My gift for @cheese-ception for the @flash-exchange
Title: Heart's Desire
Starring: Yves and Emma
Prompt: Magical Bakery
WC: 700 Words
CW: Might make you hungry
Yves can bake pastries that make dreams come true... for everyone but himself.
Legend whispers of a bakery...
The whispers aren’t about the food, although everyone agrees the baker’s offerings taste delicious: cakes piped with lacey buttercream, tarts with crusts so flaky they melt in the mouth, and exotic and mysterious truffles.
Nor does the legend center on the delicate good looks of Yves the baker, his deep blue eyes, eyes that hint of hidden sadness. Many a young woman (and a few young men) sighed over him. But this too is not the Legend.
Legend has it that those who eat here are granted their hearts’ desire.
A widow reunited with her first love… a clerk received a promotion… a childless couple discovered they were to become parents. Even tiny wishes were granted, as when a child found her lost kitten.
The legend grew until Yves had too many customers to handle, though he couldn’t afford help. And so one afternoon, he faced the final customer, Akatsuki the bookseller, and apologized for the wait.
“Think nothing of it. I....” Akatsuki paused at the array of sweets. “One would think I had time to decide but…”
Used to customer indecision, Yves studied Akatsuki, then offered him matcha mille crepe cake.
Akatsuki took a bite. He closed his eyes, recalling his childhood in Kogyoku, when the Sakura bloomed and the air had the fresh scent of the sea. “I wanted a taste of home. You have a gift. What is your wish when you bake for yourself?”
“It doesn’t work on me.”
“Ah. That is a pity.” Akatsuki bowed to thank Yves and left.
Yves might have forgotten the encounter, but the next day, before the lunch rush, a pretty girl slipped inside. “What can I help you with, Miss?” Try as he might, Yves couldn’t determine her heart’s desire.
“I’m here to help you.” She grabbed an apron. “I’m Emma – my father sent me.” At Yves’s shocked expression, she continued. “We own the book store. We’re not busy this time of day, but you are.”
“I don’t need any help.” Yves eyed her with suspicion. Was she here to steal his recipes?
“Yes, you do.” She pointed to a line forming already. “I’ll package the items and ring up the sales.”
Too busy to protest, Yves did as he was told. If he were being honest, having Emma around did make things easier. He had more time to create. Even so, at the end of the day, he told her, “Thank you, but you don’t need to return.”
…She returned.
Every day. She never asked for money, or requested a magic pastry.
Soon, Yves was looking forward to the moment her smiling face appeared. For the first time, he regretted being unable partake in the magic himself, for his heart’s desire was, simply, Emma.
Still, at least he saw her two blissful hours every day when she worked cheerfully and competently by his side.
One day Yves noticed something different about her. A distracted look in her eyes. Pain twisted in the pit of his stomach. He knew that look. She was in love with someone and wanted a pastry.
When the crowd left, he turned to her. “Wait.” He would give her a pastry, but he couldn’t bear to hear her ask for it.
Yves decided he would bake her something new. Nothing but the best, even if he was breaking his own heart to provide it. When inspiration struck, he retreated to the kitchen to create.
Sometime later, he returned, half-hoping that she had given up and left. But… no, she was patiently reading.
With a flourish, he gave her one perfect pale pink macaron. “Raspberry macaron, with lavender ganache and raspberry curd.”
“It looks almost too pretty to eat.” Still, she lifted the confection to her lips, took a nibble, and sighed in bliss. “Mmmm.”
Yves waited, heart breaking. Any moment now, she would leave to find her heart’s desire. But she didn’t move. Finally, heart aching, he asked, “What was your heart’s desire?”
She took his hands. “I didn’t ask for my heart’s desire. I asked for yours.”
Then, with a hint of shyness, she kissed him.
Surprise gave way to joy, as he lost himself in magic’s kiss.
Thank you to @lorei-writes @cheese-ception and @nuttytani for organizing another great event. I always have such fun reading your prompt reveals and writing my gifts (even though the word limit breaks my soul sometimes).
