thoughtsofvorfreude | Sweet On You 🍭

Sweet On You 🍭

each sat behind the counter, having lost that delicate posture the first few days held. It had been almost a week and a half since she'd officially opened, and after a few days suddenly all the business had dried up. She had been so hopeful, so sure of herself. When she had ran away from the kingdom, fleeing her responsibilities in favor of new ones. Of a life of her choosing. She wanted to bake-- to breathe! She didn't want to be tied down, only to look pretty until someone saw fit to marry her off to look pretty elsewhere. It wasn't that Toadsworth made her unhappy, he had done such a good job raising her-- perhaps too good of a job. She grew eager for independence, to care for herself, to prove that she was able to live in the real world. She knew he loved her, as much if not more than someone could love their own child, but she also knew he was scared for her. Scared to let her see the world-- and she wanted nothing more than that!

So she had run away with nothing in hand and little more than a desire to make her own mark upon the world. It took everything she had. She sold her jewels, every last one except the small crown she kept hidden under the tiny bed on the second floor of her shop. She put it all into this place, as small as it was-- because she wanted to make herself some kind of a future. She may not have known the 'real world' as Toadsworth had called it, but she wanted to experience it. And for the first few days, it was glorious.

When her shop opened it had been busy, almost, but as each day went by less and less people came. Even those who promised to return stopped coming, to the point she had gone three days without a sale and began to wonder if she'd have to crawl back home with her tail between her legs. She bit her lip at the thought.

Where had everything gone so wrong?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He waited, watching. He could see the blonde girl sitting slumped over behind the counter, and his eyes traced over her as if he was memorizing the way she looked. Only when he was satisfied did he push the glass door open.

Link stepped through the doorway and closed his eyes for just a moment. It looked neat and pretty enough in the shop, but the real jewel was the smell. It was everything a bakery should smell like: fresh-baked bread, sugary cupcakes, even some full-on cakes. All of it smelled exquisite and despite himself, his stomach growled.

"Sorry," he apologized sheepishly to the girl behind the counter. "It all smells good, you know?" He leaned down just a little to really examine the display of sweets, and ended up almost bursting into laughter. As it was he couldn't help but chuckle just a little--the girl, whoever she was, hadn't been able to restrain herself. There was a little of everything behind the glass: cupcakes of every size, shape and topping; cakes from birthday to holiday to everyday; interesting and complex little baked sweets he'd never heard of or only ever seen in pictures.

"Is this shop new?" He asked her, still smiling, and rose. "I don't think I remember it being here before, but it's been a while." He shifted his hoodie and fished his phone out from one of his pockets, tapping at it briefly before it went back inside his slacks. He brushed his blond hair back from his eyes and looked at the girl behind the counter, really looked at her, for the first time since he'd walked in.

"And do you have any recommendations?"

Perhaps it was best his eyes were closed, lest he be put off by the overly-excited way her face lit up when the small chime above the door marked his entrance. It was a soft sound, probably not even noticeable when it was busy-- but it was also a sound she felt she hadn't heard in forever. Enough to snap her back to proper posture, or something close to it, hands clasped together near her waist and arms pushing in as she restrained herself from bouncing. Finally, finally!

"No need to be sorry! The smell is supposed to lure you in!" She chimed out, almost musically as she side stepped, following him a little without trying to seem overbearing or oppressive. She didn't want to scare off her first customer in so long by being too crazy about it. Laughing nervously her hand covered her mouth, the smallest sound of her throat being cleared as she forced herself into some kind of composure.

"Yes, just opened maybe a week or so ago." She knew exactly how many days she'd been open, if pressed could probably tell him how many hours she'd been open. Counting each and every one of them down with that ever-tightening bubble of hope in her heart. "I think this used to be one of those washing places..." She gestured kind of vaguely; it wasn't something she was familiar with. Though she had, and still was, finding the occasional quarter in strange places...

He'd find, though, when he looked while she may have composed herself in some sense, she was still openly beaming at him. It's only when he sidetracks her with a question does she look away, gaze dropping to the glass covered sweets. "Ah..." Leaning in a little, she had to stand on her toes just enough to let her lean forward and get a better look at everything in the front. Organization, perhaps, would help. She'd baked so many different things because she really had no idea what anyone would want. There's the smallest snap of that plush lower lip when it slips from between her teeth before she looks at him, a sort of determined look crossing her features.

"Well, what do you like? Sweet or spicy? Hot or cold? Any favorite flavors; strawberry, lime, lemon, apple--?" She paused before she rambled too much. "Give me an idea and I'll find the perfect snack for you! Guaranteed!"

"Well it worked. Here I am." He smiled easily, looking at her without turning his head away from the tantalizing display case. She covered her mouth to hide her nervousness but couldn't quite manage to avoid some of it seeping into her tone and her little laugh. He wondered kindly if she'd practiced the greeting in front of the mirror once or twice to keep from flubbing it when customers arrived.

they made a funny comparison: she was all tiptoes and caution, looking as high-strung as an over-tuned violin. He, on the other hand, was as relaxed as could be, smiling easily and hunched comfortably as he stared past the glass. He didn't tease her about it, of course--that would be mean, and even having just met her he could tell being cruel to this girl was basically like kicking a puppy. Or tapping a kitten too hard on the nose.

"Just a week or so," he repeated "Congratulations!" He nodded as she guessed at what the shop had been previously. A laundromat sounded about right: he'd been lucky to end up in a dorm with easy access to a washer and dryer, but not all his friends were so fortunate. He knew several of them came around this way to do laundry, so if this was the place then it matched up.

He looked away after meeting her sunny gaze for just a moment: it was a little too innocent, a little too pure. It was the kind of expression anyone with an even remotely guilty conscience couldn't bear for too long: she was that kind of naïve. It helped that if he was looking away from her face he was also looking away from the sweater she wore and the way she leaned so far over to see into her own display case. Very distracting.

"Favorite flavors..." he thought about it for a moment. "I'm not much of a sweets buff, but... anything lemon is right up my alley." He let her think of an appropriate snack for just a moment before the urge to tease her overwhelmed him. "And if you can't find the perfect snack, what do I get?"

Edited 2018-11-23 22:23 (UTC)

"Here you are..." She agreed with a soft lilt to her voice, delicate and muttered under her breath, but there was no hint of any kind of begrudging tone to her voice. She was so pleased to finally have someone in the store was a relief for her. Maybe it meant her business would pick back up soon? She could only hope. If nothing else at least her profits wouldn't be completely negative today. She had some money left, but only so much-- she knew after a while she'd be forced to return home a failure.

The congratulations split her lips like the grand canyon, the smile that flashed on her face bright and toothy. A sweet chirp of a 'thank you!' politely retorted back. She was so happy to be open, to have her own store, the first thing she could ever really call her own.

She 'hmm'd' in little musical tones after he spoke, thinking the whole thing over. Though at the challenge she huffed a little, cheeks puffing in a slightly childish way as she puffed out a breath. "Well." She began, hands bouncing to her hips, though she looked more playful than genuinely irritated, though it was clear she was rising to the challenge. "I guess I'll have to make something new," she nodded firmly as if agreeing with herself, index finger extended as her hand lifted, signifying the idea popping into her head. "And then I'll name it after you." A properly pure suggestion from the soft bakery girl.

"I think there's always a perfect snack for anyone!"

Edited 2018-11-24 01:15 (UTC)

He would have thought he complimented her outfit or the way her blue eyes shone, by the way she smiled at him. A simple "congratulations" was nice, but it wasn't the kind of compliment (was it even one?) that made someone's day... except clearly it had. Her smile was dazzling and so was her appreciative "Thank you!" It was the sort of thing that was a little hard to look at straight on, and Link was glad he could still duck and stare at the confections in the display. Her face, he decided, was the kind that would make you spill your deepest secrets if you weren't careful. Link didn't have many, but he kept them pretty close to his chest.

"You're welcome," he replied, and realized a little late just how broadly he was smiling. How could he help it? Her happiness was so infectious. He ducked his head a little and watched her peer over the display case, but instead of instantly picking something she seemed to deliberate for a couple moments... and then realize she didn't have quite what he wanted.

"Something new?" he asked, blinking. "Is it that easy? You must be a pretty good baker. The only things I can make are pretty simple recipes." He didn't bother telling her about how often he burned rice. He stood, after one last curious glance at the display case, and faced her head-on. He found her deep in thought and was content to wait, watching the gears turn in her head. He admired the way her blonde curls bounced and smile lit up as she pointed a finger in exultation. He even oohed and aahed appreciatively along with her idea, which was a very charming one.

But in the end, he couldn't help teasing her.
"What will you name it, then?"

"I think so." She said, with a bit of pride, something a bit odd on the normally modest girl's face. She was proud of her work, every little cake, treat and sweet in the case had been carefully crafted by her. Hours and hours of work into making them not just edible and fluffy, but cute. It had always been a fantasy of hers, and one she was willing to throw herself into head first.

"It really depends..." She hummed on the difficulty, but his last statement caught her off guard. Her face flushed a little, the color reaching toward her ears as she realized she had no idea what his name was. The tease had her crossing her arms under that bountiful chest, squeezing as she huffed a little. "Ah-- well..." She glanced down at her cakes before back to him, "Mr. Stubborn Lemon Cake, of course." And it was perhaps childish, and a tad impish, a tease in return though perhaps not the most creatively derived one. It was the best she had off hand.

Sliding one of the pastry doors open, she crouched down, digging around on the lower shelves. "But I haven't lost yet, so don't get ahead of yourself!"

He watched the baker puff up just a little at the compliment, the lack of modesty clearly foreign to her. It was endearing, but a little sad as well: he could imagine her slaving away on each individual sweet, hoping that it would be the one to bring someone in off the street. It would be the one to get her a loyal, repeat customer. And now so many of them were going uneaten, unenjoyed, and even worse--unnoticed. It wasn't fair.

"Mr. Stubborn Lemon Cake," he echoed, and couldn't help but laugh. She folded her arms and huffed at him, and he did stop laughing--but mostly because the action emphasized her already distracting chest. He recovered after a second and smiled at her. "That sounds about right. But don't you think the baker should have her own delicacy as well? I know-- Ms. Blushing Strawberry Cupcake." He teased her relentlessly as she bent down to inspect the bottom shelves. "If you find anything, don't you suppose I should get it for free? That's two names I've given you inspiration for. I'm beginning to feel like unpaid labor."

The laughter made her smile, glad she hadn't put him off with her jest. Beyond that, he wasn't wrong, the warm laugh and the teasing was making her sufficiently red. Though his question made her sniff, thoughtfully, as she mused on it briefly. "Well, I'll pay you the same wage I'm getting right now." She swirled a finger briefly, indicating the empty bakery with an embarrassed little huff-- quickly changing the subject, just a bit, to avoid lingering too long on her perceived failures.

"That said, I'll let you have a taste for free." She made a soft little noise, since she was more excited to have someone try her treats then buy them... but logically that wouldn't keep the lights on for very long. PLucking a large square of cake it gave a fluffy wobble as she brought it over to the shorter counter; the white top reaching her hips and she set it down gently. It was a soft yellow color and coated with a white frosting and small, sparkling gold pearl dust. Cutting a little corner of it off she took a small plate-- something close to a tea plate with its decorated edges and blue accents, putting it on it for him and then sliding it over with a small, silver fork.

"It's a Lemon Poke Cake. It's made with a fluffy base, then you... well poke it, to inject a lemony pudding and top it with cream cheese frosting. It's flavored with real lemon zest and topped with a bit of sparkle-- for fun!"

There was a brief lull in the smiles, the laughs, the jokes: he saw just a hint of the disappointment, the sadness she was feeling, and he began to understand how much it must have been affecting her, waiting in an empty bakery like this. The strong sweetmaking woman, not quite so self-assured after all.

He was ready to apologize, to say sorry for his carelessness, but she moved on before he could. He was left with his mouth open, eyes downcast, hand outstretched. But his expression mellowed and even warmed as she offered him a taste. "Good," he answered her, "because I'm even hungrier now than when I walked in, after looking at all the delicious things in here. If I don't get to eat something I'm going to break the glass." He winked at her, trying to make sure the joke didn't scare her. Then he was all oohs and ahhs as she brought out the cake. "Wow," he breathed, and came close. He peered at the cake from all angles and almost missed it being actually cut.

The cake looked unbelievably good, and the smell made his mouth water. The piece was all soft and lemony and frosted, all fluffy and wobbly. He took the small fork and looked at it, then her, then it. "Can I take a bite?"

"Of course!" Another happy little chirp as he asked the question, amusement written on her face as she gave the wobbly piece of cake another nudge. "This piece is for you, silly." She smiled softer then, not minding him asking but mostly wanted to reassure him. She didn't want to stare-- that's not true she really did but knew better-- so leaving him with the fork she grabbed the large platter of cake so she could return it to the glass case with the little corner missing. She didn't mind, really, it looked cute-- and it made her feel better, at least one person had come in and tasted something.

She snagged a mini-cupcake off of a tray, clearly meant to be a different kind of sample or perhaps ordered in groups. The tiny thing more adorable than anything else as she set it on the plate alongside the cake, clearly another option for him to try. It was a bit pinkish, with a white, thick frosting dotted with tiny pink pearls. It was a pink lemonade cupcake with a soft frosting and little sweet pink candy dots littered across the top. She thought the cake would be a better option, but part of her was just excited to see someone trying her work.

It was good she said he could have a taste (or two, or five) because he wasn't sure he could wait any longer. "Then thank you very much," he said, not even looking at her: he only had eyes for the wobbling slice of cake in front of him. Carefully, delicately, he prodded it with the fork. He took a tiny, minuscule piece and was in the middle of inspecting it when she turned aside to put the cake back.

She set it away and took a mini-cupcake, small and adorable, to place beside the small slice. "Wow," he said again, his eyes almost as large as the plate the treats had been placed on. "What's the name of this one?" he asked her, and she turned away for a moment to peek at the label.

Then she turned back, and both cake and cupcake were gone. Link had his eyes closed, a dreamy expression on his face. He opened his eyes and licked his lips. "Whatever it is, those were both amazing."

"It's a pink lemonade cupcake." She answered as she made sure the cabinet was properly closed, too much air would make the treats dry out and with as slow as the sales were it was something she was quite concerned about at this point.

Of course, when she looked back, both were gone and there was no way for her to really resist a laugh in surprise, pleased and yet amused. "I'm glad you like them." And there was nothing but earnest words in her statement, eyes closing as she beamed ever so briefly. It was always the greatest pleasure to find someone enjoyed something she worked on. It was something she desperately craved, even if she wouldn't so easily admit to it.

"See, I told you I could find you a good snack." She winked, wagging a finger teasingly as her other hand planted on her hip, weight leaning just to the side in a small bout of sassiness. Mostly because he had started it with his teasing, though she didn't seem to mind at all. "I think there's something out there for everyone."

"Well, it's delicious. Almost as good as the lemon whatever cake." He set the fork down and let out a sigh. After a moment he seemed to come back to himself, and at least had the decency to look a little embarrassed. "Sorry, I know I probably should have taken some time to properly enjoy them, but..." he shrugged helplessly. "I eat kind of fast, and..." if there was any end to his explanation, it was lost to an aimless, "they were really tasty."

He rolled his eyes at her teasing, but he couldn't deny it. "You were right, you were right." The two of them shared a good-natured smile and Link turned his head to watch someone walk by, look in--then continue walking. It kind of soured the mood.

"So... what made you decide to open a bakery? Besides, you know, being so good at baking." He wasn't the best at smalltalk, but he tried.

She shrugged a little, not seeming too bothered so much as she was surprised. "I don't mind if you eat them however you like, so long as you enjoy it-- that's the whole point!" A little enthusiastic bounce before he questioned her about her desire to open a bakery and she actually had to stop for a moment in order to organize her thoughts on the whole thing.

"I kind of... well I've always loved baking, even when I was really young. It brought me a lot of happiness to be able to get better and better at something, something I could do with my hands." She looked at those aforementioned hands, delicate and a bit dusted with luster dust. "It started as some silly thing, proper etiquette and being a good wife in the future; but I really loved it. I wanted to create something that was just mine, and a bakery seemed like something I could do. Since I could do all the work myself...

I kind of wanted to prove I could do it." She laughs softly, but it fades off on the end because now she just wasn't so sure...

"A good wife in the future, hmm?" He seized the opportunity to tease her back, just a little. "Who's the lucky guy?" Link grinned at her as he leaned on the display case, careful not to put too much weight on it or put his fingerprints everywhere. The glass was so clean he had to wonder if she'd scrubbed it that day, every day, every hour...

not that it seemed like many people had come to smudge it.

"And, now that you've proved it, what next?" Link looked at her with honest curiosity, already thinking of what the next step could possibly be. A bigger bakery? Two of them? Wedding cakes?
"I'm kind of jealous, honestly. There's a whole lot I'm interested in, but there's nothing I'm this good at. It's pretty clear you've put a lot of work and love into this place."

There was a moment when her face colored a darker red and she cleared her throat, she'd said that, hadn't she? It'd been without thinking, obviously, but there was no taking it back now. Instead, she gave a little shoulder shrug, "I dunno, never met him." Which was, in all honesty, rather true. She'd probably not meet him until days before her wedding if they went by tradition. Toadsworth valued tradition, but all the same, she wasn't interested in that. That wasn't how it happened in the fairytales after all! She shook her head at herself but offered him a softer sort of smile.

"I..." She paused and then just looked a bit sheepish. "I don't know-- this was really it for me, you know? I was hoping I could... I don't know, start a new kind of life with this shop. See where the wind takes me... it's silly, but I like the sound of it all.

No long-standing goals for you? Besides getting free cake, of course." Smirk.

"Yet," he couldn't help but add, although he had a feeling he knew how red it would turn her. He hadn't known her for very long, but--oh.
"By the way, my name is Link. I should have mentioned that before."

He smiled at her sheepish expression, but it was a kind smile. Not a judgment on his part. "I understand that. Going with the wind is my middle name. Link going-with-the-wind. My parents were a little odd."

"Free cake," he confirmed, and pointed at the display case. "Any other flavors I can try?" he switched topics casually, scratching his head slightly, but there was a look in his eyes like that was a topic he didn't particularly want to talk about.

"Link." She repeated his name, testing the sound of it on her tongue. It was a name she had never heard before, but all the same, some part of her felt it really suited him. She didn't know why, but did that really matter? Link. Link. Link. "I suppose that means I can't call you increasingly ridiculous nicknames anymore." She teased in return, though in truth she was glad to know his name. It felt a little less odd-- even though now she felt a bit rude not having asked for it earlier.

"This is a judgment-free zone, when it comes to names at least, Sir Wind-Link." She flashed him a wink as she drifted behind the counter, looking here or there, trying to decide just what he might like. She thought she might as well try something a little different.

"How about..." Her tongue poked out of the corner of her mouth in thought as she snatched up a chocolate cupcake. This one was full size-- and she really shouldn't be feeding this guy, but it was better than an empty shop, and she did love seeing someone eat her treats-- set it down for him. "It's a chocolate cake base, with a heavy cream whipped into a mousse-like frosting. And sprinkles-- but those are mostly for decoration." She waved at the silver star-shaped sprinkles sticking into the swirled frosting.

"I'm Peach, by the way. So we're both in the silly name club."

The sound of his name on her tongue was surprisingly sweet.. It made him smile, and he couldn't have helped it if he wanted. "I mean, you could still call me ridiculous nicknames, but now they can be way more specific."

He rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Oh, please. I haven't been knighted yet, you don't have to call me Sir. Just... 'wind-link' will do." She busied herself looking for another sweet he might try, and he busied himself watching her. He wasn't sure what it was, but something about how she looked when she was thinking about the perfect sweet... she sparkled a little.

Did that make sense?

"Wow," he said as she set the next delicacy on the plate. He admired it for a moment, looking from every angle, making sure he took this one a little slower. Or he'd try. "Peach," he echoed, trying out the name. "Peach. Like 'pretty as a?'" Another wink and then he took a piece with his silver fork, and took a taste.

"Wow," he said again, tasting the delicate chocolate and smooth mousse. "Is there anything you can't make?"

"Ah..." She wanted to think of a witty come back to his comment, but it seemed all she could do was get embarrassed. More and more. She wasn't really used to this casual conversation... but she liked i9t. She wanted to get better at it, and she supposed maybe he was the start of that at least. Her mouth snapped shut and she just tried to ignore the burning in her ears, even though it seemed to get more and more warm.

"Just Peach is okay too..." She managed, once she had just barely recovered from her fluttering stomach and hoped it didn't take her too long to properly answer. "Maybe like the cobbler." She offered softly, embarrassed still and not sure how to recover. Was it like this talking to everyone?

"With enough time I think most thinks are possible, at least with food." A little laugh as she seemed to just enjoy watching him eat. As odd as that probably seemed. "I'm excited to find things I can't make, gives me something to work toward."

She didn't have much of a poker face, he was learning. As soon as he paid her a very simple compliment, her ears were cherry-red. He watched her in very obvious enjoyment as she struggled for something to say in return: poor little Peach wasn't quite so used to playful banter, it seemed. That just made it even more fun to tease her.

"No, no, cobbler isn't good enough," he said in between bites of the rapidly disappearing cupcake. "I'll settle for 'Peach' as in 'Peaches and cream.'" He didn't mean anything too dirty by it, and he figured he was safe, seeing as Peach so far had shown herself to be fairly naive.

"What's the next big project, then?" he asked. "I see cupcakes in there, muffins, cakes, and so on..." he tapped the fork lightly against the plate, a pure sound ringing out throughout the store. Somehow his blond hair had come in front of an eye, so he swept it away with a spare hand. "Multiple layer cakes? Bridal? Macaroons?"

He almost knew what the last one meant.

The filthy meaning behind it wasn't even needed, she was still embarrassed, but not in a way she completely hated. There was something charming about him, admittedly, something she was learning a little bit more and more about as they spoke. Not that she thought she really knew him, but it was nice to have friendly, happy company. It warmed her, at the very least.

"Ah--" She lit up, thinking of the possibilities before she answered. "All of them!" A laugh at her own enthusiasm before she decided to at least add a little reason into her answers. "I would love to try Macaroons-- but yeah, big cakes are the dream. I think those are the best to keep people coming back. Offering something so bright, unique and delicious that they want it for every party." She cupped her own cheeks, just thinking about her bustling cake business made her want to squeal.

Even if that was the opposite of reality right now.

"That's the dream."

He laughed along with her. He didn't know her too well, but he already understood it was a very Peach answer: of course she wanted to make all of them, just as he imagined she wanted to try all of them, and have everyone try each one.

He took the last bite of the cupcake and began to worry she wouldn't accept his money when it came time to pay her. Thoughts of slipping a bill into her empty tip jar or something along those lines filled his mind, but he didn't miss the look on her face. At first, abject happiness...

And then, watered down with disappointment.

"It seems like a good dream to me," he mentioned. "And the cool thing about it, in my opinion, is that you're already most of the way there. Imagine how many people have dreams like yours and how few of them have a shop! Or even know how to really bake."

"I mean, at least you have a dream," he finished ruefully.

Watching him eat her cupcake reminds her of something, and while he's talking she steps to the side and roots around under the counter. The sound of a small bit of suction, and the jingle of glasses tapping each other she stands back up with a little bottle of milk. It was the kind for kids, with a cartoon cow printed across the front and a colorful label, but she figured it would serve well enough to wash down the extra-chocolate-y cupcake.

"You sound like a man who isn't sure what his dream is yet?" She slid the milk across the counter, leaving it beside the plate for him to have, should he want to. "No real big dreams? Even silly ones?" But it wasn't derisive, how she asked, instead it was kind and curious. As if she could help him with that, too.

Probably not, but still, something in the way he said it made her feel for him. He was right, even if her shop failed she had gotten to try her dream out and that was more than many other people ever got to do.

"You're prepared!" he exclaimed, obviously impressed. Usually he didn't eat his sweets with milk, but that was more about his lack of preparation and less about his inclinations. He gratefully accepted the glass of milk and took a sip, then another. "Are you sure you haven't been doing this for... forever?" He narrowed his eyes at her playfully, another tease he couldn't quite pass up.

"'Yet' is pretty optimistic, he said, and sighed. "No big dreams, no small ones, no silly medium-sized ones." He held up a hand as if to say, sorry to disappoint. "I have lots of things I enjoy doing, but something big that all this is leading to...? Nope. Right now I'm just finishing college, and then...?" He shrugged, and took another sip.

It occurred to him then how odd it was for him to be divulging his frustrations to this woman he'd only met today--sooner, just in the last hour!--but somehow, it felt right. Something about her wide-eyed, curious expression made spilling his guts feel practically expected of him, around her. "Not even something as simple as opening a bakery. No offense."

"It feels like forever," she mused, almost to herself, but her smile was directed at him. The days felt long when there were no customers, just time ticking by, leaving her a little more broke and discouraged. She wasn't willing to give up, however, she would spend every penny she had keeping the lights on in the store before she was willing to surrender to failure. It just wasn't in her nature. She wanted to believe so dearly in herself, in her hopes and dreams, that thinking anything else was too painful.

"That just means you have unlimited possibilities." She offered with a bit of a smile, allowing herself to lean against the counter, lazily watching him, taking in his expression, his stature, thinking the whole thing over. "You could do anything from here on out-- or even nothing, if you wanted. I think that's okay too, it took me a long time to decide what to do with myself because sometimes it felt like I had no options at all-- and now I have so many it was hard to be sure. But then it just clicked for me.

"Maybe it will for you, too?"

"See?" he snapped his fingers. "I knew it. A baker from birth." He didn't miss the slight look downward she gave and the tightening of her lips that came with it, but he didn't quite understand what the expression meant. In the end he decided not to pry: even if he was exposing his soul to her, they really had only known each other for an hour or so.

"Yeah," he sighed, "that's what most people say. You can do anything! And I guess I could, but it's hard when there's nothing in particular that appeals to me. At least if I, I dunno, collected stamps I'd at least have something that made me me. And maybe it'll click, or maybe it won't. I don't know." He frowned and tapped a finger against the plate, then stood. She was easy to open his heart to--but he didn't make a habit of doing it often. It made him nervous.

"I should probably get going for now, but I can always stop in again, unless you're closed at odd hours. Is this enough?"
He fished in his pants for a crumpled ten-dollar bill and pushed it onto the counter.

She might have said more-- briefly looked like she was interested in doing exactly that when he hurried up and put some money on the counter. She was actually surprised by that, giving a bit of a laugh and moving over to the register. Punching in a few numbers she slid him back a five with a wink. "Most of that I gave to you without really asking if you wanted it, so we can split the difference, how's that?" And if he had any issues with it, well it was too late anyway. Her hip bumping into the drawer and with the light rattle of change sending it closed once more.

"The regular hours, they're on the door too, if you're ever unsure." Her expression softened, a sort of warmness that managed to reach her eyes. She wasn't able to resist being so open, it was just in her nature, and probably what caused her so much trouble sometimes. "You're welcome back anytime. It's always nice to have the company."

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sweet On You 🍭

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject