Disclaimer: incoming head cannon that was prompted by this post. Caution: I am in no way a writer but really wanted to get this out haha
The morning sun was beaming rays through a window in the kitchen of Boomer and Ceelyâs office which illuminated flakes of gold in Sawyerâs eyes and shadows orchestrated his prominent facial features, creating a picturesque scene. Cross had dropped by to lend Gray some more books from his own personal library and heard some rustling coming from the kitchen. Gray had ventured out early to run some errands with Lila, leaving Sawyer to fend for his own for breakfast. Cross meanders into the kitchen and is stunned by the sight of the berserker appearing to do something seemingly so domestic.
âYou of all people know how to cook, Mr. Sawyer..?â asks Cross with heavy suspicion and intrigue as he peeks his head into the doorway.
Sawyer lights a match and holds it to the eye of the burner on the stove as it catches and begins to preheat the pan. He cuts his eyes but doesnât turn his head and grumbles to himself.
âPfft. It ainât that hard, Doily. You donât need no maids or fancy schmancy butlers to do it. Breakfast is easy. I been doin it fer years and Iâve got pretty damn good at it. Look, Iâll even show ya but only this once so pay attention.â
Stunned, Cross doesnât speak and instead, leans against the doorway and allows Wayne to put his money where his mouth is. He watches as Wayne takes a nearby egg carton, lifts the top open and selects two of the last six remaining brown chicken eggs.
âYou see, Cross, you gotta be reaaal delicate when you crack an egg because you donât wanna bust the yolk, thatâs the good part. Some people like their eggs scrambled or as an omlut or whatever they call em but I like mine fried just a little bit. Like so..â
Sawyerâs face turns to a focused grimace as he expertly raises one egg in each hand and brings them together with the perfect amount of force, just enough to break the shells in the middle and lowers them just above the pan and lets the eggs drain out. The eggs land with a satisfying sizzle and their yolks remain in tact, according to plan. They fill the air with a savory aroma and Crossâ eyes focus intently on Sawyerâs meticulous hand movements. He canât help but admire how rough and capable Sawyerâs hands have gotten from all his years of laborious jobs and combat. He moves gracefully for a simple and rugged man and to his delight, Cross stands impressed.
âAnd you gotta make sure your panâs all nice and greased up before so they donât stick, that partâs real important. And when the eggs get to the firmness you like, you give the eggs a nice flip. Stand back now and watch.â
Sawyer motions a hand towards Cross dramatically and grabs the pan handle with a nearby washcloth. He squints his eyes, sticks out his calculated tongue for improved balance and gives the skillet a light shake to test the firmness of the eggs. He then gives the pan just enough force to flips both eggs expertly onto their uncooked sides, revealing a nice lightly cooked exterior. Cross watches with an impressed but restrained gaze and to his surprise, Sawyer actually does seem to know his way around a stove.
Sawyer wipes the sweat off his brow. The heat coming off the gas range fills the kitchen with significant heat and it causes him to have to unbutton the top two buttons of his shirt. Cross doesnât miss a second, all while he starts to feel his own heat begin to radiate.
âNowâs the part where you season em how you like. I like to put just a pinch of salt and pepper on mine. Not too much so it ainât too spicy.â Cross chuckles to himself.
He studies Wayneâs skill and the amount of seasoning as itâs sprinkled over the cooked eggs. The salt and pepper fall perfectly over the soft, supple eggs. His mouth begins to water involuntarily and he swallows the excess saliva with a gulp as he tugs on his collar.
While Wayne lets the eggs finish cooking, he drops two pieces of toast in the empty space in the pan. He backs off the stove a bit and unties his apron and sits it on the counter with a proud exhale. He lifts the skillet and walks it over to cross with a smug grin and wafts it under his chin. Their eyes lock for a moment and suddenly, Cross isnât focused on the food anymore.
Sawyer speaks in a confident, sultry tone. âHowâs that Doily? You didnât know I could cook like that, did ye? Heh. See? I CAN cook. And you donât need to be some stuffy lord or highly edumacated doctor to do it.â
Cross scoffs and looks away, flustered, stomach grumbling. The two notice the hungry noises and Wayne pauses for a beat.
ââŠhere. You eat em. I can make more.â He says looking away.
Cross holds up his hand in opposition.
âThatâs quite alright Mr. Sawyer, you donât have to worry about me. I have plenty to eat back at home.â
âNah, nah. Theyâre already made and gettin cold. Eat up, Cross, youâll need your strength usin that damn cane goin to and fro. Besides, you cainât miss Chef Wayne Sawyerâs famous breakfast. It ainât everyday I offer you some of MY HARD-EARNED food.â He says, teasing.
Succumbing to the smell of the delicious food and the handsome chef, Cross concedes.
âFine. I shall give your meal a taste test if you so insist.â
Cross sits at the dinner table and begins to eat the meal. He is amazed at how delicious the food is.
âMy my, Wayne, this is actually quite good. I am impressed.â
âYeah yeah, donât act too impressed, itâs just damn breakfast.â He says joining Cross at the table.
The heat had filled the room and begun to finally dissipate after Wayne had finished cooking his own meal. The two sat in a tense silence so all that could be heard was the sounds of chewing and forks scraping along plates. They would take turns stealing glances at each other until their locked eyes for a moment. Wayne with his messy hair and unbuttoned, tattered shirt, and Paxton with his frills and handsome face. The tension was palpable. Wayne decides to break the silence.
Blushing, he says, âUhh, well.. if you ever need me to cook for you again, donât hesitate to ask. I.. donât mind.â
âYes.. I may take you up on your offer sometime then.â
