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“Hi, Charlie!” Michael's cheerful and loud voice greeted Charlie, who had been sleeping before answering his phone's insistent ringing. Charlie squeezed his eyes shut and bit back a groan, not wanting the other man to get the wrong idea. He loved his sister's partner, but 8am was far too early after how late Charlie was up the night prior. “And how is my favorite Spring named Charlie?”
“Terrible. Sun's too bright. Might have had a tad too much fun last night and now I'm going to die," Charlie croaked, running his hand down his face, trying to rub the sleep out. “To what do I owe this lovely early morning call?”
“Oh, no! I'm sorry, Charlie-Barlie. I didn't mean to wake you.” Of course, Michael's genuinely kind tone immediately disarmed Charlie's annoyance. He couldn't be mad at the eccentric puppy of a man. “Are you free this morning? Tori and I need a favor for the party today.”
“Do you mean where mum and auntie will yet again question why I'm single?” Charlie asked dryly, extending his arms above his head until he felt a satisfying pop. “My availability entirely depends on what this favor is.”
“Tori and I had some custom gingerbread people ordered for everyone at the Pre-Christmas Eve party and we need someone to pick them up. We're too busy getting everything else ready and won't have time later. So, pretty please pick them up for us? The bakery said they'll be ready at ten.”
Charlie let his head fall back onto his pillow with a petulant groan. For a brief moment he let himself consider the request, but he knew he didn't have the heart to tell his sister no, especially through someone as cheery as Michael. “You're lucky I love you guys. I guess I'll have to suffer through the nauseating Christmas joy.”
“I think it'll do you good, you Scrooge.”
“You try several shots of vodka at one in the morning and tell me how your holiday spirit is holding up,” Charlie sighed. “You're such a lightweight that one ale is enough to make you horizontal.”
"Definitely! That's why I avoid alcohol and stick to weed. You should try it sometime! It can help with chronic pain and anxiety…”
As Michael trailed on, Charlie rolled his eyes at the lack of effect his sass was having on Michael. The man was truly made of sunny energy and a pure innocence that both amazed and drained Charlie.
🍪🎄🥐
Charlie, not wanting to feel the slightest bit cold, bundled up in a jumper, a fluffy winter jacket, a beanie, scarf and thick gloves. Bracing himself for the biting cold, he opened the door to his apartment building and strode out onto the pavement, taking in the light flurry of snow and holiday decorations adorning most buildings. In the distance, he heard carollers making their way through the neighborhood, likely trying to spread the holiday cheer despite the harsh cold. With Christmas itself being 2 days away, Charlie couldn't wait for the holiday to be over.
Cheery bitches, Charlie mentally grouched. No amount of good tidings will feed the homeless or make marginalised people less persecuted. Regardless of his foul mood, he found himself humming along to Winter Wonderland as he made his way toward the tube.
Arriving at the provided address, Charlie took in the gray, modern building. With a large glass window and front door, Charlie could see inside to the cozy, warm-colored interior. Soft oranges and pinks combined in a gradient to make the bakery feel like a sunset, a sharp contrast to the white flurry outside. There was only a handful of tables and booths each, most of the space being taken up by shelves lined with a variety of packaged baked goods. Even through the doors, Charlie could smell the bread and sugary sweets.
According to the googling Charlie had done prior to leaving his flat, Nelson's Bakery was a higher-end hotspot, particularly popular with social media influencers; the nearly out the door lines inside appeared to support this fact. Conveniently, it was also located only a fifteen minute walk from Tori's place.
Rubbing his hands together for warmth, he slipped inside the bakery, a bell above the door announcing his arrival. Taking his place in the right-hand line, Charlie removed his hat and gloves, exhaling a satisfied sigh at the warm, lovely-smelling air. While he waited, his eyes perused the bakery shelves, idly wondering if he should order something extra to go. He didn't normally have much of a sweet tooth, but he found it hard to resist when confronted with all the deliciousness.
A coffee or latte would be wonderful right about now. Maybe add a shot of espresso. Some whipped cream or cold foam…
By the time Charlie arrived at the counter, he'd decided a coffee was a necessity. Stepping up to the register while glancing at the overhead menus, he opened up his mouth to greet the worker, but was cut off by the tall, lanky man behind the counter.
"Sorry mate! Break time for me." The man threw a fake smile his way before slipping his apron off and sauntering through the door behind the counter. “Taking my break, Nick! You're up! Better hurry before the customer leaves!”
Standing at the now empty register, he heard muffled voices bickering through the door. He side-eyed the adjacent register, where the petit and curvy blond cashier rolled her eyes. She smiled at Charlie reassuringly. “Someone will be out in just a minute. Sorry about David. He's just…that way.”
Charlie assured her it was quite alright before quietly scanning the beverage menu and shifting from foot to foot. Deluxe Raspberry Cookie Shake. Double Chocolate Fudge Sunday. Nelson's Number 1 Tea Blend. Caramel Cake Coffee. Some of the drinks were more on the dessert side and Charlie didn't feel like developing diabetes from a drink today. Thankfully, the bakery served coffee without enough sugar to comatose an elephant, so Charlie would hopefully have a much needed burst of energy very soon.
He turned to his left and took a closer look at the warmly painted west facing wall. A mural of a beautiful silhouetted skyline ran across the wall. The buildings were all different shapes and sizes, a windmill even noticable on the far left. It wasn't until he saw the Eiffel Tower, standing tall in the center, that he realised it was France.
The kitchen door swung open, bringing with it the delicious smell of baked bread and a catalyst for change. Charlie turned toward the kitchen door and that's when his world became consumed with fair skin; floppy, auburn hair and a pair of warm, honey-brown eyes. If this were a movie, Charlie was certain the score would swell and he would have cartoon butterflies dancing around his head. Being real life, all that happened was his body seizing up in gay panic.
…oh fuck. Oh, fuck me. Gods. Buddha. Our lord and savior, Arceus.
“Bonjour! I'm so sorry about that! David is supposed to wait until someone shows up to switch with him. Please, allow me to assist you now! I'm the owner. Nick Nelson.” The large man extended his hand over the counter to Charlie with an embarrassed smile, his flushed cheeks round and full. When their hands clasped one another's, Nick's face reddened further. “N-nice to meet you. I hope David didn't leave you out here too long, the wanker.”
HELP. MAYDAY. RED ALERT. HOT. HE'S SO FINE. FUCK. THINK, BRAIN! SAY SOMETHING BEFORE HE ASSUMES YOU'RE CRAZY!
“It's not a problem! I worked a few years in the service industry, so I remember what the pressure is like. He's probably having a rough day and needs a break.” Charlie shrugged the shoulder not engaged in the handshake, ignoring the heat in his cheeks and attempting to appear blasé and totally chill. “I'm Charlie, by the way. Very nice to meet you, as well.”
“Hello, Charlie,” Nick sighed, eyes hooded and lips parted ever so slightly. After a moment, he recovered, schooling his face to something less hypnotised. “Please allow me to correct my shitty employee's mistake. Can I take your order?”
“You most definitely can,” Charlie smiled, trying not to stare too hard at Nick's barely contained bulky chest and shoulders. That navy shirt with the bakery croissant logo truly did Nick justice. While Charlie didn't make a habit of blatantly ogling men to their face, he had a sneaking suspicion Nick didn't mind. By a strength that would rival Greek gods, Charlie dragged his eyes away from the visible chest hair at the top of Nick's shirt to glance at the menu one last time to confirm his order choice. “May I have a medium hazelnut coffee with oat milk and a caramel drizzle over some whipped cream? No sugar, please.”
“Coming right up! Sounds like a delicious choice!” Nick tapped his fingers on the counter while inputting Charlie's order into a small tablet. “Will that be all?”
Charlie informed Nick of Tori's order and rattled off the number.
“Oh, yes! The Springs and Holdens! The order should be done in a few minutes,” Nick beamed, a twinkle of pride in his eye. “I love making those baked little people! Let's see… curly black hair, pretty blue eyes… I remember making one with those traits, but I was told he was a kid.”
“Oh I assure you, I am very much not,” Charlie frowned. Surely Tori and Michael didn't lump him in with Ollie. “Who gave you the traits? Is it possible they weren't written down properly?”
Nick's face fell before he ducked down and frantically searched beneath the counter. Before Charlie could say anything, Nick shot back up, eyes scanning a paper while he worried his lower lip with his teeth. “No, it doesn't look like it. I took the call myself and the woman I spoke to specifically said she had one kid brother and that's it. I'm so sorry, maybe there was a mix up.”
“First David and now this! I assure you our establishment isn't like this. Can I make it up to you somehow?” Nick flashed Charlie the biggest pair of puppy eyes, immediately melting away any irritation that might have sprung up.
“Oh. It's ok,” Charlie trailed off, not wanting to give away his disappointment too much. Nick seemed genuinely upset about the mistake enough as it was. Sure, it was just a cookie, but he had been looking forward to it. “It's just one cookie. I'll have plenty of other–”
“Nope! I have to insist on getting you your cookie,” Nick interrupted kindly. He looked over to Imogen, who'd been noticeably half-watching their entire exchange. “Can you hold down the fort for a bit while I correct the mistake?”
“I wouldn't want you to go to all the trouble. Really.” Charlie's insistence was met with Nick's polite stubbornness that it really wouldn't take too long, especially for a single cookie. Nick slipped back through the kitchen door, leaving Charlie standing at the register once more. Charlie turned toward Imogen just as a customer received their order and left. “It's just, it's all been a bit of a headache and I don't want to put anyone out.”
“Not to worry, babes; the cookies really won't take long. Decorating them takes longer than the baking. Feel free to grab a booth and I'll call you when your coffee is ready.” Before she turned back to her next customer, she smirked at Charlie. “By the way, he doesn't have any plans tonight. Do with that information what you will.”
Smiling to himself, he slid into a booth and texted the group chat with Elle, Isaac and Tao, gushing about Hot Baker Nick and how Charlie wanted him to pin him down with those massive biceps.
He was halfway through checking some work emails when he felt a presence hover over him. He looked up and saw Nick shifting his weight from one foot to the other, biting his lip and darting his eyes around nervously. Nick looked over his shoulder at Imogen, who gave him a supportive smile and thumbs up from her spot behind the register. Either something has gone terribly wrong in the kitchen, or Nick is about to shyly ask him out. Please be the latter. Please.
“Hello, again,” Charlie greeted before sipping his coffee with a satisfied hum. “Is everything ok with the sweets? With the baking, I mean.”
“The sweets? Yeah, everything's good.” Nick furrowed his brow in a way that Charlie found adorable. “Erm, well…I was wondering if you would like - I had this idea, but I don't know if you'd like it, but seeing as…what I mean to say is…”
“Nick?” Charlie reached out and took his hand slowly, leaving ample time for Nick to pull away. “I would love to go out with you sometime.”
Nick blinked at him in silence, his mouth gawping like he was a fish out of water. Though, Charlie could make out a hint of a smile threatening to overtake the surprise. “Oh - oh! On a date? With me? Really?”
“Erm…yes? You don't do this often, do you?” Charlie smiled at the handsome baker, making it clear he was only teasing.
“W-well, no. I don't really,” Nick confessed, scuffing the bottom of his shoe on the brick floor, a tick Charlie knew he was guilty of himself. “But erm…I actually came out here to ask if you wanted to come to the kitchen and help me decorate your cookie?”
“Oh. I see,” Charlie choked out, wanting a hole in the ground to open up and swallow him whole; anything to end his suffering. “I'm sorry! That was so presumptuous of me! I'm just going to go jump off the nearest cliff now. Have a good day!”
“No, no! Don't do that,” Nick pouted, holding on to Charlie's hand with a squeeze. His shyness now replaced with playfulness “If you do, we won't be able to go on our date.”
“You'd…want to go?” Charlie couldn't keep the insecurity out of his voice, much as he may want to appear unphased by his blunder. “I made such a twat out of myself.”
“I would love to go on a date! I would also love it if you helped me decorate your gingerbread man for your party tonight.” Nick's eyes twinkled as he smiled warmly at Charlie, melting Charlie's doubts.
Who was Charlie to say no to such a festive and possibly romantic act with someone like Nick? With fuzzy insides, Charlie followed Nick, their hands laced together. As surreptitiously as he could manage, Charlie risked a look at Nick's arse and felt a rush of heat flood him. Oh gods, I could bounce quarters off that thing. Hm…I wonder how soundproof the kitchen is…
🧑🏻🍳🍑🍆🏃🏻♂️