Today's Lunch
{Viktor Licht x F! Reader}
Summary: You find yourself happily cooking for him, and you realize this is the first time you have felt happy cooking.
Genre: Fluff
Warnings: Mentions of: Past Misogyny, Past Abuse, Past Child Abuse, Sexism
Cooking was never something you enjoyed, coming from a sexist home in where the women had to do everything around the home. You remember having to come home just to clean and cook endlessly after school. Having to make dinner for ungrateful men was the worst too, they always had complaints yet couldn't even bother to serve themselves. So as you grew into an adult cooking was never enjoyable, never satisfying, just another chore. Yet as a fool you find yourself humming while gently placing the shrimp into the oil. Making sure to not overcook them or ruin them. And when you realize this, you wonder how to feel...
He made you happy, well not just happy, he made you enjoy those things you used to despise without he himself knowing. It seems cooking has now been another thing he has taught you to enjoy. The thought of sharing something you carefully made along him made your chest feel warm. At first you had only cooked for him as you had seen him only ever buy food, either because he didn't know how to cook or was too tired from his research everyday. It started out as a simple sandwich that you had carefully placed by his side while he was entranced in his work. You were worried for your coworker since it didn't seem like he had eaten anything all day. So you had left it at his side without much thought and had left for the day from the fire station.
What you hadn't expected though was him coming to you the next day thanking you, after all that wasn't something you were used to and it had not seemed like he could tell you even placed the food next to him. Yet he did, too focused on the moment but expressing his gratitude in his own weird way...by showing you his collection of preserved animals..
It was nice though, he had cleaned his plate and thanked you. But that had been the end of it, or so you thought. You would find him again starving himself because he just couldn't keep his mind off his work. It wasn't that this was an often occurence but when it did happen you could notice the side effects on his body. You felt bad just letting him starve because after all he was the company's scientist who brought much contribution. And as his assistant in his research you felt a bit obligated to make sure that he at least wouldn't hurt himself. So you made him lunch again, then again, and until you found yourself in this routine of making him lunches everytime he went into those days he wouldn't take a break. During the course of those days though you found yourself changing up the meals as time passed. It went from the most simple cooking even the worst cooks could do to amazing meals that salarymen would find their housewives making them every day. It seemed you had even learned what he liked and disliked as well, always making sure to adjust to his likings. It wasn't like this had gone unnoticed by him though, he was a person with somewhat respect so he always tried to give back the favor. He didn't seem to know how but he had always made sure to always do a good portion of your work, bought you treats or even lunch as well, always made sure to clean after any mess you had made, and verbally thank you.
It was so strange though. Because now you find yourself smiling or laughing whenever you think about the joy on his face after he realizes there's a homemade meal next to him to enjoy after he's done with his research. He has a strange smile one can't lie, but truly whenever he showed it to you as he thanked you, you just couldn't help but feel your heart beating. You never imagined enjoying making food for yourself, especially not a man. It's not like you suddenly want to become a housewife or be praised by him as if your submissive. Not at all, just that it's now so enjoyable to share a meal with someone especially him. Maybe it wasn't so bad having to be-
"Ah! Is that today's lunch?"
Seriously has Viktor never learned to not scare someone so suddenly?
"Yeah. It is."
"Thank you Y/N! I'll come back in a bit yeah? Company 5 just shared new information upon the insects!"
You turned towards him.
Since when did he get that close to your face!?
"Your a little too close Viktor!"
"Sorry!" He backed up a little.
"Whatever, the food will be ready in a few minutes please don't let it get cold this time" You can't but sigh now that you remember how many times he eats the food cold.
"Yeah! Actually after we eat I've ought to show you something!"
"Yeah?"
"Yeah, but after we eat lunch!"
With that he waved and headed out before stopping at the doorway.
"Oh Y/N?"
"Mhm?" Sol you hope it's not another tangent of his.
"I can't lie I've never once asked this before but I suppose it doesn't hurt" He turned his head.
What? Is he?..
"Would you mind going out with me whenever your free?, just the two of us"
Is he genuinely smiling?
Sorry I had this in my drafts for such a long time I suppose I only just got motivation to finish this. I know it's not entirely good as I rushed it just to get it out of the way but I hope it's alright. Thank you.