"Whipcream Slurry Burger"

Danny sat down in the breakroom with a huff, chair creaking under his weight and back as he got comfortable. He takes a moment to close his eyes and breathe, the fluorescent white light above him is annoying. Maybe he can ask Saphie to change it to something easier on the eyes… 

With another grunt he leans forward and sets his lunchbox down on the table, carefully and gingerly unzipping it on its side since last time he got frustrated and tore it in two. Total waste of a lunchbox, not to mention very embarrassing. He’s glad Nova didn’t comment.

To avoid the uncomfortable thoughts of letting his anger slip, he recalls what he packed this morning. Chocolate swiss roll, burger, sinnamon buns, he wishes he could fit more but his larger lunch box was ripped in twain due to previously stated reasons. He pops open the plastic container, and Danny realizes his food is totally fucked, “Hm.”

Putting the swiss roll in the same container of the burger was definitely shortsighted (he should’ve made the swiss roll and sinnamon rolls share instead), but he was working with less space (and was sleepy.)

 This spare lunchbox must be poorly insulated. 

It appears the warmth of the day heated the natural moisture of the burger and pastry, making the enclosed space hot and humidified since the bread is now soggy and clumpy. Both foods crumbled after losing their integrity to the accumulated dampness and were tossed and smushed around while he went about his daily activities. 

The soft filling of the Swiss roll is now runny and smeared against the tofu patty and veggies; chunks of sticky chocolate bread globs cling to the surface of the burger, staining it. And what remains of his Swiss roll is an unfortunate-looking, melty splat against the corner of the food container with chunks of vegetables in it. “Mm...” is the saddened sound that leaves Danny’s lips.

Looking at the sad state of his once promising meal, Danny frowns. Not exactly because of this is all he’ll have to eat, but because it managed to get this bad. Is he that careless with his belongings? He should really be more careful. With a sigh of acceptance, Daniel reaches down and grabs his swiss roll slurry burger. Maybe it’ll be okay… He likes the taste of both foods. As his fingers pressed against the squishy burger buns a few things plitherplattered out the back, joining the shlop in the container. At least he didn’t make more of a mess, if any of this got on the table, he’d feel guilty.

Before taking a bite, Danny double checks to make sure that he is, in fact, the only person in the breakroom. He’d have to explain to his friends why he’s going to eat this, and then he’d have to explain how this happened, which he doesn’t want to do. He leans forward and opens his mouth—

“Oh wow, what the Hell is that?” Momo says in utter astonishment, having just entered the breakroom for his lunch. Daniel quietly exhales out of his nose and hangs his head. 

Wishing he could just disappear. Momo's sudden intrusion shatters his hopes of quietly eating his sad excuse for a meal in peace. Danny's cheeks go flush with embarrassment as he tries to muster up some composure, tail flicking nervously as it curls around the leg of his seat, "Um, it's... my lunch,"

"Dude, that looks like a crime against food," Momo comments with a snicker, breezily drifting over to the fridge. Danny’s eyes follow him, naturally leaning forward and taking a bite without thinking, muscle memory as he listens to Momo speak. 

The taste… Isn’t too bad, it's the texture that is nasty. Ugh. Danny continues to chew, Momo just stares at him silently in disbelief after watching him take the bite, “. . .” Danny stares back, not really sure how to continue the conversation. The break room door creaks open and both bucks turn their head, startling Nova who glances between them. Nova’s eyes land on what's in Danny’s hands, “What the Hell is that?”

“. . . . . .My lunch, “ He repeats, taking another bite. It’s slowly growing on him, the sweet-savory taste and horrid texture. Yeah, he can get used to this, surely. 

A moment passes and Nova’s blinks, “...But what is it supposed to be?” 

“That’s what I asked!” Momo enthusiastically adds on, throwing his arms out with a smile.

Daniel rolls his eyes, exhaling out of his nose, “My swiss roll and burger became a mess in my lunchbox, and now I am eating it,” He simply puts. Nova sighs and sets his lunch down at the table, “Well you don’t have to eat that crap, Danny. Me and Monty can give you something from our lunches.” 

“Oh,” Danny’s brows furrow at the suggestion, not because he finds it unbelievable or because he’s ungrateful, but because he wouldn’t want to ruin his friends’ lunch just because he made a silly mistake.

“I don’t know if I can accept that in good conscience, Nova…I wouldn’t want you to eat less because of me,” He softly says, “I’m thankful though.” 

Nova’s expression deflates a little. How exactly do you argue against that? Nobody should be that sweet and earnest over something as silly as a luncheon. A smidge of fond annoyance bubbles in Nova when he watches Danny take another bite out of the swiss slurry burger.  Momo slides into the chair beside Danny, leaning back to make eye contact better, “Thennnn… let’s just go out to eat or something, I’m sure Sapphire wouldn’t mind! We can be quick, can’t we? Anything to get you to stop taking bites out of that thing.”

Well, that's an absolute no, Daniel doesn’t even have to say anything, Momo just sees it in his face. Danny shakes his head at Momo's suggestion, “Only if  Lady Sapphire says it's okay.”

Momo and Nova expected that, the two sharing a glance before Momo pops up from his chair and heads out of the breakroom. Danny watches him leave, “You two really don’t have to do this,” He says, looking down at Nova, “I honestly don’t dislike eating this.”

“Well, it isn’t about that, big guy,” Nova shakes his head, “You wanted a meal, instead you got that,” he points, “You work harder than everyone here. So we’re going to get you a real meal. ”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, ‘oh,’ “ Nova pats Danny’s arm, smiling. 

The break room door opens once again, Momo holding it open for Sapphire as he enters, “Oh what the Hell is that!” She gasps softly, face twisting in disgust as she sees whatever the shit Danny is holding in his hands.

Silently Danny debates answering, landing on ‘yes’ because it's Sapphire, his shoulders slouch, “. . . My lun–” 

“No the fuck it isn’t. You’re not eating that, baby. Boys, treat my jeweler to some real food.”