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A shiver ran down Hasebe’s spine as he stepped out of his room, clinging a little tighter to his coat. It was… colder than he liked it to be, which had delayed his getting up in the first place, and he was sorely tempted to turn around and go right back to the warmth of his bed. Alas, as much as the master really wished he would take a day off, he couldn't simply lounge about while there were things to be done.
He walked his way around the citadel, making sure everything was in order and trying to warm himself up… when the smell of sweetness and warmth hit his nose. At first he was confused… Even with him having gotten up late, no one else was usually up at this time except maybe Hachisuka or Shokudaikiri…
Shokudaikiri…
That had to be it. The smell had to be coming from the kitchen. No one else in the whole citadel could make something that’s scent could cut through even this cold, thin air. Especially not something that warm and inviting. Curious, he made his way to the kitchen, peeking in the door first to see if he was right, then quickly hurrying into the warm room with a huff. As his mind and body started to defrost somewhat, he looked around and was greeted by the sight of fresh baked cookies in various shapes, sizes, and flavors, already mixed dough awaiting the oven, ingredients sitting ready for more dough to be made… And a rather cheerful Shokudaikiri, apron covered in flour, chocolate and icing, humming softly as he moved away from the oven and to the next tray to start dishing dough onto it. Hasebe tried not to stare, but he found it difficult not to. Not only because of the sheer amount of cookies he saw and clear there was more coming… but also just because he
always
enjoyed watching Shokudaikiri as he cooked. The man always looked so happy, at peace as he flitted about the kitchen with the world’s warmest smile on his face… Honestly, Hasebe was sure that that smile alone was warm enough to combat even this frigid winter day…
“Good morning, Hasebe. Cold morning, isn’t it?”
Hasebe jumped a little, yanked out of his reverie by Shokudaikiri’s voice, who had apparently noticed that he wasn’t alone anymore. He gave a soft huff, moving further in the door and further into the kitchen so he could get a little warmer, then turned his gaze back to Shokudaikiri. “Yes. I can’t say that I’m a fan…”
Shokudaikiri chuckled at that, finishing up the tray he was preparing for the oven and turning that impossibly bright smile toward Hasebe. “Well, you are welcome to keep me company, if you like. It will be warm in here for quite a while yet.”
“I see…” Hasebe looked around again, then stepped close to look at the cookies that were already done. “And what exactly are you doing?”
“Baking cookies.”
The look on Hasebe’s face had to be amusing because it caused Shokudaikiri to start laughing again. And while Hasebe certainly didn’t mind the lovely sound of that laugh… “You have been hanging around Tsurumaru too much… but allow me to reword the question. Why are you up so early baking cookies?”
“This is the Saniwa’s favorite time of the year…” He mused, going back over to wash the now empty mixing bowl and wooden spoon. “So, Tonbokiri, Iwatooshi, and Taroutachi are going to hang lights today and I decided to make cookies. However, I wanted to make sure there was enough for everyone and plenty of variety. We wanted to set up some sort of gift exchange as well, but… I don’t think the budget will allow for that. Not for everyone. Not unless we did something more akin to secret santa.”
Hasebe looked over the cookies again and his brows knitted together. With the amount of cookies already prepared, he had to have been up well before sunrise… “That might be more plausible… Shokudaikiri, this seems like a large task for one person…”
“It is. And it will take me a while.” he admitted softly, grabbing a towel to dry his now clean bowl and spoon so he could start on the next batch.
“Would you allow me to help?” The question caused Shokudaikiri to pause and look over, surprise and what almost looked like hopefulness dancing in his one good eye. Hasebe sighed and looked away in order to be able to think clearly, already feeling flustered by receiving such a look. “I am not as skilled as you in the kitchen and you will have to teach me… but you’ve proven to have the patience for it before.”
“You are an easy student, Hasebe.” Shokudaikiri chimed, features softening a little more somehow. “But if you want to help, I won’t turn you away!”
Hasebe smiled, stripping off the heavy coat so he could put on an apron. For a brief moment, the cold crept up on him again now that his winter coat was off… but the moment he looked even mildly uncomfortable, Shokudaikiri pulled him closer to the oven. A faint blush crept across his cheeks that thankfully his companion didn’t seem to notice. Never mind the fact that having the man’s hands on him made his heart race… but just the fact that he was so acutely aware of his discomfort and adjusted the work space to accommodate for that? How was he supposed to react? Now was not the time for this little crush of his to be playing up! They had work to do! Quickly, he cleared his throat and nodded. “Alright. Let’s get to work.”
Unfortunately, that was only the beginning. Right off the bat, as Shokudaikiri was coaching him on the proper measurements, he stood far too close, talking so softly in his ears that Hasebe could hardly concentrate on what was being said. Then when he started mixing, the man actually reached around and guided his hands to show him the most effective way to do it without overmixing. Hasebe thought his heart was going to hammer it’s way out of his chest. Dishing things out wasn’t any better. Not only did he have to find
anything else
to stare at as Shokudaikiri bent down to take a batch out of the oven, but then when he managed to keep all the globs of dough all relatively close to the same size, Shokudaikiri praised him with excitement and pride in his gaze. And yet… Through all of this he managed to maintain a calm and attentive exterior.
Right until he put his cookies in the oven and turned to face Shokudaikiri.
“Well done, Hasebe! I’m eager to see how they turn out!” Shokudaikiri praised again, beaming at him like he had done the best thing in the world.
“I… Yes. Thank you. I’m sure with your fine guidance the-Hm??” He had started to play it off as if that hadn’t been a major test of his willpower… only to blush brightly when the other man stepped closer, too close, and reached up to wipe something from his face. “E-Eh??”
“You had flour on your face.” Shokudaikiri explained solely, brows pinching in concern a moment later when he noticed how flushed Hasebe looked. “Are you alright, Hasebe…? Your face is flushed.”
“Y-Yes. I’m fine… just…” The rest of the words came out an uncharacteristic, mumbled mess and only made the blushing worse as he ducked his head.
At first, Shokudaikiri didn’t seem convinced, wondering if perhaps Hasebe was getting sick. It was quite cold out and the man had a tendency to overwork himself horridly. However, when Hasebe mumbled, he realized this had to be something else entirely. With a soft hum, he stepped back, an apologetic smile on his face. “Apologies. I must be making you uncomfortable.”
“No!” Hasebe blurted out, immediately looking rather sheepish. “You… No. You have done nothing to make me uncomfortable. No need to apologize.”
The still startled Shokudaikiri just blinked at him with confusion.
Hasebe sighed. He should have accounted for this… “I’m just… flustered.”
“Flustered?” Shokudaikiri echoed… Then he just blushed himself and gave Hasebe a smile. “I suppose Tsurumaru told you…”
“What? What does Tsurumaru have to do with this?” Curious though he was, he quickly dismissed it and shook his head with a defeated sigh. There was no real way out of this now he supposed. “You have been incredibly close to me and, while I enjoy it, it’s hard to get anything at all done when you do that. I cannot think clearly around you. I know it is inappropriate and unwarranted but… it seems matters of the heart care little for logic and duty.” Shokudaikiri blinked… then again… before he started laughing. The already embarrassed Hasebe took this as a rather personal slight and huffed at him. “Don’t laugh at me! Why are you laughing?? I am admitting something very personal and serious to you! It’s no laughing matter!”
“No… No it’s not.” Shokudaikiri chuckled, stepping close again and trying to reign himself back in. “However, I am relieved. Here I was thinking Tsurumaru had ratted me out on my feelings and my proximity had made you uncomfortable… but it seems that’s not the case.”
“Your… feelings…?”
“Yes. My feelings…” He flashed that soft smile of his again before leaning in to steal Hasebe’s lips with the most gentle, breathtaking kiss.
Hasebe tensed for a brief second, then practically melted. His grip on the counter behind him tightened, resisting the urge to latch on to this man and never let go. The kiss was far too brief for his liking and when Shokudaikiri pulled away, Hasebe gave chase, which didn’t help the blush once he realized. “I-I… This is… This is not appropriate for the kitchen…”
Once again, that rich chuckle filled the air, but this time… Shokudaikiri didn’t step back. “Do you want me to stop then, Hasebe? Just ask and I will step away and leave you be.”
“U-Um… Cookies?”
“They still have about five minutes.”
“... We should be vigilant and not burn them! That would ruin it for Master and everyone else! No one likes burnt cookies!”
Shokudaikiri smiled as he gently pulled Hasebe away from the counter and into his arms, having still not actually heard a no. “Yes, yes. I promise you I will not let them burn. Just… allow me this for a few more moments. I’ve wished for it for too long...”
Hasebe felt his breath hitch at that admission, chest clenching and stomach fluttering with the full force of a thousand butterflies. Slowly he brought his arms up, wrapping them around Shokudaikiri’s waist and hiding his face in his chest. After so long of wondering what he was going to do about these feelings, how he was going to tell him, worrying what he would do if he was rejected… It felt as if a weight had been lifted off of his shoulders. To just be able to stand here in his arms, unafraid and unashamed… It was the best gift he could have ever asked for. Slowly he lifted his head to look at Shokudaikiri, a smile on his face now to match the one he was being given… one that grew brighter when Shokudaikiri placed another kiss on his forehead… Only to suddenly have the moment ruined by a loud gasp. Hasebe and Shokudaikiri both jumped and turned to look at the door to find Mutsunokami and Tsurumaru peeking in the door, both surprised and starry eyed at the sight they saw. Shokudaikiri just blushed and huffed out a shy laugh…
Hasebe on the other hand…
“Really?? Spying on other people?? The two of you should be ashamed!” He began to lecture.
“Uh oh… Lecture time…” Mutsunokami muttered, looking at Tsurumaru.
“Eeeeh not the kind of surprise I was looking for…” Tsurumaru half whined, then lit up and looked at his partner in crime. “Run!”
When the two of them took off running, Hasebe gasped and took off after them. “Hey! Get back here! I’M NOT DONE WITH YOU!”
“Hasebe, your-” Shokudaikiri tried to catch him, sighing softly when he didn’t hear and disappeared in pursuit of the troublemakers, “-coat…” He snorted softly to himself, shaking his head as he turned to retrieve the cookies from the oven. “Ah well. Udon for lunch it is!”