Sweet Dessert

Leaning forward onto the hard countertop Roxas sighed longingly at the clock wishing the little hands would tick by faster. Mondays in the cake shop were particularly slow but he didn't mind. With no customers he could daydream in peace as he waited for time to pass by. He wasn't completely alone, after all Sora was back in the kitchen doing what he did best: crafting delicious cakes from some fantastic part of his imagination. His fascination with food was the reason Sora opened the shop in the first place. Roxas jumped at the offer of a free job and didn't mind the days it was slow since he could do whatever he wanted.

The shop was small and cozy with the sweet smell of baked goods wafting through the room all day long. Even after months it still made his mouth water, but his stomach wasn't on his mind anymore. Not today. Today his eyes followed the people outside the large glass window waiting for one familiar face to pop into view. It was almost time. His favorite customer was about to show up.

For the hundredth time he checked himself in the distorted reflection on the glass case housing the collection of cupcakes. He picked at the blonde hair he tried to style this morning, the cool breeze of the air conditioning constantly threatening to destroy his hard work. His fingers teased the locks hoping, just today, they'd be okay. Blue eyes stared back at him protesting at the constant worry. He didn't usually care how he looked but today his nerves were on edge and he couldn't control the constant gnawing for perfection in the back of his mind. So freaking tedious…

As if on cue, beckoned by his thoughts, a group of boys filed past the window. He could hear them coming they talked so loud, the array of deep voices slithering through the cracks of the door and drifting over the counter. He swallowed the knot forming in his throat and straightened up, trying to look busy. There was always a group, at least five, maybe even eight on some days, and they always wore the same uniform. They obviously went to the same school. High school? College? Roxas didn't know but he didn't care. It didn't hurt to look. He didn't want to ask and waste the precious moments they had together with useless questions like that.

Only one ever came inside and the bell above the door chimed at his arrival, making Roxas's heart skip a beat. He was so beautiful. Usually the shop attracted girls, a lot of girls, and they were nice to look at too… but this guy, he was different. He was tall, so much taller than Roxas, but seemingly the perfect height. His jacket was hanging open like it was always too hot outside, exposing the thin white shirt beneath with just a hint of tan skin from the neckline. The shirt clung unwillingly, hiding a defined body underneath like a present still wrapped up. Walking down the aisle he ran a large hand through his cherry red hair, combing it with his fingers but the wild strands never listened. The blonde double checked to make sure his mouth wasn't hanging open; he was always so breathtaking. When the taller man leaned against the counter he glanced over at him as if noticing him for the first time.

The elation inside was hard to bottle as he cleared his throat, trying to be nonchalant. "Hey Axel, how are you doing today?"

The redhead gave a wide smile, so sexy on those lips. "Coming to satisfy my sweet tooth as usual." He was leaning so far forward the necklace trapped beneath his shirt threatened to escape.

Roxas couldn't help but glance down, his eyes attracted to the sudden change in color. He tried to look away without making it obvious but he bit his bottom lip at the sight of the skin beneath. He needed to keep his hands busy… that would preoccupy his eyes. Moving towards the cupcakes and away from the unusual customer he spoke, proud his voice wasn't shaking from their momentary proximity. "What would you like?" His hand absently moved to the door handle.

Axel just smiled, the movement tugging gently at the corner of his mouth and he followed the boy with his eyes. He was very aware of the blonde's not so subtle feelings. He could hear it in the way he spoke, his voice catching ever so slightly after listening to Axel talk. It was like he was melting into his words, so aware, his attention captivated the moment he walked in the door. It was cute the way he pretended to look over papers or clean a spot that was never clean enough. Just cute. He was also aware of his friends in the window, talking loudly, barking at him to hurry up. He didn't care. He didn't come to the shop just for the cakes. "Surprise me." He liked to watch his movements, the way he opened the door and leaned in to grab one of the soft cakes, being so careful not to disturb the others. His slender fingers were always so delicate and gentle, like this cake was so much more important since it would be eaten by Axel. The thought spurred another smile.

Heart pounding, Roxas picked out a single cupcake, deciding between the many flavors in his head in seconds. He liked choosing a new flavor every time the redhead came in. By now he'd nearly had them all but he never said a word. He always trusted his choice. Surely it had nothing to do with the cake… not after so long. He didn't want to get his hopes up but the underlying thought still made him excited.

As usual Axel listened to the explanation of the treat, watching the blonde's hands as they placed it into a perfectly sized box. His gaze always made him nervous and for once he wasn't careful enough and his fingers didn't make it out without touching the icing.

He cursed himself, staring at the frosted finger like a traitor, but smiled awkwardly at his guest, trying to mask his feelings. "Sorry, I'll get you a new one." Any normal customer would look at him with disgust, not wanting some random guy's hand on their food. He should be wearing gloves but he was too distracted today and never put any on. He cursed himself again: idiot.

Before he could move away there was a firm grasp on his wrist as Axel pulled him back towards the counter and away from the cupcakes. "Don't worry about it." The redhead stuck the finger in his mouth and sucked on the digit, licking every last bit of frosting off. The frosting was sweet, but the flesh was even sweeter, soft and sensitive under the scrutiny of his hot tongue. He released the poor blonde after a moment, noticing the tremor running through his body.

Caught off guard by the assault it was all Roxas could do to keep his mouth closed. He was so confused about what was happening but he liked it. There was an uproar outside that brought him back to life and he was grateful when Axel's hand finally eased off of his wrist. A few of the boys were shoved up against the glass trying to see what was happening. They were getting rowdy, not surprising, but he didn't know why. Hopefully they just wanted to go home and didn't notice the exchange. Hopefully. Roxas struggled to control his body, finishing what he'd been doing and closing the box with the cupcake inside.

The blonde was blushing so hard his cheeks hurt and the redhead licked his lips. Now he was just being mean, teasing him, testing him, just to see what he'd do. His fingers were closing the box at a snail's pace and he tried with all his might not to look at the other man. Axel's eyes were roaming his face, fascinated by the way the blonde was biting his bottom lip. He had been doing that more often lately and the gesture was very sexy. Trying to preoccupy himself Roxas rang him up on the register. He was so funny when he was nervous. Axel straightened up to fish out his wallet.

The moment Axel looked away Roxas collected himself, slapping his cheeks. His brain was yelling at him to get a grip, nothing even happened. He just licked a little icing off his finger. It was just a finger. His tongue had been so warm though, and hard against the sensitive fingertip. The redhead handed him the money and he returned the change with a sigh.

Axel noticed the change in tone as he grabbed the little box. He used the opportunity to poke at him again. "What's wrong? Are you sad I'm leaving?"

Embarrassment flared up for a nanosecond but Roxas pushed it back down. He refused to turn into some swooning idiot. Thankfully it didn't take long to come up with a retort. "Actually I was wondering why you only come in on Monday?"

That's why Axel liked visiting him; he was always full of surprises. He could never predict what he was about to say. One minute he was embarrassed and now he was playing it cool. Something about this guy just made him excited. He couldn't even remember the day he'd realized Roxas was always on his mind. "I come here to see you, obviously."

They both fell quiet for a minute while Axel waited for a response. The blonde refused to get excited and leaned against the counter for the first time since his customer arrived. One hand touched his chin like he was thinking. "What, you think I'm only here on Mondays?" His expression was cool even though his legs were practically putty, his knees protesting against the weight of his body, threatening him to sit down. That almost sounded like an invitation. It just came out of his mouth… he didn't think it through…

Another smirk touched Axel's lips. "My mistake." With his free hand he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell, pressing at the keys rhythmically. "What time do you get off work?"

Silence. The tick tock of the clock on the wall was stifling all of a sudden. Roxas swallowed the knot in his throat and it was so loud he was sure Axel heard it. "What?" Squeaked out of his mouth and he cleared his throat and straightened up, attempting to cover up the complete surprise. "What time what?"

The redhead just raised an eyebrow like it was a perfectly reasonable question. "What time do you get off of work?" He pronounced each word so precisely there was no way Roxas could ignore him again.

What could he do? He just shook his head. "Uh… seven."

"Seven, gotcha." With a little wink the redhead moved towards the door, his friends outside back to harassing each other and passersby. He threw a wave over his shoulder as he left, the bell chiming one last time.

The moment he was outside his friends began to usher him in the direction of home and he stepped into rhythm with the horde, used to the noise and the hysteria. They complained loudly that he took too long but none of them really mind, they just liked to tease him. That's what friends were for. He protected his cake as they attempted to sabotage him but he wouldn't let them touch it. He'd eat it the minute they gave him the room. There was something to say about the cakes, they were delicious, but not as good as the boy who sold them.