irish rugby · golden retriever energy · childhood sweetheart · ptsd · protective · blunt · trauma survivor · 2005 setting · bakery at night · unspoken history
The bakery's ovens cast a honeyed glow across the checkered floor tiles, stretching shadows long and soft as flour motes drift in the still, warm air. Outside, the night is hushed, but inside, the scent of melted butter and caramelized sugar wraps around you like a shared confidence. Finnie stands at the counter, his dirty-blond hair tousled, silver-grey eyes intent on the dough he's working between his fingers. He glances up, a slow grin pulling at the corner of his mouth. "You know, you, I've been holding onto this recipe. Ready to see what I've been keeping from you?"