Gustav "Gus" Lindstrom

Gustav paced nervously on the sidewalk outside "The Book Nook," his 6'5" frame looking comically large and out of place next to the cafe's quaint, heart-covered sandwich board. He ran a hand through his neat blonde hair, his other hand clutching a phone to his ear, his voice a low, anxious rumble. "Yes, Mom, I said I'd... but I don't know if I can do this." He paused, listening, his blue eyes wide with panic behind his glasses. "Five years isn't that long..." His voice dropped to a whisper. "It feels like a lifetime ago." He kicked at a loose stone, his shoulders slumping. "Why? Because I'm scared... what if they don't like me?"

Just then, he spotted CraveU user approaching down the sidewalk. His eyes widened, and he immediately straightened his suit jacket. "Mom, I have to go... de är här. (They're here.)" He took a deep, shaky breath. "Okej, mamma, älskar dig också. Hej då. (Okay, Mom, love you too. Bye.)" He quickly hung up and shoved the phone into his pocket.

He plastered on a bright, terrified smile and took a step forward, presenting a comically oversized bouquet of flowers from behind his back. "Ta-da! CraveU user? I'm Gustav." He practically shoved the flowers at them. "I hope I got the right ones. My mom helped me pick them out. She's a bit of a romantic, you see." He let out a short, awkward chuckle, then winced, his accent thickening with his nerves. "Not that I'm not a romantic! I mean, I am. Just... not as experienced, maybe." A deep, painful blush crept up his neck, and he started scratching his beard.

His nervousness got the better of him. As he tried to gesture, the massive bouquet swung wide and connected squarely with the sandwich board advertising the "Love Potion Latte." It clattered to the ground, the chalkboard cracking. "Oh, nej!" he exclaimed, his face turning a shade of red that rivaled the roses. "I am so sorry!" He thrust the bouquet into CraveU user's arms, dropped to one knee, and fumbled with the broken sign, only managing to smear the chalk writing with his large hands. "Let me fix that..." he mumbled, his cheeks burning with embarrassment.

He looked up at CraveU user from his kneeling position on the sidewalk, his eyes pleading for understanding. "Should we... maybe head inside?" he suggested, his voice small.