Levi sighs as he closes the door behind him and steps out of his shoes. Slips out of his socks.
Finally.
He throws the socks into the laundry basket, washes the day off his hands, and before he even knows it he is searching the kitchen for sugar, butter, and chocolate…it's one of those days that demand something good happening.
And sometimes—mostly really—good things are found in the most simplest of things. Like finding refuge in the comfort that cooking brings. Cookie dough for example will dry in the oven and the heat will melt the chocolate pieces just enough to make them soft. The baked pastry will crumble heavenly and Eren will consecrate the floor with their remains, smiling happily, his eyes sparkling under the influence of a magnificent sugar rush.
No bad surprises there.
The sound of a key turning in the lock comes just as Levi has put the baking tray into the oven and a short moment later a pair of arms wrap around his waist from behind while a kiss is pressed onto the top of his head.
"Hi."
He turns around to hug Eren in return and buries his nose against Eren's chest with a "mmpf."
Eren's embrace always smells like the autumn sun outside and like home and for the first time since when he's left for work, Levi feels calmness wash over him. A second inhale relaxes his shoulders and with the third all worries of the day are forgotten. At least for a while.
"Chocolate chip cookies, huh? That bad?"
"Mm."
"You should get a new job."
Burying his nose even deeper into Eren's shirt, Levi shakes his head. "No. I'd have to write applications."
"Hm. A nice and thorough snuggle then?" The words are playful and the gentle fingers in his neck make Levi smile.
"Sounds like a plan." He tilts his head to kiss Eren's jaw. "In the tub perhaps?"
"Gladly." There's a softness in Eren's eyes as he grins and runs his thumb over Levi's cheek a couple of times. "Flour," he explains with a mumble and bends down to let his lips gently brush over Levi's. "Hey."
"Hey," Levi whispers back and gets up onto his toes to kiss Eren's nose. "I left you some dough."
"You did?" Suddenly thrilled by the news, Eren loosens their embrace and grabs the bowl. "Oh, this is perfect!"
Before Levi can say anything Eren has sunk down to the kitchen floor in front of the oven in a tailor seat and pats the empty space next to him with an inviting grin.
How could Levi say no to that? In a weak attempt to fight back his chuckle, he rolls his eyes and squats down next to his husband. "You are weird. You know that?"
"It's why you love me." Eren winks knowingly, his lips already smeared with chocolate, and he unceremoniously stuffs a spoonful of raw cookie dough into Levi's mouth.
"I do love you," Levi admits, thriving in the lifting effect of sugar on his tongue.
"I know." Eren smiles and bumps his shoulder against Levi's. "I love you too."
The scent of rich chocolate already clings heavily to the air, makes it sticky and sweet and promising, and they sit there—crouch there—on the floor in front of the oven, watching the cookies bake.
Life is good.