Work Text:
The room was filled with a number of things. A feeling of togetherness, the smell of fresh baking coming out of the oven, the sound of humming. There was a light buzz in Shidou’s fingertips as he sat down, taking it all in.
The smell was delightful, he thought. All day every day for him was going in and out of hospital room after hospital room. It wasn’t uncommon to hear someone comment on the scent. The uneasy, overly clean scent of the hospital. It wasn’t until Shidou left— then came home to smells like this one— that he really came to appreciate a nice aroma. One that didn’t reek of sanitizer and medical practice.
He could hear a gentle hum, repeating a tune he didn’t quite recognize. An old song, maybe? Or perhaps it was simply something the man in the other room had thought of himself, humming it over and over again. His voice was gruff, yet not a trace of malevolency could be found in its waves of speech. Only the occasional sweet-tempered chuckle and words that held the weight of decades’ time came out when he spoke.
Shidou tapped his fingers against the arm of the chair he was sitting in. Whether it was an unconscious stim, or a way to pass the time, he kept at it for several minutes— or at least, what felt like several minutes. He didn’t bother to turn on the TV and tune into the afternoon news, nor did he attempt to make conversation through the walls, he continually tapped his fingers against the leather seat.
Though, that could only keep the man so occupied. Quiet footsteps trailed into the kitchen. Shidou leaned against the frame of the entryway.
"Kazui…"
A man in a white apron, tied tightly around his wide waist, turned to face Shidou.
"Hello, dear."
A small smile made its way to Shidou's lips. He asked, "What are you baking?"
"Cookies. I'm just letting them cool right now." Kazui replied.
"Cookies?"
Kazui let out a chuckle— his signature, polite chuckle, "Yes. I found a recipe online for almond cookies. I thought I would make some. Never hurts to try new things, even at my old age, right?"
Shidou let out an exhale akin to a sigh and walked closer to Kazui, now leaning against the kitchen countertop. "I suppose we are pretty old. The cookies smell delicious."
"You think so?" Kazui smiled— when he smiled it was never very big, contrary to his large stature— but it was impactful nonetheless, "I'm glad."
After slipping off his oven mitts, Kazui leaned a land on the counter close to Shidou. His hands were large, and a bit stubby compared to Shidou's slender hands. They were strong, with various marks and bumps across them from years of use. Shidou moved his hand closer to Kazui's, then clasped them together, pulling himself into Kazui. Kazui's opposite hand cradled itself behind Shidou's back.
Shidou enjoyed moments like this. Moments where the struggle of working life seemed to melt away, even just for a second or two, as his body intertwined with Kazui's. He was never a touchy person, neither of them were— they were more prone to admiring one another from afar, or simply appreciating the presence of another in their space— but it was rare moments like this that made going in and out of those hospital rooms seem worth it.
Even if the weight of life was a hard one to carry, it turned into sand between Shidou's fingertips knowing he had someone like this to be so helplessly in love with.
Not a word was said. Instead— after a few moments of gazing at one another— Shidou wrapped his arms under Kazui's, pulling him into a close hug. It didn't take long for Kazui to reciprocate.
"I love you," Kazui muttered under his breath.
"I..." Shidou could barely spit out the words, absorbed in the affection the two were sharing, "love you too…"
Kazui brushed the hair from Shidou's face, giving the now free forehead a gentle peck. After, Shidou rested his cheek on Kazui's collarbone, still holding onto him.
He rocked gently in place as he spoke, "What was that song you were humming before?"
"The song I was humming earlier?" A chuckle, "I came up with the tune on the spot."
"I figured," Shidou pulled away, "what about the cookies? Are they finished cooling?"
Kazui turned to evaluate, then turned back, "I don't think so. You can try them, but they may be too hot."
"I don't care if I burn my tongue," he responded bluntly, "I'll burn myself so long as I can appreciate you."
All Kazui could do was give Shidou a concerned expression. "You and your extremes, huh?"
No words from Shidou. He reached around Kazui, scooping a cookie from the tray in between his index finger and thumb. He held it up to his face, almost as if anticipating something bad happening, then took a bite.
Chew, chew, chew.
He looked up to Kazui with another small smile, "It's just right."