live a little - j.birch

t h i r t y - e i g h t

"no judd, you stir the mixture with literally anything but that." i giggled watching judd try to get any lumps out of the batter with a butchers knife. he huffed and let the metal clatter against the counter, spraying bits of batter everywhere.

"i told you i'm a shit cook." he grumbled, a scowl permanently etching itself on his lips. i dipped my finger in the flour and quickly swiped it along his cheekbone. he turned to me, his brows furrowed. i couldn't help the giggle that fell from my mouth, my hand reaching to cover my mouth as he stared at me. before i could even make a comment about the patch of white sat on top of his face, i saw his hand snatch the bag of flour at such speed i couldn't move before it was all dumped on my head. i gasped as he cackled, a victorious smirk on his face.

"these were my only comfortable clothes! i can't bake in the clothes i have for school, you'll probably spill shit everywhere." i huffed, pouting slightly. judd was smiling, not smirking or scowling, something i hadn't seen in a while. the smile reached his emerald eyes and gave them a twinkle as they stared at me. he had never looked so handsome before this moment.

"chill out bells, you can just wear my shirt." he rolled his eyes playfully and pulled off the black shirt he was wearing. he threw it at me without a thought and turned back to the batter.

"right if i can't use a knife, can i use anything sharp at all?" he had his hand on his chin as he stared at the mixture like it was the worlds hardest math equation. i giggled at how he looked. this had to be a fever dream.

"is a fork sharp enough? you're judd birch, a fork is a weapon in your hand." i gestured to the cutlery draw as i peeled my shirt over my head. i could see my reflection in the toaster so the flour was easier to brush off my body, it was just my hair that it clung to in a harsh grey layer. maybe i should dye my hair grey.

"would you put my shirt on before someone walks in here?" judd snarled, his eyes darting from my body to the door for the kitchen. i rolled my eyes but quickly pulled my shorts off and threw on judds shirt, letting the familiar scent of weed, jack daniels and the linger of a slight bit of sweat from his sleep. it was like a comfort blanket hitting me at full force. all my tense muscles relaxed and my breathing slowed slightly.

"right that looks good judd, now we need to fry them." i got out the frying pan and put a bit of butter in it. it sizzled as it melted slowly, and i regretfully trusted judd to monitor the pancakes whilst i chopped enough fruit for the whole family. (AN - americans, i know you like savoury toppings, but i'm british so you're getting sweet)

"bet you anything i can flip these pancakes at the same time." judd grabbed the handle of the frying pan and began moving it back and forth to get the pancakes moving a bit.

"judd, no. if you fuck these pancakes i swear-" i cut myself off as the pancakes were hoisted up into the air. the moment was like a slow motion part of a movie. judd is wildly excited to act immature, i was damn near ready to scream if these pancakes landed on the floor, and the suspension was killing me.

finally, they landed back into the frying pan, all of them surviving but not looking as pristine as it did when i poured them. i released my breath and turned to watch the smug smirk settle on judds face. i scoffed and rolled my eyes at his childish behaviour, though my amusement was made clear from the little chuckle that escaped.

the scent of pancakes must have drifted through the house because once we started platting up the food, the rest of the birch family shuffled their sleepy bodies downstairs.

"good morning diane." i smiled as she was the first one to enter the kitchen. she rubbed her eyes as she stared at both judd and i, probably assuming she was still asleep. hell, i wasn't even sure i was awake at this point.

"good morning mom." judd coughed out awkwardly, making both diane and i's eyes fall on the man. he rubbed the back of his neck and turned back to assembling breakfast.

"good morning you two. what's all this?" diane wrapped her dressing gown round herself tighter and gestured to the food.

"i woke up early and thought you guys would appreciate breakfast. judd woke up and helped me out." i nudged judds arm with my own, offering a warm smile. things weren't great with judd and i. but when he said in his van the other day that he was sorry, this morning proved that to me more then any words could.