Through It All (LevYaku fanfic)

Patience is Love: Chapter 1

Lev stayed true to his promises for the boy he loved and worked hard. He wanted to make him proud, to show him he won't be a clumsy kid forever. Lev's feelings not only lingered but, somehow, Yaku-san's absence only deepened the longing in Lev's heart and made it ache all the more. The emptiness he felt without him did not waver. It came in waves. I just want to see you and hear your voice, Yaku-san. Please come home soon. He could never say that, he could only wait, and continue to work hard.

Lev went to university for a business degree to be a business owner. He learned to be a better cook specializing in pastries. He wanted to make people happy with tasty treats and delicious drinks. He always wanted everyone to be happy and to be able to make them happy if they weren't. Who could have a bad day when they have delicious things to eat?

It has now been roughly 10 years since Lev and Yaku said their goodbye. They stayed connected through social media but the contact was minimal, consisting of only short polite pleasantries. Lev made a name for himself as having the best little cafe in town. Being as kind and friendly as he is really helped the cafe take off as he would make the effort to remember the regulars' names and orders.

The cafe's signage was a comforting shade of red, with elegant bold white lettering: HAPPY TIGER CAFE. The front of the cafe had flush windows with glass doors and faced the other businesses on the main street. While the left side faced a small park and had bay windows. The solar glass windows allowed soft cheerful sunlight to enter, and the view from behind them was protected from glare. From the outside, the windows provided enough mirror-like reflection for privacy. Lev thought people would be enticed to come in to see the inside properly.

After a shaky beginning, he had more than a few curious enough passersby to press their faces to the glass to see in. It always gave him a chuckle because they could then see him smiling and waving. The usual result was that they popped their head in to apologize for dirtying the glass, and when looking in, they'd be in awe. The smell of coffee and bakery goods would lure them in to have a taste.

Lev loved the awe on people's faces when they saw the inside. Looking in, along the bay windows was crescent booth seating, perfect for tea time customers. Along the right was the register counter with a space leading back. One path went behind the display showing the barista set up, and the other went back to the hidden kitchen.

Further along, the right was the stunning display case of delicious pastries and some chocolates. At the end of the display case, a small bar area to wait for to-go orders; and a nook against the back wall with comfy armchairs, each having a little table to the side. Yes, he was definitely proud of his cafe, he worked hard making it the best. He wondered if Yaku-san would be in awe?

How he longed to have Yaku-san home, for him to become a regular customer, to see him and make special treats for him. He would wait as long as he needed because this love was not just a fleeting crush of a young boy after all. Lev was a man now, as was the boy he had loved. A man that did not want to regret following his heart, even for the sake of his business. All he had worked hard for to make Yaku-san proud, he would happily trade to have Yaku Morisuke to call his own.

"Yaku-sensei!" a small girl with blonde pigtails called out to her teacher. The man was very nice and pay... pay... Huh? What's the word again? Paytent? Paytent... payshen...? It doesn't matter. Yaku-sensei is good.

He was walking her and her classmate, Kou-chan, around the town proper while her mommy and Kou-chan's daddy were not yet able to pick them up from the school. She liked it when Yaku-sensei taught them and talked to them. She loved all their teachers but Yaku-sensei is special. Yaku-sensei is cute and handsome, she wants him to make her his bride when she grows up.