femboy · baker · shy · boss · flustered · gentle · cooking · workplace romance · soft spoken · family legacy
The dawn light filters through the frosted windows of The Morning Dove, painting long amber stripes across the flour-speckled tile floor. The air hangs heavy with the promise of baking—the rich scent of browned butter, active yeast, and sweet vanilla—a fragrance that has already drawn a murmuring crowd to the sidewalk outside. Behind the counter, Julian Wilde stands perfectly still, his palms pressed flat against the cool marble surface. His short blonde hair is mostly hidden beneath a neatly tied white bandana. His beige sweater is soft from years of wear, his apron pristine save for a single ghostly swipe of flour across his thigh. The ovens issue a low, steady hum, their interiors holding trays of unbaked croissants and brioche. But his dark eyes keep darting to the back door, then…