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It was way too hot outside and Albert’s tummy was threatening to eat itself. He needed food now before he was forced to eat Jakey. And not in some weird, homoerotic way, but an act spurred by sheer desperation and the human drive to not die.
“Jakey, how much longer until we get there?” Albert whined from his spot in the passenger seat.
“Just a bit longer, Albie. It’s pretty close.” Jake replied without taking his eyes off the road.
“What if I die of starvation before then?” Albert wheedled, leaning half his body over the middle console to nudge Jake.
Jake scoffed, disbelief heavy in his voice. “You? Die of starvation? I’m pretty sure you’ve eaten enough Taco Bell to hibernate through several winters.”
“Jakey! Oh my god, you’re so mean to me.”
“Someone has to be. As your boyfriend, it’s my solemn duty.”
“Your solemn duty is to love me, not make fun of me!”
“That’s basically the same thing. Also, we’re here now, so you’re welcome for the distraction. Now get your ass out.”
“Whatever, dick.” Albert had to get the last word out before he hopped out of the car. The gravel was loose underneath his sneakers and the heat had somehow intensified. But at the end of the small strip of stores was the bakery they had desperately wanted to try. The panadería, Albert mentally corrected. He could already feel the embarrassment about his lack of Spanish skills setting in, but nothing will stand in his way between good food. Not even a language barrier.
A familiar hand settled on the subtle curve of Albert’s hip, a key sliding into its slot. He dramatically leaned into the solid warmth of Jake behind him, and he couldn’t stop his pleased smile when Jake only steadied his weight with a second hand.
“Alright, big boy, as much as I love this I’d rather not be cooked alive today.” Jake’s scorn was always trumped easily by his indulgence, but he patted firmly at Albert’s sides to get him to move.
Albert did move, but not before he blindly swung his arm behind his back, palm up and fingers splayed. Jake silently threaded his hand between Albert’s, and they walked together, hand-in-hand.
The strip of stores didn’t really have any covering, so they were still burning as they walked. However, it was only a couple of dozen feet until they reached the entrance of the panadería. It was a Mexican-Guatemalan fusion bakery and La Mejor Panadería was neatly written in cursive on the front doors. The windows were tinted too dark for Albert to see everything inside, but he was able to discern the large glass display close to the door. His mouth was already salivating at the sight.
Jake easily nudged Albert out of the way to pull open the door, stepping aside to let Albert walk in first. He did and Jake trailed right after. Albert held out his hand again until their fingers were once again interlocked. Together they side-stepped into a corner like a large, gay crab and took in the panadería.
The tiles were smooth beneath their feet, painted in a checkerboard of white and black. In front and slightly to the left of them was a large fridge full of cold drinks ranging from sodas to juices to things that looked like both. Farther ahead was the display that Albert had seen through the door. It was larger than he thought, three huge displays pushed together to form a long glass snake. Inside the displays was a wide plethora of colorful baked goods that all looked and smelled heavenly. An employee with an apron around her waist was already standing behind the displays, an expectant smile on her face. Albert wasted no time and dragged Jake over to order.
“¡Hola!” She cheerfully greeted them as they stepped up.
“¡Hola!” Albert answered back.
“¿Le puedo ayudar?” She asked.
Albert’s mind raced. Le puedo ayudar…le puedo ayudar…le puedo ayudar…he drew a blank. Thankfully he had a saint named Jake on his side and Albert felt him draw closer. Jake reassuringly squeezed his hand.
“¿Quiero…dos conchas?” Jake hesitantly answered.
“¿Que color?”
Albert could feel Jake now tensing beside him and he piped up, “Rosa y blanco. Por favor.”
The attendant beamed, nodded, and quickly placed two pink conchas and two white conchas on the black tray she had at the ready. The pink ones were for Albert, obviously.
“¿Eso es todo?” She asked after she had placed all the bread.
Now both Albert and Jake blanked. They made eye contact and came to a mutual decision. When in doubt, just nod.
“Sí.” They answered in unison.
The woman nodded, grabbed the tray, and walked the short distance over to the cash register. She deposited the tray next to it and another employee slid in to tap at the register. Albert dragged Jake over. The employee rattled off a more than reasonable total, and Jake had already handed her his card before Albert could even reach for his wallet. He huffed good-naturedly at Jake and lightly punched at his shoulder even if they did this same song and dance every time they went out. Jake pinched at the softness of his waist and Albert stomped on his shoe in retaliation.
“¡Gracias!” The employee smiled.
Jake grabbed the bag of bread and this time it was him dragging Albert around. When they had come in he had spotted a small section of tables and chairs they could eat at. So he led Albert to a small table with two chairs tucked into a corner, deposited his beloved boyfriend and their yummy bread, and veered off to go get them drinks.
Albert shuffled his legs under the table as he waited. The area where the panadería sold actual food and drinks was to the right of Albert. He kept his body forward in an air of nonchalance, but his eyes were firmly fixated on Jake. Albert couldn’t see his face from this angle, but from his body language he could tell Jake was a bit sheepish. Well, our Spanish still isn’t amazing, Albert grimaced. But he was definitely still proud. So proud…his mind trailed off as he took in Jake’s appearance from behind, his strong back, his muscled arms and heavy thighs. Albert sighed dreamily, head unconsciously turning towards Jake like a lighthouse spotting its favorite ship. But when he saw Jake about to turn away from the counter, he hurriedly wrenched his head around. He may be a lovesick fool, but that didn’t mean Jake had to know that.
“I got us both horchata. Rice water…I think?” Jake said, setting down the two drinks and plopping down in the seat closest to Albert. He immediately scooted the chair over until they were close enough that their thighs were flush and their shoulders touched. Albert smiled, stupidly pleased.
“Alright, enough staring and let’s dig in.” Jake teased and Albert flushed accordingly. Jake laughed at him, bodily rubbing against him like some big cat, and then set about taking their sweet bread out of the bag. Albert grabbed some napkins and laid them out in lieu of plates. Jake placed a pink concha in front of Albert and a white one in front of himself.
The bread was a good size, definitely bigger than Albert’s palm but maybe smaller than Jake’s, and it was perfectly round. The sugar baked on top of it was patterned in waves and it reminded Albert of the ocean. Of the waves gently lapping at his feet, at his socks sinking into the soft sand, of Jakey’s cold hand in his warm one, of splashing and laughing and an endless litany of I can’t believe this is real.
“Albie, are you okay? You look like you’re about to cry.” Jake’s fretting interrupted Albert’s thoughts and he blinked his suddenly misty eyes. He sniffed once.
“No, no, I’m okay.” Albert placated, placing a hand on top of Jake’s. “I just love you, is all.”
“You’re a sap.” Jake grumbled but the redness of his face was undeniable.
“Your sap.”
“Obviously. And my sap should start eating after complaining that he would die of starvation.”
Albert rolled his eyes fondly and bit into his concha, top-first. The bread was soft and warm in his mouth, and the sugar was as sweet as he’d been hoping. He hummed happily and looked over at Jakey to gauge his reaction. Jakey bit into it sideways and Albert watched, happiness bubbling bright and hot in his chest, as Jakey’s expression melted from curiosity to joy. Some of the crumbs caught in his beard and Albert instinctively brushed them out with a tender hand. Jake turned to him, smiled that particular smile he reserved for only Albert, and reached out a hand to wipe off the crumbs dotting Albert’s heavy bottom lip. Albert pressed a quick kiss against Jake’s thumb.
“Idiot,” Jake said indulgently, “finish your bread.”
Albert didn’t say anything, but he ate both of his conchas, got three more, and drank all his horchata. All the sugar in his stomach was still no match for the toothache Jakey gave him.