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Vale never liked cooking,it didn't help that he wasn't good at it either,trust him,he has tried before. Obviously there were the earlier days when he was young and reckless and would get into trouble. He would try to cook something as an apology (or try to impress her mom enough for her to lighten his punishments),but those attempts were always met with a blatantly bad ending. At the best case scenario,something broke,at the worst case,almost everything was burnt down.
And it wasn't like he didn't try to improve or try again. He did! He really did try! When Luca was born and Vale's career had already taken off he couldn't spend a lot of time home anymore,so when he did,he tryed to make them as memorable as possible for his little brother. So when he and little Luca were home alone,he had decided that it would be a good idea to bake something together.
His mom had entered the house to a view of Vale and Luca standing in the middle of the kitchen amongst the countless broken eggshells scattered on the ground and flour covering the counter tops, even reaching shelves and corners that it shouldn't have been able to. Vale had looked at his mom with an awkward smile, while Luca steard at her with a face that looked like it had seen horrors that are above the intellectual compassedy of a mortal ( like he had seen things mean for Quinn Hughes only).
So sue him for not wanting to cause such a scene again! Plus,there was never a need for him to know how to cook. The constant traveling meant that the closest he could get to a home-cooked meal was some family owend restaurant he might have stumbled onto while drunk off of both victory and alcohol. He also had a strict diet that he had to follow,so he had his meals prepped for him ahead of time which also meant he didn't have to cook anything for himself.
Even now that he is retired,his main sorceress of food is either take out or going out to eat. The only times he can really get his hands on a warm meal is when one of the academy boys decide to make something,or when his mom or brother come to visit. Vale doesn't have a stabel way to get home-cooked food and that's fine with him!
He lied,it's not fine,it's not fine at all. Especially not on a horrid day like today. The boys had gone out around an hour ago (Vale declining the invitation,hiding behind the excuse of not wanting to be recognized and ruin their fun,even though they would get recognized with or without Vale.)
So he is alone in the ranch. He had decided to make a couple more laps around the track. To his up most dismay,he crashed. Nothing that had seriously injured him,but still painful enough that his tailbone and elbows still hurt after a while. Honestly,his bike had taken more damaged then him,something had broken,because the reached thing didn't want to turn on. So with a sigh Vale had decided that it was enough riding for today. He could have gone and taken another bike,but it was getting dark and he didn't have the strength or the wish to do so.
That's how he ended up on the couch in some old shorts and a white shirt that hang loosely around his lengthy figure,scrolling thorough the take out app,hair still wet from the shower,looking for something to eat. He sighed and put the phone facing down on the couch,dropping his arm over his eyes. Nothing,absolutely nothing looked appealing and he didn't have the strength to go out.
He thought about just going to bed for the night,but in the end decided against it,knowing his body wouldn't be happy with shutting down without any food,so he opted to open instagram instead. He was mindlessly scrolling when he came across one of Marc's tweets.
Just finished a meeting with the team,excided for the new season 😎
Under it was a pic of Marc posing infront of the Ducati headquarters. It was a nice picture,but so is almost every picture that involves Marc. He has that captivating warmth to him,like the sun. Vale cringes both internationaly and physically,he is glad that the boys are out somewhere and not here to witnesses his sanity grumble.
But it's true though, Marc is pretty and he is a grate cook. Vale's thoughts wander to the time when he and Marc were hanging out and their conversation had drifted to the topic of their diets and how they differd do to their different body builds. Vale had off-handedly mentioned how he prefers the pre planned and cooked meals since he himself isn't a great cook after Marc had told him that he found the taste of the food given to him bland.
Apparently that was a strange thing to say since when Vale looked back up from his drink,Marc had looked at him like Vale was an anomaly,a glitch in the system.
"Marc,you still with me?"
Vale had asked the boy,snapping his fingers infront of the boy's face for good measure. That seemed to get the boy out of his trance.
"What do you mean you don't eat home made cooking?" The boys voice was a mix of confusion and concern.
Vale shrugged "Never learned how to cook and hiring someone is pretty pointless since I travel so much."
Marc's face scrunched up adorablely when the words registered in his brain. He stood up so fast from his seat that he almost made the stool fall down. Vale had looked up at the boy (a rather rare thing do to their height difference) with eyes filled with amusement. Marc had taken his hand and dragged him out of the hotel bar,dragging him up to his room,because apparently Vale not haveing a home made meal in the last few months was a legal issue in Marc's eyes.
The boy had cooked up something for him and then apologized for it not being anything fancy. Vale had waved it off,telling Marc that it was really not a big issue,that he didn't have to cook just for him. There was definitely something else that Vale had wanted to say,but both words and thoughts died in his head when the first bite hit his toung,it was spicy,it was very spicy and flavorful,but above all it was delicious. Vale pondered on whether or not he should go to the bathroom and check that he hadn't actually orgasamed right then and there,because his taste buds definitely had. It had tasted magical. If Vale was a weaker man he might have bent Marc over the tabe and given him backshots as a reward and wifed hime up (husband him up?) right then and there.
He had only been pulled out of the blissful experience of stuffing his face with food to the point of looking like an overgrown hamster by the rest of his taste buds catching up and reminding him that the food he was currently eating was indeed very spicy. The last part of the interaction that Vale could remember was Marc giving him a glass of milk and patting him on the back.
Vale couldn't exactly pin point what exactly made him call Marc. Whether it was the hunger and the promise of good food that Marc would bring or the company that Vale currently lacked. Nope,it was definitely the starvation and the thought of those amazing flavors filling his mouth again is almost enough for him to pop a boner right here on the couch. So with a groan that rattled his bones he went into his contacts and unblocked Marc before calling him.
A rather confused Marc answer. "Hello? Vale is that you?"
Vale was already starting to regret his decision. "Marquez,are you still in italy?"
"Uhhh,yeah,I'm staying in a hotel near the Ducati headquarters,why?"
"Come over."
"What..???"
"Come to my ranch"
The line had gone quite and for a minute Vale feared that Marc had hanged up,but for his relife the same confused voice spoke again.
"Vale,are you high?!?!"
Vale groaned into the phone "No, I'm not high!" But I could be,Vale though to himself,he does have his stash in his room that he always keeps full. "I'm under no substance right now,not even alcohol."
"Uh huh,and why exactly do you want me to come over this late?"
Vale mumbles something incoherent into the speaker.
"What was that,Vale?"
"I want you to come over and cook for me.."
Fuck,that sounds really pathetic now that he says it out loud.
"You want me to come over and cook for you?" Marc echoes back at him, his confusion not fadeing from his voice.
"Yeah, the boys are out and nothing from the nearby places looks good,plus you are only 2 hours away" Vale gnawed at his lower lip anxiously. The other line goes silent again.
"Fine.."
"Great! You already know the address,see ya soon!" Before Marc can answer Vale hangs up the phone and slams in face down on the table,he lets out a shakey breath. All the tension leaving his body is quickly replaced by exitment of Marc being in his house again,cooking for him again.
It takes a little more then 2 hours for Marc to arrive and Vale had managed to get nervous in those minutes,paceing back and foeth in the hallway. What if Marc was pulling his leg,what if Marc had somehow recorded their call and was running to the nearest news outled to tell them about Vale's pathetic request. Luckily for him,that was not the case,Vale hears the doorbell ring and swiftly opens the door. He feels even more pathetic now that he realized that he had been waiting for Marc in front of the door like a dog waits for it's owner.
Marc steps inside and something warm fills Vale's entire body,something about Marc standing in his hallway feels so right. He looks like he belongs there,despite all that Vale has said about him,despite that they haven't talked or seen each other in a long time,despite not spending time together in a long time,this sight felt right. The silence is broken by Marc who is now takeing off his shoes and coat.
"So,what do you want me to cook for you?" Marc asked hanging his coat.
Vale awkwardly shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I don't know,what can you make?"
"Well,what do you have?" Marc questions.
Vale freezes in place. With all the ordering food in that Vale does,there isn't actually anything for Marc to cook with. "Erm.. we might have to go shopping.."
Marc lookes up whit his brows raised and with an unimpressed expression on his face. He started to put his shoes and and coat back on. Vale just kinda stood in the hallway before scrambling to put his own outside clothes on,he can't exactly go out in the middle of the winter with shorts and a t-shirt.
The ride to the store had been quick and peaceful. Marc had insisted to drive since he didn't trust that Vale wasn't on any type of drug (even though he wasn't). Vale had given Marc a pair of sunglasses and a mask so he wouldn't be recognized,which is a good idea unless you want Marc to get stoned to death by the people on the street (Which, granted, Vale has thought about a few times,but his stomach is currently disagreeing with the idea). Vale didn't bother with any disguise,it was late and nobody would bat an eye at Vale shopping in his own home town.
They casually strolled into a fairly big shop. Vale takes a shopping cart and follows Marc.
"So.. what do you want?" The Spaniard asks.
Vale thinks for a moment "Do you remember what you made me the fist time you cooked for me? The rice thing?"
Marc thinks for a bit,a crease appearing in between his brows before dissappearing as Marc understands what Vale means. Good,Vale thinks,Marc looks much more handsome this way. "Oh,do you mean Paella?" Marc pulls out his phone and shows Vale a picture,Vale nods "Yeah,that."
Marc humms and pockets his phone "Welp,you have to guid me through this store and show me where things are since I haven't been here before."
Vale nods again "Ehh,yeah,just tell me what you need."
It turns out Marc needs a lot more than Vale though,not only with the ingredients,but also with appliances. Apparently Vale is missing a list of crucial things that are needed if he actually wants to start cooking one day,which is very unlikely,but the approving nod from Marc is enough for Vale to put the items in the cart.
When they are finally done with shopping and bringing the dozen bags filled with ingredients and kitchen appliances to the car,nearby lights capture Marc's eyes. "What's that?" He asks pointing at the light source.
Vale looks up from where he was trying to play block blast with the shopping bags so they would all fit in the back of his car. "Hmm? Oh,you mean the farmers market?"
Marc stears at the warm light before starting to walk twords it like a moth. Vale quickly shut his car before following him,how could someone so short be so fast? "Allora,why does the market interest you so?" Vale grumbled,his legs are starting to hurt from all the shopping,the feeling made even worse by the hunger gnawing at him.
"To see if there are any fresher ingredients."
"Alright,then we can head right back to the car,because it's winter and all the stalls sell either craftsmanship or sweets."
Marc just humms and keeps walking "Then you can buy me something,you owe me you know? Not everyone would drive for 2 hours just to cook for you."
Lies,Vale thinks. There are plenty of people who would do much more then cook for him if he asked. But Vale doesn't want for someone else to cook for him,he wants Marc,so he stays silent as Marc browsers through the stalls.
At some point as Marc is picking up different sweets and inspecting them (the lady behind the counter talking about how they were made and what flavors they have.) Vale notices that Marc doesn't have gloves on,his hands are red from cold. He scoffs and takes Marc's hands into his,warming them between his hands. "Why aren't you wearing gloves?"
Marc is stearing wide eyed at their hands and only then does Vale's mind catch up to what he is doing. But he doesn't pull away,it would be weirder if he did. Instead he waits for Marc to answer.
It takes a few more seconds and a questioning look from Vale for Marc to remember that he hasn't answered yet. "I- emm... I don't have any,it doesn't usually get so cold in Spain for me to need them."
Vale's nose crunches up,well that won't do. As if on instinct Vale guides Marc through the different stalls until they are standing in front of one that sells wool mittens. He nagged at Marc to pick up a pair,because gosh forbid Marc's skin breaks because of the cold and Vale tastes blood in his food. He is not sure Marc believes the excuse,he is not sure he believes it either,but he would rather dig a hole in the frozen ground with a spoon then admit being worried about the other.
After another petty argument on who should pay– Marc saying that he has equally as much money as Vale and doesn't need him to pay for something that he is gonna use and Vale arguing that Marc is the one who is cooking and like Marc himself said,deserves something for it –they start walking back to the car. But when he looks at Marc,the Spaniard is pouting,it would be cute (it is cute) if it didn't annoy a certain part of Vale's mind. Were the mittens not comfortable? Did he not like the color? Marc must have noticed the staring because Vale is brought out of his thoughts by a rather annoyed voice "What?"
Vale scoffs at him "Nothing,no need to be so thorny,if you don't like the gloves you don't have to wear them."
Marc's brows kint at that "Why do you think I don't like the gloves?"
"Well,to start,you are pouting-"
"Pouting? First of all,that is very degrading of you to describe me like I'm a child-"
"I don't think you are a child!"
"and secondly,I like the mittens,I just would have liked for you to buy me the chocolate,I could have brought the mittens on my own."
Vale stops dead in his tracks. That's what has been bothering Marc? That?! Vale could laugh at the relife he was feeling,but also fought the urge to slap Marc across the face,he was upset over something that is so easily fixed. "Okay,let's go back,I can buy you those chocolates." Vale spoke as he turned on his heels and started to walk back towards the market.
"Valentino,you don't need to,you already bought me the gloves,it's really not that serious."
Tch,stupid Marquez,thinking Vale is doing it for him and not for his own mind to shut up,so self-centered. Despite Marc's protests,they ended up in front of the sweets stall again,buying the boxes of sweets that Marc wants (okay,maybe Marc only wanted one box,but what if Vale also like some of the chocolate??? Plus the academy boys,so a few dozen boxes should do it). Now for the 3 time tonight,they are walking twords the car to drive back.
"You know,you could have just bought the chocolates yourself if you wanted them."
Marc humms "Yeah,but then it wouldn't have felt the same,it's nice when someone gives you something you want,you know?"
Vale does know,Marc is about to cook for him after all. The drive back to the ranch is equally peaceful if you don't take into the account the pickering about weather or not Marc should try the chocolates before he had dinner. Vale says he will get a stomach ache if he does. Marc argues that he ate before he came to see Valentino. Vale argues back that that was over 3 hours ago. So yes,very peaceful.
It didn't take long for the kitchen to be filled with different aromas. The warm lighting,the smells,the sounds of Marc moveing around the kitchen,the cozy atmosphere,it all wrapped Vale into a thick blanket of comfort,almost familiar enough to lull him to sleep,but rumbling of his stomach and the pain that is now starting to resain there disagrees with him. So he is forced to keep his droopy eyes open as Marc rambles on about the recipe. From time to time Vale will point out where somethings are located in the kitchen.
About an hour later Marc puts a freshly made plate of Paella in front of him. "Cearful,it's still hot."
Vale would like to say something witty back, like 'thanks mom' or something,but he is way too tired for that. Instead he picks up a spoonful of the food and blows on it before eating.
The different flavors instantly explode in his mouth and he has to physically grip the edge of the kitchen island so he wouldn't bust right then and there. He slams his hand doen onto the island while nodding,tears at the corners of his eyes. "Mhm,mhm! Now that's what I'm talking about!" Vale couldn't tell you how many minutes or seconds it took for him to empty the plate,only registering the glass of milk that Marc pushed towards him and Vale downed that too.
He pushed himself up from his seat and marched twords Marc who was now busy cleaning up the kitchen. "Huh? What is it Va-"
Before Marc could finish his question Vale captured his lips in his. It was slow and tender,nothing like they are on the track,but also everything that they are. Two sides of the same coin. When Vale pulls back they are both breathless,not the desperate kinda of need breathless,but something a lot sweeter and homey. "W-what?" Marc questioned,but Vale ignores it dropping to one knee instead and holding one of Marc's hands between his. "Marc Marquez,will you marry me?"
"..."
Vale looks up at him with hopeful glint.
"Vale! What the actual fuck?!"
"What? Your food is so good,it is a waste that someone hasn't wifed you up yet!"
"Well yeah,but I can cook for you without you marrying me,you know?!"
Vale squeezes Marc's hand harder. "So it's a yes? You will cook for me again?"
Marc stumbles over his words "Yeah,I mean,if you want me to."
Vale answers his question by picking Marc up and twirling him around. When Vale puts Marc down again,he grabs the Paella pan and starts eating straight from it,spooning the food in his mouth. He slaps his leg "That's some good food right here,shit maybe I should make a public apology gor what I did to you." Vale speeks between bites.
"Huh? You would really do that?"
"Sure I would if you keep cooking for me like that!"
"But I already agreed to that." Marc raised his brows at Vale.
"Welp,then I gotta go to the nearest news outled first thing next morning."
Marc just buries his face in his hands,there is no way that 10 years of hatred just got buried under Paella. If only he had know it was that easy.
When the boys arrived back to the ranch,they were beyond confused to find Vale sleeping on the couch with Marc,using the Spaniard's thighs as pillows. They were even more confuesd when they checked their phones and every major news station was publishing about 'Valentino Rossi apologies to Marc Marquez because of how he treated him'