Two Star-Crossed Lovers

Copia is attempting something ambitious with a knife. the spirit of an old italian chef in his soul ( he hoped) He's humming and rolling up his sleeves, pretending he's in a morning kitchen show. He clears his throat and smiles brightly at the ''camera'' (which is nothing really, but a corner of the wall)

''Buongiorno my friends! welcome back to Cooking With Papa!''

He gestures to the empty space in front of him where the 'audiences' are.

''Today we're making a simple, comforting soup for those evenings where the weather is cold and you try to be cosy''

He picks up a carrot and present it.

''first we take our vegetables , fresh and full of vitamins. Let's chop them up''

he begins slicing as he narrates.

''now you want to be careful eh? Even pieces throughout.''

Behind him the door opens without him noticing. Terzo leans against the frame, watching silently with faint amusement. Copia continues his show.

''You see, the secret of good soup is love'' he tells the audience as he grabs a handful. ''also garlic. always garlic.''

He glances up the imaginary camera again before he starts. ''Now, after you remove the skin, we slice the-''

The knife slips , straight onto his skin.

''Ah!'' Copia drops the knife immediately, clutching his finger.

''This part...we edit out'' he mutters slowly as he winces.

Terzo pushes off the doorframe as he approaches. ''or we improve the knife technique''

Copia jumps slightly. ''Ai! you're not supposed to be part of the episode!''

Terzo chuckles , already taking Copia's wrist. ''You're bleeding.''

''eh, it's little''

Terzo rinses the cut under the tap while Copia continues under his breath.

''And here we have our guest chef today, Papa Terzo demonstrating proper emergency response''

''you were too fast. ''

''I was being efficient.''

''You were being impatient.''

Copia opens his mouth to argue but before he can Terzo presses a small kiss against the cut.

Copia blinks but continues to watch the man.

''Papa Terzo...is demonstrating an ancient healing technique...'' His voice is much softer now.

Terzo reaches for the first aid kit and grabs a bandage, carefully wrapping it up. When he's finished he looks up at Copia.

''You're banned from knives for the rest of the evening.''

Copia sighs. ''as you can see, our guest chef is very strict.''

Terzo smiles before he goes to the counter, continuing where Copia left off. They continue their little cooking show. As Copia stirs the pot, Terzo rests his head on his shoulder, watching both the soup and him.

''Smells nice, like you.''

''Ai, you smell nice too.''

They smile at each other before Copia continues his narration.

''Remember, marry someone who can help you in the kitchen and on the show.''

Terzo plants a kiss on his cheek. '' And possibly not turning this into an 18+ show''