Chapter Text
“Good morning Pantheon!” Soraka walks into Pantheon’s Pastries with a bright smile as she greets that very man behind the counter. Her large curls bounce as she walks in.
“Morning Soraka.” Pantheon returns the warm greeting to his most loyal customer. “I’ve already prepared your order.”
“That’s lovely of you, thank you.” Soraka says cheerfully as she follows him towards the other end of the counter to ring up her order.
The rest of their interaction is short yet sweet. They exchange goodbyes and Soraka leaves to continue heading to Cafe Cuties to begin her shift.
This is how it’s been for quite a few months now since he opened up that bakery of his. During her walk to work, she always makes sure to stop by for a breakfast pastry. It’s a simple yet essential part of her daily routine that she always looks forward to.
Especially after he started visiting her as well. During his lunch break, he would stop by Cafe Cuties and he’d always order one of the simpler things they offer on the menu. Soraka always makes sure to have his order ready in advance so it’s as fresh as can be when he arrives.
The bell at the top of the cafe door chimes to announce her arrival, breaking her out of her thoughts. Sivir and Gwen are already busy preparing to open. She offers them both a wave as Vladimir calls out to her. “Soraka darling, come here will you?”
“Yes sir!” Soraka says, heading toward the sound of Vlad’s voice. She walks into the kitchen to see Meowssant up on the highest shelves between the extra containers.
“What’s he doing up here?” Soraka exclaims.
“Your guess is as good as mine. Just get him down before the cafe opens please.” Vlad orders as he strides away.
Soraka quickly grabs the nearby step stool and carefully makes her way up it. She peeks over the lip of the top of the cabinets to see Meowssant hiding halfway behind one of the extra flour containers. Her voice is soft towards him, “Hey, are you ok Monsieur Meowssant?”
He looks up at her with his bright, round purple eyes and shakes his head.
“Well, I’m sorry to hear that. But If you come down I’ll make you a little snack to make you feel better?” Soraka offers as she extends her hand out towards him.
He looks up at her excitedly, his large eyes shining at the promise of being able to eat one of Soraka’s desserts. He carefully climbs onto her palm as she lets him down.
The rest of the morning’s events thankfully went by smoothly.
As the afternoon rolls around Soraka continues to offer peeks at the front door as she waits for Pantheon to walk through. His ticket order already written out in her server book, ready to be given to the chefs in the back. She’s just waiting to get the timing right.
Yet today was different. For the first time in months Pantheon isn’t showing up for lunch. Soraka surprises herself, as it crawls into the late afternoon hours, by how saddened she feels about his absence. It notably throws the rest of her day off to the point that even her friends speak up to her about it.
Sivir, as always, speaks up first, “Hey… Soraka? You’ve been out of it ever since the lunch rush ended.”
Jinx chimes in, not giving Soraka a chance to answer back, “Her bread boytoy didn’t show up today~! So she’s moping!”
“Jinx!” Sivir whips her head towards her and hisses out, “Stop it!”
Jinx raises her hands up like she got caught and apologizes. Her tone not matching her words.
“No, no it’s fine.” Soraka says, her mind feeling too weary to correct Jinx.
“You’re too forgiving, Soraka.” Sivir looks at her, pity clear in her eyes.
“To a fault.” Soraka says with a smile. She then raises her hands, brushing away Sivir’s concerns. “But I am fine really! We’ve still got customers to take care of so I’ll get over it. I’ll make sure this won’t disrupt my service!”
“You know that’s not what I’m talking about!” Sivir’s tone gains an irritated edge.
Sivir reaches out to Soraka but she swiftly dodges her grasp. Her pink dress spinning gracefully as she does. She grabs her order tray and makes her way to her section of customers. Her smile unwavering on her face as she greets them.
Soraka tries to keep her mind focused on the work up until the end of the day.
‘I really shouldn’t be feeling so down about someone I don’t even know that well.’
She fails.
She just can’t stop her mind from going back to Pantheon throughout the rest of her shift. Wondering why he didn't show up today? What is he doing? If he’s ok? Why didn’t he tell her-?
‘Oh! Ok, no! That’s it. I’m not thinking about this anymore!’ Soraka internally shouts to herself. Refusing to think about the implications of that last question at all.
The walk back to her place was a blur. Both her mind and body are exhausted. She’s quick to climb into her bed. She lets out a light grumble as she thinks, ‘I can’t think about him if I’m asleep.’
Instead of being greeted with soft silence she is greeted with loud, rapid knocking on her front door. Soraka unwillingly pushes herself up to open the door. She’s met with Gwen and Sivir’s smiling faces.
“Soraka!” Sivir cheers as soon as their eyes meet.
“We brought cake! Mr. Vlad let us take some.” Gwen explains as she walks in past Soraka.
Their voices boom against the walls as they fight against the silence of Soraka’s place. The pair quickly make themselves comfortable at Soraka’s table. While Soraka herself is stuck a little stunned at her friends’ sudden visit.
“Umm… welcome in!” Soraka clunkily says as she closes the door behind her. “I wasn’t expecting company tonight.”
“We know! That’s exactly why we decided to drop by!” Gwen cheerfully shares as she begins to eat her cake slice. Having already settled herself down at Soraka’s table.
Soraka only offers her a confused look in return as she sits down herself.
Sivir chimes in, “We thought you could use the company after today. If you want to talk.”
She feels a tightness in her heart as she looks at her friends’ kind faces looking back at her. “I really couldn’t have asked for better friends.”
Gwen lets out a fun squeal as she exclaims, grabbing her hand in the process, “You’re just so sweet Soraka! Like a pastry came to life~!”
“We’ve always got your back Soraka.” Sivir says calmly, sliding her a slice of cake.
The three girls spend the next few hours laughing and talking until Soraka finally feels comfortable enough to say, “I guess… I just thought we were closer. It feels foolish to say out loud but I really did. I thought we were at least friends.”
Gwen asks, “At least? Did you want something more?”
Soraka can feel her cheeks warm as she stumbles out an answer, “Ah- Well no. I don’t think so? I like what we have. I was really quite happy with it but…”
“Do you find him attractive?” Sivir asks straight up.
Soraka can only nod in response. The flush grows on her face as she does.
“Then why don’t you ask him out?” Sivir continues, “It’s obvious you like him.”
“Is it?” Soraka questions, “I haven’t thought about him like that before.”
“Really?” Sivir looks at her with wide eyes.
“Honey…” Gwen draws out the word as she reaches out and holds onto her hand.
Soraka lets out an awkward laugh, ‘I guess I’ve got to figure some things out, huh?’