Men Have Sides, Women Have Secrets pt.2

"I can walk by myself," Wrath grumbled.

"I'm sure you can run a marathon too," he said sarcastically.

"Hmph!" she harrumphed.

"You should enjoy this while you can. I'm not sure I'll be able to piggyback you once you're all grown up."

"You think I'll still grow taller?" she cheered up.

"Oh yeah, I take that back. I guess I'll still be able to carry you even when you're 50," he smirked.

She tightened her grip on his neck and choked him.

"Hey! That was uncalled for," he pinched her thigh.

"Ouch! I have enough strength to walk! Let me go!" She yanked around.

Lust smiled patiently, "You'll miss being babied around by me one day. I know Pride secretly does; that giant baby."

"I doubt that you can even lift him now, he's heavier than you."

"No way! I'm taller than him. Are you saying that I'm not muscular enough?"

"He's a trained athlete! You're a musician. Not that hard to guess if you ask me."

"Wanna bet?" he challenged.

"Okay! If I win, you have to stop carrying me around like I'm a human backpack."

"And if I win?"

"Hmm… I'll do the dishes and laundry for a month."

"Deal!" Lust gave a huge smile as he rushed to his bike.

**********

Wrath got down from the bike as Lust looked for a place to park his bike safely.

"Dammit!" she kicked one of the front tires of Pride's car.

Her tall roommate walked over to see his friend cursing profusely at the car.

"Umm…What's up?" he slowly walked closer to examine the situation.

"Look at this sh*t! Ugh…I'm so tired and sweaty! Now we have to deal with this," she pointed at the slashed tire.

"I can call for a replacement while we have something to eat. And the diner has air conditioning. C'mon, it'll be done by the time we finish our meal."

"Why can't Pride put a spare wheel somewhere," she stomped.

Lust stored their bags in Pride's car after changing into a more decent clothing. The parking lot was unusually crowded for a Tuesday morning, most of the occupants were semi-trucks and delivery vans. Uriel waved the two youngsters in from behind the register. The booths were filled by drivers and workers stopping by for brunch and some strong black coffee before carrying on with their day.

"Go on ahead. I'll be right with you after I make this phone call," he motioned.

There were only one empty bar stool left on the counter by the pastry display. Wrath shimmied her way to the seat as a plump driver got up from a spot next to the empty stool. He bumped Wrath on the chest with his beefy arm as he took a swig off of his metal flask and spilled some on her shirt.

"Watch it!" she nearly knocked another customer's cup off their hand.

"Sorry, love. Bit feisty for a 'lil kid ain't cha?" he sneered.

"Well, you're gonna *love* this fist on your stupid dimple if you don't make it out that door in the next 10 seconds," Lust swooped in to pull her away from the man and held her tightly.

"Hahaha…You really think you can take a swing on me, Princess? Put a leash on your d*mn b*tch will ya?" the snarky man pointed at Wrath.

A tiny girl wearing an apron peered out the kitchen window to spy on the commotion outside.

"Hey! Stop that! No fighting in my diner," Uriel stepped in.

"Yeah! Don't pick on people the size of your di–" Lust covered her mouth midsentence.

The meatball of a man walked out of the diner with his middle fingers up as the diner owners gave him a stern look. The rude stranger hobbled to his vehicle and took off.

"Unbelievable, I can't believe he's driving after that much whisky," Uriel shook her head.

"What a nuisance. Tsk...tsk…tsk…," Michael chimed in from the kitchen. "Famine! Let's stop spying on people and get to work."

The girl jumped down from the window as her boss requested her help.

"Don't worry, he won't be making anymore trouble soon," Wrath mumbled under her breathe as she reached her seat.

"What was that, dear?" the waitress asked.

"Oh, um…Can I have one sausage and eggs, please?" she faked a polite smile.

"Sure thing. What about you, Lust?"

"I'll have a brunch skillet set, and a cup of coffee for now. Thanks," he returned the menu.

Uriel served them a cup of coffee before disappearing to another customer's table.

"The heat and hunger is getting to you," Lust rubbed her shoulders to calm her down.

Wrath whacked his hand away, "Can this day get any worse?"

"C'mon now, you'll feel better once your stomach's full."

Wrath's cheeks were still flushed from the scorching weather. She folded her hands on the counter and rested her head on it; facing down. The new cook called out their order, but Uriel was tied up with the diner more active than usual.

"Go and serve it," Michael pushed the new worker out.

"Umm… S-sausage and eggs?" the girl stuttered.

"You can just give that to me," Lust took the plate for her.

"Where's the cutleries?" Wrath looked up sluggishly.

"Oh, sorry. We are a bit packed today and it's my first day here," the confused girl scrambled to look for the cutleries.

"Let me get it for you," Lust stood up and grabbed a pair of fork and knife from behind the counter.

The girl blushed, "Umm… Thanks, and sorry."

A trucker called out for more coffee and Lust instinctively grabbed the pitcher and walked over to serve them. Another table called for him and ordered some items.

"One cheeseburger with extra onions and two chocolate milkshakes," he fed the orders.

The new cook stared in awe and embarrassment before grabbing the paper from his hand slowly.

"It's ok, I used to work here when I was younger. I'm sure Uriel and Michael wouldn't mind me helping out a bit."

"Wait a minute," Wrath squinted. "You're that pigtail girl!"

She instinctively grabbed her hair and looked away.

"Oh yeah. You live across from us, right? I thought I've seen you somewhere," Lust smiled.

Famine awkwardly bowed before escaping to her sanctuary that was the kitchen. Uriel approached Lust and thanked him for helping out. He continued to take a few more orders and cleaned some tables before it was manageable for the sole waitress to cover.

"Aren't you Mr. Helpful?" Wrath said as she forked a sausage.

"I can't just sit and watch the poor girl get lost on her first day at work," he shrugged her off.

The seemingly shy and pure neighbor glided closer to serve Lust's dish, "Thanks for helping me earlier."

"No problem. But I didn't know the diner was hiring."

"Yeah, a friend– uh… I mean a guy told me about it. I thought it's not a bad idea to earn some pocket money," she looked down shyly.

"Oh. Well, he's right. The food looks and smells really good. Keep up the good work. I'm sure Michael appreciates your help."

Famine's eyes lit up for a moment before she caught herself and went back to her station.