You stared at the cook book in frustration. How hard could it be to make Alfred's Christmas cake this year? Sure, his request was a bit ridiculous. He wanted a cake with three tier cake with neon yellow frosting and Christmas lights all around it.
Okay, it was extreme.
But how could you turn him down? He took you on a guilt trip and reminded you about all of the times you owed him by showing up late to the conferences or making him eat a salad from McDonalds instead of his beloved hamburgers. The only problem was, well, you weren't a cake expert. And it was Christmas eve. You couldn't buy one because Alfred made you promise YOU would make it. Think, who is excellent at cooking? Well that crosses Arthur out.
DING!
Kiku! Duh, how obvious! He's amazing at cooking! Even if he is shy and refuses to make eye contact with you at meetings, you knew that he would come over an help, right? You picked up your phone and dialed his number, tapping your foot to the beat of "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer".
"Herro?" he answered.
"Hey, Kiku!" you smiled even if he couldn't see. "How ya doin'?"
He hesitated, "_______-san? Er, fine thank you. And you?"
"Oh, I'm doing great!" you twirled the phone's cord in your fingers. "I just need you to do me a favor."
"Hai?"
"Would you come over and help me bake Alfred's Christmas cake?" you pleaded.
There was a pause before he replied, "I-I guess I could-"
"Thanks!" you exclaimed before hanging up, a satisfied grin on your face.
The door bell went off as you started the oven. You wiped your hands on your apron and ran to the door before yanking it open and revealing Kiku standing in the winter night. His nose and ears were tinted pink from the cold and he had a scarf pulled up over his chin.
"Good evening, Kiku!" you smiled and opened the door wider, granting him access inside. He bowed and stepped in removing his scarf and shoes at the entrance. You showed him to the kitchen and told him about the cake.
The Japanese man's face showed that he was disgusted, "A yerrow cake?"
"Well, yeah." you looked down at your toes timedly. "Is something wrong with that?"
"I don't want to sound rude," he began, "But hai. Cakes are not supposed to be yerrow. We wirr make a traditionar Japanese Christmas Cake for Mr. Arfred's party."
"A Japanese Christmas Cake?" you repeated the line slowly, making sure you heard right. "I dunno if Alfred will like that-"
Before you could say anything else, Kiku's sleeves were around his elbows as he began digging through your fridge, We wirr need eggs, frour, sugar, baking powder, and mirk."
You were surprised at the usually quiet Japanese man's take in action. He was always so calm and quiet you didn't expect him to be so demanding. Especially in the kitchen. You dug around in your cabinets before pulling out the bag of flour then the bag of baking powder.
"The sugar is in that bowl over there," you pointed out, leaning on the counter.
"Arigato." Kiku said as he closed the fridge with butter, two eggs and a carton of milk in his arms. "Where are your cooking suppries?"
You blinked and pointed to the cabinet next to you then watched as he yanked it open and looked through it, his face full of determination. It was kind of cute. You wouldn't lie and say that you didn't enjoy the Japanese man's company because you did! The way he blushed when you said his name and when he got excited over rice for lunch. It was all too cute! It was extra nice you get to spend Christmas eve with him.
You watched with interest as he scooped a cup of flour out of the bag and into a bowl then as he dumped a tablespoon of baking powder into the bowl as well. Tapping your fingers on the counter, you pressed the power button on your radio and swayed along with the Christmas carols. Kiku was completely unphased and buried in his work to even stop and recognize the song.
"Do you like Christmas songs, Kiku?" you asked, breaking his concentration.
"Werr," he continued to work, stirring the eggs in a different bowl, "I never rearry risten to Christmas music."
"I listen to them every year. I just love them!" you smiled as you lost yourself in the memories of sitting by the fire with your family and singing along to these carols.
Kiku nodded politely and began to add pinches of sugar to the eggs as he stirred. You watched in interest. He made cooking look so easy.
"Did you know," he looked up from his stirring, "Christmas cakes are eaten on Christmas eve. It is a tradition."
"Do you eat them by yourself?" you asked sadly.
"Hai," he nodded and turned his attention back to stirring the eggs. He put the bowl down and poured the milk into a pan followed by some butter. He placed the pan on the stove a flipped the stove on. "I spend Christmas arone."
That's so sad you thought sadly.
"Every year?"
"Hai," he nodded again and added the melted butter and milk to the egg and sugar mix then began to stir. The only sound heard was "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" playing on the radio.
"Do you need help?" you asked standing up straight.
"Wirr you prease get me some whipped cream for the icing arong with some strawberries?" he asked politely as he poured the entire mix into a pan and began to smooth it. You nodded and fetched the things he needed for his cake. He looked up and gave you a gentle smile before sliding the cake mix into the oven. You tilted your head.
"Kiku?"
"Hai, ______-san?"
"You have some cake mix on your face." you pointed out, trying to hold in a laugh. Kiku's hands shot up to his face as he tried to wipe it off but you stopped him.
"I got it," you said flirtatiously. You wiped it off his cheek then licked it off your finger and smiled, "'S good!"
His face was as red as Santa's suit, "_-______-san!"
"What?" you raised a finger to your lips coyly. He shook his head nervously.
As you waited for the twenty minutes to pass, you studied Kiku closely. His brown eyes looked tired and he looked weary. You narrowed your eyes and quickly ran into your room, shouting a "Be right back!" over your shoulder at him. You ran to your bed stand and dug around in your dresser. Your hands came across a piece of paper and marker. Perfect you thought with a smile. You quickly began to write and write and write until...
"_______-san?" Kiku poked his head into your room. He flipped the light on and saw you sitting at your desk hunched over. He touched your shoulder gingerly, "_______-san?"
You were asleep. Kiku smiled at how adorable you looked with your (h/c) hair framing fro face just right. He just wanted to whip out a pencil and paper and sketch you! But that would be creepy. His eyes wandered to the piece of paper beneath you and skillfully slid it out from under you. It read; "Dear Kiku, I'm sorry I dragged you over here to make this cake for me. I'm also sorry you spend Christmas alone every year. Since I'm too lame to ask you in person, I'll write it, 'Would you like to spend Christmas with me?'"
Kiku's face flushed as he put the paper back down next to you. H eleaned down and kissed your cheek, "Hai, ______-san. Arigato."
You shifted slightly in your sleep then sat up, "Kiku? What happened- Oh! My note!"
Kiku handed it to you awkwardly, "H-here."
You smiled and handed it back, "So you will stay with me for Christmas?"
His face reddened even more, "I-I guess I could-"
"Hooray!" you cheered and kissed his cheek, "C'mon let's go finish the cake togther!"
He blinked then smiled, "Hai. ______-san?"
"Hm?"
"Merry Chrismas."
You smiled and grabbed him by the collar and yanked him into a kiss, "Merry Christmas, Kiku."
But, is Kiku even some form of Christian religion? (Then again, you can still celebrate Christmas XD)
I'd imagine he's whatever the main religion in Japan is.
*Checking Google*
His religion is Shinto, A very old religion, and he celebrates holidays, so your good!
IT'S SO FLUFFY IM GONNA DIE!!!!! :3