The guy was downright beautiful, it was a fact Stiles couldn’t deny no matter how hard he tried. His muscles didn’t seem to stop and he had the most mesmerizing eyes-Stiles had trouble placing a color to them- perhaps that’s why he stayed so stunned for so long. The man’s chest heaved up and down beneath his tight Henley and Stiles was still frozen. The piping bag in his hand close to spilling frosting everywhere as he just stayed there stunned. His mouth opened then snapped shut as he found it hard to look away, in that moment he remembered all the years of convincing himself the love of his life would hate him. He remembered the pact he made with himself that if he ever met that person he’d keep his mouth closed and never let them know it was him.
From the state of the box before him it looked like the delivery was crushed in transition- he made a mental note to give Matt a talking to before doing anything else tomorrow. There was no saving it, the only solution was to make him an all new order. Managing to pull of a hand as to tell the man to wait there Stiles fabricated the plan in his head. So he set down the frosting bag and went to the back. He quickly explained everything to his employee Isaac everything from the soulmate, to Matt being an asshole, and while he wasn’t sure Isaac got everything he understood enough to go out and handle the angry customer. Isaac explained the mix up to the enraged man, offered a refund and to redo his order for free. The man not only accepted but opted to wait the entire three hours it took to make. The news made Stiles cringe. The man would be there, waiting, in the same building until he was satisfied.
It was the fastest Stiles had ever completed an order.
Stiles was rushing back and forth throughout the kitchen trying to get the order made perfect but quickly. The faster he could get him out of the shop the faster he could breathe again. In his chaotic process he dropped the jar of frosting tips so he had no choice but to head back up front. He’d taken a peak before stepping out. The customer had been off in the corner staring aimlessly out the window as he waited with a complimentary coffee so generously offered by Isaac. So the baker assumed he was in the clear. The man managed to get out, maneuvering behind the counter, around his employee at the register to get a grip of new tips and head back to his fortress of solitude. As fast as he was moving though it wasn’t fast enough, and when he stood to full length the man was standing before him, Stiles wasn’t sure when or how he spotted him.
He was scratching awkwardly at the back of his neck, like he was embarrassed. It was an immense change from the attitude he’d possessed when he’d first walked in “Hi. I uh- the guy” he began as he pointed towards the back where Isaac was “-he explained that it wasn’t you’re fault. You know I guess I probably shouldn’t have just assumed. My anger got the best of me and, well, I guess-” but he didn’t get to finish because Stiles had held up a finger silencing the mans rambling as he stalked backwards towards the kitchen. He didn’t miss the utter confusion on the mans face as he did so, but it was the only way he could think to make a retreat.
Two more hours later and Stiles was setting a pastel purple cake with a white frosting border and the words “Happy Birthday Cora” displayed on it into his signature blue box. He closed it gently, careful not to mess a single thing up until the label Claudia’s Sweets was delicately displayed in front of him.
He peeked around the corner to see that not only was Derek still waiting, but he was already staring at Stiles. He shrieked and jump back behind the wall knocking a pan down in the process.
Stiles stepped into Isaac’s space as he was intently placing frosted flowers on an order of wedding cupcakes. He waited for him to finish the masterpiece in his hand before he yanked him by his apron “Jeez Stiles! What’s going on?”
“I finished his order, I need you to take it to him”
The curly haired boy simply offered him a scolding look “Stiles, just go out there. Maybe it isn’t as bad as you think”
“Oh but it is. I’m just not ready okay”
“Stiles-“
“Don’t forget I’m your boss”
“And I’m one of your best friends” He had him there. Stiles loved Isaac like a little brother, pulling the boss card never really did anything.
So he let himself be vulnerable and open with his friend “Iz please, I am asking you as a friend… I just…I can’t. Please” And Isaac caved, sighing sadly, he grabbed the box from the counter and marched to the front of the store. Stiles poked he head out from behind the wall, just enough to watch the transaction. He watched the man take the cake from Isaac with a furrowed brow. Stiles didn’t know what the confusion was for until he watched the buff man peak over Isaac’s shoulder, almost as if he were looking for something. Stiles tried to tell himself he wasn’t looking for him. But the chances of that being true were slim. It wasn’t until the man finally walked out of the door again and Stiles watched him disappear down the street that hell fell to the floor, feeling exhausted and tired.
They were closing that night when Isaac met the young cook in the back and hoisted himself up on the counter. Stiles was elbow deep in suds when the curly haired boy opened his mouth. They’d managed two hours without the subject being brought up, and evidently his friend couldn’t hold out anymore “His name is Derek” Stiles froze, watching as droplets of water seeped down below his gloves. He honestly could have done without the name but he stored it to memory anyways. Derek–His soulmates name was Derek. When he hadn’t spoken Isaac decided on continue “The cake was for his little sister. I guess she’s turning eight and he wanted to get a new cake before she noticed anything was wrong. The party isn’t until tomorrow morning but-“
“I get it!” Stiles suddenly snapped. He didn’t want the story, he didn’t to care, he’d be fine not know anything about the man at all, or at least that was what he told himself.
“He told me to tell you he was sorry he got so heated” Isaac told him before he disappeared to do inventory.
That night he went home with his soulmates name on the tip of his tongue and the image of him in his head. He hated how all those years of being indifferent to the thought of a soulmate, the years of telling himself he’d be better off alone, this man storms in and blows up his world without any regard. Because now all Stiles can think about is him. He thought of Derek as he ate dinner, as he watched tv and every daunting moment in between.
He decided to take the next day for himself. He was more than confident Isaac could run the shop alone for a day, he was his second in command after all. Lazily, Stiles was slouched on his sofa, watching cartoons and sipping at his already cold tea he’d reheated three times already. Glancing at the time Stiles noted, they would be open by now and he’d be working on the remaining graduation cake orders. But no, he was hiding away. He had spent so much time closing himself off from ever feeling anything for his soul mate that the actual reality of it had proved to be more than he could take. During a failing attempt to reroute his thoughts he received an incoming message.
>From Izzy:Â 10:18 am
911!
Stiles sat up a little straighter at the message.
<To Izzy: 10:19 am
Whats wrong? Is the shop okay?
The baker was to his feet, already reaching for a stray pair of jeans on the floor and searching for his keys when his phone pinged with another notification.
>From Izzy: 10:22 am
The shop is fine. C’mon give me more credit
>From Izzy: 10:23 am
Derek is back he’s asking for you
He gripped the phone a little tighter, his eyes searching throughout his apartment as if it would help him process what was happening.
<To Izzy: 10:30 am
Well get rid of him.
>From Izzy: 10:33
Sti, I’m pretty sure he’s been waiting outside for us to open.
>From Izzy: 10:35 am
He feels it even if you don’t speak to him. He’s being drawn back here to you
Stiles sighed, stripping his clothes back off and creating a trail from the front door to the sofa. He plopped down and stared at his phone screen for a long while, already having decided long ago he wasn’t going to confront the man but Isaac persisted anyways.
>From Izzy: 10:40 am
Stiles Stilinski he is asking when you’ll be back in– don’t do this
>From Izzy: 11:00 am
He left his number
Stiles took one last look at his phone before taking the cowards way out and silencing it only to hide it away in a drawer.
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