Utopia ♡ Ateez OT8

SIXTEEN: baking and comfort 🔞

🔞 MATURE CONTENT 🔞

Mingi's voice echoes down the hallway, "What is that scent? It smells delicious!" I hear him say. I place the tray on the counter top and close the oven door as he walks into the kitchen.

"It's scones," I reply, taking off my oven mitt and placing it neatly beside me. "I've made them mostly for my sisters but I've made extra for here too in case any of you want one."

"You made cupcakes and an apple pie yesterday, plus a chicken dinner! This morning was pancakes at breakfast, and now you're making scones? You are making sure we are very well fed!" He grins at me.

The previous morning, I had been struck with a sudden burst of baking inspiration, so I made my way to the grocery store. There, I decided to make myself a roast chicken dinner, complete with a side of buttery mashed potatoes and roasted vegetables - the ultimate comfort meal that my mom would make for me whenever I was feeling down. Although I wasn't particularly low yesterday, I was missing Yunho, Seonghwa, Hongjoong, Wooyoung and San; this gave me all the more reason to make this comforting meal.

The guys had all been in contest contact with me through texts. San would call me every night to tell me about his day, what he did with his family, things he did with his cat Byeol. They all also sent me lots of photos and messages throughout the day. Despite how nice it was still being able to talk with them, there's no denying that I missed their physical presence around me.

I felt a small pang of guilt for missing them when I was enjoying the company of Yeosang, Mingi and Jongho so much. We were all having a blast. Yesterday morning, Jongho tried to teach me how to break open an apple with just my hands. After using up an entire bag of apples, I finally managed to split off a tiny piece from the last apple and he cheered like I had accomplished something grand. Surprisingly, I did feel somewhat proud of myself. All of the apples used during the apple breaking process were not wasted at all as I made an apple pie with them!

In the afternoon, Mingi was working on a new song, letting me sit in his bedroom with him as he composed it. I simply watched him with a smile on my face until he asked me to sit on his lap and showed me how to put together a track.

Watching Yeosang, Mingi and Jongho eating the roast chicken dinner so enthusiastically and genuinely enjoying it brought so much joy to my heart and a bubble of excitement in my stomach too. Afterwards we had another movie night and it was nice having time with the 3 of them.

"I just like cooking for you all!" I laugh. "I can stop if you wish me to."

"Hey! I am not complaining. I love your cooking, princess!" Mingi says, leaning down to kiss me. "I just need to add extra reps during my workouts now every time you cook for us as your portions are massive!" He laughs.

"My apologies, that's from my grandma! She believes in cooking huge portions of food, and it's something that I've inherited from her." I giggle, "You know my opinion regarding you all dieting and all that stuff but I can serve smaller portions if you'd like?"

"Don't! Not for me anyway!" He kisses me again. "And yes, very aware of your opinions on diets given your long rant last night when Yeosang simply said steamed vegetables are healthier than roasted!" He laughs wickedly.

I cringe and groan as I remember it. Poor Yeosang made an innocent comment, and I launched into how roasted vegetables are tastier and, if cooked correctly (with less oil!) can be just as healthy as steamed. When I finally stopped, his eyes were wide, and he looked so stunned.

"I am so sorry for that! I have a tendency to get rather opinionated with food! Again, that's my grandma's influence!" I reply, covering my face as his body moves around to stand behind me.