Chapter Text
If you had to describe your morning in a word, 'shit' would probably be the best choice. Nothing seemed to be going right for you.
When you woke up, you neglected to put on the Dateviators, as you weren't feeling very social today. Sure, you could've sat on the couch with Koa, but you just weren't feeling up to it this time.
You rolled over and...fell off the bed. Right onto your back.
"Shit...gonna feel that all day." You muttered with a slightly pained voice.
You tried to hide your embarrassment, thinking that the dateables were probably cringing at your fumble. You simply got up, ignoring the ache you now had in your back, and went to leave your bedroom.
Your hoodie got caught on the door handle, and you almost fell...again. Rolling your eyes and huffing, you continued out into the hallway.
As you exited the bedroom, you headed for the stairs. However, you weren't really paying attention, due to still being a tad bit tired. Because of this, your foot slipped, and down you went.
Reaching the bottom of the stairs, you internally facepalmed. "My bad, Stella." You apologized for any scratches you might have caused.
"Gah...it's fine, I'll check with Farya later about this pain...might as well fix myself some breakfast."
You headed into the kitchen, planning to actually cook on your own for once. For the past few days, you'd been ordering food to get delivered instead of, y'know, doing the smart thing, and asking one of the dateables to cook for you. You did ask occasionally, but to you, it felt like you were just using them so you didn't have to lift a finger.
Of course, they were happy to help you, but you don't need them for everything! And you wanted to prove that. Plus, you can only order food for so long before you crave something different, so here you are in the kitchen.
"Hm...pancakes sound good. Been craving 'em for a while now."
So that's what you did. Or, well, what you planned to do. Making the pancake batter was easy. What you were always more wary of was the actual cooking part of it.
"Alright, let's do this right..." You said to yourself.
You did not do it right. At all.
You didn't realize just how hungry you were, and in your rush of mixing the batter, you forgot to put any butter on the pan. You poured the mixture into it, not even noticing your mistake.
When it was time to flip it, well...things didn't exactly go according to plan.
"What the- why isn't this thing flipping? Come on, I'm starving here!" You complained out loud to boo one in particular. Without the Dateviators on, you completely forgot that the dateables were watching you. And indeed, they were. Especially Stefan, who was getting...very concerned.
You tried gently flipping the pancake again before getting more aggressive with it, as it just wouldn't budge. When that didn't work, you were starting to get fed up. Without even thinking, you reached your hand into the pan and...
"F-FUCK! AH, SHIT-"
You burned yourself. How wonderful.
In all your panic, you didn't even notice that the Dateviators had suddenly been moved to be on the counter. The kitchen dateables must've alerted Skylar. When you were about to look for bandages, you saw the glasses. Sighing, you grabbed them with your non-burnt hand and put them on, aiming them at the stove.
"Baby, are you alright?" A deep voice soothed your ears. Stefan.
"Not really, burnt myself good, heh." You gave a chuckle, wincing as you tried to mask the pain.
"C'mon. I'm takin' you to Farya." He said, turning off the stove before the now ruined pancake could burn.
"Yep, that's a first degree burn. Luckily, it's small, but you should probably leave the cooking to someone else for a while. Got your fingers preeeeetty good." Farya said, with that odd hint of excitement she always had when treating someone.
"Thanks, Far'." You replied quietly.
"Of course! Now, if you'll excuse me, I have more patients to tend to!" She giggled as she left.
You were left with Stefan as he walked you back to the kitchen.
"Love...what was that? You were more clumsy than Luke tryin' to cook. And that's sayin' somethin'. You feelin' alright?" He asked, placing a firm hand on your shoulder.
"I...uhm..." You sighed.
"I just wanted to prove that I could cook something without you, or anyone else's help. I guess I forgot that I've never been that great of a cook without some...guidance." You mumbled, a disappointed look on your face.
Stefan gently pulled you into a comforting hug.
"Baby, you know you don't gotta prove nothin' to me. I believe that you are perfect just the way you are. And I love teaching you new things to cook. Because we get to do it together. Doesn't matter how good you are."
One of his hands cupped your cheek.
"And one little mistake don't mean a thing to me. Everyone makes 'em, especially in cooking. Hell, I do too, you just don't see it!" Stefan continued, his regularly booming voice more reserved just for you.
"You can always try again. Would you like that, sweetheart?"
You wiped a tear you hadn't noticed until now had formed in your eye.
"Yeah...I'm really hungry." Stefan let out a hearty laugh at your comment.
"As always. Now, let's just...remember to put the butter in the pan this time, alright?"
"I KNEW I FORGOT SOMETHING!"
After helping you remake your pancake, Stefan helped you eat since your dominant hand was...out of commission.
"How's about you chill for today...preferably with the glasses on?"
"I, uh...I guess."
"Hey, listen. I just wanna make sure you're taken care of today. I love you, and so does everyone else. We were worried about ya when you burned yourself. Let us look after ya today, alright?" Stefan said with a firm voice.
"...I would like a day of just being pampered...a lot, actually."
"Good. I'll take you back to your bedroom. Betty'll take good care of you. I'll let the others know it's a chill day for ya."
"Thanks, Stefan..."
"Anything for my baby."