Chapter Text
The fact you worked in the mall made it a little more tempting to eat sweets everyday, but you'd gotten it down to just once every week. But that also meant that the employees at the Cinnabon just a walk away from the department store you worked at knew you quite well. Your usual order of a coffee with two creams and one sugar, as well as a delicious cinnamon roll every Friday, was easy to remember. That, and your breaks being almost the exact same time each day made it pretty easy to please you. You'd get there, they'd have your coffee ready, and you'd just have to give them your card or some cash. It was almost always there before you'd even got there, and it was always perfect.
This particular Friday, though, the Cinnabon was a little busy. There was a line where there wasn't one before, and you assumed it was the kids cutting their highschool classes. Kids will be kids, you thought, and the wait wasn't minded. You'd noticed that the store was a little shorter-staffed, though. That even the manager, which you'd come to know as Gene, was doing his best getting cinnamon rolls for the teens in front of you. Watching him work was like magic; you'd never seen such efficiency in making cinnamon rolls before, and you were frankly enthralled… So much so, you didn't notice the gap in front of you. Not at first, really.
The clearing of a throat behind you made you realize, and you rushed up to the counter, a bit embarrassed. Gene greeted you with a smile.
“Ah, Y/N! The usual?” His words were like music to your ears.
“You know it!” The happy feeling in your chest returned, and you watched as Gene pulled a coffee from behind the counter, as well as a box that held a freshly-made cinnamon roll. Upon trying to grab your wallet, Gene stopped you.
“Don't worry about it this time, it's on me.” You took a second to process what he was saying, and you shook your head.
“No- I couldn't possibly let you!” But as you still went to get your card, he'd swiped his own, pushing your items closer towards you.
“Nope! Have a nice day, okay? Enjoy your break.” The sweetness in his voice made you feel even happier. It was a bit unbelievable that this was happening, but you grabbed your stuff.
“Thanks, Gene!” You turned to go towards the usual spot in which you took your break, a bench that sat right between your job and the Cinnabon. A content sigh left your lips, and you took a sip of your coffee. It was just perfect, even tastier at the thought of it being free. Though, the real treat waited beneath the cardboard box that you had sat in your lap. A smile drew across your lips, more so than it usually did on Fridays.
That was very very sweet of Gene, and although you didn't know him well, you decided that you would have to do something in return for him. The squeak of a plastic fork coming out of its packaging urged your brain to think a little more. How did one exactly shop for someone they didn't know anything about? Gene seemed like a normal guy, but everyone had something that made them happy. Cinnabon made you happy, but that much was obvious. What was obvious about him?... Well, there were no rings on his fingers, none that you could see, at least. So he was probably single… You remembered hearing some sort of statistic, that men don't get their first flowers until they reach their own funeral… And although you didn't know what kind he'd exactly like, a shot in the dark couldn't be that bad, right?
After work, you would head over to the mall florist and get some lilies. Roses felt a little too romantic, and while the man was relatively attractive, you figured that would be too forward. Lilies were very pretty in your opinion, and a relatively good choice for just about anyone. They would do just fine, but maybe not on their own. No, perhaps you could also get him something else… Everyone loves chocolate, right? Maybe a small box of chocolates as well as the flowers would be good enough! It would have to be, considering you didn't have any other grand ideas. So, as you finished up the remains of your free cinnamon roll, you thought through your plan for the rest of the day: finish work, buy the flowers, buy the chocolate, and give them to the friendly manager of one of your favorite places.
The end of work came sooner than you thought it would, but that was a pleasant thing for you. It meant you could make your very nice payback come even sooner! So, as you clocked out and said goodbye to your own boss, you took the long walk down to the florist on the first floor of the mall. It was odd that there was one there, but convenient for your plans. While you placed your arrangement and they started working on it, you skipped over to the candy shop that just so happened to be nearby. Perhaps it was a business decision they'd made together… Flowers next to the candy. Seemed like a great thing.
Nevertheless, you purchased a moderately priced box of chocolates, something with everything in it, so as not to single out any kind of desire. With that in hand, you walked back to the florist’s. It was a bit of a wait, but soon enough, the special arrangement was presented and paid for. While you could have gotten something premade, you decided that getting some white lilies with accents of blue would be the best play. His eye color was blue, so it'd be perfect! You were kind of shocked at yourself that you'd remembered such a small detail, but brushed it off.
The walk back up the stairs was a bit tiring, but with all the cinnamon rolls you'd gotten each Friday, you decided it was better than the escalators! Containing your excitement was hard, but you breathed deeply and held the flowers close to your chest, holding the box of chocolates closer with your other hand. Maybe this was too much, it WAS just one coffee and one cinnamon roll… But you were always an empathetic and friendly person, and you had the money, so why not!
As you approached the Cinnabon, the shop looked as if it was closing up. Your nerves pricked a little bit, fearing that Gene wasn't even there… But you spotted him just beyond the counter, wiping down the mixing machine. As you approach, you feel the anxiety trying to tug you away… But when you reach the counter, the manager looks back and stands up to greet you.
“Oh, hello! What can I do for you?” Gene’s gaze flicked over you, and soon, a smile was on his face. “Are you grabbing a cinnamon roll for your partner? We're just about to close, but I don't mind to-”
“No, no-” You felt bad, but cut him off. You reach out and offer the items to Gene, smiling sweetly. “I got these for you, to thank you for the free meal, as well as your great service whenever I come over here.” And there it was, a confused look sprawling over his face.
The manager of the Cinnabon looked down at the items, then back towards you, making strong eye contact. A mix of emotions swept through him. Confusion, happiness, surprise, and a bit of sorrow. The deep blue depths of his eyes revealed that the sentiment had meant much more to him than it'd originally been meant to. He stammered for a moment, seemingly unable to fathom the gesture. But he continued on.
“Noooo, that's too much! It didn't cost me more than just a few dollars for you! I can't imagine how much this must have been! I couldn't possibly take this!” The reluctance he offered you was obvious, but you wouldn't give him the choice. You shook your head, refusing to pull your hands back from their outward pose.
“Please, let me give you something for your kindness. It's the least I could do.”
“Actually,” A small chuckle escaped his lips, smirking back up towards you from staring at the objects once more, “the least you could do would be to just give me a simple thank you, which is what you did! Most people don't even do that these days!” He didn't seem like he was backing down, but that wasn't an option for you. Someone so humble deserved kindness every now and then.
“Well, whether you physically take these from me or not,” As you spoke, you placed the objects on the counter in front of him, turning to leave, “I'll be leaving these here for you! See you on Monday!” As you start walking, you hear a disgruntled noise from behind.
“Wait!” Gene's voice rings out from behind you, and you turn on your heel to meet his gaze. “Could I at least take you out sometime? To repay you?”
“Nonsense! This is repaying you for your actions earlier!” He shook his head, gesturing for you to come back.
“No no, I know that this must've cost a pretty penny, so let me take you out… If that's okay?” A pause struck between you both. As you stood looking at him, you thought the idea wasn't too bad. Maybe just a night out in order to be more acquainted with the man would be a fun toss up from your usual Friday spent at home. So, as he waited expectantly for an answer, you nodded.
“Alright, but I won't let you pay for my end of the bill.” His gaze lingered on you for a moment longer, and he nodded reluctantly.
“A deal's a deal. Give me about half an hour to close up shop here, and I'll meet you in the parking lot?”
“That sounds good to me!” The manager gave tiu a smile, picked up the items from the counter, and turned to get back to work.
And so the date was planned.