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Malleus woke up to an empty bed. He blinked slowly, a hand reaching out to the space that should have had his boyfriend occupying, his tired state wondering if he was imagining the lack of a warm body beside him. When all he felt were the sheets, he became aware of a sweet scent in the air.
Well, partially sweet, something else was also burning. Or was burned.
Getting up out of bed, Malleus walked out of his and Leona’s bedroom, grabbing a pair of pants to pull on before he ventured too far out into their home. He followed the scent and looked into the kitchen, seeing Leona at the stove, wearing nothing more than a tshirt and underwear.
Malleus smiled a bit, finding himself looking over Leona, taking in how his hair had been messily pulled back to try and keep out of his face, a few strands still managing to tug free. In the morning light that was pouring in through the window, the fae thought that his boyfriend looked like he was glowing, shining with beauty and love. Malleus then became aware of the stack on the countertop beside Leona. Pancakes.
Or, Malleus assumed they were supposed to be pancakes.
They were malformed, some closer to the bottom of the stack much much darker than they needed to be (which probably explained the sweet, burning smell). As Malleus took a few quiet steps closer, he saw that fruit had been hurriedly chopped and cut and mixed into the batter. Bananas gooped awkwardly, some falling free from the batter confines and making more of a mess.
Leona, himself, glared down at the pan in front of him, nose scrunched up in concentration as he tried to flip the newest pancake he was making. And Malleus watched as it caught on the lip of the pan, breaking and falling into the mess that was quickly growing around the stove. Leona growled low ears pinning back as his tail twitched in irritation.
Malleus reached out his arms, wrapping them around his boyfriend’s waist, and pressed a gentle kiss to the back of his head. “How long have you been in here?”
“What time is it?” Leona asked, moving the remains of the pancake around to try and salvage it. Malleus laughed softly, his head moving to kiss against the back of the lion’s neck.
“You’re getting better.” he commented, watching as Leona carefully added the newest creation to the stack. “Some of these actually look like pancakes.”
“You’re going to get the burned ones.” Leona scoffed, causing Malleus to laugh again and kiss down against his shoulder. “I don’t know why you’re laughing, I’m serious.”
“I’m certain you are, darling.” Another kiss, this one against the junction between Leona’s neck and shoulder. He felt the beastman shiver, and carefully tightened his arms around him, pulling closer to his boyfriend.
“You’re a menace.” Leona huffed, no real heat in his words as he reached over to the bowl of batter. Malleus watched as he carefully stirred the mixture, seeing the poor, beaten banana slices turn further into mush, before Leona carefully poured more into the pan.
“Some of those bananas look brown.” Malleus commented, letting his head rest against Leona’s shoulder.
“They’re still edible, suck it up.”
“Are you certain you’re not trying to kill me?”
“If I wanted to kill you I’d have done it by now.”
“Perhaps you’re playing the long con.”
“I’ll show you a long con if you don’t get off me, lizard.”
Malleus laughed again, making no effort to move off of Leona. To his credit, Leona huffed, blowing a bit of hair out of his face as he tried once more to flip the pancake and, once more, broke the poor thing, splattering half cooked batter against the stovetop.
“Shut it.” Leona grumbled, causing Malleus to blink.
“I didn’t say anything.” he said, watching as Leona continued to try and cook.
“You’re thinking it.” Malleus only hummed in response, his hands beginning to move, brushing and teasing up and under Leona’s shirt. He felt the beastman tremble at the touch.
“I’m only thinking of how wonderful you look this morning.” Malleus whispered, pressing a kiss to Leona’s neck. Leona grunted, pouting as he set the remains of the pancake on the stack and reached for the bowl again. “You look quite domestic.”
“I ain’t domesticated.” Leona huffed, pouring in the remaining batter.
“You’re not quite feral, either.” The fae smiled, his head moving to kiss Leona’s cheek. He watched as Leona pretended to ignore him, “What possessed you to wake up so early?”
“Felt like it.” Leona grumbled, his eyes never once leaving the pan. Malleus took note of the blush that was spreading on his face.
“I find it hard to believe you would have any inclination to get out of bed before noon for any reason.” Malleus said, continuing to lightly stroke along Leona’s stomach.
“I’m full of surprises, I guess.” Leona moved the mixture in the pan, eyes narrowed in concentration as he tried to flip it perfectly this time.
“I hope you continue to surprise me, darling.” Malleus whispered, leaning to press a kiss to one of Leona’s ears. It twitched against his lips, and both men jumped as the pan, and batter, fell and splattered on the ground.
The two looked down at the mess, blinking slowly, before Leona growled in annoyance and Malleus began to laugh.
“Don’t you laugh! That’s your fault!” Leona huffed, reaching out to turn the stove off.
“Perhaps I should have waited until after you finished making a mess of our kitchen.” Malleus said between his laughter.
Leona grumbled more, looking like he was about to say something else before Malleus reached out and gently took his head in his hands. He then leaned forward and pressed a kiss against the lion’s lips.
Ultimately, the stack of pancakes was well and truly cold by the time both men were able to break away from each other and clean the mess off the floor.
Malleus had to admit that it was a nice way to start the day.