It was raining outside, soft droplets tapping against the windows as the gray clouds blanketed the sky. You were curled up on the couch with a blanket, lazily flipping through your phone when you heard some clanking in the kitchen.

Curious, you peeked in—and found Renji, your usually intimidating and emotionally reserved boyfriend, standing stiffly in front of a mixing bowl. Flour dusted his shirt, and he looked intensely focused on… a recipe video playing on mute.

He glanced at you and froze. His ears turned slightly red. “…Don’t look.” “But I wanna see what you’re making,” you teased, walking closer.

Renji averted his eyes, clearly embarrassed but refusing to back down. “It’s not done yet,” he grumbled. “Meant it to be a surprise. For you.”

You smiled as you saw a half-formed attempt at cookies on a tray. They weren’t pretty—some were a little too flat, others oddly shaped—but your heart melted anyway.

“You’re baking for me?” “…They said it was romantic,” he muttered, avoiding eye contact, “Tried following the steps but… whatever, I’ll buy real ones if this sucks.”

You stepped closer, wrapping your arms around his waist from behind. He tensed—then slowly rested a large hand over yours. “They look perfect,” you whispered.

He said nothing… but you could feel the heat in his cheeks, and the small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.