Locking the door behind him, he staggered slightly as he slipped his shoes off and into his living room. Carefully setting the cakes he had bought previously from the new bakery in town down, the police officer sat on the floor with a sigh, pulling his knees a little close to his chest. Rivaille leaned his head between his knees, taking deep breaths.

He'd never expect to meet his neighbor there at all times. Living so close, he thought he knew almost everything about the student. But there was still so much more he didn't know about. And for some strange reason that he couldn't quite understand, he wanted to know everything about the quirky, bright kid.

Rivaille stared at the cakes, which were still inside the bag on his table. After a minute or two he pulled the first one out. The strawberry and…something pie. Taking the fork that was tucked inside the bag, he opened it. It sure smelled amazing…he only hoped it taste just the same.

Or any taste at all.

First tackling the top of the pie, he dipped his fork in and let the foamy cream (he forgot what it was called) and let it melt on his tongue. There was something acidic there, but other than, nothing. As usual. He mindlessly ate the rest of the topping before reaching the red filling. Rivaille dipped his fork in, getting a slice of fresh berry into his mouth. It tasted nice…

Wait…

He took another bite. It was very subtle, but he could taste something. Was that sweetness? What was this unfamiliar yet inviting sensation? Hungrily he kept eating the filling, tasting that sensation he longed for long ago. It was like diving into his past, eating fruity candies as a child. And just as fast as the very faint sweetness had come, his dessert was gone. But luckily, he had one more.

In a sort of frenzy, he pulled the next box out, opening it wide. Marshmallow cake, huh? With a tiny bit of hope fluttering restlessly in his chest, he sliced his fork in it, letting a piece of white cake sit on his fork. Here goes… The cake was…was…

"Sweet…it tastes sweet." His eyes widened as he started at the cake. How could it taste so sweet when he…Rivaille's mind strayed far from the fact and focused purely on the cake in front of him. Slowly he ate it, savoring the sweetness. It was…something he missed. Even after all of these years of coming to accept reality…his heart still yearned for this. For the first time in twenty years, he could taste something so delicious again.

There were footsteps outside of his door and he jumped off the floor, scrambling for the door. Please let me make it. Throwing his door open, he turned his head towards where his neighbor was. Bright green eyes met his own.

"Oh, Rivaille-san! Did we come home at the same time?"

"Oi, Jaeger." The young man blinked, one hand on the door to his own apartment. Rivaille tried to catch his breath.

"Will you show me…how you make your cakes?"

One…two…three seconds passed. A bright smile spread on the brunette's lips.

"If you're interested, I'll show you right now."

Three…four…five seconds passed.

"I'll…be right over." The man disappeared back in his room again, leaning against the door. His heart was racing. He couldn't believe that his cakes were able to taste so sweet. Rivaille tried so many foods from extremely sweet to extremely spicy. He once won an award for eating the most ghost peppers in one sitting. But no matter how sweet, tangy, acidic, or delicious anything was, he couldn't taste it.

For twenty years he lived with it, eating tasteless foods and feeling like puking the next minute. He hoped that someone would have the food he was looking for. But he was not a patient man, and twenty years was a bit too long. However, with that bite of cake from the other, he suddenly felt a ray of hope shine in his chest.

Perhaps, things were changing. For the better.

A smile spread across his lips.

Rivaille sure would like that.