Work Text:
Joseph sat on the couch, reading from the pile of comic books next to him. Behind him, Caesar thumped an old cookbook onto the kitchen counter, wiping the dust off the cover. “Seems about time I should break this out again! I’m sure Mamma would be proud.” He flipped through the cookbook to the pastries section, opening to his mother’s Anginetti recipe.
Joseph startled at the loud noise, whipping his head around. “Hey, what was that for? You could at least be a bit more gentle.”
Caesar held up the thick cookbook and rolled his eyes. “Do you really think this could make less noise?” He placed the cookbook back down and went to the refrigerator to get the ingredients. “You can help if you want.”
Seeing the ingredients and registering them as cookie dough, Joseph put his comic down and hopped over to the kitchen. “Ok, what can I do?”
“I’ll get started on the lemon part of the dough, and you can mix the dry ingredients.” The recipe was entirely in Italian, causing the brunet to look puzzled. “I’ll translate it for you, don’t worry.” The blond read out the recipe in English, instructing Joseph. Caesar used the mixer to blend the lemon zest, eggs, sugar, and other ingredients.
Joseph took out a bowl and began mixing the ingredients with a whisk, going a little too fast and spilling some onto the counter. He tried to get it back into the bowl without Caesar noticing, but he failed. “Accidenti, you have to make sure you’re careful!” Caesar nudged Joseph out of the way, trying to clean up the mess. “How about you head back to the couch? I’ll take care of the rest for now.”
Joseph sighed and flopped back onto the couch, resigned. He flipped through his comics, finding another one to read as Caesar blended the mixtures together. After placing the dough in the fridge to cool, the older man sat down next to Joseph and gently placed his hand on his thigh. “I’m sorry I snapped at you, tesoro. Flour is just such a pain to clean up, and the cookies need the correct amount to come out right.” He looked the younger one in the eyes, smiling at him fondly. “You know, sometimes I feel it’s quiet in the house with just the two of us.”
Joseph placed his hand on top of Caesar’s and smiled. “Yeah, you’re right! How about we get a dog or something? A Pomeranian would suit you!” Joseph laughed at the thought, a tiny little dog sitting in his husband’s lap.
“Well, adoption is an option. But I was thinking about something other than a pet. Sometimes, I’ll have a dream about us with a child. A little girl with my blond hair and your blueish eyes. How does that sound?”
Joseph’s eyes widened, and he looked at Caesar. “Are you, like, serious? Not joking?”
“One-hundred percent serious. I’ve been looking into some adoption agencies, or even Suzi being a surrogate. I asked her, and she was open to it!” Caesar gently kissed the brunet’s cheek, his hand lingering over where he pressed his lips. “Would you like that?”
“Oh my God, yes!” Joseph was practically crying and hugged Caesar close.
Caesar chuckled and patted Joseph’s back when he hugged too tight. “Alright, then. There’s a lot to plan and think about, but hopefully, it won’t be just a dream one day.” Caesar pressed a kiss onto Jojo’s lips before getting up and taking the cookies out of the fridge. “Want to help me with the dough? It’s pretty simple.”
“Yeah!” Joseph got up, helping Caesar cut the dough and coil it into cookie shapes. Joseph stuck his tongue out slightly as he focused, pinching the tops just right.
“Careful, tesoro. I don’t want you biting it off,” Caesar chuckled as he nudged his husband’s chin with his thumb.
“Oh!” Joseph stuck his tongue back in his mouth and went back to making the cookies. Once the cookies were all coiled, Caesar placed the pans in the oven and let out a sigh.
“These should be good until the timer goes off. Then, I’ll get started on the glaze. How about you get a plate out? There should be a white one with flowers on it towards the front.” Caesar nudged his head towards the cabinet as he got the ingredients for the glaze out.
“Got it!” Joseph carefully took the plate down and placed it on the counter, sitting empty and waiting for its contents. He peered over Caesar’s shoulder as he whisked the lemon juice and powdered sugar together. Sneaking his hand around the blond’s waist, he swiped his index finger and thumb into the bowl, swiping his thumb on Caesar’s mouth and licking off his index finger. Caesar startled, but before he had the chance to scold Joseph, the brunet kissed the glaze off his lips. “You know, it tastes even sweeter off of you~”
Caesar opened his mouth, then closed it, opting to kiss Joseph back rather than get frustrated. “You’re insufferable, tesoro~” The words were sweet, as the younger one’s antics have grown on Caesar over the years they’ve been together.
“But you still love me anyway, Caesarino~” The two embraced against the kitchen counter, giggling and whispering sweet nothings as they kissed more glaze off each other.