#benna

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Benny takes the box of freshly baked beignets from Donna as though she’s handed him something of indescribable value.

“You made these for me?” he asks, and the look he gives her is so genuinely surprised and fond that it makes Donna blush down to the roots of her hair right there in the middle of Benny’s flower shop. “You shouldn’t have.”

Donna’s heart is a hummingbird in her chest, but she manages a chuckle. “It’s not like it was any trouble; I do own a bakery, dontcha know.”

Benny laughs. “I do know, yeah. Only place in the city where I can get one of these,” he taps the box of beignets, “that tastes like the ones back home. Your granddaddy’s recipe, right? On your mama’s side?”

“Mm,” hums Donna by way of agreement, because that’s about all she can manage with Benny smiling at her like that. It’s been, what, three months since she told him that offhand, when he’d first come into her bakery to introduce himself after opening a place next door? Donna remembers the way his eyes lit up when first saw the beignets, which she’d only just put out about a half hour earlier, and the conversation they’d had over the counter while Benny ate one and then ordered another and a coffee to go. She’s made a point to always, always have fresh beignets on hand since then, and with Christmas only a few days away, well. It’s as good of an excuse as she’s likely to get to give Benny something she knows he likes while having the neighborly spirit of the holidays to hide behind.

“Thank you,” Benny says, sincerely, making Donna's heart melt that much more. Then he swallows, cheeks going a tad pink. “I’m, uh, glad you stopped by, actually, saved me a trip…”

He turns to the glass door refrigerator behind the counter, the one where he keeps floral arrangements awaiting pickup, and pulls out a beautiful bouquet of red chrysanthemums, white gardenias, and a few other flowers Donna doesn’t recognize, all in a gold-colored vase. His flush intensifies as he holds the arrangement out for Donna. “Seeing as how it’s the holidays and all,” he says quickly, “and how you’ve been putting up with me almost daily since I opened up here, I thought maybe…for your countertop, you know. Something festive.”

Donna’s hands tremble slightly as she takes the flowers, and it’s only then that she sees it, at the bouquet’s center: a single, perfect red rose. “Oh, Benny…” No one’s ever given her flowers before, and certainly none this gorgeous. She meets Benny’s eyes and gives him her warmest, most grateful smile. “Thank you. They’re beautiful.”

Benny smiles softly back. “Yeah, well. Like for like.” Then he coughs and ducks his head, rubbing at the back of his neck. “That is to say…you’re welcome. I’m glad to know you, neighbor. Real glad.”

“Me too,” murmurs Donna, and the way Benny’s eyes meet hers is so heartbreakingly hesitant and hopeful that Donna feels the last of her restraint shatter on the spot. She clears her throat, licking her lips. “Listen, I was wondering if maybe…would you maybe like to go and get coffee together sometime?” Then, realizing Benny already comes into her bakery and orders coffee there almost literally every day, she looks down with an embarrassed laugh and hastily adds, “At a place I don’t own, I mean. If that’s something you want to do. With me.”

Oh for crying out loud, Hanscum, she thinks as she struggles to breathe through the sudden onslaught of nerves, could you be any more of a—

“Yes,” comes Benny’s voice, solemn, sure, and when Donna looks back up, Benny’s looking at her like she’s every single wish he’s ever made, all come true at once. “Donna, you…I can’t even begin to tell you how much that’s something I want. You name the time and the place, and I’ll be there.”

“Tonight,” says Donna immediately, and all she can think is that there’s so much joy in her that there’s no room for words, they have no choice but to all come out. She laughs, feeling like she might just float up to the ceiling like a Mylar balloons. “Six-thirty, at the Sweet Bean.”

Benny grins, nods. “All right. It’s a date.”

I finally re-finished Benna! 

I drew this for @lpartworks dtiys challenge on Instagram! It’s her gender bent Benna Solo 😍😁✨