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Decision. That’s what it came down to. Go in and risk getting humiliated (again) or don’t go in and don’t get that yummy, delicious, mouth watering, soft, melt in your mouth….that’s it. Going in. Decision made.
The figure in the black cloak checked both ways before crossing the street, only to reconsider once he got to the other side. Maybe the redheaded clerk wouldn’t be there? Maybe it’ll be his mother this time? Yeah. He wasn’t always there. But…it is a Monday after school…and his mother usually took that day off cause the busy weekend and since she has a weak body already…The likeliness of him being in there is high. Really high. No. Never mind.
The boy stopped right outside the shop off to the side so that no one would think he’s weird. Taking a deep breath after a couple entered the bakery, Hiei peaked his head around to see inside the door. His dark red eyes spotted that mop of bright red hair immediately. Crap. He spun back out of view leaning against the wall. Now what? His head banged lightly against the stone wall. It isn’t like the man hasn’t known his love for sweets…but…he was just here yesterday. Taking home a huge strawberry shortcake. For his family, he fibbed. He was there on an errand for his family. Even though he didn’t have any family to take the cake home to… Shaking his head softly, he set his mind to do it. Once the other costumers left, Hiei would go in. That’s right. After they left.
Tick. Tick. Tick. Ugh! How long do people usually take with these stupid things?! Hiei had become impatient, arms folded across his chest, one leg propped up on the wall he had been leaning against, and his eyes tightly closed from frustration. It couldn’t take them that long to just pick a damned cake, pay and leave!
Ding! The bell to the shop sounded and Hiei gave a huff. “Finally…” He murmured, kicking himself off the wall and replacing his hands into his pockets under his cloak.
“Finally made it, I see.” The deep voice snapped Hiei’s eyes wide open, causing his head to twist violently so he could assault a glare on the voices maker. Shit.
Standing in the open doorway stood the smiling redheaded clerk, Kurama. The one he didn’t want to see. Huffing, he walked past the man into the store, not admitting to himself that the redhead had a gorgeous smile nor that it made his face flush. Kurama waved goodbye to the couple as they left the store, the chime going off once more. Hiei walked over to the counter, but didn’t turn around as Kurama shut the door.
Hiei loved the smell of the bakery more than anything. It smelt sweet just like the taste of their goods. Neatly in the case before him lay all types of different cakes. Ranging from chocolate with chocolate icing lightly dusted with sugar to carrot cake to his personal favorite, strawberry shortcake. His mouth almost watered at the sight of it in the case neatly cut and looking scrumptious with the whipped cream on top perfectly surrounded by slices of strawberries going in a cir–
“I had been wondering when I’d see you again. Did your family enjoy the cake?” Kurama made his way behind the counter as he spoke, smiling the whole time.
Hiei glared up at the man, not really liking the attention. But the redhead always wanted to talk it seemed. He gave a sort, “Hm.” before nodding at the cake. “I’d like the same thing.” A slight pause later, the man clearly wasn’t going to move. He smiled at him causing Hiei to blush a bit more, casting his eyes off to the side while he murmured, “Please.”
“With pleasure.” His voice smooth as he bent down to get the cake ready for him. Relief cascaded over Hiei as the mans attention went else where for a while. It gave him time to glance around the already familiar store.
Oh. His feet started to move without him consciously noticing until he found himself in front of a new vase of flowers. They were beautiful, even Hiei could tell that. The old flowers had been some huge yellow flower (sunflower, he remembered the clerks mother telling him). These were a dark purple with bright blue around the edges and in the center. The backs were the same bright blue but light green streaked through them. He lent in taking in a deep breath. A sweet sent just like the store came from them and he found himself giving a slight smile.
“Blue Mystique Orchids.” Jumping straight up, Hiei controlled his urge to turn around. The deep voice of Kurama’s had been right in his ear. Another faint blush dusted Hiei’s cheeks. The redheaded man always felt the need to tell him about the flowers. Weird, he thought as Kurama spoke. “I grew them myself.” He continued to speak as if Hiei were actually listening, which he was even though he wouldn’t admit it. “Mother enjoys having them here, so I personally see too it that she has beautiful flowers all the time.” His voice paused and Hiei delved into his memory. Oh yeah, he once said that he wanted to open his own flower shop and was only helping his mother until that day came. “Do you like them?” Kurama’s voice broke his train of thoughts. The man smiled down at him when Hiei glanced up.
“Not really…” He shrugged, turning around and walking back over to the counter. Kurama chuckled, following and holding out a large box that held the cake inside.
Hiei took it rather quickly, before digging around in his pocket for the cash to pay with. Kurama shook his head giving a wave of his hand causing Hiei to pause and look up brows pulled together, curious as to why the redhead stopped him. “No need this time. You’ve been coming here for a few months and are a valuable customer. This one's on the house.”
Hiei’s eyes widened ever so slightly. He knew he should thank him. Tell him he appreciated it. But nothing came out of his parted lips so he closed them again and gave a slight nod, casting his eyes away from those bright green ones that glinted in the sunlight shining through the window. “I…I should get going.” He mumbled, turning to walk out of the room that became a little stuffy.
“Though,” The deep voice paused, causing Hiei to stop mid step and turn his head back around to see the smile on the redheaded mans face turn a little into something more. Devious, maybe? Or… “I have to admit. I am a bit surprised. Your love of strawberry shortcake really doesn’t match your appearance,” He broke off. Hiei’s face lit up bright red, trying to stutter out an excuse, any reason about family and all. But Kurama chuckled, his smile doing weird things to Hiei’s chest. “But I still think that’s really cute.”
In a rush, the door swung open making that dinging sound again. Huff, stamp, huff, stamp, huff. Hiei finally stopped running somewhere down the road, clutching the cake to his beating chest. Eye’s wide, face flushed and bent over, he stared at his shoes gasping for breath. What the hell was that all about!?