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“This should be easy enough, just buy some pancake mix and put it on the pan, simple.”
Lynx underestimated by a mile.
Cooking anything wasn’t his strongest of talents but he wanted to thank Tiger, especially since they got together not long ago and wanted to impress him with a delicious sweet treat.
With his positive mind set, he practically skipped past Tiger with a big grin on his face while turning back to face him, “i’m just heading to the shop, watch over the cats for me, na?” he said with glistening eyes that would be considered criminal to say no to.
“Alright, be safe…love you” Tiger added with a smirk, slowly seeing the effect it had on Lynx.
“love you more, bye” He said quickly before scurrying out the door with slightly flushed cheeks.
He couldn’t express how much Tiger had helped mend his life when it was broken into pieces. After his mother passed away, Tiger was always the one checking up on him and supporting him with the cafe and eventually, became his boyfriend.
When he stumbled back into the cafe, causing the bell above the door to jingle into the calming atmosphere with the radio chimes spreading through the air, Lynx could smell the cinnamon and caramel scent whirling around him as Tiger approached from behind the counter.
“You’re back!” He welcomed with a warm smile.
Lynx quickly put the small bag of ingredients behind his back, not wanting to ruin the surprise just yet. Tiger noticed the sudden movement and glanced down at his hidden hands before back up to his half-lidded eyes, staring a little too long before finally speaking up.
“What did you buy?” Tiger asked curiously.
“Oh uhm i ended up not getting anything since they didn’t have any coffee left” Lynx came up with on the spot. It was painfully obvious it was a lie but he couldn’t come up with anything better.
“If you’re going to lie, at least try make me fall for it” Tiger said with a little chuckle. He wasn’t mad, just confused on why he would lie about buying something from the shop.
“Hey, cmon, i’m not lying…it doesn’t matter anyways, what’s more important is you” he slowly walked closer to him until one hand found its way behind his neck, while the other still held the bag behind his back.
Tiger knew what he was doing but unfortunately he fell into the whimsical diversion of Lynx’s close proximity, his hands wrapping around the other’s waist.
“Better now that you are here.” Tiger walked straight into the trap but he wasn’t complaining.
Just as he was about to kiss him, Lynx quickly turned around and backed away to the kitchen door, not turning his back to Tiger. “great! why don’t you go check on the cats while i…wash the dishes?” He spoke with an innocent grin, waiting for Tiger to disappear somewhere else in the cafe.
“uh…sure?” Tiger let out a little chuckle and was beyond baffled now but he left Lynx get up to whatever mischief he was getting into.
Lynx then quickly pulled the kitchen door shut and started on making the pancakes. He started by turning the oven on and putting the pancake mix into the pan and slowly turning it to form a circle, it was all going well until he flipped it over and…the whole other side was burnt. “no worries, i’ll just try again!” Lynx reassured himself and started again; all art took time, right?
He moved the mix more frequently and when he saw it slowly bubbling into one big circle, he flipped it over and…it fell on the floor. But it’s okay! he will just try again until he perfects it.
Lynx quickly cleaned up the mess but it didn’t take long until he created even more mess. There was failed attempts of mixture all over the counter, some fruit that spilled out of the container and Nutella spread across a knife that was slowly oozing onto the counter which was creeping towards the edge.
Lynx started to stress at his own incompetence at such a simple task, until Tiger finally came into the kitchen. Lynx quickly turned around covered the literal food crime scene taking place behind him but unfortunately he hadn’t noticed the pancake mix on the side of his face he must have accidentally wiped on himself in the process.
“What are you doing in here?” Tiger questioned, wondering where he had been for the past 30 minutes.
“uhh, so basically-“
Tiger cut him off before Lynx could even attempt to come up with another distinct lie. “Please don’t embarrass yourself with another lie, just tell me what’s going on” Tiger said with a slight pleading tone, wondering what he was hiding from him.
Lynx let out a sigh and his shoulders slumped down, he had been caught in his terrible act to try and do a cute gesture for Tiger.
“i was trying to make you pancakes, but it’s just impossible.” He spoke, sounding defeated.
Tiger chuckled slightly now knowing this is what he’s been doing the whole time. He was shooing him away while trying to do something nice for him, this made Tiger’s lips form up into a small smile.
“You could have just asked for help, you know?” Tiger walked over and took his hands in his, squeezing them lightly.
“But then it wouldn’t be a surprise” Lynx protested, feeling like if his efforts weren’t 100% his own doings they wouldn’t be worthy enough for Tiger.
“Just being with you makes me happier than any surprise could” His words hitting the soft spot in Lynx’s heart that broke its regular rhythm. Lynx didn’t know what to say so he just stood there glaring up into his mesmerising eyes. “Here, let me help”
Tiger stood behind Lynx and placed his hands over his, guiding them over to the pancake mix before slowly oozing it into the pan, old attempts from Lynx still sticking to the pan.
Lynx could feel his body trembling as Tiger’s taller body was towering over behind him while taking control over his hands like a puppet. Tiger felt his body shaking slightly under him, probably because of the little space between them, but Tiger took full opportunity to tease Lynx.
“Why so shaky? I don’t bite” He whispered into Lynx’s ear, which only made his cheeks flush more and goosebumps to run down his back.
“just hungry…” Yet another lie, but Tiger didn’t question this one.
“Let’s finish these pancakes then”
Tiger continued to guide lynx’s hands, flipping the batter and slowly placing the pancakes onto a plate while decorating them with Nutella, a variation of fruit and finally topped with some whipped cream.
Tiger turned the oven off and finally stepped back from Lynx, no longer invading his space, but he kind of missed the warmth he radiated onto him. Lynx brought the plate to a clean counter and waited eagerly for Tiger to try one even though he technically was the one to make them.
Tiger picked up a slice of the pancake, chocolate oozing onto his fingers before he stuffed it into his mouth with a big grin on his face. “mmm, they’re delicious”
While Tiger took another bite, Lynx’s eyes also glistened with hunger, he hadn’t eaten all day but didn’t want to steal Tiger’s gift. He was suppressing his thought on grabbing something off the plate until his stomach rumbled loudly, causing Tiger to look at him and chuckle. He slid the plate to him, offering the other pancake.
“But it’s your gift, you should eat it.” Lynx tried to explain whilst his stomach let out a few more low growls, practically begging for a bite.
“You sound like you’re starving, literally.” His eyes pointed to his stomach that clearly spoke louder than Lynx. Lynx hesitantly lowered his hands to the plate, looking back up at Tiger to make sure he can eat his precious pancake. “Just have it, we can always make more” Tiger reassured him.
Just as a “thank you” slipped past Lynx’s lips, he was already devouring the pancake and within a minute it was completely gone, leaving some whipped cream on his bottom lip in the process.
“Wow…that might just be a new world record” Tiger said honestly quite surprised.
“Sorry, i was a little hungry” Lynx let out an awkward chuckle.
“I could tell, you still have some on your lip” His eyes wandered down to his lips, analysing how soft and pink they look.
“do i?” his hand went up to wipe the cream off his lip but Tiger gently held his wrist.
“it’s fine, let me help” Tiger said, the smirk evident through his tone.
Lynx looked a little confused at his words but before he could even react, he felt Tiger’s soft lips on his, licking and nibbling on his bottom lip. Lynx melted straight onto Tiger, his body pressing against his and his fingers wrapping around his toned arms. Tiger smirked into the kiss which made Lynx reluctantly pull back, looking up into his big eyes, shining with accomplishment.
“what’s so funny” Lynx asked, raising an eyebrow at him.
“Nothing, you’re just insanely cute” Tiger shot back, making Lynx crumble once again.
”shut up..” He winced before scooping up some leftover whipped cream and planting it on his cheek while chuckling.
Tiger blinked slowly as he realised what he had just done, “oh, so we are doing that?”
he also got some cream on his finger and smeared it onto the tip of his nose with a grin. The both of them battled each other with whipped cream and unstoppable giggling which eventually ended in them kissing the whipped cream off each other’s soft skin. When the day came to an end, they snuggled up on the sofa and fell asleep in one another’s warm embrace.