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It's a loud, chaotic afternoon in the kitchen of Claire and Leon's shared apartment. The sort of loud that feels warm rather than stressful, with old-timey music playing silently in the background and the couple playfully bickering, Leon's teasing laughter a bit too often for Claire's taste (not).
Flour is smeared across the counter in multiple lines and some of the cocoa has made its way on the floor.
Lovely, just lovely, Claire thinks to herself right as her boyfriend laughs at her sad, clumpy dough in the big bowl.
“It's always so amusing to observe your awful baking skills.” Leon says, obviously enjoying himself too much. Claire smacks his arm without hesitation. He is already used to it.
“We'll see if you'll be giggling when Sherry comes over and I tell her about you bullying me again.”
The dough plops down from the spoon back into the bowl, clearly way too runny.
“Your cooking is edible,” he adds, smirking when she shoots him a glare. “I don't know how you manage to fuck up while baking.” he grins when she gives him a look.
“Sorry, Mr Leon show-off Kennedy”, she teases back. “Let's see yours, then.” She leans over to take a peek and stirs the dough only to see a clump-free mixture. The regret she feels is instant. Teasing him about this was a bad idea. Leon has the unfair talent for anything kitchen related while she is stuck with basic cooking skills and even worse baking skills. Leon is usually the one in charge of their meals and knows what he is doing, but with Sherry coming over for New Years, she has to bake something herself, though it might kill her ego.
“How about you clean up our mess and I will take care of the cookies?” Leon suggests and Claire seems to think about it for a few seconds before agreeing.
“I think this is a perfect example of why only you do the cooking and only i do the cleaning” Leon laughs at it and reverts his attention towards the bowl. “We all have our strengths. At least you can drive a vehicle without crashing it.”
…..
“Touché.”
Fifteen minutes later, the dough looks good again, smooth and thick enough to actually roll it out, and the kitchen is squeaky clean. No flour on the counter, no cocoa powder on the floor.
Claire observes as he rolls out the dough, the movements practiced. It was no wonder that Leon had these skills. Claire's brother taught her self defense and how to use a gun, not how to bake stupid biscuits. Leon probably had to cook and bake for himself, among other things. His parents’ death forced him to learn early how to do things by himself. Too early.
Pushing the thoughts aside, she steps closer and rolls up his sleeves. He raises an eyebrow at that.
“No need, I'm not messy like you are-” She blows a cloud of the flour in his direction.
“I honestly just wanted to look at your forearms. You look sexy when you're making food.” Claire decides to ignore his teasing grin and how handsome it looks on him.
“I went from Leon show-off Kennedy to Leon sexy Kennedy within a few minutes? I'm truly honored, miss Redfield.” Their constant teasing never fades. It's just like when they first met in Raccoon City.
Claire gathers the things she needs. A few winter-themed biscuit cutters, edible decoration and a baking sheet, and sets them out on the now slightly covered in flour counter.
“Maybe I needed help with the dough, but I am good at decorating,” she sasses. “I'll make the best looking biscuits ever, you'll envy me.” And with that she starts cutting shapes from the dough, a worrying amount of focus on her features. Leon feels like a character from a cartoon that gets heart eyes when they swoon. Yep, his girlfriend is an adorable, stubborn Mr. Bean.
Once the dough is used, she opens the oven and shoves the biscuits inside.
Leon hesitates for a moment, but has to get the joke off his chest.
“I doughn't think they'll turn out well… but I knead them to.” She slowly turns her head towards him at that and looks at him like he is stupid.
“Leon…” she warns.
That's all it takes for him to take the hint.
“I'll stop with the jokes,” he holds up his hands in defeat. Then, after a moment, “Can't wait to have a taste of your burnt biscuits-”
“Leon, I think you'll look super handsome when you're quiet. Why don't you try shutting up for once?” She grins at her boyfriend.
“Can I take that as you saying you like me?”
She rolls her eyes and turns her attention back to the biscuits in the oven.
They are only baking cookies, but Leon's heart is full and satisfied.
Back then, all he wanted was to have a proper family. Someone to share these heartfelt moments with. He has Claire and Sherry to thank for turning an empty apartment into something he can now call ‘home’.
Leon allows himself to sneakily wrap his arms around his girlfriend and buries his face into the space between her shoulder and her neck. It's quiet when they both silently observe the dough getting color to it, Claire putting her hand on top of his and letting out a content sigh.
“You know…” Leon murmurs into her shoulder, “even if they burn…” his stubble tickles her skin when he leaves a light kiss there. “I'm still pretty baked on you.”
Claire lets out a desperate sound that's half a groan, half a laugh, leaning back into him.