Work Text:
Gaster had preheated the oven for Grillby. He didn’t know what he was doing in the slightest and simply followed orders.
“Line the… pan,” Grillby softly said as he pulled out the spices and flour.
Gaster opened up the cabinet and saw the long box of parchment paper. He grabbed it and set it down on the counter, next to the bread tin. “This parchment paper?” he signed.
Grillby nodded.
He unrolled it, and instinct making him think he was looking at blueprints again. Gaster groaned in annoyance. The work day had been a mess. Someone had forgotten to recalibrate one of the machines, and now all of the tests and reading would need to be redone. Weeks of work gone to utter waste. With a pair of scissors, the skeleton cut the paper. He made sure to cut it so it would nest perfectly into the tin. Gaster threw away the scraps and put up the box. He let out a calming breath, trying not to start the rant he felt bubbling up to the surface. Gaster turned to Grillby to the next step.
The elemental was sifting the dry ingredients, carefully adding all of the spices into the flour. He was calm and concentrated. Gaster was entranced as he watched his partner’s flames wisp up into flickering peaks. His colors mixed and flashed with his usual orange-yellow. He was grating some fresh nutmeg into the bowl. The smell tickled and was cozy at the same time. Gaster watched his partner’s firey forearms as he whisked the dry ingredient together. It was in that moment that the skeleton realized he wanted nothing more than to feel those arms wrapped around him.
“The… eggs?”
Gaster jolted, “Yes?”
Grillby was now mixing oil and brown sugar together, “Crack some… eggs, please.”
“How many?”
“Two, and get… the vanilla,” he added.
The skeleton rushed to the fridge. He pulled out the whole carton, along with the half-empty bottle of vanilla extract. When he got to the counter, Grillby was patiently waiting for him. Gaster took out the two eggs, ready to crack the first time. He hunched over and got close, careful as can be.
Splat!
Cold egg ran down the skeleton’s face. Gaster groaned with socket’s closed. Of course, he thought. He heard Grillby’s crackling chuckles behind him. However, before he could get annoyed he felt it. Warm hands settled on his shoulders.
“Hold… still,” Grillby said with his soft voice.
Gaster shivered at the touch. Then, a moment too soon, Grillby moved away. The skeleton listened to the ripping of a paper towel. A moment later he felt that same careful hand at the side of his skull. Gaster tried not to lean into the touch.
“Please… hold still,” Grillby repeated as he carefully wiped the egg off his partner’s face.
Gaster had wished the texture of the paper towel was as silky soft as Grillby’s touch. Alas, he grimaced as rough paper scratched away the sticky egg off his cheekbones. After a couple of wipes he was finally free of the egg. Gaster opened his sockets as Grillby went to throw away the wadded up paper towel. The skeleton let out a calming breath. We can cuddle later, he told himself. I can wait.
Again he picked up an egg and carefully cracked it into the bowl. Thankfully all of the egg made it inside. Meanwhile Grillby came around with milk and a can of pumpkin puree. Gaster took a step back and watched. The mixture looked and smelled like autumnal orangy goo. Grillby mixed the wet and dry into a thick dough.
The oven beeped, declaring itself at the right temperature.
“Just on time,” Gaster smiled. He grabbed the bread tin and held it still for his partner.
He felt Grillby’s warmth radiating through his sweater. The urge to lean into his side was palpable. Don’t do that, he’s pouring something, Gaster told himself.
Grillby pressed a quick kiss to Gaster’s skull. “Thank you… for helping,” his smile audible.
The skeleton turned bright violet. He held back the urge to launch himself at his partner. It didn’t matter that he had been counting down the hours when he could finally embrace his elemental. He was here with his lovely partner. Gaster smiled as he watched Grillby set the timer for the pumpkin bread. He truly did feel lucky to have a monster like him.
Then Grillby gave him a devilish grin.
In one fell swoop the firey elemental scooped up his skeleton. Gaster’s ribs were half crushed but he felt safe so close to him. Grillby snuggled his face into Gaster’s plush turtleneck, arms still wrapped around him. “Missed… you.”
“We live together,” Gaster signed, hoping that Grillby saw.
He did and pressed a kiss to the side of his head. “You’ve been… working.” Silently he began to tug his skeleton towards the couch. “Cuddle while… bread bakes?” he asked, his voice so soft Gaster could hardly hear it over the elemental’s crackle.
Gaster turned around in his arms and hugged him. It was all the answer he needed.
In one motion Grillby tossed the both of them onto the couch with a plop. Gaster let out a peel of static laughter. Grillby peppered his partner’s face in kisses. Gaster gave a kiss of his own, gently cupping the warm cheek in his hand. Grillby melted into the kiss and Gaster felt himself doing much the same. When it was over, the skeleton couldn’t help but smile.
“Come… here,” Grillby said.
Gaster chuckled, “I’m already here.”
“Closer…” he pulled the skeleton towards his chest. “Work was… rough, right?”
“How did you know?”
Grillby chuckled, “… Scowling.”
“I am?” Gaster touched his face.
But Grillby pulled his hands away and brought him close again.
Gaster let himself be moved. He rested his skull in the crook of the elemental’s neck. His soul beat strong. Its comforting intent radiated through his dark sweater. Gaster smiled, content. Honestly he could fall asleep just like that.
Then he felt the warm hands at his back. He felt Grillby’s magic press into his spine. There was comfort and love in abundance. Soft whispers of gentle praise and adoration ran up and down his back with the magic. Grillby used his heat to carefully massage soreness in his back. Gaster sank further into his chest.
“Do you… like that?” Grillby asked.
Gaster nodded into his neck, not wanting to pull away to sign. He shivered as warm hands ran up and down his back. A calmness washed over him. The stress of the work day left him. A soft lavender blush bloomed on Gaster’s cheekbones. He took in the smell of campfire and the growing scent of spices from the kitchen.
“I got… you,” Grillby whispered.
And Gaster never felt more at peace.