Work Text:
The soft sound of a whirring boba tea shaker and the smell of ground coffee beans filled the air of the little shop at the corner between Makoto Ave and Amakane Park. Freshly baked pastries from a foreign country added to the aroma, the smell of various spices tickling the nose.
Ayaka sighed into her cup before taking a sip of the purple taro-milk tea. Despite the delicious sakura-mochis on her plate, she felt the curiosity about what on earth Thoma had just taken out of the oven creep up on her. Sometimes she didn’t know whether to praise or curse her best friend for his talent. Every day he served new delicacies to try in his café, recipes gathered from people originating from all over the world.
Looking over her shoulder, she watched the blonde man maneuver a baking sheet out of the kitchen and try to sort whatever he had there onto display. It seemed like the goods where still hot as Thoma flinched away every time he had put one of them aside.
The man’s contacts were incredible. His coffee & boba shop had been opened for just a few months and somehow the original Mondstadter had managed to get to know what felt like half of the city already. Starting with serving traditional Inazuma and Mondstadt treats, he had soon expanded his range through every foreign guest entering the Komore café. It never took him long to extract the rarest recipes from them with his silver tongue and his sympathetic smile.
Ayaka always had to grin into her beverage whenever she witnessed it happening, though she knew she had fallen prey to the same method. She didn’t mind as she knew that every of Thoma’s words were earnest. He just was like that. A ray of sunshine, brightening the days of those around him. Every time a person left with a worried face after having a hard day, they would always come back to find a serving of their childhood memories in form of a pastry ready on display the following day.
That was the reason why she had recommended the little shop to her brother. Ayato was always so busy, the lines of stress visible on his face despite his denial. She knew that he tried to act tough in front of her to not worry her, but it just had the opposite effect. While neither of the siblings’ life was leisurely, Ayaka knew what a burden her brother had to bear.
As the young heir to the Kamisato-Clan, one of the families basically ruling this city from the underground, he had to compete with greedy rivals eyeing their territory and trying to push the Kamisato name into oblivion. The first years had been especially hard, when Ayato was still so young the other mob bosses hadn’t respected him. By now he had gained a reputation though and luckily no one dared to cross the heir anymore.
The Kamisato-sister’s role entailed looking after the ordinary people in their part of the city, organizing events and managing the general affairs of the Clan. Ayato himself took on the more exhausting jobs that included dealing with the other heads of the powerful families and discussing the city’s fate with them.
Looking back down at the notebook in front of her, Ayaka made a note to include a booth with foreign snacks in the upcoming winter festival she had to plan out. The fireworks were already looked after, yet she still needed to brainstorm a few ideas for food and drinks that could be served in the cold without problem.
Coming to the Komore café always helped getting her creative juices flowing. The cozy atmosphere of the decorated interior, Thoma’s welcoming attitude and the peaceful sight of the snowy park calmed the spirit. Her brother could really use some of it.
As if speaking of the devil, Ayaka heard the door of the shop open and close, announced by the soft ring of a bell. When she turned, her eyes immediately caught on the familiar figure, same icy-white hair as her own. A gust of the chilly December air sneaked in along with the new visitor, causing the girl to pull up the fluffy scarf her best friend had knitted her.
From her seat in the corner Ayato couldn’t see her, but she recognized her brother at an instant. Those suit pants, the white coat with blue applications, black gloves and the hair loosely tided back were all too recognizable.
Ayaka watched as he brushed the snowflakes off his sleeve and fixed his clothes, gaze already searching for that familiar blonde thatch. It didn’t take long for Thoma – who stood behind the counter and cooled his burnt finger below running water – to notice him, green eyes lighting up.
“Ayato! You’re early.”
“Managed to get off work sooner than I expected.” Ayaka could hear the smile in his voice.
She wondered how the older Kamisato had managed to slip away from his meeting, but she had noticed him leaving home earlier and getting back later ever since she had showed him the coffee & boba shop. Somehow, she had the feeling that it was less because of the diverse beverages or pastries and had more to do with the person that had become her best friend over the past months.
“What happened to your finger?”
“Oh that? It’s nothing. Just burned myself when I took something out of the oven.”
Ayato was standing close to the counter now, leaning forward unconsciously just like Thoma.
“Doesn’t look like nothing. Lemme see.”
“I’m fine, really, you don’t have to-“
“I insist.”
Ayato held out his palm expectantly, his ever-present ordering demeanor on display. There was no force behind his words, tone calm and friendly, yet his voice allowed no objection.
Reluctantly, Thoma reached over the counter to place his hand in Ayato’s. Even from her place in the corner Ayaka could see his cheeks turn a deep pink when her brother inspected the burn, thumb gently brushing over the shop owner’s wrist.
While the two men quietly spoke to each other, none of them noticed the small Shiba Inu trotting around the counter to greet the regular customer. When he didn’t receive the attention he was hoping for, Thoma’s dog huffed indignantly before turning around to scan the café for other sources of scratches. Nose in the air, he began to sniff.
As soon as he recognized Ayaka’s smell, his tail started wagging happily and his ears perked up. Rounding the corner and coming over to her, he laid his head onto her lap.
“Hey there, Taroumaru. Have they been ignoring you?”
A small puff of air escaped the dog’s nose as if he understood her words and wanted to respond as scandalized as possible. Ayaka laughed at that and started scratching the spot behind his ears he liked so much, causing the pet to close the eyes in a relaxed way.
“You’ve got to understand, when these two are in the same room they only have eyes for each other,” she explained, despite the lack of a reaction. “I wonder when one of them will finally make a move.”
The younger Kamisato had pondered that question for a while now. She hadn’t seen her brother as relaxed as he was around Thoma in forever. Ever since the young heir had taken up his position as Clan leader, he almost hadn’t had a moment to himself anymore, let alone enough time for a hobby.
Most evenings Ayaka found him asleep over some documents and notes, all strewn across his messy desk. It had gotten a habit of theirs to communicate in little post-its because Ayato was mostly already out of the house by the time his sister woke up and not home yet or asleep when she came back.
Whenever he came here though, all the stress seemed to roll off his shoulders for a while and he dropped that professional demeanor that always seemed to cling to him, even when he was around their servants. The only place he ever truly seemed to let go, was the Komore, in the presence of the only person that didn’t know who he was.
When Ayaka had gotten to know Thoma, she had only introduced herself with her first name and he had never asked further. The café owner knew that she had an important position in the city council and organized a lot of public affairs, yet he had no clue about her also being a member of one of the underworld Clans running the city.
Therefore, he didn’t know about Ayato either. It was nice to be treated this normally, like a true friend without him holding back with his opinion. Ayaka had wanted to talk to Thoma about her family eventually, but Ayato had asked her not to. She hadn’t questioned his request as she understood how he felt, yet she knew that Thoma would find out their last name and connect the dots someday.
“I know, just … not yet. I promise, I will tell him when the time comes,” she recalled the older Kamisato’s words.
Ayaka hadn’t pried for the reason any further, a suspicion already on her mind at the calligraphy lessons she had found her brother passed out on one afternoon. Poems about the scent of fire and eyes like emeralds, lines beautifully placed on the paper with the brush their mother had gifted him during his adulthood ceremony. Ayato always started to practice his penmanship when something was on his mind and he wanted to appear as if he was working.
Apparently, the blonde man from the boba shop hadn’t left his thoughts in a while. And Ayaka’s best friend didn’t seem to feel any different. Whenever the two chatted over the counter or went out together, Thoma managed to casually ask his friend about her brother. In the morning, he always had a boba tea already prepared when Ayato entered the shop and accepted the weirdest treats the anonymous mob boss brought for him to try. Even in his breaks Thoma took the time to play a round of chess with him, despite being horrible at it.
Ayaka smiled down at the dog enjoying her company. Those two were so close to getting together and still neither of them found the courage to actually become active. She and everyone around them could see how happy they made each other, how they seemed to glow in the other’s presence. All they needed was a nudge to take the leap and ask the other out officially.
Turning her head, she watched as Ayato wrapped a band-aid around Thoma’s burnt finger, holding the shop owner’s hand maybe a second too long before letting go. The other smiled warmly at him, the moment stretching on while they just looked at each other.
They only fell out of their bubble when Madame Ping turned up next to them with an empty plate on her tray.
“Excuse me, young gentleman, are you in line for the baked goods? They are truly delicious, you have to try them,” she asked, startling the men out of their trance.
Ayato caught himself faster than Thoma, smiling down at the old lady and helping her place the tray on the counter. The blonde took a moment to get ahold of his facial features again.
“Unfortunately, I’m just stopping by to grab a boba to go, I fear. I am sure the pastries are as good as ever though and I truly regret not being able to stay for one,” the Clan-head replied as he made room for her.
“Oh yeah, Thoma really outdid himself with these ones. Dear, I would love to have seconds, if possible from that fresh batch you just made.” Leaning over to Ayato she added “They taste the best when still warm, you know.”
Ayaka couldn’t suppress a small chuckle at the scene, Thoma all red at feeling caught while Madame Ping, a foreign lady with incredible knowledge, shamelessly smiled at the two.
“Uh, Ayato wait, I actually prepared one for you in advance, here,” the blonde said, still a little flustered.
He placed a bag and a boba-tea onto the counter, both ready for takeaway.
Before any of them could say something, Madame Ping was already clapping her hands together. “Oh, how considerate and kind! A true gentleman, our Thoma. Isn’t he the best?”
Something soft entered Ayato’s eyes as they jumped to said person behind the counter. “He is.”
A few moments of silence stretched on between them in which even Madame Ping didn’t dare to utter a word.
Grabbing the deliciously smelling bag and the cup, Ayato returned to his professional self, polite and smiling, yet face unreadable.
“Thank you for always thinking ahead of me.” He put a generous amount of cash on the counter. “Madame Ping, Thoma. I wish you a pleasant day.”
He sent a last smile in Thoma’s direction, eyes fixating the other from below his long white lashes, then he turned around and headed out of the shop.
Looking after him, Thoma just stood there for a moment before coming to life again and starting to prepare Madame Ping’s refill.
“What a handsome young lad. Are you two dating?” The old lady asked as she turned back around.
“What?!” The fork he had just been about to place on the plate clattered to the ground. “Oh, no, you misunderstood. We’re just friends,” the man laughed, getting a new one for his customer.
Madame Ping accepted the plate with the steaming pastry and placed it on her tray. “Oh don’t worry. I’m sure he will come around soon. He seems to have a thing for you.”
With that she turned around and was gone before Thoma had the chance to reply something.
Dropping his head between his shoulders in defeat with a sigh, he didn’t hear his friend approaching.
“Hey there.”
Quickly lifting back up, he spun around to her. “Ayaka, it’s you! Don’t sneak up on me like that,” he said with a chuckle, ears still a little red.
“Sorry, I walk silently.”
Thoma’s gaze wandered to the Shiba Inu at her side. “Taroumaru, there you are, you little rascal. Come here, you know that you’re not supposed to walk around.”
The dog made a noise of disagreement, but trotted behind the counter again.
“How were your tea and mochis? Everything alright?” he asked after giving his pet a treat for returning to his side.
“Tasty as always,” Ayaka replied while examining her friend. “Just busy with preparations for the upcoming festival.”
“Oh yeah! I’m looking forward to it. I’m sure you’ll do amazing.”
“Thanks.” She continued to observe him as he organized the products on display. “Thoma?”
“Hm?”
“I think you should ask my brother out.”
Another item clattered to the floor. “Huh?!”
Thoma had turned around to her, eyes big and staring.
“You like him, don’t you? And I’m pretty sure he likes you as well. Why not give it a try?”
The blonde leaned down to pick up the cutlery he had dropped. “Ayaka, you can’t just drop something like that on me,” he laughed nervously.
His friend tilted her head as she stepped around the counter to help him. “What? You always tell me to speak my mind more often.”
“Yes, but not like that.” Thoma’s face was as red as his jacket again. “Ayato, he’s … he’s so …”
“Yeah?”
He closed his eyes for a second, taking a deep breath before looking at the silver-haired woman in front of him.
“We seem to live in completely different worlds. I don’t know if he would really be interested to go out with someone like me.”
Out of a nervous habit of his, Thoma had grabbed his old duster and started to clean the shelves behind them.
Ayaka sighed. It was as she had feared. Ayato didn’t dare to ask the café owner out because he was scared he could find out about the role their family played in the affairs of the underworld and Thoma lacked the courage to make a move because of the difference in their social standing.
An idea formed in her head, not wanting to make her best friend any more uncomfortable than she already had.
“Okay. I don’t think that would bother him, but alright.” She quickly pulled a pad of post-its out of her pocket. “Can you just write a message for him and put it on his boba next time he’s here to pick up his drink? I won’t get the chance to see him before you do and I need to go. Don’t have a pen with me though.”
Thoma knew about the sibling’s habit of communicating through notes and nodded, seemingly happy to have avoided the topic of a date.
“Will do. What should I write?”
“Entrance to Amakane Park, Friday 19:00, that’s all. He will know. Thank you. I’ll have to be on my way now.”
“No problem. See you soon!” Thoma replied cheerfully, the smile on his face causing the girl’s lips to curl up as well.
“See you, Thoma.”
Ayaka waved him goodbye and made her way out into the winter air, snow crunching beneath her boots and pen cool against her fingers inside the pocket of her coat.
Snowflakes sailed from the night sky, bright against the dark blue. It was late, later than Ayato had wanted to get home, but the meeting had been difficult and there wasn’t a possibility for him to shuffle out of the conflict. Two of the Clan-heads had gotten into a fight and he had needed to intervene to prevent a gang war in the streets.
Laying his head back, the young heir stared into the clouds, snow turning to water on his skin. Somehow his feet had carried him here again. The Komore café’s windows were dark, it had closed a while ago.
Ayato didn’t know why he sometimes came here after hours, just looking at the interior that laid devoid of activity before him. There was something about the quiet of the night, contrasting with the otherwise buzzing place, that calmed his thoughts and made him think about how Thoma would open up the doors in the morning, Tarumarou happily trailing alongside him. It was a mental image that made him smile.
The Kamisato was about to continue down the road to get home when he heard voices from around the corner. There was a small alley next to the café Ayato knew to lead to the backdoor of the Komore. Thoma always left through there after closing time and put the trash into one of the big containers behind the building.
Walking closer and leaning against the wall of the shop, he tried to listen in on the words spoken quietly, yet fast. He recognized one of the voices as Thoma’s, causing his heart to pick up its pace. There were two others he didn’t know, but judging by their tone, they didn’t bear any good intentions.
“So, Mr. Brandt, I’ve heard you know a lot of people that go in and out of your popular little shop day by day. Some may even consider you a fixer because of your vast connections.”
Thoma hesitated a moment before answering. “I do. What about it?”
Ayato could hear the suspicion in his voice.
“Then I believe you know a lot about said people, am I right?” The man didn’t give Thoma the time to reply before continuing. “I would like to offer you a business opportunity.”
“A business opportunity? Me? I’m a making coffee and boba tea on a daily basis, what could my abilities do to help you in your business.”
The café owner was taunting them, trying to make them spell out what they wanted of him.
“I’m certain you’re familiar with the name ‘Kamisato’?”
Ayato felt the blood freeze in his veins, feet glued to the spot.
“The Clan? Yes.”
“Well, you already gather intel for them, so why not for us as well? Double the payment,” the unfamiliar man suggested, triumphant smile audible in his words.
“What payment?” Thoma replied, now openly confused.
“Oh, surely the head of the Kamisato-Clan rewards you for the knowledge you slip him. I can’t imagine Kamisato Ayato letting an informant go without payment, he thinks himself to be way too righteous for that.”
The Kamisato heir around the corner closed his eyes in defeat, back dropping against the cold brick wall numbly. Now he knows.
“So, what do you say?”
The seconds passing by felt like hours to Ayato. He hadn’t had the guts to talk to his friend about his family name and with every day that had passed, it had gotten harder for him to bring up the courage. Still, he shouldn’t be kidding himself. He had liked it this way between them with the kind barista not knowing about his baggage, for Ayato to be able to just be himself and Thoma treating him like every other person. Something no one had done in a long time.
The silence stretched like gum while his heart beat up his throat, waiting for the other’s answer. If only I had told him sooner.
When Thoma spoke up again, his voice was fierce. “I’m afraid I’ll have to disappoint you. I’m no informant, nor a fixer, even if it may look like that. And the only thing I’m interested in doing is my job as a barista. I’m not being paid by anyone and I won’t spy on my customers, especially not the- Kamisatos.”
His words caught a little on the Clan-name.
Ayato lifted his head in anticipation, hand already reaching down to his weapon in case the situation would escalate. He hadn’t expected any different response from his friend and yet he couldn’t help but feel grateful.
“So you’re already their dog,” the second man grumbled dangerously low.
“I’m no one’s dog.” Thoma sounded clear and confident. “The Kamisatos never asked anything of me and only ever treated me with kindness and respect. I would never fall into their backs and that is my own free will.”
It felt like Ayato’s heart skipped a beat and his cheeks tingled. If from the cold or from Thoma’s words, he didn’t know. A warmth spread inside his chest that managed to chase away the dread and worry he had been feeling just a moment ago.
“Tch.” The other man made a noise of contempt. “Gotta teach you a lesson then.”
Having been caught in his feelings, Ayato took a second to round the corner when he heard how someone threw a punch, cursing himself for not being vigilant enough and getting distracted by something like that. The sight of the fight before him made him stop in his tracks though.
Thoma stood with the back to him, umbrella in hand he had taken off one of the men and using it like a weapon. One of the guys that had tried to corner him approached, fist flying towards the barista’s face. All it took was one elegant step to the side to evade the blow, followed by a skilled rotation and a flick of the umbrella before the goon’s head flew back. The momentum forced the man in a black leather jacket to stumble back while holding his bleeding nose.
“Fuck!” he cursed out loud, tears springing to his eyes.
The second guy hesitated, looking back and forth between his partner and Thoma who now leaned onto the umbrella casually.
“You wanna reconsider that?”
Ayato quickly turned back behind his cover before any of them could notice him. It seemed like his friend was more acquainted with the arts of fighting than he let on. The knowledge caused his face to blush a little, the image of Thoma’s back flashing up like a flame in the snow when he moved heating up the tips of the Clan-heir’s ears.
“You will regret that!”
Storming out of the little alley, the goons hurried past Thoma and luckily turned into the opposite direction of where Ayato was pressed against the wall. The smaller one left red blotches in the white snow every few meters as he ran.
The Kamisato was quick to disappear into the night without a sound. He hoped that his friend wouldn’t notice the traces in the snow.
Ayato had been trying to avoid the inevitable, but now that he had witnessed Thoma’s devotion to him firsthand, he knew he couldn’t lie to himself anymore about how his heart picked up its pace whenever he was around the man. In his eyes, loyalty just was the most attractive quality he could imagine. It had been the final drop in an overflowing bucket of reasons why he was in love with Thoma.
Ayato was feeling sick. The nervousness squeezed his stomach together like a clamp as he watched the people coming and going through the doors of the Komore café. The shop had opened hours ago and he knew he was way too late for his appointment, but he just couldn’t bring himself to enter. Leaving wasn’t an option either though. So, the young leader had just stood on the same spot at the edge of the park for an hour, occasionally stepping aside for some workers carrying the materials for the winter festival onto the venue.
Taking a shaky breath, he pulled himself together and approached the glass door, decorated with little snowflakes he knew his sister had crafted.
The interior of the shop smelled as good as ever, filled with the scent of freshly baked treats and coffee. Ayato couldn’t help but inhale the familiar smell that immediately managed to soothe his nerves a little. Just get it over with. You have to face him some time.
Thoma was standing behind the counter, his favorite feather duster moving over the shelves in slow thoughtful strokes. Something was bothering him.
“Good morning,” Ayato managed to croak out.
The café owner flinched and spun around in the matter of a second, his green eyes wide.
“Ayato. You’re here.” He quickly caught himself, adjusting the head piece he always wore. “I thought you wouldn’t come in anymore. It’s way later than your usual time.”
The Kamisato’s mouth had completely dried out.
“I have today off,” he lied, trying not to think of all the things he was late for. Somehow it didn’t matter to him anymore.
“Ah,” Thoma replied. “Should I prepare the usual then?”
Ayato just nodded. The atmosphere between them was awkward and no one had even addressed the elephant in the room yet.
The barista went to work and started to prepare the boba milk tea with swift practiced moves. Ayato’s eyes were glued to his back, the signature red jacket still as present as in his memories from last night.
“So,” Thoma began, sealing the cup and pushing the straw through the lid, “you’re the young master of the Kamisato-Clan.”
The white-haired man felt a pang to his chest, causing him to close his eyes for a second. The cat was out of the bag.
When he opened his eyes again, he tried to avoid looking at Thoma and only fixated the cup in front of him. “Yes. It seems like it.”
Waiting for the inevitable repulsion, an outburst of anger or words of disappointment, the young Kamisato held his breath. Yet the expected never came.
“Why haven’t you told me before?” was all the barista asked.
His voice was a little cautious, but neither harsh nor sad. Ayato thought to hear genuine curiosity.
The knot in the Clan-heir’s stomach started to melt and with it came all the things that he had been holding to himself spilling out of him like a flood. Thoma always managed to make him behave completely different from the cold and calculating leader he appeared to be to everyone else, pulling Ayato’s most inner thoughts out of him without any effort.
“First of all, I need you to know that Ayaka wanted to tell you, but I specifically asked her not to and wanted to do it myself some other day. Please don’t think she hid anything from you, that was all my fault. I was too much of a coward to tell you. Too afraid you would see me differently then and stop speaking your mind like you always do or act all tensed around me. At first it surprised me that you didn’t already know, but then I started to enjoy being treated like a normal person and didn’t want to lose that. I’m extremely sorry for hiding the truth from you though and I know that I was selfish in that. I didn’t want you to find out from anyone else, yet I’m completely responsible for that myself. It’s understandable if you’re angry and it pains me that I hurt you. Please, forg-“
“Ayato, hey.”
A warm hand on his arm pulled the man out of his ramble. Finally lifting his gaze, he looked into sympathetic green eyes and a smiling face.
“I’m not angry. And you didn’t hurt me. I can understand why you preferred to stay anonymous, but you should know that it wouldn’t have changed anything for me. You’re still he same Ayato I know, whether from an influential family or not. All that is different is that I now understand your busy schedule a little better, but your character is still the same as ever. Same goes for Ayaka of course.”
The relief washing over the Kamisato made him release a breath he hadn’t known he’d been holding.
“You … you’re not angry or disappointed I didn’t tell you?”
Thoma chuckled as he released Ayato’s arm. “No. As long as you stay the Ayato I know, your title really doesn’t matter to me.”
The gentle expression on his face caused the heir’s heart to flutter.
“Thank you,” he breathed, gratefulness filling every fiber of his being. He wouldn’t lose the best friend he ever had. The person that stole his heart and made every day so much better.
Their little moment was ruthlessly interrupted by the pang of a door being thrown open. A gust of icy wind swept through the café, causing some of the customers to squeal.
“Brandt!!”
Ayato recognized that voice at an instant and he didn’t need to turn around to know the men from yesterday had returned. From the sound of it, they had brought reinforcement.
Thoma’s face filled with worry as he stepped a little to the side to see who was calling his name. Someone behind the young Kamisato-heir came towards them with heavy steps, apparently not recognizing who was standing in front of the counter.
When the man came to a stop next to Ayato, the Clan-leader could see a baseball bat from the corner of his eyes.
“What do you want?” the shop owner asked, careful to push the growling Taroumaru back behind himself with his leg.
“We warned you you would regret turning us down,” the man replied.
He lifted the bat, ready to let it rush down onto the glass showcase, but before the weapon could meet its surface it was stopped by a hand.
“I’d advise against that.”
The lackey first looked angered, but then his eyes grew big as he saw the white-haired man standing next to him that held the bat in an iron grip.
“Mr. Kamisato!”
“Indeed.” Ayato now turned fully around to him, eyes cold and voice unrelenting. “What dealings do you have with this man and what kind of reason would you have to destroy his shop?”
“That’s … that’s none of your business,” the man replied, yet his voice was trembling.
The head of the Kamisatos just cocked an eyebrow.
“Oh, how curious. So you’re telling me that a café situated in my district being attacked is none of my business? Last time I checked I was in charge of this area and not Kujou Takayuki.”
The lackey’s breath hitched at the name of his boss.
“Oh, I know who sent you,” Ayato continued at the fearful surprise visible on the man’s face. “Now go back to your leader and tell him to leave this establishment in peace or else he will have to face me and the whole Kamisato Clan. If any of you will ever be seen around here again, I will personally make sure you will face the consequences. This café is under my protection and should I get word that its owner was harassed, the whole Kujou Clan will get to know my wrath.”
With that, he let go of the bat and gave it another push so that the person on the other end stumbled backwards. The lackeys frozen in place behind them turned to hurry out of the shop, their leader scrambling to follow them.
Ayato watched after them for a moment before closing the entrance door whose glass panel now had a big crack running from top to bottom.
“I’ll make sure this gets replaced,” he mumbled as he inspected the damage.
Thoma had left his place behind the counter and walked up behind the Kamisato.
“You didn’t have to do that.”
When Ayato turned around, he looked into thankful green eyes.
“No, it was my duty. My presence here this often has brought all this trouble upon you and its just fair that I lend you my protection. Especially if its for such a loyal friend.” A soft smile played around the Kamisato’s lips.
Thoma pulled him into a hug without a warning. “Thank you.”
At first, Ayato stiffened up in shock, but then he was surrounded by that smell of roasted coffee and baked goods that made him melt into the warm embrace. His hands came up tentatively behind Thoma’s back, holding the other man pressed against himself.
It was over faster than he would have liked while the moment felt frozen at the same time. The barista leaned back to be able to look into his eyes, cheeks red from all the commotion.
“Before I forget it, your tea is ready.”
Thoma untangled himself from the hug and hurried back somewhere behind the counter. Ayato had hoped he would have let the tea be tea for a little while longer, but when he looked at the cup the other placed in front of him, his heart jumped in his chest.
A sticky note had been placed on top of it and written on it was a date and a location.
“Hey, Taroumaru! Stay here!”
Thoma watched as the dog had suddenly picked up its pace, making a beeline for the park. Shouting commands did not seem to work, so running after the escaping pet was his only option. Luckily, they had been almost home after the walk and were now in an area without any cars.
“Oh damn you,” he grumbled under his breath as he chased after the dog seemingly heading for a set destination.
When he turned the corner, he saw that Taroumaru had stopped beside a familiar man in a white coat at the entrance to the park. Slowing down with heaving breaths, he came to a halt in front of a surprised looking Ayato who had been petting the excited dog to his feet just a moment ago.
“And there I thought the little rascal had escaped on his own,” the Kamisato laughed.
“No, he just suddenly ran off as if stung by a bee,” Thoma replied with a chuckle while leaning down to put the dog back on the leash. “What a coincidence running into you here. Are you visiting the festival Ayaka organized?”
A confused expression appeared on Ayato’s handsome face.
“Weren’t we going to meet up here in 5 minutes? Did I get the time wrong?” Rummaging through his pockets, the young heir pulled out a crinkled post-it note.
Thoma recognized it at an instant.
“Oh, sorry, Ayaka told me to put it on your beverage. Completely forgot to tell you that, but she said you would know. I thought you two were gonna meet up for the festival, didn’t realize that was today.”
Instead of appearing like he understood what the barista had just told him, Ayato just looked even more confused.
“The note is from her? But she helped me get ready for our da- ugh, to meet you here. She even gave me her scarf because it’s getting cold tonight and told me to greet you.”
Now it was Thoma’s turn to look confused. It took him a few more seconds before the pieces fell in place, causing the café owner to blush.
“Oh, uh, haha. I think your sister set us up.” He nervously scratched the back of his head. “She knows when I’m out on a dog walk and is familiar with the route I’m always taking. I think she knew we would run into each other here and Taroumaru probably smelled her scarf, that’s why he ran off. He always does that when she’s around.”
Ayato’s otherwise porcelain complexion turned faintly pink at that. A flustered laugh escaped his mouth which Thoma couldn’t help but join into.
“It sure sounds like her,” the Kamisato said, features abashed as he observed the snow to his feet. It looked so unlike the fierce Clan-leader standing up to a handful of goons Thoma had witnessed just days ago. Still, he loved to see this side of Ayato that he knew to be out just when they were alone.
The barista could almost hear his best friend urging him to take this opportunity in his head. Thank you, Ayaka, he thought to himself before taking a deep breath.
“If we’re already here, would you like to go on a date with me and check out the festival venue? I’ve heard there will be fireworks shortly. Luckily, Taroumaru is not bothered by them, we could take him with us,” he offered while hopefully looking up towards the young Clan-head.
A hesitant smile spread across Ayato’s mouth, climbing up until it reached his purple-blue eyes. “Yes, I’d very much like that.”
Thoma returned the expression and held out his hand, which the other took at an instant. Ayato’s hand laid warm in his. “Then let’s go.”
The small booths lining the park’s lanes were buzzing with people. There were families with happy children snacking on some treats, couples shopping for some souvenirs and groups of friends laughing together as they held onto steaming cups.
Taroumaru pulled on the leash at all the delicious scents in the air, causing Thoma to laugh as the dog lead him to a shop selling glazed fruits.
“Hey there, slow down,” he chuckled.
Ayato had followed them, a thoughtful look on his face now while he observed the treats on display.
“Two glazed apples please,” he ordered, which the vendor was happy to provide them with.
Ayato held the sticky sweets out to Thoma.
“Oh, thank you! You didn’t have to.”
“I insist,” the Kamisato replied with a smile before looking down at the dog making mooneyes at them. “Besides, Taroumaru will stay at your side now.”
That caused the barista to laugh as he accepted the treat. “You got a point.”
Nibbling on their fruit, they strolled over the snowy festival venue hand in hand. Thoma’s dog happily trailed after them and only occasionally stopped to inspect the white powder snow lining the path. The booths were covered in it as well, though illuminated by strings of warm light.
Once they reached the center of the park with the large plaza in the middle, the delicious sweets on a stick were already gone. It was about time for the fireworks and Thoma watched as a small crowd gathered around them to watch the show. His heart beat up his throat with Ayato so close to him, thumb gently brushing circles onto the back of his hand.
The first firework exploded in an array of red sparks and lightened up the Kamisato heir’s face who looked up towards the already dark sky. The next explosion colored the man in a shine of gold, illuminating the curve of his nose and the small mole sitting below his lower lip. Thoma couldn’t take his eyes of the sight.
“Hey, where are you looking? You’re missing the sh-“
Before the Kamisato could finish his sentence, Thoma had already stepped closer and placed a quick peck onto his mouth. Their lips were still a little sticky from the glazed apple.
Surprised at first, Ayato quickly regained his composure and a smile spread over his handsome face.
Leaning forward, he slowly came closer to Thoma’s face again as if he was still unsure if the other liked him. When their lips met once more, they took their time, a slow and gentle rhythm forming between them. Ayato tasted of sugar from the treat and milk, probably the last beverage he had before arriving to their date.
The hands that carefully pulled Thoma closer where big and soft, skin unmarked as if made out of marble. The young heir wasn’t working with his hands a lot after all. Thoma’s own palms were coarse from the days filled with cleaning and baking, but Ayato didn’t seem to mind when he placed one of them onto the Kamisato’s neck.
“Do I take it correctly that you’re less interested in the fireworks right now?” he asked with a lopsided smirk after pulling back from the kiss.
“Oh no, I am. You just looked good in this light,” Thoma said with a grin of his own. “I know a place where we could watch the show on our own and maybe continue this afterwards.”
Ayato chuckled at that and released the other from his grip, though without letting go of Thoma’s hand.
“Lead the way then.”