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Even the old building with faded stucco and cracked roof tiles that bore a sign for the Savannah newspaper seemed to fit. Behind the foggy glass, he saw the hustle and bustle of people, and he wondered what it would be like to call a town like this home.
He didn’t think there was much Deaf community to speak of, but in all honesty, he hadn’t really integrated much himself back in LA either after getting into film. He wondered if he could find some sort of peace in this little oasis on the shores of the Atlantic. He didn’t want to hope, but he couldn’t help it.
He was careful to avoid the bakery’s storefront, knowing he wouldn’t be able to resist going in, but knowing Noah was close was a comfort to him. And he enjoyed that people didn’t just stare. The staff at the little trailer-park-themed diner on the corner didn’t bat an eye when he used his notepad to order food, and later in the afternoon, the Forsyth Park coffee cart barista knew enough forthank youandyou’re welcome.
He got back to Noah’s brother’s café and found a new server who hadn’t been there at breakfast. He had a look on his face like he’d been told about Adriano, but he smiled, and it seemed genuine. Adriano wasn’t a stranger to dealing with hearing people who had no background in sign, but he was starting to feel a little tired.
‘Coffee?’ Adriano signed, trying to exaggerate the word.
The guy nodded and gestured to the cups until Adriano nodded to the large. “Hot?”
Adriano nodded again and waited for him to fill the cup before waving at the guy, then tapped out on his phone and handed it off.What’s your name?He gestured at the guy’s apron to show he wasn’t wearing a name tag.
The guy grimaced in apology. ‘C H A S E.’
Adriano spelled it back, then made aC, which was easiest.Where’s a good place to take someone on a date?he typed on his phone.
Chase’s mouth formed a very faint smirk, and he grabbed a bit of receipt paper to write out his reply.Is it Noah?
Someone around here has a big mouth.
He liked how Chase laughed with his entire body, his eyes crinkling, showing both age and youth all wrapped up into one man who looked like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders.Yes, she does. Talia likes to start drama. But she’s also dating Noah’s brother. Anyway, there’s a couple of decent restaurants that aren’t too far from here. Five-star dining if you’re into that sort of thing. One of them is co-owned by this guy, Tristian, who has a YouTube channel. It’s mostly Italian food. It also has a kosher menu that’s certified if you’re taking Noah out.
Adriano wasn’t a fan of the American interpretation of his culture’s cuisine, but he had a feeling he’d struggle to find a place that Noah could readily eat at, so Adriano grinned and signed, ‘Great. Thanks,’ mouthing along.
Chase offered, ‘You’re welcome,’ that looked like he’d been trying to brush up, and Adriano didn’t hate it.
Maybe by the time he was done, some of the town would be proficient. Hell, it was more than most of the people he’d been working with for over a decade had done. The thought was a bitter pill, and he walked off with a wave before his thoughts could turn dark. He had a date to go on, and a farmer’s market to peruse, and an adorable man to seduce.
* * *
It feltlike Savannah got darker faster than most of the places around the state, but Adriano had a feeling it was the way the tall trees loomed around them from all sides. He didn’t mind it. It had a sort of romantic feel to it when he pulled his car into the single curbside spot that was open in front of the bakery. The neon open sign was off, but he saw the door was cracked open, and he swiped sweaty palms as he reached for the handle and stepped in.
He never liked being in stores past their closing. His mom used to take him shopping for hours, and when the overhead lights started to dim, his irrational child’s brain convinced him they’d be locked in until morning. He’d cry and scream loud enough to humiliate her, and after the fifth time he’d lost his absolute shit in a Dillard’s, she stopped taking him.
Even now, even knowing it was Noah’s place and being locked in a kitchen with him wouldn’t be the worst idea in the world, he felt that small rush of fear at the dark shadows and unlit, empty pastry windows.
The kitchen door swung open after a minute, and Noah popped his head out, grinning widely against the backlight of where he was baking. ‘Lock the door?’
Adriano nodded, giving him a thumbs-up before turning to do just that. He felt the heavy click of the deadbolt under his fingers, and the fear thrill turned into something else. His mouth watered, his cock plump behind the zipper of his jeans. He dragged a hand through his styled hair, then grimaced and tried to set it straight before gathering his courage and pushing through the swinging doors.
Adriano had worked in a kitchen once. His mom knew a restaurant owner willing to take a chance on a Deaf kid who hated voicing. He didn’t do much beyond bussing tables and washing dishes, and it wasn’t easy. The kitchen had been chaotic and loud, and the sounds that got through his hearing aids were piercing and unkind to his sensitive ear drums. But he loved that he was doing something on his own, earning his money, proving to himself he was capable, even if it was just cleaning up the messes of the LA middle class.
This kitchen was nothing like that. It was tidy to the point of pristine apart from a long wooden baking table that was covered in flour. Noah was nowhere to be found, but the evidence of his recent work was all over. There were trays stuck inside a tall rack that were filled with cookies and unbaked bread dough, and an industrial mixer was whirring and kneading a massive lump of what he assumed would probably be bread.
He felt a faint vibration under his feet, and he saw Noah coming out through a side door that he realized probably went up to his apartment. He wasn’t covered in flour anymore, and he looked nice in jeans and a button-up. His hair looked damp, his curls in ringlets that just barely touched his forehead, and there was a faint dusting of color on the apples of his cheeks.
‘What are you baking?’ Adriano asked, pointing at the mixer.
‘Challah. I like to make extra because it sells well Friday afternoons before I close.’
Adriano raised an eyebrow. ‘Is there something special about Friday afternoons?’
Noah shrugged. ‘It’s for—’ Adriano didn’t recognize the sign, and Noah blushed furiously as he spelled it out. ‘Shabbat. Sabbath,’ he clarified when it still didn’t make sense.
Adriano took four steps closer, hands fighting to reach for him, wanting to kiss the shy smile off his face. ‘I didn’t know those words.’
‘I didn’t know I’d ever be able to teachyouASL.’
