Gaura had actually forgotten it was his birthday today. He'd mentioned it in passing to Henry at some point when his birthday was but then the thought had slipped his mind the actual day of. Now he was just going about his day business as usual when he heard his fiance call to him. Looking up, he dusted off and went to a faucet to rinse the dirt off of his hands before he headed for the door.
"Yes? What is it, Henry?" he asked, curious as as he got close to the man.
His grin probably gave away that he was up to something. Along with his wagging tail.
"I need your opinion on something I've done." That seemed plausible enough since he would frequently brainstorm his ideas with Gaura. Or rather, prattle on about them to Gaura. However, as soon as Gaura's inside the house, he'll be able to smell the meal Henry prepared for him. He'd find the table already set for them, a glass of water at each place, and the braised short ribs at the center of the table.
Tilting his head when he saw that tail moving like that, he wondered what had Henry so excited. Nodding, he followed after him and stepped into the house to smell...a very familiar scent. Eyes widening, he moved further in and saw the meal set out on the table. Jaw dropping, Gaura froze for a second in amazement. There was no way that any place served this. Henry had to have made it himself.
But Henry couldn't cook! He knew that from Henry just trying to help him out in the kitchen sometimes. It had never been a fault really. Just a fact. Yet here was the proof that he'd learned when Gaura wasn't looking.
"It's the only thing I can make," he warned before Gaura created any fantasies of them cooking together. He smiled brightly, ushering Gaura to his seat at the table. "I've been practicing for quite a while now. Since last summer, actually." He wanted to be able to cook one dish that would remind Gaura of his home.
He let out a little laugh as he went to sit down. Leaning forward, he looked at the food, gasping softly at what he could see already. Though he'd grown up in America... "My parents are Korean so I got to eat so much food like this growing up. When I left to be on my own I taught myself to make all of these. But this has always been one of my favorites..."
"Really?" He picked something that didn't seem too terribly difficult to cook (for him). To hear it was a favorite of Gaura's made the effort seem even more worthwhile! He'd spent a lot of time learning the dish so he could make it perfectly for Gaura. A little familiar taste of home, he hoped.
Then he made sure they both had servings of the food before he took his first bite. It wasn't perfect but it didn't have to be. The fact that Henry had learned how to make this for him was what made it perfect. Gaura hummed happily as he enjoyed the flavors on his tongue before swallowing and beaming at the man.
Those grey eyes lit up hearing Gaura's praise. His whole face, actually! Henry clasps his hands together, succumbing to a massive smile. Then, he eagerly takes a bite for himself. Knowing it will be too spicy for his palate, he tries to mentally prepare himself. Though he does pull a bit of a face as the flavor spreads across his tongue, Gaura's slow introduction of "spicer" dishes has helped. Rather than only tasting the heat, he can actually discern the other flavors and seasonings as well.
"If you eat it with some rice you'll be able to enjoy the heat more," Gaura suggested to him as he took another bite for himself. There was no hiding the moan of joy. He just couldn't resist letting it out! It really was amazingly delicious!
Nodding at the suggestion, Henry spoons up some rice with his next bite. Yes, he's using a spoon because he hasn't mastered eating with chopsticks. The truth is, he wasn't instantly good at it, so he got disheartened and gave up.
He hums in a mix of surprise and delight when the bite does his differently with the rice. He lifts his brows and nods to Gaura in thanks for the tip.
"Maybe you could teach me some other dish you like." Hopeful? Oh, yes!
"I would love to. Maybe we can even cook together for dinners a couple times a week. Then I can show you more things."
And even if Henry only ever mastered chopping vegetables? That would be fine with him. Because it would be his company that mattered to him more than anything else in this world.
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"Yes? What is it, Henry?" he asked, curious as as he got close to the man.
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"I need your opinion on something I've done." That seemed plausible enough since he would frequently brainstorm his ideas with Gaura. Or rather, prattle on about them to Gaura. However, as soon as Gaura's inside the house, he'll be able to smell the meal Henry prepared for him. He'd find the table already set for them, a glass of water at each place, and the braised short ribs at the center of the table.
"Happy birthday, my dear."
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But Henry couldn't cook! He knew that from Henry just trying to help him out in the kitchen sometimes. It had never been a fault really. Just a fact. Yet here was the proof that he'd learned when Gaura wasn't looking.
"You made this? Oh it smells so good..."
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"I hope you like it."
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Then he made sure they both had servings of the food before he took his first bite. It wasn't perfect but it didn't have to be. The fact that Henry had learned how to make this for him was what made it perfect. Gaura hummed happily as he enjoyed the flavors on his tongue before swallowing and beaming at the man.
"It's so good!"
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"Wow! It is good."
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"You learned so well. I'm so happy."
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He hums in a mix of surprise and delight when the bite does his differently with the rice. He lifts his brows and nods to Gaura in thanks for the tip.
"Maybe you could teach me some other dish you like." Hopeful? Oh, yes!
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And even if Henry only ever mastered chopping vegetables? That would be fine with him. Because it would be his company that mattered to him more than anything else in this world.