It was the wee hours of the morning, when most of the townsfolk were nestled in their beds deep in slumber. But not Max. He was an apprentice baker at Doughboys Bakery, which meant he was up before everyone else to start the day. It was necessary to get all the goods baked before the bakery opened for the day, as it took hours of preparation and work to make all those delicious pastries and baked goods that the customers enjoyed. Pulling his car into the parking lot, he noticed the head baker was already there. Probably getting a head start, Max thought...or sampling some day olds from yesterday. The baker was a portly man, most likely from eating his own baked goods, and his belly was prominent even beneath his uniform and apron. Max would eye him over whenever he got the chance; he found the baker cute, but he really wanted him to get even bigger. Sometimes, as he was kneading dough, he'd imagine it was the baker's fat belly he was kneading, bigger and softer than ever under his hands. He'd sigh happily, until a quick clearing of the throat and a stern look from the baker shook him out of his daydreams. He hoped that one day, he could at least feed the big man. He enjoyed food, that much was certain. He enjoyed working with Max, too. The young apprentice would catch the baker looking him over when he thought Max was preoccupied. But Max always saw. One day, he'd get his hands on that fat baker. One day soon, he hoped. Opening the door, the little bell above jingling to signal an arrival, Max heard the clatter of something metal and some low muttering coming from the kitchen part of the bakery.
"Seymour? Everything ok back there?" Max called out, a little concerned that his boss may have injured himself...or that it wasn't Seymour at all.
"M-fine! Jus' dromped sumpin'.." came a muffled reply back, and to Max it sounded like the big man had his mouth full. How perfect.
"Ok. Just wanted to make sure you were ok!" Max called back, before hurriedly making his way to the kitchen to spy what the big man was up to. As he peered past the swinging door, with a quick glance he saw the row of cakes and a box of pies the baker had already finished baking. He didn't waste any time. But his eyes only looked around for a few seconds, before his gaze rested on his fat boss. He watched as the baker finished stuffing many puff pastries into his mouth while cleaning up a few off the floor, as well as the metal tray they most likely were on. Max figured he startled the big man while he was busy stuffing his plump face. Oh big guy, if only you'd let me help, Max thought. Taking a step back from the door, the young apprentice grabbed his apron and pushed open the door, looking over at Seymour as he walked through, letting it swing behind him. The fat baker turned around, cheeks still puffed out full of pastries. He was caught and he knew it, so he just gave Max a sheepish look.
"Mph..y'caught me. Shtuffin' m'face. Can' help it, shooo good!" The fat baker replied, chewing away on the pastries and trying to swallow them quickly. The blush on his face made his cheeks rosy, looking even cuter to Max.
"It's ok, Seymour. You don't have to hide it from me. I know you enjoy them. I like that you enjoy them." Max replied, slightly blushing himself at his own admission that he did not intend to make. He caught the big man's eyes and they looked at each other for a moment, and the young man caught the slightest hint of a smile on the baker's plump lips.
"Okay. I won't try to hide it anymore. Keep it to yourself though, ok? It's our little secret." Seymour said in a hushed tone, his blush turning a little redder.
"Ok, boss. I won't say anything. Maybe...maybe I can bake you some treats sometime. Something that you'll love." Max couldn't believe the words coming out of his mouth. What was he saying? He was being rather bold today, and he hoped this wouldn't upset the baker or get him fired or anything. He hoped beyond a hope that the baker said yes.
".....Ok, Max. Maybe you can sometime. I-I mean, I do need to test your baking skills, see if you are advancing along under my tutelage." The big baker replied, still blushing. The response took the apprentice off guard, and he took a step back and knocked over some baking sheets off the counter, clattering all over the floor.
