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When previous partners wanted to cook with him, that's not really what they wanted.
He was the celebrity chef, the pretty face, the guy who could recreate any dish he tasted. He was a novelty, a fun distraction. When they said they wanted to be in the kitchen with him, they wanted to be entertained, to be wooed. And he hadn't minded that- but also thought pretty meanly of himself at the time.
A fun party trick was all he saw himself as.
But it wasn't like that, with Do Geon.
He wanted to woo him, of course. Every inch of him was lovable, and he'd done his best to demonstrate that in the one night they spent together before their time apart.
“I know why you need to do this without me,” Jeong Woo said, buried in his neck, “But let me show you that there won't be a single second I don't think of you.”
Instead of a reply, he'd gotten a passionate, clumsy kiss, and that was enough.
But there was something to be said for moments like these. Do Geon making them lunch, and wanting Jeong Woo there with him. Just to do the prep and cleaning, which was fine with him. More time to drink in every confident movement Do Geon made.
The man was really born to be in a kitchen.
Even though the majority of the time he'd been to Jeong Woo's house he wasn't the one making the food, he walked around like he owned the place, remembering where he kept every pot and pan just from seeing it once. He rummaged through his drawers, and tore his fridge apart like it was his own.
Maybe, one day, that'd be true.
A little fast, Jeong Woo reminded himself as he chopped veg. It'd only been two months since Do Geon had allowed him back into his life, and he wouldn't squander this chance. He was serious- about their relationship, about being a proper chef.
“You're staring,” Do Geon clocked him without fail, not even gracing him with the eyes he adored so much, “Focus on me and not the knife and you'll get cut. Pay attention.”
“I can multitask,” he teased, but followed orders, as hard as it was. Once he was done, he handed the cutting board off to Do Geon, who slid it all into the stockpot with style. He was making soup, because that had become the secret language of their love.
“Now,” Do Geon untied the apron Jeong Woo had bought him (the fact that he wore it without a word did terrible things to Jeong Woo's heart), pulling it over his head and hanging it over his neck casually, “What's on your mind?”
Jeong Woo leaned back against the countertop, hands bracing themselves behind him, "Right to the point. I should warn you, you won't like the answer.”
Do Geon gave him a kick to the shin, more like a gentle tap than anything else, “I'm asking because I want to know.”
“Alright,” Jeong Woo worried at his bottom lip, before letting go with a shrug. He promised himself no more secrets any more complicated than a birthday surprise, “I was just thinking about the times I cooked with my exes.”
“That's all?” Do Geon didn't look particularly pleased, but he wasn't devastated either, “You had me worried.”
Jeong Woo pushed himself up, closing the gap between them in a flash. A tender hand caressed Do Geon’s face, his favorite place for it to be, “I'll never keep anything that serious from you ever again. You know that.”
Do Geon's hand covered his own, pressing into the touch, “I know.”
Jeong Woo sighed, “You're too sweet to me. What I was thinking about was that... before, it never felt like my partners wanted me in the kitchen for anything other than entertainment. I had to make the meal like it's a variety show, or they just wanted to... you know, in the kitchen.”
“Sex in the kitchen?” now that had Do Geon properly concerned, and it filled Jeong Woo's heart and lungs and everything with laughter. He wasn't inexperienced by any means, but to him, the kitchen was a sacred space where he practiced his craft, not somewhere to sully with debauchery.
“They didn't understand the finer culinary details like you. I was just a pretty face who could julienne some cabbage.”
While looking into Do Geon's eyes (which he always was whenever he had the opportunity. They were the thing he loved most on this planet), he saw them flash with a myriad of emotions he couldn't possibly read. Before he even made an attempt to decipher them, he was gathered into a tight hug.
“I know you've always cared so much,” Do Geon’s voice was quiet and reassuring in his ear, and the tone itself made him want to cry, let alone the words, “Even when you didn't believe it yourself. You've always cared about cooking. About everything.”
His hands came to grip his lover's back with intensity, hiding his face in Do Geon's shoulder in a vain attempt to hold back his tears. That's what drew him to this man so many months ago. His sharp eyes, his ability to see into his heart and lay him bare. The earnest passion he had for the things he loved.
“You always know just to say to make me weak,” Jeong Woo muttered pathetically, tugging him in closer, “I don't know how you do it.”
Do Geon stroked the back of his head in an even, soothing pattern, “You make yourself pretty obvious, if you know where to look.”
Jeong Woo pulled away just enough so he could look at him, uncaring about his hot face or wet eyes, “I think it's just to you. You disarmed me before you even knew you could.”
“I'll use my power wisely,” Do Geon punctuated his sentence with a quick, chaste kiss. The kitchen was for making food, not making out, of course. Jeong Woo was never so happy to be left high and dry before, “We should wash our hands before we keep going.”
Reluctantly Jeong Woo released him, wiping at his eyes and nose as casually as he could. Do Geon snorted sympathetically, gesturing towards the sink with his head. Ever the obedient sous chef (only here, only with Do Geon), he marched over and washed his hands. His boyfriend followed suit, crowding him in the sink area as he dried them. It was a show of affectionate impatience that had Jeong Woo's heart fluttering.
“What's next, Chef?” he tried his best to be his usual self, bumping their elbows together conspiratorially. Do Geon smiled at him as he gave instructions, and it was a precious expression Jeong Woo wished he could photograph for posterity.
He's done just about everything in a kitchen, from cooking to interviews to making love, but this is the memory he'd cherish most for the rest of his life.•