Aiden bounced on his feet in his oversized sweater which was of course he stole from his boyfriend. Currently, he argued with the said boyfriend in a whiny and bratty voice.
"Hunter, let me cook lunch today! I have a great idea for—"
"Nope." Hunter didn't even let him finish for the nth time this night. He crossed the kitchen and snatched the frying pan before Aiden could even touch it.
"But I wanna cook for you!" Aiden complained, bouncing from foot to foot.
"You nearly set the house on fire, remember?" Hunter reminded him but Aiden only pouted harder.
When even that didn't work, he blinked profusely to make his eyes watery as he leaned against Hunter's back, his arms sneaking around his waist.
"Pleaseeee?" he pleaded with a soft and sugary voice, using his cuteness as manipulation.
Hunter groaned as he looked at his stubborn little boyfriend, resisting the urge to cave. He could already feel a headache brewing. Aiden's puppy-eyed insistence was way too effective.
"Okay, no, no, nope," he was determined, turning and cupping Aiden's cheeks in his big hands. "You're not getting near the knife. I like you with all your fingers intact, baby."
"You always do this!" Aiden squished Hunter's cheeks together in retaliation, nose wrinkling in anger. "I wanna make you lunch for once! You're always taking care of me—"
"And I like it that way," Hunter laughed at his furious bunny. He bent down to kiss Aiden's forehead and then, when that failed to distract him, pressed a shower of kisses along his cheeks, nose, and lips. "How about this, you sit at the counter and look cute for me, and I'll make us lunch. Afterward, we'll watch whatever stupid show you want."
Aiden considered it and wanted to refuse, at least until Hunter relented with another deep and spine-wrenching kiss. "Alright."
Satisfied and thoroughly spoiled, Aiden hopped onto a stool and swung his legs, grinning he looked like a cat who had made his owner suffer enough for a day. He watched Hunter preparing pasta, sandwiches, and soup with cheeks full like a chipmunk as he sampled anything within reach. Hunter just smiled whenever he stole a few bites. While munching Aiden noticed Hunter's hair.
"Your hair is getting longer. Can I tie them later?"
"Sure," Because who's Hunter to ever deny Aiden anything until—
"Can I touch your butt while you cook?"
Hunter turned and gave him a flat look. Aiden flashed his best innocent smile. "I'm contributing emotionally to this meal, like you wanted, no?"
Hunter just shook his head and let Aiden blabber whatever came in his little head.
Eventually, the apartment filled with the rich scent of garlic and butter. After plating the food, Hunter handed Aiden a fork but didn't forget to remind him as always. "Eat slowly. It's hot."
They settled on the couch, Aiden instantly curled under Hunter's arm with a plate in one hand and a remote in the other. Some random show played on the screen to which neither of them paid much attention. Aiden was too busy gasping dramatically at how delicious the food was, feeding Hunter between bites from his plate, and wiggling happily every time he got praised for being a caring boyfriend.
"I'm gonna marry you," Aiden mumbled with a mouth full of pasta.
Hunter glanced at him sideways and said with a satisfied smirk. "You don't want to wait until I let you near the stove first?"
Aiden shrugged. "What's the point? You're just gonna cook for me forever anyway."
And Hunter, for once, didn't even argue with that. He just pressed a kiss to Aiden's temple and whispered, "Yeah."
After finishing their lunch, they lay on the couch cuddling. He hugged Hunter's warm chest, legs kicking like an overexcited puppy. After spoiling his boyfriend for a while, Hunter got up.
"We have to go shopping for Christmas and buy gifts for us and my parents."
Hunter, already gathering up the plates, only hummed softly, the corners of his lips twitching upward as he carried them toward the kitchen. He glanced back at the ball of energy following him like a shadow.
"Mm. I remember," he nodded while rinsing the plates.
"Yes!" Aiden chirped, clapping his hands. "We should buy something really nice for my mom and dad. And also Sam! And Casen!"
Hunter dried his hands, looking down at him with a small smile. His boyfriend was literally glowing with excitement. "Alright. We'll get them something too."
But Aiden wasn't done. He puffed his cheeks and pulled out his phone. "Let's call Casen right now and ask what he wants! Maybe he'll want something specific—"
Before he could even finish dialing, Hunter reached over and smoothly plucked the phone out of his hands.
"Hunter!" Shocked, Aiden whined and stretched his arms up like a spoiled kid trying to grab candy off a high shelf. "Give it back!"
"No," Hunter held the phone up high out of reach with a frown. "Casen is probably sleeping right now."
"Sleeping? At lunch time? What kind of excuse is that?" He put his hands on his hips and glared at Hunter who was acting suspiciously.
Hunter exhaled and didn't know how to answer which only made Aiden pout harder. With a sudden jump, he managed to snatch the phone back from Hunter's distracted mind. "Ha! Got it!"
Before Hunter could stop him again, Aiden called Casen. It rang a long time before Casen finally picked up. However, his voice, when it came through was so weak that it made Aiden freeze.
"A-Aiden…?" Casen's tone was broken, almost whispery, and he was even panting between words.
Aiden became worried and asked desperately. "Casen? Why are you breathing like that? Are you sick? Are you hurt?"
"I-I'm fine," Casen rasped out through his cracked voice. "Why…why did y-you call?"
Aiden leaned forward on the couch while chewing his bottom lip nervously. "I just wanted to know what you want for Christmas! Tell me, I'll buy anything you want—"
"Anything is…fine—!" But Casen's voice broke again. He was cut off suddenly with a sharp sound of a slap coming through the speaker. Followed by Casen's strangled moan. "Ah—!"
Aiden shot to his feet in panic. He definitely heard it this time. Casen was clearly being beaten by someone. "Casen! Who slapped you?! What was that noise?! Tell me right now, I'll come over right away! Hunter will beat the crap out of whoever—"
"…is it your habit to disturb us whenever we're having sex?" Another deep and breathless voice slid into the line.
Aiden froze instantly, and the words he was about to utter got stuck in his throat. His jaw dropped and his eyes went comically wide as realization hit him.
It was Sam's voice that was dripping with smugness, as if he couldn't even bother to pause what he was doing.
Another sharp slap! echoed, and Casen's voice broke again in a moan. "S-Sam…stop saying that—"
Aiden's entire face turned crimson.
"Oh my god. Oh my god!" he yelped and threw the phone onto the couch as if it were on fire. When he looked up, he saw Hunter sipping on a glass of cold water with a knowing smirk plastered on his face.
"Want some?" Hunter offered the cold water while suppressing his laugh. "You look like you need some."
Aiden rounded on him with his cheeks flushed to his ears and pointed an accusing finger at his cruel boyfriend. "You—! You knew it! You traitor!"
Hunter calmly took another sip, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Told you Casen was busy."
"Busy my ass!" Aiden cried out, burying his face in his hands before peeking out with a horrified expression. "I can never unhear that. Ever!"
Hunter's smirk widened as he set the glass down. "Serves you right for never listening to me."
"Hunter! I hate you!" Aiden stomped his foot dramatically. He immediately grabbed Hunter's arm like a sulky puppy, his voice softening into a whine. "Why didn't you just tell me they were…ughhh…doing that?"
Hunter leaned down to press a kiss to Aiden's forehead. "Because you wouldn't have believed me."
Aiden groaned again, muffling his face into Hunter's chest. "I'm traumatized…"
Hunter just chuckled, holding him close while comforting him. "Adorable idiot."
Aiden was still sulking even after an hour, his cheeks puffed out as he sat cross-legged on the couch, arms folded like a stubborn little kid. "Can you believe it? They did it before us. They're already ahead of us!"
Hunter raised an eyebrow. "Ahead of us? What is this, some kind of competition now?"
"Yes!" He jabbed an accusing finger toward Hunter, who was calmly scrolling through his phone. "It is! Because if you hadn't been stalling so much—'oh, we should wait,' 'oh, you'll regret it if I let you now'—then we wouldn't be…be…second place!"
Hunter chuckled under his breath, shaking his head. "You're unbelievable."
"I'm serious!" Aiden narrowed his eyes and glared hard. "You're too slow, Hunter. And now they're laughing at us somewhere, I just know it."
Hunter finally set his phone down, his patience worn thin in the most affectionate way. He leaned over, slid his arms under Aiden, and pulled him right into his lap. Aiden squeaked and squirmed, kicking his legs in protest. "Put me down! I'm angry with you!"
Hunter kissed the top of his head, then pressed another soft kiss on his cheek to coax him. "Mhm, you're furious, I can see that."
"I am! And you can't just kiss me and expect me to—" Aiden's words melted into a muffled noise when Hunter kissed him properly, slowly and sweetly.
When Hunter finally pulled away after a long time, he was smirking. "Still mad?"
Aiden huffed with his face burning red and lips swollen. "O-Only a little."
Hunter smiled and brushed his thumb over Aiden's rosy lips, sweet-talking him like one would calm a spoiled kitten. "Because I don't care about Sam or Casen. I only care about you. We'll go at our own pace, alright?"
Aiden pouted, though the edge of his sulk was crumbling fast. "You always say that."
Hunter laughed softly and kissed him again, this time on the tip of his nose. Aiden grumbled something under his breath before burying his face in Hunter's neck, still pretending to be annoyed but already melting into his boyfriend's warmth.
That evening, after all the dramatics and coaxing, they finally went out shopping together. Aiden bounced from one store to another, dragging Hunter along while Hunter followed quietly, carrying all the bags with a patient smile.
The next day, they went to Aiden's parents' house for dinner. His mom had prepared a big feast, dishes covering every inch of the table. Hunter sat up straighter out of respect in front of Aiden's parents. As Aiden chatted happily with his parents, he sneaked glances at Hunter, who blended into the family atmosphere better than Aiden could've ever dreamed.
Hunter's life had changed more than he'd ever imagined it would.
Once upon a time, he used to sit on the cold floor of his shabby room counting the last few bills in his wallet, trying to decide whether to pay rent to his Aunt or buy food. He remembered the nights his stomach ached because he'd skipped meals, and the quiet loneliness that sat beside him at the table like an old friend. Back then, he thought survival was all he'd ever known.
But meeting Aiden changed all of that. Now he has an adorable lover and adults who wait for them to come and enjoy warm food on every holiday. It reminds him of his own family when his parents were alive. Aiden's parents never make him feel like an outsider and treat him equally to Aiden.
Hunter always feels grateful for that and bought them presents. Now he's an earning man. Even though his official position was only that of a trainer, Carolyn pays him for his hard work. And she can see how he never slacks or complains and always stays behind to help others. So she paid him more than just the bare minimum, enough to live without that gnawing ache of hunger.
Hunter now had his own small apartment for which he could pay rent, keep the fridge stocked, and cook warm meals for Aiden every single day. And God, he loved doing it.
Feeding Aiden wasn't just a habit, it was something that made Hunter feel whole. Watching Aiden's cheeks puff with food, his legs swinging off the chair as he babbled about something random, made Hunter's chest tighten in the softest way. Hunter liked spoiling him, buying him the little things he never asked for but secretly wanted. A hoodie that Aiden once stared at too long through a store window. A keychain shaped like a duck. That ridiculously overpriced bubble tea Aiden loves. Though Aiden can always buy anything he wants without thinking twice with his monthly allowance his parents gave him, Hunter would rather want to buy everything Aiden wants by himself. He loved how much Aiden was dependent on him.
And Aiden, despite his spoiled and dramatic personality, wasn't ungrateful. He never nagged or asked for more. Instead, he gave Hunter something far more precious, his love. The kind that wrapped around Hunter like sunlight after years of winter. He would hug Hunter with his whole body, kiss him, and hold his hand like it belonged there. It was something Hunter had longed for quietly and almost desperately for so long.
But not everyone was happy with Hunter's new life.
Claire had suddenly crawled out of the shadiness the moment she learned he was earning well. She was once the reason why he was starving and sleeping in parks while drenched in rain and cold. But now, once in a while, she would appear at his door and demand that he needs to pay the debts for raising him. She would shout that he owes her. She would create scenes and bang on his door, trying to guilt him into giving her money.
But that stopped when she faced Aiden. One time when she yelled at Hunter to pay her, Aiden grabbed the nearest metal pot and almost smashed it on her head if not for Hunter holding his angry boyfriend back. Hunter had never seen her stumble backward so fast.
From that day, every time Claire showed up, Aiden would scare her to the point she'd end up crying and running away. Though Hunter could stand up for himself, being shielded by Aiden meant everything. Because no one could harass him with Aiden.
He had someone to stand by him. Someone who wasn't just loved by him but who loved him back fiercely. Aiden wasn't just Hunter's soft spot, he was his shield, his loud-mouthed, chaotic little protector.
And for Hunter, who had lived too long without anyone, that was everything.
The apartment was warm when they returned home and Hunter disappeared into the kitchen almost immediately to prepare dinner. Aiden, on the other hand, had dragged himself to their bedroom, changed into one of Hunter's oversized hoodies and loose shorts.
He walked out humming, expecting their usual dinner. But when his eyes landed on the table, his steps froze. Right in the middle of the table, sat perfectly seared slices of Wagyu beef steak. The smell alone made his stomach growl.
His heart skipped a beat. He remembered randomly telling Hunter that he liked this dish months ago. He hadn't thought Hunter remembered.
Aiden slowly looked up at him with a warm and giddy heart. "Hunter…"
When Hunter noticed his reaction he rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, his ears faintly red. "Uh…I didn't know if it'd taste good. I've never cooked this before, so… maybe it's a little over or under but..uh, sit. Taste it before it gets cold."
Aiden practically bounced into the chair. Hunter had even made sides which included mashed potatoes, a light salad with vinaigrette, and a small bowl of buttery mushrooms. It looked like a restaurant meal, but the way it was plated neat but shy was so Hunter that Aiden's chest ached with warmth.
Hunter slid the fork and knife toward him, trying to act composed even though his heartbeat was pounding. Aiden cut into the steak, the knife gliding through the meat like butter. He popped the bite into his mouth and his eyes widened after chewing it for a while.
"It's…It's perfect," Aiden mumbled through a full mouth. "Hunter, it's SO GOOD. Oh my god—how? When did you—where did you learn this?! It's even better than the one I ate at the restaurant."
Hunter leaned against the counter, shoulders relaxing just a little. "I…practiced it at Carolyn's restaurant. There are lots of different kinds of expensive meat that gets imported into the kitchen. She let me when I told her I wanted to surprise you."
Aiden swallowed and stood up so fast the chair scraped the floor. He threw himself at Hunter, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend's solid frame. His cheek pressed against Hunter's chest as he whispered softly. "You're so good to me. I'm gonna cry! You even remember what I like and what I don't! Hunter, I love you so much I'm gonna die!"
Hunter's hands slid around Aiden's waist automatically, pulling him closer. "I love you too. And of course, I remember everything about you. From the stupid little things to the big ones. I want to make every wish of yours come true."
Aiden pulled back just enough to see Hunter's face, his vision a little blurry from how much emotion filled him. Hunter's eyes were warm, the kind of gaze that made Aiden's heart throb too loud in his chest.
For a second, Aiden didn't breathe. He felt his love swell so intensely that it almost hurt to contain it. Suddenly, he smiled mischievously and locked his arms around Hunter's neck. "Then let's do it."
Clearly, not expecting that reply, Hunter's eyes widened. "W-What?"
Aiden tilted his head and viciously brushed his fingers against the nape of Hunter's neck, his eyes turning dark. "Mhm. You made me the best steak of my life. What do you expect me to do? Give you a high five?"
Hunter's throat bobbed. For a moment, he just stared at him, the hoodie hanging loose on Aiden's frame, exposing his shoulders, his red lips slightly parted, his eyes whispering every unspoken word. The look was almost unfair.
Aiden giggled when Hunter didn't move. He tugged at Hunter's collar to pull him closer. His breath hovered over Hunter's chin. "What? Are you shy now?"
That was the last straw.