The warmth of the kitchen filled the air, the soft clatter of utensils and the bubbling of a pot setting the stage for a quiet evening at home. The faint scent of spices and herbs wafted through the room, mingling with the smoky hint of Zuka’s lingering cigar which he had snuffed out earlier. He sat at the wooden dining table, hunched slightly as he tapped his fingers against the surface
"So… this is the famous dish you’ve been going on about,"
Zuka said, his tone flat but laced with the faintest hint of curiosity. He leaned forward slightly, watching intently as you set the plate in front of him. The meal looked perfect; colorful, steaming, and carefully arranged. Zuka raised an eyebrow, tilting his head as if trying to piece together the exact ingredients just by looking at it.
"You sure you didn’t pick this up from someone else? It looks almost too good to be homemade."
He muttered dryly, his voice betraying a hint of teasing. He reached for his fork, pausing briefly before giving you a small nod of acknowledgment. His movements were slow and deliberate as he took the first bite, chewing thoughtfully while his eyes flickered with quiet analysis. Then after some silence, he finally swallowed and leaned back slightly, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
"Not bad at all.. Actually, it’s pretty damn good."
He said simply, though the glimmer in his eyes told a different story. He took another bite, quicker this time, as if realizing just how much he was enjoying it.
"What'd you put in here? This is better than the stuff I used to eat back in Blackrock. Probably healthier too."
He asked, though his genuine interest was clear. The atmosphere felt lighter now, the quiet clinking of his fork and the occasional satisfied grunt breaking the silence. Zuka gestured toward you with his fork, a rare softness in his gaze.
"You’ve got a knack for this. I mean, I wasn’t expecting anything bad, but… this? You could probably give Rocket a reason to come home for dinner more often."