firsteditionbfs

Squall can say that all up until Genesis and Angeal pool their knowledge together to ruin his life. But that can be something fun for the future.

For now, instead, Angeal just steps outside and watches as the massive creature carry Squall all the way down into the grass outside their home. He lets out a low whistle, but only speaks when Squall has come close enough. "Reminds me of a summon, even if I know it's just your DTF. I suppose that'd be another reason for Genesis to be fond of you... Honestly, I think he's an even better summoner than he is with fire magic."

Squall probably will say that until they team up together against him and he dies of embarrassment.

To say he's excited to be over is a bit of an understatement. He has to stop himself from running up to the place and instead settles for a little bit of a jog over. It's not often or ever he comes over and doesn't see Genesis so it's exiting to be coming to spend time with Angeal and help out however he can.

"Oh, huh...yeah it is kind of like a summon. I never thought of that until now." Squall slows down to a walk once he's in speaking distance and grabs onto his pendent as he heads over. "I didn't know Genesis can summon anything. I'll have to ask him to show me next time." Once he's finally close enough to Angeal he holds out his hand for a shake, his other hand resting on his belted hip. "Thanks for having me again."

"It's fine, I'm the one who made that invitation over." Angeal accepts the hand, squeezing down on it firmly. No one can say his handshake is ever a mismatch with his general appearance.

"And yeah, he was always a quick study with that sort of thing." His smile grows warm. "Especially with dragons."

But then, they don't have to talk too much about that. Not with Angeal's own Bahamutt right next to him, tail wagging as it takes in Squall.

"Anyway, have an idea of where you want to start?"

It's no surprise that Angeal's grip is strong but did it have to be that strong? Squall had to shake his hand out a little once he let go to get some feeling going back in his hand again.

"Dragons? Can't say I'm a fan of them much but I'd like to see that sometime." He's about to take his usual stance of arms crossed over his chest when Bahamutt pulls his attention and Squall quickly pats the Dtf's head and scratches behind it's ears. "Aww hey...Bahamut was it? How are you?" He's again focused on the dog but looks back up at Angeal with a shrug.

"I'm fine with whatever. Dealer's choice."

Dealer's choice, huh? Angeal muses over that while Bahamutt patiently soaks up all of the attention that he can get. They've honestly gathered most of the apples that saw fit to fruit for now, since that's always Genesis's favorite activity these days... You know, besides, cuddling, and sex, and still going on about Loveless...

"Well, why don't you come into our kitchen and show me what you can do first, then?" he suggests, after some thought. It'll give him a good idea of where to go next with him, anyway. "Besides, I'm sure some people around here could use lunch, if you're not one of them."

Squall is perfectly fine giving Bahamutt all the attention he can muster. He's on his knees and squatting by the time angeal comes up with an idea. Squall trying to reach all the hard to get places for the best pets. He really loves dogs and misses having all the puppies around him. His DTF is great of course, he adores Griever and sometimes even gets to give him pets too but he's way too big to cuddle with for any human sized bed and can't fit in most rooms.

"Oh? Did you eat yet? I'm fine cooking. Is there something in particular you're in the mood for Angeal?" He reluctantly stops the petting but gives Bahamutt one more nice scratch behind the ears before standing up once more. "And how many people are we talking? I guess if you have flour and eggs I can make pasta. That's usually good for a large crowd." A hand goes under his own chin in thought of what else he could make. He has no idea what kind of things Angeal has in his kitchen either to make.

"I've had some things, but nothing too solid yet," Angeal admits. He's been... preoccupied. By Genesis. And harassing people over the network. "But flour and eggs, huh? Not one to use premade stuff?" Really the only sort of stuff that he could get, back in Midgar... And it is good news that he still has some of that, although he has to admit his sources are running low on there. Feeding so many people in one house hasn't been easy.

But flour and eggs? "I have plenty of those, at any rate, thanks to some of the local fowl and taking up work at a bakery." Angeal gestures for him to follow along with him back to the house, and Bahamutt sticks close to his side now that sufficient attention has been given.

"You do red or white sauces?"

"Ah, well the you need something solid in you for sure." He pauses and, yeah that sounds a lot dirtier than what he meant. Besides he was previously with Genesis so he's sure he got more than enough in him. Unless Genesis was the one doing the eating. Either way Squall turned a bit red and looked away from him, clearing his throat. "I...I mean food...let's get food in you."

He's glad that they are walking so he can try to put that past comment behind him. He is already making a fool of himself and he's hoping that at least his cooking skills will redeem himself. "I'm a fan of premade when I'm in a hurry but if I have the time making it from scratch is really special. And I'm not really picky with sauces though, whatever you're in the mood for."

Funnily enough, Angeal wouldn't have thought of it too much on his own. It's a perfectly serviceable phrase when it comes to feeding someone. But seeing Squall go that nice pretty red, and quickly correct himself...

"I don't mind whatever sauce," Angeal says simply. "So we'll go with dealer's choice on that one. And maybe afterwards..."

For just a moment, he leans in close, speaking into Squall's ear. "We'll see about what other solid things we can put in me." Just like that, he leans back again, looking almost maybe innocent.

With Angeal not picking one he's already thinking of some red sauces he can make. Tomatoes should be easy to get here and so he should be able to do a nice simple sauce if Angeal has the ingredients. He's focused on that when Angeal comes into his space and he freezes.

All his blood rushes to his head when Angeal leans in, so incredibly close to his ear so that he can feel every syllable Angeal utters. Squall shivers from it and any ounce of dignity he might have gained just left the window at Angeal's words. How someone as big as Angeal could just do that to him and act innocent the next moment is almost cruel and Squall knows without looking his face is even reader. Honestly he's momentarily forgotten how to speak.

Pretending to clear his throat, Squall coughs and somehow averts his eyes from the other man. "Ok." Is all he can muster, his shoulders raising a bit so that the fur on his collar lifts and hides some of his face.

Honestly, he keeps getting the cutest people around here... Angeal can't say he's complaining. But they really are here for a purpose, and it's not just for a quick little fling.

To that end, he opens up the door back into the house - still far too extravagant and big for his liking. "The kitchen has gotten a little bit big, but I know where everything is, so just tell me what you want."

It's not as easy for Squall to turn off that little remark nor to ignore it but once he sees the massive kitchen Angeal gets to use it does help distract him well enough. He steps inside and is just mouth slightly agape at how much room there is and the sheer amount of cabinets. It's one of, if not the nicest home kitchen he's ever seen or probably will ever see. He barely even wants to touch anything, it's so wonderful.

He does walk over to the counter top and let's his gloved hand glide over the clean counters. There is so much space he could make multiple pounds of pasta and still have space to spare. His eyes are practically lit up and for someone who tries to hide his emotions, there is no hiding the excitement he's feeling just being in here. "I don't even know where to start. Are you sure it's okay for me to even use this? It's so professional and gigantic. Angeal it's the nicest kitchen I've ever seen."

"Ugh, don't say that in here, or else Genesis will catch ear of it and the last thing we need is his head getting any more swollen." Angeal shakes his head, leaning against a counter with his arms crossed. "Only a couple months ago, it was a normal, cramped, shabby Midgar apartment kitchen that could barely fit a couple of people inside of it. This makeover is a completely new development."

Snorting, he gestures at himself. "If there's anyone not qualified to touch this kitchen, it would be me, with how poor I've been all my life. So don't let it intimidate you. I'll give you ten minutes to acclimate yourself to the entire kitchen, and then I expect to see you putting together a plan on what you're going to cook."

"Aw I think Genesis can use a bit more compliments." Squall teases a little and makes his way around the kitchen, trying to see everything he can. He carefully opens cabinets and drawers and when he sees the pantry he tries to figure out what best sauce he can make for the pasta. "My old house had a similar kitchen, pretty small but I made it a bit bigger myself. Had this really old but super great stand mixer. I kinda miss it. Is it silly to miss a mixer?" He looks over at Angeal for a moment.

"Hey I'm not judging. I grew up in an orphanage so I didn't even have a family. Had to earn everything I ever had, so I feel you on that." He went over to the sink and took off his gloves, getting ready to wash his hands. "For what I've seen you're a good guy Angeal. I think you deserve it." He does chuckles as he washes his hands and reaches into his pants for a hair tie to make a messy bun out of his hair and keep it out of his face. "Oh should I be saying 'Yes,Chef' then? Did I join your cooking army?"

At least the pantry is as well stocked as could be expected. Not as many pre-made things anymore - those got eaten up fairly quickly - but certainly many others that could be used to make. Flour, sugar, so many canned items that it's kind of ridiculous... Some of them even look homemade; same for the jars.

"If something works well and has been used for a long time, it's only sensible to miss it," Angeal replies matter of factly, watching as Squall makes his way over to the sink. "And it might just be bias, but I've found those old things to work just a little better in the long term..."

It helps that he worked for a capitalist hellhole, so now Angeal trusts nothing.

At that compliment however... He goes silent for a moment, just... taking it in. A good guy, huh? Sometimes, he's still not sure how to take that. He certainly doesn't agree, but who is he to unload that onto some random guy? Squall is just a friend, at most, and someone borrowing their kitchen.

...Best... Not to bother him with that.

Best to just focus on little nonsenses, and Angeal shakes his head. "I think they just call an army of chefs a restaurant," he retorts. "And I just work at a little cafe."

He has no idea that bakery is going to be under his ownership soon, but that's a future problem for a future Angeal.

"Might have to save a stamp or two to get that mixer back. I could let you borrow it if I do sometimes. As exchange for letting me use this kitchen." Once he's all cleaned and prepped he goes back to the pantry and grabs out the flour, some salt and oil that he's able to find. He brings them to the empty counter and then turns to Angeal, not remembering where he saw the measuring tools. "Where is the measuring cups and eggs?"

It's when he's asking for the extra tools that he sees a little of a far away look in Angeal's face and he wonders if maybe he said something wrong. Angeal's not bringing it up so maybe he was just seeing things, weird. He's not going to pry too much since they aren't that close yet, just friends.

"Didn't know you worked at a cafe, I'll have to come by sometime." He was looking through the cabinets on what else he might need and with how nice this kitchen is he wondered if Angeal would have some very useful tools. "Oh, do you have a pasta machine? If not I can shape it by hand with a rolling pin. A bench scraper would be useful too but also not needed unless you have it."

"Just got hired today, by all technicalities." If they can even say he's hired when there's no currency system to this place, and he's just helping out around Annette's... but regardless.

"Anyway, the measuring cups are in the second drawer right from the sink. Eggs you can find in the fridge, middle shelf, right side. Bench scraper can be found at the drawer in the island, although that's a bit new - I had to reorganize everything when Genesis gave this entire place a makeover. I actually do have a pasta machine, although it's secondhand... Or maybe fifthhand, at this rate." He pauses a moment, brow knit together as he recalls everything. "...Bottom cupboard nearest to the door, I think."

As Squall starts getting everything, he may notice that it isn't just the pasta machine that shows signs of age. Measuring cups are dinged in some places, and the scraper clearly shows its years.

Yet at the same time, it's clear that they've all been meticulously cared for, still able to shine and be used.

Why let perfectly good items get ruined so that he'd have to buy something brand new? Best to just ensure that old things last until the heat death of the universe.

"Oh, well congrats are in order than. I'll make sure the food is extra tasty for you." He listened to the instructions of where everything was and went around grabbing what he needed. The measuring cups were grabbed first than the scraper and the pasta machine. He put them all on the counter before grabbing the eggs and finally getting everything ready.

The tools were well used and he liked how some of them felt in his hands. the scraper felt nice and he had stared at it a bit before setting up the pasta machine to the settings he'd wanted. He cranked it a few times to make sure it still worked then prepared the workspace.

He started with measuring out a couple of cups of flour. Angeal didn't tell him how much he'd need so he was just going to double the recipe he knew. Starting with a mound of 4 cups of flour on the counter space with an added teaspoon of salt. Making a mound he made a well in the center and cracked 6 eggs inside. He'd have to get more eggs later for Angeal since it was using so many. He added the teaspoon of oil as well and started to slowly add flour to the well, kneading the dough he was forming as he kept mixing by hand.

"You have some well used things here Angeal. I like your kitchen, it's really nice though I'll admit I'm a little nervous doing all this while you watch, do you want to knead some dough with me?"

Squall certainly moves with purpose, Angeal can say that for certain. No hesitation or jitteriness in his movements, besides brief pauses as he ascertains where things are. Angeal can't really complain about his technique, either, although he has to admit that it's not like he was ever a professional chef.

Just a pretty good one.

A damn good one, if he can boast a little bit there.

"Well, waste not want not, right?" Angeal chuckles. "People will toss away a lot of perfectly good tools, or leave them to collect dust in some old shop... I liked getting what I could."

With that said, he pushes away from the counter and over to the sink for a quick wash of his hands. "Think you'll be fine with me in the way?"

It wasn't that Squall is a professional either. It was years of learning from cookbooks he could find or trade for and practicing as much as he could. Some recipes were favorites and just stood with him through time and the pasta recipe was one of them. It was so simple.

Who would say no to something so tasty and simply made?

Not him. Food was scarce when Hollow Bastion was first restored so he had to make sure not to waste anything.

"My thoughts exactly. As long as they aren't rusty and unusable there is nothing wrong with second hand tools."

With the sound of the sink running Squall moves to the side to give Angeal some room when he's done washing up. "With your arms I think it's going to take barely a minute to knead this dough." He chuckles a little at that.

"Ha." Drying off his hand, Angeal joins Squall and doesn't hesitate in getting right to work. "I've always managed to keep myself active, even when I was a kid. Ended up coming in useful, I suppose."

Even if no small part of that is because of what had to be done to him as SOLDIER, and what had been done to him even further back, before he'd actually been born.

There's... no reason to talk about that.

For now, Angeal focuses on the important things, like kneading dough. "It'll be difficult for you to take care of yourself around here without proper tools of your own," he remarks.

Even though he did give Angeal some space he still had to take another little step to the side when he joined him. Those arms took up some room when he was using them and while he was enjoying making the dough himself he did stop for a moment. He couldn't help but watch Angeal work, it was only a momentary pause and then he was back to working it. He's add a little bit more flour if it was too sticky or more water if it was too dry and when he deemed the consistency good he let Angeal knead while he set up the pasta machine.

"I've been borrowing from the Tavern while I stay there but I heard some apartments are open now so I might move in there. I can maybe use some stamps for my own cooking tools from back home. I'll be fine though." He does smile a little as he's putting on the biggest setting for the pasta and then looking around for a rolling pin.

"But yeah...appreciate the concern. I still need to get my gunblade back to show Genesis."

That's the beauty of working in a kitchen - everyone has their own part to play, and Angeal is more than happy for his own to be the guy kneading the dough for right now. Besides, he's more than aware of the room he takes up.

"So still there, huh... Well, it can take a little bit to set things up for yourself, so I understand that. But don't hesitate to ask other people around here for help. Humans never got as far as they did just by doing everything on their own, you know."

Something... he wishes he'd really taken in sooner, instead of desperately feeling it had to be on his shoulders.

"But still, a gunblade... Of course that guy would be interested in something like that. It sounds similar to some weapons we've fought against, if I'm honest."

"You're right. I think I might have enough stamps to get some things in awhile so I should be okay. I can't say I've been on the lookout for reasons to get them but well...it happens sometimes."

That's a conversation for another day. He is getting pretty red as he imagines some of the accidental situations he's got into up until this point which is mostly every time he has had sex.

"It might be one and the same, I'll show you it when I get it back. It's odd since I always thought it was a rare weapon but I guess not. Maybe sometime we can even spar together. I hear you are pretty good with a sword too and with well....how you look I imagine you hit pretty hard."

So even he's gotten some stamps, hm? Well, Angeal supposes he should be glad to hear it, with how Squall had hesitated when he'd first heard about everything. A normal person response, and all that.

But with that taken out of the way... At least he'll be able to take care of himself properly, with some time.

"Oh, it wasn't exactly common where I was, either... but some weapons that seem similar to the idea of it," Angeal corrects idly. "I'll be interested to see thee similarities and differences. At any rate, I could entertain you with a spar, sure. It's been a while since I've taken up any kind of weapon, however."

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