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"Alright, what’s next?" Riddle, who was mixing ingredients in a bowl, looked up at his boyfriend, Epel, who was standing across the counter from him.
"Next we need 1 ⅓ cups of flour," Epel replied, reading the recipe. "And then we whisk all of it together." He smiled, closing the cookbook and turning to his red-haired boyfriend.
Riddle returned his smile. "Then can you get the flour, love? It should be in the cupboard to your left." Riddle pointed to the cupboard beside him.
Epel nodded. "On it!"
The couple are currently in Heartslabyul’s kitchen attempting to bake an apple tart. They both had a busy week lately and rarely got to spend time with each other. With Riddle’s many dorm leader duties and Epel being busy with Vil’s private lessons and along with magift practices, it was hard for both of them to have free time on their hands.
So when they finally got the weekend off, of course they’d want to make up for lost time they weren’t together. Coincidentally, his family sent him a few spare boxes of apples that day for him to share with his friends.
When Epel visited to offer a box of apples to Heartslabyul, Trey suggested that maybe he and Riddle could bake an apple tart together. He knows that both Epel and Riddle miss having quality time together; even though they haven’t verbally complained about it, it was totally evident in their mannerisms.
Which leads us to the present.
"I found it." Grabbing the ground flour, he closed the cupboard and started heading back to the counter. "Once we’re done whisking that, then we can move onto- WOAH!"
"EPEL!"
Epel felt his foot caught up in the rug that lay on the floor, making him trip. As he hit the ground, the flour he was holding went everywhere, covering most of the kitchen floor and himself in flour.
"Epel, are you okay?!" Riddle rushed to his side in an instant, checking him over for any injuries. "You’re not hurt, are you?!"
Epel slowly sat up, trying to wipe off the white powder that covered his hands. "Yeah.. I’m fine."
Riddle let out a breath of relief, holding out his hand to help his purple-haired boyfriend. "You should be more careful next time." He lightly scolded him, expressing his concern. "You could’ve gotten hurt!"
"I’m fine Riddle, no need to worry." Epel gave him a reassuring smile, taking his hand. "Besides, I just tripped. It’s nothing I can’t handle."
Riddle hoisted him up, "Yeah, I know. But still.." Epel gave his hand that he was still holding a small squeeze. "I really am okay, Riddle! As you can see, I am completely unharmed."
He turned his gaze to the floor, completely engulfed with flour, "However, your kitchen is not."
Riddle giggled, "Yeah? Look at yourself." Reaching out for Epel’s head, he gently tried to take off the some of flour currently adorning his hair.
He was covered completely head to toe in flour. Even though he was wearing an apron, it did nothing to help save him from getting completely enveloped in it.
Epel’s eyes widened in terror. "Vil is totally going to kill me later!"
"Good luck with that." Riddle smirked. Riddle turned back to the mess that is his kitchen and sighed. "For now, we’re going to have to clean this up."
A lightbulb suddenly went off in Epel’s head. "Or we don’t have to."
Riddle raised an eyebrow. "What are you sayi-" Before Riddle could finish his sentence, Epel suddenly engulfed him in a big hug.
With him, of course, still covered in flour.
"EPEL!" Riddle exclaimed. Epel pulled away, a big playful grin plastered on his face. "There. Now we’re both covered in flour."
As Riddle struggled to get the flour off of his clothes, Epel started laughing.
Riddle knows he should be mad, but how could he be? When his boyfriend was laughing intensely, holding onto the kitchen counter for dear life.
"You’re going to pay for that." Riddle chuckled, then started chasing Epel around the kitchen. "DON’T CHASE ME?!"
This isn’t normally how Riddle Rosehearts, Dorm Leader of Heartslabyul, the dorm who holds strictness above all, would act. He would normally act more properly and more sternly in presenting himself.
He knew they both needed to clean up. To bring the kitchen back to its original shine.
But right now?
All he really wanted to do was to have fun with the person he loved. Who cares if they’re both currently covered in flour along with the kitchen? All that really mattered to him in that moment was being with him, seeing his smile, hearing his laugh, nothing else mattered.
Riddle pinned Epel against the kitchen counter, efficiently trapping him in between. "Hey! That’s not fair!" Epel pouted.
Riddle giggled softly, resting his hands on his waist. "I don’t see how you deem that as unfair, love."
"You didn’t have to-" Epel cut himself off when he saw the look in Riddle’s eyes. His eyes were filled with love and affection. Along with the loving and fond smile that never left his lips for a second.
Epel quickly tensed and turned red. "Why are you looking at me like that..?"
Riddle’s cheeks started to turn pink too. Mustering all the courage he had, he leaned closer, gently putting his forehead against his. Epel got even more embarrassed.
Before Epel could muster any more words, Riddle whispered,
"I love you."
It wasn’t the first time he said it. They both said it to each other multiple times before; he doesn’t know why, but this time felt different. Epel’s heartbeat quickened and his face turned as crimson as his own boyfriend’s hair.
Epel rested his hands on Riddle’s chest.
"I love you too."
He said it back, with as much love and affection as Riddle did. If it was even possible, Riddle’s smile widened even more.
Now both faces were the same shade of red.
They both stayed in silence for a few more minutes, still putting their foreheads against each other’s with their eyes closed, wanting to stay in each other’s presence a little longer. Until Epel eventually broke the silence.
"Riddle?"
"Hm?" He hummed in acknowledgement.
"Is it okay if I kiss you?"
His eyes widened in surprise. He and Epel had never kissed before, so this would be their first time. Needless to say, he was nervous. He didn’t know how to kiss! How would he go about it? What if it turns out awkward?
"I would like that very much. But I’m not really sure how to.." He trailed off.
Epel gave a light chuckle, "Neither do I."
"But I’m sure everything’s going to be fine." He gave him a reassuring smile, as if he saw through his worries.
Riddle felt like his stomach was doing somersaults. He reciprocated the smile and said, "Then please, I would very much like to kiss you right now."
Epel gave him a sweet, soft smile before slowly closing the gap between them.
Time seemed to stop when their lips finally touched. Riddle felt sparks ignite in his chest the moment they had their very first kiss. His lips were soft and sweet against his own. There was the lingering scent of apple mixed in with a hint of strawberry around him, a scent that Riddle quickly got addicted to. He felt butterflies swarming in his stomach as he pulled Epel closer by the waist.
They stayed like this for a few seconds until they eventually had to pull away. Their breaths lingered, still feeling like they were on cloud nine even after the kiss. Their faces were colored in pink, with looks of affection and fondness evident in their eyes.
Epel soon gave Riddle a warm smile. "Now that wasn’t too bad, was it?" Riddle gave a gentle laugh and said, "It was amazing."
Epel grinned mischievously, "You don’t mind doing it again, do you?" Riddle playfully rolled his eyes. "We still need to clean up Epel."
Epel frowned. "But-"
"Hey you two! Are you-" The door opened, revealing Heartslabyul’s Vice-Dorm Head, Trey Clover. Epel and Riddle jerked away from each other, both embarrassed about how they got caught.
He looked around the room, finding it, along with the couple in it, covered completely in flour. "Trey! It isn’t what it looks like!" Riddle quickly jumped in to try and explain himself and his Pomefiore boyfriend. "I-It’s just-! We-!"
"No need Riddle, I understand." Trey gave both of them a charming smile. "Just make sure to clean up the kitchen after you’re done, okay?" He then winked and left the room, leaving two blushing messes with faces warm and red.