Work Text:
"Hello, I’d like to order a cake, but I have one crazy asking."
"Hello! For sure, no problem! What’s the occasion?"
"I want to propose. I’ll send the ring by courier. Is that possible?"
"Absolutely! Let’s decide on the filling and design..."
George was a true professional. Two million TikTok followers, after all! But he wasn’t famous just for his TikToks — his cakes were his real achievements. They were wildly creative and, most importantly, delicious. Of course, he only posted the most stunning, unique cakes on TikTok: one with a chocolate waterfall, another shaped like a throne from that one popular TV show. George didn’t really follow "trends," but he had to keep up — how else would he attract clients?
Most orders, though, were simpler: birthdays, gender reveal party, sometimes weddings (if such cakes could even be called simple). George never considered any of his cakes "simple" – each one was hard work, an art, and something unique. Sure, he could recreate a design if a client insisted, but he always preferred creating something new and beautiful.
This order was no exception.
The client was a guy. His profile looked suspiciously new, but George, a professional blogger, wasn’t one to judge how "normal people" ran their profiles. Maybe he really was a new user who’d seen his TikTok and been inspired to order?
So, he got to work. Raspberry filling – his personal favorite, actually. Not the most popular, but he adored it and always used it for his own birthday cakes. His poor boyfriend, Dream never complained. Honestly, it was surprising how well he and Dream matched. George and his boyfriend were truly different people. Yet, no one could argue they were soulmates — Dream loved cooking but couldn’t bake at all. George was a professional pastry chef but was often too tiref from work to cook "normal food." Dream was a programmer who somehow managed to pack on muscle. George felt pure admiration of it, actually. He tagged along to the gym with his boyfriend to lose some weight. He couldn’t just not taste the cakes he made, right? Dream wasn’t a huge sweets fan, which is why he’d actually suggested tons of ideas for less sugary cakes. Also Dream was incredibly caring. And attractive. And respectful, loving, and...
Honestly? George wouldn’t say no if Dream proposed. Dream was perfect for him, and George had been deeply, genuinely in love for... going on four years now, counting from when they got together. And longer, if they were honest with themselves.
As George made this cake, soaking the red velvet layers (his favorite sponge by the way) in berry syrup, George poured all his love for Dream into it. Truthfully, while baking, he even had the wild idea to make his own proposal cake for Dream...He had to use Dream’s favorite flavors, and top with a ring. But it was too scary. What if Dream wasn’t ready? What if Dream didn’t see their relationship as something that serious?
Naturally, George tried to push those thoughts aside and think rationally: they had talked about it, both were open to marriage and family, but... There was always a "but," right?
Next, the frosting. Delicious and perfect for the cake – he’d recommended it to the client himself. Since he was making a cake with a filling he used constantly, why not suggest the best frosting to go with it? George knew his stuff. Plus, the client was open, saying "do it how you like it," even though George had tried to convince him it was better to ask his partner about taste and design preferences. But "I trust your taste" was there. That was the client’s wish. So, George wouldn't mind.
Then, the design. Two tiers. Gorgeous marble effect, gold accents, balls covered in gold leaf, white and grey flowers, and a recess for the ring. Done. Beau-ti-ful. George was genuinely proud of his creation; the TikTok video was going to be great too. It had to blow up — well, people usually don't help with someone’s proposal every day.
All he had to do now was wait for the courier with the ring, add it and meet the client.
The taxi arrived. The courier delivered the ring. Simple white gold with a sapphire. George would have picked something similar for himself if he were proposing. For Dream, he’d choose an emerald... and probably yellow gold, his boyfriend loved gold...
But that wasn't the point right now. The order. He needed to text the client.
"Hello, your order is ready. Can you pick it up today? Or shall we use some delivery-service?"
"Yes, I'm ready, don't worry. I’ll pick it up by myself. Where should I go?"
They chose to meet at a park near his house. The city was big, so it was surprisingly convenient the client lived nearby — usually, he had to trek miles to deliver a cake and ensure no courier ruined its look.
Dream begged to come along for the walk. George didn’t mind. They could have a little park date after the client meeting, and it was more safer together. The client had paid upfront and approved all the cake photos George had sent, but still...
The meeting time was fast approaching. Really fast. Only three minutes left, and George didn’t know the client’s face or name. They’d agreed on a specific bench by the only entrance, and the client had texted he was almost there, but how would George spot him? Ask to see a screenshot of their chat? Maybe it was that guy in the red shirt heading towards the bench? No, he veered off. Maybe he got spooked seeing Dream? George didn’t talk about his sexuality and relationship on TikTok... Maybe...
"George," Dream started nervously from the bench, glued to his phone, "what if the client doesn’t come? What do we do with the ring? Keep it?"
"Yeah, right," George replied sarcastically. "I’ll propose to you. Why not? Got the ring, got the cake, romantic setting. Seriously though, we’ll try calling the client, need to get a return address. At least he paid upfront, right, Dream?"
Dream just mumbled something unintelligible, nervously burying his face in his phone again. George might have noticed his boyfriend’s odd behavior if he wasn’t so anxious. The meeting was set for noon, and it was already 12:07! What if this proposal got ruined somehow? Now George was worried for stranger’s special moment. His followers would definitely be invested too! His camera was already rolling on the bench, capturing him pacing nervously with his phone and a corner of the cake box.
Ding!
A notification. From the client. Probably running late. George decided to stop staring at the cake – Dream could watch it – and stepped a few paces away into the shade, checking his phone.
It was the client.
"Hello again. I’m here now."
"Hi, where are you? I can’t see you."
"Right behind you. Turn around :)"
George turned around, startled... and saw no one. At least not until he spotted someone lower down out of the corner of his eye.
George jumped back with a yelp.
Dream, his boyfriend, was down on one knee, holding the cake box.
"Dream, don’t joke like that, the client must be around here somewhere!"
"I am your client, George. Have some manners talking to customers," Dream chuckled. "So, my dear George, love of my life, light guiding my path, and... and something else, I... sorry, I wrote a speech, hold on, I have it somewhere, wait, don’t say anything..." Dream instantly started fumbling, put the cake box on the ground, and began desperately patting his pockets, clearly trying to find the note.
George just stared at Dream in shock until the realization suddenly hit him. Once it did, he burst out laughing, ran over, and hugged Dream, saying, "Yes, you idiot, of course I’ll marry you." And even though Dream genuinely tried to remember, and then to read the found speech, George didn’t care anymore. The camera kept recording their proposal, and now George knew the video would absolutely blow up. They’d figure the rest out later. After all, he had his boyfriend... well, fiancé now... a programmer who’d handle any online hate. But not today.
Today, George would eat his favorite cake with the most beloved person in his life. And nothing else could make the day bad.