Forbidden Cities

Homeade

Sophie is seated at the kitchen table, talking with Ro and Sandor in a hushed voice. Keefe is in the kitchen, wearing a 'Kiss the Chef' apron, while frying who knows what in a pan on top of the stove. 

"Did he ever cook when he was in the Lost Cities?" She whispers to Ro. Ever since Keefe volunteered to make dinner, everyone has been sitting at the table trying to decide whether they should eat it or not. Or, at least, Ro and Sandor were. Not eating whatever Keefe made is out of the question for Sophie, since she's learning at a rapid rate she would do almost anything to see him flash a real smile. 

Ro shrugs, "I didn't pay any actual attention to him!"

"How responsible of you, not watching over your charge." Sandor mutters under his breath. The princess turns to look at him, one eyebrow raised. "You wanna go, big guy?"

Sandor crosses his arms, "I would rather look after my charge."

"Or maybe you would rather be on a date with Grizel." Sophie remarks, earning herself a snicker and a high five from the ogre across from her. Keefe adds something to the pan that produces a lot of smoke and a sizzling noise that makes her cringe. She slowly gets up from her seat and walks into the kitchen, "Keefe?"

"Yeah, Foster?"

He's sitting on the counter opposite the stove, watching it cook. She doesn't examine what it is, she simply hops on the counter beside him. "Whatcha makin'?"

"Pasta." He grins, "Vegetarian, of course."

Sophie hums, "I can't recall you actually telling me you could cook in the Lost Cities. Is it a new skill, or have you been hiding this from me?" 

"You sound jealous." 

"Pfft, please! I can cook perfectly fine." Sophie puts her hands on either side of his cheeks, making him look at her. His eyes are full of pure affection as he meets her gaze. "I just want to know how you  can cook." 

Keefe turns his head and kisses her palm, nuzzling against her hand. He looks back at her, "First of all, I'm pretty sure you could hold the whole word in your hands-"

"I already am."

Keefe's eyebrows scrunch together, confused. Sophie can see the exact moment when realization hits him that she is holding him. His eyes widen slightly, eyebrows going up, even a faint blush spreading across his cheeks. For the first time in a while, she can recognize when the other person is feeling butterflies. 

Sophie kisses him on the forehead, "Second of all...?" She prompts. 

He just sits there, blushing wildly and examining her like she's a new person. Sophie didn't know a compliment or sappy comment like that could affect him so much. "Keefe, are you having some sort of stroke? Because right now you look-"

Keefe kisses her. 

She squeals and giggles into his mouth from the unexpected affection. Sophie buries her hands in his hair and kisses him back as Keefe's hands travel up and down her arms. 

"PDA!" Sandor yells from the dining room. 

Keefe pulls away just enough for their lips to still be brushing, just not a kiss. "Second of all, I learned in the Lost Cities." 

The feeling of his breath against her lips sends a shiver straight down her spine, "Ah, I see."

"PDA." Sandor growls again, eyeing the two of them warily. 

Sophie sighs and pulls away, "We were having a moment, can you leave us alone?"

Keefe, on the other hand, is still staring at Sophie, a soft grin settled across his lips. She sees it out of the corner of her eye and immediately smiles herself. His smile makes her smile. It's a vicious circle, really. 

Sophie's head snaps toward Ro when she hears the sound of a camera clicking. Ro has Keefe's phone in her hand, clicking furiously and smiling. 

"She's going to use up all your storage." Sophie murmurs to him. 

"So worth it." He murmurs back, smiling. Keefe hops off the counter and waltzes over to the stove, where he mixes the pasta with a ladle. He gives Sophie her bowl first, winking as her hand accidentally brushes his. She takes a bite, "Woah."

Keefe gives Ro and Sandor their bowls. He turns to her, "Is it good?" 

"It's really good."

He smiles, "Really?"

"Definitely."

Keefe grins and hops back on the counter. He takes the fork from her hands and scoops up a few noodles and plopping them down on his tongue. His eyebrows shoot up, "I didn't think it would actually taste good."

Sophie snorts, "So you were going to feed us in hopes that it tasted good?"

"Exactly."

She smiles and takes a sip from Keefe's water bottle, the Hydroflask he bought a few days ago. She continues to wolf down the food. When she finishes, she plops down on the couch, Keefe right beside her. 

Sophie turns to look at him, "You should always make dinner."

Keefe grins and presses his index finger against her nose, making a 'boop' noise. "And breakfast and lunch?"

She swats his hand away, "Yes, that too."

He runs a hand through his hair, smirking. Just as he opens his mouth to respond, a knock at the door sounds. 

Sophie's eyebrows scrunch together, "Maybe Charlie came back?"

Keefe nods slowly, "Maybe." He stands and walks toward the door, pulling it open. The door swings open with way more force than Keefe tugged with, like the person on the other side of the door slammed their palm against it. 

"Sophie...?" Keefe says cautiously, looking at the person on the other side of the door. Whoever it is, they're just barely obscured from view. of course. 

"Keefe?" Sophie responds, "Who's there?"

A muscle in his jaw ticks and he takes a tiny step back. Almost afraid. 

"Keefe?" She repeats. 

"Who's there?"

I actually posted! Ikk, so unexpected. Didya like that little cliffhanger???