Cherry blossom season was in full bloom, and the park around Osaka castle was teeming with visitors, both local and tourist. Normally, Kei would avoid crowded places, preferring the quieter atmosphere of less traveled paths. But today, he took the main routes, enjoying the bright pinks and budding greens of the sakura trees. Also, Osaka castle itself was quite beautiful in the afternoon, early evening light.

It was a couple hours until he started his shift at the little cafe he worked at as one of two baristas. He loved mixing different flavors of coffees and teas into something new and flavorful. In the year he'd been there, his creations became a little popular, bringing in regulars and tourists from off the main tourist routes, wanting to try his limited edition flavors. In fact, he was drinking his newest flavor, one which he'll be making as soon as he starts work tonight.

His lips tipped up in irony. It wasn't really a new flavor, at least not to him. It was a combination of flavors: dark chocolate, strawberry, and just enough mint to be noticed and add a bit of variance, but not overpowering. It was a version of a combination Kei knew well, having made it many times. In the past. For him, and only for him. The one he let go, and the only one he ever loved.

How often had he thought of Tetsu over the last few years? Enough that since the breakup, he wrote in journals when his feelings were too much to handle without some outlet. So, he wrote. Little stories laced liberally with memories of happier times, and sometimes laced with the not-so-happy times.

Their relationship was turbulent at times, and some of their friends wondered if they were a good match for each other. There were times that even he doubted their compatibility. But, since meeting Tetsu, he couldn't imagine life without him. At least, that's what he told his closest friends.

And then they fought. Horribly.

It started as a series of misunderstandings that they somehow couldn't correct. Then, the insidious whispers and rumors about cheating, either on Kei's part or Tetsu's, that snaked between them, forming mistrust. The final straw was when he wanted to go to Brazil. He'd been given the opportunity when Kageyama offered him a second ticket, because he didn't want to go alone, and knew Kei missed the little tangerine, too. They were merely going to visit Hinata, nothing more.

But because of all their fights before, leading up to that moment, Tetsu didn't believe it was that simple. He directly accused Kei of cheating with Kageyama and going to visit Hinata as part of some romantic getaway. Naturally, Kei fought back, refuting the lies and rumors to no avail. So, he gave up and packed his bags anyway, told Tetsu to believe whatever he wanted, and gave him an ultimatum: "I'll stay if you promise to help me fix us, or let me go and everything ends here."

Tetsu said and did nothing to stop him.
Kei left that evening.
He came back from Brazil a week later to find Tetsu had moved out.

At first, he tried to find him, to try and work things out. To fix what was broken. But Tetsu changed his number, and was essentially hiding from everyone. All anyone could tell him was that Tetsu had thrown himself into his work, traveling around the country for his job, only coming back home when his schedule allowed it. Eventually, Kei just stopped asking, stopped trying. It was futile, anyway.

Now, Kei lived in Osaka, had almost managed to get his life back together again, and enjoyed it. Writing in his journal helped on the worst days. It helped him admit that everything he'd done was wrong, that the broken pieces couldn't be put back together again, and he just had to move forward. Alone. No one would ever take Tetsu's place in his heart.

~*~

"Hey, everyone!" He called out to his coworkers as he slipped in the employee door. "Has it been busy?"
"Not really," Hana replied, smiling at him. "Everyone that came in this morning noticed the blank space on the board, though. They can't wait to try your new flavor."
"It's really not that special, this time," he said as he took off his jacket and put on his apron. It was also a monumental lie, but she didn't know that. "I'll make some for us before the evening rush."
"Fantastic! I'm as big a fan as everyone else for your creations!"

Kei just laughed and went to his station. Several coffee machines lined the wall, from standard drip to espresso. For the tea drinkers, there were several carafes that offered plain, herbal, and blended. There was a wide variety of beans and tea leaves to choose from, and out of these, Kei selected what he needed to make coffee for the staff.

"Alright, guys," he called out about ten minutes later. "Come and get your coffee."

The other employees, all six of them, came from wherever they were in the cafe, each waiting impatiently to fill their cups. He waited until everyone had taken their first sips of the brew, and watched their faces.

"Oh my god!" Hana was clearly having a moment.
"This is delicious!" Haruki's face was wreathed in smiles.
"We need to make this a permanent menu item," Ittetsu mused, going for a second cup.
"You say that every time," Keishin grinned fondly, holding the carafe like he owned it.
"Well, this time I mean it."
"Kei, why didn't you make us coffee while we were in school?" Koshi asked with a lop-sided grin. "We might have won Nationals."
"I wouldn't go that far," Kei smiled. "But, I won't deny it, either."
"Right," Eri interrupted. "So, Kei, is this delicious concoction the new limited edition flavor?"
"Yep."
"The usual time frame?" Ittetsu asked.
Kei shook his head. "Four days. I'll come up with another flavor by then."
"Why so short? Normally, we run your flavors for two weeks."

Kei never answered, just smiled and repeated his time frame. Ittetsu nodded and Eri went to the chalkboard menu with a light green stick of chalk.

"What are you naming it, Kei?"
Kei's eyes were distant, and his smile had faded a bit. "Call it, 'Summer Memories.'"
"I like that," she replied and added it to the board.
"Well, guys, let's get ready for the next rush!" Keishin announced as he headed for the kitchen. "We have an hour before Ittetsu unlocks that door."
As the group dispersed, Koshi came over to Kei and helped him get the coffee and tea ready.
"Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Why wouldn't I be?"
"No need to be defensive, Kei," Koshi chided softly. "If you want to talk, I'll listen."
"I know. Thanks, Koshi."
"You're welcome. Now, show me how to make your coffee."

~*~

Koutaro smiled as soon as he saw his best friend approaching the picnic table they were seated at in the Osaka castle park. Keiji grinned and waved his own greeting. It had been a few months since they last saw Tetsuro, and this time, he'd be in town for longer than just a day or two. As the school year kicked off, it would be another few weeks before travel kicked back up, so he called ahead to let them know he was visiting.

"Long time no see, stranger," Kou greeted him, reaching out to shake hands as Tetsu took a seat at their table. "Finally decided to stay for a while, huh?"
"Yeah. Traveling is nice, but home is home."
"I know the feeling. So! Staying with us again?"
"No. Thanks for offering," he said with a smile. "I was thinking of going back to the old place..."
"Not the best idea," Keiji interrupted him. "Not right now, anyway."
"Why...?" but he never asked the question, quickly figuring out why he was being warned. "When did he move back?"
"A year ago."
Testu looked confused. "But, I thought..."
"He moved home to Sendai for about a year," Keiji told him. "Kinda drifted from place to place after that."

Kou and Keiji looked concerned. And maybe they should be. Tetsu had overreacted during their last fight, blaming Kei for cheating, when he knew damn well he hadn't. Well, not until after Kei left, and he'd discovered who planted the rumors. With help from his friends, he made life a living hell for Daishou, who now lived out of the country.

Too ashamed of his worst mistake ever, and unable to think of a way to fix it, Tetsu had also 'disappeared,' only keeping contact with the two men seated across from him.

It was a few minutes before anyone spoke again, and when they did, it was to a delivery person, who just rode up on his bike. Keiji thanked him, paid a generous tip, and put the cardboard carrier down on the table. Three large, insulated cups were nestled in it, and Tetsu could smell the lovely fragrance of flavored coffee wafting from them.

Kou chuckled and handed him one. "I'm amazed you knew about the new flavor so soon," he said to Keiji, who was already savoring his first sip of brew.
"I have my sources," he replied cryptically, winking at his boyfriend.
"New flavor? What's this about?" Tetsu asked, his curiosity piqued enough to shake him from his slump.
"Taste first," Kou urged him, taking a long sip of his own coffee.

Tetsu did as told, lifting the brew to his mouth. The first thing he noticed was the scent: lovely rich, dark chocolatey notes, paired with... strawberry tones. He almost put it back down, his memories flooding back to happier times. Kei would make something like this for him exclusively. Even when their friends begged him to share his recipe, Kei would smirk and tell them 'no.'

Still, Tetsu took another sip, noting the hint of mint that made this different from the one he knew. It was delicious, and by his fifth sip, he knew he wanted more.

"Where did you get this?" he asked Keiji. "It's phenomenal. It's almost like..."
"A little cafe not too far from here," his friend answered cautiously. "It's off the main drag, but still within walking distance of the castle."
"Okay. But what's the name?"
"The Crow's Nest," Kou replied.
"Sounds intriguing," Tetsu said, savoring what was left of his coffee. "Are they still open?"
"They actually just reopened for the evening crowd," Kou told him.
"The owners open early for breakfast and usually close before noon. They open again in the evening for the after work crowd."
"Unusual. Lunch time is usually the best time to be open, especially now while the sakura are in full bloom."
"Oh, trust me, they always have people begging them to open during lunch hours. Even so, they have a steady clientele, and manage to bring in new customers, so closing for a few hours in the middle of the day doesn't affect them as much as you'd think."
"Is it the coffee that keeps them coming?"
"Yes, but the food is good too."
"Alright, let's go. I want to check this place out. Maybe I'll visit when I'm in the area next time."

Kou and Keiji shared a look, and one Tetsu couldn't quite decipher. Then, they turned to look at him. Kou looked like he was trying to come up with an excuse, and Keiji fiddled with the lid of his empty coffee cup.

"What?" he asked.
"Well, you see..." Kou started to say, but then stopped. He looked at Keiji for a little help.
Taking a deep breath, his friend straightened up and looked at him. "Why don't we wait until tomorrow? We can go as soon as the breakfast crowd thins out."
"Why not now?" Tetsu asked suspiciously.
"The debut of the new flavor will have drawn a huge crowd."
"Okay. Crowds don't bother me."
"We know," Kou said quietly. "But we thought to take you somewhere else for dinner tonight. You can stay with us, like you usually do, so we need to go home and get your stuff unloaded, too."
Tetsu squinted at his friends. "You're hiding something from me."
Keiji nodded. "We are."
"Why?"
"Let's leave it for tomorrow morning, okay?"
"Again, why?"
"Tetsu, just... Please don't ask. You'll either figure it out on your own, or find out in the morning."
Realizing he was pushing them further than they were willing to go, Tetsu relented, and smiled. "Fine. I'm sorry for pushing. Where are you taking me for dinner?"

Relieved, his friends stood and disposed of the cups and carrier. Kou picked up his backpack and suitcase, while Keiji started describing the French restaurant they were treating him to. He smiled fondly as he listened to them talk. He had missed them quite a bit, and they were doing their best to make him comfortable and happy.

~*~

[Koshi, are you available?]
[Hey Keiji! No, not yet. We're finally closed, and finishing cleaning up. Why?]
[I'll wait until you're done.]
[That important?]
[Probably.]
[Okay. Text you when I'm home.]
[Thanks, Koshi.]
[No problem.]

*an hour later*

[Sorry it took so long. Kei made us another pot of his special coffee.]
[It's fine. I'm the only one awake now, which makes this easier.]
[Okay, that sounds ominous. What's up?]
[Tetsu's back. He's staying with us for the time being. We kept him from going home.]
[Damn.]
[I ordered coffee from you guys, and I wasn't thinking beyond the new flavor.]
[So, he knows about the cafe now, I take it?]
[Yeah. We're coming in the morning. Late.]
[Keiji, you know Kei's working tomorrow morning.]
[Yeah, but... Koshi, I think it's been long enough. They need to talk.]
[I understand, Keiji, but...]
[They miss each other. It's like, they're living a half-life.]
[I know.]
[....]
[Well, at the very least, they'll have us all there for support.]
[About that...]
[Keiji, what are you planning?]

~*~

Kei yawned as he made his way through the park at the ass-crack of dawn. The main route was devoid of visitors, thankfully. At least they were able to sleep past 5:30am on a Thursday morning. Kei drank deeply of his cooling coffee, it was his second one. He'd finished the first before he left home. Good thing he was in charge of keeping the coffee and tea fresh and plentiful. Plus, the morning crowd wasn't usually too conversive, so he wouldn't have to talk much, either.

"Hey," he greeted shortly as he entered the cafe.

The same group of people welcomed him, save for Keishin, who was grumpier than him this early in the morning. Still, he nodded when he caught sight of Kei, and then left, holding up an unlit cigarette. It was an hour until they opened, so this would be Keishin's last smoke break before they closed at 11am.

"Morning, Kei," Koshi said brightly, and quietly, coming over to help make the coffee and tea. "Sleep well?"
"Well enough."
"Good. I have a feeling today is going to be eventful."
"What makes you say that?"
Koshi winked. "Just a hunch."
"A hunch, huh?"
"Yep! Now, pass me the syrups for Summer Memories, and get the tea made, will ya?"

Kei squinted at Koshi, but passed the bottles asked for. By the time the hour was up, and Ittetsu had unlocked the doors for business, Kei was in constant motion and unable to ask what his friend meant.

Time passed quickly enough, as it always did in the morning, and by 10:30, hardly anyone was in the cafe. Just a few customers who were enjoying their breakfast and coffee, and a few regulars who were working mid-shift instead of early. Kei started cleaning his space, making sure his syrups were refilled and preparing ingredients to make more for tomorrow. Once the last order of food was complete, he'd invade the kitchen to make the syrups he'd need.

"Hey, Eri! We have a late order that just called in. They'll be here in fifteen minutes," Ittetsu called back to the kitchen.
"Thanks! I'll have it ready asap!" she hollered back.
"There's a lot of stuff, do you need help?" Hana asked.
"Sure! That'll make it so much easier! Thank you!"

Kei grinned at his coworkers, who were clearly morning people. He busied himself with wiping down all his machines and surfaces. Koshi took care of the tables and chairs, while Haruki went around emptying the garbage bins and picked up any remaining dishes and trays to be washed. Keishin had the mop and bucket and was mopping the floor as soon as Ittetsu cleared it of chairs.

While he was in the kitchen making the new batches of syrups, he heard the bells tinkling from the dining room door. The only people expected were the ones who called in their order for pick up, so he stayed where he was, keeping an eye on his mixtures. It wasn't until he started recognizing voices that he grew more curious than he should have. Turning the heat down to low on the stove, he snuck over to the kitchen door and peeked out.

His stomach dropped, his heart skipped a beat, and his face heated up.
There, standing with Keiji and Koutaro, was Tetsuro Kuroo.
His ex-boyfriend. The man he still loved, but let go.

His hair was neater, softer, not like the messy bedhead it used to be. He was still fit and well-built. He wore a dark red scoop-neck t-shirt and khaki cargo pants, still looking as sexy in plain clothes as he did in a three-piece suit. In one ear, he still wore the little moonstone earring Kei had given him for his birthday the year they met. On a gold chain around his neck, he wore a golden crescent moon pendant. Another gift from Kei. There was a grin on his face, but it didn't quite meet his eyes. Gray eyes that glowed silver when Tetsu was happy. Now, they were a dull pewter color.

Fuck.
What was he going to do now?

Slinking back to the stove, he carefully turned the heat back up, enough for his mixtures to be simmering in each little pot. His hands were shaking; this wasn't good.

"Kei, are you alright?" he heard Koshi ask him gently.
"No," he whispered back. "I didn't know Tetsu..."
"He came back yesterday."
"Why didn't you tell me?!"
"So you could skip work and avoid him?"
"Well, yeah."
Koshi sighed. "Kei, don't you think you should talk to him?"
"And say what?"
"That's up to you. The thing is, you both need to work out your problems. Heal each other. You can't keep avoiding him."
"Koshi, did you set this up?"
"Not completely. I had help."
"Keiji?"
Koshi lifted a brow. "Does it really matter? Look, the two of you were great together, and you were the happiest I'd ever seen you since I've known you. You have the opportunity to get him back. I know for a fact that you still love him, so why are you even still in here?"
"My syrups..."
"Excuses. You know I can make these as well as you. Go."
"Koshi?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks."
"You're welcome. Now, get moving."
"Yes, mom."

~*~

"May I add to the order?" Tetsu asked as Keiji took their boxes of food from the girl at the counter.
"Sure! What'll you have?"
"Do you have any of that new coffee left?"
"Oh," she looked a little crestfallen. "No, I don't think so. We're almost closed, and our barista..."
"I can make some more," an achingly familiar voice said quietly.

Tetsu didn't move, but he felt his eyes go wide with surprise. And panic. He felt his face flush with heat. Kei was here? Frantically, he looked up and saw the man he'd never stopped loving. His blonde hair was a little longer than he remembered, and he was wearing contacts instead of glasses. Kei had grown a bit more buff, too. He wore a black, button-down shirt, sleeves rolled up to his elbows, and a few buttons were undone from the collar down. He still wore the little black cat earring in one ear, and a small obsidian ear cuff on the other. And there were two tiny hair clips in his hair, keeping it off his face. It didn't matter that they were seeing each other for the first time in a few years. Seeing Kei now was like seeing him for the first time all over again.

The world fell away. It was only the two of them.

They didn't notice Ittetsu locking the front door.
They didn't notice Keishin quietly herding everyone out of the dining room.
They didn't notice Koshi leaving the cooling syrups on the counter by the coffee machines.
They didn't notice they were the only ones left in the cafe.
They only noticed each other.

"So, you make the coffee here?" Tetsu asked, for lack of anything better to say.
"Yeah," Kei replied softly.
They took a single step closer to each other.
"I really like the new one."
"Yeah. It's different, though."
Another step.
"You didn't add mint before."
"No. I had to make it that way."
Closer now. They could touch their fingers if they wanted to.
"Why?"
"The original is only for you," Kei said, his voice cracking on the last word. "I can't make it for anyone else."

It took a moment before they realized they both had tears running down their faces. And they both tried not to giggle, because they were both ugly criers. Still, they didn't make a move toward each other. Time apart and a bad case of the nerves had rendered them both immobile.

"I miss you," they both said at once.
"I love you," they tried again, clearly on the same wavelength.

Just like they always had been before. It also helped them move forward, until they hesitantly reached for each other. They were in each other's arms and crying softly, fingers sifting through hair, hands seeking the warmth of skin, starved for the touch of the one they loved most in the world.

"I'm so sorry, Kei," Tetsu whispered hoarsely. "I never should have doubted you. Forgive me. Please?"
"I'm sorry, too. I gave up when my heart cried out to do everything I could to keep you. Forgive me?"

They leaned back enough to see each other, and chuckled a bit as they wiped the tears off their faces. They didn't need to say they had already forgiven each other. It was something that happened years ago. Instead, they kissed. Hesitantly at first, like the one they shared at summer camp so many years ago. It was sweet, almost sacred, and then it grew hotter and more passionate as time passed.

When it ended, both still panting for air, Kei led him to where his work station was and while Tetsu sat at the counter, Kei made him a cup of coffee. Not just any coffee, but the dark chocolate and strawberry flavored one that was exclusive only for Tetsu. And they talked, exactly like they needed to.

Their friends came back to get ready for the evening rush, and Kei was given the rest of the night off. Koutaro had arrived with Tetsuro's backpack and suitcase, giving them back. Hand in hand, Kei and Tetsu walked back through the park, taking the less traveled paths, and continued talking to each other, working it out like they should have done in the first place.

Later, after Kei helped Tetsu unpack and put his stuff back where it belonged, they tumbled into bed, and fell asleep wrapped around each other. It was the best sleep either of them had in the last few years.

//end