Archive of Our Own

The kitchen was filled with the loud crinkling of parchment paper as Keith carefully pressed it into the springform pan. It was a quiet noon, void of the everyday bickering between Faith and Leo that echoed throughout West Sector’s dorm. Both of them were out on patrol duty today, and it was just the mentors occupying the kitchen. Keith’s movements were still slightly sluggish after being woken up by Dino.

Keith! Keith! Take a look at this! West Sector’s other mentor vigorously shook Keith’s body and pushed his phone up into his face, who in return scrunched up his bleary eyes to limit the sudden brightness blinding his sight.

Mmmngh…What is it? Keith grumbled in response, his morning voice gravelly and deep. Rubbing the sleep out of his eyes, he looked at the screen that was barely inches away from his face. He pushed back Dino’s wrist that was holding the phone a little, giving him a better view of the photo. Keith squinted his eyes at the image, croaking out, ...’s that a cake?

It’s a basque cheesecake! Dino responded enthusiastically, leaning forwards with shining eyes. At this proximity, Keith could smell a the lingering scent of fresh laundry detergent. I randomly saw it online and it looks super good! he continued, Then I remembered that you’re a great cook so I was wondering—

Nope. A short and sweet reply that shot down Dino even before he could finish his sentence.

Keith really wasn’t in the mood to do anything that needed labor (as he usually never is), especially when he was woken up so suddenly. And d’ya even know that cooking and baking are different? He was about to turn his body around and continue sleeping, until he caught sight of Dino’s pleading face. It wouldn’t be inaccurate to say that he looked like a kicked puppy.

The mentor in question was looking at him with his hands clasped together, cerulean eyes big and brows turned up slightly, and his head was tilted to the side which amplified the impact of his expression by tenfold. Keith really hated it when Dino made that puppy face of his, because every single time he could never refuse any of his requests.

He quirked a lazy eyebrow up. ...You wanna try it that bad?

Dino nodded slowly. His little pout was Kryptonite to Keith.

Keith slowly sat up and lazily stretched his arms out, accompanied with a low rumble coming from the back of this throat. Dino, who was now sitting on the edge of his bed, shifted back to give him some space. The vague fragrance of clean linen lingered for a few more seconds. Aaah...fine. I’ll do it, I’ll do it. Dino’s face instantly lit up, and Keith almost let a small smile slip out. He pointed a finger at Dino. But only because if I didn’t, I wouldn’t hear the end of it from you. Got it?

Yessir!~

Keith placed the stand mixer on the countertop, reaching down to plug the appliance in one of the outlets. Sitting on one of the barstools, Dino was mindlessly kicking his feet, resting his elbows on the counter with his hands supporting his head. Keith found it suffocating when sitting in silence with people, but Dino’s presence at the counter was soothing. Nothing but the soft clang of metal bowls filled the room and the smell of smoke from Keith’s lit cigarette permeated the air.

Measuring out the sugar and dumping the cream cheese into the bowl of the stand mixer, Keith flipped on the switch to the highest setting. The loud whir of the machine cut through the silence as the mixer started at a pace that was a little faster than he anticipated. From the paddle’s quick speed, a few dollops of cream cheese flung out from the bowl, with some getting on Keith’s apron. He sighed as he turned the mixer’s speed down one interval, making a note to himself to clean up later. Dino’s eyes landed on Keith’s mouth, and his eyebrows slightly shot up.

Ah, Keith you’ve got some on your face... He got up and leaned over the counter, his right hand supporting the weight of his body. Reaching his arm over, Dino’s thumb swiped over Keith’s lip to wipe off some stray cream cheese. His body was frozen stiff, not knowing how to take Dino’s sudden advances.

Wha— He stopped talking when he saw Dino bring his thumb up to his mouth, his pink tongue darting out to lick the cream cheese off his finger. He was keeping steady eye contact with Keith the entire time, which made the temperature around the drunkard rise a little. Keith almost went slack-jawed, cigarette threatening to fall from his lips. Thankfully, his hand quickly came up to catch it between his fingers. They were also effective in covering his mouth, but not so much the slight pink tint that was starting to dust his cheeks. Dino went to sit back down, returning to the position he had before. Keith cleared his throat to speak, shifting his eyes to look at the running stand mixer which suddenly seemed much more interesting to him.

You… Keith trails off, racking his brain to think of what exactly he would say to Dino. He steals a quick glance of Dino’s face, and just as quickly settles his gaze back onto the stand mixer. Keith never knew his ears could feel so hot.

Mhm? Dino hums, chin resting on his hand. Keith drags his eyes up to look at his face, and sees the signature oblivious smile that always made his heart involuntarily do somersaults. Dino looked like he was expecting Keith to continue working on the cheesecake, and he decided that it was better to shut up and carry on baking, heaving out a sigh.

Haah...Nevermind. Rubbing the back of his burning neck, he went back to watching the mixer whipping together the sugar and cream cheese.

Keith was too flustered to notice Dino’s hand come up to lightly brush against his lips, grin widening slightly.