roach smirked, knowing that the quality of his company was most certainly a matter of opinion. while he was well-liked around the lower district, he had a reputation for being something of an unsavory character—much more-so, lately.

”that’s sweet of ya, jessie.”

he grinned crookedly at her defensiveness.

”yeah, yeah. it’s called a kind gesture. ain’t my fault ye can’t hold yer liquor.” he shook his head, teasing her still.

Once she’d decided on something, he encouraged, ”getcha one, then.”

When the server approached and greeted them, roach began, ”yes ma’am, can I get a cheeseburger with bacon, jalapeno, pepperjack, gravy and a runny egg, please, and a water with lemon.”

’mhm.’ the older woman, donning an unkempt bun and a floury apron and labeled ‘noreen’ turned then, pen at the ready to tiredly jot down whatever it was that jessie wanted.

@jessica

☉

jessie had an appetite, not unlike most drunk people. roach chuckled as well, but to be fair, they were good enough to gorge on.

he chuckled. ”atta girl.”

once everyone was done making unnecessary comments on what jessie wanted to eat, the server left.

”sure, why not.” he leaned back in his seat, taking up space with a lazy grin. ”long as you promise’a gimme my food back once you decide you want mine instead.”

@jessica

☉

”sure, sure,” he grinned, gaze passing briefly over other tables and booths, faces—a quick, casual scan before his easy-going smirk settled back on her again.

it lingered there for a long moment in silence, slowly curling a little more by the passing second.

”you got some eyes on you.” he chuckled finally. ”you know that though, don’tcha?”

@jessica

☉

it was amusing. he’d been looking more for familiarity in faces. someone like roach had to stay alert at all times.

but, he had noticed looks. jessie was beautiful. of course, there would be.

”’n ain’t i lucky.” he grinned, chin nodding towards her. ”it’s those two eyes on yer pretty face what i’m talkin’ ‘bout, doll.”

drinks were set down in a bit of a hurry, and their floury-aproned server was off again.

@jessica

☉

“don’t look strange to me.”

it was cute how well she matched now. he bit his tongue lightly and watched her turn. women in her profession were notoriously difficult to make blush. maybe he was special. probably not, but he relished in it anyways.

he picked a lemon wedge off the side of his glass and squeezed it in his palm over the water.

”well, i’ll keep doin’ it, then.”

@jessica

☉

”i do my best.”

the hum of her voice was cute, and he didn’t interrupt it. food distracted immediately, though, and he was making some kind of noise of approval. something like, ”woo, baby. you know i ain’t ever ready for it.”

the old woman shook her head and walked off, looking exhausted but with the small twitch of a smile.

”looks good, don’t it?” roach lifted his burger almost immediately, soon wiping gravy from his mustache and nodding, mouth still full.

@jessica

☉

roach raised eyebrows at her a little. ”hm?” oh. he’d been hungry and forgotten.

the way she asked was cute.

wiping more gravy from his mouth, he slid over his plate. then, he grabbed a fry off her plate for tax, watching for her reaction to his creation.

@jessica

☉