Valentine's Day stories

It's Valentine's Day!

A/N: So I got really into Bungou Stray Dogs the last month or two but haven't written anything on it yet. But Valentine's Day is here so why not take the opportunity, right? XD

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"Kyouka-chan! Be careful not to hurt yourself!" Atsushi called back as he stumbled through the door carrying a multitude of plastic bags. He placed them on the ground and went back to hold the door for the petite 14-year old.

She walked in easily, holding a single plastic bag. "I'm fine, Atsushi."

Closing the door gently behind her, he then picked up his bags and followed her into the kitchen. It didn't hurt to care about someone. To him, it was like looking after a younger sister. Atsushi smiled happily at the thought.

The two of them sorted out their groceries, placing some in the fridge and some on the table. Atsushi whipped out a piece of paper to put on the kitchen counter. "We need cocoa powder, butter, icing sugar and water."

"All here," Kyouka replied, dipping a finger into the opened container of icing sugar and tasting it.

"Be sure to wash your hands, Kyouka-chan," the older boy chided lightly as he grabbed a pot and filled it with water.

It was a few days to Valentine's Day and it was Kyouka who had shyly suggested the idea of making chocolates for the Armed Detective Agency. Face flushed with excitement, Atsushi had eagerly agreed to it too and thus their grocery shopping this morning for various ingredients.

Atsushi hummed a little song as they worked. He filled a saucepan with water over the stove as Kyouka mixed cocoa powder and butter in a bowl. No one spoke but they didn't really feel the need to. It was a quiet kind of companionship where both parties felt relaxed and at ease; communicating through glances and exchanged smiles.

Ah. I have to be careful not to bring the water to a boil. Atsushi adjusted the fire on the stove before going over to Kyouka who had some difficulty with eliminating some lumps.

Atsushi took the beater from her hand and expertly turned over the cocoa mixture, stirring it with a carefully applied force. Kyouka watched in awe.

"You're actually really good at this."

Although it was a compliment, Atsushi felt a little defeated Kyouka that had probably considered him a poor cook. He poured the mixture into the saucepan.

"Well, we make desserts like this in my orphanage from time to time to fundraise," he explained. "So I know how to cook some ..."

Kyouka replied, not mockingly, "but you still can't make an omelette properly."

An arrow flew through Atsushi. "Kyouka-chan ..." he clutched at his chest.

"You tend to burn your fried fish too," she continued, "- and your vegetables sometimes get soggy ..."

Another stab through the heart. Atsushi found it hard to breathe. "K - Kyouka-chan ... when you say it like that -"

Then, an odd smell alerted both Atsushi and Kyouka to a soft bubbling behind them.

"Oh no!" Atsushi turned off the fire immediately. The chocolate!! It was -

"Burnt." Kyouka dipped a spoon into the saucepan and observed the coat of brown on the surface.

Everybody makes mistakes right? Take two? Atsushi thought as he scooped out the contents of the saucepan.

Understanding his intentions, Kyouka combined more cocoa powder and butter into the empty bowl and started creaming them again.