Work Text:
Jeonghan was humming a tune and spinning in duck printed socks across the kitchen floor, a big wooden spoon in hand.
Flour coated his nose, part of his cheek, and most of the counter. He had somehow managed to open every cabinet and forget what he was looking for in all of them.
Joshua leaned against the doorway, arms crossed, smiling so fondly it was honestly unfair.
“Baby,” he called softly.
Jeonghan turned with wide eyes, spoon still mid air. “Joshuji, did you know you can’t use salt instead of sugar even if it looks the same?”
Joshua blinked. “You didn’t.”
“I did obviously!”Jeonghan beamed proudly. “But I ruined one batch of pancakes.”
“There were supposed to be pancakes?”
Just then, the front door opened.
“Hellooo?” Seokmin’s voice rang out as he and Vernon stepped into the apartment, both carrying bags of snacks and drinks.
“Is this a sleepover or a bakery explosion?” Vernon asked as he stepped into the kitchen and immediately paused. “Oh.”
Jeonghan waved with floury fingers. “Hello Bonon-ah!”
Seokmin tilted his head. “Why does the microwave also have flour on it?”
“I didn’t want her to feel left out,” Jeonghan explained.
Joshua sighed with a smile. “He named the microwave Momo.”
“She’s a good girl,” Jeonghan nodded, patting the microwave affectionately.
Vernon opened his mouth. Then closed it. “Okay.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mingyu arrived a little while later, a tall puppy like guy, holding a basket of fresh groceries.
“I brought the good stuff,” he announced. “Jeonghannie hyung texted me saying he needed a food wizard before he started summoning the demons.”
Joshua leaned over to Jeonghan, whispering, “Is that what you texted him?”
Jeonghan nodded shyly. “I also told him Momo was judging me.”
Mingyu stepped into the kitchen and immediately laughed. “Oh no, it’s worse than I thought. There’s eggshells in the blender.”
“It’s for uh.. creative texture,” Jeonghan defended, nose scrunching up cutely.
“Admit it,” Mingyu said as he rolled up his sleeves. “You’re just trying to get handsome men to cook for you.”
Jeonghan grinned. “Is it working?”
Joshua walked over, lifted Jeonghan by the waist, and sat him gently on the counter. “He already has one handsome man cooking for him.”
“Hyung,” Mingyu said, fake serious, “if you ever get tired of being with Joshua hyung, I’m available. I’m tall, handy in the kitchen, and willing to commit tax fraud for love.”
Joshua narrowed his eyes. “You aren’t special. I can cook too and also commit tax fraud for Hannie.”
Seokmin burst out laughing. “Mingyu, don’t get on hyung’s bad side. He’ll cut the carrots too perfect and make you feel inadequate.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A little while later, pancakes (actually edible ones) were cooking on the stove thanks to Mingyu and Joshua, while Jeonghan sat cross legged on the counter, swinging his feet and humming.
“Joshuji,” he called sweetly.
“Yes, baby?”
“Will you feed me?”
Joshua wiped his hands, walked over, and lifted a small bite of pancake to Jeonghan’s lips.
“There you go, my hopeless little bunny.”
Jeonghan chewed happily and rested his head on Joshua’s shoulder.
“Hey,” Mingyu called from the stove. “You can’t be the judge of the pancakes if you're already biased.”
“I’m very biased,” Jeonghan said with a mouth full. “Biased for Joshuji. He’s warm and sweet and good at eggs.”
Vernon, watching from the couch, blinked slowly. “He’s like… a tiny baby but also such a weird creature.”
Seokmin nodded. “And he speaks like he’s teaching kindergarten.”
Jeonghan reached over and booped Seokmin’s nose like a teacher would.
Mingyu, clearly losing it, laughed. “You’re not real.”
Joshua just kissed the top of Jeonghan’s head. “He’s very real. I carry him around like a koala sometimes.”
“I sit on his lap like it’s my throne,” Jeonghan said proudly.
“And he burns toast like it owes him money,” Joshua added, grinning.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
By the end of the day, Jeonghan was curled on Joshua’s lap like a cat, wearing one of Joshua’s sweaters. The sleeves flopped past his hands, and he kept sipping hot chocolate way too slowly so he wouldn’t be asked to get up.
Mingyu leaned against the kitchen doorframe, watching them.
“You’re really not giving me a chance, huh?”
Joshua raised a brow. “Would you like me to write you a rejection letter on Jeonghan’s behalf?”
Jeonghan giggled.
Seokmin walked over with a plate of cookies. “He’s really got you wrapped around his little finger.”
Joshua smiled as Jeonghan nuzzled into his neck.
“Yeah,” he said softly. “And I never wanna leave.”