Chapter Text
———
It was midday, or early evening by now.
Jack didn‘t really remember when he started cooking but...either way, he was elbow deep in some sauce he researched because he had heard Cas talk about it maybe a month ago. All casual while sitting on the couch.
Cas probably didn‘t think anything of it, just mentioning a thing he wanted to try.
But this casual side-comment started a cascade of ideas that filled Jacks mind every following day.
And Jack Abbot was a stubborn man, once he had an idea he stuck with it.
But Jack could‘ve prepared a lot better.
For example he could‘ve went shopping and not experiment with the stuff they had at home.
He realized way too late that he could in fact not use cornstarch instead of flour
„This doesn‘t make any sense“ he muttered as he looked down onto the notes he had written down messily.
As sweet as he wanted to be, he didn‘t really think about writing every instruction down properly or even..in a way he could read it again. Sure he was an ER-doctor, sure his handwriting wasn‘t always that neat but, not being able to read his own handwriting had become a recurring thing. Suspiciously only when he planned to do something like this, something for Cas.
So here he was now, looking down at his notes that were lying on the counter right next to the chopped garnishes, ready to be put on the finished meal,
with 3 of the 4 stoves on, at the same time obviously,..and Cas coming home in approximately...
Jack glanced down at his watch that was partially covered in cream, quickly wiping it away with the palm of his other hand
„Fuck“.
15 minutes.
He had 15 minutes to finish what he was doing, make it look at least a little pretty, get the good cloth from some random shelve because Cas insisted it felt better laying there, setting the wine AND make the kitchen look half the mess it currently was.
That the dining table was in the same room as the kitchen was just another casualty.
Can‘t be that hard, right?
Yeah...right.
One little distraction, one second he looked away too long and suddenly the fire alarm went off, shreaking loudly from the other side of the room.
Jack jumped and covered his ears in reflex.
„Oh come on!“ He took 2 steps towards the alarm letting his arms fall to his side, then immediately whipped around to turn the stove off first.
After that he turned around again, grabbed the closest chair by the back of it and dragged it across the floor, placing it right under the beeping atrocity.
„You‘re done for“ he said pointing at the alarm with furrowed brows, before getting up on the wobbly chair and twisting the mechanism to pop it off and finally stop the annoying sounds.
He got off the chair, placed it in it‘s rightful spot and turned his attention back to the food.
Abandoning the fire-alarm somewhere on the closest, free surface.
Jack went through his mental check-list one by one:
The sauce was basically done- a wonder
The garnishes were ready- obviously
The pasta was a bit overcooked...okay maybe they were close to being mush- predictable...but still edible
The sides were still missing- how did I forget the sides??
This was an absolute disaster.
And Cas would be here soon, see all of this and say „What the hell did you do?“ while laughing his ass off.
And just when he thought it couldn‘t get any worse, he heard the lock of the front-door.
Jacks eyes immediately locked onto the entrance of the kitchen.
The door opened, Cas stepped in, closed it again and then, the voice he yearned to hear the entire day calls out „Jacky I‘m home!“
The steps came closer, Jack could hear the low thump of Cas‘s backpack hitting the floor somewhere near the couch and when Cas finally round the corner he stopped dead in his tracks.
He looked at the way Jack was standing there, with his chefs apron on, in their kitchen, with the entire counter being a mess. Even the sink was filled up to the very top with utensils that either needed cleaning or...could be thrown out without thinking about it.
Cornstarch being in places it definitely shouldn‘t be.
Cas, despite everything, smiled.
„What did you try to do?“ He asked with a chuckle. „Let me explain, alright“ Jack began stepping forward, lifting his hands in defense.
„You remember that one time you mentioned that sauce?“
„The french one?“
„Exactly...well once you mentioned it, it sorta started this whole domino-effect“ he gestured into the air while taking another step closer to Cas „And this happened“, he vaguely pointed behind himself “ it was supposed to be a surprise but I kinda fucked it, didn‘t I?“ By now he stood right in front of Cas, looking slightly down.
Cas was still smiling at him, despite the mess and the food not being quite done yet.
„Well...it was a surprise nonetheless“ he began and reached out to place his hands on Jacks waist. „So..Are we still gonna eat it? Or are we gonna order take out instead?“ He continued. The way Cas asked was casual, it didn‘t make Jack feel bad.
Jack glanced back towards the kitchen and took a deep breath. „Honestly, it‘s for the better“ When he looked back he too placed his hands on Cas‘s waist, squeezing a bit.
„Thank you though“ Cas then said softly, leaning in and kissing Jack quickly on the lips. „For what?“ he responded, smiling a bit awkward, Jack added „For making a mess of the entire kitchen?—“
Cas kissed him again, longer this time, just to shut Jack up for a little bit.
When they parted again some moments later, Cas whispered against his lips. „For remembering, for trying and for wanting to do something sweet for me even though it backfired...horribly“ he could‘t help but smile wider.
„How about we order...and then tackle the mess tomorrow, together?“ Cas asked a moment later, tilting his head a little.
„What would you like to order?“
„Chinese?“ Cas suggested.
„You always pick Chinese“
„Is that a problem mister ER doctor?“ Cas teasingly asked.
Jack pretended to think about it for a long moment, even humming and looking around for a bit.
Finally he says „Hm, no...not a problem at all“
„Good, I order the food and you, Sir“ Cas let loose of Jacks waist and stepped back, pointing at Jack „You will take a shower“
Jack in return rolled his eyes playfully „Yes sir“
Both chuckled and finally stepped away completely.
Jack taking off his apron and walking towards the the bathroom and taking that much needed shower.
Meanwhile Cas ordered for both of them, their usual...there was no need to really discuss what Jack might want, Cas already knew.
And this was it, just another day...plus the failed surprise dinner that still ended up being somewhat of a surprise.
Besides that, it was a normal day.