Disclaimer: I don’t own Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles.

The Bakery

Posted October Fourth, 2007

"I'm not German." Kurogane said uneasily, glancing around even though he knew the room was empty.

"I know."

"I don't think you -"

"Yes, I do." Fay looked at him, staring straight into his eyes, and patted him comfortingly on the shoulder. He had that smile. The one that made you realize he was laughing on the inside.

"Kurogane. Want to come with me?"

--

"If it were me," Kurogane started as he took another drink, "I'd do it red."

"Red walls? That'd only remind people of blood."

"Fine then. Black."

"Is this a bar, or a bakery?"

"Well?! What would you suggest?"

"I was thinking... green."

"Green's the colour of illness. How is that better than red?"

Fay smiled, resting against the counter of the shop. The rain beat down on the roof of the building and created a quiet background noise against their conversation. The last customers of the day had left an hour ago. They were the only ones left, and he found he quite liked it that way.

"Do you enjoy my cooking?"

"Be careful. They could send you away for saying something like that." The other man warned.

"Relax. We're the only ones here. Besides, I've got a mean military dog to scare them away!"

"That wouldn't - Wait. Military? Are you talking about me?"

"Yeah. And you seem to like it here, so I figured you'd fight for it if you had to."

"I'm not in the military anymore."

"You're right. You're not." Fay gazed at him, propped up by his elbows on the smooth, clean counter. It was cold, because the heater wasn't working and he was done cooking for the day. He shivered.

"I've got something for you."

It was an oatmeal cookie shaped like a dog. He had used some tools made for small details, and had cut the shape out himself. It wasn't very sweet - just as the man liked it - and Fay could smell his cologne as he moved to take it.

"What are you wearing?"

"Hmm?"

"That smell."

"It's... Tomoyo's. She likes to do that, the little brat sprays things on my clothes."

"And if you washed all of them, she'd just do it again."

"Right."

He glanced up at Fay, and tentatively took a bite. The relief must have shown in his face, because his smile grew wider. The treat wasn't full of sugar, and before he knew it, it was gone.

"...It was a dog."

"Yes."

"Are you trying to tell me something?"

"You're my dog. I'm your master, Kurogane."

He turned a bright red, and Fay laughed softly. The blonde leaned closer and brushed his hand against Kurogane's own.

"I can keep a secret, too." He breathed, low and slow and certain. The murmur of the rain continued, and lasted until after the bell at the shop door signaled a goodbye.

--

"Am I inconveniencing you?"

"Not at all."

It was Sunday and the usual mass of people had yet to arrive from their weekly service. Business was slow and the ringing of the welcome bell had alerted Fay only a few times so far in the afternoon..

"What are your hours, anyways?"

"They're not fixed."

A timer beeped, somewhere, and the baker rushed to the back of the shop to open one of the ovens. He returned triumphantly with a baking stone covered with pastries and placed it behind the glass screen on the cashier's side.

"It's technique." He explained, shedding the oven mitts and opening the door to the bakery. "People smell the food, realize they're hungry, come in to see what we've got... You know."

--

"What, is it just because you need help?"

"I guess."

"I have another job."

"I know. But what do you say?"

Kurogane drummed his fingers on the edge of his chair, thinking. It would be dangerous. He didn't look similar enough to pass for family, and neither of them were married or dating. People would talk.

"Everyone would -"

"Who cares?"

"I do."

"I don't -"

"I care. I care about you. There is no way I'm going to let you be taken away for rumors like that." He looked around - the bakery was empty, it was past closing time - and sighed. "Look. One of us will have to get a girlfriend." The word tasted bitter on his tongue and he frowned, realizing what that would mean. Lying again. If he were more popular, he'd have female friends who could help him...

"Fay. You've been with a woman, right?"

--

"Let's go someplace. To the park, or something."

"Why?"

"Because we can. You should enjoy life!"

"My idea of 'enjoying life' is not a frolic in the park."

"Well... What is it, then?"

--

It was sunny out, which made the bakery fairly hot. The door was wide open and a fan was blowing steadily. Blue skies and warm smiles filled the streets surrounding the shop, and Fay couldn't help but glance out the window. The other man wasn't here.

"He said he'd come today..." Fay frowned, and went to the back of the store to start mixing ingredients. Sure, he had only known the man for a couple weeks, but Kurogane didn't seem like the type of person who would stand someone up. He probably just got lost. And this feeling he had - like he's been stabbed and left to die - was completely normal. The bell chimed and he brushed his hands against his apron, casually walking into view.

It's Kurogane.

"It's Tomoyo's fault." He muttered, easily falling into a chair. If Fay were a woman, they would have been playing house.

"Who's that?"

"The kid of my boss. She... replaced my clothes."

"With what?"

"Dresses. Said something about 'ninjas wear them' and that's it."

Fay tried to stifle his laughter. "How...?"

"I don't know. I came home, took a shower, and when I got out they were all gone. The bit- brat left a note, I never saw her."

The conversation ended, Kurogane blowing on tea that was too hot.

--

Ahh... This is definitely a different style than what I normally do. I decided, "I'm gonna write fluff, dammit!" and the whole WWII idea, and... Fai... Somehow, Fai owning a bakery just really stuck into my head.

I figured fluff would be impossible for me if I used my normal style. So this is more drabble...ish... I suppose. One thing to note is that the time jumps around, but the place will always be the same. And there will be more chapters, if you can call these chapters...

It's better if you view these events in a "everything has a double meaning" sort of way. Think KuroFai and underneath the underneath! And even though I don't like this title, I don't like any of the titles that other people have come up with either... :P