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The muffled thump and cloud of white growing outside the window above the washbasin draws your attention from the sugar you’re measuring.
“You have got to be kidding me,” you deadpan, wrenching the door open. “Traveller! What did-!” You stop short when you see him. “Kaeya. I should have known.”
He reckines against a busted bag of flour, the sack split along one seam and choking the air with white dust. Wiping his eyes, he smile-smirks at you. “I’m flattered. Thinking about me much?”
You stare at your spoiled merchandise - a bag half as tall and heavy as you - and cough, waving away a dust cloud. “As if. I certainly hope you have an excellent explanation for this mess - and compensation for lost goods,” you add with a pointed look. There’s no sign of the blonde adventurer who reported to help you unload because both your aides called in sick.
“It’ll be fine, I’ll pay. Sent your little helper to go buy apples.” he breezes through the door, pushing past you and plucking the spoon from your hand. “This is the one with cream and soft cheese, right? My favorite.” He drags his tongue along the bowl and winks at you.
“That’s my favorite spoon!” You tail him into the kitchens. “You’re making it all dirty! I don’t have time for your nonsense today, Barbatos certainly knows that I have enough on my plate without you coming in. What are you doing here anyway?”
“Lisa sent me to order a dozen of your teacakes for tomorrow,” he says, inspecting your oven door. The heat distorts the sharp lines stamped into the metal. “She wants the jammy ones with icing. I want a waffle.” He makes his way around the kitchen, poking and prodding things you set up just so - the oven, the cloth-covered bowls of rising dough along the counter, the sugar for the frosting. You follow, putting what he’s touched back in order
“Consider her order taken,” you respond curtly. “I’m not doing waffles, the shop is closed today.” You dig your heels in and try to shove him out the door, but he only shuffles over a few steps, grabbing the counter for balance.
“Why so excited to get rid of me?”
You huff again. “I have a wedding cake to frost and three dozen sugar flowers to make before sundown today. Now, be a good boy and run and tell Lisa her cakes will be ready midafternoon tomorrow, not a second sooner.” To your surprise, he actually listens and pulls the door open.
He lingers in the doorway. “Who’s the wedding cake for?”
“Two horrible people I hope to never see again, but at least they pay well.” You frown at him, not liking the mischievous grin on his face. “Whatever you’re thinking-”
“Not for us?”
The words catch you off guard, hand snagging the doorknob. “What’s not for us?”
“The wedding cake, of course,” he says like it’s obvious. He winks once more at your stunned expression. “After all, you did remember my favorite frosting.” He leans forward and gives your mouth the swiftest of kisses, so light that you hardly feel it, just like the powdered sugar for your frosting. “Well, someday, perhaps.”
“See you tomorrow!” He calls over his shoulder, sauntering away. He glances over his shoulder at you- and the expression on his face is so satisfied that, when he waves, that you can’t help but raise a hand and wave back at him.