Work Text:
Yuu watched as Jamil stood from the decorated table, brushing a few stray hairs out of his face and back behind his ear. She stayed on the side of the small set as he exchanged some pleasantries with the others in the room, standing with Ruggie, who also seemed happy to stay out of the crowd now that his job was done. And soon the small team of people filtered out, leaving cleanup of the basic items for the next day, in case they needed to re-tape some part of the interview.
Jamil grabbed the little cake that still lay uneaten on the table and pushed aside some of the decor to lean against as Ruggie and Yuu walked up.
“I can’t believe the headmaster acted like this was some last minute thing when he had all this prepared.” Jamil looked miffed as he slid the fork through the dessert, cutting a careful piece of it. He held it out to the two of them. “Want some? The bakery’s famous, afterall.”
Yuu started to decline, it was Jamil’s birthday after all, but Ruggie was already closing his mouth around the mini spoon with a noise of contentment.
“Mmm, free desserts always taste the best!” His words were slightly muffled as he chewed slowly, looking as if he were savoring it. Jamil seemed to be happy with his enjoyment, a light smile across his face that looked relieved from the stress of the previous crowd. Ruggie cleared his mouth and licked his lips. “Was a lot of effort, but at least you got some freebies out of it~ I’m a little jealous.”
“Yeah, the outfit they gave you is super cute!” Yuu chimed in, taking in the soft fabrics and warm tones again. The outfit melted in with Jamil perfectly, it had to have been expensive. “They even matched your hair with the dessert!” The new little bun in his hair was perfection.
“It’ll probably be your turn at your birthdays, I heard they’re doing this for the whole school year.” Jamil held out another bite, towards Yuu this time. She hesitated, but decided to eat it before Ruggie could - it’d be rude to decline and there was still plenty more. The chestnut flavor was smooth, the sweetness mixing in perfectly with the sponge cake under it, it melted in her mouth.
“Aah, that is crazy delicious~” She smiled thanks at Jamil and then held out her hand for the plate, worrying that he wouldn’t actually take any for himself. He handed it over to her with slightly furrowed eyebrows, and she plated another bite on the fork as she explained. “It’s your birthday, have some.” She held out the bite to him.
Jamil watched her for a few moments, and Yuu thought he might decline, tell her to just finish it. But instead, he opened his mouth and closed his lips around the fork, eyes staying on hers. She tried to slip the fork out gently while her heart was racing, face flushed from the innocent movement. His eyes closed as he tasted the delicate dessert, nodding slightly in approval.
“They’re famous for a reason.”
Movement to her left showed Ruggie, mouth open. “Aaaah, my turn, Yuu!”
“Ruggie! It’s not your cake!” Yuu pulled the plate to the other side, a partially teasing - partially real glare on her face.
Jamil laughed off her protectiveness, “We all had to be here for this, we should share it.”
Yuu pouted, but obligingly carved out a small bite, not trusting Ruggie with access to the whole plate. She held it out to him, and he ate it without complaint, savoring it just as much the second time. “Mmmmm, I could do without all the fuss about your clothes and hair, but it’s worth it for this. Or do you not think so since Kalim’s always getting fancy foods?”
Jamil seemed to consider as Yuu fed him another bite. “I guess this does feel different. It’s mine. It’s special.”
And Kalim hadn’t been allowed to accompany him here, since this wasn’t the usual Scarabia party - was that why it felt more like it was his?
She had a sudden, overwhelming feeling that Jamil needed to be eating all of it, not sharing it with the two of them who’d barely done anything. Yuu bit her lip and scooped a much larger bite, holding it out to Jamil again. He gestured to her, probably about to say she should eat, but she slipped it into his mouth as soon as it opened. His eyes went wide at the surprise attack, and then he pulled back, putting a hand out as a noise of pain came from him.
Yuu pushed the plate into Ruggies hands as she tried to reach out to Jamil. “Omg are you okay? Did I get you with the fork? I’m so sorry!”
Jamil shook his head, seeming to have recovered. He swallowed a few times. “It was just a little bit, it’s okay.”
Suddenly the fork was in front of his face again, more cake on it. They both looked over to Ruggie, who had a wide grin. “Eat up, Mr. this-is-the-only-cake-I’ve-ever-had. Even I can't let that go, shyehehehe.”
“Ah, I’m happy sharing it, you should have more too.” He tried to push the fork back towards Ruggie, but he dodged him with surprisingly agility, keeping the cake perfectly on the fork.
“I already had another bite, it’s your turn~” Ruggie was insistent, and Jamil took the bite offered to him.
Ruggie handed the cake back to Yuu and by some unspoken agreement, they traded off feeding the rest of it to Jamil while distracting him with light conversation.
Art by MecchaTea (same on IG)