Work Text:
Jakob was lounging comfortably on his couch with Alfons asleep right by his side. He was watching TV. Or he tried to, but his eyelids felt heavy. Following Alfons' example and taking a nap sounded really tempting. It was Saturday afternoon and he had nothing special planned for the day. It was also Valentine's Day, but in Finland the day was more about celebrating friendship instead of focusing more on love. But of course, those two things often went hand in hand. Jakob had already sent messages to his two closest friends, but that really had been the most important and noteworthy detail about his day so far. He breathed out and settled more comfortably on the couch. Alfons was quietly barking in his sleep and kicked Jakob in the thigh. Whatever the dog dreamed about, it certainly was more exciting than what Jakob was working with. There was nothing all that important on TV, either. With yet another drowsy sigh, Jakob reached for the remote and turned the TV off. He stretched his legs and pushed himself up from the couch. If he was going to take a nap, he might as well make the most of it and go to bed. It was a much better option that falling asleep on the couch and then dealing with an aching back or a sore neck afterwards. Getting older sure didn't come without its negative effects. And he was only in his 30s.
He had just reached the doorway leading to his bedroom when he was stopped on his tracks by his doorbell ringing. With one hand still on the door handle, he started to turn around. Back in the living room, he heard Alfons bark as the dog was woken up from his sleep. Only seconds after there was the familiar sound of claws against the floor as the poodle made his way for the door. Jakob was still standing there, almost like in some daze, when the doorbell rang again, this time almost sounding more impatient somehow. But of course this was only something Jakob's mind was making up. There was no way a doorbell could suddenly become impatient, his brain had just gone soft after lazing on the couch for too long. That, and he had already become focused on the thought of taking a nap with no interruptions. Of course those plans had now been pushed aside until further notice, all thanks to the person at his door, demanding to get his attention.
"I'm coming.."
Jakob mumbled as he turned his back to his bed which was still trying to invite him to lie down and to get nice and comfortable. Of course the person at the door had no way to actually hear him, but it just was some kind of reflex to say something, as if that would keep the doorbell from ringing for the third time.
Alfons turned to look at Jakob and wagged his tail. Jakob bent down to give his dog a couple little pats on the head and then went to open the door without even bothering to look through the peephole first. Maybe it was just some salesperson or a Jehovah's Witness spreading the good word of.. whatever those people believed in, Jakob wasn't certain of it and he didn't feel very eager to find out, either. He could always just close the door right in front of—
"Kevin?"
He greeted his friend after opening the door. He was aware about how it sounded more like a question than a normal greeting.
"Sorry, I wasn't expecting to see you. And I was just thinking about going down for a little nap, that's why I took so long to come to the door.."¨
Jakob already started explaining the story of his entire day so far before Kevin even had a chance to get a word in.
"What are you doing here?"
he then asked before finally shutting up and letting Kevin speak.
"Well, simply to come see how you're doing, and to wish you a happy Valentine's Day, as one would,"
Kevin said casually, flashing Jakob that familiar, snaggletoothed smile.
"Right, of course! Sorry, my brain's not fully awake, I think.."
Jakob apologized with a bright grin of his own.
"Happy Valentine's Day, Kevin."
Alfons seemed more than a little eager to leave the apartment and escape into the stairway, so Jakob scooped the dog up and stepped back to give Kevin a chance to walk in. Only then did Jakob really start eyeing the rather pretty-looking box Kevin was holding onto. Of course he had already noticed it before but just hadn't had a proper chance to ask about it yet.
"What have you got there?"
he asked, some obvious curiosity in his voice as he eyed the box.
"Well, you know.. I brought you something,"
Kevin told a little mysteriously as Jakob let Alfons back down.
"Something I'm sure you'll like."
"You're not going to just tell me?"
Jakob then asked, face in frown for barely a second. Kevin just smiled.
"Why don't you put some coffee on and I'll show you?"
he suggested. And that was more than enough for Jakob to smile in agreement and to start heading towards the kitchen. So it was something to eat.
Kevin soon joined Jakob in the kitchen and carefully set the box down on the counter. He knew where Jakob kept his dessert plates and headed straight for the correct cupboard without needing to ask. He pulled out two little, clear plates which Jakob had gotten from his grandmother ages ago and went to set them down on the table. Then he went to get a cake server and two little spoons. Jakob was secretly keeping an eye on Kevin while he made coffee.
"Did you bring a cake?"
he finally had to ask after biting his tongue for the past few minutes. Kevin smiled at his friend's excitement as he picked up the box and moved it to the table as well.
"I did. I picked it up just before coming here,"
he finally announced.
"What kind of a cake is it?"
Jakob then asked as he took two mugs from the cupboard closest to him.
"How about I'll show you once coffee's ready?"
Jakob spent the next minutes almost bouncing around his kitchen as he waited for the coffeemaker to do its job. Thanks to his impatience, it was quite hard for him to stay still. But at last, once coffee was finally ready, he didn't waste even a second to pour it into the mugs which he then carried to the table.
"Can I see it now?"
he asked, sounding even more eager if possible. He really was like a child in some ways, and Kevin didn't have the heart to keep him in suspense for any longer.
"Sure,"
he promised calmly and went to open the box. He could just about sense Jakob moving in closer and trying to see something over his shoulder.
"Kevin..!"
Jakob breathed out when he caught the first glimpse of the red velvet cake.
"You got that from a bakery, didn't you?"
Kevin hummed calmly, confirming it to Jakob.
"I did. I placed an order earlier to make sure we'd be guaranteed to get one."
As he turned around, he saw the familiar, bright smile on Jakob's face. But he didn't have time to admire it for very long because Jakob jumped him only moments later, pulling him into a long, tight hug.
"How much did this cost?"
Jakob wondered, his eyes wide with delight as he squeezed Kevin with all the love he had in him.
"It was priceless,"
Kevin told him with a shrug and a smile as he also held his arms around Jakob.
"Because seeing your happiness has already paid it all back."