Sister Before Mister (MxM)

2.1 | Danish Heist

-Darren-

Darren wrapped up his brief run around his neighborhood, feeling energetic and excited to head back to his apartment. Though bits and pieces of his memory of the night before were coming back, he was eager to learn more about the man that he spent the night with. Before heading inside his apartment building, he stopped by a small cafe at the corner of his block that had great coffee. While living in his apartment over the years, he had become friendly with the owner of Sweet Rose Cafe and would go there at least once a day for a coffee or a baked good.

He stepped inside the shop and set off the gentle ringing of a bell attached to the door. His senses were immediately assaulted with the familiar smells of roasted coffee beans and warm spices like cinnamon and nutmeg.

Darren took a deep breath in to savor the comforting scents before taking a look at the case next to the counter filled with delicious looking pastries. He looked up at the plump woman in her 40s wearing a black apron covered in flour.

"Good morning Rose! You're looking as lovely as ever this morning," Darren said to the woman.

She smiled sweetly at him with warm brown eyes. "Oh stop it! How many times do I have to tell you that I'm too old for you Darren?"

"Many. I've been told that I'm quite persistent. What do you recommend for today?"

"I just finished up a batch of cheese and raspberry danish. How does that sound?"

"Perfect. I'll have half a dozen of those and 2 cups of coffee with milk and sugar to go"

"Sure! I'll get those ready for you. It'll be $19.," with that, Rose walked away to prepare the coffees and wrap up the danishes.

Darren reached into his sweatpants and took out his wallet to pay. Before he could get his credit card out, a slender hand reached around him and placed a metallic, black credit card into the chip reader on the counter.

"I've got it," a voice said from behind Darren.

"Damn it Gids. We've talked about this. I have money, let me use it," Darren said with an exasperated voice and a slight frown.

"Maybe I just want to pretend to be your sugar daddy. Let me take care of you baby," Giddeon said, throwing his already deep voice down a few octaves for dramatic effect.

Darren rolled his eyes as he passed the box of danishes to Giddeon and picked up the coffees. His best friend had come across as cold and guarded when they met during orientation, but in reality he was touchy feely and overly generous once he knew he was safe around someone.

"Thank you Rose, as always," Darren said with a wink and a wide smile while making his way out of the shop with Giddeon.

"Of course boys! See you tomorrow!"

The two men walked out of the coffee shop with a gentle ding from the door behind them. They began walking towards their apartment building in silence when Darren noticed Giddeon giving him an incredulous look.

"What?" Darren said to Giddeon, being careful not to spill the coffee in his hands.

"I just don't understand how you can chat up Rose and bring out the charm so easily, but if it's someone you're actually interested in, you clam up like a virgin in a strip club. Maybe you are meant to have a sugar mommy or daddy. A saccharine guardian, if you will," Giddeon said, straining to hold back a smile at his own joke.

"It's not even close to being the same thing. I'm just joking around with Rose. Me pursuing anything with her isn't a possibility. I've even met her fiance!"

"All I know is, if you keep this up you're going to be single forever."

"... Maybe not," he muttered to himself, a shy smile on his full lips. He was relieved that Giddeon hadn't heard his comment. "So, what are you doing up and about so early Gids?"

"I'm heading home from last night's tryst," Gideon said with a suggestive wiggle of his immaculately shaped eyebrows.

"Good night then?"

"Yes, a very good night indeed," he said, smiling naughtily to himself. "Speaking of good nights, how'd things go after I left the bar? Meet anyone?"

Darren's eyes shot down to the ground, and his soft, shy smile returned.

Giddeon's eyes shot wide open with a look of surprise on his face.

"I need deets NOW! Has my little boy finally grown up by bringing home his first conquest?" he said with an animated voice.

"Don't call him a conquest! I think I really have genuine feelings for him."

Giddeon's face fell into a slight frown. "Most people aren't exactly looking for everlasting love from one-night stands, you know. How do you know this guy wants the same thing out of this relationship? Do you even know his name?"

They had made it back to their building and Giddeon unlocked and opened the door, letting Darren enter first, since he didn't have any free hands. They walked up the two flights of stairs to their unit and continued talking.

"No, I figured I could figure all that out over breakfast," he said, raising the two cups of coffee. "But, based on the way things went last night, I can just tell we both want something more from this."

"Okay... Wait! I thought that coffee was for me!"

"Nope, I was bringing this back for breakfast for my prince charming."

Giddeon's face scrunched up into a look of disgust. "Prince charming? Gross."

The two roommates had made it to their apartment door and Giddeon unlocked it with his free hand.

"Well, I'm going to give you two some privacy and head back to Sweet Rose's for coffee. You'd better save me one of those danishes though," He said as he placed the pastry box on a small table in the entryway.

"I will, I will," Darren yelled as Giddeon turned around and made his way back down the stairs.

Giddeon turned around and headed back to the coffee shop at the corner. He couldn't help but think about how sweetly naïve his friend was.

Darren shut and locked the door behind him before walking into the main living area. He kicked off his shoes and hesitated a moment, trying to decide if he should hop into the shower before making his way to his bedroom. He looked down at his body clothed in a sweaty black tshirt and gray sweatpants. Deciding to hold off with a shrug, he managed to precariously balance the two coffees and box of pastries in his arms. The anticipation of talking to the prince was killing him and he couldn't wait any longer.

He strode towards his bedroom door with a little extra pep in his step at the prospect of the upcoming conversation. Luckily the door was open, just a hair, so he didn't need to perform a circus trick to get one of his hands free to turn the doorknob. He nudged the door open with his hip while announcing, "I hope you like coffee!," but immediately felt the door hit some resistance and heard a muffled 'ah fuck' come from behind the door. He slipped into the room and looked down to find his unconscious prince crumpled on the ground behind the door.

"Shit."