Joshua was in the kitchen, his apron tied securely around his waist, with flour dusting his hair and hands. The kitchen had become a delightful mess as he'd made his first-ever attempt at baking cookies. The scent of chocolate and butter filled the air, and despite the slight chaos around him, Joshua felt a little proud. The cookies weren't perfect, but they were warm and golden, sitting neatly on a plate he'd prepared for his boyfriends, Seungcheol and Jeonghan.
He took a deep breath, carefully carrying the plate into the living room where Seungcheol and Jeonghan were lounging. Both of them were engaged in a playful conversation but turned their attention to Joshua as he appeared, eyes lighting up at the sight of him.
"Look who's here!" Seungcheol exclaimed, a grin spreading across his face. "Our very own little baker."
Joshua's cheeks warmed at the teasing tone, but he forced a smile and presented the plate. "I made cookies!" he announced, his voice full of hope. He placed the plate on the coffee table and looked at them expectantly. "It's my first time baking them, so... try them and tell me what you think?"
Jeonghan leaned forward, his eyes sparkling mischievously. "Cookies, huh?" he said, eyeing the plate with exaggerated caution. "Are you sure they're safe to eat?" He nudged Seungcheol with a laugh. "I mean, what if something... unexpected happens?"
Seungcheol played along, narrowing his eyes at the cookies as if they might have some sort of magical effect. "Hmm," he mused, tapping his chin thoughtfully.
"baby, are you sure these cookies won't turn us into something... unexpected?" His lips curled into a teasing grin. "You know, like making us float or giving us superpowers or something?"
Joshua's mouth fell open, and he stomped his foot lightly, pouting like an upset kitten. "Hey!" he whined, his voice filled with indignation. "I worked really hard on these, you know! I even followed the recipe step by step!" He crossed his arms over his chest, looking at them with wide, sulky eyes. "How could you say that?"
Jeonghan's laughter only grew as he leaned back, clearly enjoying Joshua's reaction. "Aw, don't be mad," he cooed, though the teasing lilt in his voice didn't disappear. "You're just so cute when you pout like that." He reached out to pinch Joshua's cheek, but Joshua swatted his hand away, his pout growing even more pronounced.
"I'm not cute," Joshua protested, his lower lip sticking out. "I'm a serious baker now, and you two are being so mean!"
Seungcheol chuckled, his deep voice filled with affection. "Okay, okay, we'll stop teasing." He reached for one of the cookies, lifting it dramatically to his mouth. "But if I turn into a frog or something after eating this, I'm blaming you."
Joshua let out a huff, but his eyes softened as he watched Seungcheol take a bite. Seungcheol chewed thoughtfully, his face completely neutral, which only made Joshua's heart race faster. Was it that bad?
Seungcheol swallowed and then paused, keeping a perfectly straight face, his eyes narrowing slightly as if he were deep in thought. "Hmm..." he said, dragging out the sound in a way that made Joshua's heart race with nervousness. Joshua clutched his hands together, his pout fading into an expression of pure worry.
Jeonghan leaned in, his curiosity piqued. "Well? How is it?" he asked, his tone playful but eager.
Seungcheol sighed dramatically, setting the cookie back on the plate. "Honestly..." he started, looking straight into Joshua's hopeful eyes, "it's not that good."
Joshua's face fell instantly, his shoulders slumping as disappointment washed over him. His eyes glistened with hurt, and he bit his lip, trying to mask how sad he felt. "Oh..." he murmured, his voice small and fragile. "I-I'm sorry. I thought... I thought I did everything right."
Seungcheol's heart twisted at the sight of Joshua looking so defeated, and he immediately felt guilty for teasing too far. "Wait, wait, I'm just kidding!" he exclaimed, his serious expression breaking into a wide grin. He reached out to gently take Joshua's hands, squeezing them reassuringly. "I'm sorry, Shua. I was only teasing! The cookies are delicious, I swear."
Joshua blinked, his lips parting in surprise. "You... you were kidding?" he asked, his voice a little shaky.
Seungcheol's eyes softened, and he leaned in to kiss Joshua's forehead. "I promise, they're amazing," he said, his voice full of warmth. "You did a fantastic job, and I shouldn't have teased you like that."
Joshua's face lit up, but before he could celebrate, Jeonghan took a cookie for himself. "Let me be the final judge," he said, still teasing. He took a small, delicate bite, his eyes fluttering shut as he tasted it. A moment later, his face brightened, and he looked at Joshua with pure affection. "Wow, Shua, these are really good! You weren't lying about following the recipe."
Joshua's heart melted at the compliments, the warmth spreading through him as he finally felt the reassurance he'd been hoping for. "You're not just saying that to make me feel better, right?" he asked, his voice still a little shy.
Seungcheol leaned forward, pulling Joshua into a gentle hug. "Of course not," he whispered, pressing a kiss to Joshua's temple. "You did amazing, and we're so proud of you."
Jeonghan joined in, wrapping his arms around both of them and planting a kiss on Joshua's cheek. "You've got a real talent, Shua," he said, his voice soft and sincere. "But I have to admit, you being all sulky and pouty was the cutest thing I've ever seen."
Joshua's cheeks turned bright red, and he buried his face in his hands, though he was smiling. "Stop teasing me," he mumbled, his voice muffled. But he couldn't hide the happiness in his heart, knowing that no matter how much they teased, Seungcheol and Jeonghan's love was as warm and comforting as the cookies he'd baked.
Joshua's pout returned, but this time it was more from embarrassment than sadness. "You guys are the worst," he mumbled, though he couldn't help the small smile breaking through his sulky expression. "I really thought I messed up..."
Seungcheol and Jeonghan both pulled him into a hug, holding him close between them. "Never," Seungcheol whispered. "You're perfect, Baby."
Joshua finally let out a soft giggle, the warmth of their love making him feel safe and cherished. "You two are lucky I love you," he muttered, his heart full of happiness, even if he'd never let them live down the teasing.
