The smell of freshly baked cookies wafted through the apartment, mingling with the soft hum of the afternoon rain tapping against the windows. Phana stood in the kitchen, apron tied around his waist, a streak of flour adorning his cheek. His eyes sparkled with determination as he carefully piped frosting onto a batch of cupcakes.
Today was special. Not because it was a holiday or an anniversary, but because it was one of those ordinary days that deserved an extra sprinkle of magic. Ming was usually the one who planned surprises, but this time, Phana wanted to be the one to make Ming smile.
The idea had struck him in the morning while they were lounging in bed. Ming had been half-asleep, his arms loosely wrapped around Phana as he mumbled about an early meeting. Phana had brushed his fingers through Ming's hair, thinking how much he loved the quieter moments when Ming wasn't his usual composed and serious self. That's when the plan began to take shape: a simple, heartfelt surprise to show Ming how much he appreciated him.
By the time Ming came home that evening, the apartment was transformed. Fairy lights hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the room. The coffee table was set with plates of cookies, cupcakes, and a small chocolate cake with "Thank You" written in white frosting. Candles flickered softly on the windowsill, and a playlist of soft acoustic love songs played in the background.
Phana had just finished setting up when he heard the sound of the door unlocking. His heart skipped a beat as he hurried to the door, apron still on and a nervous smile on his face.
Ming stepped inside, looking every bit the part of a busy professional in his crisp white shirt and tie, his expression softening as his eyes landed on Phana. "What's all this?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.
"Surprise!" Phana exclaimed, holding his arms out dramatically.
Ming raised an eyebrow, setting his briefcase down and shrugging off his coat. "What's the occasion?"
Phana walked over, pulling Ming by the hand toward the living room. "No occasion. I just wanted to do something nice for you. You're always taking care of me, so I thought it was my turn."
Ming's lips curved into a small smile, his gaze softening as he took in the effort Phana had put into everything. "You didn't have to do all this," he said, though his tone betrayed how touched he was.
"I know," Phana said, guiding Ming to the couch. "But I wanted to. Now sit. Relax. I made your favorite tea."
Ming chuckled, allowing himself to be fussed over. He leaned back against the cushions, watching as Phana disappeared into the kitchen and returned with a steaming cup of tea and a plate of cookies.
"These look amazing," Ming said, picking up a cookie and taking a bite. The rich, buttery flavor melted in his mouth, and he couldn't help but hum in approval. "You've outdone yourself."
Phana beamed, sitting cross-legged on the couch beside him. "Wait until you try the cupcakes. I spent all afternoon making sure they were perfect."
Ming set the cookie down and reached for Phana's hand, threading their fingers together. "Why go through all this trouble?" he asked softly, his eyes searching Phana's.
Phana hesitated, his cheeks tinged pink. "Because... you do so much for me, Ming. You work hard, you're always there when I need you, and sometimes I feel like I don't say thank you enough. So, this is my way of saying it."
Ming's chest tightened, warmth spreading through him at Phana's words. He reached out, cupping Phana's cheek with his free hand and brushing his thumb over the flour smudge. "You don't have to bake or set up fairy lights to thank me. Just being you is enough."
Phana's eyes glistened, but he quickly covered it with a teasing smile. "Stop being so smooth, or I'll think you're trying to steal my thunder."
Ming chuckled, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to Phana's forehead. "Thank you, sweetheart. This means more to me than you know."
As the evening wore on, they sat side by side on the couch, sharing bites of cupcakes and laughing over old memories. Phana fed Ming a particularly large bite of cake, smearing frosting on his lips in the process.
"Phana," Ming said, his voice carrying a warning tone as he wiped at his face.
"What?" Phana asked innocently, though his grin betrayed him.
Ming narrowed his eyes playfully, setting his plate down and pouncing on Phana, pinning him to the couch. "You did that on purpose."
Phana squealed with laughter, squirming under Ming's hold. "Maybe I did," he admitted between giggles.
Ming leaned down, his face inches from Phana's. "You're asking for trouble."
"Am I?" Phana challenged, his eyes sparkling with mischief.
Ming didn't answer. Instead, he dipped his head and kissed Phana, his lips warm and sweet from the frosting. Phana melted into the kiss, his hands sliding up to tangle in Ming's hair. The world outside faded away, leaving only the soft glow of the fairy lights and the warmth between them.
When they finally pulled apart, both of them were breathless, their foreheads pressed together.
"You're dangerous," Ming murmured, his voice low and affectionate.
Phana grinned, his cheeks flushed. "And you love it."
Ming laughed, pulling Phana into another hug. "I do," he admitted. "More than anything."
They spent the rest of the night curled up together, the remnants of the surprise spread out around them. It wasn't just the sweets or the decorations that made the evening special; it was the love they shared, the unspoken understanding that they were each other's home.
As Phana rested his head on Ming's shoulder, his eyelids growing heavy, he murmured, "I think I should surprise you more often."
Ming pressed a kiss to the top of his head, his arm tightening around Phana. "You already surprise me every day, Phana."
And with that, they let the quiet comfort of the moment wrap around them, content in the knowledge that their love was the sweetest surprise of all.
