Work Text:
As Nick would often endearingly call him, Ryan was like a puppy. A golden retriever. He would patiently wait for Nick to come back from his job, no matter how many hours of sleep it cost him, and greet him excitedly when he arrived.
It was something he started doing a long time ago, not sure exactly when. He did it to make sure Nick felt loved. Coming home at night, exhausted, and having his partner welcome him with open arms and that bright smile he adored. It came from the deepest part of Ryan's heart. Nick hadn't asked him to do it, it was the opposite, actually. He would kiss his forehead and tell Ryan he shouldn't have waited for him and that he should go to bed.
But even with Nick's caring advice, he still did it each night. For him.
This night seemed no different, even though it was. It was well past midnight, Ryan had started to get tired but he fought against his eyes that slowly closed themselves every few minutes.
It was uncommon for Nick to come home so late. Normally, he would be here at around 11pm, and him taking longer than that would make Ryan worry. This time, though, he had a duty he had to attend to, so he wasn't exactly worried.
He was proud of Nick. The man had fought against all the odds to make his dream come true. So knowing he was out there doing what he loved for a living made Ryan thank God he'd married Nick. Out of all the people on Earth, he'd somehow managed to be with him.
Minutes passed and Ryan was struggling to keep himself awake. Just a little longer, he must be right around the corner, Ryan told himself to not fall asleep. And he was right.
He heard the sound of a car entering through the garage, and not just any car. He'd heard that specific car so many times he'd recognize it anywhere. It was Nick.
When the love of his life entered through the door, Ryan got off the couch and ran towards him.
He wrapped his arms around him tightly. The first thing he noticed, aside from his tired face, was his smell. “Gosh, what happened? You reek of wine.” He winced.
“Someone at the party spilled his drink. He looked really drunk, so I guess that's why.”
Nick reciprocated the hug with one arm. The other was holding a suitcase, probably holding his knives inside.
He placed a tender kiss on Ryan's forehead. “Why are you still awake? It's really late, we've talked about this.” Nick said.
“Wanted to wait for you.” Ryan looked up at him, smiling like a fool.
Nick broke away from the hug and left his suitcase on the dining table. He walked a few more steps before collapsing on the couch. He was really tired.
Ryan sat beside Nick and held his hand. Nick's head fell on Ryan's shoulder.
He had learned to appreciate these small moments. Just being with Nick, both almost falling asleep, or not, depending on the moment and day. He wanted to let Nick know how much he loved him.
And then he got an idea.
“Hey, Nick.” He turned to face him.
“Yes?”
“Mind if I cook you something?” He brushed Nick's palm with his thumb.
“Sure, but why?”
“Just ‘cause.” He smiled warmly.
Nick raised an eyebrow. “Okay. Feel free to grab anything you want from the fridge, just don't use the milk.”
“Thank you.” He leaned down and kissed Nick's hand, making an exaggerated ‘mwah’.
Ryan got up from the couch and walked to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and ran his eyes through all the options. He already had an idea on what to make, he just had to make sure they had the ingredients. And, since Nick is a chef, they of course had them. Perfect.
He pulled out two top sirloin steaks from the fridge.
A couple of years ago, they had spent a day together and Nick taught Ryan everything he knew about the kitchen. It's one of their most cherished memories. That day, Ryan learned how to sear a steak.
He also grabbed butter, lemon, garlic and some herbs.
Now, years and lots of experience watching Nick cook later, Ryan wanted to go back and make something for Nick. To show him how much he'd learned from being with him and how he's the dearest person in the world to him.
He sprinkled salt onto each of the steaks, careful as to not add too much, and not too little, and left them to rest while he prepared the rest.
He grabbed a pan and placed it on the stove. He turned it on and poured some oil, vegetable oil, as Nick had cared to specify, and waited.
Nick had been listening to the sounds coming from the kitchen, and asked, “What are you making, Ryan?” he peeked at the kitchen from the couch.
“Something special.” Ryan said, leaning on the counter. “You just relax while I make this.”
He turned and searched in the cabinets for something that could help Nick become more relaxed. He found a bottle of wine. He opened it and poured a glass for Nick.
He moved to Nick's place and gave the it to him.
“Thank you, Chef.” Nick said, wearing a smile on his face.
Ryan giggled at the name-calling. He became flustered, then said: “It's on the house.” Literally.
“Oh, okay.” Nick chuckled. “Very kind of you, sir.” He laughed at the fact that Ryan was serving him wine that he had bought, not Ryan, and saying it was ‘on the house’. “Be careful, your oil might be burning.” He sipped on the glass.
“Oh– yeah.” He rushed back to the kitchen.
Thankfully, nothing bad had happened. The oil had reached its smoke point, so he grabbed the steaks and placed them on the pan, away from him, as Nick taught him.
Now, press, to make sure they get even contact with the pan. It hurt a little, but not anything he couldn't handle. If it did hurt at some point, he told himself it was all for Nick.
He peeked at the bottom of the steaks. He saw a crust, turned down the flame, and waited.
When he felt the time was ready, he flipped them away from him. A smile formed on his face as he saw how they'd turned out, they looked… good. Amazing, compared to the ones he used to make before Nick taught him how to do it.
Now he had to repeat that on the other side.
Press, crust, turn down flame, wait, and flip.
He must've gotten his ego too high, because even though this other side did look good, the first one was definitely better.
He dropped some cubes of butter into the pan and waited for them to melt, moving them around. After that, he dropped the rest of the aromatics. The herbs and garlic, and squeezed the lemon over all of it.
He positioned the pan and himself to butter baste. Nick's words replayed on his mind, “don't stand in an awkward angle”.
After that, he removed them from the pan and returned them to the cutting board. With one of Nick's fancy knives, he cut them carefully.
He turned to the cabinets and grabbed two plates.
He placed each of the steaks on the plates and, holding one on each hand, he moved them to the dining table.
“Dinner's ready!” He announced.
Nick got up from the couch and admired Ryan's hard work. “It smells and looks amazing, Ryan.” He said.
“Thank you.” He nodded.
They took a seat and on the first bite, Nick said: “Mmmh, this tastes, mm, so good.” with his mouth full.
Ryan raised his head and smiled. He could tell Nick was being honest.
They continued to eat, and Nick kept praising Ryan's cooking. Some of it was just glazing, but most was sincere praise from the bottom of his heart.
When they were done, Ryan got up and picked up both of their plates.
“Don't worry about the dishes, I'll wash them tomorrow.” He placed the dishes on the sink.
“Thank you, really.” Nick stood up from his chair.
He sat on the couch, Ryan following after him. “That was amazing, Ryan. You really outdid yourself.” He continued to praise.
“It was the least I could do.” He wrapped his hand around Nick's. “You deserved something special.” He leaned his head on his shoulder, gazing lovingly at him.
Nick turned to look at him directly, making eye contact. “I think I might have a crush on you.” He said. It was childish, but sweet.
Ryan chuckled. “Really?”
“Yeah.” He laughed along.
“I think I do too.” Ryan was beginning to blush slightly.
He leaned in for a kiss. Nick did too.
It was a sweet (and savory, from the meat they just ate), special but ordinary kiss shared between the two of them.
Nick placed his hand on Ryan's cheek. Ryan had closed his eyes, but if he had them open, he would've seen Nick's half-lidded eyes, and the blush that had started to form on his face.
Luckily, he could get a look of it, as he broke the kiss to catch his breath.
“I'm in love with you.” Nick said.
“Me too.”