*Shortly after their conversation (and making sure every inanimal was asleep), Mateo makes his way to Dulce’s bakery. He would have had more difficulty finding it if not for the smell of freshly baked bread that leads him right to the door! Stepping inside, he pauses to take a look around.*
- @ask-mateo-manta
*the bell hung above the door rings as he enters the bakery, on the the inside the fresh bread smell is only heightened. Clear shelves line the walls with various types of bread laid out neatly on their shelves, with tongs and decorated platters collected neatly at the end of the wall. The counters and tables are made of a glossy wood with various painted decorations, similar to the painted flowers on the mug Dulce wears on her head. The warm lighting falls across the whole bakery, and soft instamentals play over a small radio on the counter, where Dulce is wiping away some crumbs with a rag before she looks up at the door. Her face lights up as she straightens up behind the counter with a smile*
“Mateo! ¡Bienvenido a la panaderia dulce! Please come make yourself at home”
*She places the rag in her hand behind the counter and gestures to the stools in front of the counter*
*Mateo definitely already feels at home in this environment. He can’t help but return Dulce’s smile with one of his own as the threads of his stomach feel like they’re tangling up. After he’s finished looking around, he takes a seat at the counter.*
¡Gracias por la bienvenida! Your panadería is very homey, and it smells wonderful!
"¡Muchas gracias! That homey feeling is exactly what I was going for, I want the atmosphere to feel as warm as the bread I bake."
"Speaking of, feel free to grab any sweets you'd like off the shelves! Usually you'd fill your tray and bring it up here for me to ring you up, but since we're friends, it'll be on the house."
*Dulce walks behind the counter to a small stove, still in view, but briefly facing away from him*
"I can get some coffee going for us while you do!"
As long as you’re sure..!
*Mateo takes a peek at the available treats, humming in thought. After a few minutes, he looks back in Dulce’s direction.*
They all look so good, it’s hard to choose! …Could you surprise me with one, maybe your favorite?
*She turns away from the stove, her eyes gleaming as she clasps her hands softly at the opportunity*
"oooo a surprise? I won't say no to that! You just sit and relax and I'll be sure to serve you my finest pastries."
*she walks past the counter and near the shelves of bread, grabbing a new platter and tongs as she begins to fill the tray. She moves with precision, knowing the bakery and its contents like the back of her hand. She hums softly to the music on the radio, it's obvious she's in her element in the bakery*
*she approaches the counter again, placing the platter down with a smile*
"Alright here we are! Some conchas and mantecadas, which are my personal favorites, and some churros and regular ol chocolate chip cookies, which are what newer customers always seem to order. I thought I'd give you options regardless!"
*Mateo watches Dulce pick the treats with a soft smile, very much admiring how she moves with practiced ease. His smile widens as the platter is set in front of him, soft eyes full of gratitude as he grabs a concha with a chocolate topping first.*
Conchas are my favorite too! It’s been a while since I’ve had any, so I guess you being here is a blessing in disguise!
*He takes a bite of the treat, his eyes closing in bliss.*
*The other reason he hasn’t had much time for sweets is because he’s overworking himself as usual- but he’s not going to dump that on his friend.*
*Dulce walks behind the counter again, tending to the coffee boiling on the stove as she speaks*
“Oh you’re too kind Mateo, I’m just happy to be able to serve lovely customers like yourself!”
*She watches as he bites into the concha, seeing his eyes close in bliss makes her let go of a small breath she didn’t know she was holding. She reaches for two ceramic mugs and begins to pour the hot coffee into them to cool. Yet, she can’t help but turn her head slightly to focus on Mateo’s positive reaction to her pastries*
“How is it? I hope it hits the spot, it especially will when this coffee cools down and you have something to drink with it.”
It really does! It’s perfect, I have no notes, haha!
*Mateo laughs, but there seems to be a dampness in his eyes that he’s trying to hide. He’s not upset of course- the concha and the panadería in general reminds him of home.*
*she brings the cups of coffee to the counter, sliding a ceramic cup with painted blue and orange flowers towards Mateo. She holds her mug close to her as she lets it cool in her hands. Taking a small sip, notices the somber expression in his eyes. She places her cup down and leans on the counter slightly, facing towards him and giving him her full attention as she speaks softly*
“Glad you liked the bread! Pero, how are you holding up? Yknow, just in general..?”
*Mateo quickly blinks away the bit of tears before sighing softly. Surely there’s no harm in being more honest with Dulce- he’s told the little white lie that he’s perfectly fine to too many people.*
…I think I’m homesick. I mean, I know this is my home now- pero México is still in my threads. And I haven’t had treats like these in so long, so it’s just brought a lot of memories back.
*…It’s not everything, but it’s a start. The bags under his eyes tell a deeper part of the story, though.*
*her gaze softens*
“Ohhh lo siento, Mateo. It’s ok to feel homesick, I of all people can definitely understand that..”
*She sighs, looking in her cup of hot coffee as she talks, as to not scare him away from this vulnerable moment with any direct eye contact*
“If I knew you felt like this I would’ve invited you here sooner. It might not be Mexico itself, pero es un pedazo del país, de la cultura. And I know it’s not perfect, but…I hope it can be space for you to feel even a little less homesick. It’s helped me a bit..”
*she raises the volume slightly on the radio that sat besides them. Soft bachata plays over it’s speaker, but only high enough for Dulce to nod her head to the rhythm with a soft smile as she tries to bring a smile back onto Mateo’s face*
“Music also helps to pick me up when I’m feeling down.”
*Mateo feels a bit lighter as he explains his homesickness. The knots in his heart loosen as he hears the music play, taking a careful sip from his mug.*
Music helps me too, sometimes. Pero usually it’s snuggling with the inanimals that help the most. They drive me loco with all their chaos sometimes, and I’m always tired at the end of the day, but they know how to comfort people.
*He dares a glance up at Dulce after a moment, expression softening as he watches her bob her head along with the music. The notes and ambiance of the bakery wrap around him like a hug, something he’s grateful for, even if he’d rather have the real thing.*
“Oh yes I can see how warm cuddles can make you feel better, especially with the amount of little guys you have at the rescue. I’m sure it’s a hassle, but it never seems like you guys have a boring day!”
*she chuckles*
“Regardless, I’m glad you at least have the inanimals there with you for comfort. And like I said, you’re always welcome back here in the bakery anytime you’d like. Whether you need a quiet place to rest, or want that taste of home again, or even just a friend to talk to, I’ll be here. Whenever you need it.”
*Dulce looks up at him with a comforting smile. She knows she can’t give him everything he might need to feel better, but she wanted to let him know that she’s willing to try. He’s shown her nothing but kindness and support since she’s arrived at the house, and she wanted nothing more then to give him that same kindness in return*
Thank you, Dulce. Por todo.
*Whenever you need it, she said… Could that mean that hugs are on the table? He could definitely use one right now. Normally he’d be the first to offer hugs, but when it comes to him needing one, he has a harder time with it. Steeling his nearly-frayed threads, he puts the question out into the air.*
…Can I have a hug?
*Silence, then he rushes to explain further before Dulce can answer.*
O-Only if you’re comfortable with it! It’s just- it would help, but if it’s too much to ask, don’t worry about it!
*Dulce can’t help but let a smile grow on her face as she stands up from where she was leaning on the counter*
“Aww of course Mateo! Anything if it helps you feel better.”
*she walks around the counter and walks to where Mateo sits, approaching him with open arms. She waits for him to make the first move, once again prioritizing his comfort in the situation*
“Like I said, I’ll always here for you whenever you need it.”
*Mateo doesn’t respond with words, though he smiles. He stands up and immediately wraps his arms around Dulce. He’s warm and cozy, infinitely comfortable- like sinking into a cloud, except somehow better. He lets out a soft sigh and rests his head on Dulce’s shoulder as he closes his eyes, soaking up the comfort.*
*Dulce softly wraps her arms around him, idly moving one of her hands in a small circle over the back of his duvet hoping it’d provide extra comfort for him. Despite knowing he’s the embodiment of a blanket, she didn’t expect his embrace to be as soft and comforting as it was, she felt herself melt into the hug as well. Maybe she needed this too, still being one of the newer objects in the house, she hasn’t had the chance to become as close with anyone else yet. A simple hug from a friend made her feel a little more at home in the new space*
*She doesn’t make the first move to pull away, letting Mateo have this moment for as long as he needs to*
You give really good hugs…
*Mateo murmurs, melting into the hug as Dulce rubs his back in a circle. After a few moments, he very reluctantly pulls away, fidgeting with the sides of his duvet coat. He doesn’t move far away though, just enough to give Dulce space.*
I- Thank you. Again. I’m… a lot better at giving hugs than asking for them, heh.
“I could say the same about you.”
*she lets go as Mateo pulls away, the cool air taking up the warm space where Mateo was just a second ago*
“And I get that, but please feel more than welcomed to ask for anymore hugs from me! I truly don’t mind..”
*she hesitates slightly, looking down as she fidgets with the mantecada cuffs on her hands slightly*
“That is, if i may ask you for one as well from time to time. Only if you’re comfortable of course! But you also give great hugs, Mateo. It’s like holding a cloud..”
*she says the last sentence a little softer than the rest, but all with a smile on her face*
Of course! I’m happy to hear what you’re comfortable with, because I usually greet people with hugs! You don’t need to ask to hug me, either- blankets are made to be hugged, so I’m almost always prepared for surprise hugs!
*He pauses as her last (quieter) sentence registers in his mind, face flushing a little.*
A-a cloud? Dios, that’s some pretty high praise, Dulce. …No pun intended.
*she notices his face flushing and begins to blush herself. She meant the compliment, but seeing it elicit such a reaction in Mateo made her realize how intense it could’ve came across*
“Oh! Well- I do mean it. Disculpame if it was maybe a little too strong to say, but- yknow I thought it’d be more of a common compliment for you! Like you said, blankets are made to be hugged, so it’d make sense you’d be so soft to hold..”
*she laughs nervously, afraid she’s just digging herself into a deeper hole of embarrassment*
“Please I really didn’t mean anything bad by it-“