Birthday Surprise (Okane ga Nai, Kanou/Ayase)

Ayase carefully poured the cake mix into the square pan. A slight frown marred his features as he worried about the cake. Gion had mentioned earlier that it was Kanou’s birthday and he’d wanted to do something special for Kanou but the cake didn’t seem to be turning out quite right. He was sure that he had followed the directions exactly. Closing the oven door with a sigh he figured he’d just have to wait to see how the cake turned out.

The kitchen was a mess. Flour covered the countertop and most of Ayase’s clothing, with bits of cake mix flecking on his skin. He still had an hour before Kanou was supposed to be home, which left him enough time to mix up the frosting. Flipping pages in his cookbook, he started pouring ingredients into the mixing bowl. Thankfully the frosting was fairly simple and Ayase was fairly confident that he wouldn’t mess that up.

“What’s this mess?”

Ayase jumped with a tiny cry, icing splattering up the front of his shirt. He whirled to face Kanou. “Kanou-san, you’re early.”

Kanou seemed to ignore him, glaring around at the messy kitchen.

“I’ll clean it up as soon as I’m done,” Ayase promised earnestly. The comment brought Kanou’s gaze back to him, a decidedly evil spark flaring in the businessman’s eye as he looked at Ayase.

“What are you doing?” Kanou took a step forward, his eyes fixed on the side of Ayase’s face. Ayase resisted the urge to reach up and brush at his skin, trying to make himself appear as small and innocent as possible.

“I-I was baking,” Ayase stuttered.