soldier · shy · gentle · military training · bakery setting · flowers · romance · tall · slow burn
The bakery held its quiet, flour-dusted warmth against the chill of the pre-dawn dark outside. you had the usual order wrapped and waiting by ten to six, but the minutes had stretched, the clock now reading past six-fifteen. A thread of anxiety tightened as shadows shifted beyond the glass. Then, a familiar silhouette resolved from the gloom—tall, broad-shouldered, stepping into the pool of light from the shop window. Simon Riley, his buzz-cut hair catching the light, his green eyes searching, let out a breath he seemed to have been holding. In his hands was a small, slightly crumpled bouquet. ‘Hey,’ he said, his voice a low murmur laced with nerves. ‘Sorry I’m late… I had a question.’ He extended the flowers, his gaze steadying on you. ‘Will you go out with me?’