AN: Happy belated Valentine's Day and Chinese New Year everyone! Xin Nian Kuai Le! I wanted to post this earlier but I've been having major computer issues.
New fic! I hope you guys enjoy. I have most of the pairings already planned out but I have no idea who to pair up Kiku/Japan with. Any suggestions?
Disclaimer: I don't own Axis Powers Hetaia. But the plot is mine. XP
The Layers of a Cake
Chapter One: Ingredients
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How can we measure our memories?
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"Ivan!"
Someone…was calling out his name…
"Ivan!"
The voice was frantic, pitched with hysteria. Distantly, he could feel his body being shaken.
Who…was calling out his name?
"Ivan!"
Whoever it was had their hands gripped to his shoulders, trying to receive some form of reaction.
He felt like he owed the person a reply.
Discomfort.
A separation of body and mind.
Something was wrong.
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Tears.
Someone…was crying over him?
'Just…stay with me…'
He whispered in his mind.
'….ao.'
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Ivan opened his eyes, blinking the sleep away as the roar of the train brushed against his senses. He could feel the rattling of the train as it sped over steel tracks, friction creating so much noise that it was a wonder how he fell asleep in the first place. Rubbing his head to clear the remnants of fatigue, he could still hear the faint echoes of someone shouting his name. He willed the ringing in his mind to stop and rested his head against the train's plastic window. Ivan stared mindlessly at the blur of colors created by the landscape, clearing his mind until a peaceful silence settled over his thoughts.
'In 30 minutes, the train will be arriving at its final destination.'
30 minutes.
A sense of apprehension settled over Ivan, causing him to shift a bit in discomfort. It was a strange feeling-
The thought of retuning.
Especially one that he should label as home; didn't people associate familiar when they returned to a place?He felt none of the warm feelings that others were overwhelmed with when they returned to their hometown. It had been four years since he last saw the place and not once did he make an effort to connect with the land he grew up in.
A town he had no memories of.
After losing his memories, Ivan packed up and left, unable to follow the life his previous self had created. He had been informed by the doctors that he would never remember his life before the accident, so why try? It was unsettling to be surrounded by people who thought they knew you, hoping that they were somehow remembered. How could anyone live with that?
So he left.
Wandered from place to place, trying to start anew. His sisters grieved at their lost while Ivan was unaware of the extent of what he was missing.
There was a void in his heart and his head that got worse with each place he went. Subconsciously, he was looking for something he couldn't find. After four years, Ivan felt that it was time to return.
Maybe he would find what he was seeking.
Surely those who tried so desperately to get Ivan to remember them had forgotten him.
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Four years was plenty of time to forget.
'The train is now arriving. Thank you for choosing North Railways and we hope to see you again.'
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What you're looking for is not even hiding.
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Glancing at his watch, the first thing he should do is search for possible places to work. Ivan walked at a brisk pace, glancing around every time something caught his eyes. None of the businesses looked too appealing and Ivan hated to work in cramped places. He was just about to give up and find a place to stay the night when the red words of a 'HELP WANTED' sign caught his eye.
The building's classic European architecture and large windows set it apart from the modern buildings surrounding it. A large sign with the store's name hung above the door, cursive font flowing from one letter to another. Focusing his eyes, Ivan could see that the cursive writing said 'Sweet Delights'. Judging from what he could see of the interior, Sweet Delights must be a pastry shop. Crossing the street to investigate the place further, Ivan made his way towards the front door, pulling the brass handle and hearing the chime of a bell.
Warmth.
The scents of tea and cake brushed past him. Freshly brewed tea leaves left trails of sweet flowers to peppermint and the faintest hint of milk and honey. The baked smell of vanilla, sugar, flour and fresh fruits also followed. The scents themselves possessed warmth of their own as they floated around him. It was a comforting feeling, Ivan concluded, as he walked into the store. A Japanese man with short black hair approached him. He was wearing traditional Japanese clothing which gave away his nationality. He looked slightly shocked by the sight of Ivan, perhaps by his tall stature, but quickly recovered.
"Welcome sir, my name is Kiku Honda. How may I help you?"
The shorter man's inky black eyes looked to Ivan expectantly. He had a soft voice that was on a permanent 'polite' setting. Ivan fidgeted a bit under his stare, but proceeded to talk.
"Your help wanted sign, are you still hiring?"
Ivan resisted the urge to point to the sign behind him awkwardly. Kiku lowered his glace, thoughts swimming in his eyes. He didn't look at Ivan for a few moments, staring off to the side while he gathered his words.
"Yes… our previous waiter recently quit... I assume you're interested in the position?"
Ivan nodded. That was why he entered the store in the first place. It would be great if he could find a job on the first day of his return.
Kiku turned and motioned for Ivan to follow. Kiku's robe and sandals brushed against the floor as he walked, movements graceful, and hands intertwined in front of him.
"Follow me; I'll just need to do a quick interview and briefing."
Ivan followed Kiku to the back of the store, glancing at the tables and the customers quickly, then towards a man with short, spiky blond hair standing behind the cake counter. Kiku stopped and followed Ivan's gaze.
"Right now, Arthur-san is doubling as our waiter."
Kiku motioned his hand towards the angry looking blond. Arthur looked up at the mentioned of his name, taking a long look at the pair, then scowled and returned to cleaning the teacups. Ivan wondered if Arthur was- upset by his presence, - having a bad day, or -was always like that. He didn't have a chance to ask as Kiku continued to the door past the cake display. Kiku opened the door and gestured Ivan inside.
"Since the owner is out running errands, I will be conducting your interview."
Ivan looked at Kiku questionably.
They walked inside a room that appeared to be an office. It held the bare minimum- a small bookshelf, a few chairs, and a sturdy looking wooden desk, papers stacked neatly into piles.
"You'll meet him tomorrow."
Ivan chose his words slowly.
"You are…not the one in charge?"
Kiku shook his head as he motioned for Ivan to sit while he took his place behind the desk.
"My brother is the one that owns this store, I am merely the manager. Arthur-san tends to the cashier and brews the tea. Francis, our patisserie, usually stays in the kitchen, although he does come out occasionally to socialize with the customers."
Ivan nodded as he processed the information. The door opened and Arthur walked in, holding 2 teacups. He set one in front of Kiku, and another in front of Ivan before slamming the door as he left. Taking the tea delicately with both hands, Ivan followed Kiku's example and sipped it slowly.
He cringed a bit at the taste.
"It's bitter."
Kiku looked amused at Ivan's reaction. He smiled and took another sip of his tea.
"Tea holds a different taste to each person that tries it."
"Is there…" Ivan began slowly, placing the taste of the tea in his mind. "…vodka in this tea?"
Kiku blinked, having finished his own cup and tasting none of the liquor's strong attributes.
"Sumimasen, Francis-san must have spiked the tea."
Ivan stared at the ripples on the surface of the tea before setting the teacup down, leaving the tea unfinished.
"Do you drink, Ivan?"
Kiku implored, watching as Ivan stared at the abandoned teacup for a moment longer. Looking up, slight confusion and hesitation could be seen in Ivan's eyes.
"No, not really."
He didn't know what to say afterwards, so he shut his mouth. Kiku seemed to go off in thought again, but quickly returned his attention to Ivan. Pulling out a few papers from the desk, Kiku handed them to Ivan.
"Just fill out the necessary information." Kiku passed Ivan a pen. "Any formal paperwork will be finalized tomorrow. "
Ivan nodded as he began to fill in name, age, and work experience. It was still odd to write his name and age, they didn't feel like his. When he finished he passed the papers back to Kiku.
"Will you have to commute to get here?" Kiku asked, as he leafed through the papers to make sure they were filled out properly.
Ivan wondered just how much he should tell Kiku, but replied none the less.
"Actually, I just arrived in town today."
"Have you found a place to stay?"
Ivan shook his head. Kiku grabbed a sticky note from the right hand corner of the desk and quickly wrote down an address and phone number.
"You can stay at this hotel tonight; tomorrow we can find you a more permanent residency."
Ivan took the neon colored paper, grateful for the kindness Kiku was extending.
As he stepped out the door, Ivan could hear Kiku say "I'll see you at work tomorrow." before he exited out of the front door.
When Ivan could no longer be seen, Kiku sighed and wondered if he was making the right decision.
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You're the one that's running away
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'------------------?'
"______________"
"---------- what did you think of the movie?"
Yao nibbled on the leftover popcorn, not one to waste food. Ivan laughed and wrapped his arm around Yao's neck. Yao, shocked by the sudden weight, dropped a bit of popcorn; the buttery snack bouncing on the sidewalk as it fell. A few pigeons swooped down to feast on the forgotten popped corn.
"As long as Yao enjoyed the movie, I am happy!"
Yao, annoyed by Ivan's actions, and the loss of popcorn, replied.
"I asked what YOU thought of the movie! I already know how I feel about it, aru!"
Ivan thought for a second before replying, still holding onto Yao tightly. He glanced down at Yao scrunched face before he replied.
"It was okay, I'm not too fond of the ending though."
Yao looked at Ivan as they continued to walk.
"Why?"
"Well, the main character was too selfish, and he wouldn't take any risks. That's why he lost everything in the end."
Yao huffed.
"Life isn't all about taking risk, aru."
"True, but if you want to protect something, risks are involved, da?"
Ivan's voice was completely serious, losing its playful tone as they continued to converse about the movie. Their footsteps fell into a pattern as they continued down the street.
"What about the actors, aru?"
Yao asked, wanting to lighten the mood of the conversation. He straitened his clothing that had wrinkled during the movie.
"Yao is much cuter than any actor!" Ivan exclaimed, no signs of the previous seriousness to be found. He hugged Yao with both of his arms, effectively wrapping them around the shorter Chinese man as he ignored Yao's protests.
"Hey! Ivan! Not in public, aru!"
"---------------!"
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"-------?"
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Last chances only come once
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Yao scribbled through the paperwork he had neglected throughout the day. Hearing Kiku walk into his office, he stopped what he was doing and looked up. He placed his pen down to give Kiku his full attention.
"Did anyone apply for the position of waiter today?"
Yao asked, curious to hear if the position has finally been filled.
Kiku, deciding to play ignorant, nodded and handed Yao a neatly paper clipped packet.
"It still needs your approval though."
Yao scoffed; taking the papers from Kiku's outstretched hand.
"You know I trust your judgment Kiku."
Yao was just about to skim its contents when his eyes widened at the sight of the picture and name attached to the file. Returning his gaze to Kiku, Yao's eyes were filled with distress and anger, searching for an explanation.
"Does he…?"
Yao's voice was tired, yet slightly hopeful.
After a pregnant pause-
"No."
Yao turned his head, memories flooding through his head.
Too many memories-
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But none to share.
"I see."
Acceptance. Nothing had changed.
Kiku, not wanting to see his brother like this, tried to speak.
"Nii-san, I could---"
Yao cut him off.
"No. Just…give me some time to think, alright?"
He looked apologetically at Kiku's lost face. He knew his brother was worried but he couldn't organize his thoughts properly. Ivan's picture stared back at him mockingly.
It was going to be a long day tomorrow.
Ingredients
Are necessary to bake a cake.
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