#I hope you all enjoy this one with some softer Ryoma moments that mention his past a bit more

[monomonomagines]

Prompt #23 Caramel Apples with Ryoma

While there were plenty of fun fall activities to head out to do on date night, Ryoma was normally the person who'd rather have a night in with you. It wasn’t that he hated going out per se but rather that being around all the large crowds and all could make him a bit uncomfortable at times. He was closed off and didn’t really concern himself with the hustle and bustle of the big festivals nor did he desire anything that was of high value unless you were counting that by a scale of intrinsic value.Yes, Ryoma was just content getting to be close to you in your shared apartment with your pet cat where you two were safe and sound, as if you were in a space that was fully secluded from the outside world.

There was no way you’d ever drag him away from the safety and warmth that he had at home. Even if it was tempting to, you knew that if you were going to be enjoying any of the typical fall festivities you’d be far better off bringing the fun home and directly to Ryoma rather than making him go out. Thus, came about the idea to make some caramel apples together where you knew he was sure to have fun.

It didn’t take much time at all with the kits available at the store to finish shopping for the necessary ingredients you needed so by the time you finished with set up it was rather easy to get started. All you had to do was to clean off the apples, stick a skewer into them, and heat the caramel so that you can dip them in it. Seems easy enough you thought so may as well just jump in head first after you decide how to split the work between the two of you.

You knew of course how Ryoma tended to dislike working in the kitchen at times with his height causing so many problems for him even with all the stools and other items you had to help him so you both decided to give him what you thought was the easier of the tasks. He’d wash and skewer apples while you’d head the caramel mixture.

As you grabbed all the ingredients to set next you on the counter closest to the stovetop you gave him a smile, happy to see that this didn’t seem to stress him too much.

“Hey, you gonna be ok with those apples all by yourself?” You quip, struggling not to let out a small giggle as he keeps a rather straight face.

“I’ll be fine. Are you going to be fine working with all that hot caramel? There’s been a few close calls when we’ve cooked before.” He replies smoothly, saying it in a half teasing manner and half remindful one so that you would remember not to get too careless even if your task seemed to be an easy one.

It was embarrassing to know that he did catch onto your mess ups but rather than let it get you down you instead laugh it off. “I’ll be fine! I promise so you can have fun skewering apples while I get this started!”

Of course, you wouldn’t call it “fun” necessarily to just do such a mundane activity as cooking alone but both of you seemed to reach the same sentiment that so long as the two of you were together even small things like cooking side by side weren’t simple tasks anymore. Now they were acts of love and kindness, something that you can end up doing with an effortless smile on your face as you think of the happiness it’ll bring the other.

Now with a small nod of understanding on each of yours end it was time to begin your task! Heating caramel as worded within the instructions on the back of the kit you had bought. First, add milk and the caramel mix, put it on high, and once it starts to come to a boil, put it on medium and let it start to solidify slightly. It certainly seemed like a lot when you first gave it a readover but it didn’t seem to be that many steps regardless. Now focusing on the mixture with utmost concentration, you add the necessary ingredients and turn on the stovetop. The only sound between the two of you being light banter, the sound of a skewer piercing the flesh of an apple here and there, and the low bubbling of the caramel mixture.

Within a fairly short amount of time though, the sounds on Ryoma’s end stopped as he walked over a tray of skewered apples ready to dip to you, having to hand them off to you so that he can go get his stool to help him see the stovetop from the same perspective as you.

“Done already?” You ask, surprised by his speed as the caramel mixture still didn’t do so much as continue to lightly bubble in the pot you were working in.

“Yeah, it doesn’t take much work to skewer a few apples.” He admits bluntly, looking over to the mixture himself. “Do you need any help with the caramel?”

Blushing a bit at how long your end is taking you shake your head. “Nah, nah! I think I’ll be ok so long as the mixture starts to boil.”

Not seeming to take your answer to heart though, Ryoma only continued to look down before returning his gaze to you and bluntly asking, “Isn’t there supposed to be milk in the caramel?”

Milk! That’s right you forgot to add it but you had it already out on the counter nearby. “You’re right! Can you hand me the measuring cup next to you?” You blurt out, flustered by your mistake.

“Sure.” Is all he replies, handing you the measuring cup as gently as possible, making sure not to let go until it was securely in your grasp.

“Thanks!” You reply, blushing as you add the milk and see the mixture instantly improve. “You’re definitely more on top of things than I am!” You joke, trying to cover your embarrassment as he shakes his head.

“I’ve just done this before.” He admits, his tone sounding more distant than usual. “I told you before, my girlfriend used to really like to make sweets so sometimes I’d watch her or help out.”

Feeling a tug on your heartstrings you take your eyes off the stove to face him, taking a small hand in your own and giving it a squeeze. “Is this too much for you? You could’ve told me if it’s too much.”

“I know I can. It’s not too much...really...it’s just that it’s been a while since I’ve done anything like this.” He replies, not elaborating though you can tell from the soft expression on his face that he’s doing ok. “Let’s just finish up the caramel apples and watch a movie like we planned ok? We can talk more about that later.”

You wanted to agree but rather than any words coming out all you could do was nod as you quickly gave him a small hug and peck on the cheek. You were happy to know that he felt comfortable around you enough to open up back then even if it wasn’t much. You knew how big of a step that was for him and decided that you may as well work even harder now to make this a great experience!

Turning down the heat as the caramel finally came to a roaring boil, you gently pluck a caramel apple from the tray Ryoma had brought over to you ready to try your hand at coating it in caramel the way you’ve had at pumpkin patches and festivals. With an encouraging but sleepy looking smile, Ryoma gives you a thumbs up as if you signal that now is the time, allowing you to take that first step and dip your first apple.

You admit you’re no five star chef but as soon as that first apple came up with a clean coat of caramel sitting pretty on it you were absolutely beaming at him, determined to make sure the others were sure to be as great of a result. Of course, it may seem a bit funny even to admit but with Ryoma watching over and coaching you on how to dip the apples it was a pretty easy process even if it felt as if he was something as silly as the ultimate caramel apple dipper and you were his trusty apprentice learning the trade for your first time. But regardless of any of those soft and silly moments shared or your few clumsy mistakes, you were happy to look at a successful tray of caramel apples now just waiting to be eaten.

“Ryoma, we did it!” You cheer, nearly hugging him off of his stool out of excitement and earring a small deep laugh from him.

“We did. You did a good job, S/o.” He praises giving you a small peck on the cheek this time as a small smile crosses his features once again. “How about we take a small break to enjoy them.”

Nodding in agreement with a small hum you smile at him sweetly as you pluck an apple in each hand and place one in his hand as gently as he had been with you earlier.

“To us!” You half joke, happily taking a bite into the fruits of your labor (literally).

Smiling as he watches you he can’t help but utter out something under his breath. “It’s sweet,” you think you catch though he hasn’t taken a bite out of his apple yet.

“What's sweet?” You inquire, tilting your head to the side like an inquisitive feline.

“Moments like this. I’m glad I met you, S/o.”