Bloom (ManxMan)

Dates and Cakes

"So you haven't kissed him yet?" Annie asked as she stared at Andy from across the kitchen counter. It was one of those days when Isaac couldn't come in because of his Princely duties like Andy liked to call them.

"I said three dates and a kiss."

"But you've only been on one date and it's been a week since then. The coronation is in a month and a half." Annie huffed as she stared at her boss and friend. He and Isaac have been having this air around them for a while, she couldn't decide if it was s****l tension or something else.

"I can't rush my feelings."

"Yeah. That's cause you already know you like him." Annie shrugged. She placed her hands on her hips afterwards and stared him down. Any other times she'd look intimidating but today she just looked like a rainbow spat on her. She had let her hair down and she had on a long sleeve dress with color splatters that stopped at the knee, bright orange leggings and shoes.

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"Fine. Keep denying it, just invite me to the wedding." Annie quipped. She turned around and made her way out of the kitchen, her hands flying to her hair as she tried to style it into a ponytail.

Once she was gone, Andy made his way to the chair and sat down. He had made a pineapple upside down cake for Isaac but the Prince couldn't make it. He pulled out his phone and presse the home button. There was a message waiting for him.

Isaac: I'm sorry again. I just found out this morning

Andy typed out his reply. It's alright. Don't overwork yourself

Isaac: Never. Once I'm done can I come and see you?

Andy: Anytime. I made you a cake

Isaac: What kind of cake?

Andy: That's for me to know and you to find out

Isaac: Meanie

Andy tried to type out a reply but was interrupted by the beep from the oven timer. He drops his phone and slid in his oven mitts. He had made eclairs today, once he had found out Isaac wasn't coming he grabbed the ingredients for it.

Right then, he was pulling out a tray of biscuits. Annie was right, he should just grab Isaac by the collar and kiss him hard, after confessing his feelings. But it just doesn't feel like the right time to do it, to say those words.

Andy places the freshly done biscuits on the flat tray and took it outside, he carefully arranged it in the display case as well as the eclairs, cup cakes, marble cakes, cookies, croissants, donuts and cinnamon rolls that he had made.

Somehow the store felt lonely without Isaac. He pulled off his apron and checked if he had flour on his face and in his hair. He pouts as he does so, if Isaac was here he would have pointed it out, like he always did.

Once they flipped the sign from closed to open, the customers cane pouring in and Andy spent the next hour handing out bags or trays of goodies, collecting cash or card and giving back change and receipts. By ten thirty, the crowd had dwindled down and Andy could finally seat.

However, before he could, the door to the store was pulled open and in walked a man holding a huge vase of flowers. They were calla lilies.

"Delivery for Andy Parrish." The delivery man calls out and Andy raised his hand. He signed for it and wished the man a good day before facing the flowers. They looked and smelt heavenly.

He pulls out the slim card tucked between flowers. The card was a light blue with Andy's favorite quote printed on it. Flowers bloom with no regrets and underneath it was Isaac's handwriting. These were the only flowers that came close to your beauty and grace.

-Isaac.

The flower arrangements were beautiful, the flowers were tall with large white petals. Annie squeals when she sees the flowers.

"I can't believe you get to have your own Prince Charming."

"They are so beautiful." Andy whispers, like if he spoke any louder the petals would fly away.

"And apparently you are even more beautiful."

Andy's cheeks heated up, he quickly pulled out his phone and texted Isaac back.

Andy: I love the flowers. Thank you so much

Isaac replies immediately. Anything for you.

Andy carefully placed the vase by the side of the counter, so it wouldn't be knocked down by accident. He spent the greater part of the afternoon staring at the flowers. They were magnificent and Andy couldn't wrap his head around the fact that Isaac thought he was even more beautiful than they were.

Isaac hadn't replied to two of Andy's texts, both of them going unread. He wondered what exactly Isaac was doing and if he was having fun doing it. Annie takes an excuse to call her mother, she goes through the back door, immediately that one close, the front door opens, bell jingling and Isaac stepped into the shop.

His dark hair was styled off his face, dark shades resting on his nose, he had on a plain black suit with a black tie and gold clip, a huge watch shining on his wrist and polished black shoes that were so clean, they were practically mirrors.

Andy's jaw dropped as he stared at the man in front of him. He couldn't believe that was his Isaac. He had only seen Isaac on slacks and dress shirt but today, right then, with the sun giving him a soft glow, he looked like a king.

Like Andy's king.

"Baby..." Isaac said and Andy made his way around the counter and barreled into Isaac, his arms going around Isaacs neck while the prince's arms were wrapped tight around his waist.

"I missed you too, baby." Isaac said, pressing a kiss to Andy's neck. Andy couldn't even find the words to say, he just holds tight onto Isaac.

Thankfully the only person in the store was old man Samuel. The lunch rush was long over and it would take another hour before someone else walks into the store. So he was going to hug Isaac for as long as he could. He didn't even know he had missed Isaac this much and they had only been apart for a day.

"I missed you."

"I know." Isaac replied. They pulled apart a few minutes later and Andy helps Isaac pull of his sunglasses. Andy was still in Isaac's arms and there was no other place he'd rather be.

"You look good."

"So do you." Isaac winks.

"I could be in a bin bag and a Gucci belt and I'd still look good to you." Andy teased and Isaac laughed, his head thrown back a bit. He looked so good laughing and Andy couldn't help but stare.

"I can't stay for long. I have one more meeting at the palace."

Andy's smile fell and he tries to take a step back it Isaac held on. "Oh." The baker said.

"Can I come and pick you up this evening? I want to cook for you." Isaac said and Andy's smile comes back in full force, brighter than ever.

"I'd rather take a walk and have ice cream."

"Why don't we compromise? We do the walk and the ice cream and I'll cook for you later." Isaac offered. Andy practically bounced at that, crinkles apearing by the side of his eyes.

"Deal."

"I'll pick you up by seven."

"I'll be waiting."

Isaac pulled Andy in for a goodby hug. It lasted for a couple of minutes. Isaac was the first to take a step back, he gives Andy a big wave and an even bigger smile before walking away.

-

By six fifty five, Andy was ready. He was excited and bouncing on his feet. He was still in the same clothes he had been in all day, a dark blue shirt and black jeans with rips on the knees. After running his hands through his hair the entire day, some strands were just standing awkwardly. He searched the entire store for his beanie and slammed it on when he found it.

By seven on the dot, Isaac's SUV pulled into the front of the store. Andy switched off all the lights and walked out, locking the door behind him.

When he got to the car, Isaac was already leaning against it, looking like a dream in a long sleeved brown shirt that was pushed up to his elbow, showing off his muscles and dark jeans.

"Good evening, baby." Isaac said as he walked closer to Andy, wrapping him in a hug. Andy smiles against Isaac's chest, his hands fisted at the sides of Isaac's shirt!

"Good evening, Issac."

"How was your day?" Isaac asked once he pulled back.

"I spent the whole day missing someone but then I got to see them in the afternoon and afterwards I spent the rest of the day excited for our date."

Yeah. This was their second date and if all goes well there would be one more and then a kiss. Isaac hopes he was doing everything right.

"I spent the whole day in meetings and I wished I could have texted you, seeing you this afternoon made my day so much better and brighter."

"You sap." Andy teases.

"Your sappy prince."

Isaac pulls open the door and Andy got in. He quickly made his way to the driver's side and took his seat, pressing the start button. Like always, Andybtook control of the radio, this time a kpop filled the car, Crush singing about a Beautiful life.

"So where are we having our walk and ice cream?"

"It's a surprise."

"I like surprises." Andy replied with a smile. He looked so adorable Isaac was torn between throwing all caution to the wind and kissing Andy and pinching his cheeks. The drive to the palace was shorter than usual, Andy telling Isaac about his day.

Once Issac pulls into the driveway, he hands the keys to the valet and led Andy by hand into the palace. This was third time Andy was in is home, the third time Andy was in the palace.

"Where are you taking me to?"

"It's a surprise." Isaac sings as he leads Andy down the corridor to the two large doors. "I'm going to cover your eyes with my hands. I need you to trust me on this one."

Andy doesn't hesitate. "I trust you."

Isaac looked shocked, like he hadn't expected Andy to say such words quickly. He lifts his shaky hands and closed them over Andy's eyes. The doors were pulled open by one of the butlers and Isaac led Andy in.

He waited for the lights to be turned on completely before letting his hands drop from Andy's face.

"Open your eyes now, darling."

Andy opens his eyes, blinking slowly as he got used to the view in front of him. They were in a garden, not the one he had lunch with the Queen in. No this was a different one. It was big with three large water fountains, fairly lights were on so were the little lights imbedded intobthe stone walkway, the air felt fresh and the flowers looked beautiful.

Two maids hand Isaac two cones of ice cream, four scoops each.

The air was a bit cold and Andy loved everything about this evening. Once Isaac hands Andy his ice cream, they were left alone in the garden.

Isaac slipped his hand into Andy's, their fingers interwoven. They begin to walk, their steps measured and in sync as Isaac told Andy about his day. Andy happily munched on his ice cream, occasionally raising his ice cream up to Isaac who happily took a lick.

"My mum is throwing a party for the anniversary of my bakery, a week from now and I was wondering if you would be my date?" Andy asked, he was right in front of Isaac, his ice cream between them.

"I'd love to."

—

So what did you think?

V