Disclaimer: I do NOT own Noblesse

Pairing: Tao x Rai

Word Count: 3, 772

Note: Food porn! Also, everyone is awkward and Tao just found out how truly fucked he is.

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Chapter 3

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The thing is, Tao can bake. That's why it's not weird for his mind to go to crème brûlée dreamland when he thought about Rai eating sweets. He can bake.

He used to do it a lot when he was still with the Union. He lived in an apartment alone but below his floor, there's a single mom who has 3 small children. They were 3, 5, and 10 years old. Cute, loud, sweet monsters. Tao used to bake treats for them every weekend.

When he came to South Korea, well. Tao stopped doing a lot of things.

Like wanking. Yeah. He just wants to get that out there because really. That would explain what happened in the shower, now that Tao is thinking about it.

Anyway. He loved baking. It's his guilty pleasure. It relaxes him and takes away his mind from the stress that comes from being a member of the cold-hearted DA-5. He loved it even more to see people's reaction when they taste his food. The way they suddenly light up, the way their eyes sparkle as they gushes at Tao, complimenting him and pestering him for recipes. It made Tao happy, made him feel like he's giving something rare and good to people when all he sees in his job are violence and deaths. In a way, it helped assuaged the guilt Tao tells himself he didn't feel.

South Korea was supposed to be a simple job. Get in, find information on Crombel's works, report said findings to the higher ups, then get out and get back to his previous life.

It was never that simple.

M-21 is an enigma. A failed experiment who rose above the deterioration of his own body. Rai might be responsible for the awakening of his latent powers but ultimately, it was M-21's own stubbornness to survive, to live, that Tao found himself in this very situation.

Not that Tao isn't grateful. He is honestly happy that he's gotten himself out of his previous life. He never thought he hated it until he's no longer living it. But still. It all started with M-21 is all he's saying.

So now, he's here. 6 months since he last baked and 6 months since he last wanked. It makes sense that the two would collide when Tao is high and weak with pleasure, his body taut with release.

That logic makes him breathe easier. Tao's not sure he can stay any longer in the same house as Rai and Frankenstein without confessing to the sexual violation that he did to the Noblesse. Never mind that it happened within his mind and said mind was helpless to stop the onslaught of sexy images as it was happening in the midst of his weakness. Never mind that. Rai is too innocent and pure for Tao and his perverted mind to defile and violate, however unintentional said defiling and violating was.

Tao arrived to the logical conclusion. He bakes occasionally, he wanks regularly, no orgasmic Rai faces will accidentally appear in his mind. Even better, he'll finally be able to satisfy his curiosity about Rai's reaction to Tao's specialty that is crème brûlée.

So, baking it is.

….

The second time Tao tried to set foot in the kitchen, he was met by skeptical eyebrows. Tao wasn't offended. He can't cook to save his life and the first time he tried, Frankenstein literally kicked him out of the kitchen after threatening to feed all his hair to the Dark Spear.

Needless to say, he never set foot in the kitchen ever again.

Until now.

Baking is different from cooking. They may be essentially the same in that both are for preparing foods properly and deliciously for consumption but the methods are different.

Tao happens to be very good with the methods used in baking.

He says so to M-21 who is the only one currently in the house with him.

It's the weekend so they don't have to go to school today. Rai is with Ik-Han and the other kids. Takeo and the Nobles are out patrolling. And the Boss is out himself doing… whatever it is he's doing.

Tao is smart enough to use the others' absence as an opportunity to commandeer the kitchen. He already bought all the ingredients that he might need last night, tucked in his room for safe-keeping so as not to raise suspicion. He wanted to surprise everyone.

Ideally, everyone included the brute currently standing in the kitchen doorway with his arms crossed in front of his chest. But M-21 lives to sabotage Tao's plan is what Tao is quickly learning. So Tao heaved a put upon sigh and resigned himself to being supervised by the demi-werewolf.

He went back to his room, gathered his ingredients and walked back out to the kitchen. M-21 sniffed suspiciously at the plastic bag Tao is holding, obviously expecting to smell explosives instead of chocolates and vanilla. When that wasn't the case – because it was, in fact, chocolates and vanilla in the bag – he raised incredulous eyebrows at Tao.

"What?" Tao grumbled, actually feeling a bit offended now. "I told you I'm going to bake. You don't believe me?"

"I don't believe you know how to bake." What a smartass.

M-21 made to peek inside the bag – because obviously, he's still expecting explosives (chocolate and vanilla flavored explosives, like that's a thing) – but Tao quickly sidestepped him, scowling as he walked further into the kitchen.

Tao smiled. Frankenstein has the best kitchen ever. The first time Tao stepped inside Frankie's kitchen (a.k.a. That Time He Almost Lost All His Fabulous Hair To A Demented Weapon Of Literal Darkness), he almost cried. It was so beautiful with its polished counter and sophisticated, economic cupboards and cabinets; very spacious and dreamy in that it has all the kitchen appliances (original, brand new, and shiny) anyone could ask for.

It was one of the most joyous events of Tao's life, setting foot in that kitchen. He was so happy, so much so that he actually forgot that he's a complete menace in a kitchen when he's not baking. He tried to cook. And, well, there's your a.k.a.

Tao run his fingers along the counter almost reverently as he set down his ingredients. He's aware that his smile might be skirting to the unhinged territory but he doesn't care. He's baking!

Excited, he quickly gathered his materials. M-21 perched gingerly on the stool across the counter from him, watching suspiciously, but Tao merely sent him a delighted smile before rubbing his palms together.

He set to work.

All his ingredients are triple in measurement because he's baking for everyone. The kids, the Nobles, the former Union members, the Boss, and especially the Noblesse. They're a lot. Tao can't wait to surprise them with his heavenly creation.

There's a split second of hesitation with Tao staring down at the ingredients blankly. It was stupid but he's suddenly nervous that maybe he's forgotten how to do it. Forgotten how to bake. His mind scrambled frantically, trying to remember the recipe, the measurements.

But then his feet moves, taking him to the oven; and his hand rose, wrist twisting to set the dial to 300°F, the perfect temperature to preheat the oven.

And suddenly, Tao remembered. Because his body remembered.

Everything is easy then; his movements fluid, the steps and the process coming to him naturally.

He beat the egg yolks in a large bowl together with the sugar. When it's smooth, he set it aside so he can work on the heavy cream and chocolates – semi-sweet mixed with a couple ounces of dark. He poured the cream in a large saucepan over a medium-high heat while he set up another pan to boil some water.

Once the cream is simmering, he turned the heat off and started adding in the chocolates, whisking until it's all melted. When that's done, he took two spoonful and mixed it in with the egg and sugar mixture. The chocolate is still warm so he took special care to whisk it all together continuously to prevent the eggs from cooking.

He's mixing everything by hand and the repetitive circular motion started to strain some tiny muscles and delicate bones that he hasn't used in a long time. Tao relished the tension in his wrist, feeling relaxed and happy with the simplicity of the mindless process.

He reached over and turned off the heat on the boiling water. When he glanced up, he was gratified to see that M-21 has lost his doubtful expression. Instead, he looks reluctant with wonder and interest as he watch Tao works. Tao beamed at him proudly if a little smugly before turning back to his work.

Once he's sure that the eggs are properly tempered, Tao added the remaining chocolate mixture and whisk until everything is smooth and delicate-looking.

M-21, because he obviously grew up without manners, tried to dip a finger into the mixture. Tao swatted his hand with a spoon.

He already have a dozen 6-inch ramekins (the boss seriously have everything!) arranged in a baking pan, and after dividing the mixture equally among them, he poured the hot water in, making sure that it's deep enough that it will bathe the outside of the ceramics and ensure an even cooking. He sticks it in the oven and set the timer to 45 minutes.

They wait.

….

Tao is not nervous per se. Okay. There might be a bit of apprehension going on but it's a very tiny insignificant bit, just a low hum at the very back of his mind. Mostly, he's excited and more than ready to present his creation to everyone. He already have the custards chilling in the fridge and is just waiting for the remainder of the gang to show up.

They're in the living room, occupying the sofa and sitting on the floor, talking over each other and bantering. They're loud and rowdy as is always the case when the kids are around. The only silent one is as usual, the Noblesse. He's in his school uniform (when is he never?) and sipping his usual 80% sugar, 20% tea concoction. His eyes are closed, his expression calm and serene – which is such a disconcerting contrast to Shinwoo beside him who's practically screaming at the top of his lungs, talking over Ik-han in the hopes that his louder voice would automatically win whatever argument they're having.

Tao thought it was sort of funny to watch. Especially when Ik-han, because sometimes the kid can be a little shit, pointedly turned his nose up and snorted obnoxiously.

It abruptly stopped being funny when, Shinwoo, agitated, flails hard and hit Rai across his arm holding his tea.

Tao watched in slowly dawning horror as the Noblesse's eyes opened in surprise, a silent gasp on his lips as half of his tea spilled down the front of his uniform, staining the fabric an ugly brownish-green.

For a while, nobody speaks. The silence thick and terrifying as they watch the Noblesse stare down at himself. He still looked surprise, like he couldn't quite believe what happened. Looking closely, Tao can see the flush coloring Rai's cheeks in pink.

Slowly, as if coming back from a dream, the Noblesse blinked. He reached over the coffee table and sat his almost empty cup down with great care. In the complete silence, the light tapping sound it made is enough to make everyone flinch.

Frankenstein hurried over to him, fussing like a mother hen. Asking if he's alright, if there's anything he can do, even going so far as to apologize even though it wasn't his fault. All the while, he kept shooting these overly sharp glares at Shinwoo – the ones normal people usually deserve for the bad ones who kicks puppy in their spare time.

Tao was reluctantly sympathetic even as he watched in amusement as the poor boy gulps and started shaking in cold sweat. Mostly though, he's still sort of terrified of the potential blood bath that may still happen – Rai can be pretty scary if he wanted to – so he couldn't care properly enough.

It's a good thing the Nobles aren't there yet. Otherwise, Shinwoo would be so, so sorry. Rael and Regis would flay him alive for daring to dirty their ethereal elegant muse that is Rai. As it is, the boss is already doing a great job of scaring the poor boy. Shinwoo wouldn't be able to do anything without looking over his shoulder first, Tao will bet.

He turned back to the Noblesse just in time to see him shake his head subtly at the boss – who bowed down and took a step back, still looking anxious and worried.

Rai ignored him in favor of reaching for his ruined tie. He hesitated for a second before pulling it off with a flourish. He handed it over to Frankenstein before starting on the buttons of his white blazer. He took it off and Tao couldn't help but blush slightly because the way the Noblesse did it was so innocently… provocative. There's no other word for it. Tao swears. He's not just being a pervert.

See. Everyone else thinks so. All eyes are finding every boring surface suddenly fascinating.

When Tao looks back, it's to find Rai in his blue long-sleeved undershirt, the top two buttons open to show pale reddened skin. It took a minute before Tao realized that the tea must have been hot enough to burn and it touched Rai's skin. He made a sort of strangled sound – which caught Rai's attention.

Tao wasn't sure if he ever had a direct conversation with the Noblesse before. He doesn't think so. Otherwise, he would know to expect the sudden hitch in his breathing when all the intensity of the Noblesse's eyes focused on him.

"Er," Tao stammered, gulping. Why is it suddenly so hard to breath? "Do you need some burn cream?" he barreled on bravely.

"Burn cream." Frankenstein said in a flat tone, eyes zeroing in on Rai's burn. He made an impressive growling sound under his breath before turning to Shinwoo who flinched with his entire body.

Rai raised his hand and it was enough to stop the livid man from murdering the boy.

"I am fine. Thank you." Rai said to Tao.

"Apologize!" Ik-han was hissing to Shinwoo, but the boy was too terrified to move.

Yuna, who was silent up until then, rose smoothly from her seat. She hurried to the kitchen and came back with a wet towel which she uses to dab at Rai's neck and collarbone – after looking to him for permission. She was gentle and efficient and she quickly returned to her seat when she was done. Rai gave her a small grateful smile.

The boss, looking antsy for something to do, took Rai's remaining tea with him and came back with another. He hovers behind the Noblesse and pointedly watch Shinwoo for anymore flailing.

Rai silently accepted the proffered drink and sipped it slowly.

Then silence.

Nobody was brave enough to start conversation after the disaster of the previous one. They just sort of looked at each other, clearing their throat pointedly, trying to convince someone, anyone to say something already. It was all very awkward.

That's how the others found them twenty minutes later.

Takeo, Regis, Rael and Seira all paused just inside the threshold when they arrived, watching warily. No one welcomed them and no one asked how their patrol went. They glanced at each other, unsure. Eventually, they all ventured inside and sit.

And then silence again.

Rael and Regis settled next to each other against the far wall, sitting straight and bowing their heads like they've found themselves in a middle of a vigil. Occasionally, they would elbow each other and glare before looking up guiltily and bowing their heads again.

Rai sipped his tea.

Takeo inched his way to Tao very slowly, as if afraid any sudden movement would break whatever standoff they're having.

"What's going on?" he whispered lowly from the corner of his mouth, lips barely moving.

Tao couldn't help but heaved a sigh. He stopped being terrified ten minutes ago. Honestly, everyone's just being ridiculous now. He was on the verge of huffing and stomping when M-21 – who was doing a perfectly good job of disguising himself as part of the furniture (Tao wasn't even aware he's present) – suddenly blurted out, "Taobakedsomething!"

He said it all in a rush, the words running together like one long single word, like he's trying to get it all out before his courage desert him.

Still, it was effective enough to cut through the silence. They all turned to him with varying degrees of surprise and confusion. Except for Tao. Tao kind of wanted to murder him. Way to throw someone under the bus, M-21.

When what the demi-werewolf said finally registered, all eyes turned to Tao who flushed at the scrutiny. His apprehension came back to him at full force. "Er. Surprise?"

….

Tao took a couple of minutes to caramelized some sugar on top of each custard before going back to the living room. He was careful not to look at Frankenstein when he set down the tray with the dessert. He cleared his throat before handing everyone a piece and a teaspoon each.

Rai looked adorably surprised when Tao finally presented him his share. He put down his tea and accepted the chocolate-filled ramekin, looking down at it in interest.

"What's this, Tao-hyung?" Yuna asked, smiling encouragingly because she's awesome like that.

"Oh. Uh, it's chocolate crème brûlée. That I made. Earlier." He cleared his throat. "Let's eat!"

Nobody eats.

Everyone was looking at the Noblesse who was staring at Tao impressedly. "You can make chocolate," he said in wonder.

Tao was not shy but it's hard not to blush when the Noblesse is looking at him like he just announced world peace. He rubbed the back of his neck. "I didn't exactly made it. I just," he made an elaborate gesture with his hand. "Baked."

"I can bake, too." Rael said.

Tao gestured at Rai. "Please eat, Rai-nim."

This is it, Tao thinks. The whole point of the exercise. To see if the Noblesse will like Tao's chocolate crème brûlée as much as he likes the boss' diabetic tea. Not that he's competing. He just wanted to know if the Noblesse likes other sweet confections aside from tea with 10 tons of sugar.

Tao looked closely as Rai digs into his dessert. Smiling when Rai's eyes widen minutely as the caramelized sugar on top of the custard breaks before it oozes with thick creamy chocolate. He watches as the Noblesse brings the teaspoon to his mouth, the little smear of heavenly dessert disappearing slowly between pink lips as he eats delicately.

The realization hits Tao hard and sudden. He thought it was only his unintentional abstinence from sexual activity that resulted to the 'Shower Incident'. He's not completely wrong. It's definitely a factor. Mostly though, Tao is just really, sexually attracted to the Noblesse.

Being surrounded by literally everyone who matters while having this kind of revelation is not good for Tao's heart. He can feel its beat drumming frantically into his chest. His hands are going clammy with cold sweat and he's having a hard time getting enough oxygen in his lungs.

Even so, he couldn't avert his eyes from Rai. He couldn't help but focus on those lips and hands and really, just his entire everything. How did Tao never notice it before? Watching the Noblesse eat is like watching vanilla porn, slow and sensual. Tao can only watch helplessly.

Especially when Rai's eyes widen with pleasure, cheeks flushing lightly, a soft moaning sound escaping from around his teaspoon before he slides it out and licked chocolate from his lips. He closes his eyes, apparently to savor the flavor. When he breathes, it sounds like a sigh.

When Rai opened his eyes again, it's to find Tao unerringly. "It was very delicious," he said. His sincerity is almost painful in light of what he's doing to Tao and his traitorous libido.

"Thank you," Tao squeaked out, suddenly aware that everyone is in the room and watching the exchange. He was afraid to look up and see Frankenstein's expression. Instead, he shoved his own teaspoon into his dessert and proceeded to shovel chocolate into his mouth.

Apparently, that's what everyone was waiting for. They all dig into their own dessert, humming and groaning with delight and surprise. It wasn't long before everyone was complimenting Tao and asking for recipes.

Tao, who was still sort of hang up on the realization that he's lusting over the Noblesse, floundered for a bit. But it wasn't long before he too was grinning, answering any questions thrown at him indulgingly and promising more desserts in the future. When he finally found the courage to look at Frankenstein, it's to find him nodding his head agreeably. Tao beamed at him.

Frankenstein smiled sweetly in return. "If you set my kitchen on fire, I will skin you alive, cut you into tiny pieces, and feed your remains to stray dogs."

Tao nodded bravely. It's fair but still brutal, exactly what he expected from the boss.

"You will bake again?" Rai asks and Tao had to brace himself before looking.

Rai was holding his now empty ramekin in both hands and looking at Tao hopefully. It's a lot of expression coming from the Noblesse and it's a bit disconcerting. Mostly, it's endearing but Tao is not thinking about that.

"Yes," he answered. Rai literally perked up and Tao realized that the Noblesse means to ask if he's going to bake right now. "Soon," he hurries to say. "Not today. I don't have anymore ingredients."

"Oh." Rai lowers his eyes in disappointment and Tao feels like the worst human being ever. It didn't help when all the Nobles tenses in their seats, turning to glare collectively at Tao and Tao just feels threatened.

"Tomorrow," he quickly amends. "I can probably bake tomorrow."

Rai looked up and smiled at him. "I will look forward to it."

Tao smiled back and made a kind of salute while trying to get to his feet at the same time. It wasn't his most coordinated moment but give him a break. His heart is currently lodge in his throat and there are actual butterflies in his stomach.

He didn't even excused himself. He just made a mad dash to the kitchen before practically collapsing against the counter.

Fuck.

He is fucked.