Work Text:
Jamil Viper's POV
"I'm on my way home," I sent a text to Azul.
As if on cue, I got a new notification from The Daily Twst Inquirer.
“The Mostro Lounge Corporation launches a new product, sells out within minutes”
I suppose something like this should be celebrated but he’s so picky when it comes to food. He had to attend a party recently so he only wants to eat purely vegetarian meals for this week.
Having to plan meals around his diet is so inconvenient, he doesn’t have to go this far.
I kept my phone in my coat pocket and made my way to the supermarket.
I’ve gotten used to this city. The constant bustling of the crowds, the tall buildings practically covering the view of the sky, even the polluted air is the norm at this point.
The only thing I can’t get used to is the cold climate. Everyone around me doesn’t seem fazed by it but this weather is abnormal in the Scalding Sands.
“Good evening, Jamil. Shopping for dinner?” An assistant in the supermarket greeted me. He was carrying a box of vegetables.
“Good evening, did those just come in?” I smiled politely.
Even the locals are familiar with my face and routine.
“Yep! Fresh and healthy— taking some?” he responded cheerfully.
He handed me plastic bags for the vegetables and I helped myself to it.
Tofu, carrots, onions, garlic, tomatoes…. A veggie burger should be fine, right?
“By the way, I heard about President Ashengrotto on the news today. Please congratulate him for me.” He said as he weighed out my purchase.
“Yeah, he’s been working on the project for months now.”
Literally talked about it nonstop. I practically memorized his presentations.
“Hard to believe a big shot like him lives in our city. You’d think he’d have his own mountain at this point.”
I awkwardly laughed at his statement and agreed. I recalled arguments we had regarding properties but I didn’t want to be inconveniently away from civilization. How could I do my shopping and commute on top of a mountain?
I paid for the groceries, thanked the man, before heading home.
Home….
That place became my home, huh?
At first, I saw it as nothing but a place to stay but now, it’s different. The same path, the same scenery, the same routine— all done to return home. The thought of it felt heavy, it’s strange to think that I’m really away from my life as a servant.
The bag of vegetables rustled as I swung my arms to the beat of my pace. The children playing around in the streets waved to me, their parents smiled as a greeting. Before long, I found myself in my so-called home.
I scavenged my pockets for the key and found a feel for an irregularly shaped keychain. I pulled it up and revealed a purple octopus dangling behind the house keys. It’s honestly not my style but a certain someone insisted that I kept it.
Upon entering the household, one thing immediately caught my eye.
Sigh….
I told him to not put bright rugs in the front door yet here we are. A pastel purple seashell rug was under my feet.
I lifted my foot and…. As expected, it’s stained.
Whatever, I’ll leave it here to prove a point.
I removed my coat and placed it on the hook before proceeding to the kitchen. I looked inside the fridge and gathered the needed ingredients.
Almost everything that’s stored there is homemade. Homemade ketchup, freshly squeezed orange juice, homemade mayonnaise…. Even the butter is something I formed by hand.
Of course, the bread was baked by me as well.
Sometimes, I can’t help but wonder if my life is really all that different. I suppose some things never change.
Well, since he did his best, maybe I’ll make a quick dessert to go with this meal.
As I was crushing strawberries for the dessert, I heard the main door open.
“Jamil-san, I’m home!” Azul announced himself.
Regardless, I have to finish preparing this mousse so I can hide it. He has the worst timing.
“Jamil-san, are you home?”
Adding some cream…. Smoothening the final layer of the dessert….
“I know you are, I saw your shoes and your coat.” The voice gradually got louder.
Putting some strawberries on top….
“Honestly, I told you to greet me at the door.”
The kitchen door slid open just as I placed the treat in the freezer.
“I thought you finally got used to greeting me at the door but you’re back to your old habit of ignoring me!” He whined, coming closer, dropping his bag on a dining chair.
“I’m cooking. Don’t.” I spoke up just as he wrapped his arms around my waist.
Seriously, for someone who works with food, he sure violates a lot of rules for safety.
“You still haven’t greeted me!” He buried his head at the crook of my neck. I could feel his breath on my nape.
“Azul, seriously. I’m holding a knife.” I held it up as a warning.
He didn’t stop though. In fact, he snuggled into my neck harder— his hair tickling my bare skin. I’m not gonna get any work done at this point.
“I get it already!” I dropped the knife on the counter. “Welcome back, Azul.”
I held his head close, cradling it softly as a make-do hug. He’s so unnecessarily needy.
He looked up at me with a cheeky smile, still not freeing me from his embrace.
I decided to ignore him and continued making the mix for my vegetable smash burgers.
“Jamil-san, you’re too cold. At least warm up when you’re with me.” He kissed my cheek.
It’s precisely because you’re here that I cannot keep my calm.
“Can you at least help out if you want to stay in the kitchen?” I sighed, handing him a potato peeler.
I went back to cooking the burgers as Azul stared at the peeler dumbfounded. Without another word, he removed his gloves and started peeling potatoes. In the clumsiest way, he adjusted the angle of the blade to reach the smallest corners of the spud.
Honestly, this side of him never gets old.
I left him alone to struggle as I cooked the patties on a grill pan.
“Burgers? Jamil-san, I can’t eat high-fat meals until next month,” he sighed in clear disappointment.
Does he think I forgot?
“These are vegetarian so don’t worry about it.”
“And the condiments?”
We literally live together and sleep on the same bed but you don’t trust me?
“I made them for you the other day, remember? It really took me several tries to get the consistency and taste right so don't waste my effort,” I huffed.
He suddenly turned unusually quiet. I glanced to look at his face only to see it beet red. His lips curled in an awkward smile as if he was trying to hold it in.
“What?” His goofy grin made me self-conscious.
“You’ll get mad at me,” he chuckled, covering his smirk.
Get mad? Ugh, whatever. I won’t continue pushing his buttons. I just focused on finishing up our meal.
Azul handed me the bowl of peeled potatoes, still with the goofy grin plastered on his face. I raised an eyebrow at him and took the bowl from his hands. Quickly, I chopped it into smaller strips to make fries in the oven.
“It’s just….” He spoke— cutting himself off with his own sheepish smile.
I paid him no mind and continued with my work. We have to get dinner somehow, his thoughts can wait.
“You do so much for me. We’ve come a long way.” His eyes sparkled under the bright light.
Surprised by his sudden confession, I looked away from him in an attempt to hide my face.
What was that?! Where did that come from?
I mean, how could I not do this much when he’s given me so much more?
Away from my family’s chains and a chance to fully be me. The things I made are nothing compared to what
he's given me.
“You think too much,” I muttered.
"Is that so?" He caressed my cheek with the back of his slender fingers. I pushed them away and hid my face from him with my bangs. If I let him have his way, we're seriously going to starve.
I arranged the food on our plate and sprinkled the final garnishes. Done. I carried the two plates and made my way to the dining table.
“Let me carry one, Jamil-san,” Azul suggested. The suggestion to which I shook my head at.
“Just grab the quick mousse I made in the freezer.”
Placing his plate opposite of mine, I lit the winter-scented candle on the middle of the table for a cozier atmosphere.
Azul approached the table with two glasses of fruit mousse in hand. His confused expression said everything.
“Congratulations on your project. You did well.” I smiled at him, answering the question plaguing his mind.
He stared at me with a blank expression. Not the reaction I was expecting…. I was anticipating a more energetic response.
He gently placed the two glasses on the table and scratched the back of his head. Was my surprise not good enough?
“Thank you but Jamil-san, I brought you a gift too.”
“Ha?” just came out of my mouth.
He rummaged his pocket and revealed a golden brooch, shaped to resemble a snake.
“What is that for?” I asked in genuine confusion.
“We succeeded in our project. Without your support, I couldn’t have done it.” He placed the brooch in my hand.
Just from the feel of it, I could tell that it was authentic gold. Why, though?
I’m just temporarily managing one of the branches of his cafe. Where did this even come from?
“Seriously, what are you wasting money for?” I rubbed my temples.
Azul tried to reason but got cut off by my sudden outburst of laughter.
“Honestly, for a greedy bastard, you sure are quick to spend it on something like this.”
He smiled and took the accessory from my hand. He pinned it on my collar and nodded to himself.
“I knew it was perfect for you,” he remarked proudly.
“Whatever, let’s just eat before the food gets cold.” I hastily sat down and started eating. Azul followed shortly.
I glanced up to catch a glimpse of his expression. What did he think of the food? Can I still get the reaction I was waiting for?
“Wow! This is really good. Almost better than the real thing!” He exclaimed. Shoving fries one after another down his throat.
Okay, a success. I let out a sigh of relief. He looks extremely pleased, I'm glad to see that.
Now that that’s done.
“Azul, why did you put the pastel rug at the front door?” I asked calmly.
“Eh?”
“Didn’t I tell you to not put bright rugs at the front door?”
He didn’t reply. Clearly guilty. His chewing gradually got slower.
“It stains easily, especially when it rains.”
He looked down and apologized silently. Geez, I feel like I’m scolding a kid. Why am I the bad guy?
“Whatever, just remember next time. You don’t want to ruin your favorite rug.”
He nodded and finished off his dessert.
“Thank you for the meal, Jamil-san. I feel like I can make 10 more projects now!” He declared.
And have me listen and criticize each and every one of them? Uhm, no. At least, give me a break.
“Let me clean up for today,” Azul offered, to which I clearly refused.
We’re trying to celebrate his success right now, why won’t he just sit still for once?
“If we celebrate all of my successes like this, you’ll never get a break. He laughed heartily.
How cocky, I can’t believe that came out of his own mouth.
Well, I suppose it would mean less unnecessarily expensive presents, huh?
With that thought, I watched Azul’s back as he washed the dishes from the sink.