Work Text:
Alex had only been in LA for three months, and he already had a stalker.
Well, okay, maybe not a stalker, but the guy sure seemed to be everywhere Alex was currently. Even at his job, he was inescapable.
The local bakery, Sugar & Slice, where Alex had picked up a part-time job to help fund his music dreams, slinging croissants and espresso to tourists and locals alike stood on some unopposing corner of a street that wouldn’t be caught dead in the centre of town, but without fail, he was there.
The Big Guy.
Six-foot-something, blond, built like he could bench press Alex without breaking a sweat, yet somehow always stuffed into the bakery’s dainty wire chairs like a giant in a dollhouse. He lounged there, sunglasses propped up on his head, watching Alex with an unreadable smirk as he scribbled in a notebook here and there.
Alex tried to ignore him. Really, he did, but it was kind of hard when the dude was always there, and always staring.
Today was no different.
Alex let out a sigh as he wiped down the counter for the third time that afternoon, his eyes flicking up against his will. Of course, there he was, sitting at his usual table by the window, long legs stretched out, one hand tapping idly against the table while the other held a fork.
A fork. Because of course he was eating strawberry shortcake.
Alex blinked.
The guy - who honestly looked like he should be devouring raw steak or something equally rugged - was delicately picking at a pastel-pink dessert topped with whipped cream and berries and clearly enjoying it.
Before Alex could stop himself, he snorted.
The Big Guy’s head snapped up, blue eyes locking onto Alex with startling intensity.
"Somethin’ funny?" He drawled, voice smooth as butter.
Alex straightened, pushing his glasses up his nose. "Uh, no. Just-" He gestured vaguely at the plate. "Didn’t peg you as a strawberry shortcake kinda guy."
The man grinned, slow and knowing. "Oh yeah? What kind of guy did you peg me as?"
Alex’s face warmed. "Dunno. Something less… pink."
A chuckle. "Sweet tooth don’t discriminate, sweetheart." He took another bite, licking whipped cream off his fork deliberately, eyes never leaving Alex. "You should try it sometime.”
Alex swallowed.
Great. Now his stalker was flirting with him.
Even worse, Alex might actually like it.
*BONUS*
"So," Alex said, leaning against the counter as The Big Guy - Matt, he’d finally learned - lingered near the door at closing time. "You gonna tell me why you’ve been coming in here every day?"
Matt smirked. "I like the cakes."
Alex rolled his eyes. "Try again."
A pause. Then, softer: "I like the guy behind the counter, too."
Alex’s breath caught, but Matt was already walking out, tossing a wink over his shoulder. "See you tomorrow, Shortcake."
Alex groaned.
He was so screwed.