It's A Piece Of Cake

Roderich knew he did not have to, but he really did. He might have hated cleaning, but he would do it. Just so Elizaveta would not have to do all of it. Plus it expanded his horizons. After all, when he was at home, he did not have to bother with such things.

It had been a very long time since he had thought of home. The only thing which brought it flooding back into his memory was a newspaper from a week ago with an article with a picture of someone he had rather hoped he would not have to see again. And so he methodically set the newspaper on fire, doused out the flames, and tried to figure out how to clean up the counter from that reaction.

I probably should have thought twice about that.

"Am I interrupting anything?" Antonio asked from the doorway into the kitchen. Roderich had finally gotten used to the open atmosphere of the place, but only just managed not to jump at the suddenness of it.

"Can I help you?" He turned toward the other. "Elizaveta's out at the moment..."

"Actually, I came to ask you something."

"Oh?" the exclamation escaped him before he could stop it. He had been here for a while, yes, but it was not often that someone sought him out for any particular reason.

"A wedding cake. I hear you used to make them."

Everything inside Roderich screamed yes.

Except for the part of him which was still working and logical and reminded him one of the many reasons why he had given up on that business.

So instead of asking 'how much' as almost escaped his mouth, Roderich hesitated. "I would need to think about it."

"Take all the time you'd like!" Antonio said happily. "Well, except if you aren't I would like to know before the wedding so I could get someone else to do it, but don't rush yourself!"

Roderich agreed with that sentiment because in rushing himself he would already know his answer. And he really should say no. He thought about it for a while, in fact, until Elizaveta had returned from her shopping trip. Which for some reason had taken her longer than it normally did, but considering the recent fire damage, Roderich was not complaining.

"Elizaveta," he began, right before realizing that she had brought someone else with her. "Lovino," he greeted the other. Lovino seemed slightly nervous. Then again, if he was not seen angry, he seemed rather out of his element. The man was strange.

"Lovino wanted to ask you something," Elizaveta told him as she prodded Lovino in the shoulder. The Italian shifted, but did not speak immediately.

"Could... wondering... wedding..."

"Excuse me?" Roderich asked slowly. Elizaveta prodded Lovino again.

"Would you make the cake?"

Roderich blinked. "Ah... Antonio just came and asked me that."

"He... did?" Lovino said, sounding very hopeful. Roderich found himself continuing to speak despite himself.

"What all do you want?"

The question escaped him without his knowledge. And in a matter of moments he found himself planning a cake.


Notes:

It seems Roderich has more than a few reasons as to why he is staying in Hearth, his mother being one of them.

Roderich has a few reasons he stopped baking wedding cakes. His mother was one of them too. He is not an uptight gentleman for no reason.

Lovino really has some issues asking for help. He needs someone to help him asking for help. Now if only he would ask...