Herc/Raleigh: Stress baking for dragons-bones
I remembered Herc answering his door wearing an apron covered in flour in that little birthday fic I wrote for you, so this is set in the same mini-verse. I tried a few times to write this, it’s still not quite what I was trying for, sorry. :\ It’s more sad-baking than stress-baking…
Raleigh watches from the doorway as Herc rummages through a cupboard for something. He wasn’t surprised when he woke up to find himself alone in bed, but the scene in the kitchen isn’t what he expected at all. Cupboards are open, there are spoons and bowls over all of the countertops, and Herc’s standing in the middle of it all looking pissed.
"Where in the bloody fuck is the cinnamon?"
"Spice rack…" Raleigh says, clearing his throat when Herc looks back at him. "The, uh. The new spice rack we bought last week?"
"Yeah," Herc mutters. "I’m… I forgot. Did I wake you up?"
"More the absence of you." Raleigh catches his lip with his teeth, and ventures further into the kitchen. "What’s cooking?"
"Cinnamon rolls, soon. Sorry for waking you."
"Hey, it’s fine." Raleigh puts his hand on Herc’s back, just like he’d done the first time he stood in this kitchen. "Talk to me."
"Chuck’s favourite," Herc says, waving his hand towards the mixing bowl. "I don’t know why, I just thought I’d… I don’t know."
"I get it. There’s always going to be that place where he should be. It doesn’t just go away, however much time passes." Raleigh moves closer, rests his chin over Herc’s shoulder. "Never apologise for it."
"Yeah." Herc breathes out. "Thanks."
Raleigh kisses the side of Herc’s neck softly, and smiles. “I’m gonna go get a shower. You’ve got everything you need here, right?”
"I think I’m good." Herc turns, catching Raleigh before he goes, and kissing him quickly. "Thanks. I’ll be through when I’ve finished here."