teddy hadn’t initially had solely baking in mind when he invited elijah over – but he’d found a perfect recipe for christmas cookies and he was already scrambling to figure out what to get a lot of people as a gift this year, so he thought he’d make the best of their time together. teddy had miscalculated how much help elijah would be, it seemed – the older man trying not to stress out over how much of a mess they’ve made already. he’s insistent on actually feeling festive this year, so he offered elijah a vodka cranberry early on in the night and had a drink himself. he’s bent over the counter slightly, attentive hands in the process of molding the dough.
he feels the weight of elijah’s head on his shoulder, causing his hands to still and a slow smile creeping up on his lips. “ah, a man of culture i see,” he hums, impressed that elijah isn’t scared of salmonella. “tsk, don’t you know that those who don’t work don’t get to eat?” his tone is light and teasing, and it’s truthfully not something he agrees with - but at times, his parent’s influence seeps through before he can stop himself. teddy rolls his eyes, turning to face elijah and opening his palm to offer up the sugary dough sticking to his fingers with a soft muttered, “here.”
maybe a part of elijah hadn’t expected for the other to give in so quickly, already prepared to sulk even further and sneak a taste himself with just how little help he’d been, and he’s just a bit too pleased with himself, evident by the grin flashed back at teddy. “ I’m like— so cultured, didn’t y’know that ? ” eyes only tear away to fall onto the offering, lips quickly wrapped around stick dough as hand seems too busy cradling drink to attempt grabbing anything more. “ I’ve helped, I’m taste - testing. ” voice muffled through dough, but dimples still manage to poke through. help comes in many forms as far as he’s concerned, company and presence is the most he has to offer and with his skills, or lack thereof, it might be in teddy’s best interest to have elijah a few steps behind.
it feels delightfully familiar, even if all too new, at ease in the other’s presence when it seems elijah’s so quick to shift between that and something defensive. there’s no hint of that now, and he can hardly blame one drink for it, only his keenness to drop whatever barriers so easily arise. “ I’d be a great help, it just looks like you’re mostly done anyway. ”