Slow Burn

Good Food And Bad Memories Is A Terrible Combination

'Poor memory is better than bad memories.'

Omida Para El Alma was not like most 5-star restaurants.

It did not have dark Oak floors or the harsh lighting that made your head hurt. The place had a beautiful flooring that had the look of streets after rain,reflecting everything with a serene beauty. The lights were a soft white and the walls had a brickwork wallpaper.

In a word it was homey.

Magnus made a mental note of his surroundings as he was directed to his table by an elderly waiter.

The table was solid Oak, unlike the traditional glass ones. He sat down at the plush matte red love-seat and bounced up slightly, laughing.

In his head a review had already started to fall into place.

He glanced at the waiter who was watching him with a fond smile.

Magnus smiled back.

The place was too good to be true.

And it was.
* * *
"Starkweather,get your sorry ass back here!!", Sebastian yelled.

Hodge stumbled towards him in fear.

"The onion and jalepenos were to be finely-chopped. Do these look finely- chopped to you??",he yelled again as Hodge flinched.

"No-one talks in my kitchen like that,Morgenstern.",a stern voice said from behind them,as all action in the kitchen ceased.

Sebastian turned around to find Alec Lightwood glaring down at him,blue eyes brimming with fury.

The wheat-colour-haired man mumbled an apology.

"What was that?", Alec asked his voice louder that usual."Could you guys hear that??",he asked aloud to the room.

Some shook their heads,but most were too stunned to speak.

"See Morgenstern, nobody heard you. Be. Louder.", Alec said with a smug expression on his face.

"I am sorry, Starkweather", Sebastian said,loud enough this time.

"See there,that's much better",Alec said slapping his back in a way that hid the true emotions behind it.

He glanced at Hodge, worriedly.

"You ok??",he asked softly.

Hodge nodded before disappearing into the cold storage.

The doors flung open and Mark stepped in, oblivious to the action he had just missed.

He handed the latest order to Alec who seemed surprised at the person's choice.

The order was Patatas Bravas,one of his personal favourites. It was a generally under-estimated dish.

"Whose order is that??"

Mark pulled him to the door, pointing. Alec looked through the glass at an Asian man with spiked up hair. In the dim lighting his hair glittered like stars on a moonless night.

Alec nodded.

"Let's get to work"
* * *
Magnus sniffed the air as the doors of the kitchen opened yet again.

Mark stepped out with a dish in his hand and a broad smile on his face.

He walked over softly and placed the plate on Magnus' table before walking away.

Magnus leaned down slightly and sniffed the food.

Mmmm tasty.

His stomach rumbled.