Happiness shared is the Flour [Wewuwe and Noise Prince]

[Noise Prince]

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Happiness kept is the seed;

Happiness shared is the flower.

-John Harrigan

 

It was an early Tuesday morning, and Seiji was mopping the floors of "Maison Wagashi", the bakery that his parents started together, and had left to him. His father was a gifted pastry chef, and his mother was equally talented in making traditional treats- wagashi. Seiji took after his mother in many ways, and his expertise in preference was one of them- learning to make them as soon as he was old enough to.

 

However, that alone wasn't enough to keep the bakery running, and Seiji was not skilled enough at western pastries to maintain it. He didn't know how his father did it alone for so many years before now. Today, though, was the start of a new chapter for Maison Wagashi, since Seiji was able to find and hire a pastry chef who was very, very good! Today was his first day working there, so the wagashi-maker was particularly motivated to have the place spotless before he arrived.

 

Mopping was the last thing he needed to do, and he smiled at himself, pleased. It didn't take him long to get back into the habits of taking care of a bakery.

[Wewuwe]

Ulrich looked up at the quaint little sign above the entryway of the bakery.

He was nervous, but that good kind of nervous. The kind that makes you shake with excitement.

The blonde took one last deep breath and opened the bakery doors, stepping into a warm smell of baked goods.

"Hello?" Ulrich walked up to the counter and leaned over the counter slightly to peer into the kitchen. "Am I early?" He said, his voice a deep rumble that made most people's skin rise in thrill.

 

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prince

[Noise Prince]

Seiji turned around, and smiled when he saw his employee walk in, and came from the kitchen to behind the counter.

"Good morning," He greeted Ulrich. Seiji chalked up his skin being flushed to cleaning so vigorously moments before, though it was entirely possible it was due to the undeniable charms of his new pastry chef. However, Seiji was a professional, and he'd keep it that way.

 

"A little, but that's okay. I'm opening in thirty. Want to familiarize yourself with the kitchen until then?" He suggested. "Nothing much has changed since the "tour" you got the day I hired you, but it wouldn't hurt to get comfortable."

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[Wewuwe]

Ulrich nodded and stepped behind the counter, gazing at all the little trinkets the bakery had to offer. "Thank you again for hiring me." The blonde said, glancing over at Seiji and giving him a smile. "I'm sure you had other talented people apply, so it's relieving you liked my skills the best." He said, leaning against the counter and looking at all the different types of food.

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prince

[Noise Prince]

"Oh, no, it's my pleasure to work with someone with your talents!" Seiji replied, smiling back. In reality, he didn't have very many full-time bakers apply, and while he wasn't opposed to hiring part-timers… he wasn't keen on the idea, either. But Lady Luck favored him when Ulrich came in- as he was a very talented, full-time baker.

 

"I should be pretty well-stocked," He told his blond employee. "But if you need any specific ingredients or cooking implements I don't have, please let me know and I'll do what I can." He offered, following him into the kitchen. "Ah, but I will have to ask that you don't use the Japanese sugar for any of your pastries. It's the only kind I can use for a certain candy." He explained.

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(By they way, I'm subscribed to this thread so you don't have to try to mention me anymore ^^)

(And I looked up the "Noise" user, and they don't seem to be active, so that shouldn't be a problem, either)

[Wewuwe]

Ulrich glanced over at the smaller man with sharp blue eyes. "I won't," he said simply. "Was there anything you'd like me to start working on first?" He asked.

"Oh! But I should probably write down all tw different types of things I know how to make, huh?" He chuckled, his voice low. "Just in case you don't have them on the menu or anything." He shrugged, always casual when he talked. He knew he was an intimidating guy since he was so tall and stronger than most, so heat least tried to relax people when he talked.

[Noise Prince]

"Oh, that's true…" Seiji nodded. Ulrich had told him a few things that he could make at the interview, but he didn't think to write it down. He'd have to update the menu soon, anyway, so it was good to get this done soon.

 

"Okay, let's see… I have a notebook or something tucked away…. eh… Oh!" He saw the corner of a spiral notebook underneath an open recipe book, and slipped it out. He thumbed through to an empty page, and pulled out a pen from a drawer.

 

"So just write what you need right here," He said, walking towards Ulrich, surprised that he was actually a lot taller than he remembered. During the interview, Ulrich was sitting the whole time, and so this was the first time they were standing so close. Seiji was of average height, so it wasn't uncommon for people to be taller than him, and it usually didn't affect him. But as he looked up at Ulrich, he felt a tightness in his chest that was a bit unsettling.

 

Regardless of why he felt that way, Ulrich had been nothing but respectful and friendly- and was basically going to save the bakery, and he smiled, holding the notebook out.

 

"And whoopi pies and cupcakes are always popular, and sell fast. So stocking those should be a top priority," Seiji told him, nodding. "Especially chocolate, vanilla, and red velvet."

 

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I AM SO SORRY SCHOOL JUST STARTED AND I'M STILL ADJUSTING T^T

 

[Wewuwe]

Ulrich thanked him as he took the notepad and began writing down a large list of pastries and treats.

"I can make whoopie pies very well." The blonde said as he scribble away, pulling the paper from the note pad and handed it to Seiji.

"I hope these are good enough." Ulrich said, looking down at the other man, his gaze lingering somewhat.

[Noise Prince]

Seiji watched as the blond baker wrote an extensive list, smiling as the list grew longer.

"That's very good to hear! I'm also pretty good at them, anything that's not too complex or a specialty I can typically handle. That's why the menu and the current sampling is so limited right now." Seiji admitted. "So I can always help, or take over the littler things if you have something that requires more attention."

Seiji took the list when it was handed to him, and he put it to the front of the notebook, so he'd be able to find easier later.

"Yes, thank you, they all look great!" He replied, looking upwards to Ulrich, suddenly feeling self-conscious under those sharp eyes.

 

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[Wewuwe]

Ulrich realized he had been staring and tried to play it off as nothing with a simple smile. He always knew had had a little staring problem, but no one has really ever said anything abou it to him.

 

 

"Did you want me to get started on a few things I have ideas for?" He asked reaching for an apron and wrapping it around his waist. "So you can try them and figure out which one is good enough to be sold on the menu?"

Ulrich grabbed a few different sized bowls to use, glancing at Seiji for an answer.

 

 

((And yes ^.^ I've subscribed to it))

[Noise Prince]

Seiji nodded.

"Yeah, that sounds like a plan!" He replied, a grin spreading across his face, and he watched the baker pull out a variety of bowls. Seiji waspleasantly surprised that he remembered where they were. He was more and more confident in his choice to hire Ulrich, and was glad to see that he was more than just a good resume. He seemed very likable and reliable, too.

 

"So, what do you plan to make first?" Seiji asked him, opening the notebook to the list Ulrich had just written.

 

((Okay, I'll stop the mentioning, then :3 ))

[Wewuwe]

"Lavender shortbread cookies with icing." He said simply, grabbing the bag of flour and sugar.

"I know it's a simple recipe, but it's such a rare find these days that people are always curious and want to try them." Ulrich grabbed butter from the fridge and placed it in a bowl and put it in the microwave for a few seconds to soften it.

 

"They're my favorite." He said, pouring the butter into the bowl. He grabbed a large cookie sheet from the top shelf with ease.

 

Ulrich was a large man, not just with height. He use to be on the swimming team when he was a freshman and sophomore in college. So he had the back to prove it. He almost seemed out of place with an apron around his waist, but it make him happy.

 

The blonde put in a small amount of crushed lavender into the bowl and mixed it in, soon pulling the spoon out and bringing it to Seiji.

"Would you like to try it?" He asked, offering him the batter from he spoon.

[Noise Prince]

(…my browser shut down and I lost everything… Sorry if I sound curt here, I'm rewrote everything, forgetting about auto-save ;^; )

 

"Lavender…" Seiji repeated breathlessly. He had never tried lavender in cookies before, and he certainly didn't know enough about western baking to experiment with the novelty ingredients, though he had been seriously considering it. But that was definitely better left in the trustworthy hands of Ulrich.

 

"That sounds really good!" He responded, smiling.

 

Seiji watched Ulrich reach up and take down a baking pan, watching his broad shoulders. Even under the shirt, he could tell the blond man had a considerably muscular build.

 

'Be professional!' He reminded himself, bringing himself back to reality at the same moment the fragrance of the crushed flowers filled the air. He stood beside Ulrich and watched him stir, the lavender being forcefully integrated with the batter. When the larger man presented the spoon and batter, Seiji was so wrapped up in the smell of the flowers and the sweetness of the batter, that he forgot himself and took a portion of the thick mixture into his mouth. It was thick, but quite smooth, and he ran his tongue over the portion sticking to the top of his mouth.

 

"Oh, wow…. it's very good!" Seiji chirped, looking up at Ulrich, a dreamy admiration on his face.

[Wewuwe]

Ulrich's eyes lit up, "I'm glad you like it." He hummed, turning to pull the batter out and roll ito a thin sheet.

"I can make a few other things today if you'd like?" He gestured to the list, as he pulled out a few drawers until he founda round cookie cutter.

 

Ulrich slid the pan full of cookies into the oven and then wiped his flour-covered hands on his apron as he turned to Seiji, awaiting new orders.

[Noise Prince]

Seiji was impressed with how much Ulrich remembered- he acted as if he had been working in this kitchen for years. It was almost by instinct the way he found everything he needed. The mounds of batter, with bits of lavender speckling them, looked very inviting on their tray, before behind slid into the oven.

 

"Ah, okay! Let me see…" Seiji picked up the list, his eyes scouring over it, he had to push some of his black hair back with his hand, his bangs were getting long and were in his eyes.

 

"Hm…I just bought some fresh apples yesterday, how about an apple-almond tart?" He asked with a smile on his face.

[Wewuwe]

"Perfect." Ulrich said, picking up his mess just to create another.

He felt so comfortable in this kitchen..it was refreshing to him.

The blonde grabbed a couple apples and began peeling the skin off of it.

 

After an hour, Ulrich pulled out the tarts from the oven. The lavender cookies were already iced and begging to be eaten.

 

"Here." The larger man picked up a cookie and offered it to Seiji. "Let me know if they're worthy enough to be on the menu."

He smiled.

[Noise Prince]

"Thanks," Seiji replied, taking the cookie from the larger man. It was still considerably warm, and he took a bite. The frosting's surface was still very soft, and quickly spread all over the roof of his mouth, coating his tongue in sugar. The cookie itself had a delightful crunch to it, while still feeling light and crisp when he bit it. He licked the frosting off of his upper lip.

 

"Yes, this is very good! I'm really impressed!" He told Ulrich, smiling as he took another bite of the lavender cookie.

[Wewuwe]

The larger man's eyes lit up at the compliment, a small little smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"Thank you." He hummed as he continue to show his skill to Seiji, and showing off here and there too..

 

He didn't notice it had gotten so dark already as he tried to rub flour off his cheek, only making more of a white stripe.

"Oh, is it already that late.. Time flys." He was almost disappointed, but he still had to pick up his mess before even thinking of leaving.

"So." Ulrich cleared his throat, his voice deep and in such a baritone. "Are you happy with your choise of picking me?" He asked, somewhat doubting himself and his own skills.

 

- - - Updated - - -

 

The larger man's eyes lit up at the compliment, a small little smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"Thank you." He hummed as he continue to show his skill to Seiji, and showing off here and there too..

 

He didn't notice it had gotten so dark already as he tried to rub flour off his cheek, only making more of a white stripe.

"Oh, is it already that late.. Time flys." He was almost disappointed, but he still had to pick up his mess before even thinking of leaving.

"So." Ulrich cleared his throat, his voice deep and in such a baritone. "Are you happy with your choise of picking me?" He asked, somewhat doubting himself and his own skills.

[Noise Prince]

Seiji enjoyed the day where he could take it kind of easy, and sampling a variety of treats Ulrich made. He hadn't had time lately to relax lately, and this was the first time since his father's death that he's really felt comfortable in the bakery again. It felt homier now that he wasn't alone.

 

On a more professional note, everything Ulrich made was of high-quality. Nothing was less than impressive, consistently good. It was all certainly similar to very high-end bakeries.

 

"Oh, yes, it is pretty late…" Seiji agreed, he hadn't even noticed until he had something. He turned to the tall baker and grinned.

 

"Absolutely!" He answered. "I'm very confident in my decision. You're incredibly talented,"

[Wewuwe]

Ulrich couldn't help but smile at the compliment. He started to pick up his mess and begin washing his dishes.

"I'm sorry you have to stay late because I made a mess." He frowned, feeling somewhat guilty, he should have been cleaning them as he went.

"So.." Ulrich started, the silence killing him. "Did you grow up around here?" He asked softly, wanting to get to know his new boss better.

[Noise Prince]

"It goes with the territory," Seiki told him, shrugging, as he brought another armful of dishes to the sink. "But normally I'm the one making the messes, so today's been pretty relaxing." He admitted, smiling. He started rinsing out as much as he could of the batter of each one, kind of in a systematic daze, until Ulrich broke the silence.

"I practically grew up in here." Seiki replied with a chuckle. "My parents opened up this bakery together a few years before I was born. My mom was Chinese-Japanese, and my dad was Cuban-American. Believe it or not they actually met in France." He added.

"What about you? Where are you from?"

[Wewuwe]

Ulrich shrugged somewhat. "I'm from the states. My mother is from New York, and so is my dad, they met in college." He continued to clean his mess.

"They wanted me to travel abroad to become a teacher, but I convinced them to let me do culinary arts." He chuckled softly. "Once I graduated I just decided to stay here, I like it, it's my home." Ulrich hummed at the happy memories. "I'm sure or sounds ridiculous... But I fit in here. Even thought I'm one of the few natural blondes." He chuckled, his voice deep.

[Noise Prince]

"Ahhhh!" Seiji nodded, and smiled. "I'm really glad to hear you're happy here! I've met a few white Americans, and none of them stayed here for long due to culture shock." He said, shrugging. "But I like it here, too. I've been to the states a few times myself, so I see it more as a destination than a home, personally." He said, but immediately felt bad for making the conversation about him again. Seiji cleared his throat. "But I'm happy you feel you fit in- or else I wouldn't have such a great baker under my employ!" He answered, feeling tingles go down his spine when Ulrich's baritone chuckled.

'Professional, professional…'

[Wewuwe]

A smile curled at the corners of Ulrich's lips. "Thank you." He said, "I really do like it here, except most of the time I'm so much bigger than everyone else.." He frowned. "I mean, I was taller than most in the states, but now I just am an intimidating tall.."

He finished drying his last pan and dried of his hands.

"So.." He trailed off, hanging the towel on a rack. "Are we good for the night?" He asked, turning to Seiji and stepping closer. "What time would you like me to be here tomorrow?" He asked. He looked down at his boss, his eyes focused on him.

[Noise Prince]

"Heh, well, that's not too bad. Girls usually like taller guys." Seiji said, wiping down a counter. "Though I guess it must be a little strange to tower over everyone." He threw away a few disposable napkins, and looked up to Ulrich, he was standing closer to him now.

His eyes were very sharp, and bore into him. Seiji felt ensnared, stuck in a moment inside that stare. It felt like everything he did was important so long as he was looked at that way.

 

"Uh… Well, I'll come in at six, so anytime after six and before eight?" Seiji answered, clearing his throat a bit, smiling at the taller man. He wondered if he'd start getting neck cramps working with this guy one day.