Work Text:
DING!
The Onmi-Synthesizer sounded its alarm to Caelus for his attention. His hands carefully opened the lid to allow the warm steam of fresh pastry to waft in the Astral Express’s kitchen. He sniffed at the sweet scent, retrieving the thick kitchen gloves to bring out the freshly baked Suncakes.
“It’s done!” The Trailblazer marveled at the golden-brown perfection of the Suncakes. Their surfaces glistened with a light glaze, and the aroma of honey and toasted grains filled the air.
With a big grin curled on his lips, the gray-haired young man picked up the brown syrup and poured it onto the Suncakes. “And with dark chocolate syrup... There we go, it wouldn’t be that sweet anymore!”
His mind remembered the time after Topaz had been convinced to withdraw her contract to Belobog to have the latter’s future submitted under IPC’s control; the celebration of the Solwarm Festival continued in Belobog. Both Caelus and March participated in the Aetherium Wars contest to win as champions and enjoy the fun in other activities.
The two had a lot of fun and ate tons of food they could reach from their greedy hands. Yet among all the delicious delicacies, one that particularly stood out with a bad memory was the Suncakes itself.
To say they were sweet was an understatement; it felt like someone dumped all sugary ingredients in their kitchen to create this monstrous abomination. The sweetness was so overwhelming that it left a lasting impression on Caelus and March. Since then, they had made a pact to always have a more balanced and less sugary version of Suncakes whenever they prepared or encountered them.
Although finding a less sugary version was complex, the Trailblazer eventually took it upon himself to make his own version so they could enjoy the treat again with each batch he baked in his attempt to perfect it. As Caelus drizzled the dark chocolate syrup over the golden Suncakes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for that particular Solwarm Festival until a familiar voice called out to him from the entrance.
“So, the sweet smell is coming here! Are you making something, Caelus?” Pom-pom walked in with a big grin on their fluffy furry face.
Caelus turned to the black and white rabbit-like creature and greeted them. “Hey, Pom-pom. I was making some Suncakes for March, and everyone can try them out. I modified the recipe to make it less sweet than usual. Hopefully, it doesn’t give anyone a traumatizing nightmare from all the sugar.”
Pom-pom hopped onto one of the stools beside the Trailblazer, their long, fluffy ears twitching at the enticing aroma. "Suncakes, you say? But less sweet? Well, that's interesting. Could I try one of them, please?"
"Of course, help yourself.” The said young man chuckled; he took the spatula to pick one of the small cakes and placed it on a clean plate with cutleries passed to the Express conductor. "I've added a touch of dark chocolate syrup to balance the sweetness. Let me know what you think."
Pom-pom wasted no time, grabbing a Suncake and taking a hearty bite. Their blue eyes widened in surprise, and after a moment of chewing, they flashed a satisfied grin. "This is fantastic! Still sweet but not overwhelming. And the syrup is really balancing the sweet with bitterness, Caelus!"
The Trailblazer beamed with pride, scooping another few batches of Suncakes drizzled with dark chocolate and sprinkled some colorful floss above. "Glad you like it, Pom-pom. I wanted to avoid a sugar rush like the one we had during the Solwarm Festival. Hopefully, March shares the same thoughts as you when I pass these to her."
“You’re looking for Miss March?” The Express Conductor stopped eating momentarily at the young man. “She told me that she had to pick something at the Administrative District and left not too long ago.”
For a moment, Caelus’s face colored with surprise, then with an understanding chuckle. His hands continued to work on the Suncakes to split the shares for Welt, Himeko, and Dan Heng. "Right, I remember now. She said she wanted to catch this special shot from the Goethe Hotel. I'll save some for her when she gets back."
Still savoring the delicious treat, Pom-pom squealed in delight before a memory hit them. “Pom-pom just remembered... About an hour ago, Dr. Ratio from the Intelligentsia Guild is here to visit again.”
“Dr. Ratio is here?” At the mention of his lover, the gray-haired young man became shocked while drying his hands with a towel. “Weird... He didn’t tell me anything about coming over again this week... Did he say anything?”
The Express Conductor shook their furry head and answered. “He only asked Pom-pom where you were and showed him to the kitchen. Dr. Ratio said nothing after Pom-pom brought him here and only looked at you briefly before leaving. Pom-pom remembers he was heading in the direction of your room.”
Caelus furrowed his brows, a sense of curiosity mixed with concern creeping over him. "That's odd. I wonder if it’s the assignment I submitted to him recently... Thanks for letting me know. I'll check on him right away. Could you please help to deliver the rest of the cakes to the others?"
“Leave them to Pom-pom,” The Express Conductor raised their paw to acknowledge, and the Trailblazer hurriedly made his way through the halls to reach his quarters with a plate of his suncake in his hand. The train's interior, usually a place of comfort and familiarity, now seemed tinged with stillness.
Upon reaching his room, Caelus cautiously knocked on the door. A strange action he realized after doing so when it was his own room. “Dr. Ratio, are you there? I’m coming in right now.”
The Trailblazer cautiously pushed open the door to his room and closed it behind him. The lights were dim inside the room, casting a soft glow over the space. Dr. Ratio seated himself comfortably on the chair near his work desk, his eyes closed in a relatively relaxed face, with one of his arms propping his head up.
"Veritas...?" Caelus called out his real name with his soft, curious voice.
The purple-haired scholar had not budged from his slumber as his younger lover approached him close. As he placed his cake on the desk, Caelus crouched before his older lover to observe him.
Dr. Ratio, or Veritas as Caelus knew him intimately, seemed lost in a peaceful sleep. His features, usually guarded and stern, appeared softened in the tranquility of rest. The Trailblazer couldn't help but admire the peaceful expression on Veritas's face. Given the usual intensity that accompanied the scholar's demeanor, it was a rare sight.
An idea came into the Trailblazer’s mind; his yellow eyes darted to his left and right. Seeing that no one would be coming in, it would be the best time to enact his plan. He quietly rose from the ground and straddled on the scholar’s lap.
The gray-haired young man reached out both hands to hold the handsome face like a fragile object to not dirty. A skin that was equally flawless as his narcissistic statues, especially the way his purple bangs framed perfectly around it.
Caelus moved his fingers to brush the stray strand of hair, noticing how soft it really felt to show Veritas took a lot of care in his appearance during his bath time. And the red eyeshadows at the corners of his closed eyes were drawn without being out of shape.
With a tender touch, Caelus traced the delicate features of Veritas's face, his fingertips dancing gently over the smooth skin. The scholar's face, usually etched with the weight of knowledge and responsibility, now held an innocence in the serene embrace of sleep.
As Caelus continued his exploration, a small smile played on his lips. The quiet moment between them felt like a scene stolen from the ordinary hustle of their respective lives. With its hums and vibrations, the Astral Express seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them in this suspended tranquility.
The Trailblazer marveled at the contrast between Veritas's usual composed self and the vulnerability that sleep unveiled. It was a reminder that even the most stoic figures carried layers of humanity beneath their exteriors.
Lost in the moment's tenderness, Caelus was about to lean in with eyes shut to press his lips onto the other’s lips... Until a familiar, deep, and composed voice without an emotion. “So, was that all you were going to do?”
Both the Trailblazer’s eyes opened in shock at the unexpected as the yellow eyes met against the familiar sharp, piercing, and fully awoke pinkish-red eyes of the scholar. Caelus hurriedly got away from the older man with a flustered expression. “Nothing! I-I wasn’t planning on doing anything at all. I saw your cheek was covered in dust and wanted to clear it away.”
“Using your own lips to do so?” Veritas moved to fold his arms and raised an eyebrow at the Trailblazer.
Caelus stammered, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. He hadn't anticipated Veritas waking up so soon or catching him in the act. In fact, it looked like the purple-haired scholar was awake all this time!
He quickly tried to salvage the situation, his words stumbling in an attempt to explain himself.
“N-no, I mean, not really... I was just being... Uh, thorough in cleaning. It's a new technique I’ve learned from Madame Herta’s space station! Really efficient!" Caelus rambled, scratching the back of his head nervously with a sheepish grin.
Veritas remained stoic, his gaze steady as he observed the flustered Trailblazer while straightening his posture. "Efficient, you say?"
Then, the scholar's lips curved into a subtle smirk, a glint of amusement in his eyes as he rolled his neck to stretch. “I must admit, I haven't encountered that particular cleaning method in my extensive studies. You’ve got me quite intrigued and curious.”
“I could show you if you like. But maybe some other time.” Caelus returned with a shaky chuckle and hurriedly changed the subject while the older man still believed him. “Besides that, I heard from Pom-pom you were looking for me. Did you need something?”
“Take a look at the attachment I have sent to you.”
The Trailblazer nodded at Veritas’s instruction, taking out his phone to see a message notification from him. Upon tapping to open the app and the attachment, it was another pamphlet of debate competition for the topic of ‘Should school be all year round?’.
“Your last debate shows improvement in providing sufficient evidence to your stance. Yet, there’s still room for improvement in upholding your position.” The purple-haired scholar explained to his young lover. “The topic is intermediate level. Should you be interested, I shall gladly lend my quill to pen a letter of your participation to your benefit and provide the required materials.”
Caelus replied with a grateful nod. “I’ll take the time to think about it.”
He turned back to his phone, looking through the attached files that came with the digital pamphlet with a thoughtful expression. While Caelus focused on the phone, Veritas shifted his body and noticed the delicious dish on the table. “Hmm. I see… This was the source of your jovial mood in the kitchen.”
“I think I found the perfect balance for the Suncakes, Veritas!” The Trailblazer looked up from his phone with a bright smile. “I made them less sugary, added a touch of dark chocolate syrup, and voila! Pom-pom loved them, and now even you've tried them. It's like a triumph for me!”
“Ah yes, I have heard of these delicacies,” Veritas picked up another Suncake and examined it discerningly. “A time our students were possessed like demented creatures, raving mad with a compulsion to consume these overly sacchariferous treats all they could. Then, of course, there were preposterous papers submitted as appeals to add these to the canteen lunch menu. Nevertheless, I have been tasked to cure the sugary overloaded minds of these ill people with properly equipped knowledge on their ignorance to these treats.”
Caelus chuckled, imagining the chaotic scenes that his lover described while working as a lecturer. “Well, we can't let sugary madness take over. That's why I decided to create a more balanced version. A little sweetness is good, but too much can be overwhelming. It's all about finding that perfect harmony. So, how about take a bite and try?”
“No.” The scholar answered with a blunt tone and put down the Suncake back onto the plate.
“Whaat?!” Caelus exclaimed in surprise and pleaded. “Come on, it’s just one bite! I mean it when I said I did my best to cut down the sugar from the original recipe.”
Veritas sighed at his younger lover, throwing a small tantrum at him with a pout on his youthful face. “Hardly a matter of your cooking proficiency in modifying the recipes. Excessive sweetness consumption harms the brain, leading to memory deficiencies and slowing cognitive function. Maintaining a strict diet regime is important for a strong mind.”
The pout on the Trailblazer turned into a downtrodden expression, as though his heart was broken to pieces by the rejection from his beloved scholar. His head bowed down dejectedly and muttered. “It’s only one bite… I promise I will finish the rest of it myself…. And I’ve worked hard to bake these for everyone to try.”
At the sight of his Caelus expressing himself with a heartbroken look, Veritas seemed to mull for a moment while shutting his eyes. And then, he let out a heavy sigh of resignation and spoke. “Very well. One bite as you insist so.”
“Really?!” Caelus’s face instantly lit back the sunniest warm expression that the purple-haired scholar loved dearly. Not that he would admit it while spoiling his Trailblazer right now. “Then, I’ll cut out a small piece and feed it to you!”
The scholar raised an eyebrow at the sudden burst of enthusiasm from the Trailblazer but nodded in agreement. “Remember, this is a concession solely for the sake of your persistence.”
Still beaming joyfully, Caelus quickly grabbed the fork to cut a modest portion of the cake. He carefully poked the piece with the utensil, holding it up with a triumphant smile. “Behold, the perfect bite-sized to make a doctor’s day happy!”
“Let's not exaggerate the grandeur of a single bite.” Veritas regarded the offering with a stoic expression, though a glimmer of tenderness shone in his eyes.
Undeterred by the negative retort, Caelus leaned in, presenting the tiny morsel to Dr. Ratio. "Here, Veritas. Open wide and say ‘aah’ to savor the exquisite balance of flavors!”
For that split moment, the purple-haired older man was to regret being too soft to spoil the young man. But damn Aeons, did Caelus not know how Aeons he really was right now?
Sighing with exasperation, Veritas complied as he opened his mouth with a quiet ‘aah’ sound, allowing Caelus to feed him the bite-sized creation. As he tasted the modified Suncake, his expression remained impassive, betraying no immediate reaction. The Trailblazer, on the other hand, watched anxiously for his lover’s reaction.
The yellow eyes were eager for any sign of approval from the body language. After a moment of contemplation, Veritas finally spoke. “It's... Acceptable. The reduction in sweetness is noticeable, and the addition of dark chocolate adds a subtle richness. Your culinary endeavors seem to have some merit. 10 points.”
Caelus practically beamed with beyond delight at the praise he received. He was on cloud nine and exclaimed. “Acceptable? Merit? Veritas, you're practically showering me with compliments! I knew you'd appreciate the refined taste of my creation.”
“Don't get carried away, Caelus. It's a commendable effort,” Veritas chuckled softly, a rare expression of warmth crossing his features. His pinkish-red eyes observed the young man sneaking for a few bites of his cooking. “But, your manners of the way on the indulgence of foods could use some improvement of learning.”
Following where the pinkish-red eyes landed, Caelus lifted a hand to try and wipe around his face. “What do you mean? I don’t feel any crumbs anywhere.”
“Oh? Perhaps allow me to show you the spot you’ve missed.” Veritas spoke.
Before the Trailblazer was to ask anything else, the older man seized one of his hands and pulled towards him swiftly. The other hand moved to place it behind Caelus’s head before their mouths engaged in a kiss.
The sudden action caught Caelus by surprise, his eyes widening before fluttering closed as he melted into the unexpected embrace. Veritas's lips claimed his, the kiss carrying a depth of passion. It was a surprising turn of events, catching the Trailblazer off guard.
Caelus parted open when a tongue traced against the lower lips, allowing the tongue to enter the warm cavern to savor him. The bittersweet taste from the dark chocolate and the suncake blended heavenly with the Trailblazer’s taste to the purple-haired scholar. His tongue moved vigorously to map around as though intending to devour the young man alive and whole here.
As the kiss deepened, Caelus could feel the intensity of the moment. Veritas's actions spoke of a desire that went beyond the simple act of cleaning the cake crumbs. The unexpected passion in the kiss left the Trailblazer breathless, his heart pounding.
The hand behind Caelus's head kept him in place, ensuring the kiss lingered, each movement deliberate and consuming. The other hand moved to wrap around the Trailblazer’s waist, pulling him to sit on the lap even closer, allowing the young man to rest his hands on the well-sculpted muscular pecs. The melding of flavors from pastry and each other and the intimate exchange created a sensory overload that sent shivers down Caelus's spine.
Their tongues danced in a rhythm that echoed the unspoken connection between them. It was a moment that transcended the ordinary, a fusion of culinary delight and the intimacy of shared emotions. Caelus lost himself in the kiss, savoring the warmth and taste that enveloped him.
When the kiss finally broke, Caelus was left in a daze, his yellow eyes half-lidded as he tried to regain his composure. Veritas, ever composed, regarded him with a smug smirk, a glint of satisfaction in his predatory pinkish-red eyes.
"Lesson one: moderation in indulgence, Caelus. Savor the moments, but don't lose yourself in them. And, lesson two," Veritas stated, his voice low and filled with a magnetic allure. His hand behind Caelus’s head went to the front to wipe the drool from his lips. “A kiss is best enjoyed when two parties are conscious to allow emotions to convey effectively.”
Still catching his breath, Caelus managed to utter with his cheeks flushed. "So... You were awake all this time, after all...."
“Clearly, you’ve not realized that you’re not exactly the most subtle person I’ve known when thinking of shenanigans.” The purple-haired scholar replied, leaning back on his seat while pulling his younger lover. “Perhaps try to ensure that your prey is completely oblivious to your movements before going in to strike.”
Caelus, adjusting himself on his older lover's lap, couldn't help but chuckle sheepishly at the unexpected events. "Well, I'll remember that next time, Veritas. You certainly know how to keep me on my toes."
Veritas's smirk softened into a faint smile, and he ran a hand through Caelus's hair with a gentle yet possessive touch. "Indeed, Caelus. There's room for improvement in every endeavor, even in matters of the heart. Now, back to the debate preparations. We have much to discuss."
Trying to regain his composure, the Trailblazer nodded while still disoriented by all that had happened. His hands took out his phone to read through materials, trying to concentrate as much as possible. At the same time, the said scholar took the remaining Suncakes on the plate to thoroughly feast on the pastry with his lover cuddling on his lap with a face of blissed satisfaction.