Author: Gypsie1201
Pairings: 1+2
Warnings: Fluff, POV
Rating: G
Archive: Debs-Dragon - GW Diaries and Akira_1x2
Disclaimer: I don't own Gundam Wing or any of its characters, nor will I make any money from the creation of this story.
Feedback: All is welcome and much appreciated.
Beta work by darkmisstical.
Summary: An unexpected, early morning treat could lead to so much more.
Author's Note: Written for the GW_Bakery's first challenge on Livejournal and companion fic to "Warm Peach Cobbler".
Fresh Apple Pie
I'll be the first to admit that I have something of a sweet tooth. Whether it be candies, chocolate, or pastries, I seem to love them all. But there're sweets and then there're sweets. And when it comes to the latter, no one does them quite as good as the Sugar Shaker Bakery on the corner of 12th and Main. Good thing for me it's right on my way to work of the mornings, giving me the opportunity to have my fix on a daily basis without having to get up earlier than needed or having to waste a lot of gas. And what do you ask is my fix? Well that would be the Shaker's world famous, or at least Main Street famous, homemade peach cobbler. Every morning, the bakers at the Sugar Shaker start their day way before us mere humans, baking up their delectable treats so that when the rush hour starts at five thirty, everything is ready and, lucky for me since I'm one of the few early risers, still warm. And when it comes to their peach cobbler, warm is definitely a good thing.
Today however, I have a small problem. You see, some time during the night my alarm clock, which I've had since I moved into my apartment nearly three years ago, decided that it was time for a replacement, and simply died. Because of this, as well as the late night I'd put in trying to finish a very important report, I woke up late. By the time I'd showered, dressed, and burst out the door, it was almost six o'clock. My normal time for leaving is five, so you can guess that I was in quite a hurry.
And that now brings me to the bakery. I know I'm running too late to stop as I rush down the sidewalk but as the smells from the shop waft through the air as I approach, I know I just can't pass by without my fix. After all, I'm already going to be late for work so what does a few more minutes make, right? With that reasoning, I shoulder my laptop bag and move my briefcase to my left hand before reaching for the doorknob.
Inside, I'm hit by the full power of the Shaker's aromas; sugars, cinnamon, chocolate, and all those other, wonderful flavors that can send my mouth to watering in two seconds flat and for one brief moment, I just stand there breathing it in before walking toward the counter. Now normally, I manage to get there way before anyone else does, but this morning there is a short line to contend with and while I know this will add more time, I also know it could've been much worse. The Sugar Shaker is after all a very popular place in this city. So I calm my impatience and trudge forward one person at a time.
In only a few minutes, I'm the next person in line, waiting to purchasing my delicious morning treat, something that, by then, I'm seeing as a reward for my patience. Even as I'm imagining the taste and enjoyment of my cobbler though, nothing could've prepared me for what happens next. I'm minding my own business, only half listening to the various conversations taking place around me, when I hear the words that nearly make my heart stop in my chest.
"Well, aren't you the lucky one. That's the last piece of peach cobbler." the checkout person says in a cheerful tone and my eyes immediately track to the person in front of me. He's a short, blonde-haired man and when he turns after paying for his cobbler and coffee, I can see his sea-blue eyes flashing with happiness. Undoubtedly because he's just gotten the last of the cobbler, my mind provides.
But then, the man is gone and it's my turn at the counter. For one moment, I don't know what to do. With the cobbler gone, I'm not so sure if I want anything else; it is after all the only reason I'd entered the Sugar Shaker that morning. But the cashier is looking at me expectantly and before I even realize it my mouth opens and I'm asking if there might not be anymore cobbler to be found.
"No, I'm afraid that Quatre got the last piece." he answers and his green-eyes move toward where the blonde man had taken a seat in the corner, lingering momentarily, before moving back to me. "Perhaps there's something else you would like?"
"I'm not sure." I admit with a deep frown. "I always just get the cobbler."
"Oh, you must be one of the early morning regulars that my sister, Cathy, told me about." the man says with a nod of his head. "I usually work the afternoon shift, but she had to do something this morning so I'm filling in. I'm really sorry we don't have any more cobbler, but I know for a fact that we've got fresh apple pie coming out of the ovens soon. Just give me a minute and I'll find out how much longer they'll be."
Without waiting for my answer, he turns and walks toward the large swinging door that separates the front of the bakery from the actual preparation and baking area in the back. He's only gone for a moment, before reappearing with a friendly smile on his face.
"They're coming right up." he tells me. "And while they're not peach cobbler, I can guarantee you'll like them just as much. The new baker we hired a few days ago is a genius when it comes to apples."
Genius or no, my mind provides, apple pie is not peach cobbler and I'm just opening my mouth to decline his offer when the swinging door opens again and the most beautiful vision in a white apron passes through. He's nearly my height, maybe a few inches shorter, with cinnamon colored hair and laughing violet eyes. In each hand, carefully wrapped in ovenproof mitts, is a pie that I could only guess are the promised apple. I watch in awe as he sways up to the counter then deftly places both pies in the display case before turning and heading for the door once again. Just as he pushes it open though, he turns back and his eyes lock with mine. The smile and wink he gives me do far more than I'd have believed and then he's gone. For one long moment, I continue to stare openly at the door, the only thought in my mind being, how can his hair be that long.
Finally though, the cashier clears his throat, breaking me from my trance and pulling my attention back to him; the sly smirk in his face and knowing gleam in his eyes, causing my face to flame almost instantly.
"So," he says. "would you like a piece of fresh apple pie?"
I can only nod my head yes and watch as his smile grows even larger. Then he's cutting the pie and placing a piece of the still steaming pastry in a take away container before bringing it back to where I still stand.
"That'll be two dollars and fifty cents." he says as he places the container in a small plastic bag for me. Numbly I reach into my pocket and pull out my wallet, opening it and handing him a five. When he goes to make change, I shake my head and tell him to keep it just before grabbing the bag and turning for the door. "Duo only works the morning shift." he tells me in a carefree yet soft voice before I can go very far and I pause for a moment to wonder why he's telling me this. "And the afternoon shift starts at twelve, so...."
At the pause, I know he's finished and I continue forward, across the small dining room and out the door to the sidewalk that would take me to my office building only a block down the street. As I walk, I wonder about the pie I'm clutching in my left hand along with my briefcase. Wonder if I've found another morning fix, and if it's really the pie or the longhaired beauty in the white apron with a gift for apples that's going to bring me back to the bakery for an early lunch that day. I guess I'll just have to wait and see.
OWARI
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