— Paring: Thoma x Ayaka
— Tags: fluff, sweet, desserts, Inazuma, first snow, first kiss
— Summary: When the first snow of many years ago fell, Thoma tasted Ayaka's sakura mochi. She once said that affection was her special ingredient. Now it's Thoma's turn to let her taste the emotions of his heart.
— Word count: 1875
— Requested by Cherii
— Ao3
Lady Kamisato Ayaka has been quite busy recently. It was the end of the year, her elder brother was away again, and the young lady was in charge of everything big and small in the house. Thoma would frequently catch her concealing her mouth from a lengthy yawn or dozing somewhere around the estate, despite her best efforts not to appear exhausted.
The temperature was dropping that day. Lady Ayaka remained in the library to plan ahead. Her meals were brought by Thoma. He was concerned that the young lady might become unwell if she persisted in this manner! She couldn't even finish the lunch he'd given her. Thoma settled on a hearty meal full of her favorite dishes for supper. Maybe if she was pleased, she'd eat more.
For most of the evening, the main dishes for the lady's dinner were completed. With just dessert remaining, Thoma was at a loss for what to do. Ayaka is a very delicate princess. The food must not only be attractive and delicious to delight the lady, but it must also have a specific meaning.
Then Thoma thought of one. It was Sakura Mochi, but in Kamisato Ayaka's style. It was the lady who created this dessert, using the special recipe only she knew. Thoma remembered the very first day he came to the estate, the lady had brought a plate of mochi in front of him.
“This… What is it?” Thoma questioned, puzzled. He had never seen a dish so exquisitely beautiful. The person who made this treat must have been just as gracious and clever.
“The name is Snow on the Hearth.”
Lady Ayaka spoke forward. She was younger then than she is today, but her manner was already mature.
"This is, in fact, Sakura Mochi. It's only slightly different since I used my secret recipe."
She continued and beamed, her eyes twinkling. She urged Thoma to quickly indulge and silently watched the expression on his face as he did so.
“D-Delicious!” said Thoma while his mouth was still full with mochi. The piece was smooth and fragrant with a sakura scent; the filling appeared to break in his mouth, like a snowflake at the start of the season melting in his hands.
Lady Ayaka's smile made the corners of her eyes curl. Thoma suddenly found himself a little impolite as he spoke while eating. He quickly apologized.
"Please pardon me, milady... I've never had anything as delicious as this in my whole life... so I..."
Thoma left his sentence incomplete. He didn't want to be ridiculed because of his background. Being able to serve at the Kamisato Estate for these two siblings in this time of need had been the greatest blessing of his life. And yet he dared to sit here and devour the mochi made by the lady herself.
But neither of the Kamisato siblings was haughty or dismissive of others. Thoma had heard from the estate's residents that they were gentle and compassionate toward even the servants and guards. That gave Thoma great comfort.
Seeing his stillness, Lady Ayaka said:
"There is no need to be formal. Oh, speaking of which, Mr. Thoma does know how to cook, right?"
Thoma gave a nod. "Yes. I'm also familiar with several Inazuma cuisine..."
"That's great!" Lady Ayaka clapped her hands joyfully. "When I have a chance, I'll show you how to make this."
Thoma was caught off guard. The lady prepared a meal for him and would even teach him how to make this dessert. Since arriving in Inazuma, and perhaps since he was born, the Kamisato siblings had been the ones who treated him best.
Seeing the look on his face as if he was about to cry, Ayaka added:
"From now on, this place is your home. My brother and I will be a part of your family too."
Thoma's eyes were welling up. He looked outdoors to escape the lady's gaze. It began to snow. The very first snow of the season. It was the first winter he truly knew warmth.
Lady Ayaka kept her words, and conscientiously showed him how to make her special mochi not long after. But no matter how hard Thoma tried, it never tasted the same as hers.
"Did you realize that each dish has a unique spice?"
"What is it, milady?"
"Affection." As her ivory hands clutched the mochi, Ayaka responded. "Every chef will have their own set of emotions and thoughts. The meal they prepare for each individual will be unique as well. When you taste the mochi I make, what do you think of it?"
Thoma felt a little embarrassed. What he thought of her mochi was also what he thought of her.
"Warm. And really unique. It's so delicate that a mortal like myself wouldn't dare to taste."
Ayaka turned to face Thoma. She appeared astonished.
"So it is. Nonetheless, you ate it all."
The young lady quietly chuckled. She covered her face with her hands, causing the dough to adhere to her cheekbones unwittingly. Thoma felt compelled to reach out and touch it.
"Yes... Now I'm sad I didn't keep one for myself since I was so hungry."
Ayaka seemed to be content. She stated:
"Thoma, you always complete household duties fast and effectively, as if you were born to do so. But cooking is another story. You were so driven to create this mochi and have it look just like mine that you overlooked the most vital component."
"Milady, you mean..."
"Think of me as you make each one."
Thoma's cheeks began to flush. He nodded fast and firmly. However, his multiple attempts did not yield the desired results. Thoma appeared to be concealing his own emotions, as he was worried Lady Ayaka might taste the feeling beyond his duty to her.
Back in the kitchen, Thoma was still shaping every mochi. At the moment, Lady Ayaka needed as much encouragement as possible. He couldn't fail her. He was bound to make a dessert that would make her understand his feelings.
"Think of me as you make each one…"
Though she might reject him. Though this discreet confession would probably destroy their years-long friendship... Thoma was willing to make a sacrifice, as the feelings in his heart grew, to the point where he could no longer keep them concealed any longer.
Finally, Thoma was done with everything. He placed the plates on a tray and carried them to the ladies' room.
It was rather dark. Thoma waited until it's cleaning time to return to the room. He saw that the tray of food on the table had only been slightly reduced, and he didn't see the mochi. He walked inside to look for the lady. She wasn't working anymore, just sitting calmly on the porch, or engawa as the people of Inazuma call it. A half-eaten dish of Snow on the Hearth stood next to her.
Thoma grinned at her. When he came to ask whether the lady had a good supper, he saw she was sleeping. Closed eyes, head lying on a wooden pillar. She must be exhausted. Thoma did not wake Ayaka and instead walked inside to get her a blanket.
Thoma gently covered the blanket over Ayaka's shoulders, hardly rousing her. The young lady was still sleeping peacefully. Thoma took a seat next to her. He took advantage of this unusual opportunity to secretly observe her for a lengthy time. It was as if he had buried the figure of the young lady and this adoration deep within his heart.
Thoma appeared to be drawn in closer by Ayaka's lovely features. His breath brushed over her cheekbones softly. How wonderful it would be if time could be stopped right at that moment...
Ayaka awoke at that very time. Thoma's gaze met hers for a split second before he pulled back.
“M-Milady!...” He stumbled. How could he justify this act of disrespect to her?
"Thoma?" Ayaka appeared to be sleepy still. She noticed the blanket d****d over her shoulders and pulled it closer. "When did you come in?"
"I just got here. I'd like to know if you enjoyed your meal, particularly this dessert..."
Ayaka looked at the plate beside her, the corners of her lips forming a smile:
"Very delicious."
Thoma gave a nod. That was sufficient.
But Ayaka felt more from the mochi. She went on to say:
"Unlike before, I think I genuinely sensed Thoma's thoughts in it this time."
Thoma gave the young lady a surprised look. Ayaka looked away from him, out into the little courtyard. Snow started to fall.
"Look! It is the first snow."
The first snowfall of the season always reminded her of the day her brother brought Thoma home for the first time. How destitute he appeared at the time. She brought him the mochi she had just cooked. Winters had been long and cold. Ayaka was much more mature than she had been before. She wondered if Thoma had noticed what she meant, concealed beneath the delicate coating of mochi. Why were the ones he made for her still missing something…
But she realized something today after tasting Thoma's mochi. Previously, he wouldn't dare to invest too much love into the sweets. Today was different. The dessert had a distinct flavor of warmth, caring, and something more. The flavor of his heart.
Fortunately, Thoma's mochi tasted just like Ayaka's. She was relieved that Thoma had finally let his heart to speak.
"Milady, you should go inside to stay warm..."
Thoma spoke up, but Ayaka remained silent. She waited quietly for Thoma to look her in the eyes.
"Thoma, remember how the first snow of the season fell when you first arrived?"
"Yes. I remember."
Another silence engulfed everything around. Then, Ayaka said:
"Your mochi, I've got the heart in it."
"You... Are you telling the truth, milady? You understand my sincere heart? ...
Thoma was taken aback once more. When he looked at Ayaka, she was smiling brilliantly.
"It's quite a regret that it took so long to reach to me."
Thoma was afraid to breathe deeply. Was he dreaming? Did Lady Ayaka grasp his heartfelt words in the mochi? Would she be displeased with him or possibly force him out of the estate for daring to hope in vain?
Ayaka turned around to face Thoma. Her head bowed gently.
"Thank you."
Thoma also bowed down in a hurry. His hands were clenched around his knees. He was scared that she would see them tremble the way his heart was dancing.
Ayaka rose up and went inside. Thoma thought that was the end. Maybe he would be kicked out of the estate the next day, not having time to say goodbye to his lord. But then he heard Ayaka's footsteps on the wooden plank behind him so suddenly. He turned around in time to see her face rushing toward him.
The lady's hand rested on his shoulder. Pink lips, sweeter than Ayaka's tastiest mochi, brushed across his cheeks and halted at the corner of his lips. Thoma was petrified at that moment. He was certain that if he lost control just a little further, his Pyro Vision would burn down the entire estate in such bliss.
-The End-
