illuminction.
Benji’s expression doesn’t waver from delight, not as Wren’s cheeks tint with a blush nor as they lift their hand up to their mouth to stifle something Benji half wishes to hear. The way Wren’s mind works is a delightful mystery and it’s for that reason, they’re easily one of the baker’s favorite customers. Not that he plays favorites, of course. Not at all! Benji props his arms along the top of the display, chin coming to rest in the cradle formed by the backs of his intertwined fingers. He watches them fidget, following the trail of a hand down to just over where Benji knows their heart would be. “It might be just sweet enough for someone sweet,” he muses, cheeks dimpling with the force of his smile. Then he’s pulling away, getting the proper gloves on to handle the food himself. He may have loved to watch Wren’s reaction as he actually licked caramel off of his fingers but sanitary reasons and the ever-present threat of inspection keeps him in order. He cuts a slice of the cake, its freshness making the process easier. The still warm delicacy is placed into a perfectly sized box, which is then slid across the counter towards the waiting customer. “Five fifty for the slice,” he hums, disposable gloves tossed as he meanders to the register. “And if you happen to fall in love, the rest of the cake would be thirty, even.” Lazily, Benji half-leans, half-sits on the edge of the counter, watching Wren in amusement. “I don’t know if you have plans or anything, but I’d very much like to see you take a bite. Call it a baker’s ego stroking.” He nods his nose towards the plastic forks they keep on hand for samples or for those who just can’t wait to get home. “Please?”
I’m bitter. Like dry tea leaves. The words almost flood to their tongue with a hint of playful sarcasm, but they swallow them down, choosing instead to indulge in the compliment they’ve been given and allow themself that rightful rush of blood to their face for it. Being embarrassed by something stupid they almost said and being bashful because they were called ‘sweet’ are two very different things, and they figure one of them is more likely to be permitted than the other --- at least in their humble opinion. Watching with attentiveness as Benji goes about getting their piece of the treat he’d just finished baking, Wren tries to ignore the slight ache in the arch of their feet, not wanting to look uncomfortable just from the short walk down here and then standing in place for a couple of minutes. It’s not just that seeing as they’ve been up and about all day at work, but they’re feeling a little lazy after sleeping in this morning, and they irrationally think that’s going to show through in some sort of negative light to the people around them. They’re trying to keep their energy positive today.
“Oh, yeah. Sure.” They fail to mention they don’t actually have more than about eight dollars on them, instead reaching into the pocket of their corduroys to pull out their little hand-sewn wallet. It has blue, purple, and periwinkle baby’s breath embroidered on a light grey background. “No plans! I mean, obviously I have to go back to work, but I’m only ten minutes into my twenty-five minute break, so. We should be good.” They offer him a smile as they hold their hand out, a five and a one being offered to him that should cover it. Then they pick up the fork and set about taking a bite, being a little too careful to not make a mess. Wren leans over the little container and for good measure also puts their hand beneath the fork as they bring it to their mouth, letting out a little sound of happiness as it reaches their tongue. Naturally, it’s delicious, but for the sake of flirtation (which they would never call it that, thanks very much), they pretend to furrow their brow as they chew, twirling the utensil in their hand and crossing one arm over their belly. “Hmm.” They hum as they feign thinking about it, leaning their weight on their right side and pushing their hip out a bit. “I guess it’s okay...if you like your baked goods perfect and delicious. Being incredible at your job is kinda overrated if you ask me.”















