Title: Sugar and Spice
Summary: Shura gives Agnes macarons. Inspired by kasacoddayo's artwork, "White Day" (twitter -dot- com/kasaccodayo/status/177919116). Shura/Agnes, AU, established relationship.
Rating: T
Agnes discreetly examines the label on the box, marveling at the gift he's just given her.
One dozen macarons, from the most extravagant patisserie in town.
It's a luxury that few can afford.
In the past, her calculating mind would have assessed only the monetary value – and her own worth in her suitor's eyes accordingly – but in recent months she's learned to appreciate the sentiment behind the gift and not just how much it costs.
Still, anyone can give roses or chocolates, or – she shudders – balloons, but macarons are unique and elegant.
It's a generous gift, and she's truly touched. No one has ever given her anything like this before.
She tilts the box upward to inspect the contents more closely. There's an assortment of colors, some bright and vibrant, others more muted, all filled with cream, jam, ganache or other decadent fillings.
She glances up only to realize that Shura is looking at her expectantly.
"Aren't you going to try them?" he asks.
"Now?"
"Why not?"
"All right, then."
She sits down on the sofa, and he sits next to her. After carefully opening the gilded lid, she hesitates.
They look almost too beautiful to eat.
But they were made just this morning, and they're best eaten fresh.
"What's this one?" she asks, pointing to a deep purple macaron.
"Cassis violette, filled with blackcurrant jam flavored with violets," he says.
"And this?" she asks, indicating the pale, peach-hued macaron next to it
"Fleur d'oranger – orange blossoms."
It's so hard to decide which one to choose. They all sound delectable.
"What about the pink one?"
"Fraise, filled with strawberry guimauve."
There's also sage green pistache, sunny yellow-orange fruit de la passion, and finally the most unusual flavor of all – the Marie-Antoinette.
It's a stunning shade of robin's egg blue, with a lovely caramel-colored filling.
It isn't caramel-flavored, though.
Instead, the dark filling is a smooth cream infused with Ceylon tea.
She gingerly takes it out and inhales before taking a dainty bite.
It's absolutely heavenly.
She's had macarons before, but they didn't taste like this.
The outside is crisp, the center more tender and chewy. The light-as-air meringue immediately begins melting in her mouth, releasing all its flavors – a hint of almond, a dash of vanilla, light spices, tangy citrus…
The texture is perfect, the consistency just right.
She remembers watching them being made in the shop the last time she passed by.
They're hand-made in small batches using the finest ingredients, according to family tradition – the way they have been for generations – and the artistry and finesse required to make them is astounding.
First, the almond flour and confectioner's sugar have to be sifted together into a fine powder.
In a separate bowl, the egg whites are briskly whisked into stiff, frothy peaks. Next, sugar syrup has to be blended into it gradually until it cools enough to be gently folded into the almond-sugar mixture.
Then the coloring is added and stirred in until it's evenly distributed.
The thick, glossy batter is then transferred into piping bags and meticulously portioned out into shiny mounds onto baking sheets lined with parchment paper.
After baking in the oven at a precise temperature for the proper amount of time, they transform into perfectly shaped round puffs with a lustrous sheen, slightly domed at the top and ruffled along the edge of the base.
Finally, after they've cooled, they're turned upside-down and topped with filling and an upper shell.
"Do you like it?" he asks.
"Oh, yes," she says, taking another bite. "It's delicious."
"I'm glad," he says.
"Want some?" she asks, holding it out to him between her fingers.
His eyes widen in surprise, and he blushes, but he takes a bite.
"They recently added macaron ice cream and macaron cheesecakes to the menu at their tea salon," he says after a moment.
"Really?" she says, trying to imagine what a generous scoop of ice cream or creamy layer of cheesecake would taste like nestled between macaron shells.
Surely it's divine.
"Yeah. If you think these are good, wait 'til you try the Meyer lemon cheesecake macaron," he said. "It's my favorite. And it goes perfectly with the raspberry sorbet macaron."
"That sounds amazing."
He smiles.
"I'll take you there this weekend, if you'd like."
"I'd love to go there with you," she says sincerely. "Thank you, Shura."
"Of course. It's a date, then."
She isn't used to being courted in this manner, but she likes it.
In fact, she loves it.
It's a side of him that he doesn't show to just anyone.
Usually, he's a fierce warrior, striving to be the best.
But when he's with her, he's romantic, slow and sweet, and she treasures every moment she gets to spend with him.
It's so easy when they're together.
Before, she tried so hard to be whatever she thought her boyfriend wanted – and it was exhausting.
But she doesn't have to pretend anymore.
Shura likes her just the way she is, and he doesn't have any ulterior motives or expect anything in return, unlike other men.
He's gallant and noble – a true gentleman – and he doesn't play those games.
His admiration is genuine, his love for her real.
Her love for him is real too.
As she takes another bite, she contemplates how similar they are to the macarons – a thick outer shell, but soft and tender on the inside… Two halves that make a whole, bound together by sweetness and spice.
She finishes the rest, then leans over to kiss him.
The taste of citrus and spice is stronger that way, mixed with the barest hint of honey and rose.
She lingers against his lips for a moment, then gently licks at the stray dab of cream at the corner of his mouth.
"Agnes…" he murmurs, his golden eyes darkening in arousal.
He pulls her in closer, wrapping his arms around her, and she sighs in contentment.
The box of macarons sits on the table, now forgotten.
Shura's kisses are sweeter than any confection, and she's always left wanting more.
The End!