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aiden 🦌 ([info]aidenphilips) wrote in [info]isleroyaleic,
@ 2020-06-16 11:57:00

Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Entry tags:!scene, aiden philips, aubrey derington

Who: Aiden and Aubrey
When: 6/16
Where: Sweet Delights
What: Coffee
Rating/Warnings: Probably super low



It was Tuesday, which meant he was getting ready for another double. Was there a single hospital anywhere that wasn't understaffed? Aiden didn't mind it but it did wear on the body a little, double shifts running around the ER. He could definitely use a little caffeine boost before he headed in. He'd checked the hours online to make sure they were open and then drove over to Sweet Delights.

Plus he'd been promised a cookie.

He sat in his car for a few long minutes while he breathed and looked around, making sure it seemed safe. He rubbed a little cologne on his pulse points - not so he could smell good, but so he could smell like anything other than what he was. Prey. He hated that look he got sometimes, and part of him wasn't sure if it was even real or if it was some self-fulfilling prophecy, thinking that he was always mere moments away from being ripped apart. And sometimes not minding that thought.

He took one last deep breath and got out of his car, locked it behind him and headed up to the bakery and cafe, peering inside for a long moment - just to make sure it was safe - and then decided he could go in.

He startled a little at the sound of the door closing heavy behind him, jumping, wide eyed as he looked around.


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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-16 08:53 pm UTC (link)
Usually, Aubrey closed the bakery on Tuesdays, but he had decided to try a few new cupcake variations and he wanted to see how the public would receive them. So he had advertised online a little that the bakery would be open today, and much to his delight, quite a few people had to have seen that, because the place was busy.

He was manning the counter, since it wasn't always easy to get staff to come in on their day off, but he didn't really mind actually working with the customers every once in a while. He'd also had some of the soaps he'd been talking to Simon about sit on the counter, matching his own products both in scent and looks. He'd even already sold a few of them.

When the door bells chimed, signaling someone coming in, he looked up from where he was cleaning behind the counter, getting rid of crumbs and drops of spilled beverages. "Hey, welcome." he said with a warm smile. "What can I get you?"

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-16 09:05 pm UTC (link)
Aiden stood by the door for a moment, staring over at the man behind the counter, taking in a few deep breaths before he forced himself out of the doorway and closer. "Hi," he said with a small smile, though half of it was directed over his shoulder as he checked behind him, while he moved up and closer to the counter.

"I thought I'd have a coffee? And try one of those chocolate peanut butter cookies you were telling me about. I haven't been able to get them out of my head," he confessed, stopping just short of the counter. He did try not to get too close to anyone, especially alphas, even if this one wasn't one of the big, brawny, types.

He'd still said he'd bite if asked.

Aiden tried not to think about asking.

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-16 09:35 pm UTC (link)
Aubrey quirked a brow at the skittish behavior, trying to make himself seem a little smaller so he wouldn't intimidate the shy omega any more than he already seemed to be.

"A tiny coffee?" he said with a small smile once he realized who he was talking to. His lips curved into a wider smile. "I made an extra batch along with the peanut butter cupcakes I made last night." He pulled out a plate, putting two of the cookies on it and putting it on the counter. "They're on the house, for a fellow peanut butter lover." he told Aidan with an easy grin as he switched on the coffee maker.

It only took a minute for the coffee to finish and he put it onto the counter next to the cookies. "Are you heading in for a shift?"

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-16 09:42 pm UTC (link)
Aiden smiled as Aubrey realized who he was, and he smiled when he realized, which was nice. Better than frowning anyway. He nodded at the question, a small coffee - maybe he would have a refill just because of the shift he was about to work. "Cupcakes? I might need to get a few of those to go," he told him, peering at the displays, already making his mind up to get some treats to bring to his e coworkers.

"Thank you," he said shyly, coming closer to reach out, to take a cookie. It put him in scent range for most, and there were things he didn't even realize he did when he was close enough to be smelled. Breathed slowly, tried to keep his pulse down, shoulders hunched up toward his ears to cover his neck.

"I am, yeah. Overnight double shift. Maybe two tiny coffees," he joked with a small smile, and he took a bite of the cookie, giving a little sigh of delight. "Oh, that's good."

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-16 10:09 pm UTC (link)
"They are my biggest weakness. I love making and eating them." Aubrey said with a soft chuckle, keeping the conversation on his pastries because he hoped a safe topic would maybe help Aidan relax a little. "Just let me know which and I'll set them aside for you. They tend to go quickly." Even on a day like today, when he was open despite this being his closing day.

He noticed the whiff of cologne coming off of Aidan, but he didn't comment on it. It was a little unusual for omega's to wear that sort of scent over their own, but Aidan had seemed very twitchy and scared, so there had to be a reason for that. He wasn't going to pry, though, but he definitely didn't like the way he was hunching over.

"Two tiny coffees it is." he said with an easy smile that visibly brightened at Aidan's words. "I'm really glad you like them."

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-16 10:25 pm UTC (link)
"I think I'll go for hero of the nurse's station today and get a dozen. Assorted, but at least a few of the peanut butter," he said, smiling a touch as he looked over the selection of cupcakes, but it truly was impossible to make any sort of decision. "They all look so good."

He noticed the way Aubrey brightened when he told him he liked the cookies. And Aiden took another nibble, smiling up at him as he did. He couldn't seem to relax but that was just him in public, a carefully choreographed routine, stepping aside when someone came to close to him, maintaining his bubble. Keeping track of everyone around him. Like a gazelle at a watering hole, ready to leap away at the first sign of a lion.

"These are so dangerous. If you start seeing me in here every day I need you to cut me off, for my own good." He reached out to take his coffee, the first one anyway, sipping at it. "I'm Aiden. I know you know that already but it's manners to say it," he told him with a flash of a smile.

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-17 03:27 pm UTC (link)
Aubrey smiled at that. "I'm sure your colleagues will worship you. Nothing better to start off a shift than a cupcake." he said with an easy grin. He got out one of the large take-away boxes, filling it up with four peanut butter cupcakes before pretty much taking one of each ha had made for today. There were some of the watermelon ones, salted caramel, chocolate, strawberry vanilla, coconut cream and a few others.

He kept an eye on Aidan as he sorted in the different cupcakes, frowning a bit when he noticed the way he seemed to keep a sort of safety distance to everyone around him.

He laughed softly. "We could found cookies anonymous, for all of us with a cookie problem." he said with a grin. "I'm Aubrey. It's nice to finally meet you in person." he winked, closing the lid of cupcake box. "I'll leave the box here for now, it's air conditioned, so the buttercream will keep its shape."

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-17 08:53 pm UTC (link)
Aiden watched Aubrey filling that box of treats like a hawk, keeping track of all the different flavors. He could've had one of each, truly, but he would've had to call out sick most likely. He reached up to rub the back of his neck as someone came up to the display to look at it, and he stepped away.

He chuckled at the suggestion about cookies anonymous, even if the wink had his heart beating a little faster. "I'll be the club secretary. I've got nice handwriting," he added with a flash of a smile, even though he thought that was a bit silly.

He nodded his agreement about the buttercream. "You're the expert," he told him, and had a sip of his coffee, another nibble of cookie, remarkably relaxed for someone who was also on high alert.

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-17 09:36 pm UTC (link)
When Aubrey noticed Aidan watching him, he grinned. "You'll have to let me know which one you liked best. Aside from the peanut butter." he added with a soft chuckle. When he was done, he arranged the remaining cupcakes to that they could be seen perfectly from the front.

"Perfect. My chicken scratch is pretty unreadable to anyone but me. Which makes it easy to keep my secret recipes secret." He joked. "I'll definitely be the caterer. Gotta keep us all fat and happy after all."

He went to the coffee machine again to get himself an espresso before returning back to Aidan. "You mind if I take a break with you? I'm in the mood for a cookie myself."

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-17 10:01 pm UTC (link)
"I'm going to try not to eat too many of them myself," Aiden told him. "But I'll get plenty of feedback." He was surprised at how easy to talk to Aubrey was. Then again, he didn't normally strike up conversations with alphas.

"I'll need to hire a full forensics team to analyze it and get those recipes then," he agreed solemnly before he cast another little smile at him, nodding in agreement.

That question gave him pause and he stared, wide-eyed, for a moment before he relaxed slightly into it. "Can we sit?" he asked, nodding his head back toward the tables and chairs.

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-17 10:23 pm UTC (link)
"You can have a little nibble of every sort and then tell me what you think of them." Aubrey was always looking for more input. He loved trying out new things. "Feedback is always much appreciated."

He laughed at that, nodding. "At least. And not even that'll guarantee you success. Honestly, sometimes I can't even read it myself." Most of the recipes were in his head, really, only the more complicated he actually wrote down so he could replicate it once it had been perfected.

He would've easy accepted a no and gone to the small employees room in the back to have his coffee and cookie, but he was genuinely glad when Aidan agreed. "I promise the boss won't be mad." he grinned, grabbing his cup and a cookie and making his way around the counter slowly. He made sure to keep a safe distance to Aidan so he wouldn't make him feel crowded, leading the way to a free table in the back, waving Aidan past him so he could sit with his back to the wall without risking anyone sneaking up on him.

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-17 10:56 pm UTC (link)
Aiden laughed softly. "I'll have to call out sick, trying every cupcake," he told him. "Don't worry, in time I'll try all of them. Just not all at once, or I will explode," he assured him.

Aiden really appreciated how careful Aubrey was with him, how he kept his distance and, most importantly, how he let him get the back corner seat so he didn't have to keep looking behind him. He relaxed a little as he sank into it, setting his coffee and his cookie down.

"Thank you," he said to him with a small smile. "As long as I don't get you in trouble with the boss, I think this is good."

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-18 10:42 am UTC (link)
Aubrey grinned at that. "Just a tiny morsel of every cupcake." he said with a grin. "Then again, I really don't want you to get sick or explode from my cupcakes, that's bad publicity." he added, teasing a little.

Personal boundaries were something that his parents had made sure he had the utmost respect for. They had been quite liberal, raising him to believe that every person should be judged according to their character, not their gender or rank. Those weren't what defined a person, after all. And that sort of approach came with a lot of respect, he was trying to show that to Aidan, too. Especially seeing how he had kept his distance to all the other patrons in the cafe, too.

He grinned cheerfully. "Let's say I have a bit of extra sway with the boss, he likes me." he said with a goofy smile, setting his coffee and cokie down on the table, taking a bite. "Mhm, yes. Still my favorite."

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-18 11:46 am UTC (link)
"Wouldn't make for good headlines at all," Aiden agreed with a soft laugh, reaching up to touch his hand through his hair. It was a habit of his to graze over where his antlers emerged, whenever he was particularly worked up.

Luckily, this seemed to be a fairly calm outing. Enough so that he stared to even relax, letting his guard down, those muscles he kept tensed starting to relax as his shoulders came down a little.

"How could he not?" Aiden asked with a quirk of his lips in a grin, as he finished one of his cookies and started on his second coffee. But they were small, after all. "I know I haven't tried many but I think their my favorite too," he told him, and leaned forward to pluck up his second cookie.

The thing about cologne was that it never truly lasted. He had a persistent scent, as though his body wanted the predators around him to know what he was.

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-18 02:50 pm UTC (link)
"I'd have to rebrand to something like Deadly Delights. It does have a nice ring to it, if you're in the business for things like that. But I think I'll rather stick to sweet." Aubrey joked, leaning his back against the chair lightly.

He was genuinely glad when he saw Aidan relax a little. He had no idea why the omega was so incredibly tense, but he wasn't judging. Just worrying. He chuckled softly. "I do keep him fed and the shop running, of course he likes me." he chuckled. "And I think by now it's safe to say that I have tried them all and peanut butter is definitely the best there is."

He noticed the way Aidan's cologne seemed to wear off a little, and the whiff of his natural scent he caught had his cheetah growl inside him. But he pushed that instinct down firmly. They were more than their animals after all.

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-18 09:17 pm UTC (link)
"It doesn't sound bad," Aiden agreed with a small smile, stealing a glance up at Aubrey, as he sipped his coffee. "Maybe rebrand for Halloween. Spider decorations on the cupcakes and coffee in a witch cauldron."

He ate more of his cookie, until it was gone, and had nothing to do with his nervous hands but turn his coffee cup in it, and nothing to do with his mouth but chew on his lower lip and try to think of things to say.

"I'll still have to try the other cookies before I can be sure. Do you do anything with apple? Cliche, I know, a deer loving apples," he said with a chuckle. Shrugged a shoulder. "But I am a big fan. Might even top the chocolate peanut butter."

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-19 02:10 pm UTC (link)
"You are a genius! That's exactly what I'll be doing!" Aubrey said with a genuinely happy smile. He had been trying to figure out what to do for the various seasons and this needed to go right into his idea book because it was perfect!

He ate his cookie slowly, clearly savoring it. Thankfully, there was enough staff around for him not to have to rush it, because he didn't get to enjoy a cookie in peace as often as he liked.

"I make apple and cinnamon muffins, but I have to admit I haven't tried them in cookies. I also make apple pie. Anything in particular you'd like to try?" He would never say no to the chance of trying a new recipe.

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-19 03:21 pm UTC (link)
Aiden felt his cheeks heating up when Aubrey called him brilliant, his head ducking a little, chin to his chest, and if he had his antlers out he'd be showing them off. "I think it'll be really good," he agreed softly, his words aimed at the table. Praise from an alpha. Normally he avoided them, so this was a delicacy he wasn't used to tasting. It felt wonderful, though, warm.

He took a few slow breaths to slow his pulse down, sure he was pumping out pheromones like crazy and trying to calm himself so he didn't. He was aware that he thought about his scent more than anyone else in town, probably. Couldn't be helped.

"I like apple crisp, it's delicious. Maybe something with that, I don't know. A cupcake or something. Now I need to try your apple pie," he told him with a shy smile. "Next time."

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-19 06:24 pm UTC (link)
Aubrey smiled at the way Aidan ducked his head. It was adorable, to say the least, and part of him wanted to reach out to touch the specks of red color that were appearing on Aidan's cheeks. "It's the best idea I've heard so far, and believe me, I've done some research!" he said with an easy grin. "But you know, that now means you'll have to help with with Christmas, too. And quite possibly Turkey Day." Of course he'd never make him do anything.

He couldn't help but notice that Aiden's scent seemed to become sweeter, but he didn't let any of that show outwardly. He had gathered that the omega was afraid of alphas, of predators, so that he was sitting here with him was already a big thing. So he wouldn't validate his fears by going all primal alpha on him.

"Oh goodness, yes. I love a good apple crisp! I actually thought about turning it into a cupcake. All the more reason to try. Will you be my taste tester for that?" He nodded with another smile. "Let me know when you come here next so I can set aside a piece for you. Always sells fast."

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-19 06:36 pm UTC (link)
"Cupcake advent calendar," Aiden said before he even had to think about it, stealing a glance up at Aubrey with a little smile. "Sealed cupcakes, maybe just a week long one so they don't get stale." He shrugged a shoulder as he ducked a little more into his seat.

This wasn't really as bad as he thought it would be, being around an alpha. Of course he couldn't entirely avoid them at work but having a friendly conversation with one, that was different.

"I'd love to," he agreed. "Let me know when you've made them and I'll be there," he promised and nodded his head eagerly about the apple pie. Aubrey setting him aside a slice was so nice. "That's very kind of you."

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-19 06:42 pm UTC (link)
Aubrey's eyes went wide at that. "Yeah okay, can I hire you as marketing manager or something?" he said, completely amazed at how fast Aidan had come up with an idea. "Or maybe make it coupons to be cashed in for a cupcake a day, that way you can get them fresh?" He was practically beaming he was so excited about this.

"Okay, anything apple related you order here is on the house from now on." Those two ideas were worth Aidan's weight in gold, where Aubrey was considered, so this was only fair.

"Let me know when you have time to stop by, then I'll have them ready. I think it's easier that way around." he suggested with a smile. "And you can have it fresh from the oven, then."

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-19 06:51 pm UTC (link)
Aiden felt his cheeks warming a little more at that, and he reached up to rub over his antler spots. He could feel them nudging at his scalp. "What you do is, you make the Advent calendar and there's a little card in each day with a picture and description of the cupcake with the coupon so they know what kind they get," he told him.

He smiled a little at the thought of some free desserts. That was definitely worth a few little ideas.

"Okay," he agreed softly. "Maybe the weekend? Are you open Sundays? I have," he paused dramatically and then announced, "a day off."

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-19 08:35 pm UTC (link)
"You're hired." Aubrey said with a bright smile, quite obviously very impressed with Aidan's fast thinking. "Seriously. If you want the job, it's yours. Your ideas are incredible!" Everything Aubrey was doing, he'd taught himself, including baking. But that he'd always excelled at. All the other stuff, he struggled with a little, sometimes.

He offered another smile and nodded. "I'm open Sundays. Actually, Tuesdays are usually my day off, but inspiration struck, so I decided to see how the new creation would run. I was too curious to wait another day." he explained with a little shrug.

His eyes widened in mock surprise. "No way, they let you have a day off?" he teased gently, winking.

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-19 09:15 pm UTC (link)
"Really?" Aiden looked up at Aubrey, smiling a little, his nose wrinkling up a touch. He didn't think he was all that impressive, had never been an ideas guy. So much praise for silly little thoughts that popped out of his head. "I can just text you ideas, I don't mind doing that at all. And then sometimes you just give me cupcakes?" he offered.

He looked up at Aubrey, eyebrows raising a little. "What was your new creation?" he asked, curiously. "How did it go?"

He was still looking up in time to catch that wink and it had him ducking his head again, his shoulders lifting a little as his eyes shifted. They didn't go yellow like wolves; they got black most of the way through, the whites going dark, like how a deer's eyes looked. "It's rare, b-but it happens."

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-19 09:59 pm UTC (link)
"Yes!" Aubrey said with a soft chuckle. "Honestly, you've had more ideas in a few minutes, and I mean workable ideas, than I have in the past few months." Then again, Aubrey might've just spent too much time thinking about it to really come up with something usable.

"I'd love that. You're welcome to text me all of your ideas anytime! I will gladly pay you in cupcakes and and cookies and any other baked goods of your choosing."

He laughed softly, leaning back a little to give Aidan a bit more space. "It was the salted caramel cupcakes, they're in your box, too. The last batch turned out entirely too sweet so I had to try again."

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-20 07:56 pm UTC (link)
Aiden smiled, still so tickled that someone else liked his ideas. And he hadn't had a lot of experience with talking in depth with alphas, so there feeling of praise from one was something so fresh. "Well, I'll keep it in mind, coming up with ideas for you," he promised him. "Sometimes I have thinking time at work, waiting for a patient in X-ray or stuff like that."

He ran his hand through his hair, his eyebrows lifting at the answer. "God, that sounds good. I hope the cupcakes make it to work." He glanced at the time, eyes going wide. "Shit, speaking of which," he said, standing up quickly. "I need to go. Oh, I haven't paid, okay, oh dear," he said, moving toward Aubrey and then taking a step back, nervously.

"Could - I'm sorry, how rude, it's just... I've taken a bit longer than I meant to."

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[info]aubreyderington
2020-06-20 09:56 pm UTC (link)
That smile made Aubrey smile in return, it really was adorable. He made a promise to himself to make Aidan smile more often. Maybe he'd even relax a little around him eventually. The sweet pastries probably helped with that, too. "Please, don't hold back. All your ideas have been pure gold so far!"

He laughed softly. "There's always more where they came from, I actually really like the outcome of that new recipe, so I might even make them a stock product." He had a few that he made every day, most of the rest were daily specials that changed, every day or every other day.

He smiled gently, shaking his head. "Don't worry, it's on me. The least I can do for your amazing input." He slid out of his booth, making sure he made enough room for Aidan to get past him with his safety distance intact. "Next time you're here, I'll have apple crisp cupcakes for you."

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[info]aidenphilips
2020-06-20 10:07 pm UTC (link)
Aiden was flushed with more than just that praise, his cheeks going red as he felt his heart starting to speed up, as he realized he was late and as Aubrey insisted that he didn't have to pay. "No, I - I couldn't, that's a whole dozen cupcakes and two coffees, I - I couldn't," he insisted.

Trembling hands went for his wallet, and he wasn't sure how much a dozen cupcakes went for, nor the coffee, but he pulled out what he had in cash, $25, and stepped closer to Aubrey than he had yet, pushing it into his hand and looking up at him, big deer caught in headlight eyes as he got a deep inhale of alpha scent. That was the thing about keeping his distance; he didn't smell that scent often. When he did it was at work, with the stringent scent of bleach or the sick scent of disease in the air behind it. Here it was the bakery, bread and pastries.

"Oh, dear," he said again, taking a step back quickly and making a beeline for the counter to get his cupcakes.

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