Work Text:
Romarriche was used to making sweets on his own whenever Merold had asked for them, and this was something he was content with. However, this was also why it was quite a surprise when Merold approached him this time, asking to make the sweets together.
"Are you sure? You know I don't mind baking them myself. Wouldn't you rather sit and relax?"
"Romarriche, you don't enjoy my company? Is that it? Tsk tsk.. You should feel lucky that I want to spend time with you!" Merold crosses his arms and leans against the wall, smiling cheekily.
"You know that's not true," Romarriche protests, quickly grasping one of Merold's hands and holding it between his own. He knew the other was only teasing, but he still felt the need to reassure him anyways.
"I always love spending time with you. I'm just surprised you want to actually go through the hassle of baking things, rather than just sit nearby and wait for me to do it," Romarriche continues, his eyebrows furrowed.
Merold huffs softly, running his free hand through his hair, seeming hesitant to look Romarriche in the eye. "I thought it would be fun if you taught me, that's all. We haven't really done anything like that together in a while. It's just been work, work, and more work."
The slight bit of vulnerability he had seemed to show quickly disappeared as he continued. "Just, go easy on me, will you? Let's make something easy and not too messy, yeah?"
Romarriche purses his lips, though his expression as a whole softens a little, and he gently squeezes Merold's hand that he'd still yet to let go of. "Yes, I can do that, come with me."
He still doesn't let go of Merold's hand until they're actually in the kitchen.
Romarriche decides to make another batch of the cookies he often gave Merold when he made tea, as they were simple enough, and he knew Merold wouldn't refuse if he offered to make tea for them as well.
Reluctantly, he does release the other knight's hand as he moves around to grab the ingredients they needed, setting them on the counter along with the kitchen equipment they would need. He hears Merold make some sort of teasing comment about how he was too organized, and he merely huffs in response. He had a very important system, okay!
After getting everything out, Romarriche murmurs to himself, listing off the ingredients to make sure he had everything.
"Right, so.. I have the sugar, honey, vanilla extract.."
"Yes, Romarriche? I'm right here."
Romarriche sighs wearily, shaking his head, though he smiles a little. "Very funny. I'm trying to make sure I have everything."
After confirming he had everything out, he turns back around to face Merold again.
"I'm going to teach you how to make those jam filled cookies that you like. I'll even prepare tea for us afterward so we can eat some of them," he begins, pulling up his sleeves a little.
Merold watches him and does the same as he comes to stand next to him, and then Romarriche continues with his demonstration.
"We'll start with making the dough. It needs to be refrigerated for a bit, but it's generally quick to make," Romarriche explains, already measuring out the dry ingredients as he spoke. "While I do this, could you wet down a towel with hot water? And wring it out thoroughly."
Merold nods and grabs a towel from a drawer to his left and turns the water on. "What's it for?"
"The butter," Romarriche answers. "It's supposed to be room temperature.. I didn't get it out in advance, so we can just lay the wrapped butter stick on the hot towel, and hopefully it'll soften enough."
Merold hums in acknowledgment and goes back to waiting for the water to heat up. Once it does, he starts wetting the towel, then frowns. "Roma, the water's hot. I'll burn myself, can't you do it for me?"
The other knight sighs softly, but he gently nudges Merold out of the way and takes the towel. "Are you alright? You didn't get burnt, did you?"
Merold shakes his head, then smiles and places his hand in Romarriche's. "Not enough to leave a mark or anything, but I still think you should kiss it better."
"Of course," Romarriche responds, gently squeezing the other knight's hand and immediately bringing it to his lips to brush a chaste kiss against his knuckles.
After that, he lets go to situate the butter, and then while they wait for it to soften, they discuss which flavor of tea to make for later. Merold offers to set up the tea this time, which surprises Romarriche a little, but he doesn't comment on it.
He checks on the butter some time later, and deems it soft enough, so then he instructs Merold on how to mix all the ingredients together to make the dough.
He seems to catch on quickly, aside from spilling some of the dry ingredients on his cardigan, which he grumbles in complaint about. Romarriche is quick to reassure him that it would wash out easily, and they continue.
Soon enough, the dough is in the refrigerator, and they are left with two hours to kill. Merold immediately seizes the opportunity to cling to Romarriche as they sit on the couch together.
"Are you cold?" He frets instantly, his hands finding their way onto the other's face, holding it gently. Merold hums in response.
"No. Just wanted to spend time with you. Is that so wrong?"
The other knight shakes his head with a sigh. "I suppose not," he muses, gently rubbing his thumb against Merold's cheek. "You've just been more quiet today. What happened? Do you want to talk about it?"
Merold groans and shakes his head, crossing his arms. "Nothing gets past you, huh? I just had a nightmare, that's all." He leans more heavily against Romarriche, causing the other to frown.
"Are you sure? You always know I'm here for you," Romarriche begins softly, his expression already looking very worried.
"I don't want to talk about it," Merold answers, leaning his cheek into the other's palm. "It wasn't anything new. I still just.. You know how I get," he mutters, trailing off with a quiet sigh.
"I do," Romarriche agrees, still frowning a little. "If you don't want to talk about it, then is there anything else I can do for you?"
Merold doesn't say anything at first, opting to just stare at Romarriche. Part of him wants to say; 'No, you're already doing enough. I just wanted to spend time with you to distract me from it and put me in a better mood', but alas, he was not often one to say things straightforward like that.
Merold was selfish. He always wanted more, and he knew Romarriche would never refuse anything he asked for.
He wanted Romarriche to hold him, to smother him with affection, until he could forget about it completely.
"I.." He starts, uncharacteristically hesitant. He is all too aware of the warmth of Romarriche's hand against his cheek, and he reaches up to cover it with his own.
"Kiss me."
Romarriche's expression softens, and he smiles a little. "Is that all?"
Merold is quick to look appalled. "Are you denying me what I want? Unbelievable!"
"No, no. Never," Romarriche interrupts, gently yet firmly grabbing Merold's face and leaning down to close the distance between them and capture his lips.
Merold squawks indignantly, but the sound quickly turns into a satisfied hum, his arms coming up to wrap around Romarriche's shoulders.
Romarriche's lips tasted like the rose hip tea he often drank, and they were soft against his own. Merold presses closer, a hand moving up to tangle his fingers in the other's long hair as he gently tugged at the strands.
Romarriche was so gentle with him. He felt as if he were going to melt. It made him want to scream. He chases away the undesirable thoughts by lightly pulling his hair, messing up the ponytail it was tied back into, but neither of them cared about that at the moment.
Merold tilts his head and presses himself further against the other knight to readjust himself, then bites down on Romarriche's lower lip. The other knight was used to what this meant, so he quickly parts his lips further, and Merold deepens the kiss.
Briefly, he thinks about how easily they could kiss at this intensity now, compared back to when they had just started experimenting, and even a brief peck on the lips had been enough to make them both feel jittery and awkward. To think they'd come so far and trusted each other so much now; the notion made Merold's chest feel warm.
..Or, perhaps that was his lungs burning because he needed to breathe again.
Merold pulls away and falls backward on the couch, though he does it so abruptly that he almost takes Romarriche down with him. He doesn't though, catching himself by planting his hands on the cushion on either side of Merold. Most of his hair had fallen out of the hairtie by now, spilling over his shoulders and framing his face. A pink hue had bloomed across his cheeks, and his lips were swollen. Merold imagined he looked relatively the same. He could feel his bangs sticking to his forehead with sweat.
His chest heaves as he catches his breath, and he has to force himself to look away to refrain himself from pulling Romarriche back down and devouring him again.
After a few minutes, Romarriche slowly lowers himself down on his own. He slots himself between Merold and the back of the couch, but his head rests on Merold's shoulder, and his arm is slung over his waist. "I love you."
Merold laughs softly, leaning his head against Romarriche's for a moment. "I love you too.. Shouldn't we check on the dough soon? I'm getting hungry now."
Romarriche's breath ghosts over his face as he giggles, the sound melodic and gentle. "Yes, we probably should. You wanted to put the strawberry jam in them, yes?"
Merold nods, and Romarriche slowly lifts himself up, getting off the couch and straightening out his rumpled clothing. Then, he offers his hand to Merold, and after helping him up, he does the same for his clothing as well. Merold returns the favor by fixing Romarriche's hair.
Once they deem themselves presentable again, they head back to the kitchen, their fingers loosely intertwined.