jikan_rpg | January catch-all

Vegas was in the middle of making nam prik pao, chili paste. It was a vital ingredient for the soup he planned to make everyone for lunch. There was also a pot boiling with shrimp shells and heads: the tom yum goong base. Having to make those items and the makeshift fish sauce (he made that once before when he cooked at Wen Qing's place) were time-consuming, so their lunch would be later in the afternoon... Also not unusual since Vegas was rarely out of bed before noon.

But there were many other items spread across the counter that needed attention: fresh lemongrass, markut lime leaves, and galangal; chilis, oyster mushrooms, green onions, and limes for juicing; even a small dish of sugar. Not to mention the shelled shrimps waiting to be added once the soup base was ready.

Vegas paused in his task and turned to look at Pete. Yes, he was worried for Riley, but it showed only subtly to those who knew how to read his expressions. The more obvious manifestation of it was this cooking frenzy. Vegas liked control and when he didn't have it? He exerted it over what he could control: in this case, the kitchen.

That Pete wanted to help with that warmed him. Relieved him. Having Pete nearby always made things feel a little better, somehow. Vegas managed a smile for him and nodded toward the whole produce.

"Can you start cutting the chilis and mushrooms for me?"

Pete knew why Vegas was having this cooking frenzy. Someone who didn't know him better would probably try to get him to stop. He knew better. He knew his husband needed this outlet and that it was healthier than anything else for him right now. So if he could support that then he would.

Which meant that as soon as he got his task, he washed his hands and rolled up his sleeves before grabbing a knife. Before long he was cutting up the things he'd been told to cut up. He wasn't at all as good in the kitchen as Vegas was beyond the most basic things but he could use a knife well enough.

"What are we making?"

"Tom yum goong." Spicy and sour shrimp soup. That's mostly what was going through his head: recipes for soups and stews and rice dishes. Maybe even some congee. Things that were easy to eat but would also keep if someone wasn't hungry right when they food was done. He's sure everyone's stressed out over Riley, but let's be real: Vegas was a self-centered person. Mostly he cared about himself. But this family they've built is important to him.

"How you holding up?" he asked, sparing a glance to his husband. "Any news on our Fae boys?"

He liked that soup. Nodding, he kept that in mind to occupy himself. Though at the question he looked over at his husband and gave a small smile then a shake of his head. No news, they were the same as they had been. Will almost catatonically sad and Riley still asleep.

"I'm alright though. As long as I keep busy." He looked back to what he was doing. "As long as I can be there for you."

Vegas nodded. He understood Pete's sentiments entirely. He, too, needed to stay busy to feel like he wasn't helpless in all this. Hence all the cooking. Plus, well, he's sure everyone is too worried to think about eating so he can at least make sure everyone has food when they are hungry.

"Is everyone else freaking out or just me?"

"We're in full lockdown. The only one we've let in and out is Jiang Wanyin."

Basically they've only let someone proven to be a trusted ally and potentially cared for by the Fae inside. Otherwise? No one had gone in or out. Which really solidly answers Vegas' question, he's sure.

"That's, uh, the guy our Fae were making out with at New Year's, right?" Okay, well, if he's trusted... More importantly, if he's someone Riley would want here, that's fine with Vegas.

"And you? You're looking after everyone, am I right?"

"Yeah. That's him. I've talked to him before. I like him." And right now he was being there for Will and Will needed that. Because Pete was doing his best but he had to take care of...everyone else too. Including Vegas.

He was tired but he didn't show it, used to this when things were serious during his bodyguard days. Not to mention how many all nighters with Tankhun?

He set aside what he'd chopped to get more. "I'm making sure everyone is taken care of."

Vegas set aside the chili paste and moved toward Pete. He grabbed his husband between vegetables and tugged him close. This had to be hard on Pete. Riley was an important member of their family and there was absolutely nothing any of them could've done to protect him from this. And Pete burying his worry to look after everyone else...

He held Pete tight, a little too tight maybe.

"You're so good to us, baby."

His hand faltered when he felt those strong arms wrap around him from behind. After a moment, he set his hands on the counter, not touching him because he didn't want to get things like chilis all over his skin and clothes. But he did close his eyes and lean back into his husband.

It actually wasn't easy holding it together but he didn't breakdown just yet. Even if he did draw strength from the man behind him.

"Always will be. You're my family."

"And you're mine," he murmured. He didn't let go, either. No, not yet. "I'm here for you, too, Pete."

"I know. I know." Taking a deep breath, he let out a soft laugh. Letting his head fall back, he rested it on Vegas' shoulder. "This fucking sucks, right? Can't even do anything but wait."

"That's what makes it so frustrating." There's not even someone they can go after for this. All they can do is lean on each other and wait while hoping for the best. "Want me to make anything special just for you?"

Just for him. Fuck, Vegas could seriously be so amazing. He was the biggest asshole on the planet but he was his asshole. And he loved him so fucking much.

"...Do you know how to make laab?" Possibly not because it was a northern dish. But it was worth a shot.

"Do you know the recipe? I can make anything you want if you tell me what goes in it." He knew the Lao version, but he'd heard about the Northern Thai variation, which is probably what Pete wanted. Comfort food. "It's usually served with papaya salad and sticky rice, right?"

The last time he'd been able to go north his grandma had taught him how to make it. Because she knew he loved it and felt like he would be able to have the time and the permission to use the compound kitchen that way. Still, he was glad she had for this moment. So Pete nodded. To both questions.

"Usually just with sticky rice." He let out a sigh then started to rattle off things they'd need to make it. It was not going to be anything like what Vegas was used to.

And yes, he had said they needed pork blood and intestines.

"Good. I'm not sure how readily available papaya is here," he muttered more to himself than to Pete.

Okay. Some of those things are not things he has on hand.

"Wanna run with me to the butcher?"

Pete took in a deep breath and then he nodded. They'd have to turn everything off for a bit but that was fine. Right now he just wanted the chance for alone time with his husband doing something that...was just normal. Like going to the butcher to get ingredients for something.

The fact that it was a Northern style dish just made it special. "Let me wash my hands again then I'll be ready."

There is a soft spot in Vegas that wants to care for others. So cooking a meal that's special to Pete in a trying time? That's important to Vegas. Taking care of Pete is important to Vegas. It gives him a focus for his energy here and now.

While Pete washed up, Vegas turned the heat off on everything, making sure there were no fires left burning and removing anything that didn't need to simmer from the cooktop. Thankfully, he didn't have too much cooking that couldn't stand a little more while they were gone. Once he was done with that, he washed his hands too, then led them out of the kitchen to go get whatever they'd need for Pete's ~~weird~~ Northern food.

As much as Vegas complained about him being from the North, it was really special to him that he was willing to learn a dish from there for him. So Pete managed a little smile as he actually went and took his husband's hand so they could walk like that. Knowing he could rely on him in these moments said so much to him.

"...thanks, Vegas," he said softly when they got out of the hotel.

Vegas quickly threaded his fingers between Pete's. He gave that hand a gentle squeeze but pulled a face.

"Gross. Don't be so sappy."

Pete immediately softly punched his husband in the side. Just enough to sort of hurt without actually doing anything.

"Let me have this, prick."

Vegas let out a little 'oof' at the punch and swatted Pete's hand away. He'd do anything for Pete and he's sure Pete knew that. He lifted their joined hands to his lips and pressed a light kiss to Pete's knuckles.

"Okay, fine. Just this one."

That kiss immediately soothed him and Pete watched his husband then gave him a little smile. He wasn't really feeling it but only Vegas got to see that. He'd be strong for everyone else. Keep that mask plastered in place.

"...better."

"Anything for you, baby," he muttered quietly so only Pete could hear. He knew this wasn't easy for Pete... for any of them. But knowing Pete as he did, he knew Pete was putting up a strong front and bottling everything inside. He didn't need to with Vegas.

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unleashedpet - 2023-02-12 22:46 (UTC) - Expand

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