I do not own Kagetsuya or Chihaya. This story
was written for entertainment only. No profit was made in the writing of this
story.
The
Recipe for Happiness
Shaking the rain from his light blue
umbrella, a short young man with glossy black hair and wide set amethyst eyes
in his elfin face walked down the hallway of his apartment building. The subtle
floral wallpaper and bright lights of the corridor were cheerful after the
rainy grayness outside. The library was always a fun place to visit, but it was
nice to be back in his warm dry home. When he reached the right door, he opened
it and stepped inside. "I'm home, Kagetsuya!"
Delicious aromas surrounded the young man as
he opened the umbrella setting it on the doormat to dry. Kicking off his shoes,
he took a deep breath inhaling the heavenly scent. 'Smelling Kagetsuya's
cooking is just as much of a pleasure as eating it,' he decided as he started
to remove his dark navy raincoat. He was not surprised when his partner's noble
countenance peeked out of the doorway to the kitchen. A pair of sapphires
appraised him from under a crown of silken sunlight.
Satisfied that his absentminded lifemate had
remembered to take the umbrella out with him this morning, Kagetsuya smiled
warmly whipping his hands on his apron. He watched Chihaya hang up his coat and
was spellbound by the graceful movements of the younger man's slim form. He
liked the mint green shirt that the brunette was wearing. The low neckline
showed off the delicate lines of Chihaya's throat. It was a sight that made
Kagetsuya want to pull the smaller man into his arms and dribble kisses down
that delectable contour. Instead he exerted his self-control, only allowing
himself one kiss as his lover slid up to him wrapping elegantly tapered arms
around his waist. Pulling away from the soft full lips, he admired the flushed
face and shining eyes of his dark angel. "Welcome home Chihaya, did you
have fun on your outing?"
The dark head nodded enthusiastically as the
elfin face lit up with pleasure. "Yes, I did. I went to the library. I
found some really interesting earthian books. But they were in the special
reference section so I couldn't check them out. They can only be read during
library hours, because they are too valuable to lend out. I found them very
enlightening. It's fascinating to read about some of the things Eden never
found out about."
"That sound's like something I might
enjoy seeing. Next time I think I'll go with you." Giving Chihaya a final
squeeze Kagetsuya let go of his lover. "But for now I have to get back to
the kitchen or the stir fry will be very well done. Would you do me a small
favor?"
"Of course, what do you need?"
Chihaya asked brightly bouncing in place with happiness at the thought of
Kagetsuya accompanying him to the library.
Blue eyes soft with affection, glimmered with
amusement as Kagetsuya drank in the joy radiating from Chihaya as if it were a
tonic for the soul. Perhaps it was the blond mused to himself. "I was
working on my cook book while the vegetables were steaming, but I haven't
managed to get back to the computer since. Could you please save my place and
then shut the computer down?"
"Hai," Chihaya replied before
bounding happily down the hallway to the computer room. Without bothering to
turn the light on he walked across the computer room to glance down at the
glowing screen. "What kind of recipe is he working on now," Chihaya
wondered as he backed the page up a bit and began to read.
"Remember, how you feel about what you
are making is as important in cooking, as having the finest ingredients and the
technique used in preparing the food. The humblest of meals made with love will
always outshine the finest dishes if they are made without feeling."
"Chihaya, dinner is ready."
Kagetsuya's voice floated in from down the hall.
"I'll be right there," Chihaya
pushed the pointer up to the save button and clicked it. Once the page had been
saved he clicked the program closed and turned the computer off. Slipping out
of the chair he skipped back to the kitchen. Collecting the plates and
silverware he set them on the table as Kagetsuya brought the food over.
'His meals are masterworks of art. He must
put a lot of love in his creations if that is what makes them so good.' Chihaya
smiled up at the contented look that illuminated Kagetsuya's face as the taller
man dished the food out.
Inhaling deeply, his violet eyes going wide
in shock Chihaya reviewed what he had just thought, but the thought didn't
change. 'That is what makes his food so good.' The brunette blinked his eyes
closed as a shimmering tear traced a wet path down his cheek. He looked up into
the concerned sapphire eyes of his lifemate as Kagetsuya gently traced the path
of the tear. Looking perplexed Kagetsuya caught Chihaya as the smaller man
threw himself into his arms.
Clinging to his lover Chihaya sobbed into
Kagetsuya's chest. "I'm sorry, Kagetsuya. I should have known. I should
have seen. I pestered you so much for you to share your feelings with me when I
know it's hard for you to share those kinds of feelings. I didn't understand
that you were telling me how much you care about me. And the whole time I was
pushing you away without realizing it."
"Shhhh, it's all right," Kagetsuya
whispered soothingly, alarmed at Chihaya's sudden outburst. He wasn't following
what his lover was saying, but he didn't like seeing that pained expression in
those eyes he loved so much.
"No, It's not all right." Chihaya
insisted pushing back far enough to look into his lover's face. "Have I
told you recently how much I appreciate your cooking? There is a lot of food in
this world that I like. But it is always better when you make it for me."
Understanding dawned like sunlight breaking
over the horizon on the blonde's regal features. Love overflowed his heart as
he looked into those tortured amethysts. It had always been much easier to show
Chihaya how he felt than talk about his emotions. 'Because I am so
uncomfortable expressing my feelings, Chihaya has never heard the words he
longs for most.'
Cupping Chihaya's chin tenderly in both hands
Kagetsuya bent down to brush his lips against the delicate curves of his
lover's mouth. Pulling back he looked into the deep pools of Chihaya's eyes.
" I am grateful that you understand why I do what I do. I will always do
my best to take care of you." Kagetsuya stroked a lock of Chihaya's
lustrous ebony hair as he searched for the right words to say what he
felt," It is hard for me to vocalize my emotions. But if that is what you
need, Chihaya, then that is what I will give you." Kagetsuya dropped to
one knee so he was closer to Chihaya's eye level," If I love you enough to
break the sacred law against homosexuality, this should be easy." He
laughed shakily
Chihaya clutched at Kagetsuya hands.
"You don't have to Kagetsuya, I don't want to force you into doing
something you don't want to do."
"Who said I didn't want to? Just because
I find it difficult to speak of my feelings, it doesn't necessarily follow that
I don't want to tell you how I feel." Pressing his forehead gently against
Chihaya's, Kagetsuya stared into his lover's twin amethysts. "Chihaya, my
mate. I love you."
Those simple words flooded Chihaya's heart.
He gazed into Kagetsuya's honest blue eyes unable to do anything else as
something hurt and bleeding inside his heart healed itself. 'I know he loves
me, that knowledge was reinforced when I figured out that he puts his heart
into his cooking. But he said it.' Chihaya thought to himself as tears of joy
filled his eyes. "You said it," He murmured in wonder," You
finally said it."
Happiness filled Chihaya's heart and a soul.
Unable to contain the bliss he was feeling, Chihaya felt himself loose control.
He didn't know when Kagetsuya had moved, but when the tears had subsided the
blond was cradling him against his chest. Gentle amusement filled the sapphires
Chihaya looked up into.
"Do you feel better now?" Kagetsuya
asked solemnly.
Chihaya nodded wiping a tear from his
face," Better than ever."
"I'm glad. From now on I will try to be
better about telling you how I am feeling."
"And I will try to be better about
properly appreciating all the wonderful meals you make for me." Chihaya
smiled adoringly up at his lover.
"I am happy to hear that, because I
tried a new recipe today mixing together some of your favorite foods. I'd
really like to know how it turned out." Kagetsuya released his lover with
a final caress against Chihaya's cheek.
"I am sure it's wonderful. It has to be,
because you made it." Beaming Chihaya took a fork full of the stir-fry
nibbling it experimentally. His lavender eyes widened in pleasure. "MMM,
Oh Kagetsuya this is delicious." He managed between bites as he savored
the scrumptious flavor of the food, and the delectable smile adorning his
lover's lips. It was a long road they had followed. With many bumps and bruises
along the way. They had lost a lot, but they had gained just as much if not
more. Contented Chihaya took another bite of the stir-fry that had been made
just for him watching the light of true happiness glow from his lover's eyes.
This was one cooking lesson he would never forget.
The End
