Gingerbread
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A/N: My part in a writing trade with @marshmallowprotection !
Usually, I wouldn’t have posted this, but it became a full blown fic, so, enjoy! Nothing but pure fluff, I swear!
Word Count: 1.6K
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The smell of cookies hung thick in the air. Chocolate chip and sugar. The countertops were covered in bowls, measuring cups, and clouds of flour. Eliza stood in the middle of it all, humming to herself as she tossed together the ingredients for a third batch of cookies, gingerbread this time.
Occasionally, she glanced towards the living room and hallway of the penthouse. When Jumin had left that morning, Bora was in her room. And out of everyone, Jumin had called Eliza to come, to make sure that the kid didn’t spend the entire day locked up in her room.
“If anyone can assure her that it’s safe,” he had said, glancing at the door in nervous concern. “It’s you. She trusts you the most, I think.”
“I don’t think she trusts me the most,” Eliza had sighed. “Frankly, I doubt she trusts any of us much. She’s just scared, and she just needs some time.”
“I know…” he sighed again, fidgeting. “I’m just- Just worried, that’s all. And the last time you came over, she left her room to get your cookies from the fridge, so that’s a start. Do you think you could make some more?”
She laughed at that, setting her hands on her hips. “First you’re fidgeting, and now you’re asking me to bake? Jumin, honey, do you even know who you’re talking to?”
He smiled, albeit weakly, and she set a hand on his shoulder, giving him a warm smile.
“Of course I will. And don’t worry, I promise you’re doing great.”
Well, it was noon now. Half the day gone- Technically only three or four hours since Bora must’ve been up, but she hadn’t said a word. Eliza bit her lip, leaning over to peer into the hallway better.
Would it come across as pushy if she asked Bora to come out? She was concerned, but maybe it would be rushing the kid too much.. Or maybe she could lure Bora out with cookies. There were certainly enough to do so.
“..Miss Eliza?”
Eliza yelped, spinning around with a gasp. “Oh! Bora! Hello! I didn’t- Didnt hear you come in! I thought-” She looked towards the hallway, then turned back to Bora, a relieved smile blooming on her face. “But never mind that, I’m really glad that you came out! I was thinking about calling for you, actually!”
Bora blinked, looked down, then back up, offering Eliza a tentative half smile. “Oh… Well, um, I’m sorry for worrying you.. But I smelled the cookies and, um,”
“Yes?”
“I was wondering.. if I could have a couple?”
Eliza’s smile brightened, clapping her hands. “Of course you can! How many do you want?”
Bora visibly straightened, smile widening a bit. “Oh! Um, just one please!”
“You sure? I have two kinds- Sugar and chocolate chip!”
“You do?” Bora shuffled forward, peeking at the fresh cookies with a bit of awe. “Well, um, then can I- Can I have two, please?”
“Sure thing!” Eliza beamed, grabbing a plate and setting it on the counter. “Which one do you want?”
“Is there a difference?” The girl blinked, peering a little closer at the cookies.
“Well, the taste won’t really change, but the texture kinda does!” Eliza mused. “Risk really likes the cookies on the edge of the rack, because they usually get a bit crispier, but I like the ones in the middle because they’re a little softer!”
Bora squinted, then nodded. “I see! Then… Could I have one middle chocolate chip? And… one outer sugar, please?”
Eliza smiled, reaching over to grab the cookies, then paused. If she gave them to Bora, there was a good chance that she might take the cookies back to her room, or to the living room. And then go straight back to her room. And that just wasn’t healthy.
So she drew her hand back, turning to Bora. “Actually, could I ask something of you?”
Bora tensed, immediately fidgeting with her sweater. “I’m sorry- You just said- I thought I could choose- I’m sorry-“
“What? Oh no, no, don’t worry!” Eliza yelped. “The cookies aren’t a problem at all! Of course you can have them, I definitely have enough for you to have any you want! It’s just-” She paused, wringing her hands almost guiltily. “If I give them to you, you’ll probably go back to your room? And that’s not- Bad, per se, but, um.. I was hoping to see you around the penthouse?”
Bora blinked, eyes wide, as if the thought of anyone wanting her around was absolutely foreign. She blinked again, lips moving slowly, repeating Eliza’s words silently, then shook her head a little. “O-oh… Um, o-okay…”
“Of course, if you don’t want to- Or if you’re uncomfortable-“ Eliza started, but Bora’s head snapped up, eyes wide.
“No, no, I want to!”
A pause, then Eliza smiled again, bright and giddy. “Really? I’m glad! I was thinking you could help me with this batch- it’s gingerbread- then afterwards, you could have your cookies?”
Bora nodded slowly, smile soft and bright. “Yeah.. that sounds good. But, um, I don’t know how to bake?”
“Oh, don’t worry! There’s not much too it, I can teach you!”
Bora nodded again, straightening up. “I’d like that, Miss Eliza. Thank you!”
“Of course,” Eliza smiled. “Now, can you grab that sack of flour? And the measuring cups!”
It took a good half hour to make the last batch of cookies. Bora was attentive and quick to learn, eyes shining as she went through the steps of the art of baking. Most of the time was spent humming, then once Eliza selected a playlist, singing- on Eliza’s part, while Bora giggled and watched her twirl around.
And then, they slid the tray in the oven, Bora humming softly, Eliza whispering the song lyrics with a smile. And the clean up went quick; Both were good and used to it, and the kitchen was spotless as the timer dinged.
“Oh!” Bora yelped. She looked at Eliza, then back at the oven. “They’re done! Can I take them out, please?”
“Go on ahead!” Eliza smiled. She grabbed the broom from Bora. “I got the rest, just be careful, okay?”
“Okay!”
Bora set the tray on the countertop, eyes wide, then put away the oven mitts. She peered at the cookies, brow furrowing. “Um… Miss Eliza? Do they look okay?”
“Well, what do you think?” Eliza asked, walking over.
“Well… A little… thick?” Bora whispered.
Eliza looked over, tilting her head. “They look great to me!”
“Really?”
“Yes, really! And even if it did come out a little thick, they’re still gonna be delicious. And there’s always next time if you want them to be thinner.” she smiled.
Bora looked up at her, hesitating. “Really..? Even if they’re too thick?”
“Even if they’re too thick.” Eliza nodded, then looked back at the cookies. “Now let’s give ‘em a second to cool, okay? Then we’ll feast like queens!”
That earned a tiny snort, and Bora smiled a little, nodding. “Okay.. If you say so, Miss Eliza!”
The cookies were delicious, of course. Eliza brought a plate into the living room, and the two sat on the couch, nibbling away at all three batches. They didn’t talk, and that was alright, because Bora was smiling. Faint, eyes crinkled as she reached for a gingerbread cookie, inspecting it, smile widening, and taking a decisive bite.
“Good?” Eliza grinned.
The girl nodded happily, taking another bite. “Good. And.. thank you for letting me help you. I had a really good time today.”
“And I was more than happy to have such a wonderful helper!” She smiled back. “You’re a great listener, and you pick up things super quick! I’m impressed!”
Bora ducked her head, flushing at the sudden compliment. “O-oh, um, thank you- But I’m not really-”
“You are.”
She flushed again, peeking at Eliza with a shy smile. “..thank you, Miss Eliza. You’re a great teacher.”
“Aw, thank you!”
The door opened then, and Jumin came in. Bora sat up straighter, and Eliza looked up with a frown. “Jumin? Hey, what are you doing back so early? Thought you got off in the evening?”
“Normally, yes, but my last two meetings were cancelled,” He let out a breath, looking back at her. “Did- Oh, Bora.” Jumin smiled, putting his coat away. “You’re out of your room; I’m glad to see you.”
“Thank you,” She whispered. “I’m- Im sorry- That I worried you.”
“Nothing to be sorry about,” he dismissed. “I understand that moving to a larger house like this can be overwhelming?”
Bora paused, then nodded slowly. “Um… yeah. I’m just- Um, not used to it… But I’m grateful!”
“I know, don’t worry,” Jumin nodded. He smiled at her, and she nodded, relaxing somewhat.
There was a pause, and Jumin looked at the table. “Ah, you were baking, Eliza?”
“Not just me,” she grinned, nodding at Bora. “Guess who made the gingerbread?”
Bora shook her head, but was unable to keep the smile from her face. “I couldn’t have done it without your instruction-“
“Oh, don’t sell yourself short!” Eliza laughed. “All I did was read the instructions aloud; You did all the work!”
Bora smiled shyly, wiggling a little with pride. “I guess I did..”
Jumin smiled, looking between the two, then nodding at the cookies. “Do you mind if I have one?”
“Oh- No, course not!” Bora blinked. She watched Jumin bite into a gingerbread cookie, anxiety overtaking her face again. “Um… is it good?”
“Very,” he nodded. “You’re quite good at baking.”
“O-oh, thanks,” she flushed, looking away. “But- It was mostly beginner's luck.. But, um, thank you!”
There was a moment of quiet, then Eliza stood, grabbing her jacket. “Well.. I better head out! Morgan’s gonna FaceTime us soon, Jumin, so best get situated.”
“Of course,” He nodded. “See you tomorrow?”
“Yep!” Eliza looked down at Bora, smiling. “See you tomorrow, Bora?”
“Oh- Yeah, that sounds good!” Bora smiled back. “See you!”
“See you both.”
