"Oh hey, I got some of that…" As confidently as he had started, Ryou found himself trailing off as he continued to speak. "Vegetarian… Meatless… Ground not-beef stuff that you wanted to try." He blushed, unsure what to call most food that his boyfriend preferred to eat. "I thought we could have it for dinner."

Marik gave him a smile, folding down the corner of the book page he was on before climbing off Ryou's bed. "You did?" He asked incredulously, wrapping his arms around Ryou from behind.

"Y-Yeah…" Ryou muttered, blushing deeper. "I…I'm always up to try new things…"

The blonde laughed kissing the boy on the cheek before pulling away. "You're not. But. I think it's sweet. Thank you." He genuinely smiled, knowing that learning to accommodate for his vegetarian lifestyle was taking Ryou some getting used to. He greatly appreciated his boyfriend's patience and acceptance.

Ryou looked over his shoulder from where he sat at his desk. "Do you think you could get started on it?" He asked, turning back to his computer. "I'm finishing something up right now. But if you could at least get the not-meat cooked, I can make the rest when I'm done?" He asked Marik sweetly as he went back to his homework.

The older hesitated behind Ryou's back. "Ah… Yeah… Sure." He chuckled awkwardly to himself. "Of course I can get it started for you, babe!"

A few minutes passed and Ryou had the feeling that someone was still standing over him. He slowly turned back around, surprised to see Marik still standing there. "Well?" He asked bluntly. "Go on…"

"R-Right…"

Ryou was growing worried by the lack of sound coming from his kitchen, but that worry escalated when he heard Marik call out to him. "Ryou! Can you help me?"

"Are you okay?" He called back in response, quickly hitting save on his computer before poking his head out of his bedroom.

"I just need your help!" Marik called back from the kitchen, sounding distressed.

Ryou blinked, making his way to the kitchen as the two continued to yell back and forth through the tiny apartment. "With what?"

There was a pause before Marik finally responded. "How do I know if it's done?"

"What?" Ryou asked, coming up behind his boyfriend.

"How do I know if it's done?" Marik asked softer, as though embarrassed.

Ryou looked over Marik's shoulder at the soy-based food in the pan on the stove. Everything seemed to be in order. "You… You just… Do…? I don't know what you're asking. I'm sorry." He quickly apologized, looking over to Marik in confusion.

The blonde blushed, looking away from Ryou awkwardly. "Like… How do you know if it's done cooking and ready to be… Ya know… Put into the meal…?"

Ryou could not hide the wide grin that came across his face while Marik spoke as he realized what he was asking. "Do you… Do you not know how to cook, Marik?" He asked amused.

"No! I do! Shut up!" Marik barked back, blush deepening.

"It's okay! It's okay!" His boyfriend smiled. "I've been cooking for myself for years. Here." He wrapped one arm around Marik, taking the spatula with his free hand. "I'll teach you."