Don't Criticize me!

⇠My Date From Hell⇢

Oscar sighed, staring at himself in the mirror as he slowly buttoned his black shirt with matching black pants. He let out a shaky breath as he quickly fixed his hair, running a hand down his face. To be honest, if the critic wasn't sure why he was nervous, part of him wanted to chalk it up to the fact he hadn't had a date in over four years. He also couldn't trust the baker not to try anything. Oscar has met too many people trying to date him just because they think they'll get to travel around the world with him. The chubby male checked his phone for the fifth time, rolling his eyes as he looked over his outfit one last time. Walking out of his bedroom, Oscar quickly grabbed his phone, wallet, and keys before exiting the apartment. After double-checking the address, the male quickly dipped into the crowd while walking down the busy sidewalk. 

It didn't take very long to get to the cafe. Oscar stared at the small building in front of him. Opening the door and walking inside, he was greeted by the familiar scent of freshly brewed coffee and the comforting hum of quiet conversation. Finding a cozy corner seat by the window, he ordered a cappuccino. As he waited for his drink, he glanced around the cafe, observing the mix of people quietly sipping their beverages and engaging in conversation. "I was worried you had gotten cold feet all of a sudden." Nigel beamed, appearing next to the table. The male rolled his eyes. The baker snorted silently, sitting down across from the other, leaning forward slightly while the waiter set down Oscar's drink. As the warmth of the coffee cup seeped into his hands, Oscar's nerves began to ease. He took a satisfying sip of the rich, creamy cappuccino and sighed contentedly. 

The male nodded his head toward the waiter and asked, "Do I get to know the plans for today?" The critic quizzed. 

Nigel smiled widely. "And spoil the surprise?" He gasped, putting a hand to his chest. 

The critic growled slightly, tightening his grip around his cup. "If you're going to be annoying all day, I am leaving." He stated. 

The baker gazed at Oscar for a moment, hesitating to speak as the waitress delivered his drink. "Can't you try to be less grumpy, even for a day?" he asked. 

Oscar arched an eyebrow, cocking his head to the side in confusion. "Can you be less annoying for a day?" He countered, the corner of his lip twitching slightly. 

The baker leaned back in his seat slightly and said, "How about this? If you can pretend to enjoy my company for the day, I'll stop teasing you so much." He offered, holding out a hand. 

The chubby male glanced down at the other's hand, then back up at Nigel. Lips pressed tightly into a thin line: "Fine, deal." He whispered. 

The smaller man clapped his hands. "Great, now finish your coffee. I have the whole day planned, and we are wasting time here," he chirped.

Oscar opened his mouth, then closed it, nodding slowly. He took a long drink of coffee. A few minutes later, Nigel finished his coffee, and the older man followed the younger one as they slowly exited the cafe. The baker exchanged a glance with the older man, then slowly slipped his hand into Oscar's. The older male glanced down at their hands, feeling his cheeks heat up slightly. He let out a sigh, ignoring the heat that had built up in his stomach. Swallowing, the older male followed the other down the street. As they wandered through the bustling streets, Nigel pointed out historical landmarks and shared intriguing stories about each one. "Have you ever named any of your pastries after the landmarks?" Oscar asked.

Nigel turned his attention toward the critic. "I thought about it when we first opened, but then I thought how cheesy it sounded. My mom didn't want to exploit our shop like that." He answered. 

Chewing on the inside of his cheek, the baker hesitated for a moment. "Have you gone to places that have done that?" He quizzed. 

The older male barked out a laugh, nodding. "Yeah, I went to a few places that do that. Let me tell you that the names don't make the food better." He joked.