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You both prefer to shop at the local grocer that has been passed down through generations. It's cozy and homely without all the harsh white fluorescent lights that whir, and the god awful brutalist corporate designs. Instead, the place smells of freshly baked cinnamon bread, and the interior feels like it's been well loved and taken care of through the years.
Hobie comes here ever since he was a kid, he practically grew up in the place and even worked in it when he was younger. And so far, you've made it your home too. Everyone knows you by name, and you know everyone. But every time you accompany him to the store, he needs to corral you away from buying things that are definitely not in the list. Mostly its sweets, or a glass cleaner that looks awfully like pink lemonade. He lets you indulge of course, who could say no to you whenever you flash those puppy dog eyes at him? But this time, there's no winning the battle nor the war with all the autumn themed merchandise on display.
He knows the moment you step into the double doors that you'll be whisked away towards the decorations in front like some old timey cartoon character who floats in the air with hearts in their eyes when a pie is near.
His hand holds your own in an attempt to guide you away from the soft orange and browns of the display, but there's no winning when there's a free taste stand right next to it.
“Hobie!” You tug him towards Cynthia, who's wearing an orange apron with a pumpkin on it. She immediately smiles and waves you over, gloved hand already procuring a sample of whatever cinnamon smelled sweet she has. “They brought it back for the season!”
“It's not goin’ anywhere, love.” He can't help but chuckle at your determined face as you continue to practically drag him on the floor. His boots add weight, you know.
“They might run out of them!” You sniff at the tray full of sweetened tiny pieces of said pastry. It's still warm, and the melting sugar on top makes your mouth water. “They look so good.” You gasp, hand still holding Hobie's.
“Remember, love, we only came for toothpaste and bread.”
“This is bread, Hobie.” You smirk, and Hobie sighs in endearment at your excitement. “Besides, it's free! Right, Cynthia?”
“Absolutely, if you like it gramps is baking a new batch right now and it'll be finished in just a few.” She answers, already giving you a couple of samples to share with Hobie. “Hey, kid, how's the band going?” She addresses Him with a bright smile.
“They’re good, Ned wants to say thanks for the tip with the mechanic.”
“No worries.” Cynthia waves him off while you munch on the pastry. Hobie eyes how you eat both samples with gusto. “Flash is a dick anyway, he needed a reality check with his prices— careful, sweetheart, you might choke.” Chuckling, she hands you a napkin and you promptly wipe your lips free of sugar and crumbs.
“‘Hanks!” You mumble while still chewing. Turning to face Hobie, swallowing, you smile at his amused grin. “We need a box of these right now or I'll eat the whole tray.”
Wiping cinnamon dust off the corner of your lips with his thumb, Hobie rubs it on your shirt collar teasingly. “That's for eatin’ my sample.”
You shake your head with a lopsided grin, “Wasted opportunity, Hobs.” Hobie raises his brow questioningly. But before he could ask what you meant, you're already thanking Cynthia while you whisk him away towards the whole aisle that contains all the autumn and Halloween decorations.
Hobie pulls you mid stride, your trainers squeak against the tiles, and your back meets his chest. “What did you mean by that, hm?” He whispers in your ear as you hobble towards the aisle with his warm arms around you.
“Nothing.” You say in a sing-song tone.
“Nothin'?” He nudges your temple with his nose, and you ignore him as you take a pumpkin shaped pillow, squeezing it in your hands. He snatches the pillow from you and places it on the top shelf where you can't reach it. “Nothin' isn't just nothin’ with you, lovie.”
“Hey!” Huffing, you tilt your head back, facing him as he looks at you with softness akin to the pillow you were just holding. You look at him through your lashes, smile getting wider every time his eyes narrow at you accusingly. “I don't know what you're talking about.”
“Tell me and I'll let you buy one thing in this aisle.” He jokes with a ghost of a smile.
“Let me?!” You scoff, twisting around to face him properly. With your palms on his chest you pat him to the rhythm of the pop song that's playing in the speakers. “You know damn well that I will buy this entire aisle just to spite you.”
He chuckles as he cups your cheeks. “You'll go bankrupt.” He got the right reaction from you.
“I don't care, I'm supporting a family business.” You raise your nose at him, and he squeezes your nose in between his fingers.
He bets that if he kisses you right now he'll be able to taste the cinnamon on your lips. “C’mon, what did I waste?”
You grab his wrist to pull his hand away from your nose, giggling at his stubbornness. “You really want to know?”
“No, I don't.” He says sarcastically.
“Fine,” you mimic his tone. “What I meant back there was that, you should've tried the frosting when you wiped it from my lip.”
Hobie's smile widens, and he guffaws so loudly that it echoes around the whole store. There might not be a lot of people shopping right now but you still put your palm on his mouth to quiet his laughter even though you love his laugh to bits. You practically did it against your will so you two don't get kicked out like what happened a year ago. You still cringe whenever you remember it.
“Stop laughing!” You say while giggling. His laughter is muffled under your hand. Arms wrap around your waist, and he leads you towards the autumn scented candles further down the aisle. “Where are you taking me?” Looking over your shoulder, you smile affectionately at his wordless gesture.
“Or you could've fed me my share of the sample instead of eatin’ it all.” Hobie moves his head back to remove your hand away from his mouth all without taking his hands off of your waist. “You read too many romance novels, love.” He teases, he loves it when you read it to him whenever he wants to fill the silence.
“Apparently not a lot.” You lean closer to peck his jaw chastely. “It got you weak in the knees though, right?”
He can't deny how his heartbeat quickened ten fold when you suggested it. He'll tuck that idea you gave him in his mind and maybe he'll do it when you least expect it. “Go sniff your bloody candles.”
“Such a romantic.” You pat his cheek before you turn towards the glass candles. As you sniff at a pinkish candle, you hear shuffling from behind you. “You know that I have to get that pillow, right?”
Something soft and orange hits the side of your face, “and we still need toothpaste or we'll start brushing our teeth with your candles.” He says as you squeal and cuddle the pumpkin throw pillow all the while wanting to kiss him right in the middle of the aisle.