valentine's cookies - no. 6

"Sion!"

Nezumi's call rang through their home, muffled by the numerous bookcases and piles of books strewn around that were still left to be picked up. Nezumi was returning from the theater and he was really hoping that Sion had started cooking something since it was getting somewhat late in the evening already. He hadn't heard a response from the other young man so he ventured further into their abode after removing his jacket. The air, though mildly stale, had a sweet smell to it that was unusual.

Stepping into the kitchen area which Sion had, thankfully, cleaned since his arrival in the West Block, Nezumi saw Sion standing over the sink. When he heard the rustle of cloth behind him, Sion jumped and whipped around to face Nezumi.

"Oh, h-hey there," Sion stuttered, with an uncharacteristically guilty look on his face. This just amused Nezumi. It was obvious Sion was hiding whatever was in the sink.

"What are you doing with that?" Nezumi asked, gesturing to the small spool of thread Sion was holding.

Sion started. "Oh, nothing…." He cast his eyes around the room, not meeting Nezumi's increasingly derisive gaze. "But look, I made some food, so how about you go back in the other room and I'll bring it to you?"

Nezumi chuckled. "You think I'm going to let you get away with that?"

Sion's eyebrows, still raised in surprise, dropped. "Fine, Nezumi," he sighed. "You're just going to wrestle me for it anyway and we both know how that is going to end."

Nezumi's answering, satisfied smile affirmed this, as Sion moved towards the counter where they had several food containers.

"Close your eyes." Sion's command didn't make sense to his companion, but Nezumi complied since he knew that if anything was going on, he would have been alerted to it earlier.
Sion's soft touch was the warning for a small package being dropped into his hand. He opened his eyes and regarded the napkin-wrapped bundle with mild confusion.

"Back in the city we celebrated Valentine's Day on this day of the year…" The name seemed to ring a bell for Nezumi but he could only remember hearing the term vaguely – it didn't hold any meaning for him. Seemingly sensing his lack of comprehension, Sion explained,

"It's a day to share affection with someone very special to you, and you're supposed to give that person something from your heart."

Once again, Nezumi was forced to face the fact that his friend was hopelessly naïve about his word choice, but chose to overlook it for now, because going off on that tack would prove fruitless. The last time he tried to enlighten his friend, Sion had shown him up with his honesty.

In truth, Nezumi was touched by the gesture. He unwrapped the little package and found an assortment of cookies. His eyes widened. "Where did you get the money to make these?"

Sion laughed, obviously pleased that Nezumi hadn't gotten mad at him for sharing something from his old home. "Actually, I stopped by the baker's cart in the marketplace and told him I could help him with his work since Karan is a baker. After a lot of these were sold, he said I could take home the few that were left.  I meant them for you, though."

Nezumi had to admit, the other young man's ingenuity sometimes astounded him in its simplicity. He reached down and bit into one of the cookies.

Sion watched him with slight trepidation and Nezumi purposely dragged out how long it would take for his reaction. Finally he smiled.

"They're delicious."

Sion grinned from ear to ear and answered "I thought you'd like them."