Mission Valentine
Kushari
Marik fidgeted. This was nothing new. However, he was frightened of what his lover would say when he found out that he'd used the kitchen without permission and had left it a mess. Ishizu may have been scary, bit Malik could put up an unholy fuss when he learned his sister's or brother's life might have been in danger.
…Yes, he did know from past experience, actually.
He flinched as he heard a soft gasp and turned quickly. "I just want you to know that it was all meant for you and—"
"You're wearing a pink apron!" Malik gasped, pointing at him. He paused, then noticed the two bowls sitting on the table. Tilting his head in confusion, he frowned. "…Marik, what's this?"
"…Well, I tried to make kushari, but I don't think it turned out well," the former-spirit replied. "It doesn't look like the how Ishizu makes it. Doesn't even look like the picture in the cookbook."
Malik took a step toward the table set for just the two of them and observed the food that had been made for him.
Well, it did look a little messy. The macaroni was probably a little over-cooked, and there were a whole lot more lentils and chickpeas than Ishizu put in. There was a lot of garlic vinegar and tomato sauce, too, and the fried onions looked a little under-cooked. A little sauce was dribbling over the side from being over filled too.
But it was really the taste that counted, right?
Marik frowned as he watched his lover poke at the dish with a fork and sighed. "I know it doesn't look very good, so I asked Ishizu to leave money for pizza—" He cute himself off as the younger boy lifted a fork of kushari to his mouth. "…Malik?"
Malik chewed thoughtfully for a few moments, eyes closed and brows furrowed as he contemplated the flavor. After another few seconds, he looked up at his lover and smiled. "For a first attempt, it's pretty good! You just need a little more practice! …And a few less lentils."
"…Huh?" The former spirit was at a loss as to what to say.
"Let's spend the money Ishizu left for pizza on dessert instead, okay? …We'll go for a walk after we eat and get some ice-cream," Malik continued, sliding his arms around the taller boy's waist. "Thank you, Marik."
Marik did not explain that this was not his first attempt, but his hundred and first. He also did not explain that the kitchen would need to be scrubbed with a toothbrush to get all of the mess off. And he definitely did not explain that Ishizu hadn't had any idea about him cooking and had left the money for pizza because she was going out on a date of her own and didn't want them to starve. However, he was too busy with the smaller boy eating his face to care.