Work Text:
The scent of chocolate had filled your tiny apartment kitchen since morning. A small pot on the stove still released warm steam as you continued stirring the brigadeiro mixture carefully, making sure it would not burn. Several times you glanced at the recipe open on your phone screen, ensuring no step was missed.
This was your first time making the Brazilian treat yourself. They were not as perfectly shaped as those sold in shops, some of the balls were even slightly lopsided, but you still smiled with satisfaction at the final result.
One by one, you rolled the brigadeiros in chocolate sprinkles, then arranged them neatly inside a small white box adorned with a black ribbon. Simple, but sweet enough. Your mind drifted back to Pierrot, who had bought a brigadeiro at the café where you worked a few days ago. The quiet clown had said nothing, but his eyes had lit up the moment he spotted them in the display case. Since that moment, you had secretly decided to make some for him yourself.
That evening, you carried the small box toward the area of Pierrot's red tent. Before you could even look around, Pierrot's figure had already appeared from behind the tent's entrance. As if he had been waiting for you all along.
The moment your eyes met, Pierrot's pace quickened. The tiny bells on his hat chimed softly with his movements, while a wide smile began to grace his face. His gaze never once strayed from you—not even for a second.
"Have you been here long?" you asked as you approached him.
Pierrot shook his head, his white mane swaying along with the bells on his hat.
Your gaze then fell upon a bit of dust clinging to the hem of his costume. It was hard to believe he had just arrived. More likely, the clown had been standing around here for quite some time, merely waiting for you to come.
"I brought you something."
Pierrot's eyes immediately fixed on the small box in your hand. Curiosity shone so plainly in his expression. Carefully, you offered it to him, and without hesitation, Pierrot received it with both hands, as though the object were precious beyond measure.
Slowly, he opened the lid. For a moment, his body froze. Inside the box lay your homemade brigadeiros, arranged neatly. Pierrot lifted his head slowly. His gaze travelled from the contents of the box to your face, then back to the brigadeiros again as if making sure his eyes were not deceiving him.
"Especially for you," you said with a smile. "I made them myself."
That sentence seemed to make Pierrot's entire world stop for a moment. His smile slowly widened, his eyes crinkled with joy, while the little bells on his hat chimed repeatedly as his head nodded unconsciously. His reaction was so honest that you could not help but let out a small laugh.
"R-really? You made these especially for me, my lady?"
"Yes, yes... they're all for you. You don't have to keep confirming it."
Pierrot immediately took one brigadeiro. His movements were so careful, as if afraid of damaging the gift. After taking a slow bite, he paused for several seconds.
Then his expression shifted. Unconsciously, he hugged the box of brigadeiros to his chest, as though afraid someone might snatch it away.
"Do you like them?"
Pierrot nodded quickly.
"You really like them?"
His next nod was even faster, making the bells on his hat jingle without pause.
"It really shows, huh."
You laughed softly at his innocent reaction. It was hard to believe that the clown whom many found unsettling could display such simple happiness.
"If they turned out badly, I'd be so embarrassed, you know."
Pierrot hurriedly shook his head. Then he pointed at the brigadeiro in his hand, then at you. His gaze was so earnest.
"Are you trying to say ... they're good?"
Pierrot nodded. "They're delicious, my lady!"
Your smile grew wider. "What a relief..."
Before you could say anything more, Pierrot suddenly stepped closer. The distance between you grew shorter until you could hear the soft sound of his breathing. That tender gaze never left your face, making you grow flustered.
"Hm? What is it?"
Pierrot raised one hand slowly, as if asking permission before touching you. When you did not move away, his fingertips gently brushed against your sleeve.
Then he bent slightly and pressed a kiss to your cheek. As Pierrot pulled back, your face instantly grew warm. Reflexively, you touched the cheek he had just kissed, while the clown gazed at you with hopeful eyes. His smile was so bright that it felt impossible not to smile back.
"Was that ... a thank you?"
Pierrot nodded slowly. Seeing the satisfied and happy expression on his face, your heart immediately warmed. You chuckled softly before lifting your hand and gently stroking his hair.
"You're welcome, Pierrot."
The moment your caress landed on his head, Pierrot closed his eyes. He even tilted his head slightly, following your touch, savouring every second of the attention you gave him. The box of brigadeiros was still clutched tightly in his arms, while the smile gracing his face seemed so sincere.
Watching him like that, you began to think... perhaps spending hours making brigadeiros since morning had been the best decision you had ever made. Because for Pierrot, that gift was not merely sweet food. It was proof that someone had thought of him. And for him, there was no gift more precious than that []