Shortfic 2:
Title: The Kiss
Pairing: Red and Blue
Synopsis: Blue needs a way to tell Red about his feelings, and when Red made him bake, it was the perfect opportunity.
Warnings: None
I could smell breakfast when I woke up and knew immediately that Red was cooking. A smile drew my lips back and I slowly sat up, knowing that this was the day. If I could work up my course, of course.
The four of us had been separate for nearly six months, and my feelings for Red had finally shown that they weren't going to change. As much as I pretended I didn't care and as much as I yelled, I did care about the others. Mostly though, it was Red.
I stood and dressed, thinking. I wanted to do something nice for Red to tell him.
But when I walked into the kitchen and saw him cooking, an apron tied around his waist, everything went blank.
As though sensing me, Red turned around and grinned at me. I wanted to believe that it was special for me, but he gave that same smile to Green and Vio, too.
"Good morning, Blue!" Red exclaimed in his always cheerful voice. The smaller Link turned back to his work.
"Morning," I rejoined, falling back to my automatic tone.
"You could always try to be nicer to us," I heard Green say behind me. He stepped up behind me and lowered his voice; "At least to Red."
I spun around as Green smirked. "You know that's my part of Link! It's not something I can easily control!" I said quickly.
"Now Blue," Red's voice was soft and coaxing, "there's no need to shout."
If I was to say that Red mothered us—mostly me—it would be accurate, but inappropriate for how I felt of him.
I hadn't realised I had been shouting. My face flushed and I blurted habitually, "It's Green's fault."
Green snorted and went through to the living room, muttering about me being obstinate about Red.
I went up behind Red and leaned over his shoulder. He was making pancakes.
Red jumped and I heard the sharp inhale of his breath. "Blue, you startled me!"
"Sorry," I said softly, not moving. "They look perfect, Red."
When the others weren't around—and Vio hardly ever was—I could let myself relax a bit around Red. "What are we having for lunch, then?"
Red giggled, and I had to move away from him. I leaned against the counter as Red replied, "Actually, Blue, I'm getting sort of tired of cooking for you, so you'll make lunch for me!" He turned his cute grin on me again.
I blushed and stammered, "But- I can't- Red- I don't cook." I mentally kicked myself for sounding so stupid. Why did I forget my words around him?
Red shook his head, the smile sliding easily into a smirk. "Well, I will teach you. We'll start with something easy, and sweet!"
I could tell where this was going. Red's sweet tooth would cause him to say—"Cookies!"
Red's voice interrupted my thoughts, exactly where I thought. I shook my head, but took the opportunity to share time with him. "I... Alright, Red. But only so long as you're right here. Got it?"
Red nodded enthusiastically, and I saw a slight change in the way he smiled at me. Maybe I was imagining it...
So after breakfast, I rolled up the sleeves of my undertunic and washed my hands. I glanced at Red, trying not to let on that I was. I blushed as Red steadily met my gaze.
"Ready?" Red's voice seemed to get patient with me. "I've gotten all of our ingredients out, and the correct measuring cups. I'll talk you through the whole thing, 'kay?"
I nodded and stared at the counter. "Let's do this."
But then it was an hour later and I was covered in flour. I was getting increasingly irritated. "I can't do this!" I tossed down the spoon and the dough splattered up into the air. "It's not the right consistency, Red."
I looked over at him and my eyes widened. There was cookie dough all over his face, and the poor Link looked like he was about to start crying.
"Oh my gods, Red..." I reached over and grabbed a towel. "Here, I'm sorry," I said, trying to be nice to him. I always managed to ruin it.
"It's alright, Blue," Red said, but he didn't move to take the cloth from my hand.
I shook my head. "No, it's not, Red. All I can seem to do is screw things up." I raised the towel and gently wiped the dough from his cheek. "Even when I—" My eyes widened and I stopped myself, clamming up. I had almost said it.
Lost in my task, I hadn't realised that Red had spoken. "Hmm?" My eyes glanced to his, and then quickly away.
Red sighed softly, a smile on his lips. "I said, please finish whatever you were about to say, Blue."
I was entranced by him, and I really didn't want to say it now. So instead, I dropped the towel and ran my fingers over his now clean cheek. "Well, I meant this..." I murmured as I leaned down and kissed him, softly, as to not panic him.
Immediately, Red's fingers clenched in my tunic and he clung to me. When we parted, I looked down at Red's blush. "I like you too," he whispered, and his cheeks reddened more.
I smiled faintly, opting to not say anything, and just pulled the small Link into my arms. The cookies may have failed, but it was still a perfect moment.
