Chapter Text
The morning sunlight cast a warm golden glow on the picturesque town of Cresthaven. Its cobblestone streets bustled with life as villagers went about their daily routines. Among the charming buildings stood Adrian Hawthorne's bakery, a haven of delectable aromas and irresistible treats.
The air filled with the aroma of freshly baked bread as Adrian propped the door of The Golden Crust open, enticing the citizens of Cresthaven to purchase a delectable pastry on their way to work. Meticulously arranged trays of pastries were displayed behind a glass display, the names and prices of each beautifully displayed on handmade cards. Behind the counter sat Adrian’s younger sister Eliza, ready to handle the inevitable rush of customers they always received once her brother switched the sign in their quaint shop window to ‘open’.
Just as Adrian finished arranging a row of tempting golden-crusted raspberry tarts, tops adorned with a dusting of powdered sugar promising a symphony of flavors, the door all but burst open as the group of local knights in training stumbled through the door, their lighthearted energy filling the air. Laughter erupted from their midst as they playfully bumped into each other, pretending to stumble and grab onto nearby tables or chairs for support. Their vibrant personalities were evident from the moment they stepped through the door, spreading contagious joy to anyone within earshot. They often frequented the shop on their way to training with Ander, the only child of knight commander Roland, in the lead. He was by no means the tallest of the group, but his air of confidence and his natural charisma marked him as the obvious leader almost instantaneously.
As they reached the counter Ander’s eyes roamed over the mouthwatering treats before settling his gaze on Adrian, who’s cheeks took on a rosy hue under the scrutiny. He normally opted to leave customer interactions to Eliza, who was much more comfortable socializing, while he focused on producing the delectable treats they were known for; but Ander always made a point of addressing him instead of his sister, no matter where or what Adrian was doing in the moment. With a confident smirk, Ander leaned over the counter to address the flushed baker. “Quite a spread you have here Adrian. You always know how to tempt a warrior’s appetite.”
A few snorts and groans could be heard from Ander’s comrades, but neither of the men seemed to notice as Adrian’s heart fluttered at the sound of his name on Ander’s lips.No matter how many times he heard it, Adrian was convinced that Ander knew the effect he had on him. “Thank you, Ander. We’ve got a few new pastries including some with fresh fruit that just came into season. What can I get for you today?”
Ander leaned on the counter, his voice low and husky as he looked the baker directly in the eye. “Surprise me, Adrian. I know anything you pick will be delicious .”
A timid smile tugged at Adrian’s lips as he reached for a chocolate filled croissant, made not even an hour prior, and placed it delicately on a plate before sliding it across the counter. “This is one of my favorites. It’s a croissant filled with dark chocolate, sweet but not too sweet. I hope you enjoy it.”
Ander accepted the plate, intentionally grazing his fingers against Adrian's in the process. Holding eye contact with the smaller man all the while, a spark of connection passing between them. "I'm sure it will be delicious. Thank you."
Adrian's cheeks flushed, and he quickly averted his gaze. "You're welcome, Ander. Enjoy."
Ander was about to take a bite when the other knights decided they had waited long enough and all but shoved him out of the way so that they could make their own orders. Unlike their comrade in arms, they turned to Eliza, nearly shouting their orders as they tried to be the first to tell the young woman what they wanted. One would think they hadn’t eaten in days based on the ruckus they were making.
Shaking his head, Ander moved away from the chaos that was his company, in order to take a bite of his treat in peace. As he did so chocolate oozed out the side of his mouth and he absently licked it away as he addressed Adrian again with a contented smile. “Mmm, Adrian, this is divine. You truly have a gift.”
The baker's eyes were somewhat glazed as he watched the handsome man in front of him lick his lips, in what he considered a very tantalizing way, and it took him a second to process that he had been addressed. Upon realizing he was staring he quickly averted his eyes. “I’m glad you like it. Baking is my passion. I’m alway glad when my creations bring joy to others as well.”
Ander leaned against the counter, his tone gentle, as if to keep from spooking Adrian. “I can see the love and dedication you put into your work. It’s inspiring.”
Adrian’s heart immediately swelled with warmth, most of the time people didn’t bother to talk to him, if they did it was usually to make a suggestion on what he should stock next or complain about this or that. The only person who usually bothered to compliment his work was his sister, and Ander’s compliment made him feel more seen and appreciated in that moment than he had in years. “Thank you, Ander. I can’t tell you how much those words mean to me.”
As the sunlight streamed through the bakery windows, casting a golden glow on the scene, the noise of Anders’ group and the other patrons faded into a low hum. They probably could have stayed like that all day, Ander making whitty suggestive remarks, attempting to see how red Adrian’s cheeks could get, while the baker did his best to keep from becoming a flustered mess, but it wasn’t to be.
The men were pulled from their daze as one of the other knights, a towering lad by the name of Cederic, wrapped his arm around Ander, all but crushing the smaller man into his side. “Come Ander, if we don’t leave now Commander Roland will have us running laps until our legs fall off!”
Reluctantly breaking away from the enchanting moment with Adrian, Ander allowed himself to be pulled away by Cedric's firm grip. The other knights-in-training chuckled at the sight, aware of Ander's fondness for the baker. As they left the bakery, the tantalizing scent of freshly baked goods lingered in the air, a reminder of the connection that had sparked between Ander and Adrian.
Outside, the knights-in-training made their way through the bustling streets of Cresthaven. Their armor clinked and jingled, drawing the attention of passersby who glanced in awe at the group of future defenders of the realm.
Sir Gareth, always the joker, couldn't resist teasing Ander. "Ah, Ander, lost in the world of pastries and sweet nothings, are we? You were practically drooling over Adrian’s creations."
Ander's cheeks flushed, but he maintained his composure, refusing to let his friends see how deeply Adrian's presence affected him. "Well, Gareth, you have to admit that Adrian's pastries have a certain magic about them. It's hard not to be enchanted."
Lady Lyra chimed in, her voice filled with mirth. "Enchanted, huh? I suppose that's one way to put it. It's adorable how smitten you are, Ander. Maybe you should invite Adrian to one of our training sessions. I'm sure he'd love to see your impressive swordplay."
Ander scoffed, pretending to brush off the suggestion. "Oh, please. Adrian has his hands full running the bakery. Besides, I doubt he would find swordplay as fascinating as a perfectly risen soufflé."
Sir Cedric, always the voice of reason, offered a more supportive perspective. "Don't let them get to you, Ander. If Adrian makes you happy, that's all that matters. Just because his passion is baking instead of swordplay doesn’t mean he can’t appreciate skill when he sees it. I wouldn’t write him off before he’s even stepped foot in the training grounds, you never know, he may surprise you."
Ander's eyes sparkled with gratitude as he glanced at his friend. Cedric always knew how to provide a sense of comfort and understanding. "Thanks, Cedric. Maybe you're right. Who knows what the future holds?"
As they continued their journey toward the training grounds, the banter and teasing slowly faded, replaced by a sense of focus and determination. The knights-in-training were well aware of the challenges that awaited them—intense physical training, honing their combat skills, and proving themselves worthy of becoming knights.
Under the watchful eyes of Sir Julian and Sir Elara, their mentors and seasoned knights, the group engaged in a rigorous training session. Swords clashed, shields blocked, and the sound of heavy footfalls echoed through the training grounds. Ander’s group were nearing the end of their training which meant their training was becoming more rigorous and challenging by the day in preparation.
Ander's mind was filled with the memories of his encounter with Adrian, and he had to actively push those thoughts to the side, channeling his energy into his training. He couldn’t afford to be absent minded when he was so close to reaching his goal and making his father proud. The swords became an extension of his being as he parried, thrust, and spun with precision.
Throughout the training session, his friends couldn't resist peppering him with playful comments, alluding to his crush on Adrian. Amidst the clashing of blades, their voices carried, taunting Ander in good humor.
Sir Gareth, as he delivered a well-timed strike, shouted with a grin, "Hey, Ander, imagine that sword is a croissant, and you'll fight like a man possessed!"
Laughter erupted from the group, distracting Ander momentarily. He shook his head, a mix of exasperation and amusement on his face. "You lot have far too much free time to think about my personal life. Focus on your own training!"
Lady Lyra, twirling her daggers skillfully, added, "But, Ander, if Adrian were here, he'd be cheering you on, with a tray of pastries in hand!"
The jests continued, each comment laced with camaraderie and affection. Though their teasing brought a blush to Ander's cheeks, it also reminded him of the support he had from his friends, no matter how unconventional their methods. They had grown up together and joining the knightage at the same time had only served to strengthen their bonds.
As the training session progressed, Ander found himself channeling his emotions into his movements, his strikes becoming more precise and powerful. With each swing of his sword, he felt a renewed determination to prove himself, not only to his comrades but also to the man who had captured his heart.
As the sun began its descent, casting a warm glow over the training grounds, the knights-in-training gradually wrapped up their practice, sheathing their swords and wiping away the sweat from their brows. Ander's chest rose and fell with exertion, his mind filled with a mix of exhilaration and longing.
As they made their way back toward the heart of Cresthaven, their banter continued, but beneath the playful teasing, a sense of solidarity and friendship prevailed. They had each other's backs, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead, both on the battlefield and in matters of the heart.