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Diners - Blog Posts

progressivehomemaker

4 years ago

The Diner 🍟

The boys were wild with back to school jitters, Michael bouncing in the passenger seat, Henry chattering in the back about pencil cases and which back pack made him ‘look the fastest.’

JJ, single mom and exhausted FBI agent, just smiled and let them run it out. She’d promised them dinner. A treat. Something fun before school started again and schedules got tight.

She didn’t say it aloud, but she needed it too. The diner was tucked behind the block across from the FBI building.

It had red leather booths, warm yellow lighting, a pinball machine that hadn’t worked in years, and a specials board written in swooping, crooked chalk.

It smelled like grilled cheese and cinnamon sugar and comfort. “Welcome to Y/L/N’s!” came a voice from the kitchen window, “Sit wherever you like! I’ll be right out!”

JJ’s eyes flicked toward the voice, catching just a glimpse of a woman with a backwards hat, tight grey tee hugging broad shoulders, and arms flecked with faint scars.

The woman disappeared again before JJ could get a good look, but Henry was already tugging her toward a corner booth.

They ordered burgers, milkshakes, and a shared plate of curly fries. It wasn’t long before the owner came out with menus and a crooked smile.

“Hey there! I’m Y/N,” she said, her voice was low, a little gravelly, “I own the place. Kitchen is short tonight, so you’ve got me for waitress duty too.”

JJ looked up, and for a moment, the world paused. Y/N was striking. Buff, sure. But it was more than that. There was kindness in her eyes, a warmth and gentleness.

She was flushed from the kitchen heat and had a tiny pen tucked behind her ear. “You’re doing great,” JJ said, her smile from ear to ear, “I’m JJ. These two are Henry and Michael.”

“Burgers and shakes for the back-to-school crew?” Y/N grinned at the boys, “You got it. I’ll throw in a couple extra fries… on the house. That okay, ma?”

JJ laughed, “More than okay.”

- - -

The next day, after the school drop off and a soul numbing few hours of paperwork at the BAU, JJ found herself standing in front of Y/L/N's again, her heels clicking softly on the pavement.

She told herself it was because she hadn't packed lunch. Not because of the waitress/owner with the soft, shy smile. Y/N looked surprised but pleased when JJ walked in.

"You again?" She teased, "Didn't peg you for a repeat customer so fast." Y/N smiled, straightening the chef's apron she had on. "I'm very persuasive when it comes to curly fries," JJ told her, sliding into the same booth as yesterday.

“And I didn’t get to say thank you properly. For being so sweet to the boys.” Y/N shrugged, wiping her greasy hands on the apron, "They were cool kids. Plus, you looked like you needed a break."

JJ blinked, "I did." Their eyes lingered. A beat a little too long.

Lunch was quiet, full of little glances and laughter. When JJ left, Y/N handed her a to-go coffee, hazelnut, just like the blonde liked, and muttered, "Come by whenever. I mean that."

Three days later, JJ came by after work. The diner was closing. The windows were steamed, the floors mopped. Y/N let her in anyway. JJ was in slacks and a blouse, hair falling from its twist.

Y/N had a flannel tied around her waist and was barefoot. “You hungry?” JJ shook her head. “No. I’m...” She faltered. Y/N tilted her head. “Then why’re you here?”

JJ stepped forward, took Y/N’s face in her hands, and kissed her. Y/N’s hands hovered at first, unsure, respectful, reverent, until JJ deepened the kiss, tugging her closer by the hem of her shirt.

Y/N made a soft, breathy sound, then wrapped those strong arms around JJ’s waist and lifted her gently up onto the counter.

They made love right there on the counter, laughter and soft moans echoing off the stainless steel and the warmth of an old radio playing in the background.

It wasn’t rushed. It wasn’t perfect. It was electric and messy and sweet. Afterward, JJ lay on her side in a corner booth, Y/N pressed to her back, brushing kisses along her shoulder blade.

They’d kept things simple. JJ came by after work. Y/N texted pictures of goofy food creations. The boys had no idea. Garcia and Emily were suspicious. Reid noticed JJ smiling more.

One night, two weeks after their kiss, JJ arrived with a takeout order, dinner for Y/N for once. She found Y/N on the rooftop of the diner, sitting on an old blanket under the fairy lights strung along the railing.

“You brought me food?” Y/N teased, grabbing the bag. “You’re always cooking. Figured I owed you.” JJ smiled. They ate sitting hip-to-hip, sharing fries and stealing bites.

Y/N wiped her hands on her jeans and shifted, nervous. “JJ?” JJ turned toward her. “Yeah?”

“I like you. A lot. More than I planned to. More than I thought I should. And I was wondering if… you’d want to be my girlfriend.” Y/N finally got out, her hands shaking with nerves.

JJ smiled, cupping Y/N’s cheek with one hand. “God, yes.”