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 Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2020 5:55 pm
Yu was warming a skillet and cutting chicken and trimming it till it seemed to suit him, and then adding oil, mushrooms, butter to brown in the pan as he considered the question. “I’m alright with most things, but I prefer things like Fantasy and Magic a bit. Horror is hit or miss; sometimes, they tell stories, and they just - “ He didn’t finish the thought. Instead of completing the thought, he shook his head as though he could shake away the fact that he’d even started to say something. “I’m alright with most things.” He repeated. “I like it when people get what’s coming to them.” He took up the lemon and rolled it on the counter, bruising it slightly before setting it to one side along with the tools to juice it with fair efficiency. “What about you? What do you enjoy watching?”
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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2020 7:18 pm
Priam had glanced over and watched Yu as he cooked, though never for long enough to distract from his own tasks. When he had finished with the onion, he washed his hands and moved to the next task after only a brief comment that he had finished.
"I don't like horror," he answered honestly. "I see enough gore at work. I don't like thinking about things that hide in the shadows."
He didn't phrase it like he thought there was a hypothetical monster. He was working the lemon when he said, "I like things that have happy endings. I've always had a soft spot for fairy tales. I used to like romance, but these days it's hit or miss. I just like a good story."
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Posted: Tue Oct 06, 2020 7:25 pm
Yu glanced at him and nodded thoughtfully. “Right, you were the one who’s working at the Hospital?” He looked like he was trying to remember. Trying to put a face to an occupation when he’d never met most of Sterling’s friends was harder than he would like to admit. “I can understand not wanting to see it on the screen then. I can’t imagine medical dramas are much fun either.” He made a face about the medical dramas as well and gave a small huff before tipping the pan to show what he’d been doing. “I haven’t finished cooking them off, but I wanted some of this to cook the chicken in. I’m experimenting a bit.” He admitted before shaking the pan's contents into a separate container and taking the chicken he’d cleaned, tossing it in a touch of flour before dropping it into the pan to sear. “It’s about three minutes per side; you just want it golden brown so, when you add the other things, you won’t have overcooked.”
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 6:06 am
Priam kept glancing over, nodding with great interest. "You look so comfortable in the kitchen. I have to follow a recipe, I'm afraid of deviation. I used to cook for a picky eater," he said, and while he still seemed friendly enough, his eyes were quite obviously averted as he spoke on the matter. "I got very used to following such instruction quite specifically. Although, you'd think that after all this time I'd be able to experiment a bit for myself now. But, I don't know if Sterling's mentioned this--probably not, he's far too polite--but I'm a bit of a creature of habit, and it's not really for the better. But watching you cook makes me want to play around in the kitchen a bit more. I forget that I can do whatever I want when I'm on my own."
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 6:57 am
“Cooking things like this, it’s… it’s the place to be forgiving. Food is great like that. As long as you don’t go too crazy, you can fix a lot of things. Smell it as you go, taste it… touch it too depending.” He prodded the base of his thumb to indicate. “It’s not the best for everyone to say, but you can tell how well done your steak is by how it feels.” “Here, if you juice that lemon, we’re going to add it, the wine, that broth I put there… and salt and pepper.” He hesitated a moment and then stepped back, taking the pan off the heat and catching his lower lip with one sharp tooth, chewing it for a moment and nodding. “You do it, Just… smell as you go, taste as you go…see what you think.” He stuffed hands into his pockets. “Pull it back to the heat when you’re ready, alright?” He turned and started filling a pot for pasta, electing to go with premade this time.
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 10:35 am
Priam nodded and, unwilling to fall behind, began to juice the lemon. "Yes, sorry! I got distracted," he said apologetically. "I think cooking is a little lonely," he admitted. "Or, it was. I like cooking when it's for more than just me. Though, I do have little helpers in the kitchen again. The pups are very invested in everything I do. I think I spend more time trying not to step on them than I do actually cooking."
It was easy to talk while he worked, but it was only when it was time to actually apply Yu's instructions that he found himself a little wary. He hesitated before the mixture and then said, "Are you sure? I don't want to ruin your dinner..."
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 10:58 am
“Dinners can be remade,” Yu said after a moment. “And as I said, we can adjust.. go to town.” He nodded, a serious look more than a truly reassuring one. “Taste as you go…. I mean, food, putting yourself into it. It doesn't get a lot purer than that does it. You can cook for yourself, or you can cook while thinking about who you’d like to share it with. Even if you don’t - know them yet.” He tipped his head to one side and waved his hand like he could brush away the statement. “You’ll be fine; if you’re about to light the kitchen on fire, I’ll step in.”
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 5:05 pm
"No, no," Priam assured. "I won't catch the kitchen on fire. I just..."
He knew how to function in the kitchen, he just felt oddly self conscious about making something to be judged by Yu. Sterling had gushed about him, given him endless praise and words of adoration.
And now, Priam was in his kitchen.
...Priam, who had passed more chemistry classes than he'd taken, who had been cooking for himself for a decade, who had a doctorate.
Yu said it would be fine. He was reassuring. He was kind.
As he lifted the lemon juice to the mixture, he briefly figured that Sterling was in good hands with Yu--more than just the haze of affection summoned by new relationships. He had to relax his shoulders and pretend like he had more confidence than he did as he began mixing. He did what felt right, what felt natural. What made sense.
He began to add the ingredients, already resigned to ordering them the most expensive meal he could think of if Yu didn't approve. He was cautious, but as he began to mix things he seemed to have a little more confidence, and by the time he raised the spoon to his lips to sample, he seemed content.
"I would eat this," he said after a second. "Without complaint. Can I bother you for your approval?"
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 5:16 pm
Yu nodded and stepped forward; it made it painfully clear that he’d had a grip on the counter. Clearly, he had a certain degree of Kitchen anxiety. He fished a spoon and tasted, pausing to really savor to too, like he was working out a complex equation in his head before he nodded, approving. “Nice.” He said and offered a thumbs up. “Glad you’ll eat it too because we’ve now made enough for three.” He flashed a sharp smile and fished out a noodle to test how done it was, nodding again and carrying it to drain. “If you can… I think Sterling would like it.”
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 5:34 pm
An expression of guilt briefly washed over his face when he noticed Yu's posture; he hadn't noticed his grip on the counter until he had moved. His brows remained just slightly knit even as Yu gave his approval. He breathed a little easier but nodded.
"I hope so. But he's so obliging anyway. Thank you for letting me help," he said, hoping it might make up for whatever stress he'd put Yu through already. He was doing his best to keep up with him, to follow the instructions, but was now trying to be far more aware of Yu's comfort level; he didn't want this first meeting to be plagued by any anxiety or discomfort.
"Did Sterling mention what he stepped out for? --I hope it's something to get him walking a little. I had a bad habit of sitting still for too long while I was studying. I hope he's being more responsible than me."
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 5:57 pm
“Mmmm, He should be maybe another ten.” Yu rubbed the back of his neck as he thought. “And yeah, he was walking; he’s been working with me on some self-defense things too because I don’t really like him walking home alone without that.” He made a vague grimace at that. “Well, anyone breaking into this house will get a frying pan to the face.” He chuckled softly.
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Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2020 7:13 pm
The chuckle drew a smile to his face and he nodded; he was still trying to give Yu a little bit of space but he found himself relaxing again rather quickly.
"He's learning self-defense from you? That's wonderful, I'm proud of him. He's been going to classes with me. I don't think I could have made my way there if it weren't for him. He's a very good friend. Destiny City seems like it's getting more and more dangerous these days, so it's good that he's taking care of himself. Ah, and that he has someone like you worrying about him, too. I can't help but worry. I moved a while back and never made time to make friends, so I want him to be okay."
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:36 am
“More dangerous, yeah.” He said softly. “It is good he’s learning, I think a lot of times people don’t really appreciate how borked the world can be till it smacks them in the face. He’s so good that even I didn’t think anything could happen to him till he came home all beat up because some punk read him as soft and a good target for a mugging.” His eyes narrowed in frustration at those words, and he shook them off. “This is absolutely one of the strangest places I have ever lived tho.” He confirmed. At least he didn’t have to explain that he’d nearly lost his leftovers to a woman with a spear who stuck her hand in his chest. Who on earth would even believe that? Not this fellow, that was for sure.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:49 am
Though Priam's brows knit, he found himself nodding and wondering which run in Sterling had covered up with a 'mugging' excuse. "Destiny City is strange," he agreed. "...But it's better when you've got someone waiting at home for you. I don't have to worry about him as much when I know he's not going home to an empty house."
He was doing his best to maintain the work he'd been given in the kitchen; he didn't want to let Yu down--or Sterling either, since he had become their accidental guest. He opened his mouth to say more but there was a click in the other room and the tell-tale sign of the front door opening.
He paused and smiled. "Oh, I suppose that must be Sterling, then. Do you mind if I run to greet him? I'm sure he saw my car. I can be back in a moment to help with whatever you need?" he asked, clearly wanting permission before disappearing.
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Posted: Sat Oct 10, 2020 9:52 am
“Go get him; I’m sure he’ll enjoy seeing you’re still here.” He bobbed his chin with and a small smile as he glanced towards the door. There was something softer in his eyes when he heard the sound of the front door, a relaxation that hadn’t fully taken effect before then. “I’ll get the plates and glasses for dinner.”
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