here. The issue is that Big D said that he'll have to stop going on missions in order to take over as VP of Davenport Industries.
"That's a joke, right?" Leo asked staring at the older man in disbelief, Donald paused.
"You can't run the Academy and run Davenport Industries at the same time."
"Why not?"
"It ’ s not realistic, you won't have any time and you can't split your focus between the two."
"O.K." Leo took in one very deep breath before letting it out, "But why does that mean that the Academy has to close?"
"Because Adam can't run it alone. Besides, the students are all fully trained, at this point it just makes sense to break everyone up into teams and shut down the Academy."
"Not everyone is fully trained." Leo said clearly, "What about the students that didn't clear training? We talked about this, Big D, some of the students aren't cut out for missions and we shouldn't have to force them-"
"We'll figure out what to do about the others." Donald sighed, "Right now, I need you to be on board with the transition so this can go as smoothly as possible."
"Go as smooth as possible for who?"
"Leo-"
"I just... I thought the plan was to turn the Academy into an Agency once the students are trained. Adam and I have been vetting potential recruits that the FBI sent over for bionic integration-"
"We decided that it might be best not to implant any more civilians with bionics. Just to be safe."
"We? Who's we? You mean Chase?"
"Leo-"
"And what safety? You didn't care about safety when you let Chase implant bionics in civilians in Centium City."
"That's different-"
"Different how? We weren't planning on taking random people off the street, they're federal agents. Agent Ferre l l, Benson and Christians. They're great, they're the same agents you cleared to work with us a year ago, since we're supposed to be coordinating with the FBI anyway-''
"And you know I was never comfortable involving the FBI in our lives." Donald said clearly. "Look, I know it ’ s going to be an adjustment. But Bree and Chase's team are proof that splitting the students up into groups will work for the better."
Leo shook his head, "What happens to Adam?"
"He'll be heading up his own team and deployed to a new city, just like everyone else."
"Except for me?"
Donald sighed yet again, "You can't go on missions and be Vice President, Leo. It ’ s not practical."
Leo's jaw clenched, his hands tightened into fists and-
"Fine, I won't do both."
Donald nodded, "Good, I'm glad you understand-"
"I'll just stick with missions, you can set someone else as the new VP."
The older man blinked, "What?"
"It's not practical to do both, right? Then I'll stick to being an agent."
"Leo, that's not what I meant-"
"Well, it ’ s what I want. You can tell Douglas he won. I don't want to be VP."
With that Leo got up and left the room.
It ’ s been a month since that conversation, Adam and Leo had yet to break the news to the academy students. Neither of them wanted to close the Academy, they didn't want to be separated or force the students to separate either. They were waiting for the right moment but, the right moment never came. A month later B i g D called, he said he wanted to do a family dinner. He said he got reservations at Hawthorne.
Leo was excited. Not just because he's heard about Hawthorne since... everyone has heard of Hawthorne. Celebrities, politicians, social media influencers. Leo's wanted to go since the first time he saw the articles on his social media feeds five years ago. He told Donald about it, asked if they could go. Of course, Big D promised that he could make it happen. The founder and CEO of Davenport Industries would be pull off any reservation at any restaurant in a snap.
It took him five years to get Chef Slowik to even consider his reservation and then five more months to finally accept .
But Leo took it as a good sign, the fact that Big D even remembered that after all those years. Maybe he changed his mind. Only for the night to come and Big D to talk about shutting down the academy. To try one more time to get Leo to agree to taking the VP position instead of leading a team. It was made even worse since Tasha was there and, of course, his Mom didn't want him going on any missions anyway. It was a long conversation on the way to Hawthorne and once they got to the restaurant, Leo could barely focus on the tour or any of Chef Slowik's stories as they went through their six courses. By the third course, Leo was just done.
The whole night was kind of a nightmare.
Made even worse since Chase seemed to be pushing so hard for Leo to just give in and do what they were expecting him to do.
Of course, of course Leo knows that they were right. Running Davenport Industries and going on missions wasn't practical. He couldn't do both. Leo was more upset about the Academy closing down than he was about that.
He and Adam have been working so hard, doing their best to help train the students and lead the missions. It was hard work but they were happy. Being at the Academy made them happy, made them feel useful, needed. They were excited about converting the Academy from a school to an agency. And all of that was about to just end.
Leo turned his head to bury his face in the couch cushion only to jump when he suddenly felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. With a frown he moved on the couch to pull out the device and turn on the screen.
Unknown: Did you enjoy your evening?
The hell?
Leo frowned as he texted back with one hand, his cheek still planted on the couch.
Leo: Who is this?
The reply came quickly.
Unknown: Jeremy Louden
A smile spread over Leo's lips and he quickly sat up.
Well, maybe the night wasn't a total waste.
His face flushed as he thought back to what he did earlier.
That is not what he'd planned on doing when he went out the door in the restaurant that night. He really just wanted to get some fresh air. Arguing with Chase was exhausting and he was getting tired of the annoyed glare Bree gave him since she seemed to think that he was just being difficult too.
He needed space, it didn't help much.
The island was beautiful, the sky was clear and the air was cool, the moon was full and high in the sky. He would've prefe r red to just stay out there for the rest of the night but he knew he wouldn't be able to.
He was proven right when someone called out to him, less than two minutes after he made it outside.
"Is something wrong, Mr Davenport."
He said.
Leo felt annoyed at the name, so he quickly corrected the other.
He didn't want to go back inside but he knew he had to.
Leo was frustrated and annoyed and it really really didn't help that Chase was there. Not just because of the stupid VP thing.
He didn't have a choice. Leo walked up to the door, the sous chef that found him kept asking if he was O.K if there was anything he needed, so Leo decided to at least stop to at least look at the other man.
He was cute.
He was tall, blue eyes, sandy blonde hair... very very different from Chase and somehow, that felt comforting. A thought came to mind just then and settled into his brain. The fact that he was frustrated and annoyed and what he wouldn't do for just a little bit of relief right at that moment. Before he had to go back inside.
There was a smell on the taller man.
Food obviously, for obvious reasons. He was one of the chefs that worked for Julian Slowik and they were between courses. What else would he smell like?
Herbs and spices, something sweet... maybe that Cambodian honey from the second course and before Leo knew what he was doing, he'd grabbed a hold of the chef's jacket and pulled him in for a kiss.
He didn't know what he was expecting to happen, but he wasn't really expecting the other to kiss him back let alone let him...
Leo felt his face flush warmer.
God... that was embar ra ssing.
Though in his defence, it ’ s been a while since he's had any release and he needed something to help him feel better. And he did feel better. It felt good.
Jeremy was warm and solid and he smelled like honey and spices... the kiss was a little clumsy... a little forceful. In hindsight, it ’ s a little more obvious that the other has had a bit of a dry spell as well. It would've been nice if he could've held out a little longer. Leo wanted to lose himself in a haze of nothing for just a little while, feel someone else for once.
It ’ s been a while for Leo too, you see. And Leo's always been a hugger, he's always been affectionate. Physical touch felt good. He's aware that people get annoyed with him sometimes beca u se of it. It took ages for Adam, Bree and Chase to just accept the sudden hugs and touches as something that he just sort of did without ever thinking about it.
Whenever he felt anxious or afraid or just frustrated , he'd reach out for a touch from someone – anyone – and that little bit of human contact made him feel better . H elped him feel like he could breathe. It ’ s only a few years ago that he started to crave... less platonic contact. That was mostly because of Chase and their scattered episodes before the super genius left the academy.
But now Chase is back and things are different. Chase isn't staying, the academy might be shutting down and they want him to stop doing missions. It was a lot. He just wanted to forget for a little while and... breathe.
So he kissed the sous chef dragged him in as close as possible. The need for touch driving him to do something he hasn't done in a long time.
Chase called it an oral fixation, the fact that Leo liked to have something in his mouth. Something about Tasha's over protectiveness and bottle feeding probably going on too long, he said he was surprised Leo didn't eat just as much as Adam did if not more. Leo didn't like to think about that. Chase likes to over analyse everything. Its one of the reasons why sometimes, Leo's glad that the less-platonic thing they used to do ended when it did. Other times...
Leo wishes Jeremy had held out a little longer but, in hindsight, they probably would've gotten caught if it went on longer, though Leo isn't sure if he would've felt all that bad about it if they were.
But Jeremy seemed sweet. Leo couldn't find it in him to get too upset about it, besides he's the one that crossed the line back there. He's lucky the older man took it all so well.
Leo is grateful and it felt good touching someone again. Jeremy was so sweet, Leo decided that he wouldn’t mind seeing the other again. So he gave the sous chef his number, not really thinking that the other would actually contact him again, but he did.
Leo: Chef Jeremy
Leo: Yeah, I'd say I had a pretty good time. I'd ask you the same thing but, I'm pretty sure we both know the answer to that question
Leo: I wasn't expecting you to text me so soon
Leo: Most people wait a couple days
Jeremy: Why wait?
Leo laughed.
Jeremy was cute and it was ridiculously easy just falling into it with the older man, especially after spending so much time with just the students on the island. It was different being around someone from the outside world.
He likes all the students, he’s even managed to get on really good terms with Spin since he and Adam started running things. But it ’ s good just being around other people for once.
It would be nice to see Jeremy again. Actually learn something about the sous chef before jumping right to the hooking up part next time. Maybe Jeremy could tell him more about Hawthorne, Leo’s frustration didn’t really allow him to absorb too much during the tour and dinner service. Plus, it ’ s been a while since he’s gone on an actual date. Leo hasn’t been on a date since High school actually . His last date had been with Janelle. Things just didn’t work out that way with Chase.
He'd wanted to but, something was always coming up and Chase didn’t really seem to o keen on it anyway . Whenever he brought up th e idea of going out and actually doing something… formal and romantic , something always got in the way. Chase always had a reason why not to . Leo would like to have something like that again. Something a little more solid than just … regular hook-ups whenever Chase wasn’t occupied .
It wasn’t all that long after he started texting the other when he heard the door to the mentor’s dorms open and looked up. His mood immediately dropped when he saw Chase walk into the room.
Leo slumped down into his seat as he texted Jeremy that he’ll talk to him some other time. Knowing that he won’t be able to think about much else after.
“Leo, we’re about to get going.”
“Have a safe trip.” Leo said dryly still staring at his phone.
Jeremy: Goodnight Mr Dooley
A smile pulled at his lips only to immediately drop.
“Tasha wants to talk to you.”
“I’ll call her and Naomi tomorrow.”
Chase let out a sigh.
“Leo,” He felt the couch sink under the other’s weight, “I don’t get why you’re trying to make all of this so difficult-“
“Why are you here, Chase?” Leo said, looking up at the super genius with a frown, “Why do you even care if I take over as VP or not?”
“Why shouldn’t I care? Just cause we’re living in Centium city now, doesn’t mean I shouldn’t care. ” Chase let out a sigh, “I get that you’re upset about the Academy closing and you don’t want to stop doing missions but… the whole reason I supported Mr Davenport making you VP is because I thought that’s what you wanted.”
“It was, but not anymore .” Leo said quietly and Chase looked away.
“You want to keep doing missions.”
“Yes. Are you going to support me with that or is this just going to turn into another argument?”
Chase paused, “Mr Davenport isn’t comfortable making Douglas Vice President. How is he even supposed to explain it, anyway? Douglas is supposed to be dead-“
Leo’s jaw clenched.
Enough.
“Can we please stop pretending like this has anything to do with me or Douglas? This is about you.”
“What?”
“Naomi told me. Big D’s getting ready to retire, he wanted you and Bree to be the public figures for Davenport Industries because of how popular the team in Centium City’s gotten, but you don’t want to so now you’re forcing it on me.” Leo said bitterly, his jaw clenching for a brief moment , “ That’s why he suggested I change my name, when that never mattered before. You got my mom involved cause you know she d oes n’t want me doing missions anyway-“
“Leo-“
“No, Chase. I’m tired of only mattering to you when it ’ s convenient. I mean… when was the last time you or Bree even checked on the Academy? When’s the last time you even tried to call? But now, because you need an out, suddenly we exist? Suddenly the students here are doing well enough that it ’ s good for everyone to get split up into groups and sent off into teams. Now suddenly, Adam can’t run the Academy on his own? You have no idea how Adam’s been doing, you don’t actually care-“
Chase’s eyes went wide, “That is not true!”
“Yeah? How many students are actually on active duty , versus the ones that aren’t combat ready and work here at the academy instead? How many missions do we handle on a day to day basis? How many rescues have we done in the last month-“
“Well, of course I don’t know about the day-to-day activities that happen here.”
“ No you don’t.” Leo shook his head, “Because you and Bree lead a team of five protecting one city and only going on maybe two missions at a time. Adam and I are leading a team of ninety, who handle hundreds of missions, going to multiple cities all over the world, from right here. We’ve been doing it for the last three years and we’ve been fine. But now, because things inconvenient for you, you’ve decided that that needs to change.”
The super genius sighed, “Leo that’s not what it ’ s like.”
“I don’t really care, Chase. Its fine, you and big… Mr Davenport, decided to close down the Academy. Fine. But I’m not going to stop doing mission s . You’ll need to find someone else to be VP.” Leo let out a heavy sigh , feeling exhausted as he got up . Not even bothering to look back at the other. “I need a shower.”
“Leo.”
“I’m tired, Chase.”
“What happened, at the restaurant ? ”
Leo stopped, “What?”
Chase was staring at him, his lips pursed for a moment.
“Something happened, between you and that guy at the restaurant.”
“What guy?”
“It was one of the chefs.”
“There a re a lot of chefs at Hawthorne.” Leo said as he walked around the couch only to stop when Chase spoke again.
“The one that called you Mr Dooley.” He stopped to look at the super genius as he continued, “Everyone else called you Mr Davenport.”
“My name is Dooley.”
Chase sighed, “How do you know him?”
“I don’t.”
“But you hooked up with him anyway?”
Leo’s eyes went wide before he let out a hiss of frustration, “You used your bionics on me? Seriously?”
Chase rolled his eyes, “I was just-“
“Chase, you-“ Leo took in a deep breath before letting it back out, “You know what? That doesn’t have anything to do with you. I’ll call my mom tomorrow. If Mr Davenport wants to talk to me, he knows where I am.”
Chase opened his mouth only to close it again, shaking his head as he got up as well, “Fine.”
“Fine.” Leo repeated, taking a step back as the super genius stepped forward only to sigh again as he left the room.
“I know it might not seem like it, Leo, but I do care.”
“Sure.” Leo said, folding his arms over his chest, “ You obviously don’t know this, but we have training before heading out on scheduled missions and Adam and I each have four teams to coordinate tomorrow. You should go.”
Chase looked like he wanted to say something, instead he just shook his head and left the room without another word . Leo shut his eyes when the door closed, took in a deep breath before letting it out again.
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Ortolan Bunting.
A dish in which the Ortolan songbird is first fed over a long period of time until it has doubled in size. This is achieved by blinding the bird or keeping it in a dark environment, distorting its perception of time and causing it to overeat until it has become overweight. Then, the bird is drowned in Armagnac whiskey, both killing the bird and also marinating it. Once marinating is complete, you remove the feathers and feet before roasting the bird for eight minutes and then serving while the skin is still bubbling with heat.
Its traditionally served in a ramekin on a platter surrounded by various fruits and herbs, meant to represent he bounty of nature and symbolise man’s command over it . The bird consumed whole, placing it head first into the mouth, bones and all. Traditionally, as part of the ritual, one consumes the dish by placing a cloth over one’s head as you eat. Some say, to preserve the flavours and aroma of the dish while you eat. Others say, it’ s to hide the shameful, grotesque, act from the eyes of God .
Chef Slowik has a special guest coming to Hawthorne in the next few days. A French diplomat with a strong proclivity towards tradition . He’s asked Chef to prepare Ortolan Bunting as part of their meal for the evening when they will be hosted. An… initiation of sorts for the newest member of his entourage.
Chef Slowik agreed.
And so, they needed to practice preparing the dish in the days leading up to the evening. Jeremy carried out every single step of Chef’s instructions to the letter, prepared the dish just as everyone else in the room did and then of course – as per chef’s instructions – tasted it.
It truly was delicious. T he taste was decadent, euphoric… exquisite.
Jeremy was instantly hit with the inescapable urge to throw up.
But he managed to keep it together. Cleaned up his station once they finished and only headed out to the bathroom once they had their scheduled break. He only managed to dry heave a few times, the sour bite of acid just barely reaching his tongue.
He can’t keep showing weakness like this.
Jeremy washed his mouth out in the sink before heading outside and leaning against the wall of the dormitory.
They handle plenty of animals at Hawthorne. Slaughter , butcher , gut and prepare fish. Cut and smoke meat so, it ’ s not like the killing is the problem. It’s the brutality of it that struck him. Blinding an animal before watching it drown in a jar of whiskey – and they had to watch, to make sure the bird died. To make sure it didn’t defecate in the whiskey and contaminate the whole dish . That’s what got him. But these were all necessary steps in completing the dish and Jeremy could not risk disappointing Chef.
He didn’t.
He did well.
And yet, he feels shaken.
It was just then, that he felt a sudden buzz against his side.
Jeremy jumped, at first having no idea what that was only to remember his phone. He’s been keeping it on him ever since Elsa caught him with it a few days ago. Jeremy isn’t sure why but something told him that he had to keep the device on him, so he did.
The sous chef cast a quick glance around and pulled out his phone to get a look at the screen.
A text.
Leo: So, you haven’t called me yet
Leo: Everything O.K?
No , he hasn’t. Hawthorne keeps Jeremy so distracted that he almost forgot about Leo.
Almost.
At night, when he got into bed he’d remember the younger man, the first person to touch him in a very long time. But, it was always so late and he wasn’t sure about contacting the other at that time. He remembered their last conversation. Remembered that his sleep schedule wasn’t, exactly, normal. Plus, Jeremy didn’t want to lose focus. He didn’t want to become distracted. He remembered what Elsa said and she was right. There are plenty of people who would kill to be in his position. He gave up his whole life to be where he is now. He can’t allow himself to screw it up. Jeremy can’t afford any distractions. So he should’ve just turned off his phone and put it back in the drawer, maybe even thrown it away to make sure he wouldn’t have any more distractions but he couldn’t.
He wanted… Jeremy needed-
The sous chef was just about to text back a reply only to pause and decide to call instead.
This won’t be a distraction. Right now h e just need s to hear someone else’s voice.
Over the screeching of the drowning bird that he can still hear in his head.
It rang twice.
“Hey! You know, I didn’t mean that you needed to call me right this second.”
Jeremy let out a deep breath, suddenly feeling something inside of him go a little lax.
“I… wanted to talk to you.”
“ Of course you do.” Jeremy couldn ’t help but let out a short laugh as the other continued, “How ya doing?”
“I’m-“ Jeremy swallowed hard, “I’m fine. I’m good. What about you?”
“I’m O.K… you don’t really sound good, Jeremy. Is something wrong?”
“No, nothing’s wrong.”
“O.K…” It was quiet for a brief second, “How are things at the restaurant? I know you said you’re usually busy during the day, I didn’t interrupt you or anything-“
“No, no its fine. I’m on my break. I wanted to talk to you.”
“O.K, any specific topic in mind or, did you just wanna hear my voice?” Leo seemed to tease and Jeremy took in a deep shuddering breath, not speaking for a moment, “Jeremy? Are you still there-“
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
“I wanted to hear your voice.”
Another moment of silence, “Are you sure you’re, O.K?”
“I… Yes and no.” Jeremy finally admitted.
“Do you wanna talk about it?”
“No. I just… I wanted to hear your voice.”
“O.K… I can do that, but I mean, maybe it would be better if we could meet up. I could come pick you up right now-“
“No, I’m on my break I only have a few minutes.”
“Well, then , on your next day off. Maybe we could talk about whatever’s wrong.”
Jeremy let out another breath, “Maybe.”
“O.K… well,” Leo’s tone brightened, though Jeremy could tell it was mostly for his benefit, “Since you insist on hearing my amazing voice, I guess I could tell you about my day so far.”
Jeremy smiled, “Yeah, I-I’d like that.”
“ Great , it’ll be really good to see you by the way, whenever that happens.”
He can’t afford any distractions. He can’t even allow even a moment’s weakness. He needs chef to know that he’s dedicated and completely committed.
But Jeremy also wanted to see Leo again.
Jeremy thought for a moment. The dinner with the French diplomat is this weekend, he can’t miss it. He can’t show weakness. Not when Katherine seemed to handle the dish so perfectly, not when he’d almost made a mistake during the marinating. Almost fumbling with the jar when the bird fluttered and struggled. But…
Miss Dubois saw him the other day. Insisted that he take his day off before the next time she visited Hawthorne. He’s supposed to take a day off anyway.
He can’t miss the dinner, but he can ta ke off the next day after that .
“How about this Sunday? I can take a day off then.”
“Sunday?”
“Is that-“
“No, its fine. I can come pick you up on the island if you-“
“No… we’ll meet in town, at eight, if that’s O.K?”
“Sure .” This time he could hear Leo smiling over the phone, “Sunday, it is.”
“Thank you.”
Leo scoffed, “What’re you thanking me for. You’re kind of weird, you know? You’re lucky I think you’re cute.”Jeremy felt himself flush a bit before the other continued, “You still have time to listen to me talk or do you want to save it for-“
“ I still have a few minutes .” Jeremy said as he slid down the side of the wall to sit down, “Tell me about your day.”
“Well, I got up at six. And that was a nightmare cause Bob went and did something weird to the water system when he was helping the maintenance crew and Spin – Wait, I should probably explain who Bob and Spin are first-“
As the younger man kept babbling , Jeremy couldn’t help but let his lips pull into a soft smile. He’s O.K. He’s fine.
This isn’t a distraction, not really anyway . Jeremy just wants-
He needs this… whatever this is.
Notes:
A/N: please review
CASEE (Guest) on Chapter 1 Sat 17 Feb 2024 02:40AM UTC
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yesoryes on Chapter 2 Mon 20 May 2024 06:19PM UTC
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Awalove on Chapter 2 Wed 10 Jul 2024 08:05PM UTC
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Casee (Guest) on Chapter 2 Fri 20 Dec 2024 06:05AM UTC
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