Mingled Round 🍭 ateez slash challenge [⏯]

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bottom!Hongjoong
Top!Yunho

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The apartment smelled like disaster.

Hongjoong stood in the kitchen doorway, arms crossed over his growing belly, watching Yunho wrestle with a lasagna dish that looked more like a crime scene than dinner. Tomato sauce was smeared across Yunho’s cheek, a stray noodle clung to his shirt like an ill-placed badge of honor, and the casserole itself was bubbling ominously, teetering on the edge of the counter as if it might jump to its demise.

“I don’t even know where to start,” Hongjoong said, his voice flat but his lips twitching with suppressed laughter.

“Start by thanking me for my efforts,” Yunho said, wielding a spatula like a knight brandishing a sword. “This is a labor of love.”

“It’s a labor of something,” Hongjoong muttered, stepping closer to inspect the lasagna. “What exactly am I looking at?”

“A masterpiece,” Yunho said, puffing out his chest.

“It looks like you murdered a tomato and tried to bury the evidence under cheese,” Hongjoong deadpanned.

Yunho turned to him, eyes wide and pleading. “Look, I know it’s not perfect, but I wanted to do something special. For you. For us.”

Hongjoong’s expression softened, even as his sarcasm reflex twitched. “Yunho, you could’ve just ordered takeout. Or, you know, not attempted to cook a five-layer lasagna from scratch with zero experience.”

“Where’s the romance in takeout?” Yunho argued, gesturing dramatically with the spatula.

“Where’s the romance in food poisoning?” Hongjoong countered, raising an eyebrow.

Yunho groaned, setting the spatula down and rubbing the back of his neck. “I just… I wanted to make tonight special. You’ve been so stressed with, well…” His eyes darted to Hongjoong’s belly.

Hongjoong’s gaze softened again. “Yunho, I appreciate the effort. I really do. But maybe next time, let’s tackle something less… ambitious. Like instant noodles.”

The oven timer beeped, and Yunho jumped, scrambling to pull on a pair of mismatched oven mitts. “Okay, here we go. Moment of truth.”

Hongjoong stepped back, just in case, as Yunho carefully pulled the lasagna out of the oven. It wobbled dangerously on the tray, but to Yunho’s credit, it didn’t collapse. He set it on the counter with a triumphant grin.

“It’s still standing,” Yunho said, hands on his hips. “That’s a win, right?”

Hongjoong leaned in, sniffing cautiously. “It smells… edible. Mostly.”

Yunho shot him a look. “Would it kill you to be a little more supportive?”

“Probably not,” Hongjoong admitted. “But it’s more fun this way.”

Later, they sat at the table, each with a plate of lasagna in front of them. Hongjoong poked at his slice with a fork, watching as a suspiciously orange layer oozed out from the middle.

“Did you use… carrots in this?” he asked, his tone cautious.

“They’re healthy!” Yunho defended. “I read somewhere that carrots are good for pregnant people.”

Hongjoong blinked at him, then took a tentative bite. He chewed slowly, his expression unreadable.

“Well?” Yunho asked, leaning forward. “What’s the verdict?”

“It’s… interesting,” Hongjoong said diplomatically.

“That bad, huh?” Yunho sighed, slumping back in his chair.

“No, it’s not bad,” Hongjoong said quickly. “It’s just… unique. Like you.”

Yunho narrowed his eyes. “That feels like an insult disguised as a compliment.”

“It’s a compliment disguised as an insult,” Hongjoong corrected, grinning.

Despite the lasagna’s questionable texture, they managed to eat most of it, their laughter filling the tiny apartment. After dinner, Yunho insisted on doing the dishes while Hongjoong lounged on the couch, one hand resting on his belly.

“You know,” Hongjoong called out, “for all the teasing, I really do appreciate what you did tonight.”

Yunho poked his head around the corner, soap suds clinging to his forearm. “Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Hongjoong said, his tone softer now. “You’re kind of amazing, Yunho.”

Yunho smiled, his face lighting up like the sun. “Well, you’re stuck with me now, so you’d better get used to it.”

Hongjoong chuckled, his eyes sparkling. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Later that night, as they lay in bed, Yunho’s hand rested protectively over Hongjoong’s belly.

“Do you think I’ll be a good dad?” Yunho asked, his voice quiet in the darkness.

Hongjoong turned to him, his expression serious but full of love. “Yunho, you made a lasagna from scratch because you thought it would make me happy. If that’s not a sign of a great dad, I don’t know what is.”

Yunho laughed softly, his cheeks tinged with pink. “I love you, Joong. And I love this little one too.”

“We love you too,” Hongjoong murmured, leaning in to kiss him.