Chapter Text
Arizona.
Arizona is fucking hot.
The Griffin family had moved to Paradise, Arizona. Peter had found a life changing job opportunity, one they couldn't pass. Well, only Peter couldn't pass. Lois wasn't very big on the idea. She isn't big on any of his ideas. Their marriage is a rocky path, on and off. The same fights make the pair sound like a broken record. Their throats coarse as an aftermath. He likes his wife, he's a family guy after all, she's just... changed. The move was a necessary evil. The blissful Quahog summers, fossilized, deep in the back of their mind. Gone. Replaced by the oppressive sun of Arizona. The Griffin family was in a financial rut. This job was their last hope. The way I'm describing this job makes it sound like it's the best job out there. A god sent opportunity. Divine intervention. It somewhat is, to them. It isn't the greatest, but Peter was oh-so-lucky, to land a job at the Lucky Ganesh.
As I said before, it wasn't great. The walk to the store was truly something. The trailer park with a very "enthusiastic" couple in there, some drunk man, or more accurately, men. One was dancing in the middle of the road. It's actually more safe than it seems. Cars are nothing but exploding props in this town. Truly impeccable. The other was some.. young athlete repeating "I love ball! I love ball!" like some mantra whilst kicking a soccer ball against one of the brick walls of the shop. After bumping into a few cacti and rednecks, Peter finds himself in the Lucky Ganesh.
The rotten stench that envelops the Lucky Ganesh is no match against his natural odor that clings to Peter like a second skin. The stench would make a janitor kill themselves, a stench that leaves both a sickenly sweet taste in the mouth along with a resonating bitter taste. Habib will be the one who shows him the ropes. "Money goes here infidel!" He yelps. "Charge three times more!" after a couple of minutes of him just yipping and yapping, something about saying "Get out! and please come again!" something about their unclean visit. Peter's gaze drifts over his form as he waltzes into the back room to his unfathomable amount of wives.
It was a hard day. Working alongside their coworker, Posco? Who names their kid Posco? Posco did most of the heavy lifting. Stocking the shelves, cleaning, whatever. They're totally not some side character that's based on my friend. they're totally not gonna be mentioned once and never again. They're totally not working in tandem with me with another fic. That's stupid. In the middle of the author getting off topic, something happened in the store. There was a disturbance.
One man immediately announced his presence by loudly establishing "Gyahhh..! What's that awful stench? Did someone slaughter a goat in here? No seriously, I wanna know." His voice is deep like no other, sticking out like a sore thumb. Already setting himself as something different from the other copy and paste customers that either complain about the prices and state "I'm never coming here again." or the other side that are way too enthusiastic about their transaction, exclaiming "Kick ass!" and waltzing right out the store with their "I ❤️ porn" tote bag. It's a refreshing contrast. Peter's a nice guy, again, he's a family guy. He is compassionate. Even with his wife, even if it's like he's walking on eggshells with her... but, something about this man.... something draws him in. Something pulls him closer. He finds himself caring about something way more than he would usually.
Peter saw a tall shadowy figure, marching for the dairy area, his leather black trenchcoat fluttering behind him. He couldn't stare for long though, the customer in front of him cleared their throat loudly. Reminding him he's in the work environment. People tend to work... in the work environment. He quickly scans their items, bags them, and tells them the total price. He didn't care if they paid or complained. Peter just needed to know who.. or what he is.
It felt like an eternity for Peter to be face to face with this alluring man. (God, he's handsome.. PETER! Snap out of it. Just a customer, just a paycheck, for christ sakes you’ve got a wife! What’s Lois going to think? You’re not the same man she married 20 years ago? She’ll take the kids, she’ll— ) Peter snaps out of it, realizing he’s been staring at him. His arms crossed like he's expecting something. Peter manages to strain out a few words “Nyeheh… whoops..” He starts to scan his one item. Jihad’s goat milk? He hands the item back to him, “That’ll be.. FIFTEEN. DOLLARS.” The man quickly pulls out one ten dollar bill with a five. He slides the bills over the counter. Before Peter could say anything, the man said “Thanks.” in a way Peter's not sure if this man was being sincere. Peter feels something tear within him, seeing the shaded man flee. It hurt, a lot more than it should. Peter, in a panicked state stammers something, just to keep him around just for a little longer. Just for a second. “Wait! What's your name...? nyeheheh..” The man stops in his tracks, you can’t see his eyes, but you could see his eyebrows raise as he slowly turns back to face Peter, he gestures a point with his index finger towards himself, silently asking if he was talking to him. Peter takes a few seconds, taking in his frame before quickly nodding. The dude sighs, and bitterly mutters “Dude…” his eyes furrow whilst muttering those words. Peter thinks. (Dude... that's the name…) odd choice from his parents too… When Peter comes back from his haze, Dude is gone.
It's a name he won't forget. Not for a while, probably not ever.