“You didn't hurt her feelings, pup,” Wult assured, lightly patting his back, “she just worries. Now are you going to spend all day rearranging in her, or are you going to tell me what to eat at your grandmother’s restaurant?”
Jacob looked up in shock before looking disappointed "Sure I'll tell you want to pick up."
Can you do stanlon one shot i read all yours already🥺
I am always happy to write more Stanlon. <3 <3
The bell over the door jangled, causing Mike to look up. He was knee deep in receipts and bills but since he was the only one here he needed to help the customer.
“Hello Mike’s Fresh and Natural shop, how can I help you?” He called out as he came around the corner. As he saw the other man he paused, wondering if he was lost. He wasn’t like most of Mike’s customers, who he had to convince to wear shoes and deodorant. This guy was buttoned up, wearing a patterned green and blue shirt and work slacks. Even his curls were carefully placed, like he paid attention to where each one landed. He looked almost too put together but Mike had to admit that it worked.
The man was frowning at Mike’s shop, looking at some of the more unusual items he carried, like aromatherapy and healing crystals. Mike didn’t believe in them but they sold well and he wasn’t in the position to turn down business. He swallowed that explanation as the customer scoured his shop, not wanting to look like he was making excuses.
“I read online that you have organic bird seed?” The man asked, looking at Mike for the first time. Mike had to take a second after being caught in the man’s green eyes.
“We do, if you’ll follow me?” Mike gestured down one of their aisles.
“I’ve never noticed this place before.” The man commented, following him. “I work down the street but I’ve never noticed your shop.”
“We blend into the scenery.” Mike joked. His shop was a deep forest green among the sea of concrete.
“You must work in the new office building?” He asked as he stopped, pointing to the bird seed. “Here’s everything we have. I can special order something too, if this isn’t what you need.”
The man wasn’t looking at the seed though, he was watching Mike from the corner of his eye with an intense gaze that made him blush.
“Do you own this place?” He asked.
“I do, I’m Mike.” He held out a hand.
“Stan.” The man’s hand was warm in his, soft. Their shake lingered long than it needed to and Mike smiled. “You seem young to own a business.”
Mike got that a lot. “I opened it after college. My philosophy degree was useless but that business minor came in handy. This neighborhood needed pesticide free food.”
“It is a wasteland.” Stan agreed. “The fanciest place is Panera.” His nose wrinkled in disgust and Mike thought about how cute it was.
“Don’t knock their bread bowls.”
Stan looked at him, cocking his head. “You don’t look like you eat many carbs.”
“I eat a little bit of everything.” Mike said, giving Stan a half smile. The other man blushed furiously. Even though that wasn’t what Mike had meant he like how flustered Stan became. This was quickly becoming his favorite interaction of the week.
But he didn’t want to make the man feel too awkward. Mike quickly changed the subject. “Let’s talk birdseed. What kind of birds are you hoping to attract?”
Stan nodded gratefully, rattling off a long list of birds and his concerns about other types of seeds. Mike was impressed how much he knew, especially about local birds and what they needed. Stan seemed happy to share all of his knowledge with someone. Eventually they started talking about things beyond birdseed, like how long they’d lived in the area and their favorite things to do. Mike was pleased to find out that they had a lot in common- and that Stan seemed to enjoy all of his nature related jokes.
Eventually they swung back to the topic of birdseed. “Does this come in a bigger bag?” Stan asked, pointing to the brand he’d chosen.
“I can special order it, it’ll take about a week. I’ll need your phone number though, so I can call you when it comes in?” Mike thought he was being smooth but Stan’s small smile said otherwise.
“If you wanted my number you could have just asked.”
Mike was about to say that he did, in fact, want it, when the door opened again. This time a woman came in, wearing a bright sun dress. “Stan! I was starting to wonder where you were. This place is so cute!” Her eyes scanned the store, landing on the candy. She delicately picked up a candy bar and put it by the register.
“Sorry Patty I got distracted.” Stan said, nodding for Mike to add it to his order.
Mike’s mood immediately fell as he watched how she curled next to him, smiling and chatting. He couldn’t believe how badly he’d misread the situation. He couldn’t even be upset, the two were utterly adorable together.
“It’ll be 26.04.” He said, trying to keep a fake smile plastered on.
Stan offered his card, talking to Patty about some work event they had coming up. Then they were on their way and Mike was left with his receipts.
When Stan’s order came in Mike had his associate call. He didn’t want to risk the phone call. If he could have he could have been in the back room when Stan collected his order. The less he saw the man the better.
Of course luck wasn’t on his side. Mike was alone, working the register when Stan came in.
“Hey Mike.” He said, closing his umbrella and shaking it a little. It was raining hard outside, hard enough that Mike was surprised the Stan came in that day.
“Hey. You’re lucky you didn’t need a canoe to get here.”
“I nearly did. I’m pretty sure my shoes are ruined.” Both of their eyes travelled down and Mike saw that Stan’s expensive looking shoes were soaked. He sucked in a breath as they squelched on his floor.
“You can dry them. I have a big fan set up in the back for my stuff.” Mike didn’t know why he offered, keeping Stan here wasn’t a good idea.
Stan wrinkled his nose. “You’re okay with me being barefoot in your store?”
He shrugged. “It happens more than you think.”
Stan shifted his weight, thinking about Mike’s offer then he nodded. “If you’re sure.”
“I am.” Because he was a big hearted idiot who couldn’t refuse someone in need.
They moved to the back of the store and Stan shed his coat, shoes and socks. He looked completely uncomfortable so Mike grabbed him a pair of bamboo socks with grips on the bottom. “Sorta like shoes.” He said with a shrug.
“I’ll pay for them.” Stan said, slipping the socks on. Seeing Stan in only his socks was oddly intimate and Mike looked away, trying not to let his mind stray to the thought of late Sunday mornings and making pancakes with the man.
He realized that Stan was staring at him and Mike coughed, turning away. “You’re welcome to stay back here until the storm dies down.” He took a step back towards the front, towards safety. Until Stan spoke again.
“Can you stay with me?”
He swallowed a groan. This was exactly what he’d been trying to avoid. He turned back, seeing that Stan looked hopeful. Then he glanced at the rest of his store, knowing that no one else was going to come in until the storm died down.
“Sure.”
They both sat around the table that Mike had in his break room. It was small and the two of them kept hitting the other’s foot on accident.
“You didn’t call me.” Stan said after a minute of silence. Mike was surprised how hurt he sounded.
“I-” He wasn’t sure what to say. He didn’t think that Stan would care. “My associate called you.”
“Not about the birdseed.” Stan flushed, looking annoyed and embarrassed that he had to explain.
Now Mike understood, though he was still confused why Stan cared. “I didn’t think Patty would appreciate it.”
Stan’s brows furrowed. “Patty? Why would she care?”
“Because she’s your girlfriend?”
Stan shook his head. “She’s not.”
“Shes-not?”
Now Stan was smiling, still shaking his head. “No, we’re just close friends. I’m not interested in her like that.”
“Oh.” Mike was smiling too. Both had leaned in slightly, their hands nearly touching. “Is there someone that you are interested in?”
Stan nodded. “There’s this oblivious health store owner that I sorta like.”
“He sounds cute.”
They had leaned in far enough that they were nearly nose to nose, the small table their only barrier.
“He is. I was hoping he would ask me out on a date. I gave him my number and everything.”
“Like you said, oblivious.”
“I’ll be more obvious this time then.” Stan looked into his eyes. “I’m about to ask you out on a date Mike. A romantic one. I’m really hoping you say yes.”
“Only one way to find out.”
“Mike, can I take you out to dinner?”
“On a date?” Stan reached over, swatting his shoulder and Mike laughed. “I’m kidding! Yes, I’d love that.”
Stan shook his head, smiling at him. “Right answer.” They both smiled at each other for a minute before pulling back. Stan glanced outside. “I think the rain is letting up. I should probably go while I can.” He stood. “I’ll text you with date details.”
Mike stood stood, grabbing Stan’s birdseed. “Can’t wait.”
