Ease My Mind // Hideduo

Chapter 1

Author's Note:

     This was originally posted to ao3 as a oneshot, but has been split into three chapters to make it better to read here! I wrote this back in September, and it's done really well, so I figured it was time to cross-post.

     Please excuse any spelling or grammar mistakes as this hasn't been re-edited in a long time. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I've enjoyed writing it!

-Calamitous

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The first time Pac walked into the bakery, he'd been in a bit of a rush. It probably wasn't the best idea for him to stop for breakfast when he was already late for work, but Mike could keep the garage running for a few minutes by himself. Besides, the shop he ducked into was only a few blocks down, and it was too small to be incredibly packed.

It was still dark outside, but the interior gave off warm, golden light that was reminiscent of a rising sun. Pac's entrance was announced by the soft ringing of bells. He was pleased to find it was expectedly empty. The smell of fresh bread rolled over him in waves. It wasn't terribly spacious inside – enough room for window displays, two tiny tables, and a countertop. There was a door that led to the back, presumably where the kitchen was situated.

No one was behind the counter, so he took the opportunity to browse the options. Honestly, he was impressed by the sheer amount there was to choose from. Everything was displayed in neat rows with tiny labels to describe their main ingredients, and it was all mouth-wateringly delicious. Faint classical music strummed over the speakers.

Pac's eyes eventually led to a chocolate croissant – nothing fancy, but he didn't need something intricate to satisfy his stomach. He straightened up to check for a worker, and startled at the sight of a figure in the doorway to the kitchen.

The man waiting there was tall, a good few inches above Pac. He was bald, with a slight stubble along his jawline. His eyebrows were raised, as if he were surprised to encounter a customer. Neither had seemed to have noticed the other's approach.

"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you come in," he said, and his voice was so deep that it ricocheted off the boundaries of Pac's skull. He stepped up to the register and leaned against the counter naturally. He must've been the baker. "I don't think I've seen you around here before. I'm not used to people coming in this early."

The man smiled, and it was over for Pac. He short-circuited. It was far too early in the morning to be subjected to such an overwhelming interaction. All comprehension of the passage of time washed away, replaced by a numbness in every single one of his limbs. Pac had to pinch himself to assure this wasn't a figment of his imagination – something born of multiple sleepless nights.

"Yes," Pac choked out, and he winced at himself. Suddenly, he couldn't remember if he had brushed his hair that morning. Were the bags under his eyes noticeable? He hoped not, but he hadn't been able to check during his mad rush out the door. "Yeah, this is my first time in this bakery. Never been here. I would've remembered."

"Well, I'm happy you've stopped by," the man hummed. His eyes were dark, and they sparkled with amusement. "Do you have something in mind?"

He did. He had many things in mind. Mostly thoughts about how nice this man's sturdy torso looked in an apron, and the dusting of flour on his cheeks. Pac felt his stomach flip – whether it was caused by hunger or another thing completely, he couldn't tell. Either way, it had stolen his words, and he was only able to nod.

"Alright, what were you wanting then?"

Pac bit his cheek hard to hold back the flirtatious response that instinctively jumped to the tip of his tongue. The man was talking about pastries, and Pac shouldn't be imagining anything different. He didn't know the guy, and it was far too early in the morning to trust himself to not come off as creepy. Pac opened his mouth to speak, but the other tilted his head and it was so cute that he failed again.