Despite the Chapter Title, this is basically fluff. Ethically-sourced goose down stuffed pillows and comforters. Fluff that fucks.
-0-
Time passed, and a new normal settled in the Gele Gloxinia.
Weiss arrived every day with bright eyes and a wide smile. She would quickly button up and put on her game face for the kitchen. But everyone noticed her criticisms were softened, her tone lighter and gentler. To put it frankly, it was like someone came in and slipped a massive stick from her ass.
Some quietly attributed it to new anti-depressants. Maybe Chef finally started smoking weed, or popping a Valium before work. Some went so far as to check for marks on her arms when she rolled up her sleeves. Nothing.
Still, a quiet few had a better idea as to what shifted Weiss' demeanor, and it all came down to the new Sous.
Ruby really came into her own as Weiss' second in command. The stress and anxiety of that first week of work, which everyone in the kitchen felt, had disappeared. Moreover, it had done a complete 180. If Weiss came to work bright as a midnight street light, Ruby walked in beaming like the sun. Her energy and vigor was contagious, and the back of house soaked it up like a sponge on spilled coffee.
Yet, one soaked in Ruby quite like Weiss did.
"Chef!" Ruby called.
"Yes?" Weiss asked, immediately facing Ruby, a small smile slighting her lips.
"I want to try running a special." Ruby said, folding her arms.
"Okay." Weiss folded her hands behind her back, rocking from her ankles to her toes. "What are you thinking?
"Something with cherries. And strawberries." Ruby said, tapping her chin. "I'd like to order about ten pounds apiece."
"Twenty?" Weiss raised one brow. "What will you make?"
"Strawberry Cherry Basil pie." Ruby rattled off, smiling.
Weiss bit her lip.
"That sounds lovely." Weiss answered. "Go ahead. And. . ." Weiss stepped closer. "I don't want to step on your toes, but would you like a gelato to pair?" She said with a hushed tone.
"Yes please!" Ruby replied, clapping her hands together.
"Then throw fifteen pounds of blueberries on the order." Weiss said.
"Oooooh." Ruby licked her lips, glancing at Weiss through lidded eyes. "That sounds delicious."
Weiss glanced down, then met Ruby's eyes with her own.
"It does, doesn't it?" Weiss took a breath. "Finalize your recipe, then we can work on putting them together. . . Harmoniously."
The next day, Ruby came in a few hours early with Sun to deep clean the walk-in. Weiss arrived at her usual time, and walked in to freshly wash shelves being reassembled in the back.
"Ruby's taking care of the floor." Sun smirked, jerking his thumb.
"Thank you Sun." Weiss walked to to the walk-in, and opened the door.
Ruby was on her hands and knees, ass facing the door, scrubbing the side edge of the walk-in. She glanced over her shoulder.
"Hey Chef." Ruby greeted.
"H-hello Ruby." Weiss stuttered, blushing scarlet.
Ruby raised one brow. She returned to her work, moving the scrubby back and forth across the floor, her body moving slightly with her motions.
"I'm almost done in here, just need to put the shelves back and put the product back up." Ruby said, focusing on the floor.
"R-r-right. Um, about the dessert." Weiss started, stepping into the walk-in, letting the door shut behind her.
"Yeah?" Ruby paused.
"I was wondering if you'd object to some lemon." Weiss said, folding her arms.
"No objections here. How do you want it?" Ruby asked, returning to scrubbing.
Weiss averted her eyes, trying to keep focus. But that butt wiggled just ever so-
"I want to do a lemon zest sugar." Weiss said, swallowing.
"Oh, nice. For the gelato?" Ruby asked, rubbing at a particularly tough spot.
"No. For the pie crust." Weiss cleared her throat. "We can infuse a batch of turbinado, then fold it into the pie crust before we cut it. Give it a bit of zing and some crunch."
Ruby stood up, scrubby in hand. She grinned at Weiss, then glanced at the walk-in door. Before Weiss could react, Ruby snaked her arm around Weiss' waist, drawing her in for a kiss. Soft, sweet lips grazed hers like silk petals, and Weiss let out a soft squeak.
Quick as it came, it ended.
"That sounds delicious." Ruby said quietly, smirking impishly. She went back to scrubbing the floor, as if nothing happened.
"I-" Weiss pressed her lips together. "You're a little shit."
Ruby paused. She looked over her shoulder, eyes meeting Weiss'. She blinked, slowly, her lashes beckoning. She slightly wiggled her butt, giving Weiss one raised brow. As if to say, 'you think I didn't notice'?
Steaming red, Weiss fled the walk-in, leaving a smirking Ruby to her work.
The next day the order came in. Bags of onions, potatoes, flour, assorted veggies, fruits, sugar, spices, fish and meats were stacked against the back door of the Gele. Weiss and Ruby arrived at the same time, and quickly got on the order. Ruby started on carrying the food in, while Weiss began transferring ingredients from dirty cardboard boxes to clean, clear plastic cambros and bins. She labeled each one with a stick of tape, and stacked them on the prep table to move inside the walk-in.
"Hey, I got down to the bottom of the pile. Can you help me with the lamb?" Ruby asked, jerking her thumb.
Weiss nodded, and together they went outside, each grabbing one end of the box, lifting sixty pounds of lamb racks between them.
"Fuck, why don't they cut a hand-hole for us?" Ruby grunted, opening the back door.
"Because it would make sense. People don't do things that make sense." Weiss grunted.
"If they did, I could carry this on my own." Ruby huffed. She bent down, resting the box on her knee, and pulled the walk-in door open. She stood up, hands on either side of the box, and used her ankle to kick the door back before it closed.
"That's fucking rich." Weiss growled, shifting the weight in her hands. "You couldn't carry this on your own. You're too skinny."
"You're one to talk." Ruby retorted, shuffling backwards. She bent down, putting the box on the lower shelf, and held it so Weiss could slide her end on easily. "Your arms are like the sticks they shove in snow men."
"I'm stronger than I look." Weiss huffed, watching Ruby push the box back.
"Yeah right." Ruby laughed. "How much can you lift? Thirty?" She chuckled, standing up.
Weiss declined to respond. Instead, she walked up to Ruby, wrapped her arms under her butt, and lifted, pinning her against the back wall of the walk-in.
"Oh!" Ruby looked down, meeting a smirking Weiss' eye. She wrapped her arms around Weiss' neck. "I didn't know you had it in you."
"Now you know." Weiss whispered.
Ruby bit her lip. She glanced at the walk-in door.
"Sun'll be here any second." Ruby whispered.
"Yeah." Weiss said, a small thrill running through her. She licked her lips. "We can continue this later."
"I'd like that. I kinda want to know how long you can hold me up." Ruby teased.
"I'll last as long as you do." Weiss breathed. She stepped back, letting Ruby slide down to her feet, her hands still on Ruby's waist.
"Hey, Chef." Sun opened the walk-in door. "I was wonder-" He stopped, looking at two red-faced women, the pair stepping from each other like they'd been electrocuted.
"Ah." Sun nodded.
"What is it?" Weiss asked, smoothing down her apron.
"Nope, nothing. Nothing." Sun waved. "I see you're busy. I'll ask later." He let the door shut behind him.
"Fuck." Weiss said, pinching her nose.
"What?" Ruby asked, bumping her elbow against Weiss'.
"I need to be more careful." Weiss said, sighing. "Fuck, if it had been Dusk, or. . . Fuck."
"Hey. Take a breath." Ruby grabbed Weiss' hand, fingers lacing with hers. "Sun gets here earlier than anyone. And he's a friend. Nothing bad comes from this."
"Still-" Weiss protested.
"We'll keep it low. But - " Ruby held their hands between them. "It's okay to be excited." She said quietly.
Weiss flushed, looking at Ruby's hand in hers. She glanced up with a nervous smile, meeting Ruby's eyes. Then, she frowned.
"You've got a button undone." Weiss said, her hand slipping from Ruby's.
"Oh!" Ruby looked down. She reached up to fix it.
"Wait." Weiss said.
Ruby cocked her head.
Weiss reached up, fingers trembling, and buttoned Ruby's jacket. Smoothing it down. She stepped back, satisfied.
"Thanks." Ruby rubbed the back of her neck, blushing hard.
"Any time, Red." Weiss answered, grabbing her wrist with one hand, looking away from Ruby. She spun on her heel. "Back to work." Weiss said, and went out the walk-in door.
Ruby took a deep breath. She glanced at her hand, fingers warm from Weiss'. Ruby smiled, and followed Weiss back to the kitchen, helping her put away the last of the order.
-0-
The next day, Ruby and Weiss came in at ten am. The restaurant was empty. No one was there, or would be there for several hours.
"Well!" Weiss declared, plopping her knife bag on the prep table. "I need coffee."
"Cool." Ruby shrugged. She set her own bag on the table next to Weiss', then followed her to the bar.
The bar was equipped with a full-sized espresso machine, coffee grinder, and warmed mugs. As coffee was one of Weiss' most favorite things, and she refused to drink pre-ground beans. Every cup used fresh grounds, and the Gele charged a premium for those perfect espresso pulls.
Weiss switched on the machine. She started the grinder, and pulled a full cup of grounds, pressing them into a puck with the tamper. She twisted the wand into the machine, and started the water. Soon, a black espresso with brown crema filled the glass below.
"Do you want some?" Weiss asked, glancing at Ruby.
"No thanks." Ruby said. She pointed at the lowboy. "Is there milk in there?"
"Yes." Weiss answered, rolling he eyes.
"Perfect!" Ruby grabbed the milk from the cooler, and poured herself a full glass. She took a sip. "Mmmmm!"
"I can't believe you don't drink coffee." Weiss grumbled.
"Why?" Ruby asked, returning the milk to the cooler.
"Come on." Weiss gestured to Ruby. "You have so much fucking energy. How do you not drink coffee?"
"Hm. . ." Ruby sipped her milk. "I think you're looking at this wrong."
"Oh?" Weiss grabbed a mug. She filled it with hot water from the espresso machine. The shot was almost pulled. "Do tell."
"Well, think about it. If I have this much energy without coffee, do you really want to see me on coffee?"
Weiss paused. She thought of how fast, how consistent Ruby moved on the line. How, even at the end of the night, she still had energy to brighten the whole kitchen.
Still had energy to fuck her as hard as she did.
"No." Weiss said, going pale. "No, I don't think I want to see that."
"Not a pretty sight, huh?" Ruby teased, taking a victory sip. She smacked her lips, a little milk mustache left behind.
"Dolt." Weiss said softly, swiping her thumb across Ruby's upper lip.
"Hey!" Ruby pouted. "I was saving that."
"You've got more." Weiss said, sticking her thumb into her mouth. She glanced at the espresso. It was done, and had been for some time. She poured a bit of milk into a small metal pitcher, and began steaming it with the wand.
Ruby watched intently, the milk foaming up. Hot, but not scalded.
"I've never had a cup of foamed milk." Ruby mused.
"Really?" Weiss raised one brow. "You've never tried a latte?"
"Nope." Ruby answered, shaking her head.
"Fine." Weiss rolled her eyes. She dumped the hot water from her mug, poured the shot in, and filled it with the foamed milk. A splash of vanilla syrup, and her coffee was done. She set it to the side, and poured some more milk into the pitcher, foaming it up. She put it into another mug, and handed it to Ruby.
"Thank you!" Ruby said, delighted. She took the mug, smiling, and took a sip.
"Well?"
Ruby cocked her head, smacking her lips. She stuck one pinky out from the mug handle.
"It's a rather fine foam, rather spiffy indeedily." Ruby said with a poor imitation of refined British class.
"Dolt." Weiss snorted, taking a sip of her latte. Strong, lightly sweetened by the vanilla. Invigorating.
"No, it's good." Ruby swirled the foam in her cup. "Not as refreshing as cold milk though."
"It's practically naked." Weiss hummed. "You need something mixed in."
"Hm. I kinda like it naked." Ruby said, sipping the foam, hiding her smirk.
Weiss swatted Ruby's arm.
"I hope you can hit harder than that." Ruby said casually.
Weiss blinked. Hit harder-Oh! She felt all the blood rush from her brain, and she gulped.
"Let's focus." Weiss said, looking to change the subject. "We've only got so long to finish our special."
Ruby set her lips in a thin line. She nodded, and knocked back her milk-foam, then her cold milk. She wiped her mouth on her sleeve.
"Let's get to it." She said, and bounced to the kitchen.
Weiss shook her head and, after another sip of her coffee, followed.
Weiss immediately set about the ice cream, blending blueberries and straining the juice, fabricating a custard on the stovetop, and mixing the two together until she had about three gallons of gelato base. She added whole vanilla bean to the mix, and poured it into a hotel pan set over a bed of ice.
Meanwhile, Ruby started on the pie filling, pitting cherries and slicing strawberries, thinly slicing strips of basil. She threw it into a pot on the stove with sugar and salt, and left it to meld on medium low heat. She then started on the crust, gently working cold butter into flour sifted with salt, baking powder, and a little sugar. She mixed in some milk, and folded the dough until it almost came together. Then, she grabbed Weiss' infused turbinado, the sugar crystals so large she could feel the edges dig into her fingers, and sprinkled it over the dough. She folded it twice, sprinkled, and folded twice again, rolling the dough out into a thin sheet studded with sugared stars.
Weiss kept an eye on the filling, turning down the heat as the juices reduced in the pot. She took a spoon, and tasted, letting out a small moan.
"How is it?" Ruby asked, stepping over. She grabbed her own spoon.
Delicious." Weiss answered, licking her lips.
Ruby brought the spoon of bright red filling to her mouth, slipping it past her lips. A thin stream of juice rolled from the corner of her mouth, and she sighed.
"Tasty."
Weiss brought her finger to Ruby's chin, wiping the errant juice with her thumb, and brought it to her mouth, the sweet and tart giving her a thrill. Her thumb left her mouth with a small 'pop'.
Ruby glanced at Weiss out the corner of her eye, and deliberately licked the corner Weiss touched moments ago. She grinned.
"Don't look at me like that." Weiss scolded Ruby, blushing furiously.
"Like what?" Ruby said innocently.
". . . It's your fault for being such a messy eater." Weiss grumbled.
"I wish you knew how messy I could get." Ruby breathed.
"F-focus!" Weiss stammered.
"Oh, I'm plenty focused." Ruby teased. She turned and grabbed a few pie tins, settling the crust in the bottom, trimming the excess. She started cutting strips of crust, stacking twelve apiece next to each tin.
Weiss grabbed a few trays, setting the crusted tins on top. She waited until Ruby finished all twelve, then popped them into the oven, setting the timer.
"Good." Ruby stated, clapping her hands. She grabbed a sheet of plastic and covered the strips of crust. "Now we wait."
"Let's get this mess cleaned up." Weiss said, gesturing to the counter, coated in flour. "And change your apron."
"Yes Chef~" Ruby saluted, and went to the back.
Weiss set about wiping down the counter, keeping an eye on the pie filling as she did. It was softly simmering, wafting the tender sweetness of strawberries and tart cherries throughout the kitchen. Weiss breathed deep, and sighed. She checked on her gelato base. Almost cold enough to pop into the machine.
Ruby walked back in, wearing a fresh apron. She hopped up onto the table, crossing her legs.
"Get off the table." Weiss ordered, stirring the filling.
"Make me." Ruby said, sticking out her tongue.
Weiss raised one brow. She folded her arms, squared her shoulders.
Ruby crossed her arms, staring Weiss down.
Weiss moved, hands reaching for Ruby's waist.
Ruby's legs scissored open, wrapping around Weiss' midsection just as Weiss' hands wrapped around Ruby's waist. She pulled, attempting to take Ruby off the table, and succeeded. But, instead of depositing Ruby on the floor, Ruby held fast, her legs tight around Weiss' waist, her hands resting on Weiss' shoulders.
Weiss could've dropped her, but she didn't. Instead, she adjusted her grip, holding Ruby tight, and stared up at her.
"You're off the table." Weiss whispered.
"Sure looks like it." Ruby grinned. She rested her forehead against Weiss', staring into her eyes. Slowly, she leaned in, capturing Weiss' lips in her own.
Weiss had never tasted something so sweet. Ruby's lips cast a haze in Weiss' mind, her body buzzing as if filled with honey and hungry bees.
As quick as she swept in, Ruby pulled away. Weiss tried to follow, and Ruby giggled. Weiss opened her eyes, and frowned.
"What?" Weiss asked.
"You're like a donkey with a carrot." Ruby giggled.
Weiss eyes went wide. Her mouth popped open in disbelief.
"Hey, I'm not calling you a donkey." Ruby protested, wagging a finger at Weiss.
"I could drop you Red." Weiss deadpanned.
"Noooooo!" Ruby squealed, wrapping her arms around Weiss' head desperately. "I'm a delicate flower!"
"There is nothing delicate about you." Weiss said, muffled by Ruby's chest.
"Hmph. Maybe no part of me is delicate." Ruby admitted. She leaned over, her breath tickling Weiss' ear. "But every part of me is a delicacy."
Weiss in that moment was grateful her head was buried in Ruby's tits.
"That's why you shouldn't drop me." Ruby stated, matter of fact.
". . . Fine." Weiss said, muffled.
"Fine what?"
"I will not drop you even though you called me a donkey."
"I would never call you a donkey." Ruby said, pulling back. "You're way more graceful. Like an ostrich."
"I'm gonna need that shovel when you're done with it." Weiss growled.
"Okay, fine, like a swan, or something. It's fun to watch you work." Ruby said quietly.
Weiss worked her jaw, but nothing came out. She cleared her throat.
"You like watching me work?" Weiss asked softly.
"I love watching you work." Ruby said, running her thumb down Weiss' cheek. Weiss flushed, looking away.
Ruby bit her lip, butterflies dancing in her stomach. Now or never.
"Hey, I've got an idea." Ruby said softly.
"Do tell." Weiss said.
"Well," Ruby pulled farther back, her fingers drumming against Weiss' shoulder. Weiss stepped forward, correcting her balance.
"You know how we need to keep it low?" Ruby asked.
". . . Yes." Weiss blinked.
"Well, I was thinking that would be easier if. . ." Ruby pressed her index fingers together, lips pursed. Her only support were her locked legs and Weiss' hands cradling her ass. "If maybe we started fucking at each other's places?"
Weiss' hands slipped. Ruby fell back. With her legs tight around Weiss', she took Weiss to the floor with her. Ruby smacked her head, and the pair ended up a tangled mess of limbs and apron.
"Oooooow." Ruby groaned, rubbing her head.
"Oh, I'm so sorry!" Weiss pushed herself over Ruby, hands to either side of her head. "Are you okay?"
"I might live." Ruby said with a raspy voice. "But I'll need an emergency cookie."
Weiss rolled her eyes. She pushed herself to her feet, and held her hand out. Ruby took it, and Weiss pulled Ruby to her feet. Weiss pressed her lips together, and walked to the hand washing station. She turned on the hot water, and lathered her hands.
"Well?" Ruby asked, standing just to the side.
She scrubbed the soap on her hand, under her nails. It was easier to clean her nails, now that they were a little shorter.
"I don't mind the idea." Weiss said with a lump in her throat. She pulled the paper towels from the box, dried her hands, and shut off the water. She gestured to the sink.
"That's good." Ruby smiled. She turned on the water and lathered her own hands. "But?" She pressed.
Weiss looked to the side, frowning.
"I'm not ready to host." Weiss admitted quietly.
"T-that's okay!" Ruby said quickly. "I can host. I mean -" She dried her hands, shutting off the water. "I need to clean the place up first, so maybe not tonight. But tomorr-"
"I can wait." Weiss interjected, excitement gnawing at her belly. "I mean - I don't mind a little mess. So if you want to tonight, I can come over a little after we close." She pressed her lips together.
Ruby beamed. Then, her eyes went to the floor.
"No. It's really not ready. My house is-"
"I told you. I don't mind a little mess." Weiss insisted. Now that Ruby invited her over, Weiss desperately wanted to see her home. "And if it's really that bad, I could help."
Ruby popped her lips open, ready to protest. Then, she pressed them together, and finally smiled.
"Okay. I would like that." Ruby said. "I'll text you the address after work then."
Weiss nodded. Then, she walked away, returning a moment later with a chocolate chip cookie from the pastry case. Silently, she offered it to Ruby.
Ruby grinned, and took a big bite of the cookie.
"Mmmmmm!" Ruby moaned. "This hits the spot." She said, chewing. "But you know what would really help me feel better?"
"What?" Weiss asked.
"A kiss." Ruby said, gesturing to where she bumped her head.
"Another one?" Weiss hummed.
"Come on. I've totally earned it."
"Dolt." Weiss snorted. She waved Ruby towards herself.
Ruby bent her knees, angling the back of her head towards Weiss. Weiss' fingers reached out, gently brushing through Ruby's hair.
"Here?" Weiss asked.
"A little higher." Ruby said.
Weiss smiled and, after a moment, planted a kiss on Ruby's head.
Ruby closed her eyes and sighed. Then, she stood, once again towering over Weiss, and bit into her cookie.
"Thanks." Ruby said, blushing.
Weiss didn't say anything. Instead, she put her hands on Ruby's shoulders, got on her tippy toes, and captured Ruby's lips with her own, and her world melted into a sweet, chocolate daze.
~0~
The crew walked into the Gele Gloxinia, one by one, their noses immediately stirred by the smell of cherries, strawberries, and golden brown pie crust. The source was two trays of pie tins, cooling on a rack in the back, untouched and untasted. Some were tempted to stick in a finger, but the blood red filling reminded them of Chef's knives, so they simply said it smelled good and got to work.
Service passed by quickly. Just as last call rang in, Chef disappeared to the back. Sous Chef Ruby began dismantling her station, and everyone followed suit, trying to match her speed, her grace.
Just as close wound down, Chef returned to the line with a half-tray. Squares of the pie were neatly lined up, with a small scoop of a blue ice-cream topping the steaming treat.
"Everyone go ahead and pause please." Chef called to her staff. "Ruby and I have developed a special we're rolling out tomorrow. I would've offered a sample earlier, but I wasn't going to get here at six just to have a pie done by two." She set the tray at the pass with a pile of forks and small plates. "It's strawberry cherry basil pie with a vanilla bean blueberry gelato. Everyone who wants some, take some."
The front and back of house moved as one, getting in a line and taking samples of the new dessert. The last piece went to Chef Weiss and Sous Chef Ruby.
Sun took his plate, thanked Weiss, and went to the corner near the pit, taking a look at the food.
It was breathtaking. A gold crust like a sunset over desert sand, with chunks of cherry and strawberry laced with thin strips of basil throughout the filling, the blue gelato melting to embrace the pie.
Sun glanced at Weiss and Ruby. They had split theirs down the middle, toasted their forks, and each taken a bite. Their eyes widened in surprise, and they smiled at each other, nodding in appreciation.
Sun took his own bite. The crisp crust with dotted with crunchy crystals of bright lemon zest. The gelato was smooth, cool, and refined against a tart, wild filling.
Sun grinned. He looked at the dessert, then Weiss and Ruby.
Smirking, he finished the sweet treat, savoring every bite.
-0-
Expect chapter updates to slow down. This is as much as I've gotten done since pulling it. I'm feeling much better than I did then, so the story has that going for it.
If you missed it, the original was uploaded as 'ASP: Classic', due to request. Completely uncut. I regret ever pulling it, as fanfiction is a celebration between fans for something they love, and that isn't something I feel I had the right to take away. I mean, obviously, I felt that at the time. But not anymore.