Work Text:
And they'll meet one day; far away
And say "I wish I something more"
And they'll meet one day; far away
And say "I wish I knew you, I wish I knew you before"
Tin looked sceptically at the shop in front of him. This was where he was supposed to get his wedding cake? It certainly wasn't anything like what he was expecting, especially after the way Pete had gushed about it.
"I know that look. Stop it." Pete chastised. "Don't judge a book by it's cover."
"`Lemon and Cantaloupe`. Seriously? What kind of name is that?"
"Just go inside."
Tin huffed, but did as he was told.
The little bell above the door chimed as they entered. A girl wearing glasses glanced up from behind the counter.
"Welcome to `Lemon and Cantaloupe`. I'm Ley, how can I help?" She said with a bright smile.
"We have an appointment for a cake tasting." Tin said.
"Oh! Of course. Please, have a seat." Ley said, gesturing to the only table in the shop. "The samples are out back, I'll go and get them."
Tin and Pete briefly heard another voice, this one male, coming from the back room. Tin assumed it was the kitchen.
"Okay here we go. Four different flavours." Ley said as she came back.
She had two plates, each with two slices of cake on. A fork was placed on each plate.
"Thank you." Pete said picking up one of the forks.
"So, when are you two getting married?" Ley asked.
Tin choked on his piece of cake.
"Oh no. We're not getting married. Ai'Tin's fiancé is at work and she couldn't get the day off. So I came to help him decide on the cake." Pete replied, a light blush dusting his cheeks.
"I'm sorry! It's just that you came in together and you looked so comfortable with each other that I..."
"It's fine." Tin cut her off before she could embarrass herself further.
The next few minutes were filled with muffled sounds of approval as Tin and Pete tasted the cakes.
"I like this one. It's fruity but not too much." Pete said.
"I agree. You can taste the lemon and the other fruits but it's not over the top." Tin nodded along.
"You gonna choose this one?" Pete asked.
"Yes, I think so. I'll have this one." Tin said indicating with his fork. "Did you bake these?"
"Okay, I'll place the order for you, and no I didn't. My brother did. He bakes the cakes and I decorate them." Ley answered.
"Could I meet him?" Tin requested.
Ley blinked in shock at the request. No-one had asked to meet her brother before.
"Erm, yeah, of course. One moment. Cantaloupe!-"
"I told you not to call me that!"
"-Someone wants to meet you."
The sound of clattering pots and muffled cursing filtered through from the back room.
A man came into the shop wiping his hands on his apron. He had a smudge of flour on his nose and even more in his hair. His cheeks were rosy and he looked displeased about being disturbed. He was cute though. Like a little hamster.
Wait.
Where did that come from? Never mind. Now was not the time.
"Do you bake with the ingredients or wear them?" Tin couldn't help but tease.
"Fuck you arsehole!" The man snapped.
Tin blinked in shock, then smirked. Feisty.
"P'Can!" Ley hissed. "He's a customer."
`Can` looked Tin up and down before rolling his eyes. Tin guessed that Can had seen the expensive clothes and fancy watch and made up his mind about him.
Ley, sensing the tension, spoke.
"They like the Lemon Summer Berry."
"Okay. I'll let you take the details." Can replied before heading back to the kitchen.
"I apologise for my brother. There's a reason he rarely leaves the kitchen." Ley said. "He's not good with people."
Tin dismissed her apology and talks about his wedding cake continued. He couldn't help but sneak glances at the kitchen every now and then in the hopes of catching another glimpse of Can.
"So, a 2 tier cake both the same flavour. White icing, pale purple piping and some edible roses on the bottom tier?" Ley confirmed.
"Yes, that's the design my fiancé wants. I just got to choose the flavour." Tin said with a small laugh.
"Okay. Are you collecting the cake or would you like it delivered to the venue?" Ley asked.
"I'll come and collect it." Tin replied.
With the details finalised, Tin and Pete bid goodbye to Ley and left the shop.
Pete was babbling about something beside him, but Tin wasn't listening. He was lost in his thoughts of a foul-mouthed baker boy with flour in his hair.
***
Can say next to Ley and adjusted his tie for the nth time. He felt really uncomfortable in a suit. He'd never really had an occasion to wear one.
"Will you stop fidgeting?" Ley scolded him.
"I don't like wearing a suit." Can sulked. "Why did you make me come?"
Ley just rolled her eyes.
"We were invited. It's polite. Plus, you and Tin are friends now, are you not?"
It was true. He and Tin had become friends. Once Can gave Tin a chance, the guy turned out to have a wicked sense of humour and was actually rather charming.
The two of them had become good friends.
Friends.
That's all they would ever be.
"What's your fiancé like?" Can asked one day as he was trying out a new recipe.
"Why'd you want to know?" Tin asked.
"You never mention her that's all." Can replied with a shrug.
"Well, you might try to steal her away." Tin teased him.
"I don't like girls." Can said.
Tin stared at him.
"Is... Is that a problem?" Can asked as Tin remained silent.
"What? No, of course not. I just wasn't expecting it." Tin said.
Can sighed in relief. He'd be gutted if he lost Tin because of something like that.
"So what kind of guys do you like?" Tin asked, moving to stand next to Can.
"Hmm. I don't really have a type. But if I had to choose, I'd say you. You're my type." Can replied.
Tin started laughing.
"Good one! You almost had me." Tin said.
Can remained silent. Tin, realising Can wasn't laughing with him, stopped.
"You were being serious?"
"Yes." Can's answer was quiet and Tin had to strain to hear despite standing next to him. "Look, Tin I'm not-"
Tin cut him off by grabbing the front of his apron and pulling him forward. Their lips crashed together and Can's eyes slid closed as he enjoyed the feeling of Tin's soft lips against his own.
Tin bit playfully at his bottom lip causing Can to let out a small moan of pleasure. The noise seemed to jolt Tin back to reality and he broke the kiss. Can whined at the loss and tried to chase his lips.
"I'm getting married." Tin said more to himself than Can. "I can't- This isn't-"
Tin raked a hand through his hair. This wasn't good. He wasn't supposed to catch feelings for someone else.
"Tin-"
"I need to go."
Tin practically ran from the shop, leaving a heartbroken Can behind.
Two days later a wedding invitation arrived in the post.
"Tin looks so handsome!" Ley's voice brought Can back to the present.
Whilst lost in his memories, Can had missed Tin coming to stand at the alter.
Ley was right. Tin did look handsome.
The chatter around them died down as the bridal march started.
And there she was. Tin's fiancé - soon to be wife. She was beautiful, there was no denying that.
Can felt a stab in his chest as he watched the two exchange vows.
And as the happy couple walked back down the aisle, for a brief moment, Can's and Tin's eyes locked.
Their eyes conveyed the missed opportunity between them.
If only...
If only they'd met before.