Ic inbox

[deathsiren]

text, image, action/prose, prompt & overflow ————

Comments

text.

[hapertas]

sos! major sos!

[deathsiren]

What is it? What's wrong??

[hapertas]

i have to cook things. soon. fancy things!

[deathsiren]

How fancy we talking? Like a dinner party?

[hapertas]

mhmm. there's someone i really, really need to impress and i somehow volunteered to cook. i should have taped my mouth shut! why didn't i do that??

[deathsiren]

Finally important question - is this romantic?

[hapertas]

oh no, it's a business thing! a potential client.

[deathsiren]

see that changes the whole atmosphere. I lied two more questions - Korean or American food? Then finally - can you cook at all?

[hapertas]

i thought so. if it were romantic, i promise i would've done something to make it special before the last minute. PROMISE. it's only that i just spontaneously said i'd host when we met earlier and i really, really, reeeeally want this job.

don't hate me, but... french. and i'm pretty good at instant noodles and anything you can use a kettle or a blender for?? i'm hiding my face now, don't worry.

[deathsiren]

I would hope so! Last minute romance is sad,
Dash. Don't worry we'll figure it out.

French is easier than Korean.

That

Okay I'll come over.

[hapertas]

you have my word that i take both romance and work seriously! super super seriously. normally i would've been a little less over-the-top, but it's just... well, it's not every day that one of your teacher's friends stops by to see your work while she's in the country and she brought her husband, who is a pretty prestigious designer, too. they were in my workshop! i don't even really understand what just happened...

anyway. long story short: my place is clean and acceptable-looking, but i promised them dinner and all i have is coupons for pizza, a bunch of raw ingredients for actual food, and some chocolate that i should stop eating right now probably.

oh, whew. you're a lifesaver! thank you, thank you! i'll make it up to you somehow!

[deathsiren]

hey i get it! i was just teasing you. i have full confidence in your romance and working abilities.

do you have ingredients for an actual French meal or do we need to go to the market?

no need! i am happy to help.

[hapertas]

sorry, i think i normally would've picked up on that, but i'm kind of frazzled! i might be worrying too much... thank you, sungmin. 💕

here, let me take a picture! [ He sends two: the first of his fridge, which has a variety of items in it (milk, there's meat, there's some fresh vegetables) and then his kitchen counter, on which there's a huge spread of dry ingredients. It looks like he bought half a store. ]

still, i'm going to treat you to something nice!

the arriving since they got sidetracked

[deathsiren]

Finally arriving at Dash's apartment via the non haunted elevator, Sungmin knocked with a grin on his face, waiting almost eagerly for the door to open. The business meeting could do a lot of things for Dash and he wanted to do anything possible to help him out there. Plus, he enjoyed cooking and creating something remarkable. Food really could make or break something.

When the door opened, Sungmin wasted little time slipping in and heading right for the kitchen. "French dishes, right?" he asked, setting down one of his binders on a free space on the counter. "I have plenty of options in the French cuisine tab of you want to look and see what might work? Do you know what they like at all? Or any food allergies?" All business but he leaned in to give Dash a quick hug.

they're so chatty!

[hapertas]

While waiting for Sungmin, Dash has taken to wearing a hole in his floor. It's less that he's nervous and more that he's thinking. Apparently this is a thing he does when he's mulling stuff over and it's what he's doing when he hears a knock at the door.

True to his name, he dashes over to open it, swinging the door wide. He's clad in leggings and an oversized sweater, which is apparently cooking attire. Quick to beckon Sungmin into the kitchen, Dash nods so much his head might very well fall off. "Right," he affirms, waiting to answer the other questions until they've shared that brief embrace.

"Let's see... I know they like seafood, so I got some things- in the refrigerator? You can check anything you want." A beat. "And no food allergies. They told me that." This is said while he shuffles over to the binder, propping it open to page through.

[deathsiren]

The fondness possible look filled his face as he regarded Dash, who appeared very focused on the task at hand. Good thing because they needed to utilize every possible second to make sure Dash wowed the potential clients. "Seafood makes things easier. The French are known for some great dishes like the classic seafood bouillabaisse or a bourride. There are a few others in the binder if you go to the tab in the French section for seafood," he explained, walking over to the fridge to check out the contents.

"This can be a kind of intro to cooking lessons." A tease? Just may be but mostly to keep Dash from worrying too much. "What about dessert? A nice salad should work well. Nothing too over the top or they won't believe you put it together." Being more low key went against his usual cooking flair but he could manage.

Since both recipes needed shrimp, he went ahead to pull them out and start working on shelling them. "Just let me know which recipe."

[hapertas]

Fiddling with the binder, Dash locates the correct tab. He gives it a look-see, tongue poking out very slightly as he concentrates on the contents of the page he's opened to first.

"I need all the help I can get!" he says, tearing his gaze away for just a second to watch Sungmin. His expression is almost a sort of pout, but it's sort of apparent it's directed inward, like he's being a bit self-critical for having been so desperate that he bothered Sungmin for assistance.

On the other hand, he really, really likes to spend time with the other and this is pretty fun, if not a little, tiny bit stressful.

He couldn't lie and say he's not enjoying himself a bit. "Um, dessert-" Trailing off a second, he looks toward the fridge. "I got gelato. I know that's not French, but I kind of panicked." He says a silent 'oops' and then hides behind the binder for a second. "Let's do the bourride," he says, somewhat muffled by the pages.

[deathsiren]

Pausing for a moment, he walked over to give Dash a big hug, mindful of his shrimp coated hands. "You're probably better than you think," he reassured before returning to the first task. The fish stew while not a difficult recipe still took a little time and he didn't want to delay anything. His eyes lingered onto his watch to properly time everything for maximum freshness and warmth. Nothing worse than cold stew in this case. The dessert confession had him pausing again. "Don't worry I'll fix that too."

Completely adorable.

"How about you get out the leeks, funnel and carrots. They need to be chopped up before I can sauté them. I'm nearly done with the shrimp here." Including Dash would give him less time to panic and worry over the meeting.

Again, he paused to move closer to Dash. "I can feel it, Dash, this is going to go great. You're so charming."

[hapertas]

Being hugged and hearing that reassurance seems to magically leech a bunch of tension from Dash's body. When Sungmin draws back, Dash is smiling softly and he seems to have relaxed quite a bit. Magic.

"Thank you, Sungmin. You really are a superhero." Impulsively, Dash goes on tiptoe and presses his lips to Sungmin's cheek. He then draws back and hurries over to the refrigerator.

"You said leeks, carrots..." he trails off in the middle of listing things, already digging out the three items mentioned. Once they're stacked on the counter, he wanders to the cabinet for a cutting board. Then to a drawer for a knife.

He's on the verge of moving forward with that task when he feels Sungmin close by again and turns to look at him, smiling softly again. "Thanks. I don't think I could've had any hope of pulling it together without you though. You really need to let me make it up to you somehow!"

[deathsiren]

Tenderness flooded over his body, a fond look clear on his face as he gazed at Dash. Nearly a little too long given he needed to pay attention to the dish but he always found it difficult to keep his eyes from the other man. Dash just made him feel too many things but with how much importance rested on the dish, he made sure to pay attention after a few more lingering seconds. The rest of the preparations easy as anything and before long they were finishing up.

"You should go get ready while I'm putting the finishing touches on here," he instructed, making little shoo shoo motions with his hands. "You don't need to do anything or make up for this, Dash, I wanted to help. Cooking makes me happy." A slight pause and then, "YOU make me happy." Extra emphasis and everything. "If I can help in any way with your dreams, well, it means a lot to me."

[hapertas]

If Dash had some insight into Sungmin's thoughts right now, he'd be so charmed. It's sweet of Sungmin to even be here, but he's taking extra time to involve Dash and being so patient- it honestly makes Dash's heart flutter. A lot. He has a permanent smile on his face as he works, pausing only when Sungmin gets his attention by speaking.

"Oh!" That's right, he has to get ready. He'll think of that again in a second, but the words that follow this revelation have him feeling softly affectionate and fond. "Thank you. I'm glad you're here with me." Reaching across the space between them, Dash puts his hand on Sungmin's. "It wouldn't be the same if it were anyone else." Perhaps this is a lot to admit over what is essentially a business meeting for Dash, but it's how he feels. No one calms him down and makes him feel secure and comfortable the way Sungmin does.

[deathsiren]

A soft fondness flooded through him from the words and a gentle and tender smile filled his face. It shouldn't surprise him, though, with how sweet and affectionate Dash tended to be and so naturally. It spoke volumes of his character and the tenderness of his heart. Covering Dash's hand with his other one, he gave a nod of his head. "I'm glad I can share this with you." He couldn't even recall the last time he had such a connection to something or someone. Usually, things were kept at arms length, not always by his doing either.

After a momemt, he let their hands drop and pushed gently at Dash. "Go, it takes you forever to get ready." Playful words but truthful all the same. When Dash did finally leave, Sungmin finished all the food and other preparations to give more of the 'wow' factor. Okay, maybe he liked the presentation as much as making the food.

It left the dessert, which he helped along with making an easy tart to fill the gelato into. It masked it a bit more as a French kind of treat. He shut his binder and set about cleaning up the kitchen.

[hapertas]

The look Dash gives Sungmin is also full of fondness, though he lets a certain degree of chagrin show when Sungmin makes the comment about him taking forever to get ready. Gently, he hits Sungmin's arm with the flat of his hand.

"I do not!" he says, despite knowing full well that's not true. He lets himself pout for a moment before his features relax. "Thank you." And then, without any further ceremony, he makes his way back to his room, where he'll start the process of getting ready. Despite trying to hurry, his meticulousness does cause him to take awhile.

By the time he finally emerges in a pair of brown slacks with a sky blue sweater, hair carefully styled, face made up, it's getting very close to dinner time.

He eases back into the kitchen, stocking-clad feet muffling his steps. "Sungmin?" he queries, trying to give the other a heads-up that he's back. "Oh, you... cleaned up too?" Dash looks slightly taken aback. "You did so much for me tonight." His voice is quiet. "I really want to do something nice for you in return, really, really nice."

[deathsiren]

"Cleaning up and organizing are things I like," Sungmin responded with a tiny shrug, not really seeing it as a big deal. He enjoyed helping Dash and being apart of his big night. "You don't have to do anything. I was happy to help. To be here." Wiping his hands on a dish towel, he moved out of the area towards Dash, a softening look overtaking his face.

"You look beautiful." His fingers smoothed out Dash's sweater even if it didn't need any help. "But you always do. Give a few smiles and everyone will make sure to listen to what you have to say." Dash naturally had a very inviting air about him which pulled others in to want to figure out more.

Eyes gazing around, he seemed satisfied with everything. "I should probably go or they'll think I'm - well, I'm not sure but let me know how this goes for you." He paused. "Try to breathe and not be too nervous."

"But if you really insist on doing something for me. I really like massages." Shameless in every possible way but he enjoyed making Dash blush and sputter. Sometimes, Dash surprised him with another reaction but he enjoyed all of them in equal measures. "Your hands all over me sounds like my idea of a pleasant evening."

[hapertas]

Dash can't help but blush a little. Because of the words and because of Sungmin's actions. He lets himself breathe in the sentiments and the other's presence for a moment before nodding. Yes, he probably ought to get ready for his other guests. It's hard, because he'd really like nothing more than to spend the rest of the evening with Sungmin at his side. Maybe someday that'll be a reality for both of them.

For now, it feels a little tenuous to ask for that. Dash doesn't want to push. There are so many things that make their relationship special.

But.

There are also a lot of things that make it complex. Complicated, some would say. There are some hurdles they still have to cross together.

"Okay. Let's see one another soon, all right? I'll give you that massage." Dash takes a breath. "And Sungmin? I wouldn't mind if they thought..." He shrugs helplessly, looking at Sungmin, hoping he'll understand what Dash means by this look. 'If they thought we were together.' "I wouldn't mind."

He grabs Sungmin's hands in his own, holding onto them like a lifeline. "I'll think about you tonight and I'm sure I'll be fine." Just describing it now, his face lights up.