Work Text:
Gaon isn't sure how he makes it through Ms Ji's meal. For a while there he feels like Kang Yohan. I don't taste. I just chew. Blah, blah, blah.
Of course. It's all coming together now. No wonder the man doesn't have a taste palate. His taste buds have been fried by Ms Ji's dreadful cooking. What a plot twist. A housemaid that can't cook? How did Gaon miss this?
Gaon takes another bite of the ginseng kimchi and feels terribly sorry for himself and anybody else who's had the misfortune to eat this disgusting monstrosity. This won't do.
Ms Ji takes his silence for appreciation. "At least somebody here enjoys my hard work. You know I try not to make dishes like everybody else. I like to add a flair to my recipes to make them my own."
Gaon gulps down some water and tries not to die. "Yes I can tell."
She gives him a relieved smile. "I think it's only us cooks who can truly understand this. Honestly, to think Master Yohan won't eat my food. It's like he thinks I am trying to poison him." She laughs like the idea is preposterous.
Well it tastes like poison, he thinks but doesn't say. "Here, have some more. They must not feed you properly at the courts, you poor thing," she tuts as she adds more stew to the bowl. Gaon's eyes begin to water.
"Thank you Ms Ji. That was a lovely meal." He lies through his teeth later as he helps tidy up the table. Ms Ji's smile is worth it. For now.
But still, this won't do.
*
"You could have warned me," he says to Elijah once Ms Ji has left. "I thought we were friends." He has to steady himself against the doorframe. He feels like his soul has left his body and is hovering somewhere up in the rafters.
Elijah rolls her eyes and lets him come into her room. "How could I? She would have been upset. She's a rotten cook and even Yohan doesn't know how to tell her. He thought forbidding her to cook would solve the problem. So now we starve. Well no, we eat, but well, you know. It's not the same," she says.
No it’s not, considering it requires communication. Something everybody in this house fails at miserably.
"Do you know she's packed the leftovers for me to take to work tomorrow?" he says glumly and Elijah laughs and laughs and laughs.
"Good luck," she says eventually, face flushed with delight.
*
Later as he lies awake in the guest room, Kkomi purring next to his head, he makes a decision. It's not a hard one to make. He spent much of his life watching his father cook. Their house was filled with all sorts of scents. New ingredients spread across tables. Strange clanging, hissing, crackling sounds. Stains all over dish rags and fingers that always smelt of odd new things. There is something to be said about cooking for others. There's a nourishment in it. A gift of love.
And Gaon? He's overflowing with it. Aching to give it. He’s a homebody. There’s nothing more pleasant to him than making people happy and taking care of them. For a long time he hasn't had many people to prod, poke and feed. This place is filled to the brim with people who need taking care.
So no. This won't do anymore.
*
"What are you doing?" Yohan asks the next morning, sharp and slick in his suit. He looks perfect. Hair pushed back, skin glowing and that awful, know it all smirk on his face.
Gaon sips his coffee and keeps typing out a list of ingredients he will need. Celery, cabbage…."Research," he says.
Yohan stares at him for a moment until the covered plate at the centre of the table catches his attention. His eyes narrow and Gaon studiously ignores him. Yohan finally turns to the coffee maker. Elijah comes in a moment later.
"What's that smell? Did you cook?" She demands and then remembers herself.
"Maybe. Depends on how hungry you are."
"I am very hungry. Give me what you made." She pauses for a moment and tacks on, "Please and thank you," as if she's remembered she's meant to be a civilised citizen and not some uncouth delinquent.
Gaon smiles and uncovers the stack of egg toast sandwiches stuffed to the brim with cabbage, vegetables, cheese, mayonnaise and a sprinkle of sugar on top. Elijah lets out a dreamy sigh, covering it with a cough. She wheels herself over to the bottom cupboard and grabs a plate, elbowing Yohan out the way.
She piles her plate up with two. Seems to rethink and adds a third sandwich. Gaon watches her with deep satisfaction as she inhales the first sandwich. Yohan is still standing to the side and watching, his expression indecipherable.
Mouth half filled with food, Elijah looks at Yohan and scowls. "Aren't you going to eat? Otherwise I will eat the rest, too."
"I can't taste the food so-" he begins.
Gaon cuts him off. "Yes. So you’ve said before." You lying liar, he adds mentally. "I made a lot. If you don't eat them, they will go to waste."
Elijah licks the sugar off her fingers as she says, "I'll eat them if he doesn't. More for me."
Yohan stares at the food. Then at him and Elijah. Then back at the food. "Fine. If you must insist," he says with a sigh, as though it's a great hardship for him. But Gaon can read hunger and Kang Yohan is starving.
All three sit down and eat their breakfast. Gaon tries not to watch but he can't stop his gaze from straying every so often to Yohan. Can't help the way his body glows with joy after every bite Yohan takes. Can't stop the smile blooming on his face as Yohan takes seconds.
After, while Elijah smuggles a few bits of egg to Kkomi, Gaon takes the dishes to the sink.
"I'll see you at court," Yohan says behind him. Gaon hums in agreement absentmindedly only to find Yohan stood beside him, placing his cup in the sink. He grabs Gaon by the chin, turns his head towards him and swipes his thumb across the corner of Gaon's mouth. Stares at Gaon’s mouth as his thumb drags over his bottom lip and presses into the lush middle. Gaon flushes in surprise, pulling away.
"Sugar," Yohan says in explanation, before striding out of the kitchen.
"Hmmm," says Elijah.
Gaon very pointedly ignores her.
*
Gaon starts off slowly. He tells Ms Ji he really wants to cook as a way to thank Chief Kang Yohan for letting him stay here and to thank them all for taking care of him. She's reluctant of course, but relents in the face of his doe eyes. If there's ever a time to use them, it's now.
He cooks breakfast every day when he can. Kimchi toast, egg rolls, scallion pancakes and whatever else he thinks they will like. Gaon makes long shopping lists with the AI butler.
“Perhaps we can order some colour coded tupperware, Master Gaon,” suggests the AI Butler.
“Good idea,” he replies.
Slowly they begin to have breakfast together. Yohan will claim he can't taste a thing but Gaon knows now he is a soft hearted, filthy liar. Especially with the way he eats all the food like a feral dog who doesn't know when he'll get his next meal.
*
Dinner is harder. Yohan is in the habit of staying late and eating those horrible instant packet noodles all alone. Gaon won't allow such an atrocious thing like that to take place anymore now that he's here.
He grabs all the cutlery, holding them hostage until Yohan is there with them to eat the meal he's spent so much time making after work.
Elijah is deeply annoyed about this. She makes it clear to Gaon how stupid she thinks the whole thing is. "Why can't we eat now? It will get cold if we wait for Yohan. He'll be late and I'm hungry. Come on. Aren't you starving? You made this delicious food and I really want to eat it so you should let me have it," she wheedles.
Ms Ji tuts in the background. "What silly children you both are," she says as she sets the last few dishes.
"If you want to eat this then Yohan needs to be here too. We are going to all eat it together. So go on. Call him," he says and watches her moan and groan but she pulls out her phone and does as she's told.
Yohan arrives fifteen minutes later.
"Oh thank god," Elijah says with a great big sigh. "You took forever. I would have died of starvation if you were a minute late."
"Ah, I see what's going on here. You don't care about me, you only want the food. It seems you've swayed my traitorous niece to your side with a few meals," Yohan says, shaking his head, but he's wearing a fond, exasperated look as he stares at Gaon.
Yeah, and I'm going to sway you to my side too, thinks Gaon. Just you wait.
*
They have a routine now. Ms Ji sets the table, while Elijah helps Gaon assemble some of the easier side dishes. Yohan comes back from work earlier now. Stomps around the corridors in his tailored suits, which slowly merge into robes, before shifting into soft shirts and pyjamas. Like his layers are slowly being peeled away. Those days are hard for Gaon. He has to make sure his gaze doesn’t linger for too long.
Yohan seems to have no qualms about keeping himself in check. He will put his hand on Gaon’s hip to move him out of the way. Place his hand on the back of Gaon’s neck when they’re sitting at the table, fingers casually playing with the hair at the nape of his neck. He is always curious now about what Gaon’s making. More open with what he likes and dislikes. Yohan likes to watch him sometimes, a steady distraction. He hooks his chin over Gaon’s shoulder and watches him slice peppers and cabbage. He’ll talk to him just like that, warm breath brushing Gaon’s cheeks. Gaon's hands stutter no matter how many times Yohan has done this. Casually taking ownership of his body as though it's his to possess and control.
Like he owns him, like Gaon is his to do with as he pleases.
Gaon blossoms under his touch.
*
Yohan picks up on the third ring.
"Hey are you about to leave?" Gaon asks before Yohan can even say anything.
Yohan is quiet for a moment. "I'm on my way home. Why? Has something happened?"
"Oh nothing. I just need you to grab me a few things from the supermarket. I'm making dinner and we've run out of meat." Gaon's got his head in the freezer and is doing inventory of what other meat he needs. He checks the cupboard, too busy to realise Yohan has been quiet for a beat too long.
"You called me to buy you some food?"
"Yes."
There's a pause again like he can't quite believe they are having this conversation. As though he's never been asked or even had a need to do something as simple and mundane as shopping. "Why can't you tell the butler to order it? It's why we have him."
Gaon shoves a few packets to the side trying to see if there's any black bean paste. "Because it will take too long and you are already coming home. Come on. Can’t you stop for a few minutes and grab me some things?" he whines.
Yohan sighs. "Alright. Tell me what you want." Gaon grins triumphantly and lists off what he needs
*
Ten minutes later Yohan calls back sounding almost harried. "What paste did you say? There are so many."
Gaon laughs. “You’ve never done this before have you? Do you even have the right aisle? It’s black bean paste.”
“Yes but which one? There's the regular and pre-fried one. And yes, I have been shopping before-” He gets cut off by a grainy voice in the distance.
“Oooh what a good husband you are, helping with the shopping,’’ a voice coos away. It sounds like an elderly woman. “I’m sure you must appreciate your lovely wife’s cooking. Here, get her the pre-fried sauce.” Gaon’s brain halts to a stop and all the blood rushes to his face.
Yohan clears his throat. “Thank you.’ The woman’s voice fades away before Yoan speaks up again, this time words directed at Gaon. “Is there anything else this good husband can get his lovely wife?”
Gaon can hear the smirk in his voice. ‘Uh, no. That’s all.” He quickly hangs up and sits at the kitchen table staring blankly at the wall with a stupid, dumb smile on his face.
Elijah comes in a few minutes later. “What’s wrong with you?” she asks with concern and disgust. It’s a feat only she can achieve.
Gaon lets out a slow, wistful sigh. “Nothing.”
*
Without realising it, Gaon ends up spending most nights at the old mansion. He visits his apartment once in a while to make sure his babies are watered and fed. The guest bedroom becomes his. Elijah and Ms Ji question when he is not there with them. Yohan doesn't say much, but Gaon sees the dark glint in his eyes anytime Gaon mentions going back to his apartment. Yohan will make sure to drive Gaon to his old place himself and wait impatiently until he’s reached his limit and drags him back to the car. He openly wears a look of deep dissatisfaction at the mention of Gaon returning to his old neighbourhood.
Until one weekend Gaon wakes up, Kkomi wrapped around his head, purring away and tail flicking over his nose. He brushes his teeth and stumbles his way down the stairs, bleary eyed and nearly walks straight into the kitchen table that’s covered with all sorts of plants.
Plants that look suspiciously familiar.
“What on earth?” he mutters to himself.
“I thought it would be better if they were here.” Gaon startles when he hears Yohan walking past him, taking a seat at the table. “This way you don’t need to keep leaving to check up on them.” He says the last part vindictively, a terribly satisfied look on his face.
Gaon opens his mouth and Yohan interrupts. “Yes, don't worry. The movers were very gentle and didn’t mess with your little children. All the plants are exactly as you left them.” He reaches forward to touch one of the leaves and Gaon, without thinking, slaps his hand away.
“Now darling, is this the thanks I get? I even brought over the little spray bottles you like to use,” Yohan mutters grumpily, but his smile says otherwise.
“You went over with them?” Gaon asks wonderingly as he stares at all his plants, mentally checking if they are all counted for, which they are.
Yohan looks offended. “Of course I had to oversee everything. What if they knocked over one of your precious plants or stepped on something? Then you’d complain and find another reason to go ba-”
Gaon’s body moves automatically, and before he knows it, he’s straddling Yohan’s lap and kissing him.
Gaon can’t believe this silly, dumb man who walks around the house like some byronic heroine and then does things like this. Gaon can’t believe how easy he is. That all it took was Yohan bringing his plants over for Gaon to desperately want to get down on his knees and spend hours sucking this man’s cock.
Yohan, quick as ever, doesn’t even startle. He just grabs Gaon’s chin, moves his face the way he wants it and kisses back like he’s been waiting to claim Gaon this whole time. Devours his mouth only for Gaon to pull back with spit-slick lips, face flaming and panting as Yohan carries on, placing biting kisses on his collarbones.
“Maybe,” Gaon says breathlessly but Yohan doesn’t want to hear it. He pulls Gaon’s face back and kisses him deeper and harder. Gaon moans and rocks in his lap until Yohan pulls his hair and tilts his face away and just stares at him as Gaon whines. He would be embarrassed any other time, but not now, when he’s getting what he’s been waiting for. Yohan’s hair are dishevelled, no longer slicked back but falling over his forehead. Gaon realises it was him who did that. Made Yohan look undone and messy, nothing like Chief Kang Yohan. A deep thrill pulses inside him.
Gaon presses their foreheads together. “Hi,” he says sweetly and Yohan smiles back and kisses his dimple before carrying him off to his bed.
“If I knew that’s all it would take to get you in my bed, I would have bought the plants over weeks ago,” Yohan says as he drops him on the bed and crawls over him, hands beside Gaon's head. “You’ve been teasing me for weeks and weeks. Cooking for me and Elijah, making packed lunches, planting vegetables in the garden. You don’t know how many times I’ve wanted to bend you over and fuck you on the kitchen table.”
“You could have fucked me weeks ago,’ Gaon whines.
“Stop pouting,” Yohan says and kisses him sweetly as Goan wraps his arms around his shoulders. “I’ll fuck you to your heart’s content.”
God does he. He kisses Gaon until he’s a babbling mess. Rolls him over to his front, tilts his hips until he’s wiggling with impatience and Yohan snaps out a, “Be good.” Bites the back of Gaon’s neck as it takes four fingers to get him ready until he presses inside with his big cock, thick and warm, branding him from the inside. He fucks him so good that Gaon’s a panting, whimpering mess.
Afterwards, as Gaon falls asleep, head in Yohan’s neck, his come still warm inside him, neck covered in marks, Gaon thinks he’s exactly where he wanted to be all along.
*
Life goes on as normal. Gaon feeds his family, takes care of their plants, goes to work with Yohan. They have family outings every other weekend. He falls asleep everyday with Yohan wrapped around him and gets fucked so good like Yohan is trying to breed him.
“Hey, I think we should give Ms Ji a nice present,” Gaon says one night, drowsy with sleep as Yohan has his face tucked into Gaon’s neck.
“What for?” Yohan asks sleepily, eyes still closed.
“It’s really because of her we got together,” Gaon explains. Yohan frowns and Gaon rubs his forehead to smooth it out before kissing it. “Never mind. Go to sleep.”
Gaon’s going to remind Yohan about it again tomorrow.
It really was all thanks to Ms Ji’s terrible, terrible cooking.